Welcome to the Crossroads

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In the heart of a winter tundra, was a massive cyclone, the scales of which Shibusen was unprepared. The high speed winds pulled in snow from the surrounding blizzard and ejected sleet at the same rate. With the snowfall obscuring their vision, the adults had tried their best to take over, shouting orders over the high-pitched shrieking that echoed through the mountain-side. Every now and then a person would jump, swearing up and down they heard a woman's cry. Freezing from the cold and fatigue, they fought the magnetic pull from the storm to enter the city. The students had been given strict instruction to remain outside of the magical fallout, though it felt as though they were in the midst of it. It was a race against time, with Arachne's army around every turn, and they had been instructed to sit and wait.

Wait for Stein and Marie to retrieve the brew.

Wait to see if the magical storm had torn their teachers to shreds in a matter of minutes.

Wait for a sign that they could retreat.

Wait while the ever present anxiety threatened to consume them.

Kid thought about what happened earlier that morning, the cold wind of Alaska lost to his thoughts. 'Shini-kun, I found more information about Grimoire!' She had cheered. 'The Sekaigami was last seen at your mission site with the brew and the book of Eibon; she was trying to build something. If you can find what it was, maybe it'll explain why Lord Death's hiding it.' He had wanted to know where the information had come from, but she wouldn't tell him. It was easy to rationalize that hid father had lied to keep humans away from this dangerous place. He could very easily seeing fool hard thrill seekers, like Black Star, running head in for a chance at glory. Still, there were so many questions he wanted to ask her, but this mission took precedence.

"Kid, we've got company!" Black Star shouted from his perch high above the group. Arachne's soldiers marched toward them from the East. The bitter wind nipped at their faces as they scrambled for a plan. "We have to fight!" Black Star insisted.

"But what about Professor Marie and Stein?" Liz cried. "They've already been in the field for seventeen minutes, they're almost out of time!" This was what his father had tangled them into, a battle for the brew left behind so many years ago.

"Then ya' go after 'em." Kilik, a fellow teammate, suggested.

"Don't worry about us," Ox added, "We'll hold the soldiers off until you come back." He had never fought alongside the odd trio and their weapons before. Kilik was a master pugalist, and his nerdy friend was proficient with a spear. Kim circled overhead with the help of her flaming lantern. He was confident they would be able to handle the coming soldiers on their own. Kid looked to the others.

"I agree. We should see if they need help." Kid said.

"So it's settled," Maka concluded, "Kid, Black Star, and I will go check on Marie and Stein. Ox; you, Kilik, and Kim hold off Arachne's troops. If we're not back in fifteen minutes, shoot the signal to retreat."

"But that won't happen." Black Star boasted.

"I sure hope not." Maka agreed.

-8-0-8-

The trio emerged through the magic field to the site of the ruins, but the ruins weren't there. In their stead an intricate temple gleamed in seemingly warm sun light. Crystals had been decoratively set into the stone in bizarre patterns. They could no longer hear the screaming wind or feel the bitter cold. It appeared as if a glittering utopia, with clear fruits growing private own groves. In the distance, Kid watched a mother fishing her giggling children out of the branches.

"What's going on here?" Maka mumbled in wonder. It was clear how easy someone could let their guard down and remain in the eye of the storm past the time limit. Though through the singing birds and sparkling wind chimes Maka felt ill at ease.

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