It had been years- so many years since anything had happened in the Freljord that wasn't a war. The clanging of steel- of swords as warriors went toe-to-toe in combat was no more natural than crimson snow. There was no time to mourn death; conflict could never leave time for trivial matters. The grief of death certainly wounded and scarred, but it could never cripple.

At least, that was what I thought.

The first thing I felt was the cold. For so long, I felt cold. It was like the fire within me had petered out, gone with the harrowing wind. I felt so cold. I found myself on my gut, on the edge of a cliff that overlooked a town. It had been ravaged just moments earlier. My hand hung loosely over the edge, ice beginning to form on it in small patches. I clench my hand into a fist, attempting to stand up. A pain shot through my back. So cold, it burned. I shout in pain, and was greeted with the same noise. Echoing...echoing...gone.

My eyes scanned over the village below. It had once been so beautiful. It reminded me of the village that lived at the base of my mountain...wherever that may be. The Freljord had changed since I last left my home. Much too different...The broken down buildings of the village before me said it so clearly. As much as I could never compare their work to that of the Hearthblood, they held a...hint of humbleness. Never complex in design. Simple so as to stay sturdy...and it was all they ever needed. Looking at the village down below distracted me from the pain I felt running over me. But, I was aware of something else.

Not moving my head, I glance towards the sky. Yes, there. It was still tinted purple.

I remember a flash of light and a shaking of the earth. It was too distracting to ignore, and it is what caused me to leave Hearth-Home. I saw them. Beasts, monsters that ravaged the Freljord- ripping up land, destroying trees, and there looked to be no end. I came across this village, and I knew I had to involve myself. Needless to say, it was a failure. I was overwhelmed. It was...bewildering. For once, I felt horrified. What were they!? I had to save those people. Something in my heart burned for these souls I did not know...And now I know.

Them. The Hearthblood. It was because of them. I need to get up.

I push a hand onto the ground, lifting half of myself. The pain came back, and I shout again. I put a foot firmly onto the ground, but I sink onto a knee. That was just fine. The other side of me, I saw Hammer. I used it to lift the other half, and I found myself on my knees, looking at the village again. It had once been so beautiful. How was I powerless to do anything? The Freljord...what happened to it? I still could not move, despite having gotten onto my knees. It hurt so much. I hunched over.

...And then I heard humming. It was innocent, calm- too at ease for what happened. The sound of something scraping across the ground followed, sounding like a shovel. I turn my gaze to behind me. A man, face covered in soot, stood there. He blinked, his mouth dropping open slightly. In his hands was a silver spade, still looking polished despite the dirt and snow that had covered it. I had to take my gaze away from it, unfortunately, as strapped it to his back and ran to my side, attempting to help me up. I would not budge, and I was beginning to feel light headed. However, the man refused to give up. With him giving a battle cry, I felt myself lift onto my feet. My legs shook under the weight of my weakened form, and my beard was practically a home to the ice now. He made me lean on his shoulder, and we began walking. To where, I had no clue.

"Wh-Who...are you...?" I forced through a shaky breath.

The man did not answer, instead pointing north. That was where we were going. I could see nothing through the snow; it felt like it was coming harder than before, steadily building and building. The man that carried me looked unaffected by it, still walking through the storm. It was as if he knew where to go despite not being able to see. I felt an energy flowing from his being. It was overpowering, and it oddly put me at ease.

We soon arrived at a small wooden home amidst the storm. Modest in appearance, it looked to have been here only recently. It was built into the side of a mountain. The part that was chipped and dug out was cleaned and lined with plants. Strangely welcoming. I was brought inside and laid on the couch. This was a house with only four main rooms from where I could see. That energy came over me again, and I felt drowsy. I stared at the wooden ceiling with lidded eyes, remembering what I experienced beforehand. It was still cold despite the fire lit in the fireplace. I was still freezing. Yet, I slept.

I opened my eyes again. The room was pleasantly quiet. The fire was still burning brightly in the fireplace. A quilt had been laid over me during my slumber, and I realized I was clutching it tightly. It was still cold. I pulled up the quilt and saw my chest and gut bandaged. My back felt numb. Did I sleep through all this...? I saw the flickering flame in the fireplace, and I rolled off of the couch to meet it. I was pleased to find myself warm just a bit more. The quilt and the fire were enough.

