Chapter 4

The Frostland

“Why is it so damn cold?!”

Meredith’s complaint did not go unnoticed by Eddie, though his own chattering teeth prevented him from giving a solid response. All the pair knew was that over their last two days’ journey, the air had transitioned. The balmy sea breeze was replaced with a biting wind, while the lush grass beneath their feet became harder and brittler. In the end, it culminated with the two of them waking up on the third morning, near the border of the white field that was the Frostland, shivering more than expected.

“G-guess we’ve ent-tered the f-frost zone,” Eddie said, teeth knocking together so much that his words were barely recognizable. “M-must b-b-be what they m-m-meant when they call it a t-t-trial…”

“More like a pre-trial,” Meredith muttered. Rubbing her arms to increase heat, she slung her bag onto the snow-covered ground and pulled out the jacket she’d packed, wrapping it around herself. “I knew we’d have to deal with snow and cold, but I guess I didn’t expect it to be this cold. Hope my sword still works…”

“Least we have fire,” Eddie said. He was also dressed in his jacket, his hand alit with flames. That was a small consolation to Meredith.

Dragging their bags back upwards, the best friends forged into the Frostland before them.

Upon first glance, it was a completely different world. For those that had spent their life in a coastal town, seeing so much snow around made it glitter more than the sea, even if the wind was far less inviting. The sight made Meredith twirl around occasionally, attempting to soak it all in: from the evergreens covered in frost, to the grass that crunched beneath her feet. It felt and sounded different from the plants down south, like all of nature was in a different stage of its life.

Tromping through, Meredith looked to the pale sun, the celestial body being overtaken by clouds. From them, little drops of snow began to fall. Meredith laughed, sticking her tongue out to let a snowflake touch upon it, melting instantaneously.

“Eddie! Snow!” Meredith exclaimed, pointing up. He was too preoccupied, twisting the map this way and that in the increasing wind. There was a sudden gust, and while Eddie held on to the map, the snow that resulted from it made everything else nearly invisible for a moment, including the road that they’d already lost track of, for what it mattered. “Never mind! I don’t like the snow!”

“I don’t either! No way we’re finding the trial site in this!” Eddie yelled over the howling wind. He crumpled the map up, careful to not tear it. “Wanna pitch a tent until the storm passes?”

Meredith’s lips twisted into a frown. They’d already traveled nearly three days. Stopping for something like a storm wasn’t appealing, even if it was safest. Another gale rushed at the pair, and Meredith closed her eyes so as to not get any snow in them. Eddie just covered his face.

As she thought, Meredith’s breathing slowed, like she was peering through the veil of ice and snow that lay between them and trial site. It wasn’t a perfect measure, and it was no map, but she could swear to knowing the direction they needed to head, like it was a conglomeration of warmth at that single spot. Knowing that, like a searing arrow that pointed the way, she opened her eyes.

“No. We press on.” Eddie gave her a wild look, as if she was insane. “This is just another part of the trial, and making it there will be the start of proving we have what it takes.”

“Yeah, we can also make it there without the snowstorm, but whatever…”

“Just hold on to me, Eddie! We’ll make it!” She didn’t wait for his reply. She just grabbed his arm, her fingers freezing up a little, and began dragging him in the direction she knew the settlement was.

To their boon, the snow didn’t grow any thicker, or their visibility decrease any more. There was the occasional gust, but other than that, they weren’t deterred further. Eddie would warm their hands from time to time, but Meredith was the one keeping them on the straight and true. Every step got them closer. The road was left far behind by now, but the insistence that this was the right way never left Meredith. Snow continued to buffet them, Eddie falling over more than once. Meredith would pick him up and keep on dragging them, though her legs began to numb. Even so, they continued to trudge across the snow, through the afternoon, until the clouds began to break and sun streamed back through.

“I…don’t believe it…”

Meredith had to agree with Eddie’s gasping sentiment. Her step forward at the sight made her lose her grip on him and just stare.

Before them was the site of the trial. At first glance, it seemed to just be a mountain range that bordered a river flowing north. Yet with the sun shining on it, the whole natural construct became completely different. For it wasn’t a mountain range, but rather a sheer cliff of ice, with small holes here and there that were definitive entrances, the largest one being at the base of its structure. To emphasize this point, there was a settlement near that large entrance, with plenty of small houses and other buildings that seemed to be a church, a pub and some other shops and amenities.

