Journey to the Frozen Wastes
The journey through the frozen wastes was unforgiving. The wind howled like a living beast, tearing at their cloaks and biting at their exposed skin. The endless expanse of ice and snow stretched before them, broken only by jagged peaks and the occasional skeletal remains of creatures long dead.
Eryon trudged beside his sister, his steps deliberate and his gaze sharp. “Why here?” he muttered under his breath.
Seraphine, walking ahead, turned to face them, her expression serene despite the frigid wind. “Because this is where power lies,” she said simply. “Eira has the wisdom we need to wield the artifact properly.”
Lyra hugged her cloak tighter, her silver eyes narrowing as she watched Seraphine lead them forward. She couldn’t shake the unease curling in her stomach. “And why would she help us?”
Seraphine stopped abruptly, her expression softening as she placed a hand on Lyra’s shoulder. “Because she’s family,” she said, her voice laden with emotion. “Eira understands the betrayal I’ve endured. She’s suffered too. Together, we can set things right.”
The explanation didn’t quell Lyra’s doubts, but she remained silent, her steps crunching through the ice as they continued.
After hours of grueling travel, they arrived at the mouth of a massive cavern carved into the side of an icy cliff. The entrance was adorned with jagged, crystalline formations that glimmered faintly in the dim light.
Seraphine gestured for them to follow as she stepped inside. The air grew warmer the deeper they ventured, the walls of the cavern pulsing with an eerie, otherworldly glow.
At the cavern’s heart stood a tall, imposing figure. Eira’s silver eyes were as sharp as blades, her long, frost-colored hair cascading down her back like a shimmering waterfall. She exuded an aura of power that made the twins instinctively tense.
“Welcome,” Eira said, her voice cold and commanding. Her gaze lingered on Lyra and Eryon, a faint smile curving her lips. “So, these are my grandchildren.”
Her words sent a shiver down Lyra’s spine, but she met Eira’s gaze with defiance. Eryon stood straighter, his wolf instincts on high alert.
Eira’s attention shifted to the artifact in Seraphine’s hands. She stepped closer, her fingers brushing over its surface. The artifact pulsed at her touch, its glow intensifying.
“Good,” Eira murmured, her smile widening. “You’ve brought it here. Now, let me show you the true path to power.”
