Thorfinn had unknowingly fallen into a mental trap.
Simply put, his fear of the Cold God had caused him to lose his sense of proportion and clouded his judgment. The Cold God had left an unconquerable shadow in his mind, leading to a cognitive barrier. He treated the Cold God as a true deity and believed he could not escape, when in fact, there were no such things as "true gods" in this world!
The Three-Eyed Raven could not have known that his guidance would lead to Thorfinn's complete enlightenment, not just freeing him from the psychological shadow left by the Cold God, but thoroughly stripping away any remaining reverence for all gods, even though Thorfinn never truly possessed any to begin with.
Returning to his initial detached state of mind, Thorfinn was once again a pure atheist, just as in his previous life, retaining only an objective rationality. In his view, so-called gods were merely more powerful people; perhaps a god need not be human, but they could still not escape the psychological attributes common to all living beings.
With this realization, the thought settled in Thorfinn's heart: "The Cold God is strong, yes, but not unconquerable!"
Since emerging from the Land of Always Winter, this matter had been like a massive stone crushing Thorfinn, the psychological burden making it difficult for him to eat or sleep. Only now had Thorfinn resolved his inner conflict. With the relief that followed, his mind and body relaxed simultaneously, and in a daze, Thorfinn drifted off to sleep.
Every Skinchanger shares a special bond with their animal companion. No one can clearly explain how this marvelous connection occurs, but when it does, everything feels perfectly natural. It may be incomprehensible to ordinary people, but for an experienced Skinchanger, establishing a bond is as simple as eating and drinking.
In the hazy depths of sleep, Thorfinn saw something—it was Alpha's perspective.
Alpha was currently in trouble, as something was hunting him.
An ice spear, thrown with astonishing force, drove into the ground not far from Alpha. If Alpha had not made a timely turn, the spear would have pierced him. In this desolate place, the only ones capable of throwing such a weapon were the White Walkers.
Alpha looked back and saw a figure riding a massive ice spider—a White Walker, a high-ranking one clad in armor. Beside him were two more White Walkers with identical gear.
Thorfinn could tell they were deliberately toying with Alpha. If they truly wished to, they could have instantly delivered the killing blow, so why the delay? This mockery felt humiliating to Thorfinn, yet the White Walkers clearly had the power to do it, which was infuriating.
Considering the time, the White Walkers must have been informed of his identity as the Cold God's Priest. If so, what was the meaning of this? A show of force? A provocation? And why?
Thorfinn's mind struggled to understand the complex relationship between the White Walkers and the Cold God's Priest. Those three White Walkers had shown respect upon seeing him, so why send more capable killers to pursue Alpha now? If they had confirmed he was an ally, why resort to such tactics? Thorfinn simply couldn't figure it out.
While controlling Alpha's escape, Thorfinn pondered the possible reasons.
First, the Cold God had a direct line of communication with him, and presumably with the White Walkers as well. The only possible explanation, after much thought, was that the order came from the White Walker leadership. With their intelligence, they must have guessed he was a Skinchanger. The reason for pursuing Alpha instead of him was likely to send a signal.
An unfriendly signal, the cost of which was Alpha's life.
The thought sent Thorfinn into a rage.
You cowards! What kind of skill is it to take out your anger on a shadowcat? If you've got the guts, come after me! If we both work for the same master and are on the same level, why are you acting so high and mighty? If I can't beat you, I'll file a complaint with the Cold God and see if he doesn't punish you.
However, Thorfinn suspected the Cold God likely wouldn't bother with such trivial matters. That cold-faced fiend probably wouldn't even look at such petty disputes! At that thought, Thorfinn gave up. At least complaining was out of the question. Alpha... was probably doomed.
The long-distance chase had made Alpha's paws ache terribly. Shadowcats live in the mountains and forests, typically ambushing their prey, so they are not good long-distance runners. Although Alpha's short-burst speed was strong, reaching up to sixty kilometers per hour, such speed was utterly inadequate against the ice spiders.
