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

The day was hesitantly breaking, dawn casting a soft but cold light through the entrance of the cave. The ashes of the now-extinguished fire left the cave steeped in an unpleasant chill. Veil shivered as he emerged from sleep, running a numb hand over his face in an attempt to wake up.

He turned his head and saw Alynia standing near the entrance. She seemed frozen in place, deep in thought, her arms crossed over her chest. The dawn light accentuated the sharp contours of her serious expression, while her white tail swayed gently behind her, moving in rhythm with her silent thoughts.

Veil (shivering, low voice): "Alynia?"

No response.

He frowned, intrigued by her unusual silence. Normally, even if she wasn't talkative, she would always answer—if only with a grunt or a glance. This time, nothing. Just the sound of the icy wind whistling softly outside.

Veil (internal thought): She's been awake for a while… But why is she so quiet?

Sitting up slowly, he took a few steps toward her, rubbing his arms in an attempt to warm himself.

Veil (louder): "Have you been up for long?"

Alynia remained still for a moment, her gaze fixed on the horizon beyond the cave entrance. Then she finally spoke, her voice calm but firm.

Alynia (neutral): "I'm leaving."

Veil froze, the weight of her words crashing down on him like an anvil. A knot formed in his stomach, his mind struggling to immediately process what she meant. Leaving? Why? Where?

Veil (trembling, incredulous): "Leaving? Where?"

Alynia turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze. Her expression remained closed off, but her voice carried a tone that left little room for discussion.

Alynia (firm): "I only stayed for you, Little Wolf. I have no reason to be here. There are things I need to do elsewhere."

Her words were sharp, direct, yet something in her posture seemed hesitant. As always, Alynia hid her true emotions behind her mask of confidence. In truth, she hoped he would say something—that he wouldn't let her leave alone. But she would never ask him to come with her. She was too proud for that.

Alynia (internal thought): Are you going to stay here, or follow me? Decide, Little Wolf.

On his side, Veil felt a strange pressure in his chest. Leaving? Letting her leave? He couldn't. Not like this. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. His voice wavered when he finally managed to say something.

Veil (weakly): "I… can I come with you?"

Alynia didn't move, but a faint smile brushed her lips. She kept her back turned, hiding the fleeting emotion that crossed her face. When she answered, her tone was neutral, almost distant.

Alynia (detached tone): "If you want. But I won't slow down for you. If you change your mind, our paths will part here."

Veil felt a mix of relief and determination rising within him. She wasn't rejecting him. Not really. But he had to prove he was worthy of following her. Clenching his fists, he lifted his head, his gaze steady on her.

Veil (clear, determined voice): "I want to come. I'll follow you, wherever you go."

Alynia turned her head slightly, her piercing gaze finally meeting his. She remained silent for a moment, assessing him, then simply nodded.

Alynia (calm but firm): "Then get ready. We leave soon."

Veil stood up, gathering his belongings with a quiet sigh. His movements were slow, laced with a certain nervousness. He glanced toward Alynia as she stepped out of the cave without another word, her graceful silhouette vanishing into the bright morning light.

Alynia (glancing over her shoulder): "Take the coat, Little Wolf. Without it, you won't get far in this cold."

She gestured with her chin toward a fur coat resting near his belongings. Her voice, though firm, carried a subtle note of concern.

Veil lowered his gaze to the garment. Made from the CryoLupes she had brought back three days earlier, the coat was thick and unexpectedly soft. He ran his hand over it, appreciating the warm, smooth texture of the fur. A comforting warmth stirred in his chest, more than what the coat itself promised against the cold.

Veil (internal thought): She won't say it… but she really does worry about me.

He slipped the coat on, adjusting the edges around his neck. A pleasant warmth immediately enveloped him, driving away the biting cold lingering in the cave. He gathered the rest of his belongings, fastening them carefully to his belt, and made his way toward the entrance.

The dawn light momentarily blinded him as he stepped outside. Squinting, he adjusted his gaze to the brightness. The forest stretched out before him, a breathtaking sight. The massive tree trunks looked as if they were carved from ivory, and the snow-covered ground shimmered beneath the golden rays of the rising sun. The sky, painted in hues of orange and pink, formed a perfect backdrop for the winter landscape.

Veil (internal thought, in awe): This is… beautiful.

