The Inner Odyssey

The Ice Wyrm was a strange existence.

It was a Devil, yet possessed mystical abilities.

Usually, those of its rank possessed great physical might.

…And just that. Physical might.

Only Djinns and the more harrowing Defiled had access to such supernatural phenomena. That was not all. It seemed to possess greater intelligence as well - a normal Devil would not have adapted to utilising its camouflage in such an insidious way.

Of course, there were exceptions.

…Defiled who had unlocked the power of their bloodline.

Called the Dark Brood.

And more often than not, encountering one, meant death. However, one's fortune could even up the odds a bit in that regard. In Alden's case, he was thankful it was only a Devil, and he was also thankful for having Ignia by his side.

Without her fiery powers neutralising the Ice Wyrm's magical frost, he would be in trouble.

Big, big, big trouble.

His precious familiar was an incredible blessing. For the umpteenth time, Alden didn't know what he would do without Ignia.

…Hopefully, he would never have to find out.

Shaking off the terrible thought, Alden studied his new surroundings.

In front of him, the Glacial Belt still stretched in all its harrowing and chilling glory. However, now, jagged rock broke through the monotony of pristine white.

The stone outcroppings rose, casting shadows over the plain.

They didn't encompass the whole width of the snowy tundra, but they certainly made it much narrower. Which was advantageous for Alden - because it narrowed the area with which the Ice Wyrm could use to attack. In addition, the height of the rocks, could also help him avoid the ground strikes the abomination was so adept at carrying out.

With this, he had shifted the battle back into his favour.

Or at least, evened up some of the disadvantageous odds.

'Good.'

All that remained now was to devise a plan to slay his troublesome foe.

As if it had sensed the change, though, the Ice Wyrm suddenly broke through the snow, staring at Alden with a ravenous hunger. It was as if his blood was the most delectable thing it could taste. The young man's nose wrinkled slightly at the mental image.

'The only one who can get a taste of me is Cece…'

Alden coughed.

For some strange reason, his ears reddened slightly.

'Focus!'

He pushed aside the anguish that appeared whenever he thought of his precious love, and narrowed his gaze, wondering what the corrupted creature was planning. Ignia landed softly on his shoulder, also trying to guess what their foe's next move would be.

However, Alden sensed a mixture of rage, wariness and a hint of fear echoing from their bond, so he understood the phoenix's contemplation wasn't that deep. She only just cared about whether or not they survived.

It didn't matter how.

A soft smile graced the young man's face.

Ignia was cute.

…The cutest.

Alongside Cece, of course.

Alden sighed.

His smile froze a moment later.
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The Ice Wyrm screeched and dove under the snow.

He wondered why it shrieked.

Usually, every time the Defiled had attacked, it was in silence. That way, it would not alert him of its movements and ruin its efforts to remain stealthy.

So, what changed…?

A sense of unease clawed its way into his heart.

His features hardened.

The air around Alden's figure turned even more solemn.

He exhaled slowly, thin mist billowing out of his nostril like steam created by the fabled dragon.

He bent his knees, scanning his immediate vicinity with caution.

With the change in terrain, the Ice Wyrm could only attack from three directions.

In front, behind, and below.

Before, it could have attacked from an angle. Now, however, that option was no longer available.

Alden flooded the ground with his mana in anticipation of an ambush from below.

Much to his surprise, though…

The Ice Wyrm didn't bother with that.

It just charged straight for him.

A thin line on the ground, barely visible to the naked eye denoted its progress.

Alden's unease deepened.

This did not feel right.

A tenebrous dagger manifested in his hand. The tentacles surrounding his figure flickered ominously. Ignia flapped her wings in preparation for another fiery burst.

The frigid air of the Glacial Belt turned tense.

…Time slowed for the third time.

The Ice Wyrm broke through the surface, lunging at him with its terrible needle-like maw.

Under a state of extreme focus, Alden responded in kind. The obsidian dagger in his hands blurred, propelled by [Haste].

However, just then, he sensed it.

…The source of his unease.

Suddenly, the snow behind Alden exploded again.

And two more Ice Wyrms materialised from the cloud of snowdrift.

'So, that's why it screeched…'

Alden cursed.

As if they were synchronised, the trio of abominations attacked at the same time. For a second, the inside of their maws glowed with a pale light. Then, a rush of devastating ice energy spread.

'Ignia!'

Surrounded by three Dark Brood, Alden's first instinct was to panic.

The scales had shifted against him.

However, he remained calm.

The little phoenix responded to its master's call, diving behind to spew its own fiery hell. Its plumage ignited, blazing a deep shade of black.

More vapour formed as a torrent of pitch-black flame crashed into the approaching frost energy.

The thick mist hampered everything. Shadows bubbled, the two opposite energies within the dense cloud of fog seeking to gain an advantage over the other. Meanwhile, Alden immediately went all out, using every skill he had.

A thick [Shield] materialised right in front of the Ice Wyrm.

It quickly froze.

Another took its place.

[Dark Tentacles] rushed to restrain the abomination, while he imbued another dose of [Haste] into the obsidian dagger. Recognising the immediate danger, and the fact that his little familiar was holding back two of these abominations, Alden could not tarry.

So, acting on instinct, he hurled his abyssal construct.

It soared through the air like a throwing knife, slicing through the discharge of ice energy…

And buried itself in the Ice Wyrm's maw.