“I had many names for him, the man who saved me as I laid in the ruins of my village, the corpses of my parents laying beside me. To this day, I can still remember the gentleness of his hand and the warmth of the food he gave me.”

-???

League of Adventurers. Expedition Camp near the border to the Whitefrost Mountains.

“By the goddess, what happened here?” A scout with the insignia of a pegasus on his armor lifted his hands and pulled off his helmet to get a better look at the devastated campgrounds around him. Fog, or perhaps, heavy mist shrouded the area and despite the fact that it was early morning, obscured one’s vision as if they were walking through a cloud.

Thin ice covered the ground in a sheet of blue and white, and even the dirt beneath the scout’s horse was like hard sleet. Still, nothing was more eye-catching than the pillars of icey lances that jutted out all around the former campgrounds, in a seemingly random fashion.

The scout slowly unmounted, feeling cold seeping through the soles of his greaves as his feet landed on the ground. With the posture of a man on a mission, he started to investigate how over five hundred mercenaries had disappeared overnight without a single drop of blood being spilled. The only sign of them were the scattered pieces of armor, weapons, and other miscellaneous camping supplies that were spread all over the ground.

His right hand never left his weapon, and his right pulled on his reluctant mount. He moved forward into the fog while feeling the cold slowly seeping into his bones, carefully sliding his feet forward blindly in an attempt to press forward.

All of a sudden, his horse suddenly froze up, letting out a warning neigh and pulling back. However, before the scout could react, he spotted a blur of black movement in the corner of his eye.

He didn’t even feel the sensation of jaws closing on his neck, crushing his windpipe and killing him without ever seeing his attacker. The only thing he did see, however, was a gigantic white dire wolf emerging from the mist and pouncing on his fleeing mount.

That was my kill. Tasha glared at Telif as she swung her head and tossed aside the limp body clenched in her jaws. The body bounced like a ragdoll along the ground, leaving a trail of red against the whiteness of the freshly fallen snow. And my meal. I am not inclined to eat humans when they taste foul.

Telif did not reply, instead baring her teeth and clamping at the horses midsection. With ease and in one swift movement, she tore the beast in two, tossing half of the horse to Tasha.

As the two of them fed on the kill, the fog slowly started to part, revealing the bow of a ship -- except the hull was made from solid ice and was on land. Seated atop was an impossibly gigantic castle built from ice. The Frost Palace slowly advanced forward, sliding and gliding across the frozen earth like a ship in calm waters.

As it passed the body of the scout, the icy ground seemed to reach upwards and wrap the corpse in a cocoon. A few moments later, a purple butterfly emerged -- flying towards the ship and disappearing as it touched the hull.

“This isn’t what I imagined it would be.” Yuelei sat on a chair of ice, seated around a table filled with food that was ‘claimed’ from the last battle.

Or rather than calling it a battle, it was a one-sided slaughter. More than half of the hired adventurers and mercenaries froze to death before the Legion of Winter disembarked from the Frost Palace. The remaining half stood little chance as their movements were dulled from the cold, or when one of the Divine Beasts under Lumnieve also entered the fray ‘to stretch their limbs.’

“Now, now Yuelei.” Lumnieve dug through the piles of ‘loot’ like a child going through presents. “These are just mere skirmishes. Things won’t pick up until they finally realize that sending all this cannon fodder only serves to make us stronger.”

“Plus, we have Nenhym to thank for it. She’s approaching from the North, so I’m sure they have their hands full dealing with her Aerolites.” Lumnieve pulled out a package of what appears to be dried ham. With a grin, picked it up and hoisted it towards her mouth.

“Bleh. Disgusting.” She nibbled on it before scowling and throwing it off the side of the ship. “The things you humans eat. Abominable.”

Yuelei did not comment. Lumnieve's attitude and posture was far from what she had expected given that she had declared war on an entire nation. Then again, she had seen the gigantic sheet of ice and endless blizzard that she raised in the Whitefrost Mountains, essentially sealing any sort of information from passing through. Mouno and Forseer were tasked with defending the wall, and nothing short of a Divine Being would be able to get past the two of them.

Rather, it was a little scary seeing how casually Lumnieve had wiped out all living beings simply by moving with the Frost Palace. Normally, Yuelei would feel a bit of pity for those who died in their sleep without any knowledge of what killed them, but this was war -- and her warnings had gone unheard.

“So, Yuelei, have you mastered the Chilling Rebuke spell yet?” Lumnieve asked, popping in front of Yuelei. In return, Yuelei held up a hand, causing her Winter’s Breath to condense into a near invisible shield in front of her.

Lumnieve casually slapped the invisible shield, and in the next second, several icicles lashed back. If Lumnieve was human, the spears of ice would have no doubt pierced her several times over, but being who she was, they simply shattered harmlessly off her body.

“You’ve got the technique down, so all that’s left is being able to cast it on your own without my help.” Lumnieve clapped in delight. “This should help you deal with any melee fighters that you said you had problems with. Once you get to my level, you can simply surround your entire body with the phantom mist shield.”

“You make it sound like I can get to your level so easily.” Yuelei replied as she released the last vestiges of the spell.

“You are my scion.” Lumnieve reached over and caressed Yuelei’s hair. “You are destined to do great things, my love.”

“Stop it.” Yuelei scowled and lightly swatted her hand away. “You should know me well enough that I’m not satisfied with the way things are right now.”

“Hehe.” Lumnieve skipped a few steps away. “I’m always watching over you, Yuelei, so you can do as you please. You can rise up and be the queen of a country, or annihilate one if you so desire.”

“I don’t have such grand designs in mind.” Yuelei replied.

“Ahh, my Yuelei.” Lumnieve sighed. “You may not, but others will. Some will seek to recruit you to their cause, some will seek to manipulate you, and I daresay there may even be some that would attempt to use you.”

“Such is the way of your kind after all.” Lumnieve said dismissively. “Even Lin is no exception to that, as wise and benevolent he appears to be as your teacher.”

Before Yuelei could wrap her head around the idea, a flurry of wingbeats signaled Liur’s arrival, as well as that of Drak. They approached Lumnieve, and all manner of her playfulness and whimsical nature seemed to disappear.

“Well? How is it?”

Most of the creatures of this land have heard the warning and either burrowed deep underground to escape the Whitefrost, or left for different lands. Drak started to report. There was little resistance from the magical beasts, but the vegetation of this land is ill apt for surviving this cold.

