Aaron stared at the new arrival with calm indifference, one hand still gripping the limp body of Stone. The scent of death lingered in the frozen underground, cold mist spiraling at his feet.
"I asked you a question!" the man barked, his voice laced with authority.
Ice shards materialized in the air around him with a hiss, like summoned blades from another realm. Without waiting for a reply, he hurled them at Aaron and charged forward, footsteps cracking across the frosted ground.
Aaron released Stone's corpse, his eyes narrowing. The shards cut through the air, but Aaron twisted nimbly, sidestepping and deflecting them with ease. The moment his feet hit the ground, a heavy fist came swinging.
He barely blocked it.
The impact echoed like thunder.
The attacker was fast—faster than anyone Aaron had encountered lately. And stronger. Ice-covered fists clashed against Aaron's body with terrifying force, forcing him into full defensive mode.
