With the success of their last mission, Kaz was sent out to meet up with Snow once more. Well, he more or less told the knights he was going to. They had learned about a string of villages on the outskirts that were also in need of help. The connections had been mostly cut between them.

The two mages took some time to gather the supplies they needed and had agreed to meet back at the first village. it was positioned near a mountain.

As he approached the area it was clear to see what the problem was. A large avalanche had toppled onto the winding path blocking travel.

Before they left the other village, the chief told them that this place had experienced darkness in the night. One that sucked the power from their lacrima, leaving them exposed to the elements and without power. The chief heard nothing more from them since that message.

Kaz sighed heavily at the inconvenience. He gathered up his mana and cast a violent gust of wind, blowing away some of the dense snow that covered it.

A quick shadow moved near the top of the peak. A figure that was cloaked in shadows and seemingly had a trail of darkness behind it. The figure faded away like shadows retreating from the light.

A small tunnel was beginning to form when there was a faint cry.

"HELP, Anyone!" A shrill voice cried out, carried over the cold snow. "Someone's buried in the avalanche," He took a step forward and scanned over the area. He turned and whirled trying to pinpoint the sound. It wasn't near or he would have felt the vibration in the wind. No...it was further up the side of the mountain amidst the dirty white snow.

He was ready to wander upward when he heard the sound of a familiar person approaching. Snow was sure to arrive soon and she would have probably noticed the mysterious figure as well.

wc 310

Kaz lowered his hand and the gust of wind he was releasing died down when he heard Snow speaking. "Yeah...Yeah I saw it,"he said in an unnerved tone. Unsure about what it was. Creature or a person that slunk away in its own darkness. "Whatever it is. We'll probably need to take care of it later,"he said even though it was obvious that they would. Having Snow here now lowered the stress of the situation. They worked well together before and he was glad to have her at his side for this one.

Seeing her search for a route up the mountain he was about to speak when she patted him on the shoulder. Had she actually given him a warm greeting? His immediate instinct was to make a quip about the moment but he didn't want to ruin it. "It's good to see you too Snow."

He stepped forward with her, "Once we get closer I may be able to sense their movements. If he used his magic who knows how much mana that would cost him to keep blowing all the snow away until they found them. A dangerous idea with the need to deal with that darkness later.

Instead, there was a series of large rocks dotting the side of the mountain, poking through the intense rush of snow from the avalanche. He took a rope out of his pack, "We can do this the long way if you want, I'm afraid if I use my magic to blow anything away it may put them in more danger." He dashed upwards across the wind to the first large rock and tied the rope around it. it was long enough to trail back down through the snow to where his comrade was with plenty extra. "We can also use it to lower the trapped civilians down," he called back, and there was one thing he was sure of. If she could control ice then perhaps if there was a second avalanche she could mitigate it.

The yells still echoed from an ice-covered cavern somewhere among the snow. Kaz searched for it and leaped to another rock to secure the rope once more. "I don't sense anything yet." He left her with plenty of slack so that she could climb it up another path towards rocks and they could fan out their search.

It wouldn't take long before their paths converged at a central rock higher up, and the yells became painfully clear that they were close. Kaz could feel the vibration in their breathing and quickly looked at Snow, "Here," he exclaimed, pointing at a thick patch of snow. "They're under there. Can you move the snow safely?"

WC 450

Kaz nodded as she trusted his plan of scaling the mountain. He hadn't even noted that he called her by a shortened name but she didn't seem to mind. It was nice to have that level of ease with someone. Snowflake was certainly a person he would trust. Even in the seemingly brief time they had known each other, he could tell she was a strong person walking a path to do good for others.

Finally having reached the people in need, Kaz took a much-needed breath. If there was one thing he neglected to train it was endurance. He stole some quick breaths as she cast a spell on the snow that imprisoned the people. He cupped his hands over his mouth and exhaled into them. Breathing some warmth back into them, through the gloves that he wore. Snow seemed unphased by the cold. Ah to be a mage with the power of ice right now.' he thought to himself.

The snow became a frozen layer and Kaz huffed as he helped her heave the sheet out and reveal the family beneath. Kaz wrapped his jacket around the shivering children as Snow lifted the woman out. The mother's eyes filled with joy and fear at the same time. "Thank you thank you thank you," her eyes got wide and her hands clammed up when Snow asked her how this all happened.

"We have to hurry and leave. It'll come back. Please run."

The woman frantically rushed to her children and held onto the rope. Just then the shadowy figure from before oozed back out over the snow. It's body rolled down the snow and rock like a liquid shadow. As it came closer, the snow rumbled and the rocks slide, threatening to create another avalanche.

Kaz stepped forward beside Snowflake, "Alright. How do you want to handle this one?" He asked as the wind gathered around him. it was less destructive than before but was still potent enough to take on this threat.

WC 1070

"On it," he replied as he stepped out to give her space. He gave a quick look back at the family that huddled together.

Gathering wind around his feet, he held his hands out to his sides and shifted his weight. The avalanche rolled down the mountainside and Kaz stomped his foot on the ground. The wind propelled him into the air and he soared above the rocks and snow. Beneath him, Snowflake had risen her hands. Ice spikes shot up in front of her halting the momentum of the slide.

Kaz smiled at her expert control over her magic. It was always an impressive sight to see. But now his focus went back to the lurking shadow. It moved back and forth erratically as if hunting for a way to keep on the assault.

It shot forward at the wall of spikes. Kaz rushed downward, and roared, sending a blast of air that erupted into a tornado. The attack sent snow and rock flying. Within the debris-storm was the shadowy figure upheaved by the wind. Kaz dashed at the figure and swiped his hand downward creating another tornado. The second attack sent the shadowy figure tumbling from the sky and rolling on the ground closer to Snow.

