Avatar of the Frozen Behemoth: Volume 1

Chapter 2: The Edge of Desperation

As he rounded the bend, Yukio's breath caught in his throat. The group of kids huddled together, their eyes darting nervously, the reality of what they had done crashing down around them. Yukio felt the tension in the air, thick and electric. He had to act fast.

"Stop!" he shouted, his voice sharp and authoritative. The children froze, wide eyes locking onto him, panic radiating from their small frames.

The children increased their speed. their laughter morphing into panicked shouts as they darted through the narrow streets of Spadia.
The small boy with a grimy face clutched the stolen money tightly, desperation etched in every line of his expression. Yukio's heart raced, his mind spinning with urgency.

He spotted a hailstone, glimmering in the fading light, remnants of the blizzard now waning. Seizing the moment, he activated the gadget on his wrist.
A soft hum filled the air as it calibrated, the world narrowing to a pinpoint focus.

Yukio hurled the hailstone with precision, striking the boy's calf.

The impact was immediate-a sharp cry of pain echoed off the glacial walls as the boy tumbled into a barrel, scattering coins like fallen stars across the snow.

"Get up!" Yukio commanded, voice ringing with authority. "The money, now!"

The other child hesitated, eyes wide with fear as he glanced back.

"What did you do, you idiot?!" He shouted, scrambling to help his friend. Then, glancing at Yukio, he yelled, "I'm not getting caught!"

Without a second thought, he handed half the money to the injured boy, then bolted up a nearby wall, fingers gripping the icy stone as he scaled it with a wild, desperate speed.

Yukio wasted no time. He quickly snatched the fallen money, feeling its cold weight in his palm, before turning to pursue the boy.

He launched himself into the chase, the thrill of the moment igniting his every muscle.

The rooftops of Spadia loomed ahead, their icy surfaces glistening under the dim glow of the setting sun.

He began his ascent, mimicking the boy's frantic movements. Low ledges jutted out at odd angles, forcing him to navigate carefully.

A narrow alley opened up beneath him, a jagged drop lined with precarious piles of snow that could easily swallow him whole if he slipped.

The air was electric with tension, each breath sharp against the cold as he leapt onto the next rooftop, the wind howling like a siren.

"Stop, thief!" a shopkeeper shouted, eyes wide with disbelief as he pointed, his voice trailing behind Yukio.

A group of children watched, wide-eyed, whispering excitedly. "Look at him go!" one exclaimed, captivated by the unfolding drama.

The kid glanced back, eyes wide with panic. "Just leave me alone! I didn't mean it!"

Yukio's heart raced. "You took something that doesn't belong to you! You have to face it!"

As he scaled a wall, he felt his muscles burn, the cold biting at his exposed skin. A shard of ice broke loose beneath his foot, sending him sliding perilously close to the edge. He caught himself just in time, adrenaline surging through his veins, fueling his determination.

He couldn't let the boy escape; not after all this.

Below, a small crowd had gathered, faces painted with curiosity and concern. An elderly woman clutched her shawl tighter, eyes wide. "Look at them go! That's dangerous!" she exclaimed, worried about lacing her voice.