Kuvira threw open the front door of the Beifong mansion with an exhausted huff. She stood there in the open doorway, rubbing her fingers against her eyes to force some semblance of alertness back into her mind. For all the good it did. Her legs dragged behind her as she made her way into the main foyer, while her mouth fell open with a lengthy, involuntary yawn. Had to be well past midnight by now. Spirits, she needed some sleep.

A pair of firm arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her backwards into a loving embrace. Kisses followed along her neck. "Hey, welcome home."

"Mmm..." Kuvira eased a pleasant groan and let herself fall into the embrace, not even trying to hold herself up anymore. Korra could hold her up well enough on her own. "Well hello there, Avatar."

Korra chuckled, resting her chin against Kuvira's shoulder. "Long day?"

"That's putting it lightly. Between meetings, dance rehearsal, power disc practice with Wing and Wei, and a late night workout, I haven't had a moment to stop and think since I woke up this morning." Kuvira bellowed another yawn, and turned a lazy look towards her fiancée. "What about you? Did you just get back?"

"Yeah, about an hour ago," Korra said. "Things in the new United Earth States have finally started settling down, and President Dao has been officially sworn in. Which means I am officially done spending half my time in Ba Sing Se."

Kuvira smirked at the news. The past year since the fall of the Dragon Empire had seen the world working nonstop to rebuild itself. Zaofu's reconstruction had finished only a few months ago, while Republic City, although largely restored and perfectly habitable, still had some minor repairs to complete. That wasn't even mentioning the colossal effort of restoring the Earth Kingdom. As a nation that had gone through total governmental upheaval several times within the past decade, restoring order had been no simple task.

Korra had been working closely with Ba Sing Se, spending a good deal more of her time there than she would have liked. The Earth Kingdom had since been renamed once again, this time as the United Earth States, now led by an elected president. On a local level, individual Earth states would be run by elected governors. With any luck, this would be the last time the Earth people ever experienced this kind of turmoil.

Kuvira turned around to give her fiancée a kiss. "Well, good. That means I get you all to myself now."

Korra returned the kiss with fervor, tightening her embrace around Kuvira's hips. "I can't wait to have the next couple weeks off."

"You and me both." Kuvira stroked her fingers along Korra's cheek, lowering her touch down to the betrothal necklace around the Avatar's neck. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time."

"I almost can't believe we're actually getting married," Korra said, with a grin. "It seems so surreal. And adult."

"I know what you mean. Seven years ago, I thought my life was over. Now, I'm marrying the most beautiful woman in the world." She paused, musing with a soft laugh. "Not to mention, a woman who used to be my most bitter enemy."

Korra chuckled. "Funny how life works out sometimes, isn't it?"

"You can say that again." Kuvira smiled, leaning in for another kiss. "You don't think people are too upset that we're having it in the South Pole, do you? I know some of our friends aren't exactly big fans of the cold."

"I'm sure they'll survive. Besides, it'll be during the Glacier Spirits Festival, so if anything they should at least be able to keep themselves entertained."

Kuvira lifted a curious brow. "As if our wedding wasn't entertainment enough?"

Korra smirked, reaching down to grab her fiancée's arms. She guided Kuvira against the wall and pinned her there, leaning close with their lips hovering a hair's breadth away from each other. With a sultry whisper, she said, "Well, that is the main attraction."

Kuvira eased a hot breath from her throat. She made no resistance against the hold, allowing herself to sink back against the wall, completely at the Avatar's mercy. "Feels like you're after a different sort of attraction right now."

"Maybe I am"

Korra kissed gently along the side of Kuvira's neck. When her lips found the collar of the matriarch's robe, she reached up to undo the top and slide it downward. With a simple tug, the robe fell free down Kuvira's body, exposing her bare chest to the open air. The kisses continued south, each one eliciting a soft, pleasured gasp, and an instinctive squirm of enjoyment. Kuvira's pants disappeared next, and soon the kisses traveled down her lower abdomen and beyond.

When Korra's lips finally found their way between the matriarch's legs, Kuvira hissed out a sharp gasp, hips bucking forward in response. She closed her eyes and let her head tilt backwards against the wall, mouth hanging open with repeated moans of enjoyment. Her balance wavered with a subtle quiver, but she held steady by planting her hands atop Korra's head.

