top of the world

His ears detected a strange tinkling sound and it took him a moment to figure out what was making it. Aku happened to notice snow hitting one of the spires behind the woman. That was it. The snow was striking them and causing the ice to sing. This place just got stranger and stranger, and Aku was reminded of a hallowed cave back home. It had a similar ambiance; a distinctly ethereal feel just slightly out of tune with its surroundings. That was the mark of sacred ground.

The woman was quick to put him at ease and despite the frigid, howling conditions Aku was quick to smile at her words. "Good, I wasn't looking forward to going back out there," he joked back. Knowing she had to be there for the same reason he stepped back to invite her into the cluster of spires. It wasn't much and she could still expect to get wind whipped, but if she was careful with where she stood she could avoid the worst of it.

"My name is Aku," he said as he stepped to the nearest spire and placed a paw on its icy side. It was frosty and caked with loose snow that brushed away at his touch to reveal a smooth surface below. Interesting. "I'm just passing through. Might have missed this place if not for the storm. It sure is something else." He couldn't begin to guess at its purpose or significance, only marvel at the strangeness of it. Hopefully nothing nefarious lived here as he really would hate to go back out in the elements.