The Yser, the great pine forest that spanned over miles, lying at the very foot of the imposing Daimyar range was a haven to many rare species of flora and fauna, a joy to behold for naturalists and environment lovers alike. So tranquil was its setting, hidden away under the shade of the Daimyar; isolated and preserved while men and technology ravaged all that surrounded it.

Yet, on this day, the peace of the Yser was lost, the harmony of its sacred groves claimed forevermore. Today, it was to be a battlefield; and blood was to be spilled unto its hallowed grounds.

A single woman fled through the forest, her breathing ragged, her bright green eyes flashing wildly. Her left arm hung limply at her side, caked with dry blood while fresh blood trailed down from a massive gash across her shoulder. Her pale skin was aflush with exhaustion and her clothes; an obscenely tight black pantsuit was ripped and torn in multiple places, testament of the battle she had fought.

A sudden scream of torment broke through the stillness of the Yser, followed closely by triumphant roars and the grisly sound of tearing flesh. The woman looked around, cringing in horror at the perceived scene before picking up her pace. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears now, but she willed herself to be strong and continued to run.

Shortly after, a second scream ensued, sending shudders of revulsion down her spine. She wept openly now, unable to stem the tide of tears, though she persisted on. Her right arm, still functional, clutched a gleaming runeblade tightly. Its razor edge was splattered with black blood, the life-force of the enemy.

“Tidar, Isma; I am sorry,” she whispered, hugging the runeblade fiercely to her breast.

Silence reigned throughout the Yser once more. She continued to run however, pushing past low-lying branches and wintry shrubs before finally coming to a large lake, which had been frozen over. Looking around, she gauged her surroundings for any sign of the enemy. None were forthcoming however, thus she decided to take a moment’s breather.

Leaning back against the ancient bark of a massive pine tree, she collapsed to the floor and brushed aside the tears which flowed freely down her cheeks now. “How did this all happen?” she murmured sadly, and somehow, despite being in hostile territory, began to reminiscence.

--

Five days ago…

“Lady Maia?” A sudden voice jolted her out of her reverie and back to reality, as did the insistent tapping on her shoulder. She looked up from the copy of the Corinthos Gospel she always carried with her, only to gaze into the concerned face of Tidar, the Hunter escort that had been assigned to her. “Is there anything wrong, milady?” he asked concernedly.

She flashed him a smile and shook her head in response. “Forgive me, Hunter Tidar; I was but overtly engrossed in the Gospel,” she replied softly, her eyes flicking back to the chapter she was reading.

The Hunter blinked before chuckling. “You Corinthos types…always reading your bibles or indulging in fervent meditation and prayer. Why can’t you acknowledge that there is no God but science?”

“And you Daim scoff all too easily at the prospect of a higher being,” she replied evenly. “For all your enlightenment, you remain extremely narrow-minded in issues pertaining to religion.”

Tidar laughed in response and shrugged. “The invariable debate continues,” he murmured, bowing in mock respect to Maia. “And as always, I fail to outmaneuver you milady.”

She smiled wanly and asked, “How much farther be Anthien, Hunter Tidar?”

“It will not be long, milady. Isma informed me that the journey would take but thirty hours, of which four have already passed,” Tidar replied, his eyes twinkling with humor.

“Tease me not, Tidar,” Maia rapped before burrowing into her plushy chair. With a small yawn, she murmured, “I suppose thirty hours is not that bad, considering the alternatives.”

“And after that, it will take another six days to travel to Le Saville,” Tidar continued. “Isma is in the midst of procuring guides and supplies for us, a task he expects to finish by the time of your arrival, Lady Maia.”

A perfectly tweezed eyebrow rose as Maia’s face took upon a bemused expression. “Pardon me, but aren’t the Daim renown for their advanced civilization? Why then would a journey to one of their many townships take six days? I do mean; we are taking thirty hours to travel from the Dai’vyaz in the southern reaches of Myriad to Anthien, which is in the far north. Why then would we require a further six days to cover a journey of lesser distance? Anthien is not that far from Le Saville, no?”

