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"Now," Mara started, "who wants to die at the hands of a god?"
"I have only one God." Rhys said. "And he sure as hell won't appreciate you taking his place."
"Ah." Mara said. "Delusional. Look at this man, people." Mara extended her arms and then pointed to Rhys. She wanted everyone to keep their attention on him. "Let him be an example of what happens to people when they deny what's true." She then looked up at her dragon. "If you please." She continued.
Mara stepped out of the way as the dragon stepped forward, eyes locked on Rhys. Rhys gulped and widened his eyes when he realized what the dragon was about to do. The green glow in the bottom of its throat signified one thing: things were about to get hot.
The dragon did not hesitate to breath fire at Rhys. Kai, who was standing right next to him, seemed to be in the line of fire as well. But, fire couldn't harm him even if he wanted it to. Elsa let out a gasp and covered her mouth as she watched from her balcony. The guards gasped and yelled worried phrases. None of them were in harm's way, though. They stood too far from the dragon, Rhys, and Kai.
At the last second, before the green stream of fire hit Rhys, Kai stepped to the side, standing in front of Rhys. Before the fire could hit him, he shot his own stream of fire to counter and clash it. The dragon definitely wasn't expecting it as its stream was pushed back. Their streams met in the middle, Kai doing his best to push the dragon fire back. His face did not show any signs of despair. He looked rather stern and serious as if he wasn't struggling, but he wasn't having a walk in the park either. But, after a few seconds, Kai pushed back even more. His stream got stronger and bigger.
The dragon was a minion but it had a mind. If it let Kai's stream push its own stream into its mouth, then there was no way it would survive as it would burn on the inside. So, when Kai's stream came close enough to the dragon's face, it closed its mouth and Kai's fire it its face. This caused the dragon's head to be hit back and for it to fall onto the ground.
"Oh, how dare you." Mara said, not exactly angrily. "Do you know how hard it is to make one of those? So rude and inconsiderate. You know what? I might kill you first."
"Enough!" Elsa ordered.
Mara raised an eyebrow and looked over at Elsa, forgetting Kai.
Elsa, although still in her recovering state, vaulted off of the railing of her balcony. In midair, she created an ice slide beneath her feet, sliding down over her guards and landing right next to Kai and Rhys. The ice slide then turned into tiny snowflakes, disappearing for good.
"This is not the way to do things." Elsa argued.
"I fail to see where you have jurisdiction over me." Mara said. "The dark sky means I own the earth. You would do good to not rebel over what is already mine."
"I only mean to negotiate." Elsa explained.
"Negotiate?" Mara repeated. "Would you like me to leave you alone so you can all starve to death on your own. If that's what you want, then-"
"I will not sit here while we all starve with no action." Elsa argued. "I'm sure you know of a little something caller honor, right?"
"I'm familiar with the term." Mara said.
"Then tell me." Elsa continued. "Where is the honor in taking out people where their heart is and when they're least suspecting?"
"I figured it would be kinder than to let you all scramble to survive." Mara countered.
"It's funny how alleged kindness and honor mean different things." Elsa argued. "If you didn't realize, there is no honor in what you're doing."
"Why should I care if there is honor or not?" Mara inquired.
"Because you call yourself a god," Elsa answered, "and gods would have the decency to respect the words and wanting of those below them."
Elsa almost threw up when she said that. She basically was admitting to Mara her superiority over them and how they submitted with their words. No way in the world would Elsa ever truly accept Mara as what Mara thinks she is. But, this may be the only way for Elsa to get what she wanted, and she had to take the shot. If she missed, then they would die. Hell, if she made it, they all might die nonetheless.
"Get to the point, Elsa." Mara ordered. "What is it you're asking of me?"
"I'm asking for you to meet me and my men in the battlefield in due time." Elsa requested. "That way, you'll honor us by giving us one last stand, and you can be known as having an honorable reputation."
"And why would I want that?" Mara asked. "What's a reputation worth in the end of the world?"
"You wouldn't want that." Elsa admitted.
Kai shot Elsa a look that said "What are you doing?" He was perplexed as to what exactly Elsa planned to achieve. Arendelle only had enough men to barely call an army. Mara had a virtually unlimited army as long as the sky was like the way it was. In an all out open battle, there was no way Arendelle could win. Elsa was merely delaying their deaths... Perhaps that's what she was trying to do.
