I watched cataegis as he stopped and thought. I thought maybe I was at least decent at fighting, but this made me hesitate. Maybe I wasn't so strong. If I want to escape or protect myself I need to get stronger. I sat down and looked at the ice I was sitting on. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to try to feel it at a deeper level. To really feel the cold, let it penetrate my scales, crawl deep and spread. The desire to shiver continues to grow.

I could feel the chill keep working itself across my body. I try to think about the time I was frozen in the ice, how it felt to genuinely be cold. I could feel what should be my soul space. I focused on it, genuinely. Let the cold get to my core. Soon I felt my senses change as I opened my eyes, a little startled by the change.

I looked around, a bit startled, I saw Cataegis watching me curiously. I wasn't sure what had happened. I think I stopped feeling cold. No that wasn't it, it was more like the cold stopped being cold. The wind chill seemed to not really matter anymore either.

“Ah, did I interrupt your thinking?” I asked him, curious as to why he stopped what he was doing.

“I think, and I could be wrong, you just froze your soul space. I believe that every bit of water mana inside of you has completely frozen. You no longer have water mana. If you want to do that water trick of freezing my feet with almost frozen water, then you will have to thaw some, or add enough water to have it not freeze. Balance is needed with water and ice. If you do not hold that balance, then one will consume the other. All your ice will melt, or the water will freeze over.” He said, teaching me what is important.

I nodded and thought it over. He was correct, I was so focused on the cold I was not paying attention to what was happening to the water. I was only focused on the ice. It took a while, so I don't think I can quickly convert water to ice or ice to water without having the fine balance as he told me.

“Is there a way to undo this? Other than get more water and try to warm up?” I asked, curiously I was really wanting to know how to adjust to this.

“Well, the best you can do is find the right environment for practicing your mana control. From what I have seen, you really haven't. You spent most of your time in ice and cold environments. How much time have you spent really focusing on your own soul space?” He asked.

“I really have not spent much time with water. I did it often when I was at home, but there was not a lot of it. It was really hard to find some. Since being here, I spent most of my time near my home, which is a cave of ice. I spent some time near a lake, but not much. So you're saying I should spend time in the ocean to try to create a balance?” I asked curious.

“No. You should spend time near water, and try to fill your soul space with enough water so it doesn't freeze over. Where you do that could be anywhere with enough water mana to use.” He replied.

I nodded. That makes sense. The ocean would be a lot, but I had spent a lot of time sleeping and practicing most with ice, and have been using all of my water. So without taking more in, I was bound to end up only with ice.

“Is there any more training today?” I asked curiously to see if there was.

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“No. You should leave. Go spend some time orienting your soul space. You should also try to learn how to use it more.” He told me.

“Ya, that makes sense. I will do my best.” I tried to assure him.

“No. Don't do your best. I want you to only come back, when you are ready to practice like your life depends on it.” He told me, his face told me he was serious.

That makes sense, he probably doesn't want to spend his time and mana dealing with an ice dragoness who doesn’t know what she is doing. I steeled my nerves. I had to do more before I was ready.

“Before you get any ideas. I am only telling you this, because I want you to take this training seriously. I have seen dragons who didn’t end up not surviving. I am telling you this, because I want you to survive. I actually like you. So do come back here. I prefer that you remain alive while doing so. ” He said, looking at me very seriously.

“I will. I really want to get stronger.” I reassured him.

I watched him nod, before suddenly finding myself back inside the old ruins. The crumbling old building, still standing strong after all of this time. It's impressive. I bet this place is filled with stories untold. I look at the body of what must be Cataegis’ skeleton coated in ice like a frozen statue. I bowed my head in respect.

I turned around and looked at the features of the castle. I was surprised that mortals could build something and have it last so long. I know my home, my original one, is also very old. I think it might have been an off fact my mom, dragon, or god had said in passing at some point.

I made my way to the front door of the building. The amazing sight that awaited me when I left the build had surprised me. The huge distance to the sandstone ceiling above seemed to stretch on forever. The pillars of stone that hold up the ceiling, with the creaks and groans filling the air. Little bits of sand which rained down, visible due to the hole which I had opened casting it light down into the depths below.

I smiled, enjoying the beauty of where I am. It's an amazing view. I am so grateful I found this. I walked some more, getting clear of the large castle, and making my way through what looked like some ruined buildings and platforms. After getting clear of the very old buildings, I jumped and took to the air. I was careful to not touch anything as I climbed my way up, and through the opening, freeing myself of the grip the earth held over that great cavern.

I kept climbing up into the sky. Letting the wonderful feeling of the sun basking my scales with its warmth. I smiled, it was really nice, I got to speak to another dragon. I have work to do, but looking at myself I can see how much my scales look and feel like they are frosted, allowing my body to sparkle and gleam in the sunlight.

Getting far enough away to finally see some different terrain, I turn and start flying in that direction. I saw some green trees, and grass in the direction that we are going in. I was so happy to see something green finally.