Chapter Seventy Five

Hans' Vendetta

ANNA

For once, using a Crossing Point which was the fastest method the Warriors had at their disposal felt far too slow to Anna. Then again, she was already on edge and furious at the fact that she had left her kingdom so unguarded, leaving the villainous Hans to attack the castle unhindered, so maybe her perception was askew.

When the Crossing Point to Arendelle's castle opened, Anna nearly tripped over herself trying to get out as quickly as she could. As Maui and Tracy leapt out after her, Anna looked up at the castle. So far everything seemed intact, but knowing Hans, things wouldn't stay that way for long.

The cunning Consul was here for a purpose. He had explicitly said that he would raze Arendelle to the ground, and as much as he was a snake, Anna knew that he would keep his word. And what better place to start than the castle, where the hopes and dreams of Arendelle were first built?

Anna took to her heels, running up the steps of the courtyard towards the entrance, taking care not to trip and sprawl unceremoniously. As she ascended, she could smell the faint trace of smoke and black powder. She quickened her pace, going two steps at a time, with Tracy and Maui following hot on her heels.

"Anna, wait!" Maui called out. "We don't have a plan!"

"Yes we do!" Anna replied without looking back as they continued to ascend up the steps, which now felt never ending. "We need to stop Hans!"

"I think what he means is, we need a proper plan!" Tracy shouted after her.

Anna spun round at the top of the stairs, and Tracy and Maui very nearly collided with her. "We don't have time. He's in there right now!"

"We can't just go in there now. It could be a trap!" Tracy said, trying to catch her breath.

"She's right." Maui agreed. "What if this is exactly what Hans wants you to do? To walk right into the castle and try to stop him?"

"Then I won't disappoint." Anna retorted. "It's my kingdom, and my people's legacy at stake. I won't let him burn it all down!"

"At least let me scan the castle for where he is." Tracy was breathing hard and fast. "Then we'll know where he's hiding."

Anna nodded reluctantly. "Alright, but make it quick. Please."

On the spot, Tracy closed her eyes and lifted her palms face up. Her hands crossed and swirled with purple mist as she began chanting a spell to reveal the enemy's precise location.

Anna waited impatiently, shifting from foot to foot, stealing a glance at the castle every two seconds. The smell of smoke was getting stronger, and she could have sworn she saw smoke begin to billow from one of the windows on the east corridor. Her eyes flicked back to Tracy, who was just finishing up her spell, and the purple mist subsided.

"Well?" Anna blurted out.

"He's not alone." Tracy frowned. "He brought a dozen soldiers with him. They're spreading black powder in different wings."

Anna's blood curdled in her veins. Black powder was only good for one thing in an enclosed place. "Have they started the fire?"

Tracy looked unsettled. "Yeah."

"That's ridiculous." Maui said. "If they've already started torching the place, they're trapping themselves inside with no way out."

"Unless Hans never intended for them to escape." Anna gritted her teeth and turned to Tracy. It didn't make any sense to her, knowing Hans, but then again he was insane. "Where are they?"

"There's four in the East Wing on the second floor by the kitchen," Tracy shut her eyes tightly in concentration. "Four more in the North Wing's third floor in the Council Chambers. And Hans himself has taken the last four to the South Wing's third floor. The Royal Library."

"I'm taking the library." Anna said instantly. "You two stop the others."

"You can't go charging in there." Maui protested. "It's five against one, and they're gonna be armed."

"I can take care of myself." Anna fingered the scabbard on her hip. "I've been in a couple of scuffles before."

"But nothing like this." Tracy said. "You said it yourself, Hans is too unpredictable."

"I'll figure something out," Anna put her hand on the big door handle of the castle. "Now come on."

The moment she opened it, the three Warriors were instantly met by the overwhelming smell of smoke as the horrid black substance billowed out of the entrance. Anna covered her mouth with the crook of her elbow and forced her way into the castle. Squinting, she could make out the staircase leading up to the second floor, which was already alit with an eerie orange glow.

"Be safe!" She heard Maui call out, but she was already charging up the stairs at breakneck speed. In all honesty, she wasn't too concerned about her safety, not when the entire castle was about to be burnt to the ground by Hans, who had masterfully played the Warriors and the League every step of the way like chess pieces in his own twisted game. It ends here.

Anna had no doubt that Maui and Tracy were both efficient and capable enough to take down the eight other soldiers in the North and East Wing, which left just Hans and his four in the library at the South Wing. And that was where Anna was headed. She reached the top of the stairs, only to find the carpet already dancing with flames.

