The Tale Of Two Brothers

Chapter 1

Cold. Bitter, unrelenting cold was the first thing I felt when I woke.

When I forced my eyes open, I was lying in a pile of dusty snow, shivering as the cold seeped through my thin clothing.

The wind bit my ears and stung at my face as I sat up and tried to look around.

Directions were impossible. Snow blanketed the ground, turning the world to a blank canvas of unending white.

The only distinguishable thing I could see was shapes in the distance, somewhat resembling a group of trees.

My body was shaking uncontrollably as my muscles attempted to warm my shivering bones, but to no avail. 

I knew I didn't have much time in these conditions. I was going to freeze to death.

Vigorously rubbing my arms, I climbed to my feet, shaky against the forceful wind, but still I was standing.

I had very limited options, so I began a trek toward the group of trees praying they would offer coverage from the wind or some sort of shelter.

The gaping snow drifts hindered me considerably, but despite it all, it seemed that I was making rather quick progress as the trees grew larger. 

Every few steps, I glanced up my goal and saw them grow bigger and bigger, but as they became more visible, I become less sure of what they were.

The first troubling thing I noticed was the strange color that stuck out against the clean backdrop. They appeared to be blue.

Another 20 steps and I saw that these trees varied greatly in their shape, size, and height,  but they all swung in a similar side to side motion, only at different intervals. 

Ten more steps and I realized my mistake. Seeking shelter and protection would have been a fine choice had these been trees, but they were not. These things were alive, alive and horrifying.

There was five of them in all, the smallest being at least six feet tall. All of their body structures were similar, hulking muscles, crimson red eyes, and bright blue skin.

The pack rocked to and fro as they drew closer, plowing through the snow with infuriating ease. Their bounding, uneven strides unsettled me to my core and I knew I had to get away.

I quickly turned around and fled from the barbaric beasts, adrenaline pumping power to my failing muscles.

I was tripping and stumbling, falling and sliding across the wasteland of snow, but I never looked back. After a few precious minutes, I knew my body couldn't keep up and I had no other options but to stop.

Ragged breaths heaved out of my lungs as my body begged for oxygen and my muscles for rest. Sweat was running down my skin, almost instantly freezing and making it  that much worse.

Finally looking back I saw that the giant's pack had actually gained on me, they were now so close that I could pick out the stark determination and utter relentlessness of their task. They were going to catch me.

A new surge of fear sparked in my chest at the sight of them, but my mind had already made the choice.

My knees buckled under me and my legs gave out, throwing me down in the snow once again. I finally gave in, blacking out the second my eyes fell closed.

***

When I came to, a sense of nausea washed over me as my eyes adjusted to a dark path that aimlessly swung back and fourth.

I was draped over something that felt colder than the snow and hard, but it was moving at a constant pace.

Finally looking around, I got answers to almost every question that I asked. The swinging world was the result of me being slung over one of the brute's icy shoulders as they carried me away.