The mountain of Dontenslav was high and mighty, with a sharp point reaching the clouds. Only the stars shone in the night sky. Next to the mountain, a young man was sitting on a rock alone near a camp with a lit fire. His hair raven black and messy. His eyes blue. His face pale white.
Broken trees surrounded him, as he stared high at the stars. Winter Val.
His mind puzzled. Memories flushed in his mind.
I remember the village. The village in which we used to live…
Our houses simple, the tall grass. The people nice and gentle. Everything seemed peaceful with you by my side.
The gray house was old and rough. Plants scattered around. Giggles filled the small village. A farm made just for the people there to live. Enough food to sustain each person without worrying about cost. Flowers rose high in Spring.
Until you awakened that lineage…
Slowly, people in the village vanished. People you and I used to care for. People we cherished.
You made me think it was something else. I took too long to realize—it was you.
Taking the lives of others with just the touch of your hand. I had to take them away. My mother and Ray… they couldn't be near you… I was not going to let them.
I remember when my mother, Ray, and I walked toward the north. The Land of No Season—a place that united all of them. One without monarch.
I left you there because I was scared. Once I noticed it was you, I just turned my head and ran. I couldn't see you like that… and I couldn't see my family suffer anymore…
A frown formed in his pale face.
He clenched his fists tightly.
My mind… it seems more spaced out than ever… I feel like I miss someone…
I can't wrap my head around who…
Maybe it's more than one?
I remember a cold place… fishing with two people.
And… a bunny…
He shrugged off his thoughts, not entertaining them anymore.
I guess I need food.
Val stood up and started walking towards the camp where the rest were. His expression indifferent and cold. His eyes scanned the terrain—rocks, dirt, and broken trees for all the eye could see. A path led to their camp ahead, sloping gently downhill.
Near the fire of the camp was Phes, looking down at her missing hand, now wrapped in a clean, taintless cloth. Her surroundings were silent, and her flare dimmed. Only the crackling of the fire could be heard.
Thorn was further away from the fire, planting a small seedling. He sat cross-legged on the ground, his palms glowing green as they hovered over the soil.
Kyle and Indra had gone inside the tent. Kyle was examining the armor of the Daunters.
Val sat across from Phes, the fire between them. Suddenly, she spoke in a low voice.
"It's not your fault…"
Val raised an eyebrow, not quite hearing.
"What?"
Phes sighed, looking down, forming a frown.
"I said it's not your fault, dammit!"
Silence followed. Val's eyes widened slightly.
"Bu—"
She interrupted him.
"I said it's not…"
"It's only mine for not being strong enough."
"That wench…"
She stared at her missing hand, conjuring another from red flames. Her scarlet-red eyes reflected the flickering hue.
"With this I can still fight…"
Her fire hand dimming back. She rose her head staring at the fire in front.
"I will make her pay."
"So… stop acting all sad!"
Val looked down, a small smile forming on his lips.
"Thank you… and I'm sorry."
Phes pouted and turned away. After a second of silence she spoke.
"Okay, now that you're good… go and grab me something to eat from the carriage."
Val stood up slowly.
"Sure."
He took the first few steps, then raised an eyebrow at her.
"Did you say that just so I'd go?"
Phes turned red, her frown returning.
"WHY WOULD I GO TO SUCH LENGTHS FOR THAT?!"
"Just go and grab me food, bastard!"
She threw a rock at his arm angrily.
Val caught her expression—the corners of her mouth twitching between a pout and a smile.
He rubbed the spot where the rock hit him, exaggeratedly.
"Ouch. Abuse from a wounded teammate… I'll report this to Kyle."
"Go already!" she shouted, turning redder.
Throwing another small rock at his chest.
Val giggled.
"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?"
She raised her fist in the air.
Val waved his hand in front of him, letting out a deep sigh.
"Nothing, I'll go and get it."
Thorn raised his index finger from far away.
"Another for me, please!"
Jack nodded and went his way.
Phes and Thorn were left alone.
