The Proven trekked through endless ice and snow. Dunar mapped their progress as they scaled cliffs and crossed chasms. They marched tirelessly through the cold without complaint because they knew that they were building up their bodies. Berserker Orn told them that every hardship made them stronger. As the team’s Scout, Jeze marched a few strides ahead of the others. Her sharp eyes caught a detail within the ice and snow, and she called for a halt. The others approached.
“What is it?” Dunar asked.
Jeze knelt on the snow and replied, “I found tracks.”
“Is it Ice Giants?” Rolfe asked.
“Oh, ho! I could use a good fight,” Helga added.
“I advise that we find a place to rest. We have been marching for hours,” Mikal stated.
Helga and Rolfe grumbled. Dunar nodded. It was impossible to tell time on the fourth floor as there was no sun. There was no day or night. Just endless grey of the overcast sky. Or ceiling, Dunar guessed.
“Wolves? They look like wolf tracks,” Jeze finally answered as she stood up.
Rolfe grinned. “The spawn of the Winter Wolf.”
“Ya! Just like in the tales. This is truly Niflheim!” Helga stated.
Mikal muttered, “If that is true, then we should not be excited to face the Winter Wolf.”
“What’s a Winter Wolf?” Jeze asked.
Dunar answered, “A great wolf that is prophesied to kill the Frozen All-Father. Because of that, the gods trapped the beast here in Niflheim.”
“And she has pups?” Jeze asked, because she saw several tracks.
“So it is told,” Dunar replied.
“I wonder what they can do, these Winter Wolf spawn,” Rolfe stated.
Mikal answered, “If the tales are true, they are the howling wind. They move unseen, and their bite brings the cold death.”
Rolfe removed his helm to scratch his blonde head. “If they are like the wind, then how do we kill them?”
“Killing the cold? I believe the moral of the story is that you should find shelter during the freezing nights,” Mikal answered.
“Bah! That’s no fun! Jezie, you have any idea on how to kill this howling wind?” Helga asked.
Jeze took a moment to think, and she remembered the time she had fought the ghosts with Swordslayer and Rainbow. That was so long ago. It was like another lifetime, she reflected to herself.
“I fought ghosts once in an old temple underneath the city of Angston. When they can hurt you is when you can hurt them,” Jeze said and then shuddered. “But don’t let them hurt you,” she added.
“It’s all about timing. Don’t be too eager to attack. You must wait,” Dunar stated.
Mikal rolled his eyes and replied, “Thanks for the sage advice, you two.”
She scowled at him. Mikal was turning back to his normal sarcastic self. Jeze unshouldered her pack to rummage through it. Ever since getting struck by the ghost and experiencing that tremendous pain, she made sure to keep the silver vials that cured the Gravetouch.
“Here, each of you take one, in case you get bit by these Winter Wolves,” Jeze said and offered each a vial. She only had five.
Mikal studied the vials and reached out with his Will. He could feel the Spirit aspect energy from within. “You think the Winter Wolves are Ghosts?” He asked.
“Sounds like it, or they are similar,” Jeze replied.
Mikal shrugged and tucked away the vial. “It does not hurt to be extra careful.”
“How old are the tracks?” Dunar asked Jeze.
“It’s hard to say, but I guess they have been here awhile based upon how faint they are,” Jeze replied.
Dunar scanned his surroundings and nodded. “We should rest here.”
Helga rubbed her hands together. “My turn!”
The warrior maiden took out a rune-covered cube and placed it on the snow. She tapped the top and completed a simple series of glyphs in the air with her fingers. Nothing happened.
“You need to concentrate and pour your Will into the Runes,” Mikal said.
Helga nodded and made a second attempt. This time, she closed her eyes and her face scrunched with effort. The box began to click open.
“I did it!” Helga exclaimed.
“Good job. You are getting better,” Jeze congratulated her.
Mikal shook his head. Jeze glared at him, and the Healer gave in.
“Agreed. This is a slightly harder enchanted item to use. Keep up the practice,” Mikal said.
After several minutes of unfolding, the box grew and turned into a cabin. Rolfe opened the door and turned toward Jeze.
