The two continued walking down the desolate roads as snow built up beneath their steps.
Leo had put a hand out, observing the amount that was falling.
"What month is it?" He asked Desmond without turning to face him.
The boy thought for a moment as he recalled the vague memory of an open calendar he noticed back at the Headquarters.
"December, if I remember correctly. Why?"
Leo fell silent. The same silence that had always felt strangely anxious.
He decided to break this silence after a few seconds.
"Have you ever heard of something called the Mortem Solstice?"
Desmond hummed in thought for a moment, trying his best to remember any such thing mentioned back in the Academy.
Naturally, his mind drew a blank.
"No, afraid not. What is it?"
Before Leo continued, he thought of what Caspian might think of this potential conversation.
` Should I really be telling him this? Most Reveurs of Desmond's rank don't know about the Solstice. Then again, I've already brought it up; so I guess there's no going back unless I want his curiosity running wild. `
Leo inwardly apologized to Caspian before clearing his throat with a low cough and carrying on.
"People are asked to stay inside their homes on the first day of the new year, yes?"
Desmond gave a nod in acknowledgment. He vividly remembered how the orphanage workers would close the blinds and lock the doors for one full day at the end of the year.
He never understood why, and seemingly neither did the workers.
In fact, hardly anyone spoke of it as something unnatural.
Back in primary school, a teacher had briefly explained that it was a natural phenomena that had to do with the atmosphere blocking out light.
Since most crimes happened at night, this law of staying indoors during the event seemed to be simple protocol to keep everyone safe.
It never made much sense in Desmond's opinion.
After all, just how much more crime could be committed from a few more hours of night?
Then again, many laws didn't make sense in his eyes.
But a good Reveur had to follow orders, so he never gave it much thought.
Leo spoke once more, regaining Desmond's attention.
"In truth, the real danger of that night isn't the people. It's the Cryptids."
Desmond's brow furrowed in curiosity.
"The Cryptids? Well, I guess that makes sense. It'd be easier for them to sneak in if it was dark for that long."
Leo shook his head, dismissing the theory.
"No. That's not it. The truth is… they grow stronger. Much stronger. Some may even climb in rank due to the influx of power. That Rougarou we just fought hardly compares to what the Solstice brings."
Shook to his core, Desmond couldn't speak. He could only process just how dangerous the world truly was, and the lie that King Henrik had told to the people.
"You can't be serious. How has there never been a break-in during that?"
Leo's eyes moved to the walls far off in the distance, slightly obscured by the fog of falling snow.
"Almost all Reveurs are stationed in strategic positions outside the walls to properly deal with any approaching threats. Sometimes we lose a handful. Other times we lose hundreds. The very lucky few are left within the walls to patrol the streets and ensure no civilians are outside during this operation."
Desmond fell silent. He felt foolish for having believed any explanation over the one he was hearing just now.
What else could possibly explain a complete legal restriction of any civilians going outdoors for a full twenty-four hours?
"I see. So, I guess you don't like the snow too much, do you?"
Leo let out a weak, tired chuckle at this.
"Not with what it brings, no."
Desmond shrugged simply.
"That makes sense. I still like the snow, though."
"It's good that you do," Leo said before the two returned to silence.
Some time later, the two had arrived in the lobby of the Reveur Headquarters.
Valentino, who had been talking with some high-ranking Reveurs, looked to the opened doors for a second before returning his gaze to the Generals.
Immediately, he did a double take, his eyes widening upon seeing the physical state Leo and Desmond were in.
Leo, with dried blood over his forehead, gaping holes in his arms, and his leg twisted unnaturally.
Desmond's injuries were lighter in comparison. Although, the amount of blood on the lower half of his face was nonetheless alarming.
Quickly, Valentino rushed over to them.
"What in the Empress' name happened to you out there?!"
Leo, with strange calmness, waved a hand.
"It's been a while, Valentino. Don't worry about me. It looks worse than it is."
Valentino slapped Leo's hand out of the way.
"I wasn't talking to you, moron. I was talking to the boy."
Digging in his uniform pocket, he pulled out a white handkerchief and pressed it over Desmond's face.
"Clean yourself up, boy. Are you hurt?"
Desmond smiled awkwardly as he removed the cloth from his mouth.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just strained myself a bit."
Leo scoffed as he straightened his collar with a hand.
"He's fine, thumb-head. We were just on our way to the infirmary before you stopped us."
Valentino shot an annoyed elbow into Leo's arm. The same one that was currently riddled with massive holes.
Leo cursed aloud, making Desmond snicker involuntarily.
Upon seeing Leo's glare, he coughed and spoke up,
'We should probably head to the infirmary now. I'm feeling pretty dizzy."
Valentino gave Desmond a pat on his upper back.
"Hope you get better, son.'
He turned to Leo. "Make sure he gets plenty of water."
Leo gave a short, exasperated nod as the two had begun to walk away.
Before they could leave the room, Leo heard Caspian's voice call out from behind, his tone much more stern and serious than usual.
"Leo. Stop."
An oppressive silence suffocated the room; many Reveurs having stood from their seats in respect.
Turning to Caspian, his eyes widened as he recognized the figure that stood beside him.
The source of the oppressive energy.
Standing tall was none other than King Wilhelm Henrik, donning a dark-green variation of the traditional Reveur uniform, a fur-collared cape draped across his back.
Wavy, flaxen hair reached beyond his shoulders, contrasting against his nearly pitch-black eyes.
"Captain Leo Morwyn. I'd like a word with you in Caspian's office."