The next day…
Howling winds roared down from the peaks as the sun blazed like a burning titan. Missio bounded effortlessly across the jagged rocks, vaulting down onto the snow-dusted trail. Dante tracked his movements perfectly, his heavy boots sinking into the drifts before pushing forward to keep pace with his younger brother. Lifting his head, he saw him rushing ahead of him.
Though, unlike before, the latter didn't have his music box. Dante smiled barely, returning to the trail. Missio felt in world around him in a different manner. His ears… they felt cold. A sensation unknown by that part of his body. Ruffling his hair, he snapped his head around. The view reflected in his eyes. The shoreline of the lake on the right with the dense forest on the left. A truly jarring scene.
Their journey continued across this jagged terrain. Until, they saw the open meadows once more. Stepping onto the rolling hills of the grasslands, a cold breeze washed past them. Missio's ears tingled with delight. He chuckled, rubbing his hands. Dante patted him, pushing ahead.
"Don't be late."
Missio waved, rolling his eyes. "You have nothing to worry about."
They walked beside one another like true brothers – a bond thicker than the blood they shared. Kicking the snow into the air, they watched the clouds above swirling like the ocean. Missio wiped his face, his azure eyes gleaming. An hour passed in a blur, the hills of the meadow rolled up and down, making their trek a bit more interesting.
Suddenly, a strong wind blasted from beyond, knocking them off their feet. The duo caught themselves at the same moment. Dante pushed up, regaining his balance. He glanced at Missio. The latter was already straight.
"You hurt?"
"Nah."
Without another word, they continued on.
Eventually, after an hour or so, they reached camp Rifugio Giorgio Dal Piaz. The site rested before loose granite horns that penetrated the sky above. The siblings peered at it for a moment. Then, they went past. Missio turned to his elder brother.
"I heard there's a nice view over there. Aren't we going?"
"It's too cloudy. We aren't gonna see anything up there." Dante answered. "Besides, it's best if we can get to the RV quickly."
"Whatever you say." Missio shrugged.
As they headed off, Missio recalled something.
"Wait, we're eating dinner in the city, right?"
Dante adjusted his glasses, making a blank face. Tilting his head, he rotated towards Missio.
"Where did you think we were going to eat? Our food supply is finished."
"Just making sure."
Sighing, Dante looked ahead.
'Still a ways to go before the city… God, I want sleep on that bed so bad.'
Recollecting the feeling of sleeping on the ground made him frown. While the technology of their time made the beds more comfortable than ever before, sleeping in your own bed felt different. The King slid his fingers across his straps, adjusting the position of his backpack. Pushing his body ahead, he only wished for them to finish this trail as soon as possible.
***
The siblings arrived at a gravel path hours later. The wind howled from beyond as their boots crouched the gravel. Mythos presented the trail of the trek in front of him. The gravel which ran beside a river was the exact path they had to take. The brothers went right ahead. Missio's eyes lingered on the small yet beautiful river beside them.
The water rushed through the path forged over years like a torrent. The liquid crashed against the walls of soil, scrapping a little dirt off each time. The transcendent snapped ahead. The smell of the snow struck his nose. Wiping his face, he groaned.
"Tired?" Dante inquired.
"A little." Missio yawned slightly. "Didn't get a good night's sleep."
Dante riffled his little brother's hair. "You can sleep at the RV."
"I was planning on that." Missio blinked.
Their trek continued with their chat and eventually, the gravel path came to a halt. Missio carelessly stepped onto a hill in their path. His feet slipped on a patch of snow, making him fall face first. Fortunately, he caught himself and flipped forward to land cleanly on his feet.
"Why are you doing flips, bro?" Dante complained.
"Eh… just felt like it."
"It's always that."
Dante pulled him by the arm, leading him towards the end. Missio glanced ahead. The cabin which they had been at days ago came into view. His eyes dropped with his mouth. They stopped near the front, being greeted by the same man. The fellow straightened, clearing his throat.
"Did you come from the trek?"
Dante patted Missio on the back. Missio straightened, looking at his big brother. Tilting his head, the supreme commander urged him. Missio snapped ahead, his lips parting.
"Yeah. Alta Via 2." He responded.
"Great then, may I have your names?"
"Missio Augustus and Dante deus Augustus."
The man chuckled, opening his logbook.
"Your majesties? Did you enjoy the trek?"
"Absolutely." Both replied.
The fellow smiled, checking their names. After, he slammed the book shut and flicked his chin.
"You're good to go."
"Thanks." Missio waved, spinning around.
The man cupped his hand, shouting to the duo.
"Come back anytime. We're always welcome to you!"
Missio stopped in his tracks. His lips couldn't help but curve as he spun around.
"We will!"
His shout made the man's ear ring. Pressing his thumb into his ear, he smiled with one closed. That eye watched the two royals fade into the distance.
Dante cracked his fingers and stretched his limbs. Heaving a heavy breath, his body loosened.
"How'd you like the trek?" He inquired.
"Amazing! The views were flipping incredible. Especially that valley." Missio opened his mouth, smiling while raising his arm.
Dante listened attentively to his little brother's rant about their journey. Their encounter with that fox, to him learning about the true nature of creation, to the spectacles they had witnessed across those days.
They had done it. They had finally finished the trek.