She smiled and handed him the golden heating box. It was another enchanted item they purchased that could generate heat without a fire. It allowed for cooking, and it could also be slotted into the magic cabin to heat it up. Rolfe placed the box in the center of the cabin and activated it with a series of glyphs. It took the Protector three tries. Jeze nodded approvingly. They were dedicated to learning Rune magic as it helped enhance their Will. Something they needed to do if they wished to advance to the Adept rank.
“Jeze, can you place the Security Discs around the perimeter?” Dunar asked.
“Sure can do!” She replied.
The Security Discs were another magic item the team purchased, and now they could afford such tools since they earned decent money from their adventures. The discs were inscribed Rune traps that the team used when they set up camp. Dunar still demanded a watch schedule, and the discs increased their security.
“Buying this was the best investment we ever made,” Mikal stated in regard to the magic cabin.
The Healer removed his wet cloak to hang on a rack. The magic inside allowed the Proven to warm their bodies and clothes.
“Be careful, Mikal, these comforts will make you weak,” Rolfe admonished.
The Healer snorted. “Hardship makes us strong, but stupidity makes us dead.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jeze asked as she entered the cabin.
Dunar shook his head and announced, “I will take first watch. You four decide who’s next.”
The Leader stepped outside. Mikal scowled at Jeze.
“Training our bodies is one thing, but we are in the Spire. It is foolish to keep ourselves unprepared for danger. Us taking this break will keep our bodies fresh for when we do encounter Ice Giants or other such unpleasantries,” Mikal stated.
“No arguments here,” Helga stated as she prepared a Water Brick.
This was another Rune-covered item that was easily packed away. When needed, it could fill a five-gallon bucket full of water. Jeze marveled at how quickly the Proven became adept with Rune casting. Frostsworn society lived in the harsh Frozen North without the aid of enchanted items. Only the Frozen Priests, such as Mikal, learned Rune magic. The way they advanced their Will was through hardship, pain, and meditation. How Berserker Orn achieved the Adept Rank was truly remarkable to Jeze. Dunar took the first watch, and the rest settled into their bedrolls inside the cozy, warm cabin.
Later, Rolfe shook Jeze awake. It was her turn go on watch. Groggily she rose out of her bedroll and donned her heavy cloak. Rolfe handed her a warm cup of tea, which she drank enthusiastically. This was a routine that they have done hundreds of times already. They were Adventurer ranked and seasoned. In moments, Jeze was outside in the frigid cold and alert.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Jeze’s sharp ears caught a faint sound. It sounded like the wind but different. It had a higher ring to it, like a howl? Jeze cocked her head to listen more carefully. There it was again! She rose up from her perch on top of the cabin to scan her surroundings. This time, she heard the howling again, and it was no mistake. The Winter Wolves were coming. Jeze dropped down to the snow and paused. She saw a blur that could have been her eyes playing tricks. Jeze hurried and pounded on the door to awaken the others. She saw the blur again. Horror sank in her heart. The Winter Wolves were not coming. They were here!
Jeze readied her axe and sword and tensed her body. Her fingers itched to tap her Channeling tools and to shape Runes as needed. But she didn’t know what to do. Would hiding in the Summoned shadows work? Were Winter Wolves like ghosts and vulnerable to fire? Jeze banged the door again. What was taking them so long?
Jeze heard the faint crunch of snow. She turned and saw paw prints appear on the ground next to her. Jeze looked up and saw a gaunt-looking wolf with sharp fangs and cold blue eyes glare at her. It leaped at her as fast as a winter breeze. Jeze dodged to the side and chopped with her axe. At first, she didn’t think she would hit anything, but her weapon struck something solid and hard like ice. The monster yelped and faded from view to disappear like a gust of cold wind.
“Are they here?” Rolfe asked.
The large Protector exited the cabin. He was followed by the others, and they moved into formation. Dunar assessed the situation. His sharp senses also picked up the faint howling that was like the wind but not the wind. He saw the crunch of snow as the wolves materialized into solid form and then faded away like a dream.
“No shields, we need full visibility, and spread out. This fight will be about timing and quickness,” Dunar ordered.
Rolfe glanced at the Leader and complied. The large man gripped his spear in two hands and stepped forward to give himself room. They remained close but spread apart to allow for full maneuverability of their weapons and dodges. A winter wolf ran through them. Helga chopped her axe, and Rolfe stabbed with his spear. Both attacks missed as the wolf pounced on Mikal and knocked the Healer to the ground. It was as large as a man and heavy as a block of ice. Its fangs were caught on the Healer’s spear before it phased away in a blink of an eye.
