Chapter 7: Into the Mountains

"So he lives up there?" Achlys asks while pointing towards the mountainous terrain ahead of them.

"Yep, all the way up there." Odin looks at Achlys. "Anytime now Achlys. You don't want to keep him waiting."

"Right." Achlys says as she runs towards the mountains while Odin flys after her. "So Odin, are you the closest to him?"

"Yes. He's been observing you for a while now." Odin states as Achlys starts to look uneasy. "Those screams, are they still there?"

"They're always still here." Achlys says. "Every second of every hour of every day."

"I see." Odin says while dropping the subject as Achlys starts to run slower. "Turn right onto the path here."

"Got it." Achlys listens and turns right when stopping. Only to see mountains and natural stone pillars permanently clashed with one another. "Wow."

"Hurry up Achlys we still have so much more to go through." Odin says bring Achlys back down to heaven. As the sun shines through the mountains. "Achlys?"

"Wow." Achlys says amazed at her surroundings, at the environment around her. "I've never seen this before."

"Take a mental photo Achlys. We have to go." Odin says.

"Right." Achlys says. "Let's not keep him waiting."

"Hurry up then." Odin says as the two head upwards of the mountain, with Achlys more energized than ever.

"I can't wait." Achlys says. "It will all be over soon. Just need to wait a little longer."

"Hmph." Odin looks at Achlys, as he looks at her as a child, full of energy, running towards her dreams. He snaps out of it and goes back to what he's supposed to do. "Turn left in 50 metres."

"Got it." Achlys says as she anticipates the turn. Just before she turns she asks Odin a question.

"Odin, can gods die?"

"I don't like thinking about that Achlys." Odin says. "For better or for worse I really hope not."

"Okay then." Achlys turns to her left and runs quicker. "But why can't we?"

"It's better not to ask, Achlys, most people don't like the thought of dying again." Odin says.

"Especially since heaven is the place people go when they die."

"But what's the point of living when you can't die?"

"Achlys, just focus on the long road ahead."

"Got it." The two of them head towards the person above them. As Achlys runs faster and faster, she looks up and sees the long road ahead and can't wait until she finally gets her answers.