The last part of the climb was every bit as difficult as he remembered.
The handholds were spread out further apart and the dead-end paths became far more common.
For the first time since he started the climb, he had to make use of the climbing pick that his brother had provided him.
Eventually the end came in sight.
He was at the underside of the final ledge, once he reached it, he'd pretty much be done with his task.
He took a brief moment to catch his breath, then readied himself to make the big jump towards the next hold.
He jumped and grabbed hold, but as he began to pull himself up, it broke and he began to fall.
He pulled out the pick and struck the rock. After sliding down a moment longer, it managed to catch on the clifface and stop his fall.
He was breathing heavily and his heart was beating like a drum.
"That was too close!!" Thought Leyocan.
He looked for another way to reach the top of the ledge, but was dismayed to find none.
For the first time, he was truly stuck.
He secured his grip, then struck the rock with the pick intending to use it to make the final ascent, but as soon as he placed his weight on the pick, the rock gave way underneath it.
"It is as I feared!! The rock is too brittle for the climbing tool." Thought Leyocan.
He looked around and began to consider his options.
Going back was out of the question, he couldn't shadow jump as he would have to shift into his fox form to do so.
He eyed the chain bracelet on his arm.
He saw a path of holds that led further up to the left of the ledge, but they unfortunately came to an end before reaching the top.
His eyes fell on a tree that was growing out of the side of the rockface.
It's position was precarious, but it seemed to have survived until now, it's roots dug deep into the earth.
From the tree, he might just be able to reach the top of the ledge.
The tree was too far for him to jump to, but if he climbed the path to the left of the ledge, he could fire his grapple at the tree and latch on.
He made the climb, then aimed his grapple at the tree, but was dismayed to find that the chain wasn't long enough to reach it.
This meant Leyocan had only one option.
He would have to jump, then fire his grapple from the air.
If he couldn't close the distance enough, if he missed his mark, or if the tree was unable to support his weight.
There would be absolutely nothing to stop him from falling to his death.
It was a true leap of faith.
He closed his eyes and gave a silent prayer to Lupinus, the first nine tailed Nogitsune, begging him for his luck.
Then he jumped.
As he sailed through the air, he aimed and fired the grapple.
Luck was on his side, as the kunai blade struck the trunk and lodged itself deep within.
He kicked with his legs and swung twice around the trunk, before landing on his feet on top of it.
"Thank....." started Leyocan.
The tree suddenly groaned and began to tip downward as the roots began to rip free from the rock.
He pressed the concealed button on his wrist that severed the chain from the bracelet, then ran as fast as he could down the tree trunk towards the rockface.
Just as the tree broke free, he jumped at the ledge and just barely managed to reach it.
He watched as the tree tumbled down the cliff, before breaking into small pieces as it struck the ledge below.
Leyocan pulled himself up, then laid on his back on top of the ledge while breathing heavily.
"That was too close!!!" Thought Leyocan.
He got to his feet, then took the final few steps to the top.
He found himself on a large stone platform that had been constructed on the cliff's edge and from which one could admire the ocean far below.
A small stone bench had been constructed on the platform so that one could sit and admire the sunrise
Much to Leyocan's relief, there was no one currently present.
Beyond the platform was a large well kept Garden. Several cobblestone pathways snaked through the gardens.
Certain sections of the garden had been set aside for specific climates different to those found around the region of Kingsport.
There were jungle sections with plants from the Primal islands off the coast of the continent, Volcanic plants from the Ashlands, and even an section from his own home region near the Frozen Wastelands.
The amount of elves that would be needed to maintain such an large garden was staggering.
In the center of the Cobweb of pathways was a large fountain.
A statue of a Griffin standing on it's hind legs was placed in the center of the fountain.
It's beak was open, and a large stream of water was leaking from it's mouth.
Leyocan staggered towards the fountain and took several sips from the fresh spring water.
Once he was refreshed, looked around and saw a path that led towards a small glass house that hid a large herb garden.
"Might as well replenish my stock while I'm here!!" Thought Leyocan.
He snuck into the herb garden and was suprised by what he found inside.
The entire herb garden had been dedicated towards the cultivation of a variety of poisonous plants.
Some were fatal and could cause a person's heart to give out in minutes.
Others were meant to cause severe pain, hallucinations, or to compel the truth out of people.
Leyocan shook his head.
"Seems like the Lady has something of a dark hobby!
Even my own private gardens isn't this extensive!" Thought Leyocan.
He found a leather knapsack in one of the corners as well as a pair of thick gloves.
Since many of these plants were deadly to touch, he put on the gloves and carefully picked a selection of herbs that might be useful to him.
After filling the knapsack, he discarded the gloves, then left and went looking for King's Peak Prison.