"You should get some sleep."

Hal grinned as Zola sat down beside her, shivering against the nighttime cold. "I'm not tired."

"Not tired?! You've been awake for the past four days without any sign of rest. I'm shocked you haven't gone mad from lack of sleep."

"I'll be fine. I do not intend to endure anything I cannot survive. And this, I can survive."

"Even so, I think it would ease some of the people a bit. Your eyes are bloodshot and you are slow to respond. We need you alert and focused."

Hal tightened her jaw, unable to argue with such logic. She glanced around at the villagers, huddled around various fires they had set through the night. The watch rotated every few hours so that people could sleep, keeping an eye out for danger while also checking on their neighbors to make sure they did not freeze in the night. The elderly were especially high risk, and sadly, they had lost one on the first night. Hal had not slept since, and her aunt had taken notice.

"I know you feel the pressure to make sure we all make it," Zola continued softly, laying a hand on Hal's arm. "And if that is the case, then you must make sure to take care of yourself too. It would not do for morale to watch you risk your own safety for the sake of this journey. The people will start to feel guilty, and I know you don't want that."

Sighing, Hal turned back towards the small fire of her section. She had just done a check to make sure everyone was all right and, so far, all was well. Her aunt was right. She could go longer than most without food or sleep, but she did not want to be reckless with it either.

"Fine," Hal muttered, trying not to let her relief at the slight reprieve show. "I will rest for tonight. Promise you'll wake me if you need anything?"

"I promise, child. Now sleep before I knock you out myself."

The days were less harrowing, the movement keeping everyone's blood pumping and their bodies warmer. And as the night gave way to the ever-rising sun, Hal was surprised to see the spirits of her people lifted rather than deterred. She would have surely assumed that the prolonged exposure to the cold, the even tighter rations, and the ever-present danger of possible predatorial attacks would have made them more frightened. Then again, each new day showed more and more how much farther they had made it. The progress gave them hope. Something to hold on to as they took each and every step forward.

They passed their time singing hymns. Those closest to her begged for stories about the mainland and the islands, especially the children who were bracing themselves to make a memory that was not shrouded in snow and ice. Since she was remaining near the rear of the group, Hal typically found herself walking with the most exhausted of travelers, carrying a few as needed. She would not leave anyone behind.

"What about you, Hal?"

"What about me?"

An old childhood friend she'd reunited with, Thandiwe, waggled her brows, carrying her small boy on her back since his legs tired easily during the day. "What will you do when we return? Anxiously seek out that very attractive husband of yours?"

Hal's face burned, mortified. "You saw him?"

"Of course I did! I was shocked you didn't notice me. I knew you had no intention of introducing anyone to him but I had to see for myself if he was real."

"I didn't intend to be rude. After we made the decision to part ways, I clearly forgot my manners."

"No harm, no harm. I was simply being nosey. Although I do hope you'll introduce us properly."

"I will. He'll certainly have his hands full with you lot though."

Thandiwe snickered mischievously but revealed nothing further.

They walked along in comfortable silence, chuckling at the children further up ahead shouting as they chased each other around. There was something comforting and frightening of the sight. Like it was fleeting thing. Hal was too afraid to get her hopes up just yet, but it was there all the same.

"Thandiwe, can I ask you something? And please, be honest with me."

"Anything."

Hal licked her dry, lips, debating if she was desperate enough to dip into her supply of oil and wax or if she could tough it out for a bit longer. "It's…well, it's about, my…"

Hal couldn't actually say it, but Thandiwe caught her glance towards her stomach, and her expression softened. "What would you like to know?"

"I wasn't sure who to ask. It felt so invasive to ask any of the women if they'd had one. But I guess I was wondering —"

"I have."

Hal blinked, glancing up to see Thandiwe already looking at her with a kind smile. Hal could see the lingering hurt in her eyes, but she could also see the openness. The "ask me anything" without having to say it at all.

