Into the Frozen Unknown
Chapter 2: Into the Frozen Unknown
The hum of the airship thrummed steadily in the still night, a low, constant vibration that seemed to resonate in Caitlyn’s chest as she stood on the wind-swept dock. The faint glow of lanterns cast pale pools of light across the platform, illuminating her sharp silhouette against the sprawling Piltover skyline. The city, with its towering spires and intricate mechanical bridges, glittered like a sea of stars, its usual bustle silenced by the late hour. Caitlyn’s gloved hand brushed instinctively against the strap of her rifle, tightening it against her shoulder as she took in the view—one she had come to know like the back of her hand. This was her city, and she carried the weight of its safety with every step she took.
She turned sharply, her piercing gaze settling on her senior deputy, Marla, who stood at attention nearby. Marla’s weathered face was set in a stern expression, her short-cropped hair framing sharp cheekbones that hinted at years of experience and battle-hardened resolve. The faint light glinted off the polished badge pinned to her uniform, a testament to her dedication and service. Over the years, Marla had proven to be one of Caitlyn’s most reliable subordinate—a calm and steady presence in the chaos that often surrounded them.
“Ensure the city’s defenses are on high alert,” Caitlyn said, her voice low but firm, the commanding edge leaving no room for doubt. She stepped closer, her boots clicking softly against the metal dock. “Zaun’s progress is tied to ours. If anything happens here, it ripples there. The balance we’ve fought to create—if we lose that, it all crumbles.”
Marla inclined her head, her dark eyes shadowed but steady as they met Caitlyn’s. Her jaw tightened as she processed the weight of the directive, her hands clasping behind her back in a soldier’s stance. “I’ll keep things steady, ma’am,” she replied, her tone clipped but laced with quiet determination. After a pause, her voice softened, revealing a rare flicker of vulnerability beneath her usual composure. “Just… come back in one piece. The city’s better with you in it.”
Caitlyn allowed herself the faintest of smiles, though it flickered briefly before her usual stoicism returned. “That’s the plan,” she said, the words lighter than the gravity of the situation warranted. Her gaze drifted back to the city skyline, her heart heavy with the knowledge that every choice she made carried consequences far beyond herself.
As the final crates were secured in the airship’s cargo hold, the low hum of engines filled the dock, mingling with the faint clatter of boots and muffled voices. Viktor approached slowly, his gait deliberate as his cane tapped rhythmically against the metal surface beneath him. The soft glow of the hextech lanterns reflected off his prosthetic limbs, highlighting the intricate, purposeful design of his mechanical enhancements. In his other hand, he held a small, intricate device, its polished casing faintly engraved with geometric patterns. At its core, a steady pulse of blue light radiated from the gemstone-like hextech mechanism, illuminating Viktor’s sharp features with an otherworldly glow.
“This will track the gemstone,” Viktor said, his voice calm but laced with an unmistakable edge of worry. He extended the device toward Caitlyn, his mechanical fingers steady as they held the delicate tool. “It’s calibrated to detect the unique energy signature it emits. Follow its readings, and it will guide you to its location.”
Caitlyn stepped forward, her boots clicking softly on the dock, and accepted the device with a solemn nod. The cool, polished surface hummed faintly in her gloved hands, its soft vibration a reminder of the power contained within. She turned her gaze to Viktor, her expression resolute. “Thank you, Viktor,” she said, her voice steady. “We’ll bring it back.”
Viktor didn’t move. His posture, always slightly stooped, seemed heavier now, his angular features shadowed in the flickering light. His pale gaze met Caitlyn’s, the usual analytical detachment in his expression replaced by something deeper—worry, and perhaps regret. “The gemstone wasn’t meant for destruction, Sheriff,” he said, his voice quieter now, as though the admission cost him something. “It was meant to better lives, to bridge the divide between Piltover and Zaun. Ensure that it doesn’t become a catalyst for suffering.”
