Chapter 1: Uninvited Guests

Few people truly believe in demons before they see one with their bare eyes. You could say that you believe in them. Believe in a heaven and a hell. But I'd like to think that there's always that little voice in your head that insists angels and monsters aren't real. It's a lot easier to sleep believing that it's all myths and fairytales.

The first time Arendelle City learned to believe was 30 years ago.

It was sudden. One minute the city was bursting with life; lights sounds and alcohol mixing together under a perfectly starlit sky. The next all the lights were gone, the music was quiet, but I'm pretty sure everyone was still hammered. Now, blackouts weren't exactly rare, especially in a city as lively as Arendelle. Immense cold during July was much scarcer. First the cold-front rolled in, fog encroaching on the roads and buildings. Then the screaming. At first it was scared pedestrians, but it devolved into something more guttural. Something more feral, something plain wrong. The screaming evolved into shrieking, and panic began to break. From the depths of the fogs, unholy abominations scrambled out. They came in every size and shape imaginable, all of them with glowing eyes and bloodied claws. En masse they barreled down the streets, killing anything that they found. Street-level became a slaughterhouse.

Eventually the entirety of the North Mountain district had succumbed to the demonic onslaught. Any survivors had fled into the main district, most with demons hot on their tails. The borders seemed to be a lost cause as well. Conventional weapons did minimal damage and nobody was certain that anyone would make it out alive. It took a long bloody time, but eventually all the entrances in and out of North Mountain had been sealed off. All that remained was the main gate where the monsters stood watch. At the time, the people felt it was no longer a question of 'if' they were to be overrun, but when they would be overrun.

Then out of the sky came a bright flash of light, and a shooting star fell to earth. To this day, the officials in city hall have no idea what that that light was. All they know is that the shooting star hit directly in front of the gates, blinding everyone gathered around. The Frozen, as they had been nicknamed, were gathered in force on this particular day and they too seemed to be blinded by the radiance. When the light cleared beasts had already begun to flee. Lying in the crater from the explosion was a young woman. People try to remember the specifics, but they can only agree on a few things. First was her hair, a fiery strawberry blonde that draped over her shoulders. Second was her posture, the kind that one could liken to a wounded lion, or a scared dog. Lastly was her sword, a long sword of crimson where flames licked the air where it rested. The creatures hissed and howled at her as she slowly rose to her feet. Clothed in modest robes, the girl looked around at her new environment, holding the sword close to her as if it were her lifeblood. Blood was soon tested as the beasts charged forward at her, rabid and vicious like starving dogs. She only spared the crowd a quick glance before turning to the beasts and charging with her sword drawn high. And as she led the monsters away deeper, people began to release breaths they did not realize they were holding. They waited for a sign of life. They waited for a sign of a threat. But the gate had been silent, and such it had stayed.

For 30 years, the gate had stayed quiet. Demons occasionally reached out towards it, but soon demon hunters were trained; Individuals with all in the world to gain, and nothing to lose. They alone stood as the defense protecting the citizens of Arendelle from the beasts that lurked beyond. And for 30 years, there were no definitive sightings of the woman with fiery strawberry blonde hair, or the blade that licked fire. And for 30 years, she, like the threat of the Frozen and the demons fell into myth and legend that was only believed by children and those who saw it with their own eyes.

Abandoned papers and brimstone fluttered about me as I walked down the third abandoned street today. The buildings loomed over me, decayed and decrepit with the shadows of their former tenants. I think I saw the eyes flickering at me every so often, but I ignored them as I came to my destination. Wandering Oaken's Bar, Grill and Spa. I smiled as I pushed open the door to the only friendly life in this neighborhood.

