Zorua, the Tricky Fox Pokémon—known for its skill in using illusions to deceive opponents.
Wild Zorua often transform into humans or other Pokémon, disguising their true form to protect themselves from danger.
In some cases, they can even copy the exact appearance of their enemies, slipping away while the target reels in confusion.
But this one's illusionary powers were clearly unpolished.
In barely the span of a breath, it snapped back into its real form.
It changed back!
Anna's wide eyes sparkled with curiosity.
But then, she noticed Zorua tense, lowering its body into a defensive stance, lips curling as it growled.
Anna blinked, stunned. Her heart twisted with disbelief. What? Hey! I just saved you!
Suddenly, a wave of icy air swept in from behind. A massive shadow loomed over both girl and Pokémon.
Only then did Anna realize—the growl wasn't meant for her. Something else was coming.
She spun around.
Behind them towered a beast nearly three meters tall, its body blanketed in thick white fur.
A Beartic!
"Grooaar!"
It roared, swinging its savage claws. One swipe shredded through Anna's padded coat like paper.
Pain—
Adrenaline surged, blotting out all but the sharp sting. Clutching Zorua to her chest, Anna ran for her life.
"Graaaagh!"
Enraged that its prey was fleeing, the Beartic bellowed and lunged in pursuit.
The winter forest lay blanketed in snow. Though the storm had passed, the northern winds had hardened the drifts into slick, icy sheets.
Anna's foot slipped.
The next instant, she and Zorua tumbled forward, rolling uncontrollably.
"Ahhhhhh!"
"Zouuu!"
Terror filled their eyes.
The path ended in a sheer cliff.
Agony flared in Anna's body—and then darkness claimed her.
Building a wooden cabin was no simple task.
Thanks to carpenter Tucker's explanation, Raven had gained a general grasp of the process.
First, they needed a flat, solid site—preferably where snow lay deep and packed by the wind, providing a firm foundation.
After surveying the area, Tucker quickly found a suitable spot.
By midday, the group had felled many trees.
Strong men carried the logs back, while others—temporary carpenters—trimmed away the branches with tools.
At last, it was time to build.
To conserve materials and improve insulation, Tucker chose a dome-like design inspired by snow huts, fixing the logs together with a mortise-and-tenon structure.
They then stuffed every gap with snow, timber, soil, and dry leaves, sealing the cabin against the freezing winds.
No one wished to die. Faced with survival itself, every villager pushed their limits. The speed of construction was astounding.
By nightfall, with dozens working in unison, they had finished the very first wooden shelter.
Inside, a fire crackled in the hearth. Warm light filled the room. A pot hung over the flames, bubbling with fragrant oatmeal.
Every seam between logs was packed tight. Outside, the icy gales howled—but not a draft slipped inside.
Faces lit with joy. For the first time in days, hope flickered in their hearts.
This small, simple cabin was a fragile lifeline in the frozen wilderness.
If they kept building, each family could have one—and survive the winter.
Raven, though outwardly calm, let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Good. The cabins work. As long as we continue, we'll make it through this winter."
"You've all done well. Rest early tonight. Tomorrow, we keep going," he told them.
The villagers beamed.
"Yes, Your Highness Raven!"
He smiled, ready to return to his tent with Dratini.
But just as he stepped outside, a woman ran up in panic.
Spotting him, she clutched at hope like a drowning soul.
"Your Highness Raven, my daughter Anna is missing! Please, save her!"
Anna… Raven remembered her—the ten-year-old girl who had spoken up during his speech.
"What happened? Tell me slowly," Raven said calmly.
Choking back sobs, the woman explained:
"This afternoon, Anna came back from Healer Lila's tent. She was reading in ours. I left briefly—and when I returned, she was gone.
"At first I thought she'd gone out to play, but now it's dark, and she hasn't come back… Your Highness, please, find her!"
Her husband had died on the journey here. Anna was all she had left. Without her, Ellie's world would collapse.
"Lyon, check the area near the tents," Raven ordered his knight.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Without hesitation, Lyon went to investigate.
Meanwhile, Raven opened the domain panel to check Anna's status.
[Name: Anna]
[Age: 10]
[Occupation: None]
[Special Abilities: None]
[Loyalty: 99 (max 100)]
[History: Kingdom Year 138, Anna was born.]
[Year 148, Anna and her mother followed His Highness Raven to his fief.]
Her name hadn't vanished. That meant she was still alive.
Looking at the weeping mother, Raven reassured her:
"Don't worry. We'll do everything we can."
Just then, Lyon returned and reported:
"Your Highness Raven, we found footprints behind the tent—leading into the forest!"
(End of Chapter)