His pulse spikes, and everything feels frigid. The freezing air isn't what bothers him; rather, it's this tense fear clinging to his back. It's colder than any weather.
The red orbs trace the perimeter of the pink glow from Pholy's hand. They growl with ferocity. One wrong move could spell certain doom... It's a standstill.
"What should we do?"
"Our manfi is scared, I'm not sure plowing through would be the best course of action." Torque's demeanor is strained, but his voice is oddly calm; he must have been in similar situations before.
"Can we fight them?" Kolin asks, his voice hoarse and fragile. The boy looks petrified.
"We don't know what they are, fighting a pack could be troublesome..." the man scratches his stubble beard. "Pholy."
"Yes?"
"Can you clear a path?"
"...I can try."
Torque nods and signals her up to the front of the carriage. She creeps up slowly so as not to disturb the beasts, but their growls enlarge in volume. Just how many are there?
Sucking in a breath, Pholy's flame burns brighter and larger. She concentrates, gathering power and preparing to fire a blast straight ahead.
A concentrated mass of pink flame crackles between her palms.
...
Tension at a climax, Torque initiates the attack.
"Go."
All in an instant, the blazing fuchsia ball explodes out of Pholy's hand, barreling into the orbs ahead. Cries tear through the brittle air, and the surrounding red figures begin their assault.
Torque grabs the reins and whips the manfi forward. The carriage jolts forward, sending Pholy flying back into the main wagon along with the other three. Aureole catches and props her up.
Footsteps crunch toward the carriage, and the howls of beasts trail close behind. The vehicle shakes violently, tossing around its passengers. Desperately trying not to fall out, everyone grips tightly to their seats.
Left defenseless, a sudden assault catches them off guard. Out from the fog jumps a creature coated in ice. The beast resembles a wolf, though a singular red bulbous protrudes from above its fanged jaw, replacing any eyes. Sharp, jagged claws lunge toward Korlin's dreadful eyes.
Acting on instinct, Sirius reaches out and grabs the wolf's leg. But, as it's made of ice, his grip swiftly retreats. Thankfully, it stalls the beast's velocity enough for Korlin to duck out of the way.
Slipping from his hand, the ice-wolf topples onto the railing, and Sirius slams his foot into its behind, throwing it over the edge.
"T-Thank you, Sirius..." Korlin is paralyzed in shock. The boy caresses his neck as if it's been cut.
"Is everyone alright back there?!" Torque doesn't take his eyes off the road.
"We're fine!" Sirius exclaims, his eyes frantically searching for the next assault. "They're made of ice, what should we do?!"
"Ice? Pholy, can you melt their armor?!"
"Uh- Maybe?! I don't know! I'll try-"
"-Shit!" Suddenly, the carriage jolts as they run over loose rubble. Torque repositions himself and swallows a thick lump stuck in his throat.
Looking over, on the side of the snowy path, is another carriage.
Only this one has tipped over and lies in pieces.
Multiple ice beasts surround the exterior of the fallen vehicle. But there's something amidst the rubble... Something that shouldn't be there. Something horrible...
A body.
The creatures gnaw on the flesh of the corpse. Its skin and white hair have been dyed black from the blood pooling out its throat.
The body is recent. Snow is piling over it.
This poor soul looks to have been a merchant of sorts. Herbs and other goods are scattered across their burial ground.
"That's horrible..." Aureole covers her mouth and turns away.
Pholy comforts her as Korlin remains in a state of shock from before; he doesn't know of the body they're passing by.
Sirius continues to stare at the body until it, too, is consumed by the fog. Outside of media, the boy has never seen a dead body in person. The sight is disturbing, to say the least.
He snaps out of it. They don't have time to concern themselves with the dead person, as they are now, they still have to try and avoid becoming one. The wolves continue their pursuit.
"We should be nearing the outpost! We just have to make it there! Fend them off for as long as you can!"
