35) What is the significance of the rune "prudence", and how can it be used in divination and protection spells?

  I rested my chin in my palm. Professor Cienttoff was seated at his desk and had been for the past ninety minutes. His eyes passed over every student, back and forth, as he watched for any signs of cheating. I was far from an expert on runes, but at least I was smart enough not to try. My gaze stayed glued to my exam. The only sounds were those of the scratching of quills on paper and the occasional cough. I tried to not let the fact that this was my last final rush me. I also tried not to think about my plans after it was over.

  Today was the day that the group would attempt to recover the ice gemstone. There was no reasonable doubt that it wasn't in Winithas, so Kadia assured us that this mission wouldn't take as long as the previous two. I wasn't exactly sure where we were going. All I knew was that it wouldn't take long to get there. We would set out as soon as I finished this test, and we'd hopefully return before dinner.

  I made it to the end and handed it in. There was no time for me to fret about what I'd potentially gotten wrong. I walked quickly out of the classroom. Lilwen was waiting for me just outside the door.

  "Did you do well?" she asked as she fell into step beside me.

  "Well enough, I think," I replied with a shrug. "You?"

  "I believe I passed." She shrugged as well. "What time are you setting out for your next...excursion?"

  "Immediately. Our captain isn't keen on wasting time."

  She nodded. "Understandable. How long will you be gone?"

  We stopped at my locker. I opened it and stuffed a textbook inside. "We'll be done before evening, ideally. Hopefully, everything will go according to plan."

  Lilwen clasped her hands together. "You have had two successful missions now, and you've all returned safely. Surely you have nothing to fear."

  "Fingers crossed there aren't any snakes this time." I wrapped my scarf around my neck, then slipped on my trench coat. "Wish us luck."

  "I always do," she said with a nod.

  "And have a good winter break!"

  "You as well. Stay safe!" She gave me a smile and a hug, and then we parted ways.

  The other seven members of the team were already at the training grounds when I arrived. Thorne was busy loading a backpack with potions, snacks, and supplies. Morgina had several detailed maps sprawled out on a table and was studying them closely. Tyrath's focus remained on his greatshield as he buffed the metal with an old rag. Reyshore was sitting off to the side, meditating. Ashkan and Shaye were having a quiet conversation, and Kadia stood in the middle of the room. She was pacing back and forth.

  "Finally," she exclaimed when I walked into the arena. "We're ready to depart."

  "Where are we going?"

  Kadia glanced over her shoulder at Morgina. "Is the location finalized?"

  "Aye. We think the stone's sittin' in the heart of the Vesper Mines," she replied without looking up from her map. "They haven't been active for decades. They're mostly just an abandoned cave network that people like to explore, but nowadays some people use them as a place of worship. The perfect place to hide a precious jewel."

  My nose scrunched. "Mines? I haven't seen anything like that in Winithas."

  Morgina snorted. "You're not supposed t' see them. They're underground."

  "The closest entrance to us is deep in the tundra farther north, in the province of Pforzheimia. If we take a tram to Thenanari, it will be a short walk to the mines," Kadia added. "We'll have plenty of daylight to make it there, search for the gemstone, and return."

  Morgina nodded, then turned back to me. "You're familiar with the cliffs and forests around the castle, yeah? Well, the Vesper Mines are much, much farther down than those are. The terrain really slopes down more or less as ya head north."

  "Got it," I said.

  Thorne approached us and tossed me a burlap sack. "Don't forget your specially made gear, courtesy of His and Her Majesties."

  I slung it over my shoulder. "Thanks. How long before the tram leaves?"

  "You have ten minutes," Kadia answered, checking her pocket watch.

  "Whoa, okay!" I ran to the change room, hastily removed my school uniform, then crammed it into my satchel. I pulled out the gear that was given to me and examined it. Shockingly, it was a bit similar to my League attire. I hoped that was just a coincidence. On the bright side, I got the impression that I wouldn't have to worry about being cold.

  First out of the bag was a pair of insulated black trousers with a very subtle argyle pattern. Next was a fitted, grey turtleneck sweater in a soft, fine knit. Then there were heavy, dark blue and black boots. The built-in knee guards were reinforced with thick leather. I also got a collared, navy leather vest with silver buckles, black gloves lined with fur, and navy bracers to protect my forearms. I dumped out the rest of the sack's contents: a black neck gaiter, a dark brown triangle scarf, a long coat with a high collar made of black leather, and a black tricorne hat with a silver pin. The hat's front point stuck out farther than the points on the sides, giving the accessory a sharp look. I ran my thumb along the inside and recognized the magic traces of an anti-slipping charm.

  I didn't need to check the size of anything. It all fit perfectly. The fabric was supple yet durable. Everything had an enchantment or charm woven into it. As I slid my arms into the long coat, it stiffened momentarily, adjusting itself to my form, before going slack. Its leather displayed a nearly imperceptible sheen. I wondered if it was charmed with a protective spell, or perhaps an armour spell. I ensured that my weapons were all holstered correctly and comfortably underneath before returning to the training grounds, tucking my travelling necklace under my shirt.

  "Shaye? Would you mind helping me with my hair?" I asked, jogging up to her.

  She smiled. The dainty necklace that Lilwen and I had bought for her hung around her neck. "Not at all! Sit." I sat on a nearby bench, tucking my hat under my arm.

  Ashkan, who was leaning on a wooden pillar, glanced up at us. "Your hair is getting long, huh?"

  "Yeah. I keep forgetting to go for a trim."

  Shaye started braiding my hair into a tight Dutch braid. "A trim would help it look a bit neater, but I think it suits you. You have beautiful hair."

  I chuckled. "Thanks. I just want it to stay out of my face while we're working."

  "I can understand that." She deftly wove the sections together, then tied the end with an elastic.

  I ran a gloved hand over the finished product. "Thanks, Shaye. Are you feeling any better?"

  She nodded. "Yes. I've taken some medicine and other supplements. Not to worry. I am fit for duty."

  "Are you sure? Don't push yourself."

  She flashed me a sweet, reassuring smile. "I am sure. Thank you for your concern, however."

  I stood and returned her smile. "Of course. Are we all ready to leave?"

  Kadia clapped her hands once. "All right, everyone, let's move. The sooner we depart, the better."

  Everyone filed out of the training grounds and headed for the nearest tram stop. The tram was just pulling into the station by the time we got there. It was the one that ran from near the castle all the way up to Thenanari. Thankfully, trams here were more like metros than normal trams, so it would only take about an hour to get there.

  The interior of the tram was warm and cozy. It had rows of cushioned seats, a small food cart, and large windows. Shaye, Ashkan and I were sure to keep our hats, scarves, and gaiters on the whole time, and our collars turned up. The eight of us sat at the very back. I had a view of the forests as the tram chugged along.

  "So," I began, breaking the silence. "What's the clue this time?"

  Kadia reached into the pocket of her coat and withdrew a folded piece of paper. She flattened it out, then held it so I could read it.

  Plunge into the core of both history and gelidity itself

  Beyond the frigid woods, down to the profound chasm as well

  His temple, as frail as glass, hides where chimes cannot knell

  Beware of flame and tumult, for insolence may be your final farewell

  I mulled the poem over and over. "A temple? I thought we're going to a mine."

  Morgina nodded. "We don't think the clue is referring to a real temple. At least, not a traditional one. More likely, it's talkin' about a ruin of some kind. Somewhere people can go to pay respects to the elements. Like I said, the Vesper Mines aren't really mines anymore. They're basically a tourist attraction. People like to explore 'em, but a lot of folk also use them as a place to pray."

  I bit the inside of my cheek. "Huh. And... 'Where chimes cannot knell'? What does that mean?"

  "One of few places nearby that the palace's daily bell chime cannot reach," Reyshore explained. "The snow is far too insulating and the caves are too far down. The sound does not travel to them."

  "Okay, I see," I murmured. Kadia folded the paper up and returned it to her pocket.

  I looked back out the window. My reflection stared back at me, a pensive expression on her face. I was still a bit tired from my final, but hopefully the fresh air would perk me up. There was a certain excitement that came with a new mission. But that excitement was always hand-in-hand with anxiety.

  The tram made a few stops along the way. Every time it did, I found myself looking closely at everyone that entered. Although Winithas was a sort of melting pot for Emiarhia's races, the country still had its own native people – Yce-Stels. About seven-eighths of my own genes came from their heritage. Most others I'd met in the realm had some amount of Yce-Stel blood. Yce-Stels were typically slender and lithe. On average, they represented the second-tallest race on the planet. Their features were often more delicate or angular, and they usually had cool-toned skin ranging from medium to almost snow white. Yce-Stel hair colours were pretty variable – including silver, grey, white, blues, violets, cool browns, icy blonds, and black – and they were quite prone to having pin-straight or thin hair. Some had slightly thicker body hair to help combat their homeland's bitter cold. Some also had slightly smaller ears for the same reason (less surface area for frostbite). Eye colours were virtually always light in tone, like blue, grey, ice-green, or pale violet like mine. Heterochromia like Kadia's was uncommon, but not rare.

  Despite their unique characteristics, Yce-Stels were undoubtedly one of the races that most resembled Earth humans. A lot of their traits weren't visible. For example, they tend to be quite cold-resistant, and are often the most naturally comfortable under low temperatures. Miss Lucera had told me all about how Yce-Stels have complex thermogenesis mechanisms, and good temperature-dependent vasodilation and vasoconstriction in the fingers and toes. Their nervous systems and muscles apparently don't slow down as much in cold weather. I could believe it. I wasn't often cold on a day-to-day basis, and I'd only been truly freezing when I was underdressed.

  I glanced over at the rest of the group. They were all chatting quietly. Tyrath and Morgina's conversation sounded like more of a playful bickering match, as usual. The tram continued to run, and we continued to make our way through the forests. The landscape was beautiful. The evergreen trees were dusted with powdery snow, and the skies were a grey-blue. The sun was partially hidden behind a blanket of clouds, casting an even, pale light over the realm. I shifted in my seat, trying to find a position that would make my weapons less bulky. The eight of us always concealed ours with an invisibility spell when we were travelling through populated areas. Weapons weren't illegal to carry openly in some places, but I was told that public transport definitely fell under that umbrella.

  Ashkan had been staring out the window the entire time, too. He turned his head and glanced at me. I wondered if he was thinking about our first outing as hunters like I was. How would those compare to gemstone retrieval quests now that we'd experienced both?

  Shaye's gaze flicked between him and I. "You two seem relaxed," she remarked.

  "I am relaxed," Ashkan said. "Are you not?"

  "Not particularly."

  I frowned, although it was hidden behind fabric. "Obvious answer, I know, but what's making you anxious?"

  "Just the usual pre-mission jitters. That's all," she answered, waving a hand dismissively.

  "But we've gone on two missions now," Ash pointed out.

  "Yes. Exactly. You would think that would help." She shook her head, her expression falling into one of discontent.

  Ashkan shrugged. "Third time's the charm?"

  "Perhaps."

  "Don't worry too much, Shaye. I've got a good feeling about this one." I gave her a confident nod.

  Her posture loosened. "I hope you're right. I would rather not have another incident. And I...I don't want to stain my hands..."

  My brows drew together. "Your...hands?"

  She looked away. I could see the unsteadiness in her eyes. "I am...not a murderer. I will never be a murderer."

  I opened my mouth, but no words formed. Ashkan was similarly stumped. We looked at each other, confused.

  "I am not a killer," Shaye mumbled. "I don't want to stain my hands with blood. Only the dirt of my journey. A-And nothing...else."

