3.32 – An Ill Wind

Aurora’s voice wavered slightly, despite her efforts to remain composed. “How could our love be anything that weakens her? How is that fair?!”

Holly’s voice was unusually solemn as it echoed in her mind. Be cautious, Aurora. This is manipulation as much as it is revelation. He wants to see what fractures first—her will, or your bond.

Howeesha’s icy presence swirled around them, pressing in. “Oh, how quaint,” it hissed. “So sentimental, so like the Favored Daughter.”

“Explain yourself, Beast!” Mistral barked, her patience thinning.

Howeesha’s flurry picked up, its voice a whispering storm. “We, the Beasts, are each dependent on something… Rosshossho feasts on your fear, Korakorkomaq delights in your wrath and destruction, but I am different.”

The wind howled through the spectral plane.

“What is a blizzard’s fury, Favored Daughter?”

Mistral’s glare faltered for just a moment. Her breath hitched. Then, realization dawned, her eyes widening as though struck by an unseen force.

Aurora turned toward her, alarmed. “Mistral?”

“You understand now, yes?” Howeesha’s voice carried an air of triumph, swirling with the wind.

Aurora’s chest tightened. She didn’t understand—not fully—but Mistral clearly did. And that frightened her. She searched her beloved’s face for reassurance, but found only dawning horror. “What does he mean?” Aurora pressed.

Mistral exhaled shakily, her voice barely above the storm’s howl. “A blizzard’s fury… is cold.”

Howeesha hissed with approval. “Yesssss… and to make full use of my aspects, so too must you remain.”

A long, terrible silence settled between them.

Then, Howeesha whispered one final word, sharp and absolute.

“Heartless.”

Mistral’s hands clenched into fists. “Why now? I have been a hero for years, wielding your power in service of others without faltering. Now you claim I must become heartless to keep you under control?”

Howeesha’s flurries coiled tighter, pressing in. “Because such things were distant before, impersonal. You fought for righteousness, but you did not feel, with the exception of the winged black one. But now, you choose to loosen our bonds—to bestow freedom upon us—so we too are free to protest should we find your choices… inadequate.”

Mistral’s breath hitched. “Loosen your bonds…? This is because of her, isn’t it?” Her gaze snapped toward Aurora, sharp with realization. “You’re referring to Dark Angel.”

Howeesha’s laughter was an eerie hiss, blending with the howling winds. “Did you not feel it? When she tried to draw you in—when she sought to bring you into the darkness—did you not notice the surge? Did you truly feel nothing after Great Manitou’s warning?”

Aurora swallowed hard. “I see…” Her voice was quiet but firm. She turned to Mistral, searching her eyes, pleading for reassurance neither of them could give. “This… this is the crossroads Manitou spoke of, isn’t it?”

The wind around them stilled for a brief, suffocating moment.

“We keep loving each other, and your powers remain weakened,” Aurora murmured, “or worse… they spiral out of control one day. You won’t be able to be the hero you deserve to be. But the alternative is taking back the freedom they’ve gained. You were supposed to be a sorceress, but I—” She hesitated, her throat tightening. “I’m not one. I don’t know how to help you.”

The silence between them was deafening.

Holly’s voice, always soft, almost uncertain now, whispered through their link. Aurora… don’t let him trap you in the question he wants you to ask. There’s another answer. There has to be!

Howeesha hissed, his voice like the whisper of countless frost-laced winds. “I will not share my power with one who is so… warm. Let yourself feel the bite of this cold from across the seas and understand your position.”

The air surged, the blizzard around them howling with newfound intensity. Snow and ice spun violently in a vortex before settling into a solid shape at Mistral’s feet—a collar of jagged ice, its edges shimmering with an unnatural frost. “Let this totem mark your loyalty to the good you claim to serve,” Howeesha intoned. “Let it extinguish the embers in your heart. Kill them, and Howeesha shall serve as Howeesha must.”

Aurora’s wings flared, her eyes flashing with anger. “Without warmth, how can she withstand you? Without warmth, how can she be the true hero she strives to be?” She turned to Mistral, knowing she likely already understood. “I think this is nothing more than a poisoned chalice. It won’t bind him—it’ll bind you. You’ve always controlled them through who you are, not by giving in to their demands. That’s why Great Manitou chose you. That’s why this power is both your burden and your blessing.” She pointed at the collar, voice firm. “You don’t need it. You don’t need him to tell you how to use what’s already yours.”

