The Spirit World

Chapter 2: Ice Flower Ishaar and Brave Heart

Principality of Arlan 2015

[The Far North]

The wind and snow howled, biting and killing, icicles stood in a forest, unruly and tall, huge beasts lurked under the snow, they would not let go of any living thing, even the dead. Here, only the most tenacious life can understand the preciousness of life.

This is the coldest area in the spiritual world and also one of the most mysterious areas. Countless teams that wanted to explore this far northern wonder have died here.

The leader of this group of ice trolls is the daughter of the long-lost old leader. She is the child of the old leader and a human woman.

Her name is Ishar, which means "beautiful one" in Troll language. Just like her name, Ishar's beauty was already apparent when she was a child.

Her thin eyebrows and snow-like long hair fascinated many young troll boys. Her mother's beautiful genes made her so outstanding.

Strong and handsome young trolls have been surrounding her since they were young, but Ishar's uncle, the elder of the tribe who firmly believed that only pure-bred trolls could reproduce, severely criticized these young men and repeatedly scolded Ishar for being impure.

But due to the status of Ishar's father as the leader, he had to swallow his anger. There were many people in the tribe who thought like him.

Many people also advised their children to play less with (impure breeds). This hurt the little heart of Ishar who lost her playmate. She was always alone. Ishar's father saw it and felt pain in his heart. His daughter suffered because of his love with his wife, which made Gulgar, as a father, very sad. The injustice suffered by his daughter was so absurd, but he was powerless to do anything.

But his apology did not make him spoil Ishaar. He kept Ishaar by his side and made her face danger, taught her to be calm, told her how to deal with ferocious beasts, imparted to her the principles of being a troll, and told her about his adventures in his youth, including his beautiful wife, her mother.

"Your mother was a beautiful, strong and courageous woman."

Gulgar always said this proudly while he was drinking wine and sitting by the fire to keep warm. The firelight made his blue face look red. He had a smile on his face and he wanted to tell the whole world what a great woman his wife was.

And Ishar leaned her head obediently on her father's lap, her lovely face was red in the light of the fire, her eyes were shining, she seemed to have imagined what her mother looked like.

Her mother was beautiful and dignified. She waved, and her mother waved back. She smiled, and her mother smiled back. She fell asleep in a daze, under the caress of her father. There were no tears in her childhood. Her father taught her to be brave and strong, and to grit her teeth and get through any sad and painful things.

This is the responsibility of a father, and also the expectation of a father for his daughter's success. Yishaer grew up very fast and soon became the main force of the "hunting" reserve team.

Gurajar was very pleased.

Guragar considers the cultivation of Ishar a top priority second only to finding food for the tribe.

He always brought Ishar with him, even when she was just a member of the reserve team.

The members of the "Hunting" pioneer team took good care of her, except for her uncle Gular. And Ishar had followed his father closely since he was a child, and he was already familiar with the use of the "Asar Scepter".

Once, Gul'gal was seriously injured under the siege of a pack of polar wolves. Gul'gal and other members of the vanguard team were unable to use the Scepter of Asar to find the way back. Ishar bravely stood in front of his uncle and raised the Scepter of Asar to find the way back. The Scepter of Asar miraculously accepted the young Ishar.

Uncle Gulal's face turned green with anger, and his beard trembled comically. Ishar looked at his funny appearance with pride, and finally led the team riding on the ice wolf and carrying his father back to the village.

When she was eighteen years old, her father nominated her to be the leader and entrusted her with the leader's staff. Not long after that, her father left the tribe's winter migration point on a snowy day and never returned.

The heavy responsibility of inheriting the throne but not inheriting it was placed on her shoulders. The tribesmen, led by her uncle, who were dissatisfied with her - a little girl who had just come of age!, began to make things difficult for Ishar, and persuaded her to give up the "Ahsar Scepter" and the position of tribe leader.

Although they would not take any action against the candidate approved by the "Ashar" scepter, verbal attacks and indirect accusations that (impure breeds) would lead the tribe to destruction have already spread among the tribe.