This was Frostfall Cavern, trial site of the Guardian Corps, and the beginning of Meredith’s dream.

“Let’s go.” She took off running, keeping her eyes on the cavern that was her destination. The cavern’s front was glowing red and gold now, reflecting the sunset. That same hue dyed the river as well, and far beyond, Meredith could see how the landscape began to change again. In that moment, however, she focused on reaching the settlement to begin her trial. Eddie ran to keep up.

The cold didn’t cease, even if the snow did, but Meredith paid it no mind, each movement of her feet flinging the white powder in the air. The closer she got to the settlement, the more she could see other footprints that hadn’t been covered up by the snow. They were far from the only ones to come here through the storm. The thought of competition drove her, and after that last stretch of walking, the duo arrived on the outskirts of town, where the welcoming lights promised food and warmth, and the snow was a silent and kind companion.

“We…made it…” Eddie said, hands on his knees. Meredith looked back at him a moment, wanting to apologize, but deciding better of it. Eddie was just fine, not even showing true exhaustion.

She took a glance at the settlement as a whole, from the bustling inn, to the shops that were remaining open despite the lateness of the day. That could have had much to do with the burning braziers near the entrance to Frostfall Cavern. Day or night, it was clear that the trial was still the trial. All of it blended into an impressive sight, and Meredith took a deep breath, wanting to pinch and remind herself that it was all real.

“Is that the old Church of St. Valordus?” Eddie asked suddenly. Meredith jumped, surprised he had recovered so rapidly. He didn’t seem to notice, for he walked forward, staring at the old church, lit with torches to identify it. “I mean, he’s not an actual saint. Myths and rumors say-”

“Eddie. I don’t care,” she said. He chuckled with a nervous expression, but Meredith could tell he was still transfixed by the church all the same. “All right, fine. But just five minutes! And no in-depth history lesson. I have no idea how you sat through those shows and lessons in the first place…”

“It’s an important landmark in magical history,” Eddie explained to her. Meredith rolled her eyes, but followed after her best friend into the heart of the settlement and towards the church that, despite its age, did seem to have some visitors. “A lot is lost to legend, but many say that the church was founded as a way of passing on the peace and virtue found in Crea’s teachings regarding magic.”

“Crea? Sounds familiar.” Eddie nodded vigorously, happy to show off his knowledge from documentaries and following Lacardia’s magical progress. Meredith just threw her hands behind her head as they approached the large, open double doors to the church. Some Guardians were sitting around in their winter coats, talking, while others were moving towards Frostfall Cavern to prepare for the trial. There were also those that appeared to be candidates milling about, waiting for the same exact thing. Even a large, snarling dog was waiting outside the church, but Meredith paid it no mind, trying to listen to Eddie’s instruction.

“Of course. To some magic scholars, she’s revered as a goddess, and was so in the past, though most people these days really believe she was just a super-powerful magic user. There’s no consensus.” It was Meredith’s turn to nod, realizing where she’d heard the name before, but not believing in any of that “goddess” business as they walked into the sanctuary of the church.

“Impressive architecture, though,” she admitted. There was no lie in her words, spinning around to examine the arches and stained-glass windows in the building. Every stone crafted was perfectly placed in a very loving tribute to a goddess that may not have even existed. Only the altar where a few people were praying outdid the rest of the church. Meredith approached this with Eddie, folding her arms as she looked at the painting above the altar. Seeing the artwork of a woman, shining with white light and six swirling orbs around her, Meredith leaned towards her best friend and whispered, “That her? The goddess?”

“Guess so.” Eddie sounded less than impressed; the building was clearly not the bastion of magic history he’d hoped it would be. Whether it was or not mattered little to Meredith.

“Think if I pray to the goddess, she’ll help me get S-Rank on the trial?” she decided to ask with humor. Eddie rolled his eyes.

“Don’t bother. Who knows if she’d even listen…if she exists…”

“Oh, she exists, young sir,” said one of the kneeling worshipers. The voice drew both of their attentions, looking front as the man who’d spoken stood, his bowl cut of dirty-blond hair flecked with gray dots bobbing with the movement. As he turned, his freckled face was evident in the flickering candlelight, along with the admonishing smile on his lips. “The goddess is a boon to us all. It is she who guides the providence of this world.”

