CHAPTER 50: CH 50: KING.

[ Congratulations on a successful Adept Trial.

The portal in front of you will lead you back to your world.]

He was still sprawled on the mountain’s summit as he read the message.

Finally turning his head to the side to see the portal.

A swirl of ethereal wave like colours, moving like shadows in the wind yet stationary in position.

Aegon groaned as he dragged himself off the ground. "Let’s finally get out of this hellhole."

He walked for a few steps before his eyes trailed low, below him— the entire mountain summit had runes all over it. Some partially covered with snow and others weathered away by denudation.

Curiosity took over, he stepped away from the portal and around the summit. Studying meticulously and clearing the covered parts with his feet.

After about a minute or two, it was finally clear, the runes were etched into the stone and rounded themselves in a spiral until it stopped at the centre.

’The trial is over... Right?’ His mind churned as he bent to feel the runes himself, occasionally glancing back at the portal to make sure it was still there— it was.

He sighed. The wind on the mountain still blowing at him like he was their enemy yet the air was suffocatingly thin.

Aegon knew how to activate or start whatever this was below him, but he also knew that once that happened then he wouldn’t have such a quick escape.

Call it curiosity or just plain stupidity but he wanted to know, his eyes darted so fast between the centre of the summit and the portal you’d think he was having a moral dilemma.

There was the safety of the portal which would no doubt bring him back to reality and finally bring an end to his turmoil.

Then, there was the runes in the centre, that clearly needed Aether for whatever it could do to happen.

"..."

"FUUUCK!" Aegon screamed so loud and for so long his face shot red with blood and resurfaced veins.

"No. No. No." He told himself as he shrugged off the centre and marched straight through the portal—

He feet stopped. Just one more step and he’d be through, it was all supposed to be over.

Till he turned back. "If I die here, I deserve it." He murmured as he shut his eyes and channeled what last bit of Aether he had into the runes.

Using his hands as a guide, the Aether, however too faint for battle, he hoped it’d be enough as he directed it towards the centre.

"..."

Even after the Aether had left him and was through the runes, nothing happened, at first—

Hearing the sparks of the portal behind him, he whipped his head to see the portal drifting away like ash through fingers.

Leaving him with wide eyes and a pit of regret, forming subtly in his core. ’I should’ve just gone through—’

The runes rumbled beneath him, the spiral pattern began to spin as the glyphs lit up with a white light.

The ground shook so violently, it was impossible to stand up, he fell to the ground as his mind looked for a way out.

Just before it all stopped.

Not just the rumbling— everything.

The quiet storm was silenced, the howling wind froze and every single drop of snow stood in place as if it had no right to move.

Aegon remained on the ground as he watched this. ’What the hell is going on here?’

The mountain grumbled again, but not as an earthquake and more of a movement.

He heard it all, as some parts broke free to the ground, then what appeared to be a stone hand shot up and was seemingly reaching for him.

He scurried away, trying to move just before it caught him. Held him between its fingers like he was a bug and brought him down.

The hand finally stopped moving, its stony grip locked around Aegon’s waist leaving him with a bewildered expression.

Aegon hung there, knowing there would be no point even trying to free himself from its grip. Watching and waiting as the mountain he had just climbed opened its eyes.

No eye balls. Just two glowing orbs of blue light. As its eyes opened the rest of its features came clearer.

The jagged edges had fallen away leaving only this towering figure, as it opened its mouth to speak.

"Who are you?"

It spoke with a deep voice that blew a gust of wind and echoed throughout the terrain.

Aegon didn’t answer, his mind was still reeling and trying to understand what was happening before him.

"I said—" its eyes focused on Aegon’s tiny figure, "—who are you?"

"I- I am Aegon. Aegon Dhalar." He answered finally.

"That’s a lie. I don’t know how but I know that is not true. So, how are you, truly?"

Aegon opened his mouth but words failed him. No one had ever figured out that he wasn’t from this world... till now.

"Waste my time any further and I’ll squash you like the human bug that you are."

The being’s tone was lined with annoyance.

"I’m Jace," He said truthfully while trying to maintain eye contact, "Jace Korran."

"Hmm. And what are you doing here Korran?"

He looked both ways, unsure of the question. "Where is here exactly?"

"My domain of course. The domain of the Boreas, the god of the north wind and all those who live within. But again I ask, why are you here?"

’How the hell do I answer that?’ He thought for a second before he improvised. "I was sent here under the pretence of a trial, the quest was to journey to the top of the mountain and leave."

"You came to my world," He brought Aegon closer, "For a trial!"

’Oh fuck!’

"Wat wait wait," Aegon tried to calm him. "I didn’t ask to i—"

"Silence. For your treasonous acts, you are punished— you are sentenced to remain here for all eternity."

"What? I passed the trial. I beat all your domain has to offer, from the zombies to the armies. I, Aegon— I mean Jace Korran, beat them all. I, have proven myself worthy of my life. "

"Excuse me?"

Boreas rock brows furrowed together. "You truly are... different.

But you are also a liar, you haven’t beaten all my domain has to offer as I am still standing... So, pick up your weapon of choice and fight me."

His words left a bitter taste in Aegon’s mouth. "No."

Before Boreas could rebuttal he continued, "I’m not fighting a God to prove myself especially when I have not even a fraction of the powers you do.

Boreas" He called him by name. "Would you go into battle against a fly that annoyed you.

No. Because it would be an insult to you, so let me get strong enough to actually face you and give me the snow to make it a great battle.

And once I do, it’ll be a battle for the ages."

Boreas said nothing for a minute, just stared at Aegon’s figure with an irritation that was etched in stone.

He finally opened his mouth, and a smile curled on his face. "Fine, I admire your stupidity.

I will be waiting for you, Jace. Once you are deemed powerful enough to face a God, I will return.

This world will be yours and all its creatures under your rule but be warned, not all are as obedient as most."

"Wha—"

Before he could finish his words, Boreas’ other hand was making its way to Aegon’s head.

With the littlest bump, he pressed his stone finger against his forehead and it all went dark.

[ NOTICE: Divine Transfer Initiated.

Additional Notice: You have been gifted by the god Boreas.

Within you now resides the domain of snow.

You are now... The King Of The Tundra.

Host will now return to world.]