Ishaar endured all of this, she had never been so exhausted. Her father's disappearance instantly made her lose a shoulder to lean on, and this young girl who had just reached adulthood was carrying a burden that ordinary people could hardly imagine.

The pressure of rumors weighed on her heart day after day. Even though only a few months had passed, it felt like a year.

The wind outside was whistling, making a sharp wailing sound that made people feel frightened.

From the next room came the intermittent sound of a mother singing to comfort her child.

"My dear child, don't be afraid, Mom is here! My dear child, don't be sad, Mom will be with you. My dear child..."

Ishaar listened, her heart throbbing, hurting again and again. Gradually, her eyes became moist, and tears flowed down the chief's scepter, dripping into the bonfire, making a sizzling sound.

There was always no one sitting next to Ishar. Even though there was a fire, no one had sat there since his father left.

She was like someone abandoned by her tribe, and it seemed that she deserved to be lonely here.

In the firelight, Ishar's beautiful eyes sparkled, and the two rubies hanging on the slender trunk of the "Ahsar Scepter" collided slightly with each other, making a crisp tinkling sound.

It was already damaged and had no magical power, so it could only lie quietly in Ishar's arms. The only sounds that could be heard were the gentle crackling of sparks, the whistling of the wind blowing into the cave, and intermittent singing. These crisp sounds seemed to be comforting this sobbing person who didn't want to be heard.

She clenched her teeth and hugged herself tighter and tighter. The scepter in her arms made a loud ding-ling sound, and then there was only the crackling sound of wood and fire.

She knew she couldn't cry but her tears were like those of a disobedient child. She lowered her head, her body twitching slightly, her fists clenching tighter and tighter. She remembered her father's voice, his gentle teachings, his kind smile. The sizzling sound slowly came to this lonely cage-like cave, like a question after question, knocking at this humble, thin, strong soul.

Outside the cave, a blizzard roared down from the fjord-like mountain, as if it was going to smash the low peaks to pieces.

"Ishar" a soft call brought Ishar back to reality.

"What's wrong?" Yishaar rubbed her eyes with her hands, pretending to be sleepy even though she was not, and yawned appropriately.

She turned her head and saw Twal, the brave and energetic young man. She had an impression of him because he liked to stare at the "Ahsar's Scepter" quietly since she became the leader. He was also the only young troll in the tribe whose troll patterns had reached the strength of an adult troll. She noticed this when they were holding a vanguard team meeting while looking for prey. Twal stared at the scepter, and when Ishar looked at him, he avoided it.

So she wanted to strengthen the protection of the scepter.

Especially in front of this troll - Uncle Gular's youngest son, Twar. But she was very curious why he had evil intentions towards the scepter. He looked ordinary, but brave and kind. Although she was not one of the best members of the reserve team, he always treated everyone gently, including her who was "not a seed".

He always greeted her politely and even brought some seemingly not-so-subtle gifts to try to get close to Ishar, but he was also very cautious and afraid of Ishar's appearance.

Yishaar naturally avoided it.

His uncle was one reason, and she herself was another reason, as she liked Twar's brother, Traor.

He was handsome, capable, and always made the girls happy, except her, of course. She would always stand by and watch the girls who were amused by Trar during breaks, and also shake her head and look at Trar.

But when she found out that Trar was making fun of her "impure race" identity, she gave up on him and devoted herself to studying with her father.

During one of the reserve team's operations, Tewal helped Ishar block the siege of the snow wolves, and since then he has strangely kept a distance from Ishar every time.

Maybe he thought Ishaar wouldn't like him. He was brave but cowardly.

Tewar, who was standing by the fire, scratched his head. His neat black hair was a little bit distorted. He looked a little embarrassed and said awkwardly, "Ishar, no, Chief. I am here to apply for the job."