"You're awake," a voice said.

I nearly jumped out of my fur with a glance behind me. The man that brought me here was standing there. Green eyes looked at me in curiosity, like how a follower would do so to a god. I don't need followers. I never did.

"Good, I thought you might miss dinner." He folded his arms. "Do you feel any better?"

I immediately give a single nod without another thought. I had been too focused on the pain to realize I was hungry.

"Who are you...?" I asked.

"You may call me Erduun," the main replied, "I am but a noble salesman,"

"Of what goods?"

"Weapons. Foods. The like."

He helps me off the floor and brings me into his kitchen. I searched my thoughts again.

"You've never asked my name," I spoke.

"There were more important matters than names. You're safe now."

However, he still did not ask. I suppose I was wasting my time wondering such a trivial thing, but I found myself...confused. This man was odd. Most would want to know my name. At least, those that knew of demigods would. I myself was lost to time by many, from what I understood. It was good. I was left in peace. None would disturb me. It seems I am on the receiving end of amazement. His eyes said curiosity, but the rest of him made that a lie. Knowing now that he would never ask that question, I spoke my name.

"I am Ornn." My eyes narrowed. "I shaped the land that was the Freljord. Do you know of me...?"

"Not at all." He shook his head.

So that's why he didn't ask. Anyone else would've wanted to confirm their suspicions. My amazement diminished.

"You're shivering."

I hadn't realized it, but I was. I was cold again. This felt so strange; usually the cold of the Freljord never pierced my skin, but here it was.

"Sit. Eat. You'll be needing this for later."

He leaves out through the door arch and I'm left by myself in this unfamiliar home. Sitting down, I turn my attention away from the surprisingly warm meal in front of me. There was a furnace in here, and it heated up the room. It wasn't so cold. I could see small plants peeking out out of cracks in the walls, but it looked to be a stylized choice, as if the man here lived and breathed with the nature. I could feel that familiar energy from before swallowing me again. I was not drowsy, but my mind felt clearer. Eat. I needed to eat.

I knew it was late at night. The man had a clock on the kitchen counter still ticking slowly. I sat in front of an empty bowl, eyes closed and trying to remember.

Screaming. There was screaming in that village. I saw red stain the snow below my feet as a sleek, boney creature trotted past me with a man in its maw. The small army that protected the homes chased after it, swords drawn. I moved farther into the village. Fires, so many fires. The snow I used smothered them, and I saw families leaving the flames, singed and traumatized. Smoke rose into the air, hanging over me. Silence, and an energy focused me. I could feel it, coming from somewhere behind me. Turning my head, I saw what looked like a mutated woman dressed in violet. A hole in her chest, it looked to be a second mouth. Three eyes, one a tattoo between the other two. It pierced me, and I felt my soul twist. Roaring out in pain, I grasped at my head. I could hear her speaking.

"You miss them so much...Wouldn't it be nice to experience the faith of those people again?" Her smile made me want to retch.

How did she know about them? The Hearthblood were so long gone! Still...it felt as if she looked into my mind. Could she see my thoughts...?

"You hate him so...For what he caused you to do. You hate yourself so...for what you let yourself do. Hate...hate..."

I managed to focus and found the woman right in front of me. I fell backwards in shock, and she knelt down beside me, reaching a hand under my chin. Why could I not fight back? She seemed to melt into a mist, circling around me before shooting up my nostrils. I winced at the pain and stood up, coughing. My throat burned, and I felt a migraine coming. The voice she spoke felt like it came from everywhere.

"The hatred you feel, why do you suppress it?"

"That rage i-is long gone..." I respond.

"It is only hiding...!" She laughs. "Sleeping, waiting to awaken again. All it takes...is a trigger."

Something clicked in the back of my mind, and I raised my head to the skies, flames spewing from my throat into the air in a roar that made the earth tremble. What was next was blur, and I found myself on the cliff from before, overlooking the town. I felt so cold. My fire had left me. My legs shook and gave way to my weight, and I collapsed on the edge of the cliff, staring eternally at the town.

"Ornn..."

I could hear her.

"Ornn...!?" It felt...odd.

Wait...no...

"ORNN!?"the man's voice shouted.

I had collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. My hands were tightly clasped on my throat. It was so cold.

So cold...