On cue, another ice beast leaps in from the side. Pholy sets her fist on fire and hurls it at the wolf. The dog cries and stumbles to the ground, its head thrashing side to side. The pink blaze envelops the thick sheet of ice, causing it to melt and shrink slowly. The red bulbous that replaces its eyes grows in size.
Now with a flaming ice monster on board, Sirius quickly grabs the railing and hurls his feet toward the wolf. The beast slams into the wall of the carriage, shaking it due to its weight. Before it can fall out, it sinks its fangs into the rail to remain inside.
The beast struggles right beside Korlin, who is freaking out. His once proud and determined demeanor is shattered into that of a scared child.
Pholy extends her arm and aims her finger at the bulbous on the beast's head. Conjuring a flame, she snipes the terror, sending it flying backwards into the storm. Without wasting a second, Pholy turns to face behind the shaky carriage. She sets her body ablaze and releases a torrent of pink flames toward the tracking monsters.
Fire hurls into their faces, immobilizing most of their pursuers. Distant whines fizzle out as the majority of the wolves lose their traction. But not all of them.
The jaws of a wolf latch onto the wood right beside Aureole. Startled for a moment, she quickly grabs the monster's frosted lips and struggles it out of place. Pholy rushes over and drives her blazing hand into the beast's bulbous. The wolf unlatches its fangs and falls from the carriage, rolling backwards as a flaming ball into multiple others.
"There it is!"
Torque's call gathers everyone's attention. In the distance, the faint silhouette of a flag can be made out.
Pholy pivots to face the last few hunters and hurls one last inferno toward them. Stray shrieks cry out, and the snowy road finally grows quiet. The wolves have ceased their chase.
...
Everyone sighs a breath of relief. The assault is finally over.
Korlin's hands are shaking. Fear is built into his tired eyes. He tries to tuck his cowardice under a nonexistent rug.
"Pholy... That was amazing..."
"He's right," Aureole agrees. "You're amazing! Thank you so much!" She hugs her steaming friend.
"Huh- I-" Pholy struggles to speak.
"Nice work," Sirius assures.
"Boy, am I glad we brought you along!" Torque roars. "You're a miracle worker!"
Pholy scratches the back of her head as smoke rises from her ears. Clearly embarrassed, she thanks everyone.
"...Are you alright?" Sirius asks Korlin.
"Ha... Yeah, I was just a little startled..." The boy sinks into himself and diverts his gaze from the group. "I hate dogs..."
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
Still catching their breaths, the carriage slowly winds down as they approach the outpost's entrance.
From the outside, it looks like a heavily fortified, wooden fort. Spike traps, catapults, and watchtowers line the perimeter. It seems well-guarded for everything besides fire, but that shouldn't be much of an issue here.
A number of guards eye the carriage as it draws near. All of them exhibit snow-white hair and versatile, lightly colored armor that would be hard to spot amidst the snow. A groan escapes the manfi's throat as its advance comes to an end.
Torque clears his throat and rises from his seat.
"We come from Auretta! We've come to-"
Without hearing another word, the massive wooden gate begins to fall toward the carriage. Like a drawbridge over a moat, the door lowers and collapses into the snow.
"Quickly! Inside!" A guard from within the outpost shouts for them to enter.
Torque grabs the reins and swiftly brings the carriage into the settlement's walls.
Inside, the outpost looks like one would expect, only much larger. Spaced-out wooden buildings and igloos are dotted around. Snow lies abundantly on the ground and falls onto the roofs of all the buildings and huts.
There is a lack of presence and people. While the outpost is large in size, there are very few inhabitants walking about. Though some stare at the newcomers entering their home.
The gate they entered through is hoisted back up by the guards. They struggle to pull the chains, but eventually, the door is set firmly back in place. Once the effort is done, two guards make their way to the carriage.
"What were you all thinking coming out here?! It's suicide traversing out there!"
"We didn't realize it was so dangerous," Torque replies. "What were those things?"
"Agh, we... We don't know," the guard is frustrated. "About a month ago, they just showed up and swarmed the surrounding area. We in the outpost are calling them hoarbanes."
