The constant upheaval of water and all-encompassing darkness gave Anna pause. She stood at the edge of where the tide could manage to reach, her boots catching glimpses of the black water that threatened to consume her, too. The thought lingered, and Anna wondered if it was the only thing that could grant her peace.

The Dark Sea had taken her mother, her father, and now her sister. This intimidating, massive body of water only the bravest (or most foolish) dared to challenge could only barely be toppled by someone with magic gifted from the heavens.

'I didn't get to say goodbye, Elsa. Maybe that's what has stopped me from moving forward. Maybe that's what I've been relying on to justify this one last trip.' Anna clutched at her chest, squeezing the material encasing her heart. It still ached. It still hurt beyond relief. She thought something might change, but all she felt was a bubbling sensation of frustration and anger at the roaring waves before her.

'You took her from me…' Anna hissed, a sensation enveloping her she had muffled for months. 'Elsa was mine. She was all I had left. She…!'

Her heart stammered, a throbbing forcing Anna's throat into panic as her veins wheezed with obvious distress. Anna's left arm tingled, and she gasped, a wave of heat boiling over her as she blinked in fear.

'A-ah…' She gasped, tears beginning to fill her eyes. 'That was…weird.'

The experience departed as quickly as it came, and Anna shook her head, aware getting too mad would only lead her to say and do things she'd regret. This wasn't why she came here. What Anna needed was a moment to cleanse her mind and soul of what had transpired. That's all. Yelling at nature would solve nothing, and it would only embarrass Elsa if she were present.

Anna straightened her back, her chest still aching something awful, and stared out into the Dark Sea. She pictured Elsa scaling the waves like it was the day before. She recalled every conversation she could between herself and her big sister. She felt the pain, the relief, and the love all over again in relation to their familial ties.

Elsa had lived a difficult life, but Anna prayed she had managed to make it at least a little more bearable. Her gentle eyes always lulled Anna into a notion of security. Her crooked smile was so pretty and mischievous at the same time. Her artistic visions were a wonder for all. Her calm demeanor made anyone trust her with their lives. Her love of chocolate was a little secret she only openly allowed Anna to know. Elsa treated all with respect and care. She trained her mind and body constantly. The list went on. On and on.

'I've already been over it a hundred times…' Anna scolded herself. All she was doing was making herself cry. Sniffing back the tears forming in her eyelids, Anna switched gears and spoke out to the world that had saw it fit to use Elsa for a greater purpose.

'I kept thinking you'd come back, Elsa. But I guess that's not happening, huh?'

The water flipped about as if in response, a clear denial of any hope remaining in Anna's mind.

'So, I wanted to say…' The word got stuck in her throat. With no small effort, Anna continued. 'Goodbye. I'll miss you. I'll…think about you everyday. You were my world. And you'll always be a part of it. But if I'm going to survive, I have to put you away. I have to lead Arendelle on my own. Maybe find real happiness again. No. It'll never be the same. I know that. But…I have to try. You'd want me to, right?'

Another break, the Dark Sea relentless in its ferocity. Anna lowered her voice.

'I love you.' She murmured tenderly. 'I love you no matter what. If it was romantic…fine. Being here alone with only my thoughts, I honestly can't say it's impossible. It'd make sense, really. It would explain…a lot. It also makes this…way harder. Our love was that special. Our love…changed everything. And now…I guess I'll never know what we were capable of in a future I just can't look forward to anymore.'

Anna rolled her eyes.

'I'm barely making sense. But…I think this helped. A little. Just a bit. I can breathe without choking. I can walk without feeling like my legs are made of lead. Maybe I'll think of you every other second now rather than every single one. A girl can dream, right?'

The water persisted with its seeming rage.

'Forever and ever.' Anna finally said wistfully. 'You'll be in my heart…until the day I can finally join you…'

Anna turned away from the sea, biting down onto her lip so hard she felt it crunch and split, blood trickling over her chin and trailing her neck. She felt no pain from the injury. Nothing could compare to the damage her soul had endured and willingly accepted in this horrid moment.

