Chapter 19 — Creature of the night


    <strong><span ss="userText">[Nivalis Silverfrost]</strong>


    <span ss="userText">Hours passed, yet Nivalis and her children remained motionless, nestled together for warmth. The sounds of the howling wind outside were muffled by the thickyers of snow that had umted, shielding them from the harsh wind. Underyers of nkets and furs, Nivalis held her children close, her arms <span ss="aiText">protectively wrapped around their tiny bodies. She could feel the gentle rise and fall of their chests as they breathed<span ss="userText">.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia, just five years old and fragile like a snowke, trembled in her mother''s embrace, her limbs quivering from cold and fear. Nivalis held her daughter even tighter. Silvia''s voice barely rose above the silence of the shelter when she whispered, "Mommy."


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis responded in a soft, soothing tone.— "Yes, my dear?"


    <span ss="userText">Taking a deep breath, Silvia''s voice trembled slightly. "Do you think we''ll be okay?"


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis''s heart was heavy with worry for her precious child. She inhaled deeply, her fingers tenderly stroking through Silvia''s soft, silky hair.— "Yes, honey. We will be okay," Nivalis assured her. Her voice was confident. "We will get through this. I promise."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s body trembled once more, her uncertainty noticeable in how her muscles tensed and her heart raced. Her lips parted ever so slightly, and then, a soft, muted sob escaped her. <span ss="userText">"I''m a little bit scared, Mommy," Silvia whimpered.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis tightened her embrace, her fingers gently interlocking with Silvia''s smaller ones.— "Shh, it''s okay," she whispered, her voice gentle. "I''m here, and nothing bad will happen. You''re safe, and so is your baby brother, Asty." She brushed a strand of Silvia''s hair behind her ear and gazed into her innocent, watery eyes. Their eyes adjusted to the darkness enough to see each other''s faces.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia nodded, her face burying into her mother''s bosom.


    <span ss="userText">Calming her daughter was Nivalis''s foremost concern. <span ss="userText">She tenderly<span ss="aiText"> rubbed Silvia''s back<span ss="userText">.<span ss="userText">— "Would you like me to tell you a story, my dear?" Her words were soft and motherly warm.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia shifted slightly, her tiny body seeking refuge closer to her mother''s warmth. "Yes, please, Mommy," she begged, her voice muffled by her mother''s bosom.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis nodded, and her heart warmed. — "Of course, my sweet," she responded. "What would you like to hear?"


    <span ss="userText">She raised her head, and w<span ss="userText">ith a spark of anticipation dancing in her young eyes, Silvia locked onto her mother''s gaze. "Tell me more about adventurers, please," she murmured, her voice a shy plea. <span ss="userText">Silvia fidgeted slightly, then added, "Tell me how to be one, Mommy. Maybe some tips, and how can I learn it?" her eyes shining with a child''s longing for knowledge.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis, clearly amused, let out a gentleugh, a soft, melodic sound that seemed to chase away the chill inside their shelter. Her eyes twinkled with joy, and she brushed an unruly curl of Silvia''s hair from her forehead.— "Well, honey, it''s a bit moreplicated than that."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s brow furrowed, her face frustrated, as the innocent determination in her eyes was clouded by the world''splexities. "Why, Mommy? I want to be strong. To protect you and Asty. And do great things like saving people."


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis sighed, her heart aching for the purity of Silvia''s intentions.— "Oh, my sweet," she murmured, her voice filled with love.


    <span ss="userText">— "Alright, honey," she began, her voice low andforting, "let''s start with the basics. There are two ways to be an adventurer, and one is to be born with what''s called a Blessing."


    <span ss="userText">"Blessing?" Silvia''s voice rang out, her tone reflecting her genuine curiosity.


    <span ss="userText">— "Yes, love, it''s a special ability you''re gifted with from birth," Nivalis exined.


    <span ss="userText">She paused, allowing the information to settle into Silvia''s eager mind.— "They are known as the Blessed, and there are six types of blessings: fire, water, earth, wind, light, and darkness. <span ss="aiText">The Blessed can manipte their elements, such as controlling fire, controlling water, and so on<span ss="editText">. There is also a type of magic that every Blessed one can use that does not fit into any of the categories, called Common magic."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s eyes shimmered with wonder, and her gaze darted back and forth between her mother''s eyes and lips as if she wanted to absorb every piece of information. "That sounds incredible," she breathed, her voice filled with awe.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis nodded, her smile still gentle, and responded with simple.— <span ss="aiText">"It is, my pumpkin.<span ss="aiText">"


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s curiosity burned brighter. "So, am I Blessed, Mommy?" she asked with a touch of hope in her eyes.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis offered a tender response, and her voice was soft and warm.— "I don''t know, honey. You''re still very young, and it can take some time for the Blessing to reveal itself."


