Ren approached Pamela with an intensity in his gaze that made her uneasy.

"I thought you were going to find someone to guide us to the peak of Whispering Mountains?"

Pamela shifted uncomfortably under Ren's stare, averting her eyes. "We did. Though they may not seem like much, these individuals are native to the mountains and climbing comes naturally to them."

Ren wasn't convince. "How in the world is a crab, a potato, and a mound of clay going to help us climb the mountain?"

Stepping forward with a reassuring smile, Potato addressed Ren's concerns. "Don't underestimate us. We may not look like much at first glance, but we're proud Goatknights!"

The group exchanged puzzled glances.

"Goatknights?" they echoed in unison.

Potato nodded eagerly. "Indeed. Goatknights share a mystical bond with their loyal steed: the Rockgoat. These are no ordinary goats; they're stout of heart, long of horn, fleet of foot, and capable of scaling practically vertical cliffs with ease."

Ren raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Alright, but where are these steeds? Are we supposed to ride on them?"

Potato nodded again. "That's correct."

Azazel scanned their surroundings. "I don't see any goats, though."

"If we're ready to leave, we can summon them now," Potato said, gesturing confidently.

Elena nodded. "Let's go then."

With a sharp whistle, Potato called out into the frosty mountains, the sound echoing off the cliffs.

Soon, the group heard the rhythmic thumping of hooves and the distant 'baa' 'baa' of approaching creatures.

The Rockgoat emerged from the mist, a majestic creature towering over the group with its imposing presence.

Its massive frame was draped in a thick coat of pristine white fur, providing insulation against the biting cold of the mountains.

Each step it took seemed to resonate with the weight of centuries of resilience.

Upon its head, two immense curling horns curved outward, framing its sturdy face like formidable crowns. These horns, reminiscent of ancient tusks, spoke of strength and endurance.

Despite its formidable size, there was a gracefulness to the Rockgoat's movements, a fluidity that belied its bulk.

With each glance, it seemed to assess the travelers before it, acknowledging their presence with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

"Fear not, they don't bite. Come closer and behold the creature that will carry you to Whispering Peak!"

The group approached, they couldn't help but marvel at the Rockgoat's magnificence. It seemed more than capable of carrying them to their destination, its broad back suggesting ample space for their journey ahead.

"Wow, they look so cute," Elena exclaimed, reaching out to pet the goat.

Evie nodded in agreement, joining Elena in stroking the goat's fur.

As the ladies approached the goat, Azazel attempted to follow suit, only to recoil as the goat snapped at his hand.

"What the! Why did it suddenly want to bite me?" Azazel protested, nursing his almost-chopped-off hand.

Potato rubbed his nose awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. "Ah well . . . It doesn't really like the smell of other male strangers."

Azazel furrowed his brows in confusion. "Huh?"

'What an obnoxious creature,' Ren thought to himself.

Concerned about their upcoming journey, Ren spoke up. "Are we going to be safe riding on it?"

"Yeah! It's not going to bite us to death, right?" Azazel added, still nursing his injured hand.

"Don't worry, just don't pet it and everything will be fine," Potato reassured them.

After a brief discussion, the group prepared for the climb by strapping themselves onto the back of the Rockgoat.

Malifira, Desira, and Vivi occupied one goat, while Elena, Pamela, and Iraelyn settled onto another. Ren and Evie found themselves riding with Potato.

"Hold on tight. Whispering Peaks are treacherous and slippery, not to mention cold," Potato warned, then grinned nervously. "But don't worry, as long as we're your guides, everything will turn out well . . . I hope."

Evie couldn't help but comment, "That doesn't sound reassuring."

Desira stuck out her tongue in frustration. "This is ridiculous. If only we could use our wings to fly, we wouldn't have to be strapped onto this goat and climb like monkeys."

"Can't be helped," Vivi remarked. "Magic doesn't seem to work here."

"Neither do flying items," Malifira added, resigned to their current predicament.

Potato opened his mouth to speak, but Ren swiftly intervened, preempting his anticipated nonstop chatter.

"We don't need to hear the history of this place or why magic doesn't work here," Ren declared firmly.

Ren truly didn't care about the intricacies of the mountain's design; she understood it was crafted by the developers to challenge players in their ascent.

While it might be part of a quest, Ren's primary concern was locating Lorelai and opening Heaven's Realm, all within a limited timeframe.

Unperturbed by Ren's dismissal, Potato simply shrugged. "As part of your tour, it's my responsibility to explain things. Crabby and Mjuk don't say much, so if ever you have questions, don't hesitate to ask me, alright?"

Ren ignored him, redirecting her attention to the rest of the group. "How did you manage to convince these guys to take us up there?" he inquired, curious about the negotiations that led to their unconventional situation.

Malifira was the one who answered. "Do you want to know?" There was a sinister and mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Actually, no," Ren replied tersely, signaling the group to begin their ascent to Whispering Peak.

Initially, Ren felt a twinge of unease as the rockgoat scaled the steep, slippery slope. It seemed as though they were ascending almost vertically, and Ren couldn't help but grip the straps tightly, fearing a potential fall.

Despite the precariousness of their position, Ren couldn't help but marvel at the rockgoat's remarkable agility. It navigated the treacherous terrain with ease, its sure-footedness defying gravity as they rode atop its sturdy back.

"As we climb, allow me to share a brief history," Potato began, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. "This place marks the last stop at the edge of the realm, a bastion of fading culture and ecology. The ancient inhabitants possessed mastery over nature and magic, meticulously shaping the landscape to their obsessive satisfaction."

"What did he say?" Desira called out, struggling to hear over the wind's deafening roar.

"Something about obsession," Iraelyn shouted back in response.

Desira shrugged, unfazed. "Hmm . . . I like it. Seems legit."