In the wake of Kjerag slowly gaining fame, so too have Kjerag's snowcaps become better and better known. Among them, nevermelting Originium ice crystals, as a symbol of sincerity, have become even more sought after. Such ice crystals do exist, but acquiring them is a challenge. Only at the peaks of the most dangerous summits might they possibly be found. Numerous people drawn by the allure have ultimately found themselves leaving empty-handed. Still, not a problem for Gnosis. The Edelweisses—once generational guards of Kjerag's archives—would know the Snow Realm better than anyone. In his eyes, the difficulty lies in the climb. Indeed, despite spending his childhood years in Kjerag, he much prefers absorbing himself in archives. His family relocating to Victoria only saw him devote practically all his time to studies. Thus, even after he'd followed Enciodes back to Kjerag, he never once showed any interest in taking on the mountains. But today, he sets foot into them alone, following an ancient notebook as he ascends a remote peak. There, Originium ice crystals wait in silence for their unearthers. As he regards them, Gnosis cannot help but reminisce. The dream was power and prosperity for the nation of Kjerag, but the method of realizing it continually evolved as he studied in Victoria. His ultimate conclusion, he had to accept, ran counter to that future he and Enciodes had envisioned together in their youth. Which was why, he recalls, that as they parted and made their promise, he felt an unprecedented shred of defiance—would Enciodes come to Victoria? And should he, and should the rift in their consensus be impassable, what then? It came to be that Enciodes did arrive. Never had they clashed before, but they knew how each other's ideals had diverged in parts. Even so, with a shared dream in mind, still they firmly took each others' hands. Amidst the Snowcap Incident, he thought to play him at his own game, to employ more radical methods to corner Enciodes. Thought, assessment, hesitance, and thought again. In a desolate corner, idea upon idea spun through his mind. He could do it himself, he thought. In the end, he did nothing. When in that room they put hand in hand once again, he knew his choice had been foregone. It seems Enciodes has conveyed the Doctor an ice crystal. Gnosis has decided to procure one too, but does not plan to gift it to anyone. With the Snowcap Incident behind them, on this day as banal as any other, he treads alone into the mountains for one thing only—he wants to forge this ice crystal into a sword. A gift for himself. The blade it creates would be useless in combat. Should he ever replace his weaponry, it'll need to be made separately. But that is of no consequence, for he has no plans to fight with this blade. No, it won't even see the light of day. It'll remain hidden, forever. The crystal symbolizes unwavering loyalty. Never has he shown such a thing to Enciodes, and never will he. He will be faithful only to his own choices. And his choice is— The comms terminal at his belt vibrates. A communications network has been erected across the whole of Kjerag by now. Even upon the snowcaps, one can receive dispatches. 'You have a meeting.' 'Understood.' Carefully, he chisels off an Originium ice crystal and stows it away, before heading back down the mountain. Being the CTO of Karlan Trade, his free time is few and far between.