Legacy's Wake

The snow-covered mountain where Yumiko had been brought had grown even colder, the howling winds picking up strength as they swept across the frozen expanse. The townspeople had gathered once more, their breath visible in the frigid air as they formed a solemn circle around Yumiko's motionless body. She was encased in an immense pillar of ice, her skin pressed against the freezing walls, her arms and legs crossed in a final act of self-preservation. Yet, despite the unbearable cold, she did not shiver or stir—she was still, a frozen effigy of the warrior they had come to revere.

"The Moon Knightess has been sealed within the Stone of Ice," the elder declared, his voice carried by the wind. "Two days remain until the full moon ascends the heavens. On that night, her fate shall be revealed. If she is truly blessed by the moon's bloodline, her inner flame shall keep her heart beating, protecting her from death's grasp. If not... then our hopes of restoring the Moon Knightess shall be for naught."

A murmur spread through the crowd, their eyes flickering between faith and uncertainty. The elder raised a hand to silence them. "This trial shall determine whether the power of the moon still runs through her veins. Should she endure, it will be a sign—an omen that fortune shall return to our land."

With that proclamation, the elder turned toward the gathered citizens, folding his arms. "Let us return to our homes. I shall remain vigilant, keeping watch over her whenever possible." The people nodded in quiet understanding before dispersing, some hurrying to continue their daily labors, while others departed with whispered prayers for the warrior entombed before them.

Once the town had emptied, the elder turned back to Yumiko's frozen form, stepping closer until the glacial surface reflected his own weathered face. He sighed, his breath briefly fogging against the ice.

"This trial is not merely a test of your worthiness, Yumiko," he murmured. "It is a purification, a cleansing of the vile poison that courses through your body."

His gaze lingered on the ice, as if peering through it into Yumiko's very soul. "Crimson Bloom is no ordinary poison. It is a cruel, insidious venom—one that corrupts from within, tainting not only the blood but the very essence of those it infects. Unlike common toxins that weaken the body with fever and decay, Crimson Bloom binds itself to the heat of life, feeding upon warmth, thriving in the flow of vitality. It cannot be purged through antidotes or alchemy, for it clings to the soul as much as the flesh.

"There is but one cure," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "To rob the poison of what it craves—to starve it of warmth until it withers into nothingness. The subzero cold of this mountain is the only force that can break its grip. The frost seeps into the very marrow of the afflicted, forcing the poison to stagnate, to fracture, to dissolve into oblivion. Only in the absolute stillness of the frozen abyss can the poison be slain without taking its host along with it."

His hands tightened into fists. "That is why you must endure, Moon Knightess. The cold will bite at your flesh, but it will not betray you. If your lineage is true, if the moon's blessing shields you, your blood shall resist the frost long enough for the poison to perish. But if your body falters... then even the heavens will not be able to save you."

He turned his back to the ice, exhaling another cloud of mist. "Survive, Yumiko. Prove that the moon still watches over you."

With that, the elder departed, his heavy steps crunching against the snow, leaving Yumiko behind in her silent prison of ice, waiting for the full moon to decide her fate.

—

Temoshí and her allies, Chiaki and Shanya, had been running through the night for some time when they finally arrived at a location that had captured their interest the moment they first set foot on the island.

Before them stretched a breathtaking district, a vision so surreal it felt like something out of a dream. Towering spires rose into the sky, their surfaces gleaming in the sunlight as though sculpted from polished crystal. Rings of golden light hovered above the skyline, slowly rotating with an almost celestial grace, their soft glow reflecting on the pristine waters below. Tall palm trees lined the scene, their swaying fronds adding a touch of life to the otherwise ethereal landscape.

"Whoa! This place is incredible!" Temoshí's blue eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in the magnificent sight. "It looks like something straight out of the heavens. And look!" She eagerly pointed upward, drawing the others' attention to a massive, majestic whale gliding effortlessly through the sky. "Are those creatures even real?! I wanna go up there and ride one!"

Before she could act on her impulse, Chiaki swiftly grabbed her by the arm, pulling her back before she lost focus on their mission. "Hold on, buddy. Try to keep your feet on the ground. We're not here to chase after giant mythological fish," she reminded her, voice laced with amusement but also caution. "Besides, we don't even know if we can reach that high or if those things are friendly."

Temoshí knew that finding Yumiko was their top priority, but the explorer in her struggled to contain the urge to venture off and uncover the mysteries of the sky above.

Meanwhile, Shanya had wandered a bit ahead, crouching near the edge of a vast, crystal-clear lake. She reached out, dipping her fingers into the water, only to blink in surprise. "The water's warm... and it's bubbling." Straightening up, she hesitated for a moment before tapping the surface lightly with her foot. That's when she realized something astonishing.

"Nah, I ain't gonna believe it until I test it myself." Despite her slight hesitation, curiosity got the better of her. She took a bold step forward—only to find herself standing effortlessly atop the water's surface. Her eyes widened in shock. "Holy crap! We can walk on this water!"

Temoshí and Chiaki wasted no time in rushing to join her, both leaping onto the lake with eager excitement.

"You really can!" Temoshí gasped, bouncing lightly on the water's surface as if it were solid ground. "It feels like I'm standing on feathers!"

The three of them exchanged glances, the thrill of discovery momentarily overtaking their mission. The district was unlike anything they had ever encountered—what other wonders could be waiting for them in this miraculous place?

Temoshí's excitement knew no bounds—she bounced around like an overjoyed puppy, her energy contagious as she playfully skipped across the water. "This is too much fun! I wish we could take this water with us!" she exclaimed, her laughter echoing through the air.

However, her joy was abruptly cut short. A sharp glint flickered in the distance, followed by the metallic whistle of something slicing through the air at alarming speed. Before she could react, a spear shot toward her like a torpedo, stabbing into the water mere inches between her legs. The impact sent ripples coursing through the surface, the force nearly knocking her off balance. She stumbled, quickly pulling her knees together, her heart pounding as the weight of the moment settled over her.

Her wide eyes darted toward the source of the attack, where a lone figure stood in the distance. A man clad in an orange sweater loomed at the far edge of the district, his face partially concealed behind a sleek mechanical mask that covered his mouth and nose.

Before Temoshí could fully process what had happened, the attention of her allies was drawn to the towering castle-like structure behind him. From its grand entrance, two figures emerged, their presence commanding immediate authority.

The first was a tall woman with sharp, calculating eyes—one golden, the other a striking shade of violet. Her long, silvery-white hair was elegantly bound into a high ponytail that cascaded down to her legs. She was dressed in pristine white attire, a symbol of both elegance and discipline, and strapped to her back were dual spears, gleaming under the daylight.

Beside her walked a man clad in matching white robes, though his attire bore an unmistakable distinction—a regal cloak of deep blue hues draped over his shoulders, signifying his higher rank. His silver hair spiked upward in a sharp, controlled manner, and his golden eyes gleamed with quiet intensity. In his hand, he held a pristine white pistol, its barrel glinting ominously.

Temoshí and her crew exchanged glances, their moment of wonder now replaced with the cold realization that they were no longer alone—and that these new arrivals were anything but welcoming.

To be continued...