She tried to speak. Tried to insist they probably shouldn't do this in the middle of the main foyer. That they should take things to the bedroom. Words never found their way to her lips, only pleasured gasps and moans, audible protests against any thoughts of decency. The pleasure built, and so too did her moans, louder and sharper with each new blissful pulse jolting through her muscles. When that bliss reached its peak, she uttered a shrill scream that she could do nothing to silence. Her legs gave out with a quivering stumble, but Korra caught her and pulled her upright before she could fall.

"W-we should... probably... go back to our room before someone wakes up," Kuvira gasped, heaving in deep puffs of air.

"Good idea." Korra tossed the matriarch's robe back at her with a grin. "There's a lot more I want to do to you tonight."


Asami stood at the center of the newly restored Avatar Korra Park, staring at the long flat wall of polished obsidian in front of her: The Republic City Memorial. Names stared back at her. Thousands of names engraved upon the wall, each one belonging to a brave soul who had fallen in the battle against the Dragon Empire. During the city's rebuilding process, she had made certain there would be a dedicated place for people to remember those they had lost. Now, the memorial received hundreds of visitors each day.

They laid out flowers, and pictures, and ribbons, all sorts of offerings at the base of the wall, in memory of the dearly departed. Some paused to read the names etched into the stone, while others knelt in front of it in silent remembrance. There were those who stood in front of one name in particular, sobbing with a grief that had yet to fade, and likely never would. Only a year had gone by since that horrific day. That kind of pain required a long time to heal, if it could ever heal at all.

Asami had worked herself to near total exhaustion during the past year, overseeing Republic City's reconstruction. The entire infrastructure had needed to be gutted and reformed, which, while an incredible amount of work, had given them a chance to build better roads and transportation. Rather than competing with the Spirit Wilds, streets and neighborhoods were built around them. Drivers no longer had to worry about taking a wrong turn and crashing into an errant vine, or running over a family of spirits.

Keeping her promise, Asami had built Republic City bigger and better than ever, expanding neighborhoods farther into the surrounding landscape. While quite a bit of minor construction remained to be completed, the main city had finished nearly a month ago, allowing all of its former citizens to return. So much work, all of it worth the effort. At least now she could take a breather.

"Hey," said a sweet voice.

Asami blinked out of her daze to see Sinn standing next to her. She offered a loving smile, and leaned in for a kiss. "Hey."

Sinn sighed, glancing towards the memorial wall. "So many names..."

"I know." Asami breathed deep, sweeping her gaze across the entire length of the wall. "It's easy to forget sometimes how many died. Seeing this memorial really puts things back into perspective."

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm... I'll be fine." Asami held a hand to her forehead and squinted her eyes shut. "It's been a year, but I can still see the horror from that day whenever I close my eyes. And in my dreams. My nightmares..."

Sinn brought a tender hand to her girlfriend's shoulder. "You know I'm here for you."

"I know, thank you." She huffed a deep exhale, and rubbed her hands gently against her girlfriend's back. "I just feel like everything that happened was my responsibility, my fault. I'm the President of the United Republic, and I led our capital into ruin."

"Hey, no, don't you think like that," Sinn insisted. "That was Yula's fault, nobody else's. You did everything you could to help Republic City, and even after it was destroyed, you helped rebuild it. You're a great president, who puts the lives of her people first."

Asami didn't respond, but her smile strengthened. She reached down to take hold of Sinn's hands with a tight squeeze, lacing their fingers together.

"Hey, you two."

Asami looked towards the sound of the voice to see a familiar man dressed in Republic City Police armor approaching them. "Mako, hey, thanks for meeting us." Her gaze lowered to take in the armor he wore, focusing particularly on the badge pinned to the chest plate. "You look good in your new uniform."

"Thanks." Mako looked down at himself, tugging uncomfortably at the collar of his armor. "Still feels a little odd to me, especially since I'm not a metalbender. I always thought that was supposed to be a requirement to be Chief of Police."

"So did I," Sinn said, giving the armor a curious stare. "I thought only metalbenders could get that armor on?"

"Normally that's true, but Beifong had a special set commissioned for me." Mako gestured to the clasps fitted along the sides of the armor, which would pull the plates apart when released. "She was really insistent about me taking over the job. I guess after that whole Uhara debacle, she didn't trust the station to anyone else when she retired."

"Where is Lin now, anyway?" Asami asked.

Mako offered an unknowing shrug. "Oh, she's off with her wife somewhere, traveling the world."

Asami chuckled. "Never would have pictured her as a world traveler, but I guess that's what happens when you're married to Kya."

"Hey guys!" called another voice. They turned towards the bridge over the pond to see Bolin hurrying towards them, Opal at his side.

