Chapter 1 Arriving in Snezhnaya
Lumine's POV

Paimon and I had arrived in Snezhnaya…and we had our arms wrapped around ourselves as we trudged through the snow and the cold.

"It's so cold", Paimon pointed out. "We should've brought some coats or something before we came here!"

"I'm so sorry, Paimon", I apologised. "I didn't think about that at all."

"That's probably you were in such a rush to get to Snezhnaya."

Paimon saying this got me thinking.

She's right. I did want to get to Snezhnaya as soon as possible. It's because, I want to see…

Before I could finish this thought…I suddenly felt something warm being thrown over my shoulders.

Then…I heard the voice of the person I was just thinking about.

"So, you've finally arrived, comrade?"

After I heard this, I turned around…and came face to face with…

"Childe."

The last time I had seen Childe, he didn't look like he was in great shape.

Now, he was standing in front of me, and he looked a lot better.

"Hey there, girlie", he greeted. "Long time, no see."

Childe's voice was as playful as ever. When I heard it, a smile came to my face.

I opened my mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Paimon before I could.

"Let me in", she exclaimed, before flying into the coat Childe had thrown over me.

"My my my", he started. "Girlie, did you not get yourself a coat before coming here?"

"I…forgot", I admitted, not sure if my cheeks were turning pink from the cold or from my embarrassment. "I was kinda in a rush to get here?"

"Oh, is that so", Childe asked playfully. "Don't tell me. Is it because you were dying to see me?"

"Well, you were in pretty bad shape the last time I saw you", I reminded Childe. "Speaking of which, have you recovered from all of that?"

"My battle with that beast was a pretty tough one", Childe said. "But, you know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! That battle has helped me improve my skills greatly, and I would love to test them out against you, comrade."

"Can you two do that in a more warmer setting", Paimon called out from under Childe's coat. "At this rate, I'm going to turn into a Paimon popsicle!"

"We wouldn't want that", Childe said, before putting his hand on my shoulder. "Come on, comrade. Let's get you two inside before you literally freeze to death."

"Where are we going", I asked.

"My house. My family has been dying to meet you."

…

Childe and I walked through a seaside village, before arriving at a cabin.

"Home sweet home", he said when we got there. "So, what do you think?"

"It's very nice", I replied. "It seems very homey."

"I'm glad you like it, comrade", Childe said. "Now then. Let's go inside."

With that, we opened the front door before walking inside.

"Warmth", Paimon exclaimed, before flying out of the coat and up to a fireplace that was in the corner of the room.

"I'm home", Childe called out.

As soon as he did…three children rushed up to us. One of them was Teucer, and the other two was a boy and a girl who looked like they were in their early teen years. They must've been Anthon and Tonia.

"Ajax's back, Ajax's back", Teucer exclaimed happily.

"Welcome home, brother Ajax", Tonia greeted.

"Ms nice lady", Teucer said when he noticed me. "You came! You came!"

"Well", I started. "I did make a pinkie promise, after all."

"Oh", Tonia started. "So you're the person brother Ajax told us about in his letter", Tonia said. "I'm Tonia. It's very nice to meet you. And this is my twin brother, Anthon."

"It's nice to meet you", Anthon greeted. "Ajax has told us all about you in the letters he sends home."

"He has", I asked. "All nice things, I hope?"

"Yep", Anthon replied. "He says that you're a very cool and nice person that always fights to help people and for what's right."

"You said that", I asked in shock.

"Why do you look so surprised, comrade", Childe asked. "I was merely describing you the way anyone who has met you would."

"Well", I started. "Thanks, Chide."

"How come you call him Childe", Anthon asked.

"What do you mean", I asked.

"He told us that that's what the people he works with calls him", Anthon started. "But since you're his friend, I thought you'd call him Ajax instead."

"Oh", I started. "Well…I guess I'm just used to calling him Childe."

"Okay", Childe started. "Enough about that. Can one of you please get mother? I'm sure she would like to meet our guest as well."

"I'll get her", Teucer said before rushing off.

"You must be tired from your journey", Tonia stated. "Why don't you stay for dinner? Not only will it replenish your strength, it'll warm you up as well!"

"Paimon wants to warm up", she exclaimed, before flying up to me. "Can we, Traveller? After all, it'd be rude to refuse their Invitation."

"You just want the food", I stated.

"If course I do", Paimon exclaimed. "We've been traveling forever! Paimon's hungry!"

"Okay, okay", I said, before looking at Tonia. "We'd be honoured to join you for dinner."