Chapter Eleven
Enter the Emperor
ELSA
"I'm right here, Eleanor." Hans strode into the audience chambers placidly, dressed in a matte black shirt and white suit jacket. He was wearing his old golden navy epaulettes on his shoulders, and his auburn hair was slicked back. There was something different about him that Elsa couldn't put her finger on.
She examined him as he slowly came closer to where the two of them were. Hans had shaved his beard and sideburns, and there was a certain glow on his face. His green eyes were feverishly bright - brighter than Eleanor's - and Elsa recognised the calculating, cunning look in them. But yet, there was something else hidden behind that composed demeanour and unfeeling eyes, something more sinister than usual.
"Let her go, please." Hans said politely to Elsa. "She's no threat in her current state, we both know that."
He was right. A drunk Eleanor really was no threat. Slowly, Elsa removed her hand from Eleanor's collar and stood up, careful to keep Hans in her sights.
Similarly, Eleanor levered herself to her feet with much difficulty, swaying and staggering as she did so. Her hair was wild and eyes dark with rage. She ignored Elsa and stared straight at Hans.
"Eleanor, darling. You look terrible." Hans clicked his teeth sympathetically. "You really should get yourself cleaned up."
"I have to know, Hans." Eleanor rasped, looking as though she were ready to burst into tears and fly into a rage at the same time.
Hans cocked his head like a curious child. "Know what?"
"Did you betray me?" Eleanor's voice cracked. "After everything I did for you? After I saved you from your prison and gave you a second chance at victory?" She paused. "Are you working with the Crimson Order?"
"Yes," Hans' voice was cold and impassive. "On all accounts."
There was a long eerie silence, and Elsa didn't know what to do as her eyes darted between both villains. One thing was for sure though. This was the end of their relationship and alliance. And then came the last thing Elsa expected.
Eleanor giggled. It started quietly at first, but then her giggles grew into a steady laugh. Finally, she barked with hysterical laughter, doubling over and clutching her stomach.
Confused, Elsa glanced at Hans who looked mildly amused, his eyebrow raised and hands clasped behind his back.
"I knew it." Eleanor looked up, eyes red from crying and laughing. The image was hauntingly nightmarish. She looked ready to unleash the full might of her demon sorcery at any moment. "I knew it. I was such a fool. I should've seen it from the start. You're a snake and a monster."
"Well in your defence," Hans smiled coolly at her. "You were so desperate for love and acceptance, you threw yourself at the first man who appeared to understand." He glanced at Elsa and shook his head. "Some girls are so gullible, aren't they?"
"Anna was right." Eleanor sniffled, wiping her face on her sleeve. Her tone took a very nasty turn. "I was blinded by love. Seeing what I wanted to see. A tall, handsome prince who loved me for all my faults. I should have seen through it right from the start."
"Well," Hans shrugged unapologetically. "I am a very good actor."
"And you've been working with Magnus the entire time." Eleanor snarled, hands balled into fists. "Working with him behind my back!"
Hans smirked. "Took you long enough to figure that out. I must admit, you've played your part to perfection."
Eleanor glared at him acidly. "What are you talking about?"
I needed you to trust me, and you gave me your heart. I needed you to botch your mission for Magnus and lose your credibility with him, and you succeeded in being a failure, driving the High Priest to turn to me. I needed you to make me the most powerful man in Exon and drive your ministers to despair, and you did just that.
"As Chancellor, you gave me the power to influence your cabinet and win them over to my side. To win the public support of the people, and gain the backing of the Crimson Order. I can be the Emperor of Exon in a single night, and you won't be able to do a damn thing about it." He tutted softly and shook his head. "You've been such a sweet, helpful, naive girl, and for this, I'm truly sorry."
"Emperor." It took Elsa a moment for the realisation to sink in. His goal had never been to simply become King of Norway to rule by Eleanor's side. He had been planning to be the Emperor of Exon all along.
