Ice…..Cold….Ice….
Vast, the icy land stretched out. The wind howled, whipping up stinging ice. The air was so cold, that the pain it brought was of a thousand needles jabbed harshly into the skin on contact.
The land was devoid of any sound, and desolate. It stretched out like it doesn't have an end. No plant or animal could be seen around.
A place like this…..that doesn't have any vitality and extremely cold, yet in the middle of its expanse, a tower stood gallantly.
Despite countless harsh storms of the icy wind which freezes anything in its path, the tower was in good condition. The stones glinted, intricate carvings that glowed littered its body.
What was a tower doing in the middle of nowhere?!
Just then , the doors of the tower creaked open. The path was lighted, and two men clad in silver heavy armour walked out. One of the men looked like someone in his thirties, and the other in his twenties.
The door closed with a BANG! Preventing the cold air from venturing in.
" Ahhh…!" The older sighed, relieved.
" It's finally here. Two years away from civilization . " He continued.
The younger man looked at the older man , who had a smile on his face. "So…I won't get to see you again?" He asked, his voice unsure.
The older man turned to face the younger man who had a sad look in his eyes.
" Brian, let me tell you. It's just one year, and luckily for you, you have seven months to go. In the blink of an eye, you would be out of here. "
Brian tried to fight back tears, as he looked at the older man, his black hair getting in the way.
" But …. I might not like this new one coming. You are the only one I know here Galen, and now you are leaving." His voice croaky, his youthful face scrunched up.
It wasn't easy to let go of someone, you are already getting used to. It was hard to open up to him, and now he would soon be leaving.
Galen reached out, placing a hand on Brian's shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. " I survived here longer than I should. You can too. So, don't worry."
" And who says we can't see each other again?" Galen asked, a smile adorning his face.
Brian stared at Galen's cheerful face for a while, then a subtle, wistful smile emerged.
Galen used his other hand to wipe the tears off Brian's eyes. He understands him well. A young man who had suffered so much, for the first time had someone to rely on.
" You are young. Just twenty. In order to treat your aunt , you accepted this harsh and suspicious job. I also have a family waiting for me to return. And so do you. We are both alike in a way. We need money, and this job offers a lot more than we could ever earn. "
" I know…." Brian sniffled, and nodded in understanding. Galen chuckled, making him pout adorably. To Galen , Brian was the younger brother he never had.
Brian looked behind him, facing the door, " The person locked up in there…"
Galen quickly interrupted, " Don't!"
" That….*Ahh…!*... Whether he is human or not…Whatever happened for him to be locked up… Just follow the instructions. Don't feel pity else in the end there would be no one to feel pity for you. Just stay clear, Okay?"
" Okay. " Brian responded.
Galen nodded, and rubbed his head. Despite the icy wind, they weren't the least bit affected. It was like a normal weather condition.
" You would be okay. "
" They are here."
Brian squinted his eyes, looking afar. The previously clear sky now had a dot, approaching fast .
As the dot got visible, the moving object became clear.
A giant white bird….? No. It was birds. …Seven of them.
Looming forward were giant white birds, snow eagles.
*AOWWWW!!!*
The leading eagle let out a cry that echoed through the land. Its giant silver talons grapsed the air, sharp. Its wings beat with a fast rhythm as they slowly descended.
The snow eagles dived down, landing heavily on the ground, yet the icy land remained sturdy, not a crack appeared.
The leading eagle stood taller than the rest, its radiant white feathers ruffled by the wind.
The man on the the leading snow eagle was donned in an expensive looking armour with intricate designs , looking average in appearance, his brown hair curled back.
He descended from the snow eagle, his armour making a clinking sound.
His brown eyes stared intensely at Brian and Galen. His aura commanding respect.
Obviously he was the leader of the group.
" Send him back." He said.
Someone walked out from the group behind him , a male in a better armour than those of Brian and Galen.
Galen took Brian's hand , and gave it a squeeze, before walking forward, and standing in front of the man.
Brian watched as the man, waved his hand on Galen's head, a green light flashing for a while.
" Its cleared. " The man said.
Another man walked out, and started chanting some words,after stuffing a small bag in Galen's hands.
As he was chanting, a red magic circle started forming under Galen's feet.
Brian watched as the magic circle got completed in three circles. He looked at Galen's back, hoping he would turn back to give him a last look, but he was disappointed.
'Bastards!! They wiped his memories here completely!'
Just then , Galen vanished along with the magic circle. A teleportation circle.
" We didn't get you a partner. You would have to do it alone for a while. " The leader said, as he walked into the tower, the door opening on its own as he got closer.
" Yes.., Sir." Brian replied, his eyes looking at the ground.
The man walked in , and the door closed behind him.
" Well… It's going to take a while for him to return. " One of the men said.
" Yeah…" Another replied halfheartedly.
Brian waited for a while, before lifting up his head , and looking at the men who were resting.
He slowly walked towards the group, his armour making a clinking sound. The men turned to face him,
" Hey… since he is not going to be back anytime soon. How about…a nice chat." Brian looked at the men with a smile that wasn't a smile..But yes… it was a wicked smile.
Brian's eyes glowed pink, the men stared at him motionless for a while before dropping to the ground.
" That took longer than expected. Glad I did all those training till I couldn't move again." Brian chuckled. He walked over , and searched the men.
" At least, have a clue or something. " Brian sighed heavily. The snow eagles just watched him in silence.
" Anyway the haul isn't bad." Brian grinned mischievously as he stared at the pile of pouches on the ground.
He looked towards the door, and said "It's all left to you, young master. "