The Water Apprentice

Unomi wandered deeper into the heart of Viles, marveling at its crystal-blue architecture, the soft glow of lanterns, and the warmth of community despite the freezing air. As she strolled through the cobbled streets, a young girl caught her eye—a lively child with braided white hair and a sparkle in her eyes.

"Hey there," Unomi greeted with a smile. "What's your name?"

"Ulma," the girl replied cheerfully.

They began walking together, Ulma skipping beside her like they were already old friends. As they neared a shrine, Unomi noticed villagers kneeling before a statue of a serene woman carved from solid ice.

"So, if Khione is the daughter of Boreas, why don't you all worship Boreas too?" Unomi asked with curiosity.

Ulma smiled sweetly and replied, "Well, our fathers—the warriors—do pray to him. But we citizens… we may have the ability to control the cold, but we're not allowed to pray to him. We pray to his daughter because it's her soul that makes us become one with the cold."

Unomi nodded slowly, absorbing the depth of their culture.

"So that's why... Interesting." She smirked. "Tell me, do children have the ability to control the cold too?" she asked, jokingly.

Ulma giggled, then raised her hands, twirling her fingers gracefully. Freezing particles formed around her, then burst above Unomi's head, cascading down like shimmering snowflakes carved from diamonds.

Unomi gasped, flinched a bit, then laughed as the magical snow rained down. "That was beautiful!"

She looked at Ulma with admiration, then leaned closer.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

Ulma nodded eagerly.

"I'm not just a traveler. I'm the Warrior General of the Thruans Kingdom. And we're in search of someone."

Ulma's eyes widened in awe. "General Unomi?! I can't believe this! People love you here—your story inspires all the women in Viles. You fight for your people... for justice."

Unomi smiled, a little humbled. "Thank you. I didn't know my story reached this far."

Ulma beamed. "Who are you looking for? I might be able to help. I know everyone here—my dad's on the Council of Chiefs."

Unomi raised a brow, surprised. She looked around, then leaned in with lowered voice.

"Have you heard any rumors of an Arcadian?"

Ulma's face turned thoughtful, her finger resting on her jaw. "Hmm... I think I might have a clue."

Unomi waited, her heartbeat rising.

"There was a lady who died two years ago—Tiathar, the Mother of the Ocean. She was the only master here who didn't control ice. She controlled water."

Unomi's eyes widened.

"Rumors say she had an apprentice. No one knows where the apprentice came from. Some say Thruans, some say Whoops, some say Arcades. But... the Arcades version sounded more believable to me."

"Wow," Unomi whispered. "You really do know your way around."

Ulma nodded proudly.

"Do you know where I can find this apprentice?"

Ulma took a moment to think, her brows furrowing.

"Uhm... First or second hotel on Ice Way... no, the fourth building close to the market, just before the waterfalls."

Unomi chuckled. "I'm new here. Mind showing me the way?"

Ulma grinned. "Let's go!"

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Meanwhile, Kalamari stepped into the dark hall.

Pillars stretched high above him, etched with ancient magical glyphs. The room was vast, cold, and filled with a dim golden hue that shimmered off the inlaid designs.

He moved carefully, sensing something.

Then, a figure darted behind one of the pillars.

"Hello? Who is it?" he called out.

Silence.

He stepped toward the pillar but found nothing.

He turned again, catching a glimpse of a leg vanishing behind another pillar. He rushed over—again, nothing.

Once more.

Nothing.

It was toying with him.

Kalamari exhaled slowly, then stood still, letting only his eyes roam.

"You are a very powerful warrior... The first A-rank Arcadian I've seen," came a voice from the shadows. "I knew you would come."

Kalamari's stance tightened. "What do you mean? Are you saying you foretold this?"

"No," the voice whispered, smooth like mist. "My master foretold it. I am only the apprentice, carrying out her legacy."

Kalamari narrowed his eyes. The shadows were hiding more than just a figure. They were hiding history. Truth.

And perhaps—an answer to who he really was.

"Apprentice?" Kalamari asked, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.

The shadowy figure went silent for a moment, then responded with a teasing tone, "I want to know if what my master said about your strength and abilities is true. Why don't you try to catch me... while I move between the pillars?"

A chuckle echoed through the hall.

"Ha ha ha... Not even a god of speed can catch me when I'm in this room."

Kalamari lowered his eyebrows, unimpressed.

In a blur of motion, he glitched forward—appearing directly in front of her.

Startled, she ran into him, her fist lightly hitting his chest. She stumbled backward and fell, her hood slipping off. Her identity was revealed.

"Ouu! How did you...?" she gasped, her wide eyes filled with disbelief.

"You were moving in the same path over and over again," Kalamari replied, his tone cool and steady. "To you, it felt fast. But to the Overlord... you're just too slow."

She froze, staring up at him, trembling.

"The... the... the..."

Kalamari finished for her, "The Overlord."

She scrambled to her feet, overwhelmed. "But how...? When did the Soul of the Overlord choose you?"

Kalamari smiled faintly, offering her a hand. "You're the first Arcadian I'm telling this. So let's just keep it between us."

As she took his hand and stood, she replied breathlessly, "Us? Sure. But... how did you know I'm Arcadian? You didn't come to Viles alone, did you?"

"I'm the Overlord," he said simply, folding his arms. "It's kind of my thing. And no—I didn't come alone."

She exhaled deeply, still stunned, then lit up with a grin. "So the prophecies were true..."

Kalamari gave her a steady look. "So, Lakrima. Tell me about your master. And this place."

She blinked. "Wait... how do you do that? Are you reading my mind or something? How did you know my name?"

Kalamari chuckled, raising his arms slightly. "How come you don't know about the Overlord's abilities? I thought you Arcadians were all spiritual and... you know, enlightened."

Lakrima huffed. "I am spiritual! But I've never been an Overlord, so don't blame me!"

He smiled as she led him deeper inside the ancient sanctuary. Along the way, she told him stories of the Kingdom of Viles—of its creation, its hidden magics, and her master, Tiathar: the Mother of the Ocean.

As they approached Lakrima's doorstep, they heard soft footsteps—two sets—cautious and creeping, attempting to sneak in undetected.

Kalamari and Lakrima exchanged a knowing glance.

Without a word, they nodded—and moved swiftly to investigate.

Find out what happens in the next chapter.

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