Thalia's latest trap. Thalia's latest game.
But at least now Victori
Knew what she was facing.
Victoria left the ice structure and stood in the howling snow.
She needed to get back to the swamp. Needed to find the guardian. Needed to make a deal that would cost her years of her life but give her passage to the only place Thalia could be found.
Victoria drew another portal circle in the snow.
This time targeting the swamp territories. The specific location where she had met the guardian before.
The portal opened, green and swirling and Victoria stepped through.
The frozen north disappeared.
And Victoria found herself back in the humid darkness of the southern swamp.
The transition from frozen north to humid swamp was jarring.
Victoria's warming magic was suddenly too much. She released it and immediately felt sweat break out across her skin as her body adjusted to the dramatic temperature change.
The swamp was dark. Night had fallen while she was in the north.
