Series: The Mountain: Book 1: The Awakening

Breakthrough

Howling winds whistled past their faces as Isabelle led Liam to a slightly more inclined section of the plateau. Following closely behind them was Helen, Sylvie and Xavier, the latter of which increasingly huffed as the relentless downpour weighed heavily on his large frame. Clueless as to what was about to transpire, they soldiered on curiously, failing to notice as a familiar, petite form, tailed them silently from an inconspicuous distance. Battling against the fierce rains, they pushed on, chasing after Isabelle who remained just as dry as droplets of water bounced harmlessly off of the invisible barrier that completely enveloped her body. After traveling a considerable distance away from the arena, Isabelle halted, looking back at the ground they'd covered before turning to face Liam. Catching a glimpse of their stealthy pursuer just as they ducked out of sight, Isabelle suppressed a smile as she addressed her audience.

"This is the best I can do on short notice," Isabelle said, gesturing at their surroundings, "Get settled so I can guide you through it. With my aid you'll have at least a fifty percent chance of breaking through smoothly. As for the rest of you," she said, raising her voice loud enough so that the eavesdropper to the back could hear, "You'll want to take a few steps backward otherwise you'd get caught up in the process." 

"You should join them," Liam advised, pale face showing no emotion. 

"And who will guide you through your first entry into the world of realms?" Isabelle queried. 

"This isn't my first time," Liam corrected, maintaining his stalwart expression.

Ignoring the surprised look on Isabelle's face, he continued, "In fact all of you may want to stay further away than she mentioned."

"This also isn't my first time overseeing a breakthrough," Isabelle challenged, regaining her composure, "You're being melodramatic. We'll all be fine a couple paces away."

"This'll be unlike anything you've ever experienced," Liam replied in a cautionary tone, "Take my advice to heart when I say this and move as far away as possible."

Somewhat taken aback by his sudden change in tone, Isabelle found herself nodding in compliance as she took an involuntary step backward. 

"You heard him," Isabelle said aloud, "Vacate to a safer area, unless you want to get caught up in it."

Staring through the rain at the spot where the familiar face had disappeared, Isabelle continued, "That goes for all of you!" she announced after seeing no sign of movement from her hiding place, "That means you as well Alice!"

Startled by the fact that she'd been discovered, Alice jumped up from behind a drenched rock, cheeks flushed as she joined Helen and her attendants in retreating. Waiting until they'd all moved well out of earshot, Isabelle turned to Liam once more. 

"You can drop the act," she began, "I can still guide you through this. No need to be embarrassed, they're all gone!"

"It wasn't an act," Liam replied, dark aura swirling around him as he spoke, "I'd get going if I were you!" he emphasized. 

Deciding to temporarily place her trust in him, Isabelle retreated along with the others, casting a couple backwards glances in his direction. On arriving where the others were gathered, she could just make out bits and whispers of a freshly brewing conversation. 

"-and where were you?" Helen finished, clearly irate. 

"I was around," Alice replied nonchalantly, switching her gaze to the Elder as she neared their position. 

"Around?" Helen questioned, temper flaring even higher, "Did you even watch the match?"

"I did," Alice replied calmly, "It went as expected, although I must say, Samuel's defeat came as a surprise to me."