Strange Rune Sisters

The late afternoon sun cast a faint, golden glow over the frozen expanse, though its warmth was barely a memory beneath the icy winds.

Vastarael walked ahead, his white hair glinting against the snowy backdrop, golden eyes scanning the horizon. The cold was not bothering him, but the real threat loomed in the signs of an approaching blizzard. Behind him, two figures trailed, their laughter faintly audible over the crunch of snow beneath their boots.

"When I said I wanted to visit the Winter Labor, I did not expect to be accompanied by two of the chief's daughters. Did your father even approve of this?" Vastarael began, slowing his pace as he glanced back.

Rienne, the elder of the twins, shrugged nonchalantly as she adjusted the fur-lined cloak draped over her shoulders.

"Why wouldn't he? Who better to guide you through these parts?" She replied with a smirk, her dark eyes twinkling mischievously

Taryenne, the younger sister, let out a soft laugh, though she avoided his gaze. She clutched the straps of her pack tighter, as if bracing for Vastarael's reaction.

"Well, he doesn't exactly know."

Vastarael stopped abruptly, turning to face them fully. His imposing frame was highlighted by the winter light, making the girls pause to admire him for a split second.

"Let me get this straight. You decided to join me without asking your father's permission? Do you have any idea what he'd think about this?" He said, folding his arms over his chest.

Taryenne waved a hand dismissively, her breath forming misty clouds in the frigid air.

"Oh, come on. It's not like we left the caravan to fend for itself. They need to rest after the avalanche. Most of the sleds are damaged and they won't be moving for a week or so. Father knows that."

Rienne nodded quickly, chiming in, "And besides, you needed someone to guide you to her. We've been to here before. Well, close enough but no one else knows the way like we do."

Vastarael raised a skeptical eyebrow, his golden eyes narrowing. He sighed, shaking his head, though a small, reluctant smile tugged at his lips.

"What exactly makes you think she'll even let us in? She's literally creating a blizzard to stop us from migrating."

Taryenne rolled her eyes, stepping forward confidently.

"She'll make an exception. We've done this before and besides, with you looking like that, I doubt anyone would dare turn us away."

Rienne giggled softly, adding, "She's right. We're your best chance to get there and she's not as scary as the stories make her out to be."

Vastarael exhaled deeply, his breath visible in the cold. He wasn't mentally prepared to experience his Bane at all. Every single time he was alone with a girl, except Elyonari of course, trouble always followed him. He turned back to their path, motioning for them to follow.

"I'm not sure whether to call this bravery or foolishness. But... fine. If you're coming along, let's move quickly. That blizzard won't wait for us and I'd rather not spend the night buried in snow."

As the three of them stood at the base of the towering mountain, Vastarael adjusted his footing on the uneven snow, the sharp wind whipping his cloak around him.

He glanced at Taryenne and Rienne, who exchanged a brief nod before breaking into a sprint. Their forms blurred as they dashed ahead, their movements impossibly swift and graceful, leaving Vastarael momentarily stunned.

He narrowed his eyes, intrigued.

'Humans... moving like this?'

Vastarael broke into a run as he pushed his speed to match theirs. The snow beneath his boots compressed and scattered in his wake, but no matter how much he quickened his pace, the two sisters stayed ahead, their bodies darting over icy terrain with an uncanny precision.

It didn't take him long to notice the faint shimmer around them, barely perceptible in the fading daylight. Then he caught it; the subtle movements of their lips.

They were speaking in the Xinoraci Rune language, their voices low but deliberate, each syllable resonating like a spell woven into the air.

"Xinoraci Augmentation..." Vastarael murmured under his breath, realization dawning on him.

He continued running but couldn't help observing. Each word they spoke seemed to imbue their bodies with bursts of speed and agility, enhancing their endurance and allowing them to push past what should have been their physical limits.

The runes were spoken, forming invisible glyphs that danced along their limbs, empowering every step.

The sheer mastery with which they wielded the runes left Vastarael astonished. He had studied the Xinoraci Runes extensively, understanding their potential, but he had never thought to use them on himself.

His divine physique made augmentation redundant, yet seeing these mortal women harnessing the ancient power so effectively... it was humbling, almost inspiring.

"You're good," Vastarael muttered as he caught up to them, his voice audible over the rushing wind. "Really good."

Rienne threw a glance over her shoulder, a sly grin playing on her lips.

"You think this is good? We're just warming up."

Taryenne, quieter but no less determined, added, "The tribe doesn't need to know everything."

Vastarael's golden eyes narrowed at that.

'So it's a secret, then? Interesting.'

He pushed the thought aside as the temperature plummeted further, the wind now screaming through the pass. He could feel the snowstorm closing in.

"We're heading straight into it!" Vastarael called out, his voice cutting through the gale. "Do you know where we're going?"

Taryenne pointed ahead, her movements barely hindered by the snow.

"Trust us! There's a cave near the peak. We'll make it!"

The storm hit them with full force just as the dark silhouette of the mountain loomed closer. The snow became blinding, the howling wind erasing the world around them. Even Vastarael, with his enhanced vision, struggled to see through the swirling frost. He slowed slightly, relying on the sisters to guide him. Their voices rang out in the Xinoraci tongue, the faint glow of their runes illuminating the storm briefly before fading.

"This way!" Rienne called, her voice nearly lost in the chaos. She veered left, leading them to the dark mouth of a cave carved into the mountain's side.

They stumbled inside, the howling wind muffled the moment they crossed the threshold. The cave was shallow but offered enough space for shelter.

Vastarael shook the snow from his cloak and hair, his golden eyes sweeping the space as the sisters leaned against the rocky walls, catching their breath.

"Not bad," Vastarael said, his tone admiring despite the circumstances. "You led us through that storm like you've done it a hundred times. I can't believe you took my rune lessons seriously. You learned how to control your energy by speaking the Xinoraci language."

Taryenne smirked, though her breaths were heavy.

"Maybe we have. This place isn't the easiest place to reach, you know."

"Still," Rienne added, brushing the frost from her sleeves, "it's safer here than out there. And we both know you held back for our sakes. You can go faster, can't you?"

Vastarael nodded, materializing small sapphire shards. He stabbed the cave walls with them, their blue hue casting a soft illumination around the cave.

"We'll rest here for the night. But tomorrow, you're going to tell me how you learned to speak Xinoraci Runes that well. I feel like you're hiding something."

Taryenne raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her smirk deepening. Rienne, on the other hand, avoided his gaze, fiddling with her cloak.

As the light filled the cave, Vastarael found himself watching them both with a newfound curiosity.

'Who exactly are these sisters?'