UNDER THE CRUEL WINDS
The group moved steadily along the path leading to the Valley of the Cruel Winds. Since leaving Gravon’s refuge, a sense of unease had accompanied them, as if the very atmosphere conspired against them. The trees swayed unnaturally, and the air was so cold it seemed to cut the skin.
"Why do they call it the Valley of the Cruel Winds?" Karion asked, breaking the silence. "Is it the literal wind, or did someone just think it sounded dramatic enough?"
Sylphra, walking at the front alongside Zyrion, glanced over her shoulder. "I don’t think this is the place for jokes. The winds here aren’t normal. Legends say they’ve even disintegrated unsuspecting travelers."
Karion clicked his tongue. "Ah, perfect. Nothing like a stroll through a place that could turn you to dust. What’s next? A rain of fire?"
Caelithra shot him a withering look. "If it bothers you that much, you could stay behind and wait for us. I’m sure the winds will take pity on you."
"And miss your charming company? No way." Karion winked, earning an exasperated huff from Caelithra.
Kyrahna, walking beside Sylphra, couldn’t help but laugh. "At least he makes the journey more entertaining."
Zyrion couldn’t shake the tension in the air. Since the last battle and the encounter with Gravon, something seemed to have fractured within the group. Caelithra was more distant than usual, and although Karion kept joking, there was a glint of concern in his eyes.
"Let’s stop for a moment," Zyrion said finally, pointing to a rocky formation offering some shelter.
Everyone regrouped around him as he spread out the map Gravon had given them.
"We’re close," he explained, pointing to a marked spot on the paper. "The valley is just ahead, but according to Gravon, there will be challenges we must face before reaching the other side."
Sylphra frowned. "What kind of challenges?"
"He didn’t specify," admitted Zyrion. "But considering everything we’ve been through so far, it won’t be simple."
Karion stretched, feigning nonchalance. "Well, hopefully, they won’t involve losing our heads. Literally."
The group moved a few more meters before the terrain began to change. The rocks turned slippery, covered with a layer of ice that seemed to have formed spontaneously.
"This isn’t natural," Kyrahna murmured, sliding a hand over the ice. "It’s as if something—or someone—is controlling the environment."
Suddenly, a roar echoed around them. The ground shook, and enormous pillars of ice began rising from the earth, forming a frozen labyrinth.
"Great!" Karion exclaimed, drawing his sword. "Because clearly, we needed more obstacles."
A deep, authoritative voice resonated from the labyrinth’s depths. "Who dares enter my domain?"
Zyrion stepped forward, stance firm. "We are travelers seeking answers. We don’t want a fight, but we will defend ourselves if necessary."
A flash of blue light appeared before them, and a tall, imposing man emerged from between the ice pillars. His hair was silver, and his eyes sparkled like crystal. In his right hand, he held a staff adorned with a fragment radiating intense cold.
"I am Glacius, bearer of the Ice Fragment," he said, his voice seeming to resonate in their bones. "And this is my territory."
Caelithra rested a hand on her sword’s hilt. "We don’t want trouble, but we have no time for games."
Glacius raised an eyebrow, his expression as cold as his element. "If you wish to pass, you must prove your worth. This labyrinth is only the beginning. Show that you are worthy, or face my wrath."
The group entered the labyrinth cautiously. The ice walls were so tall they blocked the sky, and the cold was nearly unbearable. Every step echoed in the silence, and the feeling of being watched never left them.
"This is absurd," Karion muttered, rubbing his hands for warmth. "I could understand a broken bridge or something, but a magical labyrinth? Who has time for this?"
Kyrahna shot him a playful look. "Maybe someone with a lot of free time."
"And unlimited ice fragments?" added Sylphra with a small smile.
As they advanced, Zyrion led cautiously, using his sword to test the terrain ahead. Suddenly, one of the walls began to move, separating them into two groups.
"Zyrion!" Kyrahna shouted, striking the wall with all her strength.
"Stay together!" he called from the other side, though his voice sounded distant.
Zyrion looked around, noticing only Caelithra remained at his side. She examined the walls with a calculating gaze.
"This isn’t a normal labyrinth," she said finally. "The walls move according to our energy."
"Our energy?" Zyrion frowned.
"Yes. The fragment you carry affects it. It’s as if this place reacts to your presence."
Zyrion sighed. "Then I guess we need to find the exit before the labyrinth decides to crush us."
They walked in silence for a while before Zyrion decided to break the ice—literally and figuratively. "You know, you don’t have to be so cold all the time."
Caelithra looked at him with a mix of surprise and exasperation. "Was that a joke about my personality or about this place?"
"Maybe both," Zyrion replied with a smile.
Caelithra let out a small sigh, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You’re hopeless."
"Maybe, but at least I try to keep morale up. Besides, I think behind that tough exterior, you’re a pretty decent person."
"That’s none of your business," she said, though her tone was less hostile than usual.
When they finally found the labyrinth’s exit, Glacius awaited them, his expression unreadable.
