[Chr24] Guardian of the North

The Outskirts were no place for the faint-hearted. Stretching beyond the protective walls of civilization, they were a wasteland of broken cities, treacherous terrain, and the occasional ‘Buck—outlaws who survived against all odds. Simon leaned back in his creaking chair at the edge of the local Outskirts saloon, the faint scent of cheap ale and desperation hanging in the air. His mask, a sleek black visage with faint glowing runes, made it impossible to read his expression.

"You’re really going through with this?" Ji-Yong asked, his arms crossed and brows furrowed in disbelief. He was the youngest of the group, but his sharp instincts and even sharper wit made up for it. His raven-black hair contrasting his angular face as he leaned over the weathered table.

Jericho slammed his mug down, the frothy liquid sloshing over the edge. "If Simon’s in, I’m in. This could be the score of a lifetime!" His muscular build and booming voice made him seem unshakable, though the faint tremor in his fingers betrayed his nerves. "A beast that no one's seen but everyone's scared of? Could be guarding something real valuable."

Simon stayed silent, letting his masked visage and calm presence do the convincing. He had heard the rumors too: whispers of a Guardian in the North, a creature so powerful it could level mountains with a single roar. But it wasn’t the fear that intrigued him; it was the possibility of uncovering something extraordinary.

Lucid, sitting apart from the group, adjusted the bandages over his eyes. "You’re all fools if you think you’ll make it back alive," he murmured, his voice as soft as snowfall. Yet, he didn’t leave the table. Despite his apparent disdain, the enigmatic man had a way of showing up when things got interesting. "But if I don’t go, I’ll probably end up burying the lot of you later. Might as well ensure the inevitable doesn’t happen."

Simon nodded once, finalizing their unspoken agreement. The journey was set.

The group’s trek across the continents was grueling. They scavenged supplies from abandoned outposts, braved storms that raged for days, and fought off Outskirts raiders who were more desperate than skilled. Lucid’s uncanny ability to "see" without sight proved invaluable; he could sense danger long before it arrived, leading the group to safer paths.

Antarctica was their final destination—a frozen wasteland that few dared to enter. As they approached, the once barren landscape transformed into endless sheets of white, the cold biting through their thick coats.

Ji-Yong glanced at Lucid, who walked with his head tilted slightly as if listening to something no one else could hear. "Anything we should know about?" he asked, his breath visible in the frigid air.

Lucid stopped. "The storm," he said simply. "It’s waiting for us."

True to Lucid’s warning, the skies darkened as they ascended the mountain. The wind howled, carrying snow that stung their faces and obscured their vision. Jericho led the charge, using his brute strength to carve a path through the knee-deep drifts. Simon, ever the silent leader, stayed at the back, ensuring no one fell behind.

Ji-Yong cursed under his breath as the temperature dropped further. "This isn’t natural," he muttered. "Storms don’t just—"

A sudden gust nearly knocked him off his feet. The group pressed on, their resolve unwavering despite the mounting danger.

When they finally reached the peak, the storm seemed to pause, as if holding its breath. Two glowing blue lights pierced the gloom, and a low growl reverberated through the air. The snow cleared momentarily, revealing a creature unlike anything they had imagined.

The beast stood tall, its body a blend of scales and fur, its wings folded against its massive frame. Ice clung to its dragon-like form, and its glowing eyes seemed to pierce straight into their souls. The Guardian of the North was real.

The ground beneath their feet trembled as the creature growled, its breath visible in the freezing air. Jericho unsheathed his massive blade, his face a mixture of awe and fear. "Guess we’re doing this!" he shouted, charging forward.

"Jericho, wait!" Ji-Yong called out, but it was too late. The Guardian reared back and let out an earth-shattering roar, sending a blast of icy wind that knocked Jericho off his feet and sent him sliding toward the edge of the peak.

Simon moved quickly, catching Jericho’s arm just before he plummeted. With a grunt, he hauled him back to safety. "Reckless," Simon said, his voice calm yet firm beneath the mask.

Lucid stepped forward, his head tilted. "It’s not anger," he said softly. "It’s pain. Something’s wrong."

The group exchanged glances, their weapons lowered. Simon approached cautiously, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. The Guardian’s glowing eyes followed his every move, but it didn’t attack.

"Simon, are you insane?" Ji-Yong hissed.

Simon ignored him, focusing on the creature. As he drew closer, he noticed deep gashes along its side, the wounds crusted with ice. The Guardian growled again, but this time it sounded more like a plea than a threat.

Simon stopped a few feet from the beast, his gaze steady. He reached into his pack and pulled out a vial of a healing serum they had scavenged earlier. He held it up, letting the light catch the liquid’s iridescent glow.

The Guardian sniffed the air, its eyes narrowing. Slowly, it lowered its massive head, allowing Simon to approach. He poured the serum over the wounds, the liquid sizzling as it made contact with the icy gashes. The beast let out a low rumble, its tension easing.

Jericho, still shaken but watching closely, muttered, "What kind of crazy luck is this?"

Lucid smirked faintly. "Not luck. Understanding."

As the storm began to subside, the Guardian stepped back, revealing an entrance hidden beneath the snow—a cavern shimmering with crystalline ice. Inside, the group found treasures beyond their wildest dreams: ancient artifacts, rare minerals, and a glowing orb that pulsed with energy.

Ji-Yong whistled. "This… this is enough to set us up for life."

Simon didn’t respond. He turned to the Guardian, which now stood at the cavern’s entrance, watching them with a calm gaze. He gave a slight nod of gratitude before stepping inside.

The journey back was no less treacherous, but the group moved with a newfound respect for the Outskirts and its mysteries. They had faced the unknown and lived to tell the tale—a rarity in their world.

As they reached the edge of the Outskirts, Ji-Yong clapped Simon on the back. "You’re either the bravest or the craziest ‘Buck I’ve ever met," he said with a grin.

Simon didn’t answer, his masked face giving nothing away. But beneath it, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

The Guardian of the North was no mere rumor, and they had proven that even in the harshest of landscapes, understanding and courage could triumph over fear.