Edge Of The Frozen Dawn - A New Life (Volume 1)

They remained there for a few minutes, seated in the snow, catching their breath. The silence of the clearing was soothing, almost hypnotic, but the biting cold quickly crept back in.

Alynia (standing, firm tone): "We can't stay here. Let's keep moving."

Veil groaned slightly, his muscles still aching from the fight. He pushed himself up slowly, a weary sigh escaping his lips.

Veil (muttering, grumbling): "You could've given us five more minutes…"

Alynia ignored his remark, her gaze fixed on the snow-covered horizon.

The snowflakes drifted down lazily, swirling with the icy wind that whistled softly between the trees. Their footsteps crunched against the snow in a steady rhythm, breaking the almost unnatural stillness of the forest.

The clearing behind them remained eerily silent, as if all life had chosen to hold its breath after the chaos stirred by the bear. Even the wind, usually ceaseless, seemed reluctant to disturb the newfound tranquility. This oppressive silence was a stark reminder of the creature's immense power, and the deep scars left in the snow still bore witness to the battle.

Veil scanned the surroundings, his expression uncertain.

Veil (muttering, glancing around): "Everything's… too quiet. It should be reassuring, but…"

Alynia didn't respond, but her white ears perked slightly, catching even the faintest sounds. Without a word, she pressed forward, her gaze locked on the frozen horizon.

The towering trees, their bark encrusted with thick frost, formed a natural labyrinth, one that only the wind seemed capable of passing through.

Veil followed Alynia closely, his breath forming white clouds that vanished almost instantly in the cold air. Each step left deep imprints in the thick snow, his leg muscles protesting with every movement.

Veil (exhaling, frustrated): "This forest… does it even have an end?"

Alynia didn't turn around, but her white ears perked slightly.

Alynia (calm, without turning): "For those who don't know where they're going, yes."

Veil narrowed his eyes, staring at her back. Her dark fur-lined cloak swayed gently with each step, contrasting sharply with the pristine whiteness of the snow. Her lupine tail, barely moving, gave off an air of serene composure. Yet her ears, always alert, betrayed a vigilance she never abandoned.

Veil (curious, intrigued): "And you… do you know where we're going?"

Alynia came to an abrupt stop.

The wind, once steady, seemed to falter for a brief moment. The silence of the forest deepened, as if it, too, was holding its breath.

Alynia turned her head slightly, her piercing blue eyes landing on Veil. The wind lifted a few strands of her silver hair, adding to her imposing presence. Her expression remained neutral, almost unreadable, but a sharp glint in her gaze suggested she was assessing him.

Veil felt that gaze and shivered slightly—though the cold wasn't the only reason. The silence between them felt almost tangible, amplified by the whispering wind weaving through the trees.

Veil (intrigued): "So… where are we going?"

This time, Alynia fully turned to face him, her gaze locking onto his.

Alynia (serious tone): "To the dungeon."

Silence fell once more, heavy and oppressive. The only sound that broke through was the creaking of branches under the wind's relentless push.

Veil (curious, uncertain): "A dungeon? What's a dungeon?"

Alynia let out a quiet sigh, her expression a mix of irritation and reluctant patience.

Alynia (slightly annoyed tone): "It's a place filled with monsters. No one ever knows what they'll find inside. Every step could kill you if you're not focused enough."

Veil's eyes widened, his expression shifting rapidly from curiosity to a mix of shock and skepticism.

Veil (shocked, slightly afraid): "A dungeon? Filled with monsters, seriously?"

Alynia fully turned toward him, her gaze locking onto his with an implacable coldness.

Alynia (calm, almost icy): "Exactly. My original plan was to explore it alone, but…"

She scanned him from head to toe, her eyes weighing every detail—from his still-unsteady breath to the wavering determination in his stance.

Alynia (neutral tone): "With the progress you've made, you might actually be useful."

Veil's eyes widened further, caught off guard by her blunt statement.

Veil (hesitant): "Me? In a dungeon?"

Alynia (dryly): "You don't have a choice. I'm not escorting you back to town just to watch you loiter around. If you follow me, you'll learn more in that dungeon than you ever would wandering through some forest."

Veil lowered his gaze, staring at the snow beneath his feet. His thoughts swirled—uncertainty and challenge intertwining. His fists clenched instinctively as he processed her words. He had no real alternative, and he knew it. But accepting this meant confronting something far beyond his current abilities.

He lifted his head, meeting Alynia's eyes, his jaw tight, his gaze burning with newfound resolve.

Veil (with determination): "Fine. But if I'm coming, it won't be as dead weight. I want to learn."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Alynia's lips.

Alynia (mocking, glancing back): "Then don't slow me down, Little Wolf."

Veil raised an eyebrow, slightly irked by her remark, but chose not to respond. Instead, he adjusted his pace to match hers, his thoughts already swirling around what this journey would entail.

Veil (thought, determined): She thinks I'll slow her down… I'll prove to her that I can keep up.

Alynia, on the other hand, resumed her stride without another word, the wind playing with the silver strands of her hair.

The sound of their footsteps in the snow formed a steady rhythm, almost soothing despite the icy expanse that surrounded them. It blended with the whispering wind, creating the illusion of a distant drum guiding their progress.

Veil (curious, breaking the silence): "So… do you do this kind of thing often? Exploring dungeons alone?"

Alynia turned her head slightly, her expression neutral.

Alynia (dryly): "Depends. Some are interesting. Others aren't worth the trouble. But this one… this one is special."

Veil (intrigued): "Special how?"

Alynia (calm but cryptic): "You'll see."

Veil let out a quiet sigh, dissatisfied with the vague response but deciding not to press further.

The forest stretched endlessly before them, silent and vast. Every frost-covered tree stood like a frozen sentinel, watching over their journey. The cold bit at their skin, but neither Veil nor Alynia showed signs of slowing down.

Alynia led the way, her gaze fixed ahead, though her mind wandered elsewhere. A particular memory surfaced—one she hadn't expected to dwell on.

The moment when she had been in Veil's arms, just after he had saved her from the bear. She recalled the dizziness, the way she had opened her eyes to find his breathless but determined face staring down at her.

Alynia (thought, slightly troubled): He held me in his arms… He really risked his life for me.

A faint warmth crept onto her cheeks, but she quickly shook her head, forcing her focus back to reality.

Alynia (whispering, almost to herself, a faint smile): "Risking your life like that… I wouldn't have thought you capable."

Veil, barely catching her words, turned his head toward her, intrigued.

Veil (curious): "Hm? What did you say?"

But Alynia didn't repeat herself. Instead, she quickened her pace slightly, her white ears flicking gently in the wind—an unspoken signal that the conversation was over.

Alynia (thought, troubled): Why… why did that moment stay with me so much?

The silence between them felt lighter now, carried by the steady rhythm of their footsteps, their breaths, and the gentle snowfall covering their path.