Chapter 1: Winters Claw
I gazed out of the carriage’s window, captivated by the scenic countryside rushing past. I was finally on my first mission, heading to Eryset after reports of an abnormal military presence. Every mission that crosses the border is high risk, especially when traveling across the whole country, and not to mention how long I have to stay there. I mean, is it even possible to lie every day for 5 years straight. As I started drifting off, I saw a few houses with lights on, even though they looked like they were falling apart.
I suddenly woke up when we came to a sudden stop. The driver was a weathered man, with deep lines etched into his face that spoke of years of hardship and struggle. The large scar on his cheek only added to his rough appearance. “I can’t take you any further. Stay safe. Don’t get caught, seen a lot of young spy’s fail on their first mission” Said the driver in his unsurprisingly monotone voice. “Sure.” I replied in a quiet voice, thinking how he could have given me some positive encouragement.
As much as I hated it, he was right. If I got caught, they would have the advantage in our current conflict. A lot depended on me. As I stepped out of the carriage I could see the vast snowy mountain range towering over the terrain around with towering peaks of jagged rock and frozen waterfalls cascading down their sides. I have never seen such a thing, the entire town looked so fragile with the mountain straight behind it. The mountain looked rough like it would kill anyone that dared enter. Just looking at it gave me a chilling feeling throughout my whole body. It was called Winter’s Claw.
As I walked down the street, I thought about which route to take to Eryset. I could take a boat, but it was too risky. The only real option was going through the Winter’s Claw, it’s a risk to the most experienced and skilled mountaineers, not many make it out on the other side. I chose back at the capital only to bring the essentials: a sleeping bag, bread, some dried fish, and a few leather waterskins that I can rotate between.
As I approached the mountain my whole body was fighting against it. I had to force myself to continue walking towards almost certain death. Damn how did my life end up like this? Did I turn the right or the wrong way? well it doesn’t really matter now all i can do is walk forward
It felt like I had been walking for days. I was cold and tired, and all I wanted was to sit down and go to sleep. Every time I considered stopping, I repeated to myself, “Only one more step,” over and over again. I couldn’t even tell whether it was day or night in this blizzard, I could only see about 3 meters in front of me. The only positive thing I could think of was that the blizzard gave me some excellent cover. Why am I even going this far, is this going to be worth it. The questions about my loyalties flooded my mind. Even if I complete this, would I even be honored? would my page be left out of the history books. Even so I continued walking since there wasn’t any chance of going back now.
After what felt like many days and countless sleepless nights, I heard something in the distance, a large growling noise. I immediately got down on my stomach and tried to see where the noise came from. Before I knew it, I could see the silhouette of an ice giant, It was gigantic, no ordinary giant. It was the Monster Of The Winter’s Claw. some people didn’t believe they existed, and here it was just in front of me.
I thought that it was just a fairytale. Why didn't they warn me about this? The government must have known that the monster was real. Were they lying to me saying that it wasn’t real? What if they were scared that I’d back out.. No, I trained for so long they wouldn’t doubt my devotion would they? Guess i’ll never know, should’ve asked that carriage
Before I could have the chance to comprehend what even happened, it started walking towards me. I ran as quickly as I could towards what I thought was a rock but then Just as I thought I was safe a gust of wind blew my safe covering away, it was snow all along. Then I saw the shadow of his foot getting closer and closer right in front of my eyes. I started to think all my training was in vain and just for all of it to amount to nothing, but no, even if I fought as hard as I could, even then nobody could stand against the Monster Of The Winter’s Claw. This was truly the end.
I’m not strong enough
There’s no standing up to raw power
Only high mages can stand up to monsters
It’s all over. But I have to keep trying Somehow. Just as I thought that I felt a power surge through me, raw power surged out of my left arm, and I was flung into the air spinning, It was as if the world had stopped. I saw the monster as I was in the air, it was lying down.. defeated. All my worries had flung away but then.. I landed with a thud. I looked over at my left arm and it was numb and had bruises all over. “What just happened” I said quietly
The aftermath left me breathless, staring at the fallen giant in disbelief. The echoes of power still pulsed through my veins. The monster should have defeated me effortlessly. What happened? After the Adrenalin wore off, the pain was unimaginable. What secrets did this monster hold, why was I the one to defeat it.
