Still going as fast as they safely can, Matthew and Sveta followed Amiti's scent. The rumbling quieted down until it was inaudible to even Sveta.
Matthew stuttered, "C-could that of been an..."
"Yes, I'm sure it was an avalanche," answered Sveta.
"I hope Amiti is alright..."
Right around a corner, the two found themselves before a vast field of snow. The scent trail leads right into it. Sveta led Matthew throughout the path until they suddenly had nothing to follow.
"This... is the end of the path, right?" Matthew asked.
Sveta mumbled, "Yes, it is..."
Matthew and Sveta knew what this likely meant.
"Do we have someway to dig?"
"I'll try digging with beast form. Stand back."
Matthew let go of Sveta's hand, then stepped backwards. It was then she grew in size, her appearance became more wolf-like, her hair transformed into a purple mane, and her fur became lavender. Sveta buried her claws into the snow and tossed bunches of it into a pile.
"Quicker!" shouted Matthew. "Amiti's life depends on us!"
"I don't think I can... If I did, it would be possible for me to accidentally puncture Amiti with my claws. Besides, I think I can pick up a slight scent now."
Matthew felt very helpless at the moment. If he had Scoop psynergy, then he could dig through the snow as well. Matthew placed both of his hands over his face.
He then heard Sveta say, "Matthew, I found him..." Matthew uncovered his face, then saw Sveta holding an unconscious Amiti.
"Amiti! Is he alive?"
"He is still breathing, but we need to get him back to camp as quickly as possible. We can follow the trail back."
Sveta effortlessly held Amiti with one of her arms, then grabbed Matthew's hand with the other. With the scent trail visible to Matthew again, the two started to trace their steps. It was more tiring going through that same path uphill.
Sveta told Matthew, "I can't stay in this form for much longer..."
"Then let me carry him," Matthew said.
Matthew received Amiti from Sveta. He struggled with holding Amiti for a bit before carrying him in one arm like what Sveta was doing. During that time, Sveta reverted to her normal-looking self. She then gripped Matthew's free hand in order for him to see the scent trail again. Matthew and Sveta continued on until they found themselves back at camp. Still holding Amiti, Matthew rushed into the tent. Sveta was right behind him. He noticed that Karis, Tyrell, Rief, and Eoleo were all waiting for them.
Sveta said, "Karis, we found him under the snow. What do we do?"
"Eoleo said that he would know what to do," Karis stated.
"Can you do it then?"
"Matthew has to put Amiti down on a sleeping bag first," said Eoleo.
Matthew did what Eoleo told him to do, making sure to do it carefully.
Rief spoke, "You seem to know what you're doing. How do you know what needs to be done?"
"During my raids of Imil, some of my crewman got very cold. I had to use Mars psynergy in order to keep them warm."
"The one behind all those attacks in my hometown, that was you!"
"Don't think of me as a knight in shining armor. I am a pirate, and I will steal in order to keep Champa alive."
"Does that justify killing people?"
"Stop it, both of you!" shrieked Karis. "We have no time for arguing. Get to it Eoleo!"
"Alright, I'll do it," said Eoleo. "Is she always that bossy?"
Tyrell answered, "You get used to it."
Eoleo's hand glowed red as he placed it on top of Amiti's chest. In a minute, Amiti's eyes opened up.
"Are you feeling better?" Eoleo asked.
"I think so," answered Amiti.
"When you got buried in an avalanche, Sveta and Matthew came to save you," explained Karis.
"So, it was you two who saved my life. Matthew... I'm sorry for the way I have acted tonight."
"And?" Tyrell demanded.
"I'm sorry for not being entirely honest with you. This is very hard for me to admit, but I-I like men. I even have feelings for you... Are you alright with that?"
Matthew nodded.
"Tyrell, shouldn't you apologize as well?" Karis asked.
"I did what I did to make Amiti be honest to Matthew," explained Tyrell. "Matthew, do you think that it justifies what I have done?"
Matthew shook his head in disapproval.
"Trying to force Amiti to out himself and then punching him is never a good idea, even if you have good intentions," Rief stated. "Because of what you and Himi did, Amiti could of died tonight."
Sveta added, "I know that you care about Matthew very much, but I believe you are being overprotective. Even though he is shy, Matthew is still a competent person."
"We have known each other for most of our lives, yet until now, I haven't trusted you enough to handle things like this. I'm sorry for not trusting you and hurting Amiti."
"I don't think we can forgive you for what you have done, but I will trust that you won't do something like that again," Rief told Tyrell.
"Excuse me," said Sveta. "Can Matthew, Amiti, and I have some time in the tent just by ourselves? Matthew would feel more comfortable with less people."
"Of course," answered Karis.
"I'll let you," Tyrell said.
"You may," replied Rief.
"Go ahead," stated Eoleo.
Once it was just Matthew, Sveta, and Amiti, Sveta asked Matthew, "Do you feel like talking?"
Matthew said, "Yes."
"This is the first time I heard you say something that was appropriate," Amiti stated. He paused for a bit, then added, "Now that I am starting to accept my sexuality, I will be fine with the relationship you and Sveta have."
"When I first looked into Matthew's soul, I saw that he liked seeing you shirtless," Sveta told Amiti.
"That means I'm bisexual then," Matthew responded.
"It would be a good idea for the both of you to take a dip in the hot springs together. You two would be cute together."
"Ready to go in with me?" asked a blushing Amiti.
"I am," answered Matthew, whose face was also red.
Because of how much Sveta wants Matthew and Amiti together, I'll just stick to the Matthew/Amiti ending for this fic.