The morning air was cold and damp when Xavi buttoned up his dark shirt, the soft fabric stretching slightly across his chest. He tucked it into his pants and brushed off a faint layer of dust from the night's rest. Nearby, Josephine sat quietly, her long hair spilling like silk down her shoulders. She wore a soft pink dress, the color gentle against the bleak gray light that shone through the carriage window. Her chains clinked faintly as she moved her hands to fix the small crease in her skirt.
Adris was still asleep, his tiny body curled up peacefully in Xoni's arms. His breathing was soft, steady — the way only a child's could be. Xoni smiled weakly, her pale lips trembling from the fever that hadn't yet left her body.
In another carriage, Hendrick and Sophia were lost in each other's arms. Their lips met again and again, the air heavy with warmth despite the morning chill. Laughter and whispers filled their space — the kind of quiet joy found only in fleeting moments of love.
Not far behind them, Raden and Piere shared a kiss of their own.
"Gosh, you're so cute," Raden murmured between his kisses, his hands on Piere's waist.
"You're the best husband ever," Piere whispered against his lips, cheeks flushed.
"Thank you," Raden chuckled softly, brushing his thumb across Piere's jaw.
"You're welcome," he said, grinning like a boy in love.
In another carriage, Anesthesia sat with Xoni in her arms. Her hands were wrapped tightly around her wife, whose fever had left her sweating and trembling. Sienna crouched beside them, crushing herbs in her mortar before handing over a steaming cup.
"Here," she said softly.
Anesthesia guided the cup to Xoni's lips, and she drank slowly. The bitter scent of ginger and lemon filled the air. Soon, her eyelids fluttered, and she fell asleep against Anesthesia's chest. The warrior wife kissed her forehead and held her tighter, wrapping the blanket around them both.
Outside, Kara flew down gracefully, her dark wings folding in as her boots touched the frosted ground. The wind howled softly around the mountain, but something in the air felt off. Her senses flared. Her eyes narrowed at the rocky path ahead.
"Josephine," she called softly, motioning her closer.
But Josephine's gaze had already shifted. Something beyond the mountain was calling her — something ancient, magnetic, irresistible. Her chains rattled faintly as she ran forward, her bare feet slapping against the cold earth.
"Jojo!" Kara called, her voice urgent as she still held onto the chains that bound her Queen. The metal tightened between them. Then—
From behind the fog — six masked men emerged, swords drawn, eyes burning with cruel intent.
"Attack now!" Kara shouted.
Josephine spun, her eyes fierce and sharp. One of the men lunged, and she kicked him square in the chest. He fell back with a grunt. Two others rushed her, but Xavi was already there, his fist meeting a jaw with a loud crack. Blood sprayed onto the ground.
Anesthesia laid Xoni down gently and covered her with a thick blanket. Then she slipped on her gloves, her expression darkening.
"Bloody fucker!" she snarled, charging forward. Her fist met one attacker's throat, then another's ribs — a double blow that sent both staggering. But one grabbed her from behind. She twisted sharply, bit his ear clean off, and spat blood.
Everyone froze.
The man screamed, clutching the side of his head, blood pouring down his neck.
Anesthesia stood there, smirking — a wild, satisfied gleam in her eyes, the torn ear still between her teeth before she spat it out.
The remaining attackers hesitated — then ran for their lives into the trees.
Josephine stared blankly at the bloody ear in the dirt. Her fingers trembled as she reached up to touch her own lips. Blood smeared her pale pink dress. Slowly, she began to laugh — silently. No sound came, only the trembling of her shoulders. She dropped to her knees and drew lines in the dirt with her finger.
Xavi ran to her side, his heart pounding. He cupped her face, his thumb wiping the blood from her mouth. Her eyes fluttered, then closed — and she fell asleep in his arms, peaceful once again.
He kissed her forehead softly and lifted her up, whispering, "Let's go."
Everyone packed up quickly. The carriages rolled again. The road stretched long and winding through the cliffs.
Seven hours later, the carriages stopped before the towering peaks of Mount Zephyron.
Cold. Bitter cold.
The wind sliced through every layer of cloth. Their breaths came out in white fog.
Kara stepped forward, raising her staff high as blue runes lit the air.
