In the extreme reaches of the wintry north, frost and snow that hadn’t melted in a hundred thousand years threatened to freeze time itself.

A crisp birdcall broke through the desolate void of the cloudy sky. Rainbow light flashed over snowy ground as a a mythological luan bird abruptly appeared in the skies. A sighting of this creature indicated peace, and its outward appearance resembled that of a phoenix.

A charming girl perched on top of the luan. She softly patted the bird’s neck. “This is it.”

Excitement brimmed in her eyes and she looked around, seemingly murmuring to herself. “It’s been a hundred thousand...