Caitlyn held his gaze, sensing the weight of his words and the burden of someone who had seen his creations twisted into tools of harm. Her grip on the device tightened slightly as she nodded. “I won’t let that happen,” she promised, her voice carrying an edge of conviction. “We’ll make this right.”
Viktor’s fingers twitched slightly, a subtle, almost involuntary gesture that betrayed the tension beneath his calm exterior. He shifted his weight onto his cane, the faint whir of its mechanisms audible over the hum of the engines. For a moment, he hesitated, as though searching for the right words to say. Finally, he spoke, his voice carrying the quiet intensity of a man who rarely wasted them. “Be cautious,” he said, his gaze flicking to the airship and then back to Caitlyn. “You’ll be navigating forces that are as unpredictable as they are dangerous. The gemstone’s energy… it reacts to intent. Handle it with care.”
Caitlyn studied him, noting the strain in his expression—the lines etched deeper into his face, the subtle sag of his shoulders. She nodded again, this time more slowly, understanding the unspoken weight behind his words. “We will,” she said softly, her tone firm but touched with empathy.
Viktor lingered, his gaze briefly dropping to the device in Caitlyn’s hands. When he looked up again, there was a flicker of something in his pale eyes—not doubt, but something close to hope. “The tools we create are only as noble as the hands that wield them,” he added, his voice almost a whisper. “You are those hands now.”
Caitlyn felt the full weight of his trust settle over her, heavier than the rifle strapped to her shoulder. “We won’t fail,” she said, her voice quiet but resolute. Viktor gave the faintest nod, his fingers tightening around his cane, but he stayed where he was, watching as the airship’s crew finished their final preparations, the faint glow of the hextech device still pulsing steadily in her hands.
Jinx, lounging nearby with her arms crossed, cut a striking figure against the dim glow of the airship’s lanterns. Her once long, unruly braids had been chopped short, the ragged edges barely brushing her jawline, a style eerily reminiscent of her sister’s. A single red streak stood out starkly against the dark blue of her hair—a reminder of why she was here, a constant tether to the mission that loomed over her. To bring Vi back. Whether that meant dragging her home kicking and screaming or—more likely—returning with her in a box.
She let out a sharp, bitter laugh, her voice slicing through the tense exchange like a blade. “Better lives?” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm as her bright, glowing eyes danced with mischief. “Last time I checked, your fancy rocks just made everything more complicated.” She straightened slightly, one hand twitching toward the grenade strapped to her belt as though the act of holding it steadied her. “But hey, maybe this time it’ll be different,” she added with a mocking smirk, tilting her head as she watched Viktor with unsettling intensity.
Caitlyn turned sharply, her piercing gaze locking onto Jinx with practiced authority. “Jinx,” she said, her tone a warning, her patience visibly fraying.
Jinx only shrugged, her grin unrepentant as she pushed off the wall and paced toward them with a casual sway in her step. Her combat boots scuffed the metal platform as she moved, the worn leather straps of her belt jingling faintly with each motion. “What? I’m just saying,” she drawled, her voice taking on a sing-song quality that only heightened the edge of her mockery. “Every time we put our faith in one of these shiny gadgets, someone ends up dead. Or without an arm.” Her glowing eyes darkened, the grin faltering slightly at the edges as her voice dropped. “Let’s hope this time it’s the bad guys, yeah?”
Caitlyn flinched at the mention of Vi’s severed limb, the memory hitting her like a blow to the chest. Her mind conjured the vivid image of that day in the dismantled Shimmer factory—the blood-streaked floor, the gauntlet still strapped to the severed arm, its battered frame a haunting remnant of Vi’s relentless strength. The sorrow she felt in that moment was something she would never forget, a guilt that gnawed at her no matter how far she ran from it. She exhaled softly, her gaze falling to the floor for just a moment before she forced herself to meet Jinx’s hardened stare.
