Thousands of flags whipped back and forth, a kaleidoscope of color. The air smelled of cold metal, popcorn, and something electricanticipation.

Athletes from every corner of the globe marched in a slow, winding river across the ice, their national colors bright against the white.

The announcer's voice boomed in Italian, then English, then French, rolling through the names of countries as the parade continued.

Somewhere in the back, a tall young man with sharp features and dark eyes walked with the men's figure skating team. Ilia Malinin. His eyes scanned the crowd, then the line of athletes ahead.

A few rows up, a young woman with brown hair and a stuffed panda tucked under her arm walked with the women's team, her heart pounding in time with the music blasting through the speakers.

The opening ceremony was only the beginning.