Howeesha’s voice roared with the sound of snow crackling like the heart of winter. “Foolish child! How else can she hope to retain our power? Why is Howeesha able to resist her will?”

Mistral’s gaze remained locked on the collar at her feet, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know… I have a responsibility to the people of this world… all of them. Not just some.”

“Then take the collar,” the Beast purred. “Let it sever that which keeps my power from you.”

Aurora’s heart pounded as she shook her head, stepping forward. “Even if he is telling the truth—say you do lose your ability to love, your capacity for it. What happens next? What new price will they demand when they withhold from you again? Will you accept not caring about others just to hold onto power? Will you walk the same path as Black Angel? Will I…” She swallowed, her voice tightening. “Will I someday have to stop you?”

She threw her arms around Mistral, gripping her tightly, her wings wrapping around them both.

“Don’t accept this as the only way. There has to be another.” She pulled back, locking eyes with Mistral. “Up until now, you’ve never let them dictate who you are. If you truly believe distancing yourself from me and the world will give you control—if you know it’s the only way—then I’ll accept your choice. But don’t make the choice without thinking about everything thoroughly first.” She took a deep breath. “Who really holds the power here? Who dictates the terms? Who is the jailer, and who is the prisoner? Who must mete out the punishment the prisoners deserve? You’re the only one who can.” Her voice softened, pleading. “Please, Mistral. Don’t let them decide for you.”

Mistral looked at her, something unreadable passing through her expression. Then, slowly, she nodded. “I am old enough now to decide if I want my powers, and on what terms I will keep them.” Her voice gained strength. “Howeesha! I said before that I have grown tired of your petty tricks and yet you persist. I have been a fool to heed a single word of your foolishness. Begone, and take your lies and symbol of subservience elsewhere.”

“Child, you know not–” But before the Beast could speak any further, Mistral grabbed the icy collar on both sides and with a flash of magic and physical strength began to pull it apart.

“No! You cannot do this!” The surrounding wind and flurries of snow kicked up like nothing Aurora had ever seen before, howling and gusting in an absolutely chaotic way. 

Mistral, meanwhile, was pouring all her effort into the collar. It didn’t take more than a second before the icy neck piece strained and suddenly split in half with a burst of light.

“Krrrrrkrkggkkuu! Krrkrgg! Grrkkk!”

With the expanding brilliance the wind and surrounding atmosphere seemed to heave for the briefest of moments before slowly starting to calm down. Howeesha was making all kinds of unintelligible noises as if it was being thrown about in a tumble dryer.

It took a moment, but eventually everything began to settle to roughly the state of things when the two had arrived. The visage of the Beast had dissipated thanks to the earlier brilliance but its voice could still be heard even as it grew fainter and fainter. “We will remember this, Favored Daughter. You may yet command Howeesha, but no one can put the wind in a cage forever. And on that fateful day, all will again learn how revenge is best served.” 

It took another moment before the last vestiges of Howeesha fully dissipated. Aurora couldn’t quite tell but she guessed it had returned to its cell, but with the second Beast having retreated Mistral began to ease up. 

Tossing the two halves of the collar aside, she turned to face companion and gave her a fond look. “Thank you, Aurora. You kept me from falling into his trap.”

Aurora let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, her shoulders sagging slightly in relief. She laughed, rubbing the back of her head. “I… rambled a lot, huh?” Her cheeks tinged pink. “I just… I don’t want to lose you.”

Mistral’s lips twitched upward into something small, yet genuine. Then, she turned back to what remained of the blizzard. It wasn’t as severe as before but the storm was still nothing to scoff at.

“We still have work to do, let us finish this so we can both leave this frigid place.” She clasped her hands together. “Come out and face me, Rosshossho, Great Beast of the Maddening Blizzard. I will have words with you.”

She glanced at Aurora and murmured, “Please keep watch for me. I’m going to force him to obey.”

The blizzard thickened, the cold pressing in like a living thing. The surrounding world faded into white, but Aurora’s barrier held, keeping the sting of frost at bay.