“There’s nothing to prove that, though,” Eddie countered. Meredith let out a sigh and grabbed the back of her best friend’s shirt, just as he would do to her.

“Not now.”

“No, no, the young sir has a right to doubt,” the man replied, licking his lips momentarily. “Not many believe in the goddess, and that’s within their right. However, we act on faith, not proof. Isn’t that how trial-goers pursue their dreams?”

“That’s-”

“Enough is what it is,” Meredith stated. She reached up and pushed Eddie’s head down. “Our apologies, sir.”

“Ho hoh? No apology necessary,” the man said in reply. “All entitled to our opinions…but rest assured, our faith will be rewarded in the world that comes after.”

“Sure…” Meredith agreed, wanting to end the conversation before Eddie could say something stupid. Whoever the man was, he appeared to agree, for he shared no more on the topic and swept out of the building, his long, high-collared cloak billowing behind him, obscuring his face. Meredith lifted her head and watched him disappear into the snowy settlement, the snarling dog from earlier bounding after him. He turned towards Frostfall Cavern, but vanished past the church doors. She thought, for a second, that he was a fellow trial-goer, but she readily dismissed the thought in favor of her friend. “What was that?”

“Sorry…” Meredith rolled her eyes and knocked him on the back of the head. “It’s just rare to find people so wholly devoted to the goddess…er…so the documentary said. Most will offer a prayer here or there in case, you know, she does exist, but the only ones who usually fully believe in her are members of the Order.”

“Those whack-jobs?” Meredith asked, perhaps more loudly than she should have. Someone near the altar shushed them, causing the two friends to jerk a little. Eddie, having had his fill of the church, didn’t bother responding and headed for the exit. She followed right after, hands behind her head again as a yawn graced her lips. “Well, that was a bust. Next time you want to visit landmarks, tell me…I just hope we can get a start on the trial still.”

“Sorry, again. But hey, you never know where these things might come in handy.”

“Nah, stuff like a church will never be handy in a trial. That’s all about your wits, fast movement and magic power.” Meredith blinked, hardly realizing that they’d already emerged outside. What was more, she simply couldn’t figure out where the voice was coming from, considering the only ones nearby were some Guardians, chatting amongst themselves. “You don’t actually believe in that ‘goddess’ malarkey, do you?”

“What would it be to you if we did?” Meredith asked, her lip twitching at the thought of talking to someone invisible. Or a ghost. The voice chuckled, and Meredith was finally able to realize it was coming from above. She directed her gaze that way.

“Wouldn’t be anything to me; would just hope you don’t replace hard-earned training with a mystical, magical concept that may or may not exist.” At his newest statement, Meredith was finally able to pinpoint the source, and blinked at it.

A boy was there, floating upside-down in mid-air with a grin on his face. There was a scarf wrapped around his neck, pure white in color, that also dangled downward. It offset his blond hair, which was somewhat shaggy, but accentuated his angular face. His hazel eyes shined like a cat’s in the setting sun as he held a finger to his lips. He didn’t make any movement to descend, either, seemingly pleased with his position. Meredith continued to blink, and then quirked an eyebrow.

“Mystical, magical concept, huh? Like…magic?”

“Ooh, nice barb. Very clean,” the boy said. He reached up (or was it down?) to brush his hair back, but it still fell right into place. “You a trial-goer, then? What rank?”

“No rank. This would be my first trial. And you, Floaty Boy?”

“Emil.” Meredith’s eyes slid over to Eddie, who looked amused, before flicking back to the boy. The more she looked, the more he seemed her own age. “B-Rank. Or that’s what they tell me I would’ve been if I hadn’t been knocked out of the Trial of Teamwork.”

“So, you have no rank, too?” Meredith asked him. Emil’s grin changed slightly, becoming more lopsided. His body dropped a little, as well. “Guess you’re here for the trial, then.”

“Right you are, uh…didn’t catch your name.”

“I didn’t give it.” Emil’s grin didn’t change, but he flipped upright before descending fully to let his feet crunch upon the snow. Now that he was upright, Meredith could take in his full figure, dressed in black, with little defining features except for that ever-clashing scarf around his neck, and a hood poking out the back. Meredith rolled her eyes at the poor fashion choice, and began to turn away. “C’mon, Eddie, let’s get registered.”