Her expression softened, sorrow mingling with something deeper—a quiet determination to reach the woman before her. Despite Jinx’s sharp words, Caitlyn could see the pain behind them, the raw wound that had never fully healed. This wasn’t just Jinx’s bravado; it was a defense, a shield to protect herself from the weight of her sister’s absence. Caitlyn’s grip on the tracking device tightened as she considered her next words.
“Jinx,” she said gently, her voice steady but carrying a note of compassion. “We’re not losing anyone else. Not this time.”
Jinx paused mid-step, her eyes flicking to Caitlyn with a mix of surprise and suspicion. The red streak in her short hair caught the faint light, flickering like a spark in the dark, a reflection of the turmoil simmering beneath her surface. For a brief moment, the mask slipped, and Caitlyn caught a glimpse of something raw—grief, anger, and a longing that mirrored her own.
Jinx’s smirk returned, sharper this time but not as steady. “Sure, Cupcake,” she said, her tone laced with sarcasm but lacking its usual bite. “Let’s see how that plan works out.”
As Jinx stepped closer, her glowing eyes narrowed, sizing up both Caitlyn and Viktor with a predatory intensity. Caitlyn held her ground, her expression resolute but softened by the weight of shared pain. She couldn’t undo what had happened, but in that moment, she offered what little comfort she could to the sister of the woman she loved: a promise to keep fighting, to keep hoping, even when it felt impossible.
Mel stood at the airship’s entrance, her figure outlined by the soft, flickering glow of the hexgates behind her. She watched the exchange from a distance and feels sympathy for the two women.
For once, she had set aside her usual finery—the flowing silks, golden jewelry, and regal bearing that often marked her presence on Piltover’s council. Instead, she wore practical clothing, her long coat lined with dark fur to guard against the chill of the unknown. The coat’s tailored fit and muted colors still carried an air of refinement, a subtle reminder of her status even in simplicity. Her hands rested lightly at her sides, the faint shimmer of her polished gauntlets catching the light as she surveyed the group with a calm but commanding gaze. “Are we ready?” she asked, her voice smooth and unflinching, as though the weight of the mission was nothing more than a calculated move on a grand chessboard.
Caitlyn glanced back at Jinx, who was already striding up the gangplank with her usual swagger, the sound of her heavy boots echoing off the metal. Jinx’s shoulders were squared, her short hair swaying with each confident step, the bright red streak in her hair almost glowing under the lanterns’ light. Her cocky stride was a mask for the simmering tension underneath, the sharp edge in her posture betraying that she hadn’t forgotten Mel’s earlier slight.
Caitlyn’s gaze shifted back to Viktor, her hand tightening on the hextech device he had handed her. “We’ll bring it back,” she said again, her voice steady and firm, as much a reassurance to herself as to Viktor. With a final nod, she turned and followed Jinx onto the airship.
As Jinx brushed past Mel at the entrance, her glowing eyes flicked toward the elegant woman, a sly grin curling at the corner of her lips. “You sure you’re dressed for this, princess?” Jinx quipped, her tone light but undercut with a sharp edge. “Wouldn’t want you to ruin that fancy coat of yours when things start blowing up.”
Mel arched an eyebrow, unperturbed by the jab. She stepped aside gracefully to let Jinx pass, her calm demeanor as immovable as stone. “I’ll leave the blowing up to you,” she replied evenly, her voice carrying an air of detached amusement. “Though, I’m sure we’ll both agree that chaos only gets us so far.”
Jinx paused mid-step, turning slightly to glance back at Mel. The grin on her face turned razor-sharp, her teeth bared in a way that wasn’t entirely playful. “You’d know all about chaos, wouldn’t you?” she said, her voice dropping to a lower, more dangerous tone. The memory of Mel’s earlier use of ‘Powder’ still burned hot in her mind, the name twisting like a knife. “Must’ve been fun watching it from your fancy penthouse while the rest of us crawled through the mud.”
