The rocky hills were far behind them.
A vast forest surrounded the village, with a straight path that had led them here.
They stood just in front of the snowy village.
The village was covered in a thick layer of snow that ended at the village gate.
The moment snow somehow passed the gate, it instantly disappeared.
Or melted.
The trio stood in front of the entrance to the village.
There was no gate.
Just a broken sign hanging from the top of the post
"Vogue?" Thomas read
As far as they could see, the village was deserted
No one, not even the animals, moved within it
The broken sign swung from left to right
A creak with each turn
"There. You saw it," Leo said.
He turned toward the path he came from
Which led back into the forest
Leo walked past Autumn, who floated just inches from the ground
Her gaze was fixed on the village, yet she seemed to be looking much farther
"Wait," Thomas called
Leo stopped, his back turned
"The system has never done that before," Thomas said. "This obviously means something."
Leo clenched his jaw.
"Tsk! Are you kidding me?" he hissed
He turned to Thomas, eyes flaring.
But his gaze softened, when their eyes met
"Sorry," he muttered
"Come on... This can't be good," Leo added.
While the two boys spoke, Autumn moved closer
She hovered toward the entrance
The houses were made of wooden logs, snow heaped upon their roofs
The snow-filled ground made the houses look half their height
The cold air could be felt from just outside
It contrasted with the warmer air, behind her
"I think we should check it out," she said.
Her voice was so soft, the two never realized she'd spoken
"What?" Leo asked, pausing mid sentence.
"Don't worry, you can wait out here," Thomas said
Thomas walked toward the entrance and stopped beside Autumn
He briefly glance back to see if Leo had changed his mind
Their eyes met
Leo turned his back, arms folded.
Thomas shrugged before entering
The moment the two passed through the gate
The crown began to vibrate, slowly growing brighter behind Thomas
Autumn, who seemed lost in thought, was suddenly fully focused.
Her eyes flickering between multiple targets.
"What. The. Fuck." Thomas let out
His eyes locked in place
LEO'S POV
Back still turned, he waited.
It was awfully quiet. He could no longer hear Thomas murmuring
The forest, on the other hand, had its leaves shaking for some reason
Leo tapped his foot continuously against the dirt path.
Arms still folded.
Soon, he sighed.
Turning back to the snowy village
He walked closer to the entrance, peaking inside.
No Thomas or Autumn
Maybe they went inside one of the houses
Leo gripped the entrance post, making the sign swing faster
"Here we go again," he muttered
He pulled himself inside
The atmosphere was so different, he had to close his eyes.
It was like a blanket had been thrown over his face, except the blanket was filled with ice
Cold air washed over his face instantly
His nose burned the moment he inhaled
Leo turned to go back outside without opening his eyes
When he opens them though-
The village entrance was gone
Leo sighed
As he glanced around, his eyes grew wider and wider
His view expanded as the world spawned
The buildings stretched far beyond what he could see.
Towers rose through the snowfall. Roads branched in every direction, disappearing into the distance.
Leo's eyes widened.
This was no village.
It wasn't even a city.
It was a fucking kingdom.
End