  Ashkan gave her a hesitant pat on the back. "You won't have to. You'll never have to, as long as we're with you."

  I nodded. "Exactly."

  "Thank you," she said with a sigh.

  The three of us fell quiet. I stared out the window once again.

  Shaye's concerns were understandable. If we had to use lethal force, then there was no way we'd be able to keep our hands clean. We were trained to protect ourselves and others, and sometimes that meant killing the enemy. I'd had nightmares about that exact scenario. I couldn't say that I hadn't considered how it would feel to end a life. I'd recently eliminated my first Inkblood, but those were more monsters than people. Hell, you could argue whether or not they were even alive. They didn't die like anything normal. Maybe that couldn't even be considered a true death. But that was harrowing enough. I couldn't imagine taking an actual person's life.

  But I'd never have to as long as Kadia was there. Right?

  The tram's brakes squeaked. We had finally arrived at Thenanari's tram station farther north. Everyone got off the vehicle and stretched, glad to be on firm ground once again. On one side of the platform were many buildings and shops, and the other side was the forest.

  "Alright, team, we're on the clock," Kadia said, clapping her hands together. "This way."

  I adjusted my scarf and followed her lead. The path that would take us to the Vesper Mines was a winding, rocky road through the dense forest. The trees were thick and the sun was obscured by clouds. Our footprints left clear impressions in the snow. The crunching of our boots was the only sound aside from the wind whistling through the trees. We trekked through the woods until we reached a large cliff, where the ground started to slope downwards. A long, wooden bridge stretched across a small, cavernous lake, connecting the two sides of the forest. The Vesper Mines were down in a pit, in a narrow valley between the surrounding cliffs.

  We carefully crossed the bridge. I looked over the edge and was stunned to see a steep, almost straight drop. It was too deep and dark to see the bottom, except for glimpses of frozen water.

  "That's a long fall," Ashkan noted.

  "I wonder what would happen if we had to run across this thing during an avalanche," I mused.

  He chuckled. "We'd die, probably."

  At the end of the bridge was more forest, sloping downward. The trees grew sparsely the lower we went, and the deeper we were into the valley. We were getting close. Our path curved around and the land flattened out. As the trees began to fade, we were greeted with an astonishing view of what was underneath the bridge. A small lake, frozen solid, covered most of the ground. It was nestled between the high, rocky walls of the cliffs. The wooden bridge hung over us, swaying slightly, barely visible through the shadows. Hidden in a cliff face on the opposite side of the lake was a dark, yawning cavern.

  "There it is," Kadia announced, pointing to the entrance.

  We started moving again and made our way around the edge of the icy lake. Our boots crunched loudly over the gravel and rock. The cave's mouth seemed to get larger and larger as we got closer, until it was towering over us. The entrance was supported by thick wooden beams. A rusted, metal sign hung above it, bearing the words 'VESPER MINES'. The eight of us stood and stared up at it for a moment.

  Suddenly, a croaky voice spoke up from behind us. "Ah, visitors..."

  Everyone whipped around, startled. I instinctively reached for the hilt of my dagger. But it was only a wizened, old man. He had a long beard and a shaved head. His clothes were tattered but clean, and he wore a layered, blue robe overtop. His hands were adorned with many rings. The man grinned, displaying his crooked, yellow teeth.

  "Visitors! Visitors! Welcome, welcome, come closer," he said, gesturing with his hands. "What a delight to have such young, healthy, lively people here. Are you tourists? Visiting Pforzheimia for the first time? Oh, you will find it a marvelous place, indeed. Marvelous..."

  I glanced at the others, and we shared a confused look.

  "We are not tourists, sir," Kadia replied. "We are here on official business. I'm not sure if you are aware, but the King's guard is currently on a quest."

  The man cackled. "Oh, it matters not. We're all on our own little quests... All that matters is that you are here, yes? Here, come inside, come inside! It's warm."

  Morgina looked apprehensive. "I don't know 'bout this guy."

  "It's fine. He's probably just some hermit. We've come this far," Thorne murmured.

  "He does not seem threatening," Reyshore agreed.

  "Come inside, come inside!" the old man insisted. He hobbled past us. "Frigid bones will freeze if you stand there."

  Everyone looked at Kadia. She sighed and gave a shrug. "Well, all right. Just stay on your guard."

  She took the lead, and we followed the man. We walked through the entrance and down a long, winding hallway.

  "What brings you here, travellers?" he asked.

  "Classified information, sir," Kadia said.

  He laughed, but it came out more as a hacking cough. "Classified! Yes, yes, classified. That is a word. So formal, so serious. No matter. The caves are always here. Always."

  "You live in here?" Tyrath asked.

  "Oh, yes. This is my home. My temple. You see, the Vesper Mines have become a holy place. People come from all around the country to worship. They are sacred, you know."

  "How did that happen?" I inquired.

  He paused and tapped his chin. "Hmm, hmm. Oh, yes. It was after the mine shut down. They were no longer producing anything, and the King was going to demolish the whole thing. But, no! A miracle occurred. One night, the caves were struck by lightning, and everything inside was coated in a thin layer of ice. The ice was clear and pristine. People started to come and pray. They thought it was a gift from Jeprus himself. And so, the Vesper Mines became a temple. I am its humble caretaker, and I am here to welcome everyone. Everyone!"

  We emerged from the tunnel. The ceiling was high, and the walls were made of solid rock. The floor was also rock, and it was slippery with the frozen water. The entire cave was filled with crystals of all sizes and shapes. They grew everywhere. There were massive, towering spikes of ice, and thin, delicate-looking stalactites. They glimmered in the light from the lanterns that lined the walls. A handful of other people lingered around, either chatting with others or deep in prayer.

  "Welcome, travellers, to the temple of the God of Ice, Jeprus," the caretaker said, gesturing his hands wide. "The Father of Illustration. The Palecrystal. Please, take a moment and pay respects. It is a beautiful sight. The ice is clear, and so the soul can reflect upon itself."

  We all spread out and looked around. I gazed at the ice, which was indeed clear and shiny. The crystals' shapes were irregular and imperfect, yet somehow perfect. Their colours were soft and pale. It was an incredibly serene environment.

  "I suppose this place fits the criteria," Reyshore muttered.

  Kadia nodded. "Indeed."

  The old man turned to us, a gleam in his eyes. "You all may call me High Priest Ragni. That is what the visitors refer to me as. What brings you here, dear guests? Perhaps you are here to worship, hm? Perhaps you are lost? Or, perhaps, you are looking for something. Or is it looking for you?"

  "No, thank you, High Priest Ragni. We're not interested in worship," Kadia said.

  Ragni raised a brow. "Then you must be here for the stone, hm? You have come to collect the ice jewel, yes?"

  Kadia paused. She blinked. "You're well-informed. How did you know?"

  He cackled, waving his hands dismissively. "Oh, it does not matter. The stars, the gods. They talk, they talk. You can find all the answers in the sky. You can hear them if you listen. If you listen..."

  "So, you've heard about the legend," Morgina remarked.

  "Of course. The ice grows spectacularly here... The miners couldn't work with the ice. The cave would flood every few weeks. The ice was always in the way. But, no matter, the mine ran out of resources. Now, the ice has taken over, and the mine has become a holy place. Jeprus' work, surely. Where else would He hide His gift, His blessing, except for somewhere where it could grow, untouched? The miners could not find the jewel, no. They were not worthy. The god wanted to wait. He is waiting for the chosen one. For the ones who seek."

  Kadia's eyebrows raised. "That's an interesting theory."

  "Interesting! Interesting," Ragni repeated, clapping his hands together. "Yes, very interesting."

  "Well, thank you, High Priest Ragni," she said, bowing politely. "You have been most kind. If you'll excuse us, we'll take our leave now."

  The old man's eyes narrowed, and a flash of displeasure appeared on his face. "Leave? Leave? No, no, no. I cannot allow that."

  I froze.

  "Excuse me?" Kadia's voice was sharp.

  "No, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no." Ragni's tone had shifted to one of worry. "No, not alone. Never. No. You will be lost. I must accompany you. I will guide you. You cannot find it alone. Alone, yes, you will be lost."

  "Sir, that is not necessary–"

  "Necessary!" Ragni screeched and pointed a finger at us. "It is very necessary. I must guide you. I know these tunnels like the back of my hand. You will never make it. Not without a map, and not without a guide."

  Morgina held up a rolled map of hers. "Actually, we have a–"

  "No! No, no, no! Do not rely on maps. The ice changes. The tunnels shift. Maps will lead you astray, astray, astray..." he muttered.

  "I see," Kadia said. "In that case, you are welcome to accompany us, sir."

  He smiled. "Yes, yes. Good, good. Come, follow me. We will start at the end. We will begin our journey. Follow me, follow me." The man turned and started walking. Everyone looked to Kadia, and she gestured for us to follow him.

  We went deeper into the cave, taking turns and passages that seemed arbitrary and random. Ragni chattered the entire time. His voice was rough and cracked. I couldn't quite understand half the things he said, but I was certain he was repeating himself.

  "You see, the ice grows best in the back of the cave. That is where we are heading. That is where we will find the stone, yes. Well, maybe. Maybe. We can only hope. Hope and pray. Pray to Jeprus. Yes, yes. He is watching, you know. He is watching."

  I shivered. I couldn't tell if the temperature was dropping or if it was just my nerves. My eyelashes were starting to frost over. The deeper we went, the darker and colder it got. The ice grew thicker. Soon, it was the only thing around. I couldn't tell where the rock ended and the ice began. I questioned why the hell anyone would willingly live down here. There was no flame in sight, only the dim, flickering magical lights from the lanterns. It was barely strong enough to keep the shadows at bay.

  "Ah, we are getting close," Ragni announced. "The back of the cave. The heart of the temple."

  Finally, the narrow passage widened. A large, round chamber greeted us. The ice crystals were bigger and more extravagant than before. They were also arranged neatly around the walls. Some had designs carved into them, mostly diamond shapes. Others had writing, written in a foreign language. The floor was covered with a thin layer of water. However, it seemed like a dead end. There were no other entrances or exits aside from the tunnel we came from.

  "Here, here, this is the spot," Ragni said, shuffling forward.

  "Are you certain?" Kadia asked.

  "Yes, yes. You will see. You will see." He walked over to the far wall and pointed to a dusty, unlit torch. "Look, look. This will open the path. This is the trigger."

  Ragni grabbed the end of the torch with his thin, gnarled fingers and yanked it out of its holder. I stared, wondering what he was going to do with it. The bottom of its bowl was full of grimy ice. The priest reached into the pocket of his robes and retrieved a crumpled flower. I recognized it as a winter's gale. They were easy to find in the fields and groves of Winithas. Ragni plucked a few petals off and crushed them. Tiny droplets of clear liquid oozed out. Finally, he lit the torch with a flick of his hand. The spark ignited into a blaze of blue fire.

  The firelight illuminated the cave, bathing everyone in an eerie, lapis glow. The room filled with the faint, sweet smell of flower nectar. Then, suddenly, a grinding noise echoed through the chamber, and the rocky ground trembled. Slowly, a wall slid away, revealing another passage. I jumped back, startled.

  "Just the god's bidding," Ragni murmured.

  "How did you know to do that?" Kadia questioned.

  He cackled, stomping his foot impatiently. "I have been a caretaker for decades! I've had plenty of time to explore these caves and learn their secrets. Only the flammable winter's gale can be used to burn amongst ice. And it is the flower, Jeprus' favourite, whose fragrance leads us to His doorstep."

  "How poetic," Ashkan noted. I stifled a laugh.

