Esmeria

“Ehehehe leeeeeet’s plaaaaay!”

“Coooomeee oooooonn leeeeet’s plaaayy!”

“No.”

“Weeeet blannnnkeeet!”

“Ehehehehehe Icccy blaaankeeet!”

“Iccccy iccccy I seeeeee hehehehe!”

Indienee wondered if she’d go insane before she saved their king. The Jack Frosts’ constant chatter about wanting to play with her felt like mosquitoes buzzing around her ears.

"I heard about Jack Frosts being annoying, but I never expected them to be this annoying..." Indienee sighed inwardly.

"I can't let my guard down. I have to stay focused; the yetis might have set a trap somewhere." Indienee tried to filter out the endless babble and concentrate on her surroundings.

She noticed a few suspicious mounds along the path ahead.

"Mounds on a snowy road... could be yetis hidden underneath…" she murmured.

“Can you guys stand over there?” Indienee pointed at the mounds.

“Issss thisss goooing to beee a suuuurprissse fooor uuuss?”

“Yes.” She said it with a straight face, with no hesitation.

The Jack Frosts gleefully walked toward the mounds and stood on top of them, jumping with joy.

“Heheheheheeeeelpppp!” Hands emerged from the mounds, grabbing the Jack Frosts' legs and pulling them down.

Indienee sighed.

"An ambush... an obvious one, too."

She dashed toward one of the Jack Frosts, stabbing her right hand into the mound and blasting the inside with her [Shock Blast]. The electrified yeti leaped out, screaming in pain, prompting the others to emerge from their hiding spots and flee.

Indienee pointed her left hand toward the escaping Yetis, palm open, charging up her prosthetic arm, and shot [Fire Bolts] at them.

"UKIIIIIIIIIIII!" The Yetis screamed in pain as their backsides caught fire while they fled, avoiding a direct confrontation.

“Eeeheeeheeeheee Yeeeeetis are ruuunning awaayy frooom usss!”

“We areee invinciiibleeeeee!”

The Jack Frosts, who had been the ones in need of rescue, were now filled with excitement as they watched the yetis retreat.

“Burrrnnn theeeemmmm!”

“Buurrrrnnnn the whooooole mooountain!”

‘Thud!’ One of the Jack Frosts slapped the overly excited Jack Frost on the head.

“Yooou idiooot! Ooour kiinnggg issss hereee!”

“Wee woooould meeeelt frooom the heat toooo!”

“Teeheeeeheeoooops”

The overly excited Jack Frost said, sticking his tongue out playfully while apologizing.

Indienee shook her head in exasperation.

"Let's move. We need to reach the throne room before they set up another ambush." She instructed, leading the way with renewed determination.

A Yeti rushed into the room with a makeshift throne, where another Yeti, clad in armor, was seated.

"Lord Drogath, the Jack Frosts have brought reinforcements!" he panted.

"Hmmm? Who have they brought?" Drogath asked, his interest piqued.

"They brought an adventurer who appears to be a witch, Lord Drogath!" The Yeti reported, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Who would have thought those useless snowmen could actually find help? Interesting," Drogath mused, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"The witch they brought seems to be quite strong. Should we return their king to them?" The Yeti suggested hesitantly.

Drogath sighed deeply.

"I'll decide later. For now, delay those snowmen from reaching us."

"Y-yes, sir!" The Yeti stammered, hurrying off to carry out his orders.

The Yeti Lord, Drogath, was an imposing figure, towering over his kin with a commanding presence. His thick, white fur was streaked with patches of gray, a testament to his age and experience in countless battles. His eyes glowed a piercing blue, exuding an air of authority and intelligence. The fur around his face was slightly singed, hinting at previous encounters with fire-wielding foes.

Drogath's armor was a crude but effective assembly of metal plates, scavenged from fallen enemies and forged into a formidable protective suit. His massive hands, tipped with sharp claws, held a fearsome mace made from a tree trunk reinforced with metal bands and studded with nails.

A large, tattered cape made from the hide of a defeated rival draped over his broad shoulders, swaying with his every movement.

They had migrated here due to being defeated by the Almany soldiers.

