Snowflakes glided in the air among the frosty breeze. A blanket of white covered the land for as far as the eyes could see. Primrose pulled the oversized blue tunic she wore closer to her as another chilling wind passed, pawing her exposed skin with its icy sleet. Had it not been for Olberic's generosity in lending her his tunic upon entering the Frostlands, she didn't know if she would have still been standing at this moment. She glanced around at her party; Therion had his arms crossed with a foul scowl on his face as the occasional wind would expose his left eye. Alfyn's had tucked his arms into his vest and wore his satchel as if it were a piece of armor, covering his chest. Ha'anit and Olberic led the group at the front, also looking a little uncomfortable, but not as bad the 3 behind them. Everyone was trying to fend off the cold and save their energy, which left for a desolate and unusual silence among a usually lively group. The occasional howls of the wind, the sound of feet trudging in the snow and the incessant chattering of Alfyn's teeth were the only sounds that were truly heard. As another wind picked up, Ha'anit decided to break the ice.

"By the spirits, the snow falleth deep here. The wind cutteth to the bone."

"S-Seriously! Olberic, h-how much longer t-til we r-reach Still-s-snow...?" Aflyn whined, unable to his intense shivering.

"It should lie just beyond these slopes. Everyone, keep your wits about you. We're almost there." Olberic said, turning his head slightly to make sure no one had trailed behind.

"Yeah, easy for you to say underneath all that warm armor!" spat a scowling Therion, as he clutched his purple poncho closer to his chest.

It's safe to say no one was ready for the freezing weather that the Frostlands and it's snowstorms had to offer. Least of all Primrose, who had spent a good majority of her life seeking shade from the blazing sun in the Sunlands and wore an attire that communicated it so.

"I fear mayhap we have maden a mistake. It wouldeth been wiser to stop at Flamesgrace and stocketh on food and proper clothing." spoke Ha'anit as she eyed her companion Linde, who also seemed to be struggling in the relentless gales.

"N-No! I can't afford...to lose another minute! I must reach Stillsnow as soon as possible!" Primrose insisted as she trudged forward, despite tears beginning to form at her eyes from the chilling wind that went against her face.

She didn't know what was powering her momentum at this point; whether sheer determination to get out of this indomitable weather or her deep hatred for the man who would be awaiting her at Stillsnow. The man, one of three, who was responsible for the murder of her beloved father.

'The left wing of the crow...soon...this icy tundra will be your grave...just you wait…'

Olberic remained silent as he eyed the stubborn dancer. He knew Ha'anit was right. Logic and reason would have originally coerced their group into traveling to Flamesgrace and restocking much-needed supplies before venturing further north. But it was because of Primrose's adamant insistence that they hurry to Stillsnow, that they didn't. He was the first to meet her and he was the only one who knew of her true motives of reaching the desolate village - to chase after one of the men who was responsible for her father's death. He knew her desperation to seek out the truth and recognized the look in her eyes when she pleaded with the group to continue straight to Stillsnow; after all, she was so close - too close to stop now, in her thoughts. Yes, ever since they had entered the Frostlands, he had watched her demeanor change. Her vision and judgment had become tunneled; the thought that only a few miles away stood the man who took everything from her - she had been overcome by that emotion.

An emotion he knew all too well from his own past; a look he also wore upon hearing Erhardt's name after all these years back in Cobblestone. An emotion that perchance would take over him too, the day he crossed swords with Erhardt again. Perhaps that was the reason he took her side; why he chose to let feelings, Primrose's feelings, guide him and not logic, for the first time. But as he watched her steps grow slower and those around him grow increasingly agitated, he wondered if he had erred in his newfound judgment.

Another chilling wind lashed out the group, causing them to come to a complete halt.

"T-This is ridiculous! We have to turn back or we're all going to f-freeze to death out here, damn it!" cried Therion.

"N-No...I c-can't-..not yet..." rebuked Primrose.

Ha'anit turned her head to take in their surroundings. No animals, nor monsters were in sight. The wind was beginning to pick up and the snowfall was quickly becoming thicker. She clutched her fur coat closer, increasingly thankful for its warmth and turned to Olberic with a furrowed brow.

"We must findeth shelter for now and waiteth out this storm... should the night hiten us, I feareth we will be in true peril."

Olberic nodded in agreement. The majority of their group wouldn't hold out much longer and it would be even more burdening to have to carry them to town. Primrose stepped forward, barely able to stop her shaking.

"N-no...I...will go forward! Even if on...my own!"

"Primrose, that's enough..." bellowed Olberic.

