Realm of Monsters

Chapter 280: A Fateful Blizzard

There were few villages on the outskirts of Frost Rim. While the Great City was a bastion of safety for the people, the Rupture Mountains were anything but safe. The further one drew from the city, the fewer people lived, and the more wildlife stalked the land.

Winter was especially dangerous in the mountains. If one wasnt careful theyd lose themselves in the snowstorms or worse to the hungry predators that lurked at the edges of society.

Still, winter was the time when many rare faunas roamed about. The perfect chance for a budding vampire to catch their first great elk or so her father had said. Kallistes father had said many things she disagreed with, but she went along with them anyway, as was expected of her as the daughter of the Great House of Lilith.

The first night of hunting had been a failure, with no sightings of elks anywhere near the outskirts of the rural village. The second night had proved a meager success, one of her fathers hunters had spotted elk tracks in the snow, fairly fresh or so they said. The third night proved no advancement, no one not even her father had found a single track of elk or any other animal.

After six hours in the snow and the beginning signs of a storm, Lord Lilith had thankfully decided to call it a night and head back to their lodgings. Kalliste said nothing and only smiled, as was expected of a young child of House Lilith. A budding aristocrat had to be reserved, polite, with a smile always at the ready. Impatience, anger, annoyance, all of these were tell-tale signs of a lack of control in ones self and such actions were unbefitting of a Lilith. Still, Kalliste sighed in relief at the thought of soaking her numb toes in a hot tub. 

As the dogs pulled their sleds into the village, Kalliste pulled her bundle of furs closer to herself. The snowstorm had already begun to grow in full. There were no villagers in sight, save for the village chief that waited for them to return each night at the local tavern.

As usual, the chief was covered from head to toe in the furs of a white bear, one he had claimed to have killed himself years ago when he was young. But even the chief, a vampire who had lived his entire life in this village, dared not wander far on a stormy night like this.

The chief bowed low as the sleds pulled up at the tavern, Welcome back, my lord. Was your trip a success?

Unfortunately, no, not this time, Lord Lilith sighed.

Ah, Im sorry to hear that, my lord. I am certain youll find the elk one of these nights, you always do. But for now, a hot meal and warm fire will lighten the spirits. 

A warm meal does sound nice, Lord Lilith stretched his arms and yawned. Kal, after dinner well practice your shooting. Kal? Kalliste, why are you gawking like a simpleton?

Kalliste heard her fathers voice and even noticed the hint of anger within it, but she could not move her eyes away from what she saw. A lone figure trudged through the blizzard with only a mere linen cloth wrapped around her body.

Kalliste raised a small finger and pointed at the oddity, Who is that?

It looks like a simpleton, Lord Lilith laughed. What imbecile is out and about in the middle of a blizzard?

Forgive me, my lord, the chief said anxiously. She is an orphan and truly is a  simpleton, a buffoon, really. She cant even speak properly.

Oh, tell me more, he said.

The chief nodded reluctantly, Her mother was a villager who got pregnant with a frost giant gods knows where and died a few years after giving birth to a fatherless daughter. I let the hybrid child stay out of regard for the mothers last wish, but the child really is useless. I told her not to show her face near the tavern while you were staying here, but clearly, she is even too stupid to listen to that simple request.

...I see, Lord Lilith rubbed his chin in thought. Well, so long as she doesnt bother us, I dont care what she does.

Thank you for your kindness, my lord, the chief bowed. Ill get the girl out of here right away.

Kalliste ignored the adults chattering and hopped off her sled. She marched through the snow and blocked the orphans path. As Kalliste drew near she noticed how strangely tall the girl was. The girl wasnt even wearing any shoes, but she was still several heads taller than Kalliste.

The orphan quickly bowed her head repeatedly in fear, S-sorry, I-I dont m-mean a-any t-t-trouble.

Why are you apologizing? Did I accuse you of something? Kalliste crossed her arms.

...N-no?

Its considered rude to not look at someone while theyre talking to you, you know, Kalliste said, a trace of annoyance in her voice.

S-sorry. The orphan slowly raised her head and looked at the young vampiress.

Kallistes eyes widened at the gaunt face staring back at her. The orphan noticed the expression and quickly looked away in shame. But Kalliste drew closer until they were face to face or at least face to stomach. 

Kalliste looked up at the orphan and cocked her head to the side, How old are you?

E-eight, she mumbled.

Youre the same age as me? Why are you so tall?

I d-dont know, she shrugged uncomfortably.

Arent you cold?

Not r-really.

Kalliste blinked, Huh, thats pretty cool. 

The orphan stared at the girl with surprise, she didnt know what to say.

Why are you out here by yourself? Kalliste asked.

I w-was hungry. I usually get leftovers from the taverns cook, b-but, I didnt know you and your people were coming back so soon I wouldnt have come if I had known 

So youre not stupid, just scared Kalliste noted. Whats your name, girl?

L-Lynn?

Is that a question?

N-no.

So, whats your name?

Lynn. Just Lynn.

A hybrid named Lynn, huh? Kalliste nodded to herself. She reached out and grabbed Lynns hand without hesitation. You smell terrible, probably because youre a hybrid. She puffed her cheeks, Ugh, I got no choice but to get you a bath. And your cheeks are so thin, youll need some food too.

H-huh? Lynn frowned.

Kal, what are you doing? Lord Lilith asked curiously.

Kalliste groaned, The girls by herself and shes terrible at it! It's annoying to even look at! Ill fix it!

Fix it? Lord Lilith raised his eyebrow. How are you going to do that?

I Ill take her away from this stupid village! Kalliste crossed her arms.

Stupid!? the village chief coughed.

Do you want the girl as your slave, Kal? Lord Lilith asked.

