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“I greeted them like any normal person, young Dracoth.” Ignixis blinks at me, his gaze traveling over the inky white gore that’s frozen over my armor.

“What in the Gods’ name is that?” He crooks a finger towards me, clicking his tongue.

“Is that sneachir blood? What fresh madness did you commit, boy? ” he sneers.

A loathsome surge of embarrassment threatens to color my skin, but I crush it down, remembering the glory and honor that kill earns me. “Under the sheets of permafrost of this cursed land, I battled a horror, a—”

“Foolish, boy !” Ignixis spits, his face contorting with fury.

“In your arrogance, you risk everything! Facing a sneachir alone, with naught but your claws? Are you mad, Dracoth? Do you long for death that much?” His disgust cuts through the air like a blade.

“You could have simply greeted the Virennix hunters with a nod, but no, you insist on playing in the venefex jaws!” His sneer deepens.

“Of course, I failed to account for your penchant for stupidity.”

“Yeah, I agree,” Princesa chimes in, her hand stroking Todd’s back. “You’re always rushing in without a second thought.” She lets out a dramatic sigh. “Looks like I’ll have to keep an eye on you from now on.”

It takes all my self-control to not balk at their utter hypocrisy, which stings like a vipertail’s barb. Ignixis—the one who nearly killed her in his idiotic plan—and Princesa, whose temper flares hotter and as unpredictably as an exploding supernova. They deem me foolish?

“Perhaps…” Ignixis mutters with a hand to his chin. “You can guide him in my stead. Though you both stumble through the darkness like na?ve children, oblivious to your own ignorance.” His voice grows more eager with each word.

Their prattle grates on me, as useless as the clacking cyloillar perched on Princesa’s shoulder. They circle like two hydraliths eyeing prey. But I am no wounded puffrio waiting to be devoured. I am the avatar of creation itself, unstoppable and inevitable as the rising sun.

“You worry over nothing,” I grumble, feeling the heat bubbling in my veins, gathering in my chest at the memory of Arawnoth’s flames.

“For I tasted Arawnoth’s fire.” My fists tremble with power, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.

“He blessed my struggle, gifting me a touch of his power.” I raise my hand.

A part of me expects flames to burst forth, to melt the frozen walls. .. but nothing happens.

Ignixis nods with a knowing calm that surprises me, but it is Princesa who speaks first. “Me too!” she exclaims, her silver eyes gleaming with excitement.

“I... I felt you inside my mind or something.” Her face deepens in that curious shade of pink as her gaze lowers.

“I felt your heat. Then I woke up surrounded by fire... and trapped Ignixis in some kind of barrier.” She glances at the Elder, letting out a small laugh.

“You were being a total prick, to be fair.”

Interesting. Her gifts have manifested too, but different in their nature?

Joy surges in my molten soul as I stare at Princesa with newfound respect.

No longer just irksome, but a source of power, our destinies linked.

Does she feel it too? Our futures woven together like veins of Elerium beneath the crags of Scarn?

“Prick?” Ignixis echoes with an amused grin. “No, my child. I merely led you both along the first steps as was ordained” His gaze sweeps between us. “Now, you must complete the next steps. Seek Lanaisor, and finish the Mortakin-Tok.”

“Will I...” Princesa jumps in hesitantly, “I mean, will we gain more of this… power afterward?” Her eyes flick to mine for an instant. “Because we can’t seem to do it again for some reason.”

I almost laugh. My female’s lust for power is obvious, yet she seeks to hide it—is she perhaps even ashamed of it? Foolish Princesa. I shall cleanse her of such limiting beliefs, for it is the will of the Gods to excel and seize power—to do otherwise is an affront to their sacred gifts.

Ignixis must notice her hesitation as well. His face twists into a knowing smirk. “Oh yes, blessed daughter. As Dracoth spoke in a rare moment of clarity. You have but only tasted what is to come. The Gods have chosen you. Prove your worth, and they will solidify that blessing.”

Princesa nods, deep in thought. Yet within our vague bond, I can sense her growing delight. Her lust for power mirroring my own.

My excitement surges within, driven by their words. “Tell me, Ignixis. What does the Mortakin-Tok demand of us?” I ask, gesturing impatiently.

Ignixis chuckles, shaking his head. “Alas, young Dracoth, I do not know. And even if I did, I would be forbidden to speak of it.”

