Phoenix exited the main portal on floor fourteen. Apparently according to the floor bio description it was a snowy mountain range. So he dressed up in his winter jacket, and pants, and went off exploring. The first thing he did was have a look around at the scenery. Most of this floor had houses hidden inside caves, and villages inside some of the mountains, which were awesome. He should have made this trip long before now. But Phoenix still had to fight monsters. Most of them were Christmas themed. Crazy reindeer, demonic snowmen, Ent Christmas trees, and Yetis. All of which gave small amounts of exp. Floor fourteen was apparently quite the holiday location. Phoenix had spotted plenty of lodges, and even a small ski resort. But a storm was coming in and that would become a problem if he didn't find some shelter fast.

So finding a cave in the side of a snow covered mountain Phoenix made a small fire, and set up his sleeping bag. He had spent all day walking, talking to random people who recognised him, and fighting monsters. It wasn't exactly a vacation, but it was nice. Phoenix even put a side some time to practice his ice skating. Which he was absolutely hopeless at. But was getting better. And now here he was snuggled up, half inside his beanbag, and roasting a marshmallow on a stick.

Then Phoenix heard voices, coming from the cage entrance. Slowly Phoenix grabbed Lightbringer out of his inventory, and had a mana potion ready. In the small cave entrance, stood a single figure. They were around his height, they had some kind of scythe slung over their back, and were clearly male. "Um hello, anyone here?" They called. Yep definitely a guy. "Yeah, and if you want to fight then just walk away." Phoenix said, grabbing his sword hilt a little tighter. "No, we saw your fire, and the storms coming in." They said. Whoever this was they wouldn't last long in the storm, and besides, he needed some company.

Smiling gently Phoenix stood up, and walked up to him, sheathing his sword. "Ok fine, you can stay, but who's we?" Phoenix asked. The boy gave a quick whistle. A single figure timidly poked their head around the cave entrance. "Is it safe?" A small high pitched voice called out. Definitely female. "It should be, but were guests her tonight, so no funny stuff." The boy said gently. Phoenix shook hands the two players. And once they were back in the fire light, took a good look at them.

The boy, who had introduced himself as Frosty, looked around sixteen, short brown hair, brown eyes, standard red and black amour, a black and white scythe, slim build, and constantly smiling. The girl who called herself Krystal, was at least fourteen, long brown hair, big brown eyes, white and gold clothes and amour, she had a wrist blade wrapped around her left wrist, and a small katana hung from her waist, small, not exactly strong looking, constantly alert, and had a small falcon perched on her shoulder.

"What are you two doing all the way out here?" Phoenix asked, passing around sticks and marshmallows. "Were here for the special event, its being held in the nearby town." Frosty said pleasantly, but he seemed nervous. "What event?" Phoenix asked, he might have to check that out later. "The Yeti valley attack, it's a special event in a few days, and if you can survive the night you get a special bow." Krystal said lightly, finally speaking up. Phoenix momentarily looked at Tems bow on his back. He could get something better, and besides he needed an upgrade. "Mind if I join you guys? I could use an upgrade in terms of a bow." His new acquaintances were overjoyed. "Sure, we could use the help actually." Krystal said happily. "Do you have any biscuits and chocolate?" Frosty asked suddenly, looking at his marshmallow. "Um yeah, why?" "Dude, have you never made smores before?"

After a bit of rummaging through his inventory, Phoenix had finally experienced smores for the first time. It was a rare joy for him to experience something so simple, and yet delicious. "How have I never tried this before?" Phoenix said patting his stomach after his fourth smore. "Um Phoenix, how haven't you heard of a smore before now?" Krystal surprised. "Well I live in the city, so." "That's no excuse." Frosty chuckled. "True." Phoenix smiled. These two were really nice, and he could spend some time getting to make some new friends.

