The frozen lake was melting quickly, and a burst of "cracking" sounds rang out. Merlin immediately withdrew Fiery Collapse. Ernie and Watson retreated rapidly until they were far away from the frozen lake.
"Rumble."
The frozen lake was still swaying. The surface of the lake which was initially as glossy as a mirror began to split open as deep fissures appeared. A ferocious gust of chilly wind suddenly whistled from within, sweeping out from the cracks and gradually fading after it came out.
"There are stairs?"
Wizard Ernie suddenly pointed at the crack in the middle on the frozen lake. Indeed, a faintly discernibly flight of jade stairs could be seen in the crack.
"Master, there's something strange about this frozen lake. I've never heard of this in Subzero Snowfield. Who knows, it might have been left behind from a distant past. Since there are stairs, there must've been someone living there. Perhaps it was left behind by a powerful Spell Caster!"