Everyone followed Leopold’s gaze and saw a massive opening in the ice cliff ahead. The entrance was covered in thick layers of ice, yet a faint glow was visible from within.
“We’re finally here,” Matthias said. His eyes lit up with excitement, and he quickened his pace toward the cave.
The others followed him to the entrance, which stood about 30 feet high and 20 feet wide. Inside was pitch black, with only distant light visible ahead.
Leopold pulled a torch from his bag, lit it, and handed it to Matthias.
Matthias took the torch and led the way into the passage. The tunnel was spacious with level ground, and glowing minerals embedded in the walls illuminated the passage.
They walked slowly, their footsteps and breathing echoing in the silence. After walking for nearly an hour, the light ahead grew brighter, and they could faintly hear bird calls.
“We’re almost there,” Leopold said excitedly. A few minutes later, they finally emerged from the passage and were frozen in awe.
Gone was the frozen wasteland. Before them stretched a landscape of spring blossoms. Flowers bloomed across the grassland in brilliant colors, filling the air with their fragrance.
Dense forest covered the rolling green hills that stretched into the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist. Sunlight streamed from the deep blue sky, warming their bodies and driving away their fatigue.
Birds sang in the trees and butterflies flitted among the flowers. A stream flowed nearby, and they could see fish swimming below the surface.
“Is… Is this the New Frontier? It’s so beautiful,” one soldier exclaimed, wonder shining in his eyes.
Matthias stared at the breathtaking scenery before him and was overwhelmed with emotion. After overcoming countless trials, they had finally escaped Everfrost and arrived at an almost otherworldly paradise.
He breathed deeply, savoring the sweet air thick with the scent of flowers and grass. It felt refreshing and invigorating after their ordeal.
“We’re finally here,” Leopold said, a long-absent smile spreading across his face. ” Next, we may find clues to the elixir of immortality.”
Matthias nodded, eyes bright with anticipation. He knew that escaping Everfrost was only the beginning. The search for the elixir would be long, and greater challenges likely lay ahead.
After resting for an hour, Matthias and his group set out again.
The spring warmth and blooming flowers of the New Frontier were a welcome relief from the harsh frozen wasteland. As they traveled, the group found themselves absorbed in the beautiful landscape around them.
Soft grass cushioned their steps, with bright flowers lining their path. The air was filled with birds chirping and the sound of running water. It was a stark contrast to the icy terrain they had left behind.
After half a day of travel, they heard noises up ahead. Matthias stiffened and signaled everyone to stop, looking warily toward the sound.
Leopold and Neville immediately took defensive positions, hands moving toward their weapons.
Moments later, a group of mounted riders appeared in their field of vision. Leading them was a man in close-fitting clothes, handsome with a touch of arrogance in his expression. It was Nathaniel.
“Nathaniel?”
Matthias’ eyes lit up with surprise upon seeing the man leading the group. He hadn’t expected to encounter a familiar face in this place.
Nathaniel was equally surprised. He had spent several days on Elysium Isle, experiencing all sorts of strange events, but had yet to find any trace of the elixir of immortality. So, meeting his brother here was completely unexpected.
“Matthias, I never thought I’d run into you here.”
After a moment of stunned silence, Nathaniel broke into a warm smile and strode quickly toward him. Matthias lowered his guard and returned the smile, stepping forward to meet Nathaniel halfway.
“It’s been a while. I trust you’ve been well, ” he said.
“We’re both here for the same reason-to extend Father’s life. The trials we’ve endured along the way go without saying. Since fate has brought us together, why don’t we travel together so we can watch each other’s backs?” Nathaniel suggested.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,”
Matthias responded with a nod and a smile.
His gaze then shifted to the men behind Nathaniel. Though his rival still had a dozen or so guards with him, they all looked exhausted, and several bore obvious injuries. They had clearly faced their share of dangers.
Despite their rivalry, cooperation made sense until they found the elixir of immortality. They could work together to overcome the immediate challenges. Once they found the elixir, it would come down to who was more ruthless.
After all, this place was completely isolated. Whatever occurred here would never reach the outside world. Even if a few people died, no word would escape Elysium Isle.
“Matthias, how long have you been on this island? Have you found anything?” Nathaniel asked tentatively.
“Three, maybe five days? Besides the harsh environment, I haven’t found anything,” Matthias replied, shaking his head.
Then he asked, “What about you? Any leads on the elixir?”
