Intermission Chapter: The Blizzard’s Embrace

Heya me again, I've been pretty busy and going out of town for a week so i can probably focused on one novel during a entire week.

So I'm focusing on my 000 instead of my other novel but i already have this chapter writed like months ago when deciding which world next after DxD before settling on Nasuverse.

I definitely gonna do HI3 because it's already spoiled in 002 but the beginning probably different than this or not I'm still not decided.

So instead of this chapter staying in my trash bin better to just post it for intermission until I'm back and can write more.

Don't forget to give me your feedback on this chapter thank you~

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The mountain was unforgiving, blanketed in a raging blizzard that howled through the jagged peaks. Snow whipped in every direction, obscuring the place in an endless white void. In the midst of this blizzard, a lone figure struggled forward, her small frame dwarfed by the merciless storm.

Kiana Kaslana, fourteen years old, trudged through the snow, each step heavier than the last. Her silver hair clung to her face, damp and frozen, and her piercing blue eyes narrowed against the biting wind. The thick coat she wore provided little comfort as the cold seeped through her bones.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, her lips numb and cracked. "I thought I could make it before this blizzard hit. Stupid. So stupid..."

Her body ached, her muscles screaming for rest, but she pressed on. She had no choice. She had to keep moving. For finding Siegfried Kaslana, her father.

Her mind drifted to the beginning of this journey. She had woken up in the middle of a forest fire, flames consuming everything around her. The air was thick with smoke, and the acrid scent stung her lungs. The world was a blur of red and orange, the heat unbearable.

She didn't remember how she had ended up there, nor what had happened before. All she had was a single note clutched in her trembling hands, its edges singed by the fire.

"Go East," it read in her father's unmistakable scrawl.

No explanation. No clues. Just those two words.

The memory made her clench her fists, even as they trembled from the cold. "What kind of father leaves their kid in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a stupid note?" she muttered bitterly, her voice barely audible over the storm.

The wind grew harsher, each gust feeling like knives against her skin. Her vision blurred, her strength waning.

"I can't believe this... Damn it, old man!" she growled, her anger bubbling to the surface. "You just had to leave me with nothing but a stupid note! Not even a clue, not even a damn map! What the hell were you thinking?"

Her voice cracked, but she didn't care. She shouted into the storm, her frustration and despair spilling out.

"Did you even think about what I'd have to go through? Or did you just decide to dump everything on me and disappear? You selfish, stupid—"

Her knees buckled, and she collapsed into the snow, gasping for air. The icy ground sapped the last of her warmth, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"I hate you for this, old man... leaving me like this... to die in this godforsaken blizzard," she muttered, her voice breaking. Tears welled in her eyes, freezing against her cheeks as they fell.

Her vision darkened, her body succumbing to exhaustion and cold. Just as her consciousness began to slip away, she saw something—or someone—approaching through the snow.

A figure cloaked in heavy fabric stepped into view, their form barely visible against the storm. They stopped in front of her, their presence somehow shielding her from the wind.

"Who...?" Kiana tried to speak, but her voice was barely a whisper.

The figure leaned down, their face obscured by the hood. A soft voice, tinged with sorrow, broke through the storm. "Poor you."

And with that, Kiana's eyes fluttered shut, her body falling limp in the snow.

-----

Kiana stirred, her body slowly waking up. At first, she expected the biting cold to greet her again, to feel the harsh sting of snow against her skin. But instead, there was warmth.

She blinked weakly, her senses sluggish as she registered the soft sensation enveloping her. Her body was wrapped in something thick and comforting, and beneath her, she could feel the plush give of a mattress.

"Where...?" she murmured, her voice hoarse and barely audible.

With great effort, she opened her eyes, the dim light of a small room coming into focus. The walls were wooden, rough yet sturdy, and the faint glow of a fireplace illuminated the cozy space. She was lying on a simple bed, covered in heavy blankets that radiated warmth.

Her gaze wandered to the window beside her bed. Beyond the frosted glass, the blizzard still raged, the wind howling and snow swirling violently. Yet here, inside this cabin, it felt like a world apart—silent, safe, and warm.

