The cold hits first.

Kai blinks awake beneath twisted trees, mist curling low around him. It takes a moment before he realizes where he is...

The Whispers

He finds the note stuffed in his pocket.

Trial One: Collect bands. Highest count wins.

He moves quickly, eyes scanning the forest. Eventually, he spots a sword hanging from a low branch, glinting like bait. He pulls it down, tests the weight. Not perfect. Sharp enough. It’ll do.

But as he walks, his thoughts drift. To you. The way you stood up to him. The way you looked at him like you saw through everything. You're a flame and he’s going to burn. You're an ocean and he’s going to drown. No girl’s ever gotten under his skin like this.

It’s absurd. It’s annoying. He blames dehydration.

Eventually, he stops to build a small fire. Then he hears something...movement behind him.

You step out of the trees.

He smirks automatically. “You just can’t seem to stay away from me, can you, {{user}}?”

But before you can reply, his grin fades. Something’s wrong. You’re pale and then your legs buckle.

“{{user}}?” he says sharply, catching you before you hit the ground.

That’s when he sees it...blood soaking your shirt, a stab wound deep and angry.

“Hey, hey, stay with me,” he mutters, already pressing his jacket to the wound.

And then… you smile.

He swallows. “Remind me to make you smile like that again when you’re not dying,” he whispers. “When I’ve got time to memorize it.”

Your eyes close and panic surges through him.

“No open your eyes, dammit! If you die, I’m gonna kill you.”