"But," Elsa continued, "I guess you spoke too highly of your spawns as they wont live up to your praise. Sure, they can strike an enemy when they least suspect it, but it would seem they would lose in an all out battle."
Mara chuckled. "Trying the reverse psychology method, eh?" Mara asked. It was a rhetorical question. She didn't need Elsa to answer. "I assure you, my spawns are more than able to take out your pathetic army."
"Then prove it in the battlefield." Elsa defiantly said.
Mara's amused look faded, replaced by a raised eyebrow. She knew that Elsa was playing her, but seeing as though Mara had all of the power, she decided to play along with Elsa. Elsa's attempts may be the most amusing thing Mara could see in her lifetime.
"A chance is all we want." Elsa pleaded. "A chance to have one last stand for everyone on the planet."
Mara stared down Elsa, and she returned the favor. Intimidation was the key. It was the piece that would win the game. Mara intended to scare Elsa into wimping out of this fight she wanted. But, Elsa did not back down. Of course she would not back down. She wasn't willing to give up the world's fate because of some witch giving her the evil eye.
After staring at each other for a few seconds, Mara closed her eyes and sighed. Perhaps she would allow herself to be amused after all. She knew well that people who brought themselves up higher than they are fall higher than they would've. Mara wanted to see Elsa fall that high.
"Very well." Mara agreed. "Are you sure you want to play this game?"
"It's a game no one wants to play." Elsa said. "But we will play it nonetheless."
"I will give you two days to prepare." Mara offered.
"Two weeks." Elsa argued.
"Four days." Mara doubled.
"A week and a half." Elsa lowered.
"One week." Mara said as her final offer.
"Deal." Elsa said.
Kai wondered exactly why Elsa wanted more than two days. Two days would be just enough time to ready the men in Arendelle and send them into battle. Any longer will just be idle time. He knew better than to doubt Elsa's perception of time. He knew better than anyone that Elsa wasn't hopeless when it came to war, although she never had the displeasure of being in one.
The delay of time meant one thing; Elsa needed time to do something. Whatever that thing was, Kai hoped one week was enough time to do so.
"Where would you like this to be settled?" Mara asked.
"In the Field of Flight." Elsa answered.
Kai wasn't incredibly familiar with the Field of Flight. Business nor pleasure ever drove him to wander to Arendelle's famous field. Kristoff, however, has been there before. Kai recalled the description Kristoff gave to him. It was located about a mile out of Arendelle in the forest. The field was a large clearing. Large as in humongous. It was said to be about two miles in length and width. If the stories were true, blood has not been spilt on its grass for a few hundred years.
"Then it's settled." Mara said. "Bring as many men as you can muster and ready in one week's time. It won't matter. In the end, the grass will be dyed red."
Mara then stepped back and threw the back of her robes in front of her. In a black whip, she disappeared into nothing the way she had when she fled her old home. Elsa witnessed the scene without blinking, showing Mara that she won't ever keep her eye off an opponent.
The dragon looked into the sky and let out a roar. It sounded more like a screech, but it still unsettled everyone in the courtyard nonetheless. It then flapped its wings and flew into the air. The force of the pushed air of the wings blew against everyone in the courtyard, blowing off a few hats in doing so.
"Tend to the wounded." Elsa told her guards. "And go home when you're done. You all deserve some rest."
Elsa then turned to Rhys and Kai. The two understood that they would be standing in a triangle.
"Are you sure that was wise?" Kai asked Elsa.
She met his answer with silence. Her eyes told him everything he needed to know. They showed regret, almost.
"These men are doomed." Rhys said. "Mara has an unlimited amount of spawns, and we have men who can die and whose deaths will affect our numbers. All these men will die."
"And are you going to be the one to tell them that?" Kai asked. Rhys' mood wasn't helping them at all.
"Don't bother giving me the pleasure." Rhys said. "I'm leaving."
Elsa and Kai shot confused looks at Rhys. Kai's look seemed more angry than confused.
"What?" Kai asked.
"War was never my forte." Rhys said. "Besides, I've done my part in all of this. I've done what was requested for me, and it would be respectful if you did not ask for more."
"So," Kai started, "you come in and tell me you're my brother, and after that, you're already saying goodbye."
"Family is not my priority, Kai." Rhys said. "There are some people out there that I still need to take care of and make sure they're safe."
"Who's they?" Kai asked.
"The orphans of Vaylor City." Rhys answered.
"You're going to abandon us to take care of some kids a sea away?" Kai asked, making sure he heard that right.