'Elsa…' Anna whimpered. 'E-Elsa…!' She crouched, hugging her knees. 'Elsa…! Why? Why did you have to…!?'

'You've returned.'

Anna snapped her attention back to the Dark Sea, both Kristoff and Daryun exclaiming in unison at the sudden appearance of the Water Spirit.

'The Water Nokk…?' Daryun questioned. 'The same one said to have saved Arendelle?'

'Whoa…!' Kristoff blurted.

It was, indeed, the majesty of this particularly powerful spirit emitting an aura of capability and presence beyond Bruni or Gale. Only the Earth Giants could compare, but their lack of seeming intelligence still made the Water Spirit more impressive. Its flowing mane and translucent body shimmered within the darkened setting, its glowing eyes meeting Anna's crumbling ones.

'Y-yeah.' Anna swallowed, shifting to step back toward the sea. 'I had to. I…couldn't get going with things, you know?'

'I don't.' The voice spoke into Anna's mind, and she wondered, briefly, if she seemed crazier than she was already acting by verbally acknowledging what was being said to her. 'For us spirits, a moment in time is a life of a human. Only waiting for Elsa did we truly respect the toll of exhausting days. Now, I feel as though I have merely blinked and the seasons change once more.'

'Wish I could say the same…'

'You still…feel such things for your sister?'

A jolt hit Anna's heart.

'I mean…she's my sister.'

'Precisely. Thus, the cause of this deviance, or so I have been brought to presume.'

Anna blinked, not sure she was following.

'Um…What do you mean?'

'It is not my place to say. Nor do I claim enough understanding to begin explaining. All I recognize is an anomaly amidst the greater plain. Millions of relations, none escalating to the point of taboo unfit for Mother. None so powerful that it sways even my notion of absolute righteousness.'

'Super talkative today, aren't you?' Anna could only think to say. She wasn't grasping onto every word perfectly, but she picked up on enough of what the Water Nokk said to feel her heart twist and turn in her body. 'So…Devil wasn't lying.'

'Hmph. You know of that creature?'

'What? You do, too?'

'Starved for power and knowledge, he attempted to speak with Ahtohallan many times. Yet, not even he could cross this obstacle. Only Elsa has managed since the beginning. And…I imagine she shall remain the last for another cycle of this planet's life.'

'Wow. She really left an impression on you, huh?'

'How could she not? A woman with such resolve…is not easily forgotten.' The Water Nokk flicked its large head in irritation. 'Clearly the feelings you both had for one another transcend reason for you to remain in shambles to this day. Humans are strangely more adaptable, in theory.'

Anna closed her eyes, shaking her head in despair as she saw Elsa's visage in her mind, the image agonizing.

'So, I really did love her…'

As if in understanding, the Water Nokk made a sound of frustration, a semblance of rebellion in his tone.

'Yes. You did, Anna of Arendelle. You best…not forget it.'

'Ung…' Anna grabbed at her heart again, the throbbing relentless and that same wave of heat cascading over every pore on her body. 'I was…in love with Elsa…' She whispered, squinting as something in her brain cracked and broke apart. 'How could I…ever think otherwise?'

'Hm. Because it is against everything your sister now represents, and my previous Mother could never approve of such a sin.'

'A-ah…' The depression she had been attempting to suppress until this moment compiled into a tsunami of prickling pain that wrecked Anna's senses. Memories flooded her mind at a rate she could hardly contain, not even realizing she was groaning all the while as each picturesque moment infiltrated the princess's thoughts.

The first time Anna and Elsa kissed. Her lips had been terrifyingly soft and passionate; unlike anything Anna had ever experiences before.

The mirror mishap, when Anna felt her sister's hands upon her body in a way she knew, even then, was sexual in nature, another moment of fear overtaking her at the thought of actually enjoying such an interaction.

Their chocolate picnic that left so many words hanging in the air, a painful interaction at the cusp of the changing a relationship and feelings.

Elsa's confession. Oh, her confession on that balcony outside the palace walls, a lullaby known to both girls jingling in the background.

Their second kiss. What a kiss it was. When both young women had finally accepted the love they shared and embraced it with all their being.

