An Unearthly Cold

[Sorcerio 4712]

 

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It was a dull, soulless spring day, plagued by grey clouds which overshadowed the north-eastern peninsula as a blanket of gloom, dew fresh upon the damp grass. I had set myself to working upon the ballista which the Haensemen had left smoldering upon the shores where I resided, the charred wood now sodden and damp from the heavy rainfall which plagued the land as of late — though scorch marks yet still fresh and ever-present upon the seashore. But after much toil and sweat wrought amidst the humid air, I had finally brought my work to fruition. Alas — noon soon drew, and I had thought it was high-time to retire to my residence. 

 

The home was of wondrous make, constructed of fine brick and stone, overlooking the bay with an ever-watchful gaze, a witness to many of the atrocities which had transpired within the recent invasion upon Arcasian soil, yet even so still gazing towards the heavens and stars themselves. I entered the abode, lungs now filled with the smell of salt and leather-bound tomes, gazing about at the fire which crackled dimly within the lodging. It was then that I began to prepare, collecting that which I knew I would hence need in my endeavors — food, tools, weapons — for it would be unwise for one to venture unprepared, yet I had still not considered complete preparation. Yet even now, I could not bring myself to release the apprehension which sat within the back of my mind, for I very well knew that any wanderings could very well be my last.

 

Descending down to the depths of my estate, I reached the lower chamber — a room fashioned from stone, the floor built of tials upon which appeared a mural of great beauty, yet enigmatic to those who failed to know — a tower which rose, poised towards the heavens, the stars themselves seeming to acknowledge the presence of such a great feat of mortals. It was then, with all that I possessed, I had readied myself, coming to stand in the center of this elliptical mural, producing what appeared as salt, which I then decorating the mural with in the form of many enigmatic symbols and drawn lines — the likes of which I will not ponder on at this present time. It was then that the ring had been established, now surrounding both I and that which I sought to carry with me. And then, speaking forth that which I had learnt, a great flash of sapphire erupted amidst the room — and so I had begun my journey. 

 

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I was pulled through the abyss, the thin veil torn as I was flung forward — what seemed stars all about me passing in a flash and a whirl of motion. It was then I was overcome by an immense cold, perplexed by this bizarre occurrence, yet any speculation I might have come about was cut short, finding myself to land within a great heap of snow and frost, several feet deep. 

 

The wind wailed overhead as I attempted to raise myself from the heap, caked by frost to near-entirety. Overcome by a great wave of nausea, an unfortunate byproduct of interplanar travel, I stumbled back into the snow, casting off the goggles worn upon my arrival. With my eyes now bare, I looked about in search for any sign or semblance which may hint to my location, yet only surrounded by the wailing of a great wind, one which surrounded me from every-which-way. I anxiously looked towards the skies only to gaze upon a bleak, grey whirl, even the heavens themselves concealed by the nigh unbearable storm. 

 

Once again I rose, brushing the snow off of my clothes, then picking up the headwear which had been cast aside. Then, treading onwards through the snowy storm, I sought to find shelter from the relentless bellows. I pushed on through the howling storm, my arms brought close to my chest as the chill creeped through my equipment, gnawing at my flesh like some foul beast of frost. Were I to not soon find sanctuary, I could be all but lost to this insufferable plane. What seemed as hours passed, each step more perilous and draining than the last, half-buried within the pile of snow which only grew greater with each minute. 

 

Soon, I had lost tracks of time itself, the bellowing winds pummelling against me, snow to hail, hail to sleet, and yet still all the more colder — not but ice and frost as far as the eye could see, and even sight was depraved, for there was little to be seen amidst this violet, frigid wind. And then, I saw them — magnificent spires of ice towering overhead, great like mountains, rising beyond even the storm clouds which engulfed the valley. Perhaps from there I would be able to see. And thus, my ascension began.

 

Stone after icy stone I climbed, the wind bellowing against me in taunt, anticipating the slightest misstep which might send me flying off the side of the mountain. Persistence was all I could muster, still grappling for the treacherous summit which remained beyond my gaze, shrouded in the veil of wind and snow which whipped around me. At one point, I had lost my footing, slipping upon the ice as I tumbled downwards, landing in a pile of stone and stone with a thud — my lenses cracking as the rucksack upon me spilled its contents off the side of the mountain, the flasks and materials plummeting into the frosty abyss below. I lay there, cold and exhausted, upon the side of the mountain, the wind still battering against me. I then closed my eyes, perhaps only to rest a moment — and so I fell into unconsciousness. 

 

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Feeling the touch of something gently rubbing into my back, I opened my eyes groggily. Yet, despite my efforts, everything around me were only seen in a fuzzy blur. I could make out only a few specific details, but I came to note that the interior of the room was warm and comforting, so I knew there must’ve been a fire near. My vision still hazy, I made an effort to rise up and regain my senses, only to be gently pushed back down onto the woolen pillow, speaking to me in a dialect I could not come to decipher. I saw another figure walk in as I closed my eyes, the sound and color around me fading in a blur as I drifted back to sleep.

 

I jolted upwards, everything around me dark and cold. My vision had come clearly, now allowing me to look around. It seemed that I were amidst some primitive tent, though by no means crude, the walls made of tanned leather and fur pelts, a cold, pale light pouring in from the entry way and into the tent. A smothered fire lay only a few feet away, the smoke rising in a gentle wisps which only managed to rise briefly into the air before fading. But I had little time to dwell on such details, for my ears were soon attuned to the sound of cries and screams coming from outside, quite alarming to me in this state — for who knew swhat might dwell in this plane. 

