ARCADES

"Can you believe this? We were worshipped by those people back there," Unomi said, a wide grin lighting up her face. "It felt different from those empty praises I used to get back in Thruans. This time… I actually helped people. I saved lives."

Her voice trembled with joy. But Kalamari and Tozi only stared at her, confused, struggling to understand what was so exciting about saving people—it was simply what they did.

Unomi turned to them, laughing—until she noticed their blank expressions. The laughter died. Her brows furrowed, her mood shifting like a sudden wind.

"You boys are acting like this is some common thing," she said, disappointed. "Why can't you see the joy in it? Ugh… if you don't, I do."

She turned away, quiet.

Tozi glanced at Kalamari, then nudged his horse forward, riding up beside her.

"Uh… okay, General Unomi," Tozi said gently.

"Don't call me General," she muttered. "Just Unomi."

Tozi froze for a second. "Yes, ma'am… I mean—Unomi."

He cleared his throat. "See… it's not that we don't want to celebrate or be happy about what we do. It's just that… there's a fight waiting ahead of us. A real one."

He looked down at the reins in his hand.

"And defeating a bunch of low-rank warriors isn't exactly something we get excited about."

Unomi's eyes narrowed. "Oh yeah? Then what is?"

Tozi shrugged. "Winning the big fight. Rebuilding Arcades."

She turned away, shaking her head. "You guys are the most self-centered men I've ever met. You hardly smile. You hardly joke. You're too serious. And I'm talking especially about you, Kalamari."

Her voice dropped, more honest now.

"You're so focused on rebuilding Arcades. So focused on finding the other Arcadians a home… but you're never focused on yourself. On what you want. I mean, have some fun sometimes. Make the people around you feel free to talk to you."

Kalamari remained quiet, the words hitting something deep. He looked down at his horse's mane, lost in thought.

Unomi continued.

"I don't even know if you understand what I'm saying. I just want to be able to express my feelings… and I don't know if I can do that around you."

Tozi turned, giving Kalamari a look that said: She has a point.

Kalamari let out a small, awkward smile, then looked away.

They kept riding.

Soon, vibrant fireworks lit up the sky ahead—bursts of red, blue, and silver, exploding in rhythm with distant music. In the distance, nestled between frozen peaks, stood a kingdom built entirely of ice. White spires shimmered beneath the clouds. Snow fell softly, blanketing everything in glistening light.

They had reached Viles.

Unlike other lands, Viles thrived in eternal winter. The people of the kingdom had warmth built into their bones—but for outsiders, the cold was unbearable. Travelers who followed the Circle came cloaked in thick robes to avoid freezing to death.

The ruler of this frozen land was known as the Ice Messiah, Lord Achy—a descendant of Khione, goddess of snow and daughter of Boreas, the god of the North Wind. For ages, the people of Viles had worshipped Khione, and their kingdom had thrived in her name.

Unomi, Kalamari, and Tozi wrapped their robes tighter as they approached the kingdom's towering gates, made of steel and ancient ice.

B-Rank ice warriors stood guard—some seated beside massive armored polar bears, others standing tall with halberds etched in frost. The moment the trio arrived, one of the guards stepped forward.

"Who are you? State your business."

Kalamari remained silent, focusing—trying to read the guard's mind.

Unomi rushed forward with a sudden burst of enthusiasm.

"We're performers! Well-known across the Circle—The Triplets!"

Tozi and Kalamari exchanged stunned glances.

The guards looked puzzled. The name meant nothing to them.

Unomi didn't stop. "He's Tozi the Drummer. That's Kalamari the Rapper. And I'm the sexy, beautiful dancer."

Kalamari raised a brow. Tozi, trying to keep the lie alive, conjured a magical drum from his satchel using void magic.

"This is my drum," he said with a forced grin. "And we're running late!"

He elbowed Kalamari lightly, nudging him to play along.

Kalamari blinked, then nodded. "Yes… we're the Triplets. I think we're due onstage any moment now."

A massive guard stepped forward, suspicious. "If you were really invited, then tell me—what exactly is Viles celebrating right now?"

Unomi's smile faltered. Tozi's face froze. Sweat beaded at their temples as panic set in.

Then Kalamari calmly said, "It's the birth anniversary of Khione, daughter of Boreas—Queen of Snow."

The guards raised their brows in surprise.

He was right.

"They are performers," one guard finally said. "Let them in before they miss their chance."

"Phew," Unomi whispered, her teeth clenched behind a smile. "I can't believe that actually worked."

The heavy gates groaned open, revealing the heart of Viles.

