Chapter 14: Clay

After they spent the better part of the afternoon on the pier, Drake and Elsa went back to her room so Drake could get some sleep before that evening's trial. To her amazement he fell asleep rather quickly, one moment they were talking with each other and the next he was lightly snoring. She covered him with the beds' silken sheets before meandering about the room for something to do in the meantime. Her fingers grazed over the handful of books the room had to offer, a tender smile on her lips.

Life is funny huh? Who'd have thought my life would end up like a fantasy novel. She picked up one of the tome's and flipped through its pages. A knight coming to the aid of a dying kingdom and striking a forbidden romance with the queen. Granted she didn't care about the separation of the classes, Anna fell in love with an ice harvester for goodness sakes. Why couldn't she fall in love with a knight?

Not that I'm falling in love or anything, or that this is romance or whatever… What is this exactly? pre-love? Practice love?

Time passed and it was time for the next trial. Fortunately Drake wasn't taken in his sleep again, so that at least had that going for them. They were given instructions to go to island two, and to put the iron cuffs onto Drake's wrists. Island two was one of the smaller ones, but was outfitted like the others. Large walls forming a calluseum-like arena and a waiting room for the champions below. Anna, Kristoff and this time Olaf, went into the arena to find places to sit, While Drake and Elsa went below.

Once they had settled, along with the remaining champions, it was just a matter of waiting for the gamemaster, as he liked to be called. Looking around at the others, Elsa's attention rested on Hans who was leaning back in a chair, seemingly without a care in the world.

Drake, noticing the same thing, leaned closer to her. "I don't like this. Your old friend seems like he's the only one who wants to be here."

Elsa narrowed her eyes at the young prince. "I agree." The Raptor and his empress had seated themselves on the floor in meditation, and Arabella had found herself standing by Drake and Elsa, just as anxious as the others and iron on her wrists. "He has to know something we don't."

"He'd be a lousy card player that's for sure." Arabella said under her breath. "Any chance we'll be playing cards?"

Elsa Folded her arms with a roll of her eyes. "Only if the cards come to life and then start trying to kill everyone."

Arabella gave Elsa a playful punch in her arm. "The snow queen making a joke? Nice one!"

Elsa rubbed her now slightly sore arm. "Thanks."

"Greetings and salutations!" Dirgelaff and Bernard entered the room with arms out wide and large toothy smiles on their faces. "You, and my crowd have waited long enough, now is the time for action!"

"Where were you?" Drake asked. "It's not like you to be late to your own game?"

Dirgelaff shrugged dismissively. "Last minute preparations for this, my favorite test, don't worry, you'll find out along with the rest." He flourished his hands, creating a structure out of magical purple and orange energy, the structure taking shape to look like a maze. "Unlike your first task, which I admit that I lied, you'll have to navigate this maze to get to the other side."

"What's the catch?" Raptor asked. "Is there a lava pit we have to crawl over?"

He laughed. "No, no, nothing like that. However There will be one obstacle. The center is where it will be at." A red dot glowed in the circular center of the maze. "Take a good look, and remember it well. Oh there is one more thing that I must tell. This is a timed test, thirty minutes you'll get, but the maze is not too hard so no need to fret."

It wasn't the maze that worried Elsa, it was what was inside it.

"Victory will go to the two with the best time, making for a competition that will be truly sublime." With another wave of his hands, the magical structure vanished. "So now that we've gotten that out of the way, these pesky Caveats, we'll pick our first champion, by picking names out of a hat."

Bernard revealed a top hat with three strips of paper inside. He took them out one by one showing on all sides that each slip had one name written for the corresponding champion. He replaced them, shook them up then extended the hat to the young empress.

"Would you please pick a name?" Bernard asked. "No peeking."

She dipped her hand into the hat and pulled out the first slip and gave it to Bernard. "The first to run the maze is… Drake Daniels." He motioned for her to take another. "And the second will be… Raptor, leaving Arabella Analiese last."

