Now, having passed the outskirts of the city, less and less vegetation appeared outside the quick convoy.

“So our majesty, Luna, is the wielder of the Moonlight Husk and the current ruler of Lunar Province. She became queen six years ago during the paradigm siege.” 

“However, though the kingdom may be the strongest, the queen herself is one of the weakest among the Seven Saviors,” Akira explained, scratching her ear.

Amari, driving cautiously, glanced at her wife suspiciously. 

“The Seven Saviors are those with one of the seven husks. However, as of now, they are known as the Six Saviors, since one of them has taken a dark path. And you might be wondering why halves aren’t included, it’s because there aren’t any left.” Akira explained, holding up seven fingers and wiggling each one individually. 

The bumps and curves began to vanish, and now became a steady drive.

“She’s basically saying that all seven husks are whole now,” Amari added, waving her hand through the slid window. 

“Yes, and it's quite the difficult predicament the world has fallen into,” Akira said, taking a deep breath.

“Hey, I apologize for the intrusion, but our mission doesn’t have anything to do with these husks, right?” Aki asked, his leg shaking up and down.

“No, don’t worry.” She picked up her tablet and turned it on.

“Now with that out of the way, it’s time for my favorite part.” She scrolled through her device and found the squad’s profiles, only showcasing the three young teens. “I’d like to ask a few questions to the three of you.”

Kaito raised his hand slowly, shivering nervously. “May I ask why?” 

“So my wife and I could customize your future training regimens according to your answers.” She turned her tablet, and it showed a few different pictures of scenery, with a few statistical graphs around.

Aki squints his eye in suspicion, unable to see the connection. 

“Actually, let’s just make it three for the sake of time.” She turned it back around, looking through a few categories. 

Souta yawned, placing his hands behind his neck. “I don’t mind whatsoever, I’ll take on whatever you guys hand me.” 

“I’m fine with whatever you give my brother.” She waved her hand up and down, smiling softly. 

“Alright then,” She returned her attention to the tablet, rearranging something. “So, Kaito, I guess that leaves you.”

“What, that’s not fair.” With his elbow pointing outward and his hand resting on his knee, his leg leaned forward in betrayal.

“Since I don’t need to test your mana's vibrancy, let me ask, what class do you consider yourself under?” She asked, crossing her legs.

“My class?” He tilted his head,  dumbfounded. 

“Yes, what role do you think suits your style most?” She held her hand out by her side, as if she were directing attention towards a board. “Offensive, defensive, tactical, balanced, or support?” 

He put his curled finger under his chin. “Well, I’d say all I do is attack, so offensive?” 

“Noted.” She took a moment to yawn, smiling embarrassingly afterward. “Okay, next, what aspect of yourself do you think does the most lifting when in combat?”

Souta and Elena turned towards the outside, noticing that Yokohama city was barely visible, a faint shadow amongst the darkening sky.

“That’d have to be my sword,” Kaito answered, patting the scabbard.

“I see, got it.” She tapped a few buttons on her tablet, then returned her attention. “And finally, what are your dreams?” 

“Dreams?” He looked towards his violet scabbard on the side.

“Yes, things you want to accomplish within your lifespan.” She turned off her tablet and rested it on her lap.

“To be honest, I can’t say I have any.” He returned his attention to her. “But if I had to choose, I’d say I want to be like my dad.”

As expected, his husk and weapon must’ve been his father's, she thought, narrowing her eyes slightly. 

“You don’t seem too certain.” Resting her arm on the other, she rested her chin under her tan hand.

“No, I’m very certain.” He turned his expression flat, serious yet determined. 

“Hah! Mine’s to make Kaito eat my dust.” Souta confidently smiled, spreading his hands in celebration. 

“Mine’s rather simple, I want to live a peaceful life with everyone.” Admitting to the soothing silence, Elena spoke softly. 

“Souta, yours seems more like a goal,” Aki commented, hunching towards Souta.

