Chapter Text
Ever heard the many tales of ancient Japan? Tales of the mischievous and even dangerous yokai. Tales of curious mortals who poke their noses into the existence of the supernatural. Many poor souls serve as warnings and cautionary tales.
The land of the living, and the land of the dead, lost, or forgotten are worlds that should remain cleaved. Never should they connect. For no matter the side of the shore, it always ends in tragedy.
Yet, a single wish.
A single hope whispered in the winds, even though it may seem insignificant, can unwind the ropes of fate transcending the bounds of time and space; bypassing forbidden worlds of the far shores can undo what should remain unchanged.
Words binding two souls that shouldn't connect in the opposing states, yet against all unsaid rules it did.
This is the story of something that happened, but never should have come to be….
Our tale starts with a quaint village in the mountains…
Long ago it was a prosperous and lively place, no one worried about living life and many wealthy families arrived settling down in the town with the intention of letting their descendants prosper for many years to come. Unfortunately, like many good things, it all came to an end. Darkness fell over the once lively town, and the once famous safe haven turned in a place of night terrors. The forest was now full of vicious yokai who spirited away many poor souls of locals who dare leave the village borders and with that, the people realized-
“the gods turned their back on us all because of-”
“All because of my great great something disgrace of an ancestor yeah yeah I heard this story many many times I know the rest” a voice sighs.
“Honestly Amane have you no respect for your elders?!” an older disgruntled one scoffs.
In a small house stands a man with his arms out as a few people tug and stitch the fabric of his haori. There’s an old man scowling at him from the corner.
“I would have more respect. If I had more say in matters you oh so wise old man.” the ravenheaded man mutters. One of the elder tailors smacked him with her fan in response. He lets out a yelp at the slight sting. “Respect your elders Yugi sama!” she scolds.
“Yes ma'am,” he says in defeat.
“Honestly boy, it's like you don't want to restore your family’s honor.” the old man sighs.
“What honor is there to restore? They’re all long dead anyway.” Amane shrugs. He received a smack to the back of the head for that one. “What was that for its true isnt it?!”
“Why must you act this childish, you are the eldest son of the Yugi family this is your service to your whole lineage past and future! Many men and boys would want to be in your place if given the opportunity.”
Amane rolls his eyes. Opportunity his ass. He’s just a scapegoat from an old curse. The locals are just desperate at this point. He may not be able to wiggle his way out but he can certainly make the preparations as miserable as possible. That way he could give them a taste of what he will endure for many years soon. For now, though he takes much joy in seeing them get agitated by the little details and inconveniences. Yugi Amane knew that if he was losing more freedom, he would not do so in complete obedience.
“No need to get so fussy, I was just asking why I have to be wed. It was rhetorical really. I didn't expect you to go into the whole history of this place”
The elder man looked at him crossly, “The Akane family will permanently beat some manners into you boy. Just you wait”
“But that will be then. they can't touch me as I am now” the raven head smirks.
The tailors are now elsewhere while Amane stands on the stool still unmoving he just smiles at the further disgruntled elder.
“Are we done with this fitting yet?” he says breaking the silence.
“GET OUT”
…….
Yugi Amane is the eldest son of his family. He and his brother are the last standings of the Yugi lineage. Unfortunately, their parents had long left the living world, dying when he was still a young boy, apparently due to a family curse affecting them long before he entered the world.
In addition to the whole village's curse, his whole family seems to be cursed with bad luck. At one point in time, they believed he was already a victim at a young age when he suffered an awful sickness. So in order to ensure he and his brother could live a normal life they jumped at the best opportunity. Before he was even old enough to make his own decisions, he was engaged.
The snow crunched as the raven head walked down the path to the outskirts of the town. Many veered away from his direction but he seemed unphased. He observes the frozen creek on the town edge remain stationary and its rocks frozen under ice and blanketed by snow. He approaches a grand estate filled with gardens of immortal camellias. The flowers were very odd. while most of the vegetation and plant life have grown bare and withered, these crimson petals never showed any sign of dying. It unsettled many outsiders, further cementing the notion his bloodline is to blame. even in the harshest weather, the beautifully cursed blood-red flowers thrived. They only grew in the Yugi estate, a place where none of his ancestors lived long. there was a bitter irony to it.
Despite the beautiful intricate architecture and plentiful flowers, it was always seen as unwelcoming to outsiders.