"Excellent! We have our line up for our champions three! Sponsors, bid farewell to your champions, and in the arena take your seats. But beware, the last time you see your champion may be right here."

Elsa felt a chill prickling at the hairs on her neck. His threatening undertone wasn't hard to miss, which was confirmed when Dirgelaff sneered at her and Drake with a slime ridden, knowing stare. Elsa's lip curled, in both revulsion and anger. Maybe it was time she played a game of her own.

"Well in that case." She grabbed Drake by the sides of his face, bringing them nose to nose with each other, and pressed her lips against his in a powerful scorching, cold kiss. Even with her eyes closed she could feel everyone staring at them, especially Dirgelaff, and she hoped her message was loud and clear.

She would NEVER belong to him. Her heart was for someone else.

Maybe….possibly….could be… Drake?

:0:—

Elsa ascended the stairs to her area in the arena with a smug and satisfied grin on her face. Seeing Dirgelaff's abnoxious smile vanish was one of the best feelings she could ever hope for, and feeling her lips tingle from Drake's was an added benefit. Anna, Kristoff and Olaf were waiting for her in their own section of the stands when she arrived.

"So how'd it go?" Anna asked when Elsa sat beside her. "I'm guessing this trial has to do with that?" She pointed into the arena at the winding walls of a maze.

"Yup. He has to get from one end to the other in under thirty minutes."

"With death awaiting him at every corner?" Olaf asked dramatically.

"Of course." Elsa leaned back in her chair, still wearing an appeased grin.

"What's got you so giddy?" Anna asked.

Elsa shrugged. "I just let Dirgelaff know that I don't belong to him." She leaned closer to Anna. "And I think I broke Drake, cuz he was speechless after our kiss."

The sisters giggled like children. "You kissed him again?! Oh Elsa you're so bad."

"As much as I feel bad for Drake," Kristoff breathed, "I'm so glad you showed up. I would have been dead seconds into the first trial."

Anna patted his arm. "Don't worry. You're still my hero." Smiling he wrapped his arm around her and kissed the side of her head.

The crowd roared with life when Dirgelaff stepped into his special box at the front of the arena. With arms spread wide he accepted his applause.

"WHO IS READY?!" More roaring, except from the Arendellians, who groaned with contempt.

As Elsa was rolling her eyes they landed on Prince Hans and Landon who were seated a few rows down from them. "What are they doing here?" She asked aloud.

"Hey!" Kristoff shouted. Fists balled and ready for a fight, "What are you two doing here?"

Hans barely registered that anyone was speaking to him, as if they were beneath him. Still his wolfish grin was all they needed. "We just wanted a change of scenery." His green eyes narrowed at Elsa. "And I am so looking forward to the look on your face?"

Once again, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

"LET US BRING OUT OUR FIRST COMPETITOR FOR THIS CHALLENGE HE WILL TAKE. PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER, FOR THE DRAGON KNIGHT, DRAKE!"

He stepped out onto the arena floor, giving a half hearted wave to all of his screaming fans, but paid special attention to the Arendellians.

"GO DRAKE! WOOOOOOOOOO!" Anna and Olaf screamed as they got to their feet.

Olaf turned his head and Hans. "Our champion is the BeEeEest!" Anna quickly grabbed him and pulled him away, but still stuck her tongue out for good measure.

Elsa would have been cheering too, if she wasn't so focused on what Hans and Landon were talking about.

"Last chance Landon. Any chance you'll have a change of heart?"

Landon shook his head. "Don't ever doubt a fool in love." Hans shrugged and turned his attention back to the arena.

Dirgelaff held out his hands to silence the crowd. "AS ANXIOUS AS I AM FOR US TO BEGIN, THERE IS ONE TINY THING I FORGOT TO MENTION TO MY CHAMPIONS." The crowd "oh'd" in anticipation. "AS THEY TRAVEL THE MAZE, THE ONE YOU SEE HERE, TO MAKE THINGS MORE INTERESTING I'LL TAKE SOMETHING FROM THEM, SOMETHING THEY HOLD DEAR."

