Ecki was physically exhausted by now, and had throbbing aches in both of their feet.#Finally cold enough to fall asleep, Ecki decided to tuck their head down, and gently close their glimmering eyes.##Ecki dreamt about reaching the mountaintop, and being rewarded with large, white-feathered wings with which to fly.#Soaring through the clouds, in the shimmering beams of the sunlight, Ecki felt entirely weightless and completely liberated.#Ecki awoke, and remembered the reality of the cave, and the next step of the journey...##Peering through the steadily sprinkling snowfall, Ecki observed malevolent clouds sinisterly swirling over the mountain's peak.#Perilous ice slicks awaited to threaten the indecorous slipping and slapping of Ecki's progress.#More mountains lurked in the endless distance, guarding the sight of the horizon's line.##Ecki felt intimidated by the intense peak that towered overhead, then remembered Jeka's wise words:#"Aim high - that's where you get the best perspective."##Ecki clambered ever on ahead, with a small amount of dread, but more than enough wobbly optimism to make up for it.