Taking another deep breath, he consciously suppressed his turbulent emotions, choosing instead to channel all his remaining strength and resolve into steadily continuing his ascent.
Time seemed to blur into a meaningless haze, each step feeling heavier than the last. Sweat and blood mixed upon Orion's battered scales, exhaustion tugging relentlessly at his consciousness.
Yet he refused to falter, relentlessly pursuing the distant silhouette of Valerian steadily climbing above him.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, both Orion and Valerian arrived near the middle section of the staff.
Orion's breath was slightly ragged, every muscle trembling visibly from the exertion of resisting the immense pressure that now felt much higher than before. He glanced upward, noting that Valerian had stopped momentarily, seemingly deep in thought.
