(As I've developed her, it dawned on me that Fjorm is a more confident and less traumatized version of Kiran. Ain't that a pretty neat coincidence? Maybe that could be useful in the story.)
The morning sun rose outside, and the order of heroes appreciated the break from fearing for their lives courtesy of Surtr. They all met with Gunnthra in the meeting room. "So I've thought about how we're going to go about today's objectives," She began. "and after much deliberation I think I've got a good strategy. Kiran will stay with me so we can think of a means to infiltrate Surtr's castle. Meanwhile the rest of you will go out to the shrine of frost and awaken Leiptr. Though beware, the shrine only grants such power to those who prove themselves in a test. A test designed by our ancestors. So do exercise caution." Kiran listened along, having already agreed to this plan during breakfast. That said, she still wanted to speak up to her friends. "Just... please return in one piece." She knew it was likely they'd be just fine, but it was worth expressing her concern.
The others smiled. "Don't worry about us. You just focus on giving us a game plan, alright?" Sharena reassured. Kiran nodded, and they wished one another luck. Gunnthra gave them a map of where the shrine was, so it wasn't too much trouble finding it. Though, as was the usual for hidden away places like this, it took a while to go about reaching it. But the carriages Gunnthra let them use did help with all that tedious hiking they'd been doing the last few days. With nothing else to do for now, Fjorm decided to strike up a conversation. Though she entrusted herself to their cause, she knew next to nothing about the order of heroes. Not long before this, legends sprang up of a stranger in a white coat aiding the Askrans in their war against Embla, but she never stuck her nose into the affairs of other kingdoms that didn't pose an immediate threat to them.
So naturally, the first thing to ask about was their mysterious tactician. "I never thought Kiran was more than just a myth until dreams of her started to appear for me and my siblings." The others certainly seemed intrigued. "Oh, did you talk to her like Gunnthra?" Alfonse asked. She shook her head. "No, the power to actually meet a real person in their dream is exclusive to her. That said, all of us have experienced it once or twice, but the finer details are always forgotten upon waking." Anna then brought up an observation of hers. "Speaking of which, I don't know what those two have discussed, but Kiran has been more vocal since. She even seems happier."
"Well, that's good. She's always had a way with words, so it really isn't that surprising." Her expression then dimmed. "What's wrong?" Sharena asked. "My other two siblings are still out there. The longer we stay here, the more time Surtr will have to hunt them down. We can't let that happen." That was very true. Surtr probably wouldn't bang his head against a wall waiting for them forever. All the more reason to end this war swiftly. After a half hour, they had arrived at their destination. They all got out and saw a tall dark blue building in front of them. The wind howled here as harsh cold air blew. Sharena bundled herself up. "Ugh. Boy do I regret forgetting to ask Gunnthra for some winter clothing."
The place had a somber feel to it. Almost creepy. Probably had to do with the fact it looked similar in design to a mausoleum. (The music "Wilikin Workshop - Main Theme 1" from Skylanders: Trap Team plays.) Fjorm gazed up at the ancient structure, even she being affected by this sinister feeling in the air. "Contrary to its name, it's said to be warmer inside. Follow me." She directed, now the temporary leader of the group since she knew this land better. They went in, and were confronted with both good and bad news. The good news was that it was indeed warmer in her. The bad news is they traced where some of this dread was coming from. Coffins lined the hallway. This wasn't just a shrine. It was a burial sight for Nifl's bravest...
They cautiously walked further into the dark catacombs of this horrid place. "This goes without saying, but do not disturb the spirits." Fjorm instructed. No one responded, as they were all at a loss for what they saw, but she knew they would heed her warning. They walked into the next room. There they saw inscriptions. It was written in ancient Niflian. Fjorm read aloud. "Here within this sacred place lies the sleeping souls of this kingdom's proudest. If your purpose here is noble, advance to the next room. If not, leave while you can." None of them had anything to fear by that, as they knew they were working for the good of humanity, so they followed its instructions.