“I suppose I can ask Isollde to assist with cleaning up the mess.” Lumnieve tapped a finger against her arm thoughtfully. “I think Nenhym is heading that way after, so I’ll just ask her to deliver the message.”

“Isollde..?” Yuelei repeated the strange name.

“Empress of the Woods. Oldest of the remaining Great Spirits” Lumnieve answered. “Isoll Dè Titania. The Great Spirit of Nature.”

“The Sel Forest is her domain.” Lumnieve added after realizing that Yuelei would not understand the significance of being the oldest. “In time, she will extend an invitation to you to visit her realm, just like Nenhym did.”

“In any case, continue.” Lumnieve gestured.

The Night Citadel has engaged the forces of the Holy Land of Ecclisa at the wall the humans call ‘Gareth’s Bulwark.’” Drak continued. Lady Nenhym has not entered the fray yet, but the Shadowless are attacking the wall nonstop due to her blanket of eternal night, and her Aerolites are maintaining aerial superiority.

“She’s doing a fine job of pinning the humans down.” Lumnieve nodded. “And refugees?”

The humans are converging near the capital of Ellivita. Liur shook her head. There are only a mere few that are taking this opportune moment to escape to the Ona Chaparrel or take to the Sea of Ghosts.

“Blinded by faith, no doubt.” Lumnieve snickered. “Regardless of whether it is in their military might or their goddess, they are only dooming themselves.”

“Ah well. If only this ship would go faster.” Lumnieve sighed and leaned over the edge of the bow, staring below her at the ground. “What a pain… needing to take the Frost Palace with me wherever I go.”

“...It seems like there’s only more and more of them everyday.” Yuelei peered off the ship, where the Legion of Winter was engaged in battle with the creatures of the night. For the Frost Knights, the plain Shadowless was easy to execute and defeat, but every so often, a Shadeless would emerge. Even filled with frosty arrows and impaled with icy lances, it would still move around and wreak havoc.

Many of these Shadeless would tear through the Frost Knights till one of the magical beasts serving Lumnieve would be bothered to deal with it.

“Does your Legion not run out?” Yuelei asked Lumnieve, who was chowing down on some fruit recovered from a recently-fallen group of adventurers. At first it was a nice, plump, and juicy looking thing, but now Yuelei watched as Lumnieve nibbled on the block of frozen fruit with a bit of frustration.

“The Legion of Winter is endless as long as the palace still stands..” Lumnieve shrugged, finally giving up and tossing the fruit off the ship where it exploded into a cloud of red snowflakes.

“They have their uses, but they aren’t as useful for more… delicate matters.” She added. “You can think of them as an extension of the Frost Palace’s will. The true strength of my faction aren’t the Frost Knights, but myself and those that serve me.”

“You know, Yuelei. You said you wanted to come with us to see the outcome.” Lumnieve spoke up after Yuelei was lost in thought. “But with the amount of resistance in the future, I am thinking it is best for you to be better off elsewhere.”

“Why?”

“Because as soon as the humans recognize you for who you are, you will become a mark for them.” Lumnieve’s eyes glittered. “It’s happened many times in the past, and you will be in danger. Humans are tribal creatures and seldom react well to ‘others’.”

“Plus, after training you for the past week…” Lumnieve sniffed. “I have come to the conclusion that being near me is actually detrimental to your development. I had hoped it wouldn't be the case, but it seems like it’s the same situation as the scion of the Great Spirit of Thunder.”

“I’d suggest you return to your homeland, but with the wall that I put up, that’ll be impossible.” Lumnieve shook her head. “So I will suggest you go visit the Desolate Tundra. A former scion of the Great Spirit of Poison used to live there after he disowned his heritage, and he was an alchemist. I know not his whereabouts, but Nenhym might know.”

“He was not as great as your teacher, but he was proficient in the use of poisons.” Lumnieve continued. “Perhaps you’ll learn a thing or two. The Great Spirit of Poison and I have always gotten along.”

Lumnieve turned away, as if remembering a great deal of events in the days past.

“His one weakness was that he was too kind to humans.”

The next day.

“So you’re coming with me?” Yuelei asked Liur, who was waiting for her perched on the edge of the ship. Korrbin, Telif, and Drak were there to see her off.

Where will you go first? Drak asked.

“...I’m going to head south, back to the Whitefrost Mountains.” Yuelei replied. “Pick up the items I dropped off, and then I’ll head east to the Ona Chaparral. I’ll head north before going west out to the Desolate Tundra.”

Going around instead of going through the fighting. Telif’s face curled into a grin. The Ona Chaparral is no safe place either -- but definitely safer for you compared to these human lands right now. As long as you are due north of the Whitefrost Mountains, you can come to us anytime. When you arrive due south of the Desolate Tundra, you can seek out Lady Nenhym.

Keep watch on the skies. Drak informed Liur. The Chaparral is home to all manner of winged beasts, and all of them are predators. It is the place where the knights of this land acquire their mounts.

Be wary of humans. Korrbin continued. On the surface, the League of Adventurers is in control of the major towns and cities built on top of dungeons, but there are often hidden skirmishes between different countries.

“The League of Adventurers is too far spread out…” Yuelei realized. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s been infiltrated, seeing as how easy it was for me to be given a card and title.”

“The crux of their strength isn’t in your everyday adventurer or branch.” Lumnieve’s voice answered in response, and Yuelei turned around to see her yawning and walking out of the front of the ship. “It’s in their resources and intelligence network. It’s easy for countries to plant a common spy, but nigh impossible for them to act out against them.”

“You’re better off not letting them know too much about you either.” Lumnieve added. “Now that you’ve attracted their attention, that is.”

“I will keep it in mind.” Yuelei promised.

“I hate goodbyes, so let’s make this short.” Lumnieve sighed and reached up to pat Yuelei’s head. Yuelei was a bit surprised that she wasn’t clinging to her this time, begging her to stay.

“Take care of yourself, Yuelei. In a way, I’m glad that you won’t need to see all this bloodshed in the upcoming days.” Lumnieve smiled sadly. “I probably shouldn’t have convinced you to come with us in the first place. I do not doubt my ability to protect you as long as you stay within the fortress, but you’re still too young for war.”

“And I have no intentions of locking you up like a cooped bird.” She sniffed and twirled around to look off the side of the Frost Palace. “Unlike me, who cannot move without killing thousands, you should wander as you please.”

