That night, the cold did not fade.

  Even the fire burned strangely — its flame was low, unstable, as if it were afraid.

  No one slept.

  Rin sat slightly aside, holding her injured shoulder.

  Nika silently sharpened her blades.

  The Elf stared into the fire, lost in deep thought.

  Mika kept glancing at Kael from time to time.

  Kael stood near the trees.

  Alone.

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  His hand was still covered with a thin layer of frost.

  The frost did not melt.

  Rin was the first to break the silence:

  — He reacted to you.

  Kael did not turn around.

  — I know.

  The Elf spoke calmly:

  — The Ice Knight does not waste power. If he sent two golems… it means he felt you.

  Nika raised her eyes.

  — Or he fears him.

  Silence fell.

  The wind passed between the trees.

  A cold wind.

  Kael finally spoke:

  — What if I lose control?

  No one answered immediately.

  Mika stood up and walked toward him.

  — You didn’t lose it today.

  — Not yet, — the Elf added quietly.

  Kael looked at his frozen hand.

  — When I felt that power… it wasn’t чужое.

  He clenched his fist.

  Ice cracked softly around his fingers.

  — It was mine.

  Suddenly the fire flared up sharply and then weakened.

  The temperature dropped.

  Frost began spreading across the ground.

  Rin jumped to her feet instantly.

  — That’s not normal.

  The Elf’s eyes widened.

  — He’s watching.

  The trees around the camp slowly began to freeze.

  Branches were covered with white crystal.

  The fire almost died out.

  Then, from the depths of the forest, something like a snowy wind swept through.

  After that—

  The frost stopped spreading.

  The temperature gradually returned.

  Nika slowly exhaled:

  — So he knows we’re coming.

  The Elf shook her head.

  — No.

  She looked at Kael.

  — He’s inviting us.

  Kael stared into the darkness.

  Three days.

  And at the end of the road…

  The Ice Knight.

  Waiting.