The Whispering Forest was still. Most of it was covered in ice now. Frost clung to trees, plants, and the ground. Eight hilichurls stood frozen in place. Some were mid-swing. Others still held torches. All were locked in solid ice.
Barbara stood in the middle of the clearing. Her skirt had frost on the hem. Nyaromon, her Digimon, purred in her arms, its yellow fur warm against her chest. The fight was over. She looked tired, but her posture was steady.
Jean, Lumine, Diluc, Wendy, and Paimon arrived a minute later. Their boots crunched on the frozen ground. They stopped when they saw what had happened. Jean looked surprised. Diluc's eyes narrowed. No one said anything at first.
Barbara turned and smiled. "Jean—Acting Grand Master! You're back!" she called out, her voice clear. "Is the Stormterror crisis over?"
Jean nodded, sheathing her sword. "Yes. It's done. Twalin is free. Mondstadt is safe." Her tone was tired but calm. "Thanks to Lumine. And Harlan Flint."
Barbara's smile grew. "That's great news!" she said. "The cathedral's been tense. Everyone was worried." Nyaromon mewed in agreement.
Paimon flew forward. "Barbara, that fight was awesome! You froze those hilichurls like nothing!" she said. "I want that power too!"
Lumine crossed her arms and gave a nod. "She's right. That was impressive. And familiar. The way it spread… felt like my wind power."
Barbara looked down briefly. "It's from Harlan's comics," she said. "The Freeze Fruit, from One Piece. It lets me control ice. I wouldn't have stood a chance without it."
Diluc stepped closer and looked at the frozen battlefield. "That's not a Cryo Vision. That's something else," he said. "You're saying this came from a comic?"
Barbara held out her hand. A swirl of frost appeared around her fingers and then faded. "Yes. It came from the Freeze Fruit. I read the comic, and now it's mine."
Lumine nodded. "Same here. My wind powers are from another One Piece ability. Harlan gives out more than stories."
Jean seemed to piece things together. "Galehaven Comics again," she said. "Barbara, did you come out here to test it?"
Barbara shook her head. "No. Harlan told me certain wildflowers help Nyaromon evolve. That's why I was here. I wasn't planning to fight."
She lifted the Digimon. It mewed. Lumine and Paimon leaned in immediately.
"Aww, it's adorable!" Paimon said, petting it. "Harlan really knows how to pick 'em!"
Wendy stepped back quickly. "Another cat?" he said, hiding behind Diluc. "That makes two! I knew this would happen."
Paimon floated above him. "Scared of a kitten?" she teased.
Diluc ignored them and looked at Nyaromon, then at the frost-covered clearing. "These powers… they're changing things," he muttered. "I need to see that shop for myself."
Jean nodded slowly. "He gave us strength. But it's more than that." She looked at Barbara. "You've changed."
Paimon clapped her hands. "Let's go! I want to spend the rest of the day reading comics!" The group turned back toward Mondstadt.
Then the ice started cracking. A sharp sound cut through the air. The frozen hilichurls began to shatter. One after another, they broke into icy pieces. Limbs fell off. Masks split. In a few seconds, all that remained were piles of shards.
Everyone froze. The mood shifted.
Barbara spoke quietly. "If someone stays frozen too long, they break. That's what Harlan told me. It's not just a defensive tool—it can kill."
Jean didn't respond at first. Then she said, "That's… more than I expected." She tightened her grip on her sword.
Lumine was quiet. "That's serious power."
Paimon hovered lower. "I didn't know it could do that."
Diluc's Pyro Vision flared slightly. "So Harlan's not just handing out power. He's handing out weapons."
Wendy lowered his lyre. "His shop's small, but it's dangerous."
Barbara looked at all of them. "It's not meant to hurt. It's meant to protect. I chose to use it this way."
Jean stepped up beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I believe you," she said. "You've changed. And I'm proud of you."
They stood there for another moment before heading back toward Mondstadt. The forest stayed quiet behind them. The ice glittered in the sunlight, but now it looked colder, heavier. Galehaven Comics had left another mark—and this one wouldn't be forgotten soon.
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Reflection:Barbara's power proves lethal as well as useful. Jean now understands the weight behind Harlan's gifts. Diluc becomes interested—and concerned. The group leaves with more respect for Barbara, and more questions about the shop. Galehaven's influence continues to grow, reshaping what strength looks like in Teyvat.