text: I took in a deep breath. The air was cool and crisp, burning my lungs. This was exactly what I had sought, and it was exactly why I had come this far. Each step I took caused my legs to ache with weariness, but I had a smile on my face nonetheless. Why wouldn't I, when I would soon reach the summit? I had spent the past three days climbing so that I could enjoy the journey, but that didn't stop me from looking forward to my arrival at the top. The path was rocky and the plant life was sparse, making it more and more difficult to make my way up, but I kept myself upbeat by considering it training while I scaled the uneven terrain. The climb felt like it went on forever, but when I realized that there was no higher peak to reach, I felt oddly disappointed that there wasn't more to traverse. However, the view around me was beautiful. The rising sun shone between two other mountain peaks, casting a warm glow over me that had previously been blocked by the mountain itself. After having spent so long next to such vast cliffs, the sky suddenly opening up above me caused me to let out an audible gasp. It was beautiful, and I immediately took a seat on a nearby outcrop so as to better enjoy the view. My sword weight heavy on my waist, and in a moment of annoyance, I decided to stick it into the rock next to me to relieve myself of the burden. It was plenty sharp enough to pierce the solid stone, and I needed not worry about its wear due to its enchanted nature. As I looked around, I couldn't help but suck in a deep breath of frigid air at the breathtaking view. My fur protected my skin from the chill, but the same couldn't be said of my lungs. Nonetheless, it invigorated me, filling me with a calm sort of relief that only someone who's just accomplished a great thing could feel. However, the scene was broken up by a single figure that was impossible to notice. As I looked it over, it noticed me in return, and rose from its previous resting place. I drew in another gasp of air as the titan rose to her full height, overshadowing all the mountains around us, mine included. She was miles away, yet still made it over to me in only a few strides. The light gray wolfess looked down on me with interested amber eyes, a subtle smile highlighting the rest of her face. However, despite her curiosity, I was the first to speak. "You're blocking the view." It wasn't exactly the most respectful thing to say, even to the most unpredictable race of all. Were she to wish it, the titan could easily crush me flat with a single finger. However, in the tranquil state I was in, I couldn't help but understand that she wasn't so cruel as to do so. "I'm a view of my own, am I not?" "...That I can't deny. Is there a reason you're taking an interest in someone like me?" "You seem like quite the interesting person. Few people climb this mountain, you know, and fewer still alone. Do you have any particular reason for doing so?" "I wanted to be able to tell myself that I did. It was a fun climb." "But surely this wasn't the best mountain to visit if you wanted to climb?" That was true. The two mountains that surrounded the sun before the titan had cast her shadow over me were both taller than this one, and probably afforded a better view, too. However, one couldn't deny that the view of the valley was best seen from right where I sat. "Perhaps. However, I'm here now, and I'm glad I've done so. Is that such a strange thing?" "Not at all. What's your name, swordsman?" "Zen. Yours?" "Natasha." "Well, thank you for taking an interest in me, Natasha. I'm glad I was worthy of your attention." "Must you be so stiff?" "I find that it's better to be polite to those that are taller than the mountain you've just spent three days climbing." At this, she chuckled slightly. After that, she spun around, sitting down next to the mountain, returning my view of the rest of the valley. "Thank you." "You were right." "About what?" "It's a wonderful view." "Didn't you already know that?" "You'll find that things lose their wonder when they become commonplace. A titan would have no difficulty seeing for hundreds of miles, so it's not that special for them to do so." "What makes things so special right now?" At this, Natasha flashed me a lopsided grin. "Because I get to share it with you." I was rather... stunned at this response. Not knowing what to say, I returned my eyes to the rising sun and the trees of the valley below it. We sat like this for several hours, not talking any more. When that time was done, I silently rose from my seat and returned my sword to its sheath. My legs had rested enough, so it was now time to begin the return descent. "Where do you plan to go from here, Zen?" "Oh, probably... that peak over there." Saying that, I pointed to the next mountain, on the opposite side of the peak from Natasha. "I could carry you over, if you'd like." "...Thank you for the offer, but I'd rather do it myself." "Is there a reason for that?" "That... hm. I suppose it's hard to explain. I suppose I want the satisfaction of getting their under my own power, and the knowledge that I've earned every view that I see. If I were carried everywhere I go, I wouldn't feel any joy from being there. Does that make sense to you?" "I don't think I understand, but I'll take your word for it. There are few places I can't go, after all." "I suppose so. You've chosen quite a good resting place, though." "Right?" &#x200B; As I made my way back down the mountain, Natasha and I continued to make small talk. It helped spice up the trip, although there were a few times when I had to remain silent to focus on a particularly unsteady path. She promised to catch me were I to ever fall, but I'd rather not go through that experience at all. However, there was one point where I was stuck, left unsure how to continue. The two mountains were separated by a canyon, a rapid river raging below. I could see that there were wooden posts hammered into the rock on either side, but they were quite rotten, and nothing connected them. "I imagine that there was a rope bridge there at one point, but it's long gone." A slight frown crept onto my face. If there were nothing here, I could've moved sideways along the gorge until I found a bridge, but it's not common for two bridges to be hung over the same divide. It would be quite a long trek to completely circumvent this gap, and there's no guarantee I'd be able to do so, even if I had a month's time. "I could always carry you across." I opened my mouth to protest, but Natasha cut me off before I could. "Don't say that you want to cross it under your own power or anything. If there were a ferry, you'd have taken it, and if there were still