“Le Saville is but a small town in the distant north-west, milady, perched upon the very feet of the Daimyar. Most of its inhabitants are the refuse of the Daim society, comprising of mostly third-class citizens and immigrant workers.” Tidar explained calmly. “The Daim administration does not even consider Le Saville as a viable transportation link, seeing as the village much remains downtrodden, its inhabitants even more so. Vile characters they are; according to the merchants who remain their only link to the outside world.”

Maia nodded and mused, “Even here does the establishment oppress the less unfortunate.”

Tidar did not bother arguing, instead occupying the seat directly opposite his charge, the Lady Maia. He remained silent as she sighed and returned to her book, surveying her slowly all the while.

She was pretty, with large luminous green eyes and a wealth of raven black hair cascading down her back. The snug black Hyvan uniform that she customarily wore showcased her slender body that was not without curves and also her long legs, an added boon in the eyes of any admiring men without doubt.

The Hunter thought wryly, ‘It is hard to believe that someone so young and frail-looking could actually be a Grand Magus of Hyvanna…..’

A Grand Magus of Hyvanna was one of the most prestigious offices in the known world; its members having been selected personally by the Maesters of Hyvanna before undergoing brutal screening that would have eliminated the weak. Proficiency in magic and physical combat was necessary for one to be even considered for the title, for the Grand Magus were the fighting elite of Havan and the champions of her interests abroad.

Maia Ilyas was, at the age of twenty, not the youngest to be admitted into the Magus Corps but her ability to generate and manipulate the element of ice was highly uncommon—most mages possessed only the ability to manipulate but could not generate their chosen element. Her unique talent, along with her fair semblance had contributed to make her a small legend of sorts within the ranks of Hyvanna.

The Hunter smiled slightly, still looking at the young woman across him. ‘How will she fare in the male-dominated society of the Daim?’

“What are you thinking of, Tidar?”

Tidar blinked and looked at Maia who smiled, the smallest hint of a dimple appearing in each cheek. “It’s my turn to ask you this question now,” she said cheekily.

He snorted before saying, “How do you feel thus far? I mean, this is your first mission abroad, isn’t it?”

Maia smiled for a moment before murmuring, “I was quite unprepared for the reception I had received at the Imperial Palace in Dai’vyaz. When they discovered I was a woman, most of the nobles gaped at me as if I was Elyanna the witch herself in their midst!”

Tidar shudder and made a crossing gesture across himself and said, “Please, do not utter that name ever again! You know very well that that name is taboo within Daim territory!”

“I could never understand why the Daim, with all their superior weaponry, could be so afraid of a single Aesir Valkyrie. That, and their supremely patriarchal society…” Maia sighed before looking to her bible once more as she said, “Are we women so beneath their affairs?”

“Elyanna has massacred hundreds of Daim at the Eastern Front, Maia; it is only prudent to fear such a devastating warrior, especially when she numbers amongst our enemies.”

The Eastern Front was a swath of contested territory that lay between the two continents of Myriad and Phacien. Myriad was home to the Daim Empire, a domain of technologically advanced people whose primary religion was science and whose ideologies were ever spreading outwards which conflicted with the dwellers of Phacien—the Aesir.

The Aesir were forest dwellers and believed their sanctuaries to be inviolate and sacred. As the Daim generally looked upon forests as little more than a resource to be exploited, they had battled the constantly expanding Empire and its ever-increasing need for raw materials to fuel its growing industries.

The war had raged for many years, but in recent times a group of Valkyries—the Aesir’s finest warrior-mages—were growing in prominence as opponents of the Daim interests in the Eastern Front. The leader of this group was known only as Elyanna and the Daim feared and desired her death greatly.

“And as for Daim society, there is nothing you can really do about it,” Hunter said archly. Of Daim descent himself, he still held firm in several traditions such as in the role of women in a society, although living in Havan had negated his prejudices somewhat. “Unless of course you wish to challenge nearly a thousand years of unbroken sovereignty and tradition.”

“So says the person who benefits from such ancient traditions,” Maia said with a small smile.

“Exactly! Women should know their place!” Tidar said jokingly and laughed as Maia swiped at him playfully in retaliation.

“You men are simply afraid of what we women can achieve when we set our hearts to it,” the Grand Magus said amusedly. “In any case, it was not all that bad I suppose. Being treated as if I was a china doll about to break does have its benefits.”

“Oh?”