"I'm not abandoning anybody." Rhys defended. "But, they're just kids with no one to defend them. No one who gives a flying crap except for me. For a while, they were my family. Hell, they still are."
"You'll be helping them by staying here and fighting." Kai said.
"If I'm going to die, Kai," Rhys started, "I'll die knowing for a fact that they're alright."
"They-" Kai was interrupted before he could finish his statement.
"That's enough from both of you." Elsa butted in. She was sick and tired of having to listen to constant bickering between supposed brothers. This was not how a healthy family bond should be led. They were almost better off than they were before knowing their identities.
Elsa turned to Rhys. "You're right, Rhys." She admitted. "You've done your part, and I'll give you your desired amount of money. That will make things even between us. Go back to those kids, Rhys. They need someone to explain things to them."
"How much is money worth right now?" Kai inquired.
"It's still something." Rhys said. "And I'll take it."
"Kai, make arrangements for a ship for Rhys so he can go to Teranhall, and from there, he can get to Vaylor City." Elsa requested.
"Why me?" Kai asked.
"Because I said so." Elsa insisted. "Also, get Rhys his money, would you. He'll tell you however much he wants, and make sure you give it to him."
"But-"
"I'm not negotiating." Elsa said. "When you're done, head to the Valley of the Living Rock." Elsa then turned away and walked towards the castle doors. "We're going to have a little talk with the trolls regarding a certain sword."
Kai and Rhys almost carried Rhys' final boxes of riches in silence. They did so with the other few. Each trip from the castle to the docks was in silence. Maybe out of awkwardness, or perhaps it was out of resentment. It didn't matter the reason in the end. They were silent, and it wasn't until their final trip did they break that silence.
Rhys was the first to speak up after Kai and him picked up the box of riches Kai ordered to be put out for him and Rhys. They volunteered to take the boxes down to the ship themselves as it would be kind for the servants to relax at the end of the world.
"Never thought that our reunion would be like this." Rhys said as they walked to the gates of the castle. "Looking at my brother... And seeing a stranger."
"Up until today, I never knew I had other family besides my mom and dad." Kai said. "They should've told me."
"Yes, they should've." Rhys agreed. "But, what's done is done. It's in the past. No point in trying to change it. All that matters is where we go from here."
Kai opened the gates after he put down his box for a second. He then picked it back up and the two continued walking down the bridge.
"There isn't much we can do." Kai said. "The end of the world is here. You're leaving. I have to prepare for a war. There isn't enough time to make this relationship how it should be."
"Damn shame, too." Rhys unhappily said. "Mother and father would've loved to see this day. The day where their sons can finally be together once again."
"Speaking of dad," Kai started, "was he really that bad to you?"
Rhys could almost swear that the scar on his lip hurt when he was asked that. He remembered the day his father gave it to him. The scene replayed in his nightmares most nights to remind him of where he came from and what he is now because of it.
"I always thought he was despicable." Rhys admitted.
"That's not a word I would ever use to describe dad." Kai argued. "He was a great man. He took care of me. He never laid a hand on me other than to make a loving gesture. He helped me control my powers."
"Things usually go better the second time around." Rhys muttered. "At least father's way of raising me actually helped me."
"Oh yeah?" Kai inquired. "How so?"
"He taught me who not to be." Rhys answered. That wasn't the answer Kai was expecting, but it said many things nonetheless. "Still, even I wasn't enough to save my family."
"What were their names?" Kai asked.
"My wife's name was Evelyn." Rhys answered. "We met at the orphanage as kids. My son's name was Leon. Funny how he looked a lot like you when he was a baby."
"You said was." Kai observed. "How did you lose them?"
"I don't like to think that I lost them." Rhys revealed. "I'd rather think that fate had stolen them from me. She died at childbirth, and he died of an illness which no doctors seemed to be able to treat. I've hated fate ever since. Fate always gives you something you won't be happy with and there isn't a damned thing you can do about it. Death and fate. People can cheat their way through life, but if there's one thing people can't cheat-"
"It's death." Kai finished. "I disagree with that. I've technically died..." Kai silently counted under his breath. "One. Two. I've died twice already. The first time was when I was turned into a handsome ice sculpture, and the second was when I was poisoned, but..."
Kai couldn't exactly understand why he came back or even how. He was poisoned by the bartender almost three years ago. Any normal man should've died, but Kai didn't. He had a vision which included his own mother and he came back because his duty wasn't over. To this day, Kai never understood why what happened happened.
