'I'm glad you spent some time with Ryder.' Elsa said into Maren's ear from behind her. 'I know living apart from him hasn't been easy.'

Maren glanced to the side, unable to fully turn around from atop the horse they rode on. Elsa saw a smile on her profile, which caused a smile to crawl across her own lips. Maren then reached behind to grab Elsa's thigh and rubbed it softly in wordless acknowledgement. Elsa shivered at the way Maren's touch still sent butterflies into her stomach. She was glad Maren had spent time with Ryder, not only because she knew how difficult it was to be away from a sibling, but she also had no idea what they were getting themselves into.

A volcano.

Heat.

Fire.

Lava.

Fire was one element that always gave her pause, the one element that could decimate her ice should it choose to do so—especially at the extreme temperatures that were reached with volcanic activity. She would know, as she'd spent the better part of the previous day doing research on volcanoes with Maren, and what she discovered did not ease her anxiety over them. Her ice would be virtually useless there, if faced with those temperatures—if it wasn't already due to the Vættir. Perhaps she could lower the temperature enough to make it bearable, but with how weak she felt, she wasn't sure how long she could keep that up—and this could very likely be an active volcano, in which case she had absolutely no idea what they were going to…

'I'm just glad Rune liked him so much, I didn't want to leave him with some stranger.' Maren's soft voice pulled her out of her morbid thoughts.

'Me too.' Elsa whispered and scooted closer to Maren, tightening her grip around her middle and trying not to dwell on the seemingly insurmountable task ahead. Anna and Kristoff rode separate horses in front of them, so she allowed herself to rest her head on Maren's back as they continued to ride northwest, up the rocky coast.

She had no idea how long before they reached the edge of the mist, or if she was even going to be able to get them through it—but Maren's warm body pressed up against her's was lulling her into a false sense of calmness. The ride itself was almost pleasant this way, despite her rampant thoughts of fiery death. It did however, make the problems with the diplomats seem silly and insignificant by comparison.

Her thoughts turned back to Rune, how happy he'd been the day before as he looked on excitedly at sketches of volcanoes with her. He couldn't read yet, but he was deeply engrossed by the pictures in those books, animatedly explaining each and every one to his Sven doll. She wished he could be with them here, he would absolutely love this journey. He was such a kind, bright eyed child—so interested in and excited about everything—once you got him to open up a bit. She could imagine pointing out and showing him all the exciting things about nature and the spirits, the same way she had shown Anna. Then Maren would show them both new things, things she and Rune could discover together. His presence alone brought her joy and laughter—almost made her feel like a child herself again—and she found herself missing that charming little presence.

Leaving him behind, seeing that heartbreaking look in his eyes had been far more difficult than she'd anticipated. Maren had told him to be brave, that he would have so much fun with Ryder and then they would all take him to visit the Enchanted Forest when they returned. But that was Maren—she always knew exactly what to say to calm people down and keep them optimistic. It was one of the things Elsa loved most about her. She on the other hand, had no such sage words for Rune, all she was able to do was hug him tightly and try to keep herself from crying.

'Do you hafta go?' He had asked her with wide, sad blue eyes as he fiddled with his stuffed reindeer. It had reminded her of Sir Jorgenbjorgen, her stuffed childhood puffin doll.

'You'll be fine Elsa.' The last words her father had ever spoken to her jumped into her mind and had nearly escaped her lips before she'd choked them off. 'We'll be back before you know it.' She found the strength to say instead, praying it wouldn't be a lie. 'And don't forget, your Sven doll is a really good listener if you ever feel scared or lonely, ok?' Rune nodded weakly, until Ryder—thankfully—intervened, picking him up and regaling him with tales of all the reindeer fun they would have.

How many times had he been abandoned before? Let down by people? Had he thought this was just another one of those times? Handed over to someone else yet again? Elsa tried to push those thoughts from her mind. Once they fixed this problem with the Vættir, she swore to it that she would find him a proper home, one where he would be happy and loved and safe and never let down by anyone ever again. She closed her eyes briefly and let those happier thoughts, and the smell of pine in Maren's hair overtake her.

'How're you doing back there?' A hand softly squeezed her thigh again as Maren's voice trailed back to her. Elsa opened her eyes, unsure of how much time had passed since she closed them. 'I think we're getting there.' Maren added and pointed ahead. Elsa leaned around Maren and could see the familiar column of vertical mist in the distance, as she had seen in the forest months before.

