Frostblood: The last dragon Hunter

The cold blue flames flickered across the ancient stone of the Ice Clan's Great Hall. Kaoru stood tall before the frost dais, his breath calm in the frozen air. Above him, General Arashi watched in silence — his eyes as sharp and old as the glaciers themselves.

"Tell me, Kaoru Mikage," Arashi spoke, his voice calm but carrying weight, "do you wish to remain here among your kin?"

Kaoru shook his head slowly, his tone respectful yet unwavering. "Forgive me, Arashi-sama… but I am here only as a guest — for a few days at most."

A faint frost drifted through the torchlight as Arashi's gaze narrowed slightly. "Then what do you seek beyond these walls of ice?"

Kaoru lifted his chin, his eyes burning faintly like embers beneath frost. "I wish to build my own clan — one where every clan is represented. One warrior from each bloodline, bound together as one family."

For a heartbeat, Arashi's brows rose. A dry, almost amused smile ghosted at the corner of his lips — but the cold never left his stare. "Bold words. Do you truly believe you can succeed in that? The Fire Clan despises the Ice Clan — the Moon Clan holds grudges against the Sun Clan. Such old wounds run deeper than any blade."

Kaoru's voice did not waver. "Then let them. I won't force the clans. I will choose just one person from each. Man or woman — it doesn't matter. One heart from each — that's enough."

Silence filled the chamber like drifting snow. Then, Arashi let out a low hum — somewhere between doubt and faint amusement. "Very well. But tell me, Kaoru — where will you begin such a reckless dream?"

In Kaoru's mind, a single image flashed — Hana's fierce eyes, her calm smile beneath the moonlit trees. He breathed out softly. "Perhaps… you already know where I'll start."

A flicker of something knowing crossed the general's eyes. His smirk barely lifted his frozen features. "Hana of the Moon Clan…"

Then the frost returned — his expression turned cold as a blade. He leaned forward slightly, the air tightening like ice. "Then hear this. If you choose this path — you sever your bond with us. The Ice Clan will not come for you. No matter how deep your peril runs."

Kaoru did not flinch. His voice remained calm, carrying only his quiet resolve. "I accept. This is my burden alone."

A heartbeat of silence. Then Arashi sat back, exhaling frost into the flickering blue light. "So be it. You may stay for two days — no more. After that, your path is yours alone to carve."

Kaoru bowed his head, steady and sincere. "Thank you, Arashi-sama."

For a brief moment, the old general closed his eyes — as if he could see the ghost of Kazuki Mikage standing where Kaoru now stood.

Softly, to himself alone, Arashi murmured, "A clan of one heart… in this frozen age… Let's see if you can melt the ancient frost, Kaoru Mikage."