Chapter 13-376: A Covenant with an Old God (1/2)

Despite Herself, Her eyes widened in interest. “SPEAK!” She urged me, hurriedly reclaiming Her aloof face.

“The Titles: Gatekeeper to Hyperborea, and Guardian of the High Ice. A new home: the only god dwelling upon the lands of Antarctica that we know of.” I fixed her with a keen gaze. “We are interested in having the Wisdom of Winter be known as the proper God to reign over the lands of the South Pole, especially with the passing of Inukchuk, and we have no wish to see Kachachak claim them as part of His Dominion.

“Would the Wisdom of Winter be interested in a Covenant with the mortals of the Outer World, recognizing Her as the Guardian of the High Ice and the Gatekeeper to Hyperborea?”

Air was freezing and shattering around her in excitement at such a statement. “HAVE YOU THE POWER TO PROMISE THIS?” She demanded of me immediately.

I closed my eyes for a moment. Traveler to Allegiance: +Repeat after me aloud, and if you’ve room, take a knee: I pay my respects to Ancient Ughril, the Mother of Ice, the Wisdom of Winter, the Gatekeeper to Hyperborea, and the Guardian of the High Ice!+

I opened my eyes, and every member of The Jet and Silver could look upon the Old Goddess. They could see the ancient and primal power about Her, hear the terrible wailing of the winds She lived within, feel the terrible loneliness in the air, the desolate cold, and the old and dark secrets behind Her eyes.

From all over the world, over two million voices lifted, and in simultaneous respect and sincerity repeated that simple prayer.

And the cold, cold winds brought those prayers to Her.

I saw Her rock back on Her feet as they struck Her, the almighty power of mortal Faith and recognition of who She was.

But not with fear, although fear would work, too. But honesty and respect was sweeter than any nectar, the true ambrosia of the Divine.

She closed Her huge pale eyes, and exhaled steaming mist of liquified oxygen. The entirety of the fell Ritual to Summon the Devouring Moon surged into my mind.

I partitioned it off for two thoughtstreams to analyze the Heavens out of, and extended my burning hand. “I can take you to your new realm immediately.”

She stared at me, and slowly lowered Her head. She rounded in place with speed all out of proportion to her size, and shot back into the cave behind her, doubtless to go fetch some things.

The Old Steed, burning hot and cold, waited there, unperturbed by the delay and familiar with the nature of Old Gods.

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It wasn’t the Well of Frozen Souls, but the Wall of Divine Fire I’d put up there had mucked that up anyways. It was, however, six lesser Cold Nodes, which added up to more than before.

Ughril, a huge sack of stitched mammoth hides thrown over her shoulder, looked around in satisfaction. She took in the wailing mountains, the great pool of space with the distant view of Hyperborea and the road through the void, the Nodes, and the valley at the top of the world where they were all located.

“IT HAS BEEN LONG SINCE I HAVE SEEN ALL THIS. THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON DREAMERS STAND REVEALED...” She gnashed Her tusks. “ALL THIS... IS MINE?” She inhaled in satisfaction.

“It is already being relayed through the Churches of Heaven. You will probably face challenges from other Powers.”

I gestured at the ground, infused not long ago with vivus from the death of an Old God and its army of millions of monstrous dead. Plants were growing here, but they were infused with the power of ice, pale and white and frosty and ghostly crystalline beautiful.

Stone flowed and rose from that present here just beneath the ice, black and old and with words glowing in a script that could be read by any who turned eyes upon it.

1. Ughril, the Mother of Ice, is recognized as the Old God of the Realm of Antarctica, serving at the Will of the Mother Land.

2. Ughril’s Name is not to be taken in vain upon Her lands. Mock Her Name at your peril when you walk here.

3. Ughril is the Wisdom of Winter. She is under no obligation to you. If you wish Her Wisdom, make an Offering, and She may choose to Answer you.

4. Ughril is the Gatekeeper of Hyperborea. She holds the power to bar the way for those seeking to enter or exit, be they Mortal or Immortal.

5. Ughril is the Guardian of the High Ice. The creatures and lands of Antarctica are under Her purview and protection. If you despoil them, what actions She chooses to take are Hers alone to judge, save only the Will of the Mother Land.

6. Ughril is an Old God. If you wish to take service with Her, or seek a Pact with Her, this is also done at Her Will and Whim alone. The Right of mortals to do so and Her to accept such shall not be impinged.

7. To honor Ughril is to honor the Mother Land of Antarctica. To defame Ughril is to defame this Land. You have been Warned.

8. Ughril will not tolerate the undead upon Antarctica.

9. Ughril is the Coldlord of the South Pole. Pay Her all respects if you come to feel the power of the Eternal Winter.