The land was blanketed with snow and ice. There was a storm that raged through and up into the sky. It was only with the help of Thras and Peromei alongside Red's icy bird that it was kept at bay. The way up the mountain was treacherous even on vehicle.

[She can't handle telepathy. Or dislikes it. He doesn't know why but he won't press. Komaeda picks up his spoon and touches it very lightly to the surface of his soup.] All the while this insidious feeling of love and comfort tried to slip past whatever hate we had. It was like a low grade hunger of the very soul.

When we reached the top of the trail. Everything was covered in thick black ice. It was thickest around the door. ...and all the while birds flew near us. Two perched on either side of where we knew the door was.