The Dawn of the New World

"Certain someone? Who?"

"I'll tell you later," Jin Wang answered before cutting off the connection.

Eyes narrowed, Hao Xuan was more than a little curious to find out who it was that had gotten Jin Wang's attention but Henrik's wide-eyed face suddenly popped up in front of Hao Xuan, startling him.

"Alright, I'll go, relax for god sake. We really need to talk about boundaries with you, weirdo," Hao Xuan pushed him away with his forefinger.

"Yes! Thank you!"

Henrik soon left with Fulke and Hazel in tow, while Jin Wang wandered off somewhere a few seconds later. Before leaving he gave Hao Xuan the directions of a place where he would be waiting for him in about an hour.

Only Salome, Ma Jiang, and Ceni were left sitting there.

Salome continued eating, splattering various juices and oils all over himself. Hao Xuan gestured for him to come over upon seeing the mess, whipping his face and clothes like a dutiful parent. Ceni silently sat in her chair, sipping from a cup while occasionally glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

She was trying her best to hide it but to Hao Xuan it was far too obvious. Yet he still didn't interact with her first.

He looked around upon remembering the two little monsters that would usually be bothering him to no ends by now.

"Where are the little ones?"

Salome shrugged, "Brother Zhurong said he wanted to go play somewhere."

Hao Xuan frowned, "Brother?"

"Mhm! Brother Zhurong said he is the strongest so he would be the oldest brother!"

Hao Xuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Who died and made that little furball king? But he was surprised that Fortis didn't have anything to say about it. Speaking of which, "And Fortis?"

"Food."

"....Of course. I...should have known."

Salome finished eating a few minutes later and quietly went into the cabin to sleep. Hao Xuan was amazed how he could eat so much and still not get fat. Although he wasn't one to complain considering his physique.

The silence became quite awkward as soon as he left. The cold breeze blowing through the camp did help fill in the stillness but not enough to distract him.

Hao Xuan kept looking at the time, waiting for the promised moment while cursing himself for not leaving with Jin Wang. If he got up and walked away now it would look weird but sitting here with Ceni and Ma Jiang in complete silence made it more than a little uncomfortable.

She looked like she wanted to say something but stopped every time. Meanwhile, Ma Jiang was so lost in her own world that she didn't even notice the awkwardness, which was strange on its own.

Hao Xuan wanted to strike up a conversation so he made some random comments.

"It sure is cold today, huh...Wonder why all of a sudden. Maybe the sun got stolen or something, haha...ha"

But no one responded, which made him feel even worse.

'If I light myself on fire, would that be a good excuse to leave? Someone, please help!' he yelled inwardly.

Just then, as if to answer his prayers, thunder rumbled in the sky above. Hao Xuan looked up and saw the storm clouds gathering through the cracked dome. But the lighting bolts that could occasionally be seen snaking through the clouds were an especially malevolent violet color.

Their presence alone served as a prelude to something far worse, which even Hao Xuan could feel. Although he seemed to be the only one here that could do so.

As shameful as it was to admit, it took Hao Xuan a lot more courage to stand up here than when he was facing numerous life and death situations.

"So...I have to go do something...over there..." he mumbled lightly.

Ceni looked away, not even responding in any way while Ma Jiang didn't even register him.

Hao Xuan was surprised Ceni hadn't done or said anything so far. He thought she would be the first one to speak up.

He turned around and started walking away when all of a sudden Ma Jiang's thoughts sounded within his head.

'Cold, it's so cold. I can't...think...someone....please...'

Her voice became quiet until he couldn't hear it anymore. Hao Xuan swiveled around on the spot and cautiously bent down in a joking manner, trying his best not to make it too obvious.

"Oii~, kid, you're not even gonna say goodbye?"

As expected, Ma Jiang's face was completely devoid of color. She didn't even look alive anymore which shocked Hao Xuan.

"Hey, brat, you listening to me!?" he pinched her cheeks, feeling the icy coldness passing into his body. He held his finger in front of her nose but didn't sense her breathing.

"Oi Oi, don't die on me! That old woman is gonna chew me up if something happens to you!" he quickly pulled the blanket away which broke apart into shards. It was frozen from the inside.