Snow spirit

"Ice in the North.. Unrivaled.. Wind from the West, guide my journey.. Forest in the East, whisper the song of the soul.. Our goddess Malina.. please guide us to the threshold of heaven.. Sky continent Asteria.." Departing from the Sky path, the 9 kings standing on the magic circle continued their journey to Asteria. A teleport magic spell was cast, transporting them to the continent of the Celestials in the southern sky.

When they arrived, the sun just risen over Asteria. A sea of white clouds and warm sun greeted their arrival. Asteria is a Celestial land with a fairly advanced civilization. Wind power plants lined the vast grasslands, the strong dividing walls between cities, residents' houses and magnificent buildings did not make Celestial pollute the forests and rivers in their kingdom.

"Finally.. just a few hours for some reason I already miss my kingdom .." Nathanael closed his eyes as he felt the wind blowing. As a wielder of the wind element it felt like a healer of his soul.

The other 8 kings also enjoyed the wind on the floating continent. Damian took off his gray hood to feel the gust of wind. Cyrus' fairy wings carried their owner slightly above the ground. Erick's ponytail was toyed with by the wind. The branches of the trees and grass around them also swayed because of it.

"This time, the arrow is pointing at that mountain..." Andrew pointed to a tall mountain which the peak was covered with snow and dark clouds.

“...Is that an ice peak?” Ryota asked, tilting his head. He looked up at the snowy white peak far above them.

"I think so.. is it true, Nathanael?" Peter answered shortly. Previously he was very excited when he saw the snow on Draecorona. But now the ice peaks did not make him excited.

"... er.. That.. the highest peak in our kingdom.. the Celestials no one dares to mess with that snowy peak.. there is a myth that says that there are snow ghosts that inhabit that place..

And it's not that we are afraid of ghost, but it is said that the snow ghost has frozen footprints and hands that freeze anything it touches.. we'd better get away from that place than be caught by it and freeze into a statue that devours by ice .. " Nathanael explained while bending his wings. Despite bearing the title of King of Asteria, he didn’t dare to mess around at the top because of the myth about him.

"Hihh.. I hate ghost stories" Cyrus hugged himself, he really didn't like horror things.

The Myth of the Snow Ghost of Asteria. Once upon a time there were witnesses who said that the spirit was guarding the highest peak in Asteria. Nobody know what he was keeping from people, the witnesses in the past said that the Snow Ghost wore a long white robe that dragged on the snow with face covered by a white hood. No one knows the spirit is in the form of a woman or a man, looks young or old, mute or not. It is said to have walked limply around the hills and icebergs at the summit. It is said that the traces of the ghost steps produced a frozen trail in the form of cold ice crystals.

".. leave it to me.. even if he is really exist and is our enemy, at least our elements are comparable.. pray for me to overcome it and find the key to the Gate of South huh .." Erick opened his wings. He also prepared himself in case he had to change form and fight in Dragon form.

"Be careful Erick.. if here I can't help you like before.. here, take my Broken Compass.. it will keep pointing at the exact direction the key is, I've already cast my spell on it.." Andrew grabbed Erick's hand before he left while handing the Broken Compass. Dragon clan's body which is indeed stocky and tall makes Andrew the Siren look even smaller. He has to tilt his head when he looks at Erick's pair of blue eyes.

"Then, I'll borrow it first.. I'm sure it won't take long .." Erick replied with a smile and patted Andrew's shoulder.

Erick flew with his wings and landed on the snow surface. He saw again Broken Compass. The arrows point in a straight line. Erick walked slowly following the direction of the arrow while being careful with his surroundings. It was quiet, desolate, there was only white snow everywhere and the sound of the wind howling. Yes, very cold just like his kingdom, Draecorona. But somehow his instincts told him like someone was following and watching him(?). Erick opened his ears and sniffed around. He tried to stay calm while thinking of a plan to escape or change his form in case it was the Snow Ghost that Nathanael had told him before.

Suddenly SYYUUUSSHHH…… the wind was blowing hard. Throwing snow scattered in the air and disturbing Erick's view. He covered his face with his wings until the wind subsided. After feeling safe, he opened his wings again. How surprised the King of Draecorona was when in front of him there was a figure in a white robe whose face could not be seen because of the hood. The snow ghost appeared right in front of Erick. Previously he felt that myths or supernatural beings were not something to be afraid of because they lived in a different dimension from the Arc Chaestra. But now he seemed unable to move an inch from where he stood. The aura emitted from the Snow Ghost was intense and threatening.

“What do you want to come to this mount? You're not even a Celestial.." Without showing his face the Snow Ghost spoke up. His voice sounded low like an old man's but also sounded like whisper like a woman's voice. Erick got goosebumps after hearing the Ghost's question.

“A.. a…” The Dragon King's tongue was speechless.

“SPEAK UP..!!!!” The snow ghost screamed at Erick. His voice echoed even louder than the howling wind at the peak.

"I.. am here.. looking for the key to the Gate of South .." Erick answered briefly without blinking at the creature.

“………………” The Ghost was silent for a long time without speaking or moving at all. He didn't answer or attack Erick. Meanwhile, Erick himself was still standing stiffly while holding the Broken compass.

"...follow me..." The ghost finally turned around and left while asking Erick to follow him. Actually Erick wanted to just go and find the key himself by relying on the Broken Compass that Andrew lent. But somehow he seemed 'pulled' to followed the Ghost and was unable to escape. The myth that Nathanael told was true, there were frozen traces on the spirit's footsteps.

After some distance from where they met, the ghost spoke again..

"You're looking for the key to the Gate of South.. the key to sealing the cursed gate from the past.. PROVE THAT YOU DESERVE IT...!!!" The ghost suddenly raised both hands calling out a storm to attack Erick.

FWWOOOSSSHHH....... A blizzard with strong winds and scattered ice flakes. Thick and grey overcast clouds surrounded Erick. He had never faced such a storm before. The fur from his nape to his tail is frozen. The ice began to stick and thicken on his legs and wings.

“AAARRGGHHH.... DAMN..!!!” Erick couldn't move as if there was a life storm blocking him.

BLAARR… GLGAARR..!!!!!! Lightning struck even the black dust blocking his view. He was getting more and more pressed .. he was confined by something that was not his match at that time.

"There's only one way.. to..."

BBOOMMM....!!!!!!!!!! The sound of explosions rang out from the top of the mountain. Making the 8 Kings who were waiting surprised and worried about Erick who was there.

"ERIIICCCKKK....!!!!" shouted Andrew who was worried about Erick. The explosion was so big that they felt a slight shaking on the ground they were standing on even though they were at the foot of the mountain.

"Should we go there? Should we..??" Cyrus was also worried about Erick. His wings heaved up and down in anxiety and intended to catch up to the top of the mountain.

"Don't.. let's just wait.. no need to worry.." Unlike Andrew and Cyrus who panicked, Adryan seemed calm. He seemed to have memorized and knew Erick's true strength. While sitting leaning against a tree, Adryan's yellow eyes didn't move from the snow peaks.

“GGRROAAA….” Dragon Erick roared. A cold mist blew from his breath. His strong claws rested on a pile of snow. He showed his true self, a brave and formidable King of Dragons. The storm that confronted Him dispelled with a torrent of blue flames, flames that scorched the storm clouds and melted the ice around them. Blue flames that not all Dragons can spit out.

"Oh .. the tiara .. " the ghost said briefly then smiled faintly. The Blue Spirit tiara that Erick was wearing reminded him of a familiar figure.

“...My task is now done....” The ghost disappeared into nothingness leaving Dragon Erick alone at the peak.