Chapter 8 - Visiting Life & Death

Nerves dance in my stomach as we step out into a rather barren-looking forest. Well, one side appears all barren and dying, while the other side is flush and green. So near one another and yet, polar opposites. I take a step closer to Father Time as I stare at a tilted, bare tree. I don't think I like it here. My nose scrunches as I reach up to wipe at my dampening brow.
As if sensing my discomfort, Father Time rests a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't worry, Frostbite, we'll only be here for a few minutes. Enough to tell Vita and Mortem about the fox and then we can let you head back home while we gather the others. Let you cool off and tell Wind what exactly happened so they aren't worrying about why you're not home yet."
I nod.
Sometimes Wind can be more of a mother hen than Mother Nature or Cato. I feel a bead of sweat roll down the small of my back and force myself not to shiver.
I'm the embodiment of Winter, I'm not meant to sweat. I mean, I have, while creating rather large storms or trying to calm raging storms that have gotten out of control, but those were always a cold sweat, a sweat that means I'm working hard. Not this kind of sweat that means I'm in a far too warm climate for what I'm made for.
The four of us step out of the strange forest and standing before us is one of the largest mountains I have ever seen. Much like the forest, one side of the mountain is completely bare of any kind of greenery while the other side is nearly overflowing with it. I know that Mother Nature likes to visit with Vita to gain ideas about possible new plants or animals that she can create. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for when Mother Nature came up with the suggestion for the platypus or even the humpback whale. Now that would have been entertaining. She obviously convinced the being of life that it was a good idea because both animals exist and have existed for a very long time.
The walk from the forest to the mountain is rather quiet, which is very eerie. I have never visited Vita or Mortem at their home before, only having them visit me out in the wilderness or at someone else's home, usually Mother Nature's cottage. So, I always thought that there would be an abundance of animals and insects running around on at least Vita's side. And yet, there isn't. Not a single sound. Just the rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze sways them.
I absentmindedly reach out for the breeze and it responds by gently brushing my hand before returning to work. This breeze doesn't feel like the winds back on Earth, but they are familiar enough that I can't help the small twitch of my lips. The bundle of nerves eases in my stomach after the breeze's touch and I refocus on the stone steps leading up into the mountain.
Much like the steps in Cato's home, these steps are massive and I need to take at least four steps before I reach the next stair. It's a little annoying, seeing as the other three beings I am with have no issues navigating the stairs but they have to keep pausing for me to catch up. I frown.
"Why don't I just fly and meet the three of you up there?" I ask softly as the three wait for me once more. I swipe the back of my hand against my face, lips purse as I feel the sweat rolling down my spine.
Ake glances back at Cato and Father Time, both of whom are frowning. I pause next to the moon entity.
Ugh.
If I would have known that we were going to be stopping here, I would have brought a frozen bottle of water to drink from. Why is it so blasted hot here?
"Are you feeling okay, Snowflake?" Ake asks, leaning down so he can get a better look at my face. I wave him off.
"I'm fine," I state, offering him a smile that I know doesn't quite reach my eyes. "It's just been a while since I've taken so many stairs before. I normally fly everywhere, ya know? Even in my own house."
Cato steps down a step, concern dancing in their eyes.
"My dear, if it's too warm for you, we can send you back home and we can explain to Vita and Mortem what exactly happened."
I shift away from the keeper, keeping my smile in place.
"Nah, I'm fine, Cato, honest. I just don't normally work this hard, ya know? And it's not like we'll be here for very long, like you all said. So, I can help explain everything since it was my fault in the first place."
Ake frowns at me.
"It wasn't anyone's fault, Snowflake. You were just trying to help a poor little animal far from home. No one can fault you for that."
"And you didn't know that the humans had put a camera inside of her," Father Time adds, glancing up at the rest of the stairs. We are only halfway up the stairs. I internally wince. Why do I have to be so short?
"Are you sure you're okay to continue, Frostbite?" Father Time asks, turning back to eye me. "You're awfully flushed."
Annoyance spikes in me as I wave the keeper of time off and start walking.
"I'm fine, honest. Let's just get up there and tell Mortem and Vita about all of this. I'm sure Wind is freaking out about me taking so long right now."
The three older beings part as I continue up the mountain steps. I make it up two more steps when someone catches my elbow, stopping me. Seriously. I can do this. Why do they doubt me so much?
Sighing, I turn to explain once more that yes, I am perfectly capable to make it up this mountain on my own volition, only to stop when I realize that the hand does not belong to Father Time, Cato, or Ake. Mouth going dry, I follow the white and black fabric up to the owner and find swirling golden eyes staring down at me. I shrink a little.
"M-M-Mortem," I stammer, frantically glancing at my companions. "We-We were just coming up to see you and Vita."
Mortem's eyes narrow as they search my face. Their grey skin tightens as the being of death frowns, their white eyebrows furrowing.
"Our mountain is currently too warm for you, Frost," Mortem says quietly, their voice barely above a whisper and yet crystal clear. "You will only harm yourself if you continue your journey upwards. But, I take that this matter is rather important?"
I quickly nod, mentally groaning.
Do none of these people think I know my own limits? I'm not some fragile little snowflake that will melt in temperatures above 30 degrees. I can actually handle 60 to 70-degree weather just fine, thank you very much. I just need to keep fluids going.
