“Are you ready?” I asked, glancing at her with a hint of concern as I noticed she’d only brought a weapon.
No food, no backpack, not even a coat to guard against the biting cold. I couldn’t help but worry that she’d freeze out here. But then again, she’d lived her whole life in this unforgiving place. Maybe the cold barely fazed her, the way Canadians or people from icy regions back on Earth could shrug off what others would consider unbearable.
“I am,” she replied, her voice steady, betraying not a hint of hesitation.
She was dressed in form-fitting clothes that accentuated her athletic figure, garments designed for agility rather than warmth. In a different time, under different circumstances, I might’ve imagined her surrounded by admirers. But this was hardly the moment for such thoughts.
We stood at the village gate, and I took a final glance back at the place where I’d spent the last two months, training as if my life depended on it—because it very nearly did. The memories felt surreal. I never would’ve thought I’d end up sacrificing half my strength for access to an energy I hadn’t even known existed, a power as elusive as it was mysterious.
Still, as I stood here, feeling that energy pulsing faintly within me, I knew it had all been worth it.
“If there’s nothing else you need, let’s go.”
She nodded, and we stepped beyond the village’s boundary, the path before us leading straight into the stark, white wilderness of the Snowy Mountains.
“This is your first time in the Snowy Mountains, right?” she asked suddenly, her voice slicing through the quiet as we trudged through the thick, undisturbed snow.
“Yeah, first time,” I said, scanning the endless expanse of white stretching in every direction. “I didn’t even know this place existed until someone I know mentioned it.”
Phoebe’s eyes widened for a brief moment, a glimmer of surprise that quickly faded as her expression returned to its usual calm.
“Alright, then I’ll give you a quick rundown of the Snowy Mountains—and why so many outsiders either die or vanish within them.”
I nodded, my curiosity piqued.
“First,” she began, “the monsters here are unlike any you’ve encountered elsewhere. They’re powerful enough to tear through most adventurers. But that won’t be a problem for you.” She cast a sidelong glance at me. “The real danger lies in the landscape itself. The high winds carve out new paths every night, piling snow into unfamiliar hills. What you see one day could be entirely different by the next morning. It’s easy to lose your way.”
“That’s one of the main reasons I decided to join you. I wanted to make sure you didn’t get lost in a place like this.”
I gave her a reassuring smile. “Actually, I can fly, so even if I got turned around, I’d manage to find my way out. But… thanks for looking out for me.”
A faint blush rose to her cheeks, though she didn’t seem entirely surprised—she’d seen me fight and knew my capabilities. “The third thing,” she continued, “is the inhabitants. Contrary to what most people think, this place isn’t deserted. Quite a few people actually live here.”
I raised an eyebrow, trying to imagine anyone willing to make a life in this harsh, frozen land. “Who would choose to live here? What race are they?”
“They’re known as Ice Elves,” she explained. “They’re different from the elves you’re probably familiar with. Their power doesn’t come from Mother Nature. They wield Ice Powers—control over the element in almost any form you can imagine.”
I nodded, absorbing the information with interest. Ice Elves… I’d never even heard of them until now.
“What about Zero? Do you have any idea where he’s hiding?”
She shook her head. “That’s the tricky part. With the Snowy Mountains constantly shifting, it’s impossible to pinpoint his exact location. But I do know he’s near the Icy Lake—a legendary lake rumored to grant incredible powers. That’s where I first encountered him, back when I was trying to harness the lake’s energy myself. But… well, as you know, things didn’t exactly go as planned.”
I considered this for a moment. “The Icy Lake? What kind of powers does it grant?”
“I don’t know everything,” she admitted. “But it’s said that if you spend the night in its waters, you become completely resistant to the cold, and you develop a deep connection to ice… maybe even acquire abilities like the Ice Elves.”
“So that’s why you’re out here without even a coat?” I asked, half-joking.
She chuckled softly. “No, that’s just part of our superior human physiology. We’re not affected by heat or cold from birth. I never actually managed to enter the lake—when I finally found it, Zero was already there, and months of searching came to nothing.”
A shadow passed over her face, and I was struck by just how much effort she’d poured into finding that place. I had assumed this journey would be quick, especially with her by my side, but it seemed I’d misjudged the challenge.
“Will it take us months again?” I asked, a trace of worry in my voice.
“No, not this time. I’ve got a map,” she said with a faint smile. “It shouldn’t take us nearly as long. But our best hope of reaching the Icy Lake quickly is with guidance from the Ice Elves. They know every inch of these mountains.”
“Then let’s find them and ask for their help.”
She smiled, though there was a hint of doubt in her eyes. “That would be ideal… but there’s one problem.”
“What kind of problem?” I asked, frowning slightly.
“They aren’t exactly friendly to outsiders, to put it mildly. I have no idea how we’d convince them to help us. And they’re no pushovers; they’re powerful and would have the advantage of their own territory if it came to a fight.”
“What’s the fastest way to find the Icy Lake and Zero?” I pressed, disregarding her concerns.
“Through the Ice Elves, no question. But as I sai—”
“Then take me to them. I’ll talk to them myself and find a way to convince them to help us.”
Phoebe’s eyes lingered on me, a mixture of admiration and skepticism. The Snowy Mountains loomed ahead, silent and vast, as if waiting for us to make our move.
3rd Volume – Zero
