The sun was shining brighter than ever.
Theoder had gone out on a hike through the forest. The heat was intense, though pleasant beneath the shade of the trees.
Birds were singing, and the sound of leaves swaying in the wind echoed all around the place. All of it brought him peace, the perfect place to think.
'I am on the right path. I'll arrive soon. It's incredible how some things never change.'
After walking a few more meters, he saw it.
He had ventured deep into the forest and found the king's statue—a small stone figure of a man sitting on a chair, a crown resting on his head, his gaze fixed forward.
I like visiting this statue every once in a while. It reminds me how far I've come since then.
Theoder sighed and turned around.
'I love this place. The trees, the statue, the wind… the snow…'
"The snow?"
The change was sudden. The air turned cold, the temperature dropped instantly, and a chill ran down his spine. His heart began to pound.
When he turned around, the statue was gone. The trees had changed; now they were larger, denser pines.
He tried to return the way he had come, but the path had vanished. Every step took him farther away from any familiar reference, and the cold began to seep into his bones, piercing through his light clothes.
The sounds of the forest grew louder and stranger, and the sense of danger increased.
"That's not possible… it's summer."
The wind howled through the trees.
In front of him there was only a white world—silent and unfamiliar—covered in snow.
'What's happening? Just a moment ago I was at the statue and now… wher—'
"Fire!"
The voice interrupted him.
"Huh?"
Theoder turned his head.
'There are other people.'
He followed the sound and saw it—something even stranger than snow in the middle of summer.
Cries of agony and suffering filled the air. A group of people armed with swords and bows were trying to kill a gigantic wolf, its fur dark and its eyes ferocious.
Theoder froze as he watched the creature tear the men apart effortlessly, devouring them one by one.
'This can't be real! What the hell is that?!'
He thought as he began to run.
Suddenly an arrow flew past his head, grazing it. Startled, he tripped and crashed into a tree.
Groaning in pain, he leaned back against the trunk.
He looked up and saw the wolf ripping apart the last of the men. The body hung lifeless between its claws, and from the man's hands a bow fell to the ground.
The beast, still unsatisfied, turned around.
Its eyes locked onto him.
The wolf began running toward him quickly, thirsty for blood.
'Am I really going to die like this… devoured? I don't want to. There has to be some way. I have to survive…'
He raised his arms, covering his face in a desperate attempt to protect himself.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swept across the ground.
Theoder opened his eyes just in time to see the wolf being pushed several meters backward.
In front of him stood an imposing figure, a tall man with brown hair and a muscular build, surrounded by an intimidating aura. In his right hand he tightly gripped a massive sword.
"There you are, you damn mutt," the man said with a malicious smile.
'This is my chance. I have to get out of here.'
Theoder began moving carefully while the stranger prepared to charge the beast. However, he slipped again, making a faint noise.
"What? Where?"
The man turned his head, searching for the source of the sound.
Their eyes met.
The wolf seized the distraction and lunged toward him at incredible speed.
"Already?!" the man shouted as he spun around and attacked.
The sword cut through the air. The wolf dodged the strike and managed to slash the warrior's body with its claws. Immediately afterward, the wolf turned again, preparing to pounce once more.
"What's wrong, Kael? Getting rusty already?"
A female voice rang out. Suddenly an arrow shot past Theoder's eyes at incredible speed and buried itself in the wolf's leg.
"You took your time getting here, Mira," Kael replied as he advanced quickly.
With a leap, Kael delivered a precise strike to the beast's neck, and its head rolled across the snow.
"And with that, the job's finished," he said, sheathing the sword at his waist.
'What the hell just happened!? That man… Kael…'
A young woman with long dark brown hair emerged from between the trees and approached Kael with calm steps.
"Well…" Mira said with a crooked smile.
"You saved the boy. Has your little heart finally softened?"
"He just got lucky," Kael cut in.
"Just luck."
"Yeah, yeah, don't be embarrassed. Doing good deeds is perfectly normal."
The woman stopped talking and turned her attention to Theoder. She looked at him for a second before approaching calmly.
"Are you alright?" she asked gently. "Are you hurt?"
Theoder opened his mouth, hesitating.
"I… I…" he swallowed.
"Where am I?"
Mira blinked, confused.
"What do you mean where…?" she started, then stopped herself.
"You're in the second ring of—"
Kael snorted from behind, interrupting her.
"What's wrong, Mira? Did the kid hit his head? We don't have time for this. Nightfall will be here soon," Kael said in a serious tone.
Mira frowned slightly but didn't take her eyes off Theoder.
"I don't think leaving him here is a good idea. He's not even wearing a coat." She looked him up and down.
"Aren't you cold… um?"
"Theoder," he said quickly.
Mira gave a small smile.
"Alright, Theoder. Come on," she said as she extended her hand to help him up.
"Come on, hurry," Kael insisted.
"Lyra and Darik are waiting for us."
Theoder cautiously reached out his hand. His fingers brushed against Mira's—
Suddenly, an invisible burst exploded between them. She pulled her hand away immediately.
The movement was so abrupt that Theoder lost his balance and fell back into the snow.
"What the…?"
The air grew heavy.
Mira had taken a step back. Her expression was no longer the same. Without saying a word, she drew her bow and aimed directly at Theoder.
"Kael…" she said quietly, without taking her eyes off him.
"This boy is suspicious."
His heart began pounding. Instinctively, he raised both hands. They were trembling from the cold and nerves.
"I didn't—"
A cold blade pressed against his neck.
A sword had appeared before his throat, completely still. One slight movement would end everything.
Kael leaned slightly toward him. His voice was deep and imposing.
"Boy… tell me, who the hell are you?"