I left Howl and started to move forward, but I was immediately met with fierce resistance. As I assumed, the pressure started to worsen, but each step crushed my foot into the ground the moment I put pressure on them.
On top of the crushing steps, it felt like my head was going to explode. My body was under vice-like pressure that was hard to describe.
It was like being pressed from all angles on every inch of my body. Not only did it press in on me, but the farther I pushed in, the thinner the air seemed to get.
Finally, I had to stop to catch my breath, and I was sorely tempted to sit down, but I knew it would be that much harder to get up this time. I need to keep pressing forward, but the closer I got, the harder it was, obviously, like Chez had said.
[Take ten steps back.] Harold said out of nowhere after remaining silent.
'Really? Do you know how hard it was to take those ten steps?'
I was only just out of sight from Howl now, and I was sweating from this short trip. Going back even ten steps after the fifteen minutes it took to get here seems counterproductive.
[No, I have been thinking about what you could do to make it easier. You are just going to have to trust me on this one. If you go back, it should be easier for you, and you can do some light training. I don't know if it will work, but I don't think just forcing your way, though, will help.] Harold explained to me.
'What do you think about this plan, Libra?'
[Whatever you choose will be best, I am sure.] Libra said, but I could tell she was just dodging the question.
It was possible that Libra did know, but it might be better to find out on my own. Some things couldn't be taught; they needed to be experienced.
[You are more intelligent than everyone gives you credit for.] Libra said in a praising tone.
I closed my eyes, and centered myself, and then took ten steps back. The pressure immensely decreased as I moved, and after the tenth step back, I almost felt like usual again.
I flexed my hands and then dropped down into a squat, feeling some resistance as I came back up. I started to jog on the spot with high knees, and again the pressure was there, but it faded fast.
This was so much better than before, and I ran through a series of exercises. From jumping jacks to push-ups, I did short sets of five and cycled through exercises to work on each part of my body.
[Seems that your time on earth wasn't all a waste. You might want to put those skills to use more often than just in life-threatening situations!] Harold joked, and I ignored him as I worked myself into a full sweat.
After about fifteen minutes, I was lying in the trimmed grass, panting and sweating, but I felt good. It was like an excellent first set of a workout, but I was starting to get hungry.
[There are some different fruits just up head to the right from when you were. I think there were strawberries and raspberries. Not much, but a lot better than nothing.] Harold explained.
[They will be more than filling. All the food here is very good for you and cultivated by Chez himself.] Libra explained.
I whipped some sweat off my face and then got back up off the ground. This time I had no problem, and I was feeling a lot better now with new energy coursing through my veins.
I had a plan now, and I was going to try to run as far as I could and then come back the ten steps. I would just have to keep repeating this process until I made it to the center of the island, but the first goal was getting some food.
I looked forward and got my breathing to an even pace and then bolted forward. Within seconds I was hit with the pressure, and it felt like I was trying to run down into water.
I noticed the fruit as I was slowed to a jog, and I forced myself to go at least ten steps past the tree. The problem was that by the time I made it that far, the pressure on my head was making me see stars.
[Don't push too far in, or the pressure could kill you. If you go too far too fast, your blood will start having trouble flowing through your body correctly.] Harold warned me as I was already backing up to the fruit.
I wasn't sure just how far the center of the island was from me, but I could tell that I was starting to make serious progress. When I reached the fruit, I sat down for a moment to eat some of it, but I was surprised to find myself feeling stuffed after a handful of each.
[The fruit is created with the help of Chez's Astral power, and when you gain control of Sagittarius's ring, you will have access to the same powers. You will not be able to acquire this ring until you have completed this world, but you should be able to gain access to at least six of us before leaving this world.] Libra explained, but the explanation was the equivalent of saying it was magic.
I got up and started my workout again, forcing myself into a sweat, but I didn't lay down this time. Instead, I forced myself forward again, but I didn't force myself as far this time.
I started to get into a rhythm, but there was no sign of Chez anywhere. The centaur was good at covering his tracks, but this was his domain, and I just had to keep moving forward.
[When this is all over, you are going to be in great shape, so things could be worse.] Harold told me, and I had to agree, but the clock was still ticking.
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