Chapter: 27 The Crystal of Eden

"What have you done?" is an understatement. With the way Ahtohallan's entire foundation is quaking, what hasn't Hans done? It doesn't take much for me to realize that he's clutching some sort of Piece of Eden. The crystalline artifact radiates turquoise pulses of energy when Hans holds it close.

"What is that?" Elsa asks.

I look upon my sister with solemn, widened eyes. "You really have no idea, do you?" I utter.

"Should I?" she inquires as jagged icicles rise from the ground around us. They elevate with Hans' shaking fist as he clenches the crystal.

"How could she ever, Anna?" Hans hisses. "She's as delusional as the rest of Arendelle!"

I swallow hard and grip Elsa's arm. "Sis...run now, explain later."

Elsa's palms energize as she raises a brow. "But I can stop him and-"

"If that's what I think it is, you can't take him head on." I intone. She worriedly nods to me as a web of cracks forms along the walls. We bid a hasty retreat while Hans' cackles echo throughout the glacier.

"Years of searching...of planning!" he bellows. His voice becomes sounds demonically enhanced by the crystal. "Long have I waited for this moment. To experience this power and see the fear in your eyes!" Bright beams zap across the ground and split the ice apart. Elsa and I shriek at the sight before sliding towards the exit. While our way out collapses, several more form as Ahtohallan crumbles. Fractals spew across the cracking ice and Elsa beckons the Nokk to her.

"Hurry!" my sister says and the Water Spirit scoops us up.

The ice has completely turned against us as lethal spikes jut from the ground. The Nokk picks up speed, weaving between the spikes and bolting for the mainland. "Now, my dears." Hans' voice echoes from across the destruction. "Experience my power!"

While gripping Elsa's waist, I glance back and watch Hans raise the crystal. It's as if lightning is shooting from it and scattering across the waters. "Elsa!" I warn.

My sister spins as a tidal wave of icicles surges towards us. She raises her hand to counter with her own magic and I brace accordingly. My heart sinks when her empty palm merely flails. "What?" Elsa gasps and thrusts her hand forward. Her fear-stricken eyes widen as it appears her magic has completely depleted. She's unable to conjure up anything and leaves us at the mercy of the elements.

"Not good," I mutter while we hastily spur the Nokk. It's all up to her steed as it guides us to shore. It leaps just in time as a storm of icicles pelts the coast.

"Bow to my will!" Hans' voice booms. It's as if he's yelling from the sky above and we only panic when the Nokk halts.

"Wait, what?" I blurt and try to spur the steed. Its glowing, unblinking eyes remain entranced and it refuses to advance. Instead, the horse lowers its head and slowly turns towards what's left of Ahtohallan.

"No!" Elsa pleads and quickly dismounts. "Snap out of it!" she begs and caresses her horse's face. Another wave of icicles is on its way and time is running out. For as much as it pains me to see Elsa suffering, I'd much prefer keeping her alive.

"I'm sorry," I murmur and pull her by her waist.

"Let me go!" Elsa shouts as I pry her from the Nokk.

"We can't stay here!" I assert over the deafening crunch of icicles and gesture to them.

Tears roll down Elsa's pale cheeks until she ultimately accompanies me. We flee deeper into the forest and slide towards some dense foliage. Icicles pelt the upper trees while we nervously keep our heads down. As the chaos simmers, Elsa and I lift our heads and observe the devastation. Hans has laid waste to the coast. I hold Elsa close as she observes her destroyed sanctuary. The Nokk is nowhere to be seen in the ensuing mist as Hans yells, "This is only the beginning! Arendelle is but a stepping stone!"

"Come on," I whisper and rub Elsa's back. "We need to tell the others...while there's still time."

Elsa takes one last look at what's become of Ahtohallan and shakes her head. I've never truly understood what that place meant for her until this moment. Seeing the heartbreak in her eyes fuels my anger as one name sears its way into my brain: Hans. I have to stop him. By all and any means. What he's done...however he's done it...I've got to find a way to bring him down for good this time."

*

Things are eerily quiet back in at the castle. Smoke still billows from ravaged homes while troops work to douse fires. General Mattias has directed most of his efforts towards securing the prisoners captured during the assault. Despite the chilling calmness, there's a deep sense of foreboding in the air. I think of the newfound evil which has arisen across the Dark Sea. I know our fight is far from over and those closest to me can feel it too. While the rest of Arendelle prepares for the worst, I hold an assembly in the castle with those whom I can trust.

