Erika: Snowy Realm/Memory

## Chapter 1: Journey of North Wind

Silent snow covers the white city outside the window. White houses ring neatly around the crystal castle in the city center.
Every yard has only one snow shovel and one broom. Every chimney has been swept, with no fire or ashes in the fireplace.
Narration
The residents of White Castle, who fear neither frost nor cold, turn in early, but not before reading a chapter of the December Anthology. They even hum notes and phrases from it in their sleep.
The north wind sings a discordant harmony as it passes through the empty chimneys; Snowflakes flutter with gossip from the road, falling silent as they hit the ground.
Narration
The northern pine forest seems to have appointed itself guardian of the land, protecting the frigid Mount Noddley and woods from frozen springs.
From there, the north wind winds through the meandering trails, circling the streets and rooftops of White Castle and leaving its cold whispers in every corner, except one.
At the edge of White Castle, on the other bank of the ripple-lit river, sits the red city whose lights never go out.
Narration
Even the well-traveled north wind halts here, doubling back to circle the tall tower in the snow-white city center.
After a series of gravity-defying maneuvers, the breeze alights on the queen's windowsill at the top of the tower.
Narration
On a feathery bed softer than snowflakes lies the master of the keep–Queen Erika. There isn't another face finer than hers in White Castle.
A crystal ball hovers in the air, rising and falling with the queen's breathing.
It's always by the queen's side. Through it, she sees all in her domain.
Even the wind wishes to peek into the crystal ball and catch a glimpse of unvisited places.
When the queen's in deep slumber, the ball would show her dreams, and the past of a set of twin sisters hidden within.
But now, permafrost glazes the entire ball every night and confines the dreams within.
Only faint singing and blurry firelight slip past the frosty barrier, as if from a land far, far away...
Singing
♪Light the candle and wake up the quiet night... Embrace the travelling snowflakes and collect winter's warmth...♬♪
Narration
From where comes a voice more moving, a dance more deft than the north wind itself?
Even the proud north wind must bow to the melodious voice. Whose voice is it, singing in so deep a dream?
Narration
The clever and worldly wind recalls a Starsnow long ago, when it combs the most ticklish tree in the castle square.
Snow falls off the treetop onto a girl in a white dress. A girl in red next to her giggles.
Girl in Red Dress
Erike, you look dumber than an apple-roasted goose, haha!
Girl in White Dress
Why didn't you warn me instead of laughing there...
Girl in Red Dress
You only got snowed on 'cus you were walking so slow. Just your luck–ah!
Narration
More snow falls, this time on Erinka. The girl in white bursts into laughter.
Girl in White Dress
Now we're both lucky, Erinka!
Narration
The sisters brushes snow off each other and left hand in hand, leaving their footprints in snow.
Erinka, Erika... That's it, those were their names.
Narration
"Ding dong..." The bell on the town square rings as the sun peeks out behind rooftops. It's a new day, time for the wind to go home and sleep.
Roused by the bell, the queen turns over and opens her eyes. The frost of the crystal ball slowly melts away, as if rising with its master.