Man On The Moon

Chapter 39: Eternal Freeze

Vettel, looking around at the unusual surroundings, says.

Vettel: "This place gives me the creeps. It's like we've stepped into some frozen nightmare."

Ruan Mei, her expression calm but alert, responds.

Ruan Mei: "Interesting. This isn't just a frozen wasteland. There's a strange energy here. It's almost like the surroundings are alive, in a bizarre way."

Topaz, her eyes darting around, says.

Topaz: "There's more to this than we thought. This isn't just about a group of troublemakers seeking relics. This is something... bigger."

Numby, sensing the tension in the air, sniffs around, its tiny ears twitching. The air is cold and biting, and the eerie stillness of the place amplifies the feeling of being unwelcome guests. Vettel, looking at the surroundings carefully, says.

Vettel: "What's the plan, then? We can't just stand here. Something's not right. This place is... off."

Ruan Mei, her gaze sharp, responds.

Ruan Mei: "You're correct. Standing here will only make us easy targets. We need to be discreet. We'll look for any signs of this group or any unusual activity. If we're careful, we might get a sense of what they're planning."

Topaz, her eyes reflecting determination, adds.

Topaz: "We need to watch each other's backs. This place... it's hostile. Something about it feels... wrong. We need to move slowly and together."

With a shared understanding, the group begins to move forward, their steps measured and careful. The silence of the place is almost deafening, only broken by the soft crunch of snow under their boots. Numby, its tiny body tensing, suddenly halts, letting out a quiet but urgent whine. Vettel, noticing the reaction, says.

Vettel: "What's up, Numby? You sense something?"

Numby, agitated, sniffs the air, its small nose twitching. It lets out another whine, the sound carrying a hint of caution. Topaz, her eyes scanning the surroundings, says worriedly.

Topaz: "There's something here. Numby only acts like this when it senses danger. Stay alert!"

Ruan Mei, her eyes narrowed, nods.

Ruan Mei: "Agreed. We're not alone. Stay close, keep your guard up."

Numby, its small paws treading silently on the snow, leads the group deeper into the icy landscape. The critter's keen senses guide them through the maze of ice and snow, its path taking a deliberate route. As they follow, the group's tension grows, sensing that they're closing in on the source. The air is colder here, almost biting, but the group keeps moving, their senses heightened, their eyes searching the surroundings. Just as they're about to ask Numby how much further, the writer suddenly stops before a large, looming ice formation. As the group arrives at the large ice formation, to their surprise, they find a young girl standing there, her gaze observant. The girl, Clara, looks at them with a mixture of surprise and suspicion. Her hands clutched around a rag doll, she regards them warily. Vettel, his voice careful, addresses the girl first.

Vettel: "Hey there, kid. Who are you? What are you doing here in this... frozen wasteland?"

Clara, her eyes studying them, responds.

Clara: "I could ask you the same. This is my home. Who are you, and why are you trespassing?"

Topaz, her business demeanour giving way momentarily to compassion, tries to reassure the girl.

Topaz: "We're not here to cause trouble. We're just... passing through. We're looking for some people. Have you seen anyone else here? Strange people, perhaps?"

Clara, her guard still up, shakes her head.

Clara: "No. I haven't seen anyone else. It's always just me and my Mr. Svarog here."

She holds up her rag doll, referring to it as if it were alive. Ruan Mei, studying the doll with interest, says.

Ruan Mei: "Mr. Svarog, you say? An interesting... companion."

Vettel, sensing the girl's attachment to the doll, asks gently.

Vettel: "Where are your parents, kiddo? Aren't you too young to be here alone?"

Clara, her gaze hardening, doesn't answer immediately. She clutches her doll tighter.

Clara: "It doesn't matter. Mr. Svarog takes care of me."

Her words, coupled with the child-like trust in her eyes, hint at a complicated situation. As the group continues its cautious conversation with Clara, the air suddenly changes as a new figure approaches. The sound of footsteps, soft yet authoritative, reach their ears, announcing the arrival of this newcomer. The group turns to find a young woman with short, silvery hair coming towards them. This is Bronya, a leader in her own right, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution. Bronya, her voice authoritative yet calm, speaks, her eyes taking in the scene.

Bronya: "Who are you, and what are you doing here? This is restricted territory."

Topaz, her business instincts kicking in, responds first.

Topaz: "We're just passing through. We're not looking for trouble. We're looking for some people. We heard they might be... part of an organization called the 'Eternal Freeze'?"

Vettel: "And who are you, lady?"

Bronya, unflinching under Vettel's gaze, responds.

Bronya: "I'm Bronya Rand. One of the guardians of this place. And you still haven't answered my question. Why are you looking for the 'Eternal Freeze'?"

