A/N: This chapter, oh man, this chapter. I kid you not, I've been waiting forever to write this chapter. Even when I was writing The Only Frozen Heart back then (even before the first chapter of A Symphony of Frost and Flame!), I've already had visions for this very chapter. Even when I stopped writing (I know, f**k me) I kept thinking about this! And now that I've finished it, I hope that it's going to be enjoyable for you. Happy reading!


"Magister Ghish! Answer me!" Hans shouted.

The mirror in front of him stood still.

"Ghish, you bastard! I know you're in there!" he repeated, screaming. To the average onlooker, it might seem an insane act, to shout at one's own reflection on a mirror.

But lo, slowly, the mirror's surface shimmered. Gradually, the Former Prince of Arendelle's reflection transformed into that of a fiery haired man with amused expression.

"Why, Magister Jeigan," the man chuckled, as if savoring the exasperation on Hans' face. "Can I help you?"

"Don't play dumb with me," Hans hissed, "You launched an attack on The Southern Isles. This isn't what we discussed!"

"What we discussed?" Ghish tilted his head, faking confusion, "I remember our discussion was specifically to leave Arendelle, and only Arendelle, out our… expansion, was it not?"

"You said the attack on The Southern Isles would begin in two weeks, after my corps has regrouped with yours in Listinoise!" Hans raised his voice, ignoring the Warlock.

"And what of it?" Ghish quipped, looking back at Hans with a bored face. "Plans change all the time. This is war, Your Honor. We must adapt to every contingency. Now that our supply chain is secure, my own corps will be enough to engage the enemy, thanks to your swift takeover of Corona. And besides, kings and queens from the Alliance will still be there, as their summit is still ongoing. We can end this war in a swift stroke once we conquer Camalry. Minimal casualty. Best solution for you isn't it?"

"You know damn well what it means! Queen Elsa of Arendelle will be there!" Hans hissed, fear and anxiety was starting to overwhelm him.

"Ah yes, the Snow Queen of Arendelle," Ghish clicked his tongue. "Why, yes, she is quite the dangerous foe indeed. I did not know you put such a concern for my safety, Your Honor. I will be sure to-"

"Cut your nonsense and listen to me," Hans cut him, "We had a deal. Queen Elsa is not to be harmed under any circumstances. That was the first and foremost reason why I agreed to go along with – with any of these!"

"Indeed, I seem to remember something along that line."

The Warlock's nonchalant attitude sent fear, confusion, and most of all, anger, through the Former Prince. He chewed his words a few times before finally managing to get out a low, menacing growl.

"If you dare to harm even a single strand of her hair, I assure you, I will kill-!"

Hans did not get to finish his sentence as searing pain instantly engulfed his chest. With every beat of his heart, the pain nearly doubled until it reached a point where all he could feel in his body was heat. Burning heat, scorching him from the inside. He doubled over from the pain, knocking over his chair and crumpled on the floor, clutching his excruciating chest.

"You will… what, Magister Jeigan?" The Warlock held up a glowing hand. "I seem to perceive what you just said as a threat. Apologies if I am mistaken, but am I?"

Gasping for air, Hans tried to form words, but it was useless. The heat grew to the point where drawing breath was pure agony.

Yet the pain gradually subsided as quickly as it came. Drawing a large gulp of air, Hans choked and wheezed, supporting himself with his arms.

"I – will- kill- you-!" he heaved defiantly amidst his still painful breaths. "If – if – you hurt – Elsa. I will – will personally end you – myself!"

The Warlock smirked, amusing himself at the sight of the Former Prince still writhing in agony.

"Do you think you are in a position to bargain? Do not take me for a fool, Hans," he hissed the name venomously, "I know you were the one who killed General Hennings and let the Royal Family of Corona slip through our hands. All those lives lost and for what? All because of your stupid sentimentality. You just couldn't let them die, could you. You and your bleeding heart."

The Warlock's left hand lit up once again and Hans doubled over in pain.

"I – did what you asked! Agh!" Hans gasped. "I took – over Corona – for – you!"

"Do you know why I assigned you to take over Corona? I wanted to test your resolve. If you had the determination to sacrifice everything for one thing you hold most dear. Then and only then would I honor our bargain." Ghish scoffed. "But your resolve was weak. You were weak. I suppose it is fitting that I extinguish your pathetic life right here, right now."

The light on the Warlock's hand grew intensely. Hans' vision started to turn red, and then black. The pain had long surpassed his threshold. His consciousness was wavering.

The Warlock's derisive laugh was the last thing he heard before everything faded to black.

Elsa… I'm sorry...


The wind was howling across the plains. Dark clouds were gathering, and the smell of rain was thick in the air.

Rain, she hated rain. It was raining when the news of her parents getting lost in the sea came to her. And it was raining during the funeral too.

But strangely, she found this incoming rain quite comforting. The cool breeze in her hands… at least, they were a more soothing sensation compared to the sight before her.

Seas of soldiers, each hundred of metres apart from either of her side. Before her, the Nordgardian White Wolf Army. Behind her, The Southern Isles Alliance Army. Neither dared to make the first move, not with the Snow Queen standing between them.

