The chilly wind howled, firing enormous hails at the four. Perhaps, nature is trying to prevent the Nobles from seeing the tragedy before them.

"We're almost there! Hurry up!" Rygus yelled happily, "Let's go!"

Shivering, Helle clenched her teeth and put her hands around her arms. "Wait up, Rygus!"

Xarius took out a jacket from his backpack and toss it over Helle's shoulders. "You're always like this. I told you we're going to be going to the Wintry Mountains. Can't you tell its temperature by the name?"

"Do I get one?" Zereth asked.

"You can use mine. I've brought four. It doesn't seem like Rygus needs it, though."

Rygus skipped joyfully on top of the fluffy snow. The prickly wind across his face didn't bother him, as all he wanted to do was to introduce his friends to his family. The happiness blinded his eyes from the snowy storm. He ran and yelled backwards every once in a while to make sure that his friends are keeping up. Rygus wouldn't want to wait even a second more to introduce his family.

"It's just that cave ahead! Hurry up!"

"Okay!" Zereth yelled, "We're coming!" 

The three shivering shadows jogged up towards the peak of the mountains and cleared their eyes to welcome the people.

But as they entered the cave, they did not see a warm group of family, chatting and socializing.

Instead, blood was splattered onto the fresh snow and smeared across the cold stone wall. Bodies lay on the ground, as cold as the frost on top.

The dim moonlight shone on the man laying on the floor, with tears streaming own his face. One glance, and he understood the moments he'll never have. The joy from his appearance was gone. Anger, grief, and heartache spread across his handsome face and twisted the expressions.

Helle, Xarius, and Zereth just stood there. They know that they could do nothing but watch Rygus collapse in despair. A barrier of sorrows told them not to accompany him in his lament, but to stay away and let him have his moment.

Angry cries of Rygus mirrored the image before them, and all three kneeled down to pray for the souls that were lost.