Judgement

The path felt unreal. There was no wind. No ambient noise. Even the cold had lost its bite. Although sunny before, the further along he went, the gloomier everything got.

Pushing aside dead branches, Silvan felt uncomfortable with how loudly they snapped in this sinister space. He did not know where he was, but it was unnatural.

The path opened up into a large clearing. Trees and rock formations formed a grand circle, with countless runic symbols carved into them.

Entering the clearing, he felt exposed. He remembered a saying he had picked up somewhere. You are not afraid of the dark. You are afraid of not being in it alone.

He stopped when he reached what he thought to be the center and, with no other path forward, waited. Carefully watching and listening for any disturbances.

He wouldn't have to wait long. Scanning the perimeter, he saw them. Large, forward-facing eyes surrounded by blue flames. As it entered the circle, its form revealed a large wolf.
White fur covered in ice crystals. Giant claws that dug into the stone floor, towering, at least twice, if not thrice, his height.

It approached slowly, coming to a halt only a few steps away from Silvan.

“What do you offer?” the wolf asked, it's voice splitting into many.

Silvan did not answer, instead kneeling down in front of the creature.

To his left, he laid down the rifle, to signal his absence of ill intent.
To his right, he put down his backpack and mantle, all the tools that made survival out here possible for him.
Finally, he presented the empty bottle, placing it between him and the beast. The reason he was here. The promise and debt that had pushed him all the way into this sacred place at the top of his world.

The wolf inspected the items and began growling.

“Fraud, swindler! You will not hoax me with these human toys!”
It let out a dissatisfied howl.

“I spared a dear life! How could you think these offerings to be of equal value?”

“There is more.”

The wolf leaned in, inspecting Silvan closely.

“Deceiver. You carry no more than this! It is your life I shall take, and no less!”

Silvan bowed to the wolf and spoke again.

“I will not let you take my life. Instead, I will leave the mountain and devote the rest of my life to living in accordance with your rules.”

There was a brief moment of silence before the wolf pressed him.

“Explicate,” it barked in response.

“I have overstayed my welcome here. Angered and disrespected your law through my actions. As punishment, I will go into exile, but I will take with me everyone’s teachings and continue living as your law would dictate.
What I offer is a lifetime of respect and reverence to you, something much greater than a life taken.

These playthings are simply gifts, offerings to appease my lack of understanding so far.”

There was a long silence. It was a gamble, but all Silvan had left to offer. His everything.

The many voices began huffing, then laughing, which finally turned into ear-numbing roaring.

“I have been offered many things throughout the ages. Children. Loved ones.”

He looked past Silvan. Following his gaze, he saw Sila standing at the entrance.
“Servitude,” it muttered with a hint of annoyance.
“I consider this offer worthy. You are absolved of your debt and are to leave this domain never to return."

It looked at Sila again.
"Should you fail these conditions…”
“The cost will be more lifetimes than you could ever hope to witness.”

Frost began rising out of the ground, enveloping the offerings. This was the end of his quiet existance here. Once he descended the mountain, he would pick up Jasper and leave. He'll stop running and face his past. Mend his broken relationships and live a meaningful life, not one of self-isolation. Though these past few days were difficult he was thankfull for the journey everyone had sent him on. The mountain, Sila, The cabin, Jasper, Angakkuq and Urho.

Urho.

He grabbed hold of the rifle. It was not fully enveloped yet, but he could't break it free anymore either.

The wolf eyes widened in suprise.
“That is mine, cheat! Let go or pay your lifetime at once!”

The wolf bared its fangs, its intent clear.

“Just as the life before, this offering not mine to give. Leaving this to you would mean breaking your law already, and I do not intend to die so soon after my promise!”

The wolf stayed silent, watching Silvan struggle. Silvan too watched the wolf, not letting go of the rifle even as the frost began creeping up his hand, tearing at his skin like tiny razors.

The pain was indescribable, but he would not let go. He would never let go again.

The space began shaking as neither was willing to surrender the staredown. When Silvan eventually flinched from the frost now gnawing on his entire hand, the giant wolf let loose a nauseating howl. Silvan’s eardrums popped, and he was expelled out of it's realm.

He opened his eyes again on the porch of his cabin, his ears ringing but with Urho’s rifle next to him. He pushed himself up and slipped, hitting the ground hard. He rolled over and saw the reason. His left hand was completely blackened. He had lost the battle but won the war. A fair price for my carelessness, he thought.

Getting up with more care this time, he swung the rifle over his shoulder and entered Mount Hunt’s cabin one last time.