Where Memories Freeze

Snow.

But this wasn't ordinary snow.

It hung in the air — suspended, unmoving.

As if it had made a decision to no longer obey gravity.

I am Aren Kael.

And this place… is The Frosted Womb.

> "This land doesn't move.

It breathes… but it doesn't feel alive."

I said that while gripping the rod in my hand tighter, my breath fogging in front of me.

Tomo was on my shoulder, his light blinking faintly — slower than usual.

Tomo:

"Warning. Time flow — locked. External motion: zero.

Internal memories: overflowing."

> "Why is this place like this?" I asked, voice low.

Aika (from behind):

"Because even pain froze here. And the people, too."

There was a strange edge in her voice — like frost that had forgotten how to melt.

We stood at the edge of a glacier cliff.

Below us: The Frozen Graves.

Tomo:

"Shard Soul life signatures detected. They're not hostile... but they're broken."

I remembered their faces — hollow eyes.

Each had a glowing shard of ice embedded in their chest, as if someone had frozen their hearts to preserve their memories.

---

We descended.

There, we met a woman — expressionless.

She looked straight at me, and said:

> "You carry pain. Give it to me. I'll steal it away."

> "I need the pain," I replied. "It reminds me I'm still alive."

And then... she arrived.

Eira.

Hair white as snow.

A spiral symbol tattooed along her neck.

Eyes… devoid of all emotion.

Eira:

"You wear the Spiral's mark. You don't belong here."

> "I can't go back. And until I understand this... I won't leave."

She stared into my eyes — and for a moment, it felt like she was piercing through my memories.

Eira (softly):

"Your mother… she left you.

And yet, you still can't let her go."

My hand gripped my rod.

My heart — skipped a beat.

Tomo:

"Aren! She's accessing your memory core! This is mental warfare!"

> "You're showing me pain," I said, eyes narrowing.

"But I own that pain."

Eira:

"Then keep it. But remember — pain doesn't die here.

It becomes eternal."

Suddenly, a blinding ice storm erupted.

Whiteout.

We were all consumed by the storm.

---

Somewhere within the frost…

A figure stood still — same face, same eyes.

But no life in them.

Echo:

"And you think you can outrun pain?

No, Aren… I'm your reflection — and you'll never escape me."

---

To be continued…