CHAPTER 51
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Morning broke over the Frozen Wastes, casting a pale light over the camp. The fire had long since burned out, leaving only a faint warmth in the air. I was the first to rise, as usual, my body refreshed from the night’s rest, though I hadn't truly slept. My Auto-Heal took care of any physical exhaustion, leaving my mind sharper than the others who now began to stir from their slumber. The encounter from the night before lingered in my thoughts, the messenger’s words echoing through my mind.
"Greater forces at play," I muttered to myself, pulling my cloak tighter as the cold wind cut through the camp. My thoughts returned to the cryptic figure—their eyes, their voice, and the weight of their warning. Was I really tangled in something far bigger than I realized? Or were they trying to push me off course, to confuse me?
I clenched my jaw. No. My goal hadn’t changed. The demon was still out there. Whatever “forces” the messenger spoke of, I’d deal with them if they came. For now, I needed to keep moving forward.
The others began to wake up slowly, one by one. Tarek groaned as he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, while Sari pulled her furs closer, trying to ward off the biting cold. I could see the exhaustion in their faces—traveling through the Wastes took its toll, even on seasoned traders.
"You look as fresh as ever, Niv," Tarek said with a half-smile as he stretched. "I swear you sleep with one eye open."
I didn’t respond, merely nodded. The truth was, I hadn’t slept at all. Between the Primal Entity’s lingering presence and the mysterious figure from last night, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down. But there was no need to concern them with those details. They had enough to worry about.
As the camp was packed up, Sari came over, brushing snow off her cloak. "You seemed restless last night," she observed quietly, her eyes flicking over me curiously. "Did something happen?"
For a moment, I considered telling her about the figure—the messenger who had come in the dead of night—but I shook my head. Secrecy. That was always the rule. I had already shared too much with these people by using my abilities openly during the battle. There was no need to feed their curiosity further.
"Just the cold," I replied, my voice calm and even. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
She didn’t press further, though I could tell she wasn’t fully convinced. Sari had sharp instincts for a trader, always watching, always aware of her surroundings. She knew something was off, but I was careful to keep my tone and expression neutral.
The group set off soon after, marching through the snow toward the next village. Our progress was slow, the deep drifts and biting wind making each step feel like a slog. But I welcomed the monotony. It gave me time to think, to plan. The Frozen Wastes stretched endlessly ahead of us, and while the others focused on the road, I kept my senses attuned to the Aetheric Flow, watching for any signs of disturbance.
As we trudged on, Tarek struck up a conversation with one of the guards, talking about the various regions of the north. I listened in, hoping to pick up more about the landscape and what lay ahead. Information was power, especially in a world as vast and dangerous as this.
"You’ve been to the Eastern Wastes, right?" Tarek asked the guard, a tall man with a long scar running down his face.
"Aye," the guard grunted, adjusting his pack. "I’ve seen parts of it. Nothing but ice and rock for miles. They say the ice there has magic of its own—freezes your blood if you’re not careful. Strange things happen out there."
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"Strange how?" I found myself asking, breaking my silence. If there were other parts of the Wastes affected by magic, I needed to know.
The guard glanced at me, his brow furrowing. "Can’t say for sure. But there are stories—people disappearing, strange lights in the sky. Some say the ice holds ancient power, like it’s alive. Most don’t last long out there. It’s not a place for the faint of heart."
I nodded, storing the information away. The Frozen Wastes were dangerous enough, but the Eastern Wastes sounded even worse. I’d have to keep that in mind for the future.
By midday, we had reached a small rise, giving us a clear view of the landscape ahead. A village lay in the distance, nestled in a valley between two frozen peaks. Smoke rose lazily from its chimneys, a faint sign of life in the otherwise desolate land. I could feel the tension in the group ease slightly at the sight of civilization, but I remained on edge.
The village looked peaceful enough, but I knew better than to trust appearances. The Wastes were full of dangers, many of them hidden just below the surface. And after last night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching.
As we descended into the valley, the wind picked up again, howling between the peaks like the cries of some distant creature. The path became steeper, the snow more treacherous underfoot, and the group slowed to a crawl as we navigated the narrow trail.
Sari fell in step beside me, her eyes scanning the horizon. "You’ve been quiet," she said after a moment, her voice low.
I glanced at her, unsure of how much to say. "Just thinking."
"About what?"
I hesitated, then decided to offer her something—just enough to satisfy her curiosity without revealing too much. "About what’s waiting for us. We’ve had too much silence these past few days."
Sari nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I’ve been thinking the same. Something doesn’t feel right, does it?"
I didn’t respond, but she didn’t need an answer. We both knew the truth. The Wastes had a way of lulling people into a false sense of security, only to strike when they least expected it.
As we neared the village, the tension in my chest grew. I kept my eyes on the path ahead, my senses open to any changes in the Aetheric Flow. There was something in the air, something faint but growing stronger. It wasn’t just the cold or the wind—it was something deeper, something magical.
We reached the outskirts of the village as the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the snow. The villagers watched us with wary eyes as we approached, their faces etched with caution and suspicion. It was clear that they were used to strangers, but not comfortable with them.
An older man, likely the village elder, stepped forward to greet us. His gaze swept over our group, lingering on me for a moment before he spoke.
"Welcome to Keldara," he said, his voice rough from years spent in the cold. "We don’t get many travelers this time of year."
"We’re just passing through," Tarek replied, his tone polite but guarded. "We’ve been on the road for some time."
The elder nodded slowly, his gaze still fixed on me. "I see. Well, you’re welcome to rest here for the night. But be warned—there are dangers in these mountains, especially after dark."
My instincts sharpened at his words. "What kind of dangers?" I asked, stepping forward.
The elder’s eyes flicked to me again, a hint of hesitation in his expression. "Strange things have been happening. People have gone missing. We’ve heard whispers... and seen shadows moving where there shouldn’t be any."
I exchanged a glance with Sari, her expression mirroring my own unease.
"How long has this been happening?" I asked, my voice steady.
The elder’s gaze darkened. "A few weeks now. It started after one of the villagers disappeared on a hunting trip. He never returned, and since then... others have gone missing too."
I nodded, feeling the familiar weight of impending danger settle over me. "We’ll keep that in mind."
As the group settled into the village for the night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the shadows were closing in. Whatever was happening here, it wasn’t natural. And it wasn’t over.
The Frozen Wastes were a place of mystery and danger. But now, with each passing day, I was beginning to realize that the deeper I went, the more secrets I uncovered. And the more powerful the forces at play became.
Whatever was waiting for me out here, I would be ready.