Awakening in the Prison of Ice and Roots
In the prison woven from ice and roots, Wendigo awoke from a long, long slumber.
...No idea how much time has passed.
Judging by the bout with that wild boar bastard, at least a month—maybe two.
Wendigo scanned the prison. He was still wearing the root collar, and the structure hadn't crumbled; it held its original form. But not everything was the same.
His gaze fell on the talisman dangling from the root collar—an exorcism talisman that repelled malevolent energies.
Looks like Skadi's been tending to it.
To hang something like this, a fair bit of time must have gone by.
As he slowly moved, his stiffened body creaked and groaned in protest.
Ripping off the talisman from the collar, Wendigo rose unsteadily to his feet...
"This is where Lord Wendigo slumbers. After battling the wicked spirit, he has entered a deep—"
"Gaaahhh!!! Th-the corpse is moving!"
"......"
Wendigo froze mid-greeting to the entering Skadi, his eyes locking on the woman shrieking beside her. The woman, utterly terrified, rolled back her eyes and fainted dead away.
Wendigo stared at her with utter disbelief.
"Lord Wendigo! You've finally awakened!"
"Good to see you, Skadi. You've worked hard guarding me."
"Not at all. Serving and supporting you is my duty—and my greatest joy. But how are you feeling?"
At Skadi's question, Wendigo examined his body. The mysticism surging through him was as abundant as ever, but its nature had shifted somehow.
Deeper... more stable, somehow.
The feral mysticism had always suited him well. He'd felt something similar absorbing the boar's Origin, but this was even more profound. A sense of fulfillment, as if pieces that had always belonged were finally in place. Like gears slotting together in perfect, stable harmony.
"Pretty damn good. Not sure exactly what's improved or by how much, but I'm definitely stronger than before."
"All your efforts have paid off, then. I'm so relieved."
"Yeah... But what about that woman? You gonna wake her up or what?"
Wendigo pointed at the one he'd been trying to ignore.
He could guess why she'd fainted. His appearance terrified even seasoned warriors—what chance did a mere woman have?
Skadi glanced down at her, then crouched low. Knowing Skadi's gentle heart, she'd surely rouse her kindly...
Slap!
"Wake up!"
"...?"
Wendigo gaped, stunned. He hadn't expected Skadi to slap the fainted woman's cheek.
It was so out of character he half-wondered if OneTon had tampered with the Origin, making him see things.
But when Skadi slapped her again, he knew it was real.
Did some of that boar's temperament rub off on Skadi while I was out?
At least it hadn't happened with the boar itself...
Wendigo approached to stop her. "Skadi. Did she do something wrong?"
"Huh? No, nothing like that."
"...Then can't you wake her more gently?"
"Ah!"
Skadi seemed to get it, and Wendigo relaxed. She must not have hit some awkward teenage phase while he slept.
But Skadi kept slapping—lightly, now, as she explained. "I hate using violence like this, but I have no choice. There are so many people wanting to visit here!"
"Hold on. 'Many people wanting to visit'? What does that—"
"St-stop! Lady Skadi, enough! I'm awake! Awake, I said!"
The woman yelled after the slaps, and Skadi finally stopped, stepping back. Rubbing her stinging cheek, the woman grimaced.
Wendigo sniffed her scent, puzzled. For someone on the receiving end of those slaps, it carried surprising goodwill and respect.
Unless she had some weird tastes, there had to be a reason.
"Skadi. Why's she here?"
"Well... it's kind of a long story. You okay with that?"
A long story sounds like a hassle to skip, but those puppy-dog eyes make it hard to say no.
Her sparkling gaze was downright unfair. He could already picture the disappointment if he refused.
"Fine, tell me. I need to know what happened while I was out anyway."
"Yes! Let me see..."
Skadi beamed and opened her mouth.
* * *
Skadi was fundamentally diligent. It wasn't just the life lessons from her mother; her nature shunned laziness.
True to form, the moment she learned Wendigo had collapsed in his self-made prison, she sprang into action.
She gathered the people and explained his condition.
"OneTon, right? It seems Lord Wendigo entered this slumber to counter the curse left by that evil spirit."
"Heavens... Shaman, is that true?"
"Are you doubting Lord Wendigo?!"
