The Abyssal Seal

Everyone returned to Frost Guard Fortress through Lissandra's Teleportation Magic.

They stood before the statue at the entrance to the Stone Bridge, very close to the Howling Abyss. Aatrox had returned to the Sword Sheath in time to shield himself from any potential influence from the Watchers.

Lissandra and Ato immediately turned their attention to Anaakca, wary of any possible change in her. But everything seemed normal.

Anaakca stood beside Ato—or, more precisely, beside the Demonic Sword of the Dark on his back. Her gaze was vacant, and she made no movement.

"Could it be that the influence only takes effect when she gets close to the Abyss?" Ato wondered. "Why not have Anaakca try going down into the Howling Abyss now? Any objections, old man?"

"I'm confident in this. My commands take precedence over the Void's corruption. The Watchers won't be able to control Anaakca." Aatrox agreed with Ato's suggestion.

"It's the dead of winter, and the temperature beneath the Abyss is unbearable even for the Iceborn. In previous years, we always went on the spring equinox," Lissandra reminded them.

"The Iceborn are just ordinary people with unusual physiques. Don't compare their physical strength to that of a Celestial Warrior," Aatrox said dismissively. "Even the Void can't overcome a Celestial Warrior's body. It can only infiltrate them on a mental level."

"Fine. We can try, but we'll need to be prepared for a fight. If the Watchers really do take control of her mind, could you bring yourself to attack one of your own followers?" Lissandra asked.

"It won't come to that. The pride of the Shurima Empire will not be profaned." Aatrox was utterly confident.

"But we have no way to get her down there. The Iceborn have to descend slowly along the cliff face with ice picks. She's far too large, so you'll have to figure something out yourselves." Lissandra glanced at the five-meter-tall Anaakca.

"Equipment? We don't need that. Just tell me how to check the state of the seal below, and I'll relay it to Anaakca."

"The seal consists of four ice pillars, each marked with Sealing Runes. You'll need to check two things."

"First, look for any signs that the pillars have melted. Not a single drop of moisture should appear."

"Second, check whether the runes on the pillars are intact. Their exact design is..." Lissandra showed them the Sealing Runes.

Aatrox repeated the instructions to Anaakca, then finished with an order: "Remember what you see. Your report when you return must be accurate. Go."

"As you command, General..." Anaakca bowed slightly, walked to the edge of the Stone Bridge, and jumped straight down.

"Reckless!" Lissandra hadn't managed to stop her.

"The Howling Abyss has never been fully measured. The Iceborn who explore it need three days to reach the bottom, and have to stop midway at the Lost Bridge on the ice wall to recover their strength. How could she just jump down?"

"I trust her," Aatrox said calmly. "She'll be back soon."

"She's your follower, after all... But I'm sorry. I hope you understand that I have to take the necessary precautions. Frostguard, prepare for battle!"

Lissandra's voice rang throughout the fortress. A moment later, a squad of Frostguard emerged from the main gate, armed with an assortment of fine weapons and wearing two-horned helmets that concealed their faces. They lined up on the Stone Bridge, ready for battle.

"Is this really necessary..." Ato muttered. "Even if she's controlled, ordinary people can't stop a Darkin. In the end, I'll have to..."

"We'll wait here," Aatrox said, entirely unconcerned. "Anaakca is strong."

The wait was agonizing. Ato leaned listlessly against the Stone Bridge's railing and couldn't help yawning.

"Has Anaakca been down there for two hours already? She jumped straight down, so it can't have taken long to reach the bottom. But how will she get back up?" Ato asked.

"She'll use the Darkin's methods."

"Near the bottom, she'll drive her weapon into the ice wall to slow herself down. The wing membranes on her body can also help stabilize her. On the way up, she'll use her weapon in place of an ice pick. When she served the empire, her War Spear was unstoppable."

Ato tried to picture it, then couldn't help commenting, "It's not very ladylike, but Anaakca is a warrior, so I suppose it makes sense..."

As they chatted, Anaakca's figure suddenly appeared in the Abyss's freezing mist.

She drove her War Spear into the ice wall with her left hand and gripped a protruding chunk of ice with her right. Then she pushed off with both feet and pulled out her weapon. With each leap, she rose twenty or thirty meters.

"That's so savage, and she has so much stamina..." Ato nearly covered his face. Were all Darkin this wild?

Before long, Anaakca was back on the Stone Bridge. From the moment she came into view to the moment she leaped onto the bridge, it had taken her only a few dozen seconds!

The Frostguard tightened their grips on their weapons and aimed them at Anaakca. Magic shimmered around Lissandra's arms, and she was ready to strike at any moment.

Ignoring everyone else, Anaakca walked straight up to Ato and knelt on one knee.

In a hoarse voice, she reported, "The ice pillars are intact... no signs of melting... the Sealing Runes are intact... beneath the ice, a one-eyed creature tried to invade my thoughts... not the General... I resisted..."

Just how devoted are you to your General? Aatrox had been so confident that his commands took precedence over everything, but only now did Ato truly understand the weight of his words!

Even the Watchers couldn't control a Darkin with corruption inside him!

"You've done well," Aatrox praised her without hesitation. "Lissandra, you can stand down. The Watchers can't control my follower. You can't deny that fact."

"...Incredible." Lissandra waved her hand, and the Frostguard put away their weapons in unison. "Anaakca's loyalty is admirable. Treasure her."

Indeed... It was enough to make anyone envious.

Ato felt deeply out of sorts.

Why didn't I have a woman who cared about me? The old man really doesn't know how to appreciate what he has. He's even planning to leave her here, where she'll be in frequent contact with the Void!

"Xolaani... coward... die..." Anaakca murmured as if in a dream.

Ato's gaze sharpened. He was not unfamiliar with the name Anaakca had suddenly mentioned.

In fact, judging from the character he knew, it made sense that she would still be fixated on that name even while delirious.

"Xolaani? Who's that?" Lissandra had never heard the name before.

"You don't need to know." Ato didn't want to explain much. "I can only tell you that she's dangerous."

"So you still remember." Aatrox sighed. "She probably hasn't escaped yet. I don't know where she is. When I find her trail, I'll call for you."

"Ready... at any time..." Anaakca bowed to Aatrox.

"We're about to leave the Freljord." Aatrox said nothing more about Xolaani.

"Anaakca, stay here. Whenever Lissandra needs to check the state of the Abyssal seal, repeat what you just did, but report to Lissandra instead of me."

"If monsters from the Abyss invade the world above, let them witness the might of Shurima. Keep doing so until I give you new orders."

"As you command... General..."