by Brandon Chen
And then came darkness.
***
Violet watched with horror as Yuri plummeted into the lake, disappearing beneath the surface. She knew that he’d frozen to death. The frost giant was still alive after Yuri’s courageous act, but was clearly drastically injured. The massive creature groped at his face in a futile attempt to find his crystallized eyeballs, roaring in dismay.
“Who are they?” Terias called out, turning and pointing to a group of pale humanoids that were skating across the ice on sleds pulled by reindeer.
The newcomers had dark-blue hair and glowing eyes that were similar in nature to the frost giant. Their cerulean attire was fabricated from cloth, most of them wearing skimpy outfits despite the unforgiving weather. Leather pauldrons layered with white wolf fur covered their shoulders. There were dozens of these native warriors, wielding bows and axes that looked like they were made from ice, just like the frost giant’s club.
The animals that pulled their sleds weren’t ordinary beasts either. Their eyes also glowed like glistening crystals. Their coats were the color of the snow, with stripes of icy blue streaking down their fur. Massive antlers protruded from the creatures’ heads as they snorted, galloping across the ice with ease. Somehow, despite their hooves, they did not slip, nor did the ice crack beneath them.
“Are they on our side?” Kura said curiously, halting to watch the warriors as they engaged the blinded frost giant. The rest of the group also stopped, turning to witness the combat.
The natives unleashed volley after volley of ice arrows upon the giant, assaulting the monstrosity with waves of needle-like projectiles that somehow pierced its tough skin. One of the natives reached down into the sled and pulled out a massive harpoon gun and fired it straight into the knee of the frost giant. The creature bellowed in excruciating pain.
Other ice warriors also revealed harpoon guns and fired more projectiles, which stayed lodged in the creature’s legs. Attached to the ends of the harpoons were glistening wires that were so slim that they were barely visible. The natives attached their wires to their sleds and steered their white reindeer towards Violet and her group, riding at full speed. The combined force of all the sleds yanked the frost giant’s legs out from underneath him, causing the colossal monster to fall backwards. The creature let out a boisterous cry as it smashed into the lake, sinking beneath the surface.
The victorious hunters detached the wires from their sleds with swift slashes of their axes. Dismounting their sleds, several natives with thick ropes wrapped around their shoulders walked casually towards the freezing water. One person tied the rope around their waist and handed the other end to their partner, who planted their feet firmly on the ice. They seemed rather confident that the floor wouldn’t collapse beneath them.
“Are they going into the water?” Terias said, puzzled.
“Maybe they’re immune to the cold. That frost giant sure is, since it was sleeping in there when it attacked us,” Archerus murmured. “Even if they are immune, it isn’t safe to go into the water. That giant is still alive, the water won’t do anything to him.”
“The Lake of Eternity freezes all, even that giant,” a female warrior called as she walked toward them. Unlike the rest of her comrades, she was wearing a dress that looked like it was fabricated from ice. Nevertheless, Violet knew that the attire was made from the same material as the frost giant’s club. The clothing was far from delicate.
The woman had her hair tied back into a bun. Her lips were as blue as the lake’s chilling waters, and they curved into a polite smile as she approached Violet’s party, bowing respectfully before them. “I am Lady Amara. They call me the Frost Mistress,” she said, tapping her thumbs together. “I haven’t seen a live human in Lichholme in quite a while.”
Archerus stared sorrowfully at the glistening waters of the Lake of Eternity, biting his lower lip softly. “Why are your people diving into the water?”
“We are saving your companions.”
Violet’s eyes widened, newfound hope surging through her. “Y-You mean, there’s a possibility that everyone that fell in is still….”
“Alive? Yes,” Lady Amara said. “The Lake of Eternity does not kill its victims. It is enchanted so that anyone who falls in will freeze, but they will not die. Instead, they are eternally frozen beneath the icy surface of the lake, forever condemned to suffer in the frigid waters.”
“So all of those people in the lake….”