Bronya's tone is steely, her eyes scrutinizing the group, assessing their intentions. Ruan Mei, noticing the tension, tries to keep the conversation calm.

Ruan Mei: "We simply need some information. The 'Eternal Freeze' seems to be involved in some... activities that concern us. We're not here to cause trouble. We just hope you can help us."

Clara, her voice small but clear, pipes up.

Clara: "If you're searching for them, they're not here. They usually only come at night, when it's... darker, scarier."

Vettel, noticing Clara's words, focuses his attention on her.

Vettel: "What do you mean, 'scarier' at night? And why are they only active then?"

Clara, her eyes suddenly worried, hugs her rag doll tighter.

Clara: "They use the darkness. It helps them move around undetected. The night is... their ally. That's when they're most active."

Bronya, her gaze still on the group, reaches out and gently pats Clara's head, a gesture of reassurance. Her look softens slightly, but her suspicion still lingers in her eyes. Ruan Mei, watching the interaction, senses a connection between Clara and Bronya.

Ruan Mei, her voice cautious, asks.

Ruan Mei: "Are you... Taking care of her? Clara, you said her name was?"

Bronya, her look protective, nods.

Bronya: "Yes. She has no one else, so I look after her. Keeps her safe, especially from this... 'Eternal Freeze'."

Topaz, her expression softening somewhat, speaks.

Topaz: "She's just a kid. This is no place for a child."

Bronya, her eyes hardening, defends her decision.

Bronya: "I know. But it's safer for her here. The 'Eternal Freeze' won't harm her while I'm here. I've been protecting her from them."

As the conversation continues, the ground beneath them suddenly trembles slightly. A deep, almost mechanical rumble starts to grow louder. As the group looks around, trying to identify the cause, A massive, robotic entity suddenly looms over them. This is Svarog, an impressive hulk of machinery, and he stands protectively beside Clara. The robot's eyes glow as he surveys the group, his presence both intimidating and defensive. The group is taken aback by the sudden appearance of Svarog. Ruan Mei's eyes widen with a mixture of awe, curiosity, and caution. Topaz seems nervous, her composure momentarily shaken. Even Vettel looks a little intimidated. Clara, however, simply smiles, seemingly reassured by Svarog's presence. Bronya, her voice firm, addresses Svarog.

Bronya: "Svarog, stand down. They're... guests."

Svarog, his eyes still fixed on the group, emits a low, mechanical hum as if sizing them up. Ruan Mei, her curiosity piqued, steps forward slightly. She seems more interested than intimidated by the robot.

Ruan Mei: "Fascinating. A self-aware mechanical being. Can it communicate?"

Bronya, watching Ruan Mei's reaction, responds.

Bronya: "Yes, he can. But he doesn't speak to just anyone."

Vettel, also fascinated by the robot, asks.

Vettel: "An impressive creation. Does he serve solely as a protector for Clara?"
Bronya, her eyes never leaving Svarog, replies.

Bronya: "Svarog was programmed to protect this area. But he's grown... protective of Clara. He looks out for her, keeps her safe."

The rest of the group, having completed their tasks in the Upper Belobog, now join the group. March 7th, bright-eyed and curious as ever. Seele, her expression serious. Dan Heng, as composed as ever, and Jingliu, observant and alert. The group from the train meets with the team from Eternal Freeze, including Bronya and Clara. The tension in the air is palpable, but now the group is significantly larger and the atmosphere is far more intense. Seele, her eyes meeting Bronya's, says.

Seele: "You're the leader here, I take it. Bronya, isn't it?"

Bronya, meeting Seele's gaze with a cool stare, replies.

Bronya: "That's correct. I lead this place. And you? Who are you?"

Seele, not cowed by Bronya's cold demeanour, introduces herself.

Seele: "Seele. Part of a team tasked with looking into the 'Eternal Freeze.' Seems we may be looking for the same things."

Bronya, her eyes narrowing slightly, responds.

Bronya: "Seems so. And your companions?"

Dan Heng, his voice calm and measured, says.

Dan Heng: "Dan Heng. pleasure."

March 7th, her usual cheerfulness slightly dimmed by the seriousness of the situation, introduces herself next.

March 7th: "March 7th. You can call me March."

Jingliu simply nods in greeting, her eyes scrutinizing Bronya. Bronya, her gaze falling on Jingliu, observes her appearance and demeanour. Seeing hints of the Xianzhou in Jingliu, Bronya says.

Bronya: "Xianzhou. A wandering warrior from Xianzhou, aren't you?"

Jingliu, her eyes narrowing slightly, responds.