    <span ss="aiText">"Oh," Silvia sighed, <span ss="userText">her brow furrowing slightly, and she paused momentarily<span ss="aiText">, <span ss="userText">"Are you<span ss="aiText"> Blessed, Mommy?"


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis shook her head gently.—<span ss="aiText">"No, honey. <span ss="editText">Unfortunately, <span ss="aiText">I am not Blessed. I am just an ordinary elf," Nivalis replied<span ss="editText"> calmly<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">She leaned even closer to her mother. "What''s the second way, Mommy?" She continued to hang onto every word, her gaze fixated on her mother''s.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis paused as she met her daughter''s eyes.— "The other way, my sweet, is to find a small gemstone known as the Blessing Stone, or Soul Stone. It''s a special gem that can give you unique powers like the ability to breathe underwater or to be super strong."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s young heart danced at the idea. "Wow, that sounds so cool, Mommy! Where can I find one?" she asked, her voice filled with the enthusiasm that only a child''s imagination could bring.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis''s voice took on a tone of gentle realism as she exined, — "Well, honey, finding one isn''t easy. They''re very rare, you see. These precious gemse from monsters'' bodies, and usually, the stronger the monster, the more powerful the Blessing Stone can be. And it''s quite a rare thing, and not all monsters have them, despite their strength. Those are what all adventurers seek. It''s very dangerous and difficult to get one, and that''s why their profession is so dangerous."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s expression fell, and she mumbled something.<span ss="aiText"> She had been dreaming of being an adventurer, <span ss="editText">but <span ss="aiText">the idea of facing monsters, let alone obtaining a blessing stone from one, was terrifying.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis, ever theforting mother, reassured her daughter.— "Don''t worry, sweetie," she said, her voice soothing. "You can also buy a Blessing Stone, but they can be quite expensive."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s brows furrowed in disappointment as her dreams of adventure clouded. Yet, a spark of curiosity still glimmered in her eyes as she asked, "Mommy, have you ever got a blessing stone?"


    <span ss="userText">Her voice carried a hint of sadness as she replied, — "No, my dear. I haven''t," regret weighing on her words.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s brows knitted in confusion. "Why not, Mommy?" she asked.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis took a deep breath and exined, her words tinged with mncholy, — "There was a tradition for noble elves, my sweet. Girls were not allowed to absorb stones before marriage because it would stain their purity. It''s a rule that has been passed down for generations. Unfortunately, I didn''t have one because of it."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia''s heart raced, her young mind swirling with questions. "But, Mommy, I''m a girl, too. Does that mean I can''t do it either?"


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis shook her head gently, her voice reassuring.— "Those are old traditions, my sweet. We don''t need to follow them anymore," Nivalis replied. She gently ced a hand on Silvia''s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. She continued, "You can grow up to be whatever you want, my dear."


    <span ss="userText">Silvia let out a breath, her shoulders rxed in relief. "I see. Thank you, Mommy," she said with a smile. After a moment, she asked, <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">If you could have any blessing, w<span ss="aiText">hat <span ss="editText">power would <span ss="aiText">you <span ss="editText">like to have<span ss="aiText">, Mommy?" <span ss="userText">her wide eyes filled with youthful eagerness.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis considered the question, a fond smile on her face.— "It doesn''t matter much what kind of Blessing I get as long as it helps me protect myself and you, my dears. But..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of wistfulness in her words.


    <span ss="userText">"Yes, Mommy?" Silvia urged, her eyes shining like stars on a clear night.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis''s voice was nostalgic as she confessed, — "I''ve always had a dream, my love. When I was little, I used to dream of bing a healer, just like my grandmother. She was well-known for her healing skills."


    <span ss="userText">"Blessing Stone can make you a healer?" Silvia asked<span ss="aiText"> curiously.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis nodded.— "Yes, my dear, it can. There are many types of them, and each has different abilities. It probably won''t be as effective as someone naturally blessed with Light, but it''s better than nothing."


    <span ss="userText">"I think that''s a wonderful dream," Silvia said with admiration.


    <span ss="userText">— "Thank you, sweetie," Nivalis smiled. She ced her hand on Silvia''s head, gently ruffling her hair. "And what kind of power would you like, my sweet?"


    <span ss="userText">"Hmm..." Silvia hummed, her eyes narrowing as she pondered the question. After a few moments, a bright, mischievous smile lit up her face. "Something cool, something like controlling ice. Can a stone make me like that, Mommy?"


    <span ss="userText">— "I''m sure there are stones that can bless you with that power, so yes, it could," Nivalis replied.


