Ayaz stares blankly at a fashion magazine, biting his lip as he flips through the glossy pages, though his mind is far from the latest trends. He agreed to help Hestia, but facing Druig again feels like an insurmountable mountain. He knows he has to, but the thought sends a chill through him, deeper than his own powers ever could.

"You are about to meet my fellow Eternal, Ayaz." The voice pulls him from his swirling thoughts. He looks up to find Kingo standing beside him, his ever-present valet, Karun, aiming a camera directly at him. Kingo’s excitement is palpable as he grins like a kid about to unveil a surprise.

Ayaz raises an eyebrow, confusion etched on his face. "Kingo, what are you doing?"

"I think we should be remembered, so… I’m making a documentary about us!" Kingo beams, his enthusiasm infectious, but Ayaz can’t muster the same energy.

"This is Ayaz. The god of winter," Kingo continues, gesturing dramatically. "He used to be the mischief goofball. But now, he looks both scary and weird with the glowing thing." He whispers the last part, leaning closer to the camera.

Ayaz’s irritation bubbles to the surface. "Can you please take that bloody camera off my face before I freeze it out?" His glare is sharper than ice, more venomous than he intended. Instantly, he sees the disappointment in Kingo’s expression and feels a pang of guilt.

"Okay, well, we'll circle back to him," Kingo says, his grin fading slightly as he glances at Karun. "Apparently, Jack Frost is no longer fun to hang out with."

"I'm sorry." Ayaz rubs his face in frustration, letting out a deep sigh. "Why don’t you go and bother someone else? I'm not in the mood."

Kingo pats his shoulder, trying to lighten the mood. Ayaz catches the twitch of a smile on Kingo's lips. "All is forgiven, Captain 'I have so many on my plate.'"

Kingo is the life of the party, affable and boisterous, effortlessly bringing joy to those around him. Ayaz has always cherished their brotherhood, the sarcastic banter they’ve exchanged through the ages.

"Sarcasm isn’t a good look on you. That’s my thing," Ayaz retorts, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips as he pulls out a packet of cigarettes from his jacket pocket.

"And you’re not smoking in my jet, Mr. Frost," Kingo replies, crossing his arms with mock seriousness.

Ayaz’s nose scrunches up in disappointment as he sinks deeper into his seat, his frustration mingling with Sprite’s curious gaze as she joins him. "Tell me a reason why we couldn’t just teleport."

"You can't teleport more than three people with you at the same time," Sprite shrugs, flipping through the magazine with interest. "And last time you tried to teleport Kingo away, he threw up all over the place."

"That is reasonable enough," Ayaz grimaces at the memory, his stomach lurching at the recollection. "I think I need a drink to blend with the situation. You want one?"

"I'm good." Sprite doesn’t look up, still engrossed in the magazine.

With a sigh, Ayaz teleports to the mini bar, pouring himself a drink. His gaze drifts across the room, landing on Hestia and Ikaris, who are laughing together, their faces illuminated by the soft light of the cabin. The sight strikes him like a blow, a pang of jealousy slicing through his heart. They look so carefree, so in love. It’s a painful reminder of what he once had and lost. He found love where he least expected it, and now it feels like a curse.

As Sersi makes her way to the bar, her eyes glued to her phone, Ayaz watches her, noticing the lovestruck look on her face. She glances up, catching his gaze, and her heartwarming smile makes his chest ache even more. "How’s it going, Ayaz?"

Adding a mental note to text Camille later, Ayaz takes a long sip from his drink, trying to drown out the ache that settles deep within him. "Terrible. I mean, I'm bloody great. But everyone else? Terrible."

Sersi giggles and settles onto the stool next to him. "You disappeared after the split-up."

"I did what Ajak asked me to do," Ayaz explains, a nostalgic grin spreading across his face despite the heaviness in his heart. "I traveled all around the world, seeking the wonders of Earth. I learned new things and met many people. Tried to live like a normal human being and finally ended up in France two years ago. I'm hoping to move to London next. Pretty impressive, right?"

"What happened to you at your home, is it Mah'd W'yry?" Sersi asks cautiously, gauging his reaction. The moment she sees his expression darkening, she retracts her words, sensing the shift in the air. "Forget it. I'm sorry for asking—"

"No, it’s okay." Ayaz waves his hands dismissively, trying to mask his turmoil. "I lose control sometimes when my emotions are unstable. But it’s not Mah'd W'yry. It happened after the split-up."

He gulps down the rest of his drink, setting the empty glass on the table with a heavy sigh. "We should’ve all stayed together. Ajak would still be alive. She should have never let us go."

The weight of his words hangs in the air, echoing the grief that has settled in his heart like an unshakeable frost. His golden eyes shimmer with unshed tears, a reflection of the pain he’s trying to suppress, the anguish of losing Ajak, and the torment of his love for Druig. In the warmth of the moment, surrounded by laughter and love, he feels the chill of loneliness creeping in, reminding him that he’s still lost in a world that moves on without him.