At her cue, Drak suddenly bent down next to Yuelei, indicating for her to get on.

“Thanks Lumnieve… For everything.” Yuelei replied from the bottom of her heart. The past two weeks Lumnieve had spared no small effort to teach her, and even now, she was acting in Yuelei’s best interest over her own.

Lumnieve didn’t reply, instead continuing to gaze into the distance. Taking this as a form of dismissal, Yuelei mounted Drak, who made a running start before launching himself off the ship.

“Take care, Yuelei. Know that I am always watching over you.” Lumnieve said quietly as Yuelei’s form disappeared into the clouds above.

“Home, sweet home.” Yuelei commented after she said goodbye to Drak. Standing in the snow covered deserted valley floor, Yuelei felt a tinge of melancholy seeing her old home. The place was empty now, except for her and Liur, and she slowly made her way towards Lin’s cabin while reminiscing about the past. Liur had offered to go catch the night’s dinner, and Yuelei obliged her. It was dusk and much easier for her to catch something simple than have Yuelei go out with her.

Before she came here, her first teacher, Gallienoir, had taught her how to channel her innate frost magic, and survive in the wilds. Then Lin came along and saved her from a perilous situation, taking her in as a student of alchemy and teaching her to meld sword and sorcery in combat. When Silfy arrived, she taught Yuelei what is was like to live in human society again, and continued to do so while attending the Royal Knight Academy with her.

And before Yuelei left, Lumnieve herself taught her an arsenal of spells -- even if Yuelei could not make use of them now, she would be able to in the future. And all along this way, Yuelei’s companion, Liur, had always been guiding her.

“Now that I think about it…. Despite everything, I have been quite fortunate.” Yuelei thought aloud as she climbed over the snow-covered stairs. Back when she lived here under Lin’s tutelage, one of her jobs was always to dust away the snow. Almost habitually, Yuelei waved her hand and a burst of wind blew away the snow and revealing the aged hardwood below. Before she entered the cabin, she grabbed two sticks of firewood from the nearby stack of wood.

They must have been replaced recently… or so Yuelei thought, looking at the messy mound of firewood leaning against the cabin. Probably Lumnieve had sent a Frost Knight or two to do so… judging by how they just tossed in every stick and branch they could find.

Inside, Yuelei tossed the two pieces of firewood into the fireplace and lit it with a snap of a finger. Even if she wasn’t able to use fire magic, she’s done this enough to be able to create a small spark. That, coupled with some tinder and a bit of wind magic as encouragement, allowed her to light a fire within a few minutes.

Still… it’d be nice if I can get my hands on more Fire Blossom Extract. Yuelei warmed her hands by the fire before pulling a pot and filling it with water with a bit of magic. Almost as soon as the water started to boil, Yuelei heard the sound of flapping wings and moved to open the door for Liur

She had a female Blue-bodied Boar in her talons, and Yuelei butchered it outside before bringing the meat into the cabin. Cleaning blood from wood was a pain and not butchering in the place where you lived was one of the first lessons Lin had taught her.

Yuelei propped open the tubers chest… only to find out that it was empty. She decided that it was too late to make a trip for the cavern garden, and decided to split the hot water into two portions. One she would use to wash herself with, and the remaining water in the pot, she would make tea with. Lin’s cabin had no shortage of tea leaves, and Yuelei was sure that wherever he was in his travels, he likely carried around a container of tea leaves as well.

Instead of making a meaty stew, the boar would be grilled, and then any extra meat would be made into jerky. Yuelei busied herself with the tedious, but nostalgic task. After tossing a Taw Berry into her mouth, she crushed one to sprinkle over the meat as seasoning. Occasionally, the flames would leap as fat dripped down into the fire, and it wasn’t long until a heavenly aroma filled the cabin. Liking her meat a bit rare, it wasn’t long until Yuelei decided that the carved steaks have been cooked enough.

You are still too young to be melancholic. Liur read Yuelei’s mood and commented as she made herself comfortable on Lin’s favored armchair before tearing into the meal.

“I’ve lived in this place for over a year.” Yuelei said quietly. “Since Lumnieve plans to leave the Whitefrost Mountains, sometime in the future, it’s likely that the name of this place will change.”

Even beings like her are susceptible to change. Liur clicked her beak. Like her, we can only hope to not be washed away with the moving of the tides.

“Everyday you sound more and more like Lin.” Yuelei smirked as she pointed a fork at her.

I do not. Liur scoffed.

“Speaking of which, how far along on your ancestor’s memories are you?” Yuelei asked. “Have there been any problems?”

I am currently just starting on my grandmother's. Liur replied as she finished off the last scrap of meat. Things have been slower than expected… but according to my grandmother’s memories, this is to be expected for forming a pact.

“I see…” Yuelei replied thoughtfully. “With what I have learned from Lumnieve, what do you think my chances of beating you in combat is?”

Zero. Liur puffed up her chest proudly. You can’t use the full might of Lumnieve’s spells without being in her Winter’s Breath aura, and even if I were to combine my aura with yours, it will only be a mockery of the original spell were you to attempt to cast it.

“So in the end, I am still lacking strength.” Yuelei rubbed the side of her cheek with a palm. “Was the time I spent in the Royal Knight Academy for nought?”

That is for you to decide. Liur replied quietly, but after seeing the gloomy expression on Yuelei’s face, she continued. This era of men is foreign to me as my grandmother’s time was far, far in the past. Even so, I learned a great deal.

“I doubt that the Holy Land of Ecclisa is a prime example of humankind.” Yuelei shrugged. “For one thing, there are few countries still so invested in the concept of ‘knighthood’, for better or for worse.”

Well, now that is a title that you also bear. Liur commented. What are your plans for tomorrow?

“I want to have a look at the carriage where I was found.” Yuelei said quietly. “If I remember correctly, there was much more things in there than what Gallienoir brought back. I’d like to see if there is anything important or of note. You mentioned a carriage, so perhaps we can find a bit of information on the driver.”

This one remembers.

“I’ve been meaning to go have a look for a long time.” Yuelei sighed. “But the days were filled with tasks and things that needed to be done.”

“Perhaps I was just distracting myself so I didn’t have to face the facts. My family likely dead, and the country is now in the hands of another.” Yuelei continued.

Vengeance can be yours, if you so desire. Liur said slowly.