    <span ss="userText">"Yay, that''s amazing," Silvia cheered joyfully, her cheeks flushed pink with excitement.


    <span ss="userText">They continued their conversation deep into the night, the gentle murmur of mother and daughter filling the shelter. Eventually, Silvia''s eyelids grew heavy, and the day''s adventures lulled her into a peaceful slumber in her mother''s embrace. <span ss="userText">But Nivalis couldn''t find sleep herself. The relentless howling of the wind outside only seemed to grow stronger, and the icy fingers of winter reached deeper into their fragile sanctuary.


    <span ss="userText">Her eyes shifted to her infant son, Aster, whoy peacefully in her arms. His tiny form, swaddled in warm nkets, was so innocent and vulnerable. Nivalis''s heart swelled with love and tenderness as she brushed her trembling fingers over his soft, delicate cheek.


    <span ss="userText">A single thought shed through her mind: "What will happen to us?"


    <span ss="userText">The snowstorm showed no signs of abating. The cold, the wind, and the snow were relentless and only grew stronger.


    <span ss="userText">— "Please, let the storm pass," Nivalis murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper.


    <span ss="userText">...


    <span ss="userText">The next few hours passed like a blur for Nivalis. Her thoughts were focused on her children, their safety, and thinking how to keep them warm. She would have given anything to have a fire right now.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis was tired, her eyelids growing heavier and heavier, and the fatigue was starting to creep in. But she knew that if she allowed herself to fall asleep, they might never wake up again. So, shey there, her body trembling from the cold, her limbs numb.


    <span ss="userText">She held her son and daughter close, her arms wrapped around their tiny bodies. She could feel their warmth, their breathing, their beating hearts. <span ss="userText">It was the dead of night, and Nivalis couldn''t bear to let her children freeze. She had already done everything she could to keep them warm. She wrapped nkets around them and huddled together. But it was not enough. She needed to do something else, or they would all freeze.


    <span ss="userText">She thought of the trees around them, their branches, and their bark. If she could collect those, get a small campfire started, and use the snow around them to block the wind, it would provide a bit of heat.


    <span ss="userText">But she would have to leave her children and go out in the blizzard. This was probably thest thing in the entire world she wanted to do, but she had to. Her instincts, her determination, and the love she felt for her children pushed her forward.


    <span ss="userText">— "My dear, you need to wake up," Nivalis''s voice was gentle<span ss="userText">,<span ss="aiText"> a soft whisper as she tried to wake Silvia.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia stirred, her eyelids heavy with sleep. "What''s wrong, Mommy?" she mumbled, her voice a soft, muffled whisper.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis ced her lips to her daughter''s ear, her words a gentle whisper.— "I need you to get up, my love. I''m going to try to make a fire to keep us warm."


    <span ss="userText">"Huh? Why..." Silvia groaned, her eyes still half-closed.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis gently ced Aster and Silvia together and ensured nkets covered them. Then, she shifted towards the entrance of the shelter.


    <span ss="userText">"Mommy, wait," Silvia said with a trembling voice.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis stopped.— "Yes, sweetie?" she asked.


    <span ss="userText">"Please don''t go. It''s too dangerous," Silvia begged, her voiceced with a hint of desperation. The thought of her mother walking into the storm was terrifying.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis reassured her with a loving smile.— "Don''t worry, sweetie, I''ll be quick. I promise." Her gaze filled with confidence. "Just stay here and keep our Asty safe, okay?"


    <span ss="userText">Silvia nodded, her face pale, her lips trembling.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis turned to the entrance once more. She took a deep, steadying breath and gently pushed aside theyers of nkets of their shelter, causing the snow to cascade onto the ground.


    <span ss="userText">She got from their shelter into a world of full white. The moon shoved brightly, the air was cold, and the wind cut through her skin, stinging her flesh. The snow was thick, and the visibility was almost non-existent. She could barely see in front of her.


    <span ss="userText">The snow was piled up high, making walking difficult, and her limbs were heavy and weak, the cold draining her strength. She could feel her heart racing and her lungs burning as she struggled against the storm, pushing through the blizzard. <span ss="userText">With that, Nivalis began her task. She started to gather branches, pine needles, and anything mmable, carrying it back to their shelter.


    <span ss="userText">She held the knife firmly in her hand, the tip digging into the bark. She pushed hard, and despite the harsh wind and blinding snow, the de sliced through the branch. It was quite challenging for her weakened, slender body. <span ss="userText">As she worked amid the loud winds and the blinding swirl of snow, Nivalis''s ears captured a strange, distant noise. Her heart raced, her palms growing damp with sweat. She looked around, but she couldn''t see anything.