Oaken's shop was a homely place, run down in most areas but polished where it mattered. The walls were cracking and the ceiling was leaking, but the tables were all varnished and polished like they were new. Apart from the tables, there was a jukebox in the corner that only played three songs from the 90's on repeat for free. The entrance to the spa was in the back corner, a simple windowed door that was perpetually fogged over. I've used it maybe once and it was positively heaven, once I got used to Oaken's considerably large and energetic family. In the middle back of the restaurant was the bar, tended by none other than the owner himself. He was polishing a glass but looked up when the door jingled. Smiling he raised a hand and said, "Yoohoo. Welcome back Anna. The usual?"

Waving back I pulled out a stool and nodded. "Yep. Make it extra thick this time."

Chuckling he put down the glass and pulled out a mug. "I still cannot believe that you are the only person who would come to a bar in the North Mountain district and ask for hot chocolate. Have you ever considered that strange for a moment?"

I blew a strand of strawberry blonde hair out of my face and started taking my gloves off. "Hey, have you ever had your hot chocolate? Because if you did, you'd do the same." I smirked and rested my elbows on the counter. "And besides, you're the one who refuses to move back to normal civilization."

Oaken was turning over pots and pans looking for the cocoa powder. "Yes, well it is rather safe here," He said casually tossing about some cooking implement I couldn't recognize, "Except for when somebody brings uninvited guests."

I scoff and lean back on my stool. My overcoat sags on the ground as I put one of my boots on the counter. "Look, if you're talking about Kristoff, I told him not to summon anymore reindeer in here. And he paid for the table, mugs and your daughter's doll. So as far as I'm concerned I have done nothing wr-"

Crashing wood stopped me mid-sentence. The sound came from behind me and I could practically smell the scent of demon breath. I sigh and take my foot off the counter. "Right, these guys. Look it's not like I invite them, they just let themselves in. Tell ya what, how 'bout you give me a discount and I'll escort them out. Deal?"

Not looking up from the boiling kettle he nodded, "Please try to do it before the drink is done. It's only good while it's still hot."

I laughed and swiveled around in my chair. Standing in the entrance way were three figures, each hunched over with dead glowing eyes and drooling acidic spit. I smirked and put one of my feet under the bottom of the stool. They hissed at me, brandishing sharp claws and rotten fangs. I smiled and flipped the stool up, grabbing it with my right hand. "Well, come on then," I held my arms to the sides, "I ain't got all day, so let's dance!"

They howled and charged forward at me: One in front with its claws brandished towards me, the other two flanking him on the sides. Laughing I thrust the stool out, hitting the lead in the face with an uncomfortable flat wooden surface. It connected with a dull thud and the beast fell to the floor. I let my momentum carry me forward and fell with it, missing the two that flew where my shoulders used to be. I rolled onto my back and jumped up, stomping on the creep that was on the floor. His friends hissed at me and charged forward. I swung the barstool and clipped one in the side of the head, knocking it to the side. The other I trapped his face between the legs of the stool. I stepped on its feet and slammed the stool to the ground, and the creep's head followed. The body crumpled and fell to the ground, disintegrating into dust. "Alright, that's one down for sure." I muttered before howling erupted near my left ear.

I swept the stool up with my leg and held it to the side, barely catching talons in the seat. "You're paying for that." Oaken said in a voice far too calm for a man whose establishment was being assaulted by unholy creatures.

"I'll cover it!" I yell as I twist the stool, popping the monster's shoulder with an audible crack. I backhand it, and punch it repeatedly till it falls to the ground and then I stomp on its head. With a dying groan it disappeared into thin air as well. Heh, too easy. I thought before the blades popped out of my chest.

Coughing I turned my head to look at the source. The first one that I had neglected to finish off was pinned against me with its claws pushing through my chest. I heaved a heavy sigh. "Look, seriously? This was a nice jacket." I said groaned because I just finished sewing this one back together last night. I reached to my hip and pulled out my baby. Light silver and blue steel, with a slight chrome touching on the grip. Her name was Frostbite and right now I pressed her to the forehead of the creep who was looking at me with the closest these things can get to surprise. I felt my mouth twitch into a smile as I held the trigger, "Yeah, I know." BANG "Surprised me too when I first found out."

