Rune Discovery : 「 Success - pending! 」 

---

Get out Wardruna -- I've seen my future, I will live even if this hurts, but I don't want to risk you!

How brave. How noble.

When could it be more clear that the danger that had grown around them? When they were struck by the ice as it fell and threatened the ground? The ice flew into shards with each thunderous beat, the sounds only bouncing off the walls of the chasm until it all became a cacophony. They were lucky to hear one another, they would be lucky to escape without having bloodshed from cuts and scrapes against the jagged ice. For a beat, the Dróttningin (Queen) tried to argue, tried to stay.

But the Seer was resolute. He was firm in his belief, and if not - well, perhaps his poker face was quite good. The rune pulsed brighter as Wardruna made her way out of the chasm. A parting glance back to her kin before she was gone, and the wind that had led them was deathly still. Nothing but the din from the chasm could be heard. The wind did not howl. The snow did not crunch beneath her paws.

And inside....the feeling swelled until there was a sudden stillness. Inside the cavern the world stopped shaking, the ice stopped creaking and groaning, and the only shards that fell were the ones that had held and protected the rune.

A sacrifice so noble had to be honored. Love given freely, love shown to another, the wellbeing of others placed over the self. It felt like healing. It felt like releasing a tense breath you'd held for far too long. Around Vitus' legs a softer breeze danced across his paws, as if to apologize for any aches from frantically trying to carve through the ice. The wind was gentle, pleasant even, as it then twisted its way out of the chasm to dance along Wardruna's frame.

Something deep within Mythris herself was touched by the noble offering. The world for a moment let out a little sigh of relief, and on the gentle wind was almost the scent of ivy and flowers and the heavy dense fog from around Lake's Halo.

Occultist

There was clear relief in his features when his aunt listened to him, said okay, the young man bowing his head towards her as she turned to leave. Once she was gone, he steeled himself to begin once more, preparing for the hits of ice that were no doubt about to come.

But.

The cavern had stopped it's cracking, it's threatening to collapse around him, as the young seer stared up at the roof in puzzlement. The air was still, too still, as if the world was holding it's breath in anticipation for what was to come.

The calm before the storm?

The moment of stillness before an avalanche?

The quiet tinks of ice hitting the ground reached his ears then, Vitus's searching eyes turning back towards the rune as the gentle winds that had guided the pair of vikings here after the ritual brushed past his legs before rushing out, presumably to Wardruna.

Then, delicately, Vitus made an attempt to pluck the rune out with his teeth.

Rune Discovery : 「 Success 」 

---

Crack.

The rune which you could have sworn was stuck fast inside the walls of the cavern dislodged as easily as a bird's nest. It tips over and out, your jaws struggling for purchase to no avail as it clatters noisily to the floor.

Your heart pounds in your chest -

CRA-ACK

Whatever mysterious force that held the collapsing stone and ice at bay was failing, and your time was up. You hastily scoop up the tablet as you beat a hasty retreat, blunted claws scrabbling against the smooth ground; the distance toward the exit seemed to span an eternity when before it had felt so short, so easy. Your lungs burn as you realize you've been holding your breath, throat tight, teeth clenched, grinding against the pulsing blue stone -

And you're out.

The cavern collapses behind you with a terrible sound, and you lay sprawled across the snow as the rune at your side pulses once - twice - then fades to a steady, gentle glow that does not extinguish.

You are successful. While no voice is there to praise your efforts, you feel hope stir anew within your chest.

skill: Soothsayer

Silence. One so deafening in itself which caused Wardruna whipping around, scanning land and sky all about her. The wind did not howl, the sound of ice falling had gone and even her feet did not make a single sound as they moved over snow. Her breath, stirring before her face, soundless. As though all the world stood still to watch this event unfold. The gods eyes were surely upon them now.

Then, again, the world moved with but a single stirring of cold fog which crept from the cavern's opening to twist around her ankles in floral allure.

Wardruna looks towards the cavern's opening as she hears another loud CRACK from within. VITUS!! A call of sudden panic and as she runs towards the opening, is cut off as Vitus comes rushing out, causing her to leap, trip and tumble to the side during his swift exit and the collapse of the cavern in on itself there after.

Shaking her head as she lifts her body up off the ground and shakes out her coat, her olive eyes moved from the glowing rune and then to her nephew. Are you okay???