Jingliu: "Formerly, yes. I hail from the Xianzhou Luofu. I'm surprised you recognize the signs."

Clara, her eyes widening at the mention of Xianzhou, speaks up suddenly.

Clara: "You're... from Xianzhou?"

The mention of the Xianzhou seems to stir something within Clara, her expression a mix of shock and... something more. Jingliu, her gaze softening a bit as she sees Clara's reaction, looks down at the young girl.

Jingliu: "That's right. From the Xianzhou Luofu. You've heard of it?"

Clara, her face full of awe and wonder, nods enthusiastically.

Clara: "I've heard stories. My.. Mr. Svarog told me about the place. The Luofu, the Cloud Knights. It's a legendary place. You're really from there?"

Jingliu, her usual cold demeanour thawing a bit at Clara's innocent excitement, nods.

Jingliu: "Indeed. I was a member of the Luofu's Cloud Knights. It's... a place steeped in history and tradition."

Vettel, his attention suddenly drawn to a distant explosion, turns to the group.

Vettel: "What was that? Sounded like an explosion."

The rest of the group looks alarmed at this new development. Ruan Mei, her eyes narrowing, says.

Ruan Mei: "That wasn't good. Seemed to come from the direction of the mountains. Could the 'Eternal Freeze' be active early?"

Dan Heng, his expression serious, adds.

Dan Heng: "Or someone else. We need to check it out. Stay vigilant, everyone."

Topaz, her mind focused on business, speaks up.

Topaz: "Not good for business either way. Let's move."

With determination in their gazes, the group prepares to move out, aware that they're stepping deeper into dangerous territory. Jingliu, her expression sharp and her eyes hardening, speaks.

Jingliu: "We have no time to lose. Let's head out. Whatever awaits us in the mountains, we must be ready for it."

Seele, her eyes filled with determination, agrees.

Seele: "Let's go. We need to find out what's happening."

Bronya, her face set with resolve, nods.

Bronya: "Agreed. We can't let whatever's out there go unchecked. We'll need to move quietly and quickly."

The group, with a shared sense of purpose, begins their journey towards the source of the explosion in the mountains. The tension in the air is palpable as they brace themselves for the unknown, their footsteps filled with determination and the weight of their mission. As they trek towards the source of the explosion, the air grows colder, the landscape harsher. The mountains loom overhead, a stark and imposing sight against the otherwise frozen landscape. Despite the chill in the air, the group presses on, their senses heightened for any signs of danger. Dan Heng, his eyes scanning the surroundings, speaks up.

Dan Heng: "We're approaching the site of the explosion. Stay sharp, everyone."

The group nods silently, focusing their attention on their surroundings. As they reach the source of the explosion, they find the area scarred by the recent blast, the aftermath evident in the scattered debris and traces of destruction. Ruan Mei, her mind analyzing the situation, says.

Ruan Mei: "Looks like something powerful went off here. Seems targeted, not a natural explosion."

Suddenly, Cocolia appearing seemingly out of nowhere, surveys the group with a cold and collected gaze. Her eyes fall on Bronya, and a flicker of recognition crosses her face.

Cocolia: "So, you've come to interfere. How typical."

Bronya, her expression hardening, meets her mother's gaze.

Bronya: "We're here to stop you. This has gone on long enough."

The rest of the group stands firm, their gazes hard as they observe the tense standoff between Bronya and Cocolia. The atmosphere is thick with tension and a sense of mounting confrontation. Vettel, his eyes narrowing, speaks up.

Vettel: "You're the one behind all this, aren't you? The 'Eternal Freeze'? This ends now."

Cocolia's lips curl into a cold smile.

Cocolia: "Ah, the self-righteousness of youth. Do you think you can stop me? You're all just insects in my path."

Dan Heng, his patience running thin, snaps.

Dan Heng: "We're not just going to stand by while you endanger people."

Topaz, her composure slipping, speaks angrily.

Topaz: "All this havoc for 'eternal freeze' nonsense? It's madness!"

March 7th, her voice filled with anger.

March 7th: "You caused all this chaos just for power? It's despicable!"

Jingliu, her expression hardened, speaks with a stern tone.

Jingliu: "Your reign of terror ends here."

Ruan Mei, her gaze analytical yet serious, adds.

Ruan Mei: "Your delusions of grandeur are endangering lives. We won't allow it."

Seele, her gaze fierce and determined, says with conviction.

Seele: "You've left a trail of destruction in your wake. We won't let it continue. We'll stop you here and now."

Cocolia, her smirk widening, responds.

Cocolia: "How noble of you all. But you're underestimating the scope of what I've planned. You think you can stop me and my 'Eternal Freeze' with your pitiful determination?"