The raven-headed man suddenly stops. The snow crunching with his every step came to a halt. He turns around listen out for something the the crunch icey stomps getting faster and closer. As he turns his head, he is tackled to the ground. a voice exclaimed his name as they both crash into the thick snow.
“Tsukasa!” he exclaims muffled under his brother’s weight.
“What? I have been wondering where you were!” a man that mirrored his features nags.
“I was getting fit for my wedding” he brushes the snow off.
“Oh riiight, your big wedding aren't you excited?!”
Amane looks to the side deadpanning at his brother, “Yes. Ecstatic even.”
“Really?”
“No.”
“Hmmm guess that hasn't changed.” the brother shrugs.
“And it never will.” Amane retorts.
“Aw come onnnn it won't be that bad, I mean the Akane’s are the most loaded family around.”
“And we aren't the poorest either,” Amane says back.
“Sure but we never use any of the funds for anything!”
“That's because there’s not much to use it for Tsu. besides the occasional passing merchants and travelers, there’s nothing we can do with it. So thats why it is to remain untouched for now.”
"ok ok think of it this way. I heard the daughter is one of the most sought-after girls around.” Tsukasa nudges his twin.
“Alright then why don't you marry her,” Amane says back
“...hey did you see that squirrel?”
Amane chuckles, “thought so”
“At least you look good in that” Tsukasa shrugs.
“You aren't wrong about that” Amane agrees
He wears a silk black kimoto lined with crimson red edges. The thin red obi around his waist is tied in a decent knot. His haori is black with gold detailing and a symbol of camellia flowers in a circle sequenced in red on the back.
“Hey look they were even nice enough to make our family crest visible” Tsukasa traces the large circle on the back of his brother’s jacket.
“Did they have to make it that big?” Amane sneers. The gold and red camellia flowers crest embroidered to the back almost felt like they were a target. As if it wasn't big enough when stitched to the side of a kimono.
“Hmm, you're right it doesn't feel grand enough, does it? Perhaps they should have put more gold some jewels even” Tsukasa comments.
The older Yugi rolls his eyes at his brother's suggestions.
“You're way too over the top sometimes Tsu”
“Aw come on- I'm right though, aren't I? It still looks good this way I think they would agree don't you?”
They both stood there in silence for a moment both brothers noticeably solemn. Snow started to fall.
“Yeah… who knows. But I will ask them when I go and visit them later ” the older answers finally.
“noooo not until you feed us! It's your turn to make something tonight!” Tsukasa pokes his cheek as he clings to the elder.
“Ngh- why me?! Shouldn't it be the other way around? Can't I enjoy what little freedom I have left in peace?” He tsks.
“Nope! Come on Amane Nii you said you would always look out for me how could you leave your precious little brother so helpless.” The other pouts.
“Oh Tsu you are a grown man…what are you going to do once I'm gone” Amane shakes his head.
“we can figure that one out later. you act like you’ll be dead” Tsukasa hangs off his brother.
“I might as well consider myself to be soon. ” the older twin mutters while holding the weight of his twin.
“Not if I have anything to say about it. They can't boss me around trust me I will make sure to keep them on their toes” Tsukasa smirks.
Amane gives a small smile and laughs. He can already imagine his brother's reign of terror now. “Thanks, it will mean a lot that you will carry on the legacy.” He gently ruffles the younger twin's hair and walks ahead. Tsukasa in response ruffles his brother's hair back. Until it escalates into them play fighting to touch the other's choppy head.
The two brothers laugh as they tease each other going inside.
…….
As the snow picks up outside, Amane places down two bowls of warm soup and fluffy rice Tsukasa cheers like a child as soon as the food is placed on the small table. Amane smacks his brothers hand lightly before the other could gobble it down.
Tsukasa crosses his arms but after Amane hands him a pair of chopsticks and lets him finally eat, suddenly he forgot what made him upset. Amane childed him about his manners but like many things it went in one ear and out the other as he stuffed his face.
The presence of the two brothers seemed to be the only thing that brought life into the vast and cold and empty estate. Their teasing and jokes bring little warth and color that remains left.
“you know,” Tsukasa starts to say as he picks at the leftover rice with his sticks, “sometimes I wish we had servants”
“I thought we discussed this” Amane sighs putting down his bowl.
“I know I know, l was just thinking wouldn't it be nice to not have to clean our selves and get fed the best meals. And have servants work under and help with our every need when ever we asked?