“Well, yes, and it was amusing watching the nobles fall head-over-heels trying to dote on me,” Maia giggled for a moment.

Tidar gazed upon the Grand Magus for a moment and smirked. ‘More like trying to get you into bed,’ he thought with wry amusement, choosing tactfully not to mention it to the Grand Magus.

Her lack of experience was blatantly obvious, and her complete lack of realization of her own attractiveness had baffled him. There was no female as self-depreciating as Maia Ilyas, Tidar thought ruefully, which was a shame considering she could easily broker a powerful marriage had she learnt to take advantage of her looks more often.

He remembered something but saying good-naturedly, “Did you by any chance meet the crown prince?”

A flush crept up her face instantly and Tidar laughed. “Ah yes, His Imperial Highness Aldor of Noble House Rommel. A good-looking fellow, isn’t he?”

“I would hardly refer to a royal as ‘fellow’, Tidar,” Maia said curtly before looking to sidestep the question.

“Charming too, as the rumors has it,” Tidar continued cheerfully. “Judging from the blissful look on your face, I’m guessing he propositioned you.”

“What?” Maia said incredulously.

“You’re a pretty girl, Maia, and he’s a handsome prince. It must be every little girl’s greatest fantasy, to be swept off her feet by a dashing noble!”

Maia laughed abruptly before saying, “Maybe so, Tidar but you know that it’s impossible because of my heritage…”

Tidar sighed and nodded, “Oh yes, I do remember…”

“I am of Corinthos and Aesir blood,” Maia completed his sentence with a smile.

Her father was an Aesir, her mother of a Corinthos background. The Corinthos were the western neighbors of the Daim; staunch believers of the greater being most know as the Halar. The Daim and their stance on religion was anathema to the Corinthos, as the fixation of the Corinthos with the Halar was to the Daim.

Maia was literally the product of the two greatest enemies of the Daim Empire.

“It was a wonder they had permitted me entry in the first place,” she mused with a slight chuckle.

“That title of yours helps,” Tidar commented. “The office Grand Magus of Havan certainly unlocks many doors that would have been otherwise closed.”

The young Grand Magus shook her head and said, “Perhaps but they definitely did not appreciate my intrusion upon what they perceive to be their affairs.” She looked up at Tidar from her bible and said, “It was made abundantly clear, although they treated me with the greatest courtesy that could have been afforded to a lowly woman such as myself, that I would only play a role as an observer.”

“Nobles and politicians, the only people in the world who can antagonize while acting sweetly,” Tidar said dismissively. “I suppose this will be the first of your many experiences with them.”

Maia sighed and murmured, “What have I gotten into, Tidar? I had believed that a Grand Magus’ sole preoccupation was to be with the defense of Havan.”

“As if it would be that easy,” Tidar said with a chuckle. “You should have simply remained as a Hunter; at worst all we do is escort ladies to isolated, wintry wastelands in the middle of winter.”

She laughed but added seriously, “It was not as if I had requested this posting or even this title of Grand Magus… I had not asked for this.”

“Yes, yes, a Maester came for you, recruited you… That we all know, Lady Maia.” Tidar then leaned in closer to Maia and whispered, “Do you think that you could demonstrate to me your ability? I have heard that it is quite rare for one to be able to generate an element without the necessary material…”

Maia sighed and said, “It is hardly a cheap parlor trick, Tidar to be demonstrated so lightly.”

The Hunter chuckled and shrugged. “I have always been curious about the source of these magicks. Are they an inherent trait, or manufactured by circumstances? How did you come across your own, if you would be so kind as to answer, Lady Maia?”

She shut her bible before saying softly, “I prefer not to relive my first encounter with the magicks I now wield in my capacity as a mage of Havan.” She looked up at the Hunter with a smile, before reaching out an empty palm towards Tidar.

The Hunter looked on curiously as Maia whispered inaudible words and much to his amazement, a small blue light arose from her palm and quickly manifested into a tiny ice cube. A slight chill abruptly pervaded the carriage room they had had to themselves; Tidar shivering involuntarily even as he mused, ‘So this…this is magic.’

“I discovered it by accident,” Maia confessed softly. “I was in a rather unpleasant situation and had cried out to the Halar for protection…” With a lovely smile, she added contentedly, “He answered my prayer.”

