ACROSS THE DEPTHS OF THE UNIVERSE

* WIND AND SNOW *

***author's pov***

As Jerone stepped into the portal, the air around him changed dramatically. A cold wind rushed past, swirling snowflakes that danced in the air like tiny crystals. The temperature dropped, and he felt a tingling sensation on his skin, invigorating yet chilling. This was the trial of wind and snow, an element that required finesse and control.

“Stay sharp,” Jerone said, glancing back at his brothers as they entered the portal behind him. “Wind can be unpredictable, but we can use that to our advantage.”

Ahead, the landscape transformed into a vast expanse of snow-covered mountains, with icy winds howling through the valleys. Flurries of snow swirled around them, obscuring their vision momentarily. Jerone narrowed his eyes, focusing on the chill in the air.

From the depths of the blizzard, a figure emerged, the Wind Guardian, cloaked in robes that flowed like the wind itself. Its eyes sparkled with the brightness of the sky on a clear day, and it carried a staff that seemed to manipulate the air around it.

“Welcome, elemental kings,” the guardian proclaimed, its voice echoing like a breeze through the mountains. “You must prove your mastery over wind and snow to pass.”

Jerone squared his shoulders, the weight of responsibility heavy on him. “We’re ready,” he replied, feeling the energy of the wind at his back, urging him forward.

The guardian raised its staff, and a gale force wind rushed toward Jerone and his brothers. Without hesitation, Jerone extended his arms, calling upon the winds to swirl around him. He concentrated, feeling the currents, the flow of air weaving through his fingers.

“Use the wind’s rhythm, Jerone!” Kian shouted, recalling their training. “Let it guide you!”

With a deep breath, Jerone focused on the air, feeling it shift and change. He began to manipulate the wind, creating a barrier that deflected the guardian’s attack. Snowflakes danced around him, forming swirling patterns as he harnessed their energy.

The guardian unleashed a powerful gust, sending a barrage of snow and ice towards them. Jerone swiftly countered, raising his hands to summon a vortex of wind that scattered the snow, creating a path through the storm.

“Keep moving!” Asher encouraged, moving alongside Jerone as they dodged the icy projectiles. “We need to outmaneuver it!”

Jerone nodded, channeling the wind to lift them slightly off the ground, gliding through the snowy landscape. He could feel the power of the elements surging within him, the connection to the air as palpable as the cold biting at his skin.

“Let’s turn the tide!” Jerone shouted, summoning a strong gust to propel them forward. As they surged toward the Wind Guardian, he conjured sharp icicles from the air, hurling them toward their foe.

The guardian was quick, evading most of the attacks with graceful movements. It responded by creating a whirlwind that encircled Jerone and his brothers, pushing them back and disorienting them. Jerone felt the winds tugging at him, threatening to pull him off balance.

“Jerone!” Kian called, trying to regain his footing. “Focus on your connection with the wind! You can control it!”

With a fierce determination, Jerone closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the wind whip around him. He visualized the storm, the chaos, and the energy of the elements at his command. “I am the wind!” he declared, letting that power surge through him.

As he opened his eyes, he raised his arms and summoned a massive wave of air that surged toward the guardian. The wind howled, carrying with it a flurry of snowflakes that glittered like stars. The sheer force of the attack knocked the Wind Guardian off its feet, and Jerone seized the moment.

“Now!” he shouted, channeling the combined power of wind and snow into a final, concentrated blast. The air crackled with energy as the swirling vortex tore through the guardian’s defenses.

The guardian stood firm, but Jerone could see the strain in its expression. With one final push, he released the energy, sending a torrent of wind and snow crashing toward the guardian. The blizzard intensified, engulfing the figure in a whirlwind of white.

For a moment, the air was thick with snow and wind, and then, as quickly as it had begun, the storm calmed. The guardian vanished in a flurry of shimmering particles, and the icy landscape transformed into a serene winter wonderland.

“Jerone, you did it!” Asher exclaimed, rushing to his brother’s side. “That was amazing!”

Breathing heavily, Jerone smiled, a sense of pride swelling within him. “We’re one step closer to Valeria,” he said, glancing back at the portal that awaited them.

With their spirits high, the brothers prepared to move on to the next challenge, the bond between them stronger than ever as they faced the trials that lay ahead.