Freeze

On the cold damp floor of that temple, she seized frantically; gasping for air and warmth. Her skin turned pale and her lips and nails turned blue.

Men of the regiment held her down, trying to stop her from hurting herself.

Valora had undergone the rituals herself and she had seen them happen before, but she had never seen something like this happen before. She sat beside Sophia, helping others to stop her from moving. "What is happening to her?" she shouted.

"She has defied the lord," Magdalena was nonchalant. "She defied him and now, she is paying the prize."

Inside the depths of darkness, Sophia fought for her life. "Ice," she whispered and ice crawled from her body and towards the horse.

The man turned, surprised. "I didn't choose wrong," he whispered.

"An advice to you," he announced. "Don't trust the woman who had proclaimed to be a guide."

Sophia stopped her movement and Valora panicked. She leaned over her chest and checked for her heartbeat. "Ice," Sophia whispered.