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The borderlands between Fontaine and Snezhnaya were a stark contrast of misty waters and icy plains. The investigative party-Neuvillette, Arlecchino, and Yoshika-arrived at a desolate outpost near the border. The air was thick with tension, every sound amplified by the oppressive silence.

Neuvillette's sharp eyes scanned the area, his hand lightly brushing the air as he called forth his water-based abilities. A soft mist rose from the ground, revealing faint tracks that disappeared near the edge of a frozen river.

"Someone passed through here recently," Neuvillette noted, his tone measured.

Arlecchino knelt beside the tracks, her gloved fingers brushing the snow. "These tracks lead nowhere. Either they vanished into thin air, or someone doesn't want us following."

Yoshika remained silent, her dark pink eyes scanning the horizon. She gripped her golden-pink-gray spear tightly, the floral decorations catching the faint light of the rising sun.

"What do you think, Yoshika?" Neuvillette asked.

Yoshika's voice was cold and calm. "This reeks of subterfuge. Fontaine and Snezhnaya aren't the only players here. Something darker lurks beneath."

Arlecchino stood, her scythe slung over her shoulder. "If this is a ploy to sow discord between our nations, we'll root out the culprit."

The investigation led them deeper into the wilderness, where the icy river merged with Fontaine's flowing streams. The team moved cautiously, their senses heightened. Suddenly, a low, eerie hum filled the air.

"Do you hear that?" Yoshika asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Neuvillette nodded, his hand raised to summon a protective barrier of water. "It's coming from the cavern ahead."

The group approached a dark, yawning cave. Inside, faint blue and red glows pulsed rhythmically, illuminating strange symbols etched into the walls.

"This is no ordinary hideout," Arlecchino muttered, her grip tightening on her scythe.

Before they could proceed further, the glow intensified, and shadowy figures emerged from the depths. They moved like phantoms, their forms shifting and indistinct.

"Prepare yourselves," Neuvillette commanded.

The first figure lunged, and Neuvillette countered with a wave of water that crashed against the shadow, scattering it briefly. Arlecchino's scythe sliced through another, her movements precise and lethal. Yoshika spun her spear in a graceful arc, her strikes as fluid as a dancer's, each thrust finding its mark.

Despite their efforts, the shadows seemed endless. Neuvillette's usually calm demeanor grew tense as he raised a torrent of water, engulfing several figures at once.

"We need to find the source," Yoshika shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Neuvillette nodded. "Arlecchino, hold them off. Yoshika, with me."

The two raced deeper into the cavern, the glowing symbols growing brighter with each step. At the chamber's center, they found a large crystal pulsating with energy, tendrils of light snaking across the walls.

"This must be it," Yoshika said, her voice steady.

Neuvillette raised his hand, summoning a surge of water that collided with the crystal. The impact caused a deafening crack, and the shadows let out a collective wail before dissolving into the air.

Back at the entrance, Arlecchino dispatched the last of the figures as the cavern fell silent. She turned to see Neuvillette and Yoshika emerge, their expressions grave.

"It's done," Neuvillette said. "But this isn't over. Someone placed that crystal there, and we need to find out who."

Arlecchino nodded. "Agreed. This was just the beginning."

As they left the cavern, Yoshika glanced at Neuvillette. "You did well for a man of law."

Neuvillette allowed himself a faint smile. "And you for a dancer."

Yoshika smirked, her respect for the Chief Justice growing slightly. Yet, her thoughts lingered on the deeper mystery.

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𝖠/𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝖾: 𝗒𝖾𝖺 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍𝗌 𝗂𝗍. 𝖨 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗀𝗈𝗍 𝗂 𝗐𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗅𝗒 𝗅𝗆𝖺𝗈