Looking away for a moment, Hal recomposed herself, fighting the grief and relief at not being alone, and the shame at being relieved that someone else had endured such a nightmare. She reached into her pocket, pulling out the small stone that still had her name etched on. Looking back, she probably could have found an unmarked one. But it was too late now.

"I don't know how to tell Murtagh," Hal whispered. Somehow, despite the noise of the people around them, the sharp wind and the snow crunching under their boots, Hal knew Thandiwe could hear her. It was like they were wrapped in a small bubble, all their own. Safe and private from prying ears. "When I see him again, I know he will see in my face that something is wrong. I won't be able to keep this from him, nor do I intend to. But I don't know how to tell him that I was pregnant but…now I'm not."

"You tell him just that."

"What?"

Thandiwe tilted her head a bit. "That you were pregnant, but now you're not."

"And it's that simple?"

"Of course it's not. You will have to say something painful out loud to someone you love. That is never easy regardless of what the news is. But the loss of a child, even if it was before birth, doesn't negate anything. If it's sad, then it's sad. There is no right or wrong way to feel."

"Is that true though? Surely, there are some reactions that are unforgiveable."

Thandiwe glanced over at that, quiet as she studied Hal's overly-composed face. Eventually she lowered her gaze and smiled, looking forward once again. "I cannot tell you how to feel. No one can. I have found that no woman experiences a miscarriage the same way. They're all different, just as pregnancy is, just as child-bearing is. But if that child was conceived in love, and if they would have been loved in turn, then that is enough reason to feel as you do, even if there are other complicated feelings mixed up in it all. Tell Murtagh the truth, and perhaps give him some time to process the information. Be honest with him. That's really all you can do."

"I hate telling him things that I know will upset him," Hal admitted. "I know he'll feel guilty about it because he couldn't be there, even though I was the one who asked him to leave. Why can't he be more awful and selfish so I don't feel like I'm kicking a kitten?"

Thandiwe snorted, then threw her head back and laughed that even Hal cracked a grin. "Is that really what he's like?"

"Oh completely. He's so soft I wonder how anyone could think negatively of him."

"But didn't you mention finding him annoying when you first met?"

"I did, and I stand by it. But I'm allowed to say it, I married him."

Thandiwe laughed at that. "Fair enough. I couldn't see you marrying anyone whose presence you truly couldn't tolerate. I'm not surprised it took fate intervening to send you a husband. You would've proudly died alone otherwise."

"I don't see a problem with that."

"Of course you don't, you've always been so independent. I remember the elders desperately thinking that marriage would be the one thing that tamed you. I never liked that though. Your father never liked hearing that either — I remember he got so mad at them that they probably never spoke your name and marriage in the same sentence every again." Hal snorted, thinking of the Tenari village elders. If both groups had ever had the opportunity to be introduced, Hal would've given them a lot to talk about as a child and as an adult. She chuckled at the idea.

Thandiwe nudged Hal's shoulder with her own, grinning. After another pause, she bit down on a corner of her bottom lip, her expression shifting to something more serious. Hal understood why when the woman then asked, "Do you know if you'll try again?"

Hal made a face, feeling rather embarrassed. "Admittedly, we weren't technically trying before. But we had discussed wanting children at some point. I think perhaps when things settled down and we had time to actually be married. With all that's happened, I haven't even really had time with Murtagh as my husband."

Thandiwe smiled at that. However, it didn't last, nor did it reach her eyes. As if she knew, just on Hal's tone of voice, what would come next.

"I'm scared," Hal admitted, feeling her throat tighten with emotion. "I was afraid before, not knowing and only able to guess and speculate. But now that I've…" She shook her head. "I don't want to go through something like this again. I don't want to put Murtagh through something like this. Getting our hopes up and watching them fall. I'm not strong enough. Maybe, a few years ago, I would've felt differently. But I have lost too much. Anymore and I fear it will turn me into someone not even Murtagh could love."

Hal clenched her jaw, terrified to look up having admitted to such a thing out loud. They had stopped walking, a few others looking back, curious. Thandiwe waved them along with a forced smile to assuage their concerns, waiting until there were a few steps of distance before responding.