“Mera…”

“Aw, come on. I just wanted to talk with a fellow trial-goer, Mera, is it?” Meredith, who had taken a step back towards the main path of the settlement, stopped and faced Emil. The boy was still offering a rather lazy grin to her, but she could only return it with a scowl.

“It’s Meredith to you.”

“Okay, Meredith it is. Where you from? Why’re you taking the trials?”

“You’re not very good with people, are you?” Eddie asked from the side. Emil turned his grin to him with a shrug. Whatever his motives were, he clearly didn’t care about receiving insults…or making insults.

“Not my problem, I guess. Just sizing up the competition,” said Emil in response. Meredith watched him, and saw the smile finally slide off his face. Her body tensed and her hand moved to her belt. “But I guess there’s not much to worry about, huh? You seem pretty green for a trial-goer. Sure you’re up for this?”

“Wanna find out?” Meredith said. There was a loud smacking noise, courtesy of Eddie slapping his forehead in embarrassment. The sound had an effect on the surrounding area, drawing attention from the nearby members of the Corps. Emil, for his part, ignored it. Meredith just observed his body language, eyes narrowing to slits as she did so.

Emil was tense. The grin was gone and there was a challenge in every twitching muscle of his stance. The very implication irked her, because she realized that this wasn’t a boy in over his head. This was a boy who had every confidence he would win any fight that was started.

To Meredith, it just meant that he was looking down on her. His earlier position made much more sense, now.

“I’m game if you are. No one else here seems willing to take the challenge. They just want the warmth,” Emil said. He raised a hand, beckoning her forward. She was more than ready to answer the call, grabbing ahold of her blade and pressing the button to extend the sword. “Cool! You’ve got a mechanical sword, there!”

“Yeah, and what do you have, Floaty Boy?” Meredith questioned. She gave him no time to answer. He’d respond swiftly enough, anyway; she could tell. Eddie tried calling out, but it was to no avail, the two already lost in the zone. Getting close enough, Meredith swung, waiting for the counter she knew was coming.

Sure enough, Emil raised his arm up, and a translucent blade slid out from under his long sleeves, blocking the strike. Another one came from his other sleeve that he used to thrust forward. “I use Gravity Blades!”

“Meredith, pull back! This kid has-” Meredith didn’t comply, even with the stern usage of her full name. She just backstepped to avoid Emil’s attacking blade before taking her hilt in both hands and jabbing forward. She missed, as Emil had once more taken to the sky, this time floating upright with his grin as his shaggy blond hair became flecked with snow. “He uses Gravity Magic!”

“Nice catch!” Emil called out to Eddie. He angled his body and dove at Meredith, wobbly on the course. She tried shifting her foot, but found it to be as heavy as lead. “Bet you’re feeling not so nimble now, huh? Swordplay’s not gettin’ you far!”

“Come on, girl, you can’t let this cocky brat get the better of you!”

“Nah, the gravity boy has this one in the bag!”

Meredith frowned, ignoring the calls from the Corps members that were cheering on the fight. Her arm was feeling heavier to lift as well, and Emil was nearly upon her. The translucent blade was glowing red from the sunset as her opponent moved the center of his body. Her eyebrows flew up. Moving her blade just a fraction, she instead shifted her torso back, changing the angle of her sword. Emil’s blade collided with it, grating for a moment and throwing off his control over gravity.

“Well, your magic isn’t that hard to figure out! You can’t control your own gravity and mine effectively at the same time, can you?” Meredith said. Emil’s eyebrows flew upwards, as though he hadn’t expected her to reason it all out. “Magic isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be!”

“Ha ha! Nice!” Emil flipped around in midair and landed back upon the snow with a crunch. “I like you, Meredith!”

“Not sure if I can say the same, but this is definitely fun! Good warmup!” As she spoke, Meredith brought her blade up to sit near her face, reflecting the glittering snow on its surface. Emil crouched, hands to his sides and the blades jutting out. Cheers came from the Guardians with claps and raised fists. Eddie was less enthusiastic, fretting with his hands tangling together. He was looking beyond the Guardians, but when Emil began rushing for Meredith again, she diverted her attention. Her sword crossed right in front of her and blocked the dual blades.