The next room was large, and devoid of anything interesting save for one thing: at the other end of the room stood a pedestal with a silver ring on it. They closed the door behind them, and Fjorm took this opportunity to talk to the shrine's guardian without bothering the dead. "My name is Fjorm Kov. Second daughter to Queen Petra. I come in seek of aid." She announced to the room. Then the blue flames that lit the torches on the wall went out. In the pitch black darkness, a ghostly blue woman appeared. Her eyes were pupil-less and she wore a circlet. Her hair was long and wavy and her dress was similarly long and flowing. The spirit responded. A spirit that legends say goes by the name Shivers. "We hear your pleas, daughter of ice. But as is customary, your strength and will must be tested before our help can be bestowed. And understand, if arrogance overcomes you even for a moment, failure will be inescapable. Failure punishable by eternity in the permafrost. Will you still accept?"
Fjorm knew whatever this would end up being wouldn't be easy, but she had to try her best. "Yes. Anything for the support of my ancestors." Shivers then flew over to the pedestal with the ring. "Very well. Your task shall be to prevail over this cursed artifact. It is known as the Tear Ring. It was created by the gods, but has since fallen from grace like its forger. Place it on your finger, and it shall create a living manifestation of your darkest thoughts and emotions. Succeed in conquering it, and you shall pass the test." Sounded simple in theory, but she couldn't let her guard down. Shivers vanished as the torches relit. And then Fjorm approached the ring. She turned to her allies. "I must accomplish this on my own. Only intervene if absolutely necessary." Everyone nodded. "Remember we're here for you, princess." Alfonse reminded her.
As Fjorm picked the ring up, she felt an aura of hate and despair thrashing about within the cursed jewelry. This defiled artifact was the thing between her and Surtr's defeat. Swallowing the last of her hesitation, she put it on. At that instant, she started screaming in pain as the ring started strangling her finger. Black mist leaking from it as it spread over her whole hand and up her arm! "Fjorm!" Anna shouted as some sort of invisible barrier formed blocking them off from her side of the room. Fjorm fell to her knees as the ring's dark powers started eating and tearing into her soul. "Get back! I must do this on my own!" And they could only watch helplessly as the darkness consumed her. The shadow then peeled itself off of her, taking the ring with it. Now standing on its own feet, the mist cleared to reveal a second Fjorm. Her colors faded, her eyes sleep deprived and sunken it, her hair messy, and her body ravaged by burns.
The real Fjorm got back to her feet, looking into her own eyes. "Idiocy." the clone coldly stated. Fjorm grasped her lance tight and pointed it at the counterfeit. "You are to be my challenge. And so I will defeat you." The clone's scowl grew deeper. "Trying your best to live up to mother's legacy? Heh. How blasphemous." She attacked Dark Fjorm, knowing very well anything it spoke would be a jab at her insecurities. Unsurprisingly, it had a duplicate of her weapon, and the same skills and fighting style.
"What you speak is nothing more than a bloated version of my fears." Fjorm spoke, her confidence unflinching. But Dark Fjorm didn't seem so convinced she couldn't be cracked. "She entrusted you that lance as a parting gift. How proud she must be, seeing it swung like a toddler playing with a stick." She struck at it and though it defended itself with it's lance, it was far from on the defensive. It blasted shards of ice at her, the sharp point of the shards not only injuring her, but also breaking her guard as Dark Fjorm punched her square in the nose and knocked her down.
"...But that's not the worst part." Dark Fjorm continued, as Fjorm pulled the shards out of her and froze her wounds to numb the pain. "Gunnthra trusted you to protect the others, the ones you care about most, and you couldn't even do that. You fought against Surtr knowing very well how dangerous he is. Now you have doomed yourself, and everyone you care about to a scorching demise." Fjorm charged at it again, trying a more desperate approach by slicing her at random, and though it won her a good few gashes on her enemy, Dark Fjorm grabbed her lance in one of her swings and thrust her own at her. Luckily Fjorm did the same.
