Crimson Overlord
Chapter 405: Skiing

Chapter 405: Skiing

The following morning, Luna and Orpheus woke up to the soft glow of dawn peeking through the trees. The air was crisp, and a light mist hovered close to the ground. After shaking off the sleep, they got to work preparing breakfast. Orpheus stoked the fire to life while Luna rummaged through their supplies, pulling out the last of the bread and some cheese.

"Looks like we need to restock soon," she said, spreading the cheese on the bread and handing a slice to Orpheus.

"Yeah, but we can worry about that after a day of skiing," he replied with a grin, taking a big bite.

They enjoyed their simple meal, sharing stories from their travels and laughing over shared memories. Once breakfast was finished, they decided to take advantage of the beautiful day ahead. After packing up their campsite, they geared up for a trip to the nearby ice mountain.

As they made their way through the forest, the trees gradually thinned out, revealing the majestic ice mountain towering in the distance. It sparkled under the morning sun, its slopes glistening like diamonds. Luna’s excitement bubbled over as they approached the foot of the mountain.

"I can’t believe we’re finally doing this!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with enthusiasm.

Orpheus chuckled, adjusting the straps on his gear.

"Just remember to keep your balance. I don’t want to be the one rescuing you if you fall."

"Please, I’ve got this," she said confidently, though she felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach.

They reached the base, where a small ski rental shop was set up. After renting their gear, they made their way to the slopes. The crisp air filled with the sound of laughter and the occasional shout of joy from other skiers. Luna felt a thrill of excitement as she strapped on her skis.

"Ready?" Orpheus asked, a teasing glint in his eye.

"Always!" she replied, pushing off with a burst of energy.

The moment she glided onto the snow, Luna felt the rush of adrenaline. The wind whipped through her hair, and she laughed, feeling completely free. She picked up speed, carving through the fresh powder, her worries melting away with each turn.

Orpheus followed closely behind, his movements smooth and controlled. He watched Luna’s playful antics with a mix of admiration and amusement. She zigzagged down the slope, occasionally stumbling but quickly regaining her balance, her laughter ringing out like music in the air.

"Hey, Luna! Watch this!" he called out.

Orpheus took off down the slope, demonstrating a series of impressive jumps and turns. Luna’s eyes widened in awe as he effortlessly maneuvered through the snow.

"Show-off!" she shouted, laughing as she tried to mimic his moves. She managed a small jump but landed awkwardly, tumbling into a soft pile of snow.

"Are you okay?" he called, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.

"Yeah, just testing the snow!" she shouted back, her face buried in the white powder. She popped her head up, shaking snow from her hair and grinning.

They spent hours skiing, taking breaks to rest and enjoy the stunning views. The mountain was breathtaking, with valleys sprawled out below and peaks stretching high into the sky. They shared hot cocoa from a thermos, warming their hands around the steaming cups while soaking in the beauty of the snowy landscape.

After a while, Luna suggested, "Let’s try the more challenging slope over there!"

She pointed to a steeper area that looked thrilling.

Orpheus raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "You sure you’re ready for that?"

"Absolutely! Come on!" she urged, her excitement infectious.

With a shared glance, they pushed off toward the new slope. As they approached, Luna felt a mix of excitement and nerves.

This was going to be a real challenge. They reached the top, and she took a deep breath, glancing down at the steep descent.

"Here goes nothing!" she shouted and launched herself off the edge.

The rush was exhilarating. The world around her blurred as she picked up speed, the thrill of the descent making her heart race. She maneuvered around mounds of snow, feeling the adrenaline surge through her.

Then, out of nowhere, she hit a patch of ice, and her skis suddenly lost traction. Luna tried to regain her balance, but it was too late. She tumbled head over heels, landing in a soft heap at the bottom of the slope.

Orpheus skied down more carefully, a mix of concern and amusement on his face.

"You okay, Luna?" he asked, stopping beside her.

She groaned, pushing herself up from the snow, laughing despite the fall. "Yeah, I’m fine! Just testing my limits, remember?"

He chuckled, helping her up. "You’re definitely pushing them."

After a few more rounds on the slopes, they decided to take a break. They found a cozy spot near a cluster of pine trees, where they could sit down and catch their breath. Luna flopped onto the snow, looking up at the sky, which was now a brilliant blue.

"That was amazing," she said, a wide smile on her face.

Orpheus settled beside her, brushing some snow off his gloves.

"You did great out there. I didn’t expect you to try that steep slope so soon."

"Neither did I, but it was so much fun!" she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I can’t believe we waited this long to go skiing."

"Guess we’ll have to make it a regular thing," he said with a grin.

They spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the mountain, skiing, laughing, and sharing stories. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, they reluctantly made their way back down the mountain, feeling exhilarated and content.

Once they reached the base, they returned their gear and headed back to their campsite, where they set up for the night. As they prepared dinner, Luna couldn’t stop talking about the day’s adventures, recounting every thrilling moment.

"You should have seen me when I fell!" she laughed, mimicking her tumble.

Orpheus chuckled, shaking his head.

"You’re lucky you didn’t end up in a snowdrift."

As they ate, the fire crackled beside them, casting a warm glow in the growing darkness. The stars began to twinkle overhead, and the world felt peaceful.

"Today was perfect," Luna said softly, looking up at the sky.

"Yeah, it really was," Orpheus replied, his gaze meeting hers. "We needed this."

With a contented sigh, Luna leaned back against a log, feeling the warmth of the fire and the joy of the day wash over her. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, she was happy just to be here, sharing this moment with Orpheus. She would use this opportunity to the best.