The Ascent

I trained with staff sergeant for two hours on how to kill a frost giant. He showed me how to hold a sword and the basics of footwork, but regretted he could only show me so little in the time we had. It was unfortunate that we didn’t have time to train. Luna had to remind us that the threat of the weakening barrier necessitated our swiftness. When the training was concluded, the staff sergeant informed me that I was permitted to take one sword from their armoury.

“The realm in the hands of the frost giants is harsh and cold, forever covered in snow. They passed a law that any spirit, save an imp, with two legs and two arms is to be imprisoned in ice for eternity, so watch yourselves,” said the staff sergeant. “Best go see the quartermaster for some cloaks to keep you warm.”

He then directed us to the quartermaster’s office. The office was arid. A single overhead lamp lit the room a warm wooden-orange. All around us on warehouse shelves were stored furs and pelts, wools and hides, undershirts and overcoats. They smelled of peaches and the coming Spring. With fur coats drawn, covering us from head to toe, we headed out for the slyphian land overrun with frost giants.

An awesome, vast, and endless meadow washed over the landscape. Gold and green shades of grass intermingled with winding streams and rolling hills set against barren, snowy white peaks that dominated the eyes’ attention. I had seen such a scene once when I was young. My family went on a day trip to the mountains at my father’s insistence. We climbed for hours until we emerged at the end of the trail to a murky lake at the top of the mountain. I still remember the sandwiches my father had prepared for us as we picnicked next to the lakes shore. Exhausted and tired, those braised pork with pickled cabbage sandwiches were divine gifts to my seven-year-old self.

From the heights of the mountain, no frost giant could spot us. However, our wooly clothes wouldn't hide our approach forever.

“We’ll pause here for now. Avoid any fires. Frost giants may be stupid, but they’re not unintelligent. My Ladyship, I suggest you rest and gather your strength for the coming night climb. You too, Ferdinand,” Luna said.

“Do you know where we’re going?” I asked.

“Yes, during your training, Lord Arvid and his staff revealed the path on a map, which I committed to memory. The mountain we are aiming for is unmistakable, for its peak is flat. You can see it there in the distance.”

Luna directed my gaze to the mountain range where a distinct peak sat below the clouds.

Night crawled over the land and darkened the world. Only the moonlight gave any semblance of fighting against eternal darkness. We crawled through bushes and over exposed hills as we made our way up the mountain side. Our path was worn and faded from years of neglect by its new hosts. In the distance, we could hear creatures of the night howl their joys at the approaching frenzy.

Suddenly, a loud horn blazed from the mountain top and wild shrieks and whoops of delight echoed down the cliff sides. A second blast shot out, and its base sounds shook my core. I cursed our luck—we had been discovered.

“Lay low a moment,” Luna commanded.

We held our breath as we buried ourselves into the snow. In the moonlight, I saw tiny, horned and tailed creatures riding down on invisible platforms, rushing towards the unbothered lands that lay over the great wall the sylphs had built. Moments later, the night was silent and our presence undetected. Our hike continued without interruption until we came upon an entrance into the mountain.

“Look, an entrance with no guards. Let’s head inside.”

“Fool! You dare do that what becomes of a man bound for an early grave?” Marisa said.

“Wait a moment and I’ll scout the entrance,” Luna said.

She then pulled over her cloak and hid her entire body, becoming invisible. The paw prints left in the snow were the only signs I could see that she was still here. She inched closer to the entrance, stopped for a moment, and then headed back.

“The way is clear. I saw no guards or sentries.”

We trudged towards the entrance of the cave, wading through deep snow. The cave was dark. It was possible it wouldn’t lead us anywhere, but a brief respite from climbing was what we needed at this moment. I surged ahead and stepped inside first.

“Oi, how did sheep get up here!?” shouted a deep voice.

I poked my head out of the cave and saw a giant standing some twenty feet away from us, his body coming over the crest of a hill. Luna and Marisa were still outside the cave, caught be the frost giants gaze.

“Run!”

They dashed for the cave but the giant summoned an avalanche that rolled towards us faster than we could react. I jumped back into the cave at the last moment, avoiding the rushing wave of snow. A loud crashing sound smacked me and sent me backwards. When I got up, the entrance of the cave was gone.

“Luna? Marisa?”

No answer. No light. No way out. I started to dig away at the snow that had spilled inside, but with no source of light I couldn’t tell if I was making any progress or not. I hit something hard with my gloves. It wouldn’t budge or tear or move when I clawed at it. It was a rock. I dug around it but all I could find were more rocks. My way out was completely sealed off. Exhausted from digging, I sat down and leaned against the wall. My own eyes became sealed and impossible to open and soon sleep overtook me.

I awoke some time later. How much time had passed, I had no idea. Another attempt was made to free myself from the cave but it was futile. I sat down again and thought. I had nothing in my backpack that I could use as a source of light. The option I was left with was to navigate further into the cave and find a way out. I hoped that Marisa and Luna were safe.