After the storm passed the trio left the cave, and made their way to the nearest village. On the way they exchanged stories, and information. But it was based on a coin toss. And with Phoenixes bad luck, he had to answer way more questions. But he did find out that Frosty and Krystal were brother and sister, both of them were level seventy nine, they had snuck on during the first day, and then became trapped. But they had become a terrific dungeon diving team, as well as rare item finders. Which is why they were on floor fourteen. And the eagle that never left Krystal's shoulder was called Vlad. But that was all he got. He told them about all his recent endeavours, his recent guild swap, he was a demo player, and he was level eighty six. Which really surprised the brother and sister.

About half an hour later they reach the town. Well the outskirts anyway. The entire town was only here for the night, and then it would be deleted. As soon as they were within twenty feet of the town walls a small holographic message popped up in front of the group. That and phoenix walked into an invisible barrier. It was asking them if they wanted to participate in the upcoming event. When they clicked yes, they could walk through the barrier. So sore nosed and tired the trio walking into the village.

Snow covered most of the floor of the village. All the accommodation was small, barns and inns. There were a couple of players there, and some who wanted to stop and take a picture with Phoenix. Phoenix then had to explain further his small rise to fame, and then drop straight afterwards. But there was something odd. There was a large cave in a rock face to the left of the village. It must be where the monsters spawned. Phoenix, Frosty and Krystal all rented rooms. But they were free. The NPC's at the desk simply said. "You won't need them for long."

So making it to their rooms with half an hour to spare the trio decided to rest. Phoenix had to admit, it was ominous. Free rooms, food and the message from the NPC. It was all a little strange. Phoenix wasn't worried, but just in case he kept one of his swords drawn. While he waited Phoenix had some time to think. It had been a week since Tems death. And yes she was very dear to him and the others. But carrying her bow around everywhere, was it helping him, or dragging him lower. But it had been a week, and he needed to grieve. But he wasn't exactly helping the process either.

It was two minutes to the Yetis came. All thirty players who had arrived stood outside the cave. Every player was tense. Fear falling over every single player. Each one of them trying to concentrate, on what they were going to do tonight. Thirty seconds, Phoenix had an explosive arrow drawn, and he stood by Frosty and Krystal, who had their weapons draw. Phoenix smiled when he saw Krystal try and look tough. Just like Tem used to. Ten seconds, everyone was beginning to walk into the cave. Five seconds, a blood chilling howl erupted from the cave, making some players jump. Zero, fifty fifteen foot tall, bulky, hairy, creatures erupted from the cave, tearing into the crowd of players. At least ten players were taken out immediately. But after that everyone knuckled down. The remaining archers and Phoenix shot fire and explosive arrows at the Yetis. Putting massive dent in their health bars.

And after that all the remaining players mopped up the rest of the Yetis, which took only a minute. Their attacks were slow, and uncoordinated. And their attack patterns were pretty basic. After they were all dead the players began to celebrate. But Phoenix drew his swords. It was too easy, it was never that easy. Ever. Suddenly the ground under every players feet began to quake. Phoenix saw a massive shape emerge from the cave. It was twice as big as the little Yetis, it had dark blue fur, it carried a giant double edged sword made out of ice, and had blood red eyes.

Everyone froze. No one was expecting this. And no one had their weapons out. "Scramble, I'll keep it busy." Phoenix yelled. Rushing forward, both swords drawn, and glowing. As Phoenix ran forward he noticed one of two things. As soon as he started moving, the giant yeti's eyes focused in on him. And while the others ran and regrouped, it only focused on him. This monster could prioritise. That showed a certain level of intelligence. This was concerning.

Using his magic Phoenix jumped twenty feet in the air, while traveling one hundred miles an hour. Phoenix aimed straight for the throat. But instead he was swatted out of the air, by a metre wide palm. Phoenix was thrown sideways. Stunned by the force of the blow. The Yeti then turned its attention to the fleeing players. But one player stood to face the giant monster. A little girl, no more than fourteen. It was Krystal, her katana glowing bright red, and ready to fight. And Phoenix watched hopelessly as the giant sword swung downwards. Right towards Krystal. Their blades met with an almighty boom. And Phoenix cringed, waiting to see the body.