'That's good.' Elsa breathed unenthusiastically and returned to resting her head on Maren.

'How're you feeling? You sound tired still.'

Elsa huffed a breath. 'Annoyed, that we can't keep riding like this forever.'

Maren chuckled and rubbed Elsa's thigh again. 'I know, but once this is over we can go for rides like this all the time. I'll take you every night and you can show me more about the stars.'

'I'd like that.' Elsa said quietly, imagining the scene Maren had painted in her mind's eye. If only it was enough to drown out the impending sense of dread and anxiety that was slowly building within her. She wished all of this was over already, that the Vættir were gone and they were all safe and home and alive. Why had she chosen this life? Why did she have to be the fifth spirit? Why couldn't it be someone else—someone she didn't know or care about. Let someone else make the hard decisions and put their life at risk for once. It seemed decidedly unfair that it always had to be her, when all she wished to do was live a calm, peaceful, normal life with Maren.

All too soon, Maren pulled them to a stop alongside Anna and Kristoff. The thick wall of opaque mist towered in front of them, cascading down from the heavens and spilling onto the ground like an iridescent waterfall of clouds. It shimmered and swirled with magical luminescence and stretched as far as the eye could see in either direction. It was as powerfully breathtaking as it had been the first time—only, instead of the urge to run towards it like last time, Elsa had the sudden desperation to run away from it.

'Be careful.' Maren whispered as Elsa swung her leg over the horse. She nodded and took the arm Maren offered her to slide easily off the horse, then walked the few paces over to Anna who was still sitting atop Kjekk.

'Hide that under your shirt.' Elsa said and motioned to the air crystal Anna had fashioned into a necklace. Anna nodded and did as asked. 'How's your head?'

Anna raised an eyebrow at her. 'It's as fine as it was the other nine-thousand times you've asked today Elsa.'

Elsa rolled her eyes. 'Anna I'm serious, is there nothing I can say to get you to stay? I just, can't… if something…'

Anna slid down from Kjekk. 'If something happens to you, I'll never forgive myself Elsa. Please, you promised we'd do this together this time.'

Elsa huffed a sigh and nodded. She knew she couldn't push Anna away this time, so instead she reached out her hand. 'Together then?'

'Together.' Anna confirmed with a huge grin and took Elsa's outstretched hand.

Tendrils of cool mist licked at their ankles as they slowly approached the monstrous wall. The clouds undulated and shifted as they approached, as if it somehow sensed their presence. Elsa too could feel a strong presence emanating from it—it pulsed with magical power like some type of living force field. As before, she slowly lifted her hand to part the way, feeling the magical mist in her palm and pushing it aside. As predicted, the mist began to give way, and Elsa sighed in relief that it had worked. But just as she started to step into the parting, the mist snapped closed in her face, startling her and forcing both she and Anna to stagger back several steps.

'What?' Anna whispered incredulously. Maren and Kristoff had both dismounted and were beside them in an instant.

'What's wrong?' Kristoff asked.

'I don't know.' Elsa said absently and stared at her palms. Perhaps her dwindling magic wasn't enough this time… 'Let me try with both hands.' She announced and stepped toward the mist again without holding Anna's hand. Both hands went up in an attempt to part the mist, only this time, absolutely nothing happened. She pressed her hands further into the mist until it reached up to her shoulders—then suddenly she felt a resistance. She pushed more, but the mist pushed back harder until it sent her stumbling backward.

'Woah…' Maren caught her arm to steady her.

Elsa let out an irritated breath. She could feel that without Anna, she wielded less power against the mist. 'I need Anna.' She mumbled and shook her head. 'It should've worked with her.'

'Maybe the Vættir were expecting you both this time?' Maren shrugged. 'And strengthened the mist somehow?'

'Maybe…' Elsa agreed, her thoughts racing. 'Maybe... we need more than just Anna and I this time.' She announced, the idea already forming in her mind. 'I feel stronger, like I have more power when Anna is holding my hand, maybe with the four of us, it would be enough?'

'It's worth a try.' Kristoff put in.

Elsa took Maren and Anna's hands in her own, while Anna took Kristoff's. Maren and Kristoff led the horses with their free hands and together the four of them approached the mist. This time, the mist started to part as it did when she and Anna tried, only it kept parting until a tunnel formed that was large enough for them to walk through.

'It's working!' Anna hissed excitedly and shook Elsa's hand. Elsa felt the magic coursing through her, and it was much stronger this time with Maren and Anna both holding her hands—enough to push the mist back.