  The old man gestured for us to enter the next room. "Come along. The path grows cold."

  We filed into the second chamber. It was small, although its dome-shaped ceiling was much higher than the one we came from. Crystals grew sporadically from the rock and the walls. It was a stark contrast; the grey, bare rock with glimmers of pale ice. There were etchings of diamonds all over the walls and ceiling.

  But what caught my attention was not the crystals, but the curious amount of furniture and decor. A pair of armchairs, a dusty table with two benches, and a display case with an odd assortment of random knick-knacks. The whole area looked like the inside of a living quarters, except it was made entirely of rock. Everything had a layer of dust.

  "What the blazes is all this?" Tyrath muttered.

  "I haven't the slightest idea," Morgina grumbled.

  "Echoes from the past," Ragni announced, stroking his beard. "What it once was, yes, once."

  Ashkan moved over to the case. He looked at the array of items in confusion. I joined him, peering around his shoulder. An assortment of shells, stones, buttons, dolls, feathers, and hairpieces occupied the space. There was also an incredible number of brushes, spatulas, pigment tubes, canvases, jars, and parchment papers. A wooden easel sat forgotten in the corner. A pile of coloured pastels sat by the wall.

  Suddenly, it dawned on me. "These... These are the remains of an art studio," I said, scanning the dusty items inside.

  "An artist lived here?" Thorne asked.

  Morgina paced around. She did a complete circle before stopping and huffing, "Of course. Bloody artists are crazier than mages. What other sort of sap would be insane enough to live in a cave?"

  "You would know," Tyrath teased.

  She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yuck it up while you can. I'll fry you later."

  Ragni burst into another fit of cackling. He lifted a crooked, ring-clad finger in the air. "Ha-ha, ah-hah, yes, yes. The artist's spirit still lingers. His soul remains with the ice. Not only an artist. The artist. Jeprus himself."

  The hair on the back of my neck prickled, and I could feel a strange chill wash over the room. Everyone fell quiet, and I watched as the colour faded from Morgina's face.

  She cleared her throat. "Well, uh... How 'bout that. Makes sense. He did always have a penchant for fine art... Lived a lonely life, didn't he? Y'know, they say he preferred to draw using the ice crystals for ink. Ink that melted and disappeared. Art that the world wasn't ready for."

  "Yes, yes. Melted. But art from the divine cannot vanish from the mortal plane. No, it stays. His work is hidden in the walls. He created many paintings, often with ice as his tool. Blue and white, diamond and snow, smoke and rime. All his corporal existence, he spent in search of beauty and truth. Creating the greatest artwork he could produce. After all, it is quite arduous to find two matching snowflakes!"

  Tyrath picked at his teeth. "So, how do we proceed?"

  "Hmm. Follow me, follow me," Ragni beckoned, and we followed him. He led us to the other end of the room. There, nestled between two particularly long crystal formations, was a large portrait of sorts.

  I could make out the figure of a man wearing a long cloak. His back was turned, but I could tell he was very tall. Straight, white hair flowed over his shoulders, piling on the ground at his feet. This had to be Jeprus. As was customary, the god's face was not shown. Emiarhians could argue endlessly about which god had what features, and their depictions always varied more or less. This was perhaps the closest I'd ever been to seeing a god. I couldn't help but feel a small thrill of excitement. It was a rare sight, one not granted easily to normal folk.

  The god was alone. Jeprus stood before a canvas with a palette in one hand and a brush in the other. Pale, crystalline paint was spread across the canvas. There were multiple tools and containers filled with various shades.

  Ragni gestured towards the portrait. "This, this is as far as I have ever ventured. I know not the way any further."

  Kadia's brow creased, and she looked over at the caretaker. "Only this far?"

  "Yes, I know no more. There is a secret my god wishes to reveal. You must discover the answer. There, there..." He pointed at the painting with a mangled hand. "A true work of the artist must contain a piece of the creator and a piece of the subject."

  "What?" Tyrath mumbled, doing his best to hide his frustration.

  Ashkan held his chin in thought. "Hmm. The secret has to be within this painting..."

  Shaye, who'd been quiet for a good long while, chimed in with, "Look at the canvas."

  We all shifted our gaze to where she gestured. I thought she'd meant the portrait itself, but it turned out that she was referring to the canvas within the painting. The one that Jeprus was painting on. Curiosity sparked, and everyone quickly moved closer to have a better look.

  "Is that...?" Thorne mumbled, eyes narrowing.

  Reyshore crossed his arms. "It looks like...this room?"

  He was right. Everything was the same, aside from the crystals, dust, and the state of disrepair. Someone had captured this very room on a canvas, many centuries ago. The armchairs, the table, the display case... Everything was there.

  "Indeed, you've got it. Good observation," Kadia praised.

  "It's not quite right, though," Shaye pointed out. "Look closely. The table is rotated. And the cabinet is closer to the armchair. It's all slightly...shifted, if you will."

  Ragni stood with a satisfied smirk. "Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Of course. It's not quite right. Yet not so incorrect."

  I examined the area. Although it was hard to discern the location of every table leg and cushion, I realized Shaye was correct. The furniture was positioned differently from how it was now. She was sharp and observant, noticing every small detail.

  "So..." Reyshore pondered. "To proceed, we need to follow the artist's guide? Would that be correct, Ragni?"

  Ragni tapped his nose. "I cannot be certain. I have said all I know. I have said all, yes, yes."

  "Well, then," Thorne mused. "What are we waiting for?" He proceeded to drag the table over to a different spot in the room. It made a loud, grating noise and kicked up a cloud of dust. He winced. "...Sorry."

  Ashkan joined in, pushing a bench to a different part of the room. Following their lead, everyone else started to move things into place. I looked up at the painting. The furnishings were organized entirely differently. I wondered if we were getting closer to the answer.

  The last thing left was the display case, or more specifically, the contents of the case. Shaye shifted her attention to the tableau and began studying it carefully. I admired her solemn expression and the way her eyes drifted across the canvas. Cogs spun in her head. I could almost feel her brain trying to solve the puzzle before everyone's eyes. After several seconds of pondering, she finally reached a conclusion. She stretched her fingers towards the case and gently cracked it open.

  "Have you figured it out?" Kadia asked, approaching. "The placement of everything in here seems fairly random."

  Shaye remained silent, only nodding. With utmost care, she began rearranging the objects inside. Soon, I found myself assisting her. I grabbed a wooden doll and plopped it into place in the bottom left-hand corner of the cabinet. Shaye removed a jar from the shelf above and moved it down into the case. One by one, we rebuilt the scene from the portrait. When we were finished, we closed the case and quickly stepped back.

  The surface of the ground began to quake. Everyone took another cautious step backward, including Ragni. The rock beside the painting parted, revealing yet another hidden door.

  "Yes! Yes, yes. Happy days!" Ragni cheered. "Jeprus smiles upon you! All, all, all! Congratulations!"

  The heavy door slid open, its edges scraping the walls. Beyond it was pure blackness. I gulped nervously, wondering what awaited us. I knew very well by now to expect the unexpected. I straightened and steeled myself.

  Thorne grinned. "I'm guessing that's our cue." He peeked into the doorway. "Kadia... Would you do the honours?"

  She rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. Let me through." The Captain waved her hand and a sphere of light manifested just over her palm. It illuminated the space and cast eerie shadows on the rock. She lifted the flickering orb higher, letting it float away from her hand. It travelled forward, giving us a view of the path beyond. We walked slowly and followed its glow.

  The passage curved gently as we went further. Soon, it spread open into a much bigger area. A large, circular chamber with a higher ceiling and integrated ice formations. Crystals grew from the sides of the stone walls, and a few jutted down from the top like stalactites. Brilliant, transparent stalagmites decorated the floor. They glistened, sparkling and shining, as if covered with tiny gems. Several paintings hung on the walls. All showed different images, all very fine and precise. Some depicted landscapes, others had strange figures, some had patterns. Snowflakes danced in the air, drifting from the holes high above. I imagined this room used to look lovely many, many centuries ago.

  Everyone stayed frozen in place, mouths agape.

  "Incredible," Shaye breathed.

  "My thoughts exactly," Kadia murmured, glancing around the wide room.

  "Wow. Well, this certainly looks important," Thorne said with a chuckle. He put his hands on his hips and gazed up at the glistening ice. "I bet there's another door somewhere around here. Let's keep looking."

  While the others fanned out, exploring the space, I approached one of the paintings on the wall. It depicted a lovely mountain vista with trees against the horizon. With all the layers of ice and frost on it, the scene looked dream-like and serene. I couldn't even tell if it was winter, but it certainly reminded me of the icy wonderland outside. I took several steps back to get a better view.

  That's when I noticed something near the edge of the work, barely noticeable. Something about the painted shadows struck me as unusual. They didn't seem to line up, much less follow any sort of logic. As I squinted, I could just make out the shapes of letters. It was faint and difficult to read, but it seemed as though someone had tried to create writing in the middle of the artwork. I wondered if that was part of Jeprus' genius or if it was a practical joke.

  First, my brain struggled to process it. Then, the words came into focus.

  MELT THROUGH MISFORTUNE

  I stood there for a moment, staring blankly. The phrase repeated itself in my mind, over and over. My intuition told me that I'd just uncovered something important. I was confused, though. Melting through misfortune? Was it some sort of code? A riddle? It didn't make much sense. It appeared to be a few words of guidance with little context. Maybe it was just a piece of life advice.

  I tuned into the conversations between the others. In the centre of the room, they were deep in discussion. Kadia spoke to Tyrath and Ashkan. I was drawn in, moving over to join the group.

  "Is there nothing left to do?" Tyrath questioned. "Not so much as a door handle?"

  Kadia crossed her arms. "No. I've walked around this entire room, twice, and I can't find any sort of exit. No cracks, no vents, not a thing."

  "Bloody convenient." He frowned, wrinkling his brow. "I assumed it wouldn't be so simple."

  Ashkan narrowed his eyes, tipping his hat lower. "We'd better find something."

  "Well, are we missing something?" Reyshore interjected. "Something we aren't aware of?"

  I cleared my throat, joining in the conversation. "The only thing I found was a clue in one of the paintings. It bore writing that said, 'melt through misfortune'. Maybe that can help us?"

  All heads turned in my direction. Everyone fell silent. Even Ragni, who'd been ambling around the outskirts of the group, seemed suddenly interested in what I had to say. It made me a little nervous.

  Shaye considered this. "Melting...ice? Is there anything stuck in ice here that might hold the next clue?"

  Kadia examined the room, rubbing her chin. "Interesting... There is a lot of ice in here."

  "Huh." Thorne huffed. "...Melting..."

  I peered around the space. Between the floor and the walls, there were thousands of varying types of crystal in all shapes and sizes. Nothing that caught my eye, though. Sheets of ice covered most of the walls. It would take forever to melt it all, and I had a feeling Ragni wouldn't approve of that. Unless there was some unseen shape buried deep in them, I had no idea what to look for. It seemed like a hopeless cause. But we hadn't travelled all this way for nothing.

  I ran my hand along each wall, pushing and pulling on every nook and crevice, hoping to trigger some kind of response. Yet, every movement seemed futile. I continued anyway. My eyes flicked around, taking in every shadow and form. Right before I gave up, I noticed something: one section of the wall stood out. Something behind the ice was different than simple stone. I summoned a sphere of white light, moved it over my head, and studied the icy layer more closely. I pinched my fingers together, and the light narrowed into a beam.

  There. I found a definite shape. There was a dark form hidden in the ice. It was tall and rounded at the top. Its lines warped through the rough layers of frost. Hard to see from a distance, but now it was so clear to me. A door. This was the answer.

