Steam rose from beneath the open window, shimmering in the air before it, while quiet sighs echoed softly.

  — Are you done?

  Mmhmm.

  Extending his hand, Noah handed the towel to Ting through the window. His eyes, turned toward distant places, searched for some point to fixate on. But the sounds of shifting water didn't help him concentrate.

  — Is everything okay? You can turn around if you want.

  It didn't take long for him to do so, as he had permission. Turning around, he showed no sign of hesitation.

  Ting frowned with suspicion. She saw open disappointment in Noah’s gaze, for he had found something different from what he desired.

  His eyes analyzed her from top to bottom, several times.

  — What happened? Is there a problem? — she sat with her legs crossed, causing the slit of her dress to slide open. She didn't like this new look she was receiving. — Maybe you didn't like this outfit?

  As she shifted the exposed leg, she watched his eyes follow the movement.

  — I wouldn't say that's the problem. Just... — even if he tried, Noah couldn't keep his eyes away for long. And he didn't want to, either. — I believe other people will like it too...

  — I don't think those people are in a situation where... — pulling the flap of the dress to close it, she forced his gaze up to her eyes. She thought it better to talk this way; it made her feel she was being heard. — Would you like me to change clothes before we go?

  Noah nodded.

  — Then what should I do with the other pieces that are similar to this one? Aunt Ling told me they were normal when she gave them to me... — letting go of the fabric, Ting watched Noah’s eyes follow the dress opening. Although it was a bit annoying, since he wasn't looking her in the eyes, she thought this might be a good way to ensure attention when necessary in the future. — Do you prefer I keep this type of clothing to wear only when we are alone?

  That is, if he is actually listening to me.

  — Yes, I don't think that's a bad idea.

  So he is...

  Ting stood up, and Noah immediately turned around. The sound of fabric sliding over smooth skin began to echo. Despite the lack of images, it was easy for him to imagine the scene unfolding two steps away from his hands.

  — Do you have this kind of problem only with me, or do you really have a habit of noticing other women's clothes?

  — ...Where I come from, we call this jealousy. — he spoke, fixing his gaze on the floor, for Ting’s shadow showed him the scene with exactness. — Although there are also the terms possessive and... controlling..., I think.

  — You think...? And why did you hesitate to talk about it? — she walked up to Noah, taking his hand. — Are you also possessive, Noah? How bad would that be?

  — I... don't think so...? — as he adjusted her clothes, he left no slit remaining that might show parts of her body, and then tied a firmer knot in the sash at Ting’s waist. — From what I’ve read, that refers to someone who views the other as property, and I don't think I'm like that. I just... want to be the only one who will ever see you.

  He hesitated again... Ting frowned, yet she couldn't tell which part of his words was a lie. Or did he hide something important?

  — It doesn't seem to me that those words are used with a good connotation in your world. — she pointed out.

  Noah gave a discreet, embarrassed smile before offering his hand to her again.

  When the two stood outside with the now-warm wind moving their hair, Ting looked at the house one last time before leaving. It had been a brief period; however, it was there that she gained a new chance and, in the end, suffered her greatest losses...

  I hope I don't have to come back here.

  Even if she tried searching as deep as possible in her memories, she couldn't find many good recollections of that place, for even they carried something bad accompanying them.

  However, her gaze to the northwest was longer, heavier, and sadder. In that direction, she would still come to walk, visit, and remember, no matter how much time passed. By leaving, she was leaving something there.

  See you soon, Aunt Ling...

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Noah felt the grip of her hand tighten.

  — ...Do you really not want to go see her one last time?

  She shook her head, denying.

  — If I went there, we wouldn't be able to leave this place today. — Just like her eyes, which were beginning to moisten, her incomplete smile served to reinforce her words. — Let's go... before I lose my courage again.

  Their steps were slow but steady. They could have flown, but Ting did not agree to it. She wasn't in such a hurry to see up close all the pain and destruction she still considered her fault, even if Noah had already said otherwise. It was frightening to think she would have to face them, and after a few steps taken, this always became clear. The tremors didn't stop; they were merely contained to the utmost.

  Looking around, Noah searched for something he could use to distract her. He could feel her shuddering, holding back. And he was able to hear her teeth grinding. He wanted to try to do something, even if it lasted for a mere moment. He wanted to act differently from how he had acted the previous night, and the answer came in the shape of a flower.

  — ...What do you think about picking some herbs before we go to the city? — he proposed, apprehensive.