a bridge, you would have eagerly taken such a shortcut." "...Yes, you're right." As I said that, Natasha extended her hand downwards, placing it slightly below the gap. I was grateful that she didn't simply reach down and grab me. Steady as I may seem, few people can remain calm when a giantess is reaching towards them. When I stepped onto her hand, she cupped it slightly to prevent me from falling off as she moved it... not sideways across the gorge, but upwards, towards her nose. I didn't fear that she would eat me, as sustenance is no concern for titans like her, but that didn't make me any less cross. I said that I wanted to traverse this mountain range under my own power, and I meant it! As she brought me closer to her face, however, I couldn't help but close my eyes. Secure as I was in my self-assurance of safety, that didn't stop my instincts from taking over. However, instead of any sort of pain or otherwise, I felt... something touch my nose. When I reopened my eyes, I saw her massive, black nose touching my own, her amber eyes staring down at me mischievously. "Sorry, I couldn't resist." I nodded silently, not trusting myself to speak. After flashing me another lopsided grin, she returned me back to the canyon, where she carefully deposited me on the other side of the divide. Her tail swished gleefully from side to side, but it didn't betray much emotion that the face hadn't already revealed. "Th- thank you." "Any time." &#x200B; The following climb took a few more days, simply because of its length. I had no problems with that, as my rations would hold out for plenty of time. I expected Natasha to grow bored with my rather monotonous routine, but she seemed rather... happy to simply remain, having sporadic conversations about the most trivial of things. "You know, it's been wonderful talking to you, Zen. I just wanted you to know that." "I can say the same for you. I've heard that titans are often uncaring of those that are smaller, but... you seem nothing like the stories." "It's true that we don't often connect with tinies like you. There are no lack of people corrupted by their greed, expecting their companionship with a titan to mean that they can use them for their own gain. Most titans grow tired of being a corrupting influence on anyone they befriend, so they simply remain distant, observing but not interfering." "Well, I'm thankful that you've reached out." "As am I. For a titan with few wants and no needs, it's good to immerse myself in someone else's life. Even so, I'm glad you've managed to remain true to your principles. "A swordsman is nothing without his beliefs." &#x200B; With all the work that I put in, it was no wonder that the next peak I arrived at was just as breathtaking as the last. However, with it, came the sad inevitability that I would have to depart. I could see a tinge of sadness on Natasha's face, and I knew that the exact same thing could be seen on mine. "Must you go? There are many other mountains around the valley..." "I know, but I cannot remain so long here. These mountains were along the way, but my route remains the same. I will continue onwards to the sea, and to lands beyond." "I see. In that case, I wish you well on your travels, Zen." "I wish the same to you, Natasha." I admit, I felt quite lonely those few days I descended back on the other side of the mountain. It was actually somewhat unbearable, knowing that Natasha could reach me in but a minute, but I remained steadfast. I had already said goodbye, and I feared that if I were to drag her along with me, I would become the kind of person that she so disliked creating. Hopefully, the sadness of departure will fade with time, being replaced by the happy memories of the times we shared. &#x200B; Even two weeks later, as I walked through the port city of the southern sea, I couldn't help but feel my mind wander. I tried to snap myself out of it, but I was stuck between noticing the many gazes on me and my sword, or thinking about the titan of the valley. In the end, I pulled my mind away from such distractions, instead focusing on the ships of the opposite side. The southern sea was a hotbed of both trade and travel, so there was no shortage of ships ready to depart by the end of the day. It was child's play to find one willing to take on a swordsman such as myself, especially since I was an added protection against the pirates that so often traversed these waters. When the ship cast off, I found calm once more by staring not at the port slowly disappearing behind the horizon, but at the waters below. The rhythmic rippling in the gentle breeze slowly lapped against the side of the hull, I felt myself relax muscles that I didn't realize had been tense. I gazed at the water's surface, feeling my concentration dissipate, instead replaced by an existential peace... ...Which was immediately shattered as I noticed a massive amber eye, staring up at me from beneath the water's surface. A few seconds later, the water's surface broke as a massive head rose above the sea, looming over the ship. The waves caused by the titan's emergence rocked the ship wildly, causing everyone to grab onto the nearest handhold even while panicking at the sudden appearance of such a titan. Considering that their lungs are around the same size as the ship I'm currently standing on, it's not abnormal for them to be able to spend several days underwater at a time. Even so, nobody could expect the appearance of such a creature, certainly not me. After all, even while the ship bucked wildly, I couldn't help but focus instead on Natasha's face, grinning back at me. Just as it seemed that the vessel would capsize, she grabbed it from below, lifting the entire thing clean out of the water and up to her face. A few of the weaker-willed passengers screamed and backed away across the deck, but I paid them no mind. I had a rueful grin on my face, and I couldn't help but start the conversation, just as I had the first time we'd met. "You just couldn't let me go, huh?" The vessel's crew and the other passengers stared at me like I was crazy. However, the only thing I cared about was the massive wolf's lopsided grin. "As if I'd say goodbye to the most interesting person I've met in years, just like that." I nodded, understanding her motive. I imagine that it can be quite lonely in that valley, and a change of scenery always brings about a fresh perspective. For someone unfamiliar with travel, it can be normal to cling to that which you're familiar with when in an unfamiliar setting, and for her, I suppose the only thing that's familiar would be... me. &#x200B; Clearly, this would be quite the interesting journey for the both of us.