The black-cloaked trio stepped into Eito's main town. As their boots touched the snow, the coldness sparked within them like needles against their skin. Ana's gaze wandered across the townspeople and their houses.

Snow-capped wooden cabins stretched in rows, each built from dark pinewood walls and heavy beams. The roofs carried thick layers of snow, icicles hanging down like sharp, frozen teeth. Around every house, open decks spread out, where chimneys puffed out steady streams of smoke. It was a traditional sight—people living with their hearts, greeting each other warmly like one big community. Old men sat on porches, sipping tea near the fire, laughter and conversation weaving into the night.

Every window glowed with a faint blue light, as if each were framed with crystals. Some lamps were covered with icy patterns, making the glass shimmer. Wooden walls bore carvings like frozen veins of frost, and at night, the entire town glittered like gems hidden in snow. Each door was carved with mystic animal symbols, a quiet testament to ancestral roots.

Ana, Ryzin, and Aazin stood silently, mesmerized by the beauty of Eito's nightlife. Ana's breath caught in her throat, her words spilling out softly, perfectly shaped by awe.

"Wow… this town is beautiful."

Her voice carried the weight of honesty, every sentence ending like a frame in a painting. Too perfect. Too great.

Their gazes drifted upward—and there it was. Far across the sky, glowing heavenly white, floated a vision that seemed impossible. A palace-like shape, made of diamond, gleamed as if the heavens themselves had built it. Across that glowing canvas of stars, reindeer strolled on the sky itself.

Children and old men alike rushed into the stone-paved streets, pointing, laughing, praising. Smiles lit their faces as they looked up at the wonder, their voices echoing through Eito like a hymn of joy.

Ana stepped forward a little, her cloak brushing the snow. She leaned toward an old man sitting on a porch, sipping from a steaming cup.

"What is this…?" she asked, her voice carrying both curiosity and awe.

The old man stumbled slightly as he rose, his knees trembling from age. Yet his eyes carried warmth." Oh, lady… beautiful one," he said, squinting at Ana's cloaked face. His voice cracked like an old wooden floorboard, but it held reverence.

Slowly, he lifted his hand toward the glowing reindeer walking across the sky."This… is an Omnai animal. It comes once every month, when the moon gifts its shine to a chosen creature. That animal is found worthy—blessed as Omnai."

The old man's voice grew softer, almost trembling with emotion."As you see this reindeer… it is his last day. He spends it living with happiness and grace among us, before he fades back into the heavens."

The old man's voice carried on, his words as heavy as the snow drifting down:

"This animal will enter the moon, and its soul will merge with the Moon God — Chandra. From then on, it will be freed from the cycle of birth, no longer bound to body or activity. It will dwell in the Moon World forever, in peace… an eternity of moon's bliss."

As those words fell into Ana's ears, her eyes widened."Moon God… Chandra?" she whispered, lifting her gaze to the silver orb above. Her curiosity burned brighter now."Can you tell me more? About the Moon God Chandra… and the Moon World?"

The old man smiled softly. His hands trembled as he drew on his old cigarette, the smoke twining into the night like forgotten prayers. His friend stood out in the street, still gazing at the gifted creature, but the old man's attention was fixed only on Ana's voice.

"Come," he whispered, his voice quaking yet kind. "Sit with me. I'll tell you." He pointed to a wooden chair beside him.

Ana hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking back to Aazin and Ryzin, who were still watching the glowing sky. She pressed her palms together, thinking, then called out, "I'll join you later. Is that fine?"

Ryzin waved playfully."No problem, love."

Aazin frowned."Huh? Why so?"

Ryzin chuckled."Let her talk to the elders. What if she learns something? Nova lives at the town's edge, and night is almost here. Let's search for a place to stay. She'll manage."

Aazin thought for a moment, then nodded."Alright. We'll go."

Ana's boots tapped lightly on the wooden stairs as she ascended the porch. She stepped toward the old man and settled into the chair, her cloak wrapping around her like a warm embrace. The motes of chimney smoke kissed her cheeks, and the sweet, sharp scent of burning citric wood filled her nose.