Elsa's blood ran cold, Anna slapped her hands over her mouth and Kristoff's jaw dropped. Olaf just seemed confused. "What does this mean?"

The screen before them fizzled to life, showing Dirgelaff's arrogant fisaage. "IT MEANS I TAKE WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM, SOMETHING THEY'LL HAVE TO FREE. NOW WHAT SHOULD I TAKE, HMM LETS SEE." He lifted his hand and snapped his fingers.

Elsa jumped, expecting to be taken and sent to god knows where, but strangely nothing happened. She examined herself, but she was still seated in the arena. However there was one among their group that wasn't.

"ANNA!" Elsa's heart stopped.

The orbs floated to the center of the maze, showing the crowd, on the screen, Anna trapped in a glass box, her hands cuffed above her head and regardless of how hard she fought, they wouldn't budge.

"ANNA!" Elsa screamed for her sister, ready to leap into the maze and get her herself if Kristoff and, surprisingly, Landon hadn't held her back. "Let me go! I have to save Anna!"

"Elsa calm down!" Kristoff urged.

Landon spoke with the same caution as he pulled her close. "Dirgelaff made one of the lords participate in a game of 'tilt-a-whirl from hell', for cheating, what do you think he'll do to you if you knowingly interfere?"

She paused. The horrors of what Lord Jakob had to do replayed in her mind like a bad nightmare. This gave her reason to settle back, but her eyes were fixed to the screen, and her struggling sister.

"Elsa," Landon spoke calmly and softly, "Do you trust him?" He pointed to Drake in the arena.

Elsa felt the hesitation. As much as she trusted him, this was Anna's life in the line, not hers. "Of… of course I do."

"Then you don't have anything to worry about?"

"Why Anna?" Kristoff worried. "Why not Elsa?"

"Drake cares about Elsa, Elsa cares about Anna, thus Drake cares about Anna." Hans responded blithely.

Elsa's hands turned into dangerous claws as ice began crackling from her fingertips. "You knew didn't you?"

He shrugged. "Maybe, but your little display in the waiting room didn't help matters." His soulless eyes met hers. "This is his kingdom, and it's better to be beside him then in his path."

Landon and Kristoff, once again, had to hold her back. "Unfortunately darling, we have to just let this play out." They helped her back into her seat. "For the moment that's all we can do."

:0:—

As soon as Bernard gave the go ahead, Drake took off like a bullet into the maze. Why Anna? Was the question on his mind while he weaved through the maze walls. Yeah she's important to me, but not as much as Elsa… Maybe that's why. She's important to Elsa, so she's important to me, I'd risk my life either way. Even for Kristoff!... possibly.

Once he hit another dead end he realized he couldn't hear anything coming from the arena. No One trying to tell him which way to go, or Anna calling for help. Maybe the walls were enchanted to keep the noise out. Regardless, he was on his own in the maze. What was more troubling was the fact that as he ran, he didn't come across any obstacles.

None.

Was it a left here? No right! Dead end. Maybe this way, yes! This way! I never liked mazes. Right here! Holy crap Elsa can kiss, HERE!

The tunnels opened into a round open space with Anna's glass box in the center. The sound returned, cheering for the dragon knight with a deafening roar, but he tuned them out. He crossed the threshold into the circle, his foot catching on something beneath him. He followed a small wire as it traveled from his foot to her box, and slowly triggered a mechanism that began to fill it up with water.

Of course. He sprinted to the box, nearly slamming into it. "Anna. Are you okay?"

She laughed nervously. "I'm doing great." She wiggled her fingers, "this isn't the first time I've been cuffed with my hands above my head."

"I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that."

"Sorry. I get weird and chatty when I'm scared."

Drake ran his hands along the box looking for a way to open it, until finding a keyhole on its side. "I need a key, do you see one anywhere?"

"I think it's in my other dress."

