The mountain was unforgiving, blanketed in a raging blizzard that howled through the jagged peaks. Snow whipped in every direction, obscuring the landscape in an endless white void. In the middle of the storm, a lone figure struggled forward, her small frame dwarfed by the merciless storm.
Kiana Kaslana, fourteen years old, walked through the snow, each step heavier than the last. Her silver hair clung to her face, damp and frozen, and her piercing blue eyes narrowed against the biting wind. The thick coat she wore provided little comfort as the cold seeped into her bones.
"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, her lips numb and cracked. "I thought I could make it before this blizzard hit. Stupid. So stupid..."
Her body ached, muscles screaming for rest, but she pressed on. She had no choice. She had to keep moving—to find Siegfried Kaslana, her father.
Her mind drifted to the beginning of this journey. She'd woken in the middle of a forest fire, flames devouring everything around her. The air was thick with smoke, the acrid scent stinging her lungs. The world had been a blur of red and orange, the heat unbearable.
She didn't remember how she'd ended up there, nor what had happened before. All she had was a single note clutched in her trembling hands.
"Go East," it read in her father's writing.
No explanation. No clues. Just those two words.
The memory made her clench her fists, even as they trembled from the cold. "What kind of father leaves their kid in the middle of forest with nothing but a stupid note?" she muttered bitterly, her voice barely audible over the storm.
The wind grew harsher, each gust like knives against her skin. Her vision blurred and her strength waning.
"I can't believe this... Damn it, old man!" she growled, anger bubbling to the surface. "You just had to leave me with nothing but a stupid note! Not even a clue, not even a damn map! What the hell were you thinking?"
Her voice cracked, but she didn't care. She shouted into the storm, frustration and despair spilling out.
"Did you even think about what I'd have to go through? Or did you just dump everything on me and disappear? You selfish, stupid—"
Her knees buckled, and she collapsed into the snow, gasping for air. The icy ground sapped the last of her warmth, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"I hate you for this, old man... leaving me like this... to die in this godforsaken blizzard," she whispered, voice breaking. Tears welled in her eyes, freezing against her cheeks as they fell.
Her vision darkened, consciousness slipping away—until she saw something through the snow.
A figure cloaked in heavy fabric stepped into view, their form barely visible against the storm. They stopped before her, their presence somehow shielding her from the wind.
"Who...?" Kiana tried to speak, but her voice was a whisper.
The figure leaned down, their face obscured by a hood. A soft voice, tinged with sorrow, cut through the storm
"Poor you."
Then, darkness.
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Kiana stirred, her body slowly waking. At first, she expected the biting cold to greet her again, to feel the harsh sting of snow against her skin. But instead, there was warmth.
She blinked weakly, her senses sluggish as she registered the soft sensation enveloping her. Her body was wrapped in something thick and comforting, and beneath her, she could feel the plush give of a mattress.
"Where...?" she murmured, her voice hoarse and barely audible.
With great effort, she opened her eyes as the dim light of a small room came into focus. The walls were wooden - rough yet sturdy - and the faint glow of a fireplace illuminated the cozy space. She lay on a simple bed covered in heavy blankets that radiated warmth.
Her gaze wandered to the window beside her bed. Beyond the frosted glass, the blizzard still raged, the wind howling and snow swirling violently. Yet here, inside this cabin, it felt like a world apart - silent, safe, and warm.
Kiana slowly pushed herself up, the blankets slipping off her shoulders. Her body ached, but it was a dull throb now, far removed from the biting agony she had felt before. She looked around the room, taking in her surroundings.
The bedroom was simple, containing little more than the bed she lay on, a small wooden table, and a single chair tucked into the corner. A faint scent of herbs lingered in the air, mingling with the warmth from the fireplace.
Her fingers brushed the blanket's fabric, its softness unfamiliar. someone had wrapped her in it, someone had brought her here.
"Who...?" she muttered, her thoughts muddled.
Sliding her legs off the bed, she tested her footing. The wooden floor was cool beneath her feet, but not uncomfortably so. She made her way to the window and rested her hand against the frosty pane as she peered outside.
The snowstorm continued relentlessly, the mountains hidden behind a veil of white. She traced a finger along the cold glass, her mind racing.
"Where am I?" she whispered.
Turning back to the room, her thoughts shifted to whoever must have saved her. The memory was hazy, but she recalled a figure in a cloak, their face obscured, their voice soft.
"That person..."
Taking a deep breath, Kiana steeled herself and moved toward the door. The cabin's warmth filled her with an odd sense of security, but she couldn't shake the nagging question in her mind.
Who had found her in the storm, and why had they brought her here?
She didn't have to wait long for her answer.
Just as she reached for the door, it suddenly swung open toward her - fast and unexpected.
Bam...
"Gaahh!?" Kiana yelped as the door smacked her square in the face, sending her tumbling backward onto the floor.
