“Get in there!” yelled a burly soldier as he ushered Sirius forward into the cramped confines of the prison wagon.
As Sirius was pushed inside, he kept a stoic countenance, not revealing any hint of the thoughts churning within him.
The morning sun cast a blinding light that danced off the soldiers’ armor. A sense of foreboding lingered in the air, causing Jonathan to bow his head in silent regret, his somber posture mirroring the weight of their circumstances.
Beside him stood Airella, her presence a beacon of strength and resolve amid chaos. Sparing a moment of eye contact with Sirius, she secured the cage door with a resounding click, her movements deliberate yet graceful in the gleaming golden armor that adorned her frame. In the polished surface of her armor, Sirius glimpsed at his reflection, a stark reminder of the reality he now faced.
“Get moving!” Duran demanded, his voice cutting through the tension in the air like a sharp blade.
Several men, their faces grim with determination, heeded his command and began pulling on the heavy wagon, their boots sinking into the muddy ground with each tug. The strained grunts of effort mingled with the squelching sounds of the wheels turning, marking their slow progress forward.
What felt like endless hours dragged on as the group of soldiers navigated through the thick, tangled forestry of the island. A creeping sense of unease gradually enveloped Sirius, casting a shadow over his thoughts. The once impenetrable forest thinned out, allowing slivers of light to filter through the canopy, creating an eerie ambiance. It was in this moment that Sirius felt a sudden chill in the air, and his surroundings took on an unsettling stillness.
As the surrounding trees grew sparser, a wave of dread washed over Sirius, sending a shiver down his spine. The realization dawned on him like a bolt of lightning, sparking a surge of panic within him. Frantically, he pulled at his restraints, desperation etched across his face, silently pleading for a glimmer of hope from the men encircling him.
“We have to turn back,” Sirius’s voice rose in urgency, his heart pounding in his chest as the gravity of the situation sank in. His usual stoic demeanor cracked, revealing a raw emotion he now struggled to contain.
Fear.
As the group of soldiers pressed onward, the air grew colder, wrapping around them like a sinister cloak.
Sirius’s breath misted in the icy air, his muscles tensing with a sense of foreboding. With a defiant growl, he strained against his bonds, desperation flickering in his eyes as he sought a way to avert the looming danger.
The surrounding landscape blurred as they marched on, each step taking them further into the unknown. Sirius’s mind raced, his instincts screaming for action, for escape. The distant howl of a wolf echoed through the chilling wind, sending shivers down their spines as they ventured deeper into the mysterious terrain, uncertain of what awaited them beyond the next bend.
“Quiet in there!” shouted a nearby guard.
In rebuttal, Sirius’s frustration took over. He pulled on his bindings, his eyes wide with fear. Though, without his scythe, a weapon that he used to channel his power, he was almost as weak as the humans surrounding him.
“What are you on about? We haven’t come across any threats.” Duran, annoyed but curious, hunched his back in front of the prison wagon. He held his hands on his hips as his purple nose stared back at Sirius.
“If you keep going, you will all be at the mercy of an ice demon. You will all freeze,” Sirius tried to warn them of the ancient ice hellion that lived in the snowy, treacherous area of the island they had just crossed into. It was Zol’s territory, a place where legends of icy terror thrived and nightmares became reality.
Duran merely responded with a quizzical look, skepticism etched on his face. He thought that the prisoner’s words were absolutely insane, impossible to believe.
“We’ll freeze? Did he just say we’ll freeze?” Asked Darian, his hand trembling as he drew his sword from paranoia and uneasiness. He couldn’t contain himself from the fear of what Sirius spoke of.
“It’s nothing but nonsense.” Duran’s voice boomed, his frustration clear. “This scoundrel doesn’t even know the meaning of fear. Look at him, devoid of any emotion.” His words reverberated through the tense air as the soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, some nervously scratching their heads while observing Sirius in the cage.
“I don’t know, Duran,” Jonathan chimed in, his voice tinged with uncertainty. He had edged closer to the cage, weapon at the ready, like the rest of the group. An uneasy atmosphere enveloped everyone except Duran, who seemed unfazed by the unfolding events.
“I suggest you run,” Sirius’s voice cut through the tension, his brows furrowed.
Suddenly, a rustling in the trees captured the soldiers’ attention, making them jump in alarm. A dark figure leaped down from the tree, landing behind a group of soldiers in a swift, calculated move. The aberration swiftly plunged two long daggers into two different chests simultaneously.
“????a?? ??b??? r?vi?h! Get out of my forest!” The hellion known as Zol bellowed with fierce intensity. Clad in obsidian armor, a large helmet obscuring his face, and eyes glowing ominously, Zol’s menacing presence underscored that fear was not exclusive to humans but also instilled in the hearts of miscreants.
The beings who inhabited this secluded island for centuries were well-versed in the legend of the dynamic couple. Emmaline, a Miscreant Slayer, found an unlikely mate in the form of the ice hellion, Zol. Their clandestine companionship evolved into a deep bond, eventually leading to their mating shrouded in secrecy. Tragedy struck when Emmaline died, triggering a descent into madness for Zol, who laid claim to the expansive territory they once shared harmoniously. This poignant tale was etched into the memory of Sirius, resonating with the complexities of love, loss, and the haunting echoes of a once idyllic existence.
“Holy sh—” Duran exclaimed, but his words became drowned out as a wave of panic swept through the group. A few men, overwhelmed by fear, seemed to freeze in place, their bodies turning into statues with just a touch from Zol’s palm. Chaos ensued as Duran’s lack of understanding of karma led to disastrous consequences.
Amid the commotion, Airella’s eyes widened with fear as she hurried towards Sirius’s cage. Despite her trembling hands, she skillfully wielded Dawnbreaker, effortlessly slicing through the thick rope that bound the door of the prison wagon shut.
With a swift motion, the door swung open, allowing Sirius to scramble out of the wagon. Airella wasted no time, grabbing his clothed hand firmly and leading him into the dense forest, their figures quickly disappearing into the shadows.