Chapter 36: Into the Frozen Wilds
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Narration Mode Activated
"Ever notice how every 'great adventure' involves terrible weather, questionable allies, and a sense of impending doom? Guess where we're headed."
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The northern mountains aren't exactly close. It's a full day's journey, assuming nothing goes wrong—which, of course, it will.
We leave Kira's safehouse under the cover of night. Kael takes the lead, his cloak blending into the darkness like a shadow come to life. Kira walks beside him, her expression a mix of caution and irritation.
Blobby bounces along next to me, muttering, "Boss, this guy is super creepy. Why are we following him?"
"Because he hasn't tried to kill us yet," I reply.
"Yet!"
"Shh!"
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The streets are eerily quiet, the orb's faint glow tucked safely under Kael's cloak. Its whispers are muffled but still there, a low, insidious hum that makes my skin crawl.
Kira breaks the silence. "Are you sure about this route? The patrols have been heavy lately."
Kael doesn't look at her. "Trust me, they won't see us."
"Trust you?" she scoffs. "That's rich coming from a guy who showed up uninvited."
He finally glances at her, his green eyes glowing faintly. "If I wanted you dead, you'd already be dead."
"Comforting," I mutter.
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We make it out of the city without incident, though the tension is palpable. Kael leads us to a narrow path winding up into the mountains. The air grows colder with every step, and snow begins to fall, coating the ground in a thin layer of white.
Blobby shivers, its usually vibrant blue hue dimming. "Boss, it's freezing!"
"You're a slime," I point out. "You don't even have a body temperature."
"I can still feel cold!"
"Sure you can," I mutter, pulling my coat tighter around me.
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Narration Mode Activated
"Nothing like a little frostbite to really bring a group together. Add in Blobby's whining and Kira's endless suspicion, and this is shaping up to be the worst road trip ever."
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The path grows steeper, and the snow thickens, crunching underfoot. Kael stops suddenly, holding up a hand.
"Something's wrong," he says.
Kira reaches for her dagger. "What is it?"
He doesn't answer, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead.
I glance at Blobby. "Stay close."
"Don't have to tell me twice," it whispers, clinging to my leg.
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A low growl echoes through the trees, sending a chill down my spine.
Kael draws a long, curved blade from beneath his cloak. "Wolves."
"Wolves?" I repeat. "That doesn't sound so bad."
"Not ordinary wolves," he says grimly. "Shadow wolves. They're drawn to dark magic—and they're relentless."
"Of course they are," I mutter.
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The first wolf emerges from the shadows, its eyes glowing red. Its fur is black as night, blending almost seamlessly into the darkness.
Kira curses under her breath, drawing her dagger. "This just keeps getting better."
The wolf snarls, baring razor-sharp teeth. More appear behind it, their growls filling the air.
Blobby trembles. "Boss, I don't like this!"
"Join the club," I reply, stepping in front of it.
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Narration Mode Activated
"Because what's a cursed artifact quest without a life-or-death battle against magical predators? Classic."
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Kael moves first, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The lead wolf lunges at him, but he sidesteps effortlessly, driving his blade into its side.
Kira takes on two wolves at once, her movements quick and calculated. She's clearly done this before.
Meanwhile, I'm trying not to die.
One of the wolves charges at me, and I barely manage to dodge. I throw a weak blast of mana at it, but it only seems to make it angrier.
Blobby bounces frantically beside me. "Boss, do something!"
"I'm open to suggestions!" I shout, dodging another attack.
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Kael glances at me, his expression unreadable. "Use your power, Akira. Or are you too afraid?"
"Excuse me?" I snap.
"You're holding back," he says. "Stop."
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Narration Mode Activated
"Because nothing motivates you like a glowing-eyed stranger questioning your courage in the middle of a wolf attack. Thanks, Kael."
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I grit my teeth, focusing my mana. The air around me heats up, and a faint blue aura forms around my hands.
The wolf lunges again, and this time, I'm ready. I unleash a blast of fire, sending it skidding back with a yelp.
"Ha!" I shout, feeling a surge of confidence. "Take that!"
Another wolf growls, and I immediately lose said confidence.
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Kael dispatches the last wolf with a swift, brutal strike, his blade glowing faintly as he wipes it clean.
Kira sheathes her dagger, her breathing heavy. "Is everyone okay?"
Blobby bounces up and down. "Boss was amazing! Did you see that fire? So cool!"
I collapse onto a nearby rock, panting. "Yeah, cool. Let's never do that again."
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Kael stares at me, his expression unreadable. "You're stronger than you realize."
"Great," I mutter. "Tell that to my sore everything."
Kira smirks. "At least now we know you're not completely useless."
"Thanks," I say dryly.
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Narration Mode Activated
"So, to recap: we survived the wolves, Kael thinks I have potential, and Kira still thinks I'm an idiot. All in all, a typical day."
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We continue up the mountain, the snow falling heavier now. The orb's whispers are quieter, but they're still there—a constant reminder of what's at stake.
Kael leads the way, his movements as fluid and precise as ever.
"Do you ever get tired?" I ask.
"No," he replies without looking back.
"Figures," I mutter.
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As the sun begins to rise, we reach a narrow ridge overlooking a vast, snow-covered valley.
"There," Kael says, pointing to a crumbling structure in the distance. "The temple."
"It doesn't look very secure," Kira says, squinting.
"It's not the temple itself that's secure," Kael explains. "It's the wards around it. They'll keep the orb contained—if we can activate them."
"Let me guess," I say. "That's my job, too?"
He nods.
"Of course it is," I mutter.
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Narration Mode Activated
"A cursed artifact, a decrepit temple, and a group dynamic that's one snarky comment away from implosion. What could possibly go wrong?"
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End of Chapter 36