"Where were you heading?"
"Just around the mountain," Cosmo pushed away the branch. "Can we get away from this place? I'm scared."
"Don't worry, I'll catch you if you fall," Archer announced mockingly.
"Not funny. It's really unsettling."
"I've been here thousands of times. I'm alive and well."
"I'm not you."
"But you're with me," Archer stepped out of the bushes and onto the rocks. "Now, remember my movements. Step only onto the same stones as me, and you won't fall."
Cosmo nodded.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To the top. We will be able to track your brother down from there."
He placed one of his feet onto a stone and leaned on it, feeling its safety, then moved the other foot. Cosmo followed; there was no space for two, and he slipped.
"Careful," Archer warned as he took another calculated step. "Only after me."
Cosmo regained balance on the stone Archer was previously on. Breathing straight, he waited to move up. As Archer went right, he finally dared to move his foot. His arms shook, struggling to find balance, and he didn't notice it himself as he ended up on the other stone. Archer was already above him, giving him a hand.
"This one," he pointed at a bigger rock. A puzzled look on his face, Cosmo stood there.
"Okay, we'll stop here," Archer sighed. "Don't have time to climb the top. Don't worry, you'll soon learn. See your brother?"
Cosmo looked around. Laora looked even more peculiar from here, and much more undisturbed, but now he knew that the serenity was fake. He moved his eyes, struggling to find movement. His glance fell on one mountain, where a small figure seemed to be walking upwards.
"There!" He felt something pleasant inside his chest.
"Alright," Archer said, taking a step down. "Be careful not to roll off."
Every time Cosmo placed his feet on the ground a bit lower, it felt like he was falling. One more moment without stopping, and he would tumble downhill. Rarely, he would focus his eyes on the target to check if it was there. Willow was moving slowly, to his delight. Soon, when Cosmo was about halfway there, he noticed that Willow had sat down completely.
Archer seemed to be much more confident, which didn't surprise Cosmo.
YOU ARE READING
The Angel's Nature
FantasyIn a world where everyone has wings, getting them clipped is the worst punishment. Cosmo has spent his life dealing with a mysterious disease that made his wings pop out of nowhere when he was nervous. His sister Ivy is about to have her wings clip...