"You bastard. You…you will never be Emperor." Eleanor whispered, stalking towards him. "I'll have you put on public display and flogged to an inch of your life. And when I'm done, I'm locking you in a cage, throwing you on a boat and sending you straight back to prison. There will be no more future for you. You will languish in a living hell for the rest of your days!"
Hans spread his hands. "You are very welcome to try."
Eleanor's facial features tightened. "I will." She lifted her voice and shrieked: "Guards! Get in here!"
Elsa watched as seven Imperial Blitzguard soldiers filed into the room almost instantly, as though they had been waiting just outside the door. They shouldered long, polished rifles and marched in unison, spreading out to form a semi circle around Hans.
"Arrest the Chancellor and take him down to the deepest dungeon." Eleanor hissed. "Have him thrown with the worst scum to await judgement for treason."
The Blitzguard didn't budge.
"Did you not hear me?" Eleanor snarled. "Arrest him, or you'll all rot together with him!"
"My dear, deluded Eleanor. I'm afraid you misunderstand." Hans gave her a wide smile. "The Blitzguard answers to me. They always have."
Elsa had to admit, she was utterly speechless, impressed and mortified all at the same time. Hans had arranged all the pieces on his chessboard to perfection.
"I don't believe this." Wide eyed, Eleanor stared at the Imperial Blitzguard, and then back at Hans.
"Face it, Eleanor." Hans smiled. "You've lost. Your reign is over, and it's time for mine to begin."
"No. No, you're wrong." Eleanor stammered, backpedaling for an instant like a cornered animal, and then raised her hands, aiming them straight at Hans. "You're never going to become Emperor. I won't let you! I'll kill you, right here, right now!"
Hans laughed and stepped forward, chest puffed out and arms opened wide. "Go ahead. Give me your best shot."
There was something too strange about it all. Hans seemed all too confident. Elsa didn't know why, but her instincts were telling her one thing. She stretched out her hand to Eleanor.
"Eleanor. Don't!" Elsa warned, but it was too late.
Dark tendrils of demonic energy laced with shards of black glass shot out of Eleanor's hands, coiling and weaving towards Hans. He stood unflinchingly with arms outstretched, as though embracing his certain doom. Elsa couldn't bear to see it happen, but her eyes were glued to what was unfolding right before her.
The tendrils lashed out and hit Hans who barely flinched, and he caught them in one hand. The shards of glass cut into his palm but he didn't seem to notice. "Ouch." He grinned.
Elsa stared, eyes widening and completely shocked by what she was seeing.
Eleanor gasped. "Impossible."
"Oh, you have no idea." Hans jerked on the tendrils that Eleanor was still holding on to, and she was yanked towards him helplessly. With his other hand, he grabbed Eleanor by the neck and tossed her tendrils away.
"How-" she half choked, half gasped, struggling futilely in her drunken state.
"Shhh." Hans whispered, his one hand tightening around her neck as she staggered to a knee. "Don't try to understand. Your puny, simple mind would never understand the workings of a true Emperor."
Finally, Elsa recovered enough from her shock and found her voice. "Stop! You're killing her!" She shot a stream of ice at Hans, hoping to knock him off balance and free Eleanor from his grip before he choked her to death. The ice hit his side but he seemed not to notice, and ice didn't even appear to form on his clothes, let alone freeze him.
No, this can't be happening. Elsa directed a more powerful stream of ice, constantly willing the magic to flow through her and propelled it towards Hans with everything she had. He can't possibly resist the sorcery!
But he did. Taking the full force of her attack, Hans was pushed back a few feet, but he kept his hand firmly tightened around Eleanor's neck. He planted his feet.
"Is that all?" He laughed. Suddenly, he absorbed the streams of ice and they vanished into his being. A second later, he directed his hand back at Elsa, and ice flew out, giving her no time to react.
The deadly volley of ice hit Elsa square in the chest and she found herself thrown against one of the gigantic pillars of the audience chambers. The impact was enough to knock the air out of her, and she sprawled, hair falling over her face as her cheek met the ground, her chest throbbing with pain.
"Pathetic." Hans mused, and finally let go of Eleanor's throat.
