The days that followed settled into a peaceful routine.
For nearly three months, the outside world ceased to exist.
Every sunrise marked another day of training.
Every sunset ended with laughter around the dinner table.
The apocalypse felt impossibly far away.
...
Erik's training never stopped.
If anything, it became even harsher.
Now, however...
He wasn't training alone.
Hrimnir faithfully remained by his side.
The little wolf cub grew larger with each passing week.
His once-clumsy paws became steadier.
His movements sharper.
More graceful.
More deliberate.
Most surprising of all—
The Soul Bond continued to evolve.
During one sparring session, Erik instinctively summoned a wall of ice.
The moment it formed—
Frost erupted beneath Hrimnir's paws.
The cub skidded to a halt, staring curiously at the thin layer of ice spreading around him.
"...Did you do that?"
Erik asked.
"No."
Hrimnir sounded just as surprised.
"I merely wished to stand beside you."
