Chapter 81 - Kingdom of Eternal Winter
The skyship Aurora sailed silently through a sea of clouds.
Its enchanted white sails caught invisible currents of spiritual wind, carrying the vessel farther north with each passing day.
Below them...
The green forests of the southern kingdoms slowly disappeared.
They were replaced by endless fields of snow.
Frozen rivers glittered beneath the morning sun like rivers of crystal.
Entire mountain ranges stood covered in ice that had never melted for thousands of years.
Selene wrapped her cloak tighter around herself.
"I've never seen snow this deep."
Rowan smiled.
"Welcome to the Frost Dominion."
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts floated beside Kai.
New Region Entered
Frost Dominion
Climate:
Extreme Arctic
Population:
Approximately 18 million
Guardian:
Unknown
Star Fragment:
Possibly Present
Threat Level:
★★★★☆
---
Ignis frowned as he gazed into the distance.
"This land wasn't always frozen."
Kai looked at him.
"What happened?"
The ancient dragon remained silent for a long moment.
"Something stole its spring."
---
Three hours later...
A blizzard descended without warning.
The winds howled like angry spirits.
Visibility dropped to only a few metres.
The Aurora shook violently.
"Captain!" one sailor shouted.
"We've lost the northern current!"
The crystal compass gifted by Elaria suddenly glowed.
Instead of pointing north...
It pointed directly into the storm.
Kai smiled.
"So our destination is inside the blizzard."
---
Without hesitation...
He ordered the ship forward.
The crew exchanged nervous glances.
Nobody argued.
After everything they had witnessed...
They trusted the Beast Sovereign.
---
The storm lasted nearly an hour.
Then...
It vanished.
The crew stared in stunned silence.
Before them floated a breathtaking city carved entirely from blue-white ice.
Gigantic bridges connected towering castles.
Crystal waterfalls flowed without freezing.
Silver phoenixes circled the tallest palace.
At the city's centre stood a tree made entirely of living ice.
It shimmered beneath the northern lights.
Selene whispered,
"It's beautiful..."
---
The Book appeared again.
Location Discovered
Glaciera
Capital of the Frost Dominion
Status:
Royal City
---
As the Aurora approached...
Dozens of armoured riders mounted on Ice Griffins surrounded the ship.
Their leader removed her helmet.
She appeared to be in her mid-twenties.
Her long white hair flowed behind her like fresh snow.
A silver spear rested comfortably in her hand.
The Book analysed her immediately.
Beast Analysis
Name: Freya Wintercrest
Title:
Captain of the Royal Frost Guard
Rank:
Grandmaster Beast Tamer
Contract Beast:
Ice Griffin
Threat Assessment:
High
---
Freya's blue eyes settled on Kai.
"So..."
"The Beast Sovereign finally arrives."
Kai stepped forward.
"I assume we're expected."
Freya gave a small smile.
"By some."
Her expression quickly became serious.
"By others..."
"You're considered a threat."
---
Before Kai could reply...
A deafening bell echoed throughout the city.
BOOOOOONG!
Every Ice Griffin took flight.
Soldiers rushed towards the northern walls.
Freya's face paled.
"No..."
"They're attacking already."
"Who's attacking?" Kai asked.
Freya pointed towards the frozen horizon.
A black tide was moving across the snow.
Thousands of beasts.
Snow Wolves.
Ice Golems.
Frozen Mammoths.
Every one of them had glowing crimson eyes.
Corrupted.
At their head marched a colossal white bear, nearly thirty metres tall.
Its body was wrapped in chains of black ice.
The Book trembled.
Emergency Alert
Corrupted Beast Stampede
Leader:
Frost Titan Ursa
Corruption Level:
98%
Estimated Time Until City Impact:
12 Minutes
Primary Objective:
Protect Glaciera.
---
Kai looked at the terrified citizens below.
He took a slow breath and smiled.
"We've barely arrived..."
"...and we're already needed."
The Crimson Flame Fox leapt onto the city's icy wall, its nine tails blazing with warm golden fire.
For the first time in centuries...
Hope returned to the frozen kingdom.