My heavy eyelids push out their effort. Arms wrap around me, rocking me back and forth. A familiar loving scent builds up my consciousness. Instinctively I rub the palm around me.

"Valy," I see Rose over me, tears running and hugging me tight, "thank goodness."

She hugs me tighter. "What happened? You were screaming."

My mind jumps. My heart drowns. Her words awaken a horror within. "Don't go, don't leave. I am losing it."

"I am not leaving," Rose kissed my forehead, "You won't lose me."

A warmth pulse, soothing my storm. The new fragile peace over me shatters at the sight of the ink flames. I quickly stand up, "I need fresh air."

A cold refreshing breeze enters me when exiting my room. My heart froze in a silent moment. Then instantly thaw at Rose's touch.

The breeze picks up speed. The comfort lost at the increasing cold. The noisy chaos of the wind screams into the fort.

We look out through one of many glassless windows. The wind is on a rampage. Lifting the falling and setting snow. We are under a blizzard's attack.

The ring of a bell echoes through the fort. Screaming at everyone to report to the dining hall. Rose grabs my hand and takes us to it.

Everyone gathers within the hall. Some people empty and prep tables, others help count attendance. As more people join, more tasks are assigned.

Etaru is looking around when he notices us, "Praise be, you two are ok."

"Where is Muri?" Rose asked.

"She's helping the kitchen."

The Fort's Master and my mother approach us. He looks at me, "Valeria I need you to cast your barrier spell." His words are like needles puncturing through my ears.

HERE WE GO AGAIN, FAILURE.

"What? No no no, why me?"

"Valeria we don't have time for this," my mother reprimands, "It's your spell. Cast it."

"I can't I am sorry. You'll have to do without."

"Why?"

My heart slows down and speeds up, "I... I lost my magic. It stopped manifesting. I can't use it."

The Master's eyes widened, "We'll have to do this the old way. I need every window and exit block."

"Wait!" Etaru jumps in, "Val is not the only sorcerer. I can cast the spell," he turns to face me, "I'll need your guidance. Can you do that for me?"

"I'll try."

Gustav runs towards us. "Etaru I need your help. The recruits haven't returned. They are stuck somewhere in the blizzard."

"I'll look for them," Rose quickly volunteers, "Etaru needs to cast a spell, he can't help you."

"No," I pull on Rose, "I need you with me."

"I need to do my part Valy. I can't just stand here."

"Your part is not out there without me."

"Valeria I am sorry to do this again," Gustav looks at me, "but I need help. I am going with her."

Rose hugs me and kisses my forehead, "I'll be back. I love you."

Gustav and Rose turn away.

VALERIA STOP HER! DON'T LET HER LEAVE YOU! No! I trust Rose.

"Let's go." Etaru takes me out to a balcony on the second floor.

Strong wind pushes on us. The sky is white. Millions of snowflakes run around the fort. My face is punched by the cruel cold. My nose and ears lose themselves to my surroundings.

"Val what now?"

Alright I got this. Remember your notes, "Are you confident about this?"

"What? I guess?"

"Stop doubting yourself! You need to believe you can do it. If you doubt for a moment your magic won't work!"

"Since when do spells need believing?"

"I am not teaching you a spell. I am teaching you how to use your magic."

"I already know how to use my magic."

"No you don't! You know how to use magic. There is no space to create something new with someone else's magic."

"What are you talking about? Take this seriously!"

"Stop doubting yourself!"

"I am not doubting myself. I am doubting you!"

"Next step, you have to understand what you're asking for. What's the problem here?"

"The blizzard?"

"No, you have to be specific."

"The wind!"

"Exactly. As you cast a barrier, keep in mind you're stopping the wind. No creating a safe place. No creating a shield. You're stopping the wind."

"Val are you sure about this?"

"Stop doubting yourself! Here is the hardest part. You have to extend your consciousness. The wind won't stop because you asked it to. You have to make it yours!"

"How do I do that?"

"Closing your eyes helps. Extend your arms, it will help you feel the wind. Focus on the wind you feel, not the wind in general. Believe that the wind you feel is you. Then command it to stop."

Etaru stays silent. The wind pushes on his clothing. Flapping it at incredible speeds. Then it stops. His clothes are not affected by the wind. But the wind still pushes on me and the fort.

"Perfect! Now extend the barrier beyond yourself. It has to cover the entire fort."

"How?"

"By extending your consciousness. Just like with the wind. Feel the stone beneath you. Believe it is you. Then tell your barrier to extend around you."

Etaru lowers his arms. He stands here relaxed. His body ignoring the wind. When his fist clenches, the wind stops attacking. But it is still wrecking the fort.

"You're doing great. Let's try this, you see that flag on the gate." I point at a barely visible flag that is shaking violently. "Look at it. Focus on it. Stare into it until you can't see anything else. Once you feel like you're the flag, command your barrier to extend."

"Is that even possible?" As soon as he spoke the barrier shattered. Wind rushes back in. Kicking and punching us.

"Stop doubting! Focus and reclaim control!"

Etaru quickly reacts and takes control. Establishing the barrier again.

"Now look at the flag. Once you're ready make sure you command the barrier to extend. Otherwise it will just protect the flag."

Etaru faces the flag. Something is going on in his mind, but the flag doesn't stop moving.

"Try pushing it with your hands."

"What?"

"Hold your arms out, and physically push your barrier."

"There is nothing out here," he claims as he moves his arm out. Searching for something to push.

"I know, but acting like there is will help. Sometimes it takes a little bit of body movement to get it started."

Etaru takes a stand and holds out his arms. Looking at the flag, he pushes towards.

