"Quite magnificent, isn't it?"

Tora surveyed the scene. Stage one of the Frostite invasion would soon be complete. The ice spread across the country, freezing all lifeforms it came across. The life energy would then be sucked into the earth's molten core as the realm struggles to remain viable. When the last of the snow glossed over the earth's surface, stage two – the rejuvenation stage – would begin. By that stage, no foreign demon would survive the splintering of the core and explosion of ice spikes from beneath the surface, with almost absolute zero atmospheres and mile-high, nigh-impenetrable walls.

The last time Tora had seen such a scene was during the war for the Smallgrills world. The Shifters were no match, of course, and Tora and her brother just watched through the veil the ugly goblins' world freeze over before collapsing in on itself.

And now the veil portrayed the same, but for her home.

"Not quite the word I would use."

"You still feel sentiment for that realm, huh."

Cimerus eyed her like she was a fascinating new science specimen.

"How long do we wait?"

"Patience was never your virtue, sister."

"Scouring the facility isn't that difficult, surely."

"It isn't that simple. The Artefact takes many different forms depending on the realm and its conditions. We have no idea what it looks like. These Sentinels are our only chance."

Irritation streaked through her body, leaving trails of flames on her dark skin. She kept her eyes on the three veils. Everlasting winter: what a frightening thought. All the humans must have turned to ice dust by now; no normal living being could have withstood that initial shockwave, much less something as fragile as they. She hoped Ross and Carlos made it. She couldn't bear losing any more of her friends.

Her heart ached at the thought of Damien. There was so much more she wanted to say to him, so much to apologise for. He was too innocent, too pure. Caught between the age-long battle of two powerful demon realms, he stood no chance. Her fists tightened until the bones emitted cracks. But his death would not be in vain. Markl would pay.

"Abaddeon has found them."

Cimerus's words snapped her out of her brooding. The veil had panned to a part of the city she'd never been to before. Behind spiralling towers and government buildings, a catacomb of interlinked blocks and bridges expanded before her eyes. It was almost like a miniature city within the high walls. Tora was sure the sight would have been a hell lot more impressive if the whole thing wasn't drowned in snow.

There, marching through the snow in formation, were armoured Sentinels. Through Abaddeon's Spectre eyes, the monochrome shapes moved in steady jerks, their metallic exteriors reflecting the weak sunlight. They stood out vividly against the pristine snow. It was such a pitiful façade; one bite would shatter their armours. Tora estimated about a hundred of them. Ten at the front clutched weapons. Markl wasn't one of them. The leading Sentinel held a longsword that parted the snow as they moved, leaving a trail of water behind. She had a long red plait and squared shoulders.

"Kerela," said a gleeful Cimerus. "You remember her, sister?"

"She led the first uprising," Tora said, her voice slow. The memories came back. "Took a lot of Shifters as hostages and used Lyre weapons on them to test the effects and limits."

"The mastermind behind utilising the Lyre weaponry."

"Tens of thousands of Shifters, she must have taken." Tora forced down a shudder. Only a Sentinel could have that kind of sadism.

"Marastema was one of them."

She scowled. It was just as well her faithful vice-general had escaped that prison back then, or else the cost would have been severe – although her father had no qualms about executing him, regardless.

Abaddeon scanned the surrounding. The veil rippled as his eyes zoomed in on the various signs sticking out of the sides of buildings. Beneath a thick layer of frost and ice, there were 'Experimental site A', 'Waste disposal', and 'Experimental site B' written on the plaques. It only made sense humans investigating the Artefact would place it in a secure government research facility. It was quite extraordinary how much work Markl had done whilst keeping everything under cover. The place was like a maze; tunnels and corridors wove in intricate patterns. The Sentinels remained silent as they marched through the facility.

Abaddeon flitted like a shadow, blending into the archways and alongside the long beams of broken light tubes. The light dimmed the deeper they went underground, although it made no effect on the sharp predator eyes of Spectres. His movements made no sounds. None of the Sentinels noticed him.

"If Abaddeon's tracking skills are so stellar, why did you not do this to locate me when I was exiled?" said Tora, watching the demon slither between the cracks in the walls.

She took no notice of Cimerus's sideways glance.

"It took many moons to usurp father. You know his paranoia and the power he holds. It was just as well all your generals and mine supported me and I had the element of surprise on my side... but that is a story for another day."

"And so it took you four red moons?"

