Jason couldn't help but think he was paranoid. He did think he was searching in the right places but those dark thoughts that randomly popped up in his head while he searched for clues on how to solve the case of the missing tribe.
He wasn't Sherlock Holmes that much was obvious or an all round gifted MC who was only awkward with relations and had a ridiculously high sex drive. He was awkward with relations granted, because he was an introvert and he had to stop reading those ridiculous Mary sue books. He was a regular lord wolf who had to wrack his brains to solve a hundred year case.
The patterns he was tracing all lead to a dead end. He had half a mind to go back to his pack and grab Leo by the neck, beat out the truth from him. He couldn't do that for a number of reasons but he was that frustrated.
Miwi watched him as the days went by, battle his inner demons. His glossy hair lost it's luster, he lost weight and his eyes were growing dim. He was stressed, annoyed, angry, frustrated and sad. His originally straight hair had tangles and he went from looking like a handsome lord to a good looking hobo.
She appreciated the fact that he was working hard on the case and giving his all but she was afraid he was taking it too far. Everyone was worried about him but he wouldn't listen to anyone. He was more like a cold CEO who wouldn't rest and overwork everyone till he got the deal he wanted.
She sighed in annoyance that she had to use that method too early but Jason continuously working himself to the bone gave him cause to worry. She took out an old blue coin from her soul dimension and crushed it.
The surroundings got significantly colder to the point that everyone started shivering with the exception of Miwi. Ice covered the inside of the cabins and everyone had vapor coming out with their every breath. Everyone was surprised because they were in the middle of summer where the heat was at it's peak.
A whirlwind appeared in the middle of the room, not strong enough to blow them away but enough to make them feel threatened. Their weapons appeared at their sides as they stared cautiously at the whirlwind.
It soon died down to reveal the figure of a female feary. She had long white hair braided in a fish tail with the signature pointy ears. Her blue eyes were cold, her nose pointy and her blue lips in a thin line. Her skin was chalky white and she wore a purple straight gown that reached her knees. She wore simple glass ballet flats.
Before Jason could ask her who she was, Miwi spoke up.
"Stylaph" she greeted curtly.
"Cat sovereign. I expected you'd call me sooner" she replied Miwi.
Jason gawked at the ever elusive Queen. He had heard of the Cerna who was one of the queen pillars but he had never met her before. The Cerna lived in cold climates and could control Ice. They were also called ice monsters because of their real appearance. They looked like pythons with body made of ice and spikes on various parts of their bodies.
They had limbs but had no eyes nor nose, only a huge maw with rows of sharp teeth. On top of their maw was a long white horn which was their sensory organ. The only known way to kill a Cerna is to target their horn or pit them against another. They were that deadly. To touch one was seeking death because one could freeze to death or die due to their deadly venom and poison. They were also the most intelligent species due to their quick thinking and cunning minds.
"Lord Jason we finally meet. I'm Queen of the coldlands, Styllaph Aurie. I wasn't intentionally avoiding meeting you if that's what you thought. The coldlands were at war and as the Queen, I was doing my best to restore order to my land. I successfully completed that a month ago then Xunia told me that Miwi would summon me soon. It took longer than I expected, which has impressed me greatly, but I'm here to help" she explained.
Jason honestly thought she was either avoiding him or didn't regard his presence. The latter was more likely because of her species. They respected strength and intelligence.
"I'm pleased to finally meet you Queen Styllaph" he gave a short nod. She gave one in return. She turned to look at Oliphilis and smiled at him. Her smile was beautiful. The one being smiled at blushed and gave her a bow.
"Now, let's take a short break and start over in a couple of hours, shall we?" she suggested. They all nodded and took a break. Jason approached Styllaph with a hopeful look and longing in his eyes.
"How is she?" he asked in a cracked voice.
"I honestly don't know. She left a message for me to be ready to help you so I didn't really see her. She's in the Abyss realm. No one can contact her there" she replied honestly. Any semblance of hope dimmed in his eyes and his shoulders slumped.
"Would she be safe?"
Styllaph honestly didn't know how to answer that question. She couldn't tell him of the dangers of the Abyss realm. It was one of the most dangerous places in the multiverse, second only to the Underwaild. Xunia would have a hard time surviving there even with her Lady of the Abyss title. It was made up of pure darkness, void, space and time. It could break and bend the mind, tear apart the soul, body and spirit and bring it back again.
"We can only hope she would be. It's hard to tell with her. I think she'll try to survive because of you" she replied him. He gave her a short nod and went to rest. Seeing him like that made Miwi's heart ache but she couldn't do anything to help him.