Coldsnap: Storm's Call

Prologue, Part 3: Sects & The City

This is Part 3 of the Prologue for Coldsnap: Storm's Call. In Part 2, we caught up with Hydraxus, Galeforce, and Typhoon as they watched an extravagant water show put on by the Aquatorians, where both Galeforce and Typhoon became convinced of humanity's potential.....for now, anyway. We also met up with Flamestar and Alpin and saw the first seeds of cynicism begin to plant themselves in Flamestar's mind, ending off with The Ascendant contacting Frost King Alpin to send him and the other Sect Leaders on a mission. This time, we follow Alpin, Flamestar, and the rest of the Sect Leaders as they embark on said mission, and what ends up becoming of them afterward.....

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In minutes, Frost King Alpin, Morton Flamestar, Hydraxus, Sledge, and Commander Galeforce were all inside the Aurora Keep grand lobby, huddled around a round table within a small "living room" in one of the corners. In the center of said table was the scrying orb that Alpin had wielded; the same one on which The Ascendant's call had first come through.

Though the Commander of the Storm Sect was in attendance, Typhoon was not; Galeforce had ordered her to return to Skycrest and keep an eye on the Storm Sect's home region in his absence.

"Welcome, everyone," Alpin greeted. "I suppose you're wondering what kind of matter could possibly require all five of us to tackle."

"Big mission?" Sledge inquired curiously. "Hope we no mess up!"

The Frost King grinned as he tapped the side of the scrying orb. At once, a holographic representation of the fabled city of Atlantis—still above-ground for the time being—projected itself above the spherical object.

"Our creator was very clear," he began. "He is concerned with the people of this earthly city. Thinks that they have become corrupt.....insane.....self-centered.....and culturally bankrupt. So, he's sent us to try and build bridges with them. Try to restore them back to their old ways, in other words."

"My friend, what could Atlantis possibly have to do with us?" Flamestar argued. "Can Hydraxus and Galeforce simply not go by themselves? They are the ones who control the seas.....perhaps they can take care of things."

"No one will be dousing Atlantis with water," Alpin insisted, though Galeforce's face was practically aglow. "The Ascendant stated that this was to be a peace mission. If we fail in correcting them.....we will leave them to face their own consequences."

"Ain't Atlantis the city with bad habits and vice? I've been hearing that its people aren't typically nice," Hydraxus pointed out worriedly. "Better make up a plan in case they don't hear us; something to ward them off if they get too near us."

"You were the one who taught me earlier today that people deserve to be given a chance to prove themselves," Galeforce countered, smiling and putting a hand on the Water Sect Leader's back. "So I say we go."

Flamestar frowned, but reluctantly gave in nonetheless. "I suppose I'm on board, too."

"I in, too!" Sledge voiced.

"No need for any more pleas, boasts, or goads; it's about time we all got this element show on the road!" Hydraxus spat enthusiastically, having been perked up by Galeforce.

"We couldn't refuse anyway," Alpin replied, beaming at his comrades' collective agreement. "But.....moving on."

He took his frost scepter and twirled it around him with a series of complex movements, all of which looked rather easy at first glance, but were really quite complicated. Then, he gently tapped the bottom of the staff on the palace floor twice, at which point a portal opened out of thin air.