The trek back to the Icefang village felt heavier than the journey out, the tundra's chill biting deeper as the day waned. Aelar Frostveil led the way, his dark blue frostweave armor scuffed and bloodied, silver-white ponytail swaying with each limping step—his thigh wound throbbed, but he pressed on. Kaelith padded beside him, silver-streaked fur matted with frost-blood, glacial eyes scanning the fading mist. The rune-stone pulsed faintly in Aelar's hand, its violet glow a quiet menace, tying the Order's plans to something ancient and unseen.
Elara walked at his side, leaning on her staff, her pale blue tunic torn at the hem. "You're favoring that leg," she said, voice weary. "Let me fix it when we stop."
"Later," Aelar replied, glancing at her. "You're drained—save your mana."
Torin trailed behind, his Frost Boar, Gruk, snuffling the snow, icy spines dulled from battle. "Gruk's limping too," he muttered. "Day's been hell."
Gorrim brought up the rear, axe slung over his shoulder, Varg the Frost Hound limping slightly beside him. "Lost good men," he said, voice rough. "That stone better be worth it, Frostborn."
Aelar held it up, its pulse syncing with his heartbeat. "It's a key—or a weapon. We'll figure it out."
Back at the village, the firepit crackled as dusk settled, survivors tending wounds. Aelar sat on a fur mat, Kaelith curling beside him. "Sylvara, analyze Elara," he thought, eyeing her as she bandaged a guard.
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Target: Elara Glintfrost
Race: Ice Elf
Ascension Tier: Master (Level 4)
Stats:
Strength: 35
Agility: 50
Intelligence: 60
Mana: 90
Skills: Frost Weaving (Level 6): Conjures barriers and patterns with precision. Mana Focus (Level 5): Enhances spell efficiency. Staff Combat (Level 3): Basic melee defense.
Sylvara: High mana potential, nearing Grandmaster.
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"Sylvara, analyze Torin," Aelar thought, glancing at the captain feeding Gruk.
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Target: Torin Iceblade
Race: Ice Elf
Ascension Tier: Master (Level 5)
Stats:
Strength: 60
Agility: 45
Intelligence: 40
Mana: 50
Skills: Spear Mastery (Level 7): Expert spear techniques. Beast Synergy (Level 4): Enhanced coordination with Gruk. Endurance (Level 5): High stamina in battle.
Companion: Frost Boar (Elder) Name: Gruk
Stats: Strength 65, Agility 40, Intelligence 15, Mana 30
Skills: Spine Charge (Level 5), Tough Hide (Level 4
Sylvara: Close to Grandmaster. Increase agility and mana for ascension.
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"Sylvara, analyze Gorrim," Aelar thought, watching the chieftain sharpen his axe.
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Target: Gorrim Icefang
Race: Ice Elf
Ascension Tier: Master (Level 5)
Stats:
Strength: 70
Agility: 40
Intelligence: 35
Mana: 45
Skills: Axe Mastery (Level 7): Brutal axe combat. Beast Command (Level 4): Strong bond with Varg. Resilience (Level 5): High damage resistance.
Companion: Frost Hound (Elder) Name: Varg
Stats: Strength 55, Agility 60, Intelligence 20, Mana 35
Skills: Frost Bite (Level 5), Swift Pursuit (Level 4)
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Aelar rubbed his chin. "Elara's got the mind and mana—needs melee grit. Torin and Gorrim are brutes—more speed and magic'd push them up. We'll train tomorrow—share the Wraith core too."
Elara sat beside him, handing him the stone. "What's the verdict?"
"Old magic," Aelar said, turning it over. "Theron might know more. But we're all stronger than we think—room to grow."
Torin snorted, joining them. "Grow? I'm plenty strong—Gruk too."
"You're tough," Aelar said, smirking. "But faster? Deadlier? We'll get there."
Gorrim laughed, sitting across the fire. "Varg and I'll take any edge. What's your trick, Frostborn?"
"Work together," Aelar replied. "We rise as one"
--------------------------------
A low rumble shook the ground, the stone flaring bright. Kaelith sprang up, growling, as Varg and Gruk bristled. Aelar stood, sword drawn. "Sylvara, scan!
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Target: Frost Abomination (Prime)
Race: Magical Beast
Beast Tier: Prime (Level 9)
Stats:
Strength: 75
Agility: 50
Intelligence: 15
Mana: 55
Skills: Ice Quake (Level 4): Ground-shaking stomp. Frost Lash (Level 3): Whip-like ice tendrils. Mana Surge (Level 3): Boosts power temporarily. Shatter Armor (Level 2): Breaks defenses on hit.