"There's so much I wish I could tell you," the woman began, her eyes watery with unshed tears. "So much I wish could be brushed off with a simple, 'It'll all be okay.'"

"Perhaps in another life."

She snorted. "Perhaps. It's exhausting, the way we've been living. Trying to hold it together. Trying to appear as if we have it all figured out. When I first heard you'd been on Illium, I admit I was jealous. To grow up under that sun, the heat. I miss sand. I hated it as a girl. Always too hot and burying itself in crevices I never knew existed!"

They both laughed at that, slowly beginning to walk again before they lost sight of the group entirely. Although with its size and pace, that would be difficult to manage.

"But when you spoke about feeling like you were the only survivor. How you pressed down memories and emotions just to stay sane…oh Hal, I wish I could go back and time and hug that little girl. She must've been so afraid."

Her eyes blurred with tears despite not wanting to admit how scared she'd been. She had never had to question when or if she would eat. Never felt trapped or stuck behind walls. Yet, Thandiwe acknowledging such difficulties despite her own gave Hal the validation she had been missing. The space to acknowledge how hard it was to be a child suddenly standing all alone in the world.

"You are stronger than you realize," Thandiwe continued, her voice soft as she reached out and took Hal's hand in hers. "But that strength doesn't have to come at the expense of your wellbeing. Nor does it have to come at the expense of your happiness. Do not chase what you think you ought to do. Chase only what will make you happy. What will bring you joy. Only you can know what that is. Perhaps it's not having a baby right now, and that's okay. Have one when you're ready. And if that husband of yours is anything like I hope he is, then he will do whatever it is you need him to. As will I, and Zola, and everyone here. Because we love you, Hal. Never forget that."

Nodding profusely, Hal was struggling to wipe her cheeks with her sleeves, terrified someone might see her. Also because it felt like they would freeze onto her skin if she didn't hurry.

Thandiwe teasingly poked her cheeks with a wry smirk. "Heavens, after all this time you're still as sensitive as ever."

"Shut up."

"Besides," she continued, "things may be stressful now, but I'm sure that once we make it to wherever we are going, you will not feel such things. Tough times have a way of emphasizing dark thoughts. Try to focus on what you have to look forward to. There is heartache ahead, but there is also joy. Let those thoughts be your guiding force."

Hal knew this was the logical response and solution. Roran had said something similar to her back in Ilirea. However, it had not seemed to work then and Hal doubted it would work now. Yes, there were things she was looking forward to. But the journey to get there was taking its toll on her. How much of Hal would be left to even enjoy such simple pleasures again. Could she walk through her village and not see the Ra'zac attacking it? Could she ride through the forest on Nani without picturing the sight of the man she had killed in Ilirea?

Such things felt so…impossible. And while it was the quiet, simple life she had always craved since leaving it behind, she was beginning to fear it as well. She knew how deep one's thoughts could go when they were alone.

"HAL!"

Flinching as the sharp call for her attention brought her back, she narrowed her eyes in confusion as Olwenyo came running towards her, breathless and eyes panicked behind his animal head.

"The way…up ahead…blocked."

"Blocked?" Thandiwe repeated, Hal already moving to follow Olwenyo as he turned back the way he had come. Thandiwe followed close behind. "By what?"

However, they didn't even have to make it all the way to the front of the group before Hal's keen eyesight realized the problem. "That's not possible," she whispered, shaking her head.

Somehow, the valley with which they had been passing through was packed in with snow. It looked like the avalanche from before, where it appeared to have fallen from the mountains that surrounded it. However, even that had been somewhat scalable. This looked impossible because the wall seemed to go straight up, the rocky mountain base on either side. The Sani had stopped several feet away, whispering in concerned voices of this unexpected hinderance.

"My men and I have already checked," Olwenyo added in a low voice. "It is too tightly packed together. The chances of getting through it are low. If not impossible."

