Chapter 23

As the day stretched on and the sun dipped lower in the sky, Ruby settled into the unfamiliar chill of the 59th floor. The icy wasteland surrounded her, but with every passing moment, she began to adapt. She wrapped herself tighter in her cloak, feeling the weight of her sword at her side, and focused on her objective: gathering information about the floor keeper.

The stories whispered among the few travelers she encountered spoke of a powerful creature that ruled this frozen expanse—Frosvorn, The Icebreaker. Her silver eyes sparkled with determination as she moved through the frozen village she had discovered nestled between massive ice formations.

She approached the villagers, who were bundled in layers of clothing to ward off the cold, and began asking questions. Some were reluctant to share, still haunted by fear, but a few, intrigued by her boldness, began to open up.

"The Keeper's skills are brutal," one villager said, their voice trembling. "He can summon blizzards with a wave of his hand. <Frostbite > can freeze you in your tracks, and if you're not careful, you'll become part of the ice forever."

Ruby nodded, taking mental notes. "And weaknesses?"

The villager hesitated but continued. "Fire. He's weaker to fire-based attacks. If you can disrupt his focus, you might gain the upper hand. But… be cautious. He has a retaliatory skill called <Ice Prison> that traps those who approach him too closely. It's a gamble, fighting him directly."

"Great," Ruby muttered under her breath. "Fire and mobility. I can work with that."

As she moved through the village, Ruby found herself absorbing more than just information. She watched the villagers interact—how they shared meals and laughter despite the hardships of the floor. Their resilience reminded her of her own journey, and it sparked a warmth within her that contrasted with the cold around them.

Later in the evening, she joined a small gathering around a fire pit, sharing stories and exchanging laughter with the villagers. They welcomed her, if warily, and for the first time in a while, Ruby felt a sense of camaraderie that was almost foreign. They spoke of their struggles, their hopes for a brighter tomorrow, and as the stars twinkled overhead, Ruby shared her own tales of adventure, of battles fought and companions lost.

When the fire burned low and the cold began to seep back into the air, Ruby knew it was time to summon her companions. She moved to a quiet corner of the village, the sound of muffled laughter fading behind her. Pulling out her amulet, she focused her energy, calling upon her familiar space.

"Fang! Guwa! Come to me!" she whispered, her voice carrying an excited urgency.

In an instant, the air shimmered, and from the depths of her amulet, a swirling light erupted. Out of it emerged Fang, her loyal snake familiar, and Guwa, the newly evolved Wraith Princess.

Fang coiled around Ruby's arm, his scales gleaming in the soft moonlight, while Guwa floated down beside them, her ethereal form shimmering like a mirage.

"Ruby! I missed you!" Guwa exclaimed, her voice melodic and sweet. She leaned closer, her wide, innocent eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you find anything interesting today? Anything that would make us more powerful?"

Ruby chuckled, ruffling Fang's head before turning to Guwa. "Yeah, I learned a lot about the Keeper here. But first, let's enjoy some time together."

Guwa's expression lit up. "Oh, I love spending time with you! You're so brave and cool!" She floated around Ruby, her form flickering like a flame. "I just want to protect you! And… I could be your knight in shining armor!"

Ruby laughed, a genuine smile breaking through her usual determination. "I appreciate that, Guwa. But I think I'm good with a sword for now."

"But I want to be more than just a princess!" Guwa twirled around, her excitement infectious. "I want to be your… everything! You can tell me all your secrets, and I can help you with magic!"

Ruby's cheeks flushed slightly at Guwa's exuberant declarations, her innocence making the comments sound oddly suggestive. "I appreciate the offer, but let's focus on the battle ahead first, okay?"

Guwa giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Okay! But you know I think you're the prettiest warrior ever!"

Ruby scratched her head, feeling flustered but charmed by Guwa's purity. "You really have a way of making me feel special, don't you?"

Fang let out a soft hiss, as if agreeing with her sentiments, his tongue flicking in and out. Ruby smiled at him, then looked back at Guwa, her heart feeling fuller than it had in a while.

"Alright, you two. We have a floor keeper to defeat. Let's rest up tonight, and then tomorrow, we'll figure out our strategy."

With Fang coiled around her arm and Guwa hovering close by, Ruby felt a renewed sense of hope. No matter how daunting the challenges ahead were, she knew that with her companions by her side, she could face anything.

"Together," she whispered, and the two companions nodded

=======

With the first light of dawn creeping across the icy expanse, Ruby felt invigorated. The cold, while still biting, now felt more like a challenge than an obstacle. Today, she had decided to spar with Guwa. She knew her friend had recently evolved into a Wraith Princess, gaining formidable magical prowess. Still, Ruby felt the need to test herself against someone who could push her to her limits.

"Ready, Guwa?" Ruby asked, her sword in hand, her breath misting in the frigid air.

Guwa floated a few feet away, her ethereal form glowing softly against the pale backdrop. "Always! But remember, I might hold back a little. I don't want to hurt you!" Her wide, innocent eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

"No holding back," Ruby said, determination burning in her silver eyes. "I want to see how far I can go!"