  "The wall here," I said, smacking it with my fist, "I think there's a doorway behind the ice."

  Everyone gathered around.

  "Oh. Ha!" Tyrath exclaimed. "Now that, I can do." He moved closer to the frosted barrier.

  Kadia halted him with a raised hand. "No. The architecture of this fortress is very delicate. You can't break down a section at a time and hope the entire wall doesn't collapse. This whole room could come crashing down."

  He grumbled. "Tch. Fine. How, then?"

  Thorne stepped forward. "Well, it's clear you just have to melt it. I suppose you should choose the least damaging way possible."

  "The location riddle seemed to recommend we avoid using flame," Reyshore pointed out.

  Tyrath rolled his eyes. "It wouldn't be the same as setting the entire bloody room on fire."

  The High Priest cut in, "No! No flame! Avoid flame, avoid flame! Flame brings a world of ice to its knees!"

  "Right, then. I suppose one must be careful and considerate," Kadia reasoned.

  "Don't forget the other part: melt through misfortune," Shaye mentioned.

  "Hmm. Yes," Kadia echoed, thinking to herself. She was lost in thought. Then, all of a sudden, her eyes grew wide. "Hold on. Melting is thawing. Thawing is warming. We need to provide warmth to the wall, right? And to do that, maybe we can exploit other natural methods, ones less violent and chaotic."

  I put two and two together. "Hot water!"

  The Captain nodded. "Precisely."

  Shaye's face lit up. "Ah! Of course!"

  "Water, water, water, warm, warm, warm," chanted Ragni. He was kind of just...off in his own little world.

  Tyrath rubbed his hands together. "Leave it to me."

  He pressed his palms to the uneven surface of the ice. For a few seconds, nothing happened. But as he stayed perfectly still, his fingers glowed white, and I saw the ice slowly begin to melt and trickle off. Steam wafted from the stream of icy slush, dissipating into the air.

  Several minutes later, after he'd melted a sizable area, he stepped back. The frigid water began gathering into a puddle on the floor. There was definitely a door on the other side.

  "Well, there ya go, eh?" Tyrath said, wiping his hands.

  Everyone gathered closely. An arched door was now in plain view, surrounded by frost. Tyrath would have to melt more to open it. However, that wasn't our only problem – a heavy padlock held the frozen door tightly shut. All that ice built up over centuries had served to strengthen the metal rather than rust it.

  With pursed lips, Kadia reached forward, placing her hand on the latch. "Perhaps..." Her features contorted in concentration. I expected the lock to unlatch or break, but it seemed like she couldn't free it. She took a step back and furrowed her brows. "It's been a while since I've encountered one so resistant to spells..."

  "Difficult problem," Ragni mumbled. "Ice and lock. Iron and water. Lock and ice. Hm."

  Tyrath's expression grew dim. "Nothing works? You can't poof it into dust? Make it explode? Can't burn it up?"

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Kadia shook her head, "If it's strongly enchanted enough, no. It's obviously one-of-a-kind. It's been reinforced with magic too powerful for me to overwhelm." She huffed in frustration.

  Thorne stepped up and raised his eyebrows. "Maybe it's not meant to be melted or broken at all. I could try picking it." Without waiting for a response, he crouched down and opened his backpack. Then, he withdrew a suspicious-looking set of thin, iron tools and set to work.

  "Think he has a shot?" I whispered to Shaye.

  She shrugged. "He is a master lockpick. According to Kadia, he's only ever failed twice."

  "Surely, Jeprus would not leave his greatest tomb without adequate protection," Reyshore murmured. "Perhaps, we are trying to force our way through instead of letting the puzzle lead us naturally."

  "It might be that the right answer to all of this has yet to be discovered," Ashkan agreed.

  Thorne continued to fuss with the old lock while his older brother melted away the rest of the ice blocking the door. I stood idly with the others, unsure if I should pitch in. Shaye stood near me. She, too, held back, appearing to be lost in thought.

  Abruptly, Morgina called out, "Uh, team? I think I found somethin' that might help."

  While the others were still preoccupied, she had remained on the other side of the room, searching the space. Now, she poked her head out from behind a cluster of the sharp crystalline spires. Everyone's heads turned her way. I pushed myself off the wall I'd been leaning against and started over in her direction.

  "What have you found?" Kadia asked.

  Morgina pointed up. "Am I blind, or does that look like a key?"

  I followed the length of her arm and noticed an angular shape hanging high up on the far wall. There, suspended in the air, was a piece of metal fixed in a translucent shard. It glinted as it caught the light, sparkling with a blinding flash of green. Everyone craned their necks to get a good view.

  Kadia winced, gazing up at the makeshift ornament. "I... Huh. Yes, it does, indeed."

  Ragni swiveled back and forth, glancing between us and the far-off key. "Ha, ha. Funny things, they can be, indeed. Key always means a prize, yes. Yes. Find the key, find the treasure!"

  Thorne huffed. "How in the world are we supposed to get that down without being too rowdy?"

  "I could levitate up there," Shaye offered, "but how do you cut crystal without breaking it?"

  I glanced down at the floor, seeking inspiration. I wasn't sure if this type of crystal could be melted, let alone quickly. It seemed too strong to be cut with any normal blade. I wracked my brain, trying to think of a solution. Then, it hit me.

  Diamonds are crystals. But even diamonds can be cut with a laser.

  "Oh. Oh!" I nearly shouted. My voice echoed through the room, bouncing off the walls. Everyone stared. "Sorry. It's just... If I can create a strong, concentrated beam of light, maybe I can cut the crystal without breaking it. Similar to a laser?"

  Shaye considered this. Then her brow lifted, and her eyes widened. "That might work!"

  Ashkan gave a slight nod. "It's certainly worth a try."

  Thorne agreed, "Definitely better than taking a hammer to the thing. Kadia's right; this whole chamber could come crashing down on our heads. In my experience, that tends to not feel good at all."

  Thus, while Shaye hovered beside the stalactite and held it securely in place, I positioned myself underneath the key. Then, summoning a tiny circle of intense light, I drew a horizontal line, slicing right through the bottom half of the transparent shard. The angle made it difficult to remain focused, but I somehow managed. I repeated the action twice more. The laser easily sliced cleanly through the crystal. Shaye dropped back down with the chunk in hand.

  She examined it and turned to us. "Seems like that worked!"

  "Good idea," Ashkan commented, winking at me.

  I beamed, then took the chunk from Shaye. "I guess there's no other option than to carve it out." I set the prism of shimmering quartz on the floor and began working on it. I worked precisely, being cautious and deliberate. After a minute, I cut one of the sides. Then, I took my time with the others, holding it steady while I whittled away. Soon, everyone gathered around in a loose semi-circle.

  "The blade of the key is the most important," Thorne instructed. "Don't worry so much about the bow."

  "Yeah, yeah," I mumbled, breathing steadily. I leaned over the cut shape and paid close attention to how the crystal was set together, the locations of the grains and lines. Then, I formed a thin sliver of white light and drew it along the crevices and angles of the key. Carefully and precisely. This was a crucial moment, a time when the others were relying on me. I was determined not to disappoint them.

  About ten minutes later, it was done. There was a key. It was angular, with intricate patterns carved into the handle. I felt pleased with myself.

  "Well done, Brielle," Kadia said.

  "Impressive. Excellent work," Reyshore praised.

  "Your efforts will serve the pursuit of knowledge," Ragni added, nodding to me.

  We approached the new door. I pushed the key into the lock and let it do the rest of the work. The lock clacked and clicked, then fell open. I removed it and let the chains drop to the ground.

  "I almost had it..." Thorne grumbled.

  Morgina chuckled. "Sorry, mate. Your thief tricks aren't needed quite yet."

  Tyrath stepped over the fallen chains and pulled the door. He had to muscle it, shoving his body against it with all his might. At last, the icy door dislodged, letting out a guttural groan. He huffed, using far more strength than would ever be required for a regular wooden door, before the metal scraped along the stone.

  A blast of frigid air sent ripples through the room. I tensed and crossed my arms. A narrow corridor lay before us, twisting with jagged rocks and dark blue crystals.

  "No torches, please," Ragni pleaded, averting his gaze. "Do not bring fire, oh so horrible, into a sacred place."

  Kadia nodded. "Yes, sir. We remember."

  I kept my conjured light close to myself. The golden shimmer from the luminous shape cast off the colourful, gem-like icicles, refracting hues of green, blue, and violet. The crystalline structures hung menacingly above our heads, piercing through the ice along the underside of the walkway. It didn't look particularly sturdy. I kept on my toes, ready to maneuver out of harm's way. One false move, and I would be stuck like a skewered bug on a large pin.

  We continued deeper into the tunnel, working our way through this glacial maze. It was hard not to worry. The passage was thin and dainty in nature. There weren't any alternative pathways. A sense of claustrophobia descended over me. No one spoke. We went one after another in a single-file line, passing over the slippery, ice-covered stones.

  At last, the glacial tunnel began to curve. It angled down, sharpened, and then led to a steep staircase. The stairs were also coated in slick ice. It grew increasingly dark, prompting me to increase the size of my glowing sphere. We reached a chamber connected to the descending staircase, with tall pillars and a curved ceiling. It felt spacious yet confining at the same time. More ice clung to the sides.

  There was a grand structure at the centre, a large stone slab built into the frost-covered rock. What looked like some kind of ornament rested on top. Morgina jumped at the chance to inspect it.

  "Ooh. Come check this out, guys!" she exclaimed.

  Everyone joined her. As I raised the brightness of my light and drew closer, I finally discerned what it was. A long glass vial, empty, and covered in dust. It was capped with a large crystal that resembled a stopper.

  Thorne leaned closer. "Huh. What do you think this was supposed to hold?"

  Shaye shrugged. "Could have been anything. Potion, poison, blood, ichor, essence, oil..."

  "Let's keep searching," Kadia prompted.

  We began moving throughout the cavern, exploring everything. A stack of parchment and books sat on the far side of the room. Reyshore spent a minute combing through them. Nothing. I hunted around for any doors or exit points but didn't find anything. Ragni pranced around the icy room like he was in search of something. The others picked the area over thoroughly, leaving not one corner unchecked.

  One of the first things most of us noticed was a strange, bowl-like indentation built into the floor, at the back. At first, I thought it was just a carved depression or seam between boulders. But I was wrong. I kneeled down to observe it closer. It seemed perfect. Too perfect. The edges were raised. Thick stone straps ran parallel to the ground to hold it tightly in place. The rim was etched with designs.

  Ashkan plopped down beside me. "Any thoughts, Brie?"

  "Hmm." I narrowed my eyes. "I'm honestly not sure. It could be important or decorative. But it's likely supposed to hold something. I'm just not sure what, though."

  He nodded his head in agreement. "You're probably right. No ideas, though?"

  I moved my face closer to the bowl, studying it for clues. The designs reminded me of runes. In fact, a few seemed identical to ones I'd recently learned in class. All at once, the fog of mystery rolled away. "Oh! Look at these... Um..." I ran my finger along the rim. "'Water'... 'Cold'... 'Water'... Uh, 'smooth'? And...'pure'."

  Ashkan shifted, squinting his eyes in the dim light. "Interesting."

  "How can we fill a bowl with cold water in a freezing room?" I questioned.

  He mulled it over. "Well, it is possible to cool water down below its freezing point. Maybe that's the key?"

  My eyes widened, chemistry notes flashing in my brain. "That's right! Water produced by magic is free of impurities... Pure water can be subzero as long as it doesn't come in contact with–"

  "A seed crystal," he spoke at the exact same time. "The liquid phase will maintain in the absence of–"

  "Nucleation sites," I said in tandem with him.

