The Portal Soldiers

Chapter XVIII

XVIII

Climbing with the Brave Boy

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The Juniors woke up early to prepare themselves for climbing up the mountain. They are by the door when Peter saw them. He curiously stared at them.

"What're you doing this early?" Peter spoke and looked up at the faces of people taller than him. "You should be sleeping more."

"We're gonna climb a mountain for exercise and training," Lance said.

"Can I come?" Peter quizzed them with a cute expression.

"Peter, we are soldiers and we need to have a training," Amy explained. "We will have our training there. Something like camping but we can't allow you if your mother doesn't know it. You can ask her as early as now if you really want to come and then the next day, we'll bring you back home. Is that enough for you?"

"I'll tell mom!" Peter grinned. "Wait for me!"

He ran to his room and opened the door. He saw Delle, packing his things in a bag. Inside it, there were two bottles of water, a map, and a compass.

"Mom . . . " Peter spoke and walked slowly.

Delle looked at him and gave the bag to Peter. Then she presented a sword for Peter's size. Peter had his eyes wide. He accepted the bag and sword with his two little hands.

"Mom . . . " Peter paused. "Have you heard . . . our . . . conversation a while ago?"

"Yes," Delle replied then nodded.

"Oh, mom, thank you!" Peter said as the teardrops fall down his cute cheeks. He embraced his mom and waited for Delle to hug back.

"I know you would love it," Delle chortled tearfully.

"I've got the best gift ever!" Peter raised his hands and jumped.

"Honey, just promise me that you'll be fine," Delle frowned and patted his son's head.

"I promise," Peter smiled while wiping his tears away. "I still have a list of my dreams, Mom. I would like to go beyond this forest with you."

Delle and Peter looked at the Juniors. Peter ran towards Amy and held her hand.

"Oh, thank you," Delle said. "You made my son very happy. You're really kind."

"It's alright," Amy nodded.

"Come on! I can't wait!" Peter said while pulling Amy's right hand.

"Bye!" Amy waved then all of them went out of the hut. They marched to the stables and fetched the horses. They walked at the foot of the breezy mountain that lit up their faces.

"Okay, now, Peter, don't go away from us. Is that clear?" Amy commanded and Peter nodded.

Everyone looked up at the mountain and breathed in. Then they climbed up the breezy mountain they wanted to climb two days ago.

For two hours, they have finally reached the top of the mountain. They sat down on the soft grass and looked down the barely seen foot of the mountain. The clouds above them looked so near yet untouchable.

"Hello, world!" William shouted. "I'm thirsty and starving!"

"We have our bottles empty," Amy panted.

"Maybe we can just search for some natural water source. That'll best quench our thirst," Lance said.

They stood up and walked to somewhere lower than the summit. After few minutes of searching for the sound of water's flow or stagnancy, Amy called out.

"Everyone! I found a waterfall!"

"Come on!" almost everyone of them said.

Amy was standing by the rock near the flowing water. The rest of them saw the water flowing from where they were to the foot of the mountain.

"I know this waterfall, Amy!" Elise grabbed a map from the saddlebag of her horse. "This is the clearest waterfall recorded in the Portland Goldens. Elderly people say this waterfall is containing energy. This is extremely refreshing."

Everyone of them took their own water bottles and filled it with water from the invigorating waterfall. They drank more than how much they need. Even their horses also drank from it.

"That's refreshing," Tom inhaled.

"The water is sweet," Sally said.

"Right," William knelt down the dirt and breathed in.

Silence came along after the praises for the water. There was nothing heard except for a weird cry.

"The monster," someone gasped. Amy looked at the surroundings and never stopped skimming the whole place. Finally, she saw what she is looking for – someone who silently cries. Amy's friends imitated her move. They looked at the crying one.

It is a little girl, horrified and weeping.

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