They proceeded into the mist until it surrounded them on all sides. Iridescent colors swirled around them, and a soft hazy glow permeated it all, cast from muted sunlight above. It was nearly impossible to tell which was way which, so they kept proceeding in a straight line, hoping it would take them to the other side. Maren's palm began to grow hot, then eventually started to sweat.

'You alright?' Elsa whispered near her ear. Maren took a deep breath and nodded.

'Just don't let go of my hand.' Maren breathed, her eyes never leaving the ground.

'I've got you.' Elsa assured and pulled Maren closer to her body, lacing their fingers together and squeezing her hand tightly. 'Just breathe.' Maren nodded in compliance, her eyes shut tightly.

Anna glanced nervously at her as they trudged on, her expression a mirror of Elsa's thoughts—were they even going in the right direction? Time didn't seem to exist within the mist—and Elsa had no idea if they'd been walking for an hour or only minutes. But eventually, the mist started to thin and a wave of relief washed over her. An abrupt force suddenly pushed them all forward as the mist pinched closed behind them. And then, just like that, they were out—staring up at a crystal clear blue sky.

'The sky.' Maren breathed in relief.

Before Elsa could utter a response, a strong wind kicked up and circled around them—playfully slithering through their clothing and hair.

'Gale.' Elsa chuckled as the wind spirit whirled around her. 'We missed you too.'

'Hey!' Anna giggled as Gale swirled through her shirt and pulled the air crystal necklace out. 'You like it?' Anna asked. Gale chirped happily before throwing Anna's cloak playfully over her face.

'Oop, hello.' Maren chuckled as Bruni skittered out of a nearby tree and flew onto her head. He then skittered down her arm and sprang into the air towards Elsa, landing in her outstretched hand. A soft sizzle escaped under his belly as his hot lizard skin connected with her cold hand.

'Looks like they couldn't sense you until we got out of the mist.' Anna said and giggled as Bruni jumped into her hand. 'I think they missed us.'

Elsa nodded in confirmation, a smile already crawling up her cheek—Nokk was near. Finally she could sense their connection in the core of her body. She turned immediately towards the fjord and there she was, her ears and eyes peeking just out of the water. Elsa practically ran skipped over to the shore, just as Nokk burst up out of the water, shaking her mane happily and splashing Elsa in the face.

'Hi…' Elsa chuckled and wiped water out of her eyes. 'I missed you too.' She said and stroked Nokk's snout. Nokk snorted happily as they touched foreheads, and Elsa breathed cool air into her liquid body, solidifying it into a layer of ice. Somehow, being near Nokk reinvigorated her powers, energy levels and mood—she didn't feel nearly as tired as she had when she'd been cut off from the spirits back in Arendelle. 'You ready to take me to a volcano?' She asked sardonically. Nokk cocked her head in a displeased manner, then bowed her head and knelt down, indicating Elsa to get on. 'I was hoping you'd argue or something.' Elsa mumbled sarcastically before stepping up onto Nokk's back.

They trotted back over to Maren, Anna and Kristoff who had all mounted their horses as well. Maren was laughing as Bruni darted repeatedly between her hands, spouting a little burst of fire every time he was in the air.

'Looks like he's riding with you.' Elsa chucked as Bruni skittered up Maren's arm and lazily flopped onto her shoulder.

'You comfy up there?' Maren asked, turning her head and smiling at Bruni who was only inches from her face.

'He's always loved you.' Elsa added with a smile.

'Never left my side those nights we patrolled for draugrs.' Maren added and stroked Bruni with a finger. He flipped onto his back so Maren could pet his belly. Elsa smiled at the sight, already feeling better now that the spirits were with them again.

'If we ride up the coast, we should hopefully be far enough away from the woods to avoid any draugrs or other creatures coming from there. Don't ride too near the water either, you never know… And let me stay out in front in case anything tries to come from the sky again.' Elsa stated.

Everyone nodded, and Maren trotted up next to her. 'I just said to ride behind me.' Elsa remarked with a displeased arc of her eyebrow.

