The streets outside the tavern were eerily quiet in the aftermath of the battle, the wind howling through the narrow alleys of Glacier's Rest. The snow that had begun to fall earlier now blanketed the town in a thick layer of white, the silence broken only by the occasional crack of ice beneath booted feet. The faint glow of auroras flickered overhead, casting long, ghostly shadows across the empty street.
Nolan and Finn moved quickly, their breath visible in the cold air, the crunch of their footsteps the only noise in the stillness. The world around them felt like it was on the edge of unraveling, every crack in the earth, every gust of wind, a reminder of the forces at play in their lives.
Nolan's heart pounded in his chest, still thrumming with the energy he'd unleashed. His hands, glowing faintly with a golden light, felt too hot, too alive. The power within him, once so terrifyingly uncontrollable, was now something he couldn't ignore. It pulsed through him with every step, alive.
"Where are we going?" Finn asked, his voice tight with a mixture of fear and urgency.
Nolan didn't have an answer. His thoughts were a whirlwind. The soldiers were down, for now, but he knew they weren't the end. The Fracture wasn't a small-scale incident; it was the spark for something larger, something that could consume everything in its path. Every fractured person, every power that surged through them, was a piece of this larger puzzle. But what the pieces formed, Nolan had no idea. All he knew was that there was no turning back.
"We need to get to the outskirts of town," Nolan said, his voice hoarse. "There's a place… a contact of Mom's. She might know what's going on."
Finn glanced over at him, his eyes dark with worry. "A contact? Nolan, you're not thinking clearly. We're sitting ducks out here. They'll come after us. The Mountain Guard won't stop—especially not after what you just did."
Nolan turned his head, his gaze fixing on Finn. "I didn't have a choice. If we did nothing, we were dead."
Finn exhaled sharply, his breath misting in the air, and looked away. He didn't have a response. He was right—every step they took in the open was a risk. If the Fracture had changed Nolan this much, how much worse was it for others like him? How many others had been fractured, and what kind of powers did they have?
The wind kicked up again, carrying with it the faint sounds of shouting and the crunching of boots on snow. The Mountain Guard wasn't far behind. Nolan could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, his body tensing as though a storm was about to break.
"Go," he muttered to Finn, his voice low and grim. He pulled his brother by the sleeve and took off at a sprint, the golden glow from his hands lighting up the darkened streets ahead of them. Finn followed, matching his pace, but Nolan could hear his brother's labored breathing, his quick footsteps echoing behind him.
They rounded a corner, ducking into an alleyway, the narrow space barely wide enough for them to squeeze through. Snow was piled high against the sides of the buildings, and Nolan felt a deep chill creep up his spine. The feeling of being hunted had never been so real. He was a target now, and the weight of that reality pressed down on him with each passing moment.
Suddenly, a low rumble shook the ground beneath them, a thunderous sound that vibrated the snow underfoot. It was distant, but unmistakable.
"They're here," Finn said, his voice barely a whisper.
Nolan's heart skipped a beat. He glanced over his shoulder, instinctively reaching for his brother's arm. "Get behind me," he ordered.
Finn didn't hesitate, slipping behind Nolan as they moved deeper into the alley. They could hear the crunch of boots drawing nearer, the soldiers—more of them, this time—searching the streets. Nolan's eyes darted around, looking for a way out, a way to escape.
He didn't want to use his power again—not yet—but the temptation was there. It was so close to the surface, like a flame waiting to ignite. His hands burned with energy, flickering and pulsing with the promise of destruction.
"Focus, Nolan," Finn urged, his voice trembling. "Don't do it."
But Nolan could barely hear him over the pounding of his own heart. The sound of soldiers' footsteps grew louder. He could feel their presence, feel their eyes sweeping the streets, searching for him.
"Where are they?" a voice called out, distant but clear. A soldier, barking orders.
"They went this way," another voice responded. "Move out."
Nolan could hear them approaching, their boots crunching against the snow. He had no choice—he needed to act before they were trapped.
Suddenly, he lunged forward, pushing Finn behind him. His hands flared with golden light, a surge of raw power crackling from his fingertips. He thrust his hands forward, releasing a concentrated pulse of energy that shot down the alley like a bolt of lightning.
The blast was enough to send the soldiers flying back, their screams echoing as they were hurled into the snow. But Nolan didn't stop. He could feel the power inside him surge again, stronger now, more focused. It was a fire that wouldn't be extinguished.
"Go! Now!" Nolan shouted to Finn, his voice hoarse with desperation.
Finn didn't hesitate. He grabbed Nolan's arm, pulling him forward as they sprinted deeper into the alley, the sound of the soldiers' retreating steps still echoing in the distance. The path ahead was a blur as Nolan pushed himself harder, the cold air biting at his skin as he ran.
The alley ended in a narrow street, barely wide enough for a cart to pass through. The buildings on either side loomed high, their windows dark and shuttered. The night felt oppressive, as though it was closing in on them.
Nolan's pulse raced as he scanned their surroundings, looking for any sign of movement, any danger. He could feel the pressure building inside him again, the weight of the energy threatening to break free. His hands were glowing brighter now, the golden light flickering violently.
"I can't control it," Nolan muttered, his voice strained.
"You have to!" Finn replied, his face etched with worry. "You're not the only one who's scared, but we have to keep moving"
Nolan closed his eyes, trying to steady his breath, but the power was like a storm inside him, churning and writhing. He opened his eyes, looking to Finn. His brother's face was pale, but there was determination in his gaze.
"We don't have a choice," Finn said softly, stepping forward and putting a hand on Nolan's shoulder. "We survive. We find the answers. We end this."
Nolan nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. For the first time since the Fracture had begun, he felt something other than fear—something like hope. But the reality of their situation was still raw and unrelenting. The soldiers weren't far behind, and they couldn't keep running forever.
In the distance, Nolan could see the flickering light of a distant cabin. It was small, hidden in the shadows of the forest on the edge of town. The safe house—his mother's contact. They had to make it there.
"We need to move fast," Nolan whispered, glancing at Finn.
They ran, their feet pounding the snow as they approached the cabin. The lights inside flickered dimly, a single candle illuminating the window. But as they neared the door, Nolan felt something change—an eerie stillness in the air. The hairs on his neck stood up as he glanced over his shoulder.
The soldiers were close.
"Not again…" Nolan muttered under his breath.
He turned toward Finn, his jaw clenched. "We can't stop now."
Finn gave a quick nod, but before they could reach the door, a shadow darted across the cabin window. The door opened slowly, revealing a tall figure silhouetted against the dim light inside.
The figure stepped out, and Nolan's heart skipped a beat.
It was a woman, with wild, dark hair that whipped in the wind. She was wearing a long, hooded coat, and her eyes glinted with an unsettling intensity. She stared at the brothers with a look that was both familiar and foreign at the same time.
"Come in," she said softly, as if she'd been waiting for them.
Without another word, Nolan and Finn stepped inside, the weight of the world still pressing down on their shoulders. The figure closed the door behind them, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Nolan allowed himself to relax.
But the sense of dread never left.