The wind howled as it swept across the barren plains of the Farlands, carrying with it the biting chill of the endless winter. Kaden trudged through the snow, his boots sinking into the frost with each step. His body was tired, the cold gnawing at his bones, but he forced himself to keep moving. There was no time to stop—not here, not now.
The small settlement he had left behind felt like a distant memory. The fire, the warmth, the brief sense of safety had all disappeared the moment he had stepped outside its boundaries. Now, he was once again alone in the endless white, his only companion the eerie silence of the frozen wasteland.
'There has to be something out here,' Kaden thought, his gaze sweeping the horizon. 'I can't be the only one.'
The compass weighed heavily in his pocket. Every now and then, he would feel the faint pulse of energy emanating from it, a reminder that it was more than just a tool. It was a guide, a link to something much greater than himself. But right now, it wasn't doing him any favors. The needle continued to spin wildly, refusing to settle on a direction.
His breath came in ragged puffs, the air freezing as it left his lips. The cold was relentless, seeping into every part of him, but he kept going. He had to. There was no other choice.
Then, suddenly, the compass stopped.
Kaden froze in place, his hand instinctively reaching for the Compass in his pocket. The pulse of energy grew stronger, vibrating against his palm as he pulled it out and held it up to the light. The needle, which had been spinning wildly only moments before, now pointed directly ahead.
A surge of energy coursed through him, and the runes on the compass began to glow faintly. The air around him shifted, as though something unseen had taken notice of his presence.
'What is this?' Kaden thought, narrowing his eyes as he tried to make sense of the strange phenomenon. The compass had never reacted like this before.
The snow beneath his feet stirred, and Kaden's heart skipped a beat. He took a cautious step forward, the compass still pulsing in his hand. As he moved, the glow intensified, the runes becoming brighter with each step he took.
The landscape around him began to shift, the wind picking up and swirling the snow into a blinding whirlwind. Kaden shielded his eyes, the compass pulling him forward as though it had a mind of its own. The needle pointed straight ahead, unwavering, as if it was leading him to something—or someone.
A distant shape appeared through the blizzard.
Kaden's eyes widened as the shape grew larger, becoming more defined with each passing second. It wasn't a structure or a landmark—it was a figure. A man, standing still in the midst of the storm, his back to Kaden.
He hesitated, uncertainty creeping into his mind. Whoever this was, they didn't seem to be affected by the cold or the wind. The figure stood tall and unmoving, seemingly waiting for something—or someone.
Kaden swallowed hard and took another step forward. The snow crunched beneath his boots, the sound almost deafening in the silence of the storm. The figure didn't move, didn't react, but the compass in Kaden's hand pulsed stronger than ever.
With one final step, Kaden reached the man. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat as the figure slowly turned to face him.
Kaden's heart skipped a beat. The man before him was tall, with sharp features and silver hair that gleamed in the dim light of the storm. His eyes were cold, calculating, and there was something predatory in the way they narrowed as they locked onto Kaden.
The man's hand rested on the hilt of a sword strapped to his back—a weapon that looked worn and battle-tested. He was dressed in dark, heavy armor, the kind that had seen countless battles and wars. Despite the freezing cold, the man didn't seem to shiver or even acknowledge the harsh conditions. He was a warrior, through and through.
Kaden's mouth went dry. He had no idea who this man was, but it was clear that he wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"Who are you?" Kaden finally managed to ask, his voice barely audible over the wind.
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword just a bit tighter. "I could ask you the same question."
The voice was deep, gravelly, and carried the weight of experience behind it. This was no ordinary traveler. Whoever he was, he had seen more battles than Kaden could ever imagine.
"My name is Kaden," he said, taking a cautious step back. "I—"
"Where am I?" the man interrupted, his voice sharp and demanding.
Kaden blinked in surprise. The man's question wasn't hostile, but it was filled with an intensity that made it clear he wasn't used to waiting for answers. He was used to commanding.
"You're in the Farlands," Kaden said, his brow furrowing. "It's… a frozen wasteland, to the north of—"
The man cut him off again, his eyes narrowing even further. "I'm not from here."
Kaden opened his mouth to reply, but before he could say anything, the man's eyes flicked down to the Compass in Kaden's hand. The faint glow of the runes caught the man's attention, and his grip on his sword tightened.