"Ow, ow, ow..." she muttered, clutching her throbbing nose and forehead.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't expect you to already be awake," a girl's voice said from above her, filled with genuine concern.
Kiana rubbed her forehead angrily, ready to lash out at her assailant. But when she raised her head, her words caught in her throat.
Standing before her was a girl slightly taller than herself, with long, pure white hair flowing elegantly down her back - so similar to Kiana's own that it startled her. The girl's bright blue eyes mirrored Kiana's, yet they seemed deeper, calmer, and more confident.
What truly struck Kiana was how different they felt despite their similar appearance. The girl before her exuded maturity and beauty, a sharp contrast to Kiana's youthful, almost childlike demeanor. The realization stung slightly - Kiana's body had always developed more slowly, and standing next to this girl only emphasized her childish figure.
Yet she couldn't look away.
Her chest tightened, her heartbeat quickening in a way that confused her. It wasn't anger or fear, but something else entirely - as if something deep inside had clicked into place, like she'd been waiting for this moment without realizing it.
Her face grew warm, her earlier frustration forgotten as she stared up at the girl. Kiana didn't understand what was happening, but one thing was certain - she couldn't tear her eyes away.
"Are you okay?" the girl asked again, her voice softer now, her gaze filled with concern as she reached out a hand to help Kiana up.
Kiana blinked, realizing she'd been staring. She quickly grabbed the offered hand, her heart still racing as she stumbled to her feet.
"I... I'm fine," she stammered, avoiding the girl's eyes as her face flushed even more.
What was this feeling?
After helping her stand, the girl quickly inspected Kiana's forehead and nose, which had turned red from the door's impact.
"I'm really sorry," the girl said gently. "I thought you were still sleeping and wanted to check if your fever had gone down."
"Y-yes... I'm fine now. Thank you," Kiana replied hesitantly, her voice soft. "Are you... the one who saved me?"
"Yes," the girl nodded. "I found you walking in the blizzard while trying to find my way back to the cabin. I have no idea why someone like you would be out in that storm, though."
Before Kiana could respond, the girl added, "But that can wait. Come on, I made warm soup—it'll heat you up from inside." She guided Kiana to a dining room with a wooden table and four chairs.
The cozy room glowed warmly from a crackling fireplace, its heat comforting against the blizzard still raging outside the windows.
"Sit here, and I'll bring your soup," the girl smiled, helping Kiana into a chair before heading to the kitchen.
Alone, Kiana looked around the simple dining room. She sighed and unconsciously touched her chest, where her heart still beat unnaturally fast after seeing the girl.
"What... happened earlier? That's never happened before," she muttered, trying to calm herself.
Her thoughts turned to the girl's appearance. "White hair and blue eyes... She looks like a Kaslana," Kiana murmured. "But the old man never mentioned another Kaslana..."
She frowned, puzzling over this while overlooking more obvious questions—why was a girl living alone in the forest, walking through blizzards? And how had she found Kiana by chance?
Her thoughts scattered as the girl returned carrying a bowl of soup. She set it carefully before Kiana.
"Here. You were unconscious for days, so start with this. We shouldn't overwhelm your stomach," the girl said cheerfully, sitting across from her.
Kiana stared at the steaming soup. Its rich aroma made her stomach growl softly.
"Don't be shy," the girl urged playfully. "I'm proud of my cooking—you'll like it!"
Though the vegetable and meat soup looked simple, Kiana's eyes widened at the first sip. The incredible flavor—rich and hearty—was unlike anything she'd tasted. she immediately devoured it eagerly.
"See? I knew you'd like it!" the girl said with satisfaction, watching Kiana eat.
When the bowl was empty, Kiana suddenly froze, staring silently at the table.
The girl tilted her head. "What's wrong? Didn't you like it?"
Instead of answering, Kiana stood abruptly, walked over, and grabbed the girl's hands.
"Please marry me!"
"Eh?"
After a stunned moment, the girl burst out laughing. "Haha! Proposing to a stranger over soup? That's new!"
"Don't underestimate good cooking! You don't know what I ate living with the old man," Kiana frowned, recalling Siegfried's burnt, stomach-churning meals. After two years of scavenging and stealing food while traveling alone, this was her first proper delicious meal.
"I see," the girl giggled. "You must have suffered terribly to propose over food."
"I won't pry," she added gently, "but I can't marry you—we're both girls. Though I don't mind cooking for you."
"What's wrong with that?" Kiana retorted seriously. "The old man always said to fight for all that's beautiful, and..." She trailed off abruptly.
"Hmm?" the girl prompted curiously.
"Never mind!" Kiana brushed it off. "What matters is girls can marry with each other too!"
The girl chuckled at her persistence. "Fufu, calm down. We don't even know each other's names yet."
Kiana blinked, embarrassed. "Oh..." Then she straightened proudly. "I'm Kiana Kaslana. And you?"
The girl stood gracefully, bowing slightly as they faced each other. "I'm Reina. It's nice to meet you, Kiana," she said warmly, her smile bright.