Frosty Feast in the Ice Depths
A beam of light slipped through the gaps in the branches, slowly drifting across the World Tree's leaves and obliquely illuminating the inside of my nest. I stretched as I sat up, yawning blankly, when that beam passed over the floor and flashed once on the bark. The sparkle of sunlight reminded me of the gems Kaelion had given me.
I opened my subspace and pulled out the box. The gems caught the morning sun and shimmered in every color—reds, greens, even blues flickering somewhere in between. I picked up a red one first. Tilting it between my fingers changed the inner glow from orange to gold. A crack in the bark caught my eye, just wide enough for one gem.
This'll look nice here. I pushed it in, and it fit perfectly, locking in place. Now, whenever light hit, the gem reflected, softly tinting the surrounding bark. Next came the green one. Its light shifted between blue and green inside, drawing my eye, but wedged into a floor crevice, it glowed faintly underfoot—perfect. Before I knew it, I'd stuffed gems into every pretty spot that caught my fancy, no pattern, just vibes. The satisfying click as they locked in with my finger was weirdly fun.
Stepping back, I admired it. When sunlight slanted in, tiny lights scattered from nest corners, totally transforming the vibe.
Nice.
My stomach started rumbling. I pulled some Abysal meat from subspace. Balancing a thin flame on my fingertip, I grilled it precisely, controlling the heat. I sprinkled on some of that nutty powder from Kaelion's spices and took a bite. Salty deep-sea umami bloomed on my tongue, fading into a rich nuttiness. One piece, another. I finally stopped after a bit, brushing off my hands. Belly full, but nothing to do.
……What now.
I perched at the nest's edge, peering down. If Kar were here, he'd chatter away, but without him, just wind. Quiet was nice, but boredom was its own beast. A gust blew past—cold and dry. It felt like the chill from when Prostia visited my nest.
Wonder where Prostia's domain is.
Thinking about it, Prostia always came to me first. I'd never gone there.
Might as well check it out once.
I released my polymorph. Black mist swirled as my six wings unfurled. A mighty flap lifted me from the nest. I banked north toward the depths. I vaguely remembered spotting a frost-heavy zone during a past patrol. Deeper I went, thick branches blotting the sky, light dimming. Not humid, but a cold, dry aura chilled my feather tips. Frost blanketed the branches below, ice crystals on leaves sparkling in the faint light. Thick hoarfrost coated the ground far below, flowing low like white mist. This matched that patrol memory.
I veered toward the thickest cold and flew on. Near where massive World Tree roots tangled, a deep cavity yawned between them. Icicles hung like fringes at the entrance, pure chill wafting out.
What's that.
I shifted to human form and landed. Crunch! Not frost—solid ice underfoot. The cave mouth was iced over. I stepped inside. Past the entrance, space opened wide. Thick ice floored it, mirror-smooth, reflecting me below. Looking up, pale light diffused from the ceiling. Hard to tell if it seeped from outside or glowed from the ice itself. Ice pillars and spikes rose everywhere, branches of crystal, all aglow, softly lighting the chamber.
The air was pristine—cold, dry, but not heavy. Inhaling washed my lungs cool. Frost dusted my hand. The ice held firm under my steps, no give. Each footfall echoed crunch-crunch sharply in the silence.
In the center stood Prostia. Frost-pale skin, snow-white hair. Amid the ice pillars, its edges blurred into the background. Its eyes widened slightly.
"Hey, hi."
My voice bounced off ice walls, faint echo. Prostia stared silently, glanced around the icy space, then back.
[……How did you get in.]
"Followed the heavy frost to an entrance."
Prostia's gaze flicked to the entrance behind me, then back.
[……First time you've come looking for me.]
"Can't I?"
Prostia didn't answer. Light between pillars flickered. After a brief silence, it stepped aside slowly. Not blocking me. Deeper in, translucent fruits dangled in clusters between ice pillars. Fingering one, it bounced resiliently. Sweet, cold scent teased my nose.
What's this.
I plucked one and bit. Crunch! Crispy shell shattered, cold sweet juice bursting out. Cool sweetness spread over my tongue, refreshing straight to my scalp. Reminded me of shaved ice from my past life on a hot summer day, but deeper, cleaner.
"This is good."
Prostia watched. Blank face, but eyes stuck to my mouth. I grabbed another fruit, bit in. As sweet juice burst, I thought of Abysal meat in subspace.
Wonder if it'd pair.
Pulled meat, grilled thin flame on fingertip. Surface browned, salty umami scent rising sharp in cold air. Squeezed fruit juice over fresh grilled piece. Sizzle! Steam billowed as cold juice hit hot meat. Umami and sweet mingled at my nose. Bit in.