Then, emerging from the swirling void, a massive figure took shape—a monstrous, bipedal beast covered in thick, matted fur, its jagged ice-forged teeth gleaming with malice. Its eyes glowed a deep, chilling blue.

“So rarely do you wish to see me, Favored Daughter,” Rosshossho rumbled, his voice like an avalanche echoing through the storm. “So often, you merely speak your will and expect me to obey. But now, you come before me, demanding my service?”

He bared his jagged grin, ice cracking along his maw.

“I have savored your suffering, your helplessness… and I relish your fear.”

Mistral shouted her defiance at Rosshossho, her voice cutting through the blizzard’s howling fury. “You are bound to me, Rosshossho! If I perish battling this so-called ‘Snow Witch,’ then you die with me. Do you not understand that?”

Rosshossho let out a guttural snarl. “So what if that is the case? We Great Beasts are immortal. If you die, the worst that happens is the end of this tedious existence only for our essense to be reborn anew. At best, we shall be freed to unleash terror upon your world once again.” His eyes gleamed with malice. “Guhuhuhu, perhaps my brothers should withhold their power from you as well!”

Mistral shook her head, her breath misting in the bitter cold. “You are bound to me. You are as mortal as I am. Why risk yourself for a petty vendetta?”

“To end the shame of this existence!” Rosshossho bellowed, his voice carrying on the wind like an avalanche. “To be forced into aiding you pathetic mortals… anything is worth the risk to be free of these cursed fetters. One way or another, this ends.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Mistral said, her expression firm. “You will suffer this existence as I do.”

Rosshossho let out a bone-rattling roar. “FOOLISH GIRL! I AM ROSSHOSSHO, THE MADDENING BLIZZARD! I STEAL YOUR SENSES, I FREEZE YOUR BLOOD, AND IF I CHOOSE TO LET YOU LIVE, YOU WILL GO MAD!” The storm surged in response, the air thickening with icy daggers. His breath was the deathly cold of winter itself, rolling toward them like a glacial tide. “Perhaps the Dark One has freed me enough to test this theory… Perhaps I should put things… to the test!” He pulled back a massive clawed hand, the jagged ice glinting as he prepared to strike.

Aurora remained vigilant, scanning for any external threats that might interfere, but her instincts screamed at her to protect Mistral. Could she truly take on Rosshossho without the full force of his power? Would she rely on the magic she had been cultivating? Would she need help? Aurora could do nothing but believe in her—and be ready.

Rosshossho’s claws slashed through the air, forcing Aurora to dart aside, the freezing wind from his attack chilling her to the bone despite her field. As the Beast’s limb swung past, Mistral lunged in, closing the distance. She slammed into its towering form, but Rosshossho barely budged. He let out a guttural chuckle and reached for her, massive hands poised to crush. Mistral twisted away with practiced agility, evading his grasp. She lashed out, kicking at his legs, but the impact barely registered. Her foot struck something akin to an ancient, frozen oak, unyielding and thick with malice.

“I AM PLEASED TO SEE YOU STRUGGLE,” Rosshossho boomed, his voice reverberating through the blizzard. “THIS WILL MAKE YOUR DEATH ALL THE SWEETER!”

Mistral struck at his midsection, rapid blows that did nothing but elicit another cruel laugh. The Beast swung again, and this time, despite her speed, he grazed her. A thin crimson line appeared on her back where his claw had torn through her defenses. She gasped but kept moving, weaving out of reach as she continued her relentless assault, kicking, striking, pushing—none of it making the difference she needed.

“HOW LONG WILL YOU STRUGGLE BEFORE YOU ACCEPT THE INEVITABLE… ‘FAVORED DAUGHTER’?”

Aurora clenched her fists, her wings twitching with the urge to intervene. “Don’t give up!” she called out, voice resolute. “Think about its weaknesses!” She bit her lip. Mistral didn’t normally fight with brute force. Why was she relying on her fists and kicks now? She had to have a reason. Aurora just hoped she figured it out before it was too late.

Mistral rushed in again, but Rosshossho’s massive hand shot out, closing around her throat with crushing force. It lifted her effortlessly off the ground as she kicked, struggling to find footing against the swirling snow beneath her. Pulling her close, it laughed, its voice a jagged, booming echo through the storm.

