Heat.
It was all he could think about. Thick, sweltering heat came in unrelenting waves, making it incredibly difficult for the boy to muster any strength to continue walking. His gaze peered to his nearly empty canteen, where the dregs of water slowly evaporated into vapor within its superheated confines. Was the island always this hot? Perhaps, since there is a massive volcano located on the center of the island.
Of Phoenix Island.
Enter Atsuro and Ueno
Bullets of sweat rolled down Atsuro's flushed cheeks as he continued to walk the uphill climb to the zenith of the island. He was breathing heavily, but kept it through his nose, as he knew that breathing through his mouth would dehydrate him quicker. With what little water he had left, he needed to make every drop count. Every so often, he would find himself on the verge of collapse -- and he knew by the spots that danced in his eyes. Damn, he knew he should've stopped to refill their bottles.
Was this really the end? Before they could realize their dream?
The blonde bent down to pick up a sturdy looking stick, tossing it to the girl behind him.
Ah, that's Ueno. Atsuro's best friend for about 5 years.
"Oy, take this. Maybe you can whittle the end and stab me with it."
Of course, that was just a joke.
Why does this island have to be so...Hot??
Already the two suffered a myriad of hazards along their way. Mighty birds, killer vegetation, literally NATURE...
And now their greatest challenge yet, as if you didn't already know, would be, in Atsuro's words:
"The damn sun!" he jeered. Atsuro paused to catch his breath, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply through his nose, then turning his head skywards to dramatically exhale. Slowly, his eyes wrenched open, and initially blinded by the rays of the sun, he instinctively turned away.
What...? There, is that...?
"Ueno. There, I see it. Up there."
He beckoned for her to come closer and pointed up the mountain.
There it was.
The top.