Chapter 133: Mirror Springs

Chapter 133: Mirror Springs

The village should be right over this ridge, Crow looked down at his map.

Weve been walking for hours. Are you sure were going the right way? Kyriil the elf complained.

Its freezing, is the damn snow ever gonna stop? Nokuti the vampiress groaned.

Right? I really wish you all had just left me back with the battalions at the bottom of the mountain, Lysaila the lamia shivered.

I dont mind the cold, but is there any chance that we have gone off the trail? Grim the axlean craned his long neck over Crows map.

Crow tucked the map in his feathered cloak, I wouldnt have brought us all the way out to the Rupture Mountains if I hadnt done my research.

I know were all cold, but were almost there. A little faith and patience can go a long way, Lord Marek Helene nodded to Crow.

So, what, you want us to be like the dead-silent twins? Kyriil pointed his slim arm at the archmage twins.

Dawn and Vaughns violet eyes glanced at the elf, but the hybrids stayed quiet.

You see what I mean? They dont say anything, Kyriil rolled his eyes.

Honestly, I wish you were like them, Lysaila giggled.

Wha-? Kyriils stopped marching in the deep snow.

Were here. Crow stood at the top of the ridge and pointed down.

Finally, Nokuti sighed in relief.

Everyones tired legs suddenly found one more burst of energy. They pushed through the snow towards the top of the ridge. Lysaila slithered her indigo tail past the rest and joined Crow first.

What is this place? Lysaila narrowed her eyes.

...We shouldnt be here, Nokuti said breathlessly.

Down below the snowy ridge laid the remains of what once must have been a village. The old houses were in cold decay, most of the roofs and walls had collapsed. Large, jagged, broken pillars of ice protruded from several of the homes.

Welcome to Mirror Springs, Crow said triumphantly.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

This place looks like shit, Kyriil turned away in disgust.

For once I agree with Kyriil, Grim nodded.

This isnt what I had imagined, Marek frowned.

What did you expect? A paradise utopia where everyone can just forget their worries? This isnt a fairytale, Crow shook his head.

Nokuti grabbed Mareks forearm, We shouldnt be here. Im getting a bad feeling about this place.

I never took you as a superstitious type. I thought Marek was the devotee, Crow made his way down to the village.

I am as devout a believer of Bellum as the next vampire and I dont believe the goddess of war would approve of scavenging a ruined village, Nokuti said.

We arent here to scavenge. We are looking for a cave entrance, nothing more, Crow said.

Marek, Nokuti pleaded with her eyes.

Marek took a deep breath, Nokuti is right, Bellum would not want us rummaging around a ruined village But, Stjerne the Traveler looks kindly upon all adventurers.

Should have guessed, Nokuti sighed.

What happened here? I thought this was supposed to be some pretty village or something? Kyriil poked his head into one of the broken-down homes.

Mirror Springs was said to be a frost giant village and a paradise to all who are weary of the wars of the Ebon Realm, Nokuti recited.

A fools tale, Crow chuckled.

Excuse me? Nokuti raised her ax.

Crow opened his palms in surrender, All Im saying is we shouldnt put our beliefs on the hearsay of idiots. Until today all you ever heard of Mirror Springs were folktales, the hopeful dreams of a trodden people. But to me, it seems like this village was destroyed by frost giants.

~~~

So, is this what we're looking for? It seems simple, Lysaila said as she slithered up to the group.

The cave entrance was nothing more than a small hole under a mound of snow. Mist floated up from the pools of water nearby.

So, those are the fabled Mirror Springs? I wouldnt mind dipping in those hot springs and getting away from this damn cold for a bit, Kyriil scratched his pointy ear.

Im inclined to join you, Lysaila nodded. She despised the cold, her body would always get sluggish and unresponsive.

Dont. Those waters are said to have special healing properties. But after seeing the truth of this place, I wouldnt trust it, Nokuti warned.

Oh, come on. Ill just go take a peek. Maybe they really do perfectly reflect your appearance like mirrors? Kyriil grinned.

Nokuti is right. We arent here for a bath. We are on a mission, lets stick to it, Marek ordered.

Lysaila puffed up her cheeks, Youre no fun, silly boy.

The elf groaned and pulled at his blonde hair, I dont get paid enough for this.

Crow poked at the cave entrance suspiciously, I think this is it.

Oh, Dawn, youre finally here. Mind helping with the entrance? Marek asked.

Dawn nodded silently.

Crow stood aside, Grim, Dawn, if you please.

Not a problem. Grim raised his arms and channeled elemental water mana into his hands.

The snow shuddered away from the hole, leaving the floor barren with rock. Dawn stepped forward, planted her palms on the ground, and channeled chromatic green mana into the earth. The stone spell rang through the ground and pushed the rock and dirt away, widening the entrance of the cave until it was ten feet in diameter.

Well done, you two, Marek nodded. He glanced at Crow, Are you sure about this?

That this is the right cave? Yes. That the weapon we seek is the best solution? Not at all. But, honestly, what choice do we have? Crow walked into the cave.

Marek sighed, Kyriil, Vaughn, light up the tunnel.

Vaughn and Kyriil channeled white mana and cast bright spells, creating large orbs of light above the groups heads. The twins and Kyriil walked in after Crow, with Lysaila and Grim close behind.

Nokuti grabbed Mareks arm, I really think this is a bad idea.

So you keep telling me, Marek smiled half-heartedly.

Marek.

He reluctantly pulled away and stepped into the tunnel. He looked back, You coming?

And if I dont, who will protect your dumbass? She shook her head.

~~~

They had been walking in the tunnel for over an hour with no end in sight. The tunnel walls were etched with unfamiliar grooves from the floor to the ceiling. Marek had never seen anything like it. He paused for a moment and scratched at the wall.

What are you doing? Nokuti asked.

Ive been looking at these tunnel walls. They havent changed in appearance a single bit in all the time weve been walking. Does that look natural to you? Marek rubbed the piece of rock between his fingers.

Thats because this tunnel was not formed, it was made, Crow said.

By whom? Marek asked.

I wouldnt worry about that. I would worry about what else might still lurk in these tunnels, Crow kept walking.

And what the hell might that be, mask-man? Kyriil blocked his path.

Crow cocked his head, Skolguls. Even a high-master like you should be wary. They are incredibly dangerous elemental beasts that will not hesitate to rip us all to shreds. The few frost giants that have ever managed to slay a skolgul have worn its carapace face as a mask, the highest symbol of martial prowess among their people.

Crow leaned his avian-skull-mask right up to Kyriils elfen face, That is what we should worry about. So, if you could kindly move out of the way, we may just get what we came for and not see a single one of those arthropod monsters.

...Welp, I cant argue with that logic, Kyriil stepped aside.