As they approached the cave, the wind grew heavier—suddenly twisting into a towering tornado that spiraled down from the dark clouds, circling the cave entrance like a guardian of doom. The monstrous storm was so enormous that it froze their faces in shock; something this surreal belonged only in dreams.

"Go inside the cave now, or we'll be dragged in!" Auren shouted.

Dax was the first to step forward, his foot just touching the stone floor of the cave—but it was too late. The tornado roared, swallowing all of them in an instant.

Inside the raging vortex, the four figures were suspended, spiraling endlessly, their bodies circling the storm.

"AUREEEENNNN!" Vivi's voice cracked as she reached out.

"VIVIII!" Auren stretched his arm desperately, but the storm ripped them apart.

They couldn't grasp each other's hands—the spinning grew faster and faster until the tornado hurled them downward, flinging their bodies toward a lake nearly ten kilometers below.

Tearing through the thick clouds, they plummeted at terrifying speed. The wind's pressure clawed at their faces, their skin feeling like it would rip apart.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" Their screams echoed through the storm as they plunged toward the earth.

In mid-air, Auren's spinning vision caught sight of Dax.

"AAURENNN!" Dax's eyes were wet, crying like he had been reunited after centuries. "After so long—grab my hand!"

Auren lunged through the rushing wind, fingers stretching until finally—snap! Their hands locked.

But before relief could sink in, Auren's gaze darted downward. Vivi. She was plummeting just below them, her arms flailing helplessly.

"Hold on, Vivi!" Auren shouted, pulling Dax as they angled their descent. They cut through the air, closing the gap until Dax's arm wrapped around Vivi. She clung to both of them in a desperate hug, refusing to let go. For a heartbeat, the three formed a fragile chain against the storm.

Then—BOOOOM!

From above, something heavy slammed into them.

"WHAAAT?!" Auren gasped.

It was Nyra.

She crashed perfectly on top of the trio, her legs crossed, her posture regal, as though she were sitting on a throne carried by loyal subjects.

"Ah, finally," Nyra smirked, wind whipping her hair. "You three make a decent seat."

"NYRAAAA, THIS ISN'T A THRONE!!" Vivi screamed, while all four of them spun wildly through the storm together.

Dax squirmed under Nyra's weight, his face red."Move your soft hips away, or I'll bite!"

Nyra giggled, her voice teasing despite the storm raging around them."Oh? So you admit they're soft? Hehe… I touch them myself whenever I get bored."

Auren, trying to hold everyone together, growled, "Both of you, stop! Vivi—your strings, your cloth—it's itching my neck!"

"I can't help it!" Vivi snapped back, clinging for dear life.

Then—chomp!

"AAAAAHH!" Nyra screeched. "You little brat!" Dax had actually bitten her hip. She rubbed the sore spot frantically, twisting in midair. "Ouch! Ouch! I'll kill you when we land!"

Fueled by fury, Nyra bent down and bit Dax's shoulder in revenge."AAAAAA!" Dax's grip slipped from Auren.

And just as the chaos reached its peak—

SPLAAAASHHHH!

All four of them crashed into the lake, water exploding upward like fireworks.

As they plunged into the lake, an otherworldly beauty unfolded before their eyes. Every fish glowed like a living lantern. Corals shimmered in hues beyond imagination. Flowers drifted as if they were flying, not rooted, dancing freely with the currents.

Their eyes widened, stunned—like this was the one sight they had been waiting their entire lives to see.

Vivi's lips trembled, sorrow softening her face. Why… why have I never seen this beauty until now? Dax, on the other hand, was lost in awe, whispering as glowing fish brushed past him like strokes of paint on a living canvas.

Tiny fish swarmed around them, decorating their bodies like jewels, as rays of color painted the waters all around.

But wonder soon gave way to panic. Their chests burned—lungs screaming for air. Their bodies twisted frantically in the water.

Dax and Nyra gritted their teeth, pulling everyone upward. Vivi gasped between coughs, her voice trembling, "I don't know how to swim!"

"Then hold onto me," Auren said firmly, lifting her onto his shoulder. "I've got you. Let's go."

Breaking the surface, they caught sight of something extraordinary. Ice stretched across the far end of the water.

Dax's voice boomed with excitement."That's… Eito Town! Swim faster!"

They pushed through, arms cutting against the current. The sunset bled into the horizon above, its golden-orange glow reflecting on the glassy water. Beneath, the crystal-clear world shimmered like a sacred painting, every detail etched into their memory.

Ahead, the land of ice and glaciers rose like a fortress of nature. Upon the cliffs, small stone houses clung to the land, their windmills spinning slowly in the polar winds.

And as if to welcome them, fish leapt from the lake's surface, splashing arcs of light into the air.

They had arrived.

Meanwhile, far from the lake, Nova Makai—a 17-year-old boy—sat alone in his wooden-style home.

The place looked alive. Paintings scattered across the walls moved on their own—colors swirling, figures dancing, instruments playing a soft tune. His house was like a festival of art and joy.

But Nova himself seemed… empty. Detached. Just going through the same dull routine.

He leaned back on his bed, hands resting behind his head, staring at the ceiling."Maybe… a television could keep me entertained?" he muttered. "But no… I don't even have money for that."

A sigh escaped him."My magic? Worthless to myself. Should I… get a girlfriend? Oh no, no, no… I'm awful at talking, terrible at sharing feelings. Friends? Hah. They'd just judge me as a freak anyway. Not happening."

Introvert at his peak, Nova buried his frustration under sarcasm. His gaze shifted down to a tiny painted toy raccoon sitting on his chest. The little creature twitched its ears—alive thanks to his magic.

Nova poked its nose lazily."Maybe I should just… You know… jerk around a little more?" he whispered with a smirk, as though confessing to the raccoon instead of a person.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.