Brewing Storm I

(This is a sequel to The Reckoning. Reading in order is advised.)

Walking the land felt different since that day. It feels like the wind guides me, and the forest makes paths for me.

I have been traveling around Fjialtindr. Discovering more and more about the land than I ever thought possible. Some stories that my parents told me to scare me into behaving turned out to be true. I even befriended a few. But there was something further down the path that called for me. Fjialtindr is unforgiving, going up the mountain is a troublesome task. The cold has fangs, and the path is steep, but none of this can bother me anymore.

After a few days I found an enormous cave with drawings all over it. As I peered inside of what it seemed like an endless dark tunnel, I felt that calling again louder than before. It’s something strange to describe. It is neither something that I can hear or feel across my skin but feel it. My senses stopped going back and forth from dreyri to human. Frankly, I didn’t feel like any of me was still human. I could see well in the dark and I forgot how exhaustion feels like. I found a bunch of skeletons after an hour of walking. How did they even die here? This seemed pointless but I couldn’t help the feeling that there is still something in here. Running sure helped save some time. Deeper into the cave I found another skeleton, but this one had a small book in his hands. Before I could read its contents, I heard something, and it wasn’t long before I saw a light.

I could not believe my eyes. The path ended suddenly, and below me was a magnificent city of stone. In the middle of it, a giant crystal connected the floor to the ceiling. There was nothing usual to this city. The houses were three times the normal size and its horned inhabitants were a perfect fit. I followed the steps down to get a closer look. Yet another story that turned out true. Those had to be the great Jotuns. They carved every inch of stone with significant detail that gave it an unworldly beauty. The Jotuns did not seem to mind me walking beside them. I pushed my luck and tried to get their attention. To my amazement I could communicate with them, the amazing part being that they used no words, but magic. I could hear their words in my head and just like that, I learned to do it myself. They answered any question I threw at them.

That day I learned about The Serpent, and the city built around its heart. How the Jotuns lost their purpose and how they wait for the end of times to arrive. All their knowledge astonished me, but I was nowhere near done with them. I did not come here for a history lesson. I had my share with Siguil.

Even if their magic was strong, they had no will to use it. They did mention they have no soul, and apparently neither do I.

It was perfect. This is why I was led here.

I will be the one to give you a purpose... oh great Jotuns.