Snow stood motionless, watching as the massive form of the Dragon lunged at the enemy commander. It was the first time she'd seen the true form of the mysterious Dragon she'd encountered during their travels through the dark jungle.
The sight was mesmerizing.
Even from a distance, the Dragon's majestic aura sent a shiver down her spine. She could only imagine the pressure its opponent must feel right now. If she were in that man's place, she'd likely have knelt in surrender on the spot.
However, she was soon brought out of her reverie by the sound of approaching footsteps. Looking up, she saw her older sister walking over. Snow's eyes locked onto her sisters, seeing the malicious glee sparkling within them.
"I've waited for this moment for a long time, you little pest," Polaris said.
Snow met her eyes with a hint of sadness. "Do you hate me that much?"
"More than you could ever know," Polaris responded without missing a beat, conjuring a spear of ice and pointing it at her.
"What did I ever do to you?" Snow asked, sadness softening her expression.
Polaris stopped a few steps away, her face frigid. "As if you don't know…"
"Know what?"
Polaris's eyes chilled. "You've taken everything from me," she hissed.
Snow paused. "I never meant to take anything from you, sister. I never competed with you or disobeyed you."
"No?" Polaris replied, her tone mocking. "Then how do you explain how we ended up like this?"
"Why must it be like this?" Snow asked, her voice pleading. "We are family, meant to support and love each other. Not," she gestured between the two of them, "this…"
Polaris sneered. "Easy for you to say, the little princess who can do no wrong."
Snow frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Don't pretend you're unaware," Polaris said. "Father has always treated you differently—pampered, protected, doted on you. What about me? Not a single kind word, only one responsibility after another."
Snow frowned deeply. "That's the reason? You betrayed our family because of this?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Polaris replied. "I've spent years climbing through the ranks of the tribe. Do you really think I'd throw it all away over hurt feelings?"
"Then why?"
"Because all my efforts amounted to nothing," Polaris replied coldly. "When I asked our Father about the next leader of the tribe, do you know what he told me?"
"No," Snow said honestly.
Polaris chuckled, shaking her head. "Of course, you don't even know. Typical. He told me that you, little Snow, would be the next leader of the tribe and that I needed to work hard to support you."
Snow's eyes widened. "Me? But I never wanted to be the tribe's leader…"
Polaris glared. "Do you know how infuriating it is to talk to you? I've worked for that position all my life, only to have it snatched away by someone who doesn't even want it."
Snow felt a wave of sympathy as she looked at her older sister. "I'm sorry."
Polaris laughed coldly. "Do you think I want your pity? Surely, even you've realized by now that I was the one who gave your location to the humans. Let me tell you, little Snow, the day you were taken was the happiest day of my life."
Snow stood frozen, a chill settling over her heart. She looked at the woman across from her, seeing only disdain and hatred radiating from her older sister. In that moment, she understood—there was no going back. Even if she could forgive everything, Polaris would never be willing to reconcile. Her hatred ran too deep.
With a heavy heart, she drew on her power, also conjuring a spear. "I understand," Snow said, steeling her heart. "If that is what you truly want, then let us settle this grudge."
Polaris took on a combat stance, her body low to the ground. "That is exactly what I want."
Snow steadied her breath, gripping the icy spear tightly as Polaris moved in with lethal intent. Snow sidestepped a vicious thrust, but even with the newfound strength she had gained over the last few months, her sister's relentless barrage was overwhelming. Each strike Polaris unleashed drove Snow further back, her feet skidding over the snow-laden ground as she struggled to defend herself.
"You're only delaying the inevitable," Polaris sneered, her voice cold as the wind. "You've always been weak, and no amount of last-minute training can change that."
Snow's gaze hardened as she blocked Polaris's strikes as best she could. But each blow carried a force she could barely withstand. Her arms trembled as she deflected another strike, only to feel her defenses weakening. She needed more than skill—she needed something powerful enough to turn the tide.
Another strike, and Snow's spear was nearly shattered from the impact. Blood roared in her ears, and desperation clawed at her. The truth was undeniable: like this, she would die.
She knew there was only one thing that could save her.
As Polaris lunged again, Snow took a sharp breath, focused inward, and called upon her hidden ace—Blood Boil. Although Zeke hadn't taught her the Breathing technique, she had managed to learn its application by observing the others and listening to his explanations. Over the last few months, she had often practiced it secretly, aiming to fulfill her promise to assist when the time came.
That time was now.
In an instant, a surge of heat raced through her veins, burning away the fear, the hesitation, and amplifying her strength. Her vision sharpened, and every one of Polaris's movements became crystal clear, laid out like a blueprint before her.
Polaris's eyes narrowed, sensing the change. "What are you—?"
Snow's answer came not in words but in action. She lunged forward, striking with newfound speed, her spear colliding with Polaris's weapon in a fierce crack that sent shockwaves across the clearing. Her sister stumbled back, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she recovered, glaring with renewed determination.
"So, you've learned a trick or two," Polaris hissed, her voice laced with disdain. "It won't save you."
But Snow felt different—stronger, unburdened by the hesitation that had once clouded her thoughts. Polaris attacked again, but Snow parried each blow, her body moving with a precision she'd never known before. She sidestepped Polaris's thrust, retaliating with a brutal sweep that forced her sister off balance.
Snow could see the fury in Polaris's eyes now, a fury that was laced with something more: uncertainty.
