Frozen Sea

12. The Arctic Spires

"And this is the Glacial Basin! What do you think?"

Seungyoun ooh-ed and ahh-ed at anything he could see from where he was seated behind Hongjoong on the Snow Fox. The sleek vehicle hovered a meter over the ground and sped over the icy plains with a breakneck tempo. It was similar to ride like a motorcycle, so Hongjoong could steer it around with casual ease while Seungyoun held onto his hips tightly.

They had Seonghwa and Wooyoung with them to join them at the Frozen Leviathan. They would drop the two off there after showing Seungyoun the beast, and then Hongjoong and Seonghwa would continue to the Arctic Spires. San was already waiting for them with new information on what they were searching for this time.

"It's great! So bright!"

"There's also Snow Stalkers over there! Look, right!"

Seungyoun did, his head shifting over to lean against Hongjoong's other shoulder. Their speed made the lazily falling snow seem like little stabs of needles in their faces, so he made sure to avert his eyes as he watched them roam.

"They are Yohan's friends! Hello, friends!" Seungyoun waved at a Snow Stalker in the distance that was slinking around its young while they were searching for food on the ice. Hongjoong didn't even need to look over to the other duo to know that Seonghwa was pouting at the moment. Hongjoong would try to find a way to make it up to him soon.

"I've never been so far up on the ice! It's gorgeous!" Seungyoun's happy yell in Hongjoong's ear made the man smile cheerfully as he steered them around some icy boulders.

Seungyoun had fallen in love with the surface of the planet right away. He had missed being under the blue sky for a longer amount of time without having to worry about anything, and now, that he didn't have to return to that forsaken cave for safety, his liveliness had bloomed. After only a few days of having him around, he already looked far healthier than he had done before. His hair was clean and in order, and the dark circles around his eyes had disappeared.

Seonghwa was watching the man's health closely, and he was positive that Seungyoun would be able to heal well. Finding his way back into society would be less of a problem than they had feared.

Their journey to the Excavation Site was accompanied by Seungyoun's enthusiastic voice that asked a hundred and one questions, and also didn't miss out on cracking a joke or two. Hongjoong indulged him, explaining to the best of his ability and giggling at the stupid puns. It made Seungyoun positively glow, and seeing how much it helped him, Hongjoong felt proud at being a catalyst. If they hadn't found the man, he would still be down there in the cold and dark ocean, brooding about whatever. This was where he belonged. To the sun, and the fresh and clear air.

Hongjoong didn't care for a break until they reached the cave. He zoomed right inside, the whirring of the hovering craft echoing off the icy blue walls. In a fun little dance, he rounded the corners and dodged some more rocks until they arrived in the chilly cave.

Just like last time, an unpleasant shiver ran down Hongjoong's spine as soon as he found himself nearby the Frozen Leviathan. To fight it off, he shrugged his shoulders and tried to ignore its undeniable presence for as long as possible as he climbed off the Snow Fox.

Seungyoun, too, was now quiet with shock. As Hongjoong turned to help the man off the vehicle, he did so in time to see the man's eyes widen and lips form a soundless curse.

A little smile danced over Hongjoong's lips. He waited with him as Seonghwa and Wooyoung arrived, too. The latter immediately ran towards San, who was sitting on the scaffold and working on something, while Seonghwa came over calmly.

"This is what we are currently working on. Seeing that you are a biologist, too, your help here is very much appreciated, especially given your circumstances and extensive knowledge on the planet. San and Wooyoung will be able to answer any question that might come up."