“Lin would disapprove.” Yuelei murmured.”But yes… I believe that I do desire vengeance… but only after I get some answers. Right now, I don’t even know who the enemy is or how strong-- except for mere speculation.”

“It’s easier when you know the world is your enemy.” Yuelei added. “No need to differentiate between friend, foe, or those simply trying to pass the days peacefully.”

You know as well as I do that peace is only an illusion. A time where the world at peace is merely a time preparing for the eventual next conflict. Such is the way of life for beasts, and such is the way of life for humans.

As long as you have enemies, or people willing to be your enemies, it is inevitable that you’ll end up embroiled in battle. Even if you wish to stay neutral…you already have a history with your family, just as I have with mine.

“We all have our shades lurking in the past.” Yuelei chuckled. “Let’s turn in for the night and start early tomorrow. It is time I fixed my decadent lifestyle.”

Did you at least enjoy it? The time spent where you acted as a girl your age? Liur asked as she tucked into the familiar bed. It wasn’t as soft nor as large, and the blanket was nothing compared to Yuelei’s bed at the former Justinia estate -- but it was familiar and comforting.

It reminded Yuelei of a simpler and better time.

“...It was worth it.” Yuelei mumbled as sleep overtook her.

The next day.

“...That’s quite a steep drop.” Yuelei murmured as she stood at the edge of a cliff, staring down into the abyss below where she had first met with Liur. “And is that ice at the bottom?”

The avalanche caused a shift in the landscape. Liur replied. When the carriage you were held in first fell, you were lucky that the snow at the bottom have yet to freeze, softening the impact.

Were it like now… Liur gestured with a wing at the solid ice at the bottom of the cliff. I highly doubt that you would have survived, avalanche or not.

“You should have said something earlier.” Yuelei scowled. “Then there would be no need for this wasted trip. How am I supposed to dig through all that ice?”

You don’t. Liur replied matter-of-factly. The Whitefrost Mountains stand on a bedrock of ice created by Lumnieve. Below them are a series of ice tunnels and caverns where the original ground is.

It was then Yuelei realized what Liur had meant ages ago when she said that ‘all of the Whitefrost Mountains was Lumnieve’s domain.’.

“But since she leaves-”

Then the ice binding the earth below will eventually melt away. Liur nodded. And the Whitefrost Mountains will return to what was before. A path will open between the Kingdom of Macha and the Holy Land of Ecclisa.

“That’s…” Yuelei did not truly understand what it meant for a barrier between the two nations to disappear.

Your kind would likely start to expand, pushing into what was of the Whitefrost Mountains. Liur added. The beasts that only know snow will follow Lumnieve so there will be little resistance. The League of Adventurers will create their foolish little camps, and borders will be changed. I believe this is what your kind calls ‘the big picture'.

“So the cabin will eventually be found.” Yuelei said quietly.

Indeed. Your home may no longer be there when you return in the future. Liur merely stated the facts. The earth in that place is blessed, having borne a Spirit’s Spring, one of the palaces of the Greats, and enriched through all manner of alchemy and gifts bestowed by the Spirit Walker. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from leaving a warning in that place for would-be trespassers.

“There’s no point going on about the unforeseeable future.” Yuelei decided to not give the manner any thought for now. “Show me the entrance to these caves.”

Liur’s mouth curled up into a grin and she started to lead Yuelei to a path that descended into the valley below.

“But to think that Lumnieve’s leaving would cause such a great influence...”

You do not know this, but one of the reasons she sent you away is because she did not wish for you to see her when she rides into battle. Liur said quietly. Her appearance and demeanor as the Great Spirit of Frost is very different from the Lumnieve you know. She did not wish for you to see her that way.

“...After all of what I’ve already seen and done?” Yuelei chuckled, no stranger to killing and murdering both animals and humans. “Isn’t that underestimating- no, sheltering me way too much?”

It is not my place to question her. Liur replied. But I agree with her that you are too young for a battlefield. Too inexperienced. Too reliant on a few select skills. Too-

“Weak.” Yuelei finished.

Indeed. The quest for strength is hard for the both of us. Liur trailed off and Yuelei made no comment. The rest of the descent below was made in silence.

“...And these caverns extend all over beneath the ground?” Yuelei murmured as she held up a vial of light-emitting liquid. Though it was considerably faint, the ice cavern walls reflected and refracted light, illuminating the hidden world beneath the Whitefrost Mountains.

They were untouched, left alone by Lumnieve. All manners of beasts lurk below, so we must be careful. Luckily, we are only skimming the surface in search of that carriage, and not descending too far below into the ruins.

“...Ruins?”

These plains- well, plains before they had been turned into mountains, once housed a small civilization. It is said that the king of their nation made a deal with an unknown being, and the inhabitants of that nation ceased to exist, their very souls used as fuel for an abominable spell. The place was a graveyard that neither man nor beast would go near. But I have no doubt those ruins are now infested with all manner of monsters.

“...” Yuelei decided not to say anything, concentrating on the task ahead of her. Even though her makeshift alchemical lantern illuminated the area well enough for her to see, it also meant that it made her easier to be seen.

Footsteps. Sounds like a four legged creature. Liur cautioned after they’ve traveled for ten minutes.

Yuelei made her acknowledgement by conjuring up her Frost Edge, and holding the vial up higher. After a few tense minutes, low rumbling could be heard as the ground shook, and a hulking Sheive Bear lumbered into view. Liur let out a chirp in warning, and the giant white mass of fur and muscle stopped in its tracks.

It eyed Yuelei for a brief moment, its intelligent eyes trailing from Yuelei to Liur to the cloak she wore. Yuelei didn’t bat an eye as she stuck the vial into a slot on her Palian Satchel and readied her empty hand to conjure up a shield in case things go south.

After a few tense seconds the Shieve Bear clearly didn’t want anything to do with Yuelei, or felt that she was more trouble than what it was worth and slowly walked past Yuelei and continued off.

“Seems like this cloak finally paid off.” Yuelei murmured quietly as she undid her weapon only after the Sheive Bear disappeared into the passageway.

It likely woke up from its slumber because it sensed the change in the air. Liur commented. The first of many, I warrant.

“Let’s keep moving. My sense of direction isn’t fantastic underground, but we should be close.” Yuelei continued. “We should probably get this done lest we stay here for the night.”

