Chapter 16: Starlight Cave of Frostveil

Maybe it was because I had given in to hopelessness or maybe it was because my senses were disoriented, but I had failed to see the system notification saying [Update complete!]

The sight of the formidable troop of over a hundred fully armed soldiers bearing the insignia of the Ashborn clan only served to deepen my despair. Each glint of steel and clang of armor echoed the futility of my predicament.

Narb observed my distress with a twisted sense of satisfaction, relishing in my torment. Meanwhile, Cassandra regarded me with a knowing smirk, her expression a silent proclamation of the insurmountable odds stacked against me.

In that moment, surrounded by the might of the Ashborn army, I realized the futility of my resistance. Against such overwhelming power, it seemed that hope was but a fleeting illusion, and our fates had been sealed from the very beginning.

Cassandra and Narb had slowed down a little, as if parading me through the army on their way to the cave.

“Is he in there,” Cassandra asked to confirm.

“He is,” replied Camus in a deep husky voice.

“What of the link?”

“With the guards.”

Despite their overwhelming advantage, the trio conversed in clipped phrases, their words carefully chosen to convey the necessary information without revealing too much. Each question was met with a succinct answer, their dialogue shrouded in secrecy as they moved through the army, wary of prying ears.

In the midst of their guarded conversation, it was evident that the Ashborns were acutely aware of the dangers of espionage, taking every precaution to safeguard their secrets from potential eavesdroppers. It must have become second nature to them.

Every attempt to survey my surroundings was met with a firm tug from Narb, the rope pulling taut and forcing my gaze downward. With each tug, my head was jerked forward and downward, leaving me no choice but to keep my eyes fixed on the ground below.

Resigned to my fate, I shifted my focus to the snowy terrain beneath my feet, studying the pattern of footprints left by the soldiers marching alongside us. Yet, even as I strained to glean any information I could, all I saw was an endless expanse of white, the pristine blanket of snow obscuring any clues to our location.

Trapped in this sea of white, I felt a sense of isolation and helplessness wash over me, the cold grip of despair tightening with each passing moment. With no escape in sight, I could only continue forward, my fate tethered to the whims of those who held me captive.

“And the dragonkin,” asked Cassandra in a quieter voice.

Dragonkin! It got my attention. Master was a dragonkin. With newfound determination, I made a conscious effort to blend into the background, ensuring that I remained unnoticed as I edged closer, straining to catch every word.

Perhaps, hidden within their conversation, lay a glimmer of hope or insight into Master's true whereabouts or situation. Clinging to this sliver of possibility, I listened intently, hoping to uncover any shred of information that might shed light on the lost hope.

“She’s cooperating so far,” replied Camus.

“Make sure she continues to, uncle. We can’t afford any surprises.”

“Don’t worry. We have things under control.”

“Sigh! I cant help but feel uneasy.”

“I wasn’t there the last time but is he really what they say?”

“Every rumour is true.”

“I see,” the man smiled greedily. “I look forward to it.”

Cassandra glared at Camus with glowing ruby red eyes, “Not till we get what we want.”

Camus smiled, “I know, Cass. Don’t worry.”

As we reached the entrance of the cave, a breathtaking sight greeted us. The cavern was adorned with clusters of glowing blue crystals, their ethereal pulsing light casting a mesmerizing glow that illuminated the darkness. Interspersed among them were transparent crystals, their surfaces shimmering with a delicate iridescence, reflecting the radiant hues of the blue crystals nearby.

Embedded within the walls of the cave, these crystals formed a dazzling tapestry of light and colour, transforming the cavern into a veritable wonderland. Each facet sparkled with an otherworldly brilliance, captivating the senses and beckoning us deeper into its enchanting embrace.

As we ventured deeper into the cave, we were greeted by a breathtaking sight: the cavern opened up into a vast cave, its ceiling open to the night sky above. With no clouds to obstruct its view, the canopy revealed a canvas of twinkling stars and a large, luminous moon casting its ethereal glow into the depths of the cave.

Mirroring the entrance, the walls of the cavern were adorned with clusters of glowing blue crystals, their gentle luminescence casting a soft, ambient light throughout the space. Interspersed among them were smaller transparent crystals, their surfaces catching the moonlight and refracting it into a dazzling array of colours.

But it was the floor of the cave that truly stole the show. Bathed in the combined light of the crystals and the moon above, it seemed to shimmer with an opalescent glow, reminiscent of a celestial tapestry woven from the very stars themselves. Shades of blue and white danced across its surface, as if the stars had descended from the heavens to grace the cave with their celestial radiance.

Amidst the clusters of crystals, the walls of the cavern bore a different kind of beauty. Here, silver vines twined and twisted along the rocky surface, their leaves aglow with the same bluish-white light as the moon above. As if guided by the celestial glow of the night sky, these vines wove intricate patterns along the walls, adding a touch of ethereal elegance to the cave's natural splendor.

It was a sight to behold, this hidden sanctuary illuminated by the soft radiance of moonlight and the gentle glow of the vines. Together, they cast a spellbinding aura that filled the cavern with an otherworldly atmosphere, a testament to the beauty of nature's handiwork.

And thus, it was fitting that this enchanting place bore a name befitting its celestial allure: Starlight Cave of Frostveil. A sanctuary of beauty and wonder nestled within the heart of the icy mountains, where the light of the stars mingled with the glow of the earth, creating a harmony of light and shadow that danced upon the walls of the cave.