“It would. But for now that could never happen. Unless… you wanna pay that whiny boy you hang out with to work under our name”
“Well I’ve tried to persuade him…but…” he looks away”
“But?...”
“He doesn't even want to be near this place. Just seeing it makes him cower. He’s such a scaredy cat.”
“Oh well what a shame” Amane shrugs.
“ But what about that tall sensei who visits us sometimes”
“Tsuchigomori? He hasn’t shown up here in years.”
“Ah shame, you think he turned to another victim?”
Amane tsked, “As if, you and I both know there isnt really a curse. It's just the elders trying to scare us as children into obeying the rules and not wandering beyond this place. Besides we've gone into the woods loads of times and not once did we get ‘spirited away'”
“True,” the other brother shrugs, “but what about all those people who disappeared over the years, like not long ago that girl and her parents-”
“all those people probably got lost, maybe even eaten by wolves or something. Probably because they never been beyond this place. Isn't it strange how travelers and merchants can come and leave this place completely unharmed?”
“So you think that sensei became wolf meat?” Tsukasa tilts his head.
Amane thinks for a moment, “Hmmm… nah he's definitely too smart to have that kind of fate. We never saw him around here so it's safe to say he's well-traveled. He probably forgot about this place. Maybe even us”
Tsukasa stared at his brother silently for a minute before looking at the floor.
“At least we have that ghost who keeps us company.” he smiles.
Amane turns to his brother puzzled, “Ghost you think they can stand this place? I dont even think any sort of entity would enjoy it.”
“It does too!” Tsukasa retorts back.
“Oh really? Prove it.” Amane crosses his arms amused.
“Well every room in this house is always clean. Shouldn’t all the rooms we don’t use be covered in dust?”
“Hmmm but how do I know its not you who goes behind and cleans everything”
“Cause how long have we known each other? Do you think I would willingly clean?” the twin in (dark purple for now) kimono stares blankly at his brother.
Amane sighs putting his hands up, “you got me there.”
Tsukasa laughs in victory while his brother rolls his eyes with a half smile.
“Speaking of ghosts and such I better go visit them now” He pulls back on the intricately made haori he wore earlier. He slides on layered socks and then a nice pair of geta.
“Have fun showing off to (mom and dad) try not to get blown away”
Amane takes hold of the door, “What? Im not going to get blown awa-” as he slides it open a massive gust of wind almost knocks him off his feet as the snow blinds his vision and the wind howls. He promptly slams it shut.
“I’ll just do it later…” he drags his feet on the floor the wooden shoes lightly scraping the planks.
“Hey, I thought we’re not supposed to wear shoes past the entrance!”
“ first off, there’s no old bags here to shame us and second You’re not the boss of me. Last I checked you can't tell me not to do that when you do the same thing and I have to be the one to tell you not to do that stuff.”
“so then why do you get on to me for doing that” he complains.
“Because there is a difference between wearing, walking… and full-on sprinting and tearing up the floor.”Amane chides.
“And here I was hoping you would have left so I could get some time to myself” Tsukasa jokes.
“You get plenty of time for that if anything you interrupt my peace” the older twin retorts as he walks away.
“That's because I love you nii san~”
Amane had already slammed one of the paper doors.
he takes a deep breath before opening his eyes to a familiar scene.
A room filled with papers scrolls and books. Adorning the walls was a banner of that cursed family crest the silk that may once have been vivid color was now faded the living colors long washed out.
Around the room were artist renditions of each of ancestors most inked paintings now dull. All of them held blank expressions that felt lifeless. As a child, they sent chills down his spine. Now, he already has enough judgmental stares to accompany him. The only one who never seemed to feel judgy was one painting of a woman… or man, at least- he thinks so. It's hard to say. Considering the face was cut and ripped out in tatters. It was always hidden behind the banner. It's safe to say that must be the ancestor who cursed everyone.
While he can scoff at the town itself being cursed, he can't say the same for his family. Generation after generation, they all met early or cruel deaths. Not once did this house ever feel welcoming, nor did his family celebrate events even though in his lifetime.
Hell, his family curse was so bad that one of the most renowned clan of exorcists had a priestess seal their resting place.
But he lies on the floor looking at his favorite sight, the ceiling.
It may seem a very odd choice to the outside eye it was peaceful. Why?
