Prologue (by Zo)

"Please!" A boy yelled, his voice weak amidst the storm of snow around him. "Help us! Help!" His voice broke. "Is anyone there?" He asked, staggering through snow as his body shivered helplessly with a friend being dragged alongside him. "I need help!" He called again, spending his wavering strength. The wind atop the mountain slammed against his body, nearly unhooking his scarf from his neck, but in a moment of luck it snagged on his coat collar and stayed on. The friend in his arms had long been unconscious, his eyes shut and ginger hair covered in snow, lips blue from the cold. His left arm was weakly hooked around the older boy's shoulders, whilst his right arm was being held up by another friend who too was fighting. "Solein! Please! Calm the raging storm around us!" The older boy cried, supporting his friend's weight.

Even though they felt like they'd been walking for hours, there was no sign of the town that was promised to them, only more snow and tougher terrain. The older boy's hope was dwindling, his body growing tired, but he fought to stay awake. He was trying to reassure himself they'd get to the town, that they were fine, but his thoughts grew quieter and quieter, until there was nothing left. The boy's breaths came in ragged gasps, the altitude doing him no favour, and by the time they had staggered about ten feet, his legs had given up on him. First his left leg gave out, and then his right. His knees struck the snow, and his friends fell forward with him.

"Solein.. Please.. Calm the raging storm.. around.. us." The older boy muttered, before his eyes grew heavy, and his face met the soft blanket of snow, welcoming him in sleep.