Kiana slowly pushed herself up, the blankets slipping off her shoulders. Her body ached, but it was a dull throb now, far removed from the biting agony she had felt before. She looked around the room, taking in her surroundings.

The bedroom was simple, with little more than the bed she lay on, a small wooden table, and a single chair tucked into the corner. A faint scent of herbs lingered in the air, mingling with the warmth of the fireplace.

Her fingers brushed the fabric of the blanket, its softness unfamiliar. It wasn't something she had owned—someone had wrapped her in this, someone had brought her here.

"Who...?" she muttered, her thoughts muddled.

Sliding her legs off the bed, she tested her footing. The wooden floor was cool beneath her feet, but not uncomfortably so. She made her way to the window, her hand resting against the frosty pane as she peered outside.

The snowstorm was as relentless as ever, the mountains hidden behind a veil of white. She traced a finger along the cold glass, her mind racing.

"Where am I?" she whispered.

Turning back to the room, her thoughts shifted to the one who must have saved her. The memory was hazy, but she recalled a figure in a cloak, their face obscured, their voice soft.

"That person..."

Taking a deep breath, Kiana steeled herself and moved toward the door. The warmth of the cabin filled her with an odd sense of security, but she couldn't shake the nagging question in her mind.

Who had found her in the storm, and why had they brought her here?

But Kiana didn't have to wait long for her answer.

Just as she was about to open the door in front of her, it suddenly swung open toward her—fast and unexpected.

*Bam*

"Gaahh!?" Kiana yelped as the door smacked her square in the face, sending her tumbling backward onto the floor.

"Ow, ow, ow..." she muttered, clutching her nose and forehead, both throbbing from the impact.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't expect you to already be awake," a girl's voice said from above her, filled with genuine concern.

Kiana rubbed her forehead angrily, ready to lash out at the person who had hit her with the door. But when she raised her head to see who it was, her words caught in her throat.

Standing before her was a girl who looked a little taller than her, with long, pure white hair flowing elegantly down her back—so similar to Kiana's own hair that it startled her. The girl's bright blue eyes also mirrored Kiana's, yet they seemed deeper, calmer, and more confident.

But what truly struck Kiana was how different they felt despite their similar appearance. The girl in front of her exuded maturity and beauty, a sharp contrast to Kiana's youthful and almost childlike demeanor. The realization stung slightly—Kiana's body had always taken longer to grow, and standing next to this girl only seemed to emphasize her insecurities.

[IMAGE]

Still, she couldn't look away.

Her chest suddenly tightened, her heartbeat quickening in a way that confused her. It wasn't anger, nor fear, but something else entirely. It was as if something deep inside her had clicked into place, like she had been waiting for this moment without even knowing it.

Her face grew warm, her earlier frustration forgotten as she stared up at the girl. Kiana had no idea what was happening, but one thing was certain—she couldn't tear her eyes away.

"Are you okay?" the girl asked again, her voice softer this time, her gaze filled with concern. She reached out a hand to help Kiana up.

Kiana blinked, realizing she had been staring. She quickly grabbed the offered hand, her heart still racing as she stumbled to her feet.

"I... I'm fine," she stammered, avoiding the girl's eyes as her face flushed even more.

What was this feeling?

After helping her stand, the girl quickly began inspecting Kiana's forehead and nose, which had turned red from the impact with the door.

"I'm really sorry," the girl said gently. "I thought you were still sleeping, and I wanted to check if your fever had gone down."

"Y-Yes... I'm fine now. Thank you," Kiana replied hesitantly, her voice soft. "Are you... the one who saved me?"

"Yes," the girl said with a nod. "I found you walking in the middle of the blizzard while I was trying to find my way back to my cabin. I have no idea why someone like you would be out there in that storm, though."

Before Kiana could respond, the girl added, "But that can wait for later. Come on, I made some warm soup—it'll help heat you up from the inside." She gently guided Kiana to a dining room with a wooden table and four chairs.

The cozy room was illuminated by the warm glow of a fireplace that crackled nearby, filling the space with a comforting heat. The windows revealed the relentless blizzard still raging outside.