It breaks my heart to watch Elsa in my peripherals. I see her sprawled out against the same couch where we used to play charades. Gone is the vibrant, free spirit I found myself getting jealous of. Her once wide and lively eyes are narrow and focused on the air before her. Elsa purses her lips frustratedly and holds up her empty, shaking hands. I hang my head when magic doesn't leave her palms.

"Anna," Kristoff beckons. His voice is honestly medicine amidst all of this chaos. He takes my hand as I glance up at him. "What exactly happened out there?" he asks.

Kristoff and Mattias are looking to me for answers. I'm stressed as it is, but the last thing I expect is for Siv to speak up. "The Crystal of Eden," she says and all heads turn to her. "An Isu artifact of immense power."

Mattias seems bewildered over what she's going on about. I'm just perplexed as to why Siv hasn't informed me sooner. My loved ones are still coming to terms with the fact that this woman took me to an academy for assassins...so this revelation only intensifies our situation.

"I'm sorry," Mattias mutters. "A what artifact?"

Siv sighs. "The Isu were powerful beings who came long before any of us. It is my belief that one of their artifacts, the Crystal of Eden, has dwelled within Ahtohallan." Even mentioning the sanctuary makes Elsa shudder. "If the legends and my studies are correct, that crystal could've been the source of all elemental powers. Everything from the Nokk...to Elsa's abilities."

"So it wasn't magic...but this crystal?" Kristoff inquires.

Siv shakes her head. "Magic...science...it's all the same from a different perspective."

"And what have your studies gathered on this crystal?" I jeer.

Siv picks up on my angered tone and glares at me. "Whoever controls it holds dominion over the spirits and their powers. If Hans has found the crystal, he can command them all."

"Or strip away their powers," I say. "He claimed the Nokk, but not Elsa. Why?"

"I'm not sure," Siv confesses. "But if the crystal works as other Pieces of Eden have, it will take time for Hans to fully assimilate its power. He will slowly grow stronger and his range will spread throughout the kingdom. If you are to stop him, you must do so quickly."

"We shouldn't have run away," Elsa murmurs from the couch. "I told you, Anna." My breaths hasten when I try to speak up, but Elsa just shuts me down and continues. "I wanted to fight!" she snaps. "And now...I'm powerless."

"He would've taken away your powers anyway," I retort.

"You don't know for sure," she fires back and sends my anxiety surging. It manifests into a frustrated scream as Kristoff tries to comfort me.

I shutter at his touch and glare at Siv. "You," I growl. "You knew. It was all in that Codex of yours back at the citadel. If we'd only known about this sooner, I could've suspected what Hans was after. You let this happen! I thought you were supposed to protect this kingdom."

Siv leers, yet shamefully shakes her head. "I-...I'm sorry," she utters. "The Order of Assassins has always worked in the dark to serve the light. The concept of a Piece of Eden was never meant to be treated lightly, but our investigation was never meant to arouse suspicion."

"So was I just your way in?" I ask. "A key to get closer to my sister?"

"No," Siv intones. "Anna, I truly wanted to help you and Arendelle. And me using you is exactly what I didn't want you to think I was doing. So I kept concepts of the artifact from you...even when-"

"Even when Templars were searching for it," I interject. "Like Mouse?...Hans?"

Siv solemnly nods. "I won't ask you to forgive me. For what I have done is inexcusable. But for what it's worth and amidst this disarray, I am sorry for all that's happened."

I sigh heavily and observe the others around me. My heart sinks when I realize what the loss of Elsa's powers means. My companions can read the distress across my face as I recall what happened to Olaf the last time Elsa's magic faded. Without uttering another word, I barge out of the room and return to where I first geared up. My eyes sway towards a quiet closet and I nervously push it open. My greatest fears are realized as I peer down at a glistening mound of snow.

I can't relive anymore pain. I can't let this storm of suffering persist any longer. My grief festers and transitions to fury as I prepare to scream. When I open my mouth to unleash such anguish, I suddenly glimpse a mysterious ship on the fjord. Mattias and Kristoff have chased after me only to observe the sight.

"What now?" Kristoff worries.

"More invaders?" Mattias considers. "I'm not familiar with those colors on the sail though. That arrowhead symbol..."

My eyes widen with realization and my blood runs cold. "Defensive positions!" an Arendellian soldier can be heard shouting from outside. "Incoming ship!"

"No!" I snap. "General Mattias, have the troops stand down."

"Are you sure?" he worries.

I nod dutifully as tears of relief fill my eyes. A gentle smile forms across my lips and I rejoice. "They're not invaders...they're Assassins."