Chapter Text
From what Annette showed you of the camp, it really wasn’t much different to what you’ve already seen in the game. Although you could compare it to being more simplistic, but you figured that was just because of the breaking down.
You pursed your lips together as you boarded the carriage. It was a simple wooden built one you’d recongize people would use for carrying cargo. Pulled by two dark colored horses that were heavily armored for the winters bite.
You held yourself back form making a joke related to a certain cavalry captain as you took Annettes hand and boarded the cart. You two sat side by side, you’re surprised you couldn’t feel the icey cold wood of your seat, you really need to invest in some good layered pants like this when you get back to your world.
The carriage lurched as it began to move, wooden wheels crunching through the snow with a rhythmic groan. The cold seeped through the cracks in the seats, but the thick coat Annette had given you did its job well. You could still feel the faint shift and click of the horses’ hooves as they moved the cart, steady and strong beneath you.
Annette sat with her hands folded in her lap, her posture poised despite the uneven ride. For a while, neither of you spoke — the world outside offered enough to fill the silence. Frosted pines blurred past in muted streaks of white and gray, and every so often, the faint sound of voices drifted from the other carriages in the convoy.
Vasyl sat opposite you, gloved hands resting on his knees, his expression unreadable behind the faint fog of his breath. You didn’t dare hold his gaze for too long, something about it made the space surrounding you all feel smaller than it already was.
Eventually, Annette turned her head toward you, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re taking this better than I expected. Most outsiders can’t stop shivering by now.”
You gave a soft chuckle. “Believe me. I’m still not really built for blizzards and stuff.”
That got a laugh from her, but- it felt brighter this time. “You’ll adjust. Snezhnaya has a way of testing and teaching people.”
You chuckled softly at her comment, lightening the air apron’s the two of you for a moment before it was swallowed by silence. There was a stretch of quiet before she spoke again, voice a touch gentler. “You say you’re not used to the cold, so… I assume you’re from a warmer region?”
“Um, yeah— uh—” you stumbled, forcing a laugh that came out a little too nervous. “I’m from Mondstadt. I— um, think.” Mondstadt was your first pick, smallest region currently, would be hard to pin point any suspicion from you. Or did you just convince yourself that.
Across from you, Vasyl’s head shifted slightly, his attention catching on the words. You could feel his gaze even if he didn’t look directly at you.
Annette tilted her head, curiosity softening her expression. “You think?”
You nodded vigorously, clearing your throat as you forced your shoulders to relax. “It’s… um, hard to process everything still. I remember living near the Dawn Winery — it’s just kind of blurry right now. Sorry.”
Her expression softened even more, and she nodded slowly. “That’s alright. Don’t worry about forcing it. Memory takes time to settle, especially after something traumatic.”
You looked down at your gloved hands, feeling a quiet gratitude you didn’t quite know how to put into words. “Yeah. Thanks.”
She tried to lighten the conversation to something more friendly after that. “Do you have any family?”
The question caught you off guard.
You blinked, looking away for a moment as you seemed to hesitate. Okay…She wanted to know you on a deeper level. That’s normal, you can do that. You should feel flattered, but why do you feel so— awkward?
“…Yeah,” you said finally. Fighting off your hesitation as you try to have a normal human conversation, “A brother and two sisters.”
She smiled, “Older or younger?”
“One older, two younger.” You forced a smile back, maybe it was just your inner insecurities that was making this hard for you. You never really allowed yourself to enjoy more one-on-one connections with others back in your world. “What about you?”
Annette’s voice softened. “Just my sister and my father.” However, a hint of sadness was detectable when she mentioned her father.
You nodded, letting the quiet settle again. You felt inclined to ask about her father but who were you to intrude like that? But then again, you always wondered how many of these people actually got the chance to talk about what’s truly on their minds. But through the reflection in the window, you noticed Vasyl’s silhouette shift slightly. His head inclined, just enough to make you jump for a moment— was he still listening to you?
Relax
Aero whispered inside your head. You’re fine. He probably just thinks you’re boring.
Comforting, you thought dryly.
The conversation dwindled after that, replaced by the steady creak of the carriage and the low murmur of the wind outside. When the wheels finally hit smoother ground, you glanced up to see dark smoke curling into the sky ahead.
Annette followed your gaze. “We’re almost there.”
