Through the Cave

When the last of the cave's ice was shattered, the people waiting to enter stood up, one by one, ready to enter when they were allowed to.

Alex stood up as well.

The Queen let one of the sect leaders speak up, a woman from the Thousand Snowfall sect. She was a beautiful woman, but that was hardly a rarity where they were.

She started explaining the important aspects of the Cave and how they would have to be careful. She talked for a while, but the essence of her speech was simple.

The Cave is cold. Don't die of it. Come back out in the next 2 weeks or you'll die in there.

"This is the talisman that will record the coldness of the place you reach," the woman said. "At the same time, this is also your life-saving measure. Crush this talisman and it will drag you along to a warmer place. Maybe even all the way out."

She pointed toward the many elders who stood by the cave opening. "Get one before you go in."