The red-robed intruder ignores Liv's warning and advances. Several feather-like lightning blades immediately shoot out from Liv's hands, but they pass through the sorcerer as if cutting through mist.
Countless overlapping voices, impossible to distinguish or count, blend together to form an inhuman murmur, enveloping the two of you in its ethereal embrace.
Futile... It's futile to retrieve the wishes...
As long as you cling to hope for the future, long for your home, and remain devoted to each other, the crimson will follow you like shadow. You will lose everything you desire in the end.
Let go... become one with us, and never leave this place... Rest forever with your loved one and remain in this eternal winter...
You step forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Liv, gripping her hand tightly.
No being, no matter how powerful, can take away our right to choose or our courage to act.
The silver-haired girl looks up. Holding aloft both flame and lightning amid a sea of suffering, she has long since cast aside her uncertainty.
As the true creator of this place, we would also like to invite you to attend the ball that celebrates the Snow Globe's completion.
[player name] and I will prove to you that even if you bring all your power and despair against us, you cannot shatter our world.
You exchange a wordless glance with Liv and see abundant and unwavering confidence in her eyes. She gives you an encouraging wink.
Even so... How dare you suggest such a thing...
The faceless shadow fluctuates violently, their voices and words momentarily falling into chaos, as if an argument is taking place behind the mask. Only after a while do they stabilize again.
Arrogant mortals... We accept your wager.
Call for us, and we shall come to honor our agreement...
Their form dissipates into thin air just as they appeared, and your vision, once distorted by their terrifying power, returns to clarity.
They have left... for now.
It looks like we need to hurry and decorate the venue properly.
As the Professor said... "until its beauty is strong enough to withstand any pain that tries to invade."
Let's go, Commandant. Time to create the paradise we've always dreamed of.
Palace Gates
Snow Globe
These ice crystal trees and frost flowers have grown so wild since they were turned into thorns. They've completely covered the path to the entrance.
Since we're hosting a ball, the path and courtyard will give our guests their first impression of us. That's very important.
We should trim everything to make it neat and tidy, and maybe add some special designs too...
Liv contemplates, lightly tapping her index finger against her lips twice. Suddenly, her face brightens as though she's just had a wonderful idea.
Commandant, how about we each trim one side of the bushes at the entrance? No peeking at what the other is doing until we're both done. Let's save the surprise for the end!
How about using these?
She summons her lotus wheel. Four petal-shaped blades fly down from it, hovering in front of you in the shape of scissors. They even open and close with convincing snipping sounds.
I've tweaked the rules of the Snow Globe a bit, so now the lotus wheel will listen to you too. Just picture the shape you want in your mind.
Let's get started!
Surrounded by your "gardening assistants," you turn toward your side of the bushes and begin to plan your design.
You think of the swan sculptures by the lake and Liv's flowing dress. The "scissors" immediately move with your thoughts, their speed so dizzying it's hard to follow.
In just moments, a collection of lifelike swan-shaped bushes takes form before you. Some appear ready to take flight, while others rest peacefully with curved necks. They complement the architectural style perfectly.
You think of the little lamb-shaped cookies Liv once presented to you. The "scissors" immediately move with your thoughts, their speed so dizzying it's hard to follow.
In just moments, a flock of lifelike lamb-shaped bushes takes form. Their woolly coats, crafted from flowers and leaves, look perfectly natural. Some are napping, while others leap and chase each other playfully.
The bushes before you show no change, and your gaze naturally falls on Liv as she stands deep in thought. Her waterfall-like ponytail sways gently, and you realize you've been staring at her, mesmerized.
Commandant, I know you're snooping.
A tinge of pink slowly spreads to the tips of her ears.
Hmm... I'll let it slide this time.
But you'll need to focus now, okay?
Liv begins working with her lotus wheel while your own design starts to take shape.
You think of the swan sculptures by the lake and Liv's flowing dress. The "scissors" immediately move with your thoughts, their speed so dizzying it's hard to follow.
In just moments, a collection of lifelike swan-shaped bushes takes form before you. Some appear ready to take flight, while others rest peacefully with curved necks. They complement the architectural style perfectly.
You think of the little lamb-shaped cookies Liv once presented to you. The "scissors" immediately move with your thoughts, their speed so dizzying it's hard to follow.
In just moments, a flock of lifelike lamb-shaped bushes takes form. Their woolly coats, crafted from flowers and leaves, look perfectly natural. Some are napping, while others leap and chase each other playfully.
I'm done too.
She turns around, clears her throat, and steps aside to reveal her creation to you.