  Noah was sure Ting liked alchemy; however, he couldn't tell if this was a good moment for such a proposal. If she refused, he would have to look for another answer, and he didn't know where else he would find one.

  The squeeze came, along with a wet smile.

  — Thank you...

  It took some time, but the tremors eventually ceased.

  At the end of the bluish terrain, the two walked over fresh grass where they could feel the softness of earth teeming with life. They had been in the forest for some time, yet only then did they manage to smell the scent of nature and witness its proper beauty, not one distorted in the form of frigid, glistening crystals. Something natural and susceptible to change, even the smallest ones caused by the breath of the winds.

  Loose leaves wandered in the open air.

  Such was the quantity of herbs in that place that Ting questioned to herself just how strange it was.

  The Qi in this place is truly abundant, but... is this really possible? Could simple natural abundance of energy cause this kind of event...?

  The herbs near trunks and bushes, as well as those living solitarily in the middle of the grass, carried life, a unique energy, and a certain special glow. They had roots that snapped when pulled, instead of cracking entirely like those Noah and Ting had tried to harvest in the past.

  — Do you want to stay here a little longer?

  Looking at the reddish sky, she denied.

  In that place, the breeze that swayed her hair and struck her face didn't suffer from large or sudden changes. During all the time they were there, it remained fresh and welcoming.

  Ting tucked the stray strands behind her ear.

  — I think I can do it now.

  She could almost say this was a pleasant place to live. Of course, were it not for the beasts encircling them with caution, all afraid of Noah.

  Throughout that entire day, the grip of her hands had never been so firm. Returning to the reflective, hard ground didn't change that.

  Ting took deep breaths a few times before the motionless gate. What was once irrelevant now showed itself to be a type of punishment, and the frigid air seemed to freeze her throat whenever she drew breath through her mouth. She needed to be honest with herself and accept that, deep down, she feared what she was going to find.

  I know everything was very sudden, so... She swallowed hard. How many were caught without having the chance to even try to protect themselves?

  Questions hammered in her mind alongside the guilt she couldn't or wouldn't, let go of.

  Picking her up in his arms, Noah leaped while Ting closed her eyes out of reflex. She didn't want to see everything so suddenly. She believed seeing it little by little would be better, easier to digest. Perhaps she was right; however, the difference wasn't clear to her. The sensation was terrifying.

  The beats echoing from all sides seemed to shake her entirely. However, her chest in particular was the most affected. Like a clock that, instead of showing the time, anticipated the reaction that would come moments later.

  As in parts of the forest that were further from the meeting point of the dispersed, altered Qis, the cold air crawling through those streets and alleys was brutal. Unbearable for many who tried to brave it for too long.

  Pulling Noah’s arm, Ting tightened her grip and pressed herself against him as much as possible. She felt she was getting closer. The beats warned her of something approaching.

  She froze as her brief scan of the surroundings locked with another's gaze. They were the unfocused, will-less eyes, let alone hopeful, of a frail-looking old man with wrinkled skin. Clutching some crude tools, he was straining to no avail, unable to even scratch the layer of ice covering the tiles.

  Ting felt her strength draining away. Tears fell.

  The pounding didn't stop, and it wasn't solitary. That old man wasn't alone. There were many others around; she had just been trying to ignore them to avoid facing the unfolding scene.

  She brought a trembling hand to her mouth, noticing her palm was also cold. Her eyes turned slowly, shakily, toward the people around her. After all, if even she was being affected like this, what would happen to those people who didn't even have Qi in their bodies?

  — What have I done...? — she murmured to herself.

  — Nothing. — Noah stated, gently touching her face. His fingers carefully wiped the tears escaping her eyes. — I told you, you bear no blame for this.

  Noah knew he shouldn't have taken her to that place. He knew he should have prevented it, and yet, he couldn't. He felt there was something he was meant to do there.

  But what...? He had questioned himself many times that afternoon.

  Yet no clear answer came to mind.

  — Blaming yourself won't fix the situation.

  — Y-Yes, they need help, not self-pity. — she said to herself, trying to wipe the ceaseless tears — I know that, but... there's nothing I can do.

  No...

  Turning to Noah, Ting looked at him with growing hope.

  ...he can.

  — Can you do it, Noah? Can you at least help them with the ice?

  He took a quick look around. He couldn't see any reason to try—

  Forget it...

  Those eyes fixed on him, shimmering with trust, were reason enough.

  Letting himself be carried by impulse, he touched her face.

  — I'm not sure... But I can try.