The icy wind whipped across the bow of the small wooden ship, carrying with it the bitter chill of the frozen sea. Morax stood at the helm, his towering frame a stark silhouette against the steel-gray sky. His golden eyes scanned the horizon, his lips pulled into a thin line of frustration.
"How can water freeze this quickly?" Blanc muttered, peering over the edge of the boat. The pale-haired man’s elegant robes billowed around him, catching the gusts. He crouched, running his gloved fingers along the ice. "It’s not natural."
"Nothing about Clria ever is," Nobunaga replied, his tone dry. He leaned casually against the mast, his dual katanas glinting faintly under the overcast light. Despite the biting cold, he exuded a calm, almost lazy confidence, his dark hair tied back neatly.
Kenshin, on the other hand, stood at the ship’s stern, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. His sharp eyes darted around, alert to any movement in the eerie stillness. He said little but exuded a quiet intensity that made his presence impossible to ignore.
The four had been sent by a Yarujai to retrieve the elusive Rohaara stones, a mission that should have been straightforward—if dangerous. Yet, as they sailed toward the ice caps of Clria, the boat had come to a sudden, inexplicable halt. What had once been a choppy expanse of frozen water had solidified beneath them in the blink of an eye, trapping the vessel in an icy vice.
"We need a plan," Morax said, his voice soft. He turned to face the others, casting shadows across his sharp features. "The longer we stay here, the worse this situation will get. If the cold doesn’t kill us, whatever caused this might."
Blanc stood, brushing ice crystals from his gloves. "The way the ice spread—it’s almost magical. I could try to melt a path for the ship, but it’ll take time, and I’m not certain how the magic will hold."
"Too risky," Nobunaga said. "If the ice freezes over again faster than you can melt it, we’ll be stranded and exhausted."
"Then we find the source," Kenshin interjected. His voice was calm, his gaze steady. "Whatever is causing this isn’t natural. If we eliminate the source, we can break free."
Morax nodded, his horns dipping slightly. "Agreed. Blanc, can you sense anything nearby?"
Blanc closed his eyes, extending his hands outward as a faint, shimmering glow surrounded him. He frowned, his brows knitting in concentration. "There’s a strange energy beneath us—deep, and ancient. It feels... restless."
"Then we’ll go below," Morax declared. He slammed his fists together, cracking his knuckles. "We’re not leaving until we have those stones."
The team descended from the ship, cautiously stepping onto the solid ice. The sea’s surface had transformed into a crystalline expanse, glittering in the pale light like a trap set by a malevolent force. Blanc led the way, his staff glowing faintly to guide them.
The group trekked for what felt like hours, the ice creaking ominously beneath their feet. The biting wind seemed to whisper, carrying faint echoes of something ancient and menacing.
"Does anyone else hear that?" Nobunaga asked, his voice low. He rested a hand on the hilt of his katana, his sharp eyes scanning the icy expanse.
Kenshin nodded. "It’s not the wind."
Morax grunted, his expression dark. "Stay sharp. We’re not alone out here."
As they advanced, the ice beneath them began to shift. A faint, rhythmic thudding echoed from below, growing louder with each step. Suddenly, the ground gave a violent lurch, sending the group sprawling.
A massive fissure split the ice, and from the depths rose a towering creature—a serpent-like monstrosity with scales that shimmered like frozen diamonds. Its eyes burned with an otherworldly blue light, and its maw opened to release a bone-chilling roar.
"That’s the source," Blanc said dryly, scrambling to his feet.
Nobunaga smirked. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
The serpent lunged, its icy breath sweeping across the group.
"Blanc, any weaknesses?" Morax barked.
"Working on it!" Blanc snapped, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as he chanted. A shimmering barrier appeared, blocking the next wave of frost.
Kenshin darted forward, his movements swift and precise. He drew his blade in a single, fluid motion, striking at the creature’s flank. The sword’s edge met the ice-like scales with a sharp crack, leaving a faint fissure.
"It’s vulnerable to concentrated force," Kenshin called, leaping back to avoid the serpent’s tail as it lashed out. "Aim for the cracks!"
"Got it," Nobunaga said, drawing both katanas. He charged, his blades flashing as he delivered a flurry of strikes, each one targeting the weak points Kenshin had exposed. The serpent roared in pain, thrashing violently.
Blanc raised his sword, summoning a burst of fire that collided with the creature’s head. The flames licked at its icy form, melting away part of its scales and revealing a glowing core beneath.
"The core!" Blanc shouted. "That’s its heart—destroy it!"
Morax grinned, his golden eyes gleaming. "Leave it to me." He surged forward, his fists glowing with fiery energy. The serpent turned on him, its maw snapping shut just inches from his face, but he didn’t flinch. With a roar of his own, Morax slammed his fists into the core with all his might.
The ice serpent let out a deafening screech as its core shattered, its massive form collapsing into shards of ice that scattered across the frozen sea. The ground beneath them began to thaw, the ice melting back into the frigid waters.
"That was... exhilarating," Nobunaga said, sheathing his swords with a smirk. "We should do this more often."
Blanc rolled his eyes. "Let’s not."
Kenshin sheathed his blade, his expression calm as ever. "The path to Clria is clear. We should move quickly before the ice reforms."
Morax nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Let’s finish this mission and get those Rohaara stones. We’ve earned them."
As they returned to the ship, the group couldn’t shake the feeling that the frozen waters of Clria were watching, waiting for another chance to claim their prey.
