Uriel soared above the skies, heavy clouds rumbling beneath his wings, the blood still drying between his fangs. Yet his gaze no longer burned with the same fury as before. Now, there was something different… a growing weight, almost imperceptible, but impossible to ignore. When the Ice Fortress came into view, rising like a crown of colossal crystals among the white mountains, he allowed fatigue to take hold for a moment.
He descended slowly, his wings beating softly until he landed near the outer wall. The cutting wind lifted flakes around him, but he didn't even flinch.
Without a word, Uriel walked a few steps toward a secluded area, where the ground was a smooth plain of thick snow. He stared at the horizon for a moment, then plunged his body into the snow with a sudden, controlled movement, until his entire back was buried — only his massive head remained above the surface.
Slowly, he opened the system.
The interface appeared like a divine tapestry before his eyes, woven with silent, dancing blue runes:
---
[Evolution Available]
- You have reached the peak of your current form.
- Recommended evolution: Ice Giant Dragon
Do you wish to begin evolution? Yes/No
---
Uriel didn't hesitate. With a single thought, he chose [Yes].
The effect was immediate. A wave of numbness struck him like a silent avalanche. His muscles relaxed, his eyelids grew heavy, and the last thing he managed to do before succumbing was to bury his head in the frozen snow — like a titan seeking shelter in the arms of the earth. The world went dark. And then, silence took over.
---
Inside the Ice Fortress, Eskandor had already arrived, sweaty and panting, but with a triumphant smile on his face. The corpses of the lizard soldiers had been piled into one of the storage chambers beside the great hall, and the giants were helping organize the frozen remains with surprising efficiency.
Still bloodstained, Eskandor climbed onto a tall stone like an improvised altar and proclaimed in a loud, theatrical voice:
"Announce it! Eskandor has returned victorious, guided by the sacred will of His Majesty, the King of the Frozen Skies, the End of Scales, the Devastator of Darkness!"
Some giants rolled their eyes. Others chuckled discreetly. But before the dramatics could go any further, a tired, firm female voice rose from the side of the hall.
"Shut up, Eskandor. His Majesty has already returned… and went to sleep."
The giantess who spoke was tall, with long, silver-white hair and eyes gray like ancient ice. She carried a massive basket filled with clothes, seemingly just made.
"I saw him before coming in. He ignored me when I approached — he was sleeping, half-buried in the snow. Didn't even answer when I asked if he needed anything."
Eskandor froze. Literally. A chill ran up his spine and he stood paralyzed atop the stone like he was about to turn into a statue.
"Sleeping...? Ah… ahahah… so that means..."
He quickly jumped down from the stone, cleared his throat with an awkward sound, and gave an exaggerated nod:
"Very… very wise of you. Your insight is like a beacon in the storm. Thanks to you… I've escaped certain death. If I had woken His Majesty… ah, by the gods, he would've melted me midair!"
The giantess merely turned her back with a grumble.
"Less drama, Eskandor. Go help with the bodies. And keep your voice down, or you'll be the next one sleeping under the snow… with your eyes open."
Eskandor swallowed hard. Then, with a nervous smile, he turned to the others and began to work — this time in utter silence, like a well-trained servant.
---
Meanwhile, beneath the dense snow outside the fortress, Uriel slept deeply. His body was already beginning to react. Veins of bluish energy coursed beneath his scaly skin, his heart beat slowly but heavily, like a war drum being tuned. The evolution had begun. And when he awoke…
Two days had passed since Uriel buried himself in the snow and vanished into his evolutionary slumber. The climate around the Fortress remained cold and silent, as if the entire world were holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
In the main courtyard, Eskandor paced back and forth, arms crossed, brow furrowed, and his expression forcedly calm. His heavy steps left deep trails in the snow as he muttered to himself, or to the other giants, or perhaps just to try to convince himself.
"Everything's fine. Totally fine. His Majesty is just… resting a little longer. Nothing to worry about. A great being needs a great rest, right? It's normal."
He laughed, nervously.
"Two days… two days is nothing. There are giants who hibernate for a hundred! A hundred years! Hahaha… ha..."
Some giants watched from afar, clearly suspicious that he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
And then it happened.
A sound echoed through the walls of the Fortress. Deep. Resonant. Warm as lava, cold as the abyss.
Uriel's voice.
"Enter."
Time seemed to stop. Eskandor froze in place. The other giants looked at him as if they had just heard the voice of an ancient god. He swallowed hard, cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, and went.
He stepped carefully through the dense snow, approaching the great chamber where Uriel rested. The entire place was bathed in a bluish twilight, a reflection of the light filtered through the ice walls. As he crossed the threshold, Eskandor stopped.
And looked up.
His eyes widened. His knees nearly buckled.
Uriel was awake.
But he was no longer the same.
Now, his body filled nearly the entire chamber — twelve meters of pure power, muscles covered in dark blue scales that reflected the light like obsidian crystals. His wings were folded, yet still brushed against the walls. His neck was long, imposing, and his eyes…
one eye gazed at Eskandor like a cold, full moon, gleaming with ancient wisdom and arrogance.
Uriel arched his neck and spoke in a hoarse, majestic voice:
"Judging by the idiotic look on your face… I'd say I'm quite impressive."
Eskandor opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Uriel let out a low chuckle, like the distant thunder of a storm. Then, he stretched his body and, without waiting any longer, shoved his flank against one of the fortress walls, shattering the structure as if it were made of glass.
Shards of ice flew in every direction as he emerged, his steps making the entire ground tremble. The door, of course, could no longer contain his size. Uriel simply made his own path with the brute force of a reborn titan.
Eskandor finally snapped out of his trance.
"Your Majesty! Ahhh! Now that's more like it! The mountains pale before your size! The sky itself should bow before your presence!"
He ran after Uriel, slipping in the snow, arms raised as if worshiping a living deity.
Uriel glanced sideways at him while walking slowly through the snow, his footprints sinking deep.
"I enjoy your flattery, Eskandor. You may continue."
He paused, a playful glint in his eye.
"I'm in a good mood. But… don't overdo it."
The smile that spread across Eskandor's face was that of a giant who had just won the lottery of the gods. His eyes sparkled with pride.
"Overdo it? Never! I only speak truths, Majesty! Sacred truths, eternal and frozen like your magnificence! Winter itself envies your chill! The winds ask your permission before they blow!"
Uriel slowly shook his head, but a cruel, satisfied smile was visible on his massive scaly lips.
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