"Sorry we're late," Opal said, as the pair arrived. She huffed a small sigh, looking down at the four-month-old baby boy in her arms. "San was being a little fussy this morning. Took a while to get him ready."

"Don't worry about it," Asami said, giving baby San a smile. The child let out a tired yawn and squirmed in his mother's arms. "It's so good to see you both. How have things been, being married now and all?"

"Crazy," Bolin said, with a tired huff. "You know, they tell you that raising a kid is a lot of work, but man, it is really a lot of work."

Opal let out an awkward chuckle and nodded with agreement. "Yeah, I don't remember the last time I've had a good night's sleep."

"You know, if you ever need a babysitter, we're happy to help," Asami said.

"Yeah," Sinn added, flashing a smirk towards the new Chief of Police. "I'm sure Mako would love to take his nephew off your hands some day."

Mako blinked back at her with a confused stare. "Uhh, come again?"

"What?" Sinn said, lifting her brow. "You are his uncle."

"Well, yeah, but... me? With a baby? Alone?" Mako swallowed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I think I'd rather conduct a sting on the triads."

Opal chuckled, rocking San back and forth in her arms. The child let out a soft coo in response. "Don't worry about it, really. It may be hard, but we wouldn't trade the time with our son for anything."

"Except, you know, maybe like just one night alone sometime," Bolin said, with a hopeful nod. "That would be nice."

"Anyway, should we get going?" Asami said. "I'm starving."

Mako nodded. "Yeah, I only have an hour before I need to get back to the station, and I shouldn't be late considering I already have the next week off for Korra's wedding."

Opal gasped at the mention of the wedding. "Oh right, that's next week! I completely forgot. We have so much to do before we're ready to leave."

Bolin gave a thoughtful nod, raising a hand to his chin. "Mhm, and you know, gotta say, I'm a little concerned about it being during the Glacier Spirits Festival. You remember the last Glacier Spirits Festival we went to? Attacked by dark spirits!"

"Relax, Bolin," Asami said, with a teasing smirk. "We're not going to be attacked by dark spirits again."

"Hey, you never know! These things tend to happen to us!"

Opal leaned in close, giving her husband a brief kiss on the cheek. "Tell you what, if dark spirits attack you again, I'll protect you."

"Oh, okay good, yes," Bolin replied, with a nod. "That is very reassuring."

Sinn let out a gentle laugh, pulling Asami along by the hand. "Anyway, come on, we should probably get going. The restaurant awaits."


Several days later, Korra and Kuvira sat around the table in the dining hall of the Southern Water Tribe Royal Palace. Korra's parents, Tonraq and Senna, sat across from them. While normally dinner would have been prepared and served by the palace cooks, tonight was a more intimate affair. Senna had taken time to cook and serve the entire meal for her family. All five courses of it. By the end of the meal, both Kuvira and Korra slumped in their chairs, stuffed full.

"Thanks for dinner," Korra said, pressing a hand against her stomach. "You really didn't have to."

"Honey, of course we had to," Senna insisted. "You're our daughter and you're getting married. What kind of parents would we be if we didn't congratulate you with a nice dinner?"

Kuvira offered her soon-to-be mother-in-law an appreciative smile. "It was delicious, Senna, thank you."

"I just want to say how happy we are for the both of you," Tonraq said, leaning forward across the table. "After everything that happened in the past, I never would have imagined welcoming you into our family, Kuvira, but the past is just that: in the past, where it belongs. Now, I think of you as another daughter, and I couldn't be prouder that you two are getting married."

"As am I," Senna said, with a beaming smile. "You two are so good together, and I'm so happy..." Tears brimmed at the edges of her eyes, appearing with remarkable suddenness. She sniffled and wiped them away, shaking her head in embarrassment. "Oh spirits, there I go."

"Thank you, Tonraq, Senna." Kuvira maintained her smile, looking back and forth between the two. "That means more than you know."

Korra stood from her seat and made her way around the table to embrace both her parents in a hug. "Thanks Mom, thanks Dad. I love you."

Tonraq wrapped his arms tight around his daughter, beaming proudly. "We love you too, Honey."


Guests began arriving four days before the wedding. Both Korra and Kuvira stood down by the docks of the Southern capital, watching as ships pulled into port. They waited patiently in front of one ship in particular, this one from Republic City. The gangplank lowered, allowing a series of figures to begin making there way onto the dock. Bolin appeared first, offering an excited shout as he raced down the ramp to greet them.

