Fire's Freezing Point [UNDOING II]

Initiation

==> Oliver

I had done everything I could. I left camp as soon as I could. I travelled to Greenland, asking the locals about ancient castles and abandoned ruins. They told me about an old temple up on the tallest of the mountains, but it was a dangerous journey to take solo. I didn't care. I knew deep in my heart that I needed to go there. What they were seeing wasn't a temple, I knew that as well.

My journey brought me up the mountain, through blizzards and snow nymphs, protecting their mother with their life. I did not slay them, I instead explained why I was there. They helped me along, telling me the safest passages up the mountain.

Arriving at the summit, I saw what I wanted to see in the distance. Instead of the ruins of an ancient temple, I was met with What the mist couldn't hide. I was met with the snow white exterior of a castle fortified with pure ice. I knew I was here. There were no guards. The nymphs explained that they saw me as no threat, so they allowed me inside. I opened the doors.

The intricate detail of the interior was astonishing. The decore was inscribed with all different patterns, like snowflakes. It appeared to be made out of glass, but I knew it was ice. At the end of the room was a giant throne, that akin to the iron throne from you know What. A woman adorned with the same glass-like jewels and an intricate gown stared down at me, her blue eyes piercing my soul and sending chills to my very core. Her hair was as black as night, long and flowing around her shoulders. This was who I needed to see. The leader of the Order.

"What brings you to The Order, half blood?" Her voice echoes through the hall. She said "half blood" with a sneer in her voice. Her lips, blue with the cold turned to a snarl. Yet she didn't seem bothered by the cold. Neither did I, oddly enough, despite shivering earlier on the mountain.

"I wish to join you." I spoke with confidence, straightening my back. I didn't kneel. I had to show I was different. She seemed to catch on, raising a brow.

"And what makes you wish to betray your own kind?" A grin tugged at her lips. The way her eyes flickered through every feature of my body said she was interested.

"They aren't right." I said simply, stepping closer.

"Elaborate."

"I'm afraid I can't, miss. The gods hear us well." I grinned. I was wrong, but I didn't know it.

"Do not fret, my child. The gods cannot hear us. I make sure of it, being one myself." The same mischevious grin tugged at her lips. I was at the right place, I knew for sure now.

"I see... Who are you?" I didn't know her name. Only that she was the leader of the Order.

"I am Khione. Goddess of the winter and snow. So tell me, my child. Why did you leave your kind?" Khione asked her question again, leaning forward and staring me down with narrowed eyes.

"They do nothing to help themselves or the world. The gods treat them like a reality show, they're treated like garbage and do nothing to rebel. They're afraid. I wish to erradicate them of the gods and of their own impurities." I explained, standing my ground. I stood straight and tall, confident in my own words. This was why I left.

"I see... And why do you put yourself upon this pedestal?" I didn't expect her to ask this, I had to think for a moment.

"I am the one intelligent enough to break away from the norm."

"Fair. Come with me, my child. We have much do discuss of your potential." She stood up, standing taller than I was. The train of her gown reflected the rainbow refractions of the light. She took me by my arm through the castle, her touch as cold as ice. It reminded me of Luna, but I couldn't think of her now. Khione led me through the courtyard, and up through one of the towers. She opened a frosted glass door to reveal a simple pedestal with a steaming red liquid inside of the bowl.