Chapter 71: Returning with Full Hands (II)

The shelter finally appeared before them, the silhouette of the building against the infinite white that now dominated the region. Dante spotted it first, squinting against the icy wind that cut his face like tiny invisible blades.

The snow, gentle just a few hours ago, had turned into a harsher storm, wrapping everything around them in a curtain of ice and silence.

He instinctively raised his arm, shielding his face against the cold that easily seeped through his clothing. Even though it was a fabric given by Freto and Crish, it couldn't withstand much, becoming damp and heavier.

He glanced at the others behind him. He sank his feet into the accumulated snow, carving out a better, less exhausting path. He wished he could predict the storm, but fortunately, they were already close.

There was no one else on the streets. The silence was almost absolute. Cars had been buried under the snow, white blankets covering both the interiors and exteriors. The potholes in the asphalt had disappeared. The ground was more of a trap than a road.

He hadn't seen much snow when he was younger. Of course, distant mountains had their peaks covered in it, but he had never touched it directly. His father used to say that winter was always harsh but should never be compared to places where it snowed.

"Now I understand why."

Jix heard him and asked, but Dante simply said he was thinking out loud.

They finally reached the building. The door had been closed from the inside, its wooden surface covered in frost. He knocked three times, each thud echoing like thunder.

There was movement inside, but no one opened the door. Dante looked at the people behind him, trembling, nearly frozen. Marcus approached from the side and joined them.

"You can open it. Clara seems to be on the top floor."

Dante nodded, grabbed the handle, and pushed. The door groaned under his strength, stuck from the inside. He let go of the handle, slightly displeased, and opened his palm, placing it at the center of the wood.

In a second, air was released, shattering all the frost at once, the shards falling piece by piece. Then, with a lighter push, he fully swung the door open.

Dante was surprised when he stepped inside. Before, the first floor had been a scene of absolute desolation, just piles of rubble, accumulated trash, thick mud, and invasive plant roots intertwining through the cracks in the concrete.

Now, however, Clerk's meticulous work had breathed new life into the place. He had restored the floor, cleaning every inch until the worn markings of the old tiles were visible. The pillars, once leaning and covered in moss, had been repaired and straightened.

And the hall, though modest in size, had a resilient charm, a simple refuge, but enough to shelter those in need.

"Dante." Clerk himself stood there, holding a piece of iron, ready for an intruder. As soon as he saw him, he dropped it to the ground and opened his arms, a flare of warmth in his greeting. "I didn't expect you to return in the middle of the storm."

"I had a problem, but now we're all here."

Dante stepped aside, letting the group rush in, nearly stumbling in their haste. They trembled from the cold, their teeth chattering in a frantic rhythm, their clothes drenched, their hair and arms frozen. Some hugged themselves, trying to steal an ounce of nonexistent warmth, while desperate eyes searched the room for any sign of comfort.

Clerk's expression twisted into genuine concern.

"My God. This is… horrible." He swung his arm towards everyone on the first floor. "Go, get clothes and blankets. We need to warm these people up. And call Clara and Meliah."

Marcus stepped inside and removed his thermal goggles. Dante also placed Jix on the ground, who walked over to some familiar faces. The only person he didn't see was… Juno.

Turning around, she was still outside the building, shivering and chattering her teeth. But her eyes were fixed on him. She held a silent expectation, waiting for a gesture, a word, an invitation. The poor girl simply refused to be somewhere she hadn't been explicitly asked to enter.

"You'll freeze to death if you stay out there, idiot." Dante extended his hand. "Come on, if you die, what's the point of asking me to train you?"

Juno opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't. She just took another step and entered the building. Dante took the chance to shut everything, sealing the warmth inside the first floor.

Finally, after two days, he was back.

"Home sweet home," he said to Juno, patting her on the back. "Now, see that guy over there helping out? His name is Clerk. He'll get you some clothes."

Juno ignored him. In fact, the new residents of the Tower Island ignored Clerk as well. Some spoke in low murmurs, gesturing with their hands as they tried to grasp where they were, as if words hadn't yet settled in their minds. Their eyes locked onto the lit ceiling lamps, as if the light was a promise of something they hadn't been able to reach in a long time. They didn't notice Clerk, nor his presence, absorbed by the novelty of having electricity.