“It’s hard to see them!” Mikal cried as he scrambled to his feet.
The crunch of snow alerted them as two more wolves took form and attacked mercilessly like the cold in the night. Dunar and Jeze dodged the charging wolves and chopped with their axes and stabbed with their swords. They missed, but one wolf bit Helga on her forearm before it transformed into the wind and disappeared. The warrior maiden gasped in pain. Jeze sympathized with her as she also experienced the touch from the grave. It was cold and burned like agony.
“Drink the vial!” Dunar ordered, and to the others, he barked, “Protect Helga!”
The Proven formed a circle as Helga unstoppered the silver vial Jeze had given her. She drank the Spirit infused potion and relief showed on her face.
“Ya, that stings!” Helga said.
“They are too fast, should we go inside?” Mikal stated.
“If they are like ghosts, they can phase through solid objects,” Jeze replied.
“But what if they are not? We can barricade ourselves and wait them out,” Mikal pointed out.
Dunar shook his head. “Too risky. It would be too crowded for us to move, and they can take us out.”
“Besides, they are strong! They could probably break through the cabin, ya?” Helga stated. Her eyes were wide as she focused on her surroundings and readied her two-handed axe.
“There is nothing we can do but to fight better,” Dunar stated and continued, “Pay attention and time your attacks well. We have the skill. We are prepared for this.”
“For Glory!” Rolfe roared.
“Hurrah!” The others chanted back.
Another pair of wolves swarmed through them. This time Dunar was able to land a well timed blow with his axe and it chipped off a huge chunk of the wolf that fell away like ice. The monster squirmed and trashed on the ground before fading into a breeze.
“Did you kill it?” Helga asked.
Dunar answered, “I hope so.”
Mikal collapsed to his knees in agony. He was bit!
“Jeze help him!” Dunar ordered.
She rushed over to pour the silver potion down his mouth. Mikal was shaking and he calmed when the liquid took effect.
“By the Frozen All-Father, I do not want to experience that again,” Mikal said.
The Proven heard an explosion to their left where Jeze had placed one of her Security Discs. This one was a Water aspect Rune trap that flash froze any intruders. It created a dome of frozen Mist and from within the team could see clearly the sinewy forms of the Winter Wolf spawn. The cold magic had little impact on them, but it did make them visible. The wolves faded from view as they rushed toward the Proven.
“Mikal, create mists around us!” Dunar barked.
The Healer compiled and quickly Summoned the Water aspect. In mere seconds that, demonstrated his high level of skill, Mikal tapped another Channeling tool and Shaped the water aspect into a faint mists. It outlined the Winter Wolf spawn when they attacked making them visible. Rolfe moved fast beli,ed his large frame, and plunged his spear into a charging creature. The spearhead that was made from the scales of a Helldrake pierced the ice hard hide of the wolf as easily as a hot knife through butter.
Another snarling form of a wolf took shape as it materialized and was outlined by Mikal’s spell. It still moved fast but was easier to spot, and Helga sliced it in half as it pounced. The two parts crashed into the floor like blocks of ice. Jeze bombarded another Winter Wolf spawn with fire darts as soon as it took shape. The monster whined as its face melted into a puddle. Dunar hacked another with his axe. When the beast collapsed to the ground, he stabbed it through its caine-shaped head.
“For Glory!” Rolfe cheered.
“Hurrah!” The others cried back.
“Victory is ours!” Helga added.
The Proven heard the intense howling as a huge storm took shape in the distance. The wind kicked up mists of snow where the outlines of dozens, if not hundreds, of sinewy, gaunt wolves could be seen.
“You spoke too soon,” Mikal muttered.
“Jeze, grab the heat box and hurry up!” Dunar ordered as the storm began its rapid advance toward them.
The Scout returned in an instant with the heat box tucked away in her pack.
Dunar stood tall and roared, “Proven, we run!”
And they ran as the storm filled with Winter Wolf spawn chased them.
“What about the cabin?” Mikal asked.
“No time and no more talking. Only running,” Dunar responded.
The team ran through the thick snow as fast as their strong legs could carry them. The storm was gaining on them. As they ran, Dunar scanned his surroundings for an optimal spot for them to fight.
