Men and women formed a ring around the bonfire and burst into dance. Scarlet flames and whirling silhouettes wove an ancient tapestry of heat and rhythm.0

Li Yuan donned a fur vest and short kilt, braided his long hair into wild little plaits, and joined them. Eyes bright, he leapt and stamped beside the Trueflame Tribe as though born among them.0

Around him loomed the Evernight. Outside was a dark sky and an endless blizzard, washing the colors of the world away. Only this small flame clung to life, a lone skiff on a frozen ocean, yet inside it burned the full vigor of humanity.0

Li Yuan surrendered to that vigor, laughing as he spun Snow beneath the sparks. The tribal steps were simple—huge, swaggering motions meant to scare off beasts. So he picked them up at once,...0