"Not helping!"

A large boom sounded behind them, creating a cloud of smoke and dirt. The crowd cheered even harder as something emerged, something that easily towered over Drake by at least another foot. By all accounts it was human, dressed in nothing but pants, boots, and a hood over its head. Head to toe the beast was chiseled with rock solid muscle in places Drake didn't know muscles existed. But as terrifying as it was, nothing compared to the chain around its neck with a key.

"Oh my that's a lot of muscle," Anna cringed.

"Still not helping," Drake swallowed as he addressed the behemoth. "Any chance you'll just, give me that key?"

He couldn't see the thing's eyes, but it remained silent, even when it threw a fist directed at Drake's head. It was quick, but Drake's quick thinking caused him to move out of its way as it's fist connected with the glass. Drake rolled to his feet as Anna screeched, but the glass didn't budge or buckle in any way.

"Well that didn't work." The behemoth's head snapped in his direction before charging like a wild bull. Drake met it halfway, throwing his open hand towards the key, but it caught his wrist, threw its knee into Drake's gut before throwing him aside.

Drake skidded against the dirt ground before slamming into the wall, feeling the air leave his lungs, and several bones cracking. The crowd deafened his ears with their cheering, wanting blood then him to survive. He got to his hands and knees, the monstrosity already closing in on him.

Drake threw his fist into its abdomen, aiming for its liver, then stomach, liver, then stomach again, then an uppercut to its jaw. Drake might as well have been punching the maze walls. It didn't flinch, buckle or move at any of his strikes.

Drake stopped his attacks in disbelief. "Really? Nothing?"

It grabbed him by his neck and slammed him into the ground before throwing him, this time into Anna's glass box.

"Not to rush you, Drake, but it's getting wet in here." Looking at the box, the rising water was already up to her stomach. "What is that thing!"

Drake swallowed as it charged at him again. "I have no idea."

Disbelief shook her. "What!? Aren't you supposed to be like, 'super-smart-monster-hunter' guy?!"

"Still not—GAH!" It grabbed him by his neck again, but this time Drake threw his arm over its wrist and locked it beneath his armpit, releasing his throat and giving Drake a chance to swing it against the box.

"HA! Take that whatever you are!" The victory was short-lived when it gathered its bearings, lifted Drake into the air and slammed him into the ground until Drake had to release. Once again, more of his bones began cracking when it kicked him in the ribs and legs. It lifted his boot to stomp him, but Drake rolled out of its way into his stomach.

He attempted to get to his hands and knees, but was grabbed in a headlock and lifted off the ground. Drake kicked and squirmed in its tightening grip, then began reaching behind it to grab something, anything to loosen its grip, but the only thing Drake could do was pull the hood off of its head.

I'm gonna regret this. Out of options, he opened his mouth and bit down as hard as he was able on its arm. It took a while, but finally it was able to feel enough discomfort that it released Drake by throwing him again against the wall. This time, his bruised bones began to break. Ribs, legs, and arms were a few of the bones that had broken, along with a severe headache.

He coughed, spitting out—

What the hell is in my mouth? It wasn't blood, and it wasn't flesh either. He spat. Mixed with his own blood was a fine powdery substance. He looked at the creature, now that the hood was removed, it was just a man. A bald frightening looking man with its mouth sewn shut.

Drake looked at the powder in his hand. No. Not powder. Clay? Mouth sewn shut? Unstoppable?

A weak, lopsided grin came to his face.

"DRAKE!" The water had come up to Anna's neck, causing her to throw her head back for air.

Now or never.

The beast charged again, but, unable to run, Drake held his ground. When it was on top of him, Drake rolled under its legs and began crawling up its back to its head. With his better hand he started trying to work at the stitching on its mouth, while the other one went for the key.

It grabbed his wrist going for the key and twisted, until bone could be seen protruding from his wrist.