"We shall hit them first. Our weather experts have predicted that there will be heavy rains on the upcoming week. It would be to our advantage."

"Battle in the rain?"

"Yes," Fredrik nodded. "Nordgard is a massive producer of firearms; rifles, cannons, which they have outfitted the White Wolf Army with. It would be to our disadvantage if we were to meet them in direct combat with our own. And besides, I have received reports that The Warlock is with them. Should you meet in combat with him, well, water puts out fire. Your ice should then have the upper hand."

Elsa drew a deep breath and scanned the Nordgardian army before her. Indeed, the vast number of rifles and cannons pointed at her daunted her a little. Unconsciously, her hands moved to touch her belly… before she quickly withdrew them to avoid showing weakness.

"Snow Queen!" a Nordgardian commander shouted, "You are standing before the White Wolf Army of Nordgard! Stand aside, or we will show you no mercy!"

Elsa did not budge, her expression steely.

"Queen Elsa of Arendelle!" repeated the commander, "This battle is between us and The Southern Isles! We have no intention to involve Arendelle! Step aside, and you will be spared!"

Still, the Snow Queen showed no sign of movement.

"Very well then. FIRE!"

At the command, hundreds of cannons and thousands of rifles exploded. The thundering sound of firearms filled the windy plains.

Yet it was all futile.

Where the Snow Queen stood was now a colossal wall of ice, absorbing the Nordgardian bullets and cannonballs.

The volley of fire continued for five minutes straight before finally ceasing. Still, the wall of frost stood strong, every crack and impairment reinforced with new layers of ice.

Morale on the Nordgardian side was dropping. The ice walls stood on a span of kilometers, with tens of metres of thickness. Their enemy was nature itself. How could they possibly win?

Cheers erupted on the side of The Southern Isles Alliance.

"Long live Queen Elsa! Long live the Snow Queen!"

Tens of thousands of cheers filled the air, praising her. But Elsa did not waver. Her eyes still focused on the wall; she steadied her breathing and gathered her power to prepare for the next assault.

"We would need your help to create a diversion," the Second Prince said. "You must stall the Nordgardian Army at the Mandalian plains, while our main army will cross over the hills to their flank."

"I suppose a wall of ice will do," Elsa nodded. Fredrik nodded in return.

Elsa's brow furrowed. The subsequent attacks never came.

Did they give up?

The Snow Queen drew another deep breath, composing herself. She did spend quite a lot of power creating and reinforcing the walls. It would not be easily broken through.

However, as soon as she finished that train of thoughts, the air was distorted. The cool breeze that gently brushed her face was gone, replaced by a scorching heat that almost singed her skin.

Her confidence crumbled as quickly as the walls before her.

What looked like a tiny red spot on the wall grew quickly, engulfing the portion of the wall right in front of her. The ice melted, and quickly, the ground before her was engulfed in fire.

Scarlet eyes.

Golden hair with reddish hue that seemed to blaze in the wind.

Tall and imposing figure clad in crimson robe shaped like a flame haze.

And sharp, clean shaven features that emphasized that sinister smile.

"Queen Elsa of Arendelle," the figure before her spoke with a deep voice that sent shivers down her spine. "Well met."

"Well met, Magister Ghish of Nordgard," Elsa replied with a steady voice that belied her anxiousness.

"So the rumors are true. Your beauty truly is out of this world," The Warlock said, his steps bringing him even closer to her.

As if commanding him to stop, Elsa held up a hand with a stony expression. When the man before her did not cease his approach, frozen flakes quickly covered his feet, rooting him in place.

The Warlock glanced at his feet and sighed.

"I merely sought to greet you," he said with a bored expression.

"We did not come here to discuss my beauty, Your Honor," Elsa said, noting the style used by Nordgardians to greet their Magisters. "You are trespassing on Southern Isles soil."

"Am I now?" Ghish shrugged, "Even if that were the case, what would you, the Queen of a foreign nation, have to do with it?"

"The Southern Isles and Arendelle are allies," Elsa said, still holding up her hand. The frost on The Warlock's feet was dissipating at an alarming rate, even though she was using her power to keep them in place. "I will not stand idly and watch you trample upon these lands."

"Truly?" Ghish scoffed. "And what would you do about that?"

"If you don't pull back now, I shall destroy you where you stand."

Lightning flashed as the ultimatum was delivered, bringing about a deafening thunderclap.

Ghish laughed. "A bold claim. I would like to see you try."

The frost holding The Warlock in his place has now dissipated. He continued to walk towards the Snow Queen until they were a mere meter apart.

Azure eyes bared into scarlet. Neither said anything, nor made a move. Yet the soldiers surrounding them could feel the chaos in the air. Frost against flame. Cold against hot.

Faster than a blink, an icy bolt shot squarely between The Warlock's eyes. Mere centimetres before it touched his skin, however, it evaporated, leaving a puff of steam.

With a lightning fast follow-up, Elsa raised a fist, and The Warlock was now suspended in mid-air, encased in an icy tomb.

"Simple and straightforward, are we?" Ghish's voice came from within the ice block.