Hal's eyes scanned the landscape, but even she knew what she would find. Or perhaps not find. Sure enough, there was no convenient, alternate route they could take. Granted, even if there were, it would be no guarantee it would lead them in the direction they desired. And Hal knew that they could not afford to spend days traveling the wrong way. Not at these temperatures and with such scarce resources. Of all the places for an avalanche to strike…

She inhaled sharply, the worst thought suddenly filling every facet of her mind. Would Baldor and Albriech have made it out beforehand? There was no telling when this snow fell. Had it happened before they left and they had been blocked…would they have found another way? What if they had tried to turn back and…

No, no, no. She couldn't assume such things. They were fine. They had to be fine. For now, Hal could not focus on them. She needed to care for her people first.

"Where's Aunt Zola?"

"Somewhere in the crowd, trying to keep people calm while we talk." That was good. Smart. The last thing they needed was a panic. "What should we do?" Olwenyo asked.

That was a damn good question. One Hal had no answer to. Her first, instinctive thought had been, of course, magic. But if something as small as her mind trigged the awakening of that one beast, then the energy required for something as challenging as this would probably do even more damage. Not to mention it would likely make Hal useless should they need her for anything else. No, she definitely couldn't use magic.

They could always turn back. Assume that Baldor and Albriech were close to getting help and therefore would soon return. However, even Hal had a fleeting moment of embarrassed pride. To have worked these people up to leave everything behind, to have already lost people to the cold…to turn back now would mean that it was all for nothing. Of course, she would do it if she must. But she would never be able to look at the Sani properly again. At least not for a while.

"How are we doing on provisions?"

The man shrugged. "Right now, if I had to guess, we should have enough rations for another week or so."

That sounded right because that was what they had packed for. An approximate two-week travel. It was presumptuous, but Hal had hoped that the elves would be generous enough to perhaps restock some of their supplies when they did arrive in Du Weldenvarden.

"With no telling how deep this blockade goes, I can't confidently say we should try to find a way around," Hal admitted with a solemn sigh. "If it took us about a week to get here, then we should use what we have to get back."

"We will have to hunt as much as possible though," Olwenyo reminded her. "We brought everything with us. If we go back now, we will return with nothing."

Dammit all. Hal hadn't thought of that either.

"Olwenyo!"

He and Hal both looked up as one of the warriors jogged towards them. Olwenyo jerked his chin towards the man in acknowledgement and asked, "Mahlik, have you found something?"

"Aye, and it's not good." He turned and pointed at the mountainside up ahead. "Do you see that?"

"See what?" Hal asked, squinting like that would help her to see more clearly. But there was nothing more than a simple cluster of trees, the only bit of color for miles around. Hal couldn't fathom how anything could live up here.

"One thing we have learned to spot is the path of potential avalanches over the years," Mahlik continued, his expression hard. "It allows us to hunt with less risk of exposure if we know what to look out for and what places to avoid."

"And?"

"Based on where the snow is, you would assume that this is the path it fell from. However, there's no indication anywhere that there was actually an avalanche. The trees are perfectly intact. And the thickness of this one would have knocked them over easily."

"What does that mean, exactly?"

"It means this was not done by nature," Olwenyo stated, his gaze growing distant. "Something else caused it."

Hal shook her head, confused. No, that couldn't be right. There was no one who wanted to stop them from leaving. No one except…

"Look, it's Thea!"

Hal whipped her head around frantically, surveying their immediate surroundings. The Shade was spotted atop the snow-covered promontory they had just passed. Hal stared, wavering with doubt. Aside from Zola and Olwenyo, she had told no one the truth about Thea. She did not want her sister's good deeds and memory smeared by acts that were not her own. However, her sudden appearance here right as they found themselves unable to proceed forward — not to mention Mahlik's claims that something else had caused the pile-up — made her feel a desperate sense of unease that she couldn't ignore.

"Hal?"

She glanced over at Olwenyo and said in a low, urgent voice, "Keep everyone together. I will talk to Thea but I want the Sani as far from her as possible."

"Aye. Be careful."