  We stared at each other. I grinned, and I could tell by his eyes that he was smiling too. We'd just had a total nerd-out session together. Spooky.

  I rose to my feet. "Maybe that's what the vial is for? Would it be smooth enough?"

  He stood too, joining me. "Could very well be. Needs a cleaning first, though."

  After explaining our idea to the rest of the group, Tyrath got to cleaning the dust-covered vial with warm water. The droplets that ran off his hands froze within seconds, turning into tiny crystals that would have been right at home in an artisan's jewelry shop. Once the vial was spotless, he filled it with freezing water. We waited for it to crystallize. But it didn't. So, we carefully poured the water into the indent in the ground. To my dismay, it froze almost instantly.

  Morgina scratched her head. "This is too science-y for me, mate."

  Tyrath shook his head. "What now?"

  "Seems odd," Ragni mumbled. "How puzzling..."

  Ashkan's brow furrowed. "Did we get it wrong? Was the bowl a red herring?"

  Shaye was pensive, her hands on her hips. Then her face brightened. "What about the stopper? Why would there be a need for a cap if the vial was simply a method of transfer?"

  I glanced at her, considering this. "That's actually a good point. The bowl is too rough to keep the water from freezing. Maybe we just need to set the vial down in it."

  Thorne clapped, "Could definitely be it!"

  Kadia chewed her lip. "It's the best lead we have. Let's try it."

  Tyrath cleared the ice from the bowl, then slowly refilled the vial again. He handled it delicately, as though it was a bomb. It stayed liquid. Gingerly, he pushed the crystal stopper into the opening, ensuring not to touch it to the water. Then, he set the vial into the bottom of the bowl. The runes circling its rim began glowing.

  A sudden rumble echoed through the room. Everyone jumped, startled. Small amounts of white flurries swept around our feet as the rocky walls vibrated with energy. It was like an earth tremor. My heart leapt, then hammered in my chest. I expected the ceiling to start caving in. Instead, before anyone had time to move, the floor cracked. Where the bowl was, a crevasse ripped through the icy stone. The bowl-shaped depression split in half, falling into the fractured earth beneath it, the vial going with it. The floor gave way altogether only a few seconds later. The nine of us were sent plummeting into the mysterious depths.

  And it was a terrifying drop. I screamed, consumed by panic. My stomach somersaulted as I hurtled downward through the complete darkness. Frigid air stung my face, rushing past, buffeting my exposed skin.

  The terror of the quick descent drained away only when I realized I could stop myself from free-falling and splattering all over the stone. Using a substantial degree of focus, I generated enough wind to slow my momentum.

  My soles found solid ground. The others were recovering nearby. Fortunately, we all seemed intact – even Ragni. I straightened and looked around.

  We stood in a chilly, dark, massive cave. Giant, clear crystal formations gleamed where they jutted from the walls and roof. In the distance, there was a large, frozen lake. Tall stalagmites shot up from the depths, sparkling like diamonds against the deep blue surface. A mist of icy fog swirled about the ground. Every inch of the floor around the lake was covered in winter's gale.

  Ashkan's hand found my wrist. "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah," I said. "I think so. Are you?"

  "Fine." He turned to Shaye. "How about you?"

  She winced but nodded. "Yes."

  Thorne was busy helping Ragni. "Everyone all right?"

  "Think so," Morgina groaned. "Everyone in one piece?"

  "Better than ever," Tyrath grunted.

  Kadia dusted off her pants. "Good. Where are we?"

  Thorne surveyed the cave, crossing his arms. "Looks like a natural formation. An ice cave, though?"

  "I never seen an ice cave like this, indeed!" Ragni blinked, swiveling around. "A glorious sight! So beautiful. Indeed!"

  The ice wasn't the natural sort; it was glittering and clear, very different than regular, greyish-blue glacial ice. It cast iridescent shades of colour across the rock faces. It was so beautiful, so opalescent that the ceiling, ground, and walls all seemed painted with a brilliant light source. It reminded me of an ice sculpture.

  Shaye spun in a circle. "What is this place? It's so grand..."

  "Never heard of a frozen lake underground," Tyrath added, looking at the reflective body of water. It seemed endless.

  Reyshore frowned, narrowing his three eyes. "There. On the other side. What is that?"

  All of us faced the opposite end of the lake. Near its centre was an object of sorts. Some kind of pedestal.

  Thorne spoke, "There's only one way to find out."

  Tyrath was blunt and to the point. "I'd prefer to find out quickly." He started strolling toward the vast body of ice.

  We all followed, hiking across the flat, frozen ground. Bubbles swirled underfoot, trapped under the surface, reflecting the kaleidoscope of ice. The air shifted, changing, drawing denser and heavier with each step. My treaded boots could only help me get so far before they became slick against the frigid lake. The rest of the walk was dicey. Each stride I took was a gamble.

  Thorne fell twice, flailing on his hands and knees while a burst of laughter spewed from his lips. Kadia chuckled and helped him up both times. Morgina slipped once, and Reyshore nearly followed. Shaye caught Ashkan and I both before either of us became acquainted with the ice and certain humiliation. Despite all that, we managed to traverse the uneven, solid water. Only Ragni, who seemingly knew how to handle such a slippery surface, had no trouble moving across the ice.

  Once we reached the other side, I realized that the object wasn't a true pedestal. Instead, it was a carved block of shimmering ice. The only problem was that a wall of ice separated us from the solid ground. It was impossible to get around it.

  Morgina slammed a fist against the crystal-clear barrier. It wouldn't budge. "Oh, come on! Seriously? What a load of–"

  "Careful!" Kadia exclaimed. "No brute force, remember? Violence has not helped us so far in these caves."

  "Violence always helps!" she retorted.

  Ragni covered his face with his hands. "Oh, dear! Such savagery! A horrendous, dastardly plan! One should not do that! If the ice could speak, how distressed it would be, indeed! Such iniquity! Such cruelty!"

  "Ragni, mate. Please, quiet down, will ya?" Morgina stated. "I'm too bloody tired for this right now."

  Reyshore stared intently at the wall of ice. "This is not the end. There must be a way."

  "Should I melt it again?" Tyrath suggested, holding out a hand.

  Kadia shook her head. "You'll risk melting the floor with it."

  Ashkan stepped beside it and smoothed a palm across its surface. "What is the point of this?"

  "To keep people out, I'm sure," Shaye reasoned.

  "Jeprus was intangible..." Ragni mumbled.

  Shaye glanced at him. "Pardon me, sir?"

  "Yes," he said, smiling. "The god could move through any wall, any barrier, anything he wanted, for he was more than solidified concepts of flesh... He had the ability to become a being of light or thought or something akin to the air, yes!"

  Nobody knew how to respond to that. Everyone was patient and civil with him, yet I couldn't help but notice that most of us were starting to grow a bit agitated at his erratic speech patterns.

  Tyrath sighed. "Well, none of us can do that."

  "It is most difficult. Intangibility involves manipulating the very properties of atoms," Reyshore added. "Without understanding every nuance of subatomic energy, it's quite beyond anyone's grasp."

  Thorne crossed his arms, brow furrowed. "But surely we can figure it out. Jeprus wouldn’t leave an obstacle without a solution."

  Shaye folded her arms. "No force, no breaking, no melting, no walking around it, no walking through it... Would a laser work? Like with the crystal before?"

  Morgina shook her head. "No laser. It'll likely pass right through. And damage whatever's on the other side."

  "And whatever is on the other side must be important," Kadia said.

  "Well, this is irritating," Tyrath muttered.

  I pressed my hands to the wall. The ice seemed seamless. Even the cracks and lines were thinner than a single hair strand. I ran my fingers along it, searching for a break or tear. Nothing.

  Thorne tilted his head. "...Wait. That's it!"

  Kadia narrowed her eyes. "What?"

  His eyes brightened. "You'll see, you'll see." He crouched and swung his heavy backpack down. He proceeded to pull out a glass bottle filled with yellow-green liquid. It gave off a faint glow.

  My mouth popped open.

  "Ah!" Ragni smacked his forehead. "A most ingenious and divine moment!"

  Thorne stood, clutching the bottle with one hand. "Only need a few drops. Kywolk acid eats through almost everything. Ice won't stand a chance."

  Tyrath threw his hands up. "Why didn't you pull that out earlier?"

  He shrugged. "It’s volatile. We were trying not to bring the whole place down, remember?"

  Thorne uncapped the bottle and sprinkled three drops of acid onto the ice. It hissed on contact, bubbling instantly. Within a few seconds, a sizzling hole formed. The substance ate away at the wall like flame devouring fabric. The hole spread until the gap was large enough to step through. Thorne tossed the bottle back into the backpack before we moved forward.

  On the other side, there was nothing of note but the pedestal thing. We circled around and studied it. Set into the surface was another indentation – a square with fifteen smaller tiles. All the squares bore designs and colours that seemed random at first glance. A thin layer of frost covered them. Upon brushing it off, we realized that the tiles were part of a sliding puzzle, one that would reveal a picture when completed. I was never good at those.

  Shaye inspected the puzzle closer, her eyes studying its details. She spoke at last, "Oh, I see. The image is a painting."

  Thorne nodded. "A nice one."

  “Who's good at this, then?" Tyrath said.

  Morgina shook her head. "Rey?"

  Reyshore frowned. "I have some experience. I will try but make no promises." He pressed his fingers to the icy pieces and started sliding them around rapidly. Shaye watched curiously.

  Thorne backed away from the pedestal and began wandering in a loose circle around the area, gazing at our surroundings. Everyone else besides Reyshore and Shaye followed suit, waiting for the pair to solve the puzzle. Ashkan strayed farther from the group to inspect several formations.

  I left the others and began trailing him. "Something interesting?"

  He shrugged. "No. Just taking a breather."

  I lowered my voice. "Hey, do you think Ragni is kind of...odd? In general?"

  "I don't know him well enough to judge. But... Yeah. He's strange, but he's helpful. That's something."

  "Agreed. I can't quite figure him out. He seems–"

  My words were cut off as the cave rumbled. Dust and pebbles fell from the ceiling, showering us in debris. The roof shuddered. I whipped my head around to the main group.

  Thorne was near the back wall. "Damn! I think I stepped on–"

  "Look out!" Ashkan interrupted, suddenly barreling into me. He knocked me to the ground. We hit the rock, hard, and skidded away. My breath was forced out of me. Stars exploded in my vision. A sharp, searing pain shot through my right thigh.

  I was pinned beneath Ashkan. He braced his hands on either side of my head to avoid crushing me.

  Surprise flashed in his eyes. "You okay?"

  I gulped down a lungful of freezing air, winded. "What happened?"

  He rolled off of me and sat up. "Thorne stepped on some kind of pressure plate. An arrow trap... You were in the way."

  I pushed myself up into a sitting position. "...Thanks."

  "Yeah." His eyes drifted to my leg. "You're bleeding…!"

  I glanced down. Sure enough, there was a gash on the side of my upper leg. My pants were ripped, exposing the wound, letting blood run down my skin. It burned like fire, but the wound itself wasn't large.

  "It's okay," I said. "It's not that bad."

  Kadia's voice called out, "Brielle!" She rushed over, eyeing my injury with concern. "Are you all right? Oh, Thorne's so blind sometimes..."

  Thorne hurried to my other side. "Ah... I'm sorry."

  "Not your fault," I reassured him. With some effort, I stood up. Ashkan and Kadia offered their support.

