Mountain Air

Stacy turned to see the servant she had followed before enter the room. His eyes never met hers once, but seemed focused on some invisible point directly ahead of him. She gave him the best smile she could manage, but his blank expression never changed. "Alright, lead on, sour-face," she muttered. Without a word he turned on his heel and walked out at a pace that Stacy was just able to keep up with.

After turning several corners they came to a short flight of stairs which terminated in an open doorway. Bright daylight shone through, and Stacy had to squint in order to tolerate the glare, though the servant appeared to be uneffected, making Stacy wonder even more about him.

Up the steps and through the doorway they went. Stacy felt the cool breeze and immediately breathed in the fresh clean air, so unlike that of the pollution-ridden city air she was used to.

She took a moment to take in her immediate surroundings and saw that she was standing on a small balcony surrounded by a barrier that was around chest height. It was then she was able to properly take in the view around her.

Tall snowcapped mountains loomed over her on either side. Ahead of her they disappeared into the distance. At their base was a narrow valley through which a river ran, bright blue and glinting in the sun. Leaning over the balcony as far she dared, she could see that the river's source appeared to be the very mountain beneath her feet.

"Careful there, my dear. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen."

Stacy whirled around at the sound of Minestus' voice. He was standing in the doorway, apparently without a care in the world. The servant had vanished without a sound. He gave a slight smile at her expression. "Beautiful view, is it not?" He said. Stacy made to reply, but Minestus held up a hand. "It was a rhetorical question." Then in a slightly milder tone, "I often come here to contemplate things such as the wonders of Nature of which we are inextricably a part." Then abruptly changing the subject he said, "Come, let us see how you friend is getting along."

1. Astra was currently battling an armoured monstrosity that appeared to have no weak spots
2. Astra had been killed. Twice. Each time she had reappeared at the start...
3. Astra was currently in a part of the labyrinth that appeared to be empty...

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