Cursing under her breath, Anna gathered up the loose ends of her coat and sprinted across the burning carpet, narrowly making it to the other side which was still untouched. Checking to see if any of her clothes had been burnt, she was surprised to find herself still intact. And hopefully it stays that way.

She remembered running into fire after Elsa back in the Enchanted Forest and almost choking to death, but this time was different. Elsa wasn't here to put out the fire. It was up to her to stop Hans from torching her family's legacy and to remain alive in the process.

South Wing library, South Wing library, her mind raced to recreate the map of the castle from memory as she pounded down the hallway, which reeked of smoke and black powder. Fastest way is down this first hallway, turn right, cut through the servant's stairwell, up another flight, turn left, down the South corridor, and four doors from the rear. It certainly helped that she had spent her childhood wandering and memorising the layout of the entire castle. Who would have known it would come in useful like this now?

And so she followed the map in her head. Pounding down the first hallway, skidding right, cutting through the servant's stairwell which was empty by now, since everyone had already evacuated Arendelle, sprinting up another flight of stairs two at a time, swinging left once she had reached the third floor.

By now, the scent of smoke and burning black powder had gotten much stronger and upon emerging from the stairwell, she could see that the hallway of the third floor was on fire. Broad orange strokes of light cut across the carpet, casting ominous moving shadows on the wall as the flames burnt bright in the South Wing. The glow of the flames danced in Anna's eyes as she assessed the situation. Her mind came to only one solution.

Holding up her cloak over her head, Anna dashed down the corridor of the South Wing, and could feel the heat intensifying as she neared the rear. Fourth door from the back…she just had to make it there.

Through the flames, she now could the door of the library. The sturdy build of the door was more or less fire resistant, so the inside would be safe for now. But no doubt Hans and his lackeys were already in there.

Tossing aside her smoking cloak, Anna sucked in another shallow breath and coughed, feeling the smoke already pooling in her windpipes and threw her weight against the door.

The latch gave way and swung open, and Anna stumbled inside to find that - as expected - Hans and his four Exonian escorts were inside spreading black powder across the study.

"Make sure to-" Hans and the rest spun when the door swung on its hinges and slammed forcefully against the wall. His eyes rested on Anna, who hurriedly kicked the door close to prevent the fire outside from spreading into the room.

"Anna." A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. "What a pleasant surprise."

"The game is up, Hans." Anna stood her ground, her hand on the scabbard at her hip. "I know what you're doing."

He cocked his head. "I thought that would have been clearly evident on the way in. Haven't you seen my handiwork?"

"If you consider arson as handiwork, then yes." Anna said. "Though I expected something more elaborate from someone like you."

"Well, we work with what we have." Hans smirked. The four Exonian soldiers were flanking him, two on each side, surprisingly unarmed.

Anna noticed that their muskets had been stacked against the wall on the opposite end of the library, and their hands were occupied with boxes of black powder. The room had already been peppered and sown across with the black powder, trailing at the base of the bookshelves and coating a few of the books as though a large amount of the powder had been hurled against the shelves in haste.

Hans followed her gaze and chuckled mildly. "Ah yes. My men are unarmed with their weapons. So you're probably not considering the possibility of tearing that sword free from that scabbard of yours, and slashing their throats."

Anna found her hand unconsciously fingering the scabbard, and withdrew it. She fixed him with a steely gaze.

"I know you all too well, Anna, better than you might think. You won't kill these men, but you won't let them torch the library either. So what are you going to do?" He asked mockingly.

Her mind whirred as she considered her options. Four soldiers guarding Hans, but yet no way to effectively taking them out of the fight without killing them. Her royal training during her earlier years had never equipped her with a skillset for such a time as this.

Hans sighed and shook his head. "I guess I should make it easier for you then." He turned to the soldiers and spoke in Exonite. "Get out."

The nearest to him look startled. "But Sir, you-"

"Now." Hans said sharply. "Leave your weapons. Your priority is to torch the rest of the castle. Leave her to me."

The four hesitated for a brief second, before saluting and excusing themselves, leaving their muskets behind in the room. When the door shut again behind them and Anna was left in the room with Hans, he spoke again in English.

"Now, where were we?" He said amicably, reaching for an oil lamp which he had set down behind him.

"Don't."

He frowned. "Why not?"

Anna glared at him. In truth, there was no answer to that. He had already set his twisted mind on burning down the city, and this was just the first stop in his private vendetta. She knew it would be a waste of time trying to convince him otherwise.

With his free hand, Hans struck a match against a nearby desk, and lit the oil lamp in his hand. The lamp glowed brightly in the curtained library, casting shadows with deadly intentions across the dim room.