  Morgina's jaw dropped as she gazed past us, back at the other side of the lake. "Uh... That's a problem."

  Everyone turned to look. Several small fires had started at the other end of the cave, burning on the stone. They spread quickly to become a larger inferno, licking hungrily at the frosted floor. The only thing protecting us from the blaze was the stretch of frozen water. The winter's gale blooms were potent, providing almost endless fuel. Already, I could feel the heat wafting my way.

  "They were flaming arrows?!" Ashkan shouted.

  Kadia gritted her teeth. "We must go. Now."

  Ash grabbed my hand, and we returned to the pedestal with the others. Reyshore and Shaye were still working on the final tiles of the puzzle.

  Tyrath blinked. "A little faster, please?!"

  "Almost done," Shaye replied, moving another tile into its correct position.

  A bead of sweat dripped down Reyshore's temple. "Going as fast as possible. Another minute."

  "We don't have a minute," Morgina insisted, taking a step backward. "Those flowers explode into drops of nectar when they're heated, which means it'll spread across the lake any second now, which means no way for us to cross back over, which means we're stuck on this side and we’ll be roasted alive if we don't hurry!"

  "I can buy some time," Kadia cut in. She walked to the edge of the lake and waved a hand. A transparent shield snapped into place at the shore, stretching from floor to ceiling. "This will delay it, but the smoke will still kill us eventually. Make haste."

  Reyshore's hands moved like lightning, connecting pieces. A second later, the final few tiles clicked into place. The puzzle glowed and crackled.

  "Done!" Shaye declared.

  "Clear!" Reyshore added, backing away from the pedestal.

  As soon as the words left their mouths, a blinding white light flashed from the puzzle. The ice of the pedestal burst into particles, glittering rain falling over a small crater. Everyone shielded their eyes, disoriented. The winter's gale inferno was already swelling, reaching out with fiery red tendrils. Smoke consumed the chilly cavern, billowing ominously and threatening to overcome the place and choke us with its suffocating presence.

  When the light died away, the only thing that remained was the small hole in the ground. Inside was a frost-covered pouch made of blue-white silk. The fire was spreading incredibly fast, already close to the shield. This place was about to turn into a pit of burning hell in ten minutes.

  Before anyone else could, Ragni snatched up the bag. With a trembling hand, he peered inside the delicate container. His eyes went wide.

  "At last, at last!" he shouted, his tone strangely maniacal. The sound was shrill and vicious, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand.

  Shaye rushed over to him. "Please, sir, be careful with that! Don't touch it!"

  "Aye, aye, no. Nothing can hurt the priests, no, no," he babbled, not meeting her gaze. He merely stared at the bag, gripping it like it was the entire universe itself.

  Tyrath raised a brow. "Um, excuse you...?"

  Kadia straightened. "Excuse me, Ragni? I believe that satchel belongs to us. Sir, can you–"

  "Imbeciles!" he cried suddenly, still holding the parcel tightly. His lip curled into an arrogant sneer, mouth curling so far that I thought his cheeks would split. He was seething. Feral. Mad. He no longer trembled but stood as still and stiff as steel. "Not yours, not yours! Never was! Never shall be!"

  Kadia seemed speechless. Tyrath tried to grab the pouch, and Ragni dodged him.

  "Oh, no no no no! Idiotic cretins!" He threw his head back, laughing. "Dense, wretched, blithering fools! Fitting this should all come to a raging and roaring blaze, yes! Punishment! Punishment! Righteous punishment for naught but the weakest of beings, for none are worthy of the might of Jeprus!"

  Morgina narrowed her eyes. She lifted a palm, then drew it back, and I watched the priest's wrinkled hands fly towards her, as if pulled by an invisible force. She was trying to pry the pouch from his grasp, but he only held it tighter.

  Kadia stepped forward. "What are you doing? What is the meaning of this?!" She flicked her wrist, and I watched the pouch jerk toward her as well. He caught it and turned away. Her face contorted in confusion. "You're a man of the gods? We are following their wishes. You dare deceive us and them?!"

  The priest slammed his foot down. "Same... All the same! You are all the same! Never change! Never learn! Never mind! Beasts, vermin!" Fighting against Morgina's magic with surprising force, his fingers approached the edge of the pouch. "The stone... It calls to me... Sings to me! Drowning, drowning, drowning... Enough to make a man sick... The sweet...stench... Reek of...BLOOD!" His insane ramblings echoed off the cave walls like rolling thunder.

  "Stop!" Kadia shouted.

  But it was too late.

  The High Priest reached into the bag and pulled out a luminescent, rhombus-shaped gem. It shone powerfully, casting gleaming and ghostly light onto everything around it. Cold fog emanated from the treasure. There was no time to admire it, however, as Ragni was already doubled over, clutching his stomach. His eyes rolled to the back of his head.

  He began twitching and convulsing. Racking coughs escaped his throat. He collapsed to his knees. Kadia ran to him, but it was no use. I froze at the sight.

  Ragni wheezed a final time, once again cackling, before drawing back his head and shrieking wildly into the frigid air. "It's too much... Ah, so lovely! Dirty, vile vermin, look here and behold! For I am changed! Transformed! Lifted! Exalted! Made...perfect! By...Him...!" He lifted a hand to his mouth, shaking violently, and...swallowed.

  For a moment, nothing happened.

  Then, the priest let out a horrible screech, unlike any I've ever heard. Not a scream of pain, but of wicked glee. Madness took him wholly. And he was changing. His eyes began leaking a dark substance, which rolled down his hollow cheeks like oil. Sputtering and choking, he convulsed again, banging the side of his head against the rocky ground.

  Reyshore moved to block my line of sight. His left hand covered Ashkan's eyes, and his right covered Shaye's. "Close your eyes and turn away," he told us. I did as instructed, shutting my lids tightly.

  I heard the sounds. Wretched crunching and tearing. Grating and popping. It was visceral, unnatural. Then, no more sounds, only horrific silence. Except for the fires nearby, crackling, creeping closer as they burned. We were running out of time.

  Kadia cleared her throat after some seconds. "He's dead."

  I reluctantly opened my eyes. The body was motionless, a few feet away, crumpled against the rocky ground. I was thankful that it was face-down. Beyond some splotches of dark liquid, it looked like the priest had simply fallen asleep in a crooked position.

  None of us spoke for a while. We merely stared, processing. Thorne and Tyrath crept closer, inspecting Ragni. His fingers twitched in random spasms.

  "W-Why?" Shaye blurted out. Her voice cracked. "Why? Why did... Oh, gods..." She sniffled, ducking her head. Reyshore patted her on the shoulder.

  Morgina shook her head. "Something tells me he was never a priest. Just a hopeless worshipper."

  Kadia bit her lip and brandished her dagger. "Unfortunate, but we must continue. Thorne, would you help me, um... Retrieve the gemstone?"

  Thorne blinked. "Uh… Yeah."

  Ashkan, Shaye and I sat side-by-side on the floor, facing away from the gruesome scene. Tyrath, Morgina and Reyshore kept us distracted with conversation. I knew what Kadia and Thorne were doing. I didn't need to think about it. I just tried to block out the sounds.

  We waited. And waited. And waited. Three minutes felt like three hours. My thigh was still stinging. My fingers and toes were half-numb. The magic shield was still up, but it wouldn't keep the smoke out much longer. I didn't know how we were going to get out.

  Finally, Kadia announced, "It's safe. You can look." She held out the frosted satchel, with the gleaming gem tucked safely inside. A few tiny, crimson streaks now decorated the outside. Ragni's body was gone.

  Thorne pocketed the same bottle of kywolk acid from earlier. He smiled weakly. "Let's get out of here."

  Ashkan stood up, helping me and Shaye. "How did you...? I mean, without touching the stone."

  Kadia sheathed her dagger. "The gems are immune to magical effects, including levitation, so I used my blade to...scoop it into the bag."

  "Brilliant," Reyshore commented. "Now, how do we escape?"

  Just as the question left his mouth, the cavern shuddered. Even stronger than before, rumbling with a fearsome quake. Everyone yelped and struggled to stay upright. Small rocks and chunks of ice plummeted from above.

  Tyrath swore under his breath. "What now?!"

  "Can your barriers stop a cave-in?" Thorne asked Kadia frantically.

  She shot him a nervous glance. "That would only trap us."

  "And eight of us walking through that much fire is way too risky, even with shields," Morgina added. She squeezed her eyes shut. "I think I recall seeing some passages connecting further chambers...on this side. There must be an exit somewhere close. We could try breaking open this back wall."

  Another quake was enough to persuade everyone that an alternative option was best.

  Thorne tugged on Kadia's arm. "It's worth a shot."

  While Morgina and Tyrath attempted to break the wall using magic, Kadia provided extra fuel to the shield. After a minute, a slight dent began to form, shaped in a round hole. Eventually, it grew large enough to slip through. More violent quakes ensued. I pushed Ashkan and Shaye through the passage. Smoke was almost upon us. The cave was burning fast.

  One after another, we hurried through the cramped opening. It was all rock, still, but quickly gave way to snow and blue light. We picked up the pace. My heart beat faster and faster as I breathed in the dusty air and ran. My right leg screamed in protest. Everything grew louder – explosions from behind us, snapping and whipping sounds, rumblings of the ground.

  Rocks came loose above our heads, clattering and cracking in a frenzied song. I gasped and dove to the side to avoid being hit by a falling boulder. Dirt rained down.

  Morgina's head swiveled as she ran, eyes wide in alarm. She was at the front of the pack. "Should be near the perimeter! If we can find the path!"

  Our legs carried us as fast as they could. It felt like we were miles underground. After a turn, the path seemed to have thinned into a long and straight stretch. Hope surged in my chest. A second later, I could see bits of sky, glistening in between slabs of stone.

  With a blast from Morgina's hand, we exploded from the rubble of the caves. Rocks flew to the sides, and we spilled out, running clumsily into the winter air. Spots dotted my vision. We had emerged onto a giant platform, sticking out from the towering cliff face. At last, an exit, an escape. Snow drifted idly from the heavens. Below us was a steep drop of several hundred feet, with icy waters swirling below. We must've emerged in a spot that faced the ocean. There was no other ground in sight.

  We gathered around, catching our breath. I leaned forward, steadying myself with my hands on my knees. This situation was anything but fun.

  Thorne gulped a mouthful of air, then asked, "Did we do it? Everybody accounted for?"

  I counted. "Eight." We were all alive. Thank the gods.

  "Gemstone?" Tyrath questioned.

  Kadia raised the bag proudly. "Yes, secure in here. It might be best if I don’t hold onto it for much longer, though. Even through fabric, I can feel the…draining effects."

  Shaye sighed in relief, then examined the pouch closer. Kadia handed it to her. "Will it be safe in here? The drawstring looks ancient. If we jostle it too much–"

  Another quake knocked us all off our feet. A thunderous sound joined the rumble, and I turned just in time to see a large chunk of stone calving from the cliff. Huge glaciers of rock and ice and snow plummeted down the side. More tremors followed. Another section came loose. The entire platform was collapsing.

  Shaye was thrown backwards, and the pouch slipped out of her grasp. The treasure flew through the air. She stretched her arm out to retrieve it, crying out.

  Ashkan, who was aligned in the direction of the pouch's arc, scrambled toward it, fingers outstretched. A second before reaching, the bag rotated upside-down, and the stone was sent hurtling out. He jumped and swept a hand upwards. The pouch flew off the edge, but the jewel was clasped safely in his palm.