Pivotal moments. Miniscule occasions. All valuable. All contributing to what eventually became the most unorthodox lovers in the world. Anna cupped her hands into her stomach, attempting to hold tight to the flashing images vying for protection.

'Anna…' The Water Spirit's voice melded with more recent instances, yet they were strange and distant from Anna. What was this? Why didn't it feel…right?

'Anna…!'

As if searching through a foggy window, Anna squinted her mind's eye, staring into a scene she didn't know. Kristoff…proposing? Elsa was present but looked so…different? Elsa riding the Water Nokk and stopping the tidal wave heading toward Arendelle herself? What…? What? What?

'Anna!' Kristoff touched Anna's shoulder, shaking her awake. She was on the ground, sweat perspiring all over her body and causing her clothes to stick. Her forehead held her bangs in mismatched shapes.

'Kristoff…?' Anna shook her head, her heart immediately aching once again.

'You suddenly fell, and the Water Nokk disappeared soon after that. What happened?'

Anna shivered, a strange wave of heat continuing to hit her over and over again. She was both freezing and overheating.

'I…loved her…' Anna stared into the dark sky, slowly turning her gaze to the rolling sea, its aggravation almost cascading alongside the building pulse in Anna's head.

'We all did, to an extent.' Daryun soothed.

'No. I was in love with her. And she loved me.' Anna held on to the feeling welling in her heart, surrounding her larger-than-life feelings and concentrating it into something tangible.

"A clear image in your mind helps."

'Uh…Anna?' Kristoff laughed nervously.

'It's the truth. The only truth I need.' Anna struggled to stand, but Daryun was quick to help her, recoiling slightly as another wave of intense heat lathered Anna's skin.

'I fear something is happening to you…' The warrior deduced.

'Heh. Maybe.'

And Anna ran. She ran straight into the Dark Sea no matter how much the two men yelled for her to stop. It wasn't a death wish. It was the opposite. Not only was her body burning up, and the desire to cool it was overwhelming, but something told Anna she needed to go to Ahtohallan herself. She needed to see the place Elsa lost her life. From what she could gather, Elsa had become the new Mother. The new physical manifestation of Ahtohallan and the "bridge" between the spirits and humans. Maybe she was gone from the physical world forever…but maybe not. And until Anna confirmed as much with her own eyes, her grief would never end. She knew that now more than ever. With the knowledge that she had been in love with Elsa, there was no way she could just give up. Never. Devil knew that. Devil had mocked her, rightly so, for not acting on her gut.

The Dark Sea pushed Anna back with ease, a voice penetrating her delirious thoughts.

'Don't do this. You're nothing like her.'

Anna rushed back into the water without missing a beat, and again, she was rejected, this time with more force than before.

'I won't let you kill yourself.'

'Then let me see her…! Please…!' Anna screamed back, her voice cracking.

'…There is nothing to see. I promise you that.'

Anna was about to burst forward anew when two strong sets of arms held her back, another wave of heat making both Kristoff and Daryun grunt in discomfort.

'I think you have a fever or something, Anna. Staying here any longer is a bad idea. It's gotta be messing with your head.' Kristoff attempted to rationalize.

'I can't help but partially agree, Princess. This display is…troubling.'

Once again, Anna felt her heart collapse, and a new level of pain circulated through her entirety, her palms tingling and chest feeling as though it would shatter at any moment. Anna squeaked in a mixture of agony and frustration, falling to the ground and noting the beach's debris jabbing into her shins.

She waited for the discomfort to fade, as it seemed to typically do at this point, but there was no such luck. Anna sobbed and whimpered through clenched teeth, the silence of the world around save for the crashing waves mocking the noise of her misery.

'Come, Princess. I think it best you see a doctor…' Daryun encouraged.

Maybe that was what Anna needed. She could never see Elsa again. They were in love. Elsa saved the world. It was tragic, but beautiful. Anna was left behind. She would live for Elsa. She would never marry. Her feelings were too persuasive to allow such a thing. Fine. Fine. Fine…

'Fine…' Anna whispered with all the life she once had drained from her soul. The heat faded from her body, and Anna stared at the ground. The dirt. The sand. The small rocks. She once found beauty in everything and anything. Now, she wasn't sure she could smile sincerely ever again.