'I am behind you.' Maren stated casually. Nokk was only half a pace in front of Maren's black horse. 'I'm behind-right-next to you.' Maren added and smirked. Elsa rolled her eyes and took off on Nokk at a sprint so she could stay ahead, though it wasn't long before Maren caught up to her. Nokk could easily out-run the other horses, but Elsa slowed so they could all stay close together—close together behind her that was, and Maren was not complying with this wish. Though she was glad they had all decided to take horses and not reindeer. Besides the fact that Daisy was pregnant and they didn't want her in danger, the horses were much faster and could better keep up with Nokk—and better outrun any creatures that might appear. Though she suspected that they wouldn't run into many more creatures, if any at all. If the state of her own deteriorating magic was any indication, the creatures who possessed lesser magic than she, were undoubtedly suffering and likely much weaker. Perhaps some had even lost all of their magic already… She pushed that thought away, they had to fix this quickly. Not just for herself, but for all the innocent and beautiful creatures that were currently losing their magic and their lives because of the Vættir.

They rode on, pressing as fast as they dared, while trying not to tire the horses. If the map was correct, then the volcano should be the same distance from Arendelle as the Valley of Living Rock was, and in the back of her mind Elsa knew just about how long it should take. She stayed on alert, scanning the skies for any abnormalities while also keeping watch on their immediate surroundings.

The ride went on uneventfully, no sign of any hostile creatures. Eventually the terrain changed—the coast pinched off and became a dangerously steep cliffside down to the fjord below. The mountains around them grew taller and the woods disappeared all-together.

They had made it into the Jotunfjell Mountain range.

The legendary mountains of giants—or so her mother had told her. Her father too had even acknowledged the tales of old that spoke of giant creatures of earth and stone that were spotted by wayward travelers in these parts.

Folklore, Elsa had concluded once upon a time.

How naive she had been.

They steered away from the coastline, staying on the only walkable path, a narrow strip of earth that weaved between the towering boulders and cliffs. The question now, was how to find the volcano…

After meandering though the mountain passes for quite some time, Elsa began to feel lost. Everything looked the same, and nothing looked like a volcano. Nervous frustration bubbled up inside of her—what were they supposed to do now?

Just then, the earth suddenly shifted as if in answer to her unspoken question. It felt as though a small abrupt earthquake had taken place, then subsided just as quickly as it started. Elsa pulled to a stop and glanced around nervously, searching for the source of the quake.

'Look.' Kristoff said in awe. They all turned to him—he was pointing upwards. Elsa looked up to where he was pointing and saw the large head of an earth giant staring down at them. Elsa's mouth dropped open and she followed down from the head to see that the giant was sitting… the giant was this mountain. It moaned a deep sound that echoed through the canyon, then lifted a large arm and rested it on it's knee which made the ground feel as though it were quaking again.

'It's pointing at something.' Kristoff announced and indeed, the arm it had moved was now pointing down one particular pass. 'That way it is. Thanks buddy.' Kristoff said and patted the side of the mountain. Elsa too grazed her fingers lightly over the rocky cliffside and muttered a silent thank you to the earth spirits. A moan from the giant echoed and then the earth trembled yet again as it lay down to go back to sleep.

'It feels comforting to be around the spirits again.' Maren stated happily.

'It really does.' Elsa stated with a smile.

Eventually the mountain pass the giant had directed them down, opened up into a wide valley. The blue sea emerged again on their left hand side, and in the distance were more hazy mountains—or earth giants perhaps. The higher ones were shrouded in low dipping clouds, creating a rather breathtaking sight. Elsa couldn't help but be taken by the mountains every time she saw them—no matter where she was, they always felt like home.

To the right, was a lower stepped mountain that didn't look quite like the others—part of it had collapsed so that it took on a horseshoe shape. It looked more like a tall crater than mountain, but one thing was clear: white tufts of smoke or steam were rising up out of it.

'The smoking mountain.' Anna said, her eyes wide with wonder.

'That must be it.' Elsa confirmed.

From their high vantage point, she could see the strange colored rocks that surrounded the immediate area of the crater. They were a rich and very bright colored yellow, nearly the same shade as a sunflower and stood in stark contrast to a brilliant turquoise lake in the center of the caldera. So brilliant, in fact, that it seemed to glow in the white sunlight.

'It's so colorful.' Anna said in awe, echoing Elsa's own thoughts.

Elsa had never before seen anything like it either. It certainly wasn't the image of a volcano that she had in her mind—it was almost beautiful in a way. The colors were so strikingly vibrant that they seemed out of place with the rest of the dull surroundings. What caused these vivid colors she wasn't sure, but like markings on a poisonous snake, these colors sent a clear warning: stay away.

But stay away they could not—so they began their descent into the valley, slowly making their way down the rocky slope.

