Mental Exploration

Aboveground, the wind howled like a beast with endless hunger, tearing through the buildings and walls of the military base as if trying to rip apart the last fragments of human resistance.

Heavy snow fell from the eternal night sky, blanketing the ground in a suffocating white shroud.

The soldiers inside the enclosed sentry towers felt something strange about this night's winds.

Their intuitions were right as beyond what the naked eye can see, colorful strands like ribbons danced with the wind.

....

The fruit rested lightly in Nanzhi's hand, its icy surface smooth and cold.

Delicate frosty web-like patterns over the skin, chill from the fruit seeped into her palm.

She brought it to her lips, her breath hitching slightly from the cold.

She took a careful bite.

The fruit cracked softly, releasing a cool sweetness that melted across her tongue.

Nanzhi didn't expect it to be sweet.