There is no need to worry about the Shadeless or Shadowless. Liur said after reading Yuelei’s thoughts. This land has been purged by Lumnieve. Were it not for the amount of time that she had taken to resolve some last affairs, she would have sailed towards the Holy Land of Ecclisa a week ago. Killing all of the Shadeless hiding beneath the lands took a bit longer than usual.

“Let’s keep moving then.” Yuelei shook her head and pushed onwards into the caverns. They were nearing their destination, and despite Liur’s words, she did not wish to stay too long in this place. The winding passages with buried secrets likely held beasts of all natures, frozen and secluded from the rest of the world. Yuelei could only wonder if after the Whitefrost Mountains are gone, if her former home will become a den of monsters until the nearby countries slowly claim and annex it.

It should only be forward from here. Liur called out suddenly and stopped in front of a wall of ice. You’ll have to dig through.

“How did the carriage manage trapped under ice?” Yuelei grumbled but nevertheless started to slowly chip away at the wall with her Frost Edge. When she finally managed to clear a small crater, she stepped back a few steps. After confirming that the shape was wide and deep enough, she dashed forward and stabbed her blade of blue ice deep into the ground, and it pierced through easily, like a hot skewer through butter. Yuelei turned around and retreated a few steps before there was a muffled explosion, followed by several cracks spreading through the wall.

She had converted her weapon into the likeness of a Primal Frost Lance, a technique taught to her by Lumnieve. Yet that was not all, for the inside of this lance was hollow, and contained water within. As the water trickled into the cracks created by the explosion they solidified into ice once more… before again triggering several smaller explosions.

For the price of one Frost Edge, Yuelei had managed to blow apart a huge chunk of the wall in front of her. The Sheive Bear from before may have even found the newly made cave a comfortable home despite being a creature of its size.

Yuelei held up her non dominant hand and willed her Winter’s Breath to wrap around it. Ever since she had learned the ability to cast spells unconsciously and without any hand gestures under Lin, she had always wondered what she should do with her spare hand.

Should she use a shield like Silfy, to protect others?

No, Yuelei was not someone that needed protection, or to protect others. Instead, she will crush her foes mercilessly and make sure none of them are standing.

Should she change her Frost Edge into a two handed weapon like Cecilla?

No, Yuelei did not find herself suitable. A larger Frost Edge would make her spells that depended on it more taxing and more dangerous to herself.

Should she continue to be an alchemist and conjure up throwable potions and poisons?

No. Yuelei knew that potions were a means to an end, and are only good as surprise weapons. If she threw all sorts of glass vials often, sooner or later one day someone will turn it against her.

Should she conjure another Frost Edge, and wield two blades like Arfled?

No. Yuelei was not dexterious enough nor did Lin’s combat style of sword and sorcery suitable for it.

Yuelei had brought up this problem with Lumnieve and in the end, she had suggested a solution that had played upon Yuelei’s strengths and nature.

Yuelei watched as her Winter’s Breath transfigured itself into a claw of ice. At first glance, some might believe that Yuelei’s hand had transformed into that of a monster's, but the claw was merely a shell that covered all of Yuelei’s arm.

In fact, the ice never touched her skin. The claw was like a floating gauntlet -- except it was nothing like the gauntlets that the knights of old would wear. Dark blue claws with tips of purple was more than enough to signify deadly intent, and even when it was clenched, the knuckles protruded with a thin blade of ice.

To call this a gauntlet would be improper, for the very sight of this claw signified that it only had one duty -- to tear things asunder.

And that was what exactly Yuelei did, clawing and digging at the remaining cracks and fallen ice from the hole she made. With the oversized claw, Yuelei would pushed forward, tearing out chunks of ice and tossing them behind her.

After digging like a mole, or perhaps a wolf, Yuelei found the wall giving way and revealing yet another cave on the other side. As she raised her alchemical lamp, she realized that within this cave… was the carriage that had carried her to this land several years ago. However, what caught her eye was something that she had not expected.

It wasn’t the skeleton of the horses that had trailed the carriage.

It wasn’t the spilled out containers or barrels that rolled out of the carriage.

It wasn’t the insignia of the twin herons that was carved into the side of the carriage.

It was the ice statue of a phoenix that stood on top of the carriage, its eyes staring into some distant place, as if seeing through the walls.

“Gallienoir?” Yuelei said quietly. There was no mistaking the majestic wings and regal attitude that was her savior and mentor. There was even a similar aura that permeated the room, as if she herself was there.

As soon as Yuelei called out that name the statue sprung to life, flapped its wings once, and then eyed Yuelei and Liur.

A ‘First Snow’ Clone. Liur said quietly. Mother didn’t say anything about this to me.

“She knew we would come here eventually.” Yuelei said after meeting the gaze of the statue. “Or at the very least, she knew that I would come here.”

The question is why. Yuelei thought, and Liur echoed her sentiment. They both knew that her personality was not one for lingering sentiments. She was practical, decisive and when push came to shove, she was willing to do what must be done.

So why did she leave a portion of her power here? Locked away for over a year?

Yuelei had her answer when the clone of Gallienoir opened her beak and phoenix song rang out. Despite the fact that Yuelei had an inherent resistance to phoenix song, the strength of the blast made her ears ring and even fall to her knees. It was as if the top of her head was splitting apart, but it quickly dissipated as Liur opened her own beak and phoenix song rang out.

After a few moments, the leftover clone of Gallienoir closed her beak and the battle of voices stopped.

It seems it was meant for the both of us. Liur said quietly. There would be no way to proceed if I wasn’t here.

Yuelei opened her mouth to agree, but at the same time, the vestige of Gallienoir acted once more. It opened its wings and then started to grow in size, taking in from the ice around it as well as the dust and fragments of ice that littered the ground due to Yuelei’s handiwork when she tunneled into the cavern.

“This is…” Yuelei didn’t get a foreboding sensation as the First Snow Clone of Galienoir grew in size until it dwarfed them. It spread its wings before covering the old carriage, using it’s body to create a protective dome of ice and sealing the contents within. It was the same spell that had protected Yuelei and Liur that day when they had been ambushed by Glimstalkers and eventually saved by Lin.

Instead of acting, Yuelei simply watched and waited.

“That time, we were the ones being protected within, and this time it seems like we will be the ones to break in instead.” Yuelei said quietly as she prodded the side of the half-sphere dome with her Frost Edge. Her weapon hardly left a scratch on the ice, and Yuelei could tell that the tip of her weapon had actually cracked a bit.

