Gray stood near the stone basin where he had just washed his face, cold water dripping from his jaw. The dawn light was faint, blocked by the thick wooden walls of the surface village. Snowfall had grown lighter, but the cold remained biting. Inside the house, the others stirred, the wooden floor creaking softly as footsteps moved.
He stared at his reflection from the water. It showed a young, handsome, gentle face. With ice-smooth skin. His gray hair and eyes almost made him blend in with the surroundings.
His mind still thought about yesterday. About his loss against Lira. For some reason, it clung to his mind and heart like a disease. An incurable one. He had replayed the scene hundreds of times in his mind. Each time pinting out a mistake he should've fixed.
He rubbed his head and took in a deep breath. In order to forget what he had done.
He stepped out of the bathroom and saw Adel sat on a window ledge, quietly looking at the scene.
Her complexion had returned to its natural hue, color once again rising to her cheeks. She stretched an arm and let out a slow breath. "That antidote the translator gave me really worked," she said. "I feel completely fine."
"It was stronger than anything we had at the previous village." Orrin replied, watching her carefully. "Some kind of advanced concoction. No idea what was in it."
Korr remained seated at the edge of his bed, his leg wrapped in fresh bandages. He rubbed his chin. "Still can't believe it took a tree to finally take me down."
Lira stood near the door, arms crossed. "We were lucky to have been saved. Luckier that they fed Adel that antidote."
Gray remained quiet as he put on his coat and adjusted the belt that carried his sheathed katana. He thought of the moment the Pale Maw turned and vanished into the white. Of how close they had all come to death.
He then looked over to the last bed. Renn lay quietly, sleeping like a child.
Gray couldn't help but smirk at the scene.
'Ahh... what would he do if I woke him up right now? He'd kill me right?' However his intrusive thoughts ended quickly as a knock came from outside.
A soldier stood at the entrance, the familiar translator by his side. "You are summoned," she said. "The Kaan has ordered your presence in the lower sanctum."
'Lower sanctum?'
They exchanged glances before following the guards through the narrow wooden streets, past the tall walls of the surface village. They reached a stone structure embedded into the side of the northern cliffs. A sealed door was pried open and they were led down a winding set of stairs.
The cold began to vanish the further they descended. Strange glowing stones lined the walls, casting a pale yellow light. The air warmed, carrying the scent of burning incense and boiled herbs. At the bottom, they emerged into a massive underground district.
It was a hidden world, with stone roads and well-crafted homes carved from the mountain itself. Pipes carrying steam ran overhead, and beneath translucent walkways flowed hot water, heating the ground beneath. Guards in thick black furs patrolled the paths, while masked figures watched from balconies. Children played quietly under supervision. It was a hidden bastion of warmth beneath the frost.
"This is where their nobles live," Lira whispered beside Gray. "It keeps them protected from the cold."
He looked around slowly, taking he sight in.
"Seems a bit...cruel. No?" He couldn't help but ask. The poor had to endured the cold for their whole lives. Whilst the rich lived peacefully. It was nearly identical to from where he had come from.
With money, you could get almost everything.
He didn't continue on the topic and quietly followed.
They were led past several closed shops and temples to a circular gate made of silver-stained wood. Beyond it was a wide arena, enclosed in a dome of glass and rock. Runes lined the perimeter, glowing faintly. The ground was packed earth, layered with patches of stone and cracked roots.
The Kaan stood at the center, waiting. The translator stood beside him.
"This is the Trial of Veritas," she announced. "A sacred test. Only those who survive it may earn the right to hunt the brood."
Gray glanced around. Massive doors were carved into the far wall. There were cages behind them.
"These are not illusions," the translator continued. "The beasts here are real. Taken from the outer regions. You will face them as you would in the tunnels."
Adel narrowed her eyes. "We are to fight monsters?"
"Yes," the translator said. "Monsters bred from frost and bile. Giant spiders, and things worse."
The Kaan raised his hand and three bells chimed. The gates on the far wall groaned as they opened. What stepped out first were spiders the size of wolves, their bodies black and gleaming, coated in thick chitin. Icy mist clung to their joints, and their eyes glowed blue.
Orrin raised his spear. "Position yourselves."
Gray felt his grip tighten on his katana. The memory of the Pale Maw was still fresh in his mind, but this was different. These things were smaller, more predictable.
Adel moved behind the others and spread her hands. A soft layer of mist began to rise from her feet, wrapping around their legs and shoulders. Her Affinity was visible now, threads of mist swirling outward to form a subtle veil.
Their appreance was almost entirely gone. They blended in with the surroundings, totally he point where Gray nor Lira knew where the other was.
'That's... a neat ability. Makes me jealous...' Gray couldn't help but sigh.
"You are hidden," she whispered. "As long as you move carefully, they will not sense you."
Lira nodded. "Then let's move."
They advanced slowly.
Orrin struck first, lunging forward and impaling one of the spiders through the thorax. The beast shrieked but fell limp instantly. Another leapt from the left, but Lira's blade met it mid-air, slicing through a leg and landing hard.
Gray moved as well, mist swirling at his ankles. He stepped behind one, his katana slashing upward across its underbelly. The creature thrashed before collapsing. Adel stayed in motion, keeping her mist Affinity weaving between them. Her eyes were focused and calm.
The first wave ended quickly. But the second wave brought more. And something different.
A screech filled the chamber, and from the largest cage crawled a spindly creature shaped like a spider but with a segmented tail and wings of ragged membrane. Its body pulsed with sickly veins of white. Where its face should be was a smooth expanse of pale flesh.
As it shrieked, then mist wrapped around their body's faded. Until their figures became visible.
It hovered above the ground for a moment before dropping heavily onto all six legs.
Adel gasped. "It... it undid my mist... how—"
Lira shook her head. "Does not matter. Ready up."
It charged.
Gray barely rolled aside as the creature lunged, claws digging into the stone where he stood. He slashed at its leg, but the blade sparked uselessly against its armor. Orrin tried to flank it, but it leapt into the air, spinning mid-flight before crashing down.
Adel spread her arms wide and unleashed a burst of mist. The chamber filled with the veil, obscuring the monster's vision. Lira took the opportunity and ran forward, her blade igniting as she slashed at its wings. The creature howled and tried to retaliate, but Orrin's spear struck its eye.
Gray saw his chance. He darted beneath its body, his blade glowing as he struck deep into its side. The monster shrieked and tried to lift off again but stumbled.
They surrounded it, striking with unity.
After a final blow from Orrin, it collapsed in a heap of twitching limbs.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Gray fell to one knee, catching his breath. His body was shaking. Lira stood across from him, eyes closed. Adel lowered her hands and exhaled. The mist faded.
The translator entered the arena, flanked by guards.
"You passed," she said. "The Kaan is satisfied. You will be permitted to prepare for the hunt."
Orrin grunted, stepping back. "That thing was no spider."
"No," Gray said. "But it was just the beginning."
As they walked out of the arena, Adel leaned close. "We worked well together." She couldn't help but smile silently.
Gray nodded slowly. He looked toward the Kaan, who stood silently atop the balcony above. His arms were crossed, expression unreadable.
They were not done. Not even close.