Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 99- Obsidian

Now three uneventful days have passed and there have only a few hours of sprinkling snow in all that time, yet it has remained cloudy so nothing melts. I am grateful that no cold winds have stirred though. Blaze is still recovering gradually with Phoenix, Aegis, and sometimes Dagwood healing him from their hands. Phoenix and Aegis sometimes do shifts, other times they both sit there in great concentration. They also do not dare be soft with Dagwood and remain strict as he has already taken too much of a risk last time.

Even if he can't heal Blaze, he's always at his side, either holding his hand or else resting Blaze's head in his lap. They talk every now and again as do Phoenix and Aegis.

Me, Rin, Hester, and Genesis sit about the ceaseless flames patiently, and often I have risen to go out into the forest for more food to keep everyone healthy and safe. Last time I was out with Genesis we caught twelve rabbits and I set a few traps, we normally now spend hours and hours out there hunting because camp is so dull.

Phoenix and Rin haven't given up their posts of lifting spirits and hearts thank goodness though. I think we all appreciate the ability of laughter in such a dank place at such a dark time. Though, the place isn't all that dank I suppose, as the blue shades of snow are soft and delicate with the waves and rolls throughout the field, and the clouds are often crested gold or lit crimson, the forest muffled and gentle so beautiful.

To the West is the very faint indication of mountains, to the North there are mountain out of view, to the East is the dark tree line, to the South is more forest, and with my knowledge, far beyond that is the Sea. The Westward mountains end as they reach to the South and I decide to go glance at them quickly and be awed by the sharp and christened peaks.

"I'm going to go there," I point and everyone turns to see, Aegis seems conflicted whether or not this is a good idea, Phoenix just smiles and nods, Hester nods quietly, staff in hand, and Rin lights up as the horizon with the sun.

"Okay! Don't die, have fun!" She spouts as I stand swiftly, as I leave they all wave and say their 'goodbyes' knowing I could be a day or two to get back.

Finally I can use my legs freely and go full speed! It's been far too long.

I glance at Genesis quickly in the knee high snows and she appears all too ecstatic.

My foot drills firmly through the crusted snow and straight to the rock below, then my other remains on the surface, I lean back deeply into my back leg, it's now loaded like a spring. Then I shove off with all the power of my body to stay atop the iced layer and not sink through. Self-made winds strike my face, chills my ears and brushes blush onto my cheeks and nose. Hair flows behind me, Genesis skims along at my side with me, tongue lolling out in a ridiculous manner, her ears flap about, her lips wriggle on her face and I smile with a slight giggle.

Always I've enjoyed watching what passes by, and starring at the ground as it goes past beneath me by my own pure strength and power, giving me the sense of such capability. My breaths are controlled and smart, each time my toes propel me further, somehow finding a proper grip beneath me.

The mountains very gradually evolve and ascend. I now see more detail in their walls and build of tremendous gray rock so stern and sinister in memories of wars. These mountains seem different from any others I've met; the rock of them is jet black as though of obsidian and give a streaked shine, maybe it was the uninspiring expectation that the rock of mountains is always grey that deceived me.

It is then that I notice there are...two walls of mountains?

The first and closest ridge of the peaks are taller and thicker, but now that I am closer, I can clearly spot another ridge of black stone, there must be a great cavity of a valley between, and of course rivers than surely go to the Sea. When I return to the others in the forbidden campsite which seems all too insignificant now, I will inform them and we should probably move here.

More shelter and safety.

The slopes are all very steep and strict, tall and looming with the deepest darkest shadows.

I gasp when I stand and break through the ice crust panting heavily, gazing so far up I fall back to see the top of one summit. It is, without a doubt, a mountain rang of pure obsidian. The gleam, the colour, the way it has hard swatches of lines curving about, the jagged squarish chunks here and there.

What could have caused these formations? Are these mountains all pure obsidian or simply layered in it like a thick armor?

If it is an armor case, then how did so much lava come to be and how did it either contact with so much water or cool so fast for this to happen?

If they are all pure obsidian, how could lava cooling or mixing with water have created mountains?

The mystery is impregnable, the questions have no way to be answered nor do I have the time to try, thinking about it would dissolve the beauty and forget the magnificence of nature. Honestly, the curiosity will forever remain engraved in my mind, but I want to just see and enjoy, feel the awe of such a glorious features created on this Earth of cruelty.

Obsidian may be sharper than surgical tools, but it is also quite intriguing and fascinating. Back in school years ago I did a science project on this rock.

It was used and still is for thousands of years as spears, arrow heads, blades, and any other sharp tool you can imagine. Obsidian can also be used as a mirror, when it is broken, is has curved grooves, hence the appearance of the mountain that plays with the eyes and mind.

Again I stare at the formations and see the faint bits of brown, red, orange, and even green bits swirled about here and there.