Chapter 18: Sorcery of Snow
Icy gusts of wind sliced through the air, making every step an endeavor as Hiroto, Luna, and Riku trudged up the snow-covered slopes of the Misty Mountains. The higher they climbed, the more perilous their path became, with freezing temperatures threatening to quench Luna's once vibrant magical flames.
Hiroto stumbled for what felt like the hundredth time, sending a flurry of snow around him. "I've battled dragons and demons," he grumbled, pulling himself up with a groan, "but ice? Ice is my nemesis!"
Luna's frustrations paralleled Hiroto's as she channeled her wind magic. A sudden gust blew, not forward as she intended but downward, causing a mini-avalanche of snow to bury Riku's tail. "I swear, this mountain is nerfing my abilities!"
Riku shook the snow off his tail with an amused grin. "You two might want to focus less on complaining and more on listening," he said, tilting his head, ears perked. "The spirits talk of a temple. It might be our best shot at respite."
Following Riku's guidance, and whispers only he seemed to hear, they stumbled upon a marvel hidden within the snow's embrace. Towering pillars of ice, shimmering under a dim sun, framed an entrance to what appeared to be the legendary Temple of Frost. The temple was a breathtaking display of frozen artistry, with walls sculpted in intricate patterns and floors of solid, glass-like ice.
Inside, a serene figure awaited them. The High Priestess, with her ice-blue eyes and silver hair flowing like a glacier, moved gracefully to greet them. "Travelers from the lower realms, what brings you to my domain?"
Luna stepped forward, a mix of determination and desperation in her eyes. "I seek knowledge, a way to harness my powers in this unforgiving land."
The High Priestess looked her over, then nodded. "Winter magic is not about force, but flow. Let the cold guide you, not fight you." Over the next few days, she took Luna under her tutelage, teaching her the subtle nuances of ice and snow manipulation.
Hiroto, ever the inquisitive gamer, couldn't resist asking the High Priestess about the challenges they might face ahead. She met his gaze with a cryptic smile, "A game, young gamer. One you might not be ready for."
As the chapter drew to a close, Luna practiced her newfound skills, casting intricate patterns of frost and summoning small snowstorms at will. Riku, taking the opportunity to rest, conversed more with the mountain spirits, and Hiroto meticulously went over their supplies, preparing for the trials that lay ahead.