  For a split-second, the world seemed to pause. Everyone silently stared at him in wonder. He blinked, panting heavily. The platform continued to shake erratically. Ashkan's gaze locked with mine. The glow from the frozen treasure beamed forth, illuminating him like a godly warrior. Like he stood among the stars.

  Then, his features slackened. Vertigo crept over his face. Shaking, he pocketed the gem. His brow knit with effort as he swayed. He was trying desperately to hang on, fighting the stone's hunger.

  "No!" I cried out, trying to stand despite the unsteady ground.

  His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he keeled over.

  ...Backwards.

  Off the edge.

  I screamed his name, adrenaline lighting my senses on fire. With the burning speed of a lightning strike, I sprinted forwards and launched myself towards his plummeting body. There was no time for second-guessing.

  My world slowed down, movements stretching and expanding. The crashing sea far below, its waves swirling. Snowflakes slicing my skin as they whipped by. Heart twisting in my chest, a raging, awful roar. Blood pumping, burning. Eyes stinging. Arms stretching. Spine popping. I didn't know if the platform would hold the others. I didn't know if they were also falling, not far behind me. It didn't matter. I knew they'd be fine. And I had to save him.

  The moment of weightlessness as the drop hit me was even more nauseating than anything else I'd experienced today. Time rushed to a standstill. I hurtled down like an arrow, in free-fall, head-first. Not really thinking of how I would do it, just doing. Breath stuck in my throat. Gravity swished me around as it pulled me to the earth. I hoped the crash would be painless. That was all I wished for. For both of us.

  My knuckles brushed against Ashkan's. He was falling back-first, limbs limp and hair flowing like wispy tendrils of cloud. His eyes remained closed, mouth agape. Unconscious. But not dead.

  It was hard to keep my arm steady. Stretching... Reaching... Come on... Come on...! My fingertips grazed his again, and I clutched them in a powerful hold. Fire tore through my wrist. Just a little more. Shoving every iota of strength I possessed into the movement, I wrenched my arm up in a jerking motion. Ashkan's body lurched sharply.

  I pulled him up, through the air, and to me. Our torsos collided. We were now falling side-by-side, head-first. My left arm encircled him, gripping him tight, squeezing his shoulders. I grit my teeth in effort. And with all my might, I thrust my right arm upward. Praying to the gods and to every mystical force in the universe, I willed that this would work. That the impact wouldn't break our necks.

  After all, it's not the fall that'll kill you. It's how you land.

  Please, don't let go. Tear the whole fucking ocean apart if you have to. He's too important.

  A sizzling sound ripped through the air around us. Warm wind pulsed from the palm of my right hand. It rippled and drummed like a heartbeat, forcing anything out of our way. Forcing, pushing, rending, slicing. And... We slowed. Just before impact. The collision was minimal. It didn't completely stop our descent, but it reduced it to something entirely survivable.

  I held my breath at the last second. We hit the frigid water's surface. Cold pierced every nerve in my body as I was swallowed by the icy whirlpools. Waves pummeled me over and over. Salt water filled my nose and mouth and ears, obnoxious and bitter. It burned my eyes. My entire form was drenched in the cruel sting of it. Like thousands of papercuts.

  Ashkan's form drifted away from me, split away by the impact, and I clawed wildly to reclaim my grasp. The underwater currents were turbulent, like a dark, swirling storm. Blueish lights gleamed and distorted around us. Bubbles rose to the surface. Finally, my fingers wrapped around the fabric of his coat. His hair fanned out, floating freely. I pulled him closer and kicked in the direction I thought was up.

  Salvation was within reach when I broke through the surface, inhaling a gasp of cold air. My stomach was doing flips and the waves tossed me harshly, but it could've been so much worse. I looped one arm around Ashkan's torso and treaded water, pushing myself up above the relentless waves. The water chilled me to the bone. Each shivering movement burned. My teeth chattered uncontrollably. Ashkan had yet to wake, and that alarmed me. It was impossible to tell if he was breathing. Every stroke and pull through the water was torture, but I soldiered on.

  My shivering soon turned to violent tremors. Please, please, please... I could feel my muscles failing. Burning. Stiffening. Growing too weak to continue. I sputtered as another wave splashed over our heads. Leaning closer to Ashkan, I threw his arms around my neck. Water dripped from his serene features. He looked like he was sleeping. I pushed two fingers against his neck. A pulse drummed there. He was alive. Good.

  Suddenly, I heard Shaye's voice. "BRIELLE!" It echoed across the cliffs.

  I turned. Nothing but turbulent, angry ocean as far as the eye could see. And massive chunks of ice drifting by.

  "Shaye?" My lips quivered as I spoke. "HERE! OVER HERE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, the words coming out hoarse. I saw nobody on the cliffs, but I could hear voices.

  Not even five seconds later, a flash of scarlet came streaking towards us like a bloodied beam of light. Relief rushed through my body as the redhead propelled herself over the tumultuous waters. With agile, graceful flips and leaps, she dodged waves, and glided just a foot above the swells, aided by a whirlwind gust of force. She reached Ashkan and I in no time. Tear stains and dark mascara decorated her cheeks. She threw herself down into the water next to us.

  "Thank the gods!" she cried out. "Thank the gods. I thought I lost you..." She glanced at Ashkan. "He's still unconscious?!"

  I nodded, jaw clenched, clinging onto him. "I think i-it's the s-s-s-tone," I gritted out, hardly able to say a word through my shivering.

  She didn't waste another second and latched onto my coat. "Lean back on me. We'll move faster."

  The three of us lied almost parallel to the ocean’s surface, all facing the sky, in a sort of staggered sandwich configuration. Shaye hooked her arms under my armpits, and the back of my head rested on her ribs. Ashkan was secured to my chest. I had him in a death grip. His unconscious form rested gently on top of mine, and our legs trailed back, bumping occasionally. Sea spray coated our faces. Shaye moved impossibly fast, quicker than anything humanly possible. Her air magic allowed us to cut through the waters like a speedboat. In only about a minute, we neared the steep, rocky shores below the cliff face. We'd come very close to a row of cragged boulders.

  Shaye cut sideways, avoiding the first rocky outcropping. There was a decent space in between each. She propelled us over to the next gap, and as soon as our feet could touch the ocean floor, we leapt from the water. We landed roughly, toppling clumsily onto the slick, icy pebbles. I blinked against the saltwater dripping into my eyes, and spat some out, the grit coating my tongue. But there was no time to catch my breath. Shaye and I dragged Ashkan's unconscious form farther up, struggling against the slippery incline. When we were safe enough away from the crashing waves, we laid him flat.

  Shaye loomed over him. "Oh, my-! Check his pulse. I-I can't, ugh!" Her eyes welled with new tears as she looked down at his prone form.

  "A-Already on i-it." I leaned forward and pressed my fingers to his throat. The beat was there. Weak, but steady. That was only one part of the equation, however.

  Throwing my gloves aside, I placed the same hand under his nose, praying for a breath of warmth. Nothing. I held my trembling fingers there. Nothing. I stared at his sternum intently, waiting for the rise. Finally, a shallow inhale came. A gasp. Good. But nothing followed. I leaned my head down, placing an ear against his mouth. Come on, come on. Another breath. Then nothing else. I sat up with a jolt.

  "What, what?" Shaye sounded frantic.

  "H-He's breathing," I interrupted. "B-B-B-But not w-well. We need t-t-to m-m-make him cough up any water he m-m-might've taken in."

  She nodded fervently. I knew we were thinking the same thing. I was first aid certified, and had been trained many times before, but I'd never had to use any of the skills. At least, nothing major. Performing rescue breaths in a freezing cold winter on a washed-up sleet beach wasn't exactly ideal.

  Another wave of violent shivers wracked my form. If anything happened to Ashkan here, with Shaye watching, with me failing to keep him alive, it'd be my fault. Completely and utterly. The thought sent panic racing through my every cell.

  "We n-need to be quick," I urged. "Before I s-slow d-down even more."

  "Got it," she replied. More emotion flashed through her eyes than I had ever seen before. True, genuine fear. But she buried it behind determination, her eyes hardening.

  Something within me clicked into place as well. My thoughts cleared just a fraction. Fight or flight, perhaps. On autopilot, I used my hands to support Ashkan’s head, tearing through layers until his face was completely exposed. I had to focus, at all costs. Had to control this.

  In the past, while training, I'd had to perform on faceless dummies. But when I pressed my hands to his temples, his bare skin felt so real. It almost stopped my train of thought. I couldn't afford to let it throw me. Shaye helped me, and though she was crying, she got to work straight away on drying his clothes. Her wind magic flowed hotly through the air as she willed the moisture from his attire.

  Leaning over him, I moved my hands to the back of his neck. My mind raced. Remember the basics. Head back. Pinch the nose. 1-second breaths. I couldn't think about this. Had to keep going. We could save him. We had to.

  The waves crashed and roared, blurring everything into a background track. Shaye was whispering something that sounded like a prayer. I was cursing something else under my breath. Ashkan’s head in my hands felt heavier than anything I’d ever lifted before. I wondered for a split-second if he’d forgive me if this didn’t work. If he were to die right here on this miserable shoreline.

  I leaned closer and pressed my palm to his forehead, tilting his head back, then held his jaw open a bit wider. No visible water inside. I used my other hand to pinch his nose shut. This next part terrified me the most. Closing my eyes, I sucked in a huge breath, filling my lungs.

  Keep going. Just keep going.

  Then, as gently and effectively as I could, I brought my lips to his and sealed them together. I fought against myself, my gut response. His lips were soft but bitingly cold. Steeling myself, I steadily exhaled for a whole second. His chest barely rose. A gurgle bubbled in the back of his throat before his chest fell.

  Frustration simmered in my veins. I leaned back and took another breath, trying desperately to keep it together. Everything kept shaking and shivering. Blood pounded in my ears, through my temples. Keeping his nostrils pinched once again, and my other hand holding his jaw, I pressed my lips back to his. The exhale was longer this time. Deliberate. Every millisecond that passed hammered terror deeper and deeper into my skull, adding a sick pressure to my nauseous stomach.

  Come on, Ash.

  Please, please, please.

  This can't happen. Not like this.

  His chest rose significantly this time. Air expanded into his lungs. I'd never been so elated to see someone breathe before in my life. He was coming back online. It was working. The pulse at his throat spiked against my pinky finger.

  Finally, like a dam had been broken, Ashkan jolted upward, coughing violently. Frothy seawater splattered from his mouth. He gasped and coughed some more, eyes fluttering, consciousness returning. Instinctively, I rolled him onto his left side. There, he let out another long coughing fit. More water spilled out. His body shivered and tried to curl in on itself. Then, when the worst had passed, he was breathing heavily. His eyes slowly opened. His gaze fixed blearily on Shaye, who was leaning over him, face glistening with tears.

  She cried out joyously. It took her everything not to tackle him. She swooped down, embracing him, and buried her face in his shoulder, rambling ecstatic praises and insults. My entire being slumped to the ground in relief. He was conscious; breathing. I wanted nothing more than to doze off then and there. I shuddered and laid back on the rocks, hardly feeling the ground beneath me.

  Shaye cried something tearfully. "I thought I lost you! That damned stone!"

  Ashkan couldn't get out more than a weak groan.

  She retracted, grabbing his face in her hands. "Look at me!" She turned his face towards hers. Her brows were drawn downward, and her eyes hardened into a stern expression. "Look at me. You should’ve dropped it. Promise you'll never pull a stunt like that again. Ever. Or so help me, Ashkan, I'll kill you myself. No silly jewel is worth more than you." Her lip quivered.

  "I–" he started, blinking and grimacing, catching his breath. "I promise," he got out in a breathy rasp. "Thank...you."

