The Inner Odyssey

There were a couple of reasons why Alden wanted to enter the Glacial Belt.

First, it gave him a chance to hone his skill further, and grow used to his [Adept] powers. Secondly, it allowed him to leave the house and not worry about any awkward encounters with Celeste. The frigid tundra mirrored how cold he felt internally. Why not make his physical body experience bitter, biting cold as well?

There was no harm in that.

…He couldn't get any colder, anyway.

The only issue was Ignia. Alden felt bad that she would have to brave the freezing environment. After all, phoenixes were not suited to the cold. He was being selfish. That fact wasn't lost on him.

However, Alden knew Ignia would follow him wherever he went. It did not matter where, or what the environment was, his lovable familiar would always be by his side. A hint of warmth ignited in his heart.

That tiny ember was snuffed out only a moment later, though.

Alden sighed.

He looked over his supplies one last time, ensuring he had enough with him to last a couple of nights - he could return and stock up on a big chunk later. The essentials, such as a thick, warm coat, multiple layers of clothing, a hunting knife, and sleeping bag were most important. The first few were relatively easy to procure. Only the latter two required Alistair's help.

Alden exhaled a turbid breath.

Even though he was supposed to rest, especially after the traumatising ordeal of the First Trial, here he was, heading out on another journey, away from home. Away from the Sanctuary, and away from any semblance of safety.

More fighting, bloodshed, and suffering awaited him.

'No rest for the wicked, I suppose.'

Displaying a carefree smile - which did not reach his eyes - Alden descended the stairs with Ignia on his shoulder.

Alistair and Elara came to see him off.

Soon after, he stepped out of the door, ready to face the horrors of Arkanis once more.

Only this time…

It was of his own volition.

***

In a land of pristine white, endless snow reigned supreme.

It stretched as far as the eye could see, blanketing everything and anything.

The frost did not discriminate.

It was all-encompassing.

Terrifying

…Cold.

The wind howled, spraying snow in every direction.

Within this sterile environment, a lone figure waded forth. Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

One, slow step at a time.

Dressed in a pale white fur coat, an insulated tunic, thick, padded pants, suitable gloves and reinforced boots, the figure braved the frigid weather. The crunch of their footsteps was drowned out by the wail of the blizzard, and any sign of their existence was immediately erased.

A pitch-black phoenix sat on the figure's shoulder, appearing like a dark stain on the immaculate snowy white. Wisps of steam swirled around its avian frame. A closer look at the figure revealed pale white hair and cold, crimson eyes.

It was as if they melded perfectly with the tundra.

An individual... in their element.

The figure's chilling gaze swept over the surrounding endless plain, otherwise known as the Glacial Belt. Caution and thirst warred against each other within. The blizzard roared once more, its warbled cry, haunting and eerie.

Alden raised his arm and cursed. Flakes of frost rushed to burrow into his hood. He shielded himself to the best of his ability, squinting against the icy onslaught. He shivered. The invaisve cold seeped into the tiny gaps between his clothing.

Alden paused, planting his feet into the snow.

He braced his body.

Wind and hail battered his young frame.

Ignia grumbled through their bond, increasing the internal temperature of her body. Pitch-black flames danced silently on her skin. His shadow shifted in response - as if it was the one burning instead.

Just as he thought he would drown in the snowy deluge, the gust of wind died down. Alden gritted his teeth. He shook off the snow that had piled up on his coat.

He suppressed a shiver.

…This was what he had signed up for.

Alden couldn't complain.

After all, he was the one who brought this misery on himself.

So, all he could do was suffer in silence.

At least, his [Adept] physique handled the cold much better. If he had travelled into the Glacial Belt with his [Apprentice] frame, or even worse, his mundane frame, chances were that he would not have lasted long at all. Frostbite would have made a fine canvas of him. It still could, but his increased strength and elemental resistance were something the young man was silently thankful for.

It was one of the only positives of his situation.

The other was Ignia. Without his lovable phoenix providing a steady stream of warmth, Alden guessed his journey would have been a lot more miserable. He exhaled, kicking up a cloud of mist.

Forcing his legs to move, Alden began his trek once again. He had to reach the distant mountain chain before nightfall. While it was true the Glacial Belt was an endless, snowy plain, the desolate topography occasionally experienced shifts, mountains and other landmarks breaking the monotony of pristine white.

Alden had heard the harsh tundra-like environment became much worse after dark. Not only did it become chillier, but more abominations were said to prowl its barren expanse.

Alden wasn't keen on experiencing that.

So, he strained his fatigued muscles, one small step at a time. A slow burn lingered in his legs, and his entire body protested his every movement - he had braved the merciless gusts of wind, and unrelenting blizzard for what seemed like hours now.

Alden was… tired.

Unfortunately for him, he had to keep going. The young man tried to motivate himself with thoughts of relief and rest. But even that quickly proved futile in the face of the severity of the Glacial Belt.

'Must…. Keep… Going.'

He panted, great vaporous clouds escaping his mouth. Alden regretted that action very quickly - a flood of frosty flakes rushed in the moment his lips parted. He sputtered, his insides churning with disgust.

It didn't take long for Alden to recover.

Soon after that, he returned to trekking.

However, he didn't get far, before he paused once again.

…The snow around Alden suddenly exploded.