"Just showed up, huh?"
"Yeah... Since then, we haven't been able to leave. Our powers are useless against them, and their skin is tougher than any steel. Nothing we throw at them has any effect."
"Is that why trade has been cut off?" Aureole asks, stepping out of the carriage.
"That's right. I assume that's why you all are here?"
"Yes, we came to discuss the sudden silence from Alsi. The whole market has been getting thrown off balance."
"Is that so..." The guards sink into thought. "Hey, you all didn't happen to run into Olly out there, did you? He's a merchant friend of ours who left last night. He couldn't stand being cooped up in here for so long."
"..."
The group falls silent.
"...Did he take a carriage out?" Torque questions, his tone sorrowful.
"...Yes, he did. Why..."
Torque sets his feet on the ground and places his hand on the guard's shoulder.
"Sorry, those bastards got him."
"..."
Both guards lower their heads.
"I told him not to go out there... That idiot... Now we have to go and tell his mother..."
The other guard pats his partner on the back.
"Thank you for letting us know. I guess... it's better to know than to constantly worry about him," the guard's voice croaks.
"Mm..." Torque lowers his own head.
The rest of the group hops out of the carriage, Pholy being the last to exit. Upon her touching foot, the guards perk up in shock.
"An ember...? What are you doing here?" Concern clearly displays on his face.
"Uh..." Pholy has no idea what to say.
"She came as a guard for Miss Aureole," Torque injects. "When we were attacked, her flames seemed to repel the beasts."
"Really?!" The guards shout in sync.
"That's great news! If that's the case, please go see the King! If your flames can break the hoarbanes' armor, we may have a chance to defeat them."
"Ha..." Pholy is very uncomfortable with all the attention. Korlin gives her a look that further fuels her embarrassment.
"Where is the king located?" Aureole asks, patting Pholy on the back.
"His quarters are located just down the main path. It's the largest house so you can't miss it."
"Thank you very much," Aureole gives a polite bow, then walks up to the guard. Without warning, she wraps her arms around the guards and holds them for a moment. She swiftly retreats.
The guards give each other bashful looks and then clear their throats.
"O-Of course..."
A pang of jealousy wells up within Sirius. Why did she hug him??
"S-Should we head over there?" Sirius suggests.
"Mm," Aureole agrees with a smile.
They begin their walk but quickly notice that Torque is not following.
"Are you coming, Torque?" Korlin asks. Everyone stops to face their driver.
"No, unfortunately, I can't stick around here." Torque hops back into the carriage.
"What do you mean? You can't go back out there!"
"I need to go meet up with Lord Rawlin and confirm that I've delivered you all safely. It's part of the contract and all that. Besides, I need to get the second half of my payment." The man gives a cheesy smile.
The guards, still lingering, back the group's defense.
"If you go out there, you might not make it back alive. You should stay here until we can clear this mess up."
"I'll be fine," Torque hops down and pats the guard on the shoulder. He then steps forward to Sirius and the group. "I made it here, didn't I? Leaving here will be a breeze. This isn't my first rodeo."
"You sure? The lord should be here in a couple of days anyway," Sirius reasons.
"Mm, I don't like the idea of staying in the same place as that man for long. I just need to hand back this insignia and collect my payment. Trust me, I'll be fine... Besides, I need to go see my brother, don't I? I'll let him know I met you both, I'm sure he'll be thrilled!"
"...Good luck."
"Mm." Torque nods with a confident smile.
"Oh, by the way, what's your manfi's name? Your brother named his after-"
"Ah, his name's Torque!"
"..."
"..."
"...You really are brothers, huh?"
"Thank you, Torque!" Aureole rushes over and throws her arms around the man. She retracts herself and then bows subtly. "I appreciate your service. I hope we can meet again."
"As do I! And I wish you luck in settling this mess and in your election. I'll support you in any way I can!"
"Mm, thank you..."
Torque nods, then turns over to Korlin.