"You have shown determination," he said, though it was unclear whether it was praise or mere observation. "But this is only the first step."
Zyrion stepped forward, sword drawn. "We don’t have time for your games, Glacius. If you want to test our worth, do it now."
Glacius smiled for the first time, raising his staff. "Very well, young bearer. Prepare to show whether you are worthy."
Glacius didn’t wait a second. He lifted his staff, and the air filled with a chilling mist. Every breath turned into small clouds of vapor, and the ground became coated in a thick layer of frost.
"Prepare yourselves," Glacius said in an authoritative voice. "This challenge is not just a fight. It is a test of your spirit, your unity, and your true purpose."
Zyrion drew his sword, its edge glowing with a faint golden light. "If you want to test us, we’ll do it together. But I warn you, don’t underestimate our determination."
"Together…" Caelithra murmured, a slight ironic smile crossing her lips as she drew her sword. "If that’s the plan, you better not mess it up, Zyrion."
"Trust me, Caelithra. Today is no day for mistakes," Zyrion replied.
Karion, Sylphra, and Kyrahna emerged from the other side of the labyrinth at that moment, panting from the effort. Seeing Glacius before them, they all assumed defensive positions.
"What did I miss?" Karion asked with a nervous grin. "Has the fun already started?"
"We’re in it," Zyrion replied, nodding toward Glacius.
Glacius raised his staff and slammed it into the ground. A roar echoed across the valley as massive ice pillars emerged, forming a circle around the group. At the center, Glacius towered like a giant, the Ice Fragment glowing intensely on his staff.
"Prepare to face the true power of eternal winter," he said gravely.
"Always so dramatic," muttered Karion, drawing his sword. "Couldn’t you just throw a storm at us and be done with it?"
"Karion, focus," Sylphra retorted, summoning a current of wind to clear the accumulating mist.
Zyrion nodded. "Caelithra, you and I will distract him. Sylphra, create an opening with the wind. Kyrahna and Karion, cover our flanks. This is not an enemy to underestimate."
Glacius extended a hand, and a storm of ice spears rained from the sky. Zyrion raised his sword, channeling a golden flash to destroy the incoming projectiles aimed at him and Caelithra.
"Now, move!" Zyrion shouted, charging at Glacius.
Caelithra followed closely, moving with predator-like grace. "Don’t let that usual clumsiness make you trip."
Zyrion let out a brief laugh. "And miss the chance to impress you? Never."
Caelithra didn’t respond, but there was a barely perceptible glint in her eyes.
Glacius swung his staff, conjuring a wall of ice between him and Zyrion. "Don’t expect this to be easy," he said, his voice echoing like thunder through the valley.
Zyrion swung his sword horizontally, creating a wave of energy that shattered the ice wall. On the other side, Glacius raised an eyebrow.
"Impressive. But brute force alone is not enough to overcome this challenge."
Suddenly, the ground beneath Zyrion and Caelithra cracked. Sharp ice emerged like blades, forcing them to leap in opposite directions.
"Stay focused!" Caelithra shouted as she landed gracefully.
"I’m trying, but this guy doesn’t stay still," Zyrion replied, dodging another barrage of ice spears.
Meanwhile, Sylphra concentrated a gust of wind around Glacius. "If I can weaken his control over the ice, we might have a chance."
Karion watched from the side, protecting Kyrahna as she summoned a circle of protection. "This is more complicated than I thought. What is this guy made of?"
"Infinite patience, apparently," Kyrahna murmured, her face showing focus as she reinforced the shield.
The battle continued, but the group began coordinating better. Zyrion and Caelithra worked together to keep Glacius occupied, while Sylphra weakened his elemental control with precise gusts of wind.
Finally, Zyrion saw an opening. "Now!" he shouted, channeling all his energy into a final strike. His sword shone with a blinding flash, and when it struck Glacius’ staff, an explosion reverberated across the valley.
When the dust settled, Glacius was on his knees, his staff broken beside him. Though clearly defeated, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"You did it," he said, his voice full of respect. "You have demonstrated strength, cunning, and, most importantly, unity. Few have passed this test."
Zyrion extended a hand to help him up. "It wasn’t easy, but we couldn’t afford to fail."
Glacius accepted the help, rising with difficulty. "As a reward for your victory, I grant you my blessing and advice. This path will be harder than you imagine. But as long as you stay together, you have a chance."
Karion sighed in relief, sheathing his sword. "That was intense. I hope the next bearer is less… extreme."
Caelithra rolled her eyes. "I doubt we’ll be so lucky."
Sylphra smiled slightly. "At least we’re moving forward."
As the group prepared to continue, Zyrion approached Glacius. "Thank you for the lesson. We won’t forget it."
"May the winds favor you," Glacius replied, vanishing in a flash of blue light.
With renewed determination, the group delved deeper into the Valley of the Cruel Winds, knowing this was only the beginning of the challenges that awaited them.
TO BE CONTINUED…