Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 177: Colder Than A Winter Crypt
Raegar couldn't help but collapse to the floor as Drusilla dragged herself over to him, screaming her little lungs out. He grabbed the blonde Fairy and placed her in his pocket to rest.
''Rest my beautiful Fairy,'' he muttered, smiling.
As the searing pain began to ebb, he slowly lifted his gaze toward the night sky. Above stretched a vast, endless canvas, thousands upon thousands of stars shimmering like scattered diamonds against the deep velvet of darkness.
Each twinkle told a story, a light that seemed to pulse with ancient magic and forgotten dreams. For a fleeting moment, the relentless chaos of battle and the storm of power within him gave way to a strange calm.
But the stillness was broken. Faint sounds stirred at the edges of his senses, a soft rustling, low whispers carried on the cool night breeze. His instincts sharpened instantly, muscles tensing as his eyes snapped toward the source.
Beyond the protective barrier of the Runes, shadowy figures began to emerge, sleek, silent, and deadly. Nightwalkers. Their eyes gleamed with cold malice, their movements creepy and predatory as they crept closer, testing the limits of the ancient magic that kept them at bay.
Raegar's breath caught in his throat, a ragged gasp that betrayed the strain of the relentless battle. The air crackled with tension as the creatures watched him from the darkness, but he ignored them.
The fight was far from won, yet Raegar stood resolute, his heart pounding with defiance and desperation. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his dagger. Its dark edge gleamed under the moonlight.
That's when he leveled it at the horde of creepy humanoid creatures that skulked in the darkness, their eyes glowing like embers in the gloom. Moments later, sparks of violet and azure erupted from the dagger's tip, coalescing into a barrage of burning projectiles.
One after another, dozens of the searing bolts tore through the air, each striking with precision, illuminating the battlefield in bursts of light and fire that lit up the surrounding landscapes.
The creatures howled, some staggering under the onslaught, their twisted forms scorched and smoldering, yet others pressed forward, undeterred by the onslaught. With careful steps, while killing the Nightwalkers.
As Raegar slipped into the hollow, the dim light of his blades revealed the three girls huddled tightly together. Their faces were ghostly pale, and their wide eyes reflected both fear and relief at his arrival.
Their breath was visible in the chilly air. Raegar exhaled heavily, a mix of exhaustion and reassurance washing over him as he knew they were all safe. His gaze softened, though his voice carried a teasing edge as he addressed them.
''What, not one of you knows how to start a fire?'' he asked, raising an eyebrow.
The girls, still trembling from the biting cold that seeped through the dirt and branch walls, exchanged sheepish glances before shaking their heads in unison, their expressions almost comically innocent.
A faint smile tugged at Raegar's lips, dispelling the tension that clung to him from the battle outside. ''Alright, then,'' he said warmly. ''Let's fix that.''
Kneeling beside a small pile of dry moss and twigs he'd taken from his storage, he set to work with practice. His calloused hands moved fast, arranging the kindling in a neat pile before striking his flint with a small knife.
Sparks danced briefly in the gloom before catching, coaxing a tentative flame to life. He nurtured it carefully, adding larger sticks until a steady fire crackled, casting a golden glow across the hollow.
The warmth radiated outward, chasing away the chill that had settled into their bones. Dominique sighed softly as the heat brushed against her grey skin like a gentle, comforting wave.
Her shivering eased, and a faint flush returned to her cheeks as she edged closer to the fire, its light flickering in her grateful eyes. Raegar watched them momentarily, the fire's warmth mirrored in the quiet resolve that steadied his heart.
For now, the hollow offered sanctuary, and that fleeting sense of safety was enough to steady his racing heart. But the biting chill that lingered in the air was unmistakable, and he knew it would only grow harsher as the night deepened.
The girls, though warmed by the fire, still shivered faintly, their breath forming soft clouds in the dim glow. Without a word, Raegar reached into his storage ring and pulled out three thick woolen blankets, sturdy enough to fend off the winter's bite.
