The wind howled as Ryosen and Aegis reached a clearing blanketed in frost.
Ryosen exhaled, breath turning to mist. "This cold is unreal…"
Aegis raised his shield instinctively. "We're being watched."
A soft crunch of snow.
A figure stepped out from between the trees.
Old, older than any man should be. Hair long and silver, eyes glowing with a calm, ancient gold. A white cloak fluttered behind him, untouched by the wind.
Ryosen froze. "Who!?"
The silver-haired man lifted one finger.
Ryosen's Buddha statue ignited behind him on reflex, radiating blinding golden light.
And was instantly snuffed out.
Like a candle in a storm.
Ryosen gasped, staggering. "W-What?!"
Aegis lunged forward, raising his shield.
The man simply looked at him.
Aegis stopped mid-step. Not locked, not frozen, But unable to move.
"Your hearts burn too loudly," the old man said calmly. "You disturb the mountain's sleep."
Ryosen forced himself to stand. "Who are you?! Are you with Typhon?!"
The silver-haired man chuckled softly.
"Typhon…? No. He fears me."
Ryosen's eyes widened. "Then, help us fight him!"
The old man smiled gently, shaking his head.
"Typhon is not mine to defeat."
He walked past them, his footsteps leaving no trace in the snow.
Aegis struggled. "What… are you talking about?"
The man stopped.
"There is another heart," he said softly. "One born with the power to cut fate itself. One who will end Typhon's storm."
Ryosen blinked. "Who…?"
The man didn't answer. But he whispered one faint phrase before disappearing into the mist:
"…the Heart of Creation…"
Aegis's eyes widened. "Creation…?"
But Ryosen was frozen stiff.
Because only one person in the Haven had a heart even rumored to bend reality…
The silver-haired man vanished as if he had never existed.