Mere seconds later, the ice shattered into a thousand pieces, sending hails that threatened to rip the Snow Queen's flesh apart. Elsa casually waved her hand and the hail instantly turned into snow, melting harmlessly upon the ground.

"Stand back!" Elsa commanded the Southern Isles army. "Stand back and form a perimeter! Do not let anyone get close!"

At her command, not only the Southern Isles army began to pull back, but also the Nordgardian. They knew this battle was a realm where man could not interfere. The battle of monsters. Gods.

The Warlock lifted his left hand, and jets of flames shot up from his fingers. Elsa countered by sending a wave of ice and snow. The heat collided with the cold, bringing about an explosion of magical energy and a blast of wind in every direction.

The Warlock was smiling. The Snow Queen was not.

"My… not shabby at all," Ghish smirked. "You truly deserve your title as The Snow Queen. Beware the frozen heart."

Elsa replied by crossing her hands. Icy spears began to materialize in mid-air beside her, and with a flick of her fingers, they struck at The Warlock's direction. Ghish mirrored her movements and flame spears shot against ice, bringing about another blast of wind stronger than before.

Elsa winced, but when she had her posture ready again, the Warlock had already jumped towards her. With a slashing motion, the air was engulfed in heat, and a crimson blade materialized. The blade of flame shot against the Snow Queen, who stomped hard on the ground. A wall of ice met the fire blade, but the momentum of the blade was too great; the wall shattered, sending an impact which knocked Elsa off her feet.

"Ah!" a groan of pain escaped her lips as the impact sent her flying through the air. In a split-second, Elsa curled up into a ball and shielded her stomach with her arms. She hit the ground and stumbled about. Stinging pain was all over her skin. Still hazy, she forced herself to stand, one arm supporting her legs and the other still clutching her belly.

The Warlock's eyes widened.

"Well isn't this rich!" he laughed, "I did not expect you to be so… human."

The word "human" was spat with such venom that sent shivers down Elsa's spine.

Once again, Elsa waved her hands and snowy figures materialized before her, each over two metres tall.

"Your army against mine," Ghish smirked and clicked his fingers. In opposition of Elsa's snow golems, now stood a single fiery titan over six metres tall. The titan let out a bloodcurdling howl and stomped with such force that knocked all of Elsa's golem down, and almost sent Elsa herself reeling. It lifted both its flaming fists and slammed them against a snow golem, instantly crushing it to smithereens.

Undeterred, the snow golem's brothers quickly swarmed the fire giant, a few jumped on its back and started pounding, while others encroached its legs. The extreme heat of the fire golem melted down a few of the snow golems as they cling to it, but they regenerated all the same and continued their assault. A heated battle of the big versus the many raged on.

The flash and thunderclap kept raging on in the sky, getting fiercer with each minute passing.

Shifting back her attention to Ghish, Elsa lifted her hands over her head. Magical ice formation appeared around her wrist, and ice particles took form above her. With a flick of Elsa's wrists, a fierce hail launched against The Warlock. Waving his hand, The Warlock materialized a wall of inferno that fully absorbed the hail with ease.

Not even a second after the fiery wall erupted, a bolt of flame was shot with blinding speed, and pierced Elsa squarely in her heart.

Except it didn't.

An ice statue shattered in the place of the Snow Queen, revealing the real Elsa standing a good few meters away. Just as The Warlock refocused on Elsa, tens of icicles, each over a meter long, materialized above him. With a flick, Elsa set the icicles raining against Ghish; each one would have been sufficient to end him. But a clap from The Warlock's palms, and the surrounding air radiated a wave of heat so intense that the icicles instantly evaporated.

The Snow Queen did not ease on her assault; breathing deeply, she gathered every essence of cold from her surroundings, focusing it on her palms. The Warlock must have sensed it, because he too took a stance and surrounded himself with blazing heat.

"Aaah!"

With a shout, The Snow Queen let loose a fierce jet of frost. In its path, everything instantly froze; grass, the soil, and even the air. Exactly at the same time, The Warlock ignited a concentrated blast of blaze. The two elements met in the middle, each struggling for dominance.

Elsa's frown slowly devolved into a life-and-death glare. It demanded every ounce of concentration to keep up the barrage, and she could feel life itself being sucked out of her. Fear and anxiety, long forgotten by the adrenaline rush of battle, started to engulf her again. Her instincts urged her to hug her belly and cease the assault, lest she cross a point of no return. Yet her resolve stood, and her outstretched hands kept holding the barrage of cold energy.

Just as desperation start to tighten its grip on her…

Drip

A droplet of water. Then two. Three. A hundred. A thousand.

Strong winds.

Rain had come at last.


A/N: So how was it? A little bit of cliffanger there. I really had fun writing this and I hope you had fun reading it too. :)

I hope you can't wait how Elsa will turn this around and deliver the asskicking to Ghish next chapter? Because I'm dying to see it too! Next chapter is going to be even more intense than this one, so stay tuned!

As always, faves, reviews, suggestions, discussions are all welcome! I'll try to answer any questions you might have in the Author's notes, so let me know if you have any in the review!