Esmeria

In the dim underground tunnel near Angurn, two figures worked steadily—one a girl, the other a creature resembling a snowman.

“Hah… I’m getting so tired and sleepy,” Indienee muttered, her voice heavy with exhaustion as she continued to dig the underground tunnel.

“Welllll, yoooouuu diiiid killll allllll thoooose moooonsters eeeearlier,” Jack Frost chimed in playfully, glancing back at the trail of Snaegulvar corpses they had left behind. The bodies were lined up neatly, a result of the straight tunnel they were carving through the snow.

“These monsters are relentless,” Indienee sighed, shaking her head. “They’re born from the grudges of animals, so no matter how many I defeat, more will just keep coming. It’s never-ending.”

“I wonder how Ilma would handle this situation…” Indienee murmured, her thoughts drifting.

“Whooooo issss thaaat peeeerson?” Jack Frost asked curiously, tilting its head.

“He’s my friend,” Indienee replied with a soft smile, a touch of nostalgia in her eyes. “Though… he can be a bit unhinged at times.”

“Issss heeee fuuuun?” Jack Frost asked eagerly.

“Fun? Pft… not exactly. He’s a loner, probably one of the few people who could coldly ignore you,” Indienee chuckled.

Jack Frost’s expression drooped as it started to sulk. Noticing this, Indienee quickly tried to change the subject.

“But he’s really good at crafting equipment,” she added, her gaze shifting to her prosthetic arm. “This limb was made by him. I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for him.”

Jack Frost perked up a little at that, its head tilting curiously once more as it watched her with a flicker of interest.

“How much longer do we need to keep digging to reach Angurn?” she asked.

“Maaaybeeee twooooo moooore daaaays?” Jack Frost replied in its usual drawn-out tone.

“Sigh… let’s keep going then, the faster we dig, the sooner we’ll get there,” Indienee said, standing up and resuming their work, digging alongside Jack Frost.

Back in Angurn, the only person left unfrozen lay resting on her bed, her mind drifting to the events that had led to the village's frozen desolation.

A week before the unrelenting hailstorm swept over the village, Angurn had been peaceful, an ordinary settlement nestled in the cold mountains. Life had followed its usual rhythm—until the day Sten, the village hunter, returned with a mysterious stranger.

"Guys, I found someone lying at the outskirts!" Sten shouted as he hurried into the village, a woman draped across his broad back. Known for his strength and sharp instincts, today his focus was entirely on the unconscious stranger he had stumbled upon.

He carried her into the mayor's guest house, where concerned villagers quickly gathered. Their hands moved with practiced efficiency, tending to the woman. They dressed her in warm furs and wool, wrapping her against the cold, while others stoked the fireplace, filling the room with a welcoming warmth.

"Just who is she?" one villager whispered as they worked, the mystery of her arrival thick in the air.

The woman was pale, her short blonde hair tangled by the wind. She wore a light robe, completely unsuited for the harsh climate of Angurn. It was as if she had been caught unprepared for her journey—or perhaps she hadn’t intended to travel here at all.

"Where could she have come from dressed like this?" another villager murmured, casting worried glances at the thin fabric she had been found in.

"I don’t know," Sten replied, his brow furrowed with concern. "I found her unconscious in a field nearby. No idea how she got here, or why."

The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, the chill in the air deepening despite the roaring fire. "I hope she's alright," one muttered. "It’s dangerous to be out there alone."

Sten nodded, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames. "We’ll know soon enough. Let’s just hope she wakes up." Silence settled over the room as the villagers watched over the woman, uncertainty gnawing at them.

The village elder, his steps slow and deliberate, approached the unconscious woman. His eyes widened as recognition flickered across his face, but he said nothing, his expression carefully guarded. He knew who she was, but he couldn't reveal it—not yet. Telling the others would only stir panic, and in a village already teetering on the edge of survival, that was a risk he couldn't take.

Later that night, after the village had settled into an uneasy quiet, the elder discreetly made his way to one of the village houses. Cloaked in the shadows, he gently knocked on the door. It opened to reveal a young girl, her blonde hair loose around her shoulders.

“Ah, elder Barbartos, it’s late. Do you need something?” Kelda asked, her voice curious but respectful.

The elder leaned in closer, his voice low and serious. “Kelda, do not go near that woman.”

“Huh? Why? Do you know who she is?” Kelda’s eyes widened with surprise.

“I can’t tell you who she is,” the elder said, his expression grim. “But heed my warning—stay away from her.”

Kelda hesitated, a chill creeping into her voice. “Okay…”

The elder gave her one last hard look. “Do not forget this.” He turned without another word, his footsteps fading into the night as he disappeared back toward his own house.

Kelda stood in the doorway, the elder’s warning echoing in her mind, filling her with a growing sense of unease.

The next day, the woman awoke and quietly left the guest room, her steps soft but purposeful. She wandered through the village, her gaze sweeping over every detail, as if sightseeing—or searching for something. Her expression was calm, though a flicker of curiosity sparked in her eyes.

Villagers paused their work to glance at her as she passed, some whispering to each other. Dressed now in warmer clothes, she moved with an air of quiet determination, her steps light despite the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Hey, missy, are you alright?" one of the villagers called out, noticing the woman as she wandered past.

She turned toward him with a calm, almost ethereal demeanor. "I am fine. Thank you for taking care of me," she replied, her silver eyes catching the light, leaving the villager momentarily entranced.