The density and thickness of the ice dome was much sturdier than Yuelei’s weapon, and she prided in the cutting ability of her Frost Edge.

“Is this supposed to be a test or is she genuinely telling us to back off?” Yuelei murmured to nobody in particular. With Gallienoir’s personality, it was hard to tell as both possibilities are as likely and unlikely at the same time.

It is likely to be both. A First Snow Clone with the creator gone only acts on commands. Liur said quietly.

“Can we simply wait out the spell? Surely it cannot last forever,” Yuelei replied.

This dome is built to house and protect the egg of the next generation. Liur clicked her beak. It is a portion of one’s Winter’s Breath that draws on its surroundings in power until it collapses everything around it. That can be ten years… twenty… thirty...nobody knows.

“So either we have to destroy it now, or wait for too many years.” Yuelei’s eyes narrowed. “...What are our chances of breaking it?"

With our powers combined, we won’t even make a dent on it. Liur said after thinking for a minute. ...To the best of my knowledge, this barrier is something even a Divine Being will struggle to break. We would have to ask Lady Lumnieve herself to open it, or until I am capable of learning the spell to unmake it.

“She went to great means to prevent us from seeing what’s within.” Yuelei murmured as she placed a hand on the thick ice. “...Or give the ability to choose to Lumnieve.”

Why? Yuelei’s last words went unsaid, but it was impossible not to know what her attitude said. The way she stood by the intricate protective dome, running a finger against the ice, and ultimately, her body language made her confusion clear.

“...I suppose we have no choice but to turn back.” Yuelei said quietly. “Whatever her reason for preventing our passage, it doesn’t change the fact that we can’t proceed.”

Just what is in that carriage…? Yuelei wondered, shooting a final glance at the phoenix-shell dome before leaving from the entrance she had created. Her thoughts were turned towards her old mentor, who had taught her how to survive as a beast would.

It was not like her to hold Yuelei back. If anything, this felt like… a warning.

Even now Yuelei can hear Gallienoir’s voice at the back of her mind reminding her to be always vigilant, always ready.

Clearly whatever secrets within, Gallienoir had felt that it was too much for her to bear.

“This was supposed to be my duty.” Yuelei said ruefully. “To finally embrace that long-lost past.”

It is both of our duties, Yuelei. Liur assured. But perhaps mother was being cautious for you. Even among your kind, you are still very young. You tell yourself that it is your duty, but you are not a knight with ties.

“It is my past..” Yuelei replied. “And thus, my burden to bear.”

“But... just not today.” Yuelei trailed off.

Their unsuccessful venture into the icy caverns granted them more questions than answers.

Let’s make a detour.

On their way back to Lin’s cabin, Yuelei was surprised that Liur would suddenly suggest a new destination. Without waiting for her response, she took off from her shoulder as soon as they left the caverns of ice behind them.

“Where are we going?” Yuelei asked. “Is it far?”

No. Liur replied. We may as well visit and pay our respects while we are here.

“Are we meeting someone?” Yuelei rubbed the hair near her ear, trying to recall if Liur had mentioned anything about having friends in the area. She had always assumed that Liur’s ‘friends’ were the magical beasts that served under Lumnieve.

She was not wrong, but not entirely right either.

I suppose you can say that we are. Liur clicked her beak. But at the same time, we are not. You will understand when we get there.

Yuelei took her word for it and trailed behind Liur from the ground. There was none of the freshly-fallen white snow that was the trademark of the conditions in the Whitefrost Mountains.

They headed south east, towards a lonely mountain that was not part of the Whitefrost Mountain chain. When Yuelei first laid eyes on it in the past, she had found it to be unremarkable and meaningless. There was close to no vegetation on that barren place, not even the thick-skinned fir trees that survive despite being buried in snow and ice throughout the Whitefrost.

And with no vegetation means a lack of life, which makes it a pointless place to go hunting.

Now, with more experienced eyes and abundant knowledge of magic, Yuelei realized that this lonely mountain was something special. The white ice that covered the mountain caps and extended all the way down was unnatural, and akin to the eternal ice that the Frost Palace was created from.

Up close, Yuelei saw that it was much smaller compared to the others she’s seen and traveled on. The reason it had appeared so foreign and large in her eyes was likely due to the fact that the surrounding areas were barren of life.

Wear your armor, Yuelei. Liur informed her as they continued on the seldom-trodden path towards this lonely mountain.

“Are we expecting company?” Yuelei asked once she willed her Winter’s Breath to manifest and transform into the armor that was similar to the ones worn by the Frost Legion, except hers bore the wings of a phoenix instead of the butterfly sigil that was Lumnieve’s mark.

No. The spell on this place is hostile to all things unaffiliated with Lumnieve. The butterfly sigil bestowed upon you should grant you passage, but this is just ressaurance.

Long has it been since another human had set foot in this place, and old spells don’t account for the passage of time. Liur clicked her beak in dissatisfaction.

“..." Yuelei made no comment, and continued to trail behind Liur, feeling a sense of foreboding.

Contrary to her expectations, continuing on the path wasn’t difficult or dangerous but just dismal. The solemn atmosphere, accompanied by the desolate and repetitive landscape was more than enough to make one sleepy.

After traveling through the gray landscape for what felt like an hour but was actually just ten minutes, Liur halted in front of the small mountain. Hidden among the rocks was a doorway.

Liur passed through without any problems, and she tilted her head as a gesture for Yuelei to follow along. Yuelei stepped up to that doorway, noting that it was fashioned from the same ice from the Frost Palace, and when she stepped through, she felt a tingling sensation all over her body, as if she had just stepped into a gust of hot air.

But just as quickly as it had come, it also dissipated. Whatever spell was guarding the place had given her its tacit approval and allowed her passage.

Yuelei noted that the inside of the mountain was actually hollow, and there was a set of ascending stairs. It was much like the scenery when Yuelei had first climbed up to meet Lumnieve. Who was she going to meet this time?

I will wait for you at the top. Liur, sensing Yuelei’s fluctuating thoughts, decided to give her a wide berth. In the end, Yuelei decided to ascend the frozen steps one by one with a deep calmness.

Calmness taken to its extreme can be considered apathy. And it was with this apathy that Yuelei ascended the frozen stairs once more, older and wiser.

Whatever awaits her would change nothing. After all, as Gallienoir taught her, emotions are but snowflakes riding the wind.

And with enough strength, even the wind will bend to your will.

