Page 18 of Alien Hunter's Prize

We turned to leave, the Aerie Kin's judgment weighing on us. As we walked from the chamber into the cool passages of the settlement, Iros's hand brushed mine.

The trial felt personal, aimed at my otherness, my unpredictable markings. But seeing Iros's determined expression, I knew we faced a shared challenge.

The Wind Shear Pass. Another impossible test on a world determined to challenge us at every turn.

I took a deep breath. Let them test us.

IROS

The air was thin and biting at this altitude, each breath a conscious effort, stinging the lungs.

Before us, the path snaked upwards, a treacherous ribbon of grey stone and loose scree clinging to the mountainside, disappearing into the shadowed folds of the higher ridges where the infamous Wind Shear Pass lay hidden.

I led the way, setting a demanding pace. This was my element -- the harsh beauty of the high peaks, the challenge of rock and gravity, the intricate language of the mountain read through the soles of my boots and the subtle vibrations in my skin.

My body moved with ingrained efficiency, muscles conditioned by countless patrols and hunts, finding purchase on shifting surfaces, anticipating the subtle shifts in balance required.

Behind me, Jen followed, her smaller form bundled against the cold, and further back, Nirako moved with the silent, watchful grace of an experienced Aerie hunter, his expression unreadable, his presence a constant reminder that this was a test, not merely a journey.

My initial focus was purely physical -- assessing the path, choosing the safest route, conserving energy for the steepersections ahead. Yet, my awareness remained linked to Jen. I felt the strain in her muscles as she fought against the steep incline, the slight dizziness the thin air induced, the sharp intake of breath when her boot slipped on loose scree.

My protective instincts warred with the parameters of the trial. Nirako observed us; I could offer only minimal, necessary assistance.

The mountain demanded respect. Loose rock shifted underfoot with unnerving frequency. Sections of the path narrowed to precarious ledges overlooking dizzying drops.

My own senses were sharp, honed by years in these environments, but Arenix was a dynamic, often treacherous world.

"Hold," Jen's voice came from behind me, tight with concentration, cutting through the rhythmic crunch of our boots on the scree.

I froze instantly, trusting the urgency in her tone. "What is it?"

"Above," she said, her eyes fixed on the cliff face looming over us to the right. "The acoustics... that section of rock sounds wrong. Like hollow spaces, stress fractures beneath the surface. Vibration feels unstable."

I scanned the rock face she indicated. To my eyes, it looked no different from the surrounding stone, solid and ancient. My skin registered no immediate seismic tremor.

Yet, I had learned to trust her unique perception. The energy wave that had marked her had gifted her senses that operated beyond the Nyxari norm, interpreting the world through patterns of sound and energy I couldn't fully comprehend.

"We move left," I decided, angling away from the suspect section, finding a slightly more difficult but hopefully safer path across a patch of weathered, solid granite.

As we cleared the area, a faint grating sound echoed from above, and a shower of small stones skittered down the cliff face exactly where we would have been walking. Not a major rockfall, but enough to cause a serious injury, enough to prove her senses accurate.

Nirako's expression remained impassive as he followed, but I thought I detected a flicker of something -- surprise? Reassessment? -- in his narrowed golden eyes before he looked away.

We continued upward. I felt Jen's growing fatigue, the ache in her legs, the slight headache from the altitude. I deliberately eased our pace, ignoring the impatient stillness of Nirako behind us. This wasn't just about speed; it was about reaching the Pass intact.

"Ice patch ahead," she warned again, her voice low. "Hidden under that dusting of snow. Temperature drops sharply right there -- I can feel the cold radiating off it."

Again, I adjusted our path, skirting the area she indicated. My own senses hadn't detected the subtle temperature shift, focused as they were on the larger environmental picture. Her micro-focus complemented my macro-awareness in ways I hadn't anticipated. It was efficient. Illogical, yet undeniably effective.

The path steepened further, requiring handholds. I moved ahead, testing the rock, finding the secure route. Reaching a narrow ledge, I turned to offer Jen assistance. She reached the base of the short climb, looking up at me, her face pale with exertion but her eyes determined.

"Need a hand?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral, aware of Nirako's scrutiny.

She hesitated only a fraction of a second before nodding, reaching up. Her gloved hand felt small but surprisingly strongas I grasped her forearm, easily pulling her lighter weight up the last few feet onto the ledge beside me.

The brief contact sent an unexpected jolt of awareness through my body, the warmth of her even through the layers of clothing. I released her quickly, stepping back slightly, unsettled by the intensity of my reaction to the simple, functional touch.

Focus,I told myself sternly.The trial.

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