The rest of the group, fueled by determination and anger, readies their weapons. Their expressions are set in steely resolve, their grips on their weapons firm. They're prepared to fight and put an end to Cocolia's mad scheme. Vettel, his voice firm and steady, addresses the group.

Vettel: "Everyone, remember what we're fighting for. Innocent lives are at stake, and this woman is dangerous. Let's stay focused and work as a unit."

The group nods, their unity strengthening. They understand the gravity of the situation and the stakes involved. They're ready to face Cocolia and her twisted agenda, standing as a united front. Cocolia, observing the group's determination, sneers.

Cocolia: "You think you can overcome the 'Eternal Freeze'? You're just a bunch of naive fools. You'll all soon realize the futility of your resistance."

The group remains resolute, their jaws set and their eyes ablaze. Despite Cocolia's mocking tone, they're not intimidated. They're determined to stop her, no matter the cost. Cocolia, her eyes gleaming with a mix of arrogance and determination, raises her hand. A strange aura surrounds her, the air growing colder as the 'Eternal Freeze' begins to manifest.

Cocolia: "You've crossed the wrong person. Now deal with the consequences."

The group, each with their unique abilities and powers, unleash their ultimate attacks against Cocolia. Their ultimate skills come together in a display of unified might, aimed at neutralizing the threat she poses. Whether it's devastating elemental attacks, powerful martial arts, or strategic technology, the group attacks with all they have, the air around them crackling with energy. Cocolia, initially cocky and confident, finds herself overwhelmed by the group's simultaneous assault. Her expression falters slightly, but she remains undaunted, countering with her powers and the chilling aura of the 'Eternal Freeze.' The battlefield becomes a whirlwind of energy and power, the clash between the group and Cocolia intense and relentless.

Cocolia: "You're stronger than I anticipated, but you underestimate the power of the 'Eternal Freeze'!"

As the clash between the group and Cocolia intensifies, Cocolia, using the powers of the 'Eternal Freeze,' summons sharp projectiles and launches them at Vettel. The projectiles find their mark, hitting Vettel in the chest. The rest of the group, seeing Vettel wounded, rushes to his side. Their expressions were a mix of worry and urgency.

Dan Heng, his eyes on Vettel's injury, speaks.

Dan Heng: "Vettel, you okay?"

March 7th, her voice filled with concern, adds.

March 7th: "You're hurt! Hang in there!"

Jingliu, her eyes sharp, assesses the wound.

Jingliu: "Looks serious. We need to stabilize him."

Topaz, her business mindset temporarily supplanted by worry, speaks urgently.

Topaz: "We have to ensure he's stable. We can't afford any distractions now."

Ruan Mei, her scientist mind taking over, adds.

Ruan Mei: "I can provide some medical assistance. March 7th, help me."

Seele, her expression a mix of anger and concern, says.

Seele: "Cocolia will pay for this. But first, we need to treat Vettel."

Bronya, her mind focused on the battle at hand, adds.

Bronya: "We also need to keep the pressure on Cocolia. We can't let her regroup and launch another attack."

With quick efficiency, Ruan Mei and March 7th work on treating Vettel's injury. The rest of the group watches, their gazes flicking from Vettel to Cocolia and back. They're torn between their concern for Vettel and their determination to stop Cocolia's 'Eternal Freeze' plans. Cocolia, having taken a moment to observe the group's concern for their injured comrade, sneers.

Cocoila: "How predictable. Your compassion is your weakness."

Dan Heng, his gaze narrowing, responds through clenched teeth.

Dan Heng: "Compassion is what keeps us human. And it's what gives us the determination to stop you."

March 7th, her voice filled with determination, chimes in.

March 7th: "We're not giving up on our friend. We'll make sure he's stable, and then we're coming for you."

Jingliu, her eyes never leaving Cocolia, adds.

Jingliu: "You underestimate us. You've threatened one of our own, and you'll pay for every pain you've inflicted."

Topaz, her business mindset returning, speaks firmly.

Topaz: "And you've disrupted our operations. We don't take kindly to that."

Ruan Mei, continuing her treatment of Vettel, speaks without looking up.

Ruan Mei: "You messed with the wrong people."

Seele, her anger flaring, adds.

Seele: "You've hurt innocent people, and caused chaos. We're not bowing to you."

Bronya, her expression hard but her eyes flickering towards Vettel, says.

Bronya: "We'll stop you, no matter what. And we'll protect our own."

Cocolia, though seemingly unfazed, can see the determination and unity in the group's words and actions. Her gaze hardens as she realizes she's up against a group with something more than just power - a bond of loyalty and friendship.