But Krystal was fine. She had survived the massive blow, and was pushing the massive beast backwards. How was she so strong? And as if Phoenix couldn't be more baffled, Frosty ran up the giant swords edge, spun in a full three hundred and sixty degrees, and imbedded the scythes blade in the side on the yetis head. The fore of the hit actually made the giant beast stumble. How? How were they able to be so strong and fast?

Then Phoenix remembered that this was a boss fight. He tore forward feeling the power behind him, and hearing the resounding sonic boom, and he tore off towards the Yeti. And now that it was off balance. It couldn't block, or attack. Phoenix literally shot through the Yeti, literally he shot through the other side. Taking out a whole bar of the yeti's health. But there were still two more left. So Phoenix flipped over in the air, and drawing both his swords back over his head, he plunged downwards, and stabbed both swords into the yetis back, struck by the fire, and electric aspects Phoenixes swords, the yeti was forced to its knees. Phoenix also noted that the yeti had been poisoned. Frosty's Scythe must have had a poisoned tip. Nasty.

All three players stood at each other's side. "Ok, we need to hit hard and fast, evade the first attack and hit as hard and as fast as possible." Phoenix said, as the Yeti began to climb to its feet. As one, the trio ran forward, dodged the first attack, and leaping upward they attack with everything they had. Krystal shot forward with an absolute flurry of slashes and swipes across the yeti's chest. Frosty spun around like a tornado, creating deep wounds along the creature's arms, legs and face. Phoenix activated supersonic, and flying forward he slashed the great beast so many times across the chest he lost count. And when the magic wore off, Phoenix kick of the Yetis chest, whipped out Tems bow, and fired three explosive arrows at one time, directly into the Yetis face.

There was only a sliver of health left. But then something unexpected happened. Vlad, Krystal's eagle, swooped out of the sky, raked its talons across the Yetis eyes, and killed it, eliminating the last of its health. The yeti, with an almighty wail, exploded into a cloud of experience. Phoenix levelled up to Level eighty-seven, and Both Frosty and Krystal were now level eighty. And since they got the last hit in Krystal got the legendary meteorite bow. "Congrats, though I wasn't expecting Vlad to make a surprise entrance." Phoenix said exchanging high fives. "Yeah, I was waiting, and I got an achievement for that." Krystal squealed, holding the bow in her hands. It looked like it was made out of heated metal, but was cool to the touch, a dragon figure head, and its special ability was turning normal arrows, into explosive arrows. "It's well deserved." Frosty said sheathing his scythe.

Then a small option came up on Phoenixes HUD. Pressing on the icon, Phoenix had won something for getting the second last hit with a bow. "What, oh no way, no way." Phoenix said excitedly pressing yes. "What is it?" Frost asked walking over just in time to see a small amber coloured object fall into Phoenixes hands. "A Phoenix companion egg." He said excitedly. "What? You lucky duck Phoenix." Krystal yelled, inspecting the egg. "Um, why is this so good?" Frost asked, clearly not in the loop. "A Phoenix is the rarest, and most powerful animal you can get as a companion, and they can't die." Krystal explained, rubbing her eyes just to be sure.

But there was a problem. "How am I going to hatch this egg?" Phoenix asked. Frosty and crystal frowned. "Well, there's a hatchery on floor fifteen, but it would take a day to hatch." Krystal said musing the idea, as the town started to disappear around them. "Then that's where I'm going, I was heading there tomorrow anyway." Phoenix said. Saying goodbye to both of them Phoenix used a crystal to teleport to the local ski lodge, and renting a room, Phoenix collapsed from exhaustion. It had been a very busy night after all. The next day Phoenix spent a few hour skiing at the resort. Which he was just as hopeless at, as he was when he was ice skating. But he didn't care, this was what he needed. And he now had in his possession the best pet companion in the game. And it was a Phoenix, it was meant to be.