Pain exploded in his limbs, racking his body.
He screamed.
And burst out from the shadows.
The snowstorm slammed into his face. A bone-deep shudder tore through him. He narrowed his eyes—
Nothing.
Visibility was zero.
Then a voice came from the storm, calm:
"So, I caught a sneaky little mouse in my trap, huh? Good thing we laid one that squeezes shadow users right out."
Alex turned toward the sound, eyes cautious.
The voice came again, smug:
"Don't bother trying to see. You won't. We were born in the Ice Domain. This snowstorm? It's like a child's play to us."
Alex growled back, "I knew it—you bribed the Umpire to win?"
A scoff.
"Listen to the commoner trash. Why would we bribe anyone when victory is already assured?"
Alex crept slowly through the blinding snow following the sound of the arrogant boy.
"How do you know that?"
The voice rose with arrogant pride.
"Is there even a doubt? We're from the Ice Phoenix Clan."
