For a brief moment, Neoma watched as he became a speck on the horizon, taking a deep breath.

Then, out of nowhere, her eyes turned cold.

“Something’s going on with my mana.” Neoma’s breath began to falter, her chest tightening. “It hurts, damn it.”

Her neck snapped towards the direction she came from, her gaze sharpening like blades. 

“Could it be?” 

Her boots impaled the snow, her hands braced themselves, and her body set halfway.

Fwoosh! 

Waves of snow burst outwards, unable to catch up with Neoma, with intense sounds echoing in their wake.

In just a few seconds, Neoma caught sight of the camp, tearing into the snow with her hands.

She hit the brakes in time, her expression still flooding with frustration.

In and out.

She caught her breath as she analyzed the three people from a distance.

They, too, were catching their breath, their expressions stuck between confusion and fear.

The teen with black hair looked the least frightened, tightening her grip on the vine in her hand.

Luna chuckled nervously from where she sat, offering Neoma a small wave from underneath the dozen thick vines.

“Sorry, I was enthralled by this strange food.” She looked away in shame, sighing dramatically. “It was an assortment of different foods squished in the midst of two slices of bread.”
Neoma returned to facing the three strangers, glancing between them with resentment. 

She slowly raised her hand towards them, ready to engage violently.

“Neoma,” Luna swayed from side to side, humming in between. “Did you already put him in prison?”

Neoma’s eyes widened in realization, firing a glance at the vines around her majesty as her hand returned to her side.

“Kaito’s been captured?!” The blue-haired teen shouted, turning to the adult in worry. 

Their expressions shifted to concern, each of them reacting in ever-so-different ways to the revelation.

“It appears so.” He replied, trying to keep his composure. “That explains why he didn’t come out of his tent.”

The tension grew between both parties, neither able to make a move.

Neoma began to organize her thoughts, while the others faced the complete opposite. 

Only Luna waited patiently, examining the slithering vines around her torso.

Until someone broke the silence.

“Everyone!” The lady in the middle exclaimed, offering the vine’s tip to Neoma. “I’ve made my decision.”

“Wait, what?” Neoma was flabbergasted, her position framed still.

Her team let silence speak, just as confused as their enemy.

“Don’t get it wrong; this isn’t a hostage for a hostage situation.” She spoke, taking a step closer to the royal. “But do answer me this: you’re Neoma, right?”

“Yes,” Neoma replied, crossing her pale arms over her chest. “I’m Neoma Esperanza, the overseer of Lunar Province.” 

“I suspect Kaito’s told you a lot about me?” Elena asked, offering a strained smile.

“Since you knew my name, I expect it’s been a similar situation for you?” 

“Yes,” Elena nodded. “He’s spoken about you a lot.” 

“It’s nice to meet you finally,” Neoma said politely, though her guarded expression didn’t falter.

“But please tell me that he’s okay.” Her composure cracked ever so slightly.

“Of course, you need not worry.” She answered, receiving the vine from her hand. “He’s unharmed.”

Luna scooted little by little to Neoma’s side, using her knees to push through the snow.

“By the way, that’s Souta.” Elena shifted her finger from one to the other. “And he’s Aki.” 

“It’s nice to meet you.” He said with a half-forced smile, offering her a small wave.

“Likewise,” Luna replied blankly, tearing apart the vines around her majesty.

“So do you think we could have our friend back now?” Souta asked, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“I hate to tell you all this, but I’ll have to take you all in, too.” Neoma straightened her posture, as if to make it clear she wasn’t negotiating. 

“If we comply, will you allow us to see Kaito again?” Elena asked without hesitation, keeping her gaze fixed on Neoma.

“Yes, in fact, you’ll all be staying together.”

Luna continued to fidget around, almost as if she were a child trying to remain patient.

“To think we’d end up behind bars,” Aki muttered under his breath, dragging a hand down his face.

“As long as we’re together,” Elena put on a smile in hopes of comforting her squad. “Everything will turn out okay.”

“I don’t mean to interrupt, but can you get these vines off now?” Luna asked, rising from her knees and raising her bound hands.