The old man tilted his face toward her, giving her a gentle smile. His thick woolen grey shawl slid down his shoulder as if carrying the weight of countless winters.

The curves of Ana's hips fit easily into the wooden chair. She leaned back, exhaling softly, as if releasing a tension she had carried for far too long. Her gaze dropped first to the chimney fire—its flames were pink, not red. Her eyes narrowed with curiosity, tracing every flicker.

The old man caught her wandering eyes. He chuckled, his voice hoarse but filled with warmth.

"This town… it is different from the rest. Here in Eito, we use magic to shape beauty. The people of this town do not carry Vita within themselves. And if, by fate, someone awakens Vita… they offer it to Anamika, the Tree of Creation. It is the land's greatest blessing."

His voice grew deeper, though a smile of wisdom lingered on his face."Every house here is filled with magic. And when magic is used to build beauty, we call it devotion to the Moon God."

Ana listened in silence, her fingers resting on her lap. Her eyes narrowed again, filled with questions she didn't speak aloud.

The old man noticed her stillness and continued."The people of this town… we only pray to the Moon God. Not to the Sun God, Hallium."

At last, Ana's voice broke the quiet, low and sharp."…Why?"

The old man laughed softly, like snow cracking under weight."Because Hallium does not praise our beauty. He brings light, but not grace. Only the Moon praises it in the night. When the moon rises, Eito awakens in glow. Every being ignites with wonder. The polar bears dance, the hunters put down their claws, and even the white lion eats grass."

As the old man's words settled, Ana felt as if doors to a new life had opened before her. Her eyes sparked, glossy with surprise.

Wow… this town is strange, yet so beautiful.

The old man shifted in his chair; his bones cracked sharply. Ana leaned forward. "Are you okay?"

He waved her concern away with a small smile. "No, no…It's nothing."

From the chimney, soft pink smoke curled into the air, drifting toward them. Yet neither coughed—for the smoke was feather-light, carrying warmth that wrapped around them like a blanket against the endless cold of Eito.

Ana's curiosity deepened. "Where is the Tree of Creation?"

The old man lifted a trembling hand and pointed toward a distant snow mountain. His voice dropped, reverent."Beyond that mountain lies a forest. And in the heart of that forest… stands Anamika, the Tree of Creation. It welcomes all—there is no harm in visiting it. You may go whenever your heart wishes."

Then his eyes hardened, and his voice carried warning."But avoid the forest in the sunlight. Within its shadows live venomous snakes, swift and merciless. In daylight, they strike without hesitation. But at night… they sleep. Under the moon's watch, they do not bite."

Ana crossed one leg over the other, resting her chin lightly against her right hand.

The old man's eyes narrowed with gentle curiosity."Tell me… why do you keep your face covered?"

Ana hesitated, her gaze shifting toward the pink flames in the chimney. She tried to dodge the question."I… I just feel cold. And I don't really like showing my face to people. It makes me uncomfortable…"

The old man's wrinkled lips curved into a happy smile, as though her answer pleased him."Ahh, so that's the reason. And those two men with you—do they feel the same?"

Ana nodded quickly. "Yes. We're new here, just visiting to see the beauty of this place. We'll be leaving soon."

The old man rubbed his palms slowly in front of the chimney's glow, nodding as if he understood more than he said."Hmm… ok, ok."

Ana's eyes sharpened, her voice low but steady as she leaned closer to the old man."Old man… You must know about that past. The scary past—the one people whisper about. The Grand Era. Is there some string of history… connected to Baku?"

She paused, her breath fogging in the cold air. "I want to know about that time… and the characters who played their roles there. I was just… curious to ask."

The old man's smile faded. His wrinkled fingers froze mid-rub near the chimney's pink flames. For a long moment, he didn't answer, as though her question had pulled him back into a place heavy with memory. His eyes, clouded with age, glimmered faintly with both fear and reverence.

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