Somewhere in the icy arms of the northern mountains...
Raphael's boots crunched through snow, each breath visible in the air. The journey to Godwin City had begun.
But elsewhere—chaos.
---
Koyote's cottage, mid-morning.
> Flin (bursting through the door):
"WAZZZUP MAA BROTHAAAA!"
Koyote nearly drops his cup of dream-brewed coffee.
> Koyote (deadpan):
"...Dude. Calm. DOWN."
> Flin (spinning in circles):
"YOU KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS?!"
> Koyote:
"...Tuesday?"
> Flin:
"You dumbass. Two years ago. Lunefall Palace. You, me, and Catherine.
We made a promise, remember?"
Koyote blinked. Then it hit him. The memory.
The snow falling. Catherine laughing.
Koyote declaring, "Next time we meet here, we'll take on Hollowcast."
> Koyote (chuckling nervously):
"Yeah... right. That day."
"We will crush the hollow ast this time!" said flin confidently.
But a shadow passed behind coyote's his eyes. A memory.
Arthur. Blood. Pain. Loss.
He took a breath.
> Koyote (more serious):
"Flin... I also said I'd tell you and Catherine something when we met again.
I think today's the day."
> Flin:
"...You're being all ominous again, bro. Chill."
> Koyote (grinning):
"No chill. Only chaos. Let's go."
---
Travel Montage:
With a snap of his fingers, Koyote opened a portal made of stitched clouds.
> They surf down a waterfall on a shark with three legs and red sneakers.
They ride a flying crocodile like helicopter.
They sit on the edge of a coffee cup the lower half a ballerina the trail being coffee.
---
Lunefall Palace. Dusk.
The skies above shimmered with gold and lilac as the palace stood tall — elegant, ancient, and cracked with history.
Flin runs ahead, nearly tripping.
> Flin (waving):
"CATHERINE! Yo!!"
Catherine turns, arms crossed. A faint smirk.
> Catherine:
"You're late. As usual."
Koyote approaches, about to greet her—
But then he freezes.
Standing beside Catherine is a girl.
Mei Xiao.