Nothing Will Stop Me [RoF]

It seemed that there was another journey in store for Faena, though this one was longer but not quite as urgent as the first. She had passed her Rite of Merit, so now it was time to move on to her Fortitude. Coen would be coming along with her, the young man deciding that he wanted to keep tabs on her as she continued her journey. However, she certainly wasn't alone. After they had saved the village by delivering medicine, some others had become intrigued by the vitiligo dire’s bravery. Sedna, Visigoth, Kokomo, Butler, Moriel, Calvin, Breithla, Ruthie, Mirabel, Mira'sol, Karvas, and Legacy were ready to follow her once more. Kokomo seemed most intrigued by her. She didn't mind him, though his pug was a bit annoying. Mirabel’s cat was a nuisance too. Faena just wasn't a big fan of pets. Moriel’s presence here was unsettling. She felt… threatened.. by the beautiful female. Moriel knew it too. Faena could see it in the glint of her silvery-blue eyes.

A nudge from Coen on her back pulled her away from her thoughts, of which had been quickly somersaulting into aggression. It was time to begin! All thoughts of pounding Moriel to a pulp slipped from the vitiligo’s mind as she started off, bounding across the icy tundra towards the mountains. She would be travelling across them and at the other side would be her final destination. Kokomo, kept pace alongside her, just like they had in her Merit. His pug bounded along behind them, yapping happily. Annoying pest. Moriel and Butler were quick to follow, hot on her heels. Mirabel and Sedna were taking it slow, going around a more leisurely pace. Mirabel's cat seemed to appreciate that. Karvas and Legacy, two kukuri and ballator friends, didn't seem to have any issues with taking their time either. Visigoth romped alongside Breithla, nearly running over Calvin and Ruthie. Faena wondered how in Aippaq's's Calvin had gotten his sister to tag along on this trip. The woosh of air above made the presence of Mira’sol clear. She was looking out for them again.

As Faena streaked towards the mountains she had mixed emotions. Couldn't she and Coen just do this Rite alone? Well, the others had wanted to come and they weren't interfering so… ah well, they were company at least. The first day went smoothly, the little menagerie reaching the forest at the base of the mountain by nightfall. Nobody was really tired when they bedded down by the campfire for the night, but it was dangerous to continue in darkness. Besides… the Aurora was dancing above their heads! How could they ignore that!? Before long, Faena, Kokomo, Butler, Mirabel, Visigoth, and even Moriel has gotten up and began to romp under the dancing lights. Kokomo’s pug and Mirabel’s cat had nothing to do with the play, deciding to cuddle up together and sleep instead. Moriel chose Butler as her play target, something she rarely did, but her eyes never left Faena. She was still challenging her. Sedna, Calvin, Breithla, and Ruthie chose to just watch. Mira'sol, Karvas, and Legacy weren't sure how this sort of tokota play worked, would they stayed out of it. Coen fussed at the youngsters, telling them they needed to save their energy, but they ignored him. They were young! They needed to play! Finally, they settled down and flopped back onto the ground by the fire. The Aurora was still dancing above their heads as they drifted off to sleep.

Faena was the first to wake up the following morning, the sun having barely risen enough in the sky to provide them with the light they needed to travel. Barking, she woke Coen up and they went around to awake those who hadn't been awoken by her racket. They better hurry if they didn't want to be left behind! Kokomo, Butler, Mirabel, Visigoth, and Moriel had no qualms with getting up and going. Kokomo’s pug was happy to go again, a little too excited. Mirabel’s cat was nowhere to be found, but the lilac toki wasn't so worried. He'd find them later, probably out hunting. Sedna, Calvin, Breithla, and Ruthie were much less willing to leave the warm fire. It took some poking and prodding from Karvas and Legacy to get them going. Mira’sol was already in the air, impatiently waiting. Finally, they were on their way though, with Faena and Coen leading. Day two was one of the hardest. They had reached the mountain, so they began to ascend it. The young tomotas suddenly regretted spending so much energy playing last night. The elder tokotas, kukuri, stryx, ballator, and Coen were happy that they hadn't joined in! Coen dismounted from Faena at one point so that she wouldn't have to bear his weight and grow more tired due to it. He sludged through the snow along with her, ignoring the ache of his calves. That night nobody played beneath the aurora.

It was Sedna, Calvin, Breithla, and Ruthie who awoke early in the morning. They hadn't spent as much energy as the others! Kokomo, Butler, Mirabel, Visigoth, and Moriel reluctantly got up and going. Kokomo’s pug was much less excited to get going this time. Mirabel’s cat was here too, not interested in leaving the warmth of its owner, even with a growling belly. Karvas, Mira'sol, Coen, and Legacy had already been up for some time and had just been waiting for the sun to rise. Faena was tired, but still very eager to continue her Rite. The vitiligo dire’s ambition was hard to match. Mira’sol took the sky once more, fighting the winds that buffeted her fluffy feathers. The third day wasn't so bad, fortunately. They had stopped ascending and were now travelling across fairly flat terrain. Well, for a mountain. They weren't really ascending or descending at this point. Some mountain goats regarded them with curiosity for bolting away, bleating in mock terror. Faena growled at them, her belly mimicking them. The rations that Coen had been giving them weren't very satisfying. She was ready to sink her teeth into something living and bring it down herself. The rest of the day went smoothly. Everyone was tired when they bedded down, but the worst of the trip was over.

The fourth day they began to descend. Faena, Kokomo, Butler, Mirabel, Visigoth, and Moriel had newfound energy. Coen was constantly having to them them to slow down, so that they wouldn't slip and fall. Sedna, Calvin, Breithla, Ruthie, Karvas, and Legacy took their time. Kokomo’s pug was lagging behind and the barred dire eventually had to carry it. Mirabel’s cat had chosen to ride with Calvin, since he was much calmer. Mira’sol didn't descend any, which was a good thing. They could see her massive tawny wings flapping above them, ever present. The descent from the mountains went surprisingly quickly. What they found after they had reached the forest came as a surprise as well. A field… full of flowers! There were still clumps of snow here and there, but somehow these flowers were thriving. It was beautiful! Faena was filled with a sense of happiness and peace. They'd almost made it! The menagerie decided to bed down here tonight. It wasn't quite dark yet, but it wouldn't take them long at all to finish their journey in the morning. This field was just far too beautiful not to enjoy for a while. Everyone was in good spirits as they drifted off to sleep, the fire crackling in their ears and the scent of wildflowers in their noses. They had almost made it.

Everyone seemed to get up and going simultaneously in the morning, ready to continue their journey. Well, continue actually wasn't the word for it. Finish was the proper one! Just a couple more hours and Faena’s Rite of Fortitude would be complete! As they grew closer and closer, Faena, Kokomo, Butler, Mirabel, Visigoth, and Moriel began to run faster and faster. Mirabel's black cat yowled in complaint and Kokomo’s pug began to bark ecstatically. Mira'Sol called out, chirping happily as she spotted the finish line up ahead. Sedna, Calvin, Breithla, Ruthie, Karvas, and Legacy even had some pep in their step as they charged towards the finish line. Coen laughed, holding on tighter as Faena suddenly began to sprint across the icy tundra, leaving the forest behind. She could see the finish line in the distance… and nothing would stop her from reaching it!