Rio and Filip walked slowly toward the pyramid.
Filip cradled Oathkeeper carefully in his arms, the small Soul Dragon curled weakly against his chest. Its faint blue glow pulsed like a tired heartbeat. Every now and then its wings twitched in its sleep, reacting to the wind, but it never fully woke.
Rio noticed.
And somehow, that made everything heavier.
His balance improved little by little, but it still wasn't enough. He couldn't walk on his own yet. Every step felt delayed, as if his body reacted a moment too late. His tail swayed behind him without permission, constantly pulling his center of gravity off balance.
He clenched his fists.
Anger.Embarrassment.Frustration.
How could Filip walk so easily?
And worse—What would happen if Filip ever stopped walking beside him?
The thought struck hard enough to make his chest tighten.
No.Don't think about that.
Rio forced his gaze forward, focusing on the pyramid growing larger with every step. The closer they got, the more familiar it felt.
Too familiar.
Exactly like the one they had seen back on Earth.
"…You thinking the same thing I am?" Filip asked quietly, breaking the silence.
Oathkeeper shifted faintly in his arms as he spoke.
Rio shook his head and said nothing.
Instead, he pushed himself to move faster.
Not because he could—But because he had to.
After nearly twenty minutes, they reached the base of the stairs.
The stone steps rose endlessly upward, wind whipping harder the higher they climbed. Rio slowly let go of Filip.
He could stand now.
As long as he didn't move.
The moment his tail shifted, his balance faltered again.
Both of them noticed.
Behind them lay the open forest—dark, exposed, dangerous.
Sleep there…Or risk the climb.
Before Filip could suggest anything, Rio made the decision himself.
He dropped down onto all fours.
The cold stone pressed into his palms.
The humiliation burned worse than the pain.
Without looking back, he began crawling up the steps.
Filip paused only for a moment.
Then he followed.
He stayed a few steps behind, Oathkeeper still safe in his arms, saying nothing—choosing silence over words that might deepen Rio's shame.
Carved symbols lined the staircase. Figures and markings that looked like a strange blend of hieroglyphs and ancient cave paintings. Filip tried to memorize them as he climbed, frustration gnawing at him.
A language.A history.
And no time to understand it.
Ahead of him, Rio struggled upward.
His arms burned. His breathing was shallow and angry. Wind howled stronger with every step, as if the world itself was testing him.
After nearly half an hour, they reached the summit.
Both collapsed where they stood.
Filip carefully adjusted Oathkeeper in his arms, shielding the small dragon from the cold wind with his body. The blue glow flickered—but remained steady.
At the center of the platform stood a statue.
Fox-like. Slender. Alert.
Not threatening.
Watching.
They didn't explore yet.
They rested.
When they finally looked south, the world spread out beneath them. Endless forest. A vast lake reflecting the sky. Far in the distance—white mountains cutting sharply into the horizon.
No towns.No people.
"…It's beautiful," Filip said quietly.
Rio nodded. "Yeah."
Filip traced the mountains with his eyes, Oathkeeper still resting in his arms. "I think… that's where we're going. Beyond those mountains."
Rio swallowed.
The distance felt overwhelming.
For the first time, he truly understood how difficult their journey would be.
But Filip was there.
Oathkeeper was alive.
And for now—
They weren't alone.