"Korra!" he announced, lifting his friend up in a tight embrace.

"Whoa, it's good to see you too," Korra said, with a delighted chuckle.

Mako joined them a moment later. He offered a firm handshake to Kuvira, before turning to give Korra a hug of his own. "It's been way too long."

"It really has been." Korra smiled, noticing three more arrivals approaching from the behind them. "Asami, Opal, Sinn, thank you all so much for coming."

"Well of course we came," Asami said. "This is the biggest day of your life. Both of your lives." She looked to the matriarch next, extending her hand in greeting. "Kuvira."

"Asami." Kuvira shook the president's hand and gave a simple nod. "Good to see you."

"Likewise."

Kuvira's attention shifted, taking careful notice of Asami's other hand holding tight around Sinn's fingers. She smirked, looking to her old friend with a knowing gleam in her eyes. "And Sinn, it's great to see you. I hear you two are getting pretty serious?"

"Well, uh, we just moved in together," Sinn replied, with a nervous chuckle. "So yeah, you could say that."

"Well, congratulations." Kuvira gave the couple a nod, and turned towards Opal. She leaned close, smiling at the baby held in her sister's arms. "This must be my nephew. Sorry I haven't been out to see him sooner. Things have just been so crazy lately between restoring Zaofu and preparing for the wedding."

"Don't worry about it, really," Opal insisted. "Believe me, I know a thing or two about crazy these past few months."

"He's adorable," Korra said, beaming a smile at San. "And he has your eyes."

Opal chuckled. "Thanks, although you wouldn't think he's so adorable when he's crying at two in the morning. Trust me on that."

"Ha, I can imagine." Korra stood straighter and turned her attention to Mako. "So, I hear you're the Chief of Republic City Police now. Congratulations."

"Yep, just took over a month ago," Mako said, with a nod. "Beifong actually seemed pretty eager to hand over the job. I guess she'd just had enough."

Korra nodded. "From the sound of it, yeah. She and Kya actually arrived a couple days ago. I don't think I've ever seen her so happy."

"Anyway, we'd better get settled in." Asami gave a parting wave, pulling Sinn along farther down the dock. "We'll see you later, Korra."

When Asami and the others were gone, Tenzin and his family appeared on the ship gangplank, making their way down to the dock. Kai had come with them, walking hand-in-hand with Jinora. When they noticed Korra waiting for them, the Airbender kids quickened their pace towards the dock. Ikki, Meelo, and Rohan broke away from the others with excited laughs and lunged into a massive group hug with the Avatar. Jinora joined them moments later, in a far more reserved manner than her siblings.

"Thanks for coming, everyone," Korra said, giving them all a powerful squeeze. They were hardly small children anymore, Rohan being the youngest now at eleven years old, but still she managed to hoist all four of them several inches off the ground.

Tenzin approached with a smile. "Of course, Korra. We wouldn't have missed this for the world."

"Come on everyone," Pema said, trying to pry her kids away from Korra. They reluctantly let go and followed their mother. "Let's find where we're staying."

Shortly after the Air Family left, another ship pulled into harbor, much larger and more elegant than any other. Unmistakable as the Northern Water Tribe flagship, leaving no doubt who was on it. When the gangplank lowered, a column of guards made their way at the front of a procession, followed closely behind by the Northern Chiefs, Eska and Desna. Korra and Kuvira promptly made their way around the docks to meet them.

"Greetings, Cousin Korra," Eska said, as they approached. "We are here to wish you a happy wedding. I certainly hope yours goes better than mine. You know, the one you ruined."

Kuvira lifted an eyebrow at her. "You're still bitter about that?"

Desna met her raised eyebrow with one of his own. "She was wishing you a happy wedding. I fail to see how that is being bitter."

"Never mind," Kuvira muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Thank you both for coming," Korra said, leaning in to give them both a hug. They remained standing stiff and rigid, both offering a single arm around their cousin in response. "It's great to see you again."

"Indeed." Eska pulled her arm away from Korra and led her brother down the dock. "Come, Desna, I am hungry. We should acquire sustenance."

Once the twins were gone, Korra gave a curious look out at the ships in port. "So, is your family arriving today too?"

"No," Kuvira said, with a shake of her head. "They'll be getting here in the next couple days. I think Varrick and Zhu Li are getting here tomorrow. Izumi and Iroh, too."

"Who else are we waiting on, then?"