“They’re alive. Though they could be undead, which is why you have to be careful about who you decide to save,” the Frost Mistress said, turning to see that two of the natives had collectively pulled a young man out of the water. She smiled wearily. “That werewolf, he is brave. Especially if he committed such a bold act without knowing of the Lake of Eternity’s true nature.”
Something caused Violet to sprint forward, even though she knew that the ice was unstable. Before she knew what was happening, she had rushed to Yuri’s side as the boy lay on the ground, his face pale as snow. The princess reached out and touched his neck for his pulse, shivering at how cold his skin was. But by some miracle, he was still alive.
Warm tears glistened in her eyes and Violet fell forward, pressing her cheek to his chest, overwhelmed with joy. For the second time in only weeks, she’d thought he died. “Stop scaring me like that,” she whispered.
Archerus sighed with relief when Violet waved excitedly to the group. “Thank the gods.”
“Yes!” Terias exclaimed, pumping his fist.
Senna simply closed his eyes and smiled. But he said nothing.
Kura watched as Lady Amara’s men dragged her frozen knights from the lake’s waters. “What of the giant? Surely the creature was not felled.”
“That giant was sealed underneath the lake by a legendary necromancer named Alice,” Lady Amara explained. “As I said, any being that falls into the Lake of Eternity will freeze forever. The only way that one could escape is if they are physically pulled out … or if powerful magic is involved.” The Frost Mistress glanced over her shoulder at the glacier, but there was nothing there. She scowled. “The presence of the vampire, Malyssa, lingers around this area. I expect this is her doing.”
“It was her,” Kura growled angrily. “That accursed wench is the reason half of my men are dead.”
“Perhaps you can explain your situation at my fortress,” Lady Amara said with a friendly smile. “You all look like you could do with some rest.” She nodded towards Noah, who was still unconscious on Archerus’s back. “Especially that one; his magical pool is nearly empty.”
Kura looked between all of her companions and saw their elated gazes, ecstatic about the idea of resting. Even Senna looked joyful for once. The leader rolled her eyes and nodded. “We appreciate your kindness and assistance, Lady Amara. Please, lead the way.”
***
Zylon groaned, his head hanging limply. His body was marked with bruises from Faelen’s relentless beating. He had been knocked unconscious every other day for an entire week, but he knew that the werewolf was still holding back. The Bount could’ve torn off his limbs if he wanted, but he never did. Every day, Faelen marched into the chambers demanding that Zylon bring down the magical wall that blocked off the peninsula from the rest of Escalon. But the immortal never complied, and so he was punished.
Blood dribbled from his lips into a pool at his feet. Zylon’s arms were chained to the ceiling, his hands hanging limply in the air. Both of the immortal’s eyes were so swollen that he could barely see past his inflamed flesh. But he could see the mutilated corpse at his feet. The body belonged to a man named Beo, according to Faelen. Beo had supposedly been Faelen’s previous jailor, and death was his punishment. Now that Zylon was the warden, having entrapped most of the werewolf population within Escalon’s southern peninsula, he wondered what his penalty would be. After all, what was worse than death?
There was a loud creak on the far side of the prison corridor, and Zylon could see Faelen app
roaching. However, today the werewolf did not seem as wrathful or furious as he had in previous days. He was not storming about and slamming doors like an irate child. Today, he seemed composed.
He was dressed in the black cloak of the Bounts, recognizable attire that made the immortal tremble. Zylon hadn’t known that the Bount organization was involved in this werewolf affair, but now that he thought about it, it made sense that they would be. With Faelen on their side, the Bounts could obtain influence and control over the entirety of Escalon, if the werewolves managed to get to the mainland to spread their infection.
Faelen’s eyes reflected an emotionless gaze as he watched Zylon’s broken body through the iron bars of the cell. But the werewolf did not enter the chamber. He stood outside the cell, his arms folded over his chest. “How long do you think you can keep this up, old man?” he said. “Do you enjoy pain?”
“It’s like you said,” Zylon wheezed with a raspy chuckle. Gods, it hurt to talk. “I’m an old man. I’m used to pain.”
