Warnings: None

~3rd P.O.V. (As seen from Mitch and Jerome)~

     "So today's the day. The day we will finally all get back together... Hopefully." Mitch breathes, emerging from the mouth of the dark cave.
     Jerome follows suit, stepping into the daylight a second later, "Well if Vikk and Lachlan are here already... Somewhere... And we assume Preston and Rob got the message then there shouldn't be too big of a problem."

     Mitch nods his agreement, dusting off his checkered hoodie. His eyes flicker to Jerome's arm warily, knowing that it's not completely healed. Well it's his funeral. He thinks, sighing inwardly. I hope not literally.

     "Woah Mitch, look at that."

     Mitch turns around and follows Jerome's finger about 500 meters away. There at the base of the mountain massive lumps of snow are scattered in a thick white blanket. Trees in its path are now toppled over, either snapped in half or partly submerged in snow.

     "Good think we didn't get caught up in that." Jerome chuckles, turning away.
     "So... I guess we should get moving then?"
     "Yeah."

     With nothing to lose the two start on their way up the mountain. It's a slow rise at first, the occasional tree growing up from the side of the mountain, and it doesn't not prove a hard task for either Mitch or Jerome. Jerome leads the way, not faltered by the slight uphill trek. His neck is still searing in pain, but his arm is doing much better. Thanks to his fur and coat the arrow did not sink as far into his arm than he had originally thought. And Mitch has now fully recovered from his swim the the river, his core temperature now back up to normal. At least normal in terms of the winter conditions.

After an hour or so, passing a small cluster of trees, Mitch notes that from that point on no trees seem to be growing. The mountain starts to gradually slope upwards, faster than before. And soon enough Jerome finds himself having to use his hands to balance himself so he doesn't fall backwards into Mitch and send them both rolling down the mountain.

"Ugh we aren't even a quarter of the way up yet. My legs are already getting tired." Mitch huffs, pulling himself up onto a ledge.
     "And it looks like from here on out its gonna be mostly ledges." Jerome grunts, wincing as his arm stings when he lifts himself up beside Mitch.

     They walk another couple meters, coming across another ledge, this one reaching just past their heads. Mitch goes first, gripping tightly onto the ledge above and planting his foot in a small foot hold. He pulls with all his strength and pushes upwards with his foot, effectively bringing his chest over the edge. Then he re adjusts his arms, the lower half of his body hanging off the edge, and pushes himself the rest of the way. Jerome approaches the ledge, risking in putting both his good and bad arm up to grip it's rocky edge. Then just as Mitch had done he places a foot against the rocks, preparing to launch himself up. But as soon as he tries to put any sort of weight on his arm the area of the slowly healing wound starts searing. Jerome hisses in pain, removing his injured arm from the rocks. Gonna have to deal with one arm. He acknowledges.

"You need some help Jerome?" Mitch inquires, peeking over the edge at his miserable attempts in hoisting himself up.
"Yeah... That's be great thanks buddy."

Mitch reaches down and Jerome grips onto his hand using his good arm, replacing his foot on the small foot hold.

"Three, two, one, NOW."

Jerome pushes up with great force and Mitch uses his full weight to lean back, continuing to step backwards until Jerome is over the ledge enough to get up himself. Jerome uses his black claws to dig into the earth, kicking his legs to boost himself fully over the edge. Once up he frowns, seeing his once white shirt is now not only stained with blood but dirt as well. He brushes as much dirt as he can off before turning to Mitch.

"Thanks. But... I don't think that's the last time I'll be needing help." Jerome points out, gazing at the many ledges ahead... And they only get higher and steeper.

Mitch nods and they continue on tiredly, a minute or so later approaching yet another ledge. This one is quite a few feet higher than either of them, and Mitch find himself wondering how on earth he's going to get Jerome up there, let alone himself.

"Here Mitch I'll give you a boost." Jerome's states casually.
"WHAT?" Mitch shouts, whipping around to face Jerome, "Your neck and arm are hurt! How do you expect to boost me?!"
"Just step on my back." Jerome shrugs.

Mitch stares at Jerome, jaw hanging open. He shuts it shaking his head stubbornly.

