The skies were gray and heavy, blocking out any sunlight that dared to pass through the land of the Empire of Athearith. They roared, deep and loud to warn the people that a storm was approaching. In the mountains of Hwenton, a huge cobblestone building surrounded by chain-link fence with razor wires on top, placed far away from the city, above the very top of the mountains to deprive its inhabitants of society, known as the pride of Hwenton was The Shelter of the Northern District. The most strict and guarded shelter in all of Athearian. 

The Shelter was little more than a display for the inhabitants of Athearian. The Empress touted it as a location to aid the homeless, giving them a second opportunity to rise up and make a difference in their lives.

But behind the curtains lies a more tragic fate for the unfortunate. With intense training, harsh punishments, and extreme measures of brainwashing, The Shelter pledged to supply the crown and nobility with the most loyal and obedient slaves and knights through these brutal means.

"A storm is looming. The Supreme Guardian wants us to continue training in the dungeons," a guard informed the observer, who agreed and pushed the alarm. Every child outdoors, no older than eight, were then arranged into a line. The other guards led them inside just as the rain began to pour down.

"I see you haven't changed your mind," a man in his mid-20s stated, approaching the woman who was peering out the window, watching as the children were led inside.

Elle simply watched the scene, as if she never heard Erik’s question. She had no plans to change her mind, for her it was quite stupid of Erik to even ask about it. “No. I’m not”

Today was the day. Elle had already delivered her letter of permanent leave to the Supreme Guardian two months before. She awoke earlier, expecting another day of training and studying, when a note arrived in her room. The Supreme Guardian asked for her

Elle already had her things packed with the help of Erik. It didn't matter if her request for leave was denied, she was determined to leave this disgusting place one way or another. But she knew the consequences of escaping The Shelter. Elle knew well that the easiest and most merciful way was death, and she accepted that.

“If ever your request gets approved, will you become a nurse? or a doctor?” Erik asked with an irritated Elle. She went to the combat section for a reason, just because she could heal did not imply she wanted to work in medicine.

Elle hated helping people. She only helps people who she knows will and can give her something in return. For her, helping people without receiving any reward was like working without receiving pay; it was pointless. Being kind is pointless and tiring.

“Ellena Frieah.” The door behind them opened as a lady in her mid 20’s opened the door, “The Supreme Guardian is ready to see you”

Erik watched as Elle turned from the window and walked inside. With a worried look, he whispered, “Good luck”

Elle went inside the supreme guardian’s office. In contrast to the cold building of The Shelter, the supreme guardian’s office was warm and fully furnished with the aroma of coffee filling the room. The walls were filled with books and portraits of past reigning monarchs of Athearith. In the center of the room was a table and a woman in her 60s sitting, smoking a cigar.

The Supreme guardian of the Northern district of The Shelter, Regina Holloway.

Vicious and ambitious, she has every quality of a mother making her a perfect fit for The Shelter's Supreme Guardian.

Elle cringed at the thought.

She then placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head. “Supreme Guardian”

“Take a seat.” Regina gestured at the empty chair across her before throwing her cigarette. Elle did what she was told and sat across from the Supreme Guardian. She watched as Regina read the paper Elle filed for a permanent leave. Regina let out a chuckle, "You sure have the guts to leave"

Regina folded the paper, putting it to the side as she took a white and crisp paper from her drawer together with a black pen, "What makes you think I would let you leave?"

"What makes you think you can stop me from leaving?" Elle answered back, looking straight into her eyes, unemotional. But despite this, she could feel the burning sensation in her chest, her hands. She looked down at her hands to see the tip of her fingers beginning to freeze. She was nervous.

Elle wanted to leave this horrid place. The number of times she had seen children cry in fear, scream in agony and for help, the times she's seen her fellow crew tortured and die right in front of her eyes. All of them haunt her in her dreams.

"Ellena Frieah. Northern District's number one marksman and combatant despite having healing abilities is leaving her home," Regina said as she began to write on the paper. The noise of the pen scribbling on the paper was loud enough for Elle to hear. "And I heard from one of our children that you don't even plan on joining the Athearian knights. What a waste of potential"

"It's none of your business." Elle simply replied. She joined the combat section to protect herself, not to help. In this era of the Empire, it's every man for themselves or be forever doomed to kiss the empress' feet til the day you turn to dust. Either way, everything leads to death so it's pointless to even think about it. 

"You would make a perfect general," Regina said, signing the bottom of the paper before folding it neatly, "I would love for you to stay, but it would be cruel for a mother to hold her child back from her freedom" with that, she handed the paper to Elle.

Elle had her eyebrows furrowed at her, she couldn't help but cringe at her words. All those mother and child talk was making her nauseous and cold. She snatched the paper from Regina's hand and opened it, reading its contents. But the only words that could register in her brain were *'Approved for a permanent leave'*.

"Show it to the guards," Regina took a puff out of her cigar and blew the smoke in Elle's direction making her cough and wave her hands, "They'll let you leave after that."

Elle looked at her before looking back down on the paper before folding it back again. Without saying anything more, Elle stood up from her seat and walked away, leaving the supreme guardian's office. 

"How did it go?" Erik, who was waiting outside the supreme guardian's office, asked as he saw Elle leaving. Erik is Elle's close friend in this hell hole. Befriending other occupants in The Shelter is not prohibited, but it was greatly discouraged. Elle showed him the letter which Erik read. "Holy shit, Elle. You can finally leave!"

Elle could feel relieved and burning in her chest at the same time. Noticing this, Erik handed her the paper back before handing her a cup of boiling water for her to drink. Elle smiled and thanked him before drinking the water. For a normal person, the boiling water might burn them, but for Elle it refreshed her, removing the cold feeling from her body.

Elle gave the empty cup back to Erik, feeling refreshed. This freezing sensation she's experiencing only happens when she feels emotion. It was a curse— a gift from her beloved mother. Being raised and loved by the people around her, Elle was given a curse by her own blood, she would freeze— her whole body would slowly turn to ice if she ever felt emotions. She needed to calm herself down when it would or else she would freeze to death.

Such a sweet mother to give a precious gift to her 8-year-old daughter on the night of her birthday.

After that night, Elle never saw her mother again. She was stuck with her father, who in turn tried everything to get rid of this curse in Elle. But sadly it also led to his demise when Elle was 14. Elle was 16 when she was put into The Shelter.

"Want me to help you with your stuff?" Erik offered which Elle accepted with nodded and a thanks. 

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"If you ever need something, don't hesitate to reach out," Erik said, carrying Elle's luggage as he walked her to the gates of The Shelter. It was a bit of disappointment for him to see Elle leave. Erik didn't like Elle in a romantic since he saw her like a sister just a few years before him. 

Elle was the only one who he was close with. He feels that the other occupants of The Shelter were too violent, harsh, and serious for him. Although Elle had the same attributes, she was more bearable than the others.

"Thanks, Erik." Elle turned towards him, giving him an appreciative embrace. Erik patted her back before pulling away. He handed Elle her belongings, also an envelope of cash.

"Extra cash. In case you need it." Elle took the envelope from Erik, smiling at him and giving him a nod as thanks. Elle turned back, a taxi waiting for her just outside the gate. Erik would've helped her with her bags in the taxi if he could, but he wasn't permitted to go beyond the gate.

Once Elle had settled her bags in the trunk of the taxi car, she gave Erik a farewell smile before getting in the backseat. Erik watched as the taxi began to drive away, disappearing into the distance. Erik turned and made his way back inside The Shelter, silently praying to the Goddess Lucianna to look over Elle.