  Their gazes met and a moment of solid silence passed between them. Then she was hugging him again, her arms wrapped around his head. He coughed again but held her firmly.

  "Ouch..." Ash uttered, wincing. He rubbed his sternum with a palm. "Where's...?" The muddled words trailed off. A shadow crossed his face as he looked back to where we'd come from. The ocean waters swelled, crashing against the rocky shore. Towering cascades of white mist billowed and rose.

  Shaye seemed to register the shift in his tone. "The...what? The gem? You put it in your pocket, but it might've fallen out when–"

  He shook his head, strands of hair falling across his eyes. "No. Where–?" A cough interrupted him. He propped himself up on his elbow. "Where's...Brie?" He seemed almost exasperated, as if completely unconcerned with what had just happened to him.

  Shaye raised her head, and we exchanged a glance. "Oh, you mean your rescuer? She's behind you, braving hypothermia."

  I sat up. Ashkan whirled around. His eyes found mine. I hardly had the energy to give a reassuring smile. I didn't have the strength to put on any kind of front. It was a miracle I was still conscious. So I just sat there, hunched over, spent on the icy-cold ground, breathing laboured, staring. Like a cold-stunned sailor washed up from a shipwreck. I wouldn't be surprised if I resembled a drowned corpse.

  When he gazed upon my crumpled, drenched form, his mouth went slack. Eyes widened. He turned further. I watched the gears in his mind work. Something changed in the set of his jaw, the furrow of his brow. Despair. Terror. Beyond horrified. It made me uneasy.

  Then, without warning, he lurched forward, scrambling on his hands and feet. Dazed and lethargic as I was, my mind hardly had the ability to process much else besides my own low body temperature. Each muscle cried out in bitter, freezing pain. The only instinct driving me was to keep air in my lungs. Ashkan collapsed next to me, and before I knew it, I was being smothered in a warm embrace.

  My senses flared to life. The contact was blistering. My breath hitched. Arms encircled me. Warmth surrounded me. Shaye had done an excellent job of drying his clothes. Shards of emotions shot through my mind like shrapnel. Confusion, surprise, joy. Ashkan continued to hold me, a hand cradling the back of my head, the other gripping my middle back. But through the shock, I sensed his tension, and heard his raspy breaths. I knew he was only somewhat better off than I was. But he kept holding me to him, unflinchingly, with every last ounce of strength left.

  I gave in. After a few moments of resistance, my mind shut down, and I slouched, limp, against him. With my ear pressed to his beating heart, I knew everything was going to be okay. Still, as the warmth slowly unfroze my frigid exterior and reached deeper within, it was like waking up a comatose body. I trembled as nerve endings jolted back to life. A rush of sensations flooded through my every limb. Pain. Stabbing, knifelike pain resurfaced. Everywhere. My thigh was probably still bleeding, too. I squeezed my eyes shut.

  Ash pulled away. I hardly registered it. Suddenly, his palm pressed against my cheek. My eyes snapped open. His fingers felt like a branding iron, and I wasn't sure whether I found it more painful or comforting. Several strands of hair clung to my face.

  His lips were pulled into a fine line, eyelashes glistening with beads of water. "Did you...? I mean... I was out cold. Did you...?" The words were stumbling out, slurred, bleary. His throat sounded ragged and scraped.

  I stuttered, "I-I-I h-had to. Y-You would've d-drowned."

  He shook his head, stunned. He didn't respond for several seconds. A whole well of emotion seemed to run through his mind at that moment. If his eyes were words, that look spelled it out plainly: Thank you.

  In a hoarse murmur, he said, "How could I ever...?" His intense gaze almost brought a blush to my face, but the blood had probably long left my cheeks.

  The moment was promptly shattered by a series of familiar voices. At first, I thought I was hearing things. But Shaye and Ashkan straightened, both registering the tones. Distinct shouts filled the air. We squinted. Through the mist rising from the choppy waves, figures appeared in the near distance. They ran towards us through the waist-deep water. Kadia, Thorne, Tyrath, Morgina, and Reyshore. When they caught sight of us, they all rushed forward, yelling. We found each other in a group hug on the rocky, sloping beach. Questions flew around, but none of them mattered at that point. All of us were shivering and practically delirious with exhaustion and relief.

  Kadia's hands rested on my shoulders. "Brielle, Brielle... What happened? How did you...? I saw you three from the ridge... It crumbled..." The words were almost nonsensical.

  "A miracle," I breathed simply. "Shaye saved us."

  Once the necessary questions were answered, our trainers quickly dried everyone's clothes using a heating spell. Then, everyone's wounds were cleaned and healed by Reyshore. I let out a sigh of relief when the stinging in my thigh disappeared, along with the gash there. What relief. I would've done it myself if I had the magic to spare. So, thoroughly warmed up, dry, and sore but significantly livelier, we all made our way up the shore. Away from the waves and higher on land, where it flattened out beneath our feet.

  There were no more games, no more puzzles, no more danger, no more tricks. This mission didn't even require the use of my weapons. But this was the most emotionally and physically fatiguing day of my life. I tuned out and simply followed the group. One fact rang true in my mind. Had Shaye not acted fast enough, Ashkan might've ended up submerged in a watery grave. I could still feel his frigid skin and see the horrible pallor in his cheeks, like a symbol of death, originating from the deepest crevices of the ocean. One minute later, or a second slower, and our fates might've been entirely different.

  Although obscured by clouds, the sun hung brightly in the sky. It was around dinner time, I guessed. We trudged onwards for about thirty minutes before we reached the tram station from hours earlier. A sigh of exhaustion passed through us all. I fought to keep my eyelids open. Everyone silently climbed on, beyond eager to go home. Some of us were too tired to say another word. The engines started up once we were settled on board, and within seconds, we were gliding back to Nelorismel.

  My body sank back against the cushioned seats. I pulled my gaiter up over my nose. My hat, although enchanted to stay on my head unless intentionally removed, was long gone. I must've tossed it away in the rush of adrenaline that happened on the shoreline. Most of the group was missing an accessory or two. We remained quiet for a long while, letting our surroundings blur by. Some passengers gazed curiously at us. Others pointed, nudging and whispering to their companions. But I was too spent to care. After that ordeal, nothing else really mattered.

  Ashkan sat beside me. He seemed deep in thought, eyes piercing holes into the floor. The colour in his face had returned. He must've noticed me watching him because he turned, peering at me.

  My voice had regained its steadiness but was still a bit hoarse. "Um... Are you okay? Does your chest still hurt?"

  His eyebrows angled downwards in what looked like an apologetic frown. I couldn't see anything below his eyes. "I'm a bit sore, that's all. It'll probably ache for a while still. Saltwater is no joke. But I should be all right." Then, after a hesitant pause, he added, "And you? Your leg is fully healed?" He had difficulty meeting my eyes.

  I nodded, swallowing past the knots in my throat. "Yep. Reyshore knows his way around injuries." Then, it dawned on me. The gemstone. Was it still in his pocket? Or was it now lost, resting forever at the bottom of the sea? I tried to ask as tactfully as possible. "Do you still have...?"

  Ash's response was immediate. A look of concern shadowed his features. He moved to open his coat pocket, but I stopped him with a quick hand to his arm. He glanced up.

  I removed my scarf from my neck and draped it over my palm. "Let me get it. You've been through enough today."

  He blinked a few times, then nodded. "Thanks."

  He held the side of his open coat closer to me. Carefully reaching a hand inside, I slipped my covered palm into the pocket. There was definitely something there. It was bone-chillingly cold. A wave of dizziness crept over me as I wrapped the gem in the fabric. Any sort of barrier only slowed the jewel’s appetite. Withdrawing my hand, I opened the makeshift pouch.

  There, glistening amongst the fabric, was the silvery-blue rhombus he'd almost died for. The thing was like a miniature iceberg. Surrounded by swathes of dark brown, its polished facets glinted like frost. Little trails of frigid mist escaped from the cloth and danced upwards in wispy ribbons. It was breathtakingly pretty. But the way it had made us suffer in exchange for its possession was unfathomable. Without another thought, I wrapped it tightly and pocketed it. I'd hand it over to Kadia later.

  For some reason, Ashkan's gaze hadn't left me. Something stirred within his irises. I couldn't read it. It didn't help that the rest of his expression was hidden behind fabric. The silence sat between us, like a suspended chasm, slowly refilling itself with tension.

  "Um, thank you, again," he said gently. "For...saving me, I suppose."

  "It's what any decent person would've done," I dismissed.

  The corner of his eyes crinkled, as if in a faint smile. "Doesn't mean that I should thank you any less."

  I sighed. "Are you always this insistent about gratitude?"

  That earned a chuckle, which turned into a weak cough. He pressed his hand to his chest and cleared his throat. "When the situation calls for it."

  We settled back in our seats, staring off across the cabin. No more words were exchanged. I let my heavy eyelids fall shut. My consciousness ebbed, rippling and flowing like the retreating tide of the sea. It had been one extremely exhausting, painful, and memorable day. And as it slowly morphed into a hazy memory of events, only one thing still stood true. I would not soon forget the sensation of almost losing my friend, the anguish of nearly being too late. No ocean or wind or ice could ever be colder than that feeling. I thanked the universe that we made it out okay.

  When I was seconds away from slipping into blissful oblivion, I felt something move beside me. A shoulder found mine. My eyes drifted open, my consciousness bobbing back to the surface. Half-asleep, I stared, puzzled for a moment. Ashkan was shifting, adjusting his position. Then, he leaned against me. His smaragdine-hued eyes regarded me sideways. He then glanced down to his shoulder, his head jerking slightly. A gesture meaning, 'Go ahead, get some rest.'

  I arched an eyebrow.

  He tilted his head, as if a silent question.

  My lips tugged at the corners.

  I surrendered, letting my temple settle upon his shoulder. Everything relaxed and faded away. Comfort and warmth washed over me. All at once, the constant weight of stress drifted from my bones. Ashkan slumped and crossed his arms. His head came to rest upon mine. The sound of my heartbeat steadied, becoming one with the rhythmic clunks of the tram car. My eyes fluttered shut. Sleep called to me, and this time, I answered.

  There was something about that day. Some kind of shift. In Ashkan, as a person. There was something different about the dynamic between us. Maybe it was from the close brush of his mortality, or the undeniable relief of finally seeing his chest rise and fall. Perhaps it was the soft glint in his eyes, one of profound gratitude, when they first landed upon me in the aftermath, that sent a shockwave of emotion through me. Whatever it was, it was something. Something different. The vividness, the viscerality. Wonderful and dreadful. Strange and ordinary. Foreign and familiar.

  After surviving a traumatic experience like that, I suppose it makes the people in your life matter a little more. Your mindset just finds that common empathy. But it was more than just the simple joy of knowing he was safe and healthy, making it through the day with the rest of us. It was the knowledge that he was a person. Like me. Living, laughing, breathing, bleeding, fighting. A companion to share everything with. Warmth stirred in my heart at that notion. He was far from some robot, some hollow shell, some void. As much as he’d like to be perceived as such. He was about the furthest thing from it. And the reality of it became slowly clearer over time, through the change in his gaze, in his smile, the way his mannerisms took on a spirited edge whenever we found ourselves alone together.

  Ashkan was important to me. Now more than ever. He was there to listen, to comfort, to strengthen, to draw out the best in me – just like Shaye had been all along. It was plainer than day. Beyond the stone mask, secrets hid behind shrouded eyes, and I wanted to explore them all, one at a time.

  This will never happen again, was my last thought before slumber enveloped me.

  Never, ever again.