Mel didn’t flinch, her golden gaze meeting Jinx’s fiery one without wavering. “Crawling through the mud makes you strong,” she said, her tone even, though her words carried weight. “And you’re here now, aren’t you? You’ve survived. That’s more than most can say.”
Jinx’s grin faltered for just a heartbeat, her glowing eyes narrowing. “Yeah,” she said softly, her voice suddenly venomous. “Survived. That’s what you call it.” She turned and continued up the gangplank, her boots pounding harder against the metal as she strode inside.
Mel watched her go, her expression unreadable but thoughtful. She adjusted the collar of her coat, smoothing the fur with a measured motion before stepping onto the airship herself. The tension lingered in the air like a storm cloud, unspoken but impossible to ignore. Caitlyn, who had overheard the exchange from the edge of the gangplank, hesitated briefly before following. The fragile alliance between them all felt like it was already fraying at the edges, but she forced the thought aside as the airship doors groaned shut behind her. There was no turning back now.
The hum of the airship deepened as it gained altitude, the steady vibration resonating through the cabin as the sprawling city of Piltover began to fade into a patchwork of shimmering lights below. Its iconic towers and intricate bridges shrank into miniature outlines, their familiar grandeur replaced by the endless stretch of the horizon. Ahead, the hexgate loomed, its massive frame alive with pulsing energy that danced and swirled like a living entity. The shifting hues of blue and gold cast fleeting patterns of light across the cabin walls, flickering over the tense faces of its occupants.
Caitlyn stood near the center of the cabin, the tracking device held tightly in her hand. Its polished surface was cool beneath her fingers, and the steady, rhythmic pulse of its core was a small comfort amid the chaos of their mission. She glanced down at its glowing interface, the faint whir of hextech mechanisms ticking away in perfect synchronicity. The device was a beacon, a fragile lifeline guiding them into the unknown. Her eyes flicked back to the hexgate, its power both mesmerizing and ominous, as if it could sense the enormity of what lay ahead.
At the cabin’s table, Mel sat in quiet contemplation, her golden eyes fixed on the swirling light outside the window but seeing far beyond it. Her usually composed demeanor carried a shadow of something deeper—conflict, perhaps guilt. Caitlyn studied her for a moment, noting the slight tension in her shoulders, the faint clench of her jaw. Mel’s mind wasn’t just on the mission; it was with her mother. Despite the years of distance and detachment between them, Ambessa’s ruthless actions loomed over Mel like a storm cloud, threatening to tarnish the principles she’d worked so hard to uphold. Caitlyn could see it plainly: Mel wasn’t here just to guide them through Noxus. She was here to confront her mother’s legacy, to ensure it didn’t claim more than it already had.
Jinx, on the other hand, leaned against one of the wide windows, her breath fogging the glass as she stared out at the glowing hexgate ahead. The faint light caught the jagged ends of her short hair, framing her face in a way that made the single red streak stand out like a fresh wound. Caitlyn’s chest tightened at the sight of it. The resemblance to Vi was unmistakable—the same confident posture, the same sharp defiance in her gaze. But it wasn’t just the resemblance that stung; it was the absence it emphasized, the painful void that Vi had left behind. Caitlyn looked away, swallowing hard against the knot in her throat, but Jinx caught her staring.
“What?” Jinx said, her glowing eyes narrowing as she tilted her head, a sly grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Never seen a girl with style before?” Her tone was teasing, but it lacked the usual sharpness, the reckless energy she carried like a shield. It sounded almost… tired.
Caitlyn blinked, forcing herself to snap out of it. “Just focus,” she said, her voice steady as she tore her gaze away from Jinx and back to the tracking device. The steady pulse of its energy was a grounding reminder of their purpose. “We don’t know what we’re walking into.”
