Chapter 21 Paradiso

After a cold night, the town awakened to the sound of chatter and bustling activity. The gang busied themselves with restocking provisions.

Yumi sighed as she checked her gear. “It’s such a pain to keep buying arrows,” she complained, prompting nods of agreement from Reika and Alessandra.

Iryoku approached, carrying a bag filled with clothes. “Here, wear these if it gets colder,” he said, handing each of them a fur-lined cloak. Their faces lit up with happiness.

Reika raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “You’re oddly thoughtful today. What’s the occasion?”

Iryoku smirked, his tone playful. “Just a small token of appreciation... for keeping me warm at night,” he said, winking at the three of them.

The girls froze, their eyes widening in Synchrony as they exchanged glances, their faces turning a shade of red. Each silently wondered who among them could possibly be the culprit he was referring to.

After gearing up, they climbed into the carriage. Alessandra took a quick inventory of their supplies. “I packed the dried meat,” she said proudly.

“And I got the map for the area,” Reika added.

“Perfect. Let’s move out,” Iryoku declared as he approached Rhogan. Patting the massive creature affectionately, he asked, “Are you cold, buddy?”

Rhogan let out a soft growl, dismissing the question with ease.

With that, they commenced their journey. Passing through the city gates, they noticed more refugees arriving at the same time. The sight was sobering but didn’t slow their pace. They pressed on, heading toward the towering mountain wall in the distance.

As they traveled, Reika shared a local legend. “The townspeople say there are hidden passages and caves that lead into the mountain. However, they don’t dare enter, as the mountain is considered holy ground and must be respected as the domain of the gods.”

“What kind of gods are we talking about here? Izanagi, Zeus, Thor, Cthulhu?” Iryoku joked with a smirk.

Reika shrugged. “I’m not sure. The stories vary, with many different versions. Some speak of winged gods, others of beings made of light, abstract entities, and even dragon-like creatures.”

Iryoku’s smirk softened, his expression turning more serious. The playful atmosphere dissolved, and the girls’ smiles faded, replaced by a quiet understanding.

The journey continued with minimal issues, though the weather grew colder the closer they approached the holy mountain. Along the way, they encountered a few polar bear beasts and wolf monsters, but Rhogan’s intimidating presence easily scared them off.

After several days of travel, they finally arrived. “We’re here,” Iryoku muttered as they gazed up at the mountain, its steep, sheer face resembling an impenetrable wall. He approached it and pressed his hand against the surface. “It’s not cold.”

The girls followed suit, each touching the mountain in curiosity.

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“This is amazing,” Yumi said, her breath visible in the icy air.

“Well, there you have it—your interdimensional magical Everest,” Iryoku quipped with a grin.

They decided to continue east along the mountain base. It didn’t take long before they stumbled upon a series of caves. Some were decorated with makeshift altars and ornaments placed just outside, suggesting rituals or offerings left behind.

“Which one should we enter?” Reika asked, her eyes scanning the various openings.

“Let’s just pick one and hope for the best,” Alessandra said with a shrug, her tone practical but laced with uncertainty.

"Eeny, meeny, miney, moe... this one, I guess," Yumi said hesitantly, pointing at one of the cave openings.

Alessandra nodded in agreement. "I think so too."

"Then let’s go," Reika added, determination clear in her voice.

Despite their exhaustion, they felt relentless, driven by the hope of finding a way back to their world. Whether it was Vitka waiting for them here or a portal home, their determination kept them moving forward. Leaving the carriage behind, they ventured into the cave together with Rhogan by their side, with their provisions loaded onto Rhogan’s back.

Once inside, Iryoku’s eyes lit up as he took in their surroundings. “Oh, I’m telling you, girls, this is something else,” he said, the hope in his voice unmistakable. The walls were lined with pulsating veins of red light, glowing faintly like blood flowing through a living being. Strangely enough, the cave exuded a sense of safety and calm, easing their nerves despite its eerie appearance.

Yumi reached out, pressing her hand against the wall. “It’s... warmer,” she murmured, her voice laced with a mix of awe and curiosity.

The stillness of the cave was unnerving, broken only by the soft echo of their footsteps. They pressed onward, the cavern branching into a labyrinth of twisting paths. The gentle incline of the floor made it feel as though they were ascending toward something significant, some unknown destination waiting just ahead.

Hours seemed to pass as they journeyed deeper. With no way to track time, they stopped to rest and sleep only when fatigue demanded it, relying on Reika’s spells to provide them with water as needed. Each time, Iryoku marked the wall with his dagger, carving symbols to track their progress. But soon, even those markings began to blur together in their minds. Days? Weeks? They couldn’t tell.

The glowing veins in the walls grew brighter the further they advanced, casting an eerie red hue over the cavern. Sweat beaded on Iryoku’s brow as he picked up his pace. “Let’s keep going—I know there has to be something close,” he urged, his voice filled with anticipation.

Throughout the journey, they hadn’t encountered a single monster, creature, or even another soul. The silence weighed on them, and their minds grew more and more fatigued. Yet each of them clung to their hope—unspoken, but palpable.

Yumi thought of her grandmother. “She’s probably worried sick about me,” she murmured softly.

Alessandra thought of her parents and her students at the high school. “I wonder how the school is handling our disappearance,” she muttered.

Reika’s thoughts drifted to her father and mother. “Even though they’re strict, I still want to see them again,” she said, her voice barely audible.

Iryoku, silent and pensive, thought to himself, I need to apologize to them.

Please, I just want to see you again, they each silently wished as they pressed forward, their determination unwavering.

Finally, they emerged into a massive chamber. The ceiling towered high above them, with a colossal pillar of rock dominating the center. The vast, open space was scattered with large, rocks, giving the area an ominous atmosphere. Instinctively, they drew their weapons, their senses sharp and on high alert.

“What’s that sound?” Yumi whispered, her grip tightening on her bow.

The group moved cautiously as a faint hum reached their ears, growing louder with each step. They walked for what felt like hundreds of meters, the sound pulling them toward an opening on the far side of the chamber.

Their pace quickened, hearts pounding in unison, until they reached the edge. Together, they peered out, their breaths hitching as they took in the sight before them. A large opening in the cavern revealed itself, and the dim red glow of the veins along the walls began to fade, giving way to the stark gray of natural stone.

“Is this the end?” Reika asked softly, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

They stepped closer to the opening and were greeted by an immense gap—a vast, seemingly endless chasm separating their cave from another opening on the opposite side, as if the mountain itself had been cleaved in half. The drop below seemed bottomless, shrouded in darkness.