"Who are you, and how did you end up here?" he asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

"I am Aladiah. I came here looking for somebody," she answered, her voice steady and purposeful.

"We might be able to help if you tell us who you're looking for," the villager offered, eager to assist.

"It's fine," Aladiah responded with a gentle smile. "This is my mission. I will accomplish it with my own strength." She gave a small nod and continued her walk, leaving the villager wondering just who this mysterious woman truly was.

As Aladiah walked through the village, she noticed an elderly woman struggling with a painful back, wincing with each step.

With a gentle stride, Aladiah approached the old woman and placed a hand on her back. A soft, radiant light emanated from her touch. "This is my way of showing gratitude for your kindness," she said warmly.

The old woman looked bewildered as the pain in her back began to fade. "Huh…? My back doesn’t hurt anymore…?" she exclaimed, astonished. She straightened up and stretched her body with newfound ease. "Wow, I don’t feel any ache anymore!" she shouted, her voice filled with amazement.

The miracle caught the attention of other villagers, who watched in awe. Word of Aladiah’s healing spread quickly, and soon, a crowd gathered around her, seeking relief from their own ailments. Without hesitation, Aladiah offered her assistance, healing each person with patience and grace. The villagers, initially skeptical, were soon enveloped in a sense of wonder and gratitude as they experienced her remarkable abilities.

From the corner of her eye, Aladiah spotted a young woman, Kelda, working diligently in the fields near the edge of the village. A faint smile curled at her lips.

"I might have found the person I’m looking for," Aladiah murmured under her breath, her silver eyes narrowing slightly. "But it seems I’ll have to deal with a little stalker first."

Her gaze shifted toward the shadows, where a figure had been quietly watching her every move. Aladiah’s expression remained calm, though her thoughts were now focused on confronting this hidden observer.

That night, under the cover of darkness, Aladiah approached Kelda's small home. She knocked lightly on the door, and moments later, it creaked open to reveal a surprised Kelda.

“Good evening, young lady,” Aladiah greeted with a soft smile.

“G-good evening,” Kelda stammered, still taken aback by the unexpected visit. “Do you need something from me?”

“Oh yes,” Aladiah replied, her voice soothing yet unnervingly firm. “I need you to follow me.”

Before Kelda could react, Aladiah murmured an incantation under her breath. A soft glow emanated from her hand as she cast a spell, entrancing Kelda and bending her will. Kelda’s eyes glossed over, her body stiffening as she fell under Aladiah’s control.

With the entranced girl now obediently following her, Aladiah quietly led Kelda out of the village. However, just as they reached the edge of the village, the silhouette of the elder appeared, blocking their path.

“Going somewhere, angel?” the elder’s voice, though calm, carried a weight of knowing suspicion. His eyes flicked between Aladiah and the entranced Kelda.

“To think this village’s elder is a foul demon... how saddening,” Aladiah said, her voice cold and unwavering.

Barbartos, the elder, straightened, his once frail demeanor shifting into something darker, more sinister. His eyes gleamed with malice, but his voice remained calm. “I thought I hid my secret well,” he replied, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

“You can’t hide your demonic stench,” Aladiah shot back, her silver eyes narrowing, radiating a divine glow. The calm facade of the village crumbled in an instant, as the air between them grew thick with tension, the once gentle wind now stirring ominously.

“So, why would the esteemed angel grace this desolate village with her presence?” Barbartos asked, his voice dripping with mockery.

“None of your business,” Aladiah replied curtly, her eyes fixed on him, unwavering.

Barbartos' expression darkened, his grin fading into a grim resolve. “Oh, I already know, even if you refuse to say it.” He took a deliberate step forward, his tone growing more menacing. “But know this—I won’t let you have her. I will protect her at any cost.”

Aladiah stood her ground, her silver eyes glowing brighter as Barbartos approached. “You protect her? A demon like you, protecting anyone is laughable.”

Barbartos chuckled darkly, his frail exterior now fully shedding to reveal his true form—a demonic presence hidden beneath the skin of the village elder. His voice grew deeper, filled with malice. “Laugh all you want, angel. But I’ve guarded this village for longer than you’ve been on this earth. I won’t let you ruin that.”

“I won’t allow a demon’s lies to sway me,” Aladiah said, her voice carrying the weight of divine judgment. She raised her hand, her fingers beginning to glow with holy light. “You should have left when you had the chance.”

Barbartos snarled, his eyes flashing with dark energy. “She’s not yours, Aladiah! I’ll die before I let you take her.”

In one swift motion, Aladiah summoned a brilliant aura around herself, her wings—glowing, ethereal—unfolding from her back. “So be it,” she said, her tone unwavering.

The radiant light emitted from Aladiah spread throughout the village, seeping into the eyes of the gathering crowd. One by one, the villagers who had come to witness the confrontation between Aladiah and Barbatos fell under her influence, their expressions going blank as they stood silently at her side.

Barbatos sneered, watching the scene unfold. "Vile magic from a vile race," he spat. "Angels—always the ones to bend others to their will, controlling everything in their path."

Aladiah, her silver eyes gleaming with divine power, stood unbothered by his mockery. "To defeat a wretched creature like you, I don’t need to dirty my hands. These humans will be more than enough," she replied, her voice calm yet chilling as the entranced villagers stepped forward, ready to do her bidding.

The air crackled with tension as Barbatos realized the depth of her control, his smirk faltering slightly. The very people he had once sought to protect were now under Aladiah’s thrall, their loyalty twisted by the divine magic that coursed through them.