“I see,” Tidar muttered, still unconvinced with what he perceived as religious hysteria. “And the Maester?”

She answered, “He came the very next day. I was still somewhat bemused by the whole incident but he offered to train me, allow me to control this new-found gift of mine…”

“Your parents allowed you to just go?”

“I have none,” Maia said sadly. “My father expired a long time ago; my mother… She passed away two years before.”

Tidar glanced at her and said, “I am sorry.”

“Thank you,” she replied simply before leaning backwards against the plush cushion with a sigh. Looking at the strapping Hunter before her, Maia whispered, “If it is all right with you, I would like to rest now.”

Tidar nodded agreeably, “You will be having a long day in a day’s time. Rest now, Lady; I will awake you should any pressing need arise.”

She smiled at him and said softly, “Thank you,” before shutting her eyes and resting her head against the headboard; resembling a porcelain doll in her slumber.

The Hunter observed her silently before leaning back himself. “What a sad history,” he commented before shutting his eyes himself and drifting off into sleep.

--

The next day, they had met up with Isma, a fellow Hunter who had been detailed to Maia’s escort in Anthien, a fair-sized town bustling with life. Tall and pale Daim storm guards patrolled the walls surrounding the city, their keen eyes on the look-out for anything out of the ordinary.

Recently, there had been an upsurge in violence in the areas surrounding Anthien; with residents being snatched and attacked whilst conducting their daily business. Word had it also that there had been several casualties, resulting in the spike in vigilance.

That was not why they were here however. Maia’s concern lied with the village of Le Saville in the distant north-west for only recently did an alarming report come in, filed by concerned members of the Daim administration. A sighting of a creature so long thought fictional, for only ancient and cryptic stories told of their existence and the veracity of their content could be classified no less than highly doubtable.

A demon.

Merchants traveling along the Saville-Anthien road had glimpsed what they took to be demons, though their accounts were rather sketchy at best. Yet, the mere mention of demons was sufficiently troubling till it provoked several Daim leaders to seek assistance from Havan whom they perceived to be better equipped in handling the investigation.

Nothing was yet evident, but Maia’s orders were clear. Investigate the merchants’ reports and come back with proof concerning the presence of such fiends, be they negative or positive. The Daim were to provide her with a complementary escort, not that it was needed. Rather, the Daim simply disliked foreigners having a completely free run in their affairs, especially one whose ancestry could be traced to both their greatest foes.

Now, they traveled from Anthien atop mounts that Isma had procured along with four Myrmidons, the formidable elite of the Daim military. They had been non-too-friendly, their body language almost hostile when they had brashly introduced themselves to the two newcomers.

Now, as they traveled towards Anthien, Maia whispered to Isma, a tall and lean Aesir, “What do you think, Isma? Do you think they really exist?”

“My great-grandfather once told me of them: seven foot grizzly beings, their bodies consisting of little but pure muscle and shaggy fur,” the Aesir said, his eyes darting around as they urged their mounts forward into the thick forestry of the Yser, the great pine forest lying on the foothills of the Daimyar and separated Anthien from the more distant Le Saville. “Whether it was an ancient folktale or truth, that is another matter all together.”

“That doesn’t sound too appealing,” she murmured, spurring her gallant steed forward, keeping pace with the Daim Myrmidons who had brusquely swept them by atop their nifty speeders.

Tidar, riding alongside her chuckled and said, “They probably don’t even exist. A figment of the uneducated imagination, I’m guessing.”

“Always a skeptic, Tidar,” Isma retorted in amusement.

“What do you think they saw then?” Maia asked thoughtfully.

“A yeti. They’re common out there in the hinterlands and given their bulky appearance, it is little wonder why those merchants could have mistaken them for demons.”

“That would be a bit of an anti-climax, if it were true,” Isma murmured.

--

“Isma, your choice of words could not have been any worse,” Maia whispered sadly.

There was a slight scuffling behind her. She whirled around quickly and spotted a small imp trying to sneak up on her and swore profusely under her breath. The imp, realizing it had been discovered, unleashed a terrible shriek, moments before Maia blasted it apart with a Frost Impediment spell.