:0:—

Drake's ear shattering scream shook the arena causing Elsa to cover her ears, tears freely escaping her eyes. Anxiety, fear, guilt, began bubbling inside of her in an icy fury, already causing the space around her to become covered in slick frost.

The creature threw Drake off of its back, leaving him a crumpled heap on the ground. "It's killing him!" More ice creeped out.

"Technically it's toying with him, then it'll kill him." Even if Landon was callous in his speaking, he also appeared concerned.

Kristoff was glued to the screen, his eyes trained on Anna. With the water rising, she had hoisted herself up from the shackles as much as she could, but was quickly losing space for air.

"ANNA!"

Elsa ran to the screen. Drake was motionless on the ground and her sister was seconds away from drowning.

It was a whisper at first, but quickly grew in volume and ferocity. The snowy pressure building inside of her pleading for release.

"No…. stop… Stop! …. STOP! STOOOOOOP!"

Her eyes were closed, but she could feel the sweet clemency as an explosion of ice and snow consumed the arena, crusting the walls in ice, creating a flurry above them, and freezing the water about to drown Anna. Her face was above the frozen water, alive and with air, but was now shivering from the cold.

Elsa opened her eyes, fully aware of what she had done. The crowd murmured in confusion, quickly coming to the conclusion that it was the snow queen that was responsible.

"Elsa," Kristoff shivered, "what did you do?"

Her mouth hung open as she shook her head. "I… I just…"

"Hey," he shrugged with a small smile, "it worked."

The screen fizzled, showing Dirgelaff's face again, but rather than upset, he appeared amused. "So the snow queen thinks she can stop my game? Tsk, tsk, tsk, oh what a shame."

"It's not like that," she begged, "I just… my powers…"

He laughed. "No need to worry my dear, this was my goal since you arrived here. Hans revealed to me your weakness, you're sister is the only one that elicits meekness. The Dragon Knight is just an added prize, especially when you watch as he dies."

The screen switched back to show Anna shivering in the box and Drake still lying on the ground unmoving.

Unable to think of anything else, she began begging "No… please…" she buried her head into Kristoff's chest, unable to watch. As much as he tried to soothe her, it was no use.

"I APOLOGIZE IF THIS MAY SEEM GRIM," Dirgelaff announced, "BUT NOW I NEED MY CREATURE TO FINISH HIM!"

"Hold her close boy," Landon said solemnly, "she shouldn't see this."

Elsa prayed that the howling of the crowd would drown out the noise, that she didn't have to hear him die. The first man she ever kissed, the first man whose hand she held, the first man that made her feel safe and wanted, the first man she—

"YOU BLASTED OAF ARE YOU DEAF?!" Dirgelaff shouted, "I SAID BEAT HIM TO—". The orb floated in front of the behemoth, showing on the screen that it had frozen in place, the stitching had been cut and his mouth was hanging open. Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd causing Elsa to lift her head from Kristoff's embrace.

"What happened to it?" She asked.

Landon scrutinized the screen, but instead was focused on Drake. "Dragon boy is moving—gah!"

Elsa shoved him out of the way, laser focused on Drake who was trying to get to his feet. "He's hurt." Kristoff noticed. "Bad." Blood was pouring from different open wounds, his ankle was facing the wrong direction, and a jagged bone was sticking out of his wrist.

"Your powers of observation are astounding, Kristoff." Landon suddenly gasped. "Bloody… hell."

Elsa shrieked. "What! What is it?"

"Look at his hand." Taking a closer look as Drake limped towards the beast, he held a small scroll in his bloodied hand. "Unstoppable? Check. Made of weird red powder? Check. Mouth sewn shut to keep someone from getting that scroll? Check. That creature is a Golem."

Drake shuffled towards the Golem, taking the scroll and placed it into the creature's mouth.

"Now what's he doing?" Elsa asked.

Landon smirked. "Taking control of it."

:0:—

Everything hurt. Moving hurt. Blinking hurt. Breathing hurt. Walking hurt, But he had to get the scroll back into its mouth if he wanted to control it. It was just a matter of his name on the scroll, and he had plenty of blood to work with. He put the scroll back into its mouth, before falling onto his knees. The golem straightened up then gave a small bow of its head to Drake.