A few people shouted her sister's name, waving with exuberance. For now, it seemed like everyone was still in relatively good moods. Perhaps they even assumed Thea could now get them out of this unexpected bind. However, Hal looked on at the figure standing above them with trepidation.

"Halen."

Aunt Zola appeared beside her, eyes filled with the same concern Hal was feeling. Olwenyo stepped away to give them privacy. Telling her what she had told Olwenyo, she also added, "I don't know which Thea I shall get so make sure the people do not go towards her for any reason. Hopefully the feeling in my gust is wrong about this sudden encounter."

"And is your gut often wrong with such sentiments?"

Hal didn't answer at first. Not because she didn't know the answer. She absolutely did. And that's what scared her the most.

She looked at her aunt and then looked away. "No." Then she turned and walked away, head back down to the end of the crowd.

"Hal, is Thea going to join us!"

"What's going on?"

Closing her mind to the Sani, Hal focused solely on the sweeping, flaming red hair that was striking against the grey and white backdrop. Each step felt slow and heavy, and not because of the snow. It wasn't just the unease at Thea's appearance. Hal couldn't explain it, but something about this felt final. She just didn't know who it was final for. She stared at the figure who had not moved since being spotted. Their eyes were locked, but Hal could not determine a single thing from them. It was as if the Shade was looking right through her.

Just as Hal was beginning to wonder how long the staring contest would last, Thea casually threw herself over the edge of the promontory where she stood. Hal couldn't help it. She gasped in alarm, as did the few Sani behind her who could see. Although Hal knew on some level the fall would not have killed her, she would have been horrified to see what her legs would've ended up like. But between the feet of snow cushioning the fall and sheer strength of her body, Thea landed as if she had merely leapt off a small mound and walked towards Hal with a cool expression.

Hal still could not help but marvel at the casual display of power. Could not help but wonder if her body was capable of such similar feats.

Yes. Hal needed to remember that Thea had made them near equals in both physical and magical abilities. Hal may not know the full depths of her abilities yet, but she had enough knowledge to stand against Thea now. And if she was wrong, then she would have to try. The Sani were depending on her.

Hal shivered in trepidation.

"Tell me," she began, taking a small step forward in the hopes of not appearing cowed, "which Thea am I talking to? My sister? Or the souls of our ancestors who stole her body?"

The Shade paused, tilting her head as if surprised. "You figured it out."

It wasn't a question.

"So, tell us, because we are curious: what gave us away?"

"I guess not all the spirits left behind in those tunnels share the same sentiment as you. They showed me the truth. Including what you did to my sister."

The wind blew between them as if to emphasize Hal's anger, and the ensuing silence was ripe with tension. The Shade took a step forward, eyes hardened. "You look at us with such disgust but we sought a purpose greater than you could even imagine! Your sister's magic was strong. Stronger than her physical and mental state. We changed that.

"Our efforts might be different, but our goals are the same: when we saw our people return to these caves, cowed once again by enemies that we once would've flattened in a single word, we knew it was time to strike back. You may think us monsters but we are the rightful owners of this magic. It was never meant to be shared, and if it was, it should've been our choice to make. Instead, it was made for us while we were left in ruin."

"How can you believe that knowing that the Grey Folk wiped themselves out to bind magic to their language?"

"The Grey Folk took something that didn't belong to them and misused it. We certainly didn't mourn their end."

"What now then? You have removed magic, which was your goal. The Sani people travel as we speak to lands where they may prosper and thrive. Our people will live on, in some way. So why are you still stopping us? Are you not satisfied?"

"Satisfied?" The Shade sneered at Hal, looking her over like she was a pile of shit they had accidentally stepped in. "You think this is enough to satisfy centuries of oppression? To know that history repeated itself thirteen years ago? And you foolheartedly believe our people are still safe? Oh no, we are far from satisfied."

Unbridled fury was blinding Hal and she almost forgot to respond. "Whatever it is you think you're going to do, I won't let you."