“At least I got one.” He added sarcastically, hunching forward as well.

“Well, I don’t need one to be cool.” He smiled, giving him a fist bump.

What’s going on with me? Why do I feel the urge to apologize, Kaito thought, envying how happy Souta looked with Aki. 

“Hey, idiot, you alright?” Elena asked, tapping his foot with hers from the other side, tilting her head.

“Yeah, I was just–” He tried to reply, but a sudden cold sought its way in. “Wait, is it me or is it getting cold?”

Thin breezes slithered into the convoy, slowly but surely, as the trip started to feel heavier.

“Oh, right, we’re approaching the end of Yokohama city.” Akira turned her body, facing her side, and reached for something on the back wall.

Though Yokohama was now the size of a hand from where they were, it still felt unreal.

“Okay, yeah, everything’s happening too fast, even for me.” Souta hugged himself, his hands comforting his shoulders.

“'Tis the world of the paradigm.” She found a thin edge and pressed it, revealing a control pad. “Now, brace yourselves.”

Pressing a button near its corner, she returned her gaze towards the convoy’s back.

“It’s way too cold, my goodness.” Souta’s teeth trembled like icicles, glancing between her and the open space.

Small traces of white powder began to emerge from every side, from the trails to the sides, and it began to dominate the view. 

“I’m gonna freeze.” Elena curled up, putting her feet on the chair.

Then came a whirring sound from the interior, heading towards the opening. 

“Any second now.” Akira put her open palms to her mouth, exhaling a warm breath.

From the bottom and top rims of the convoy came out sliding glass, transparent and thick, lowering themselves down and stopping any more breezes from entering.

“We’ve reached the outskirts of Lunar Province, the beginning of her territory.” 

Thin and long air ducts opened from above and produced warm air, soothing the squad’s shivering.

Kaito got up quickly, resting his hands on the glass, glancing around. “Whoa, this is what they call snow?”

“When it isn’t attacking us.” Elena rubbed her hands across her pants back and forth.

The faint trails turned into thick paths, and the sides turned into heaps of snow.

“But it’s so beautiful.” He whispered, his tone calm and entranced.

With all the white beauty that shone under the moon’s sight, Kaito rested his forehead against the glass.

“Must be because it’s something you’ve seen before.” 

“No, I could stare at this for hours,” He patiently looked around, appreciating every second. “Something about it I can’t put my finger on.” 

His breathing grew calmer and his thoughts quieter, softening under the moon’s whispers. 

A few minutes passed by, an embrace of the warmth and an arrival.

The white convoy began to slow down, making a full stop when the shade fully wrapped over the vehicle. They had parked in a luxurious garage, one so massive and vast, near the end.

“Alright, squad 178, we’ve arrived.” Akira swiftly stood up, opening the armory chest under the seat, taking out a few puffer jackets. “Put these on before I open the gate.”

As Kaito slowly turned, the rest of the squad rushed over and took the jackets.

“Kaito, here, quickly.” Elena handed over his, putting hers on afterward.

Catching it with style, he put it on with ease. “Thanks, sis.”

Akira pressed another button on the panel. “Okay, everyone ready?” 

Then the glass barriers opened outwards, withdrawing back into the convoy’s rims. 

We’re actually here, Kaito smiled brightly, following the rest of them outside as they hopped off from a few feet. 

Amari turned off the convoy and got out of the driver’s seat, noticing Souta was the first to hop off.

“Gotta hand it to them, I didn’t think it’d be this cool.” Souta cheered, clapping his hands together as the squad stopped in awe. 

From the tips’ lights and golden patterns to the overall structure and style, the castle looked like it was touched by the gods themselves. 

“It’s so beautiful,” Kaito whispered to himself, amazed by not only the castle but how perfectly the moon hid behind it, snow complementing its royal presence. 

He gently raised his hand over the moon’s silhouette, tilting his head in familiarity. 

Akira and Amari made their way in front of the squad. “Welcome to Lunar Province.”