Ice began to form around Neoma’s skin, increasing in size with each passing moment.

Her foot dug into the snow, helping with her balance, and she took a deep breath.

“I will not warn you again.”

The tent shuffled slightly, the sound of crawling growing closer to the front.

“Wait, wait, wait!” A voice exclaimed from within, his tone frantic.

The zipper reached for the tip, two fingers helping it for a second. Then, a scabbard came out gently across the snow, followed by the stranger’s steady hands.

Neoma slid her foot across the snow in a graceful manner, controlling the snow below the scabbard and sliding it even further.

However, she squinted at how light it was, further irritated by how long he took to reveal himself.

In a flash, she made haste with her prowess.

Icicles raced towards him at tremendous speed, mana steaming from her hand.

Just as fast, the intruder lunged across the space, rolling over to the scabbard.

With just a light kick, it spun upwards, and with his other leg, he kicked it towards her.

Neoma slapped it away, rotating her legs to keep her balance, and clenched her fists.

As he closed the distance between them, shining blade in his hand, ice rapidly engulfed both her fists and formed giant gauntlets. 

Klink! 

The blade was stopped in its tracks, both gauntlets holding onto the sword. 

Ice clawed onto the weapon, racing towards his hands.

But he let go in the nick of time, leaping backward and regaining distance.

“As expected.” He grinned, raising his open palm.

Neoma shot a glance at the sword in her gauntlet, her eyes widening instantly.

Then, he shut his hand with a smug look.

Purple flames burst from the metal, shattering half of her gauntlet and forcing her to gain distance.

But before she knew it, the flames respawned on the rest of her gauntlet, taking over her hand as well.

Her other gauntlet shot across in a flash, grabbed onto the burning limb, and tore it off.

Snow leaked from her arm like a waterfall, some hues of gentle colors falling beside them as if the moon itself illuminated the stream.

The teen stopped for a second, regret flashing across his face for a brief moment.

Neoma stared at the fallen limb in shock, her teeth grinding against one another as it succumbed to the dark flames.

She lifted her head instantly, and her dreadful gaze pierced into his, sending a shiver down his spine.

Snow and ice reformed from the cut space, gradually regenerating the limb.

And with a deep breath, Neoma returned to an offensive stance, ready to resume. 

But he just stood still, his gaze stuck on her with lifted brows.

He raised his hands into the air, slowly getting on his knees, and pushed the sword away.

“Is that you, Neoma?”

She put her foot over the blade, resting her hands beside her hips, and let the passing time calm her down. 

She tucked in her skirt and crouched down, squinting in confusion.

From the black hair, his purple jacket, and pale eyes, she shot glances across his appearance for a moment.

“Wait a minute.” Neoma’s eyes widened, her gauntlet vanishing. “Is that really you, Kaito?”

They stood in silence until a smile grew on their faces, a sense of relief washing over them.

“In the flesh.” He chuckled, resting his hands on his knees.

The two shook hands, their joyful expressions bringing forth a shared warmth. 

“It’s really been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Almost two years, yeah.”

The rustle of plastic entered the fray, coming from the side as the two turned their attention to the spectator. 

“May I ask why these crisps taste like a mess?” Luna sighed, crumpling the bag and placing it next to the rest. “Not that I mind, but they rely way too much on spices and seasonings.”

“Hey,” Kaito pointed at Luna in disbelief. “I was saving those for later.”

Luna wiped her mouth and examined the campsite once more, her wings stiff.

“Neoma,” she rose from the snow, dusting herself as she stood. “If you may.”

Neoma stood up with no hesitation, her lack of expression returning.

“Apologies.” Neoma aimed her open palm at him once more. “We’ll have to save our conversation for another time.”

Ice lunged from below, detaining Kaito and pinning him in place.

“Damn it.” He let out a defeated sigh, realizing how strong the ice really was.

They all took a moment to exchange glances, Kaito lowering his head in shame. The silence slithered around them momentarily, departing once he slouched against the confinement. 

“Elena’s gonna be so disappointed in me.”

The ice slowly transformed into thick chains, wrapping around his entire body.

“So you’re what they call a Paradigm?” Luna stood before Kaito, crossing her arms. “How interesting.

“Aren’t you one too?” He tilted his head, lips parted from one another in confusion. “Except that you have very little mana.”

“No, I’m not a Paradigm.” Her wings spread out far and wide as if to make it clear. “Hence my curiosity. I’m an angel.”

Before Kaito could reply, the chains around him were tugged forward.

“Which prison shall I escort him to?” Neoma pulled the chains, wrapping them around her wrist. 

“Seeing how you two know each other,” Luna strolled over to another suitcase, opening it excitedly. “I’ll leave that for you to choose.”

“Very well.” Neoma bowed, beginning her return to the kingdom. “I shall see you later.”

Kaito followed not too far behind with a reluctant chuckle, dragging his feet through the thick snow. 

Luna waved to them as they left, her other hand still scouring through the stacks of clothes and items.

The tips of her wings shook with excitement as she came across a packaged slice of cake. She fixed her skirt tails before kneeling, opened the container, and created a fork out of ice.

“And it’s vanilla.” She cheered with a smile as she dug the fork in. “Today’s my lucky day.”

Back in the midst of the tundra, Kaito had changed his pace to follow Neoma’s, hoping to catch an opportunity to make chatter.

As the castle came into view, Neoma lifted the chains and crushed them, the ice around Kaito vanishing into the air.

They stood still for a second, questioning the silence.

“Is something the matter?”

“Damn it.” Neoma dragged her hand across her face. “I can’t believe I’m about to do this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Head to the first village to the east, find the merchant with a pair of gold glasses, and ask where to find Kayla.”

“Huh?” Kaito tilted his head with a dumbfounded face. “Why would I do that?”

“Lie down there with her as I clear up things on my end.” Neoma handed over his weapon as if telling him to hurry.

“But I’ve intruded into the world’s greatest kingdom.” Kaito lowered his head slightly, sighing in mild guilt. “Don’t you think that–”

“And you so happen to be friends with the second in command.” Neoma placed her hands on her hips confidently. “Trust me on this.”

Kaito put his hands in his pockets as the breeze grew stronger, the snow brushing against them.

“But I need to tell you something.” 

“That can wait.” Her hand reached for Kaito’s shoulder, her gaze softening. “Right now, I just need you to trust me.”

The two locked eyes for a moment before he gave in, lowering his head.

“Alright, I will.” 

Without haste, Kaito began his departure, his purple jacket out of place within the white canvas.

“I’ll see you in a bit!” Neoma exclaimed, her dark cape calling out to him too.