Being close enough to her opponent’s face, she tried to read him, wondering if he’d pull his magic out once again, or what exactly he meant when calling his weapon “Gravity Blades”. Her foot drew back, giving her the time to react to whatever came next.

` “What do you idiots think you’re doing?” Silence came to the Guardians. Meredith pulled her eyes away from Emil and looked towards the previously cheering group. They were no longer a group of three. A fourth had joined them, beating all three of them on the head. “If a fight breaks out, why exactly are you standing around cheering it on? This isn’t an exhibition.”

“S-sorry, sir…” one coughed out. His superior whacked him one more time before brushing him aside to approach the still locked pair. Meredith’s gaze met Emil’s and they both disengaged.

“You should be preparing for the trial, not cheering on two adrenaline monkeys in the middle of a fight.” The older man’s words sent the Guardians scurrying off for the direction of Frostfall Cavern, now being swallowed in the fading light. Meredith swung her sword around and pressed the button to retract it while the newcomer surveyed them both, a look of disappointment on his face. Unlike Commander Masters, this man’s face was hard and cold, as if he ran a tight ship with his trial and didn’t allow anything past his watch right before one. “You two…trial-goers, yes?”

“Sir!” Meredith and Emil spoke at once.

“Leave your fights for the trials. Whether it be for fun or not, you are still here to partake in those. No one can expect to make you a Guardian if you are the ones disturbing the peace,” said the administrator. Meredith nodded, while Emil made no movement. A bell began to ring from near the entrance to Frostfall Cavern. The man took notice, though made no movement for it. He faced Eddie, first. “And you, boy. Next time a fight between your friends breaks out, have the strength to stop it.”

“Y-yes, sir…”

“Hmph, very well.” His statement delivered, the man turned around, a cape fluttering behind him. “Hurry yourselves to the trial. We begin momentarily, and I’d hate to disqualify you from the start. We want this done just as much, before the cold seeps into our bones.”

“Sir!” Meredith and Eddie repeated, though Emil didn’t follow suit. He merely retracted his blades while the administrator walked off towards Frostfall Cavern.

“Just getting good, too,” came Emil’s sigh. He followed it with a shrug and began to follow after the administrator. For but a brief moment, he paused and looked back. “See you on the inside, Meredith, Eddie. Should be fun.”

“Yeah, whatever, Floaty Boy. I’ll kick your ass there, instead.” He appeared to appreciate the challenge, giving a sharp laugh and continuing on. His voice faded quickly in the return of the snowy winds. The only thing louder was Eddie’s sigh and sharp glare. “What? He asked for a fight.”

“Didn’t mean you needed to take it…”

Meredith began to scoff, but chose not to; loathe as she was to admit it, both the administrator and Eddie had a point. Starting a fight for no reason other than to prove her strength was quite unbecoming of her, and not very Guardian-like. It wasn’t a best impression for a first trial. She expelled a breath and reached up to brush snow from her hair. Then, she bowed to her best friend. “You’re right. Sorry, Eddie. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Not like I was much better, but yeah…Though I doubt that’ll stop you in the future…” Another awkward silence transpired. Meredith couldn’t help her frown, one which etched deeper when she saw that taunting grin of Emil’s in her mind’s eye. He said he had found it fun, but only because he held the firm advantage. A bad taste settled into her mouth at the thought of it. “Hey, maybe we should get registered.”

“Right.” Meredith’s tone was hollow, on autopilot in following her best friend across the snow. Her fist clenched. Weak. Weak in mind. Weak in body. If she hadn’t been, there was no way she would have engaged with an opponent like Emil. Then again…that’s what the trials are for, right? To become stronger. To become a Guardian.

It was, at least, a slight salve for a bruised ego. Didn’t hurt that Emil would be one of her fellow candidates, offering a second chance to prove herself against him. She pulled her fists up to her chest and surged forward, passing Eddie and bringing him along the frosty path to the entrance of the cavern.

Some Guardians were standing out front, checking candidates in with some sort of registration process. There were more than just a few trial-goers, though Meredith caught no sight of Emil and surmised that he must have already gone inside. As soon as she’d caught up to the final approach, a bridge spanning the distance between the settlement and the cavern entrance, Meredith turned to Eddie.

“It’s time, Eddie! Let’s do our best and come out on top! Our path of trials begins here!” She held her fist out. He watched it a moment but then tapped it with his own.

