The tension kept rising as Ice still hadn't returned.
Celestia stood there with her arms crossed, a flicker of hope in her eyes, convinced he would come back. But time kept passing, and even Ray's expression began to tighten.
He knew Ice was determined and quitte smart. But here, in this place, that wasn't enough. Survival required more than just instinct or logic. So far, they had only made it through by sheer luck. The luck of Celestia's sharp hearing, of not being killed by the river beast, of running into Jilius.
'What should I do?'
He knew he had to wait a few more hours at least. But if Ice didn't return, they would have to leave. That much was certain. A decision had to be made quickly. Something could find them at any moment. Or worse, their only way out could vanish before they even realized it.
''I don't think we can afford to lose more time.''
It was Natasha's voice that broke the long silence.
''Let's wait a little longer.'' said Ray.
Celestia, meanwhile, stared at Natasha with hostility. She too could sense that something wasn't right.
'She really is his sister I guess.' he thought
Natasha took a step forward, and Ray quickly straightened his back, his sword still resting close by.
''You know we don't have that luxury. Time doesn't belong to us in this place.''
''Then leave.''he said, pointing toward the corridor ''No one's forcing you to stay anyway.''
Natasha bit her lip nervously.
''I still have a connection with the Repentants.'' she said gravely. ''It's far too dangerous for me to leave without any of you.''
"But we don't need you. So you'll have to wait, just like he told you.'' said Celestia.
Her face was unreadable as she spoke, as if Natasha's presence meant nothing to her.
Ray looked at her with a hint of pride. Since they had met, she had grown way stronger and more confident in herself.
Natasha frowned.
"I'll say it one last time so you understand" she said. "That thing that was chasing us... the screams it made... there's absolutely no way to su—"
She suddenly stopped, seeing the near-crazed smiles forming on Ray and Celestia's faces as Celestia dashed past her. Then, a voice reached her ears that chilled her to the bone.
''Hello!''
It was Ice. He was back.
He looked soaked to the bone, but otherwise unharmed.
Celestia ran straight into him, nearly knocking him off balance.
''Easy now. I'm not in as good shape as I look.'' he said.
''You're really good at making people worry.'' she muttered, pulling away from his arms.
''Yeah, but you know I'm tough to get rid of.''he replied.
He gave Ray a quick glance. They exchanged a nod and a faint smile. That was all that was needed.
Then he turned his gaze to Natasha.
''Come here, Celestia. I think they need to talk.'' observed Ray
Celestia narrowed her eyes, glanced at both of them, then walked back toward Ray.
Even she had noticed the shift in energy between them.
Natasha quickly composed herself, a polite smile creeping onto her face.
''Happy to see you're fi—''
''Natasha. The ring'' he interrupted, his voice calm.
''What are you ta—''
''The ring, Natasha'' he repeated, his eyes steady.
There was no more doubt in his mind. From the moment he saw her eyes, he knew.
She had taken the ring when she grabbed his hand—maybe even let go on purpose.
He didn't know what the ring meant. Honestly, he didn't care much.
But it had been entrusted to him by a stranger who had saved his life and asked only one thing—deliver it to Verne.
If Natasha had stolen it, that meant she clearly had different intentions.
'That's why he didn't give it to her.'
It had always puzzled him. Why had Jilius given it to a stranger, when the one he'd spent years protecting was right there beside him?
Their relationship must have been far more complex than it seemed.
Ice let out a long sigh. This wasn't the time to dwell on that.
Natasha didn't respond. She stared into his eyes, her growing hostility no longer hidden.
''Then I'll take it myself'' said Ice.
The moment she heard those words, Natasha moved to draw her rapier.
''If you touch that weapon of yours, you'll die.'' said Ice firmly.
Natasha froze.
Not out of fear. But something in his voice made her hesitate.It was the weight of conviction.How could he be so sure he could take her down?
''What do you mean?'' she asked
Ice scratched his head and smiled faintly.
''Don't get me wrong. I'm not pretending to be particularly strong. Not like Candice. Not even like Jilius he said ''But you… you're weak. Especially so for someone who's supposedly spent decades in this place.''
Natasha's face darkened, her brows twitching at the words she hated more than anything.
Her hand slid toward her weapon once again, this time determined.
''I really mean it. Your strength lies in slipping out of reach and striking when unseen. But that's already impossible—I'm watching you. And if we clash, I don't think you'll walk away. Even if we used all our traits and fought in the darkness, I don't think I'd be the first one to return to the light'' he said evenly ''We don't really have much time, so you've got five seconds. After that, one of us will die.''
For the first time, her hand trembled at the hilt.
If someone asked her whether she trusted her strength…
The answer would be no. It had always been so. She never had. That's why she was here.
''Three'' said Ice, drawing his sword.
Natasha's lips bled from how hard she bit them.
Still, she didn't draw her own weapon.
Eventually, her hand dropped from the hilt.
With her left hand, she extended the ring to him.
Ice calmly sheathed his blade and took it.
He slid it onto his right index finger and nodded to her.
''I'm sorry'' she murmured.
Ice nodded silently again and turned back to the others.
''So… how about we get out of here now'' said Ice
A bright smile spread across Celestia's and Ray's faces.
They were almost there.
Just one final push, and they'd be there.
The corridor leading to the end lay just ahead. And freedom had never felt so close.