"No way! I'm gonna hurt you!" Mitch exclaims, stepping back.
"Look, do you wanna get up this ledge or not?"
"... But... UGH fine."

Jerome flashes a cheeky smile and Mitch rolls his eyes, lightly punching Jerome's shoulder. Kneeling down Jerome braces himself and ducks his head down creating a flat space for Mitch to step on. Hesitantly Mitch gently sets his foot between Jerome's shoulder blades, stepping on slowly so he doesn't break Jerome's back. Then once he is standing up at his full length he grips onto the ledge above, just barley being able to reach it.

"Okay I need to jump, get ready."
"I'll catch your feet." Jerome informs Mitch, tensing his muscles.

Mitch lunges upwards and manages to grab a hold of a rock sticking up from ground on top of the ledge. His chest is almost over the ledge but there is nothing for his feet to push himself up with and he rock is not big enough to supply a secure hand hold.

"Hang on Mitch, I got ya." Jerome calls from behind him.

Jerome approaches the dangling Mitch's legs and stands on his tiptoes, making it so Mitch's feet are just touching his shoulders.

"There, now use me to get yourself up!"
"But your shoulder!" Mitch protests, starting to lose his grip on the stone.
"Just do it!"

Mitch pushes on Jerome's shoulders, lifting himself halfway over the ledge to where he can inch his way up. Jerome on the other hand yelps in pain but bits down on his tongue to stop the noise.

"You okay Jerome?" Mitch questions, kneeling over the edge.
"I'm fine!" Jerome lies, waving it off.
"I have an idea, gimme a second..." Mitch states, slipping off his hoodie, "Here grab onto this!" Mitch calls, tossing his hoodie over the edge.

Jerome clutches the fabric in his hand and steps up to the ledge, placing a foot against it.

"I dunno if this is gonna work Mitch..." Jerome calls uncertainly, glancing warily at the smooth ledge.
"Let's just give it a shot. You ready?"
"Yeah."

Mitch pulls back tightly on his hoodie, attempting to pull Jerome up with him. But he's unsuccessful and Jerome slips, plopping back to the ground with a thump. Mitch goes stumbling back, landing on his butt.

"Told you it wouldn't work! Now let me try something." Jerome ushers, pulling out his axe.

Swinging it in a wide arc he smashes it into the Rock, lodging it tightly. He wiggles it, making sure it won't move before climbing onto of it, brining his eyes just over the ledge.

"Jerome, that's your favourite axe! If you leave it there we won't be able to get it back!" Mitch comments in surprise, wondering how he could leave his prized axe behind so easily.
"I know Mitch but how else am I gonna get up?"
"You could use my sword!" Mitch shouts, exasperated.
"... Right... Well it's too late now! Just hurry up and help me before this axe come out." Jerome demands, sticking out his hand.

Mitch scoffs in disbelief but none the less grips tightly onto Jerome's hand, not wasting a second in tugging back hard. A few seconds later and Jerome is over the ledge, leaving his axe stuck below.

"I can't believe you sometimes... You know that?"
"Yeah I know." Jerome smiles, knowing very well he could have tried something else.

Mitch shakes his head and face palms, causing Jerome to laugh and continue on, leaving Mitch to following his lead.

~~~

"Okay that's it... There's no way we can get any higher than this. Plus this area is relatively flat all the way around." Mitch wheezes, dropping down on the fairly level ground.

Jerome collapses down beside him, sprawling out on his back. The sun is well past noon now and they had endured many ledges, all increasingly harder. Now it's lightly snowing, icing the land in a fresh layer of soft snow. They managed to climb their way up the mountain and now rest at a strangely formed flat area that circles the entire mountain.

"Let's take a minute to look around and see if anyone's up here already..." Jerome suggests, pushing himself up.

The two glance around the area but they can't see anyone. So standing up they stroll a few meters, eyes scanning the mountain top for Vikk, Lachlan, Preston, or Rob.

"I dunno dude, it doesn't look like anyone's gotten here yet." Mitch evaluates in disappointment.

That is until, an all to familiar British accent calls out.

"Mitch, Jerome! You made it!"

~~~