Drake extended his good hand. "Key please." The golem pulled the key off of its neck and handed to Drake. "Thanks." He limped back to the box and placed the key in the hole unlocking the door and the cuffs, but Anna was still encased in a block of ice. "Are you okay?"

"B-b-been b-b-bet-t-t-ter." A flurry of snowflakes danced over the block. "El-el-el-Elsa to the res-s-s-scue." The block melted into water, dumping Anna onto the ground.

"Right," he coughed, "Elsa rescued you."

"Oh well I didn't m-m-mean… I mean I was in ice… that she caused…"

"Yeah, yeah," Draked rolled over to the golem, "make a hole in the walls, so we can get out." Without hesitation, the golem charged for the walls breaking them down as if they were mere tissue paper.

"How did you do that?" Anna helped Drake to his feet, throwing his arm over her shoulder and guiding him out of the maze.

He hacked on his own blood. "Let's just get the hell outta here first."

:0:—

Kristoff grabbed Olaf and ran after Elsa who had taken off as soon as the trial was declared "done", leaving Landon and an irritated Hans behind.

"Would you mind saving some of those lemons you're sucking on for my tea?" Referring to Hans and his furious scowl.

Hans resituated in his seat, trying to maintain some form of composure. "This is fine. Just a minor hiccup."

Landon threw his head back in laughter. "You need to hold your breath or drink some water, because you've been 'hiccuping' this entire tournament. Your plans to ensure your victory have been one failure after another. Even with your little 'deal' with Dirgelaff."

The pair watched the game master in his box who was furiously slamming his fists against the arms of his chair.

Hans snarled. "How hard can it be to kill one stupid Dragon Knight?!"

Landon chuckled again. "I told you. Never doubt a fool in love."

Hans shook his head, huffing his frustrations. "This only means it's time for plan 'B'." Hans removed one of the gloves from his hand to reveal a ring on his middle finger made of pure iron with a six pointed star with a variety of different markings scribbled around it.

"You've been lax in following my orders lately," the ring began to glow a blood red, "so now I'm commanding you. Go get Arabella's sister and bring her here."

Landon began twitching, a mark burning on the back of his neck, corresponding with the burning glow of the ring. He grit his teeth and spoke with pure venom. "Yes… sir."

Hans leaned back in his seat once Landon had vanished to execute plan, "B". "The games aren't over yet."

:0:—

Elsa tore into the waiting room like a madwoman, her eyes anxiously scanning for her sister. The Bernard's had been running around like a busy ant colony, one in particular had draped a large blanket over Anna's shoulders. Elsa cried for her sister, wasting no time and pulling her into a large hug.

"Anna, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-"

"I kn-know. It was-s-s-n't your fault." Realizing that she was shivering, Elsa took a few steps back with a "sorry".

Kristoff and Olaf were next to cradle Anna in their love, Kristoff doing a much better job at keeping her warm then she could. A harsh fact.

Seeing that Anna was, for all intents and purposes, all right, she searched for Drake.

"Get these goddamn cuffs off him! Hurry up!" Elsa took a sharp inhale when she saw Drake curled up on a table and slightly shaking, Arabella beside him screaming on the Bernards. "He's in shock, Come on!" One of them finally managed to uncuff him, but it would still take time for Drake to heal.

Elsa felt as if someone had reached inside of her and began squeezing her heart, making her dizzy and nauseous. The sight of Drake's beaten, bruised and bloodied body was almost too much for her to bear.

She let out a shuddering gasp that she tried to push back into her mouth with her hand. I… I did this. I challenged Dirgelaff and Drake paid for it. She slowly started to back out of the room, as a weird buzzing played in her ears, making it hard for Elsa to hear Anna calling her name. With the buzzing becoming too intense, and the grip too strong on her heart, Elsa ran out, not sure where, she just ran.