"That language implies that you believe you have a choice." Hal sensed movement nearby, a familiar, unsettling scent that made her expression fall flat. Turning her head slowly, as if afraid she might startle them, she looked up at the promontory the Shade had been standing on moments before. Lining up at the edges were what clearly must remain of the Ra'zac. Or so Hal hoped. Even still, there was a dozen hovering over her head, hooded gazes looking right at the Sani who had begun to notice the creatures as well.

Hal didn't really have a moment to process the emotions that came over her then. Fury and desperation perhaps. But she suddenly yanked an arrow out her quiver and nocked it all in one swift move that would have been nearly impossible for a human to catch. She fired it without hesitation and with perfect aim at the Shade's head. And then immediately pulled back to fire another at her heart. She moved quickly, trying not to give her time to block the attacks. Of course, Thea moved with an unnatural quickness that was both beautiful and frightening. She yanked out the sword she had used against Hal before, deflecting both arrows with ease. Hal quickly pulled another arrow out, but instead of firing it, she lunged at the Shade while she was momentarily distracted with a furious cry.

Thea caught her by her wrists as the momentum of her attack sent them both falling backwards into the snow. Hal could just barely make out the cries of shock from the Sani over the roaring rage in her head. Their physical strength evenly matched, Hal could hardly move her arm to get the tip of the arrow any closer to Thea's heart. But dammit, she would grit her teeth and try.

"You're wasting your time," the Shade spat. "If you kill me, the Ra'zac will attack. One look, one word from me and they will attack."

"Then…I'll…stop —!"

Too focused on Thea, Hal didn't hear the arrow until it was too late, jerking her body and giving Thea enough space to land a solid blow across Hal's jaw. It wasn't as hard as it could've been from her position, but it definitely still hurt.

Falling back into the snow, Hal clutched her injury in panic. The aim had been precise, mere breadths from her heart, embedded just above her left breast. There was a frightened cry and Hal looked back to see Morro running towards her. Hal felt her heart drop, unsure of how the girl had managed to break away from the group so suddenly. She couldn't fathom what she had been thinking, but Hal imagined that suddenly seeing her two cousins at one another's throats yet again had been the part, if not the sole, reason.

"MORRO, NO! STOP!"

Zola broke away from Olwenyo, desperate to reach her daughter before it was too late as she chased Morro down. Hal looked up as one of the Ra'zac ran towards them both, scaling down the cliffside like an animal approaching its pray. Another shot of an arrow that just missed Morro, landing at her feet where she fell back in surprise. Hal got to her knees to stand when she felt a foot on her back that pushed her back into the ground.

The arrow plunged through the rest of her chest and out through her back.

Hal screamed, tears quickly breaking free and streaming down her face. For just a moment, her consciousness flickered.

"Funny," the Shade muttered, just loud enough for Hal to hear. "That old man you failed to save looked just like you do right now."

Hal's mind went dark. It was instant, like blowing the flame out of a candle. It was so quiet it was almost loud. No, that wasn't quite true. She could hear the pull of air into her lungs, heavy yet slow and smooth. She blinked and felt a rumble underneath her.

Yes, she had failed to protect Denu. That was something she would never forgive herself for. Something she would never forget. She had failed to protect the Tenari and the people of Berjis' village. Had failed to protect the Sani or her mother, even though she knew, as a child, she had simply been too weak. Such senseless suffering of people she loved, who had been nothing but good through and through, flashed before her eyes until the images blurred together completely. She could not separate one memory from another before something inside her seemed to snap.

Zola had just reached her daughter as the ground underneath them trembled. A crack appeared in the mountain as Hal's magic overwhelmed it. Overwhelmed her. What she had always carefully contained, she simply let free. And right as the Ra'zac positioned itself to jump, a blade of ice as sharp as a dragon's claw punctured through the ground and skewered the Ra'zac through its body. It was over so quickly and so cleanly that there wasn't even any blood splatter.

Thea lifted her foot, but gave Hal no time to react. She gasped in pain as the Shade gripped the back of her head and yanked so hard Hal thought she would break her neck. Thea twisted her around, moving closer and peering directly into Hal's eyes. She grinned. "Your eyes are red like mine."

