The edge was steep, shifting rocks underpaw as Hattori took it slow and steady, glancing over his shoulder every now and then to ensure the pup was keeping pace. Rhuem wasn't quite so small any more and was certainly more steady on her feet, more than capable of making this climb if she put her mind to it. Whilst by blood they were his cousin's children, he couldn't help but get the sense Raijin and Sedna's children were closer to nieces and nephews than anything else. What little of his family that he acknowledged within Auster and Boreas.

They were nearing the top now, a cool breeze rustling Hattori's coat as he went, bringing in distant scents from all across Auster to his nose. He had never scaled the Brimstone Lake before, but he imagined the view from its peak would be something worthwhile. Tall enough to loom over the forests and plains of the island, to show all and leave very little to the imagination.

The ground shuddered gently beneath his paws, like the calm breathing of a slumbering beast. Hattori saw no danger in it, was aware of the signs that usually came before an eruption. It was as peaceful as it would ever be, making today's trek safe enough. As long as they minded their footing.

"We are almost to the top." He said, still leading the way, his pace swift and confident but not in any outright rush.

Daily activities kept her in shape as her legs began to lengthen and her body continued to mature. Not quite a year old yet, but capable enough to keep up with her uncle's languid pace. While he would always tower over her, she would learn to stretch her limbs farther so that he wouldn't need to slow down for her all the time. Today's journey kept her yellow eyes mostly on the path directly in front of her. She hadn't expected this location to be their destination but as the sides rose above them, she grew more curious about what was at the top.

Careful not to stumble as she dared to look out toward the side of the path that faced the rest of auster, a quiet gasp of awe left her lips. Being able to see their home from so far up was an amazing sight. Even as the wind tousled her plum-colored fur and urged her forward to stay close to Hanzo, she found the courage to let her gaze wander around them. Black slated rock etched with time's erosion would crumble around them as subtle vibrations jostled their paws. She was quick to look at Hanzo and when he didn't react, she let her nerves settle. If the titan of a man wasn't worried, she wouldn't be either.

Sweat began to laden her shoulders and spine as they continued their journey to the top. It would be a lie to say she didn't sigh out of relief when he mentioned that they were almost at the top. "What exactly is at the top?" She asked in her seemingly ever-changing tone as if her hormones weren't quite sure how she should sound yet.

Explore Brimstone Lake 1/3

"A lake." He told her, deciding not to keep it a secret. She'd seen soon enough anyway, there was no point.

Sure enough, they scaled the last few meters of the incline and were met with the sight of the tower jagging up and down, like some giant creature had taken a bite out of the tip. The terrain flattened out in short segments, leaving the pair enough room to stand comfortably, not too close to the edge on either side.  Hattori peered down into the water below, bubbling and steaming like a hot spring, only far higher up. He knew there was no fish in there, it was most likely lifeless but out of habit his gaze searched for movement, only to spot the reflection of a bird soaring overhead. An eagle of some sorts, by the look of it.

"In Nihon there is also water like this. Too hot to drink, unsafe to swim. But it is usually on ground level, not so high up like this."

He kept a close eye on the girl, more than willing to grab her by the scruff of her neck if she got too close to the edge.

A lake. She had so many questions to ask about what exactly a lake was. There was the bay, but from what Rheum knew of the bay, the bay was the body of water that led out to the ocean. The ocean was huge compared to the bay whenever she could sneak out to get a good look at it! But what was this lake her uncle spoke of? More curious now as they finished their final ascent up to the peak of the ridge, her tail wagged furiously behind her. Trying to stay focused on not falling off the edge, she scuttled her way around Hanzo to peer down the ledge at the body of water below.

Steam curled off the surface as her toes curled over the edge. "Whoa," she whispered to herself. So it was like the bay, but not the bay? And this was so hidden! Folding her ear back to listen to Hanzo's words, she turned her head over her shoulder to peer up at the man. "Will I ever get to see Nihon?" The pup asked curiously before turning her attention back to the barren lake below them. Oh, how she wanted to go below and touch the supposedly warm water...

Explore Brimstone Lake 2/3

Hattori thought on her question for a moment, ears tilting slightly in consideration. He himself saw no reason to return there, didn't want to given all that had happened, but he supposed it was such a novel thought to the pup. A land of adventure and mystery, full of unknowns and a heritage worth exploring. But that meant she'd have to leave her home and family, is that something she'd want in the future? Perhaps, some chose to leave the coop and others did not, at the end of the day it would be her choice and hers alone.

"It is far from here." He began, wanting to put it into perspective for her. He turned and with a flick of his tail gestured for her to follow his line of sight. The ocean to the east took up the whole horizon, seemingly endless with nothing but blue stretching on and on. It was easy to feel as though nothing laid beyond Auster's and Boreas' shores, that this was all there was, everything else just rumours and speculations.  "It is in that direction. Weeks worth of travel at sea. If you wish to go there one day you may, but know it will not be easy." Nothing in life worth doing ever was.

Fascinated by the steaming lake below, her attention was quickly drawn back up to Hanzo when his tail brushed her side. With yellow eyes following his line of sight out to the big blue, her jaw dropped. All there was out there was water in every direction she could see. Spreading out past Auster's shores in a sparkling blanket of blue, there was the ocean. From their perch high on the peak of Brimstone Lake, she got a better advantage than her young mind could really comprehend.

Dutifully listening to her uncle's words, she almost frowned but nodded in understanding. A trip to Nihon would be a dream and that she was okay with. Turning her attention away from the depths of the ocean, she looked back down to the lake. "There is so much left of Auster and Boreas I need to see before I think of Nihon," Rheum comments almost in a sad manner. Between her father's heritage and her mother's, she wondered if she would ever get to see where either of them came from. Letting out a sigh, she smiled anyway before glancing back at Hanzo. "Is there a way down there?" Changing the subject was better than dwelling on things that weren't going to happen.

Explore Brimstone Lake 3/3

She was right in thinking that, there was more than enough to see and do without even needing to step a foot off of dry land. But he understood her desire though, the need to make the world feel smaller, to fill the space with known and seek out the unknown. She was a wanderer at heart and he knew she might go far, but return home all the same.

At her question he shot her a dry look, gaze still and unblinking, muscles remaining motionless. Really?

"No there is not." He said, deciding that it was best not to let the idea sit in her head too long. Lest she tried to do something very stupid and dangerous. He glanced around for a moment and was quick to nudge a pebble in her direction. "Throwing rocks is fine. If you try to follow it you will be boiled alive. I will not come in to save you."