VI - The Story of Love: The Chaos

S-Snow?

Great. Just great.

Earlier, it was fog. Now, it has to be snow.

What's wrong with this kingdom?

Although it was night and she was yet to set foot inside Nairn, the raining snow was clear as day to Alvieha. To add more, her experienced senses are picking up a strange mana cycle. Eager to get to the bottom of it, the Rover fixed her cloak and hastened to the city, her thirst completely overshadowed.

As she entered the town, the cold sensation on her feet instantly sent chills up her spine. Alvieha was wearing a cloak from head to toe, but only had sandals underneath. After every step, snow snuck under her soles, she shivered.

This snow is beyond normal. It's a bit similar to Alque's fog. At least, I can see through this. Let's see if I can talk in this.

Everywhere she looked, there were adults, screaming names and worrying. She approached a nearby mother, careful not to get snow under her feet, and asked. To her luck, she was able to converse with no problem. Apparently, her son disappeared from his bed in the middle of the night.

When Alvieha asked another parent, he, too, said his daughter wasn't in bed when he checked.

As distraught guardians yelled and walked in circles, Alvieha found herself in the middle of the crowd, her head putting the pieces together.

This seems like a mass kidnapping.

Hang on. Don't tell me...

While the young woman contemplated, several corners away, more distraught mothers and fathers were out, calling out their children. Amidst the panicked crowd, a silver-haired woman stood out.

Keeping her fright under wraps, she went to the centre of the street to gather everyone's attention.

"Everyone, please stay calm. We, the Magic Knights, will find all the kids."

Parents nearby stopped their yelling and circled the teenager in a black cloak. Some approached the lass, wishing for their children to be located. After promising their safe return to every worried soul that asked her, the Magic Knight retreated to a nearby home, right after she relayed the information to the Headquarters.

Within minutes, word spread to the other parts of Nairn – that the Magic Knights were on the case.

Meanwhile, still out in the cold, Alvieha was engaging with someone telepathically.

"Well, what do you think?"

"Hm... so, why should there be no snow again?"

A stressed sigh was heaved. "Because it's not the season for that."

"Then, what season is it supposed to be now?"

"It's summertime, you cheesecake. To have snow at this time of year is as strange as seeing a chicken wear a tutu and play the piano with its beak."

"But, that would make good entertainment."

Alvieha nodded at the thought. "True, but we're digressing. Do you get the gist of what I'm trying to say?"

"That... may be the plan I've been hearing. I suppose you can check it out, though, but, remember. As long as you don't do anything drastic, everything would be the way it should be."

"Hopefully, so. Well, see ya when I see ya."

And the line was cut.

As Alvieha returned her attention to her surrounding, there was still snow from above, but the people were getting organised. Individuals in black veils were scattered all over the streets, guiding tensed up parents to temporary sanctuary underneath the church roof.

The mage took notice of the queue and decided to trail the line of perturbed guardians. When she arrived inside the biggest building in town, the sight of anxious men and women, both adult and teens, sent her to worry.

Couples hugged in a corner, comforting each other while whispering calming words. Single parents were kneeling towards the altar, their hands firmly knitted in front of them, praying for their children's well-being and safe return.

Wishing to ease the pain, Alvieha offered her assistance to the nuns inside the church. They provided porridge and drinks to the hungry parents, blankets to the shivering mothers and fathers, and a shoulder to cry on to some others.

At the time the mage was folding some blankets with several nuns, she gazed at the window and towards the sky. The moon has already passed its peak. As the women accompanying her excused themselves, Alvieha finished folding her last one, then headed to an unoccupied hallway.

While her eyes were fixed at the moon while her back on a wall, Alvieha was trying to wake up a certain white-haired male miles away from her.

Luckily for the young miss, he got up.

"Do you have any idea what time it is, Alvieha." Cirxen's voice was weak and hoarse, different from his usual cool and deep one.

"Well, excuse me, if I'm working overtime. I need you to do something for me. Can you take care of this as quickly as you can?"

The other line was silent for a second, before responding with a deeper voice. "Granted."