Carved into the bushes is a group of small animals: a small lamb, Froggie, and a long-legged cat form a circle, dancing around a little raven in the center.
A part of the tenderness and warmth in my heart will always belong to Gray Raven.
She walks to the center of the path, frames a view with her hands, then turns to you with sparkling eyes.
Commandant, come over here and look at this.
We both chose animal themes, presented in different but complementary ways... Our creations look so harmonious together.
Indeed!
My ideas keep bubbling up one after another. Fortunately, we have an entire palace to bring them to life!
Liv's soft fingers slip into your palm. She pulls you along as she runs up the stairs, cheerful as a little bird leading its partner home.
Home, sweet home. She once told you with sincere eyes that home isn't just where she lives, but wherever her loved ones are.
Yet who wouldn't long for a love nest of their own? Large enough to hold all the tender affection between two people, yet intimate enough that it feels like the world contains no one else when the door closes.
Which wall tiles do you prefer? Strawberry cookie, or white chocolate?
Then let's have both.
I'll make sure to keep plenty of snacks by your side, Commandant, so you won't be tempted to nibble on the tiles.
What if we made the staircases and hallways randomly change positions before the ball begins? Do you think the Red Sorcerer would get so frustrated trying to find their way that they'd just leave?
I have to thank the tactical master before me for being such an influence.
I'll take that as a compliment!
Every bay window should have thick cushions big enough for both of us to lie down, with room left for some throw pillows.
I'd let my hair down, and you'd comb it bit by bit. We'd talk about everything and nothing, then drift off to sleep leaning against each other...
Walking past spiral staircases and terraces, through bedchambers and halls...
Through every corner of this wish made real, you build your home and a lifetime of companionship arm in arm with Liv.
Upon returning to the entrance, the entire palace is transformed, the traces of your resonating hearts evident everywhere.
Though ice and snow have their own beauty, the Snow Globe has been frozen in winter for too long. It's time for a change of color.
But before we bid winter farewell and welcome spring, there's something I've... secretly wanted to do for a long time.
A playful sparkle dances in her pink eyes. She remains deliberately vague as she tilts her head and rises slightly on her tiptoes, signaling for you to follow.
With three wishes awakened, the Snow Globe is no longer freezing cold.
The two of you walk along the lakeshore for a while before Liv crouches down ahead of you, seemingly searching for something in the snow.
Watch out, Com-man-dant!
Before she even finishes, she spins around suddenly and launches a soft yet perfectly aimed snowball that whooshes straight toward you.
You raise your arms to block, but you are a little too late, and powdery snow spills into your collar, sending a refreshing chill down your skin.
The culprit hops away from your surprised gaze, already forming another small snowball in her hands. Her posture remains characteristically dignified, but her eyes betray the satisfaction of a successful prank.
I did warn you, didn't I?
You bend down to quickly pack a snowball, your eyes never leaving your "target."
Liv laughs as she glances back while running away, nimble as a snow fairy.
In the blink of an eye, she disappears behind a cluster of trees, with only half her face peeking out to observe your movements.
You aim and throw, and the snowball arcs through the air, precisely hitting the thicket. It bursts into a spray of snow powder, making her silver hair shine even brighter than sunlight on ice.
That doesn't count! I'm still ahead by one point. Try to keep up, Commandant!
The lakeside clearing transforms into a playground battlefield, with snowballs flying back and forth between the sparse trees and low shrubs.
Liv packs snowballs with the same dedication she gives to gardening, but she still manages to dodge your attacks at the very last second.
As her snowball flies toward you, a sudden flash of inspiration strikes. Instead of dodging, you deliberately fall backward onto the snow behind you.
[player name]!
In an instant, Liv rushes to your side and leans down to check on you—
You suddenly grab her wrist and pull her down.
Oh no—
With a startled cry, she loses her balance and tumbles into the thick snow beside you. Her hair cascades like a waterfall, her dark hairpiece now coated with snow. She looks up at you with utter disbelief.
A smile ripples across her face like spring water, starting from the faintest curve at the corner of her lips. Liv's shoulders tremble slightly until finally, she can't hold it in anymore and bursts into laughter.
Hahaha!
I was afraid I hit you too hard...
It's been a long time since I've had a snowball fight like this. Thank you, [player name]. I had a wonderful time.
Okay.
Liv rises and strolls gracefully toward the lake. Abundant flowers bloom wherever she passes, unfurling across the distance like a carpet.
With graceful poise, she opens her arms to this world, and the world responds with a symphony of colorful wonders.
Amidst the falling petals, you catch a small flower and silently approach Liv, carefully tucking it into her hair.
