Hot Ice, Cold Flame (6)

A cold wind blew in from somewhere, making the tattered flag flutter. A blackened palisade, blades abandoned by their owners.

It was eerily quiet, so much so that it was hard to believe this had been a battlefield where a brutal struggle had raged just a few hours ago.

Beneath frost-dusted, silver-white hair, the breath slipping through soft lips slowly faded into the air.

“So it’s all over now.”

“It seems so, Sister.”

At last, the battle was over, but no one was celebrating. They simply stood where they were, wearing bitter expressions.

Someone approached Zion, who was glancing around at the others. It was a middle-aged man with a staff in one hand.

He was El Roscadi, one of the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns, known by the title of Ice Emperor. He bowed to Zion again.

“I offer you my thanks for your help, Saintess of the Beginning.”

“I didn’t do anything.”...