Kevin stepped off the ship first. The cold met him like a claw—gripping his shoulders, sliding down his arms. The mist didn't push him back. It parted. Like it knew him. Or feared what walked inside him.
Kael's eyes narrowed as he watched the mist swallow Kevin's figure.
"Is he still mad about what I said?"
Alex didn't look his way.
"Well… He's never not like that. Ice users don't talk. They don't warm up. They just stay cold."
Max's coat hung loose. He gripped it tight, his teeth clenched.
"He kinda reminds me of Elias."
Nobody said a word. For a breath. For two.
Then Mia moved. Her steps were sharp, her back straight, her face locked in stone. She reached the door and stopped.
She looked back.
"Lets move. Elder Eir's waiting."
Her voice didn't shout. It didn't need to. Something hung inside her tone—quiet, heavy. Like a shadow stretched too far.
Max nodded. The lightness in him vanished. One by one, they stepped out.