The convoy slowed as the carriages reached the station — if you could even call it that. A wide stretch of packed snow opened onto iron rails, where the train waited like a sleeping lion. Its black hull gleamed under the pale light, frost clinging to its armored surface. The front was fitted with a massive steel wedge, a snowplow designed to carve a path through the ice like a killer.
Hissing vents exhaled thick white steam that rose into the air like ghostly breath. The metallic scent of oil and coal filled your lungs as the first echo of the whistle split the frozen stillness.
You climbed down with Annette’s help, your boots crunching against the hard-packed snow. Soldiers were already loading crates into cargo cars, their movements mechanical and practiced.
Vasyl dismounted nearby, giving a few clipped orders to the others. He didn’t look at you— like at all. Well, you suppose you should be thankful for that composited to the couple other times you felt him burning holes into your head— but the awareness of his presence began prickled the back of your neck again.
Oh nevermind then, NOW he’s watching again?
You thought bitterly as you adjusted your coat. Whatever, who cares? You did, don’t lie to me.
He’s a perceptive guy
Aero teased. Or maybe he’s already sussing you out y’know.
Okay first off, don’t say ‘sussing’ ever again, I’d rather not have tiktok comment section humor in my fantasy game. Also— that hurt to hear.
Well. No promises.
Annette gestured for you to follow her toward one of the middle carriages. “This way,” she said gently. “You can sit by the window. The ride’s long, but the view is worth it.”
You nodded and stepped up onto the narrow metal stairs, the train groaning faintly beneath your feet. The warmth hits you first— dry and nostalgic, for a moment you’re reminded of being a little kind around the fireplace for Christmas. Then the rhythmic heartbeat of the engine echoed.
By the time everyone had boarded, the horn blew again— deep, resonant, commanding. The train shuddered, then lurched forward, pulling free of the snow-dusted station.
You pressed your palm to the cold glass, watching the white wilderness slide by. Peaks rose in the distance like frozen spires, their tops glowing faintly in the pale sun.
It’s beautiful, you thought.
It’s Snezhnaya
Aero replied quietly. Dangerous things are beautiful here.
You didn’t respond — only watched as the land rolled on, the rails stretching endlessly into the cold horizon.
Your eyelids felt heavy. The soothing sensation of the train running on the track gave you a sense of ease you didn’t realize you were missing.
Should you sleep? That’s safe, right? I mean– it is a train. And you trust Annette enough that you believe she won’t do anything to you if you knocked out. Your eyes glanced over slightly to the other guest that sat in front of you. The Captain.
Across from you, Vasyl sat with his arms folded, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond the frosted window. Even seated, he carried the same commanding stillness that made the air feel heavier around him.
You didn’t know what to think of Vasyl. But you knew to be cautious about your steps around him.
Every few seconds, the train hit a slight bump that rocked the compartment just enough to make your shoulder brush against Annette’s. She didn’t seem to mind — she had her head tilted down reading into a journal on her lap. Small scribbles of words with pencil less that had faded on the paper, you’d almost wonder how many times she’s read this book.
The warmth in the cabin mixed with the quiet hum of the rails, the occasional whistle in the distance, the faint click of Vasyl’s glove against his knee — all of it weaving together into a rhythm that lulled you further.
Your eyelids fluttered.
You exhaled through your nose, the warmth pressed heavier against you now. It sunk into your bones, pulling at your thoughts until even the sharp edges of your anxiety began to dull.
Your head drifted toward the glass, and the faint chill of the window met your temple. Through the blur of your reflection, you could still see Vasyl — unmoving, statue-still — and Annette beside you, her expression soft and patient as the endless white rolled by.
Somewhere in the distance, the train’s horn sounded again — low, deep, and steady.
Then everything faded.
Through foggy memories that weren’t yours, to flashes of magenta light threading through dark eyes…maybe, just maybe— something else—was piercing through the cracks of your mind.
You slept with ease against the cold of the train’s glass.
The rhythm of the wheels became something else entirely, pulsing like a heartbeat echoing across distance. For a moment, you were no longer whole…fragments of yourself scattered through an endless void, shards drifting close but never touching. Each one glimmered faintly with pieces of emotion you couldn’t name.
You dream of yourself in pieces. Each shard of your heart and mind scattered like ripples of water in a vast lake.
.
.
.
But It’s not really you, is it?