Storms of Destiny
Chapter 15: Into the Frozen Abyss
A glacial wind howled across Frostbane Isle, swirling ice and snow into jagged spirals as the Embarkers stood before the yawning mouth of a massive frozen cavern. Its jagged entrance shimmered in the pale light, like the fangs of some ancient beast, half-buried beneath centuries of frost and silence.
No one spoke for a moment. The crew stared into the dark opening, each feeling a chill far deeper than the air's bite.
"Are we ready for this?" Nira finally asked, her tone even but laced with caution.
Pol ST Daniel stood at the front, his straw hat tugged low over his eyes, cloak fluttering behind him. "We didn't cross half the world just to hesitate now. The Writh of Truth pointed here. Whatever lies inside... we face it."
Kaiden stepped up beside him, his expression unreadable, a hand resting lightly on the hilt of Pol's blade at his waist. "It feels like a trap."
"Of course it's a trap," Sorin muttered from the back, blowing warm air into his gloves. "That's what makes it fun."
The crew shared a brief, nervous chuckle, tension crackling like ice underfoot. And then—without another word—they stepped into the abyss.
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The Cavern's Challenge
The moment they crossed the threshold, the light dimmed. Pale blue luminescence pulsed faintly through the icy walls, casting long, twisting shadows that seemed to flicker and breathe. Their footsteps crunched in eerie unison on the frostbitten stone.
Mirae shivered, clutching her satchel close. "This place is unnatural. It's like the ice is watching us."
Lamin twirled his hammer lazily on his shoulder. "Hope it likes getting smashed, then."
They moved deeper, the tunnel narrowing slightly—until it didn't. The path ahead split suddenly into four large tunnels, each identical in shape but pulsing with a different aura. The wind stilled. The silence was deafening.
Kaiden narrowed his eyes. "This is a setup. Classic separation strategy."
"Then we'll stay together and—" Pol began, but a thunderous tremor rocked the cavern.
CRACK!
The ceiling groaned as massive ice shards rained down. The floor beneath them lurched violently.
"SCATTER!" Royuko barked, grabbing Pol's arm and leaping forward.
The crew was forced apart, the ice shifting like a living maze. As they scrambled, ducked, and ran, four groups found themselves funneled into separate tunnels by sheer survival instinct.
---
Group 1: Pol & Royuko
Pol landed hard, rolling on the ice. Royuko was immediately at his side, bow drawn, eyes scanning the darkness ahead.
"Well, this got exciting real fast," Pol muttered, brushing frost off his shoulders.
"Stay sharp," Royuko warned. "We don't know what lies ahead—but we'll burn through it."
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Group 2: Kaiden & Sakani
Kaiden emerged into his tunnel with Sakani just behind him. The air was colder here—unnaturally so. Their breath hung in thick clouds, and frost clung to their hair and shoulders.
"You alright?" Kaiden asked.
Sakani nodded, eyes narrowed. "This ice feels wrong."
"Everything about this place is wrong."
---
Group 3: Sorin, Sonia & Arlen
"This is not what I signed up for," Sorin grumbled, slipping slightly on a patch of frost.
"You didn't sign up for anything," Sonia retorted. "You just tagged along."
Arlen sighed, rubbing his temple. "Focus. We're not dead, so let's count that as a win. Keep your weapons ready. And Sorin, try not to trip again."
"Rude."
---
Group 4: Mirae & Lamin
Mirae clutched a small vial of healing salve, peering through the frozen haze.
"Where are the others?" she asked.
"No clue," Lamin said, cracking his knuckles. "But whatever is in here... I hope it knows how to scream."
---
Meanwhile...
As snow crept across the floor of the cavern entrance, one thing was certain:
Nira was nowhere to be seen… for now.
To be Continued In Chapter 16:Pol And Royuko's Descent