As Kaz reached higher, his hand curved around a stone. The path had ended and all that remained was a steep cliff to climb. He knew he could make it, but wasn’t sure about his new companion. “You should stay here. Make sure no one else follows us up here,” Kaz requested. The girl snorted air out through her nose in silent protest but accepted fate.
“Thank you,” Kaz replied and Hina nodded with a smile, knowing that she had come a lot farther already than what was safe. Kazimir placed his hands on the cliff face and began his ascent. Clouds still blocked clear vision but the mage found handhold after handhold.
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