Fjorm deciphered it got strength from her doubt. So the best way to win was to win this argument. "Surtr would have come after us regardless of what we did! I have 'failed' no one! And there is little doubt in my heart we will succeed!" She fished back her lance and thrust it into Dark Fjorm's side. But she didn't seem all that fazed. "Hehehe... you know that last sentence is insincere. Look at you. You couldn't even beat Laevatein, and required Kiran to bail you out. Back at the gate you didn't contribute either, you just opened a big door while your new allies did the heavy lifting." Dark Fjorm had caught her in a very vulnerable area. And as she was hit with a pang of self-doubt, Dark Fjorm was able to pull the lance out of her.
Fjorm had to think of something fast. "Y-yes, but that's why I'm here: to get stronger. So I can be of use-" but Dark Fjorm cut her off. "Hah! And now we come full circle. You can never be as mighty nor as wise as mother, so stop pretending! Gunnthra, your people, everyone. You're giving them all false hope that will cost them everything. Might as well just come clean and toss the pointy rod to big sis while there are still some lives you haven't stomped on." She knocked her to the ground and crushed her head with her foot. Fjorm just couldn't stop this...! How could she conquer her dark side, an enemy that knew her so well!?
"You may be part of her, but you don't get that things aren't so black and white as you say!" Fjorm looked to the side to see Alfonse and the others. "Not living up to your potential, that's a very common fear for royalty. Spending time thinking about what you could have done better is just gonna year you apart." She liked the thought of Alfonse's words, but she just couldn't stop thinking about it, even with such reassurance. Sharena stepped forward. "There's a reason your people love you as much as Gunnthra: your fighting spirit is inspiring. The fact you went in against someone like Surtr despite knowing the odds is proof of that. So don't beat yourself up over the small things."
At that moment, Fjorm felt something. That was absolutely right! She wouldn't have gotten this far if she didn't cling on to hope. And she wasn't going to lose to some unfounded claim like this, even if it came from herself. And within that second, she thrusted Leiptr straight through Dark Fjorm's chest. That same black smoke pouring from her burns, cuts, and bruises. She didn't seem angry at all. In fact, she looked relieved that it was over. "Hehehargh... impressive. But tell me... do you truly think even your friends could help you pull a victory from this...?" Fjorm didn't know. But they had to try. "Time will tell. But I'll do everything I can, and I know they will too." Dark Fjorm faded into nothing with a deranged smile on her face, leaving behind only the ring.
Somewhere in the process of that battle, she had tapped into something. She felt stronger, her lance felt lighter, and her mind felt clearer. They heard Shivers' voice. "Now you see. The power within Leiptr is not granted. It is learnt. The ability to conquer any foe, even oneself. That is the power you have received." Her friends joined her and gave her some vulneraries to heal her up. "I find I'm again in your debt. This victory was through your hand." Alfonse and the others disagreed. "That power is your own. It only took our words for you to see it." Fjorm didn't know much about this strange band of warriors, but she now knew she could trust them through and through. And so they returned to Gunnthra's hideout to plan for their next move...
But at the shrine, not so long after...
Someone visited the shrine and picked up the Tear Ring. Studying it in their hand. "This brings back memories. How long has it been since we put you on? Here in this place of such sorrow, I feel so... me." They were then interrupted by another person whom had just appeared. "What do you think you're doing here? You've been meddling in the affairs of humans again. I don't have to remind you I'm always watching. Perhaps you'd care to explain yourself?" The first figure put down the ring. "I thought I told you I'm not just gonna sit back and watch while these animals destroy our world." The other figure groaned. "It's not ours to take claim of. I'm only gonna warn you once: fix this mess or I'll see to it you regret it." And the second figure vanished. The first figures muttered to themself. "It's not like you can control me anymore anyway." And they left as well.
(Hopefully you enjoyed this, even though I didn't think it particularly up to snuff when compared to the other chapters.)