"Wonderful!" Ashtra babbled with a hearty roar. 

Nathan, out of all of them in there, pumped his fist with a triumphant shout, "Yes!" with his round of applause that was loud enough to rumble in the area.

After which, the crowd had a wave of applause amidst all the jumping and screaming from the victory. They threw their weapons up high and whistled as they continued the cheer for the ladies.

Veronica helped Mystique stand from crouching herself, fingertips propping on the frozen ground. 

Meanwhile, Marianne went to hug them all, then waved as wide as she could towards Sylvester. He clapped as loud as he could, of how proud he was to be her brother.

But then, to the side, although Athan pressed his lips, he grinned from ear to ear, nodding as though it was within his expectations.

"Thank goodness… Thank goodness…." Now, Arnold got tongue-tied; he pressed his forehead, gripping around his hairline, as he was about to lose it from his body trembling in subtlety.

'She's been singing and dancing, at the same time...'

For a while now, Keith looked around him, their voices became the hearth and beacon of hope, warmer and brighter than the sun could ever rise in this everwinter place. A weird sensation loomed in his heart, also almost wanted to burst out of happiness, but only managed to control himself.

"You, over there!" He pointed at Mystique, who was trying to stand on her ground while huffing out of breath. 

The loud cheers went to a stop like it was still far from over.

[Yes?]

"I want you to impress me, for one last time." From his squinting blue eyes now glinted, and it flinched everyone out, getting all on their toes from what was about to come.

Athan and the rest looked at each other, horrified and clueless. 

'Was it still far from over?' he pondered, scouring around, and they had no idea.

Except for Nathan, who bore no reaction.

But then, she was calmer this time around. Raising her trembling hands, she doodled midair.

[Allow me to prepare for a moment, if that would be alright.]

Her brave request gasped them, even Keith got startled as he almost stood from his stead. 

'My Lady…' he thought, then became wary of the 'Frost Wyrm's' reaction; however, Ashtra wasn't displeased, not one bit.

Only after beaming a wide grin, he quipped, "Five minutes. Go."

"Strav!" Nathan called, and without heeding any words, Strav descended in no time.

From the edge of the plateau, Strav perched for Keith and the rest to meet up with Mystique and the ladies who took part in the tribute. 

Athan and Sylvester followed and landed with their familiars and met with them.

Out of patience, Arnold leaped, with snowflake platforms on his feet as he went lower to the permafrost. Panting, he rushed towards Mystique and hugged her so tight like there was no tomorrow.

Arnold hesitated as he reached for her face, and across her cheeks had crack patterns. 

He was sobbing, for all he cared, and kept his snuggles. Meanwhile, she only caressed his back.

Any tighter, and as though she would shatter not for long; but then, she appreciated every second of it.

She pulled away, whispering, "Father… I'm sorry—"

"No! No! I— My Mysti… You've done well… You…"

"Sorry, I kept it a sec—"

Only then, Arnold hushed him, patting her back for another round of hug.

Uprooted, Keith only watched the only father and daughter interaction. How familiar it was the night Mystique woke up, then ate to meet Arnold. He clenched his chest against the sudden tightening as soon as he witnessed the both of them.

Withal, Mystique beckoned Nathan a signal from his hand, making him mutter back at her.

"Plan D?" His jaw clenched but sighed as he nodded in defeat, gesturing his arms. "Alright, I shall get into it. Ladies, please leave on this stage, immediately."

Athan, as unusual as it may be, neither complained nor took the lead as he followed this time. He then grabbed Veronica by his side.

Marianne went towards Sylvester, and the other two under Nathan's.

"Time's ticking…" Ashtra shifted his position, cackling deep from what seemed to entertain in from of him.

Arnold glared, but then Mystique grabbed him by the head, and eyes on her.

[Father, promise me. Never provoke him. Not now.]

"I swear on that."

[Also, another favor…]

He nodded.

[I need hail and replicas.] She moved her hand from head to toe.

"What—" Arnold then groaned aloud; left bobbing his head, saying, "Understood."

Arnold gulped hard, his eyes turned bloodshot but then moved out of the way after he opened his grimoire and went aglow. 

From the rumbling clouds, now dropped pellets of ice—one after another—clacking the ground.

Mystique glanced at Nathan, giving him the cue.

"Let's leave! The show's about to start!" Nathan blurted, running back to Strav.

Once again, another kind of sound boomed from the metallic crate—this time it had an unusual deep thumping tone, and with a rather electrified melody, despite catching the violin, guitar, and piano sounds to it.

Nathan's signaled, and the lights started to flicker for a gleaming spotlight on her.

Something inside Keith riled up, and when she started singing, the already sultry song escalated, and he became too flustered.

'W—What's this song?' he bit his lip as the wreath of heat built up inside him.

Meanwhile, Ashtra glued his gaze at her, entertained from the start.

It wasn't all, when the music progressed to a chorus, she twirled around, taking off the glimmering dress she had.

Everyone gasped at her sudden reveal, thin-layered tights with bedazzling fringes and sequins in a leotard.

Keith gaped at her, showing so much skin, having a myriad of emotions in him.

In front of them all, but she was oozing with confidence, and didn't care about anyone else but Ashtra.

Mystique wasn't holding back, her voice had so much power, singing for her life, while she moved around.

When the pellets covered the ground, she snapped her fingers; suddenly, five glacial replicas of her formed, in her control—in sync...

The music became upbeat, and he couldn't help but bob his head as his heart thumped unrestrained.

Everyone was impressed, and her voice brimmed with emotions that were too lustful, and intoxicating.

Like a drug, he couldn't get enough of it.

She jumped, split, and made a whimsical dance of her arms like graceful water flow.

Near the end, her voice rose like an eagle, and everyone was on the edge of their seats, amazed with her performance.

Otherworldly…

Outstanding…

Ashtra got elated, roaring.

Encore became successful.

Never-seen-before and they all cheered aloud.

Alas, Mystique collapsed.

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