"GHA HA HA… YOU’RE SO WEAK… HOW CAN SOMETHING LIKE YOU CONTROL A BEING SUCH AS I?"

Rather than struggle, Mistral simply grinned. She reached out, grabbing the Beast by the coarse, frozen hair near its ears. An incandescent bolt of lightning suddenly lanced out from the darkness, striking Rosshossho square in the ear. The massive creature howled, its body convulsing violently as electricity surged through it. Instinctively, it released Mistral, who dropped to the ground and rolled to her feet.

But she wasn’t finished.

Still gripping its fur, she summoned a roaring gust of wind that lifted the Beast off the ground, suspending it helplessly in the air. Another bolt followed immediately, slamming into Rosshossho’s flailing form and eliciting a guttural howl of pain.

"I control you, Rosshossho, because for all the so-called terror you supposedly induce, I’m still smarter than you," Mistral declared, her voice cutting through the storm. "You think that just because I called you out I’d actually keep fighting you with only my fists and feet?"

She released its fur, letting the Beast tumble back, then turned toward Aurora with a playful wink.

"If you won’t give me your power willingly, then perhaps I should beat you down and see just how immortal you really are."

Another bolt of lightning cracked the sky, striking Rosshossho once more, his massive body twisting helplessly as it careened through the storm-wracked air.

The blizzard thickened, the cold biting even deeper, forcing Aurora to step closer to Mistral to keep her in sight. She could feel the chill trying to steal its way through her field, as if the storm itself was aware of her and trying to creep inside.

"Stay close," Mistral said, reaching out her hand.

Aurora grasped it firmly, squeezing for reassurance.

"If you will not serve me, Maddening Blizzard," Mistral continued, her tone icy, "then I’ll simply let my companion absorb your essence in my stead. I’ll find new spells to replace you. She’s a far more fitting jailer anyway—full of so much light and love that you would never, ever find a foothold in her heart or soul."

Mistral turned to Aurora and smirked. "Why do you think I love her so much? She already keeps the Black Angel chained within her. She fights fear with love effortlessly and wins every time. You? You wouldn’t last a moment against her light."

Rosshossho let out a terrible, whirling wail of distress, his form shuddering violently.

"WAIT! WAIT!! YOU CANNOT DO SUCH A THING!"

Aurora’s face burned red at the unexpected flood of praise, her heart thudding in her chest. Gah… She fidgeted slightly, embarrassed. Mistral, stop making me blush in front of the eldritch snow monster…

Uhu… How adorable, Holly observed.

Holly’s comment made Aurora blush all the harder.

Mistral’s grip on her hand tightened. "What’s this? If you’re so confident you can live without me, then let’s test that theory. Make your peace with the Great Manitou, because we’re about to begin."

"NO! LISTEN TO ME!" Rosshossho’s form writhed in the storm, its booming voice desperate. "NO SPELL CAN PROTECT YOU FROM THE ONE YOU CALL SNOW WITCH!"

Mistral’s eyes narrowed. "Speak quickly, and I may consider allowing you to lend me your power." She had him on the ropes now—if there was any truth to his claim, she’d milk every last scrap of information out of him before deciding his fate.

Rosshossho’s stormy mass shuddered, and when he spoke again, his tone shifted, losing its usual mockery. "The Snow Witch… I will tell you what I know! She is a spirit from the island you call Japan! She is like myself… do not believe simple spells can protect you!"

Aurora’s eyes widened. 

So many people from Japan. I myself was built and served in Japan. Holly observed. Is this just a coincidence?

Exactly my thoughts, Holly. Aurora noted, thinking.

Mistral’s fingers twitched in Aurora’s grasp. Her posture remained strong, but the way she clung to Aurora’s hand betrayed the internal struggle she was forcing herself to suppress.

"......Continue," Mistral said, her voice level, though the tension in her frame was unmistakable.

Rosshossho finally dropped all pretense of arrogance. "Favored Daughter," he said, his voice lower now, almost grave. "She is a new spirit in this land, even from where she hails, but she carries old power from her land. Her strength is immense. She overwhelms mortal spellcraft… but with my power, you have a chance, Favoured Daughter. I can overpower her. I can protect you—so that you can defeat her another way."

Mistral turned to Aurora. “Hmm, well, you heard him. Will you please leave him with me for the time being?”

