Coldsnap: Harbinger of Ice

Chapter 27: History of the Ascendant

As Geode and the Aspects jumped through the Grand Terminus portal back to the Stonemount Gorge, Coldsnap took a moment to form another ice pad and place it on Keena's chest so she wouldn't run into complications again in the harsh environment. Unlike last time, the Boulder Brothers allowed them inside the cave without hesitation, and Keena gave everyone the same "ice ball" ride down the slope that she had performed earlier, much to Geode's glee. 

The sphere eventually shattered on the floor of the dugout like it did before, with all five of them remaining completely unharmed. The moment they were near Sledge's throne, he and Geode locked eyes. 

"Son....? Is it you....?" 

"Dad!" the earth mage child called back happily as the two of them embraced for the first time in days, both of them crying tears of joy and relief, much to the Aspects' happiness.

"Sledge so worried about you...." the Sect Leader said softly. 

"I'm fine.....Alpin's so ruthless, though....only cares about himself....." 

Sledge nodded. "It's clear; Alpin must be stopped. Coldsnap and friends come one step closer to achieving goal." 

He then turned to look at the heroes. 

"Cannot thank enough for returning Geode. Earth Sect protect its own, as well as its allies. When time comes, we roll out. All you need to do is give us word," he said. "To hold child as blackmail to fulfill own purposes.....despicable. No one abducts son and get away with it....soon, Frost King see that he is but a pebble amongst boulders." 

All of the earth mages fervently beat their chest twice as a show of gratitude. 

"Of course. We'll end this quickly if we all work together," Coldsnap replied. "It's been a pleasure helping you out.....there's no telling what Alpin would've done if Geode had remained there for much longer...." 

"Yup!" Firebird added. "We're not done yet, though.....that's only two out of four." 

"Right.....I don't see how we're going to get through to the Ice and Fire Sects, though.....I mean, it's not like we're on speaking terms with their leaders....." Leo muttered. 

At this, Firebird grinned. "I think I have something that can help us with that...." 

She slowly pulled out her scrying orb from her armor. 

Leo's jaw dropped. "Wait.....there's no way that you---"

"Right. I recorded the entirety of Coldsnap and Alpin's conversation back at the throne room. We literally have a public confession straight from the Frost King himself. We show this to the ice mages, and boom, they'll be on our side," Firebird explained. "Same goes for the Fire Sect; I'll just show them the video of the first Seared Hand meeting I eavesdropped on. There's no way either of those groups are going to let this slide." 

Leo smiled. "Dang.....you're just on top of everything, aren't you?" 

"Nice job, Firebird!" Coldsnap exclaimed. "We've definitely been through quite a lot today, though, so we can probably do that tomorrow. For right now, though...." 

She looked over at Keena, remembering what she had said about the Earth Sect back at the Tidal Throne. After her partner gave an approving nod, Coldsnap turned to Sledge. 

"Keena said earlier that the Earth Sect is the order that's most attuned to the Ascendant out of everyone else," she began. "Is this true? I'd love to know more about the being we serve!" 

"Indeed, we are. Usually information strictly reserved, but Coldsnap and friends do great service this day. I suppose we owe you something in return," Sledge responded.