"GUYS! H-H-HEADS UP!"

All heads turned towards a shrieking Alfyn as he pointed to a giant reptilian monster that towered before them, perched among a nearby slope. The monster let out a giant shriek when it realized it had been spotted and jumped down with a gargantuan spear in hand.

Olberic dodged out of the way and barely pulled out his blade in time to parry a swift strike. The drop in temperature was taking its toll on his speed and momentum. They were at an extreme disadvantage versus a creature adapted to living and fighting in this harsh environment.

"N-Night Ode! Bring your shade!" called out Primrose as she raised her palm to the skies.

A dark and ominous aura took form above and below the icelandic creature and began ensnaring him in its shadowy force.

"Linde, to me!"

Linde, perched on the other side of the creature let out a loud snarl as it charged forward and clawed at the creature. Therion also lunged towards the creature's side, glinting dagger in hand and slashed at the beast mercilessly. Alfyn, still shivering, dug through his bag and threw a quickly formulated concoction at the creature's eyes, briefly blinding him. Upon the flurry of attacks, the creature was momentarily stunned and Olberic took the chance to lay the final blow.

"GRAAAAGH!" He cried out as he hit clean and propelled the creature forcefully back into a nearby rock wall.

The creature quickly picked itself up and let out an ear-piercing shriek, loud enough to make even Linde wince.

"P-please tell me that wasn't a call for reinforcements" pleaded Primrose as she eyed the slinking creature. The creature growled again and began slowly backing away, coming to the realization it was outnumbered. Olberic made a sudden movement as if to swing and the creature bolted on all fours.

"A-A-Alright! N-now let's g-get outta here before we r-run into a-anymore t-t-trouble!" shouted Alfyn, hugging his satchel.

Suddenly, the ground began to rumble. Low tremors resonated through the earth, shaking the few nearby trees. Moments later, it stopped and everything was still again. An eerie silence settled in.

"Oh great. Just great. Blizzard, Ice-lizard and now what? Earthquakes, too?" spat Therion as he brushed off the collecting snow on his silver hair.

Suddenly, Linde's animalistic senses perked up and the fur on her body stood. She turned her head and immediately cried out as if to warn her master of the incoming danger. Ha'anit eyes widened as she turned to see an immense wall of white beginning to fall from the rock wall behind them.

"RUN!"

Olberic followed Ha'annit's eyes and turned around just in time to see a wall of white tower over them. Before he could finish his thought, everything turned white. And then black.

Olberic slowly opened his eyes. Hues of blues, grays, and whites slowly began to fill his field of vision. As his senses returned to him, he felt the weight of piled up snow on his back. He gathered his strength and stood up, despite a deep cold that ran throughout his body. That creature's shriek must've caused a small avalanche to form from the nearby slopes. As he regained his footing and dusted off the remaining snow from his armor, he realized he was alone. He whipped his head around frantically in search for his companions.

"Primrose?! Alfyn?!" He yelled into the cold, winter air.

No response. Only the low howling of the passing wind. He jogged a few steps forward, as his eyes darted around the white expanse.

"Ha'anit?! Therion?! Anyone?!"

Again, no response. An unsettling chill ran through Olberic's spine. The same one, the exact same feeling that ran through him that fated day on the battlefield, when a guard came bearing news that his seemingly safe and well-protected king, had been attacked.

'No...gods no! Not again! I will not fail again!'

Olberic, now in a full sprint, ran through the white field. His eyes darting everywhere in the expanse fields of snow for any sign of life. A feeling of panic settled in the pit of his stomach. Suddenly, a bright mix of red and blue hues caught the corner of his eye. He turned his head to see Primrose motionless on the ground, covered in snow, her dress and his tunic barely breaching above the white surface. Olberic darted at full speed and slid next to her, picking her up. He cupped her face and slightly shook her. Even through his gloves, her face was ice to the touch.

"Primrose! Gods, Primrose, answer me!"

She weakly opened her eyes and stared in Olberic's onyx orbs of worry. She was barely conscious and barely breathing. Newly formed frost rested on her cheeks and eyelashes.

"Ol..beric.."

Olberic scooped her up,, feeling her cold forehead touch against his cheek.

'She's ice!' Olberic thought to himself as he carried her in his arms.

The wind began to pick up again and he looked down to see the tips of Primrose's fingers had begun turning a light hue of blue.

'I have to find a way to get her out of this cold!'

He clutched her cold body to him and began sprinting, looking for anything that could be used as temporary shelter. As he trudged a few minutes forward, he spotted a nearby cave opening that had become visible inside one of the rock formations.