The Power of Ice

I stepped into the Formation Circle, and waited. I had no idea how to activate it, but Suly knew. She said "Alright, just stay there, and don't move". She then pressed her hands onto the outer circle, which resulted in the Formation lighting up. A while later, Suly, Fox and the entire room disappeared. Everything was replaced with darkness.

I couldn't hear or see anything. 'Does this mean it worked?' I asked myself. I tried looking around, and even used my mask to try and spot anything, but nothing was there. Even my Darkness perception didn't work. When I extended my hand, a sort of invisible barrier stopped me from advancing. 'It should be working' I thought.

I proceeded to take off the bandages from my right arm, and called out. "Frosty. We are now isolated from the rest of the world. Come out". But Frosty didn't appear. I got a bit angry, and said "Come out you stupid lizard, or I will do something even you might not expect!". My hand light up a bit in the darkness, but Frosty didn't come out still. Instead, I heard a raspy and deep voice. "What is it… Nex?". I was stunned, and asked "Frosty?".

The voice replied "Who else would it be? Why are you calling for me Nex?". The voice seemed a bit cold. 'I'm more amazed that Frosty can talk… So he was a Beast after all' I thought. I just stood there lost in my thoughts, when the voice asked "Do you think I wouldn't appear without a reason?". I replied "So you can speak. Why didn't you speak to me earlier then? Why hide in my arm? You gave me no explanations, and simply disappeared".

The voice replied "Did you explain your actions to me? I don't have to explain myself Nex. We are bound by the Blood Contract on equal terms. Neither of us can order the other around. I already told you that. Why did you go through such trouble to contact me? You are not in immediate danger, you don't need my help". I replied "What about back in the Endorsian Empire? The Royals would've killed me, you didn't help me".

He replied "I didn't need to. I knew that old man was following you, and would save your ass. Before you ask how, I could sense him. Don't think that your instincts are one of a kind. So Nex, why did you call for me really?". I was a bit angry, 'I can't call out to a friend? Can't I worry about my companion?' I thought. I didn't want to admit it, but I said it anyway. "I was worried... Was I wrong? Was I supposed to use you, like a tool? Were we not friends?".

The voice stayed quiet for a while. I guess Frosty, not the voice. After all, it couldn't be anyone else. Frosty replied after a while "I'm fine Nex, but I have to stay hidden. No one can know I'm with you, if they find out… I'd rather not think about it. I even gave you some of my powers, yet you refuse to use them properly".

I felt better. Frosty was still Frosty. He might've changed a bit, but deep down, it was still that small lizard I met many years ago. I then recalled something Frosty said, and asked "Wait, does that mean my arm looks like this because of you?". He replied "Of course. Did you think a Human could actually grow such an arm? It's obviously thanks to my powers. You already figured out that the scales are very durable, but as for the power itself? You are a complete idiot".

I exclaimed "What the hell! What do you want me to do? I can only freeze stuff, if I touch it!". He replied, "That is the problem you idiot! Did you think that this was the extent of those powers? You can be smart at times, but you are so dense at other… I thought you will figure out how to use those powers, but apparently… Fine, I will tell you how to use my power properly".

I wanted to retort, but then I realised Frosty would actually teach me something. I shut up, and awaited the explanation. Frosty continued after a while. "The Power of Ice is not as simple as you think it is. The Power you have, is versatile. You can attack in many ways, and you can also defend in many ways. This will depend on your control. You claim that you have full control over your body, right? Then that is what you need for the Power of Ice as well. Treat it like your Aura, you can also manipulate this Power, just like you can your Aura. You fought an Eterian right? If you were able to control my power, there would be no escaping for that Eterian".

I asked half lost in my thoughts "So… I should treat it like my Aura?…". Frosty replied "Yes, what you do with it, it's up to you really. There are many ways to use that Power. But beware. This is not something you can use infinitely. Play around with it. You already have the ability to use my power well, you just don't realise that". I nodded my head, and said "I will give it a try". Frosty asked "Is that all? This Formation will break soon. That Suly is quite talented, but she is still too young". I asked "Tell me, who is after you? Who would chase you so much, that you need to hide?".

Frosty replied "When you are strong enough, I will tell you. Better yet, I will be able to walk around outside, just like in the past… I know you have more questions, and I understand. But believe me Nex, I'm not your enemy. When I chose you for the Blood Pact, I knew who I was choosing. That war you want to fight… I'm not against it, but I'm worried too. I just hope this ends well… Get strong Nex. Stronger than any of those you saw. When the time comes, we will meet again". I could hear a slight laugh at the end, but it wasn't evil. Rather, it was playful.

Frosty no longer spoke. I was lost in my own thoughts, and didn't even ask about anything else. I don't know how long I stood there, but I woke up from my thoughts when I heard crackling sounds. The Formation was breaking apart. More light flooded through the cracks, and then it finally shattered like a glass bowl. The Formation broke into thousands of small pieces, that disappeared into nothingness.

Suly laid on the ground, while Fox was holding her. I asked alarmed "What's wrong!?". She replied "Don't worry, she just fainted. She used all her energy to support that Formation. I tried helping a bit too, but when Suly fainted, the Formation simply broke". I nodded, and picked Suly up. Fox noticed my arm, and asked "So that's how your arm looks like?". I replied while carrying Suly to her bed, "You haven't seen it before? Yep, pretty much like this". I laid Suly down, and let her rest properly.

Fox asked "Why did you need such a Formation?". I smiled, and said "To figure some things out. You might witness some of them soon". She was confused, but I didn't explain further. I sat down in one of the chairs, and closed my eyes. Fox sat next to me, but didn't say anything. After a while, I spoke first. "It seems we will have a tough war in front of us". She asked "Why do you say that?". I replied "Let's just say, I have a feeling about it… It's time for you to train. I will be leaving soon, and I need to go around places fast. We have some trouble in Sedon, which we have to solve".

Fox said "I meant to ask about that. What's going on in Sedon?". I replied "The Royal Army left, which you already know. The bigger issue are Vanauts. They are digging". She asked confused "Digging? Digging what exactly?". I replied, "A tunnel. More precisely, a tunnel that would take them straight to Sedon". She looked at me for a while, and asked "Then why don't we attack?". I snorted, and asked "With what? There are at least three Eterians guarding the camp. I have no clue how many Vanauts are there. An outer circle of Mordars… Even if an army approached, others would be warned immediately. We need something to collapse the tunnel from above".

She replied "Something from above... ". I asked curiously, "Do you have a way?". She didn't reply immediately. A while passed, before she said "I might have something, but as a last resort". I nodded, and replied "Alright, keep it then. As a last resort, we have my Yellow Dust. If I have to use it, I will use it. If you come up with something else, be sure to notify Lazar. I will visit him before I leave". She nodded, and just sat there. I stood up, and urged her "Go train. We have no time for sitting around. I'm off, I should return in about a month, or maybe a bit more. Take care of Suly, and give her my thanks. She helped me out a lot this time". Fox nodded, while I disappeared from the basement.