The Yetis' defeat by the Almany soldiers was a brutal and decisive battle. The Yetis, led by Drogath, had been a formidable force, known for their sheer strength and resilience in their mountainous territory. However, the Almany soldiers came prepared with superior tactics, advanced weaponry, and well-coordinated strategies.

The soldiers employed a combination of long-range weaponry and close-combat skills. Archers and crossbowmen rained down a barrage of flaming arrows and bolts, exploiting the yetis' vulnerability to fire.

In a final, desperate bid to turn the tide, Drogath called for a retreat, hoping to regroup and launch a counterattack. But the Almany soldiers pursued relentlessly, cutting down the retreating yetis and leaving the battlefield strewn with the bodies of the fallen.

Defeated and demoralized, the yetis fled their homeland, seeking refuge in the remote Frosthorn mountain where they hoped to rebuild their strength.

Drogath moved to another room where a Yeti was seen hugging a giant Jack Frost.

"My darling daughter, can you return this Jack Frost to his companions?" he asked gently.

"No no no no no no no no no no no!" Ylva, Drogath's daughter, vehemently refused his request, tightening her grip on the Jack Frost.

Ylva was a striking yeti with fur as white as freshly fallen snow, complemented by streaks of silver that shimmered in the light. Unlike her father's battle-worn appearance, Ylva seemed smaller and more childish-looking.

"This Jack Frost’s friends are coming to pick him up, my darling," Drogath insisted, trying to reason with Ylva.

"I don’t care!" She pouted, still clinging to the Jack Frost.

"Idon’tcaretoo!" Echoed the Jack Frost King, showing solidarity with Ylva's sentiment.

His body was composed of shimmering, crystalline snow, refracting light in all directions with a kaleidoscope of colors. His face, framed by wispy strands of frosty hair, bore an expression that alternated between mischief and innocence.

Despite his small size, he exuded an air of authority and whimsy, adorned with a tiny crown made of ice crystals that glinted in the sunlight.

Drogath was taken aback by the Jack Frost King's reply, surprised at his unexpected defiance.

"Darling Ylva, I will find you a fluffier animal to hug. Please return this Jack Frost to his companions."

"But Papa, I like him!"

“Eeeheheehee melikeYlvatoo!”

"Jack Frost King, you need to tell your subordinates to stop causing trouble."

“Idon’tcareaboutthemtheyaredumb!”

“Yah those jack frosts are dumb!”

“It doesn’t matter if they are dumb, they bought an adventurer here to save you.”

“Eueh? Is the adventurer handsome?” Ylva's eyes sparkled with curiosity at the thought of meeting an adventurer.

“Istheadventurerfun?” Jack Frost King's eyes also lit up with curiosity at the idea of meeting an adventurer.

“I wanna play with the adventurer!”

“Metoometoometoo!”

Drogath sighed heavily as he returned to his temporary throne room, where his subordinates stood waiting for his command.

"My lord, what do we do?" One of the yetis asked, their voice tinged with urgency.

Drogath pondered for a moment before speaking firmly,

"Give the order to the yetis below. Allow the Jack Frosts and the adventurer through."

The yeti subordinate nodded solemnly and hurried out of the room to relay the orders.

Watching the yeti leave, Drogath's gaze shifted to the Jack Frost King, who seemed resolute in staying. He sighed again, realizing the futility of resistance.

"It seems you're determined to stay," Drogath murmured, more to himself than to anyone else.

"Very well, let them see for themselves."

With a heavy heart, Drogath settled back into his makeshift throne, silently contemplating the uncertain future that lay ahead for his people and their newfound guests.

Indienee readied herself for combat as she saw two yetis approaching her group. She glanced at the Jack Frosts, who were bubbling with nervous energy but seemed to lack any real combat readiness.

The yetis came closer, their heavy footsteps crunching through the snow, but to her surprise, they did not attack. Instead, one of them raised a hand in a gesture of peace.

"Adventurer, our lord has granted you passage," the yeti announced in a deep, rumbling voice.

"You and the Jack Frosts may proceed to the throne room."

