After a good night's sleep, Ice woke up feeling sharper than ever. Even though sunlight now flooded the room with greater intensity thanks to their elevation, it still felt like a luxury compared to everything they had endured before coming here.
He would almost forgot he was still in a prison. Almost...
His resolve hadn't changed. He would do whatever it took to get them out of this place for himself, for Celestia, and to honor Jilius' last wish.
"So, you're ready," Elpis said.
"Yes," Ice nodded.
"Then let's go," Elpis replied with a smile and led the way to the stairs.
He took Ray's sword, descended, and stepped outside the house. Elpis guided him around to a quiet corner behind the building before stopping.
"So how do we do this?" Ice asked curiously.
"Honestly? I don't know. There's no universal method. Everyone's relationship with essence is personal. Just feel it. Clear your mind. Understand yourself. Usually, it doesn't take long to open the door." He raised a hand in farewell. "Good luck." And with that, he left.
Ice let out a long sigh and leaned against the wall.
Not only did he have to sense something he had only just learned about the day before, but he also had to figure it out quickly and alone.
Ray and Celestia hadn't even awakened yet. They hadn't been considered for a bond. It was as if he were the only one who existed for this.
That alone didn't explain why he had been chosen, but it was clear he couldn't afford to let their only chance slip away.
Balancing on one foot, he began tossing the sword into the air and catching it over and over.
This is going to be complicated.
He had no idea where to start. His only point of reference was Jilius' final battle. At some point during that fight, he was certain he had felt something but it had been fleeting, almost meaningless.
Now he needed to prolong that feeling, to delve into his subconscious as Elpis had advised. Clear the mind. Understand yourself.
Strangely, he found it surprisingly easy to empty his thoughts when he focused on the rhythm of the sword toss.
But understanding himself… that was going to be far more difficult.
He didn't even know who he was.
He could have been a prince from some faraway land or a nameless beggar from the streets.
He knew nothing about his past, yet paradoxically, he also knew too much. He didn't know where he came from or whether he had parents or family aside from Celestia.
And yet, he could speak clearly, held on to basic knowledge like his name and approximate age. It made no sense.
"I think that's enough for today."
Ice jumped, startled by Elpis, who had returned unnoticed while he was deep in thought.
"You've been throwing that sword around for a few hours now," Elpis added, amused.
Ice rubbed the back of his neck. "Didn't realize that much time had passed. I guess it just… calms me down."
"Here. Take this. Might be easier on your arm."
Elpis rummaged through his pocket and tossed him a coin.
Ice caught it. "Thanks."
"Come on, let's eat. Your friends are waiting."
Ice nodded and followed him back inside. They rejoined the others in the main room.
"So, you're super powerful now too?" Celestia teased, running toward him.
Ice raised a hand to stop her from getting too close.
"As if it worked that quickly."
"So, any progress?" Candice asked.
"I think so," Ice replied. "I just need to find one last missing piece."
Candice smiled, her expression radiant.
"Good luck, then."
He watched her walk over to Natascha and offer her a meal.
And in the brief glance they shared, the same unspoken tension returned, quiet but unmistakable.
"I hope she didn't poison him," Ice muttered under his breath with a shiver.
Then Candice turned toward Elpis with a serious look.
"I think it's about to begin."
Elpis' face darkened.
"Looks like you'll have to go back in right away, kids."
Ice's eyes lit up. "Good. I can't lose this momentum now."
Elpis grinned. "That's the spirit."
Ice gave a small nod, then stood and walked back out to the rear of the house. He still didn't know exactly what was happening or what Candice had meant but he could feel it now. The sensation was clearer than ever. He was close. So close.
Just one more step…
He leaned against the wall again and began tossing the coin this time, eyes fixed on it as it danced through the air.
Back to it, then.
The final piece of the puzzle was self-understanding.
He hadn't truly reflected on it since his arrival not deeply. But maybe that didn't matter. What mattered now wasn't who he used to be, but what he wanted moving forward.
Escape the prison? Sure. But then what?
Live on the run like a fugitive? No. That wasn't freedom.
What he desired, just as much as escape, was the power to protect that freedom for himself and for Celestia. This girl he had barely known a week, yet already mattered more than anything else.
And to achieve that, he first had to awaken.
And to awaken, he had to know himself.
Ice smiled faintly, eyes reflecting a glimmer of white light as a glowing door slowly materialized before him.
He didn't need to search for who he was.
He had known, in truth, for a long time.
Since the moment he opened his eyes in this strange place.
Maybe even before that.
"I'm Ice."