After a certain distance in the chase, Alpha grew increasingly exhausted, while the White Walkers' game was still not over.
Thorfinn was completely helpless at this moment. He could not change the situation, nor did he even know Alpha's exact location. Thorfinn could only watch as Alpha was played with until his death.
Alpha, too, seemed to realize this. He turned around, staring intently at the three ice spiders and the White Walker commanders. His inner dignity drove him to overcome his fear and unleash a roar at his assailants.
The shadowcat's roar echoed through the mountains and forests. Even faced with an enemy several times stronger than himself, he remained unyielding. In this moment, Alpha fought for his honor. This scene deeply shocked Thorfinn. He hadn't forgotten that Alpha had been afraid when chased by a smaller ice spider before, yet now, his heart held no fear.
Animals, especially apex predators like shadowcats, have their pride. Alpha could be afraid, but he would not endure a humiliating death. That roar was his final protest.
After a few breaths to steady the pressure in his heaving chest, Alpha charged the White Walkers in a death-defying sprint. He would fight back. To him, dying on the charge was better than dying exhausted in flight.
Alpha's action surprised the White Walkers, but after the initial shock, they proceeded as planned. The central White Walker once again raised the ice spear in his hand...
With the White Walker's throw, the spear tore through Alpha's fur and muscle, pinning him to the ground. The intense pain caused him to let out a few mournful cries. As the dark red blood flowed out, Alpha finally collapsed powerlessly, his eyes dimming, losing their light.
Alpha's body temperature began to drop. Thorfinn, who was coldly witnessing the scene from within him, felt himself die once as well. He felt Alpha's soul slipping away, and in a surge of intense grief, all the moments they had shared flashed through Thorfinn's mind.
This companion who had been with him for many years, his most intimate friend, was now dead...
No, I won't allow it! I won't let Alpha die! I must keep him.
Yes, that's right, keep him!
If a Skinchanger can enter the body of an animal companion, can an animal enter the body of a human?
The answer was yes, but few people did this, after all, who would hand over control of their body to an animal? Thorfinn chose to do just that, but not by surrendering control. Instead, he made room for Alpha in his own mental world.
With Thorfinn's understanding of the soul, this was feasible. Even if there was some risk, it was worth it for Alpha.
A powerful will burst forth with immense strength. Alpha's soul, which was about to return to nature, was captured by Thorfinn's formidable spiritual power. Crossing mountains, forests, and transcending the limitations of space, Alpha's soul entered Thorfinn's spiritual world through the unique bond between Skinchanger and animal companion.
At first, Alpha was disoriented and even resisted, but upon seeing his master, he calmed down. Alpha affectionately rubbed against Thorfinn's feet, then curled up and fell into a deep sleep. Alpha was the companion who had been with Thorfinn the longest. He trusted Thorfinn completely and was at his disposal.
Having settled Alpha's soul in his mind, Thorfinn's body slowly opened its eyes.
These White Walkers were utterly outrageous! How dare they look down on him? Lacking the courage for a fair fight, Thorfinn could only curse their ancestors.
As soon as Thorfinn woke up, Merek immediately rushed over to ask what happened, but seeing Thorfinn's furious expression, he instantly knew something was wrong.
"What happened, Thorfinn?"
"Alpha is dead. The White Walkers did it."
Merek was surprised. "How could that be? Aren't the White Walkers..."
Thorfinn raged, "The White Walkers are nothing but inhumane bastards! These wretches, worse than beasts, know nothing of respect! To chase and kill Alpha after that—they have no bottom line!"
Merek didn't know what to say and remained silent.
At that moment, the Three-Eyed Raven spoke. "Child, the relationship between the White Walkers and the Cold God's Priest is far more complicated than you imagine. To be honest, I am not surprised by the White Walkers' actions."
Thorfinn froze, suppressing the anger in his heart. He pressed for details. "Can you elaborate? About the relationship between the two?"
Unexpectedly, the Three-Eyed Raven refused this time.