A long, tormenting pause, the wind and water bidding the princess of Arendelle farewell. She would not come back here again. She was going mad. A second longer and…

A melody struck a chord in Anna's ears, and her eyes widened at the sound. It was the song! The same song Elsa had sung out looking for guidance. The same string of notes she and Anna had united their voices to seek out clarification. It was unmistakable…especially because it was an echo of Elsa Anna now heard.

'Wait…!' Anna pushed herself up from the ground, breathing out in deep intervals as the heat started in her chest and began coursing through her veins like another line of arteries. Pulsating power. Sweeping strength. Sweat escaping her form as Anna stumbled back to the edge of the Dark Sea, her cape and hair whipping about as the wind picked up. 'Do either of you hear that?'

'Princess Anna…' Daryun spoke carefully.

'Anna…' Kristoff repeated.

No. Elsa was the only one that had heard the call of the north before. Now, it was Anna's turn. It was…Anna's turn…?

Anna breathed out. And in. Out. In. Deeper. More focussed. This feeling. This sensation. Goosebumps pervading her existence. A building of heat like no other. Was this…? Could this…?

"Creating what you want to see in reality mentally allows your body to more easily translate the intangible into something physical."

'Elsa…!' Anna hissed. 'Elsa…!'

Once more, the wind stopped.

Even the waves ceased their turmoil.

Everything waited.

And then…

Anna looked up, outstretched her arms, and cried at the top of her lungs, singing back the song that now haunted her. As the notes left her voice, an explosion of fire erupted from her body, shooting into the sky and reducing the thick clouds directly above into nothing. In a blast of emotion, Anna's dormant magic flared into being, instantly evaporating the water at her feet within the tight aura that encircled her.

'I'm going to see my sister!'

In a haze of dedicated ambition, Anna strode forward, directly into the Dark Sea, the song she had sung ricocheting and echoing throughout the sky as she walked. One foot in front of the other. More. Further. The water couldn't touch her. Nothing could stop her. So hot was the firestorm that surrounded the princess of Arendelle that any form of liquid was drained of its physical presence, sent into the sky in droplets of steam.

Anna was walking through the Dark Sea, as if the water was parting for her and her alone within the unparallel heat that radiated off her body. She wouldn't look back to Kristoff or Daryun. She feared she would lose this moment if she hesitated for even a second. Like Elsa's ice magic, she was not affected by the fire that would surely incinerate any other living creature. This was her one and only chance. Anna would make it to Ahtohallan and…and…!

'Elsa…Elsa…Elsa…!'

'How…!? Elsa was the one that was blessed. Not you. Unless…'

'I don't know and I don't care, Mr. Water Nokk!' Anna laughed in elation, proceeding forward with a smile stretching across the entirety of her face. 'But I can't wait to tell Elsa about this!'

'…Then go forward, Anna of Arendelle. You…you have earned at least this much.'

'That's the plan!'

The way was long. Without running, Anna felt like it was taking her forever to reach whatever Ahtohallan might be. What if her power faded? She was done for. The Dark Sea would swallow her, too. No. Don't think about it. This was for Elsa. It felt like a dream; one of hundreds Anna had dared to dream. It was so surreal she couldn't think on her present for longer than a second.

'Follow my voice. I cannot get too close lest I be maimed, but I shall lead you to Her – to Ahtohallan.'

'Thank-you…!'

More. More. More. Just a little more. Anna could feel the magic exiting her body, and according to Elsa, there was only a certain amount available in a single burst. Anna knew she was exerting an insane amount of power in order to keep the water at bay, but she didn't have a choice. Further and further. Keep going. For Elsa. For her sister. For the woman she loved…!

'Almost there.'

'Okay…'

'Your flame is weakening.'

'I-I know…!'

Just a little more. Keep going. Further. Further. Further.

How much time had passed? How much longer would Anna hold on to this fantastical might. She could almost feel her life leaving her body, feeding the fire and pushing this newfound brilliance beyond its limits.

'Elsa…!'