Mistral was asking as though she’d half-promised her this thing’s power to her. Aurora almost laughed—or perhaps threatened to chain her with another troublesome passenger. Mistral had to still be acting the part of the tyrannical jailer.

Aurora glanced up at the still-spinning Beast, then gave Mistral a questioning look before shrugging. “Eh…? Alright, I guess.” Her tone was dismissive. “That’ll leave room for this Yuki Onna anyways.” She grinned, her inner otaku kicking in. Their wintery adversary didn’t have a name yet, but Aurora, being the geek she was, knew exactly what to call her. It felt more like something out of a manga than a comic.

“So be it,” Mistral declared. “Rosshossho… if you should ever cease to give me your power as I need it again, when I need it, she will return to claim you.” Mistral thrust a thumb at Aurora, her expression fierce. “On that day, she will rid me of you and your brothers. So see that you behave.”

Oh shit… would she somehow end up with three more freeloaders? A total of four personalities in her mind? … With Holly, it was more like five.

I suppose it might be livelier should Mistral choose to entrust her elemental powers to you, Aurora. Too bad I can’t read your thoughts like they seem to be capable of doing with Mistral. You would have to be very careful if that day came, Holly mused.

Nothing that I’m not already dealing with. Black Angel can read my thoughts well enough.

That… sounds difficult, Holly whispered, her usual teasing edge replaced with something softer.

Rosshossho shuddered, his form distorting with agitation. “But it burns when you think of her… it’s too unbearably warm. If that is but a taste, would you truly be so cruel as to force me to live inside her?” he muttered, cowering within the swirling cone of wind.

“Consider it part of your punishment… and always understand that it can always get worse if you resist. Your life would become much less enjoyable if you pushed me too far.” Mistral turned sharply to Aurora, her fingers tightening ever so slightly around hers. “Let’s leave him to his frozen little world, Aurora.”

Aurora laughed softly, grinning as she followed. “Yeah. Nice. I knew you were my hero.”

They walked for a short distance before the same fire they’d seen at the beginning of their journey flickered into existence before them. It was Great Manitou’s flame, waiting to guide them home. They stepped through, emerging back into the lodge, where the same young woman from the earlier vision stood waiting. Her gaze was cool, almost appraising, as she regarded them.

“I am surprised at your solution, Favored Daughter.”

Mistral let out a heavy breath. “Great Manitou, I cannot deny my feelings for this woman… so I took the only action I felt appropriate.”

“It is the nature of the pale-skins to impose their will upon nature. I did not expect this from you.”

Mistral squared her shoulders, meeting the spirit’s gaze with steady resolve. “Great Manitou, you made me the Beasts’ prison, and in so doing, their warden. If this was not intended as a punishment for me, then I believe I should be allowed to punish them in keeping with the spirit of their sentence.” She glanced at Aurora, a soft smile touching her lips. “I admit that I did not wish to bring them to heel with force. Perhaps I thought I did, but now I see that wasn’t truly in my heart. Even so, this was the only way I could remain true to myself.”

Great Manitou studied her for a long moment before her expression softened. She rose and embraced them both. “Favored Daughter, you have grown well… and though your method was less harmonious than I would have chosen, you were right to act as you did.” A low chuckle rumbled from her. “I am pleased with your maturity, and if you so wish, I will now reinforce the bonds that were loosened. You have earned this.”

Mistral shook her head, still smiling. “I don’t wish for you to do that. This is my responsibility. I am learning spells and rites on my own now, and I will find a way to strengthen their bonds myself. It is part of my obligation. But thank you for the offer, Great Manitou.” She smirked slightly. “Besides, Aurora makes for a great bargaining chip with them.”

I do? Aurora blinked, then narrowed her eyes playfully. I see how it is. I’m the glowing insurance policy now?

You’re far more than that, you’re quite the huggable insurance policy too, Holly murmured with amusement. But I have to admit, you do seem to have a rather unique effect on things here.

The deity’s smile widened, her warmth palpable as she drew them into another embrace. “Favored Daughter, it is your strength of heart that fills me with hope. You can always call on me. Though I may not always be able to assist in deed, I will always be here to comfort you in spirit.”

As her words settled over them, the great flame began to fade, leaving behind only its lingering warmth.