"What is that?" the man asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Kaden hesitated. He wasn't sure how much to tell this stranger—whoever he was. The compass was connected to him, to his power, and to something far greater than either of them could understand. But the man's gaze was piercing, and Kaden had the feeling that lying wouldn't be a good idea.
"It's… a compass," Kaden said carefully. "It brought you here. I don't know how it works exactly, but it seems to have the power to summon people from other places. Other worlds, maybe."
The man's eyes flashed with something—anger, confusion, maybe even fear—but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
"Other worlds," the man repeated, his voice barely more than a growl. "I was in the middle of a hunt."
Kaden's mind raced. A hunt? That would explain the man's appearance—his armor, his weapons, the cold, calculated way he held himself. But that didn't explain why the compass had summoned him.
"I don't know why you were brought here," Kaden admitted, "but the compass… it only activates when I need help. When I'm in danger."
The man's eyes flicked back to Kaden's, and for a moment, there was a flash of something akin to understanding.
"You need help," the man said, his voice flat.
Kaden nodded slowly. "I don't know this land. I don't know this world. I'm just trying to survive."
The man's grip on his sword loosened slightly, but he didn't let go completely. He glanced around, taking in their surroundings—the endless snow, the howling wind, the oppressive cold.
"You're not the only one," the man muttered, his voice so low that Kaden almost didn't hear him.
Kaden didn't reply. Instead, he watched as the man turned his gaze back to him, his eyes cold and unyielding.
"My name is Geralt," the man finally said, his voice carrying a weight that Kaden couldn't quite place.
Kaden's eyes widened slightly. The name didn't mean anything to him, but there was something about the way Geralt said it that made it clear he wasn't just any warrior.
"Geralt," Kaden repeated, nodding. "Thank you for—"
"Don't thank me yet," Geralt interrupted. "If what you're saying is true, then we're not safe here. Not by a long shot."
Kaden frowned. "What do you mean?"
Geralt's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting to something beyond Kaden's shoulder. "There's something coming."
Kaden's heart skipped a beat. He turned, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. The storm had calmed slightly, but the air was still thick with tension. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it—a shadow moving through the snow, fast and deadly.
The ground trembled beneath their feet as the shadow drew closer, and Kaden's breath caught in his throat.
"Get ready," Geralt said, drawing his sword in one smooth motion.
Kaden's pulse quickened. The cold inside him stirred, the familiar sensation of power surging through his veins.
The beast was coming.
The shadow grew larger, barreling through the snow with terrifying speed. Kaden could barely make out its form, but it was massive, far bigger than anything he had seen in the Farlands so far. The ground trembled beneath him with every step the creature took, and the air itself seemed to vibrate with its presence.
Geralt, sword drawn, took a step forward, his stance steady and practiced. His eyes narrowed as he assessed the incoming threat, every muscle in his body coiled and ready to strike.
"Stay behind me," Geralt ordered, his voice calm but firm.
Kaden swallowed, gripping the Wyrd Compass in his hand as the familiar cold surged through his veins. He knew Geralt was right—whatever this creature was, it wasn't something to face head-on without a plan. But the cold inside him pulsed, urging him forward, pushing him to use his powers.
The creature burst through the snow with a roar, its massive form crashing into view. It was a hulking beast covered in thick, ice-covered fur, with jagged claws that tore through the frozen ground as it moved. Its eyes, glowing with an unnatural light, locked onto them, and a low growl rumbled from its throat.
The beast was nothing short of monstrous. It stood on all fours, towering over both Kaden and Geralt, its massive shoulders and chest heaving with each breath. Sharp, frost-covered teeth gleamed in its snarling maw, and the air around it seemed to freeze, forming a thin layer of frost over the ground as it advanced.
Kaden's heart pounded in his chest, his breath visible in the cold air. The beast let out a deafening roar that shook the ground, its eyes glowing brighter with each step it took toward them.
"Ready yourself," Geralt muttered, stepping forward, his sword gleaming in the dim light of the storm. "This thing is no ordinary animal."
Kaden barely had time to respond before the beast charged, its massive claws digging into the snow as it lunged toward them. Geralt reacted in an instant, sidestepping the attack with a quick roll to the side. His sword flashed as he swung at the creature's flank, but the blade barely seemed to scratch the thick, ice-covered fur.
