Chapter 254- EVERYTHING IS ICE

Words : 1141 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

A FEW MINUTES AGO. A far distance away from Elsie was another carriage. Here, another two members of the bounty hunters, the slim nerd cowboy, Bick, and another that held a rifle. Both were seated in the carriage with a cage, worse off than Elsie. This one didn't possess rails like the other but iron walls with a slit on the front. In it was Raph seated, barely managing to breathe from the slit, and wrapped around his arms were the chains. Chains and Cuffs that stopped one's aura or mana from flowing, blocking them from using their abilities, or at least that's what it was for. They were headed in a different direction, as this one in particular, Raph, was strong. Bick had thought it wise to make use of his strength and send him to a colosseum back in their hometown to earn money for them. It was a brilliant idea at the time, but no one knew what awaited them along the way. Bick and Dick were the brothers that surrounded the cage, their gazes facing the exterior. The carriage was led by two of Timon's men, of course, both minding their own business. "It's been a while since he spoke. Is he asleep or something?" One of Timon's men spoke after a short while. His gaze flickered as he turned back to find the bounty hunters staring blankly in their direction. Bick flinched, snapping himself to reality as he turned to the cage. "He hasn't spoken...must have given up" he replied, though his senses were screaming at him. He didn't understand why and simply ignored it. 'It's probably just acting up since I'm not with my brother'. Bick and his brothers had traveled down from the west, frolicking about in different villages until they arrived at their present destination Finding Elsie's tracks was just on a whim when they arrived at the Border City of Styl, and now, in the process of capturing her, they had the last three brothers. 'At least we'll gain something good from all this'. He thought with a sigh as he glanced at the cage once more. '....that man....he's too dangerous...thank goodness we captured him and locked up his aura stars. The damage he could and would have caused...' He felt a chill run down his spine at the thought and shook his head. 'Better this way'. While they continued to focus on the road, and themselves, Raph was busy somewhere else. Well, of course, his body was currently in the cage, but his sense of self....had been transported once more. In a white void, permeated by dark particles, Raph stood. His gaze scanned the interior of the room as he did so. '....Where am I?' He wondered, but his question had been answered soon enough. A chilling cold suddenly swept into the room, turning the interior into a dome of ice and snow. A throne of ice was formed in his front, and there, a man with blue air and chilling blue eyes stared at him. He didn't need to think twice to recognize the figure. With his ethereal, cold demeanor. The progenitor of the KING OF SNOW trait sat on his throne of ice, a discontent, discerning gaze looking down at him. "You disgust me". Raph's gaze widened at his sudden statement, his brows furrowed in confusion. There were few occasions when the Knights of the Jun household actually showed themselves at their home. That was because the Knights weren't used for personal reasons, but simply war and expeditions. Their father had made it so, relying on themselves and a few trusted aides to actually be a part of their household. '...though even that was corrupted by the King'. "Maybe you are right. I need to continue to grow stronger...because our foes will continue to multiply". "Exactly. The Jun's are the most hated out of the twelve households because of our character but that doesn't mean we should let them get away with messing with us". "I don't intend to". "Yes....the revolution. Honestly, that plan is looking promising but I fear you may make a mistake at some point". Raph shook his head. "I don't intend to". The man stared at Raph, his chill gaze sending a cold grip on Raph's heart. "Then show it. I know you are no longer driven by revenge, but by the goal of saving your family, so be hellbent on it. Be who you are meant to be, a Knight, a Warrior, a King of the Snow. There is regality in who we are". 'Regality? He's basically calling us royalty now'. Raph thought as a chuckle escaped his lips. This was the emotion that had driven the Jun's for many years. The pride of being born with gifted statutes fit for war and carnage. A household of swordsmen, proud and noble but soft-hearted when it comes down to it. The definition of a noble household. "You said I'm not using the KING OF SNOW trait properly....how do I use it then?" "Well...you have used it well so far. But it should have been a second limb for you by now..." "A second limb?" Raph asked, his tone laced with curiosity. "The air you breathe should be cold; your body itself should be the embodiment of coldness. Your techniques should imbue the principle of ice and snow...and most importantly. You do not need mana nor aura to use it". The last statement sounded like a fool's errand to Raph. After all, the basics of using his abilities, according to his father, was using his aura or mana....so now, he was told to use none? "What?" Raph asked. The man suddenly appeared in front of him, and a cascading chill, colder than anything Raph had ever felt, descended on him like a chill bath in Antarctica. Of course, it was worse than that. "Let me help you". He tapped Raph on his shoulder and that cold spread through Raph like cancer, his gaze slowly glowing from the chill as he felt his body turning numb. The sensation was chilling as it was familiar. It continued to spread, forming ice shards in the air around them, freezing the atmosphere without their command. Patterns of ice shards, beautifully crafted, froze the air and the ground around them, spreading and thickening with the ever-flowing cold. This continued until it reached Raph's heart, and dantian, pulsating with each beat....until it stopped. Then like a man who gasps for air after being dipped into a bath of ice and snow, Raph's mouth opened agape as they said together. "EVERYTHING IS ICE"

Chapter 254- EVERYTHING IS ICE

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