"……This actually works."
Chewy, salty meat, chased by icy sweet aftertaste.
Might be my best creation yet.
I offered a piece to Prostia. It stared at the juice-glazed meat, glanced at hanging fruits, back. Quietly took one, put in mouth. Chewing slow, so slow.
[……Not bad.]
It came a beat slower than usual.
"Right?"
I drizzled juice on next piece, eyeing Prostia. We sat side by side, munching awhile. No need for words. Ice pillars glowed softly, silent. Just crunch-crunch in white space. Glancing over, Prostia chewed at same pace. Blank-faced, but hands kept going. Better than solo. Prostia's chill was clean, crisp. Feeling it recalled yesterday's depths scent—damp, heavy cold, opposite this.
"Ran into something weird down below yesterday."
Prostia's gaze turned slowly.
"Came up from deeper. Verat, demon clan, but said just curious."
Prostia's chew stopped. No telepathy. Long silence.
[I know that name.]
"You do?"
[Met long ago, before my form solidified.]
[Near World Tree roots. Up out of curiosity then too.]
Prostia picked up meat, continued.
[Saw me, called me 'pretty ice lump,' tried to take me. Straight to demon realm.]
"……Kidnapping?"
[Yes. Was caught, being dragged.]
Prostia set down meat. Hand paused, then reached again slowly.
[Winged one came down then. Wouldn't have escaped without him.]
Winged one?
Snowy feathers, golden halo, dark circles. That face popped up.
"Oh, the glowy pigeon?"
Prostia's blank face stiffened briefly; telepathy hitched. Looked like it wanted to say something, but gave up, grabbed another piece.
"Guess he pulled that on me too. Yesterday, sat me on his knee, petted my head right away."
[……That's his way. Tries to take intriguing things.]
"Didn't seem bad though. Gave him stew, ate it right up."
Prostia fell silent. Turned to pillars, chewed slowly. We sat quiet awhile. Crunch-crunch, faint pillar cracks. Peaceful in its cold hush—different cozy from nest. Stayed lying even after full. Ice cool on back, not uncomfortable. Ceiling light steady.
Gotta come back.
Stood, plucked extra fruits into subspace. Prostia watched.
[……Take them.]
"Thanks."
Glanced around standing. Pillars glowed softly everywhere.
"Heading out. See ya."
Prostia silent. As I turned, short telepathy trailed.
[……I'll visit too.]
Coming to the nest, huh. Fine by me. Walked out entrance. Frosty depths air wrapped again. Prostia's chill lingered on robe hem. Released polymorph. Mist, wings spread, mighty flap. Soared, crisp clean air through feathers. Branches receded; peak neared suddenly. Landed in nest. Afternoon light waning.
Slow circle of gem-studded nest. Gems shifted hues from morning—bark red now orange, floor green near gold.
Changes by time of day.
Cuddled on Turaka-leather, wings folded. World Tree leaf warmth seeped through feathers. Lingering feather-frost cooled it just right—warm with chill edge. Closed eyes. Wind rustling branches, cool brush through feathers. Nice day.
Same time, Divine Realm.
Atop the barrier held by World Tree peak, massive floating stone island. Angel chief's office. Michael eyed report wearily. Last descent drained his divine power plenty. Arrived to find Verat beside Nox, slurping stew. Verat's face made him grimace instinctively. Same as 300 years ago—no change.
Door opened; scribe angel entered cautiously.
"Chief. Periodic detection report."
"……Read it."
Scribe unrolled scroll.
Previously detected ducal-grade demonic mana: extinguished.
Target entity's mana quality: changing. Extremely minute, but traces of divine power (previously absent) now detectable.
Scribe paused, double-checked scroll.
"And…… the entity's mana quality is changing. Still extremely minute, but new traces of divine power are emerging."
Michael's hand froze.
"……Divine power?"
"Yes. Presumed from Astraea you provided, Chief. Divine Realm aura slowly mingling with its mana. Seed-level at best now, but……"
Scribe cautious.
"If rank rises alongside over centuries, cannot rule out birth of unprecedented new deity via novel path."
Michael eyed scroll silently. He knew cause—his Astraea gift.
"Note for continued observation."
Scribe left. Michael leaned back, eyes closed. Body heavy.
……But.
If rank rose centuries hence. One more god meant less work. Simple math. Michael's lip twitched faintly upward.
……Not a bad future.
His weary face lit with happy delusion—objectively pathetic. But no one to point it out here. Dreaming of new deity via wild path, Michael slept peacefully for once. How vain the hope? No one knew yet.