"Apply?" Yes! Apply. Because the tribe had been isolated for so long, she even forgot that she had applied a week ago to find food. The blizzard lasted longer than expected. The winter that was supposed to end in three months mysteriously lasted for a month. The extremely fierce blizzard showed no sign of stopping, and the food stored for the winter was obviously not enough to supply the unpredictable blizzard.

Last week, Yishaer launched a recruitment campaign: Go to the Magic Fountain [Talon] to repair the scepter! Finding food is the most urgent task. But the blizzard seems to be getting bigger and bigger, with no sign of stopping. After a week, no one responded. Even if a small number of people had no prejudice against her, no one was willing to follow her to die in such a big blizzard.

Even the old chief's family, who had always protected him, did not respond. The members of the vanguard team also backed off.

Except for the skinny young troll in front of him, Twar, who was the same age as him and the youngest son of Uncle Gular.

"No, Tevar," Ishaar hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and said, "This blizzard is bigger than expected and very strange. It will be fatal for you. You are from the younger generation, and it is not up to you to complete this difficult task." It turned out that she had unknowingly regarded herself as an older generation. Ishaar stood up with the scepter and walked towards her room.

She walked quickly, as if she didn't want the conversation to continue.

Tewal grabbed her, and Ishaar was stunned for a moment, and Tewal, who was holding his hand, was also stunned.

Tewal said seriously: "Ishar, I want to help you. I know that even if no one comes to help you, you will definitely go alone. You are just that kind of person. But this is not an easy thing for you. No one is willing to help you, but I am willing! It is too dangerous for you to go alone. The snowfield is dangerous and unpredictable, and there is such a big snowstorm. I think..."

Before Tewal could finish speaking, Ishaar turned around and stared at Tewal. His resolute look made Tewal loosen his hand. Ishaar said word by word, "This is my responsibility as a leader."

Her voice was very soft, but Tevar heard it clearly. Ishaar left quickly, leaving Tevar standing there.

Tewal clenched his fists. He didn't understand that the call was for the whole clan. As an outstanding young man, he would naturally be among the ones called up. Although every search for food was initiated by Ishaar and completed by the clan, this time was different.

Due to his father's pressure, Teval could not openly help Ishar. But this time, Ishar would definitely go to Talon alone to find the magic spring to repair the scepter! He might even die. He must stand up and help him. He had loved her crazily when he was a child, and even now...

But he felt that he should help her, and without his father noticing, he slipped out and told Ishar that he was willing to go to Talon with her.

The result was beyond his expectation. Yishaar rejected him seriously.

At this moment, his mind was full of her again.

Just like when I was a kid.

After Ishar became the leader, every time he looked at her, she would glance at him, and he would turn away in embarrassment. He lost his courage.

He became so cowardly, and he suffered a lot this week. No one responded to Yishaer's application. Even the old leader of the pro-peace faction (the last one in office) did not respond, which made him feel helpless and at the same time, he was pressured by his father to have contact with her and it was difficult to calm down.

Finally, he came secretly just to tell her that he was willing to follow her through the dangerous wilderness to the magic spring [Talon] to repair the scepter.

In his eyes, the young and old people who were waiting to die in the cave were like lambs waiting to die. The faces of his parents and brothers who laughed at Ishar's plan were so ugly. But why did Ishar not agree to his joining! ?
Tewal was naturally unaware of her vigilance against him.

Ishaar never thought that he was looking at her when he looked at the scepter of Asar. She had never longed for love in the tribe, and even when she saw the young people in the tribe in love, she was unusually calm. She was not even able to be gossiped by the people in the tribe, and God knows whether the bad words about her were heard by the newly born children in the tribe.

Love is something she longs for.

No matter how hard it is, she must act quickly. According to the plan, the journey to [Heart of the Polar Region] [Talon] is not far, but it requires passing through the narrow and dangerous polar wasteland. It is the nightmare of all creatures living in the polar regions. Hungry and ferocious beasts kill each other, and the corpses of defeated beasts continue to attract other beasts to flock here.

It was like hell there! No one was allowed to get close to it.

If you want to get through there, you must be careful and conceal your breath.

