The hall around them was filled with the sound of the living. While it was a cold and stark time in the fort, there was no denying that its people were alive and refusing to give up. Movement and ambient noise surrounded the gathered party of outsiders. Some locals gave them a wide berth. Some cast suspicious glares. Others ignored them entirely. Regardless, life went on, largely unbothered by the unfamiliar presence in their midst.

Hiruq took his seat at one of the long tables alongside Moo, motioning for Yukan to sit nearby as well. He accepted a bowl of stew and began to eat while watching the room around him. Before he managed a single spoonful, his attention was drawn elsewhere.

He blinked, watching as Moo shoveled her meal down and drained the bowl with impressive gusto. When she began to ask for more, he snorted softly, a grin pulling at his lips. He stretched his hand out, offering his own bowl.

[color=#FFFFFF]“Here, Moo. You need it more than I do.”[/color]

He chuckled, glancing toward the others as they slowly became more familiar with one another.

His eyes slid over Yume, not for the first time in the past half hour. There was something there that hinted at mild reproach, but he did not interfere with her antics. Instead, he busied himself listening to the discussions nearby. His grin widened slightly when attention turned toward Itsy.

[color=#FFFFFF]“Indeed. One should not judge by the size of their opponent alone. I look forward to witnessing your bravery, little one.”[/color]

Despite the faintly wolfish edge to his grin, his words were sincere.

He shifted his gaze again, this time toward the girl with the long blue hair and scythe.

[color=#FFFFFF]“Yumi, was it?”[/color] he asked. [color=#FFFFFF]“You’re speaking Japanese? It’s not something you hear very often here. Surprisingly.”[/color]

He chuckled, the tone light, as if making casual conversation rather than acknowledging a language from another world.

As the group spent time over the small amount of food provided, the hours crept by. The light beyond the narrow windows dimmed, and late afternoon settled over the fort. Before long, Commander Rextelian arrived, the crimson-haired kitsune beside him.

[color=#B8860B]“It is time,”[/color] he said simply.
[color=#B8860B]“We muster at the gates.”[/color]

He offered no further explanation. With that, he turned and departed, the kitsune moving with him.

The hall began to empty.

Outside, Nan Gau was already preparing for night. Lanterns were being lit along the inner walls, their warm glow fighting against the encroaching blue of dusk. Snow continued to fall in steady sheets, muting sound and softening the edges of the city. The gates stood open, guards forming loose lines as the assembled fighters gathered.

Rextelian stood at the head of them all, just inside the castle gates.

Beyond the walls, the road stretched northward.

It cut through frozen fields and climbed steadily into the mountain pass, winding between snow-laden trees and jagged stone. The wind carried the scent of ice and distant storms, sharp and biting. Footsteps crunched against packed snow as the group began to move, the warmth of the city fading with every step away from the walls.

Ahead, the Paizu Mountains rose dark and heavy beneath low clouds.

Somewhere beyond them lay Nan-Li.

And as the last light of day slipped behind the peaks, the march truly began.