Perhaps fate knew that his time was not to come there.
"You can't live your life cheating death whenever you can." Rhys lectured.
"Why not?" Kai asked. "Living is fun. Why would I want to change that?"
"Even the strongest of us fall." Rhys said. "Whatever you think, you're not invincible. There's always a way to go down."
Kai knew that Rhys was referring to him, but in Kai's mind, he was thinking of someone else. Mara. No one is invincible, and there's always a way to go down no matter the circumstances. If this were true, then Mara could be taken down. Kai was counting on that.
A minute passed before they both realized how awkward the current silence was. Although the sky of shadows discouraged any positive talk, the two were brothers yet they were strangers. Rhys was interested in learning more about his brother, and Kai was slightly curious as to who Rhys truly is.
"So, where'd you learn how to use a bow?" Kai asked Rhys.
"The bow? Oh, I found a dusty old bow one day, I don't remember where." Rhys answered. "A weapon with no user is a weapon with no purpose. A weapon with no purpose is a weapon wasted. A weapon wasted is a life lost."
"Or saved." Kai mumbled, not loud enough for Rhys to hear.
"It didn't take long for me to master the art of the archer." Rhys continued. "I'm not much of an up close and personal fighter. I like to handle things from afar where I have time and control. That's why I keep using the bow, getting a new one whenever the previous weapon has lost its usability."
"I would've thought that you would take better care of your stuff." Kai mocked.
"Well, bows don't last very long if you use them to smack people around." Rhys joked.
Kai couldn't help manage a laugh. That made Rhys more confident about the direction of their relationship. At least Kai wouldn't entirely despise him for the rest of their lives.
"And you, brother?" Rhys asked. Kai didn't wince of flinch when Rhys used the b word. "Where did you learn to fight?"
"After banishment, I came across Teranhall Keep where I met the Bandits." Kai answered. "Ever heard of them?"
"Infamous if not fables." Rhys said. "I've never doubted their existence, but they're a lot which I wouldn't want to put down my cards with."
"They're not so different from you." Kai pointed out. "You and they steal to provide."
"That's where the similarities end." Rhys asserted. "The variables are providing for who and the motive and way of the theft."
Before they knew it, the docks of the city were only about fifty feet ahead of them. Only two ships were docked, one being Arendelle's royal, personal ship. Kai had no other choice but to use that ship on Rhys since the other ship was a simple trade ship which was not going to go anywhere anytime soon due to rough sea conditions.
Rhys picked a bad time to leave Arendelle. The tides and waves were larger and more rough. The winds were stronger and more dangerous. Ship travel under an eternal darkness was a poor choice. However, it did not seem impossible. The conditions weren't like a storm, so if a crew and their captain were to work their hardest, travel would go just as planned.
"Let me ask you a question, Kai." Rhys announced. "How far are you willing to go to protect the ones you love?"
"I'd die for them." Kai answered without hesitation. "I'd do what it takes to make sure they get to live another day."
"Without a doubt." Rhys said, as if he already knew the answer to his own question. "I know that if it comes to that, it's what you want. But, it won't ever necessarily be what they want, hm?"
"They don't have a choice." Kai argued. "No one decides what happens to my life but me."
"You treat your life as if it is some replaceable object." Rhys scolded. "As if people can go on and forget without you. You may not care about your fate, but they do. I care as well. Life is precious and you only get one shot. Just... Don't throw it away."
"Throwing away my life and wasting it mean the same thing." Kai said. "So, if my dying action is out of protection, am I wasting my life?"
He didn't want Rhys to lecture him about what and what not to do. As a brother, Rhys thought it was his duty to lead Kai into a better way of thinking, but as a brother, Kai wasn't appreciating how Rhys was doing what he was doing.
Only when they stepped foot on the wooden docks did Kai speak up again.
Kai sighed. "Look, Rhys." He started. "I'm not here to argue. In fact, I need a favor."
"How much is a favor worth in times like these?" Rhys questioned.
"More than you think it can." Kai rebutted. "The fate of the world is at stake here."
Rhys' skeptical look faded, replaced by interest and slight puzzlement.
"Elsa is infatuated with the idea that Mara can be taken down by this mystical sword." Kai said. "She thinks that this sword is all we need to win, but unfortunately, we don't have the sword nor do we know where to start looking. And we have one week to prepare for battle. Without the sword, it'll be a massacre. And if the sword isn't in our hands-"
"I know what will happen." Rhys said. "You don't need to explain it to me. But, can't Elsa just create an army of her own snowmen to fight alongside your men?"
