Teaser for next appearance in Book 5

TALYA

2021 (Six Months Later)

"There's no explanation, Talya." Val shook his head sympathetically. "All our databases have been compromised. I checked our army's intelligence. Our cyber security has been deactivated, databases wiped, and everything is under the control of the enemy. There's no way for us to access the archives to find out how any of this happened."

"But I do." A familiar voice came from out of nowhere.

Talya and Val both spun to see their distant cousin marching towards them with a folder in hand.

"Peggy!" Talya exclaimed, rushing towards her and enveloping her in a hug. "You have no idea what a relief it is to see your face."

"What are you doing here?" Val gaped at her. "And how did you even get here?"

"Same way we got to Ahtohallan. I hijacked one of the jets again." Peggy said, waving the folder at the duo. "I'm guessing you both know by now."

Talya glared out the window again. "Who doesn't?"

"You came with intelligence?" Val eyed the folder in Peggy's hand.

She nodded. "You have to believe I had no idea any of this was going to happen. I-"

"Of course not." Talya cut her off before she could continue. "We know you're on our side." Peggy, the descendant of the Pilgrim Elsa, had been with them on their quest to liberate Arendelle during the Southern Isles' invasion five months ago. The government spy by trade had been skeptical of Elsa's existence at first, but that all changed when she worked alongside the seemingly immortal Pilgrim to free Arendelle.

Peggy seemed to deflate slightly, but the tense look didn't leave her face. She held out the folder in her hand. "You wouldn't believe what I had to go through to get this. The friends and superiors I had to fight just to get to the archives…"

Talya took the folder and flipped through it, Val looking over her shoulder.

"History has been altered." Val finally concluded. "And at the very centre of it all." He pointed out the window.

Talya and Peggy followed his finger. A chill ran down Talya's spine.

"But how?"

"Somehow, a change in actions must have altered the end of the war." Val continued. "Something so significant that not only did it secure the Imperial throne, but also the world in the future. Our present."

Silence reigned for a good long minute. Then Peggy spoke up.

"It sounds like a real stretch."

"So was sorcery, but yet here we are." Val gestured at Talya. "And no, Talya, your magic isn't going to make everything right this time."

Grudgingly, Talya found she had to agree. Last time, she'd banked on the fact that the fabled Snow Queen would teach her how to master her sorcery and save Arendelle from the Southern Isles invaders. It'd worked the last time. But now Elsa was gone, and there was no way her own sorcery was a match for the threat ahead. Not even the reborn League of Sorcerers Talya had spent the past months reassembling could go up against the might of the Empire.

"But," Val said. "If I'm right and this is all about the timeline changing, then there may be something we can do to end this nightmare." He beckoned hastily to them as he turned on his heel and began walking towards the rooms. "Follow me."

"What can we do?" Peggy asked as they tailed him.

"Val. What are you saying?" Talya added.

"Ever since my freshman year in college, I've been working on a personal invention of mine." Val's voice rose in hope. "With a few more tweaks, I think it might just work."

"And what exactly are we talking about here?" Talya asked in bewilderment.

Val stopped in his tracks and turned to face them. The corners of his mouth turned upward slightly. "Time travel."

Author's Commentary:

And that's a cue to start catching up on the other stories if you haven't already. It's been an absolute blast writing this story, but even I have to admit the scale and magnitude of the events in this story pales in comparison to the newest trilogy I'm writing. As of this moment, I'm done with the first draft of Book 5 (in which Talya and Peggy play a pivotal role), and I have to say I'm pretty damn proud of how it's turned out.

If you enjoyed this story, I can assure you that you'll find my other novels (set in the same world) equally fun to read. Do go to my profile and catch up in time for Book 5's release! Can't wait to show you all how this story ties in with the main timeline in the 19th century where all the action takes place.

I'll be updating this particular story with a notification chapter when Book 5 of the series is out so that you know when to head over and check it out :) Till then, thank you so much for staying with me on this journey, and I hope to see you all continue to accompany me on the main series I've been writing!