The shadows bundled up revealing a man beneath the cloth. A ragged and broken form. He shot his hand out. Webs of shadow flung forth at both Kazimir and snow. The wind mage dropped down and shot out a cone of wind blowing away the shadow-like tendrils and leaving an opening for Snow to strike at.

"It's too late. Even if you stop me, my brethren will decimate the other villages." The man hissed as his spells were being thwarted by the wind. He wasn't ready to go down so easily but left an ominous message for the team if he did. The family coward backward, staying behind the wall of ice.

WC 1380

Snow dashed in wielding her flaming blade. A contradiction to the cold ice that she exuded. IT made him wonder why she chose to use such opposing elements or if it was a way to truly find balance with her self. Either way, she swung it with devastating effect. The man fell before her strength and recoiled.

With a sword pointed at his throat, he gave up the motivations of his crew. Snow jumped into action and bound his body. Kaz was ready to escort him but Snow immediately began dragging him through the snow. His body bumping over the rocks with small groans of pain. Kaz simply shrugged and kept walking. The man deserved all the pain he got.

"The..village...is straight.. ow..through the forest. But like I said. It's too late. My companion planted a cursed artifact in the town. it's going to drain the will to live out of all the people."

Kaz whirled his head around. The very thought of something like that made his blood boil. Only amplified by the fearful yet smug look on the man's face. Without a word, he turned to guide them. He walked much faster now, his eyes ever alert not wanting to make the slightest mistake in taking them off course. "This is gonna be bad Snow,"He said, preparing himself for what was to come.

As they arrived at the village a woodsman walked out. His eyes were blank. An ax slung over his shoulder. He moved as if he didn't see them there. The woodsman's shoulder knocking into Kaz but the man didn't flinch. He then bumped into a tree and froze, but only for a moment before stepping backward to move around it. His eyes still nearly void of consciousness.

Kaz glanced over at Snow and shook his head. It saying all the deep regret he felt about what was happening. "We have to hurry." As they entered the village, they could see the people wandering the streets the same as the man. Lifeless husks that moved from place to place without a true destination. Some people laid in the streets on moving and just staring into the sky.

In the center of town was a large building. No doubt the Mayor's house. It was the only place in town that seemed to have two guards in front of the building. They were dressed in well-made plate mail and their eyes were less lifeless than the others but filled with an animal like aggression.

"Sneak in or break in?Kaz whispered.

WC 420
Total 1800

He gave her a simple glance over his shoulder when she spoke resolutely about her choice. They were going to break in. He nodded and adjusted the cuffs of his jacket sleeves. The mindless people wandered the streets still unaware of what was happening to them and what was about to happen to the town. When she stepped forward, so did he. Both of them moving towards their targets. Even in the brief amount of time they had worked together, they were in tandem.

Kaz walked forward as briskly as a sharp wind. Snow arrived first and struck the guards neck. His body crumbled to the ground. The second guard turned to see his ally down. His hand reached for the baton at his side. Kaz dashed off the ground, rushing towards the man and landing a swift blow to his body and tackling him into the wall. The guard's back cracked against it and a groan escaped his lips with spital speckling on his uniform. Kaz's shoulder was dug deep into his chest and as he stepped back the guard fell to the cold frosty ground at their feet.

"As ever," he replied to her as her foot was high in the air. He conjured wind around himself in preparation for whatever may be within the manor. Her swift kick splintered bits fo the door and sent it crashing to the ground. The hinges swung loose and free, half-torn from their fixture in the doorway.

A rush of wind and snow whipped into the house, scattering across the floor. It whistled in the halls and wooden shudders flapped against the frames that held them in place. Kaz took one step inside. His eyes scanned the room for any threats.

The room was large and had a crystalline chandelier above the center of the room. There were two sets of steps that led to a higher level, overlooking the rest of the manor. The walls were lined with paintings and floor-length windows. Shag rugs covered the floor in various places. nestled beneath the leather furniture. In the center of the room, directly beneath the chandelier was the only thing unconventional about the grande room. There was a large hole in the floor. One that led directly to the lower levels of the house. An eerie purple glow pulsed from the hole.

Before they could truly act, more zombified people scuffled out from doorways. Only this time their attention was on the two of them. One of the zombie-minded men was wearing finely embroidered robes. A mayor that had some extra coin to spend on fashion.

Kaz dashed forward and peered down the hole with the purple light coming from it. Floating in the center was a large crystal. The purple light pulsed from it and filled the room with light. Strings of purple light wafted through the air and wrapped around the people as gentle as a scarf made of mist. As it touched them the scarf would fade from existence. Sitting beneath the crystal was a man in a deep trance.

"We may be able to both launch an attack on it to destroy it," he called out to her and then dashed in a semi-circle around the hole. His movement caused the zombified people to stagger back. With a swipe of his hand, he sent a burst of wind to knock the zombified people down. He leaped into the air and took in a deep breath.  He held it in his lungs until the moment Snow was ready. When she launched her spell, Kaz roared and sent a vacuum of air tearing forth and smashing into the crystal along with snow's.

The crystal would shatter and disperse the purple energy, leaving the residents blinking and falling to the ground. Some groaned and others were out cold. The man in the trance roused to awareness but was pouring sweat from intense concentration. Kaz landed and helped the people back to their feet as Snow dealt with the man in the pit.

Once all was done, they would make their way out with two dangerous mages' taken care of. "Another mission down. It's been a pleasure as always Snow."

With that, Kaz moved towards the gate to leave. He stopped seeing the Inn next to him and how close the sunset was. He walked in the Inn and called it a night.

exit

wc 730
total wc :2530/2500

+5 intelligence