Rudeus and Gnobby walked towards the ecotone, a massive ravine that split the land in two, acting as a border between the sprawling jungle and the foggy timberland. On one side of the ravine, vines crept down towards the river that flowed flat at its bottom. On the other side, fog spilled out from between the colossal redwood trees, and flowed over the edge like an impossibly wide waterfall.
Gnobby said: “This ‘ere is Swordstrike Split. The story goes that, when the world was first formed, a battle was fought that split the earth in two. That's just how the story goes, though.”
Rudeus’ eyes followed Swordstrike Split from one edge of the horizon to the other. It really did split the earth in two! He couldn't see end nor beginning of it! “It's incredible!”
“Just wait till ye see what’s at the bottom!”
Rudeus nervously replied: “The-.. The bottom? We’re going down there? Isn't there a bridge or something?”
“Nope, no bridge. Anyways, we're going there for what's at the bottom, so it wouldn't matter even if there was one.”
“And what is it that's supposed to be down there?”
“I'd hate to ruin the surprise!”
The two approached the edge, and Rudeus peeked over. The fog from the timberland collected in the bottom, making Swordstrike Split seem endlessly deep. The unfathomable depth of the ravine sent a shudder down his spine, and he took a reflexive step back when he imagined himself falling into it.
Rudeus asked: “So, uh, how do we get down?”
“Oh, there's a staircase… on the other side. On this side, we’ll use the vines to climb down.”
Rudeus laughed: “Hahah, nice joke. Now, where are the stairs?”
Gnobby swung themself over the edge, and for a second, Rudeus thought they had fallen to their doom! But when he leaned over to look, Gnobby was there, looking back at him.
Rudeus cried: “Are you serious!?”
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Gnobby shrugged: “Beats jumping. It's not too bad once you get used to it. The vines are nice and strong.”
Rudeus hesitated at the edge, paralyzed with fear. Meanwhile, Gnobby was working their way down while whistling a jolly little tune. They paused to look up at him: “Well, c’mon. No time like the present.”
Rudeus nodded weakly. Going on his belly, he slid backwards so that his legs were hanging over the edge. A rock knocked loose, punching a hole in the fog as it fell through. He gripped the vines so tightly that his knuckles went white, and slowly, ever so slowly, he began working his way down the side of Swordstrike Split.
Hand over hand, Rudeus scaled his way down the side like an ant on the wall. Just as Gnobby said, it wasn't too bad once he got used to it. The vines were fixed to the wall quite securely, and served as good handholds. Rudeus became like a climbing machine, entering a state of flow that cleared his mind of all worries.
Soon, Gnobby called up to him: “Aight, lad! Come ‘ere, time for a break!”
Rudeus joined Gnobby on a ledge just big enough to sit on, barely above where the fog began. His dangling feet dipped into the fog, and it felt like he was sitting over a sea of clouds. Naturally, he was still a little afraid. Fear is normal, but before it ruled him, and now he ruled it.
Together, they snacked on the insects that crawled through the vines. Gnobby was an expert, pointing out which ones were crunchy or gooey, sweet or savory. Gnobby preferred the long ones with a million legs, and Rudeus preferred the blue spotted ones that exploded like grapes between his teeth. They snacked and made merry until it was time for them to continue on their way.
As they continued climbing, Rudeus’ foot caught some sort of ledge. It took him by surprise, and his grip suddenly loosened! He could feel himself falling! He cried “AAHHHH!!”
Thump. Turns out, the ledge was actually the bottom, and he landed flat on his back in soft soil. The fog was so thick, he thought he had fallen to his doom! Gnobby jumped down beside him with a chuckle: “Not much further. C'mon, follow me! You'll be impressed, I'm sure!”
Rudeus picked himself up and followed after Gnobby, heart pounding from the scare. The ground here was carpeted with a thick layer of fluffy green clover, and the fog was so thick that he couldn't see past the reach of his arms. Gnobby was a good guide, moving slowly and making sure they never got too far from one another.
The fog was sapping, rapidly draining the heat Rudeus had worked up on the way down. It might've chilled him to the bone if he woke up to it first thing in the morning, but right now, it was nice and refreshing. He pinched himself on the cheek; This whole situation was so surreal, it was hard to know if he was dreaming; Or, alive.
Excitement grew within him as Gnobby led him towards a light in the fog. Silhouettes first appeared, and then grew in definition. Suddenly, they broke through the fog, as if it were being held back by an invisible wall. What Rudeus saw stole his breath away!