"It was a pleasure to chat with you. I don't think I've met such a kindred spirit in years!" The man extends his hand to the boy.
"Ah, the pleasure is mine," he accepts the hand and shakes it wholeheartedly. "I wish you safe travels in your adventure!"
Torque nods and faces the ember.
"Thank you. You really saved our skins."
"It was no big deal, just doing my job..."
"Mhm," Torque teases. The man leans into Pholy's ear and whispers, "Don't let the boy's teasing get to you too much."
Pholy's ear steams, and Torque chuckles.
The man climbs back into his seat and grabs the reins. The guards hesitantly lower the gate, and Torque motions his manfi, Torque, to turn around.
Facing the blizzard before him, the man looks to the group once more. Unease spelling over them, he gives them a great grin.
"Best of luck, all of you... May we meet again."
With those words, Torque gives a final wave and escapes into the wintry fog.
The gate slams shut once again, leaving Torque's fate up to imagination.
"He'll be fine," Korlin confidently claims. "He got us here, didn't he?"
"I suppose..." Sirius responds, knowing full well that it was solely thanks to Pholy that they got here. While Torque told them to trust him, Sirius can't bring himself to do so.
While a fleeting sense of concern lingers above him, Sirius doesn't feel fear for the man. It's not like he'd known him for long. Or had really gotten to know him at all.
He doesn't care for the man.
While he's disappointed in himself for thinking so, Sirius is more upset at Aureole hugging the man rather than him leaving.
"Let's go," Pholy begins down the main snowy path.
"Mm."
The four step through the snow, toward the King's quarters.
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
Everyone in the outpost seems to bear the same traits. White hair, sharp noses, and pointed ears. Their ears aren't quite on the same level as Aureole's ears, since they are shorter and structured like a human's, apart from the tips.
As they walk along the road, glares from the few snowsquallers barrage them. Especially Pholy. Being an ember, the inhabitants are naturally fearful of her.
achoo
Aureole sneezes. "I thought Lunalir was cold, but this place is freezingggg-!"
"I've been meaning to ask," Sirius starts. "Are you not originally from Lunalir?"
"..." Aureole glances to Pholy then back to Sirius. "I'm surprised you could tell."
"Well, not to sound creepy or anything, but you always seemed pretty cold outside, and you aren't very used to royal life. Also, you wake up on the later end, so I assumed there's a time difference from where you used to live."
"...You're really observant, aren't you?"
"I have my moments."
"Well, the waking up late and tired is more due to me staying up late, but yes. I was technically born in Lunalir, but... circumstances led me to live elsewhere for most of my life."
-Circumstances, huh... I shouldn't pry.
"..."
"Sorry, I probably shouldn't share too much about this." She sounds genuinely sorry.
"Hm? Oh, no, it's alright- I wouldn't want to force you."
"..." Aureole tilts her head and gives Sirius a heartfelt smile.
His heart skips a beat, and he returns a smile of his own.
Breaking their moment, Pholy sneezes and sniffles. Very threatening (not).
Korlin perks up as if he's just heard the cutest thing ever. Which it certainly was a contender.
"Bless you," Sirius says on reflex.
The girl is totally taken off guard. So is Aureole.
"Bless you? What do you mean 'bless you'?!"
"Huh- Oh, where I come from in my old world, that's what we say when someone sneezes.
"Why?!?"
"Uh..." Sirius looks to Korlin. "Do you know?"
"Um... it had something to do with people being scared of sneezes. They thought sneezes meant a demon possessed someone's body, so people started saying "bless you" as a way to rid the body of the demon. I think..."
"Why would granting a blessing drive the demon away?"
"I don't know?! I didn't start the tradition!"
Pholy looks very unimpressed.
"What blessing did you give me anyway?" She asks Sirius with full seriousness.
"What blessing-? Oh! No, no, no, no, we don't have blessings where we come from, it's just words."
"So, you didn't give me a blessing?"
"No, I don't even know how to do that."
"Wait, so you two don't have blessings?"
