Chapter Text
I’m so close. The thought rang through his head over and over. I can’t turn back now, I can’t go back.
The snow beat down on his face, covering his goggles faster than he could wipe it off, blocking out any semblance of light that made it through the thick clouds.
I’ve come too far to go back empty handed. It’ll all be worth it.
He stumbled forwards, slipping as a spray of icy rock flew out from under his boot. He pulled himself back up, holding the jacket he was wearing closer to his body, as if that could help preserve heat any better than it already was.
I’ll show them. I’ll show them all.
He wiped his goggles clear, giving him a few seconds to look up at the mountain in front of him, before being once again covered in snow. He shook his head and pushed forwards.
Finally, after the days of arduous travel, he entered the cave. Now sheltered from the storm outside, he took off his goggles and gloves, pressing his hands together and rubbing to generate some heat amidst the frigid hellscape.
He looked around the cave. The dark stone walls contrasted against a glowing block of ice, standing on a crystal pedestal in the center.
At last. He slid his backpack from his shoulders, guiding it gently to the ground. He undid the string that had been so neatly tied around the top, retrieving his pickaxe.
He walked over to the brick of ice, which was a perfect cube, nearly opaque, with only a hint of something inside. Holding the pick tightly, he brought it over the block, carefully aligning the pickaxe with the center of the cube.
And in one quick motion, he brought the pickaxe up, and slammed it down on the ice, splitting it in half.
A large shockwave exploded from the icecube, sending him back towards the entrance of the cave. He swung the pickaxe out, catching on the entryway, and stopping himself from flying out. He pulled himself back inside, clearing his vision.
In the center of the split ice block floated a dark blue flute.
I did it. He started chuckling. I actually found it.
He hastily sprinted over and grabbed the flute. It was freezing cold, but at that moment, he couldn’t care less.
He walked out of the cave, not bothering to put any of his gear back on. He lifted the flute up towards the sky and called out, “Soon will come a day, when nobody, not the eldest or the youngest, will not know the name…
“ Neige the Fox!”
With that cry of triumph, he brought the flute to his freezing lips, and played out the melody he’d learned so long ago.
With the notes soared a cascade of clouds, exiting the flute and flooding the sky even more, flying in every direction.
Once completed, he reentered the cave and put his gear back on, ready for the trek back down the mountain.