Hal then remembered her dream. Her dream where she had eyes and skin and hair like a Shade. Recalled how she had looked down at Murtagh with no recognition before killing him. But she felt an unnatural sense of calm, un-goaded and unconcerned by this. Hal let more of her magic flow through her and out, like an aura even though she couldn't see it. Thea's taunting sneer began to dim as Hal held her gaze, focused on magic towards Thea's mind, sharpening it to try and needle through her defenses and weaken her once and for all.

A deep and resounding boom interrupted Hal's effort, and she and Thea both blinked in confusion, as if unsure if they had heard it or not. However, Hal's ears were strained too, and she could feel how everyone around them had fallen silent. They only had a moment to register the wall of air coming towards them. And when it struck, Hal felt her body come alive, pleasant chills racing across her skin. And then, the air suddenly became very still. There was no wind, no movement. Hal didn't dare breathe.

She was reminded of that time on Illium, when the spirits seemed to have responded to her magic with their own. But this felt darker, more omniscient.

Powerful.

The Ra'zac above began to screech, disrupting the previous silence that had hung over everyone. It was jolting, and the world around them seemed to react. Birds appeared out of the nearby trees in flocks so large it was like dark shadows quickly flying by. Not far behind them, the Ra'zac then took off running, abandoning whatever deal or plan they had with Thea for their own safety. Other creatures seemed to appear, fleeing. Hal had seen this several times on the island: animals in the wild running from an oncoming danger. Hal was snapped to her senses.

She reached for her boot and pulled out her dagger, stabbing Thea in the leg. The Shade screamed and released her and Hal scrambled to her feet and took off running towards the Sani. "GET BACK!" she shouted, waving her right hand and trying to keep her left as still as possible. She stumbled in her efforts but kept moving. "GET BACK, NOW! EVERYONE TO THE…"

No. In her haste and panic, she had already forgotten they were trapped. And apparently, so did many of the Sani who, like her, had also stood frozen and fear, and seemed to jump at her command. They pulled themselves out of their frightened stupor and began rounding each other up. Children and the elderly were scooped up without hesitation, food and belongings left behind in the rush. But when they turned only to remember there was no place to go, screams of panic began to fill the air.

Zola and Morro were close, watching and trying to wave Hal on. "Just go!" she shouted. "Don't wait for me, go!" As her next step landed, her vision doubled unexpectedly and the world tilted. There was another boom that caused the earth to shake, and together Hal was thrown off her feet completely. She barely managed to avoid landing on her injured shoulder, but the force of the fall still stunned her long enough for Thea to catch up to her.

"What have you done?!" the Shade screeched, throwing Hal onto her back. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

It was frightening, that look of pure fear in those cruel, red eyes. Hal felt a pang of regret, knowing that her carelessness had done this. She may not have actually used magic outside of protecting Morro, but she released so much energy that was probably worse. What was coming towards them was no Arachneop, that much was certain.

Yet, despite the impending sense of urgency, Hal felt like she couldn't move. Like exhaustion had hit her all at once and, while her mind was still trying to get her to fight, her body had had enough. All she could do was lie there in the deep snow, feeling a numbness creep into her chest. Already she couldn't feel her left arm. At first, she thought perhaps the display of energy had exhausted her like magic usually did until Thea kneeled down before her. Her lips were curled in a sneer, a look that was completely devoid of any sign of Hal's sister. She knew better than to look for such a thing, but she was feeling rather lightheaded.

"That arrow was laced with the Ra'zac's poison," Thea stated plainly. She gave Hal a once-over and shook her head. "I doubt it will kill you though, but it'll still hurt like a —"

"Get away from her, devil!"

Thea cut her eyes as Zola appeared, breathless with a dagger in both her hands, which trembled fiercely. The Shade noticed and watched with a small hint of amusement. Zola's eyes looked wild and afraid. Hal tried to raise her head to see where Morro was, but the girl was nowhere to be found in her peripheral vision. Her aunt must've given her to one of the villages to keep a closer eye on.