“I’m just looking to pass. Let’s put training to good use!”

“To the top!” they declared together, and cleared the rest of the distance. While there was another candidate right in front of them, his registration didn’t last long. He moved into the cavern and Meredith stepped up.

“Name and trial rank,” the attending Guardian said, tapping his pen on his clipboard.

“Meredith Childs, first trial.”

“Edwin Montgomery, same.”

The trial attendant wrote down the names as quickly as he could, his breath frosting at least a few times before he’d finished doing so. Soon as he had, he reached behind the paper he had and ripped out what looked like two, thick laminated postcards that he handed to the pair. “This is the proof of your pilgrimage to take the trials. With every trial passed, you’ll be stamped with your rank, and are required to present it at every subsequent trial. When you’ve passed all six, you’ll be told next steps, though you are not obligated to complete the pilgrimage. Not everyone does. Understand?”

“Got it,” Meredith said, opening her bag and putting the card inside, next to the photograph of her family.

“For now, please enter the cavern and await further instructions. The Trial of Ice will begin momentarily.” When he finished speaking, the attendant moved aside to permit the two entrance. He also approached another candidate behind them.

The second they passed under the arch of ice that was the doorway to Frostfall Cavern, they were doused in darkness. The fading sun outside disappeared, replaced with the lightest of embers that lined their path along the frigid road inward. Meredith led the way, as Eddie clung tightly to her backpack, making sure that neither of them would slip. The path didn’t take long before it began to open up, becoming a wider cavern that was brighter and full of natural luminescence. Once they reached it, Eddie let go and lifted his hand upwards, his extremities glowing faintly.

“There must be a powerful magical source here,” he commented. “Not that it surprises me; no doubt all the trial sites are built near historical fonts of magic.”

“If you say so,” Meredith said, turning away from the glowing sight to look at her fellow candidates. None of the rest of them were glowing, as if it only affected those that used a certain type of magic. Emil certainly wasn’t, leaning against one of the icy walls as he waited. He nodded to her, and she returned it. She took a breath, raking her eyes along her fellow candidates, a near dozen or more waiting for the administrator to step forward. As she observed, a howl resounded through the cavern halls, making Eddie jump. She laughed and thumped him on the back. “Guess it wouldn’t be a trial without some challenge.”

“If you say so,” Eddie repeated to her. Meredith opened her mouth to laugh again when the sound of metal crashing against the frosted floor resounded through the open space. Many candidates snapped to attention, Emil ceased his leaning, and Meredith stepped into line with the others and Eddie, all of their attentions now riveted on the man who had put a stop to her earlier fight.

Said man walked forward, his eyes lingering on each of them in turn before slamming his sheathed blade on the ground yet again. Some ice chunks fell from the ceiling. “Candidates and trial-goers, welcome. You have entered Frostfall Cavern, home of the Trial of Ice.

“As administrator of this trial, it is my duty to inform you of your goal in completing the quest before you, as well as the dangers you will meet. Know first that you may leave the trial at any time before accomplishing the quest and will receive no rank. It will not reflect upon your skills to the Corps at all, though we advise each of you to do your utmost in completing this trial.”

Here, the administrator stepped aside, revealing a labyrinth of paths that lay beyond their starting point. He even motioned to them, and Meredith felt her blood pumping again, each of her veins warmed to the point she felt she wouldn’t even need her coat. Not that she flung it off, especially as the Guardian reached into his own and pulled out a blue apple. “To that end, the goal of this trial is simple. You will have twelve hours to find and pick a Frost Apple, during which time you are free to use any method or magic necessary to accomplish this goal. Your subsequent rank will be determined by how much time you take to return here; closer to the deadline, the worse your rank. The only rule is that you are not allowed to interfere with your fellow candidates’ attempts. No attacking each other. A Guardian is above such things as harming fellow allies.

“That is just one of the many lessons you will learn in the Cavern. The other is to learn how to navigate treacherous terrain and deal with the unexpected, such as the beasts in the cavern beyond.” The administrator paused here for effect, letting the dangers ahead sink in to each of them. None backed down. “That said, we all wish you luck and speed in completing this task. For all you who wish to become Guardians, your journey starts here.

“Let the Trial of Ice begin!”