In the Cloud Kingdom, there existed a revered artifact, a symbol of the Queen's trust and favor. The crystal bell, with its delicate, ethereal beauty, was said to hold the power to summon the Queen's legions in times of need. It was a gift reserved for those who had earned the Queen's utmost confidence, and its significance was not taken lightly.

The crystal bell burned like ice in Annika's palm—its beauty fragile, its power absolute. A gift from the Cloud Queen. A burden she hadn't earned.

Behind her, Brietta's labored breaths cut through the frozen air. "Annika... I can't—"

Crack.

The sound of snapping twigs. Wenlock's minions were closing in.

Desperate, Annika raised the bell—and rang it.

The peal split the world.

Snowflakes froze midair. The wind itself seemed to hold its breath. Then—

—light.

A pegasus descended like a falling star, its silver wings scattering diamonds of frost. And you.

The Queen's guardian, you moved like a blade unsheathed: effortless, lethal. Your sword flashed once, twice—and Wenlock's minions broke, their courage scattering like startled crows.

Then you turned.

Annika expected gratitude. Sanctuary.

Instead, your gaze was winter incarnate