"Shield spell," she murmured. The light pulsed, wrapping around the tents. This time, the shield was stronger — thick, shimmering like glass.
Inside, Xavi had just finished bathing Josephine with warm water and rose oil. Her skin glowed faintly pink from the heat, and her hair shimmered like liquid gold. He dressed her in a thick white gown and brushed a stray strand from her face.
She looked at him, eyes drowsy but calm — as if he were the only light in the world. She lifted a hand, fingers tracing his jawline softly.
"Almost there, my Queen," Xavi whispered, kissing her fingertips before tucking her into the blankets. "Sleep."
Josephine closed her eyes. He watched her chest rise and fall before pulling another cover over her and holding her close. Outside, the black tent stood strong against the howling wind.
Adris sat by the fire, munching happily on roasted beef. Nearby, Xoni's fever had eased. She was awake now, sipping the last of her herbal tea.
Anesthesia leaned down to kiss her wife's lips gently before curling up beside her under the thick fur blanket.
Across the fire, Haillie was watching Anya change into her uniform. Her thoughts were not subtle.
Damn… she has such an amazing body, she thought, eyes lingering.
"Can you stop staring?" Anya asked without turning, pulling her belt tight.
"No," Haillie said with a mischievous smile.
Anya rolled her eyes. "Do you like flowers?"
"Yeah, I do," Anya replied, straightening her collar.
"Cool," Haillie said simply, still smiling as she turned away.
Outside, the night grew colder. The snow began to fall.
Xavi wore a heavy coat as he stood by the entrance, making sure Josephine was well covered. Her pink lips moved slightly in sleep, and he brushed her cheek with his thumb before turning to the frozen view of Mount Zephyron.
Adris joined him, wrapped in a small fur cloak, his eyes wide as he took in the glittering mountains.
"It's beautiful," the boy said.
Xoni came next, sniffing softly as she sat beside her brother.
"Still cold?" Xavi asked, checking her forehead.
"I'm fine. My wife took care of me," she said with a weak laugh.
Xavi smiled faintly. "Mine's going insane," he muttered sadly, eyes fixed on Josephine's tent. "If we enter Zephyria and she raises the kingdom again… will she come back to me and Adris? Zephyria calls for its Queen."
Xoni looked at him seriously. "She will… but if you hurt her again, even a little, she'll stay in her kingdom until she forgives you."
Xavi nodded slowly. "Then I'll have to take care of her — and my anger too. I can't lose her. Not again."
"You won't, brother," Xoni said softly. Together they sat, staring at the silver sky.
By nightfall, silence ruled the camp.
Xavi lay beside Josephine, his arms wrapped tightly around her fragile form. Her head rested against his chest. He brushed his fingers along her cheek, whispering,
"I'll be the best husband and father too. I promise you, Josephine."
His voice was barely above a whisper when he fell asleep beside her.
Morning came, slow and pale. The smell of warm bread and roasted meat drifted through the air.
Xavi was already awake, carefully feeding Josephine. She sat on the ground, her chains dragging softly against the sand as she packed it together with her small hands. Her hair was messy, sticking to her damp cheeks.
When Xavi gently pulled her hands from the dirt, she began to cry — silent tears, no sound at all, only trembling.
"Hey, hey," he whispered softly. He lifted a piece of freshly baked chicken pie to her lips.
She sniffed once, then took a huge bite — biting his finger in the process.
He winced, then smiled. "You're something else," he murmured.
She chewed greedily, her cheeks puffed out. Xavi cleaned the crumbs from her lips with his thumb. Adris giggled, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
Soon everyone was ready to move again. Xavi packed the food into their carriage.
Inside, Josephine lay half upside-down, her legs dangling up the seat. Her dress slipped slightly, and Xavi quickly covered her, adjusting her clothes with a soft chuckle.
She pouted playfully and made a cute kiss face, tilting her head. Xavi's heart melted. He leaned down, kissed her gently, and whispered something only she could hear.
Then he poured her medicine — mixing the sleeping pills into her raspberry and watermelon juice. She drank, sighed softly, and drifted into sleep once more, her chains jingling faintly as she curled up.
Outside, Adris sat in Seika's carriage with Zira, watching the mountains grow taller as the convoy drew closer — to the edge of Zephyria itself.