Since our GM fails to actually show up when he says he's going to, I'll just explain what we talked about in his stead. >.> The path leads down to a sort of natural bridge made of stone. THAT is where we're fighting the Basilisk. Jumping downward is taking you somewhere entirely different as the path winds downward, but to the side of the cliff. Basically, Abel should just take the path or he'll be out of the loop for the battle.