Faelen was not amused by the prisoner’s response, but his countenance did not change. Ordinarily, he would’ve thrown an angry fit. “I don’t feel like knocking you around until you pass out today,” he said. “I understand now that your pride, selflessness, and resolve are strong enough to withstand any physical abuse that one may inflict upon you. Ripping off your limbs would do nothing, would it?” He nodded in the direction of Beo’s corpse. “Like me, you’ve lived for a very long time. You don’t fear death.”
Zylon said nothing, his chains clanking as he lowered his head to look at the stone floor.
“I’ve thought about infecting you,” Faelen said. “But then there would always be the slim chance that you would acquire a Phoenix Heart, and then you’d become unstoppable.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to offer you a chance at your freedom,” Faelen said with a sly smile. “I know that you are one of the Bounts’ greatest enemies, Zylon. You’ve been hunting down this organization for years, haven’t you?”
Zylon gritted his teeth, glaring up at the werewolf.
“But I’ve been forced into this band of terrorists,” Faelen said with a shrug. “The only thing that binds me to them is my accord with Junko, who freed me from Horux’s catacombs. I care nothing for the absolute domination of Escalon or Terrador. My vengeance upon the inhabitants of Horux has already been achieved.” A broad grin split across his lips. “Junko might want you dead, but I don’t care whether you live or die, as long as you don’t get in my way and you grant me my final wish.”
“What is it you want?” Zylon murmured.
“It is said that within the dark realm of Oblivion lies a vault of Sacred Treasures, forged by the gods themselves,” Faelen said. “In the past century or so, the gods placed a seal on the legendary Oblivion Vault. Now, in order to enter, one must know a certain incantation. Rumors circulate that you know what it is.” The werewolf held up his right hand. Flexing his claw, the Bount gave Zylon a sadistic smile. “You’ll tell me the incantation and you’ll have Moriaki relay a message to Tanya.”
Zylon winced. Tanya must’ve been the female werewolf that escaped to the mainland. “The items within that vault—”
“Do not worry. I don’t care for any more objects of power. I’ve had enough experience with corruptive Sacred Treasures,” Faelen said with an annoyed scowl. “I am searching for a potion that will turn me into a human again.”
Zylon’s eyes widened, disbelieving what he was hearing. Human?
“Did you know why I was jailed for centuries underneath Horux?” Faelen asked the immortal. He reached out with his claw, crushing one of the iron bars of the cell with his hand. “The founders of Horux saw me as a ferocious beast and nothing else. They attacked me and locked me away because of what they saw. Their fear of the unknown was what left me behind bars of silver for hundreds of years.” He held out his claw before his face, anger flashing in his eyes. “I didn’t choose to become this. This power was forced upon me, and I would see it vanquished.”
Zylon gulped and said nothing.
“If you do as I say, I will release you. You will be free to go back to your comrades and leave the wall up, keeping us trapped on this peninsula. Currently, Tanya has orders to infect a village, which will undoubtedly spread the werewolf disease throughout Escalon, given time,” Faelen said. “If you help me, I will give her orders to bring the infected with her to Lichholme, where she will search for the Oblivion Portal.”
“You plan to have her fetch this rare potion for you?” Zylon murmured. “How do I know you will keep your word?”
“My honor prevents me from breaking any accord. Otherwise, I would’ve detached myself from the Bounts the moment I had eradicated the people of Horux,” Faelen said, prying the iron bars of the cell apart as he walked into the chamber. He lashed out with his claws and slashed the chains that bound Zylon, letting the immortal drop to the puddle of blood on the floor. “If you refuse my offer, I will dismember you slowly until you drown in your own blood, and Tanya will fulfill my orders and allow the werewolves of Escalon to scatter freely throughout the continent, spreading the infection. Eventually, I will find that incantation and you will have died for nothing.” He looked at the defeated immortal with pity. “You can still do a lot of good for this world, Zylon. There is no need for you to be a martyr.”
Zylon worked his jaw, chuckling lightly to himself. “Looks like you’re not leaving me much of a choice here,” he muttered. “Fine, you have my word. I’ll help you become human again.”