Dante didn't blame them. After all, when they installed the solar panel and battery, the older residents had the exact same expressions.

"Stop wasting my time." He gave her a playful shove. "Like this really impresses you, you shoot lightning from your hands."

Juno then seemed to connect the dots, nodding several times in silence. She walked over and sat on a stone bench, waiting for her turn to be attended to. She stayed there for a moment, her eyes slowly scanning the environment. Dante moved to the other end but was called by Jix, who was also watching the girl from a distance.

"We have two problems. First, stop being an idiot. Even if you can train her, you need to know how to do it. It's not just about hitting her."

Dante took off his heavy coat and then his suspenders.

"I know that. And the second?"

"You can't let Meliah find out this girl is the one who nearly sent his brother to meet God. And you know why."

"I know," Dante said, running a hand through his hair, shaking off the excess snow. "But honestly, even if he wanted to, I don't think he could. And besides, Marcus is probably upstairs talking to Clara already."

Jix wasn't satisfied. Meliah Jones might have negotiated the Lunar Stone, but he would never allow Juno to stay in the shelter while his brother recovered. In fact, what made it even stranger was that Degol Jones had been defeated by her so quickly.

No. Dante was sure she could do it. Her combat ability, her dexterity and precision, along with her mastery of conjuring those electricity-forged blades, were clear proof that the youngest of the Jones brothers had been humiliated.

Worse, Dante was completely certain Juno hadn't even used her full power. He didn't blame her, he couldn't either, for physical reasons.

"Now, Jix." Dante clapped twice. "I'm going upstairs to eat, and I'm bringing the girl. Want to join me?"

The old man glared at him, still grumpy.

"Of course I do, carry me."

Dante picked up Jix and placed him on his shoulder. As soon as he stepped onto the first stair, he felt a tug on his coat from behind. Turning around, both old men stared at Juno, now wearing a heavy red coat.

She had an innocent face but didn't let go before speaking.

"I… would like something to eat, please."

"Ha, of course." Dante pulled her towards the stairs, cheerful, placing her in front. "Upstairs, there's a lady who cooks really well. She always complains that I eat three times, you know? But I eat a lot. And I like the coat, red suits you."

The closed red coat was identical to Dante's. Juno ran her hand over the fabric, as if appreciating the warmth and comfort.

It was painful to remember that he had always had everything, and these people had nothing but fear, hunger, and hopelessness.

When they reached the second floor, Clara was waiting for them. She had changed into a heavy white robe that matched her hair, but this time, she had tied it back into a ponytail that fell all the way down her back.

Dante and Juno stopped immediately upon seeing her, stunned by her beauty. The girl seemed hypnotized, her breath caught for a moment, while Dante, for a second, found himself speechless, as if he had been pulled from his reality and transported somewhere distant.

He never needed to offer sincere compliments to others, but with Clara, he always found a new one.

'Ah, you've arrived.'

Juno took a step back when Clara approached, bumping into Dante. Clara smiled at her and reached out, gently running her fingers through the girl's black hair.

'I heard a rumor from Marcus, you know? He said you gave Dante some trouble. Is that true?'

'No… I…'

Juno simply had no words to respond. She was growing quite uncomfortable with this serene woman standing in front of her.

'It's okay.' Dante's broad hand rested on her shoulder. 'Actually, she did give me some trouble. Even made me sweat. It was strange, doesn't usually happen.'

Clara laughed. Dante expected her to scold him for leaving without warning, or for taking Marcus along, or for going against Simone, or for saying inappropriate things to Meliah. But Clara just smiled, as if none of that really mattered now.

'Well, we have a rule, young lady.' Clara held Juno's hands. 'Whoever manages to impress Dante gets to have seconds. So, do you want to eat twice? We have stew and meat.'

Juno's mouth watered just hearing it. So did Dante's.

'Meat.'

Clara nodded and pointed with her hand.

'That one over there is Juliane. Just ask her.'

Juno quickly ran toward the stew without even looking back. Dante felt a little betrayed. He let Jix go too, pointing out and giving Juno directions on where to get plates and utensils.

And so, he was left alone with Clara for that brief moment. She made a subtle gesture with her head, a discreet but firm nod, indicating the staircase leading to the upper floor. Clara wanted to talk, but not there, not with everyone around. The request was clear in her serene expression: she wanted something more private, more intimate."