Back to the cave where Nivalis reside. He open his eyes when he heard a footsteps approaching him. It was Clara, her eyes filled with determination as she stop infront of him
"So...what brings you here. Human girl?."
Meanwhile, Nein's sitting on the bar alone, he doesn't chase after her, can't because it'll only make her run further if she detect him and also because he doesn't know where she's went to.
Despite having the ability to find the unknown. The winter siblings ability were actually nullifying each other if they're using it against each other.
For Nein, the way he can create smoke is due to the combustion inside his body, burning his own flesh and blood, the reason why his body covered in scars. Clara however, she's able to control the temperature around and in her, freezing anything to atom level. While she's immune to her own power however, she needs to 'melt' herself regularly so the ice doesn't pilling up and kill her.
And for Sara, the oldest. She's basically a walking thermostat, controlling both temperature that nullify her siblings ability if she wants to, her ability poses a potential to be more powerful, yet she only use her power to help with her job as a doctor, especially in the battlefield where supply is dire. A sister figure who's appear to be harsh with word but also the most sincere person in the world.
"Nein...oi...are you still here with us?."
Noz voice finally reaching his ears. He's been calling for him for a while now after spotting him sitting and lost in his thoughts.
"Noz?."
"What's wrong buddy?. It's so unusual for you to spacing out like that."
"It's... nothing."
"Are you fighting with your sister?."
The question caught Nein attention and wondering how did this man know. Noz simply smile at his reaction and start talking about himself.
"I also have a little brother. We fight a lot but we always make up in the end of the day over a bowl of hot soup. So tell me, maybe I can help you out."
His concern makes Nein ponder for a bit before sighing.
"Never know you had a brother."
"You never asked."
"...Fair enough."
Nein chuckles and relaxing more to his chair.
"Yeah, I had a fight with her. Due to us... having a different opinion. She want to do her own thing while knowing the risk of it...it's so... unlikely of hers and it makes me worried."
His confession makes Noz thinking. While he always appear to be a cheerful and careless, he's actually a thoughtful guy who cares about everyone around him.
"Do you want to hear my story Nein?."
He says suddenly. It makes Nein pondering and nods since he's free tonight.
"Make it short."
"You see, there's a time when I and my brother fighting over a trivial things. But we never really stay mad for long, that is until...that day comes."
Noz went silent for a bit before scoffing and continue with a smile.
"There's a time when our father dead because he went to protecting us from a bandit, so I and him went to do our things. My brother, Mat, stay at home and taking care of our mother while I went to work for making money. Everything went just fine for years until he decided to go to become a blacksmith. We fight because of that thinking he wants to leave mother alone and...I hit him, for real."
Nein's listening carefully to his stories. Watching Noz expression across the table.
"I ended up looking for mother for three years and finally, he returns and... managed to achieve his dream. He returned with a family and achievement. Since that day I always thinking to myself what'll happen to him if he doesn't leave that day. I'll always sitting alone by the hills and then that night, we talk like nothing of that happened. And you know what he said to me?."
"...what?."
"He said that I should be looking for my dreams too! And...here I am. Working as mercenary while looking for...my dream..."
They both quiet for a second before he continues.
"What I want to tell you is, you can't always keeping your sister behind you Nein. No matter how obedient she is, she's still a human being who can have a dream. And it's your job as her older brother to have faith in her and guide her."
"Have faith...in her..."
That phrase alone takes him back to the past where Sara tend to stand Infront of him like a shield. Always stand her ground even without powerful ability and always managed getting everyone out from dangerous situations. And how she always looking up at him by saying the same words makes him smile.
He remembers that for Clara, he's the older one for her and just realized that. He rose up from his seat and leave a gold coin on the table for Noz. He leave without saying anything and immediately went to look after her.
Meanwhile, in Nivalis cave, Clara's listening carefully to his explanation about the whole situation and found more that Nein trying to hides and it makes her even upset.
"So, are you willing to lend me your strength, human?."
"I...need time to think."
Nivalis sigh softly and understand her situation.
"I'll wait as long as you want."
Clara takes her time to think. She's not really good at making decisions, or at least that what she thought as she always shadowed by her older siblings. She's really observant while having zero social skills.
It takes her an hour to finally found her answer.
"Then...I'll help -"
Her words interrupted by the distant sounds of footsteps behind her. It was Nein.
"Are you here to stop me, brother?."
She ask accusingly at his relaxed form. He simply shake his head and step forward.
"I was wrong Clara. I'm sorry but...do you realize... doing this means you'll have to fight your own battles?."
"I know. That's what you two always do. I want to fight my own battle too so I can make a better place for big sister when she come here!."
Her determination makes him proud and take another step before he's standing Infront of her. He smiles and place his hand on her head.
"I see. Then let's talk about this. I'll help you."
She's surprised by his actions and it's making her happy, she's hugging him gratefully. His smile deepen as he give a gentle rub on her hair.
"Thank you brother..."
Nivalis simply watching the siblings and wondering to himself if it's what they called a family. Earlier they were fighting and not even a day they're hugging each other as if nothing happened. He simply observing silently.
Nein break the hug and walk toward Nivalis with purpose.
"I want to discuss about this further. May you spare your time with us?."
"Very well, human. Let's us discuss further about it."
And with that, under the dark sky and falling snows. The three were discussing about their plans. While the city goes on with its own pace. Noz still sitting in the bar with a drink in his hand, watching over the piece of gold Nein left behind as a payment for the counseling.