    <span ss="userText">— "Maybe I''m just imagining things," she muttered, trying to calm herself. <span ss="userText">Returning to her task, her fingers trembled as she gripped the knife, slicing through the branches and gathering them into her arms.


    <span ss="userText">Then, suddenly, the sound grew louder, closer, and unmistakably clearer. It was a terrifying noise — an ominous roar, a guttural growl, an animalistic howl that chilled her to the heart. It was the unmistakable sound of a monster. <span ss="userText">Nivalis froze and didn''t dare to move, her entire being locked in an instinctual response to danger. Her limbs were frozen in ce, her blood running cold. Slowly, she turned her head, her eyes scanning the surroundings.


    <span ss="userText">But the snow was thick, and the visibility was low. There was no sign of any creature, no trace of presence. <span ss="userText">Nivalis swallowed hard, her throat dry. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart.— "It was just the wind," she muttered, her voice trembling.


    <span ss="userText">A sudden, flickering movement caught the corner of her eye. She turned her head with agonizing slowness, and then she saw it. Nivalis instinctively leaned back, seeking shelter against a nearby tree, her heart caught in her throat. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing. It was a man, or what had once been a man, but now a rotting, decaying figure, staggering towards her, its eyes empty and lifeless. Its mouth was agape, and a low, guttural groan escaped its mouth that sent shivers down Nivalis''s spine.


    <span ss="userText">She was paralyzed with fear, unable to look away as the grotesque figure drew closer. Its movements were jerky and awkward. Her heart pounded, her chest tightening. She knew she had to run, but her limbs refused to obey, and she remained frozen in ce.


    <span ss="userText">"No, no, no, no..." Nivalis''s thoughts were a mess. Her lips pressed firmly together to suppress any noise that might betray her presence. The creature moved closer, its groans growing louder.


    <span ss="userText">Her body started to tremble uncontrobly despite her desperate efforts to remain still. The fear coursing through her was overwhelming, and tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision as her mind struggled toprehend the horror of the situation.


    <span ss="userText">The creature''s raspy breathing, the sound of its footsteps, the squelching sound of its dposing body — all of it invaded her senses. For some reason, the cold didn''t affect this creature in the slightest, and she could see and smell its rotten flesh, the gaping hole in its abdomen, and the maggots wriggling within. <span ss="userText">As the creature neared, Nivalis couldn''t bear it anymore. She closed her eyes. All she could hear was its footsteps drawing closer. She was sure it would be over soon. But, against all odds, the creature continued its dreadful walk without stopping.


    <span ss="userText">The footfalls faded into the distance, the groans growing fainter and fainter. Nivalis waited in agonizing silence for a few tense moments before she dared to open her eyes. Her heart pounded, and her body trembled uncontrobly. Nivalis couldn''t believe that she had survived such a terrifying encounter.


    <span ss="userText">With trembling hands, Nivalis released the gathered branches, her legs like lead, her mouth shut by the horrors she had witnessed. Her only option was to crawl on all fours silently back to the shelter.


    <span ss="userText">Once inside, she found Silvia and Aster still lying. She copsed next to them, covered herself with nkets and furs, and wrapped her arms around their tiny, fragile bodies, her tears flowing freely, but she didn''t make a single sound. She buried her face in the soft, silky hair of her daughter, her mind spinning from what had just happened.


    <span ss="userText">Amid her thoughts, a soft, sweet voice pierced the silence. "Mommy?"


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis lifted her tear-streaked face, her voice hoarse and quivering.— "Yes, my love?" she responded.


    <span ss="userText">"Are you okay?" Silvia asked, her tone filled with concern.


    <span ss="userText">— "I am now, sweetie. I am now," Nivalis whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.


    <span ss="userText">Silvia frowned, her expression troubled. "You were gone for a long time, Mommy. We were scared," she said.


    <span ss="userText">— "I''m so sorry, honey. I''m sorry," Nivalis apologized, her tone filled with regret.


    <span ss="userText">"You didn''t manage to make a fire, Mommy?" Silvia questioned.


    <span ss="userText">Nivalis hesitated, carefully considering her response. She couldn''t bring herself to tell what had just happened. Slowly, she nodded, her voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.— "Yeah... I didn''t," she admitted. "The wind and the snow were too strong."


    <span ss="userText">"It''s okay, Mommy. It''s not that cold for me. We''ll be fine even without it," she reassured, her voice gentle and soothing. "I''m just d you''re safe."


    <span ss="userText">— "Me too, sweetie." a faint smile graced Nivalis''s lips.


    <span ss="userText">With that, they settled into a peaceful silence, hidden from the world outside in their small shelter. Mother and her children cuddled together, keeping each other warm. They drifted in and out of sleep despite the cold. The wind continued to howl, and the snow continued to fall, covering the world around them in white.