When the Shardturtle's massive body surfaced, the sound of cracking ice exploded across the snowy plain like thunder. Murky lake water mixed with ice chunks erupted from below and froze into a steep ice slope along the shore.

The ice covering its shell gave off a cold, blue-gray glow, with each raised plate looking like carefully carved ice rock. Its edges were sharp enough to slice through the air.

Two crimson eyes swiveled around, scanning the panicked crowd on shore. When that gaze settled on Matthias, it held an almost human intelligence as it studied him with cold scrutiny.

"Fall back!" Neville roared, grabbing Matthias with his lone arm and dragging him backward.

Having just survived the fight with the Brineclaw, Neville knew exactly how terrifying these deep-sea creatures could be.

The Shardturtle before him was wider than the Surgebreaker's deck, with ice spikes hanging from its shell edges that were over ten feet long. It was clearly no ordinary beast.

The soldiers pan