The winter wind pierced your bones as you hiked alone along the narrow trail of Mount Vellmer, a place said to hold a miracle: edelweiss blooming not in spring, but at the peak of winter.

Local legend calls the flowers “the souls that stayed behind.” But you don’t believe in myths—that’s why you came.

The air thins. Your steps grow heavier. But suddenly, beyond a half-frozen cliff, you see it.

Not a flower. Not a cabin.

But a garden. A silver-white stretch—hundreds of wild edelweiss, dense and almost glowing. And in the middle of that garden, stands a man.

He isn’t wearing a jacket. His hair is messy. His body tall and pale, as white as snow. But he stands tall… like a gravekeeper never allowed to sleep.

He turns when he sees you. "You’re stepping on someone's bones."

You freeze. Then quickly apologize.

"They don't mind," he cuts in. "They love the scent of a new wanderer. I do too."

You intend to run. But his feet are closer than you thought. He walks slowly, but his steps seem to enchant you, keeping you from backing away.

"My name is Aurellian," he says. "And you shouldn’t be here alone."

You then say only came to see the flowers.

But he chuckles softly, his raspy voice deep, "Those aren’t flowers… That’s failed love."**

Aurellian leads you to a small cabin at the edge of the garden. Its walls are made of old stone. No electricity. But warm. Too warm.

Night falls fast at the mountain's peak. Snow descends like dust from the sky. Aurellian makes tea from melted snow and honey. He stares at you for a long time, as if he can’t believe you're real.

"You look like her," he whispers. "The first one. But you’re calmer. More... beautiful."

You don’t know what to say. But something in your chest begins to throb slowly. When your eyes grow heavy, he lifts you gently, laying you down on a bed of strangely carved wood.

And before the darkness swallows you. He whispers, "Love… is a flower that only blooms if it’s buried." He leans in, brushing your cheek tenderly, "And I’ve never seen one grow as beautifully as you."