The journey to the northern mountains, where the territory of the Ice Pack lay, was the most difficult Lyra, Kaelan, and Elara had undertaken so far. The landscape shifted from desert canyons to harsh, rocky peaks, covered in eternal snow and ice. The air was crisp and sharp, and every breath plumed in the freezing air. The Shadow of Oblivion was rare here, but its subtle presence still made itself known in the form of an inexplicable cold that penetrated the bones and a feeling of loneliness.
"The Ice Pack is known for its resilience," Kaelan said as they climbed an icy slope. "They have adapted to life in these harsh conditions. But their indifference… that's a legend. They rarely mingle with others unless forced."
Elara, though accustomed to a warm climate, bravely faced the cold. "My ancestor said the Ice Pack guarded ancient artifacts called the Eyes of Memory. They used them to glimpse the future and understand the past. But they lost the ability to use them after the First Plague."
Lyra felt that reaching the Ice Pack would require not only physical strength but also delicacy and understanding. They could not be forced.
Finally, they reached a high pass, from which a vast, icy valley stretched out before them. In its center, carved into a mighty mountain, was the Ice Pack's settlement. It was an impressive fortress of ice and stone, appearing impenetrable.
As they approached the gate, a group of Ice Pack warriors came out to meet them. Their fur was white as snow, and their eyes were the color of frosty blue. They were muscular and had stern, indifferent faces. Their Alpha, a majestic, powerful wolf with icy eyes, stood at the forefront.
"Who are you?" the Alpha growled, his voice deep and cold as frost. "Strangers are not welcomed here."
"I am Lyra, Blood Moon Luna," Lyra said, standing confidently. "This is Kaelan of the Silver Claw Pack and Elara of the City of Whispers. We have come to ask for your help in the fight against the Shadow of Oblivion."
The Alpha, whom Lyra learned was named Boreas, looked at her with apparent indifference. "Shadow of Oblivion? It is not our concern. Our mountains protect us from it. We are free from its influence."
"The Shadow of Oblivion is a global threat," Kaelan replied. "It has already destroyed many lands. And though you may not see its direct impact here, its existence weakens the entire planet. It destroys the connections that keep the world in balance."
Boreas laughed, but it was a cold, emotionless laugh. "Balance is a myth. Survival is reality. We will survive."
Lyra knew this would be difficult. Indifference was worse than hostility, because it couldn't be fought. "I have heard of the Eyes of Memory," Lyra said, trying to provoke him. "They are here, aren't they? Artifacts that allow one to see the truth. I think those Eyes would see more than just your mountains."
Boreas's eyes narrowed. "How dare you mention our sacred things?" Then Lyra felt a sudden, sharp pang in her heart. A vision of Seraphina. She was far away, but Lyra felt her growing hatred. She saw Seraphina lurking in the shadows, gathering her own dark alliances. It was a warning.
"The Shadow of Oblivion… has many agents," Lyra said, feeling her magic vibrate. "Not just physical shadows, but also those that destroy from within. Jealousy. Fear. Distrust. They feed the void."
Boreas looked at her, and a shadow of surprise appeared in his eyes. "You speak of an inner enemy?" the Alpha asked.
Before Lyra could answer, the ground trembled. This time it wasn't shadows. It was a mighty roar. An avalanche! The descent of enormous masses of snow and ice began to pour from the peaks, heading straight for the Ice Pack settlement.
"Avalanche!" one of the warriors shouted. Panic began to grip the Ice Pack. Their walls of ice and stone were strong, but they were not designed to withstand such a force of nature.
Boreas, though shocked, immediately gave orders, but it was too late. The avalanche was approaching.
Lyra reacted instinctively. She raised her hands, and a stream of green light shot from her palms. She did not try to stop the avalanche. Instead, she directed her Primeval Magic into the rocks around the settlement, creating gigantic, magical barriers of ice and stone that rose from the ground, diverting the avalanche so it bypassed the main part of the settlement. Kaelan and Elara, seeing her action, immediately joined, reinforcing her magical barriers.
The roar was deafening. Snow and ice struck the magical barriers, shattering into thousands of pieces, but the settlement was saved. The Ice Pack werewolves watched with wide eyes. They had never seen anything like it. Their Alpha, Boreas, stood stunned.
Lyra sank to her knees, exhausted. Her Primeval Magic was nearly depleted. Boreas approached her, his face serious. There was no longer indifference in his eyes, only deep respect.
"This… this was impossible," he said. "You saved us. Why? We are not worthy."
"Every being is worthy," Lyra replied, her voice weak but firm. "And the Shadow of Oblivion… feeds on indifference. Separation. We must unite to defeat it."
Boreas nodded. "You are the true Luna. We knew you would come. Legend spoke of a Luna who would break the ice. Who would show us the way to the Song of Life."
Then Boreas revealed the entrance to a hidden chamber behind the main hall. They entered. The chamber was made entirely of ice, and in its center, on an icy pedestal, rested two artifacts – the Eyes of Memory. They were two crystals, one gleaming a deep blue, the other an emerald green, which pulsed with ancient magic.
Lyra approached the Eyes of Memory. She felt a powerful aura from them, but also a feeling of… old tears. As if these crystals had seen too much sorrow.
"I will allow you," Boreas said. "Show us the truth, Luna. Show us what we are afraid to see."
Lyra touched the Eyes of Memory. The vision was immediate and overwhelming. She saw not only the past of the Ice Pack but also a broader history. She saw how the Shadow of Oblivion, years ago, did not physically attack these mountains. Instead, it spread a subtle coldness, an indifference that made the Ice Pack werewolves increasingly withdrawn, forgetting about the outside world, about ancient alliances, and even some of their own warmer memories. She saw how their hearts became icy, and their senses dulled.
This was a different form of the Shadow of Oblivion's attack – not physical destruction, but an erosion of the spirit, an erasing of bonds. Lyra saw how it affected their Song of Life. Their Song was beautiful, but cold, lacking the warmth of other packs.
The vision vanished. Lyra opened her eyes, her face pale. "It… it works differently here," Lyra said. "It doesn't kill your memories, but makes you forget them. Makes you forget what connects you to others. It makes you indifferent. And this indifference… that's its way of destroying."
Tears began to stream down Boreas's cheeks. He understood. The Eyes of Memory showed him the truth.
"We must cleanse the Eyes of Memory so their power can be fully utilized," Lyra said. "And then… you must reclaim your hearts, so the Song of Life can resonate within you."
Kaelan and Elara stood beside Lyra, proud of her strength and wisdom. Finally, Lyra had found the key to the Ice Pack's heart. With a new alliance, and knowledge of another form of the Shadow of Oblivion's action, Lyra was ready to continue her journey to unite everyone in the fight to reclaim the world.