Converging Destinies: Part 1

Chapter 63

       The group travelled as fast as they could across the ice, which was thankfully thick enough to walk on. The ice was solid, covered by a thin layer of snow keeping it from being slippery. On the first day, the group was able to make great progress. Using his capability to control water with powerful magic, Cedric manipulated the ice into water, which he shaped into a frozen orb that surrounded the group as they slept.

       The group woke up the next day to the sound of roaring wind. As they broke out of the ice sphere, the cold immediately hit them. As they continued toward Point Frost, the windchill effect began to take its toll. For the first couple hours, the group was able to fight the cold.

       As half the travel day passed, Cedric began to lose focus of the ice in the distance, and moving forward became disorienting. Eris also began to feel the effects of the cold, as they occasionally stumbled from dizziness. The rest of the group was able to keep up with fighting the howling wind.

       Cedric used some of his magic to protect himself from the chill, but was only able to for a short time. However, the whole group was able to make it through the next two hours.

       As dusk began to fall, the group came to an end to their traveling, Eris could barely walk. They were violently shivering. Thankfully, Cedric had saved enough magic to make another water orb to give them shelter, and they were all able to rest and keep a bit warm.

       Thankfully, the second day was brisk, but the chill wasn't biting. Eris was slowly able to recover over the rest of the second day of travel and rest.

       The next day, disaster struck. The sky was white with snow. A blizzard had blown across the icy plain overnight. The wind before was unbearable, but this was far worse. The snow hit them, and burned them from the cold.

       Within hours, Cedric had to be carried on Ella's back. Cedric began frantically using his magic to protect himself from the cold once again. Zerai also began struggling to walk, and had to be dragged along by a violently shivering Eris. The snow on the ground was rapidly becoming thicker. It felt like eons by the time half the day was over.

       Zerai's condition quickly became more serious, and his breathing was accompanied by violent shaking.

       "If it gets worse, we need to stop!" Eris warned. In response, Cedric used his magic to safeguard Zerai from the cold for a short time. As another hour passed, the effort Ella was exerting began to become too much, and her pace slowed. Ara' Sei looked behind her, and saw that the whole group was slowing down behind her.

       "One more hour, and we're done. We can do it!" Ara' Sei declared confidently.

       Ara' Sei was able to push against the cold, and guided the group through. But, as Cedric formed the dome, it became clear how dire the group's condition was. Much of Zerai's body was tinted with a hint of blue, and his breathing was weak. Cedric held a flame near Zerai, trying to keep him warm.

       "Note for the future, we can't travel in blizzards." Eris said. Everyone in exception to Ara' Sei was violently shivering, and the group was uncertain of what would await them the next day. Everyone except Zerai had mostly recovered the next day. Thankfully, the day was clear, and Ella was strong enough to carry Zerai on her shoulder. As they set up that night, the group became more and more nervous. Eris said that they were only two days of travel on foot from Point Frost, but what in the world was awaiting them there?