The cold air of Spider Miles clung to Kaden's skin as he and Geralt made their way back toward the harbor, the city's dark, winding streets twisting around them like a web. They had what they came for—a map and a log pose—but something felt off. The streets were quieter now, almost too quiet, as if the whole island was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
"I don't like this," Geralt muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.
Kaden nodded in agreement. Ever since their fight with the thugs, he could feel eyes on them—watching, waiting. The island was full of predators, and it didn't take long for word to spread about anyone who made trouble.
As they rounded a corner, the low murmur of voices reached Kaden's ears. They were coming from a nearby alley, where two rough-looking men stood huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. Kaden and Geralt passed by them without a word, but the sound of their conversation carried on the wind.
"Did you hear about the fight earlier?" one of the men whispered. "Some guy took down a whole gang of thugs with just his bare hands... and get this—there was black snow falling when he did it."
Kaden felt a chill run down his spine.
"Black snow?" the other man repeated, sounding skeptical. "That's just a story. You know how people exaggerate. Probably just some bounty hunter trying to make a name for himself."
"I don't know," the first man said, shaking his head. "I was there, I saw it. The air got freezing cold, and then... it just started snowing. But the snow was black. That ain't normal."
Kaden and Geralt moved past the alley before the conversation could continue, but the words lingered in Kaden's mind. Black snow. It wasn't the first time it had happened. Every time he pushed his powers further, the cold became more intense, and the black frost spread through the air like a warning.
"People are talking," Kaden muttered, keeping his voice low as they walked.
Geralt grunted in agreement. "It won't be long before more people start noticing. We need to keep moving."
They continued through the streets, trying to keep a low profile. The industrial skyline of Spider Miles loomed overhead, smoke billowing from the old factories and shipyards that lined the waterfront. The city was a wasteland, but it was also full of secrets—and danger.
Inside a Seedy Tavern:
They slipped into a small, dimly lit tavern near the docks, hoping to stay out of sight for a while. The place was nearly empty, save for a few shady characters huddled around tables, nursing drinks and keeping to themselves. It was the kind of place where people went to disappear—no questions asked.
Kaden and Geralt took a seat at a table near the back, where they could see the door but remain hidden from view. The bartender, a burly man with a permanent scowl, glanced at them briefly before turning back to his work.
Kaden leaned forward, speaking in a low voice. "We've got what we need, but we still don't know the full picture. The World Government, the bounty hunters... everything we've learned so far tells us that things are going to get a lot worse."
Geralt nodded, his expression grim. "They're going to come after you harder now. Your bounty, your powers—none of it will stay quiet for long."
Kaden's hand tightened around the edge of the table. The idea of having a price on his head, of being hunted for something he barely understood, gnawed at him. But he knew Geralt was right. The fight with the thugs had already spread rumors, and it was only a matter of time before those rumors reached the wrong people.
"We need to get stronger," Kaden said quietly, his mind racing. "I need to get stronger."
Geralt studied him for a moment, then nodded. "We will. But strength alone won't be enough. We need information—more than just maps and tools. We need to understand who we're up against."
Kaden leaned back in his chair, his thoughts heavy. The Four Emperors, the World Government, the Marines—they were all just pieces of a larger puzzle. And somewhere in that puzzle was a place for him and his crew. But before they could face any of them, Kaden knew he had to master the power inside him. The black frost was dangerous—more dangerous than he had realized. And if he didn't learn to control it, it would consume him.
"Let's get out of here," Geralt said, standing up. "This place feels off."
Kaden didn't argue. They made their way toward the door, but before they could leave, the bartender called out to them.
"Hey," the bartender grunted, his voice rough and gravelly. "You the one they're calling Black Winter?"
Kaden froze.
Slowly, he turned to face the bartender, who was leaning against the counter, a smirk on his face. The man's eyes gleamed with something like amusement.
"You didn't think people would notice, did you?" the bartender continued, his voice low. "Word spreads fast in Spider Miles. Black snow, freezing air... sounds like something out of a fairy tale. But we both know it's real."
Kaden's eyes narrowed. He didn't like where this conversation was going. "Who's talking?"
The bartender shrugged. "Everyone. After that little scuffle earlier, people are saying there's a man in town who can freeze the air and turn it black. They're calling him Black Winter. Sounds like the kind of thing that would interest the wrong people."
Geralt stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "You should mind your own business."
The bartender chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I'm not looking for trouble. Just figured you'd want to know—rumors like that attract attention. And not the good kind."
Kaden didn't respond. He turned on his heel and walked out of the tavern, Geralt following close behind. The cold night air hit him as soon as they stepped outside, but the chill in the air felt different now. Black Winter. The nickname hung in the back of his mind, heavy and ominous.
Back at the Docks:
They made their way back to the docks in silence, the weight of the bartender's words still fresh in Kaden's mind. The streets were darker now, the city wrapped in a shroud of smoke and shadows. Kaden could feel the tension in the air, the sense that things were shifting around them.
As they approached the harbor, Geralt finally broke the silence. "You're going to have to accept it, you know."
Kaden glanced at him. "Accept what?"
"The name. Black Winter. It's already spreading, and there's no stopping it now," Geralt said calmly. "Your powers are out in the open. People are going to fear you—and some of them are going to come after you because of it."
Kaden didn't respond immediately. He stared out at the dark, icy water of the harbor, the black snowflakes still swirling faintly in the air. Black Winter. It wasn't a name he had chosen, but it seemed like the world had already decided for him.
"I don't care about the name," Kaden said quietly. "But if it's going to bring more enemies our way, we need to be ready for them."
Geralt nodded. "We will be."
Kaden's hand tightened into a fist as he stared out at the horizon. The world was coming for him, whether he was ready or not. But as the Black Winter, he would make sure the world knew his name—and his power.