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