The winds were mercilessly blowing, and the snow was falling heavily, covering their feet and obscuring every trace behind them. Every step was difficult, and the cold was nearly suffocating, but Neros wouldn't let any of the team falter.
> Neros: Hold on tight! No one gets separated from the group!
Ranor (yawning as he tried to advance): I could only laugh at the cold... or maybe cry!
Petrus: There's no room for laughter, Ranor. Every wrong step could be the last.
They approached a ridge of ice that looked simple, but concealed deep chasms and frozen water.
> Silver: Be careful... the terrain here is strange, the ice might break.
Lantus: Everything in nature has its rules... We must learn them before we take any steps.
Neros didn't need to repeat the warning; he had Ranor directly in front of him to guide his every step, and Petrus behind everyone to protect them.
Suddenly, the sound of crunching ice caught their attention. Their eyes glanced down a hill, where a chunk of snow had separated from the ground, and a huge crack opened up before them.
> Ranor (surprised): Wow… I didn't expect that!
Silver (shouting): Get away from the edge!
With quick steps, the entire team moved away from the gap, but Petrus couldn't hold himself back, running alongside the sloping snow to reach the edge of the crack first.
> Petrus (laughing as he jumped away): Isn't this really fun?
Neros (angry but smiling): Strength, yes… but brains, Petrus! Everything here needs balance.
After they crossed the gap, they felt that the challenge wasn't over. In the distance, a faint roar sounded, and then something moved through the snow—a large, cold-adapted wild animal, with yellow eyes that glowed in the darkness.
> Ranor (slightly terrified): What is that?!
Silver (grabbing his sword): Don't run away... adapt to the situation.
Neros: Let's not approach it until we understand it. Lantos, any ideas?
Lantos smiled cautiously.
> Lantos: This animal has lived here for centuries... probably no one outside the island has seen it. It only tries to attack us if it feels threatened.
The animal gradually approached, and despite its massive size, it didn't show any immediate aggression. The team backed away a little, remaining calm, and Ranor began watching it cautiously.
> Ranor: It seems... intelligent.
Petrus: Intelligent or not... I don't want to surprise it.
They spent tense minutes, the animal moving slowly through the snow, watching them curiously, until it suddenly decided to retreat, leaving behind deep footprints in the snow.
> Neros: Today's lesson is clear... everything is a test here... nature, patience, focus... and even understanding of those around you.
The team looked at the island, the icebergs, and the cracking chasms, each one feeling that this was just the beginning, and that what lay ahead was far greater than what they had witnessed so far.
> Silver: This place is unforgiving… but we will prove that we are capable of facing any challenge.
Ranor: I think I'm starting to like this kind of adventure!
Petrus: And I say… every wave, every step… everything here makes me stronger.
Lantos: Remember, any small mistake could be costly… The road is long.
The team advanced cautiously on the ice, knowing that the Ice Island would give them no chance to rest, and that the tests ahead would be much more difficult.