***
Malyssa was completely invisible to the naked eye, standing at the top of a massive glacier as she watched Lady Amara escort Yuri’s party away. The vampire had the ability to temporarily make her physical appearance imperceptible to most living beings. She reached up and gently dragged her fingernails down her cheeks, feeling that her hands were quavering. Oh, how she wanted to leap down there and rend those pathetic humans to pieces. She wanted to take the unconscious werewolf, Yuri, to become her blood-bag.
Licking her lips, Malyssa imagined the taste of the werewolf. People who were more courageous and heroic tended to have tastier blood. She’d noticed that. But she knew that facing Lady Amara and her band of warriors alone was suicide, even if she was more skilled.
Malyssa sat at the edge of the icy cliff, kicking her dangling feet outward as she pouted in frustration. “Why did that lousy hag have to get involved? I was having so much fun, too,” she murmured. Her ears twitched and she sighed, recognizing the presence of someone behind her. Their nefarious aura was too noticeable to miss. “The infamous Junko is paying me a visit? How blessed I must be. What is it that you want? If you’re coming to ask me to join your band of terrorists, I’ve already told you that I’m not interested.”
The cloaked Bount was indeed standing on the glacier’s peak behind the vampire. A small smile crept across Junko’s lips and he chuckled, moving towards the sitting woman. “I’ve actually come for a different reason today,” Junko said, gazing at Yuri’s unmoving body in the distance. He raised an eyebrow. “It’s about that boy.”
Malyssa smirked, recognizing Junko’s reaction to seeing Yuri. “You know him? Yuri’s extraordinary. I want him to become my blood-bag.” She salivated at the very thought of being able to suck the blood from him every night.
Junko raised an eyebrow at the vampire. “He is a survivor of the Horuxian massacre,” he said, watching Yuri as Lady Amara’s associates carried him away. His eyebrows furled together as he scowled. “Malyios has chosen him. I can smell the powerful magic of the Titan’s mark from here.”
“Malyios?” Malyssa said, suddenly leaping to attention. She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward, staring at the unconscious werewolf. The Bount was right — dark magic swirled around the boy. Such a powerful aura could only be emitted by the mark of a deity. “What could the Titan possibly want with Yuri?” she asked.
“An accord, I imagi
ne. The Titan will attempt to lure the boy through the Oblivion Portal,” Junko said, folding his arms. He shook his head. “But forget that. Right now, I’ve come to you for a favor. I want to slow down Yuri’s party. Are you interested?”
“I owe you a favor, don’t I?” Malyssa said with a yawn. “Just tell me what to do.”
Junko knew that the only reason Yuri’s party would be in Lichholme is for the field of Phoenix Hearts that were in the far north. They wanted to cure the werewolves of Horux. But even if they did manage to obtain the Phoenix Hearts, what was Yuri’s plan to administer the antidote? Etaon was a gnomish fortress in northern Lichholme that was widely renowned for housing various infamous engineers. Junko smirked. I am always one step ahead. “I want you to infiltrate Etaon and eradicate their engineers.”
“Eh? How will that slow down Yuri’s party?”
“Just do as I say. I will be monitoring your progress,” Junko said, turning away to walk away from the vampire. “And if you encounter Yuri and his party again, it would be great if you could exterminate them. I hate having weaklings foiling my plans.”
Malyssa pouted, watching as the Bount’s body burst into black mist. Then she was alone again. “Always the bossy one. Why can’t you complete these damned tasks on your own?” she grumbled, standing up. “Well, I suppose I ought to get my vampires ready for an invasion. How annoying. Gnomish blood is so unsatisfying.”
***
Yuri found himself standing in a mysterious graveyard, engulfed by an ominous mist. He’d somehow witnessed Faelen’s conversation with Zylon and Junko’s meeting with Malyssa. It was as if he’d been there in person, witnessing the events unfold firsthand. “Where am I now?” he muttered to himself, his voice echoing as if he were in a cave. Could this be another dream?
