Chương 166

"[Legendary Sage's Eyes]." His vision instantly shifted. The dark, rocky island lost its color, turning into a faint grey outline. Bright, glowing lines of mana lit up the sky. He looked at the Blue Storm Serpents flying above him. They were packed with swirling green and dark blue mana—Wind and Water attributes. Rudra ignored them. He scanned the rest of the massive island. His eyes swept over the lower ridges, the dense forests, and the deep caves. Nothing stood out.

Then, he looked straight up at the very top of the jagged, claw-shaped peak. It was completely isolated from the rest of the island. Sitting right in the center of the highest crater was a dense, heavily concentrated knot of mana. But it wasn't Wind or Water. It was a violent, chaotic mixture of crackling blue Lightning and freezing Black Ice. The two energies clashed and sparked against each other, completely different from the smooth, flowing mana of the blue serpents below. Rudra canceled the skill.

His vision snapped back to normal.

"Found it," Rudra smiled. He turned to Finn and the lion.

"You two stay here by the boat. If those blue serpents get too close, just hide under the deck."

"You aren't taking me?" Kratos complained, sitting down in the sand.

"The top of that mountain looks freezing," Rudra pointed out.

"And you hate the cold almost as much as you hate water." Kratos grumbled but didn't argue. He walked over to a dry patch of sand and laid down.

"Fine. But bring me back a snack."

"Will do," Rudra laughed. He turned around and started hiking up the mountain. The climb was steep and treacherous. The jagged rocks were loose, and the higher he went, the colder the air became. A thick, icy fog settled over the path. Soon, the dark rocks turned into slick, solid black ice. Rudra didn't slip. His [Belt of the Crashing Tide] gave him absolute immunity to slipping on ice. He just kept a steady, grounded pace, letting his massive physical stats handle the exhausting incline.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. After an hour of climbing, he finally reached the summit. He hauled himself up over the edge of the icy ridge. He stood at the top of the claw-shaped peak. It was a wide, flat crater made entirely of frozen black stone. Resting in the very center of the crater was a Storm Serpent. It looked completely different from the ones flying in the sky. Its scales were a pristine, shimmering white.

But the beautiful scales were ruined by dozens of deep, jagged battle scars. The serpent was visibly smaller than the blue ones below. It was an outcast. A mutant that didn't fit in with the rest of its kind. Rudra didn't take another step. He just stood at the edge of the crater and watched it sleep. Faint sparks of blue electricity and puffs of black frost leaked from its snout with every breath. Suddenly, the serpent's eyes snapped open. They were deep, crackling pools of blue lightning. The serpent didn't roar.

It didn't hiss. It just slowly lifted its massive, scarred head and stared at the human standing in its territory. Rudra didn't hear a sound, but a heavy, ancient voice echoed directly inside his mind. The human who walks upon my ice. Rudra tapped the side of his head.

"Telepathy. That's a neat trick." The White Serpent slowly slithered forward, its massive body gliding smoothly over the black ice. It stopped a few yards away from Rudra. It lowered its head, sniffing the air loudly. You smell of blood and deep seas, the serpent's voice echoed in Rudra's mind. I smell the lingering scent of a Great Demon on your ring. And I feel the heavy, unyielding weight of a Saint in your steps.

"You have a good nose," Rudra smiled easily. My name is Vritra, the serpent continued. It didn't sound angry. It sounded tired, but proud. I was cast out by my lineage. My scales do not carry the rain, and my breath does not call the wind. For I am the anomaly of ice and lightning and a proud beast of the storm. Vritra raised its head high, staring down at Rudra. I do not wish for a mindless slaughter, human. You carry the scent of a true warrior. I propose the ancient trial of my kind.

I will unleash my pure wrath upon this peak. The air in the crater instantly dropped by twenty degrees. Blue lightning began to spark violently across Vritra's white scales. The trial is simple, Vritra's voice boomed in his mind. You do not need to slay me. You only need to survive. Stand before my storm without breaking, or turn to frozen ash. Rudra looked at the sparking lightning and the creeping black frost. He didn't take a step backward. He didn't look for cover. A wild, thrilled grin spread across his face.

He reached over his shoulder and grabbed the heavy black shaft of his staff. He pulled Extortion loose, gripping it tightly with his pitch-black leather gloves. The weapon recognized the rising tension and sparked with its own fierce blue electricity. Rudra planted his boots firmly on the black ice.

"I love a good test," Rudra said, resting the crackling staff on his shoulder.

"Bring the storm, Vritra."