The Glacier Fields were a challenge Kael and his companions were prepared for, but the sea—wild, untamed, and merciless—was an entirely different beast. After leaving the Aeshkal and heading farther north, they realized their journey would take them across the frozen waters of the Northern Sea. Queen Alara had sent word to a Valorian port, instructing the last remaining northern ships to assist them in reaching the mysterious temple. Yet, even the most hardened sailors hesitated at the thought of crossing the treacherous waters during such an unnatural storm.
"We've survived blizzards, beasts, and magic," Borin grumbled as they stood at the icy harbor, watching the violent waves crash against the shoreline. "But this? This is madness."
The port town of Frostport was nearly deserted, its inhabitants having retreated inland as the storms intensified. The few ships still docked swayed uneasily in the harbor, their sails flapping furiously against the fierce northern winds. The cold here was biting, even more so than in the Glacier Fields, and the air carried the scent of salt and snow.
Kael pulled his cloak tighter around himself, eyeing the sea with unease. "We don't have a choice. The temple is on an island far beyond the northern shores. The only way to reach it is by sea."
Lyra, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. "We'll have to trust the sailors to get us there. This magic is ancient, and if we wait too long, we risk the Frozen One awakening completely."
As they made their way to the largest ship in the harbor, a weathered man stepped forward from the crew, his face lined with years of exposure to the harsh sea. He was tall, with graying hair and a thick beard, and his eyes glinted with a mix of suspicion and resignation.
"I'm Captain Thorne," he said in a gruff voice, his gaze flicking over the group. "Queen Alara sent word about you lot. Told us to take you north, to some gods-forsaken island. Normally, I'd refuse. No sane captain would sail in this weather. But, orders are orders. If the queen wants you on that island, I'll get you there."
Borin crossed his arms, his face grim. "And you're confident your ship can handle this storm?"
Thorne let out a rough chuckle. "The *Iron Tide* has seen worse than this. She'll get us there, if the sea doesn't decide to swallow us whole first."
Kael nodded, knowing they had no other option. "We leave as soon as possible."
The crew worked quickly, preparing the ship for departure as the storm began to intensify. The waves crashed violently against the hull, and the wind howled through the rigging, but the sailors moved with practiced precision, securing lines and adjusting sails.
As they set sail, the sea seemed to roar in protest, the ship rocking dangerously as it plunged into the stormy waters. Kael and his companions held on tightly, the cold spray of the sea stinging their faces as they braced themselves against the wind.
"This is madness!" Seraphina shouted, her usually confident demeanor replaced by a look of sheer frustration. "We'll be lucky if we don't end up at the bottom of the ocean!"
Thorian, who had taken refuge near the ship's railing, muttered a quick prayer to the gods of the sea. "If there are ancient forces at work here, they don't want us crossing these waters."
The *Iron Tide* groaned and creaked as it fought against the waves, its crew shouting commands to one another as they battled to keep the ship on course. Captain Thorne stood at the helm, his hands gripping the wheel tightly, his eyes fixed on the dark horizon.
"Hold steady!" he barked, his voice carrying over the storm. "We'll make it through!"
But as the storm grew worse, the sea seemed to come alive. Massive waves rose up like towering walls, threatening to capsize the ship with every surge. The wind screamed, and the sky was filled with flashes of lightning, illuminating the dark, angry clouds above.
Kael stood at the bow, his hand on his sword hilt, feeling the primal energy of the sea. There was something unnatural about this storm, something beyond the normal fury of the ocean. The waves felt almost sentient, as if they were trying to stop them from reaching their destination.
Lyra, her brow furrowed in concentration, closed her eyes and extended her magical senses. "There's something in the water," she said, her voice strained. "I can feel it—something ancient, something powerful."
Before Kael could respond, a massive wave crashed into the side of the ship, sending them all sprawling. The ship tilted dangerously, and for a moment, it seemed as though it would be swallowed by the sea. But Captain Thorne, with a bellowing curse, steered the ship back on course, narrowly avoiding disaster.
"Get below deck!" Thorne shouted at the companions. "The sea's only going to get worse from here!"
But even as they scrambled to find cover, something else emerged from the depths.
A monstrous creature rose up from the sea, its enormous body covered in slick, black scales. Its head was massive, with glowing yellow eyes and jagged teeth that gleamed in the flashes of lightning. The creature let out a deafening roar, and the very sea seemed to tremble in response.
"What in the name of the gods is that?!" Borin yelled, drawing his axe.
"It's a sea serpent," Thorian said, his voice filled with awe and terror. "A creature of legend. They're supposed to be extinct!"
The serpent lunged at the ship, its massive body coiling around the hull. The crew shouted in panic as the creature's scales scraped against the wood, its enormous head rearing back to strike.
Kael drew his sword, its blade gleaming with a faint light as he stood his ground. "We've faced worse! Keep it away from the ship!"
Seraphina was already moving, her daggers flashing as she leaped toward the serpent, aiming for its eyes. The creature roared in anger, thrashing its head as it tried to shake her off. Borin joined the fray, his axe biting into the serpent's scales, though his strikes barely seemed to penetrate its thick hide.
Lyra, her hands glowing with magical energy, began to chant, sending bolts of fire toward the creature. The flames struck the serpent, causing it to recoil, but it was far from defeated. The serpent lashed out with its tail, slamming into the deck and sending several sailors flying into the sea.
"We can't fight it like this!" Thorian shouted, struggling to stay on his feet as the ship rocked violently. "We need to drive it back into the depths!"
Kael gritted his teeth, slashing at the serpent's coils as he shouted to Lyra. "Can you do it? Can you use your magic to force it back?"
Lyra hesitated, the strain of the battle evident on her face. "I can try, but I'll need time!"
"Do it!" Kael ordered, stepping in front of her to give her cover.
Lyra began chanting again, her hands glowing with an intense light as she called upon the elemental forces of the sea. The serpent, sensing the growing power, let out another roar and lunged at her, but Kael and Borin intercepted it, striking at its head with everything they had.
Finally, with a deafening crack of thunder, Lyra unleashed her magic. A massive wave, far larger than any they had seen before, rose up from the sea and crashed into the serpent, sending it tumbling back into the depths.
The sea went still for a moment, the storm quieting as the creature disappeared beneath the waves.
Breathing heavily, Kael looked around at his companions. The ship was battered, the crew exhausted, but they had survived.
For now.