“Right, my apologies, Luna.” Elena hurried over before gently tracing the vines with her hands, watching as they all grew limp.

Luna leaped to her feet before happily stretching with confidence.

Neoma’s body also became lighter, allowing her to breathe more freely.

Then, her eyes widened at the realization of something.

“How do you know her name as well?” Neoma’s eyes tracked Elena as she walked back, suspicion creeping back into her voice.

“You seriously don’t know?” Souta blinked in disbelief before glancing awkwardly between his teammates.

“Souta,” Aki rolled his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Shut up.” 

“There’s no point in hiding it,” Elena said quietly, lowering her head ever so slightly. 

“We don't want there to be a misunderstanding.” Souta quickly added, taking a step back.

Aki turned away and made his way towards the distant luggage, putting everything back in their rightful place.

Neoma pulled Luna’s hand, guiding her closer to her side, and her expression hardened.

“Elena, enlighten me.” 

The whistling winds became audible as the snowfall increased.

Luna remained still, her eyes following whoever spoke or moved. She didn’t even blink.

With each passing second, she grew quieter and stiffer, as if wanting to disappear.

“Nearly the entire world has placed a bounty on her majesty, whether dead or alive,” Elena said solemnly, taking a deep breath afterward.

Instantly, Neoma narrowed her gaze, sliding her foot backward.

“We aren’t part of it; I swear.” Souta blurted, waving his hands in panic.

She remained vigilant for a moment, firing glances between the three of them, especially Aki, who was still by the tents.

After noticing no changes in their posture or expressions, she slowly withdrew her suspicions and returned to a formal stance.

“The rest of the world…” Neoma’s brows slowly grew together, disbelief taking suspicion’s place. “...is after my queen?”

Luna shifted her gaze to her Sister, a glimmer of relief sparkling in her eyes, as she exhaled a silent breath.

“For the most part, yes,” Elena replied, shoving Souta into the snow.

“Neoma, please don’t put it like that,” Luna mumbled, cheeks warming ever so slightly, her expression not entirely matching.

“What do you mean?” 

They froze momentarily, neither quite sure how to interpret the other’s expression. 

“Is it just me, or was that a little romantic?”

Neoma broke out first, glaring at Souta with a half-disgusted smile, one so horribly done you couldn’t tell if it was genuine or not.

“No, it’s nothing like that,” Neoma said a little too quickly, her voice panicking. “Not even close!”

The winds grew heavier.

And the snowfall grew sharper.

Luna’s wings retreated fully underneath her silver hair.

The thought of the bounty returned, stress slithering across her expression.

A single tear escaped, crawling down her cheek.

But it was crushed under Luna’s violent rubbing.

“Ahem, let’s not get off track, please.”

The faint aroma of blood wafted by, unnoticed by everyone but Luna, her wings quivering for a brief second.

“Yes, let us resume our negotiation.” Elena hugged herself, beginning to shiver. “As for what Souta said earlier, I promise we only had her tied up because she was digging through our stuff.”

Neoma blinked as if breaking free from deep thought, only to return to it a few seconds later.

“But if you three aren’t involved,” She shot the returning Aki a sideways glance, then to the flower motif on Elena’s pants. “How do you guys know so much of this supposed bounty?”

“That’s because–” Elena tried to explain, but Aki’s loud sneeze startled her.

He laughed it off and rubbed the back of his head apologetically. 

But just as she was about to open her mouth again, the not-so-distant hills shouted.

Boom!

The ground around their feet shook as red erupted towards the sky.

Its fiery blaze burned the clouds, sending grey winds towards them.

As the rest looked on in shock, Luna peered at the explosion with utter fear, unable to move.

Soft footsteps came from the side, like those of a leopard.

Luna turned around first, hearing the woman’s light chuckle.

Then, she spoke, her smile as prideful as can be.

“What a shame.” Her hand rested by her cheek, her fingers displayed with elegance. “I was hoping you three would remain useful, but it looks like I was wrong.”

Neoma gradually turned to Elena, her expression split between confusion and betrayal.

“You’re working with the Crimson Blood?” 

Elena’s expression went blank.