Even by her standards it was cold. She'd grown up on a frigid mountain in a land where the snow never melted, stretching smooth and white as far as the eye could see, and still this far surpassed any winter there. Blizzards, whiteouts, dark sunless days hunting for scarce prey - none of that compared to the reality of this tumultous land.

Valeska had braved venturing out beyond the Respite's borders hoping to see something encouraging on the horizon. Blue cracks had formed in the earth all around their home, and while she still felt safer there than back out in the great unknown, it would have comforted her to see...

... Anything else.

Unfortunately that was not the case. Her heart sank as she witnessed a great, terrible shape moving off the coastline, its presence alone creating more cracks and fissures that spread ever further inland like a cancer. The whole world that she could see was buried beneath a blanket of white snow laced with fractures of glowing azure blue.

Valeska shivered, feeling her teeth chatter. Small icicles had begun to from in each nostril, and as another cold gust of wind slapped her fur against her eyes, she decided to appeal to her gods.

О, священная волчица-мать, Хоуту, которая оберегает всех! (Oh Sacred Wolf Mother, Houtu who watches over all) she shouted into the deepening dark, Услышь мою молитву и исцели эту землю! Во славное имя Твое все исцеляется; благослови нас милостью Твоей! (Hear my prayer and heal this land! In your glorious name all things are made whole; bless us with your mercy!)

Her own voice echoed back.

Please... or we shall perish.