"Elsa where are you going?" Anna called. "You need to stay!"

Elsa tried to outrun her, but her sister was too quick, forcing her to slow her pace. Elsa's hands came up to cradle her arms as she always did as a way to comfort herself. "I can't be here! I need to—".

Anna grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. "Elsa! It's okay! I know you didn't freeze me in a block of ice on purpose. It's Dirgelaff. He's been orchestrating all of this. He pushed you—"

"—it's not just that!" Another blast of ice caused Anna to hold her blanket closer. "It's Drake." Anna was about to speak again, but Elsa cut her off. "I deluded myself into thinking I could love, or that someone could love me. Instead I almost got him killed. He is lying there almost dead and it's my fault! Dirgelaff wants to break me and he'll destroy everything I love to get it."

Anna grabbed Elsa by her arms. "Elsa that is not true. Drake loves you! We all love you!"

Elsa shook her head. "Who could ever love me? Dirgelaff is right. He always gets what he wants, and he wants me—"

Anna grabbed her a bit more forcefully, but her eyes were fixed on the ground. "Don't! Do not do that. Don't let him break you. Don't let him win." Anna lowered her head until she met her sister's red stained eyes. "It's going to be okay."

Elsa scoffed. "How do you know that?"

"I don't know that, I HOPE for that. I'm supposed to be the positive and upbeat princess, but Elsa I'm scared." Elsa lifted her head In mild surprise. "I am so scared. I'm scared for you, I'm scared for Drake, I'm scared for all of us." Anna took her sister's hands. "But if he's going to break us, he's gonna have to do it with us on our feet. I'm not rolling over for some psycho who wants to date my sister."

Elsa couldn't stop her smile. "It's a bit worse than that, but yeah."

"My point is you're my sister and I am NOT going to let anything happen to you."

"Neither will we."

The sisters gasped seeing Drake, being held up by Kristoff and Arabella, approaching them. Olaf, being as helpful as he could, put one of his snowball feet on top of Drake's battered skull.

"Drake what are you doing!" Anna screeched, "you need to rest!"

He fixed his attention on Elsa, who shrank from his gaze. "I needed to tell Elsa, that this isn't her fault."

Elsa's eyes widened slightly, "How did—"

He coughed."—you love the blame game. Especially if it's yourself."

"And Anna's right," Kristoff added, "we love you too much to see you give up now."

Olaf one-legged bounced towards the sisters. "If Dirgelaff wants to break you, he'll have to break me first. Which won't be that hard to do cuz I'm just a snowman."

"Thanks Olaf," Anna turned to Arabella, "what about you?"

She shrugged. "You guys are nuts, but I'm definitely team Arendelle. You guys just say what you need."

"And Elsa," said Drake, "at the risk of sounding really corny, I would put my life on the line a thousand times for you and your family." As apprehensive as she was, she couldn't stop the warming of her heart with her friends and family behind her for support.

"You're right," Arabella elbowed him in the ribs which made him crumble, "that was cheesy."

:0:—

Giant spiders and the Empress were the Raptors' challenge, but for Arabella it was a little more difficult, seeing as there wasn't anything important to her on the island. This being the case she simply had to travail the maze fighting off a variety of different creatures and challenges. Still she made it out with only a few bites, scrapes, and cuts.

All three champions stood in the center of the arena as Dirgelaff and Bernard tallied up their respective times. Their sponsors had taken their places back in the arena seats, Drake making sure to give a heartfelt wave to the Arendellians.

"I still think Ari got the easy one." Drake muttered.

"Hello, do you not see these bites?" She showed off her ankle and her shoulder that had become swollen and pustule. "Yeah my powers will heal this, but I'm lucky it wasn't worse than this."

"Worse than giant tarantulas?" Raptor tilted his head towards her with a smirk. "I agree with Drake though. Our trials were nothing compared to his."