"Why, Hans?" She was certain that given a reason to talk, Hans would seize the chance to gloat. If she couldn't stop him, at least she could slow him down while Tracy and Maui dealt with the rest of the soldiers. All she needed was to buy enough time to think of something.

"Haven't I made it obvious enough?" Hans raised the lamp and shook it. "Or are you really that dense? Falling for me was one thing, but this? Everything that has happened the past few days, and you still can't figure it out?"

"Enlighten me."

Hans shook his head. "I know you're just stalling, but it doesn't matter. I've already won. But I'll indulge you one final time. This is revenge, for what you and your sister put me through."

"What we put you through?" Anna grated. "You only have yourself to blame for trying to kill my sister and usurp the throne."

"Call it what you like, but there's no worming your way out this time." Hans said. "Ice didn't kill you the last time, but fire will." He shook his head ruefully. "I wish it wasn't you here in the castle, Anna. I never hated you, personally. It's your sister who ruined everything."

"You tried to kill Elsa." Anna's hand reached for her rapier and drew it. "You tortured her and made her suffer. You're going to pay for that."

"Don't posture, Anna. We both know you're not going to kill me." Hans said smoothly. "Like I said, I sincerely wish you didn't have to die here today. It should have been Elsa, but since I can't have her, you'll have to do instead." With his free hand, he drew his own sword, a thin, long blade. "Just remember that you only have your sister to blame for what happened here."

"No!" Anna shouted, but it was too late.

Hans hurled the burning oil lamp against the nearest bookshelf coated in black powder, and the damned thing ignited immediately. The books burst into flames, and the fire was spreading fast.

"You monster." Anna's fingers tightened around the hilt of her rapier.

"That's it." Hans spread his hands, letting down his guard. "Strike me down. Kill me. End this once and for all."

She stepped closer, her sword raised and her knuckles white with rage. Deep down, as much as she wanted to end his threat right here and now, she knew she couldn't bring herself to kill him.

He sighed in disappointment and dropped his hands to his side. "I didn't think so." He lunged with his thin blade, and she quickly parried and returned a riposte, disengaging quickly.

"Stop prolonging the fight, Anna." Hans advanced. "I want this over and done with. You think I enjoy having to kill you?"

"Honestly, knowing you? I think you do." Anna retorted, moving behind a long table to put distance between herself and the fiend.

"I promise I'll make it quick and painless." He said, circling round to get to her while brandishing his sword. "Though I can't say the same for your sister."

Anna inched around the table to avoid getting within striking range. All the while, she held up her own rapier, her mind working rapidly to think of something. There had to be a way to stop him.

Without giving her time to think, Hans thrust across the width of the table with all the efficiency and elegance of a professional fencer, and Anna was forced to retreat away from the table. He hoisted himself onto the table slid across it smoothly in the span of two seconds, and brought his blade in a horizontal cut that was meant to slice her throat.

Her faster than average reflexes saved her, and she back-pedalled quickly, bumping awkwardly against a wall that miraculously hadn't caught fire yet. Keeping her guard up, her eyes fixed on Hans who was stalking her slowly like a predator who knew he had his prey cornered.

"You can't run, Anna." His voice was like ice. "Don't make this any harder on yourself. This is as hard for you as it is for me."

"Stop fooling yourself." Anna parried another strike and jabbed back hastily to push him back. "We both know you're just looking for an excuse to kill me and justify yourself."

"You think I wanted any of this?" Hans faded sideways and slicked across the distance between them, his sword impacting Anna's with an ear splitting clang. He pushed his blade towards her, and their swords grated loudly. The sword's movement was halted by the guard on Anna's rapier, and he leaned in close. "You and your sister forced my hand."

Anna gave him a head butt in disgust, and rolled out of the way as he gave a grunt of pain and slashed again with his sword. She slammed the pommel of her rapier against the small of his back and disengaged, fading away quickly before he could nick her across the midriff with the swing of his blade.

"You're sick, Hans." She stated matter-of-factly and inched behind a chair as he spun round. "If we don't stop this now, we're both going to burn here."

"Maybe." Hans said dangerously, his frame illuminated by the dancing flames which had by now spread to most of the bookshelves in the vast library. "But if I have to bring this castle down on top of our heads, then so be it. Your legacy ends here today."

"No, Hans." She kicked a wooden chair into his path, which he promptly spliced in half with his sword. "Today you're going to pay for all your crimes."

"Am I?" He lunged at her again, and she very narrowly escaped being stabbed. She brought her sword around, and she could feel the point of her rapier skim across the flesh of Hans' back, exposing split opened skin.

Hans grunted and whirled round to face her again. One hand was nursing his back, the other still gripping his sword tightly. "Maybe you're a better fighter than I gave you credit for."