Inside, the kingdom sparkled with life. The streets were lined with markets and performers. The sound of laughter and music echoed through the icy buildings. Lanterns made of frozen glass floated in the air, glowing with soft light.

---

Citizens of all species and sizes sang, danced, ate, and played in the kingdom square—happily celebrating the ancestral Queen of the Snow.

As they advanced through the streets, Kalamari, Tozi, and Unomi saw groups gathered around statues of Khione. People lit candles, bowed in reverence, and sang hymns that sounded like ancient prayers. The villagers looked joyful, unified, and deeply connected.

Kalamari, Tozi, and Unomi eventually found a place to keep their horses, though they carried their bags—packed with clothes, food, and coin—with them.

"Can you see this, guys?" Unomi asked, marveling at the colorful blue ice structures and the beautiful light designs that shimmered around them.

"I must say… this is a kingdom I wouldn't want to fight in," Tozi said, his eyes wide with awe.

Kalamari observed the scenery silently, but deep down, he loved it.

They walked further into the town, waving back at those who waved at them. They made sure their head warmers were snug and treated themselves to hot food and drinks. Unfortunately, they couldn't find a motel with three separate rooms—so they booked and shared one.

"Wow," Unomi said, setting her bags down. "This seems like the happiest kingdom I've ever been to."

"I mean, did you see the fireworks and the whole ceremony?" she asked, her voice still glowing with excitement.

"I gotta say," Tozi added, "this is the coolest kingdom I've ever been to."

Both turned toward Kalamari, eager for his response.

Kalamari blinked at them, confused. "What?"

Tozi gave him a look and, inside his mind, sent the message: Come on, Kalamari—she needs to hear something encouraging from you.

Kalamari heard it clearly. That's when he realized why they were both staring.

"Oh. Oh, sure! Come on, guys—get settled. Let's all head out, check the place out, have some fun, meet some people… and, you know, be back before midnight. Right?"

Tozi smiled. "Now that's what I'm talking about."

Before either of them could react, Unomi launched herself at Kalamari, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

"Yes!" she screamed joyfully.

Kalamari was frozen, stunned. Tozi laughed, nodding in approval.

Still hugging him, Unomi suddenly came back to her senses. She stepped back quickly, brushing her hair behind her ear and blushing.

"I'll be packing my things in now," she said. "But I'm sleeping on the bed—so I'm dropping my stuff there."

Kalamari stood there, stunned by her beauty and overwhelmed by a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time—if ever.

"Sure," he said quietly. "The bed is all yours."

Tozi smirked. "Snap out of it, man. You did good—I'm proud of you."

Kalamari shook his head, forcing himself back into his usual seriousness.

They all settled in, grabbed extra clothes—scarves, gloves, thicker cloaks—and set off to explore the kingdom.

They played games, greeted people, and enjoyed hot drinks. Laughter filled the air as they mingled with travelers and locals alike.

"Remember, we've got to be back by midnight, okay?" Kalamari reminded them.

They all agreed, then split up.

Unomi approached a small girl and knelt down beside her.

"What's your name?" she asked warmly. "Can you show me around?"

Tozi placed a hand on Kalamari's shoulder. "So tell me—did you read my mind back there?"

Kalamari gave a rare half-smile. "That really helped, man. Thanks."

They went their separate ways.

Tozi found a local girl to talk to, vanishing into the crowd.

Kalamari walked through the bustling streets, buying food and fresh fruit, sharing them with children along the way. Yet, despite the cheer around him, something tugged at his thoughts—he wanted to understand the history of this place.

He wandered deeper, scanning people's thoughts as he passed.

The voices were mundane.

"Do you want this one?"

"Where's your sister?"

"Mummy, mummy!"

"Have a great evening."

"He's just a friend."

Nothing useful.

Kalamari frowned, dissatisfied. He turned to leave—when suddenly, something changed.

A voice—whispered, ancient—cut through the noise.

A prayer. A chant. An incantation.

It said everything he'd been looking for… then dropped into silence.

Then he heard it—clear, cold, deliberate:

"Behind you."

Kalamari's instincts flared. His body tensed. His aura began to rise as he glanced just above his shoulder, ready to strike.

In the shadows, behind a nearby building, he saw a faint figure.

He lowered his stance, calming his energy. His eyes narrowed. He couldn't see them clearly.

Then the shadowy figure stepped backward into a doorway, vanishing into darkness.

"Come," they repeated. "Come. You seek answers. I have them."

Kalamari stood frozen. He could hardly breathe—something about the voice held him in place, like a spell.

Then, the illusion broke.

He took a breath, steadying himself, and followed the figure—walking into the shadows and through the door.

Whatever was calling him... was waiting.

Wait for chapter 17 to find out who or what he found in there.