Because the one good thing one of his ancestors could give was stars. Stars, recorded just like the ones in the heavens above.
That one thing is what made this room his favorite place in the estate…
Even with the creepy judgmental paintings.
he muttered tracing the patterns of the simulated stars above with his eyes slowly feeling all his future troubles disperse.
As his eyes grew heavy, he felt the familiar cold sensation that sleep brings upon him. Sometimes he imagined it was a loving embrace and gentle kiss on the forehead, goodnight. He’s unsure why perhaps for him it was comforting in a way.
….
The sun long set now, and the storm died down to a breeze.
Amane woke up groggily, pushing a blanket off him as he sat up cracking his neck with a groan.
He looks at the wool blanket puzzled completely shoving it off as he goes to stand. Out the window, he sees only the dark sky.
“Must of slept longer than I thought.” He ruffles his hair.
He looks at the blanket on the floor, must have been his brother’s doing. He picks it up in a wad.
She slides open the room door walking out to see his brother snoring on the floor with a blanket on.
“Anywhere but the actual bed I guess…” he sighs.
He nudges his brother, “Hey, wake up”
Tsukasa stops snoring now waking up looking up to his brother squinting his eyes, “eh?..”
“The storm stopped so Im going to go visit them”
“Ok I thought you were planning to go earlier though” he yawns rubbing an eye.
“Well… kinda didn't check the time. Hey- you know where the incense is?”
“Hmmm no not really” the younger shrugs.
“But you were the last one to go see them Tsu”
“I'm supposed to keep up with them or something?” he tilts his head.
“You really-” Amane sighs holding the bridge of his nose. “It’s fine… I’ll just see if I can get some from the town. Until I'm back if someone comes knocking-”
“Yeah I know I pretend to be you,” he smirks rolling his eyes.
“If you do well I’ll even bring you some mochi” Amane pulls out some coins throwing them in the air, and then catching them.
“Make it dango and we got a deal”
“Dango? I don't think there are any merchants selling those right now?”
“Well then you better be back soon no star gazing”
“Can’t see of them much its a full moon tonight”
“Well then you can't look at the lunar lady as long as you want this time or I’ll get the akanes”
“Agh, fine I’ll see what I can do.” Amane pulls on another haori over him for extra warmth.
“Don't forget to bring a sword with you”
“Not this time, Im only going to town anyway, you know we aren't supposed to carry a weapon around them. you know how they get.”
“Bye bye nii san tell oba san I said hi. Try not to disappear in the woods for 2 days.
“I won't. I’ll be back before sunrise. Please behave and dont set this place on fire while Im gone” he waves.
……..
As he approaches town he pulls his plain black layered haori’s tighter around him keeping his head low when there were villagers passing by. His eyes focused on the stone under his sandals.
He tilts up with his sights on the village shrine. When he isnt paying attention he almost bumps into someone.
“Aw good evening” a deep voice says startling him.
He looks to see who the stranger is greeting. To his surprise it was him.
“Evening.” he says back dryly.
“Hope I'm not bothering but I'm not too familiar mind helping me?”
This time Amane looks to him. The stranger was a decent-looking man in silk robes looking more on the wealthier side. It didn't take much guessing this was a merchant just passing through. Only outsiders would have no problem approaching.
“Sorry but you should probably ask someone else” he waves the merchant off.
He continues his way.
Once he arrives he pulls one of the haori over his head on the alert. He grabs a handful of incense. As he pulls his coins he drops them as he fumbles to get them up-
“Yugi san?” a voice says from behind.
Now he’s done it…
Amane curses to himself.
He turns around to see a woman with plum hair tied up wearing a white kimono. She is not just any woman, but the jewelled beauty of the village. Not only that, but she is-
“ah…Akane san…” he says his voice clearly strained.
His future wife…
“What are you doing here at this time of night?”
“Oh just…picking up some stuff.” he holds incense closer,
She looks at the bundle knowingly. “I take it you are going to visit them again?”
“I was just getting ready to pay and be off”
She gives a melancholic smile, “Go ahead and take them I’ll cover it. I understand what it's like…” She looks away.
An Akane? Understanding? He’s seen her from a distance most of his life he knows she is just sympathizes with people for her family image. However, she has oddly only worn white for a year or so now… perhaps she is also mourning the loss of freedom in a different way.
For now, it's not really his business.
“Thanks” he simply says pushing some coins towards her. She shakes her head.