___________________________________________
The Abomination erupted from the snow—a hulking beast of ice and bone, twenty-five feet tall, its body a patchwork of jagged shards, red eyes glowing, tendrils writhing from its back. "Order's gift!" Aelar shouted. "Circle it—keep moving!"
The beast roared, Ice Quake slamming the ground—snow exploded, huts cracking, guards tumbling. Aelar rolled, Mana Manipulation stabilizing his footing, and unleashed Frost Shroud, mist cloaking the squad. "You're big, huh?" he yelled. "Let's dance!" Ice Crafting formed a spiked gauntlet on his fist—he charged, Swordsmanship guiding a punch to its leg, ice splintering as he dodged a Frost Lash, tendrils whipping past.
Elara spun her staff, "Frost cage!" A lattice of ice bars rose around the beast, slowing its stomp—she followed with frost patterns, shards peppering its chest. "Take that, you ugly brute!" she snapped, dodging a tendril that shattered her barrier.
Torin thrust his spear, "Gruk, hit it!" The Frost Boar's Spine Charge rammed its side, spines sinking deep—Torin twirled his spear, striking its arm, then leaped back. "Tougher than you look!" he roared, Endurance keeping him steady as a Lash grazed his shoulder, frost cracking his armor.
Gorrim swung his axe, "Varg, bite!" The Frost Hound darted, Frost Bite tearing at its leg—Gorrim's Axe Mastery cleaved its thigh, ice flying. "You'll break before I do!" he bellowed, Resilience soaking a Shatter Armor hit, his armor denting but holding.
The Abomination's Mana Surge flared, red eyes blazing—its next Ice Quake shook harder, Aelar stumbling. "Kaelith, howl!" he shouted. The wolf's Frost Howl stunned it mid-stomp, Kaelith's Blizzard Charge following, claws raking its chest—Ice Armor deflected a Lash. Aelar snapped Glacial Chains—fifteen tendrils spiraling upward, not binding but piercing its joints like spears, pinning it momentarily. "Keep talking!" he yelled, Frost Bite snapping at its arm—mana surged back, fueling him.
Elara laughed, "You're slow, beast!" Her frost patterns morphed into a jagged lance, Mana Focus driving it into its shoulder—ice cracked, mana leaking. Torin spun his spear, "Gruk, again!" The boar charged, Beast Synergy syncing their strikes—spear and spines hit its knee, buckling it. "Not so tough now!" Torin taunted.
Gorrim roared, "Varg, finish that leg!" The hound's Swift Pursuit darted in, biting deep—Gorrim's axe followed, Resilience shrugging off a Lash as he hacked its ankle, bone snapping. "Bleed for me!" he growled.
The Abomination swung wildly, Frost Lash catching Aelar's side—pain flared, Shatter Armor cracking his frostweave. He gritted, "You're done!" Ice Crafting a massive blade mid-air, he leaped, Swordsmanship slashing its core—chains pulled it open, blade sinking deep. The beast roared, Mana Surge fading as Kaelith, Gruk, and Varg tore at its limbs—Elara's lance pierced its head, Torin's spear its chest, Gorrim's axe its neck. It collapsed, snow billowing, a crimson core rolling free.
Aelar claimed it, mana surging. "Sylvara, update."
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Host: Aelar Frostveil
Ascension Tier: Grandmaster (Level 7)
Stats:
Strength: 88
Agility: 98
Intelligence: 72
Mana: 140
Skills: Frostborn Legacy (Innate, Level 6) Glacial Chains (Level 10) Frost Bite (Level 3) Frost Shroud (Level 6) Mana Manipulation (Level 10) Ice Crafting (Level 8) Swordsmanship (Level 9) Beast Taming (Level 5)
Companion: Kaelith
Stats: Strength 70, Agility 60, Intelligence 25, Mana 50
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Aelar panted, clutching his side as Elara rushed over. "You're a mess," she said, frost healing his wound.
"You're not," he replied, smirking. "Take this." He tossed her the Wraith core. "Boost your combat—Grandmaster's close."
She caught it, eyes wide. "You sure?"
"Positive," he said. "Torin, Gorrim—Abomination core's yours. Split it. Get faster, stronger."
Torin grinned, taking half. "Gruk'll like that."
Gorrim nodded, pocketing his share. "Varg too. You're mad, Frostborn—mad and generous."
Aelar held the stone, its pulse steady. "We're a team. Order's waking worse—we'll be ready."
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By the fire, night cloaked the village, the stone glowing in Aelar's lap. "Theron'll know this," he said. "We ride home tomorrow."
Elara nodded, absorbing the core—mana flared. Torin and Gorrim followed, their beasts growling approval. "Day's not over," Torin muttered, "but we're tougher."
"Damn right," Gorrim said, raising a cup. "To mad bastards."
Aelar clinked it, the pulse a quiet threat in his hand.