Vera's heart was thudding as they stood there, looking at the majestic dragons right before them. She could not take her eyes off them. Just a few moments ago, the four of them had touched down and landed at the peak of the mountain. Before them was a steep 9o-degree incline that resembled a flat wall. That wall was frosted over on the surface which only allowed them to see hints of some dark shadows of certain things that were held immobile within the ice. However, the lower couple of feet towards the ground, the wall had somehow formed sharp and pointed ice spikes, each at least half a person's height in length. This ice spikes ran the entire length of the wall and did not allow anyone to get close to it at all.
Something... there was something strange that had started ringing in her ears. Or was it actually just in her mind? She did not know for sure, but it was like she was hearing whispers. Whispers she could not understand at all but felt very clearly that they were definitely calling out for her.
And the most surprising thing was that Vera was neither scared nor repulsed by it. In fact, she knew in her heart that she wanted to listen to the whispers instead and try to understand it if possible.
"Go on, Vera." Evie's voice pulled at her attention. She looked over at her friend and the sight of absolute faith and confidence in Evie's amber eyes made her courage grew even stronger. She nodded firmly at Evie and turned back to look at those frozen figures encased within ice.
Vera did not know why, but right now, it was Evie who is currently the source of the strength and courage that were blooming and even seemed to be overflowing within her heart. She thought that perhaps, it was her being so heavily influenced by Evie's sheer determination, faith and absolute courage that she was able to behave like this. Normally, she would have shrunk back into her own shell and preferred to avoid any extra and unnecessary excitement.
She returned the encouraging smile her friend gave her. Then with a small nod, she took a step and walked forward. Her heart was thrashing wilder the closer she stepped towards the massive spikes of ice before her.
Evie had told her to follow what she had seen in her vision. So she was going to do just that. She was to touch the ice until it melts. How it was going to happen, she had absolutely no idea at the moment. However, she was just going to take it one step at a time. She was nervous, and a bit afraid, but her courage was just stronger. It was like there was nothing that could scare her enough anymore and she knew exactly the reason why.
When the ice was now less than an arm's length away from her, Vera took in a deep breath. This was it. She was going to do it. She was going to release these captive dragons from their entrapment which had held them for thousands of years.
As she lifted her hand, a small, nervous smile graced Vera's delicate face. She could not believe what she was about to do.
The whispers in her head seemed to grow even louder so she closed her eyes to concentrate and then her palm touched the ice. Something seemed to spark and flow in her veins at the contact. It was as though a tiny bolt of lightning had struck her.
Her eyes flew open wide. She instinctively jerked her hand away but to her shock, her hand was stuck into the ice. No matter how she pulled, her hand was firmly fastened to the ice.
Gideon was instantly at her side. She could see the extreme worry and uncertainty flashing in his eyes that Vera did not have the heart to tell him to stay back.
"Is everything alright?" he asked, his eyes gleaming dangerously as he looked at her hand.
"I'm fine." Vera reassured him. "Don't worry, I can handle this." She smiled at him. Though she did not know exactly what was going to happen next, she did not feel like she was in grave danger right now. The whispers seemed to have mellowed down as well. They no longer sounded like they were screaming for help anymore. It was like the whispers were relieved and appeased just by her hand being touched to the surface of the ice.
Vera returned her attention to the ice. Determination flashed in her eyes despite the feeling of tiny ice needles now stabbing into her palm. The icy coldness was getting to her.
However, she also noticed that the ice had begun to melt. Not just Vera, but the rest of them noticed this happening as well.
Gideon's eyes stretched a little at the sight. It was really happening! The ice was melting. His heart thundered within his ribcage due to excitement and the thrill of anticipation on the ice dragons emerging. However, at the same time, Gideon could not help but feel the tension constantly growing and gripping at his chest.
Everything was going exactly according to his sister-in-law's words. The ice was melting beneath Vera's hand now but... would it really be this easy? Gideon could not help but feel an unease knowing that in every huge thing comes hardship always. To be able to gain such a great advantage, there must be an even greater sacrifice that needed to be made. Personally, to him, this whole thing seemed to be too easy so far. And had it bothered him, terribly.
"Ah!" Vera yelped suddenly, causing Gideon's heart to jump. Here is it!
"What's wrong?!" he asked, barely able to keep his voice from sounding panicky.
Vera did not respond and just clutched at her wrist as if her hand that was still stuck against the ice was aching.
"Vera!" he called her name now.
"I think... you should step back, Gid." Her voice was grave and urgent and in obvious pain.
"No!" No way in hell was he stepping away if Vera might be in danger.
Just as Gideon said that, Vera screamed out in pain and Gideon attempted to pull Vera away from the ice.
"Don't! Gideon!" Evie's voice stopped him just in time. He gritted his teeth and glanced over at Evie, his hands just inches from Vera and about to drag her off.