The next two days passed swiftly.
Chase was watching the warm lands of the sun pass by, from the window of the lead Phoenix carriage.
He could hear the clobbering of the horse's hooves trotting on the dirt pathways.
Luckily, Sparky could now be summoned at will and when he wasn't needed he could rest within Chase's soul.
But their bond had certainly grown, instead of just growls...
It was like he could truly understand the Hellhound now, although the canine companion had grown quite quiet since the initial summon.
He only ever let out an occasional snore during the night, which a Hellhound's snore wasn't the most pleasant thing to hear when trying to sleep.
The air was slowly growing colder, as the horse let out a muffled grunt.
Warm lanterns surrounded the onyx carriages, but the flames within them were slowly dimming the farther they treaded.
Chase knew where they were going, all of them did.
He was sitting on the farthest seat to the back right of the carriage.
To his left sat Equan, who was already prepared with several large blankets around his shoulders.
On his far right sat a completely silent Michael, who also just so happened to be watching the pleasant home lands pass by.
The other side of the carriage sat Leo of House Lion, Coach Gerald in the middle, and the team's new vanguard who was luckily quite a familiar face.
Neo was sitting with a smug look within his neon blue eyes, with his unusually large arms crossed at his chest.
Coach had specifically chosen the five of them to sit up with him, and it made sense considering the last away game they had played.
Leo had tried to strangle Chase in the far back carriage, causing the driver too stop.
That of course ended up leading to a thirty minute delay of game, and after the team had won Equan and Michael thought it was a good idea too launch fireworks in the front yard of Shadowspire Academy.
While Neo had not even showed up to a practice since his initial suspension in the first game of the season, he already had quite a bad reputation with coach.
Chase's thoughts traced back to his recent couple of interesting days.
He tended to avoid the thoughts, but they were always there and trying to creep in when he least expected.
'Everything is back to normal...'
And it was...
No one other than Poppy, Neo, and Chase even had memories of the chaotic day that had brought forth a wonderfully pleasant detention.
The three had been swallowed by a mimic, fought their worst fears, and even gained some sort of unique bond.
All of them were heirs of powerful houses after all...
Even though Poppy was a bastard of the queen, she still shared the same blood as the House of Lightborn.
And who knew who her real father could be...? After all, it wasn't everyday the queen of such a powerful house was caught having an affair.
'Why am I even thinking about her...?!'
He shook his head, gaining an annoyed grin from Leo.
"You scared, Stray?!"
Chase ignored him, which caused Leo to punch the rattling wall of the carriage.
"Hey!"
Gerald grunted, from his slumber.
"What Coach? The wimp doesn't know just how terrible these Frost-punks are..."
There was only silence.
After all Chase Did know of these "Frost-punks". His father had been killed by their queen...
While he wanted to win more than any of his teammates, Leander had said that they would get their chance in the playoffs.
Plus, this was his first real chance too study his enemy.
"Then win..."
Neo said with a shrug, as if it was the easiest thing ever.
Chase knew that Neo didn't care much about Aetherball, but there were only three students who knew of his history with Frostfang.
Those students being Neo, Poppy, and Michael.
And two of them were about to fight this battle with him.
Before they had left for the game, many of his teammates had given him strange looks inside of the locker room.
Feeling the bitter air bite into his arms, he realized just how dumb he looked.
He was about to play an entire Aetherball game with no sleeves, no compression gear, and no heated clothing...
Nothing but his jersey, Shorts, and Helmet.
He had a reasoning of course.
Chase had heard of the terrible cold that acted as the greatest home field advantage too such a savage people.
He wanted to train his body for both the inevitable championship game, and the war that was soon too come.
But he would be lying if he didn't regret the foolish choice.
Then after another thirty minutes, the carriage came to a stop.
Upon leaving the carriage Chase stood in awe from the towering coliseum made of ice, in the near distance.
"Damnit all..."
Leo muttered from a few meters away.
Neo stepped up next to Chase and slammed him in the back with his palm, causing him too nearly stumble over.
"Dude..."
He mumbled.
"Chill out, I can see your hands shaking."
Neo said with a stupid grin on his face.
Michael had gathered the defensive players in a circle and was trying to explain a half-hearted gameplan.
The Vanguard and Attackers had decided it was best to switch to a joint attacking group for this game.
So the six of them stood alongside the parked carriage.
It was silent, as they really didn't have anything too say.
They all knew the gameplan, and were all feeling the dread of this game.
After all, the first time these teams played... It resulted in a hopeless blowout against the team who just so happened to have home field advantage.
Frostfang had already destroyed Phoenix Academy once...