The cold wind lifted the hairs on my arms and shook my body mercilessly. I was in a frozen hell, from the king to the crystal lands, every place was merciless, sharp as a knife. I wandered through the city for a while and arrived at a market, colorful in contrast to the city itself. My mind was full of important questions. So many problems to solve, so many questions to answer.
Lethia was the one who had realized my power and, in a way, saved me from an execution scene. She had to know something. I knew I shouldn't underestimate her chilling power. I was looking for a tight fur coat to wear, and someone who had knowledge of the Kali Mountains.
My steps were slow, my eyes scanning the rows of stalls and items, when a scream echoed from the corner of a street. I lifted my head, but nothing was in sight, and everyone else continued on, heads bowed, indifferent. It was the voice of a young girl. A strong feeling rose inside me. I had to see what it was. I wondered what was happening. What kind of place was this city? I thought about the people. Had their hearts frozen, like the city's name suggested?
I moved toward the street where I assumed the voice came from, my hands empty, no weapon to fight with. But now I had powers. I was the weapon. No need to worry.
As I stepped into the street, the scene became clear. A blue-haired girl, hair disheveled, was crouching on the ground, and a large man stood beside her, whispering something quietly. In his hand, he held something glowing-a jewel.
When he noticed me, the man shoved the girl aside and gave me a threatening look. "What's this?" His voice was deep and rough. I looked at the girl-she was injured, she must have needed help. He looked at me as if caution itself had taken form in his gaze. I heard a voice inside my mind. Please leave, this is none of your business.
It was speaking to me, probably without him knowing. He was ordinary, powerless. No aura leaked from his body, yet he was alone. I could feel that.
"Leave her alone." My voice came out louder and more confident than I had expected, steadier than my emotions.
The man growled angrily, "This was all we needed." He released the girl completely and moved toward me. The jewel in his hand gleamed.
I hesitated, but I spoke:
"You don't want to solve this this way." Before I could finish, he grabbed my arm and threw me. I hit the ground hard, landing on my hip. He continued advancing and grabbed my neck, his fingers locked tightly, cutting off my breath. His furious breath was in my face. There was no other choice left.
"Take care of yourself," I said, panting. I was angry. He swung his arms, scolding as he went. Would he continue to strike?
I felt my power in my veins. I directed it toward him, focusing all of my attention. In that moment, the man realized something strange was happening. Something was flowing from him to me. A transparent smoke rose around us. He trembled under my power. In that instant, I saw his memories. They flowed to me through my power. At first, they were hazy, then they became clear.
A small child, punched by a father... Then that child grew, still young. He released his anger on the weak and feeble around him. And now the image in front of me had grown strong. That child had become what he hated. A more chaotic version. I felt regret, but I couldn't stop. All these memories also gave me a sense of peace, and pain. Strange peace, powerful pain. Mumbles climbed from his mouth, like nails scratching ears. The man was choking, and as he struggled, his hands on my neck loosened. Slowly, he was dying before my eyes. Then I finally withdrew the power I had concentrated on him.
As he collapsed to the ground, I said, "I didn't want to solve it this way, sleep well."
I hadn't killed him, but I had harmed him. I took the cold jewel from his hand and returned it to the girl.
That day, I thought I had delivered justice this way.