My contest entry. Yeah, the hair is rushed again. Sue me.

________________________________________________

Glacia woke up in a frozen cave. She looked around, trying to remember what happened. The last thing she remembers was exploring the cave with the expedition when the ceiling collapsed, trapping her. The rest of the crew didn't bother trying to save her much. All the ice and stone was an obstacle too hard to clear with the limited tools they've brought; besides, it was almost night and they were sure Glacia would die, cold and hungry.

But she didn't.

Glacia sat on cold ice, still trying to figure out what was going on. Surprisingly, she didn't feel the cold of ice at all; the ice even felt warm on her skin. And then she looked at her skin; it was pale blue! Terrified, she tried to stand up - and saw her hands and feet, transformed into clear ice. She even saw her reflection in her hand; her once dark brown hair was now white, and her eyes that used to be green were now in a light shade of blue. Glacia didn't even bother thinking how she survived in the cold, without any food or water; she was focused on the light source that helped reveal her new form - a bright blue crystal, hanging from the ceiling. The longer she stared at the crystal, everything became clearer and clearer. Glacia now knew her true purpose.

...

The tales of the Northern people tell of terrifying human-like creatures in the frozen wastes, stalking the explorers and the natives. Some claim the creatures are accompanied by frost golems, some claim the creatures wear remains of the uniforms of a long lost exploration crew; and some say the creatures are led by a mysterious woman named Glacia, who commands an army of frost golems and calls herself the Empress of the Frozen Wastes.