"No, but apparently I have a shadow compatibility."
"You don't have blessings??" Aureole asks. She sounds very confused. "But you already knew how to use magic, didn't you?"
"Huh?"
"When you took down the wailian."
In their first meeting, Sirius retrieved Aureole's wristlet from a vicious beast. Sirius ripped off the wailian's wing and displayed considerable physical abilities.
"...I didn't use any blessing..."
"..." She is left speechless. A faint blush emerges on her cheeks, and her pointed ears wiggle in embarrassment.
-HOW DO I RESPOND TO THAT?!
"D-Do you two have blessings?"
"I have my affinity as an ember, so I don't usually use any. But she does," Pholy nods over to Aureole.
"Really? What is it?" Sirius is excited for the opportunity to learn more about her.
"Oh, well..." Embarrassment takes hold of her. "I can technically create a mirage of myself, but..." She doesn't sound very confident.
"A mirage? Like a projection of yourself?"
"Mm, I have a light compatibility. But I'm not very good at using it..."
"I'd love to see it." It slips out of his smiling mouth.
"Maybe another time..."
"Alright, alright."
As they continue to proceed through the icy streets, Sirius notices Korlin trailing behind. With a slightly annoyed look on his face.
"What's up with you?" Sirius slows his march to match Korlin's.
"Man..." the boy sighs. "They don't say bless you here!... I had a whole pickup line planned out."
"W-What? A pickup line?" Sirius laughs. "I gotta hear this."
"Alright, alright..." Korlin is unable to keep his smile at bay. He clears his throat. "I'd say god bless you, but it seems he already has."
...
Sirius's mouth is left open. He contains a relentless laugh.
"Dude," he chuckles. "I'm really glad they don't say 'bless you' here."
"Shut up!"
Korlin puts Sirius in a headlock, and they titter, filling the soundless space with laughter.
Passing by huts and igloos, the squallers inside don't appear to be well.
They're ill.
Coughing and hacking erupt from within the buildings, and envious stares burn into the backs of the healthy group walking down the street.
"An ember..."
"Are those... Witch Spawn-?"
"What are they doing here...?"
Everyone is confused at the arrival of the group. And rightfully so, considering the situation outside the walls. That much is to be expected, but...
-Why is everyone sick?
If what Torque said is true, the squallers are not affected by the cold. So, there must be a virus floating around. And a serious one at that.
They shouldn't have any issues with medicine since they are the main source throughout the world. So if their medical herbs can't cure it, it must be something really bad.
Suddenly, Aureole and Pholy stop moving forward. Sirius and Korlin stop in their tracks as well.
A boy around their age is advancing toward them.
He dons very loose armor, which is just hefty cloth, and a big, charismatic grin. His white hair is pulled back into a wavy, undercut ponytail. A strand of hair hangs loosely in front of his eyes.
Two others follow behind him, but nothing in particular stands out about them.
"Welcome, friends!" The boy stretches out his arms, his voice radiating hospitality. "What brings you all here-" He stops mid-sentence at the sight of Sirius. "A Witch Spawn... Two of them...? And an ember?" His grin fluctuates a bit.
"We are here to discuss trade with your king," Aureole bows. "We are heading there now."
"Ah, is that it? I take it you're from Lunalir... So, you've come to help us out then?"
"Well, we just came to see what was going on and hopefully negotiate to resume trade, but..."
"Mm, I see..." The boy's smile widens, and he steps closer. "Unfortunately, in order to resume trade, our current problem must be eradicated."
"..."
"So, apologies, but it looks as though you'll need to help us out."
"I see... We were all thinking the same, so we'll see what we can do-"
"But first!... You."
The boy directs his finger to Sirius.
"Me?"
"Mm, while I'm not sure what, I take it you have another goal in mind here. And as it stands, an ember and two Witch Spawns inside the outpost is unheard of. So-!" The boy is beaming with excitement. "To see if you truly intend to assist us... Upon my name as Kynn...
I challenge you to a duel."