He walked quickly to catch up to Alynia, who was leading the way. Her steps were fluid, almost silent, leaving barely any traces in the snow. Her tail swayed slightly, betraying her constant vigilance. Her ears twitched at the slightest sound, scanning for any potential threat in their surroundings.

Veil watched her back, his mind filled with mixed thoughts.

Veil (internal thought): She's always on guard… I have to prove myself. I can't slow her down.

Alynia, on the other hand, let her thoughts wander. Despite her impassive face, a faint sense of satisfaction settled within her as she realized Veil was following her. But she didn't lower her guard. Every snapping branch or rustling sound in the snow immediately caught her attention.

Alynia (internal thought, slightly mocking): At least he listens. Let's hope he keeps following my advice.

The silence between them was punctuated only by the soft crunch of snow beneath their feet. Veil, though captivated by the scenery, began to sense a faint tension in the air. He knew this wasn't a casual stroll. The forest, despite its breathtaking beauty, remained a wild and dangerous place.

They continued walking for another hour or two. The once-orange glow of the sun shifted into a brighter, clearer light, illuminating the massive tree trunks around them. The biting cold had lessened slightly, replaced by a more tolerable chill.

Wanting to break the heavy silence, Veil glanced at Alynia before finally asking the question that had been nagging at him.

Veil (curious): "Where exactly are we going?"

Alynia slowed her pace, then came to a complete stop. She turned toward him, her piercing blue eyes locking onto his, serious yet calm.

Alynia (calmly): "We're heading to—"

BOOM.

A deep, resounding noise echoed through the forest, making the ground beneath their feet tremble. Alynia froze instantly, her expression shifting in a fraction of a second. She crouched slightly, her claws extending in a fluid motion. Her gaze locked intensely to the left, toward the source of the sound.

Veil (internal thought, nervous): What the hell was that…?

He slowly placed his bag on the ground, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his dagger. A cold sweat trickled down his back as a second BOOM rang out—closer this time. The noise was followed by a CRAAAAACK, the sharp sound of a massive tree splitting apart.

Veil (murmuring, trembling): "Alynia… what is that?"

She didn't answer immediately, her ears twitching slightly as she focused on every sound around them. Another deafening crash shook the forest as the fallen tree slammed into the ground, kicking up a fine layer of snow in a visible shockwave.

Alynia (low, sharp voice): "Don't move, Little Wolf. Not a single step."

Veil stared at the trees ahead, his heart pounding in his chest. The source of the noise was getting closer—he was sure of it. Every second stretched into an eternity. And then, they saw it.

A massive shadow emerged from between the trunks, pushing trees aside as if they were nothing more than twigs. The enormous figure advanced slowly, each step accompanied by a deep, rumbling sound that echoed in their ears.

Veil (internal thought, terrified): No… This isn't possible. A creature like that… What can we even do against it?

The shadow gradually came into full view, revealing a colossal beast. A massive bear stepped out of the forest, its breath forming thick clouds of mist in the freezing air. Its pure white fur was streaked with plates of gray stone, covering its flanks and back like natural armor. Its piercing yellow eyes glowed with an almost supernatural intensity.

Veil remained frozen, unable to move. Fear had paralyzed him.

Alynia (murmuring, sharp tone): "Stay calm. Don't do anything reckless."

Veil weakly nodded, unable to reply. His legs trembled slightly, but he managed to keep hold of his dagger. He didn't know if it would be of any use against such a monstrosity, but he refused to stand there completely defenseless.

The bear came to a halt, mere meters away. Its yellow eyes studied the two intruders, a deep growl resonating from its chest. It raised a massive paw and slammed it into the ground, making the earth tremble beneath them.

Veil (internal thought, desperate): We're dead…

Alynia didn't move, her muscles tense but ready. She locked eyes with the beast, her claws gleaming in the sunlight.

Alynia (low, firm voice): "No running. Get ready."

The bear reared up slightly, swiping at the air with its massive front paws. Its breathing grew faster, and the growl in its throat deepened.

Veil exchanged a quick glance with Alynia. They both knew that running wasn't an option.

Veil (internal thought, determined): We have no choice. We have to fight.

The bear took a step back, then scraped the ground with its massive paw, kicking up a cloud of snow. Its powerful breath formed swirling mist in the freezing air, and its fierce gaze never left the two unmoving figures.

The silence shattered beneath the beast's roar, and in that split second, everything shifted.

The battle was about to begin.