“Get something nice for you and your brother.”
He briefly meets her eyes.
“Where is he!” a voice interrupts in the crowded room.
Amane uses his haori as a cover turning away.
“Where is who?” Aoi asks.
“ I heard the word Yugi,” a priest says.
“O-oh I thought I saw him but I just mistook someone”
“Good, if I caught one of those two here at this hour they would be severely punished!… especially the older one, he better be practicing his vows if he is galavanting freely. We must have things go smoothly if we want this curse to finally go away.”
“I agree. with the joining in union the spirits will finally leave us in peace.” the shrine maiden nods.
“You are a fine young lady, Akane sama.” the priest smiles
“Thank you, it is my duty” she bows slightly not meeting the elders eyes.
“Indeed indeed, the Minamoto clan will be here soon. Wouldn't want a repeat of the last arrangement results…” the priest walks away.
“You should go now Yugi san” she whispers, nudging him towards the exit.
He took this as a way to leave.
…..
As he looks around, a whiff of something sweet. When he follows it he comes across a dango stand. “Huh, guess you will be getting what you wanted Tsu” he flips one of the coins.
He ends up buying a dozen sticks or so before paying the stand man and heading toward the main destination.
As he finished his own stick of dango, he made a sound somewhat satisfied before throwing the stick behind him.
He walks looking at the stone pathway.
At the edge of the forest far from the village he stops at a grave site isolated from the main one.
These stones were in their own square with lines of seals wrapping the hallowed ground. It was done by a priestess of the Minamoto clan. The minamoto’s are no ordinary group they are one of the most notorious exorcist clan. In fact they are a big influence and had strong ties to the Akane family. Speaking of they are arriving soon, maybe tomorrow.
He looks at the talisman blow in the wind and scoffs bending down and pushing the rope aside as he enters.
The snow crunches as he walks to one of 2 carved pillars. He stares for a minute before getting on his knees and pulling out the incense sticking 2 in the lantern before sticking them upright in a small bowl putting his hands together praying silently and respectfully. Before sighing, “Tsukasa misses you guys…”
“I do too…” he looks at the stones engraved with their names empty of any face.
“Your arrangement is still going according to plan,” he says aloud again.
“I dont know if you are paying much attention to Tsu and I… I wouldn't blame you if you decided to move on.”
He was still met with cold silence. It was expected, the dead never answer back after all.
He gets off his knees brushing off the dirt and snow. “Tsukasa thought I should at least show you guys my wedding attire. He throws off his extra jackets to show off the inky black, red, and gold attire. He puts his hands out spinning in a circle.
“You like it? I hope so, it even has the family crest on my back.” he grins. “ I think it's personally too big but I never really get a say do I?” he states.
Once again there was only silence.
“Can I tell you guys something? And don't lecture me or anything but… I’m tired. I could care less about a supposed legacy the only reason I’m doing this is for Tsukasa. And only that.”
The wind blows as the graves remain quiet.
“Not much to say this time huh? And here I thought one of you would be angry.”
Silence.
I think I know why you are less talkative recently, maybe all of you just want a good cleaning." he faces the other rows of engraved stones. "that includes the rest of you too.
Goes row by row brushing snow off of each grave, around the oldest one he trips over a snow pile. but when looks down at his feet he sees granite in the lantern light.
He gets up and realizes. It had characters engraved in it. It was a desecrated grave withered with time and probably destroyed by people. It's not hard to guess that this was the ancestor that caused everything. Though he knows they are the source of the curse he never was told the name.
Curious he holds the lantern above the chunks of characters tracing them to clearly read.
“Ha
Na ko” he makes out.
“Hanako? That name sounds so simple. It sounded nothing fitting for a terrible person.
In the corner of his eye he spots something moving in the distance. A small white fox, though it looked unusual compared to the average one. He stares at it for a moment. It seems to stare back.
The billowing horn in the distance interrupted the moment.
A procession? this late?
“Please welcome the clan of Minamoto!” a voice announces.
Amane stands frozen by the name, ‘They’re already here!?’
Amane about stumbles backwards it the mere mention of their arrival as the light source of their torches gets ever closer. In a panic he fumbles to open his lantern it slips out of his grasp and shatters on the ground. The fox jolted sprinting into the woods. Now further panicked, he decides to follow the creature as the lights grow closer. He dodges the rope full of seals as he runs through the thick snow into the forest blindly following the small fox in a mix of curiosity and desperation.
