[There is a feeling that accompanies starting a journey. It is usually unique to the journey itself. When Ashitaka left to journey west, searching for a way to cure himself of his curse, it had been a heavy sort of feeling that settled across his shoulders like a heavy drape, weighing on his chest like the claws of the demon's curse slowly sinking deeper and deeper in. This is almost entirely opposite. He feels liberated, leaving behind all of the things that had plagued him from the end of the last mission. They were not gone by any means, but he could put them aside for the time being, focusing on this far more exciting possibility of a wide open world ready to be discovered rather than continuing to plumb the depths of his concerns for their overall mission.

The overall climate here is different from what he was used to, the types of plants and animals already stark in contrast as they set out just a short ways. Ashitaka could push Yakul to be faster than the pace he has set him on, but he's being cautious for now, unsure of what unique qualities the landscape this place might have. The animal also doesn't have endless stamina, and he knows it's best to go slow and steady.

He glances over his shoulder as Kruger calls out, tugging gently at the reins to slow Yakul. It's been a decent while since they set out. He's right: now's as good a time as any.]

We stop here, then. [He continues to guide Yakul to a halt.] We know little of this place. We should see what the area is like close to BASE, so we have means of comparing it to different locations.