The descent from the mountain was a slow glissade down through slippery rocks and patches of ice.

Ryker and Eleanor stepped carefully through the drifts of snow, their breaths coming out as small clouds in the biting air. When their boots finally touched the packed earth of the valley floor, the world opened up before them.

In front of them lay the remote village. A handful of wooden cabins, their steep roofs weighed down by snow and smoke curling from stone chimneys into the gray sky. A low wall of wooden stakes ringed the settlement with half buried in white snow. It stood guard against the unknown that lurked beyond.

"This place feels like it belongs to another age," Ryker murmured, rubbing his arms. "No lights. No wires. No magic crystals humming in the walls. Just wood, stone and fear."

Eleanor nodded, her breath even in the cold didn't shriver. "They live by old rules. They don't trust surprises"

"Or outsiders" Ryker said as he glanced at her.

As they walked through the silent streets, villagers peered through frosted windowpanes. Eyes wide, glances swift, hearts uncertain. A mother quickly drew back behind her children. A farmer turned a cart away, ignoring the two strangers. The air was thick with distrust, like a veil between them and the world beyond.

At the edge of the village plaza stood a lone figure. A grizzled man in a fur lined coat, leaning on a wooden staff. He watched Ryker and Eleanor approach with a measured gaze that was neither warm nor cold. When they reached him, he straightened himself and tapped his staff gently.

"You two must be from Nexus Academy," he said in a voice rough as gravel but not unkind.

Eleanor inclined her head. "Yes. We have come about the monster attacks."

The man nodded gravely. "I am Thom Arlin. Follow me inside. The wind's rising and you look half frozen."

Ryker bowed quickly. "Thank you, Thom."

Eleanor bristled. "I would manage."

Thom chuckled, a light sound that seemed out of place in the cold silence. "Sure you would Miss. But you will freeze quicker than you think."

Ryker stepped in front of Eleanor. "Thom, show us the way, please. My bones are already complaining"

Eleanor suppressed a smile as Thom led them down a narrow alley between two cabins. Snow whipped in behind them, blanketing footprints almost as soon as they were made. Ryker rubbed his arms again, grateful for the warmth of Eleanor's parka.

They soon reached a cabin and went inside. Inside Thom's cabin. The air was thick with the scent of woodsmoke and herbs. A fire crackled in the hearth, its glow pushing back the gloom. Wooden beams lined the low ceiling and dried bundles of medicinal plants hung from rafters.

"Sit by the fire," Thom said, gesturing towards the two stools. Ryker slid one toward the hearth and sank onto it gratefully. Eleanor remained standing. Her back was rigid as she scanned the room with hawk like precision.

"Tell us what happened" Eleanor said, her tone meant business.

Thom's face darkened. He sat across from Ryker, folding his staff beside him. "It began two weeks ago. It started with a growling in the forest, distant at first, then it came closer. A shape in the tree line. It was pale and huge. Five people were taken. Five lives snuffed out."

Ryker leaned forward. "Taken? How?"

Thom's eyes flicked to Eleanor. "Dragged into the woods. No fight. No bodies. We searched every trail, every coping stone, even called in hunters. Nothing. And the storms… it's getting worse as if the mountain is angry about something."

Eleanor's lips pressed into a thin line. "Has anyone survived?"

Thom nodded slowly. "One. A boy. Nine years old. But he is traumatized. He barely speaks. They say he is all that remains of those five."

Ryker's heart clenched. "Where can we find him?"

Thom sighed as he was glancing at the window where snow battered the wall. "It's dark now. Tomorrow, I will take you to him. For tonight, rest. You look worn."

Eleanor met Ryker's gaze and inclined her head. Ryker stood, smoothing his heavy cloak. "Very well. Thank you, Thom. We will rest tonight and be ready tomorrow"

Thom nodded then opened a side door and led them to a small room with two narrow beds. "Here. Light's out at midnight. Sleep well."

Ryker and Eleanor stood side by side in the center of the room. The only light came from a single lantern on a rough hewn table.

Ryker frowned. "Feels odd. Two strangers sharing a cabin."

Eleanor didn't look at him. "We are not strangers. We are mentor and squire"

Ryker offered a small smile. "True. Squire in the cold."

He chose the bed closest to the fire. Eleanor simply lay on the other, back to him, body rigid even in rest.

Ryker lay down and stared at the simple wooden ceiling. The silence felt heavier than the snow outside.

He cleared his throat softly.

"Eleanor?"

She didn't answer.

He turned toward her bed. Her white hair glinted silver in the lantern light. She breathed evenly, eyes closed.

He spoke more quietly. "Eleanor, are you awake?"

No response.

He waited a moment, then tried again. "Eleanor?"

Finally, she opened one of her red eyes. "What do you want?"

Ryker sat up. "Sorry. I just didn't want you to think I had forgotten."

She sighed, closing her eyes again. "Thoughts are moving too much for sleep."

He nodded understandingly, "I get that."

Then another pause.

Ryker's voice dropped, "Can I ask something? What do you like? Any dreams?"

Eleanor hesitated first then softly said, "Silence."

Ryker smiled. "Fair answer." He sat on the edge of his bed. "For me… I like mornings. The promise of something new. The way the world can start fresh like a blank page."

She turned slightly, "You are poetic."

He laughed. "Just honest."

They talked more about simple things. The taste of coffee, the feel of old leather, the warmth of home. Each answer from Eleanor was short, guarded. But with each one, Ryker felt a connection growing. It was small, fragile but real.

After nearly an hour, Eleanor waved her hand toward him.

Whoosh!!!

Ryker tumbled off the bed and landed on the floor with a soft thud.

Eleanor didn't look pleased. "Enough."

Ryker lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling. "Goodnight Eleano"

She snorted and lay back down.

Ryker curled up on the floor, finally letting the quiet wash over him.

The next morning, icy light slipped under the door. Eleanor jerked awake with a gasp, her heart was hammering.

"Gh…"

Her mind raced with fragments. Grim words, distant laughter, a shape in the dark forest. She clutched her sheet, trembling.

Ryker was already at her side, kneeling. His voice was soft, gentle.

"Eleanor. Hey. It's okay. You are safe"

He patted her hair, brushing back her white strands. She closed her eyes, panting.

He continued quietly, "Breathe. It was just a dream."

Slowly, her breathing steadied. She opened her eyes and looked at him. There was concern in his mismatched gaze.

She pushed his hand away gently and swung her legs off the bed.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice was raw.

Ryker stood, brushing snow from his cloak. "I will be outside. Get yourself together."

She nodded.

As he reached the door, she called softly, "Ryker?"

He paused and looked back.

"Why… why did you help me?"

Ryker held the door, one hand on the frame. He didn't smile. He looked calm, earnest.

"Because no one else did," he said.

She swallowed. "Why don't you ask me what I saw?"

He shook his head. "Some secrets are there to keep, not to share with other"

Her brow furrowed, "You are not like anyone else."

"I hope not," he answered honestly. "We have known each other for... what…like two days? I would like to learn more about you." He stepped out. "But not by ripping your open wounds. I respect your space."

She watched him go, nodding slowly.

Alone, Eleanor wrapped her arms around herself. The remnants of the nightmare lingered fear, loss, the echo of a cruel voice.

Yet Ryker's soft words stayed with her.

No one else did.

She pressed a hand to her chest.

'Maybe… maybe he will be different'

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