The falling snow suddenly explodes outward. As if the wind is turning around, changing its target. The once violent flag stops in front of our eyes. I look around, and see no chaos within the Fort's Gate.

"Yes!" I give Etaru a big hug, "You did it!"

He laughs and pushes me away, "It actually works."

I brace for impact but nothing happened. Etarus laughs at me for doubting him.

"We're not done. Tell your barrier to stay in place."

"And then what?"

"Now we're done," before he could ask, I explained, "Once you give the command, you can stop focusing on it. Otherwise you'll have to keep thinking about it to keep it active."

"How long will it stay?"

"That depends on your connection with magic."

"That doesn't make any sense."

"That's just how magic works. No matter how much I study it, I can't understand it."

Etaru looks around the balcony. The snow completely settled in. Everything is so quiet, compared to the mayhem outside the gate.

"Val, your magic is powerful. It feels unstoppable."

"It's not. A single mental blockage and you're left with nothing."

He quickly looks back at me, "Is that what happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Something at the gate abducts my attention, three people walking in. "Rose!"

I quickly run down the fort.

Gustav and Aurem walk Kilom in, who has a lot of blood on his side.

"What happened?" Etaru asks.

"A monster, I killed it," Kilom says.

"Where is Rose?" I aim at Gustav.

"She's not back?"

I don't waste any second and run outside the fort. "Val lets us help you," Etaru and Gustav run after me.

I stop for a moment, but my heart races. No, Rose needs me. I turn but Gustav holds my arm, "Wait for Etaru."

Etaru's eyes are glowing. Quick images flashing before his eyes, "That's Rose, search for her." A sphere shoots from his palm out to the forest. He claps his hands loudly and three fragile gems materialize, "Take one. If you see Rose, smash it. It'll let us know where-"

I grab one of the gems and run. I can't waste anymore time.

The wind judges me as I exit the gate. Slicing every bit of exposed skin. My nose insults the cold. My ears cave to the merciless. My lips are taken by ice.

YOU'RE SO STUPID! YOU SHOULD HAVE STOP HER!

I run through the forest. The snow swallows my ankles. Stealing all my momentum. I push through with all my efforts, but the snow is unforgivable. I fall to its attack.

The wind is pushing the trees. In an inconsiderate dance. Snap. Branches, they too fall, and fly as far as the wind can carry them.

I cast the strength left in me to stand. Once again I run. I run until the snow knocks me down again. I get up and run some more.

I find quick shelter underneath a big tree. In its trunk I see Rose's burnt handprint and my V carved within.

Against my better judgment, I start crying. The winds freeze my tears and new ones form on top. A heated drum beats inside me, too strong for my fragile heart. Sharp quick breaths invade my lungs. Needles puncturing me from the inside.

"Rose please. Don't leave me. Come back. I promise we can leave. We can go to the capital. Or the empty plains. Or west. Even Jeshil if you wish. Just come back love. I beg you."

I hear a loud noise, as if thunder struck within the trees. A purple light flashes ahead. Etaru's!

I run after it. Wiping my tears, hope drowns me. My heart can't stop laughing. Rose, we are going wherever you want.

I find Etaru and Gustav looking at the ground. In front of them, I see Rose laying in a bed of sunflowers.

Everything stops, "No no nonono."

I run after her and slam on the ground, "Rose, Rose baby, Rose!" I look at her unresponsive face. Her face holds no warmth. No joy. The sun abounded her. Her heart doesn't beat. No life is breathing in.

"No. NO! But I promise. Rose wake up! You can't leave me. You promise."

I kiss her but she doesn't kiss me back. Her icy lips betray her promise of warmth. Her stone frozen face is ignoring me. As if I never matter. As if she never loved me. A lie of who she was.

No matter how hard I try. No matter how hard I search. Rose isn't here. She isn't with me.

" 'I have something for you, I am glad I bought it. It's literally the perfect time for it,' She licks the juices off my neck before placing the necklace on me."

" 'Valy what do you think?'

'Valy?'

'My heart wants to call you that. I can stop if-'

'No, I like it. Valy. I like it a lot,' "

" 'Can I kiss you?' Rose asks me.

'Y-Yes!' We share our first kiss."

" 'I got you something!' Rose pulls what she's been hiding on her back. A black feather coat, 'I saw it and thought of you. Do you like it?'

'I love it!' "

" 'I have to tell you something before you go. The thought of waiting until next winter to say is killing me, so I am going to say it now,' I muster all my courage, 'I love you.'

I turn and run but a hug stops me, 'I love you too.' "

All my precious memories flashed before me.

"I should have stopped you. I should have listened. I am so stupid!"

Etaru separates me from Rose's cold body and hugs me.

No this isn't happening. Rose can't die. SHE'S STRONG. "Etaru she's dead, isn't she?"

His face flashes with an expression I can't comprehend. His eyes scan Rose and my hands cover in sunflower petals. "I am sorry."

My tears finally run. Tears I can never wipe away. The valleys carved within my heart grow. Deepening the roots already sprout. An abyss who will always be with me. Rose is dead.

How did I let this happen? Why didn't I fight harder? I killed Rose. I took everything from her. Now she has nothing.

Gustav kneels and picks up Rose from the ground.

"No Gustav... Don't take her away from me again." My arms extend to hold the sunflowers within the snow. My body fully embracing them.

His eyes flicker. Fear? Discuss? Avoidance? "Am sorry."

"No... please."

Etaru pulls my face away, staring into me. "Let's go home Val."

My vision hurts. My mind breaks. I can't understand the sun and the moon anymore. Warmth and cold. I stop paying any effort.