It took Yuelei about half an hour to reach the peak at her slow and unhurried pace.

She thought about a great number of things on the ascent, as well gave a great deal of thought to each of those individual things.

Such as the war that occurred partially due to her actions.

Such as where Jourmind and Airen are.

Such as where Lin was right now on his journey.

Such as Gallienoir’s last will with that Frost Clone.

Such as Lumnieve and the others of her kind like Nenhym.

But most of all, about herself and where she stood on all of this.

She was the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Macha and a Pact-Bearer with a Frost Phoenix. She was the apprentice of the Spirit Walker, and the scion of the sovereign that rules over ice. She bore the Rose Knight’s Crest and was a titled knight and flower -- even if she was not aware of the names given to her from the Academy she had left behind.

Yuelei was a person that, regardless of all identities, was only true to herself.

And so it was only with mild interest that she reached the top of the stairs, where Liur awaited her next to yet another doorway, this one leading to a gigantic cube that no doubt contained a room within.

It is good to have some silence to yourself once in a while. Liur greeted Yuelei. You seem to have worked through your thoughts.

“What is this place?” Yuelei gazed at the door in front of her. There were symbols on it that she did not recognize, yet the entire room was made from ice. Yuelei had roamed the majority of the Frost Palace, yet the mark of a dragon and sword on the sealed door was not familiar to her.

A grave of our predecessors. Liur opened her beak and let out a single phoenix note out. It echoed throughout the hollow mountain cavern, reverbing around and growing in decibels until finally, the door in front of Yuelei started to tremble.

Blue lights momentarily lit up the chamber and the door slowly slid down with the sound of ice pushing against ice like gears of a long-forgotten machine. A single condensed ray of light shotdown from above, illuminating the inside of the hollow mountain chamber.

Within the chapel-like chamber, Yuelei was shocked to find a person.

Yes, it was a person that Yuelei both recognized and knew.

Within that room, resting inside a frozen casket of transparent ice that resembled quartz crystals, laid Holli.

She’s not alive. Liur murmured as Yuelei hesitated to walk inside the tomb room.

“Why is she here?” Yuelei said quietly as she stepped up to the frozen coffin. The way the woman laid in the coffin gave Yuelei flashbacks to how she had first encountered Silfy, like an untainted porcelain doll in a casket.

Lumnieve locked… I believe the better word would be ‘preserved’ her here. Liur replied. It was the request of my grandmother after she fell in battle.

“For what reason?” Yuelei frowned.

As a tribute to her descendants, so they may one day claim what was hers. Liur pointed with a wing tip at the sword that was clasp in the woman’s hands. Her heart was always to her people, but in the end, she died at a place far, far from home.

Drak retrieved her body, and she was encased her in accordance to her wishes. The respect in Liur’s eyes quickly transformed into disdain. Yet none of them ever searched for her. They mourned for her, yet none ever ventured far enough here to claim the legacy she left for them.

And so centuries have passed while she slumbered ‘ere, and long was she forgotten. Liur continued. Now that Lady Lumnieve have left these lands, it will only be a matter of time until the tomb melts and her body decays away- or this place will be invaded by human adventurers.

“And you don’t want that to happen?” Yuelei ventured a guess.

What is dead is already gone. Liur clicked her beak in denial. I brought you here so you may claim this boon for yourself. You may not be her descendant, but you are her successor. There is no reason for the spell to reject you, and her sword itself is a powerful spell.

“...Fine. What do I do?” Yuelei glanced over the deceased Holli’s face and quickly make up her mind. The dead have no need for their possessions, and Yuelei did not feel any remorse claiming her sword. It was either her or someone else, and there is always the possibility that ‘someone else’ will become her enemy, no matter how miniscule the chances.

Lumnieve’s magic lingers and still holds sway at this place. I doubt even she remembers the key phrases but it is something I can recall from the memories of my grandmother. Place your right hand upon the coffin and repeat after me.

A familiar and soothing coldness permeated through Yuelei’s hands as she placed her palm on top of the casket that had frozen in time. The words Liur transferred into her mind seemed like some long-lost melody -- but they came out of her mouth as if someone was reciting scriptures.

‘Neath an hueless sky; cross endless plains, in tireless flight

Ah! Where hath those days gone; where glory shone so bright?

Fallen ‘neath baleful snows bleak as night

Ah- A moment grant to me-

Hark! Will you hear this soul’s tale-

Of my home, benight?

As Yuelei recited the words in a monotone voice that did not do justice to the original ancient language verse, the casket seemed to burst into blue flames. It was not warmth or heat in the flames that Yuelei felt, but bitter cold. The ray of light from the top of the mountain seemed to dim until it went out, causing the only source of illumination in that tomb to be those of that chilling flame.

This was a trial created long ago so that only someone of the fire affinity who manages to survive the ordeal may claim the contents of the casket. But to Yuelei, this chilling cold felt like a cool ocean breeze on a hot summer day. The deadly contest of one’s strength and mastery over fire magic- the weapon of choice for those that have the blood of dragons- served only to strengthen the density of Yuelei’s Winter’s Breath aura.

The sound of cracking ice could be heard at the same time the flames seem to be drawn to the apex of their strength. The clear transparent crystal casket had a multitude of lines form over it, causing the once perfect glass-like surface to spiral with webs of growing cracks -- making the pure transparent crystal to become dull and clouded like a shattered screen.

With the sound of broken glass, the coffin of ice fell away as soon as Yuelei pulled her hand back. Yuelei felt as if she was defiling hallowed ground as she beheld the sleeping person in front of her- or at least her visage was so lifelike that it appeared as if she was in mere slumber.

Reach for the sword. It was forged from the hearthstone of an ancient and enchanted with spatial magic much like your ring. Liur advised. Others might value her battle dress that could deflect the flames of dragons and turn away all but the sharpest of swords, or her fabled shield that allowed one to control earth magic.

Yuelei reached out to touch Holli’s clasped hands, wondering why she can’t just take everything -- and she got her answer. As soon as her skin brushed against the fingers and greatsword hilt, Holli opened her eyes.

It was then that Yuelei realized that it was not Holli’s body that laid there -- for she had spheres of ice as her eyes. The color of her body vanished, revealing her to be an ice sculpture, and like dust in the wind, her form slowly faded away -- disappearing into a stream of snowflakes and leaving only a sword that was embedded in the ground.