Kuvira looked to the horizon, where she noticed a shadow approaching in the sky. She shielded the sun from her eyes with one hand, watching as the shadow grew larger. "Them."

Druk swooped into port near the center of the docks. When he landed, he lowered his head so Azula could jump down and work on untying the travel bags lashed around his neck. Meanwhile, Anraq slid down off the dragon's back and reached up to help down the young girl behind him.

"Easy does it, Sweet Pea," he said, as he took hold of his daughter's waist. "I got you."

"Daddyyy, I can do it myself." Kanna shrugged off her father's hands, promptly sliding off the dragon's back. She landed with a plop on her rear end, and quickly scrambled back to her feet. "See? I'm a big girl."

"Oh, of course, I forgot," he said, with a relenting nod. "You're four now."

She pouted, planting her hands on her hips. "Four and a half."

Anraq chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "My mistake."

"Kanna, sweetie," Azula said, glancing up over the side of Druk's neck. "Don't forget your earmuffs."

"I knooow, Mommy." Kanna uttered an exasperated groan as she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a pair of fluffy white earmuffs. "I got 'em."

Azula lifted a bemused eyebrow at the girl. "Oh, well, excuse me. Clearly I've underestimated you."

"Yuh huh!" Kanna grinned, placing the earmuffs over her head as she swept a long, studious look around the docks. Her gaze froze when she noticed the two women standing nearby. Her eyes widened, a surprised gasp bursting from her throat. With a frantic tug on her father's sleeve, she pointed towards one of the women. "Daddy, Daddy, look! Over there! Isn't that the Avatar?"

"It sure is," he said, with a grin. "You want to meet her?"

"What?" Kanna stared up at him in shock. "You mean I can actually say hi to her?"

"Sure you can. We're good friends, you know."

Kanna squealed with excitement, a giddy smile spreading wide across her face. "Yes! Let's go!"

By the time they made it to the Avatar, Kanna had taken to hiding behind her father's leg, nervously peering around the side. Korra knelt down, coming to eye level with her, and gave a welcoming smile. Kanna's brow lifted, staring with wide eyes.

"Well, hello there," Korra said. "You must be Kanna."

Kanna recoiled with a sharp gasp. "You already know my name?"

"I sure do," she replied. "Your dad's told us a lot about you. It's really great to meet you."

Pure elation sparked across Kanna's face. She ran out from behind her father's legs, beaming a smile at the Avatar. "It's super awesome to meet you too! You're so pretty!"

Korra chuckled. "Well, aren't you a cutie? Thank you."

"Oh, oh! Wanna see what I can do?"

"Sure, what can you do?"

"Okay, okay, stand back, 'cuz you might get wet." Kanna took a few steps back and breathed in deep. Shifting into as firm a stance as her little legs would allow, she guided her arms through the air. Seconds later, the snow at her feet lifted into the air and coalesced into the form of a quivering, dripping ball of water. Her grin widened, as she broke into a fit of laughter. "See, look! I'm a waterbender, just like you!"

"That's amazing!" Korra said, giving the girl a congratulatory grin. "Keep practicing and I'm sure you'll become an incredible waterbender, just like your father."

Kuvira took a step towards Azula, both of them watching in momentary silence as Kanna continued to show off her waterbending to the Avatar. When word had first reached them about Kanna's miraculous resurrection thanks to Azula visiting the Mother of Faces, they almost hadn't believed it. Probably wouldn't have, if not for the copy of the family portrait that had arrived with the letter. Now here she was, Anraq's daughter back from the dead. Impossible and amazing, all at once.

Kuvira shifted a curious look towards the woman next to her. "So, what about you? How has this past year been?"

"Honestly?" Azula offered a subtle smirk to the matriarch, a smirk that soon widened into a pure, genuine smile the longer she watched Kanna. "It's been the best year of my life. I've never been so calm and at peace before. So happy. I never could have imagined myself being a mother before, either, but now I can't imagine my life without Kanna in it. I know I didn't give birth to her, but I love her like my own. She's a wonderful child, and seeing how Annie is with her..." Her words trailed away into a blissful sigh.

Kuvira nodded, returning a gentle smile of her own. "Yeah, I get it. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Kuvira. Congratulations, too, I suppose. For the wedding and all."

"Thanks," she replied. "Speaking of weddings, will there be one in your future?"

"Wh-what?" Azula stiffened at the question, eyebrows lifting high. "N-no, why would—Annie and I have never even discussed—I mean, me, a wife? Please, Matriarch, you're being ridiculous."