Indienee lowered her weapon slightly but remained cautious.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" she asked, suspicion lacing her words.

"Our king is not interested in a pointless fight. He wants you to see the situation for yourself," the yeti replied.

Indienee nodded, signaling the Jack Frosts to follow her as she advanced cautiously. The path ahead was steep and winding, but the yetis escorted them, making sure no harm came to the group. As they climbed, the air grew colder, and the snow thicker, but Indienee's determination did not waver.

After a strenuous climb, they finally reached a large cave entrance guarded by more yetis. The group was led inside, the cave illuminated by glowing icicles hanging from the ceiling. They passed through several chambers before entering a vast room where Drogath sat on his makeshift throne.

Drogath, imposing and regal, rose from his seat as they entered. His piercing blue eyes fixed on Indienee.

"Welcome, adventurer. I am Drogath, the Yeti Lord. I assume you have come to retrieve the Jack Frost King."

Indienee stood her ground, her eyes scanning the room.

"Yes, and to ensure the safety of the surrounding villages. Your presence here has caused much fear and disruption."

"We mean no harm to the villages. We sought refuge here after a devastating defeat. But I see now that our presence is unsustainable." Drogath sighed deeply.

He glanced at the Jack Frost King, who was still being hugged by Ylva.

"I’mhere! Let’sgoplay!" The Jack Frost King wiggled free and jumped over to Indienee.

"Not yet. We need to settle things first." Indienee almost smiled at his innocence.

Drogath addressed his daughter,

"Ylva, my dear, it is time to let the Jack Frost King return to his people. They need him."

"Alright, Papa." Ylva pouted but nodded reluctantly.

"Thank you, but what about you and your people?" Indienee said.

Drogath looked weary.

"We will find another place, far from here. Somewhere we can live in peace without causing trouble."

Indienee nodded.

"I appreciate your understanding."

“Theycanstayhere,melikeYlva!” Jack Frost King’s word light up the eyes of the yetis, giving them hope.

"Stay here? With the yetis?" Indienee raised an eyebrow at the Jack Frost King's sudden declaration.

She looked at Drogath, who seemed equally surprised but thoughtful.

"Would that be acceptable to you and your people, Drogath?" Indienee asked.

Drogath scratched his chin, considering the idea.

"It could work if the Jack Frosts agree to share this territory peacefully and refrain from causing mischief." he said slowly.

"Yesyesyes! Weliketheyetis!" The Jack Frost King exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious. The other Jack Frosts nodded vigorously, their icy forms shimmering with excitement.

"Very well. We will try this arrangement. But any trouble, and we will have to reconsider."Drogath said, a smile breaking through his stern demeanor.

"Deal." Indienee said firmly.

She turned to the Jack Frosts.

"Behave and work together with the yetis. This is a chance for both of your people to thrive."

The Jack Frosts cheered, and even the yetis looked relieved and hopeful. Indienee felt a sense of accomplishment and relief wash over her. The crisis had been averted, and a new alliance was forming.

As they left the throne room, Drogath walked alongside Indienee.

"Upon closer inspection, it seems you aren’t entirely human, are you?" he remarked, his tone curious but cautious.

Indienee nodded, not trying to hide her identity.

"You're right. I'm a demon."

"Is there something you seek that requires you to risk yourself and masquerade as a human adventurer?" Drogath wondered aloud.

"I am trying to find someone." she explained.

"They're hidden, either by luck or circumstances. I need the information-gathering power of the adventurer’s guild to locate them."

“If there is anything within my power that I can do to assist you, tell me. I swear as the Yeti Lord, I will help you, even if it means climbing a volcano.” Drogath declared earnestly.

"Thank you, Yeti Lord." Indienee said, appreciating his offer.

"Call me Drogath. And thank you, too, for giving us a chance at peace."

"Just doing what I can. Now, let's ensure this peace holds," Indienee replied with determination.

With newfound camaraderie between the Jack Frosts and the yetis, Indienee felt hopeful for the future. As she made her way back down the mountain, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of these two unlikely groups finding a way to coexist. The journey had been challenging, but it was moments like these that made it all worthwhile.