With those three gone I put the chair back in its place and sat down. Oaken had already put the mug on the table on a small plate with a spoon delicately laid on the side. I smiled and took the mug in my hand. "Mm, this is exactly what I need after exerting myself." The liquid was thick and creamy, almost like hot syrup, as it poured down my throat. It was sweet, with the slight bitterness that made my skin prickle. The smell was just as strong as the taste, making me practically light headed. It took me a moment to notice the fingers snapping at me. "Yah?" I mumbled back intelligently.

"I was just checking to see if you were alright and that you weren't injured this time." Oaken said with a gentle smile, worry creeping in on the sides of his eyes.

I laughed and shook my head. "No way, I'm feeling better than ever. You just outdid yourself enough that I almost went into a chocolate coma for a minute. Seriously how do you manage to pull that off?" My phone buzzed in my pocket as I went for my second sip. Grumbling I pulled it out, and I outright groaned when I saw the caller ID.

I pressed the phone to my ear and I could practically hear his eyes rolling. "So, are you done with your chocolate break yet, or can we get back to work."

Mumbling to myself I took another long sip of the dark liquid. "You said I had an hour, so I'm making the best out of my one hour. You should know by now what happens when I drink."

"Yeah, you make everyone else uncomfortable while you make out with a cup of chocolate."

I huffed. "I do not make out with the beverage! I treat it like a lady, gently with my lips before I move my ton-"

"Okay, no. I do not need to know how that sentence ends. How about I just give you the coordinates for the alert and we just call it a day?" I could already visualize him holding his hands up in defeat.

I sigh and take another long draught, finishing the rest of my snack. "What, you telling me that they've got an actual signal this time?"

"Yep," He said, voice going back to business mode without missing a beat, "We've got a high concentration of frozen in the Eastern District. It's by the old fashion mall, about a five minute ride on your bike."

I nod and clean out the rest of my cup. "Alright, I'll head over, any details?"

"It's definitely the same group that you've been tracking for the past few days. If anything I think it got bigger. They're moving with a purpose. Do you need back-up?"

I stood up from my counter and looked at Oaken. He waved me off and I mouthed 'thank you' at him before grabbing my gloves off the counter-top. "What's the highest ranking that you see?"

"They're all E rank from where I sit. Still, there's more than a hundred of them."

I smile as I step outside and slip my glove on fully. "Then don't worry about me. This is going to be fun."

The Eastern Wing was a freaking mosh pit. I had managed to get onto one of the higher parking structures overlooking the group. I pulled my bike over and looked over at the giant mass of undead bodies, all gathered together. What was weird wasn't the fact that there were so many of them, or the fact that they were filing into line. What was weird was that most of them were just standing there, staring at the sky. They were looking up, transfixed at a point that, frankly I didn't see anything interesting in. I sighed and pulled out my phone

"Hey, Krissy. Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"I'm behind a computer Anna, I can't see anything." Sometimes I hated my assistant.

"Okay, fine. Do you see the large group of zombies gathered in some kind of Undead Burning Man festival?"

"I see a large group of them. Are you sure they're not doing anything."

I groaned. "They look like they're stoned as hell."

"Technically, they're reanimated corpses, so any form of intoxication is both highly impossible, and a bit redundant."

"Are you going to say anything helpful today, or do I have to call your freaking reindeer?"

"Hey, leave Sven out of this. He's taking his nap right now. Anyway, alright I can't see anything here to explain what's going on. All I can say that this is definitely what you've been looking for. I suggest asking them directly."

Smiling I grabbed the handlebar of my bike. "Alrighty then, I'll call you later after the interrogation."

