The morning air was crisp as Yome and Elara ascended the narrow path winding through the mountains. The sun barely peeked through the thick clouds that clung to the peaks, casting the landscape in a muted, silvery light. The higher they climbed, the thinner the air became, and the chill of the altitude began to bite at their exposed skin. The once lush greenery of the lower mountain was now replaced by jagged rocks and patches of stubborn snow that clung to the shaded crevices.
The duo moved with purpose, the events of Blossom Garden still fresh in their minds. Elara led the way, her eyes sharp and focused, while Yome followed closely, his senses attuned to any potential threats. They both knew that the path to the statue of the Weeping Angel would be fraught with danger, but they were determined to see their quest through.
As they climbed, the terrain became more treacherous. The path narrowed to little more than a rocky ledge, and the wind picked up, howling through the mountain passes like a living thing. Snow began to fall, light at first but gradually thickening into a blizzard that made it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.
"This weather is getting worse," Yome muttered, pulling his cloak tighter around him as the wind whipped at his face. "We need to find shelter before it gets too bad."
Elara glanced back at him, her expression serious. "We're getting closer to the peak. The statue should be nearby, but I agree—we can't keep going like this. We'll freeze if we don't find cover."
They pressed on, their steps cautious as they navigated the icy path. The snow was now knee-deep, slowing their progress and making each step a struggle. The cold seeped through their clothing, biting at their skin and sapping their strength. Despite the freezing conditions, they kept their focus, knowing that the statue was their goal and that they couldn't afford to turn back.
Suddenly, Yome felt a shift in the air—an unnatural stillness that set his nerves on edge. He stopped in his tracks, his instincts telling him that something wasn't right.
"Elara," he called out, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. "Do you feel that?"
Elara, who had also sensed the change, nodded. "Yes. We're not alone."
Before Yome could respond, the snow around them began to stir, swirling into small whirlwinds that quickly grew in size and intensity. The ground beneath their feet trembled, and from the depths of the snow emerged figures—hulking, icy beasts with bodies made of snow and rock, their eyes glowing with a cold, blue light.
Yome's heart raced as he took in the sight of the creatures. They were roughly humanoid in shape, with massive arms and legs that ended in jagged, icy claws. Their bodies seemed to blend with the snow around them, making it difficult to discern where the beasts ended and the storm began.
Elara drew her sword, the blade shimmering with a faint red glow as she channeled her mana into it. "Frost Giants," she said, her voice calm but firm. "They're made of snow and ice, but they're bound to earth and wind magic. Be careful—they're tough, but we can take them."
Yome nodded, his mind racing as he prepared for the fight. "Right. Let's do this."
The Frost Giants let out a deep, rumbling growl as they advanced on the duo, their massive forms moving with surprising speed through the snow. Yome quickly activated his "Wind Blade" skill, sending a sharp gust of wind slicing through the air toward the nearest giant. The attack struck the creature's arm, sending chunks of ice and snow flying, but it barely slowed the giant down.
Elara wasted no time, charging at another Frost Giant with her sword raised high. She unleashed a "Flame Burst" at close range, the fire exploding outward and melting the snow around the giant's torso. The creature let out a roar of pain as the flames scorched its icy form, but it retaliated with a powerful swing of its arm, forcing Elara to leap back to avoid the blow.
"These things are resilient!" Yome shouted, dodging a swipe from one of the giants as it lunged at him with its claws.
Elara nodded, her breath visible in the frigid air. "They're bound to the elements. We need to use our magic wisely. Yome, try to weaken them with your wind magic—I'll focus on breaking them down with fire."
Yome activated his "Gale Barrier", creating a protective shield of wind around him as he prepared his next move. He could feel the cold pressing in on him, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the fight. With a swift motion, he unleashed another "Wind Blade", this time aiming for the legs of the Frost Giant closest to him.
The wind-slashed through the creature's knees, sending it toppling to the ground with a thunderous crash. The impact caused the snow around it to explode outward, momentarily blinding the other giants and giving Elara the opening she needed.
Elara seized the opportunity, her sword blazing with fiery energy as she invoked "Inferno Strike". The blade cleaved through the air, striking the fallen Frost Giant with devastating force. The fire consumed the creature, melting its icy body into steam and leaving nothing but a smoldering pile of rocks and snow.
Yome couldn't help but marvel at Elara's power, even as he readied himself for the next attack. The remaining giants roared in fury, their glowing eyes locked onto the duo as they advanced once more.
Knowing that they couldn't afford to be overwhelmed, Yome activated his "Echo of the Fallen" skill, targeting one of the injured Frost Giants. As he did, he felt a surge of energy as the creature's knowledge and skills flowed into him. He could feel the connection to the earth and wind magic that bound the giants, and he knew that he could now use this knowledge to his advantage.
With newfound confidence, Yome combined his wind magic with the earth magic he had absorbed, summoning a powerful gust of wind that carried chunks of rock and ice toward the giants. The debris struck the creatures with incredible force, shattering their icy armor and leaving them vulnerable.
Elara saw the opening and moved in for the kill. She raised her sword, the blade now wreathed in flames as she prepared to unleash her most powerful attack. With a fierce cry, she brought the sword down, releasing a "Heat Wave" that spread out in all directions, melting the snow and incinerating the remaining Frost Giants in a burst of fiery energy.
The giants let out one final, collective roar before they disintegrated into steam and ashes, their forms dissolving into the wind. The snowstorm began to die down, the sky above clearing as the last of the giants fell.
Yome and Elara stood amidst the melting snow, their breaths heavy but triumphant. The battle had been intense, but they had emerged victorious.
"That was close," Yome said, wiping the sweat from his brow despite the cold. "But we did it."
As the last remnants of the storm faded, the path ahead became clear once more. In the distance, they could see a large, looming structure partially hidden by the mist. The statue of the Weeping Angel, their goal, was just ahead.
The duo took a moment to catch their breath, gathering their strength for the final stretch of their journey. The air was still cold, but the worst of the storm had passed, and the path before them was now visible.
Yome glanced at Elara, seeing the determination in her eyes. "We're almost there."
Elara nodded, her resolve unshaken. "Let's finish this."
With renewed energy, the duo pressed on, the statue growing larger with each step. As they approached, the details of the monument became clearer. The statue was massive, carved from a single piece of white stone that seemed to glow in the pale light. It depicted a beautiful angel, her wings outstretched, her hands covering her face as if in sorrow. Tears of water flowed from the angel's eyes, creating a small, shimmering pool at the base of the statue.
The sight of the statue filled Yome and Elara with a sense of awe and reverence. The air around it was still, the only sound being the gentle trickle of water as it flowed into the pool.
"This is it," Elara whispered, her voice filled with a mix of wonder and sadness. "The Weeping Angel… the place where the angel weeps for the fallen god."
Yome approached the pool, kneeling beside it as he gazed into the clear water. "It's beautiful… but why is it here? What is its purpose?"
Elara joined him, her eyes scanning the statue for any clues. "I'm not sure… but I feel like we're meant to be here. Like this is a part of our journey, a part of something bigger."