She crumpled to the ground, coughing and breathing hard. "Hans-" she rasped weakly.
"Eleanor Tal Yin, you attempted to kill me and for that, you've committed high treason against the Empire-" Hans said coldly. "-and your Emperor."
"No…"
"Arrest her." Hans ordered, and the Blitzguard soldiers sprang into action.
Two of them took Eleanor by the arms, and a third placed a magic dampening collar around her neck. Within seconds, they began half dragging, half frogmarching her out of her own audience chambers. The rest of the Blitzguard went with them, leaving Hans alone with Elsa.
"Hans," Elsa grunted, lifting her head off the ground. "What-"
"What happened to me?" Hans adjusted his cuff links and walked over, crouching in front of her. "It's simple, really. I played Eleanor like a fiddle, just like how I used your sister. But this time, I've learnt from my mistake. I'd always been thinking too small, and not planning for every possible outcome. I had bigger ambitions. I didn't just want to become King of Norway, or Emperor of Exon even."
Elsa forced herself to sit up. "What did you do?"
"I made some new friends." Hans smiled devilishly. "Some powerful friends."
It clicked in Elsa's mind and she stared at him in dismay, the blood draining from her face. "You're a demon host now."
"More than just any ordinary demon host." Hans sounded disappointed. "Come on, Elsa. Think bigger."
No, it can't be. Elsa stared at Hans, her face growing pale. The age-old prophecy Ingrid had told her echoed in her mind. From the depths of the snow, the Eternal King shall rise again. "You…you didn't."
"History has proven time and again that kings and emperors fall eventually. They can be defeated, exiled or assassinated." Hans shook his head. "They all die one day. All except one."
"The Eternal King." The words came out as a whisper. "This…this has been your endgame since the start?"
"Of course. When Eleanor rescued me from my father's prison, I saw an opportunity. I began scheming to manipulate dear Eleanor, just like how I manipulated your sister."
Elsa gritted her teeth at the memory of Hans almost succeeding at usurping the Arendellian throne.
"I slowly began to gain her trust and the people around her. And like clockwork, everything began to fall into place." Hans smiled thinly. "In fact, I should thank you and your sister."
"How so?"
"You both helped me become what I am today. Had it not been for your initial success at stopping me, I wouldn't have made it to where I am today. I wouldn't have become…so much more." He spread his hands wide like a man who had nothing to lose. "And now, I never have to fear failure ever again. Because unlikely as it may be, if I lose today, I always have another century to try again. Even if I fail, no prison will ever hold me captive. I will outlive every single one, and rise again and again across the ages to come."
"You're insane." Elsa couldn't find any other words. She was utterly horrified. Hans had been thinking way bigger than anyone had given him credit for. Everyone had been so focused on the war against the Empire and the Crimson Order that no one had given Hans much thought. And that had played fully to his advantage. He'd achieved his goals completely undetected.
He chuckled. "I did give you a chance, didn't I? To kill me back in Korynes? I offered you an opportunity, but you wouldn't dip your toes in the murky waters. You wouldn't stoop to such low depths. You could have all ended it right then and there, but you were far too short sighted and narrow minded to see what I had planned. And now you've no way of stopping me. I've already won."
"I will never stop fighting." Before he could react, Elsa shot both hands out at him. At such close range, the ice sent him flying into the wall. Plaster and brick chipped off, dust flying as he impacted the wall and fell to the ground.
Levering herself to her feet with a grunt, Elsa inched closer, hands raised and aimed at Hans. Her worst nightmares had come true, and doubled even. Hans was the biggest threat the Coalition now faced, and he had the powers of the Eternal King by his side. She would use every ounce of her sorcery to stop him, even if it killed her. She could not let Hans unleash the Eternal King upon the world as the prophecy dictated. Everyone she loved and cared about would die. Anna, Janus, Kristoff, Tracy, Maui, Deirdre, Jade…even Olaf, Sven, Honeymaren, Ryder, Frederick and all the rest…
The whole world would be subjugated to the Eternal King's tyranny once again, and returned to the horrors of Ancient Hyutreno. No, she steeled herself. Her life was a small price to pay. What was happening here was much bigger than just her life. She had to stop him, no matter the cost.