She looked around fearfully as the lesser demon’s shriek echoed throughout the still forest. Then, she heard the response that she had been dreading. A multitude of terrible roars resounded throughout the forest before a great pounding took place. The sounds of heavy footsteps, all of which was headed towards her.

“Damn it!” she swore and took off again. She looked to run along the banks of the frozen lake but at the next moment, several behemoths had burst forth from the forest, snarling terribly as they spotted her.

They charged towards her, brandishing their maces furiously, their bloody maws agape as they unleashed terrifying howls. Maia swore under her breath and turned on her heel to flee, only to catch a glimpse of two additional behemoths smashing their way on the opposite end, blocking her other escape route.

“Halar consecrate Thy servant,” she whispered softly, quaking as the demons made for her. Her mind formulated a solution however, though the risk involved was grave indeed.

Without warning, she dashed towards the lake, away from the startled demons which promptly slammed into each other, unable to prevent their advance. Howling loudly in chagrin and confusion, they fell to the ground with a great thud, trapping themselves in an entanglement of limbs.

Issuing a silent prayer of thanks, she dashed across the lake, wincing as she heard the beginnings of a crack form across the frozen surface of the lake. “Let it not break,” she whispered, willing the ice to hold firm.

Picking themselves up, the demons continued their frenetic pursuit of her; their bloodlust overcoming all rationality now. Without a moment’s consideration did they step onto the frozen lake, ignoring all danger signs such as the cracks forming in the solid surface and also the slight creaking of the thin layer.

Maia very nearly slipped, but managed to catch her balance. Out of breath with her stamina dwindling rapidly as well, she realized, ‘I will not escape from this predicament, unless…..’

She abruptly turned on her heel and deliberately leapt backwards, sliding across the lake. The risks were great, she realized, for should the ice be too weak already, she would most definitely plunge into the freezing waters of the lake beneath. Yet, with little other alternative, she decided to gamble. Facing the stunned demons, she aimed and cried, “Frost Scrye!”

Her fingers glowed with an eerie blue light before unleashing a powerful icy pulse which tore into the first few behemoths, shredding their flesh and splattering their blood everywhere.

The fiends swore in their brutal language, clawing madly at the gaping wounds that had been inflicted upon them. The following demons however shoved them aside mercilessly, their ugly yellow eyes reflecting their desire to cut Maia through. Compassion for their comrades was also an alien concept to them, so it seemed.

She scrambled to her feet, slipping several times and raised her runeblade just in time to block a downward blow which could have easily claimed her head. Below her, the ice cracked again, the sound infinitely ominous to her ears. Grunting in pain, she kicked her assailant in the gut, sending it sprawling on the ice.

The Grand Magus then looked up, only to see a dull shortsword sweeping towards her. She let loose a cry of surprise, her reflexes guiding her to leap backwards and avoid the thrust meant for her neck. The fiend howled in frustration, pulling its sword back before, to Maia’s alarm, pouncing on her.

She sidestepped easily, but the demon’s weight, crashing against the already fragile surface… The consequences were easily predictable.

CRACK!

The cracks grew more pronounced, and the entire sheet of ice that had enveloped the lake split asunder. Both demons and Maia fell into the icy waters below, the nerves throughout their body crackling into frenzied activity with the freezing temperatures.

Maia gasped as she burst out of the water, somehow managing to grab onto a passing block of ice. The demons on the other hand howled in terror as they sank into the depths below. Weighed down by their heavy armor, they could not escape, all of their efforts to keep afloat futile at best.

The Grand Magus, calling upon all of her reserves hauled herself up onto the nearest wedge of ice, knowing well the consequences of frostbite. Shivering with the cold and exhausted, she collapsed onto its surface, gasping for precious breath and energy. She may have utilized the element of ice but no amount of magic could compensate for the weakness of the flesh—she was no elemental as to thrive in her chosen element. No, she would suffer as a mortal would; for such was the design of the Halar in creating the homme.

‘So tired,’ she thought, half-delirious now.

Move, her mind told her.

“I cannot,” she murmured in her delirium, trembling uncontrollably now.

You will die if you stay here.

‘I know but I…..’ Unwillingly, her eyes began to shut tight and her functions ceased slowly, her body succumbing to the extreme cold now.

Move.

Her last thought before slipping into unconsciousness was that the falling snowflakes were so beautiful.