A heavy wind swept across the white expanse of Solmira, dragging with it countless snowflakes. They danced in the air before gently descending. One by one, they settled upon the earth, slowly masking the barely visible path beneath a fresh layer of white.
There, two boys stood. Two large bags strapped to their backs.
"Lior, are we lost?" Fenric asked, concern etched into his voice.
Lior pressed a finger to his forehead, glancing at the small parchment in his hand.
With a sigh, he shook his head.
"I don't get it. We've been walking for hours."
He raised his gaze, scanning the landscape.
A never-ending, blinding snowy plain. Nothing else. The falling snow blurred the horizon.
Each breath puffed a small cloud. Every inhale more painful than the last. The freezing wind pierced their frail bodies like knives.
Damn it, Lior thought, slipping the paper back into his bag.
He turned to Fenric.
"We should be on the right track. Let's keep moving," he said.
They were heading for the decaying forest in northern Solmira.
"Also, why is it called Elaren's Veil?" Lior asked.
"I don't know," Fenric replied, shaking his head. "It used to be a nameless forest before Solmira fell."
"Is that so..." Lior muttered, a sigh escaping his lips.
"But Lior," Fenric continued, clearly bothered, "what exactly are we hunting there?"
Lior blinked. "What do you mean? You said there are animal-like beings in there."
He tapped his chin. "What did you call them?"
Fenric paled. "No way... You want to hunt beasts?"
His heartbeat quickened. "Are you crazy? There's no way we can kill a beast."
"Relax," Lior said, looking at him calmly. "You said an Awakened can do it. Why can't we?"
He continued walking, not even glancing back. "Besides, we won't go after packs. A single beast—just one—we can handle."
Fenric was aghast. "You want to kill a Bone-backed Stag?"
Lior snapped his fingers. "Exactly. That's the one."
Fenric felt his soul leave his body. "I knew it. You've really lost it, Lior."
Lior waved him off. "You're overreacting. We've trained for three months. Even if it's strong, I'm confident."
Then Lior spotted something ahead. He pointed. "Look, we made it."
A withered forest awaited them, frostbitten year-round despite the region's temperate climate. Every tree stood draped in a deathly hush. No birdsong. The snow didn't fall—it simply hung in the air, suspended, as though time itself hesitated to move.
As they approached the eerie woodland, they stood just before its entrance.
Even the wind seemed afraid to enter.
Lior turned to the frightened boy beside him. "Well, shall we?"
Fenric gulped. "A-...alright."
Cautiously, they stepped into the forest. Instantly, mist swallowed them. An ethereal blue haze swept through the trees, obscuring their view.
The sky vanished behind towering trunks, allowing only traces of light to slip through.
"Well, this isn't good," Lior muttered, frowning.
Fenric, trembling, tapped his shoulder. "Let's go back, please."
Lior shook his head. "We can't. No point in turning back now."
He unsheathed his Odachi, gripping it tightly as he continued forward.
Each step echoed. Every breath like a shout. Each heartbeat a drumbeat.
Beyond that, Elaren's Veil was blood-curdlingly silent.
Fuck, this is creepy—even for me.
He glanced at Fenric. The boy's hands were trembling from both cold and fear.
As they pressed deeper into the forest, Lior felt something strange.
What's this...?
It wasn't the sensation itself—it was how it wrapped around him.
Like the ruined Temple. But... different.
It felt weaker than the Temple, yet eerily familiar.
Solitude.
It shrouded his body. Clung to him. Wouldn't let go.
It was as though his very existence had transformed into eternal isolation.
He glanced at Fenric, trailing behind him.
"Are you alright, Fenric?"
Still frightened, Fenric snapped, "Of course not! This forest is terrifying, I'm freezing, and you want to hunt beasts! How could I be alright?"
Seems he's not feeling it, Lior thought, still unable to shake the suffocating sensation.
Hours slipped away like melting snow. Aimlessly wandering, the boys stumbled upon something strange.
A clearing, hidden deep within the woods. Surrounded by ever-growing trees, its ground was painted dark green—grass, not snow. The mist dared not cross its border.
It looked entirely out of place.
"Didn't think I'd see grass this soon," Lior said, chuckling.
Fenric, less amused, whispered, "Lior, we should be careful."
Lior nodded.
With light steps, they entered the field.
Then the world shifted.
Air thinned. The cold intensified, crawling into their bones. The wind shrieked in fury.
Once more, that sensation wrapped around Lior. His heart plummeted.
Shi—
Before the thought finished, a whisper slid past his ear.
"She forgives you, Caldrein…"
Time slowed down as the voice kept ringing. Blinding chill surged through his body.
A pit opened in Lior's stomach. His hands turned clammy, eyes narrowing. The words devoured him.
Shit...
He looked to Fenric.
The boy looked pale as death.
"Lior..." he said, pointing forward, "What is that?"
Lior followed his gaze.
A hunched figure was rising. Its entire body cloaked in pristine white armor. The metal shimmered with what little light the forest offered.
Around it, the air changed its tune. The mist was absorbed. The wind screamed in protest, then fell silent—as if stripped of its will.
The entity radiated blinding light. A greatsword of cracked ice flickered in its grip, dimming and glowing in turns.
Lior didn't need to observe any longer. He knew.
A Forged Core? Maybe... even stronger.
He could barely fight a Kindled Core.
To face this was suicide.
Spinning around, he shouted, "Run!"
Fenric, dazed, snapped to awareness and bolted.
Behind them, the knight tilted his head.
A quiet voice followed: "She's not gone..."
Then, the knight slammed his blade into the ground. Instantly, ice spikes shot from the grass, racing toward the boys.
Lior looked back.
Fuck, just a bit more...
He grabbed Fenric, lifting him slightly, and poured all his strength into his legs.
A few meters from the mist, he jumped.
The ice javelins missed—barely.
They hopped straight into the icy forest, the mist welcoming them back with open arms.
Behind them, the voice drifted through the fog—
"She's still waiting, Caldrein…"