"Creating what you want to see in reality mentally allows your body to more easily translate the intangible into something physical."

'I want to see you, Elsa…!'

Anna coughed, blood spitting from her lips. It burned into nothing instantly, the smell strange. Anna kept going. She gagged again, this time a clump of guck exiting her body and fizzling into mere particles.

'E-Elsa…!' Anna grunted.

More. Further. More. One foot in front of the other. Again. Again. Again…!

'There. Do you see it?'

Anna couldn't. She was deep in the earth. The ground was soft and bizarre. She was surrounded by an oddly shaped terrain turned completely black from her flames. She kept going. She forced her legs to move.

Another coughing fit, this one stopping Anna altogether as her nose began leaking blood now. Her body was breaking apart. This was too much. Her first authentic use of magic and she was draining every ounce of power in a single bound. It was foolish at best, but if it meant seeing Elsa – or at least witnessing the place that took her from Anna, it was more than worth it.

Further. Further. Further…

'Elsa…!'

Finally, Anna could see a glacier floating near her, and she looked up at the bizarre scene. It was massive. Like an island. White and pure. Yet, she felt a different form of magic radiating off the space.

'If at all…she may be inside. However…'

Anna didn't care. She had no time left. Condensing her flame so that it barely covered her, Anna pushed through reality and climbed into the glacier, mitigating her power so that she could at once melt the ice but traverse up and into it simultaneously. It was scary. Claustrophobic. Tight. Nightmarish. But none of that mattered. More than a few times, Anna slipped into the glacier, controlling her flames while her eyes watered and her ears bled trying at best.

'Elsa…'

If not for her powers, Anna would be frozen on the spot. Even with her flames protecting her, she knew she was in a sub-zero temperature not meant for humans.

Further. Further. Further.

'Elsa…! Please…! Elsa…!'

Suddenly, Anna's hand slipped out of the pure ice she navigated, and she was in an open, dark room filled with crystalized trees and luminescent lights like stars or fireflies glittering about. She managed her magic slightly, aware she only needed it to keep herself from freezing completely, and gazed about the mysterious "forest" with awe and fear. If she let up her power for even a second, unlike the threat of drowning from before, she would be frozen without a second thought.

'Ahtohallan…' Anna uttered. This had to be it. She could just…feel it. Like Elsa would have, surely. 'Elsa…! I'm here! Elsa?'

Anna looked around, but all she could see was an abyss of darkness decorated with trees that contained no warmth, just flawless, ancient power from ages past.

Again, Anna ran. She dashed through the large area, capable of speed now that she wasn't literally keeping the Dark Sea at bay. She was swiftly running out of time, and her body didn't hold back reminding her of as much with every fit of pain that resulted in blood escaping her form in one way or another.

'E-Elsa…! Please…! I'm here! Elsa…!'

The notion that her plan was absurd at best attempted to thwart Anna's motivation, but even if she didn't find Elsa, she knew, in the back of her mind, that this had to be done. Every possible action had to be taken before Anna gave up on Elsa. This was it. This was what she needed to do. No matter what, Anna just might be able to go on with her life after this insane stunt.

'Elsa…! Elsa…!'

More trees. Crystals. An ominous feeling that she simply didn't belong. But Anna pushed on. Further. Further. Further. Running. Coughing. Crying. Screaming. More. More. More. More…!

Anna stopped. In the distance, almost too far to actually see, something that wasn't a tree caught her glistening eyes. She sprinted. Ran as fast as her sore legs would take her. Burst forward with unwavering passion. Her journey into and through the Dark Sea was far longer. Even traversing up and into the glacier that could very well be Ahtohallan required more time and concentration. But this final stretch…it felt like years to Anna. For as she drew closer, she could make out the features of the girl that had stolen her heart from the moment Anna was capable of feeling anything beyond the necessity of comfort and security. There was no mistaking it. Her body screaming with agony and impossible joy, Anna stopped before the frozen form of her older sister reaching up into the void, a look of fear and pain beyond anything Anna had seen before fixated in place.

Without hesitating a second longer, Anna whimpered and embraced Elsa. Once again, she would personally thaw her sister's frozen heart.