Permafrost

40: Aurora

❄️Chapter 40: Aurora

Corrin had walked out of palace, and past the guards. He'd walked through the castle's barriers and into the town. He'd smiled and waved at the others who gave him kindness, sure, but he kept going. He was usually accompanied by a guard almost every time he left, but this time the guards available were busy training or were protecting an area they could not leave. There was nobody stopping him.

Tempest, one of the Ice Kingdom's fighters, had come back from the hill after she said the pesky brats she was dealing with had gone away. She mentioned how they acted at the Bobbit Path and all, yet Corrin had a feeling he'd probably see them once he got down the mountain. He was now approaching the exit gates of the kingdom, so if none of these guards stopped him, he was free to go. Unfortunately, as he took a step closer, the guards immediately tensed and crossed their spears over the path. Corrin sighed, knowing that he'd probably have to go through some sort of lecture or something.

"Halt! Prince Corrin, your father gave us VERY strict orders, and we cannot let you leave this place!" one guard in indigo ice armor said, loudly.

The other guard, who was wearing teal ice armor, suddenly lowered their weapon, and glanced over at the other guard in confusion despite the helmet and face mask covering their expression.

"He did? I thought that was yesterday. Corrin also didn't even go out yesterday, so it was fine. Maybe you just forgot about it," the other guard said.

"Well, yeah, I guess he-wait, was that order for today actually for tomorrow?"

"I dunno! You go and ask him! I'll stand guard here and make sure Corrin doesn't get past me, okay Zula?"

"Alright Tiane, I'll be as quick as possible! I'm counting on you!"

And with that, Zula sped off as fast as his legs and the armor would let him. Once he was out of sight, Corrin turned back around to face the remaining Rinkling. The guard in teal ice armor suddenly began to glow softly, and Corrin watched as the form changed to that of a small mimic ocsnowling. He had black tentacles with a snow pattern on them, like all ocsnowlings had. The black in them turned red towards the end tips as three of the tentacles rested on one side of his head, while a single horn protruded out of his head on the other. He also wore rectangular glasses, and had two long scars on the right side of his cheek. His eyes, or at least his sclera, were practically black with the iris being a bright teal, and the pupil being black as well.

"Nice one, Rehl. Knew I could count on you," Corrin said happily.

"No prob," Rehl smiled back, "Be safe out there, okay?"

"I know. Thanks!"

Corrin ran past his friend Rehl and started his trip down the mountain. He didn't remember how long he'd known Rehl for, but it was at least since they were young kids in combat class. He gripped his coat as he walked, heart still pounding from that running. Rinklings of course, had a higher tolerance to cold than most species did, but the stress from escaping had shaken him up a little. He needed to gain some distance, and the faster the better.

Corrin had, of course, tried to escape plenty of times before, but he only remembered a few times where he was successful. All the other times, the guards or his dad would catch him. They'd then send him to the hall of wings, forcing him to clean the skyling's cut off wings as punishment. Honestly, the place creeped him out, especially since he knew there were some icewings in the guard. Naturally, they were forbidden to go down that hall, but had plenty of other options to get to the destinations the hall lead to.

That was how big the castle was, apparently. Corrin had been in there for so long that he could probably navigate the place blindfolded if provided context clues. But the thing was, it got boring, and very quickly. It was why he wanted to get out and about more often. Things were more fun if they were unexpected, because that meant a different outcome in a different way each time.

Corrin had tried to get his dad to understand before, but his dad just wouldn't listen. Seeing as Corrin was next in line to inherit the throne, King Chion had insisted that Corrin be shaped into the finest specimen to be fit for ruling. Corrin just thought his dad didn't see that he was a different person. Chion was stubborn though, and Corrin didn't have the determination to keep trying to insist. He was hoping he would be able to find someone who COULD perhaps try, though.

He sighed as he kept walking down the mountain, keeping his weapon, a sword, safe by his side. This mound of rock had so many paths to it, and many creatures made this their home...Corrin actually hadn't even explored this place thoroughly. Suddenly, he felt his foot slide out from underneath him. He hadn't seen where he was going, and he slipped on a piece of stray ice...that unfortunately sent him flying off the side of the mountain. Well, that was one way to get to the bottom quicker.

He quickly brought out his sword and aimed it downward as he fell, bracing himself and his arm for impact. He shut his eyes as he stabbed the sword into the ground before he landed. He felt the pain quickly run up his arm, but kept all exclamations to himself. He slowly opened his eyes and brought his feet down to the snow as he pulled the sword out of the ground. Well, at least he was on a sturdy path now. Nothing to worry about from here, right?

Until he looked up.

There, in front of him.

Was a group of inklings.

And a tiny octoling.