"Remember to dust yourself off when you're done." He said before hanging up the phone. Shoving it in my pocket I revved my bike and took off the roof, slamming into an unfortunate group of Frozen on my way down. I laughed and pulled out Marshmallow, Frostbite's bigger pure white magnum of a brother. I sped down the group mowing over anything in my way, and shooting everything that didn't fall over.

The monsters screamed and converged on me as fast they could. Standing on my bike I jumped off into the air, flipping over the wave before pulling Frostbite out. While I fell I shot down at the ground, vaporizing a small group of them before I landed. Landing feet first, hands on the ground I exhaled a long breath. The monsters around me were all eyeing me warily, some twitching and snarling, but all afraid to cross into my personal space. I laughed as I stood up, guns out to my sides. "You know, most people would say that one of us has an incredibly unfair advantage. I would agree. So if you want, I can give you all a five minute head start to ru-"

Suddenly all the monsters stopped in their tracks and looked at the sky. Above the clouds parted in a circle, revealing a bright glow, brighter than the sun I swear. I shielded my eyes as the light intensified. It started to narrow until it was about as large as a spotlight. Amidst the glow I could see a figure slowly descending from the heavens. The silhouette showed a woman with large wings protruding from her back. I say woman because the shadow left little to imagination. Long slender legs leading up to a set of hips that were all woman. I was about to gawk at the rest of her when I noticed my breath beginning to mist. As she touched the ground I cursed and dove towards my bike. Shit! I thought as a wave of cold spread out from her foot. It spread out, fractals of ice freezing anything in their path solid. I winced as I felt one of my arms frost over before I shook it off. The cold spread for only a moment or two longer. I peeked out from behind my bike to view the frozen carnage that occurred. Every single one of the Frozen were, well frozen I guess. Ice statues littered the field, various masks of fury, rage and confusion scattered about. In the center, still glowing of course, was the mysterious figure. I could make out some details better: like how long and slender her fingers were, the icy blue of her eyes, and the pointiness of her sword which was now drawn at me.

"Praepara, monstrum!" she bellowed, air chilling around the blade. Ice crystals started to form on the silver steel as she gripped the handle tighter. The icy blue eyes were all focused on me now. "In nomine dei Pereat!" she shouted, lunging at me with the sword.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck, I thought to myself as I barely dodged the first strike. The tip of the sword caught my arm and I could see a faint trickle of blood flow down my sleeve. Double fuck. The wound started to ice over as well, numbing my dominant arm from elbow to wrist. All the fucks! I gasped as I bent out of the way of another strike. The momentum caused me to stagger, stepping back a few feet. She pressed onwards, unperturbed with a flurry of sword strikes. It was fast, agile and dangerous. I was caught in a blizzard, little bits of cold etching into my body, spreading the soreness out the longer I let it fester. I growled as she made a fast cut and almost lopped my arm off. "Okay, you have definitely had enough!" I shouted as I dodged the swing. She had put too much of her weight and found herself falling into it. I spun on my heel and delivered a swift kick to her stomach.

The wind left her with a whoosh as she struggled to hold onto the weapon and her balance. I couldn't just let this pass by, so I pressed forward. Strikes to her stomach and shoulders forced her back. She almost doubled over after a particularly hard strike. I pulled back, letting her stagger before semi-righting herself. She was half bent over, off-hand clutching at her stomach. Her dominant held out the blade, still shining with ice and pointed at my heart. Not a single bit of chill was lost in her eyes. With one last scream she thrust forward at me with all her might. It wasn't much though. All the stamina in her body was gone from taking those body blows. I sidestepped the blade and stepped in to her. Our faces, well my face and a shadowy one where you could only see the eyes, were practically touching as I locked my arm over her extended one. Twisting I slammed my palm into her shoulder and threw her to the ground. She fell and I stood over her. Reaching to my side I materialized Summerglow and pointed it directly at her face. Crimson blade stood inches away from porcelain skin. "Okay sweetheart, you have one sentence to explain why you almost carved me up like a turkey. It's July, and Thanksgiving is months from now." I glared at her as I let a small crackle of flame lick at her face. "So you better have a good explanation. And in my damn language, not fancy, dead Italian people talk."

