In Huck's Hands

BONUS Aiko CHAPTER 2 or 5: The Frozen Peak of Education!

Aiko's breath misted in the frigid air as she stepped off the transport, her boots crunching on the snow-covered ground. The stark white landscape stretched as far as the eye could see, broken only by the looming silhouette of the aptly named Frostpeak Academy. The imposing structure seemed to grow out of the very ice itself, its towering spires and frost-covered walls a testament to the harsh beauty of the southern Svetlan tundra.

She adjusted the strap of her pack, the weight of her few possessions a comforting reminder of home. The biting wind whipped at her face, and she pulled her Durik-fur-lined hood closer, grateful for the warmth it provided. As she stamped towards the entrance, Aiko couldn't help but feel a spasm of loneliness. Huck and Kash were far away now, and she was truly on her own for the first time in her life without even the guidance of her harsh father.

The massive iron-bound doors of the academy creaked open as she approached, revealing a dimly lit entrance hall. Aiko stepped inside, shaking the clinging snow from her boots as she took in the vaulted ceilings framed by ebony wood that forced the eyes into a spinning dome near the center of the towered academy.

The doors bashed shut behind her with a finality that sent a shiver down her spine that lasted for several moments. "Welcome to Frostpeak Academy, Aspirant Aiko Ewabatta," a crisp voice cut through the silence. Aiko turned to see a tall, slender woman with pale skin and eyes like shards of ice. Her white hair was pulled back in a severe bun, and she wore a high-collared uniform of deep blue. "I am Headmistress Saxun. You are late. While I admire your entrance scores...This will be the last time any mistakes on your part will be tolerated, Am I understood?"

Aiko straightened her posture, meeting the woman's unfeeling gaze. "My apologies, Headmistress. The journey from Buriti Vasca was longer than expected, it is a long way to Old Heaven from the Palac--"

Saxun's lips thinned into a disapproving line. "Excuses are likewise not tolerated here, Candidate. You would do well to remember that." She turned on her heel, gesturing for Aiko to follow her down a narrow passageway. "Come. The orientation is already underway."

Headmaster Saxun turned her angled face for a moment, the wrinkle of her eye becoming more pronounced as she released a cutting smile. "Wolves cannot be befriended...Only tamed for a time until they are no longer useful." Her voice trailed off as she continued her long strides.

As they walked through the winding corridors, Aiko couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The walls were adorned with portraits of stern-faced individuals who hailed from all manner of nations, their lively eyes seeming to track her every move. The air grew chillier with each step, and Aiko wondered if the entire academy was carved from ice and reinforced only with wood as she studied the architecture of the grand construction.

They arrived at a large auditorium, where rows of students sat in rapt attention forward. Aiko slipped into an empty seat near the back, acutely aware of the curious glances thrown her way. At the front of the room, a man with a shock of white hair and a jagged scar across his face was speaking with a heavy northern accent.

"...and remember contenders, your time here at Frostpeak is not just about survival. It is about superiority. We are forging the future leaders of our world, and only the most decisive will triumph." He flared his hand in the sky, relishing the different stoic faces of the new students.

Aiko listened intently, piecing together what she had missed. It seemed that they were all "candidates" for something, though the exact nature of what they were competing for remained frustratingly vague. The constant tick of a nearby clock caused her to fidget her fingers slightly.

As the man, who introduced himself as Professor Frost, continued his speech, Aiko observed her fellow students. They were a diverse group, hailing from various corners of the world as many were colors and builds that Aiko had never witnessed.