Dirgelaff's booming voice got the attention of everyone in the arena. "Well that was exciting! You've all ran a great race! Now let's see who got first, second and third place. Our third place winner was Drake, coming in last now that's a tough break."

"Big surprise," he snorted. He made eye contact with Elsa and the others, none of them seemed surprised by the outcome either.

"The second to win the prize is the Raptor, for defeating the spiders of enormous size. Last and certainly not worst, is Arabella who came in first."

Drake ignored the crowd making his way to Arabella.

"Drake I'm so—"

"—it doesn't matter. Arendelle is going to be fine, all that matters—

"If I may speak freely?" The crowd quieted down as the Raptor took a step forward. "I wish to say something." Dirgelaff, appearing intrigued, motioning for the Raptor to speak. "I joined your tournament, because I thought my wish would be worth it, but you are a man without honor, that takes pleasure watching us play your despicable games. I just wish I had the courage to speak up sooner, and for that I am ashamed."

He stood tall, this time addressing the entire calluseum. "I am withdrawing from this tournament, effective immediately!"

The crowd began booing and hissing, but he kept his chin held high. Dirgelaff did seem disappointed, but also, interested. He held out his hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, if he wishes to withdraw that is his right, that will just leave the winner, Arabella the dragon knight." Once again, more booing from the crowd, this time Dirgelaff was confused. Listening carefully, it didn't seem they were too pleased with the decision. "It appears these people still desire blood, then I should nip this in the bud." He held out his hands again.

"It would seem I have yet to meet your desires, how about one final trial, a duel between the two knights of fire?" Booing changed to thunderous applause again. "That is of course it is okay with Drake. This may yet be a difficult choice to make."

The two dragon knights shared a silent communication, before giving a nod to each other. "I'm in!"

"A duel with just us huh? Been a while since we've done that."

Drake shrugged. "It was never to the death before."

"He didn't say it was to the death."

"It's Dirgelaff. It's always to the death." Amongst their conversation, they caught the Raptor trying to leave undetected. "Raptor!" He paused mid step. "Why did you do that?"

He turned to face them, his ashen with shame. "I already said. I have disgraced myself enough being in this tournament. I must depart before I lose the rest of my honor. I have allowed too much death to happen around me."

Arabella almost seemed offended. "What do you think we enjoy being here?"

"I mean no offense," he said quickly.

"It's fine," said Drake, "we have business with Dirgelaff."

"I know," Raptor lifted his head, "if anyone can bring him to justice, it would be you. I would just be in the way."

He turned to leave, but Drake had one last question. "Just outta curiosity, what were you going to wish for?"

Raptor looked back solemnly. "My real name."

:0:—

It was early in the morning before Raptor, his empress, and a handful of her samurai guards, made their way to the ships that would take them back to their country. The young empress held his hand, voicing her thoughts as best as she could in English.

"I am … sorry."

He looked down at her and smiled. "You have nothing to be sorry for. It is I that should be sorry, for subjecting you to these horrors."

She was about to speak again, but something by the ships caught her attention. Following her line of sight there was a man standing by the ships the dark man who was with the Prince of the southern islands.

He believed his name was Landon.

Her guards surrounded her, reaching for their swords to defend their empress. She shouted orders in their native language and they stood down. They may have stood back, but Raptor kept himself between his empress and Landon.

"Shouldn't you be celebrating your victory?"

Landon kept his expression neutral. "Unfortunately I don't have time for witty banter." Landon approached them, turning his attention downward to the empress. "I have come with a warning."

Her eyes narrowed, but showed no fear or hesitation. "What… warning is … that? Yaomo?"

His brow quirked in surprise before smiling. "Clever girl." He bent to her level, her guards gripping their swords tightly, unsure of his intentions. "You need to prepare your people for war."

I'm gonna take a small break from this story. These last few chapters are gonna be intense with a LOT of stuff happening and I need to plan it all out so that it flows nice and smoothly.

A lot happened in this chapter! What did you think? I'd love to hear any and all thoughts.