"Three, and then one red moon to realise how lost you were."

She snorted; sharp air expelled from her nostrils like bullets.

"You could have collected me and then awoken Lilitha. Would have saved everyone the trouble."

"It isn't as simple as that." There was a pain hitching his voice. Tora turned, one eyebrow raised. "I wish it were, then it would be so much easier. It was so cumbersome flitting in and out of the human world to awake you."

"Oh yes, it was such an inconvenient to unleash demons on unsuspecting human beings repeatedly." She ensured none of the words could have been mistaken for sympathy.

"You had to awaken yourself. You had to access your own memories and realise who you really were. There was no way I could force you."

"And whose wise knowledge was that from?" She glanced at him at last. His lips twitched.

"Let's just say you aren't the first to be exiled by Beiomolt."

Abaddeon had trailed them to the heart of the facility. The place seemed oblivious to the electricity cut and tons of snow overhead. It was here the only trace of human occupation could be seen.

Humans in lab coats stood, resembling chess pieces on a board, in the large circular room. Their skin was grey through Abaddeon's eyes, translucent, and every single hair on their heads was held in place by microscopic branches of ice. The equipment around them remained relatively untouched bar a delicate sheen of frost on the screens.

To Tora's left, Cimerus leaned forward with anticipation. She frowned; there was nothing out of the ordinary there. The glass tube stood vertically in the centre, its surface frosted over, hiding its contents. She held her breath. The Artefact could be any form – what if it were something living? Or something very unstable?

Her muscles tensed. It was almost time. Piricca was ready at her spot. Tora swallowed, her throat dry. After all Markl had done, she readied herself for the chaos – but if the time came to it, she didn't know if she could kill someone who knew her so well.

The Sentinels surrounded that frosted tube – and crumpled to the ground.

The sound was muffled through Abaddeon's Spectre ears, but his eyes registered the Sentinels' places falling apart, collapsing in on themselves. Helmets caved into headless spaces. Weapons dissolved into nothing.

Tora's jaw dropped open.

Abaddeon seemed equally astonished. His eyes darted across the room, taking in every wire and button. Nothing was amiss. Confused, he looked back at the long, empty corridor. Nothing.

From afar – Tora would guess back in the snow-covered micro-city – an alarm blared. A backup generator must somehow still be working despite the conditions.

Tora's eyes flashed back to the Sentinels – or what remained of them. Empty places of armour littered the floor, with no hint that they were mobile or alive only moments before. Abaddeon was alone in that room.

Cimerus's hand whipped out. The two veils beside Abaddeon's view shimmered before displaying the city once more. Had the Artefact set off its sacrificial properties? Was there something they'd missed?

She glanced at her brother for a fleeting moment. He seemed more furious than frightened.

Before her eyes, the Frostites turned to the direction of the research centre, piqued by the alarm. One by one, they turned their massive bodies and headed in that direction.

It finally dawned on her what happened.

"Get out of there!" Cimerus barked, jumping to his feet.

Abaddeon didn't protest. His view swivelled without hesitation and silent feet carried him back the way he came. Tora's hearts thumped. The first veil switched to Piricca's view. The general's eyes skimmed the Frostites looming over the research facility. Around her, the Shifter army awaited with bated breaths, spread around the exterior of the buildings.

"It's a trap. Piricca – move!" Cimerus's voice cut through the air like a knife. "The Frostites are coming. Stand down!"

The order took too long to filter; all the Shifters were readied to storm and attack, not retreat. The ice giants spotted them and their eyes glistened.

Before Tora's very eyes, the ice in the ground rippled with life. Solid as it was, it moved like an extension of the Frostites, long limbs extending from deep within and shooting straight at the Shifters. The first hit sent the troops scattering. Piricca screeched, a manic expression on her face. Wings sprouted from her back. The little girl face melted, turning into hollow cheekbones and strong jaws. Her clothes vanished, replaced by sleek black skin that glowed like embers.

The Shifters followed suit. In a flash, a swarm of Embirites took to the sky, fireballs at the ready.

"What's going on?" said Tora.

"The bastard Sentinels!" Cimerus smashed his fist on the Smallgrill table, his sharp teeth bared in fury. "They knew Abaddeon was on their tail – and they knew I placed Piricca right outside!"

"They sensed him?"

"I don't know – it doesn't matter. We've fallen right into their trap." He tugged hard at his blonde hair before swearing violently in demon tongue.

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