Sighing as if bored, Thea rose to her feet. "So now that I'm not your darling niece anymore you think me a monster? That's cruel, considering we wouldn't be here if not for you."

"And I will live with that regret long after I'm gone," Zola seethed, taking another step closer. Thea didn't seem remotely alarmed, but entertained the woman by stepping back with her hands up in surrender. Zola carefully pivoted to put herself between the two sisters. "But I will not let you take another child from me."

"I have no desire to kill Hal. Your magic may have failed Thea, but Thea did not fail Hal. You know how strong Hal is. How strong Thea is. Do you not want the same? Imagine, never living in fear again. Never looking over your shoulder at who your next enemy might be." Thea stepped closer, and Zola took a frightful step back. "Did Hal even tell you how dangerous it would be? Her magic and abilities are already under scrutiny. Imagine what will happen when word gets out of your relations. Do you truly think you all will be safe after all this time? Hal, did you feel safe?"

At this last question, Thea's eyes cut to her, hard and accusatory. Like Hal had been attempting to lead them into a trap. And she regretted the moment's hesitation, faces of mistrust flashing before her eyes before she tried to quickly correct herself. "It's impossible to live without risks —"

"There is a difference between risks and outright harm. Why can't you see that we are trying to help you?" The ground shook again — but it wasn't Hal's doing — which seemed to emphasize Thea's frustration. Hal couldn't be sure, but she thought for a moment it was getting darker. "What has anyone done to protect you?" Thea continued on, completely unaware. "Protect us? Do you think they would spare our people a thought or do you think we will be deemed threats, just as you were?"

Hal looked away then, trying not to let her feelings on the matter show on her face. That was a matter for another time. Right now, Hal had to figure out how to get them out of this mess she had put them in. But no matter how hard she tried, her mind came up empty. Distracted by the screams of her people and the pounding in her head and the growing shadow that drew closer with each passing second wasted. It was looking for Hal, had found her. Was following its own path to her as they spoke.

"We will live under no one's conditions but our own," Zola retorted.

"This is your final stance?"

Thea had spoken quietly, her disappointment obvious. Hal didn't say anything, but Zola stubbornly held her ground. "It is."

"Fine. In that case, I'll force your hand."

As she said this, Thea was unfurling, ill-intent in her eyes. The knife Hal had stabbed her with moments before was clasped tightly in her head, hurdling straight towards Zola's chest at such speeds that the woman wore a rather plain expression, not having yet processed the danger she was in.

In a split second, Hal realized she would not reach her aunt in time. She was too far, the snow too thick to move quickly. Her hand shot out reflexively, her fingers outstretched as if she meant to catch the blade with her bare hands. Then, with less than an inch from her aunt, the blade was halted. Thea grunted, lip curling as she put more force into her attach. However, Hal had bought her aunt just enough time to register the assault and scramble back with a panicked yelp of surprise.

Hal released her magic and Thea fell forward, caught off guard and unbalanced. However, she recovered quickly, to Hal's chagrin. Thea swung around to face Hal, momentarily forgetting all about Zola. Her eyes blazed with a new fury Hal had never seen before. Fury that cut through even her and Hal began to scramble back in desperation.

"I've had it with your fucking interference," Thea hissed, stalking towards Hal as she swung her dagger up high.

"NO!" Zola attempted to rush forward, but Hal released a small summons of air that flung her aunt back even further and away from harm.

Thea's blade came down and Hal was about to call on her magic once again when she realized that whatever had been heading this way was already here. Thea too seemed to realize this, her eyes widening in surprise before suddenly coming to a complete standstill. It took Hal several moments of blinking to realize this. Quite literally, Thea wasn't moving.

Hal yelped and rushed backwards in surprise, only to look around and realize that it wasn't just Thea. Zola and the Sani were all frozen in place, like statues.

She was so distracted by the bizarre sight before her that she did not realize until it was too late that something was behind her. She gasped, terrified, and spun around to face the creature she had unwittingly called forth.