CHAPTER 41

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The morning sun broke through the thick blanket of clouds, casting a pale, golden light over the icy landscape. The air was still frigid, biting at my skin as I gathered my things. The traders were already packing up, their faces drawn and tired, though a sense of relief lingered after the previous night’s encounter with the Frost Wraith.

I adjusted my cloak, pulling the hood lower over my head to shield myself from the cold. My thoughts were still wrapped around the conversation from the night before—the mention of the North Heart, a place where the cold was said to have a will of its own. It was only a rumor, but something about it gnawed at the back of my mind. The Frozen Wastes felt alive, as if the magic here was watching, waiting for something. I needed to understand it better if I was to survive here.

Sari approached me, her breath visible in the crisp morning air. “We’ll be leaving soon,” she said, tightening the straps on her pack. “I hope we don’t run into anything else like that Wraith.”

I nodded, though my mind was elsewhere. “There’s more ahead, I’m sure of it.”

She gave me a look, her lips pressed into a thin line. “I’m starting to think you enjoy all this danger.”

“I don’t,” I replied, my voice quiet. “But I need to be ready for it.”

Sari chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. “You’ve got a strange way of looking at things, Niv. But I guess that’s why you’re the one leading us through this nightmare.”

The journey continued, the wind biting at my face as we moved deeper into the Frozen Wastes. I had been walking for hours, my senses attuned to the Aetheric Flow, but so far, there were no signs of another disturbance. The magic here was quieter than the previous day, though I could still feel it humming beneath the surface, like a slumbering beast.

Leira walked beside me, her eyes scanning the horizon. “I’ve been through these parts before,” she said, breaking the silence. “Not this far north, though. What are you really looking for out here?”

I didn’t answer immediately, my gaze fixed on the distant mountains. “I’m looking for a way to get stronger. There are things in this world—things I need to understand before I can do what I need to do.”

She raised an eyebrow, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her sword. “Sounds personal. You’re not just in this for the money or the glory, are you?”

I shook my head. “No. It’s never been about that.”

Leira seemed to consider my words for a moment before nodding. “You’re different from most of the adventurers I’ve met. They come out here looking to make a name for themselves. You, though... you seem like you already know what you’re after.”

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“Maybe,” I said, glancing at her. “But that doesn’t make it any easier.”

We continued walking in silence, the snow crunching beneath our boots. Despite her skepticism, I could tell Leira was beginning to trust me—or at least, she didn’t see me as reckless anymore. She had seen how I fought, how I handled the Frost Wraith, and maybe that was enough for now.

As the day wore on, we encountered another group of travelers heading south. Their clothes were thick, bundled against the cold, and their faces bore the marks of long exposure to the elements. One of them, a middle-aged man with a thick beard, waved us down as we approached.

“Travelers!” he called out, his voice hoarse from the cold. “Heading north, are you?”

I nodded, stepping forward. “We are. What news do you bring?”

The man frowned, glancing back at his companions before looking at me. “Not good news, I’m afraid. There’s talk of a new threat up ahead—something worse than the usual beasts and wraiths.”

My interest piqued, I gestured for him to continue. “What kind of threat?”

The man lowered his voice, his eyes darting around as if the very mention of it might summon the danger. “There’s been sightings of an Ice Revenant. It’s been terrorizing the northern villages, destroying everything in its path. They say it’s the embodiment of the frozen magic here, and it can’t be killed by normal means.”

I narrowed my eyes, thinking. An Ice Revenant was a rare and powerful creature, one that required more than just brute strength to defeat. They were born from the deepest, most ancient magic of the Frozen Wastes—magic that was tied to the land itself.

“Where was it last seen?” I asked, my voice steady.

“Near the ruins of Frostholm,” the man replied, shivering as he spoke the name. “The village has been abandoned for years, but travelers still pass through sometimes. The Revenant has been spotted there more than once.”

I glanced at Leira, who gave me a nod. She knew what this meant. Another challenge awaited us up ahead, and this time, it would be far more dangerous than the Frost Wraith.

“Thank you for the warning,” I said to the man, offering him a short nod of respect. “We’ll be prepared.”

The man gave me a strange look, as if he wasn’t sure whether to admire my confidence or question my sanity. “Be careful out there. The Frozen Wastes don’t take kindly to those who wander too far.”

That evening, as we set up camp, I took some time to reflect on the information we’d gathered. An Ice Revenant wasn’t just another monster—it was a creature born from the same magic that seemed to govern the Frozen Wastes. Fighting it wouldn’t be like fighting the Wraith. It would require more than just skill with a blade or even the use of my magic. I would need to understand the magic of this place better if I had any chance of defeating it.

Sari approached the fire, her face illuminated by the flickering light. “You’re thinking about the Revenant, aren’t you?”

I nodded, not bothering to hide my thoughts. “It’s going to be a problem.”

“Do you think you can beat it?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “But I’ll figure it out. I have to.”

She smiled softly, though her eyes remained serious. “Well, if anyone can, I’m betting it’s you.”

I didn’t respond, my mind already turning over the possibilities. The Revenant was tied to the cold magic of this land. If I wanted to defeat it, I would need to adapt—just like I had with the Wraith. But this time, I had a feeling it would take more than just understanding. I would need to push myself further, tap into something deeper within the Aetheric Flow. The thought made my pulse quicken, though whether it was from fear or excitement, I couldn’t tell.

Tomorrow, we would head toward Frostholm, and I would face the Ice Revenant. But for now, I needed to rest. The real challenge was still ahead.