…..
The wind blows past the dead trees. The mysterious fox evaded him a while ago leaving him alone in the ice and snow. As the only thing to accompany him was crows. He walked through the cold with only the pale corpse of a celestial body to light his path.
In the heat of the moment, he left everything at his family grave; including Tsukasa's dango and his thicker haori.
Tonight was especially freezing but he made do with what he had.
His mind goes back to the Minamotos. If he remembers correctly they were the ones to suggest his current arrangement. He was unfortunately the one to take the burden.
If it were up to him he wouldn't settle down no matter how beautiful the bride-to-be may be. It wasn't in his priorities, the only reason he is here is for his only brother.
He was chosen over his brother because he was seen as the more quiet and obedient one. Tsukasa was too wild for the elders' taste. He would rather Tsukasa be free from this duty anyway. He will take the beating in order for his brother to live a free life to do what ever he wants. After all people will give him more chance when the curse dissipates.
His train of thought is stopped when he bumps into a structure plank of a building or what remains of one at least.
“Well, that's new… I must of wandered farther than I thought.” He looks around at the pale light beams shining on various ruined structures. This must have been where the rest the town used to be.
He continues further past the ruin of the once-thriving buildings. The farther he goes he comes across more and more things. A fire pit, a rickety old bridge over a frozen river. And under the moon's beams in the distance, there was something that looked to be… a small shine.
He walked closer brushing a hand against the old splintered tori gate.
He walks up and looks around. It was still well intact.
Suddenly he thinks back to what that priest said earlier.
‘He better be practicing his vows!’
He rolled his eyes and scoffed at the thought. He's practiced them hundreds of times. He turns to walk away stopping when he looks down to see his obi stuck on a branch it must have come undone when he wasn't paying attention. The red rope tangled with the small branch.
It was as if it was a sign.
Perhaps some being above was telling him to practice here.
It would be wise to do so. He's certain that if he did somehow manage to mess it up the Akane's would have his head. Maybe even the Minamotos, who knows.
Besides it won't matter there's nobody here to witness.
“Alright let's skip the prayer and sake for- obvious reasons.”
He takes a deep breath.
“As I tie this red string onto you, it symbolizes a bond that binds us in fate, to undo the damage and reverse this curse.” he takes his obi off tying it to his finger before standing up again.
“May it mend the bond and break the chains of burden between this world and the next. So that may be mine.”
There's a sudden large gust of wind. And everything goes silent.
Amane steps back “wait it's supposed to break the chains on this mortal plain, not between this world and the next ugh.” He facepalms.
“Maybe I do need to practice more then I thought…” he unties it from himself then bends down to untangle the red obi from the branch. As his hands begin to unravel the rope from the branch it moves. Puzzled he stops rubbing his eyes for a minute. When he looks again it looked the same.
He shrugs it off reaching closer picking at between each twig to untangle. Suddenly the branch now comes to life wrapping around his hand yanking it under.
His eyes widen as he struggles to get a grip pushing upward finally getting his hand free. He rolls backward, stumbling to get up.
To his horror, the ground shakes and rumbles, and the earth cracks. He watches petrified as a figure rises from from the ice and snow.
The wind now howling, and the silk blowing behind the moonlit silhouette.
His eyes now wide as dinner plates as he processes whats happening. Quickly he scrambles back up to his feet. His geta crunch in the snow. They sunk into the thick snow over and over as he tries to pull his feet out. These were not the shoes for this weather.
"our fates are now one" a gentle yet cold voice whispers echoing through the ice and snow as the wind works against him
Amane shields his face moving against the elements to get away.
Slowly the figure now fully emerged slowly walks towards him. With the obi tangled in its hand still.
Seeing this he keeps running getting caught in a snow pile he quickly makes his way out now holding his shoes as he runs.
While looking behind him he managed to get tangled in branches. He tugged and yanked when he was finally free his haori was left behind.
Now with no trees and no thick snow in his path, he could finally run. For a good distance, the snow crunched under his weight until in one step there was no crunch. One sound completely petrified him.
Crack.
In that same second he submerged under the surface.
He struggles to surface grabbing at the water around him, kicking with all his might. he exhausts himself in the process.
As his vision began to fade he saw a hand reach for him…
Everything soon went black. As the cold was the last thing to embrace him