Chapter 108 The Only Way is Down (1/2)

We returned to our previous path and were not far away from the path down the cliff. It took us couple of days in order to return to our original location but we managed that without any other hiccups. The dreams stopped again, I didn't train my body or skills and I didn't kill people. I again obtained the peace of mind and focused on traveling and exploring. We didn't play that game anymore. We would always hunt together now, just in case someone tried to ambush us separately.

After two days of travel, we arrived at the path that was supposed to take us down the cliff. 'Indeed, there is a path down but it's not going to be an easy descent' I thought and looked at Shelly. Shelly was not very keen on the idea of taking that path. It was too steep and at some points, I would have to jump in order to reach the overhangs protruding from the cliff's face.

I said to Shelly ”Don't worry, I will carry you with me when we have to move between the overhangs” but Shelly wasn't keen still. I then said ”Come on, it will be interesting. Besides, I want to leave this place and explore something new, something interesting”. Shelly nodded its head but reluctantly.

I said ”Great! then it's decided. I still need to figure out the best and safest path so wait a bit while I look more closely at the path”. Shelly complied and waited beside me, not making any noises. I looked at the path downwards and tried to figure out the best way down.

The path started very steep and then ended abruptly. From that point on, we would have to jump between the overhangs. Some places were difficult to reach, the overhangs were far apart or or the was only one lone overhang at the end and the only path would be to jump down to the next overhang.

I deliberated different paths that were traversable and chose the best out of those. The problem was also our weight. My bag alone weighted a lot so for that occasion, I decided to empty out all the unnecessary weight in order to gain speed and strength that no doubt would be needed.

I said to Shelly ”I have a path down and it is the safest as well as the easiest one I could find. I will tell you how we are going to go down, just in case we have to act due to some extreme circumstances”. I then explained my plan to Shelly ”It would seem that going down the slope till the end would be the best idea but the path there is not optimal and more dangerous. We will stop about halfway down the slope and then continue using the overhangs. Don't worry as I will carry you most of the times. Let me show you the overhangs we will use”.

I then pointed at the overhangs we will use in descending order. Shelly nodded its head and I continued my explanation ”Do you remember the rope that was use to tie you up? I have it with me and it will be very useful to us”. Shelly showed confused expression because it didn't know where the rope would come into play. I said ”There is one overhang below the one we will stand on. In order to reach that overhang below, we will need a rope”. I then pointed at the two overhangs that we would need to cross.

I then continued ”You will have to hold the rope while I go down”. Shelly thought about it a bit and then became angry, making noises as if cursing me. I knew what Shelly was thinking about. If Shelly is up there holding the rope and I'm below, then how is Shelly going to go down? I explained ”I know what you are thinking and the solution is simple. You will jump while biting the rope, I will either catch you or the rope. So even if I fail to catch you, there will be a rope attached to me and it will prevent you from falling any further. I will just pull you up. That is the hardest part of this path”.

The further my explanation went the more fear I could see on Shelly's face. It would have to jump but I would be below with the rope still attached to me. So even if I didn't catch it, the rope would still be there. Shelly shook its head many times and started to back away. I said ”No time to hesitate now, you already agreed”. I swiftly picked Shelly up and ran down the slope towards our new destination.

Shelly screamed and tried to break free but I didn't care, I ran down the slope a bit and then at the appropriate moment jumped. ”Hop!”. We landed on one of the overhangs and fortunately it was sturdy enough to withstand our weight. I placed Shelly down and said ”Now there is no return”. Shelly looked at me with teary eyes and moaned. ”I know I said that if you didn't like the path, we would look for another one but I want to experience some thrills as well. Stop moaning, we will get down safely… I hope”.

I continued ”I already showed you the path and most of the time, I will be carrying you so don't worry”. Shelly nodded its head although with tears in its eyes and fear plastered on its face. I picked Shelly up again and said ”Ready?” to which Shelly shook its head to show disagreement but I disregarded that and jumped to the next overhang.