Polaris snarled, launching herself at Snow with a barrage of strikes. Snow met each one, her body moving faster than she thought possible, her senses heightened. She could feel her muscles straining, but the pain no longer mattered. All that remained was the thrill of the fight.
For the first time, Polaris was the one forced to retreat, her expression twisting as Snow pressed her advantage. Snow knew she couldn't keep up this pace for long; the Blood Boil would drain her strength once it faded. But in this moment, she had a chance—a chance to end this nightmare.
As Polaris staggered back, Snow steadied her spear, the blade glinting in the fading light. She could see the realization dawning in Polaris's eyes, a flicker of fear that made Snow's heart ache, even now.
In the next exchange, Snow finally drew blood, nicking her sister's arm with a quick thrust. She followed it up with a vicious kick to her sister's midsection, forcing her to retreat a couple of steps.
Polaris glanced down at the wound on her arm, her expression darkening. Unwilling to continue the melee, she retaliated with a wave of her hand. Tendrils of ice erupted from the ground, twirling toward Snow like a cage ready to ensnare her. But Snow was fast, darting to the side as the ice shot past, sending shards exploding into a spray of glittering crystals.
With a low growl rumbling in her throat, Snow lunged forward, unleashing a flurry of icy shards that spiraled toward Polaris. The air filled with the whistling of the wind as she let loose her attack.
Polaris raised her arms, conjuring a protective wall of ice, but Snow pressed on, her resolve hardening. The icy shards clattered against the wall, creating a chaotic symphony of sound. Spotting a crack in Polaris's defense, Snow pushed her power further, summoning an even larger number of projectiles, intensifying her attack.
Her power had never been so easy to control, so responsive to her will. It was as if a massive wall that had been standing in her way all this time had suddenly disappeared, allowing her to tap into a well of potential she hadn't even known she had.
With a fierce snarl, Snow propelled herself upward, launching over the wall and landing gracefully behind Polaris. In a swift motion, she thrust her spear toward her sister, who narrowly avoided the blow.
Polaris countered with a spinning kick, using the momentum to send a wave of ice toward Snow, intending to freeze her in place. Snow reacted instinctively, using her agility to evade the icy blast, then retaliating with a wave of her own, creating a jagged ice storm that swirled between them.
The plaza transformed into a battlefield of frost and fury. Each attack echoed in the cold air, shards of ice clashing, cracking, and splintering as both sisters fought not only against each other but against the weight of their past.
Polaris, her superior control over ice evident, began to shape the ice into intricate forms, launching ice spikes with lethal precision. "You'll never win this!" she screamed, desperation creeping into her voice. "You're just a child playing with powers you don't understand!"
But Snow didn't need words. With a fierce growl, she gathered her strength and let the Blood Boil surge within her, heightening her reflexes and amplifying her power. She could feel the primal energy coursing through her, the wolf within awakening fully.
In a sudden burst, she concentrated, channeling her energy through her spear. The tip ignited with a brilliant light, and she thrust it forward, its tip lengthening in tandem with her thrust. The force of it sent ripples through the ice, fracturing the ground and causing Polaris to stumble backward.
Seizing the opportunity, Snow charged forward with a primal roar, her spear glowing brighter with every step. Polaris struggled to regain her footing, but Snow pressed her advantage, unleashing a series of slashing strikes with the spear, each one fueled by her animalistic instinct.
The air was thick with tension as the sisters clashed, their powers creating a storm of frost around them. Polaris, her face twisting with rage, lashed out with her own weapon, creating a torrent of ice that cascaded down like a waterfall.
Snow dodged and weaved, her instincts sharper than ever, each movement a dance for survival. She felt the chill of the ice trying to seep into her, but it only fueled her battle lust. With each step, she was a predator hunting her prey, letting her instincts guide her.
With a fierce snarl, Snow redirected the ice around her, forming a barrier that blocked Polaris's attack. The clash reverberated through the plaza, and as the ice shattered, Snow took her chance. She dove forward, creating a massive wave of ice that surged toward Polaris, intent on overwhelming her.
Polaris barely managed to raise her spear, but Snow was relentless, forcing her sister to the edge of her control. In a desperate bid, Polaris unleashed a tempest of ice, but Snow moved through it with the ferocity of a wolf, her body gliding effortlessly over the frozen ground, dodging each icy projectile.
Then, with a fierce howl, Snow lunged, her spear aimed directly at Polaris. Their weapons collided in a final, dramatic clash, the sound echoing through the frozen plaza like thunder.
The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the two sisters in their tumultuous dance of ice and blood. Snow's heart raced as she pushed against Polaris's strength, the two locked in a battle of wills.
In that moment, the rage and pain in Polaris's eyes met the primal ferocity in Snow's, and for an instant, a flicker of doubt crossed Polaris's face.
With one last snarl, Snow summoned every ounce of her strength, her wolf-like instincts driving her forward. They stood face to face, weapons crossed and foreheads slick with sweat, locked in a battle of strength. Their eyes met, and Snow saw the quiet desperation in her sister's gaze. Yet, she didn't relent; in her current state, she felt no empathy—only the thrill of facing a worthy foe.
After another moment of struggle, Polaris's spear snapped, unable to endure the strain any longer. With a triumphant howl, Snow drove her weapon forward, impaling the body of her defenseless sister, a spray of blood coating her manic face.