Jinx gave a low chuckle, turning her attention back to the window. “No kidding,” she muttered under her breath, her grin fading as her reflection stared back at her. Her fingers tapped idly against the glass, the sharp rhythm matching the hum of the airship as it climbed higher, inching closer to the glowing hexgate and the unknown dangers waiting on the other side.
Caitlyn’s grip tightened around the tracking device as she hesitated, Viktor’s warning from the council meeting replaying in her mind like a drumbeat. “Hextech energy signatures interact with local energy fields. To trace the gemstone, we would need to send out pulses that destabilize these fields temporarily. The effects would be contained but noticeable—localized power disruptions, minor tremors in certain regions. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to alert Ambessa if she realizes what we’re doing.”
Her thumb hovered over the activation switch, a bead of tension forming in her chest. The risk was undeniable—this wasn’t just a matter of finding the gemstone. Every pulse sent rippling out into the air would draw attention like a beacon. Caitlyn exhaled, her breath visible in the cabin’s warm air. They had no choice. With a decisive motion, she pressed the switch.
The device buzzed to life in her hand, its hextech core glowing brighter as a series of calibrated pulses radiated outward. The interface flickered, recalibrating as it locked onto the gemstone’s energy signature. A tense moment passed, and then the display steadied, marking a location on the map. Caitlyn frowned as she registered the coordinates, her brow furrowing as realization dawned.
The gemstone’s signal was in the north, deep within the desolate expanse of the Freljord.
As if in response, the hexgate ahead of them flared to life, its energy crackling and arcing like an electric storm. The airship shuddered slightly as its engines surged, pulling them into the vortex of swirling light. Colors twisted and bled together, warping the world around them into a dizzying blur as the ship passed through. The cabin rattled faintly, the hum of hextech thrumming beneath their feet as the airship pierced the threshold.
When the disorienting chaos finally cleared, the view beyond the viewport revealed an unforgiving landscape of stark beauty.
The Freljord.
Snow-covered plains stretched endlessly beneath an iron-gray sky, broken only by jagged mountains rising like the teeth of some ancient beast. The wind howled as it battered the airship, rocking it slightly as it descended toward safer altitudes. Frost clung to the edges of the viewport, the icy chill seeping into the cabin despite the insulated walls. Caitlyn adjusted the device in her hands, her gaze fixed on the barren terrain below. Her breath misted faintly in the cold air as she murmured, “The Freljord? Why would Ambessa come here?”
Mel, who had remained silent for much of the journey, finally stepped forward, her golden eyes narrowing as she studied the frozen expanse. “The war between Noxus and the Freljord has been at a stalemate for years,” she said, her voice calm but tinged with thought. Her fur-lined coat shifted slightly as she crossed her arms, the faint gleam of buckles catching the dim light. “Ambessa’s forces overstayed their welcome long ago. The clans here—Starkhorn, Winter’s Claw—they don’t forget, and they don’t forgive.”
Caitlyn turned toward her, frowning. “Then why come back? If the gemstone is as powerful as Viktor says, why risk bringing it here, of all places?”
Mel’s expression darkened, her jaw tightening slightly as if the thought weighed heavily on her. “Because Ambessa doesn’t act without purpose,” she said, her voice carrying a quiet edge of certainty. “If she’s come to the Freljord, it’s not for peace. It’s for leverage—or destruction.”
Jinx, who had been leaning against the cabin wall with her arms crossed, snorted at the exchange. Her glowing eyes flicked toward the frosted glass of the viewport as she smirked. “Leverage, huh? Sounds like fun. Maybe she’s looking to make a few ‘friends.’” Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, but the sharpness of her grin hinted at an eagerness to test her own chaos against Ambessa’s plans.
Caitlyn ignored Jinx, her focus shifting back to the device in her hand. The signal was steady, pointing toward a specific set of coordinates deeper within the frozen wilderness. She adjusted her rifle strap, the cold steel pressing against her back a grounding sensation amidst the swirling tension. “We’ll need to stop before we get too close,” she said firmly. “The Freljord isn’t just dangerous because of Ambessa. The terrain itself could kill us if we aren’t prepared.”