"Mhm." Kuvira smirked, giving the other woman a curious stare. "Whatever you say."

Kanna let out a groan, as the water under her control fell apart and splashed to the ground. "Well, um, that's all I can do now, but I'm gonna get better!"

"That's really good, especially for someone your age," Korra said, bringing a hand to the girl's shoulder. "Tell you what, how about you come by later and I'll give you some lessons?"

Kanna's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Absolutely," Korra replied. "I'd be happy to teach you."

"Awesome!" The young girl immediately looked to her father with a hopeful gaze. "Can I, Daddy?"

"Of course, Sweet Pea," Anraq said, giving his daughter an affirmative smile. "But right now let's go get settled in, alright? We had a long flight."

"'Kaaay," Kanna huffed, with a disappointed sigh. She turned to Azula and held up her arms. "Mommy, carry me?"

"Yes, yes, up we go." Azula eased a gentle sigh, as if trying to feign indifference to the girl's request. Try as she might, she couldn't hide her smile as she reached down to lift Kanna into her arms. "On the shoulders, right?"

"Yup!" Kanna giggled, as she sat atop Azula's shoulders. "Let's go!"

Kuvira grinned, watching the family make their way down the dock. "You know, it really is."

Korra raised an eyebrow. "Really is what?"

"Funny, how life works out sometimes."


A harsh shiver tore through Yula's spine. She huddled in a ball near the back of the icy prison cell, desperate to gain any warmth she could from her own chi. This cursed place was cold enough to keep her from bending, but warm enough to keep her from freezing to death. She had tried numerous times to create any amount of fire, but the most she had ever managed was a dim ember from her fingertips. That had been ages ago. How long had she been in here now? Six months? A year? Longer? Time had no meaning in this place, no purpose. She'd never be getting out. No one had come to visit her in that time, either. Not her mother, not Shayu, not the Avatar, not even Azula to rub it in her face.

An angry, frigid howl surged out her throat at the thought of Azula. If not for that horrid woman, none of this would have happened. Yula would still be Dragon Empress, she would still be in power, and the entire world would be safe and united. Instead, she sat locked away in a frozen prison, hundreds of feet below the ice. If she ever managed to get out of this place, Azula would be the first to suffer her wrath.

"Hello, Yula."

Yula blinked at the sound of the voice. Had she heard that right? No, must be imagining things. No one had ever come to visit her. Not even the guards spoke to her. Surely, this was a trick on her mind. With a disbelieving squint, she looked through the bars of the prison door. A figure stood there, staring back at her, his face hidden behind the hood of a large cloak. Her heart pulsed. Not imagining things at all.

"Wh-who are you?" she stammered, unable to steady her voice against her shivering. "Y-You're not o-one of the r-r-regular g-guards."

"No, I'm not," the man replied, in a smooth, unflinching tone. Such a familiar voice. Familiar, and yet Yula couldn't quite place it. "It's taken me quite some time to get myself down here. Now that I am, I'm going to let you out."

"Wh-what?" Yula sat upright and narrowed a glare at the man. "L-let m-me out? W-why?"

"Because, Yula, you still have unfinished business to take care of." The man slid a key into the lock and opened the cell door. He gestured for her to follow, stepping to the side to clear the way for her.

She hesitated. Should she trust this man? Who was he? One of her former supporters, perhaps? Why would he risk so much infiltrating this prison to help her? Within moments, her apprehension vanished, defeated by the much stronger desire to be free from this prison. Fighting against her rapid shivering, she climbed to her feet and shuffled out of the cell. "S-so wh-who are you? Why have you c-come to f-f-free me?"

"Oh, you misunderstand," the man stated, as he stepped behind her. "I'm not freeing you. I merely need you for something."

Yula puzzled her brow, confused. "Wh-what?"

A sharp prick stabbed into the side of her neck. Fire seared through her body, a pain so fierce she couldn't even scream. Her mouth opened, but only a shrill, quiet hiss of air leaked outward. She collapsed unmoving into the snow beneath her. Try as she might, she couldn't so much as twitch her fingers. Paralyzed. Dear spirits, she was paralyzed.

"N-no..." she uttered, glancing upwards with wild eyes. Her eyes were all she could move, and without being able to turn her head she couldn't see any higher than the man's knees. "W-what are you...? Why?"

"Because, Yula." The man lowered himself enough so that he could meet her gaze. Dead, white-burned eyes stared back at her from beneath the cloak. "You have something that doesn't belong to you, and it's time to give it back."