Before anyone made a move, Kyo stepped in front of both of them, hoping to defuse the escalating situation. However, Eldo appeared visibly distressed, his skin marked by bright red patches.
"I can't..." Eldo mumbled.
"Heh, can't what?" Winter taunted with his arms crossed. The slow burn of Eldo's skin began, and Kyo sensed the impending conflict.
Suddenly, Winter stepped away and casually retreated into the cabin as if nothing had occurred. Shocked, Kyo found Eldo still kneeling, consumed by heat.
"Eldo, are you okay!?" Kyo screamed in panic, uncertain about what to do with a burning boy before him.
"Hey, you in the cabin? This is YOUR fault. How about you help out?" Kyo shouted towards Winter.
"One, my name is Winter, and two, he did that to himself," Winter retorted from inside the cabin.
In a surge of panic, Kyo seized Eldo and carried him to the nearest body of water, the noble act resulting in several degree burns across his own body. Despite the injuries, saving a life took precedence. They reached a lake where Kyo gently eased Eldo in to prevent further scorching.
"Hang in there, buddy. I'll patch you back up!" Kyo reassured Eldo, who had slipped into unconsciousness.
Eldo's eyes widened in the darkness, unsure of his surroundings. Moments later, the cabin materialized in flames, accompanied by screams of pain. It wasn't what he desired, but he recognized it as an inevitable outcome. The cabin vanished, returning to darkness. This time, Eldo sought to examine his surroundings, hoping to find a clue that might alter the grim vision.
"What are you looking for, my boy...?" spoke a figure enveloped in flames, resembling Eldo himself.
"Who—what...what are you?" Eldo hesitated to ask.
"Soon..." the blazing figure replied before vanishing. Eldo woke up abruptly back in his cabin bed.
"Hey, you're up!" Kyo greeted with excitement, seated nearby to tend to Eldo's wounds.
"Yeah, thanks for everything... I mean it," Eldo replied sincerely as he slowly rose from the bed.
"How long was I out for?" he continued, holding his head.
"A few hours or so," Kyo responded, allowing Eldo some space.
"Where's Winter?" Eldo inquired, but Kyo shrugged; he was equally clueless. The two boys sat in silence until Elliot jumped on Eldo's bed, purring on his lap, attempting to lighten the mood.
Meanwhile, Winter found himself in the heart of the forest near the meteorite he had touched. The entire area was encased in bone-chilling blue ice. Intrigued, he wanted to investigate further when suddenly, two cloaked figures emerged from behind the trees.
"I know you're there, no point in hiding now," Winter said, sharpening something in his hands. The cloaked figures approached.