"I wish I could tell you, but time is running out. You drank the Weirwood paste, which means you had a chance to become a Greenseer. However, the heart tree rejects other powers. This prevents you from gaining greater Skinchanging abilities and advancing further in the secrets of the Greenseer.
"Conversely, the Cold God's power in your body is also rejecting the power of the heart tree. You should leave this place before your position is exposed, or our location will also be compromised."
Thorfinn understood the severity of the situation. If he stayed here, he would bring disaster to the Children of the Forest. So, he had no choice but to let the matter go for now.
"Alright, Merek, let's go."
Just as the two were about to leave, the Three-Eyed Raven called out to Thorfinn.
"Wait, child. There is one more thing. Take this as a gift. It's over where you were just sleeping. You can try looking in the gaps between the roots, right there."
Thorfinn was curious about what the Three-Eyed Raven would give him, so he followed the instruction and began to search. It didn't take long for Thorfinn to find the concealed object.
It was a long shape wrapped in thick, rotten cloth, which looked like a sword.
Upon unwrapping it, it was indeed a sword. It looked like a lady's sword; it was long and slender for a longsword, exquisitely crafted, but what most attracted Thorfinn was the material of the blade.
Thorfinn murmured, "The feel is similar to steel, but not quite the same. It's too light for its size. This material... could it be Valyrian steel?"
Both Thorfinn and Merek turned their gaze toward the Three-Eyed Raven, who was smiling gently at Thorfinn, his thoughts seemingly drifting back in time. "You are worthy of this sword. It was once my own sidearm..."
Thorfinn couldn't help but ask, "Speaking of which, who exactly are you? To own a sword made of Valyrian steel, you must be someone of consequence. Before becoming the Three-Eyed Raven, you must have had a name!"
To his surprise, the Three-Eyed Raven asked again, "Child, have you heard of the 'A thousand eyes and, one'?"
Thorfinn desperately searched the forgotten corners of his memory and finally recalled the information about him. He was shocked. "You are 'Lord Bloodraven,' one of the 'Great Bastards' of House Targaryen, Brynden Rivers, known as Bloodraven?"
Now it was the Three-Eyed Raven's turn to be surprised. "You actually know all that?"
Thorfinn laughed. "Isn't that a coincidence? If you hadn't been a Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, I wouldn't have known you. Brynden Rivers, one of the 'Great Bastards' legitimized by King Aegon IV 'the Unworthy.' I hear you were a legend in the Seven Kingdoms. In that case, this sword... wouldn't happen to be one of House Targaryen's ancestral swords, 'Dark Sister,' would it?"
Recognized at last, the Three-Eyed Raven looked delighted, a hint of color returning to his pale face. He chuckled, "I never thought you would actually recognize me. Hahaha... If you had been as clueless as the young man beside you, I might have reconsidered. But this is good. Perhaps it means this sword is meant for you. Remember, you must make good use of it."
Dark Sister was once the sword of Queen Visenya Targaryen, the Conqueror's sister-wife. It was designed to be wielded by women with slender hands, and Thorfinn found it a bit awkward at first.
Even so, this gift was truly priceless.
In the South, such swords were the heirloom treasures of the Great Houses, like House Stark's "Ice" and House Tarly's "Heartsbane," all first-rate, legendary blades.
Thorfinn held the sword reverently, asking the Three-Eyed Raven with some confusion, "But why would you give such a valuable sword to me? This is a Valyrian steel blade. If it were outside, people would likely fight to the death to get it."
The Three-Eyed Raven spoke gently, with a hint of melancholy. "Not everyone is worthy to wield this sword. It once belonged to the Targaryens, and it belonged to Brynden Rivers, but it does not belong to the Three-Eyed Raven. Brynden Rivers is dead; only the Three-Eyed Raven lives now. You are an excellent warrior, and this sword will help you. Perhaps one day... this sword might even return to House Targaryen through your hands.
"Now, that is all. You should leave."
Thorfinn said nothing, merely nodding seriously. He rewrapped the sword in the cloth and stored it away. Then, he and Merek turned and walked towards the mouth of the cave...
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