[color=95A5A6][b]> "Wait. We should get reinforcements in case this proves too dangerous." <[/b][/color]

[hr]

	You felt for a moment a pull from the sincerity of Aika's plea, but one more glance at the beast lying in wait before you shook you to your core. With a heavy sigh, you wracked your mind for a compromise that would make sure you both leave here with all limbs intact. Just as she seemed fed up with waiting for you to reply, an idea stuck you. [color=95A5A6]"So, you want to ferry the heart of a massive dragon across the country side, right?"[/color] you asked, getting a curious nod from your companion before continuing. [color=95A5A6]"A heart that- and you can excuse me if my know-how about the insides of a dragon are off- is probably itself bigger than both of us combined, right?"[/color] After a bit of stammering, she could only reply with [color=7ea7d8]"W-what's your point?"[/color] You threw your attention backwards to the thin stairs that spiraled their way back up the edges of this deep chamber, and rose a finger to them. [color=95A5A6]"There's a lot more than me telling you this is a bad idea-"[/color] you began. Her brow furrowed in frustration, but you held a hand up to her. [color=95A5A6]"- so far. You found this place on your own, you fought off giant cave spiders with a broken arm and leg, and you cracked an ancient arcane lock in mere minutes. You're really capable, Aika, but unless you have some kind of spell to help us whisk the heart back home..."[/color] You rose an eyebrow at her, and as you let the line of thought linger, she seemed to understand more and more.

	[color=95A5A6]"I'm willing to help you on this, but we need even more help to not only carry, but protect this thing. Nobody from the lowest thug to the King himself would decline a chance to pilfer a dragon's heart from us once the word gets out."[/color]

	It all seemed to make sense to her now, and you would see the glint of defeat in her eye as she turned toward Zorkuth. [color=7ea7d8]"So, what do we do, then?"[/color] Her voice was as cold as the air around you, and she refused to turn around. [color=7ea7d8]"I can't just return empty handed."[/color] As she lamented, you lifted your hand to her shoulder, a supportive touch compared to the protective grasp from earlier. [color=95A5A6]"You're far from empty handed. Imagine how elated your master will be to hear that not only are you alive, but Zorkuth's remains truly do lie here in this temple. He's a smart man, he'll understand our caution. He might even be able to help us round up a few more hands and make this work. What do you say?"[/color]

	Aika lowered her head for a moment, you could feel her shoulder heave slowly with a very deep breath. Before looking back at you, her head lifted with a nod. [color=7ea7d8]"All right,"[/color] she forced herself to say. [color=7ea7d8]"Ok, we'll get some help."[/color] Aika finally allowed you to view her face once again. Her expression was one that- as an adventurer yourself- you could resonate with. Just out of reach from one's goals, only for circumstance to put miles between. You gave her a pat on the shoulder, and nodded in mutual understanding. [color=95A5A6]"Now, let's get out of here, I'm freezing!"[/color] Your little quip put a hint of a smile on her otherwise somber face, and as you began to follow her back up the stairs, you threw one more glance at the dragon.

	For just the smallest of moments, you could have sworn he moved but an inch.

	Aika didn't seem to notice, her eyes down at the steps.

	You were just seeing things then. Surely.

	You shook yourself right, and carefully made your way back up to the surface.

	The crystalline breeze atop the powdery snow cliffs outside were not much more comforting than the bone-chilling aura of Zorkuth's chamber. Electing to still make some haste to avoid another run in with the spiders, you and Aika now stood at the edge of the entry platform that decorated the front doors of the temple. The howl of winter wind whistled through the canyon that you fought the mountain troll in, reaching your ears as an ethereal wail that matched the bright white landscape all too well. It was as if time were as frozen as the weather itself, with the moon's glow not angled much more than when you had first delved down. [color=7ea7d8]"It's kind of beautiful, isn't it?"[/color] Aika's voice had regained its airy quality, shackled less by the chains of doubt and defeat. You nodded, at least understanding her point if not agreeing with it. [color=95A5A6]"It certainly is something, a view from the top of the world."[/color]

[center][h2]~[/h2][/center]