Morning light spilled across the hills, warm and clear after five long days of travel.
The great rock tortoise lumbered forward, its shell scraping against low stones as it wound its way around the uneven ridges. Each step was steady, deliberate — the ancient creature's slow crawl carrying them a little closer to their destination.
Behind the tortoise's shell, in the open courtyard space they'd built on its back, a certain rabbit-eared girl was sweating through another brutal morning.
"One, two, one—come on, thirty more! Don't stop now!"
Luciel stood beside her, his voice sharp but encouraging, eyes narrowed with the seriousness of a drill instructor.
"O-Okay!" Mino gasped, pushing herself up with trembling arms.
Sweat poured down her face, dripping onto the wooden deck below and pooling beneath her chin. Her arms shook violently, but she gritted her teeth and lowered herself again, struggling through another push-up.
