Paying no heed to the Shardturtle, the spiritual stag paced toward Matthias until it stood before him. It then turned, regarded him with eyes of pale blue, and shook its head as if beckoning him to follow.
Astonishment and suspicion flashed through his eyes as he murmured, “Is this spiritual stag… actually trying to save me?”
The thought seemed absurd, but with the Shardturtle eyeing them like a predator, Matthias had no choice. He could only lead the group toward the stag’s direction.
The Shardturtle watched their retreating figures. After a brief hesitation, it finally turned and sank into the murky water, disappearing from sight.
The spiritual stag led Matthias, Neville, and the others on a halting trek across the vast snowy plain until they finally arrived at the entrance of a hidden cave.
The opening was sealed by a thick layer of ice. The stag exhaled a breath of white mist onto the ice, which instantly melted away, revealing the cave’s mouth.
Inside, the air was warm like spring. It was a stark contrast to the frozen wasteland outside. The cavern glowed under the light of numerous luminous mineral stones embedded in the walls.
The stag advanced further into the cave and came to a halt before a massive ice crystal. Encased within was a Frostbloom, similar to the one they had seen at the bottom of the lake. But this one was far more vibrant, and its petals shimmered with a faint golden glow.
It turned its head to look at Matthias, as if gesturing to him to retrieve the flower.
Confusion swirled in his mind. This very same creature had been hostile to them before, but why was it helping them now?
But there was no time to dwell on it. He stepped forward and carefully retrieved the Frostbloom from the ice crystal.
The flower was cool to the touch, yet it carried a warmth that instantly spread throughout his body. Even the frostbite on his arm began to heal.
“I am grateful for your help, spirit of the forest,” Matthias said, with a hand over his heart as he regarded the spiritual stag.
The stag gave him a final glance before turning and walking out of the cave. It disappeared into the vast snowy plain as if it had never been there at all.
Matthias looked at the Frostbloom in his hand and finally allowed himself a sigh of relief. After all their hardships, they had finally secured one precious herb. But he wondered, where could the legendary elixir of immortality be now?
He carefully placed the flower into a lined brocade box he carried close to his body. The silk lining immediately took on a soft blue glow, as if the fabric itself had absorbed some of the plant’s spiritual energy.
Leaning against the cave wall, Neville watched the scene unfold. A trace of color returned to his pale face.
His remaining hand pressed against the wound on his chest as he said in a low voice, “Your Highness, the spiritual energy of this Frostbloom is even more potent than what the ancient manuscripts described. If we can bring it back to Oakvale, it will surely cure the King’s chronic illness.”
Matthias nodded, and his gaze swept across the interior of the cave. The walls were studded with glowing mineral stones every few steps. Their light pooled and spread, illuminating the deep cave like daylight.
The ground was carpeted with a layer of soft moss that felt surprisingly warm underfoot. It was like another world compared to the frozen wasteland outside.
He took a few steps forward and noticed the faint sound of trickling water coming from deep within the cave. As he followed the sound, he found a hot spring bubbling up from a crevice in the rock. The steam rose in wisps and condensed into tiny droplets in the air.
“It’s a hot spring!” Neville exclaimed, stepping forward.
He reached out to test the water temperature. “This is perfect for cleaning wounds and will help relieve the soldier’s frostbite.”
The discovery sparked an idea in Matthias.
He decided to move their temporary camp into the cave. With behemoths like the Shardturtle and other unknown snow beasts prowling outside, the cave offered both shelter from the cold and protection from danger, making it the perfect refuge.
They went outside to gather the surviving soldiers. After the battle with the Shardturtle, their ranks had been reduced from more than 50 to a little over 30 men. Most of them were wounded, and traces of unmelted ice still clung to their armor.
When the men heard about the warm cave and its healing hot spring, a renewed sense of hope flickered in their eyes. As they supported each other, they followed Matthias into the cave.
No sooner had they entered than a soldier suddenly cried out, pointing at the wall. ” Your Highness, look at these murals.”
Everyone turned. Carved onto the cave walls was a series of blurred murals. Though worn by time, their outlines were still discernible.
Some depicted figures in feathered robes standing amongst clouds, while others showed massive mythical beasts racing across snowy plains.
On the deepest part of the wall, one mural depicted the very same spiritual stag they had encountered earlier. Snowflakes at its hooves transformed into vines that coiled around a blooming Frostbloom.
“These murals may be records left by those who came before us,” Matthias murmured.
As he lightly traced the carvings on the cold stone, he added, “It seems the Frostbloom and the spiritual stag have existed on Elysium Isle for a very long time.
He was still pondering the meaning of the murals when hurried footsteps echoed from outside the cave entrance.
A soldier guarding the cave entrance suddenly rushed in, panic written across his face. “Your Highness! Bad news. Another group is heading straight for the cave.”
Matthias’s expression hardened. He immediately drew his sword and asked, ” Who are they?”
“I cannot say for certain, Your Highness,” the soldier replied. “But they are tall, Yarmed with sharp weapons, and they do not come in peace.”
“Prepare for battle!” Matthias commanded. He quickly rallied his men into ambush positions, ready to receive these uninvited guests.
