The Frostveil Approach

Chapter 131 — The Frostveil Approach

The journey toward the Frostveil Mountains continued for another two days, and with every passing hour, the temperature dropped further. The lush forests of the southern regions gradually disappeared, replaced by frozen valleys, jagged rocks, and enormous stretches of white snow. In the distance, the Frostveil Mountains rose into the clouds like a wall separating the northern lands from the rest of the continent. Their peaks were impossible to see clearly through the thick mist, but Aether could already sense the dense Origin Energy surrounding them.

Unlike his previous journeys, Aether wasn't traveling alone this time. Aria walked beside him, occasionally asking questions about the Blackridge organization and the information they had discovered. Vaelira usually stayed on his other side, using her Voidmoon Physique to sense the strange spatial fluctuations that appeared more frequently as they approached the mountains. Behind them traveled Lyra, Seris, Sylvara, Evelyn, and Elara, moving together while keeping their awareness spread across the surroundings. Blackfang occasionally appeared several dozen meters ahead to scout the path, while Ironhide and Grimhorn remained hidden within Aether's shadow.

Around midday, the group stopped beside a partially frozen stream. The water still flowed beneath the thin layer of ice, creating a quiet sound that contrasted with the otherwise silent wilderness. Seris immediately began preparing something warm while Lyra inspected the surrounding terrain. Sylvara and Evelyn gathered dry branches, and Elara checked their remaining supplies. Aether watched them for a moment before shaking his head with a faint smile.

"You've all become surprisingly organized."

Lyra glanced over her shoulder. "Someone has to be. If we depended entirely on you, we'd probably travel for three days before you remembered that nobody had eaten."

Aether raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't forget."

Aria laughed softly. "You absolutely would."

Aether looked at the three women surrounding the fire. "I don't understand why everyone suddenly agrees with Lyra."

"Because she's right," Seris answered calmly.

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Aether sighed. "I see how it is."

The relaxed conversation was interrupted when Vaelira suddenly lifted her head. Her expression became serious as she stared toward the snow-covered forest.

"Something's approaching."

The others immediately stopped what they were doing. Aether's Origin Sense spread outward, passing through the trees and the frozen ground. Six powerful fluctuations appeared beneath the snow, moving rapidly toward their position. A few seconds later, several white-furred wolves burst from beneath the snowdrifts, their bodies covered in frost and their eyes filled with territorial aggression.

One of the wolves lunged directly toward the group.

Aether remained still.

Aria stepped forward instead.

Her Origin Energy surged around her body before she struck the attacking beast with a controlled blast. The wolf was forced backward and landed heavily in the snow. The remaining wolves hesitated for a moment before retreating into the forest, clearly realizing that their prey wasn't helpless.

Aether looked at Aria.

"You're getting stronger."

Aria smiled. "I've been training too."

"I noticed."

There was something about the way Aether said those words that made Aria's smile soften. She looked away after a moment, hiding the small warmth that appeared in her eyes.

"Good."

The group continued their journey after lunch, eventually finding a rocky overhang large enough to serve as their campsite. Snow began falling more heavily as evening arrived, covering the ground around them in a thick white layer. Aether reinforced the shelter with Origin Energy, creating a barrier that prevented the cold wind from entering. Once everyone had settled down, the group gradually became quieter.

Aether sat near the edge of the shelter, looking toward the distant mountains. Seris eventually walked over and sat beside him, leaving a comfortable distance between them.

"You seem happier," she said.

Aether glanced at her. "Do I?"

"A little."

He thought about her words for a few seconds before looking back toward the others. Aria was speaking with Lyra, Sylvara was helping Evelyn with something, and Vaelira was quietly studying the spatial fluctuations around the camp.

"Maybe," Aether admitted. "Perhaps it's because we're all here."

Seris smiled.

"Then you should let yourself enjoy it."

Aether looked at her.

"I am."

For a while, neither of them spoke. They simply sat beside each other while snow continued falling outside. Aether had spent much of his life believing that strength and freedom were enough, and perhaps they still mattered more than anything else. Yet somewhere along the road, something else had begun to become important to him—the presence of people he genuinely wanted beside him.

He didn't need to understand that feeling completely yet.

He simply knew that he didn't dislike it.

And as the group rested beneath the falling snow, Aether realized that the journey toward Frostveil no longer felt like a journey he was making alone.