The sky hung heavy and dark above Froskarn, the final realm that separated Luma, Kael, and Ereth from their ultimate confrontation with Vaeloth. Snow fell relentlessly, and the wind sliced across their skin like blades of ice. The three of them trudged slowly across the white expanse, each breath freezing in the air.
"This place… it's too quiet," Luma whispered, her voice nearly swallowed by the howling wind.
"Not quiet," Ereth replied, closing his eyes to sense the magic around them. "It's listening."
Kael, leading the way, raised his hand to signal a stop. Ahead, nestled between towering ice rocks, a frozen cave lay open. Without a word, they moved inside.
Within the cave, the silence was deeper but no less cold. The walls were lined with strange carvings—ancient tales etched in ice. At the center stood a relief of a woman with a crown of snow and closed eyes.
"Who is she?" Kael asked.
Ereth gently touched the carving. "Myrrenia. The Ice Goddess who once imprisoned Vaeloth, thousands of years ago."
Suddenly, Luma felt drawn to the carving. As her fingers brushed the frozen surface, her eyes widened. The world around her vanished.
She now stood on a silent icy plain beneath a sky painted with shimmering auroras. Before her stood a tall woman in white robes, her hair drifting like falling snow.
"Luma," Myrrenia's voice echoed, resonating deep within her soul. "Vaeloth nears the Frozen Core. If he succeeds, the gates to the underworld will open again. I can no longer fight him… but you might be able to."
"How?" Luma asked.
Myrrenia held out a softly glowing shard of ice. "Take a piece of my power. But know this: once used, part of your soul will be bound to Froskarn forever."
Luma hesitated. The world began spinning. She awoke again in front of the carving, with Kael and Ereth shaking her.
"You alright?" Kael asked, his face filled with worry.
Luma swallowed. "She offered me something. Power. But... at a cost."
"Don't," Kael said firmly. "You've already given too much. We'll find another way."
Ereth stared at her, solemn. "Sometimes, sacrifice is the only way."
Tension filled the air between them. But before a decision could be made, a violent tremor struck the cave.
BOOM!
Cracks split the walls. From outside, giant creatures with icy hides stormed in—Froslings, ancient guardians of the Frozen Core.
"Get ready!" Kael shouted, drawing his weapon.
The battle erupted. Ereth manipulated the ice to block incoming attacks, Kael fought bravely despite taking hits. One Frosling lunged at Luma from behind—but Kael shielded her, his body slamming hard into the wall.
"Kael!" Luma screamed, tears welling in her eyes.
Exhausted, Ereth collapsed to his knees. "Luma… use the power… before we're all lost."
Luma looked around. The snow was stained with blood. Kael lay motionless. Ereth was barely holding on. Froslings closed in from every side.
With a steady heart, she called out Myrrenia's name within her.
Ice enveloped her body—not with cold, but with power. Her hair turned white, her eyes glowed blue.
With one step, she moved forward. The Froslings attacked—but she simply raised her hand. A blizzard swept through the cave. Yet none of them died. Instead, the beasts stopped... and bowed slowly.
"They recognize me…" Luma whispered. "The spirit of Myrrenia lives in me."
Kael, still alive, opened his eyes weakly and smiled. Ereth looked at her in awe.
The Froslings cleared the path, and the trio continued forward.
Ahead, a vast field of snow lay open, and at its center—the Frozen Core: a glowing crystal pulsing like the heart of the world.
But from the sky, shadows began to gather. A black aura crept across the air.
Vaeloth knew they were close.
And he was coming.