"Is that really all?" Hans picked himself up from the ground as though Elsa had just done him a minor inconvenience. "I'm disappointed."
Gritting her teeth, Elsa threw both hands up into the air, planting her feet. With all her willpower, she pulled in every bit of cold in the atmosphere. The glass windows of the large audience chambers shattered inwards as the bitter cold and falling snow was sucked into her orbit. A storm of ice and snow hovered around Elsa, swirling and gathering, amassing itself to be of monstrous proportions.
Even Hans had to put up his hands to shield himself from the sorcery Elsa was summoning. It was stronger and more deadly than anything Elsa had ever controlled before. She could feel a headache pounding inside her, her heart rate spiking. Sweat dribbled down her face in spite of the deathly cold, and she could feel blood beginning to seep from her nose.
It was too much power. Elsa knew she couldn't amass any more. She just had to hope it was enough. With everything she had, she pulled the storm into her body, channeled it through her, and directed it out towards Hans. Ice exploded from her hands painfully like never before, and the torrent was so fierce that Elsa almost passed out from the exertion.
The volley of ice hit Hans, and everything turned white. For a moment, Elsa thought she'd gone blind, and she dropped to a knee, the ice ceasing to flow from her body. Her heart pounded in her head, and every inch of her body trembled from the strain. It felt as though she'd been tensing every single muscle at the same time for an hour.
Breathing heavily, she fell on her side, face pressed against the soft snow which had fallen on the ground of the audience chambers. She had no energy to mount a second attack. This was all she had, and she had to hope it had been enough.
As her vision blurred, she heard slow clapping and her heart sank.
"Impressive. I didn't think you had it in you." Hans walked slowly towards her, covered in snow. Sharp shards of ice protruding from his arms, chest, abdomen and legs. His immaculate white suit was now stained with blood where he had been impaled by her ice, parts of his clothing ripped and destroyed. He absentmindedly began to pluck the embedded icicles out of his skin like they were toothpicks, trailing blood as he did so, but he didn't seem to notice.
"A valiant effort." Hans commended her, dropping an icicle. "But a wasted one. I told you. You and all your sorcerous cohorts have no way of stopping me. I've already won."
He snapped his fingers, and two men in brown cloaks appeared out of the shadows. The Mage Slayers.
"Magnus…he won't stand for this." Elsa rasped weakly.
Hans scoffed, admiring one of the icicles he had just yanked from his flesh. The wounds seemed to close by themselves and the blood vanished. "The High Priest won't be a problem. In fact, he's dying to remain in my good graces now. The Crimson Order is under my control, as is the Empire."
"We…we won't stand for this." Elsa glared at him lethargically as the two assassins hauled her to her feet. "We will fight."
"And you will lose, though your friends are welcome to try." Hans sighed, as though repeating a point he had reiterated many times before. He took a step forward and pushed a lock of loose hair from her face. "You, I'm afraid, will spend the rest of your days in a cell deep beneath the depths of Exon."
"Jade. Tracy." Elsa mumbled half incoherently in her exhausted state. "What have you done with them?"
"Don't worry about them." Hans smiled. "You'll have enough to worry about. I have big plans for you. You'll see."
Elsa tried to muster an angry retort as the two assassins began to haul her away, but the exhaustion from her attack finally overwhelmed her. The last thought that went through her mind was of Hans unleashing untold horrors upon the continents of the world, and that was enough to make her pass out.
Author's Commentary:
To those who had Hans figured way before the reveal in this chapter, kudos to you. You really have the capacity to be an evil ruler too :) On a side note, just wanted to update a little on my progress on Book 6. I haven't made much progress as of late because I'm doing an internship from 8-5 on weekdays and studying for an additional diploma on weekends from 9-6. Moving forward, it's going to be increasingly hard to find time to write Book 6 but hopefully I'll get it done before Book 5 has been fully uploaded.
