Robb and Vuuxi rode relentlessly through the snowy expanse of the Lakhsa Mountains. After more than a day and night of grueling travel, they finally spotted a towering gate in the distance, standing proud among the snow-covered peaks.
"Aeterglace Gate, Robb!" Vuuxi shouted, pointing at the colossal structure gleaming like a frozen jewel amidst the sea of white.
Robb exhaled deeply, awestruck by its majesty. "It's magnificent. But we don't have time to admire it. Come on, Vuuxi—we need to move fast!"
Their horses, Snowfire and Goldstrom, powered through the snow with steadfast strides. The air grew colder, their breaths forming wisps of fog. As they drew closer, Robb and Vuuxi scanned the area for any sign of life—or for Eldros Aedrin.
"I don't see any guards," Robb muttered, furrowing his brow. "Do we just barge in?"
Vuuxi shook his head. "No, Robb. The cold here is beyond brutal. Our horses won't last long. We'll need to go on foot."
The nearer they got, the more obvious it became: the massive gate was sealed shut under layers of snow, glistening in the moonlight. They stopped in front of it, uncertain.
"How do we get in, Vuuxi?" Robb asked, frustration rising. "No handles. No gaps. I can't even find a mechanism."
Vuuxi sighed. "I don't know either, Robb."
After hours of trying everything they could think of, the gate remained unmoved. Exhausted and freezing, they collapsed onto the snow. Robb fiddled with a pendant in his hand—the two matching amulets, his and his brother's, had merged into a single coin bearing the imperial emblem on one side, and a radiant sun sheltering the Whiteheaven Palace on the other.
"Should we just head back? It's getting darker, Vuuxi."
Vuuxi looked at him, then shook her head. "And the emperor's trident? It's our only hope of crowning Rogg."
Robb gazed at the night sky, a crooked smile forming. "He never wanted to be emperor, Vuuxi. If not for the need to avenge his slaughtered people, he wouldn't have taken this path."
Vuuxi looked at him sharply. "And what about you? Why don't you want to be emperor? Isn't it your right?"
Robb chuckled softly. "To stand before people I don't even know and lead them? I have no interest. The Whiteheaven Empire is my ancestors' glory. But my glory? I'll build it myself. Bigger than Whiteheaven."
Vuuxi's eyes widened. "Don't tell me… Grifindor?"
Robb nodded firmly. "Exactly. I'll return to Bumi Yodha and build it as grand as Whiteheaven. Your struggle—our struggle—will birth a new era across the central lands of the Megido Continent."
Vuuxi gave a faint smile. "You've always had big dreams."
Robb looked at her curiously. "Then what's your dream, Vuuxi?"
She gazed at the star-filled sky and smiled contentedly. "I've found it, Robb."
Robb raised a brow. "Oh yeah? What is it?"
With warmth in her eyes, Vuuxi replied simply, "Family."
Before Robb could respond, a deep, raspy voice echoed from the darkness. "Are you two going to keep lying there like aimless wanderers?"
Robb and Vuuxi jolted upright. Standing before them was an old man holding a flickering torch, his tall, mysterious figure casting a long shadow.
"Bring your horses and gear," the old man said. "You'll depart at first light. For now, the storm still rages atop the mountain."
Without a word, Robb and Vuuxi followed him, realizing their journey had just entered a new chapter.
Nestled within the rocks was a small home, elegant in its simplicity. Though cluttered, it exuded a quiet grace. Nearby, a stable was carved into the stone, warm and neatly kept despite the raging snowstorm outside.
The three entered the house. Eldros sat in a sturdy wooden chair while Vuuxi rummaged through her bag.
"Old man, Mother sent this. Your favorite—Blue Bread," Vuuxi said with a smile.
Eldros' eyes widened. "Zeeva?"
Robb was just as surprised. "You know our mother?"
Eldros stared, confused. "Zeeva? But she's just a child…"
Robb chuckled. "Old man, she's a clan elder now—and a grandmother."
"Impossible! Just last week, she brought me Blue Bread with my cousin, Vortharian. Where is she now?" Eldros seemed lost, and they exchanged glances. Clearly, his memory was failing.
Vuuxi whispered, "Robb, we need to be patient. I think he's suffering from dementia."
Moments later, Eldros had forgotten the entire exchange. He suddenly glared at them. "Who are you? Why are you in my home?"
They had to introduce themselves repeatedly and show the Aedrin clan plate to convince him. When his mind cleared, he explained that to open the Gate of Aeterglace, they needed Frostfang—the ancestral sword hidden somewhere in the house.
Robb kept chatting with Eldros to keep him focused while Vuuxi searched through scrolls, carpentry tools, and scattered history books.
"What's your purpose in entering the Sacred Lakhsa Mountains?" Eldros suddenly asked.
"We seek Emperor Brovon," Robb replied firmly.
"I see," Eldros responded, seemingly uninterested. Instead of probing further, he sliced a piece of smoked bear meat from the hearth. "Here, eat."
Robb swallowed nervously, eyeing the massive, skinned bear hanging from the ceiling. "How long has that been hanging there?"
Eldros chewed casually. "Since it was alive. I speared it, skinned it, and smoked it right there."
Vuuxi put her meat down, slightly horrified. Robb chuckled. "Old man, you're either a genius or a psychopath."
Their conversation drifted to the history of the Doliex people and the origins of the Whiteheaven Empire. Despite his age, Eldros knew many secrets. And finally—Vuuxi found Frostfang, tucked among a pile of ancient parchments.
After that surprising dinner, they began preparing for their departure. As planned, they arrived before dawn at the gates of Aeterglace.
Eldros revealed a mastery of swordsmanship that took them by surprise. With elegant precision, he touched several formation points on the stone wall using Frostfang. A keyhole appeared. Then, with a single fluid motion, he thrust the blade into it—and the massive gate began to slowly open.
Robb and Vuuxi stood with jaws dropped."This old man remembers complex sword techniques," Robb muttered in awe, "but he can't remember what he had for dinner yesterday."
Eldros withdrew the blade and handed it to them."Take Frostfang. You'll need it to open the gate from the inside. Remember the formation points I touched."
Robb and Vuuxi exchanged glances and gave a confident nod—though, in truth, neither had the faintest idea which points Eldros had touched.
As they were about to leave, Vuuxi turned and said,"Old man, please take care of our horses."
Robb spun around, alarmed."Vuuxi, you seriously want to entrust our horses to someone who hung a bear alive?"
Vuuxi paused, then chuckled."Fair point."
Eldros only laughed softly, stroking his beard.
The gates of Aeterglace closed behind them with a resounding thud.
And so, their journey to the summit of Mount Lakhsa began—in search of Emperor Brovon and the fate that awaited them.