Chapter 10: Cold Darkness
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A blinding light reflected off Adiar’s silver wolf mask, forcing him to squint as he surveyed the unknown land before him. The wind gently rustled the leaves of ancient trees, carrying the fresh scent of flowers through the air.
— Rest for now… I’ll close the portal, — he said, turning to Elmis.
— Alright… — she whispered, closing her eyes.
Adiar approached the portal and unleashed a powerful surge of mana. On the other side, chaos erupted—the island crumbled, sinking into the abyss. Soldiers scrambled to their ships in panic, among them the prince.
Meanwhile, Adiar and Elmis smiled.
— I’ve fulfilled part of my dream… — Adiar murmured.
— And I’m here for the first time… — Elmis responded, glancing around.
Her body was still weak, and without a word, Adiar transferred a drop of his mana to her. As her magical energy restored, her skin regained its healthy color.
— Better now?
— Yes… Thank you.
They pressed forward, pushing through dense undergrowth.
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— Do you know this place? — Adiar asked.
— Unfortunately, no… The war never allowed us to explore it. We only defended our people while they fled.
— My mother told me the elves were beautiful but arrogant, — Adiar mused.
— Adiar, what was she like?
— Kind, wise, strong. She always smiled… She couldn’t use magic, but she knew a great deal about it.
— What was her name?
— Asura.
Elmis froze, her eyes widening in shock.
— Are you sure?..
— Yes. Why does that surprise you?
Elmis didn’t answer, but her mind raced. Lady Asura… Could it be possible that she was alive?
Lost in thought, they failed to notice the subtle changes in the forest around them. After walking nearly five kilometers, Adiar furrowed his brow.
— We haven’t encountered a single settlement…
— Yes… And no tracks either, — Elmis agreed.
As the sun began to set, they decided to make camp. While Adiar went hunting, Elmis prepared a fire. Returning with a slain boar, Adiar quickly butchered it, while Elmis gathered edible plants to enhance the flavor of the meat.
They ate in silence until Adiar finally asked:
— What was supposed to be on the other side of the portal?
Elmis took a deep breath.
— Our people planned to establish a new kingdom, waiting for the day to return and take revenge for their defeat. In five hundred years, the elves and beastkin were meant to march under the banners of war… But judging by what we’ve seen, something went wrong.
Adiar nodded in quiet contemplation.
— Alright. Let’s take turns keeping watch. I’ll go first.
Elmis nodded, wrapping herself in a massive leaf before falling asleep.
Adiar sat by the fire, staring into the night.
"Why is no one here? What happened to these people?"
At dawn, they continued their journey. A few hours later, a chilling wind swept over them.
— Strange… It was warm before, — Adiar muttered, on edge.
— Yes… And the wind is coming from a single point.
They followed its source.
Before them lay an abandoned village. The stench of decay filled the air, and the streets were littered with the decomposed bodies of elves and beastkin. Jagged ice jutted from windows, stained with dried blood.
— What the… — Elmis covered her nose.
— Horrible… What happened here?
Then, Adiar felt it. Danger.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Elmis and shoved her aside.
Boom!
A massive figure crashed down before them—a colossal, multi-headed giant with fanged jaws of ice. In its massive hands, it clutched uprooted trees, wielding them like clubs.
— What the hell is that?! — Adiar exclaimed.
— It’s not just a demon, — Elmis’s voice trembled. — The last time I fought a creature like this was over eleven hundred years ago… A single one could kill three elite royal warriors of the elves and beastkin…
Adiar smirked.
— Sounds fun.
He unsheathed his sword, its blade engulfed in his black aura.
— Get ready, Elmis. This is going to be a hell of a fight!
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End of Chapter 10