Mel nodded, her calm demeanor unshaken. “Then we use the landscape to our advantage. The Freljord is unforgiving—for them and for us. If we’re careful, we can close the gap without being noticed.”
The airship began to slow, the hum of its engines softening as it descended toward a rocky outcrop just shy of the marked coordinates. Below, the snow swirled violently in the winds, masking their approach but also shrouding the danger that lay ahead. Caitlyn gripped the device tightly, her mind already racing through possibilities and contingencies. Ambessa had the gemstone, and they were walking into unknown territory now. One misstep could mean losing everything—not just the gemstone, or Vi, but their lives.
As the airship came to a hover above the landing site, Caitlyn glanced toward Mel and Jinx. “Gear up,” she ordered, her voice steely. “We move on foot from here. Stay sharp. Ambessa’s not the only threat out there.”
Jinx’s grin widened as she pushed off the wall, adjusting the bandolier across her chest. “Now you’re talking, Cupcake. Let’s see how your big, bad warlord handles a little chaos.”
Caitlyn shot her a sharp look but said nothing, her attention turning back to the viewport. The airship descended with a heavy groan, its landing skids crunching against the icy ground as it settled onto the frozen landscape. The engines whined faintly as they powered down, their usual hum replaced by the eerie stillness of the Freljord’s desolate plains. Inside, the biting cold seeped through even the thickest walls of the cabin, a silent reminder of the harsh environment awaiting them. Caitlyn pulled her coat tighter around herself, her breath visible as it misted in the frigid air. The fur-lined collar did little to shield her from the relentless chill that seemed to creep into her very bones.
Caitlyn’s mind raced, a thousand possibilities flashing through her thoughts as she stared out at the unforgiving landscape. The Freljord wasn’t just dangerous because of its icy, unrelenting climate—it was a fractured, volatile region teetering on the edge of war. The tribes here didn’t just fight for survival; they waged bloody battles over land, resources, and honor. If Ambessa had chosen this place as her refuge, it wasn’t a random decision. Caitlyn’s grip tightened on the tracking device, the cold metal pressing into her palm. This was bigger than any mission she’d faced before—more dangerous, more uncertain.
Her voice cut through the tension as she turned to Mel. “Do you think she’s working with the Freljordians?” she asked, though deep down, she already knew the answer.
Mel didn’t hesitate. “No,” she said simply, her golden eyes fixed on the distant peaks. Her expression was calm, but her tone carried an edge of something darker—resentment, perhaps, or a bitterness born from experience. “If anything, she’s hiding. Ambessa didn’t come to Piltover for me, Caitlyn. She came for hextech. And now that she has it, she’s running from something—or someone.”
The weight of Mel’s words settled over the cabin like a cold, heavy shroud. Running from something—or someone. Caitlyn frowned, her gaze shifting to the endless expanse of snow outside the viewport. Ambessa wasn’t the kind of woman who ran. She was a conqueror, a strategist, a leader who thrived on dominance and control. If she was hiding in a place as inhospitable as the Freljord, it meant whatever—or whoever—was after her was a threat even she couldn’t face head-on.
Jinx snorted from her spot by the window, breaking the silence. “Oh, that’s rich,” she said, spinning one of her grenades lazily between her fingers. “Big, bad warlord’s running scared. Maybe she’s finally realizing what it feels like to be on the other side of the hunt.”
Mel didn’t rise to the bait, but her jaw tightened ever so slightly. Caitlyn ignored Jinx’s comment, her focus narrowing as her thoughts sharpened. She shifted her grip on the tracking device, its faint glow reflecting in her icy blue eyes. “It doesn’t matter why she’s here,” she said finally, her voice firm and steady, cutting through the tension. Her shoulders squared as she drew in a deep breath, her resolve hardening. “What matters is finding her, the gemstone, and Vi.”