“There!” He shouted and pointed.
In the distance, the team could make out caves. He hoped that the additional cover would provide them protection against the mass of howling winds and they would be able to face the Winter Wolf spawn on better terms. The Proven changed direction without hesitation. When they entered the caves, they slid when they realized that it was not made out of rock but pure ice!
“This is not ideal,” Mikal muttered as he struggled to regain his footing.
“Oh, look at that! They stopped chasing us,” Helga pointed out.
The howling storm appeared to change direction, and it continued away from them.
“I wonder why?” Rolfe said. A part of him wanted to fight.
“This is why,” Jeze said and pointed.
Inside the walls of thick ice were the frozen forms of people. Their mouths agape showed their final screams of horror.
“Something lives here that scares them,” Jeze added.
The further the team looked, the more frozen bodies they found. It appeared to go on forever and deeper within the caves made of translucent frozen ice.
“Are these adventurers from this Spire event?” Mikal wondered.
Dunar shook his head. “I didn’t think this many had gone missing. This has to be from previous Spires.”
“Maybe we should take our chances against the Winter Wolf spawn?” Mikal suggested.
Rolfe and Helga shook their heads.
“These poor souls need to be avenged,” Rolfe stated.
“Ya,” Helga agreed.
“We are adventurers. We do not back away from the darkness. We run toward it,” Jeze added.
“That is true. There is an evil here that must be stopped,” Dunar added.
“I miss Ziplocke,” Mikal muttered. The Goblin would have been opposed to this.
The Proven traveled deeper into twisting tunnels of ice caves. They walked down a morbid hallway lined with adventurers frozen within the ice. There were maybe close to a hundred poor souls trapped. Dunar mapped their progress so that they could escape this frozen labyrinth if needed.
Rolfe perked up. “I know this! This is another tale from our childhood,” he said.
Mikal shook his head and rubbed his face.
“Ya! This is the realm of the Frost Hag!” Helga replied.
“Enough of your tales. This is reality,” Mikal muttered.
“Why do you say that, Micky? We fought Ice Giants and Winter Wolf Spawn,” Helga shot back.
“You did call this floor Niflheim,” Dunar pointed out.
Mikal sighed. “If what you say is true, then we are all doomed.”
“What are you talking about?” Jeze asked.
Dunar explained, “The Frost Hag is said to be a former lover of the Frozen All-Father. When he did not marry her, she became jealous.”
Mikal continued the story, “And in her jealousy, she lured his mortal sons to her home where she encased them in ice. In his fury, the Frozen All Father banished her to a place without hope. To Niflheim.”
“It is said that she is the mother of the Ice Giants and that she vowed to raise an army to conquer the Frozen Throne,” Rolfe added.
Helga nodded enthusiastically. “We have a chance to fight another mythical monster from our childhood!”
Mikal snorted. “Not a monster. The queen of the monsters. If what you say is true, we should turn back. There is no way we can face a demigod!”
“I fought a demigod once,” Jeze said.
“You lie!” Mikal shot back.
Jeze scowled at him and stated, “It’s true. I faced the Night Mistress with Rainbow and Swordslayer.”
“Bah, another tall tale,” Mikal muttered.
Jeze liked him when he was nicer after his near-death experience. Like anything, time allows one to forget. She led the group to scout for traps. Her sharp eyes caught sight of something that made her heart fill with anguish.
“No!” Jeze sobbed.
Dunar hurried over and asked, “What is it?”
Jeze pointed with a trembling hand. The others looked up and gasped. Frozen within the ice were the forms of Rainbow and Swordslayer. They were the most recent, as no more frozen bodies came after them. A breeze came through the cave with the faint sound of a woman laughing.
“This is indeed the work of the Frost Hag. All hope is lost. We should turn back,” Mikal said.
Who else could defeat the formidable pair? Jeze shook her head and placed a hand on the cold ice that killed her friends. Tears dripped down her eyes. She would never see them again. Never hear Swordslayer’s boastful laugh or Rainbow’s wise counseling. They were great, yet Jeze was reminded of a harsh truth. Many adventurers die without making the ballads or the stories. They die and are forgotten to disappear within the merciless annals of history.
“No, we will face this Frost Hag and kill the bitch!” Jeze promised.