"Maybe." Anna knew that it had been pure luck that she had managed to nick him, but she wasn't going to ruin the illusion now. But how long can I keep this up?

"No one's coming to save you." Hans said, almost as if he had read her thoughts. A chill ran down her spine. "And there's nowhere to run."

"Watch me." Anna dove between two flaming bookshelves, running down the column where it would make it harder for Hans to catch her.

"You can't hide forever!" His voice rung throughout the library amid the crackling of the wood and paper.

He's right. Anna ducked behind another bookshelf just as he rounded the corner. There's only so long before he finds me, and I can't beat him in a straight up fencing contest. Either that or we get burnt down with the rest of the library. By her estimation, at least ten minutes would have passed by now, which meant that Tracy and Maui were most likely done on their end at the East Wing and the North Wing. So where the hell are they?

Hans threw his weight against the bookshelf she was hiding behind, and the heavy thing began to fall towards her.

Anna gasped and sprang for freedom, but it was too late. The bookshelf crashed on top of her, pinning her right leg against the ground as the back of the shelf continued to burn. A sharp, disorienting pain she had never experienced before shot through her foot and she let out a groan of agony. Something was definitely broken.

"See what you made me do?" Hans walked round slowly and knelt just out of reach. He clicked his tongue in displeasure. "Now you've gone and broken your leg."

Her body mired in pain, she struggled with her hands to free herself from the bookshelf that was bogging her down, but nothing budged except for a shifting in her crushed bone. It was too heavy, and it was getting increasingly hot underneath the heavy thing which was still on fire. Tugging one final time, she laid on her back, breathing hard as pain continued to wreck her trapped leg.

Hans sighed unhappily. "It didn't have to end this way."

Though overwhelmed by agony, Anna stared up at Hans with defiant eyes. "Take your best shot." She waited for the final stroke that would mark her end.

"As you wish." He raised his sword above his head and prepared to deliver the coup de grâce.

Something knocked the blade out of his hand and it flew into a flaming bookshelf not far away. Hans whirled round like a cat, and Anna too strained her body to see what was happening.

"I see." Hans narrowed his eyes. "You brought your lackeys."

"Actually, I rather think of myself as a partner." Tracy stood her ground, hands raised and sparkling with purple mist at her finger tips. Maui stood by her side.

"You're outnumbered, Hans." Anna said weakly. "Give up now."

"I don't give up. You should know that by now, Anna." He said mildly. "But I know when to retreat when necessary. We'll meet again." Hans sketched a mock bow and dashed towards the curtained windows. Hurling a chair at the glass, it crashed into smithereens. Hans swept aside the flowing curtains and dove out of the three storey window.

"No!" Anna shouted, forgetting that she couldn't move, and another bout of pain exploded through her foot. "My foot…"

Tracy rushed to the window as Maui made a beeline for Anna, and she scanned the exterior. "He escaped!" She called out across the room.

"Are you sure?" Anna shouted back and choked on the smoke as Maui threw the bookshelf off her effortlessly.

"It's a three storey drop with no trees or cover. But he's just…gone!"

"I'm not surprised." Anna murmured and winced as Maui lifted her off the ground.

"Tracy, the fire!" Maui shouted, carrying Anna away from the wreckage.

"Right, right!" Tracy turned her attention back to the flaming library and raised her hands above her head. A quick chant of the spell sent a burst of purple mist over the room, smothering out the flames like a cold wet blanket. Within a minute, the fire in the library had been put out, leaving whatever that remained of the books and shelves charred beyond recognition.

The room once again was thrown into dimness, the only source of light coming from the window that Hans had broken and hurled himself out of. Still coating the room was the smoke billowing from the bookshelves and furniture.

Anna coughed, her lungs filled with the hateful substance. "Is the rest of the castle-"

"We took care of the soldiers and the fire." Tracy said reassuringly. "Nothing left to worry about."

"Then we won." Anna sighed, the pent up tension and anxiety releasing itself like a flood tide. She grimaced in pain as she shifted in Maui's arms.

"Your foot's broken." Maui said in concern. "Try not to move till we can get you to Holli."

Anna nodded and leaned her head back against Maui's thick arm and closed her eyes. Hans' threat had been nullified and he'd been forced to retreat for the time being. They'd won. For now.

Author's Commentary:

I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Seeing Anna rush into the fire and face off against Hans in spite of the fact she doesn't have any powers is just badass. Fighting for her legacy and her kingdom, reuniting with her archenemy…it's a finale worth writing.

Oh but don't worry, you'll be seeing plenty more of Hans in the next story. He's not done yet.