Trinity of Magic

Two weeks had passed since Zeke's meeting with Snow, and now, nearly all his preparations were complete. He had solidified his deal with Winter, reached an understanding with Snow, and secured the safety of his base within the Tribe.

Now, only one a few tasks remained before he could leave—and one of them was staring him in the face at this very moment.

Before him lay the makeshift prison camp, where the surviving Frostscale tribesmen were gathered. The once fierce warriors now appeared utterly defeated, bereft of any fighting spirit. Most had coiled their serpentine lower halves beneath them, creating makeshift seats as they stared vacantly into the distance.

The sight was a somber one.

Even though Zeke had faced them as enemies, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for these people. None of them had fought out of genuine hatred for the Icefang tribe; they had merely followed the commands of their Progenitor. And yet, they were all fated to die regardless.

Well, at least half of them were.

Zeke swept his gaze over the gathered crowd. There were some faces he remembered, such as the few mid-level officers he had negotiated with before, but most of the arrayed warriors were completely unknown to him. However, that would change soon.

Under his agreement with Winter, Zeke was permitted to take half of the prisoners, and he had no intention of squandering this opportunity. He would ensure that the most capable among them would not go to waste. For this task, Akasha's talents would be invaluable.

"You can begin," he instructed her mentally.

Moments later, he felt a slight pull on his Core as the spirit got to work. With her Spatial Perception, Akasha would identify the strongest among them and start questioning them about their combat experience, rank, and any specialized skills. Given her efficiency, she would quickly isolate the most valuable individuals.

As the minutes passed, Zeke noticed a shift in the prisoners' demeanor. Many began casting cautious glances his way. Akasha must have already started her interviews, likely sparking curiosity among the captives. Zeke's presence here was essential to reassure them that this wasn't some false hope. He was a familiar face, and they would remember the display of his Blood Magic in their last encounter.

His silent, steady presence—along with the unmistakable weight of his draconic aura—would make it far easier to persuade them to consider his offer.

While Akasha worked, Zeke's gaze drifted sideways to Gravitas, who stood beside him. He had asked her to accompany him, and though she'd shown reluctance at first, none of that hesitation was visible now. Her posture was tense, her eyes sharp and focused as she stared intently at a particular spot among the prisoners.

Following her gaze, Zeke spotted a woman lying on the ground. He hadn't noticed her before, but the fact that she had legs instead of a serpent's tail marked her as one of the rare Purebloods among the Frostscale Tribe.

Curious as to why he'd missed her until now, Zeke took a closer look and realized the extent of her injuries. She was unconscious, her body battered with multiple broken bones, and even her skull showed signs of trauma. Without proper treatment, it was questionable whether she'd survive, let alone recover fully.

"Who is she?" he asked aloud.

Gravitas, startled, quickly looked away from the unconscious woman, seeming to have been lost in thought.

"I fought her on the first day of the siege, Master," Gravitas replied. "I didn't think she had survived."

Zeke raised an eyebrow. "Is that your work?" he asked, gesturing to the woman's shattered body.

Gravitas nodded silently.

"How was she?"

Gravitas's expression turned serious. "Strong. I might not have won if she'd known about my abilities. She might have even been more powerful than Razeth."

Zeke's expression mirrored her seriousness. This was exactly the kind of talent he was searching for. If not for bringing Gravitas along, he might have overlooked the Pureblood due to her poor condition. But if he could secure a warrior on Gravitas's level, he would spare no effort in restoring her health.

"What do you think, Akasha?"