Free Book - Prequel of The Chronicles of Canes Venatici

Boreas Planet 2 (Part 5.3)

Part 5.3 – The Secrets Beneath the Ice

While the Icebound Scholars spend their days delving into ancient texts and performing experiments in the safety of their laboratory, there is a growing belief among some that the greatest secrets of Boreas lie far beyond the reach of the Sanctum. Buried deep beneath the surface of the planet, hidden away in the uncharted frozen wastelands, are relics and artifacts from a time long forgotten—evidence of a lost civilization that once thrived on Boreas before the great freeze.

The scholars call these rumors the Whispers of the Ice, stories passed down through generations of explorers and travelers who claim to have seen strange structures jutting out of the glaciers, or who have heard the eerie, otherworldly sounds emanating from deep within the ice. Most of these stories have been dismissed by the more conservative scholars as myths, but there are those who believe that the truth lies somewhere in between.

Kael, the ambitious young apprentice, is one of those who believes in the existence of something ancient buried beneath the ice. He has spent years poring over the ancient scrolls in the Ice Archive, searching for clues that could lead him to the location of these lost relics. In the oldest texts, he has found references to a civilization that predated even the earliest settlers of Frosthold—people who were said to have lived in harmony with the planet, harnessing its geothermal energy in ways that even the Icebound Scholars cannot fully comprehend.

"This planet has seen more than we know," Kael tells you one evening as you stand in the quiet of the Sanctum's Hall of Archives. His voice is filled with quiet conviction. "We think we are the first to unlock its secrets, but I believe we are only scratching the surface. There was something here before us—something powerful."

His mentor, Elyas, is skeptical of Kael's theories, warning him not to get lost in the past when there is still so much work to be done in the present. But Kael is determined. He believes that if he can find evidence of this lost civilization, it could change everything. Not only would it provide valuable insights into Boreas' past, but it could also reveal new ways of harnessing the planet's geothermal energy, possibly unlocking the full potential of Froststone.

The Whispers of the Ice have led Kael to believe that the key to finding these lost relics lies in a remote region of Boreas known as the Shattered Glaciers. This area, located far beyond the reach of Frosthold's defenses, is a treacherous expanse of jagged ice and deep crevasses, constantly shifting and breaking apart under the immense pressure of the planet's tectonic activity. It is a place where few dare to venture, and even fewer return.

But Kael is undeterred. He has gathered a small group of like-minded scholars and explorers who share his belief in the existence of the lost civilization, and together they are planning an expedition to the Shattered Glaciers. The journey will be dangerous, but Kael is convinced that the rewards will be worth the risk.

In preparation for the expedition, Kael has spent months in the Froststone Laboratory, refining his theories and developing new equipment that will allow them to survive the harsh conditions of the Shattered Glaciers. He has designed special Froststeel drills capable of cutting through even the thickest ice, as well as thermal suits powered by small Froststone cores that will keep them warm in the freezing temperatures. Every detail of the expedition has been meticulously planned, and Kael is confident that they will succeed where others have failed.

As you walk through the Sanctum with Kael, listening to his plans, you can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The idea that there could be something ancient and powerful buried beneath the ice is both thrilling and terrifying. If Kael is right, it could change the course of Frosthold's history—and possibly the future of Boreas itself.

The night before the expedition is set to depart, you find yourself standing with Kael at the edge of the Sanctum's glacier, looking out over the frozen wasteland that stretches endlessly into the distance. The stars above are bright and cold, their light reflecting off the ice like tiny shards of glass. The air is crisp and still, and for a moment, the silence of the planet feels almost oppressive.

"We're going to find it," Kael says softly, his breath visible in the cold night air. "I know we will. The answers are out there, buried beneath the ice. We just have to be brave enough to go and find them."

The next morning, the expedition sets out. Kael and his team, equipped with their thermal suits and Froststeel drills, head toward the Shattered Glaciers, determined to uncover the secrets that have been hidden beneath the ice for centuries. As they disappear into the distance, the enormity of their task becomes clear. They are venturing into the unknown, a place where even the Icebound Scholars have never dared to go.

Days pass, and word from the expedition is sparse. The conditions in the Shattered Glaciers are even more treacherous than expected, and communication with Frosthold is difficult. But Kael's determination drives them forward, and the team presses on, deeper into the ice.

Then, one evening, a message arrives at the Sanctum—Kael has found something.

The message is brief and cryptic, but it is enough to send shockwaves through the Sanctum. Kael and his team have uncovered what appears to be a structure buried deep within the ice, far older than anything the scholars have ever seen. The details are scarce, but it is clear that this discovery could change everything.

The Icebound Scholars are in a frenzy. Lyrel, the Archivist, is deeply concerned about what this discovery could mean. "We do not know what lies beneath the ice," she warns. "Kael may have found something far more dangerous than he realizes. The ancient texts speak of great power, but they also speak of destruction. We must be cautious."

Despite Lyrel's warnings, there is no stopping Kael now. He is determined to uncover the full extent of what they have found, no matter the cost. As the expedition continues, the atmosphere in Frosthold grows tense. Everyone is waiting for news—waiting to see if Kael's discovery will be the key to a new future or the catalyst for disaster.

As you stand at the edge of the glacier, looking out over the frozen landscape, you can't shake the feeling that something momentous is about to happen. The planet itself seems to be holding its breath, waiting to see what will be uncovered from its icy depths.

The secrets beneath the ice are about to be revealed—and with them, the fate of Boreas.

Future Glimpse!
The secrets uncovered beneath Boreas' ice will not only reveal a lost civilization but also an ancient power that could either save or destroy Frosthold. The people will be forced to confront a choice between embracing this power or sealing it away forever.

Olav J. Insight:
"History is not always a guide—it can also be a warning. The past holds many lessons, but it also holds many dangers. When we unearth forgotten things, we must be ready to face what they reveal about us."