Frosted Chronicles

By: Synbios Posted on: October 31, 2010

The forest stretched out for what seemed like an eternity. It felt like midday when I opened my eyes. Not like it mattered, as time had stood still for the sky. I could hear the endless droning of insects as they flitted about the trees and bushes, occasionally broken by the rustle of wings as small birds sought out their cacophonious prey.

I looked down on my hands, and on the artefact nestled within them. Its blue, crystalline surface glimmered in the sunlight, and a lethargic chill seemed to emanate from within me as I looked at the wand-like contraption. A small, starry gem was nestled at one end of the device, glowing with a bluish inner light. As if following an inner command, I suddenly raised my wand, and pointed it at the nearest bush, and uttered a command word. To my surprise, a sheath of ice covered the bush. Whispers echoed in my mind and I knew, then, that there were others in this forest, that they would come for me, and that this weapon would be my only way to defeat them.

The inner cold, overcoming the midday heat, made it difficult for me to move quickly, and no amount of heavy clothing seemed to alleviate my condition. Fortunately, I was able to find a quiet spot in a cave-like alcove, as I kept an eye out for my hunters.

I did not wait long, as I heard the sound of scuffling several meters ahead. I could make out the shape of a Grook, hobbling quickly, small blocks of ice covering his legs and chest. He was holding a wand that looked similar to mine, and he was looking behind his shoulder, as though looking out for a pursuer. I only had one chance, lest he notice me hiding. Far better to strike first, I thought, as I raised my wand and said the command word. The Grook turned towards me, but before he could respond in kind, a beam of blue light blasted him, and as he began to quickly freeze, he had time to shout out "You fool...!" before he turned into an ice statue, which vanished seconds later.

Stumbling forward into the forest, I could hear voices approaching the spot where I ambushed my first quarry, quickly followed by flashes of blue. I breathed heavily in relief, avoiding the magical crossfire as I hobbled onward.

It felt like an eternity, but the silence in the forest was broken by a beam of light that nearly graced my head. Turning towards the source, I could make out in the distance an area that was cleared of trees. I quickly made my way there, frozen joints be damned. I just wanted to end all of this.

Near the center of the clearing, three nearly-frozen people already had their wands out, and they were pointing them at each other. Already, I saw two frozen statues that had begun to fade away into the ether, and the horrified expressions on their faces were enough to tell me of the price of failure. Taking advantage of their distraction, I aimed and fired a beam of freezing light into the nearest person, a rajamalan who had her back turned to me. She screeched, freezing into a statue, and the two panicked, freezing each other in the chaos.

Hardly after I recovered from my lucky victory, freezing cold shot up from behind my arms. Turning around, I saw him - my mentor. "So, young one," he smiled, his dimly-glowing wand pointed at my heart, "we are the last ones. A fortune and a shame, really, that we would meet at this battlefield. But you should know by now...urgh," he grunted, as an icy beam shot from my wand into his torso, "...that there can only be one." He smiled, as he pointed his wand towards me.

Ducking to the side, I avoided his attack, the tree behind me turning crystalline from the attack, and responded, "Then I'd best be that 'one', eh sir?" I tried to chuckle, but I knew that he had fought in many battles of this nature, and it stood to reason that he would easily crush me right now.

I tried to aim another beam at his leg when the chills betrayed me, sending painful shivers at my knees. Stumbling forward, the pain gave way to a horrifying realization: my mentor's wand inches away from my face.

"Not today, young one. You have yet to overcome me in a battle of skill. Regret your failing in the next life!" I was dimly aware of a bluish light behind him, even as the starry tip flared brightly, about to imprison me in a frozen prison...

"AAAARGH!" My mentor shuddered, his lower torso suddenly frozen solid, as a glowing figure emerged from behind him. Knowing that I had one shot at this, I took aim...and froze him solid.

As my final opponent faded into the ether, I looked up at my savior, and saw a most beautiful fairy, floating on gossamer wings and holding a wand similar to mine. I tensed up, expecting another attack, but she merely smiled and said, "Congratulations. You have bested your peers, and for this, you are the Champion." She bent down and touched the tip of her wand against my shoulder. As my world turned a warm white, I could not help but give out a victorious laugh. "Ahaha...ahahahaha...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..."

---

"...HAHAHAHAHA-OW!" A gloved hand smacked me hard across the back of my head, and my vision cleared. I found myself in Delos, and the familiar sights and sounds of Prospero's temple-stores filled my senses, before I saw my mentor, with a strange expression on his face.

"Good heavens, protege. You take freezetag way too seriously. Now if only you were just as serious with your Justiciar requirements, I'd have Knighted you ages ago."

"...Oh," was all I managed to blurt out, and I blushed as the other freezetag contestants laughed at me. Rubbing the back of my head sheepishly, I weakly laughed along with them.

"Well," my mentor said, "You did a good job back there. Next round of darkbrew's on me." All of us cheered and we made our way back to Shallam. But I felt like I forgot something...

---

Inside the Matsuhama Arena, all was still, its animals long-asleep, its contestants having gone back to their respective cities. All was silent. Except for the pulsing of a wand. Some say that if you listen closely, you could hear the whispers. Whispers calling for their Champion. Their Champion of Freezetag.