'This place feels so desolate.' Maren stated as they reached the bottom, and it indeed looked that way. What looked like a green valley from far away turned out to be green moss growing over dried and blackened lava, which seemed to stretch on forever. Other than the moss, there seemed to be no signs of life anywhere.

'Try to stay on the rocks.' Kristoff warned. 'The moss covers crevices in the basalt, the horses could break an ankle if they step into one unknowingly.'

Elsa nodded. She wasn't so much worried about this happening to Nokk, she was a spirit, and the most surefooted horse Elsa had ever ridden. It was the others she was worried about...

'Whoops!' Anna trilled as Kjekk stumbled. Elsa's breath caught as she watched Anna nearly slide off the horse, but luckily Kjekk recovered quickly and she stayed on.

'Careful.' Kristoff hissed. 'Slowly.'

'I know, I know.' Anna retorted.

Elsa let out a relieved breath—this valley was turning out to be something of a minefield. Of course this was the perfect place to hide a crystal—no rational person would ever set foot here.

After an agonizingly long time picking their way through that treacherous lava field, they finally made it to the mouth of the caldera. Odd streams of emerald green water trickled down the yellow and rusty colored rocks, adding to the already vibrant pallet of colors. More warnings to stay away, Elsa thought ruefully. A knot twisted it's way up though her insides at this foreign and hostile looking place. Everything about it was screaming at her to leave, but she knew that was not an option. Steam vents started to sprout up out of crevices in the earth and she glanced over at Maren, who seemed to be doing fine for the moment.

Once they cleared the mossy lava field completely, they dismounted the horses and tied them up near a clear stream of normal colored water. That is, all except Nokk. Elsa returned her to liquid form so she could roam free in the stream.

'Ugh… it smells like rotten eggs!' Anna announced bluntly and covered her mouth and nose with her hands. 'Kristoff you didn't…'

'What? No! It wasn't me! It's these yellow rocks.' He stated, and picked one up to sniff, then made a face. He held it out for Anna to smell, but she blocked it with her hand.

'No, no. It's ok, I believe you.' She said, her face still scrunched up in disgust. Maren chuckled quietly at the exchange.

'Now this place… looks exactly like how I imagined those other planets you told me about.' Maren said in awe, taking in their strange surroundings with wide, interested eyes. Elsa nodded in response. This place did look very alien. Then again, the distant planets she always envisioned were frozen worlds where the inhabitants all had ice powers like her. Never had she fantasized about foul smelling places of heat and dried lava such as this. Elsa shook her head and trudged onward.

They made their way up the slight grade of rusty yellow rocks and trickling emerald streams until they eventually came face to face with the glowing turquoise lake. It was just as vibrant up close as it had been from afar—unnaturally vibrant. Something felt very strange about it. The color reminded Elsa of the turquoise sea ice of Ahtohallan, when the sun hit it just right. Steam hovered near the surface of the lake, and yellow rocks honeycombed the surface, creating thin causeways that blanketed the whole lake like a spiderweb. It was mesmerizing really, how nature had formed these geometric patterns so beautifully.

'Now what?' Anna asked and glanced around. The craggy sides of the caldera rose up in a horseshoe around them. Besides this lake which sat in the pit of the caldera, there was nowhere else to go.

As if on cue, Bruni leapt from Maren's shoulder and started skittering across the honeycombed causeways and out into the lake. When none of them followed, he stopped and laid down on a rock, seemingly waiting for them. Beyond Bruni, on the other side of the lake, Elsa noticed an opening in the rocks, a crevice that led into the caldera.

'Look at that.' Elsa said and pointed to the crevice on the other side of the lake.

'I guess we should follow Bruni.' Maren stated upon seeing the crevice. They all nodded and walked closer to the shore. 'Wait.' Maren said and they all turned to her. She placed her hand just over the waters surface, then quickly removed it. 'Very hot.' She announced, then picked up a piece of coral that had long ago washed in from the sea, and dipped it into the water. They all crowded around to watch as the white coral fizzed, bubbled and disintegrated before their eyes. Maren pulled what was left of the coral stub out of the water and studied it. All of them stared in silent horror at what the water had done to it. The coral had been obliterated it in a matter of seconds. 'The water is acidic, and very hot. We have to be careful.' Maren warned, and looked pointedly at Anna.

'Why is everyone looking at me?' Anna stated defensively.

'Just walk in front of me please.' Elsa added. If Anna did stumble at least this way she could catch her with ice.