He'd bought them months ago in a bustling market back at Dreadshade City when he roamed the Bloodfang Forest, anticipating nights like this when the cold would be as much an enemy as the creatures outside, causing him to think. 'There will be hundreds of them lurking in the darkness.'
Following that, he moved with quiet care, draping a blanket over Dominique, her eyes widening in surprise before a grateful smile spread across her face. He moved to Zahara next, wrapping the heavy fabric around her shoulders.
Raegar watched as her blonde curls spilled over the blanket's edge as she murmured a soft thanks. Finally, he turned to Selene, whose gaze softened as the warmth enveloped her, her lips curving into a rare, genuine smile.
The sight of their relief warmed him more deeply than any fire could, a quiet comfort that, for now, he could protect them from the world's harshness. Yet Zahara's worried gaze met his, her brow creased with concern.
''Do you not have a blanket, Rae?'' she asked, her voice small but laced with concern.
Dominique and Selene exchanged glances, their heads nodding in unison, their expressions mirroring Zahara's unease. The three girls, now bundled in their blankets, looked at him with a mix of gratitude and worry, their bond with him evident in their shared concern.
His heart warmed at their concern, but he brushed it off with a casual wave, his smile unwavering despite the chill seeping into his bones. It felt like sitting in an icy freezer, a creeping cold he chose to ignore.
''I'll manage,'' he said, trying to make them not worry. ''The fire's enough for me, and besides, I've got work to keep me warm.''
Raegar's gaze betrayed him, drifting to the hollow's shadowed entrance. There, the Creatures of the Night prowled, their dark forms weaving through the gloom, eyes glinting with predatory intent as they sought a breach in their sanctuary.
Selene's voice cut through the flickering warmth of the firelit hollow, her eyes wide with alarm. ''Rae, you're trembling!'' she cried, her tone laced with dread. ''Your skin, it's turning blue, like frost on glass!''
The others' heads whipped toward him, making him stiffen, their faces mirroring her concern as the weight of her words settled over the group. From his pocket, Drusilla darted out in a flurry of shimmering wings, her high-pitched voice sharp with indignation.
''You're colder than a winter crypt, Rae! An absolute icebox!'' she scolded, hovering before him, her glow pulsing with urgency. ''Wrap yourself in a blanket before you freeze us all with you!''
Her words, though sharp, carried a thread of worry, her tiny hands gesturing wildly toward the group of girls nearby, urging him to heed her warning as the chill of the night tightened its grip.
Raegar let out a weary sigh, his breath visible in the frigid air as he forced himself to his feet. A sharp stab of pain lanced through him, his joints creaking like brittle branches under the weight of the cold that had seeped deep into his bones.
Shivering uncontrollably, he ignored the concerned gazes and pulled out his tent. With trembling hands, he began to set it up, his movements deliberate despite the ache, surprising the group with his stubborn resolve.
Drusilla, still hovering near his shoulder, her wings a blur of iridescent light, piped up with a mix of exasperation and concern. ''Why don't we all cuddle up to you to share some warmth?''
The other girls exchanged glances, their worry softening into agreement. ''She's right,'' Zahara said, while Selene nodded eagerly, her eyes bright with determination.
Dominique was already gathering the blankets he had given them. Raegar worked fast despite his shivers, erecting the tent with practiced ease, its sturdy canvas forming a small bastion against the biting cold.
As he crawled inside, the others followed without hesitation, their presence a quiet reassurance. Dominique settled on his right, her shoulder brushing against his as she draped a thick fur over them both.
Zahara took his left, her warmth a steady anchor as she pressed close, her brow still faintly creased with worry. Selene, with a playful yet careful clamber, nestled onto his chest, her slight weight a comforting pressure as she curled up, her breath warm against his collar.
The tent, though cramped, became a cocoon of shared heat, their closeness warding off the cold that had threatened to claim him. Drusilla, satisfied, perched on a free spot on his chest, her glow dimming.
''Much better. Now don't freeze on us, I can't lose my boy after finding you,'' she muttered, smiling.