"No, no! Absolutely not! I just can't imagine a spirit doing such a thing..."
No one dared contradict Skadi. Not Wendigo's followers, nor the Blue Mane tribe's warriors.
Who would challenge the shaman serving Wendigo—the one who'd utterly butchered their hated OneTon?
Naturally, the thought took root: Lord Wendigo is different from other spirits!
Zaken felt the same. If anything, he'd been favorably inclined toward Wendigo from the start.
Anyone could see Wendigo was the righteous one, and he'd even forgiven the warriors' sins.
Sensing he was the real leader, Skadi made her pitch.
"Lord Wendigo holds no great grudge against the Blue Mane tribe. If you're not planning to return to the plains, why not join us? He'd be pleased."
"That's..."
Zaken wasn't the official chieftain, but with Rektar's death cutting the line—and everyone above him dead—he was as good as one, like it or not.
His deliberations lasted only a day.
"The Blue Mane tribe will follow the spirit lord."
"A wise choice. Few are as rewarding to serve as Lord Wendigo."
Exiled from the plains, they couldn't return without building strength. With warriors and chieftain dead, and their spirit lost, Zaken's options were slim.
Choosing Wendigo was his best bet.
Still, even with justification, the massacre had happened—some defections were inevitable.
Skadi regretted it a bit but didn't dwell. Wendigo's gains went beyond the Origin.
"Build the village around where Lord Wendigo sealed himself!"
"What skilled artisans does the Blue Mane tribe have? Anyone good at smelting or construction?"
"Shall we talk today about 'Lord Wendigo and the Oath of the Nameless Warrior'?"
Many tribes chose to follow Wendigo. Through the Blue Mane tribe, Skadi gained new techniques and knowledge, working tirelessly.
She reorganized the village around the temple site and Wendigo's prison.
To fill the forest folk's tech gaps, she... persuaded the Blue Mane artisans.
To instill good impressions in newcomers, she spun tales of Wendigo.
Thanks to her tireless efforts, the forest quickly stabilized.
Her motivation? Nothing grand.
This should earn me some praise from Lord Wendigo!
Pure, or mad—take your pick. But it harmed no one, so what was the harm?
Thus, she awaited his awakening without slacking.
Even bringing the slapped woman was part of preaching Wendigo's greatness.
* * *
"Handling all that alone? Impressive."
"Ahaha... I didn't do it all myself. Geron helped, and Zaken convinced the artisans."
Realizing it might sound boastful, Skadi blushed and answered humbly.
Wendigo looked at her with genuine admiration.
Even with help, it was remarkable. Without her baton, would people have built and united?
Wendigo doubted it.
Guess I'll let the bone helmet thing slide.
Her devotion was too weighty for scolding over that. He wasn't sure he could've done as much himself.
Carrots worked better than whips with capable allies.
"Skadi. Tell me what you want. If it's in my power, I'll grant one thing."
Skadi flinched, swallowing hard as she met his gaze.
Who wouldn't want something from Wendigo? As his shaman, she knew the possibilities were endless.
A necklace from a claw shard...? No. Maybe a bracelet from some fur?
Whatever it was, as his devotee, she couldn't pass it up!
After agonizing, she replied brightly. "If it's okay, your hand—"
"Lady Skadi! Lady Skadi! Are you all right? It's been an hour already! Please respond!"
"......"
Wendigo learned that day people could curse without words.
As Skadi's eyes flashed murderously, the cheek-rubbing woman shrieked and rushed to Wendigo, betting he'd calm her wrath.
Glad she's not scared of me... but sad she fears Skadi.
Wendigo tapped the woman's shoulder with a claw to soothe her.
Skadi glared at the scene with jealous eyes. The woman trembled in injustice and fear.
One wrong word here, and Skadi might...
"Skadi. It's a bit noisy outside, but we can continue if you want."
Skadi perked up but shook her head. She was too diligent to ignore it.
"No. Even if I'm thrilled, it's my fault for forgetting the people waiting outside. We'll continue this when you're more comfortable, Lord Wendigo."
Too diligent for her own good.
As Skadi drooped in disappointment, Wendigo vowed inwardly to make it up to her.
That was his duty as the compensator.
Skadi exited the prison first, and Wendigo followed her out.