The freezing mountain wind howled across the snowfield, carrying ice needles sharp enough to slice leather.
Arthur Pendelton and Chu Lingxiao walked side by side down the stone steps of the Volcanic Star-Forge.
Arthur’s golden breastplate gleamed brightly against the white snow. His two solar flame wings spread wide behind his back, warming the ground beneath his boots so that the snow melted into clear steam with every stride. In his left hand, he held the Excalibur-Dawn Holy Shield, its central sun-core pulsing with warm starlight.
Beside him, Chu Lingxiao floated three inches above the snowdrifts.
Her white Nine-Phoenix Starlight Battle-Dress fluttered gently in the blizzard. Spun from pure mythril-threads and celestial silk, the gown radiated a soft scarlet-and-gold halo that kept every snowflake from touching her skin. Her hand rested lightly upon the hilt of the Nine-Phoenix Immortal Sword.
Behind them, at the open bronze threshold of the forge, Lin Mo stood with a cup of warm tea in his hands.
Little Guo’er sat comfortably on Tie Niu’s broad armored shoulder, swinging her small feet in the air.
“Big Brother Lin Mo,” Little Guo’er asked, pointing out into the blizzard. “Are Sister Chu and Uncle Arthur going to play with the big blue snowmen?”
