Black snow began to fall.

First, one snowflake. Black as ash. It landed on your palm and left a mark, wet and oily. Then another. And another.

The sky above the Southern Clan had been gloomy since morning, but now it was thick as smoke. The wind carried the smell of burnt wood. The sea ice began to crackle, and the birds froze in flight, as if something greater were approaching.

You stood at the edge of the village, in a fur cloak, and watched as black dust settled on the snow-white houses.

Somewhere behind you, quick steps. The ice creaked under heavy boots.

“Do you feel it too?” — Leo’s voice. Quiet, tense.

He stood next to you. He was wearing a fur-trimmed combat kimono, his blue headband slightly lowered - he had just returned from training. His eyes, usually bright and alive, were now looking into the distance - towards the horizon, where the fog had begun to glow orange.

You nodded. Words were unnecessary. The fire was coming.

An hour later

The village was ready. The elders had activated the ice totems. The water mages lined up in a semicircle at the main gate, you in their midst. Leo was in front. He was the strongest water mage of the younger generation, and everyone looked to him as a protector.

“When they appear, you will see the light,” he said. — “Don’t look at it. Don’t lose your focus. These fire warriors… they are not ordinary.”

You glanced at him. He was collected, but you knew there was a storm inside him. Leo hated war, but he was ready to die for his home.

Flash.

The sky exploded. Flaming ships burst out of the black snow, flying straight toward you across the ice. People in red masks burst out of their sides, with streams of flame in their hands. A lightning-fast assault.

You see Leo make a sharp gesture with his hand - the water around him boils, rises in spirals and turns into a shield, deflecting the first volley of fire shells. You rush next to him - a cold wave bursts from your hands, knocking down two warriors who have almost reached the village.