So Ishar put on the treated clothes, took the "Ahsar Scepter" that could only make a jingling sound, and set off at night. As long as he crossed the wasteland, he would reach [Talon]. Ishar prayed silently in his heart. Father, please bless me.

So, a white snow wolf carried a thin figure on its back. She was wearing a cloak made of wild animal fur, and they moved forward in the raging blizzard.

Leaving the brightly lit village, they set foot on a dangerous road. The road had no end in sight and was surrounded by white. Only Ishar's necklace guided the direction of the Heart of the Pole.

Just go north and you will reach Talon.

Tewal tossed and turned in his bed. Even though he had a premonition that Ishar would leave, he couldn't stay out of it. His private meeting with Ishar was known, and his father locked him in the room. No one dared to say a word of sympathy, including his mother.

Twar was in distress in the room, pounding on the wall and pacing back and forth. He knew that Ishar was gone, and his father had mockingly told him that Ishar had left and might have disappeared forever in the blizzard. His heart was once again tormented.

There was a loud "bang" sound, and stones rolled away. The sound came from Twal's room.

The whole family who were warming themselves by the campfire were in a panic. Only Ishaar's uncle, Tewar's father, Gular, snorted and said, "You little brat, I don't know who you take after!" Then he asked everyone to sit down.

Tewal's mother cried and said, "What should I do if something happens?"

Then she suddenly said firmly, "It's all that little bitch's fault!" Gular closed his eyes and said slowly in his hoarse voice, "Just pretend that you don't have this son."

After much deliberation, Tewar finally escaped. It seemed that it was not an easy task to find Ishar. How much courage did Ishar need to go to Talon alone in such a severe snowstorm? And he could do nothing about it.

Tewal seemed to have returned to his childhood. Ishaar was chased by a pack of wolves and she fought stubbornly. She was covered in wounds but never gave up. He, who was known as the bravest man, was hiding in the corner and trembling. How ridiculous! He kept promising to protect her alone, but he was like this!
Tevar rushed out of the stone shelter and stood in front of Ishar, his troll pattern shining brighter than ever before.

Finally, they were rescued. But Tevar stayed away from Ishaar from then on. He thought that he might never be liked by Ishaar again, and his actions could not heal her broken heart left by him.

Although he had never been liked by Ishar, he admired Ishar even more since then.

His father's coercion made it even harder for him to show his emotions in front of Ishar, but he always kept an eye on her. He could not forget the resolute look in Ishar's eyes when she faced the wolves, nor could he forget his own cowardice. He could not forgive his cowardice.

But this opportunity brought Ishar back into his sight. He could see her sadness, he knew her pain, he had never seen her so thin before.

She should be strong and happy. He was tormented by the soft heart beneath Ishar's tough exterior.

Maybe he was so obsessed with her that he couldn't help himself. He was willing to give everything for her without asking for anything in return. But he was always oppressed by his father and couldn't do it.

This time, he was really brave. He broke through the wall and jumped down from the house, just like breaking through the shackles of his father. He wanted to protect that lonely figure. He fell in love with her.

He finally realized that he had fallen in love with her as a child, her beautiful eyes, her smile, her voice, and he had been deeply in love with her since the moment he saw her.

The blue troll pattern on the blue skin shone dazzlingly. In the night shrouded in a snowstorm, the hazy feeling intensified the howling of the wind, making it difficult for people to breathe.

Twar had to go all out to catch up with Ishar. He burst out with amazing magical energy and ran in the blizzard.

"Ishaar"

He chased in the direction of [Talon] and disappeared in [Larja Fama], the gathering place of the ice trolls.

The fate of the two people has been intertwined since they met. No matter whether they are in danger as a reserve team or about to embark on an adventure again, fate cannot be defied.

The thread spun by the goddess of fate interweaves each of us, and each story, whether beautiful or not, belongs to us. The story begins from then on. The wheel of fate turns, who can stop it?

Wheel of Fortune: Click, click, click
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(End of this chapter)