"Indeed it is, sibling of mine," Cato states, their body relaxing as they smile. "It is about what we spoke about the other day. Dealing with the humans and knowing about the Aster."
Mortem nods, their face relaxing into a more neutral position.
"Very well. I shall go and retrieve Vita. We shall meet you someplace much cooler than here, seeing as we have the Winter with us."
A pout forms on my lips as I glance down at my feet. I'm honestly fine.
"Frostbite," Father Time starts. "Could we meet at your home? I'm sure it is much cooler there and Northern Wind would be happy to know what is going on."
No, but I'm not going to say that out loud.
Instead, I merely nod, forcing myself to look up and smile slightly at the keeper of time. I haven't even finished cleaning yet and now everyone has been inside my home. Whatever. I'm probably going to have to move anyways thanks to this entire mess with the fox and the humans' cameras. I wonder if there is a way to move the entire house? Maybe I can move it to a different continent that has all the seasons just like my current location near the Great Lakes. Or maybe, I'll just move to a different Great Lake. Lake Michigan is always nice during the winter. I just really like Lake Superior because it's the biggest and has the most wind coming off of it.
"As long as young Frost is all right with it, then so am I," Mortem states, cutting through my thoughts. "I shall go retrieve Vita now while you three go cool off this spritely young thing. And maybe next time, the three of you will think about what time of year it is here at Locus Mountain before bringing a seasonal element to see us. Our weathers are far more extreme here in the Void and can easily harm those sensitive to certain changes."
My three companions exchange sheepish looks with Cato looking the most upset by Mortem's words. Mortem turns toward me one last time, smoothing my hair away from my face and patting my cheek before ushering me toward Cato. I stumble a little from the sudden movement. Cato catches my elbow and helps me straighten as their much taller sibling turns and starts up their mountain, robe flowing and sashaying as they walk away. However, the moment I blink, Mortem is gone.
"How did they know we were here?" I ask aloud as Cato continues to fuss over my hair.
Ake snorts, crossing his arms.
"Vita and Mortem have been around for eons. I think, and would hope, that they would pick up a thing or two to figure out when people come to visit. Especially if they're not home."
Nodding, I allow Cato to turn us and start making our way down the mountain.
"And it has nothing to do with the fact that they created the Void?"
Cato's lips quirk upwards.
"Well, yes, it actually has a lot to do with that. My siblings are very sensitive to any change that occurs here in the Void. Especially when it deals with beings such as us. We give off so much energy that it would be very difficult for Mortem or Vita to not notice us." Cato frowns as my toe catches on a small rock and they steady me. "Although, I'm surprised it took them this long to come greet us."
Father Time shrugs, tugging his clock from its hiding spot.
"They were probably on Earth, dealing with their duties and couldn't make it here until now. But, at least we are guaranteeing a meeting with the two of them, so I'm not going to complain."
My lips purse.
Yeah. A meeting that's going to take place at MY home.
My fingers flex as we continue walking. Why my home? Why couldn't we go back to the Hall of Memories? Cato's home is so nice and welcoming. I barely have any light sources in my home since I'm the only one there that needs them and Wind is usually willing to help me navigate in the dark. I don't even have enough chairs for everyone! Not that it's going to matter. I scowl to myself. I wonder when the humans are going to come and start investigating near my home. Should I start packing now or tomorrow morning?
"Frost, dear?"
My head snaps up at Cato's worried tone, me not even noticing that my head was drooping. I turn and look up at the tall being.
"Yeah?"
Cato's green eyes are dull with concern as they look at me over their glasses.
"Are you all right, my dear? You are awfully quiet."
"Oh, uh, yeah," I say, shrugging with the arm that Cato isn't holding. "Just trying to make sure that I have enough room for everyone back home. Still just trying to get it all home-like, ya know? So, it's not gonna be perfect for hosting people right now."
Ake appears to my left and leans down so he can see my face.
"You're house looks fine, Snowflake. There will be more than enough room for everyone." The moon entity smirks. "I think you should be more worried about if Wind will allow anyone to enter if we track any dirt into your place."
A soft chuckle escapes me before catching in my throat causing me to cough a little.
"Y-Yeah. But they'll be fine. Wind just likes making a fuss because it causes tiny tornadoes to happen in my living room. They could care less about the dirt or dust."
We reach the final step and my knees wobble a little as I step wrong. Cato's fingers dig into my elbow, helping me keep balance. I offer the memory keeper a smile in thanks. The only response I get back is a deeper frown.
Cato turns toward Father Time.
"Darling, could you possibly hurry up with your clock? We really need to get Frost back home."
I roll my eyes. I'm fine. Honestly. I'm not even sweating anymore.
Cato looks at me in alarm.
Oops. Did I say that aloud?
"Zaman!" Cato snaps, reaching over to grab my other elbow.
Father Time frantically spins his clock.
"I'm going, I'm going!" Father Time snaps between gritted teeth. "I really need to make this thing bigger. Here!"
I blink as a large clock appears.
That was certainly quick. I wonder if I will ever be able to have something like that to travel to and fro places without having to fly. I hum as Cato hurries me toward the portal. Then again, I really like flying, so I might not even use it all that much. But then I could come visit Mortem and Vita and Cato and Father Time and Ake and Mother Nature whenever I wanted. Although, with how I'm being ushered out of the Void, I'm guessing me visiting wouldn't be overly welcomed. I sigh as we step through the portal.