"Okay!" Guwa clapped her hands, summoning a small swirl of shimmering magic around her. "But I'll be gentle!"

They took their positions, Ruby steadying herself in a defensive stance while Guwa hovered, a playful smile on her face. Ruby charged forward first, the sound of metal slicing through the air echoing in the stillness. She aimed for a strike to test Guwa's defenses, her heart racing with excitement and nerves.

Guwa gracefully dodged, her form flickering like a candle flame as she moved with effortless agility. Ruby's sword swung through the air where Guwa had just been, and she quickly adjusted, trying to anticipate her friend's movements.

"Not bad, Ruby!" Guwa said, her voice cheerful. "But watch out for your openings!"

As the sparring continued, Ruby found herself learning quickly. Guwa would send bursts of magic her way—tiny orbs of energy that danced around Ruby and exploded harmlessly in puffs of sparkling frost when Ruby dodged or blocked them. Each blast reminded Ruby of the power that Guwa wielded and how she was still a step behind.

"Focus on your breathing!" Guwa encouraged, sending another magical projectile her way. "And try to feel the flow of magic around you!"

Ruby gritted her teeth, trying to hone in on Guwa's advice. She redirected her sword, parrying the blast just in time, the impact sending a shiver up her arm. She felt the frustration bubble within her. Guwa's mastery of magic and movement was beyond anything Ruby had ever faced.

"I won't give up!" Ruby shouted, her resolve solidifying. "I'm a magic knight! I can't just sit back!"

With renewed determination, Ruby pushed forward again, this time channeling her magic into her strikes. She concentrated, trying to summon the energy she felt within her bloodline, a flicker of warmth contrasting with the chill of the surroundings.

"<Ice Cloak>!" she shouted, her body enveloped in a protective layer of shimmering frost. It offered her enhanced agility, and she felt a surge of confidence as she charged at Guwa once more.

"Whoa! Look at you!" Guwa's eyes widened in surprise. "That's amazing! But—"

Before she could finish, Ruby lunged at her. Guwa flicked her wrist, and a barrier of magic sprang up, deflecting Ruby's blade with a soft chime. Ruby stumbled slightly but quickly regained her footing, adjusting her stance.

"Don't let it throw you off!" Guwa said, her voice a mix of encouragement and concern.

"I won't!" Ruby retorted, gritting her teeth. She moved in for another strike, but Guwa countered effortlessly. They danced around each other, Ruby growing more fatigued with every exchange.

Finally, Guwa released a burst of magic, freezing the ground beneath Ruby's feet. Ruby slipped, her feet sliding out from under her. Before she could regain her balance, Guwa gently caught her with a flick of her wrist, lifting her back to her feet.

"Sorry!" Guwa said, giggling. "I didn't mean to make it so slippery!"

With a determined huff, Ruby tried to push through the weariness that was creeping into her bones. "Let's keep going!"

"Okay! But I really think you should take a break!" Guwa encouraged, her voice filled with playful concern.

"Not yet!" Ruby insisted, charging again.

But this time, Guwa met her with a surge of energy that lit up the air around them. Magic swirled and crackled, and with a graceful flourish, Guwa unleashed a stream of icy shards that rained down around Ruby.

In an instant, the cold crystals enveloped her, and she felt a wave of ice wash over her body, paralyzing her in place. Ruby's eyes widened as the magic surged, the chill biting through her armor.

"Guwa, wait-!" Ruby called out, but her voice was drowned out by the sudden burst of power.

In a flash, the magic dissipated, and Ruby found herself kneeling in the snow, exhausted and panting. Guwa floated above her, a concerned look on her face. "Ruby! Are you okay?"

Ruby let out a shaky laugh, looking up at her friend. "I think I'm just… realizing my limits," she admitted, her heart pounding from the effort. "You're incredible, Guwa. I've got a lot to learn."

"You fought so well!" Guwa cheered, her expression brightening. "You kept pushing! That's what makes you special, Ruby! You're so strong!"

Ruby smiled, a warmth blooming in her chest. "I don't feel very strong right now."

"But you are!" Guwa insisted, hovering closer. "You've got the spirit of a warrior. Just because I have more magic doesn't mean you can't become stronger!"

Taking a deep breath, Ruby looked out at the icy horizon, contemplating the spar. "I know I have to improve my magic. I feel like I'm only scratching the surface of what I can do. There's so much to learn about this bloodline, and about being a magic knight."

"That's the spirit!" Guwa clapped her hands, floating around Ruby. "You'll get there! We can train together!"

Ruby chuckled softly, the weight of her defeat lifting. "Thanks, Guwa. I appreciate your support. Let's keep training and learning together."

With that, Ruby rose to her feet, brushing off the frost clinging to her armor. She felt a renewed sense of purpose as she gazed at the expansive icy landscape ahead of her.

Each challenge she faced, each defeat she endured, was a stepping stone toward something greater. With her friends by her side, she felt ready to embrace whatever came next.

"Now, let's get something to eat!" Ruby said, rubbing her stomach.

Guwa giggled again, her laughter ringing like bells. "I can't wait! You'll have so much energy for our next training session!"