Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1595: Ice Path (Part 2)

Through a Spatial Anomaly, Adam and Alexia had reached the Primal Lands. For beings like Phantoms such as themselves, this approach offered the swiftest and most practical route, though the hour to depart had now come.

"Ice Path? Does that mean some sort of pathway across the Primal Lands?" Adam wondered, his mind swirling with bewilderment.

Goen flicked his hand dismissively.

"No, think of it as a vast tunnel stretching across the whole of the Primal Lands. With its multiple branches, you could head to the closest spire in the Dead Lands and warp to the Citadel, or take the direct route there instead."

Adam and Alexia shared a look. Such Paths were completely unfamiliar to them.

"First those Detached Mountains, and now this?" Adam questioned.

Goen lifted his shoulders casually.

"If this handy option doesn't appeal to you, feel free to stick with the traditional route. No one's blocking you from simply turning back and trekking all the way to the Citadel."

"No way in hell!" Alexia burst out, smacking her hands against the earth. "That'd drag on forever! Damn, why can't we just zap to any spot we choose?"

"Hahaha, even with such a power at your disposal, I guarantee plenty would take issue with it right away, and they'd scheme to restrict your freedom to use it."

Adam tilted his gaze skyward. In this vicinity roamed the Spatial Anomaly that had delivered them, yet its exact location eluded everyone, including Goen.

Solely within the Detached Mountains did the Spatial Anomalies remain fixed in place. Tampering with them there was utterly prohibited, as they hung in a fragile equilibrium among themselves.

"So that's why we took a natural Spatial Anomaly, huh?" Adam probed.

Arika's face grew more solemn, her smile subtle. "Oh, you caught on quick? Indeed, the Detached Mountains provide not just speedy travel but a secure one throughout our realm. Your arrival point stays utterly unpredictable."

Alexia paid little heed to the exchange, propping her cheek on her palm.

"Okay, so where exactly is this Ice Path? I know how Adam got back from the Tarnished Lands. You aren't saying we dash hundreds of kilometers in a straight shot, are you?"

Adam's gaze revealed he harbored the identical doubt.

Should a secure path exist from Izardo to the nearest spire, he'd seize it without hesitation. The hunters, particularly Menax, posed a lethal danger to him. He'd scarcely triumphed back then.

"No, it's way easier. The Ice Path forms a tunnel buried far below the surface. An entrance lies close to my territory. There, you'll encounter my acquaintance, Ramilo. He's... well, an odd sort of talker. No running required, and the journey wraps up in just hours."

Goen's explanation hinted this wouldn't be a serene journey, yet it far outshone navigating to the Citadel overland.

"When are we heading out?" Adam fixed Goen with a stare. "You mentioned a couple of days, but after your clash, I figure that's been cut short?"

"Hah, spot on. You could depart immediately or, at the latest, come morning."

Adam and Alexia traded glances. No discussion was needed to settle it.

"Fine, we want to go now."

Alexia dipped her head. "Yeah. Appreciate the meals and rest—it was a neat stay. But Adam's got it right; we've wrapped up our aims here and then some."

Surprise flickered across Goen's features at their choice, but what grounds did he have to object?

After all, he'd settled in the Primal Lands for the sake of tranquility and solitude.

"Very well. Then come with me. We'll arrive in ten minutes."

Alexia shot a look at Arika.

"You joining us? And... am I right that you can shift into a sword and let Goen tote you along?"

Her lips curved into a grin.

"That's correct, I can. Every choice is open to me. Goen could hold me in his arms too if I preferred, but this evening's too fine to skip."

With that, they departed Goen's dwelling, heading down toward the river at the slope's base.

Though mere hours had elapsed, scant remnants lingered from Goen's confrontation. Gale and flurry had erased much, burying the gore and pits, while opportunistic foragers had shredded the fifth team's corpses.

Adam and Alexia couldn't foresee what awaited, but they halted before a modest cavern nestled amid the boulders.

Without Goen's guidance, they'd never suspect anything lay within, let alone a vital feature like the Ice Path.

Step. Step. Step.

Into the cave they ventured, where it soon widened into an imposing stone-hewn stairway. The plunge ran profound, designed to shield the Ice Path from any surface disturbances.

"Whoa, who built all of this?" Adam marveled, his fingers brushing the jagged wall surfaces.

Goen shrugged again.

"It's how these matters typically unfold. Ages back, folks like you craved a swift, straight shot between spots. Someone spotted the value, and soon a group collaborated toward that end, tweaking and refining, establishing guidelines, and the like.

"When enough folks recognize the advantage, it eventually emerges and gains traction, much like the vehicles in the Citadel."

Echoes of their steps resounded against the chilly stone as they completed the descent, which spanned nearly ten minutes.

Before them stretched a broad, level expanse that dropped off sharply into a chasm, reminiscent of a subway platform's brink.

To the right, a figure perched on a rock seat.

This wasn't a Phantom or a beast in humanoid guise. It evoked the Old Horn more closely.

"That's him...?" Adam murmured, puzzled by the man-like being.

"Yep, Ramilo."

It resembled a person, but for being an enormous, plush, azure feline!