No response. She just looked at me, eyes wide as saucers. The hood was starting to fall away and I could see a bit more of her features. First was the skin, pale and radiant as new fallen snow. Next was the mouth, cherry-colored lips fully agape with… shock? And then the eyes were in clear view, only obscured with the smallest of blonde ha- Oh God. My lungs froze and my heart skipped a beat. Oh God, It… It can't be. No way, no it… At this point I expected that I had the same expression she did. I lowered the sword, stepping back to let her breathe. She stood, not making a move towards her sword. All I could do was steal glances at my bike and wish I was anywhere but here. This is some cruel prank. I decided. Either that, or a chocolate based hallucination that Kristoff was warning me about. It proved not to be, as she lowered her hood and turned off her glow. Standing there, wide eyed with an even wider grin, was my angel. The last person I saw before I was banished. Fuck.

I recoiled a bit, moving to run to my bike before a pair of arms wrapped themselves around me. Her head was pressed against the rook of my neck, and I felt her body shake as the sobs ripped through her. "You're alive…" she muttered, reassuring herself, "After all this time, you're still alive…" I sighed and patted her back, ignoring my heart hammering against my chest.

"Yeah… It's me." I said, not being able to help my smile. "I can't even begin to say how much I missed you." She only shook harder and tried to strangle me with love. It was… surreal seeing her like this. Years ago, she had been my partner. Strong, strict, divine (I am so sorry), but above all things she was as cold as the blade she wielded, but thrice as beautiful. I smiled as I leaned into her, letting her familiar scent wash over me.

After what seemed like ages, she pulled away from me way. I was already missing the coolness of her touch. She looked at me with a smile. "I don't even know where… You've grown so tall."

I blushed and scuffed my boots on the ground. "It's fine, I mean you're still taller and beautifuller, er more beautiful um, yeah I'm just gonna shut up."

She giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. I almost tried telling her that it really didn't cover anything, but I couldn't bear to stop something that cute. "Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad to see some things never change."

I sighed and gave a sad smile. "Yeah, I guess." You have no idea. "But not everything." I sighed a little and tugged at my coat. Get a grip Anna, you're on the job. "Call me Anna, btw"

At this my angel looked at me with a confused tilt. "Why? Regardless of your circumstances, I still can call you by your creation name A-"

"Nope!" I dove and clamped my hand over her mouth. "Do not, I repeat. Do. Not. Say your real name to anyone. You have no idea how dangerous that is. "

She looked at me confused before nodding in agreement. "Alright, then… Anna." She struggled with the name and I had to bite back a smile. "Then, you shall call me… Elsa."

I nod and gesture to my bike. "Alright then, Elsa." God, that name is sexy. "Come on, I think I have a few questions that I need to ask."

She gave me another quizzical look and flared up her wings. "Would it not be easier to just fly?"

I hoped the pain didn't show on my face. Thankfully I was slightly turned away from her, so she didn't get to see the whole thing. Keeping my voice as level as I could, "I… think I prefer motorcycle. If you catch my drift."

Elsa looked at me before an expression of shock crossed her face. I waved it off immediately and she nodded back at me. "Alright, let me just clean up here first." She took a deep breath and brought her palms together. "Fragor" she muttered. Power flooded out from her voice, cascading in a shockwave around her. Everything was quiet, until the cracking began. Then all at once, all of ice shattered. From under me shards popped out and vanished before I could take proper notice. All of the statues did the same. I'm not sure if I was amazed at how strong she had gotten over the years, or if I was pissed off that she beat my single day kill count with one word. I think I was somewhere in between. I looked at her and our eyes met. She gave me a small smirk before sauntering off to the bike.

"Showoff." I grumbled, following behind her and jumping on the bike myself.