Kalliste glanced at Lynn, the hybrids expression was a mixture of fear and worry.

No, Kalliste shook her head. Shes uh too ugly for that. Shell be my maid. Yeah, my maid.

Shes too ugly for a slave, but not for a maid? Lord Lilith asked wryly.

Y-yeah! What of it!? Kalliste glared.

Lord Lilith laughed happily, Oh, Kal, I dont think Ive ever seen you get so worked up before let alone stand up for yourself, and now you do it for a stranger, and a hybrid at that? Im surprised and honestly a little impressed.

Im not doing it for her, Kalliste mumbled.

We dont have a need for any more maids at the moment, not to mention a frost giant would stick out, and shes a hybrid Lord Lilith pondered. 

Kallistes face paled with dread.

Lord Lilith grinned sympathetically, Hm, how about this. Instead of a maid, Ill let you bring the girl along as a playmate. Youve already scared away all the other children at the castle, so maybe a frost giant might just work out.

Really!? She can come home with us!? Kalliste asked excitedly.

But you will have to make sure she is cleaned and well fed, he nodded. I will not have anyone in my House looking so haggard, she will be your responsibility. Do we have a deal?

Deal! Kalliste smiled brightly. She glanced at Lynn and quickly changed her expression to one of reluctance, I mean, if I have to, fine.

Alright, Kal, lets go inside already, Im freezing, Lord Lilith rubbed his arms and walked into the tavern with the stupefied chief.

Thank you, Lynn mumbled quietly.

Kallistes cheeks suddenly grew warm, she quickly looked away. Its not like that, you just looked so pathetic, you dont even have shoes

Should I leave then?

No! I-I mean, youll stop being so pathetic when you get cleaned up You heard my father, you have to play dolls with me after we take a bath. The vampire aristocracy doesnt approve of hybrids but you dont look so bad. And Ive got no one else to play with so Ill make an exception for now. You should be honored, o-okay? Kalliste muttered nervously.

Lynn couldnt help but smile, Okay.

Hehe, Kalliste grinned and ran inside.

~~~

Lynn, what are you doing!? Kalliste screamed from the coliseums front row.

Lynn slowly looked up with a faint smile. 

Kallistes usual pale face was an angry scarlet red. Her hands were wrapped around the guardrails with a white-knuckle grip. Why are you letting her mock you like that?! Kalliste yelled. Dont just give up, Lynn! Get up, damn you!

Lynn couldnt help but grin wryly. Kallistes angry expression just seemed so sad.

I know, Kal, Lynn glanced at the bloody gash over her leg. You're always angry, so bitter at the world, but I know

Lynn took a deep breath and held it as she pushed herself to her feet. Youre right, she called out to her opponent. The world is unfair, but I am lucky. Im lucky to have found a true friend in such an unfair world.

Diane stared at her, confused, A friend?

Lynn chuckled to herself, I didnt have much. No home, no family, no talent. But I had her. She often doesnt know how to express herself and she sometimes can be immature, but she was always there for me So for her, I gathered what meager talent I had and I worked hard, as hard as I could, just for a chance to stand next to her, even in a ridiculous tournament like this.

What are you saying? Diane narrowed her eyes warily.

Lynn stretched her arms to the sky, Im saying that for her, Ill make sure Frost Rim wins, no matter the cost.

The four pools sloshed about and floated into the air in giant globs of water, gathering above the center of the arena in the shape of a giant sphere.

Dianes eyes widened in shock, H-how is this possible!?

Lynn grimaced in pain, her arms trembled from the exertion. Blood spilled down her leg, pooling at her feet.

What are you doing!? Youre killing yourself! Diane yelled.

Lynns lips stretched wide in a wry grin, No matter the cost.

Damn you! Diane raised her swords and prepared to dash.

You and me both, Lynn threw her arms down. Dozens of ice spears emerged from the giant sphere and rained down on Diane.

The orc dashed away from the spears, but volley after volley fell down after her, corralling her in place. Diane screamed in defiance and shifted her stance. Her swords became a silver blur as they slashed the falling spears apart. A faint green dome slowly formed around her as the blades spun in an unseen pattern.

Swordmaster, huh Lynn muttered bitterly. Her vision was beginning to blur, but she recognized the lifeforce shield surrounding the orc. Her body burned as the elemental mana in her veins surged through to extreme limits.

Lynn shook her head and threw her arms apart, No matter the cost!

The water above transformed into a hundred frozen spears, sharper and larger than the ones before. Diane looked up in despair, her mouth open wide.

STOP!! a voice screeched through the crowd's cheers.

Lynn slowly turned to the familiar voice. Her body stiffened at the sight of Kalliste. The ever-so-composed vampiress had tears streaming down her cheeks.

Stop, please, Im begging you! Kalliste cried out. Im sorry! Youve done enough! So, please, just stop!

Lynn closed her eyes and smiled, Is that so? She swayed to the side and fell over heavily.

The hundred spears melted and the giant sphere of water crumbled apart and fell down in a cloud of rain.

Lynn of Frost Rim is unable to continue, the victory goes to Diane of Murkton! the herald Mark announced from his tower.

Kalliste jumped off the stands and ran across the arena to the fallen Lynn.

Diane stared at Lynn, ashamed. You were more dedicated than I ever was She dropped her blades and bowed low.

~~~

Holy shit is that what a frost giant is capable of? Freya mumbled in awe.

No, thats what Frost Rim is capable of, Callum said grimly. Im not liking our chances

Stryg hurried down the coliseums steps, his face covered in a grey cloak. He found the seats where his friends sat and rushed over and joined them.

Oh, you made it! Sylvie said.

Yeah, I got caught up with some things, Stryg shook his head. So, whatd I miss?