"Sit here, and I'll bring the soup for you," the girl said with a smile, helping Kiana into a chair before walking toward the kitchen.

Left alone, Kiana looked around the room. It was just a simple dining room, with nothing particularly noteworthy. She sighed and unconsciously touched her chest, which still felt as though it was beating unnaturally fast after seeing the girl.

"What... happened earlier? That's never happened to me before," she muttered, trying to calm herself.

Once she settled down, her thoughts shifted to the girl's appearance.

"White hair and blue eyes... She looks like a Kaslana," Kiana murmured to herself. "But I don't remember that old man ever mentioning another Kaslana out there..."

She frowned, trying to piece it together. She's too focused on that problem and forgetting about another problem that more obvious—why was a girl living in the middle of a forest, walking through a heavy blizzard? And how had she coincidentally found Kiana?

Her thoughts were interrupted as the girl returned, carrying a small bowl with a plate underneath. She placed it carefully in front of Kiana.

"Here you go. You were unconscious for a few days, so for now, this soup should be enough. We don't want to overwhelm your stomach, right?" the girl said, her voice warm and cheerful as she sat down across from Kiana.

Kiana stared at the soup. Steam rose from the bowl, carrying an aroma that made her stomach growl softly.

"Come on, don't be shy," the girl urged with a playful smile. "I'm proud of my cooking, so I'm sure you'll like it!"

The simple soup, filled with vegetables and bits of meat, didn't look extraordinary. But as soon as Kiana took a cautious sip, her eyes widened.

The taste was incredible—rich, hearty, and unlike anything she had ever eaten before. Her hesitation vanished, and she began devouring the soup, savoring every bite of the vegetables and meat.

"See? I knew you'd like it!" the girl said with a satisfied hum, watching Kiana eat enthusiastically.

In just moments, the bowl was empty, but Kiana suddenly froze, staring down at the table without saying a word.

The girl tilted her head, confused. "What's wrong? Did you not like it? Was something off with the soup?"

Kiana didn't respond. Instead, she stood abruptly, walked to the other side of the table, and stopped beside the girl.

The girl stared up at her in confusion as Kiana grabbed both of her hands and, without hesitation, exclaimed.

"Please marry me!"

"Eh?"

After that awkward moment, the girl burst out laughing.

"Haha, I can't believe you'd ask a stranger to marry you just because you like their cooking!" she said, her laughter filling the room.

"Don't underestimate someone who can cook! You have no idea what I had to eat when I was living with my old man," Kiana replied, frowning as she recalled the traumatic meals Siegfried had prepared. All she had eaten back then were burnt or failed dishes that left her stomach in pain for days.

After two years of traveling alone, surviving by eating whatever she could find or stealing foods, this was the first time she had tasted something really delicious.

"I see," the girl said with a soft giggle. "You must have gone through a lot if you're asking me to marry you just because of my food."

"I'm not going to pry into your life," she added with a gentle smile. "But I can't marry you—we're both girls. Still, if you want more of my cooking, I don't mind."

"What's wrong if we're both girls?" Kiana retorted, her tone serious. "My old man always said to fight for all that's beautiful in the world, and..." She stopped suddenly, her voice trailing off before finishing the sentence.

"Hmm?" the girl prompted, curious.

"Never mind—that doesn't matter!" Kiana said quickly, brushing it off. "What's important is that it doesn't matter if we're both girls—it's still fine to get married!"

The girl chuckled softly at Kiana's persistence. "Fufu, calm down first. We don't even know each other's names, and you're already talking about marriage."

Realizing the girl was right, Kiana blinked in surprise. "Oh..." she muttered, feeling slightly embarrassed.

But recovering quickly, she straightened her posture and said with determination, "My name is Kiana Kaslana. What's your name?" Her voice was filled with pride as she introduced herself.

The girl stood from her chair, stepping forward so that they were now face-to-face. With a graceful bow, she introduced herself.

"My name is Reina. It's nice to meet you, Kiana," Reina said warmly, a smile lighting up her face.