The Ascent

Drawing on the theories of Moyo Chibuye, the Expeditionary Corps successfully traversed the Belasenka territory without incident. At great cost, they managed to establish a makeshift camp on the foothills of the Cais Adarra. But while the Belasenka threat has now been neutralized, our journey is far from over. Already, as we turn our gaze toward the Turbulent Shores, we can see Tumult currents gathering, threatening to surge in our direction. As a result, all exploration force contingents have been ordered to regroup at the base camp, seeking shelter at the heart of the Oasis.

The climb to the summit will be grueling. We will have to abandon many motorized vehicles to prioritize the movement of our human contingents. The Ouroboros must also be relocated—it continues to provoke the ire of the Belisenki, and we must position it where it can withstand the Tumult flows. Even so, I cannot bring myself to abandon the troops on the ground. I must not turn the Ouroboros into my ivory tower. Despite the disapproval of my staff, I am determined to stand alongside the ground forces and see this ascent through, no matter how arduous the ordeal.

I must uncover for myself what led to the imprisonment of Kuraokami. We were mistaken in believing the Belisenki were responsible for the confinement of the Oneiros. This species is merely protecting the breeding grounds of the Mana Moths. Yet it feels as though someone—or something—has exploited this behavior, using it as a natural barrier to deter us from pressing further in this direction. What lies ahead? I need to know.

The cold is everywhere. When I wake up, my fingers are numb, and my muscles are stiff. The icy wind slips beneath my clothes, no matter how many layers I wear. My scarf is coated in frost, where my breath crystallizes with every exhale. Even the fires we light struggle to warm us. And when the heat does manage to push back the cold, my skin and flesh ache as sensation returns. But that is nothing compared to the weather itself. The air grows thin, and the elements rage. When the terrible blizzard isn't lashing our faces like razor-sharp needles, a dense fog settles in, making progress difficult, dangerous—even deadly. And whenever we catch a glimpse of it, there is always that peak looming above our heads, taunting us, so distant and unreachable…

But I don’t want you to worry, little sis. I’m not alone in this ordeal. Even though every step is a struggle, we keep moving forward. We are now deep in the heart of the Storhvit and close to reaching the center of the Oasis. There, we will be safe until the Tumult hurricane subsides. We have crossed the taiga, the surreal expanse of the tundra. We have made our way over frozen lakes and rumbling glaciers. Now, we climb—like it or not—toward the summit of a majestic mountain. It is split in two, as if a mighty axe had cleaved it from top to bottom. But the most astonishing thing is the bluish light emanating from within. Some say it’s a massive Kelon deposit, while others believe a creature of legend is trapped inside the mountain…

I hope all is well in Arkaster. I cherish the memories of our walks in the gardens. Those simple moments warm both my heart and my body. At the same time, they remind me just how much I miss you. We left the base camp two days ago, and soon a resupply team will be heading back down to collect the remaining equipment before the Ouroboros retreats and the hurricane reaches us. This is my last chance to send you a letter, so I’m making the most of it. Next time, I’ll have to tell you about Saskia. We’ve been spending a lot of time talking, and I think she might be able to help me find a cure for you. I think of you constantly, and I want you to know that you are with me every step of the way.