Of course, the old fool would prove useful in one instance and useless in the other.

“Only those who have completed the Mortakin-Tok may speak of it among themselves,” Ignixis continues with a hand, rubbing his scorched chin.

“Though I have my suspicions. Oh yes, I do!” His cackle echoes through the icy walls, half-mad, and I frown while Princesa strokes her clicking cyloillar with increased vigor.

“You once again fail to guide, Ignixis,” I say coldly, savoring the way his grin falters, his laugh drying up like mist in the sun.

“Fail to guide?” he snaps, eyes alight with indignation.

“Speaks the boy who drank too deeply from Arawnoth’s blood, forcing me to save your reckless life!

” He waves a wrinkled dismissive hand as if he could somehow banish me to another realm.

“Well then, let me guide you. Both of you.” He sweeps a finger over Princesa and me.

“You will face a vision, a trial of some kind.”

I suppress a groan. Common knowledge.

“Ah, before you complain.” Ignixis wags his finger at me, somehow sensing my displeasure.

“To begin the trial, you must mimic the statues of...” His words trail off and his face sours like he’s eating raw snarlbroc jelly.

“Dagdorix and Machsin.” He shakes his head with disdain.

“Lesser Gods I know, but the temple is in Draxxus territory after all.”

I stiffen at the mention of that cursed place. How could I ever forget? The temple haunts my dreams, my failed ambush on Krogoth taking place only some leagues from the temple, its central spire stretching through to the heavens.

“And upon your successful return,” Ignixis continues, his green eyes gleaming, “I shall bestow another gift of knowledge.”

“Oh?” I mutter, feigning disinterest.

“Drexios’ location,” he says slowly, the old gas-cloud enjoying this moment as a flicker of surprise creases my face. “Oh, don’t look so surprised, young Dracoth. Did you think I was merely hiding behind a rock, waiting for the females to appear?” He glances at Princesa, who gives a weak nod.

“I thought you lost in a pleasure house,” I retort, seeking to unsettle him.

Ignixis only titters. “You know I’m forbidden from the pleasures of the flesh. I purged such enslavement to nature long ago.”

Princesa frowns. “What about that time you almost wandered over to those sex workers?” Her grin widens as she glances at me. “Remember, Dracoth? His tongue was practically hanging out.”

A faint smirk tugs at my lips.

“Bah! Mock an old Elder, will you?” Ignixis waves a dismissive hand.

“I kept abreast of your actions in my absence. Your near defeat at Jazreal’s hands was.

.. most concerning, young Dracoth. You must do better.

You will do better!” His face shifts to a sudden sneer, dripping with boiling venom.

“There is too much at stake now,” he says, his tone and face disturbingly neutral again.

“Go. You have a long journey ahead. And when you return, you will face Drexios and claim the title of War Chieftain, as destiny demands.”

His words swell my pride, fueling the fire of ambition that has long burned within me. The plans I’ve dreamed of, the ones I’ve prayed for, are now coming to fruition.

“Can you look after Sandra until we come back?” Princesa chimes in, breaking my joyous musings.

Ignixis pauses, his irises fixed on the domed ceiling. “Ah, the pleasant one. Yes, I shall see what can be done. Though it may not be wise for me to be seen.”

Princesa’s silver eyes narrow dangerously, her hands trembling ever so slightly with frustration. “If anything happens to her, Demon Egg-Head, I will trap you in barriers so tight you’ll beg for Arawnoth to burn you to ash,” she snarls, her voice cold as the surrounding ice.

“My, my.” Ignixis lifts his hands in mock surrender, a thin smile tugging at his lips. “Seems Arawnoth’s blessing has made you bold. Fear not, I will see to her safety.”

“Good,” Princesa snaps, returning to stroke Todd, the cyloillar on her shoulder. “She doesn’t like the heat, so keep her somewhere cool.” Her brow furrows for a moment before she adds softly, “Oh, and tell her I’m sorry. But I haven’t forgotten our promise,” she adds with a smiling nod.

“Very well,” Ignixis mutters, though his faint grimace betrays his reluctance.

“Do as she commands,” I growl, glaring at Ignixis. “If Sandra wishes to return to her home planet, arrange passage.”

With that, I wrap an arm around Princesa’s waist, pulling her close as we move toward the exit, leaving Ignixis behind in the cold shadows of this frozen prison.

“Time to claim our destiny.”