The climb began as a physical challenge. It quickly evolved into a psychological torture session.
The higher they climbed, the more the temperature plummeted. The air grew thin and sharp, biting at Ren's exposed fingers and toes with invisible, icy teeth. The wind picked up, swirling around the massive trunk, whistling a mournful tune that sounded suspiciously like a funeral dirge.
Ren clung to the rough bark like a barnacle. Her knuckles were white, her fingers numb.
Every indentation in the tree was a battle. Vex, being a tall, agile beastman, had carved these handholds for his own stride. For Ren, who was significantly more vertically challenged, the gap between steps was a canyon.
"Hhhngh!" Ren grunted, trying to reach the next foothold.
She had to stretch. She had to really, really stretch.
She placed her foot on a knot in the wood and hauled herself up, forcing her legs into a near-split just to bridge the distance.
