In an instant, the air crackled with energy. The sound of lightning sliced through the chaos, followed by a blinding, brilliant light that seared through my closed eyelids. In an instant, the world turned red, an intensity that was almost overwhelming. Heat washed over me, the temperature rising to an uncomfortable level.

With a rush of wind and an explosion of energy, the scene transformed. The world was engulfed in a sea of white, And then, a sudden coolness enveloped us, a stark contrast to the intense heat that had preceded it.

My senses were reeling, and my body shivering uncontrollably. The abrupt shift was disorienting, and I struggled to make sense of what had just occurred.

As the frosty silence enveloped us, a sense of wonder mixed with gratitude washed over me. Then, I heard it—a sound both familiar and heart-stirring, a sound that held the power to evoke emotions from the deepest part of my soul. It was a sound I could never forget, even if I tried.

Before the sound even fully registered in my ears, tears began to well up and trace a path down my cheeks. I couldn't help it; the emotion that welled up within me was too overwhelming to be contained. It was as if the weight of the world had been lifted, and a flood of relief and warmth flushed me away/

Amidst the frozen world, one of the most important people in my life emerged. Her voice called out to me, a barrage of my name firing on me. "ARIES! ARIES! ARIES!"

She rushed towards me, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. As she held me tightly in her arms, I could feel the tremors coursing through her body. Her shivers were not from the cold but from the sheer intensity of her emotions.

"Norah," I managed to whisper, my voice choked with emotion. "That's you, right? Hey, but seriously, why keep all this under wraps? I never realized you cared so deeply, to the point of being moved to tears."?"

"Why do you always insist on getting under my skin?" Her voice trembled, a mixture of frustration and concern coloring her words. "Just look at the mess you've landed yourself in by going off on your own. Wasn't my warning clear enough? I told you this could happen."

My lips curved into a half-smile, even in the after seeing all that. "Now, now, it's not like I planned for all this to happen."

Before we could settle into the familiarity of our banter, the urgent calls of guards pierced the air. More reinforcements were on the way, and we couldn't afford to stay in this vulnerable spot for long.

"Norah!" I said a sense of urgency in my voice. We locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between us. We needed to move, to regroup, and find a safer position.

She nodded, With her support, I managed to rise to my feet, the cold ground biting into my skin..

Norah again flicked her wand and blast away a path away from the enemy. Leading us outside in the alley and we started to sprint following the path in front of us.

In the middle of a frantic pace, I couldn't help but express my awe. "I didn't know that you had mastered Ice magic to such an extent," I exclaimed

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

She shot me a glance, her lips quirking into a sardonic smile. "Well, maybe you'll take notice once you decide to leave behind your piratical ways and actually start completing your missions without causing a ruckus."

Her retort struck a chord, and I couldn't help but wince at the truth behind her words. "But, you know my expeditions tend to bring in more gold and divine artifacts," I countered with a lopsided grin, hoping to lighten the mood.

As we zigzagged through the maze of alleys, our trajectory shifted with each corner we turned, each decision we made in the heat of the moment. The buildings around us acted as both obstacles and stepping stones, guiding our path as we ducked, dodged, and dashed forward dodging enemies. The sharp scent of magic lingered in the air, blending with the acrid scent of burnt wood and the distant echoes of battles. I also informed the headquarters about what happened, so now everyone was heading straight toward the castle.

Soon, we stumbled upon an abandoned house, its façade weathered by time and neglect. Norah's instincts guided us inside, and as we ascended the creaking stairs, the view from above revealed a potential route to escape. We reached the rooftop, the city stretching out before us.

We leaped from rooftop to rooftop, our movements fluid despite the danger that lurked below. The occasional sound of bullets whizzing past served as a warning to not go in that direction. Norah's jumps were graceful, her landings controlled, and I followed her lead with every ounce of agility I could muster.

"All forces, we've got intel that the stronghold master is at the topmost tower of the castle. The dragon slayers are reaching him so try to clear out the way for the dragon slayers. We have to avenge the loss of our Greek allies! Piers out."

Roger that

The chaotic journey led us to a wide open square, a temporary respite from the narrow alleys that had confined us earlier. Ahead, on the opposite side, loomed the grand offices that were connected to the imposing castle, our ultimate destination. The path to our goal seemed straightforward, but experience had taught me that appearances could be deceiving.

As Norah and I descended from our rooftop traversal, our pace quickened, fueled by the knowledge that our destination was within reach. However, a sense of caution urged me to glance over my shoulder. The enemy forces were relentless in their pursuit, and among them stood the enigmatic white-veiled magician, the one I had seen before .

In an instant, the air crackled with energy as the magician conjured a spell. A bolt of thunderous energy surged toward us with incredible speed, its destructive potential evident. Reacting swiftly, I activated my ability to manipulate time, freezing the world around us. I pulled norah with me and we dodged the attack.

With the imminent danger thwarted, I watched as the thunderous attack struck the office building across from us, reducing a portion of the first floor to rubble. The debris cascaded down.

As the time freeze lifted, Norah's voice cut through the chaos. "Aries, you need to reach the castle! I'll handle them here!"

My heart raced at her words, . "Wait, Norah, no! I can't leave you alone here. And I can't simply reach the top of the tower – I can't fly!"

A calm certainty tinged her voice as she responded, her gaze unwavering. "You can reach there."

I opened my mouth to retort, to protest her insistence, but something clicked in my mind. Yes, I could reach the top of the tower, but doubt still lingered.

Her tone softened as she persisted, "Trust yourself, Aries. You can do it."

Her words resonated within me, triggering a realization that dispelled my uncertainty. "Still, I can't... we should go together," I stammered

Just as our conversation played out, our chivalry forces emerged from the east, a welcome sight signaling victory on that front.

Norah's grin was triumphant. "See, Aries? I won't be fighting alone. Now go!"

I swallowed hard, "Alright."

I dashed toward the fallen debris of the office building, the shattered remnants forming a makeshift staircase of sorts. I scrambled upward, driven by the urgency to fulfill our mission. The debris shifted and groaned beneath my weight, but I persisted, driven by the knowledge that every step brought me closer to the castle's tower.