Tongvar

— I see, I see... The cards are saying that you will find whatever you're looking for, and pretty soon! You just need a little more patience, little more courage... and do not be afraid.
— T-thank you!
Young pearlcatcher bowed in front of him and sprinted away. Tongvar smiled a little as he put the cards back into the deck. One of them was trying to slip on the floor and he catches it in the last moment. His hand was shaking, when he was looking at the card.
The Great Pillar.
A vision showed in front of him, an eternal snowfield, ice, cold wind, filling his lungs, freezing his wings...
Tongvar shaked his head, trying to get rid of this vision, and put a deck away.
Far, far away from himself.

The weather was nice and shiny the whole week. Nothing seemed to interrupt this peaceful season, and Tongvar, despite his recent fears, decided to take a little trip to the nearest hot water source. His wings and his skin was needed a little warm bath, after all!
The closer he was to the mountain, the colder the wind was. An almost forgotten memory rise in his mind.
He knew he was meant to die in a snow storm, but that can't be this one, right?

Weather suddenly became more dangerous, and Tongvar was forced to land. He could barely feel his own wings, and paws started to freeze too. He was heading to the nearest cave he saw earlier, when a sudden rumble made him rise his head.
Avalanche!
Wings didn't want to move, fear made his heart beat like crasy. He was trying to run away, as he was told, but the snow was too deep, and in the moment he felt nothing under his feet he knew — it's over.

The snow was filling his mouth, ice shards made wounds on his neck and arms. He couldn't breathe.
He didn't need to anymore.
He didn't want to die! Not now! Not this way!
A voice.
— What can you give me for your life?

Tongvar opened his eyes. He was feeling a little dizzy, and his vision was... weird. Like he was looking through the glass or clear ice. He felt a presence... No, A Presence.
There was only snow around, but he didn't feel cold anymore. Is he... alive?
"Don't be naive."
He shuddered. Who's there?
"You, in some terms, are dead. In some terms, you don't."
— Who... Who are you? Where are you? Where... — his voice cracked, lowering to the whisper, — am I?
"Oh, you see, I once was like you. Alive. Brave. Unlucky. I did you a favor and saved you life. Now... I suppose, you owe me."
— What do you want?
Tongvar slowly moved his head. His neck hurts, as well as his paws and wings, but it was bearable.
"I could demand your soul, but I have no use of it. No, no no. Your body."
Imperial exhaled, and his breath didn't make any sign in the air.
"Carry US away from this cold."