Her words left no room for argument. This wasn’t about politics or grudges—it was about the mission. It was about recovering the gemstone before it could become a weapon in the wrong hands. It was about bringing Vi home, no matter the cost.
The cabin fell silent again, save for the the howling wind outside. Caitlyn’s mind kept racing, but her resolve didn’t waver. The Freljord was hostile, treacherous, and unpredictable, but it was just another obstacle. And Caitlyn wasn’t going to lose. Not this time.
Jinx was the first to leap out the now open door, her boots landing with a crunch in the fresh snow. She glanced around, her glowing eyes narrowing against the wind that whipped snowflakes into chaotic swirls. “Nice and cozy,” she muttered, her voice muffled slightly by the scarf she’d hastily wrapped around her neck. Her smirk was faint, more out of habit than genuine humor, as she adjusted the straps of her bandolier. “Real vacation spot,” she added with a wry chuckle, though the sharpness in her tone hinted at unease.
Caitlyn followed, her boots sinking into the snow with a soft crunch. The cold was immediate and merciless, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the airship. She glanced toward Mel, who had already stepped into the snow with a quiet, practiced grace. Despite the bitter wind tugging at her fur-lined coat, Mel moved with poise, her golden eyes scanning the horizon with calm determination. The faintest dusting of frost clung to the hem of her coat, but she seemed unbothered, her focus unyielding. Mel looked as though she belonged here—not physically, but in the way her presence commanded the space around her, even in this frozen wasteland.
Mel adjusted the collar of her coat, her fingers tightening for a moment as her mother’s words echoed in her mind: ‘Strength is power. Leverage is everything.’ She shook the thought away, but it lingered like frostbite.
The wind howled as they began their trek, the sound like a distant scream echoing across the endless expanse of white. Caitlyn’s breath came in sharp, shallow bursts, each step through the thick snow heavier than the last. The cold gnawed at her resolve, but it wasn’t just the weather that weighed on her—it was the gnawing doubt that crept into her thoughts.
What if Ambessa wasn’t behind this? The question was a whisper in the back of her mind, growing louder with every step. What if they were chasing shadows? What if this was all a mistake—a distraction born out of desperation and misplaced hope?
Jinx trudged ahead, her movements restless, her eyes darting around as if searching for something to lash out at. “So, where’s the welcoming committee?” she quipped, breaking the silence. Her voice carried a forced nonchalance, but Caitlyn could see the tension in her shoulders. Jinx’s gloved hand brushed against the grenade at her hip—a reflex, an anchor in the uncertainty.
Caitlyn’s gaze shifted toward the horizon, where the snow seemed to stretch endlessly, broken only by jagged outcroppings of rock and distant mountain peaks shrouded in mist. The Freljord was vast and unrelenting, its frozen expanse a stark reminder of how small and vulnerable they were. And yet, Caitlyn couldn’t turn back. She wouldn’t.
The thought of Vi kept her moving. If Vi was still out there—if there was even a chance—Caitlyn had to know. Whether it was salvation or the painful closure of finding her body, Caitlyn refused to let doubt stop her. She tightened her grip on her rifle, the familiar weight a reassurance against the unknown.
Mel walked just ahead, her pace steady and purposeful. “The Freljord doesn’t forgive mistakes,” she said quietly, her voice carrying over the wind. “If Ambessa is here, she has the advantage. She knows this terrain better than any of us.”
Caitlyn nodded but remained silent. Her mind was too tangled with thoughts of Vi—the love of her short life, the one she had failed to protect. The wind howled around them, carrying the weight of unspoken fears, but Caitlyn pressed forward. The cold bit at her face, the weight of the tracking device heavy in her hand.
She had no guarantees. Only hope—and the sheer, stubborn determination that if Vi was still out there, she would find her. Or die trying.