Thorn stood from his seated position. In place of the small plant, a tall and vivid tree now stood at the edge of their resting camp. The wood smooth and brown. Branching off into green leaves spreading wide in the surroundings. Some falling with the wind.
He approached Phes with a warm smile on his face. His voice rough as he let out a tired groan, sitting beside the fire. Turning his head toward Phes.
"I've never seen you be so good to him…"
Phes crossed her arms.
"I don't like it when he is all cold like that."
Thorn smirked.
"All it took was a lost arm…"
Phes raged, throwing several small rocks.
"WHY CAN'T I JUST DO THE RIGHT THING WITHOUT ANYONE DOUBTING ME?!"
Thorn laughed strongly.
"HAHAHA!"
"It's alright. You did good."
A smile formed on Phes's face, warm and a little shy. Her cheeks were slightly red.
The cold night gained warmth once again…
Inside the tent, a small candle flickered gently, illuminating the surroundings. Giving it a cozy and accommodating environment. Indra sat reading a book. Kyle was positioned in front of a wooden table.
Shards of the armor of the Daunters were laid out before him. He arranged them meticulously, joining them together.
Indra spoke, gazing at her book.
"Thorn is going to plant a tree outside. It will help for at least some color…"
Kyle spoke uninterested.
"Good…"
As the shards aligned, red tethers began to pulse between them—glowing faintly, shifting without direction. Kyle narrowed his eyes in concentration, placing the final shard to complete the formation.
His eyes widened at the sight, and he instinctively stepped back. The tethers formed a single, coherent rune.
It was a red cross, pointed at the bottom. At the top, a half-moon, its open side facing upward. In the center of the moon, a detailed red dot glowed. His mind reeled.
This…
The symbol of…
Kyle's eyes shook.
With this I cloud help.
The rune flared brighter, flooding the tent in crimson light. The shards shimmered with internal power. Kyle shielded his eyes. A moment later, the glow dimmed—but the rune remained.
Indra looked up from her book, lowering her hand from her face. She blinked, confused. Kyle, still staring at the rune, spoke without turning.
"Indra, what do you know about Lineages…"
She glanced at the table, then scratched her cheek.
"Hmm."
"What I know is that there are five seasons."
She slowly closed her book.
"Lineages come from them. You have Spring, Monsoon, Summer, Autumn, and lastly, Late Autumn."
Kyle nodded.
"That's right. You're a heir of Monsoon, Phes of Autumn, Thorn of Spring…"
"Although Phes is the only direct heir…"
The room tensed.
"Then you have where we are right now—the Land of No Season…"
Indra's breath caught.
"What does this have to do with anyth—"
Kyle cut her off.
"I figured it out. What that woman is trying to do."
"The Daunters hold the rune of the Season that lies beneath…"
He paused, nervous.
"The Netherfall…"
The word sent a chill through the tent. The Netherfall. The forgotten season buried beneath the others. Home to the Daunters—filled with monsters like the headless soldiers… or worse. Only hearing the name would make anyone shiver.
Kyle looked back at the rune.
"She's trying to open a gate into the Land of No Season."
"One that would join our seasons with theirs."
Suddenly, the tent rustled.
The atmosphere chilled. A pale hand slipped inside through the flap of the tent.
Kyle turned slowly, tension mounting.
A voice spoke from beyond the cloth.
"Excuse me, would you like bread?"
It was Val, holding two loaves in his hand with a slightly enthusiastic expression.
Kyle exhaled sharply. Tension releasing off his body.
Val looked at the rune on the table, confused, then back at Kyle with tired eyes.
Both Indra and Kyle sighed in relief, speaking at the same time:
"Yes, please."
Val tilted his head.
"Oh… and I saw some shining from outside. What was that about?"
He eyed the rune, raising a brow.
"Actually. Could I get the bread first?"
Kyle laughed nervously.
Val nodded, still staring at the red rune. His mind stirred.
That rune…
Just what is Izanami planning?
Val handed the bread to Indra and Kyle.
After eating the rest of the group united. They had to take care of her one way or another…