 

Moving to rise from the bedroll, I took note of a great pain within me shoulder, bringing me to inhale sharply. Pushing through the unbearable pain, I knew could not stay here, for I drew too much attention. I staggered over to retrieve my belongings which were hanged upon a wooden beam to dry above the flames, though the lenses still remained cracked, but no matter, for I could repair them when I returned. Setting upon my coat, I reached for the rucksack which had been layed next to the rest of my belongings, only to find half its contents empty and recall how they had fallen down the mountain. But perhaps some of these would be of use.

 

I exited the tent with haste, emerging into the pale light. The sky was grey and dull, as if a great storm were approaching on the horizon, dark clouds gathering menacingly in the far-off. My gaze was then brought to the great clamor before me. And so I came upon a most terrifying sight; a great titan wrought of ice and malice, towering overhead as it swiped at and stomped upon the villagers which seemed to flee in a futile pursuit. Some were picked up and consumed ravenously by the abomination, while others were flung into the sides of ice hills and tents or even crushed beneath the icy behemoth. I had completely froze, struck with awe and horror. But it was then that the creature turned its attention to me.

 

 

“...A great titan wrought of ice and malice, towering overhead as it swiped at and stomped upon the villagers which seemed to flee in a futile pursuit…”

 

Still wounded wounded, I knew I would be unable to outrun it fully, requiring that I  devise a plan quickly, for the goliath creature lumbered at me still and at a terrifying pace. I reached into my bag, taking note of two distinclty warm bottles within the deeper compartments of the rucksack. However, my effort to produce one was cut short as the creature swiped towards me with its horrific, icy claw, I just barely managing to evade with difficulty, pain surging through my arm as the sack was cast off to the side, one of the warm orange bottles spilling out — melting the snow around where it had surged. And so only one of the bottles remained.

 

Staggering, I attempted to flee, but the creature’s gaze and attention remained locked upon me — certainly due to my foreign presence within this plane. It knocked over tent after tent, relentless in pursuit as I stumbled away in flight. If only I were able to reach the bag once again, which remained stagnant behind the great behemoth which persued me, the wind picking up and nipping at my flesh. I took note that many of the villagers had fled as well — perhaps for the best, though some remained in hiding, watching almost curiously as the creature still charged at me. 

 

By this time, I’d come full circle around the campsite, which had now been decimated by the attack. My shoulder burned as if one fire, the creature having lost me yet only for a brief moment, looking about the scattered tents and ruined wood as I hid behind a large jagged ice chunk. And there, I caught sight of my bag, yet it was in direct sight of the frosty creature. Finally summoning my determination, I made a stumbling dash for the rucksack, the creature turning its head a full one-eighty as it caught sight of me, letting out an otherworldly screech as the back of its throat began to illuminate a pale blue, inhaling loudly as air, snow, and ice were all sent flying into its mouth from the powerful suction. 

 

I continued to push on against the pull, heaving nearly reached the bag which was stuck upon a piece of shrapnel wood imbedded within a ground, flapping and flying in the wind as the leather band began to tear. I then left for the back, yet it were too late, for the band snapped against the wood, the bag flying towards the mouth of the creature as I made a final effort to grab it, but that too failed. The sack and all its contents were sucked into the creatures mouth, engulfed by the vortex entirely as it remained locked upon me.

 

Then, suddenly, the creature stopped, the terrible vacuum vanishing as all looked to the titan beast. It appeared as if it were chocking, gagging and pounding on its own chest. I then caught sight of an orange glow emerging within its snowy form, their form becoming much more watery as the creature frantically tried to flee, but was stopped as several liquid poured out of it, giving a horrendous wail as it slowly slunk away into the snow, reaching its hand upwards in a final attempt, before being rendered defeated.

 

The villagers cheered, emerging from their hiding places and nooks as they came to the center of the decimated campsite. I was now able to make out their forms completely. They appeared as humans garbed in furs and pelts, much like that of humans, let were a pale white, almost as much as the snow itself. The largest of them, draped in the pelt of what looked like a wolf, approached me, addressing me in a foreign tongue, at which I was only bewildered, and thus, made no immediate response. However, the chief seemed to understand my puzzlement, granting me an understanding nod. 

 

Looking back to the decimated town behind me, I felt some unease at the trouble I had caused these people, for surely whatever beast had attacked was attratched by my foreign presence. Knowing I must depart quickly, I bid farewell to the villagers and the chief, now turning to depart down the winding valley road which trailed out from the encampment. Such a strange venture, one which lead me to ponder many great things in due time — but those are tales untold for now. 

 

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Spoiler

OOC:

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written anything casually, so I thought it wouldn’t harm to do just that! Hopefully you enjoyed reading it as I did writing!

 

[Gamma 812]

Frosty, is that you

[ronin_champloo 5951]

Great read! +1
 

Spoiler

 

 

[KeiaTypeBeat 3277]

[Archipelego 2188]

holy **** a snowman

 

cute writing tho bro +1

[Yaldabaoth 746]

very cute

[Nozgoth 3083]

wowzers, nice job

[J33xt101 316]

This is some good stuff