Yuelei grasped the greatsword with a hand and tried to draw it out from the ground, but to her surprise it was stuck fast. She frowned and placed her other hand over it too, but the weapon simply refused to budge.

“This is impossible.” Yuelei grumbled as she tried to pull it out with frost magic by wrapping ice around the weapon until it appeared more like a club than an actual sword. She also tried to pry it out of the ground with her claw-like gauntlet, but also to no avail.

I vouch for her. Liur suddenly realized something and then spoke out. Her words were clearly not targeting Yuelei, but the sword in the room. Holli’s descendants have long since disappeared from these lands, and they have forgotten about her. There is no reason for you to wait here any longer.

“The sword has a will of its own?” Through Liur’s thoughts and words, Yuelei quickly realized that the sword was sentient. The sword seemed to quiver for a moment as if considering Liur’s words, but it soon stopped. Yuelei glanced over at Liur and soon realized that she wasn’t included in the hidden conversation between the sentient sword and Liur.

My grandmother was the one who assisted in your forging by cooling the flames with her own essence. It is true that Yuelei does not possess the strength to even hear your voice, but she is the sole scion of Lumnieve, who once rendered great aid to your master. She is worthy.

Liur cocked her head as if listening and contemplating on unheard words, and Yuelei could only stand back and wait. She had never heard of sentient weapons, or rather, she had not connected the dots on why Lin and Eir’s weapon was the same- and why sometimes Lin would have his sword laid across his lap despite never having need for it.

Yuli. Demonstrate your Primal Frost Edge and try to hit the sword with it. Liur suddenly instructed Yuelei, and she did as bid. She conjured up her Frost Edge out of her Winter’s Breath, and slowly accumulate her Winter’s Breath around it. After half a minute, it had grown into the length of a spear, and then a lance, and then it was as long as a ballista bolt.

“I beseech thee. Eternal Time…” Yuelei murmured, channeling all of the energy she’d accumulated up to this point into the thin obsidian ring around her finger. The size of her weapon instantly shrunk down, and Yuelei had to restart all over, feeling fatigue gripping around her soul as she prepared the spell once more.

“I ask thee…” It took Yuelei a full two minutes to conjure up the largest and strongest Primal Frost Edge she could manage. With a shred of confidence, she swung the several-meter long pulsating blade of ice aiming at the blade of the greatsword.

Yet the result was something she could not imagine.

Yuelei could swear that she saw a glint of light run along the edge of the greatsword, and then her Primal Frost Edge was cleaved in half where the spell touched the weapon. Not only that, the part of the Primal Frost Edge that had been disconnected from the rest of Yuelei’s spell seemed to simply vanish.

Are you satisfied? Liur’s tone was best described as annoyed and insulted at the same time. After cocking her head as if listening to an answer, she turned to Yuelei.

Let us go. Liur shook her head and Yuelei decided to follow her lead. She had no clue what took place between her and the sentient sword, but it seemed to have not been profitable. Not one to question Liur’s judgement, Yuelei turned around without shooting the sword a second look.

There are always others. Yuelei thought, and what use is a sword that doesn’t work according to the wielder’s will?

With Liur’s assistance, or rather, with her talons gripping Yuelei’s left wrist, they descended down the stairs by flying and floating down. Sensing Liur’s irritated attitude, Yuelei decided to keep quiet instead of asking questions. It was only after they left the cavern of the lonely cavern and started down the desolate path did Yuelei speak up.

“Who was that?” Yuelei questioned the identity of whom Liur was talking to.

An old soul that still dwells within the sword. Liur had an unhappy scowl on her face. I would have thought that it had long departed this world but it seems it is just as stubborn as Lady Holli was.

“What’s so important about that sword?” Yuelei asked. “It seems too unwieldy for someone of my stature, and there is no reason for me to abandon my Frost Edge.”

Originally, my intention was for you to claim the greatsword as a means to an end. Liur’s eyes glinted. It’s ability has worn thin over the years, but it still has four or five uses before the weapon falls apart.

But all of that is pointless. Liur continued before Yuelei could respond. The inhabitant of that particular artifact seems to have decided to persist and endure. I suppose it is admirable that he has agreed to keep his part of the contract to Lady Holli, but his adamant nature is truly infuriating.

Humans change. Liur’s eyes narrowed. They spread their roots, and likewise, forgot about whichever tree bore the seed that nurtured them. The world has long forgotten the name of Hollicanyth Syvdor.

As if in response to Liur’s scathing words, the ground beneath Yuelei started to shake. Trying to identify the source of the tremors, Yuelei turned around just in time to see a ray of blue light shoot up from the mountain from whence they had just left. She could barely make out the outline of a greatsword flying up into the air in the pillar of blue light.

The light formed a disk of ice across the sky, and Yuelei could hear Liur tittering on her shoulder about how it was such a waste. But Yuelei paid that no mind, for the sight that met her eyes was truly fantastical.

A gigantic sword of ice fell from the sky, conjured out of the disk of ephemeral blue. Like a falling guillotine, it cleaved the lonely hill in half, causing it to collapse on itself. The resulting note was sharp and crisp at first- but it was quickly followed by a sound that could only be described as an avalanche, rockslide, and mudslide combined into one.

Yuelei had no doubt that this sight was visible to anyone and anything that was watching, for this was a gigantic blade of ice that easily toppled a mountain. Even as the rest of the lonely mountain collapsed on itself, it floated there, towering against the midday sky.

And just as quickly as it appeared, it grew opaque and transparent until it vanished, seemingly in the clouds and mist. There was a sharp ringing sound, akin to the screech made when two blades meet in battle, and faster than Yuelei’s eyes could see, a certain greatsword appeared in front of her, floating in the air like one of Lin’s sacred jewels.

Before Yuelei could do anything the sentient sword acted once more. It rapidly strunk down until it was the size of two fingers, and shot at Yuelei. She instinctively raised her hand to block the projectile, but it was still too fast for her. She felt a slight pricking sensation on her wrist, and when she looked up, the sword had vanished.

He does not acknowledge you yet. Liur said quietly as Yuelei slowly dropped down her arms, turning over her wrist to pinpoint the location of the strange feeling. There, she found a strange bracelet that could only be described as several swords interlocking the other.

But he has agreed to travel with you for now.

Tch. Liur clicked her beak in annoyance. He just had to go and use up one of the last uses for the Queensmaker.

Truly. What a waste.