"I fear creating war ready snowmen would take too much out of her." Kai said. "Creating an entire army of them can't be good for her own health, regardless of how powerful she thinks she is."
"But she can do it, though, right?"
"I'm not ruling out that possibility." Kai revealed. "But, no matter how many men we have, Mara will just summon double the amount."
"So what do you want me to do about it?" Rhys asked.
"We need more men." Kai said. "Elsa isn't ready to send out requests since she thinks we can do this on our own, but I'm ready and willing."
"So what? Do you want me to gather an army?"
"Not necessarily." Kai said. "Arendelle has allies across the sea. Allies who are willing to help because either they owe us, or rather me, or because their good friends. I need someone who I can trust to be a courier to send word out to them, and frankly, I trust you."
"Like you said," Rhys recalled, "Mara will just double the amount of men we have."
"She won't be able to do so if she is preoccupied, or rather, distracted." Kai pointed out. "Elsa's Plan A is to charge at Mara with a magic sword in hand. Plan B is to fight her regardless of any help. My Plan B is similar, yet different. You will call upon our allies for aid and hopefully bring them here in a week's time. Elsa and I will lead Arendelle's army against Mara's spawns. We can get her preoccupied so that she won't be able to summon anymore spawns. That's where you come in with our aid and help us sweep the battlefield. Mara is defeated, the sky is back to being blue, and everyone goes home happy."
"Elsa won't appreciate you going behind her back about this." Rhys pointed out.
"I'm not necessarily going behind her back." Kai defended. "I'll tell her about it soon enough, but I just wanted to ensure that we'll have the men we need."
Rhys sighed. He knew that here was no talking down Kai about this. His mind was set, and he seemed to believe that this was a good chance for victory. "Alright," Rhys agreed, "what're you asking me to do?"
Kai smiled and reached into his pocket. He pulled out three letters with the official Arendelle stamp on the red wax that kept each individual letter folded. Kai handed the letters to Rhys who reluctantly took them off of Kai's possession.
"The ship I'm giving you will take you to three places: Teranhall, Corona, and the Southern Isles." Kai informed. "Since Vaylor City isn't that far away from Teranhall Keep, I need you to visit the castle and tell King Lyre what's going on and why we need his help and men. Tell him who you are and give him the letter."
"And if he doesn't believe me or help me?" "He will." Kai said. "He has to. Lyre personally owes me some favors. After your personal affairs at Vaylor City are dealt with, the ship will take you to either The Southern Isles or Corona. Take your pick."
"Are you sure one week is enough time to do this all?" Rhys asked.
"If you work fast, you'll barely have enough time to get to the battle." Kai said. "Now, in Corona, Anna and I are good friends with the king's daughter. If you can, appeal to him with her. She won't be reluctant to help."
"What's her name?" Rhys asked.
"Rapunzel." Kai answered. "And with the Southern Isles... King Ander has allegiance to Arendelle, despite the trouble his brother has caused us. It won't be too hard for him to spare some men."
"This is a daunting task, I won't lie." Rhys said. "Please, Rhys." Kai said. "The fate of the world is in your hands. I need you to do this."
Rhys looked down at the letters and switched the order in his hands. He then folded the letters and put them in his coat pocket. "Consider it done." Rhys said.
Kai smiled and put his hand on Rhys' shoulder. Rhys was glad to see some sort of affection come from Kai.
"I best get going." Rhys said. He then turned to walk away and Kai allowed him to walk a couple of steps before calling his name. Rhys turned back to face Kai.
"Sail safe." Kai ordered.
Rhys nodded. "Just find the sword." Rhys said. "Time is of the utmost importance."
To be continud in the next chapter
Author's Note: Hope you guys liked the chapter. As always, please comment/review to let me know what you think.
I apologize for the late publish. I had a minor hand injury which discouraged me from writing for a few days so I think I have a good excuse.
The one year anniversary of The Phoenix Trilogy is coming up on Sunday on April 5th! I can't believe it's already been one year since it all started. I was going to do a special celebrating this event, but I don't have any good ideas so, here's the QOTD.
QOTD: Any ideas on what I should do for a one year anniversary special? It can pretty much be anything like a celebration or breaking the fourth wall.
Ciao.