'I'm not going to trip.' Anna muttered under her breath. Elsa shook her head.

'I'll lead.' Maren stated with a resolute nod. A knot twisted up Elsa's insides at having Maren so close to danger like this, but she decided not to protest. It was better if she and Anna were both in her sights so she could protect them.

'Please be careful.' Elsa said urgently and grabbed Maren's hand to squeeze it. Then: 'Wait.' Elsa added and stepped forward, an idea popping into her head. 'Maybe I can freeze the lake, so it's safer.' Maren shot her a displeased look.

'Do you really think that's a good idea.' Maren said lowly. 'Maybe you should save your strength…'

'This water is too dangerous to take chances.' Elsa said and shrugged. 'I have to try.' Using her powers lately was draining, and she knew that's what Maren was worried about. But if one of them fell into this acidic water it meant instant death, and that was a risk she was not willing to take. Maren let out a displeased breath, but stepped aside.

Elsa stomped her foot and watched as a sheet of ice spread its way over the surface of the lake. She staggered back a step, suddenly light headed from the effort to exert the magic.

'That's enough.' Maren said quietly and grabbed her hand to stabilize her. Elsa took a deep breath and tried to regain her bearings.

Anna looked at her with concern, but before she could speak, Elsa tore her eyes away from her sister to look back at the water. To her disbelief, the ice was fizzling and melting at a rapid rate—it was nearly all gone already.

'What?' Anna hissed when she noticed the disintegrating ice. In a matter of seconds the ice had been completely obliterated by high temperatures and acid. Elsa was still staring blankly at the water where the ice had just been—depression suddenly hit her hard in the chest.

Her powers were useless here.

'It's ok, we can make it across without the ice if we're careful.' Maren put in quickly. 'You ok?' She asked Elsa quietly and searched her eyes for the truth.

Elsa let out a breath and nodded. 'Let's go.'

Maren nodded, then turned and set one foot on the narrow causeway, testing her weight. The yellow rock beneath her foot didn't give way so she continued on slowly. Anna followed her, and seemed to take extra time to step carefully which Elsa was grateful for. Elsa followed Anna closely and Kristoff brought up the rear.

They made their way slowly across the acid lake, carefully following the path that Bruni had taken. The rocky causeway beneath their feet was relatively smooth, though it was extremely narrow. One step to the left or right would be enough to send them right into the acid waters. In certain places it was necessary to step from one causeway to another, over the acidic water. Elsa glanced down and could see that the yellow strands of connected rock they walked on, also permeated down into the depths of the lake. It was filled with a matrix of these long spider web-like rock formations. Under different circumstances, it would be fascinating to study.

The closer to the middle of the lake they got, the thicker the steam became and the harder it was to breathe. The foul smelling hot gases emanating off the lake were beginning to burn Elsa's throat and eyes, and make her dizzy. They needed to hurry out of here.

Suddenly the ground rumbled and shook, and in an instant Elsa watched as Anna lost her footing. Her arms flailed about and she started to tip towards one side. Without thinking, Elsa reacted and threw out her hand to raise a pillar of ice under Anna's side. The pillar caught Anna under the arm and she clutched onto it, stabilizing herself and then pushing upright to a stand, before Elsa's pillar sank into the acidic depths.

'Thanks.' Anna breathed, her hand clutching her heart in relief.

Elsa too sighed in relief, just as another head rush hit her. Blackness started to creep in around her vision, and the dizziness became more pronounced. She staggered, then tried to stand still and focus on the rocks beneath her feet, while begging her vision to return to normal.

'Elsa!' Anna called urgently.

Elsa looked up at hearing Anna call her name, though Anna's words sounded muted and faraway. Elsa finally found her sister's scared, wide eyes and locked onto them as if this alone might somehow save her. She tried to fight it, but the dizzying blackness was mercilessly overtaking her.

Anna's panicked eyes and outstretched arm were the last things she saw, before her vision deserted her completely.


A/N: Alright so, everything described here about volcanoes and calderas is based on research I've been doing, I wanted it to be very realistic and hopefully also interesting. Sulfuric acid is largely present around active volcanoes and creates the rotten egg smell, the acidic lakes and bright yellow rocks. There's some cool videos you can search on youtube of acid lakes and sulfuric rock formations if you want more visuals about what I was trying to describe.

Hope all of you in the U.S. have a great 4th of July weekend, and hope everyone everywhere is staying safe and well!