Of Ice, Death & Monsters

Chapter 13: For Snow Is But Water Frozen In Time

Matthias was silent. After he was rescued, they carried him around while searching for other survivors. He didn’t say anything, but those who rescued him didn’t mind that, thinking that he was still shell-shocked from being revived.

Meanwhile, on the shoreline of the frigid hellscape, where it was as cold as the Abyss, Matthias noticed how they couldn’t seem to see the sun. There was light, of course, but it seemed so dim in comparison to what he was used to.

There wasn’t any snow, but that didn’t really help with the temperature. The one thing that Matthias noticed above all else, though, was that there didn’t seem to be any animals. He didn’t see any fish moving in the depths, nor any small critters upon the shore either.

He focused on that, trying to make sure his mind didn’t wander off to anything else. He did it so much so that Matthias was in shock when he heard a familiar voice right beside him.

“Oh? Is that… Matthias! Ah, my dear boy, you’re alive. How wonderful, thank you for helping us out, who exactly are you people anyhow?”

Matthias lifted himself from the arms of those who saved him. There were no words to describe how he could feel hearing a familiar voice. “Godwin? You’re alive too? H-How could there be any more survivors? What’s going on-” Before he could ask anymore questions, a loud bellow was heard in the distance.

Quickly, the one carrying Matthias began to run alongside their companions and Godwin, who quickly picked up the pace. “That was a Bes. We have to hurry before it can catch us.”

She turned to the one leading Godwin along. “How far is the nearest hideout?”

“It’s close by, to the outskirts of the forest.”

“Then, let’s make haste.” Taking a deep breath, they began to run across the shoreline, so fast that Matthias actually had to hold onto them in fear of being dropped, but their strength was as great as their speed, and in just a few more moments, they made it to a cave opening that’s right before a large gathering of trees.

For a few moments, he stared at the canopy, his heart sank as the darkness within the forest called out to him, whispering memories he tried so hard to forget, and dreams he made sure to never remember. He shook his head, covering his ears, and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he finally took a peek, they were finally in the cave.

Matthias was gently placed onto a log as the girl with long, dirty blonde hair who carried him unearthed several pieces of charcoal. She then placed a small piece of iron on the top that he saw had a special symbol on its back end, which was the carving for fire.

Immediately, a wave of heat washed over both Matthias and Godwin, causing both to sigh in relief as they stood up straight on the logs they were sitting on.

“T-thank you for that… for… saving m-us.” Matthias looked down at his hands. It felt like there was no point, that he couldn’t do anything at all. Like nothing even mattered.

“Yes, a thousand thank yous indeed for saving us.”

“You’re both welcome. It was good we made it in just in time before the Descendants came and nabbed the both of you.” The girl sighed and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.

Matthias took note that she and the other man wore strange shadowy wisps across their body as if they were armor.

“To make introductions short.” The reddish brown haired man began as he sat in front of both Matthias and Godwind. “I’m Leonid, and that over there is Kariya. We’re the Keepers of Zakhar, or just a small scout group from them. We’re survivors, nomads, wanderers who are trying to do as much as we can to stop the Descendants from trying to burn away the world.”

Those flames and that Name. They bombarded Matthias’s mind with constant memories. The summoning, the promises… No, he doesn’t want to return. He shouldn’t return. They shouldn’t find him.

But… that’s what he was here for. Matthias wanted to know the truth of why he was made, what his purpose truly is. Galfania was the only place he knew where to find them. And those madmen were possibly the only ones who could actually, if he didn’t have anyone else. But the Keepers were a close second.

He closed his eyes, meditating for a moment to try and calm his mind, when his innate Magick activated, hearing something approach the cave nearby from the woods. “Everyone! Something is approaching us from the forest!”

Immediately, Kariya kicked the piece of iron away from the charcoals and hid in the shadows of the cave. Soon, Leonid, Godwin, and Matthias followed suit, all of them watching the cave entrance.

Out from the woods was a shadowy figure as large as a small house, they were hunched over with a head like a cow, yet antlers like a deer. Upon those antlers were the bodies of other monsters and other people, ones that both Godwin and Matthias recognized as some of the volunteers of the mission, their carcasses dripping blood upon the face of the horrid creature as it licked its mouth, salivating.

It sniffed the air before staring at the cave. Slowly, it took steps towards it, growling ever so slightly as it peered inside the entrance. Everyone held their breaths and became as still as a statue, not moving a muscle. Except for Kariya, who was slowly unsheathing a dagger from her waist.

Memories flashed through Matthias's head as a feeling of dread trickled down his spine. He knew of this beast from long ago. It used to haunt his dreams along with the other nightmares of this land. He thought he wouldn’t have to face them like this but… Backup was better than nothing.

He focused himself once more, using the Magick innate in his body, without having to look outside, he was able to visualize the entire scenario from the monster outside of the cave to the snow that it stomped on.

