Cold is the Void

[Amaterasu]

Expedition, Day 18 - Day 6 of the Ascent

The Sixth Hall: Sloth

“Senecianus, we’re ready. Could you please escort us to the following trial?”

Once again, Oki, Urist and Fiara stood before the wampa, with Oki speaking up. They had packed up, eaten something and hardly spoken a word all that time, while unaware of Amaterasu who was right there with them, invisible and intangible, waiting. Over the night Senecianus had explained that she would regain her material body for the next Trial as she had overcome most of her Pride and shown remorse. She would be immaterial again after that unless she proved herself, though.

The wampa led the group through the tunnels and Amaterasu followed. A cool feeling spreaded through their weary limbs as they entered the room… it was a big rounded cave with clouds lining the ceiling and snowing down on them. Pure white snow covered the ground like a blanket, thick and soft, inviting to lay down on.

Chairs stood around, and they too were covered with a snow blanket. Cool winds stroked over their faces as they came in, making them weary, wanting to sit down... to lay in the snow, to close their eyes... to forget... to rest... to... sleep... just...

...

Amaterasu moved past Oki, Urist and Fiara and sat onto a chair. After crying herself to sleep and getting little rest from remorse-plagued dreams she had not the energy to go on.

That was it. Her journey was over here.

Fiara and Oki were the most surprised to see her again, but Fiara was the first to speak. "Mother Amaterasu... you are back? I..."

"You can see me again?" she smiled, barely able to keep her eyes open. The snow was starting to take her into its embrace, covering her, tucking her in under its blanket, as the wind whispered to her to leave all her worries behind and to drift away, to sleep... "I'm so happy that I get to see you one last time, before..."

"What do... what do you mean...?" asked Oki, himself feeling the weight of his body dragging him down as well.

"You know the answer, Oki", she replied. "... I'm giving up."

...

25416 + 356 = 25.772 / 20.000 words.