Episode 11 — Through the Frozen Pass
At sunrise, the gates of the Sanctuary opened completely.
A freezing wind swept across the courtyard.
Beyond the walls stretched the Northern Wastes.
An endless land of snow, ice, and forgotten ruins.
Kai stood beside Nyrax at the front of the expedition.
The young dragon's wings twitched excitedly.
Today would be their first real journey together.
Not as fugitives.
Not as survivors.
But as Dragon Riders.
Commander Vaelor led the expedition.
Seraphine flew overhead upon her silver dragon.
Twenty elite Dragon Riders accompanied them.
The Sanctuary could spare no more.
Most remained behind to defend against another attack.
As the group departed, hundreds of dragons watched from the fortress walls.
Many bowed their heads toward Kai.
The Blood Heir.
The title still felt strange.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Hours later—
The Sanctuary disappeared behind the mountains.
Only endless snow remained.
The terrain became increasingly difficult.
Frozen cliffs surrounded the narrow trail.
Ancient statues occasionally emerged from beneath centuries of ice.
Broken dragon monuments.
Ruins of forgotten kingdoms.
Evidence that dragons once ruled these lands.
Nyrax remained unusually quiet.
Kai felt it immediately through the bond.
The dragon was nervous.
Watching.
Listening.
Something disturbed him.
Near sunset—
The expedition reached the entrance of the Frozen Pass.
Everyone stopped.
The massive canyon stretched between towering walls of ice.
Its entrance looked like the mouth of a giant beast.
Dark.
Silent.
Ancient.
Even the dragons seemed uncomfortable.
Commander Vaelor dismounted.
"We camp here tonight."
Seraphine immediately disagreed.
"We should keep moving."
Vaelor shook his head.
"The pass is too dangerous at night."
Nobody argued further.
That evening—
The campfire burned brightly against the snow.
Dragons rested nearby.
Riders sharpened weapons.
The mood remained tense.
Kai sat beside Nyrax while studying an old map Vaelor had given him.
According to the map, the Frozen Pass led directly toward the Crown of Winter.
But several sections had been marked with warnings.
Ancient symbols.
Danger zones.
Forbidden territories.
One location appeared repeatedly.
The Valley of Bones.
Kai frowned.
"What happened there?"
Vaelor's expression darkened.
"Nobody knows."
"Thousands entered."
"Very few returned."
Suddenly—
A dragon growled.
Then another.
The camp instantly became silent.
Every rider stood.
Weapons drawn.
Nyrax immediately rose to his feet.
The dragon's eyes narrowed toward the darkness.
Far beyond the camp.
Movement.
Something large moved between the cliffs.
One rider lit a blue crystal lantern.
The light revealed...
Nothing.
Only snow.
Only darkness.
Then—
A roar echoed through the canyon.
Deep.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Every dragon reacted instantly.
Fear flowed through the camp.
Nyrax stepped closer to Kai.
The roar came again.
Much closer this time.
Commander Vaelor's face turned pale.
"Impossible..."
Seraphine slowly unsheathed her sword.
"What is it?"
Vaelor answered quietly.
"I know that roar."
The entire camp waited.
Then he spoke two words.
"Ice Titan."
The canyon suddenly shook.
Snow cascaded from cliffs overhead.
Massive cracks spread across nearby ice walls.
Then—
A gigantic hand emerged from the darkness.
Made entirely of black ice.
Larger than a house.
The ground trembled with every movement.
A colossal figure slowly stepped into view.
Forty feet tall.
Covered in frozen armor.
Glowing blue eyes burning inside an ancient skull-like face.
The Ice Titan had awakened.
And it was staring directly at Kai.
The creature pointed toward him.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Then a voice echoed across the canyon.
Not spoken.
Felt.
Inside every mind.
"THE HEIR RETURNS."
Silence.
Even the wind stopped.
The Titan took another step forward.
The mountain shook.
Nyrax growled fiercely.
Blue energy began flowing beneath his scales.
The Ice Titan looked down at the young dragon.
Then smiled.
A cold.
Ancient.
Terrifying smile.
"SHOW ME..."
"IF YOU ARE WORTHY."
The Titan raised its colossal weapon.
May you like
An axe carved entirely from enchanted ice.
And charged.
