Heroes Without A Plan

“It’s huge! We have to climb all that?” Eliot cried.

“It’s one of the only mountains that might have the stone.” Agatha’s eyes were fixed on the high mountain.

“Maybe Pire could help? He’s pretty big now.” Mike suggested, looking over at the dragon. Pire was definitely bigger, almost like a car, but still nothing compared to the one they had fought. It would certainly save them a lot of time.

“Is that okay, Pire?” Mike asked, looking into his icy blue eyes. Pire just sniffed as he laid his head on Mike’s.

While Agatha explained what needed to be done, Mike tried his luck at mounting Pire. The stone was gray with purple flecks and had a unique pattern on it. The one-eyed witch handed them some pickaxes and said they’d probably have to chisel it. Once on Pire, he didn’t move, telling Mike it was okay.

Pire was reluctant to fly, but after a little persuasion from Mike, he was off. The air grew colder the higher he went. The wind blew into the trio’s faces as Pire climbed the mountain at a rapid pace. And it didn’t take them long to reach its summit.

When Pire landed on the mountain, they dismounted.

“All right, why don’t we split up?” Alyssa suggested.

“Sure! Meet back here in ten?” Mike asked, picking up the tools Agatha had given them and passing them around.

“Like...minutes?” Eliot asked him.

“Yes! Ten minutes, nitwit!” Alyssa rolled her eyes and laughed at the offended look on Elliot’s face before the three of them parted.

The mountain was cold and it was hard to breathe, but the heroes chipped away at the rock bit by bit. After ten minutes, all three returned empty-handed.

“Oh, great! Now what?” Alyssa wrapped her arms around herself for warmth as they thought.

“We’ll keep on looking.”

More and more of the mountainside collapsed into the frozen earth, and the heroes began to lose hope. Pire yawned and stretched further into the snow as the three met for the millionth time.

Eliot sighed deeply with exhaustion and looked up at the darkening sky.

“Let’s try again tomorrow? It’s really cold.” He tried to convince Mike to continue, but soon the cold became unbearable. The rogue hugged herself, trying to stay warm as her hoarse voice rose, stopping several times to clear her throat.

“I’m too cold. Let’s just—Let’s just go.”

They turned around and decided to try again at daybreak. On their return, the little dragon was nowhere to be seen. Mike had a worried look around for Pire. The three watched the weather worsen, with shouts and cries of his name.

“Where could he have gone?”

Six minutes of searching, nothing. Alyssa couldn’t stand it any longer, the cold was getting to her and it felt like there was barely any air in her lungs. Before she had time to think, her knees buckled under her and she fell to the ground with a thud.

“HEY! Wow, are you okay?” Eliot ran to her side, pulling her close. He quickly removed his robe and covered her.

They sat in the snow and consoled the rogue. Eliot suggested lighting a fire for the girl.

“WHAT! Why didn’t you do that five minutes ago!” Alyssa’s snarky attitude came back at him and playfully threw his robe at him. He gave a soft chuckle as he lit a small fire from his staff.

After warming up, they had to begin anew, for the dragon had disappeared.