Kaden took a step back, his mind racing. He could feel the cold inside him, the power swirling just beneath the surface, but he hadn't fully learned how to control it yet. He clenched his fist, watching as Geralt engaged the beast, moving with fluid precision.
"Focus, Kaden," he muttered to himself, his eyes locking onto the beast's glowing eyes. The compass in his hand pulsed, as if urging him to act.
The beast roared again, swiping at Geralt with its massive claws. Geralt dodged, his movements swift and calculated, but the beast was relentless. It lashed out with another swipe, and this time, Geralt was forced to block with his sword. The impact sent him skidding back through the snow, his boots digging into the ground as he struggled to maintain his footing.
"Now would be a good time to use that power of yours!" Geralt shouted, his voice strained as he parried another attack.
Kaden nodded, though the uncertainty in his chest gnawed at him. He didn't want to lose control, not again. But if he didn't act soon, Geralt wouldn't be able to hold the beast off for much longer.
Taking a deep breath, Kaden focused on the cold that surged through him, letting it build inside him. His right hand began to burn with icy energy, and the familiar black frost started to spread from his fingertips, crystallizing in the air around him.
The beast roared once more, charging at Geralt with reckless abandon. This time, Geralt wasn't quick enough. The beast's massive paw slammed into him, sending him flying back into the snow with a grunt of pain. He rolled to a stop, his sword slipping from his grasp as the beast loomed over him.
"Geralt!" Kaden shouted, his voice filled with panic. The black frost in his hand flared, and without thinking, Kaden thrust his hand forward.
The air around him shimmered as the temperature dropped sharply. The ground cracked, ice spreading in jagged lines from where Kaden stood, racing toward the beast. The black ice coiled and twisted, wrapping around the creature's legs, freezing it in place with a sickening crack.
The beast howled in rage, its movements slowing as the frost took hold. It tried to pull free, but the ice clung to it, refusing to let go. The black frost spread further, creeping up the beast's body, encasing its fur and limbs in a thick layer of ice.
Kaden's breath came in short gasps, his heart racing as he fought to maintain control. The power was wild, raw, and he could feel it pushing against the edges of his consciousness, begging to be unleashed fully. But he couldn't let it take over—not here, not now.
"Get clear!" Kaden shouted to Geralt, his voice strained from the effort of holding the ice in place.
Geralt didn't need to be told twice. He scrambled to his feet, grabbing his sword as he moved. With one last look at the frozen beast, he turned and sprinted toward Kaden, just as the ice finally took full hold of the creature.
The beast roared, but the sound was muffled as the black ice crept up its throat, freezing it solid. The massive creature stood still for a moment, completely encased in a thick layer of frost, before it finally collapsed to the ground with a resounding crash, shattering into pieces.
Kaden's legs gave out beneath him, and he dropped to his knees in the snow, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The black frost in his hand flickered and died, the energy receding back into his body, leaving him feeling drained and exhausted.
Geralt approached slowly, his eyes scanning the remains of the beast before turning to Kaden.
"Impressive," he said, his voice calm despite the chaos that had just unfolded. "But you're not in control, are you?"
Kaden shook his head, wiping the sweat from his brow. "No. Not yet."
Geralt studied him for a moment, then nodded. "You're lucky it didn't kill you."
Kaden let out a breathless laugh. "I know."
For a moment, they both stood in silence, the wind howling around them as the snow began to fall once more. The remains of the beast lay scattered across the ground, frozen chunks of fur and ice slowly disappearing beneath the snowfall.
Geralt sheathed his sword, his eyes still locked on Kaden. "You have power. But power without control is dangerous."
Kaden nodded, his body still trembling from the exertion. "I know."
Geralt studied him for a moment longer before finally turning away, his gaze shifting to the horizon. "We should get moving. More creatures like that will be drawn to the scent of blood."
Kaden stood slowly, his legs weak but steady. He glanced down at the Compass in his hand, its glow dimming once more as the pulse of energy faded.
"Do you… always have to deal with things like that?" Kaden asked, his voice hoarse.
Geralt smirked. "In my world? Yes. In this world? I suppose we'll find out soon enough."
Kaden let out a shaky breath, tucking the compass back into his pocket as he followed Geralt through the snow.
They had survived their first battle together, but Kaden couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The cold, the creatures, the strange powers—they were all connected, somehow. And he had a feeling the answers lay somewhere beyond the endless horizon of the Farlands.
For now, though, survival was all that mattered.