With that help, he made a claw with his hand. Using the Telekinetic Name, he summoned forth several faerie-like creatures to grab a rock and throw it in the other direction.

Almost immediately, the monster turned around, got on all fours, and rushed ahead without a second sound; it sped off to chase after the rock.

“T-The coast is clear!” Everyone sighed in relief as they checked the cave entrance, finding the monster no longer there.

“We’re going to have to move soon, the monsters have been roused by the expedition you were all on. They’re headed to the coast to try and pick off as many of you as possible.”

Matthias’s heart twitched in pain. That was his fault. Of course it was, everything was his fault. But he could change that; he could help them now. There was no need to hide. He owed them that much, but what could he do? What can he do?

And can anything he does even make up for what he did? For what he put them through? A failure like no other on his shoulders forever.

“We have to find them as soon as possible then.”

“That’s what the other scout groups are for. We were sent out here to protect you all, but we are not able to be everywhere at once. How many do you think there were on that expedition?”

“Around a thousand.”

Matthias’s answer caused both Leonid and Kariya’s eyes to widen. “A-a thousand? That must be the largest expedition we’ve ever experienced, or even that the land has experienced over a thousand years.”

“Yes, and a thousand men might die again today. We’re going to need to do more than just wait.”

Kariya shook her head. “I assure you, waiting is the best that we can do here for now. We need numbers by our side, and we cannot go and pick battles we have a chance of losing.”

Godwin nodded along with her. “It’s best that we do what we can to survive, and hope that the others are soon to follow-“

A roar echoed in the distance, but the sound that shook the Keepers most was that of the crackling flames that followed it. “Curse it all! The Descendants are here! It seems to be that we have to move no matter what. Everyone, get ready! We need to leave now.”

They peeked their heads outside of the cave, Matthias and Godwin followed them in suit as they all saw trails of smoke down south where the beast went to. “Hopefully, they’re all going to fight and take each other out. Come on, before we’re seen.”

Quickly, Matthias and Godwin followed both Leonid and Kariya into the forest, running as fast as they could alongside the suddenly snowy ground, their breaths getting cold as they ventured deeper. But… it was not deep enough.

“Why, hello there. Greetings and salutations.”

A familiar voice called out from behind the group. Matthias’s eyes widened as he felt eyes fall upon him. “Oh? I can recognize those ears anywhere… so you’ve finally returned, my dearest brother Ivan.”

Both Leonid and Kariya stared daggers at Matthias, who sighed and turned around, facing the red-robed man in front of him wearing an ivory mask. His memories flashed with the face of a man he didn’t know if he could trust, yet one of the only faces that could ever help. “Koschei… that’s your Name, right?”

“Oh, how wonderful, you remembered your brother. Now then, we are here to save you all. Please do not resist. It would be far better for everyone here if you allowed yourselves to be saved.”

“We will not trust the likes of madmen like you! And explain yourselves, how are you connected? You do not bear their marks of insanity?”

Kariya spoke out as she and Leonid pointed their swords at Matthias while the former pointed her dagger at Koschei. Godwin had to step in front of the young boy, raising his arms in both a show of defiance and surrender.

“Matthias… How do you want to do this?”

He sighed, as with a heavy heart, he began to confess. “I was once a part of Galfania, but I do not remember what connection I held to this place. I do not know this man as he claims to know me.”

“He’s right, you know. I only know that he is a dearest brother of mine, but it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen each other."

Everyone could feel a smile curl under the mask of Koschei as he spoke, causing their skin to crawl as if mites were released onto them.

“Well, whatever may be your relation with them. We will not allow any of you to lay your hands on the travelers. We will not hear your words or promises, whatever they may be.”

Koschei waved his hand nonchalantly. “But what if they are words and promises of danger and foreboding? Your fellow Keepers are in danger down south, especially since that Bes you’ve avoided is now headed their way. They also wish to fight my brothers and sisters, too. I take it? They shall be cornered on all sides, and as they say, the most dangerous animal is the one that has nowhere else to run.”

“Why should we believe you? You are deranged by delusions and lies; we do not wish to become like you.” Kariya then pointed her sword at Koschei.

“You believe what you desire, for whatever reason you wish. But Ivan knows the truth above all else. He knows that what I say is true; all he has to do is listen.”

Matthias looked down, closing his eyes as his ears perked up into the air, once more he used his innate Magick to visualize the south of their coast, picking up each and every sound possible.

Then, that’s when he saw it: that giant monster from before, barreling towards the shore where he could see it chasing after someone else. That was his fault; he sent it there. It was he who would bear the responsibility of what it could do.

Matthias couldn’t bear another body on his conscience.

“…He’s telling the truth, we need to go now!”

Leonid and Kariya look around, confused. They need to keep the travelers safe, but if it’s true, they’ll be in serious trouble soon, and as they said before, it’s best that they have strength in numbers.

But, their choice was already made for them as both Matthias and Godwin began to run south.

And so, the Keepers gave chase, racing after them as fast as they could.