CC 9: Tenacity ~ Prologue!

~ Prologue ~

“I feel warmth.”

A mountain range began to shake, as seven enormous Frost Giants moved for the first time in centuries. Each of them had a single distinct characteristic, the only identifying feature among them.

The Jötunn, thrice as large as the mountainous giants that surrounded him, was the one who had uttered those words. He alone had remained motionless amidst the others who had been jolted by the sheer power of his voice. The titan was trapped deep within the earth with only his arms protruding out of the planet, preventing his escape even though he now began straining to break free.

"The bifrost has been activated," he rumbled, his voice carrying across the land, "its blazing mana is slicing through the swirling storms protecting us from being hunted. The audacity of the outer deities knows no bounds… they have dared to deposit their mortal charges upon the surface of our world. Even as we speak, the bifrost is shifting its location, evading our grasp… and winter’s wrath."

The seven other giants prostrated themselves on one knee, lowering their gaze well beneath that of their Patriarch. The first to break the silence was a giant with a lone eye, who addressed their leader, "Do you believe the Hunts will commence once more?"

“Most assuredly, if we were to let this infestation take root.” The Jötunn stated consideringly.

One of them, adorned with a pair of massive bull-like horns supported by two smaller protrusions, spoke out as soon as their leader's voice had subsided. "If the past behavior of the mortals is any indication, they will exert all their efforts towards fleeing this realm. Is it even worth our while to take action?"

“We failed to act swiftly enough last time, and think of what happened. Our world was mined for its resources, the creatures slain for sport.” The giant who spoke looked the most like a human, only massive and blue. “I say we set out at once to the seven sectors of the world and uproot whatever vestige of civilization has sprouted.”

Before each of the other Giants could say their piece, the Jötunn’s words bowled them over. “We made a pact with the Jörmungandr. Having filled this world with ice and death, our Geas calls me to action. As soon as one of them goes beyond the limits the world has offered, we will be able to act. For now, each of you must begin the long walk, and spread across this planet. Be poised to strike, to lead the children of the Jörmungandr into battle.”

The Jötunn’s eyes slowly began to close, resembling immense glaciers traversing across vast pools of water. “Wake me only if I'm needed. If the situation becomes dire.”

The seven towering giants paid obeisance to their leader before he succumbed to his frigid slumber. With his departure, the behemoths exchanged sinister grins, relishing in their newfound freedom. The last of the giants to depart, known on sight by his brothers only by the immense ivory tusks jutting from his lower jaw, whispered in a voice as cold as the frozen wasteland that surrounded him.

"At last, it is time to satiate our hunger. Let us show those delectable, frail beings from the summer realms that the frost… will bite."