Week 4 of quarantine. Stay safe out there.

Chapter 16: Ignis Rexia (part 1)

Pounding was too generous a term. Kristoff felt like someone had taken a hammer and was beating him over the head over and over again. He managed an audible groan, but came out as a low croaking, as he tried to wake himself. His head rolled side to side, it didn't relieve his headache, but it helped to wake himself up.

"Hey! Kristoff's awake!" He cringed at the familiar shrill voice. Through the darkness and clouded vision, Kristoff managed to make out the shape of his snowy companion trapped in what looked like a birdcage suspended above the ground. "You know I never thought to hit myself on the head to go to sleep. Maybe I'll try it someday."

"O-Olaf?" Kristoff wanted to rub his neck and head, but discovered, to his horror, that his hands had been chained behind his back and each of his ankles chained to the legs of a chair. He pulled and tugged, "Olaf what is this?!"

He shrugged. "After mister Landon hit you on the head, you took a nap, then he called mister Dirgelaff to come down and talk to us."

Olaf may have been oblivious to what was happening, but Kristoff wasn't, and his squirming intensified. "You're sure Dirgelaff is on his way?"

"Yup!" his face fell, "Wait, that's not good huh?"

"No Olaf it's not." Unable to free himself, he examined his surroundings. All he could see was blackness, except for a small hole above him that allowed a small drop of sunlight on top of them. For all he knew this place was as small as a broom closet or as large as a cathedral. Now that he had some idea where he was, he allowed himself to feel the rage of being betrayed. "Landon sold us out."

"But Why would he do that?"

Kristoff shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe Hans's control on him is too strong?" The deafening creak of a door sounded from somewhere around them, but weren't sure where. Four Bernards entered the area, each taking positions at the four corners and stood silently. Behind them followed the original Bernard and Dirgelaff himself. Kristoff was looking past them trying to find Landon, but he was nowhere to be found. He would have guessed that Landon would want to rub his nose in his apparent victory, making him curious as to where he was now.

Instead Kristoff was met with slow clapping from Dirgelaff. It wasn't in an insulting or derogatory manner, and to Kristoff's surprise, he was smiling with genuine excitement on his face.

"Incredible! Amazing! I'm going out of my mind! Using a creature without flesh or blood to search for what is mine!? And you just happen to have a companion who is a snowman?!" He put his hands on Kristoff's shoulders to meet his eyes. "I can't tell you how impressed I am with you and your Mary band."

Kristoff was torn between being horrified and flattered. Dirgelaff was dangerous, but at this moment he came off like an excited toddler.

"Uh, thanks I guess?"

He patted him on his shoulders. "Be proud, my friend, I'm not so easily impressed. I'm still surprised it was you and this snowman, who would have guessed?"

Somewhat relaxed, Kristoff tried to push his luck. "You're so impressed with us, you're willing to let us go?"

Dirgelaff threw his head back and laughed. "Nice effort, but no luck." Now serious He got close to Kristoff's nose, "You need to learn that I am not one, with whom you-"

"-master," Bernard interrupted, "We don't have a lot of time before the last trial. I suggest we make this quick."

He sighed. "Your right, there is work to be done. After all there are prizes to be won."

Kristoff snarled. "You leave Elsa alone, and Drake. By the way, they're Just friends, you don't need to kill him… but you should still leave Elsa alone. She'll never love you."

Kristoff cringed at the sickening grin spreading across his face. He leaned onto his knees so that they were eye to eye again. "This isn't about love, this is about power, power possessed by that beautiful snow flower. You see, my power has limits, while hers remain unchecked. I have to learn the secrets she works so hard to protect. The fact that she's lovely is a wonderful place to begin, she'll make a wonderful prize when I finally win."

Kristoff chuckled. "Well jokes on you. Elsa doesn't know where her magic comes from, she doesn't have any secrets. So ha."

Dirgelaff analyzed his captive for a moment before curling his lip. "Ugh I believe you. Still that doesn't change the things I pursue."

An idea occurred to Kristoff. "What do you mean your power has limits? You control this entire island?"

Dirgelaff scoffed. "As Landon said, magic is fragile and ambiguous, mine in particular can not be used continuous. So my power is channeled from a place where everything has turned without moving, but now we must go to see two Dragon Knights Dueling."

"Hold on!" Olaf shook in the cage, "before you go I have one question. How come you speak in rhyme?"

Confusion forced his brows forward. "I speak in rhyme?" He looked back at Bernard, "Do I speak like that all the time?"

Bernard shrugged. "I've never noticed."

Olaf "hm'd". "Oh well. Never mind."

Dirgelaff shrugged dismissively. "Anyways we have work to do, but first I must punish you."

He grinned down at Kristoff who did his best to maintain some form of courage. "What? You're gonna kill me? Like you did the people in your sick tournament?"

Blood spurted from his lips and nose when Dirgelaff brought the back of his hand against his face. "I am not a killer, murder is not something I condone. The lives that have been lost were due to the choices that were their own."

Kristoff spat some leftover blood into the ground. "Putting a knife in someone's hand and making them stab themselves is still murder." He smiled a blood toothed smile. "You're no better than the monsters Drake hunts. I only wish I could be there when he kicks your ass."

Dirgelaff backhanded him again. "Even if he wins today, he won't last the night. As for yourself, you will not lose your life, oh yes that's right."

Kristoff spat again, this time at Dirgelaff's feet. "I don't understand. If you're not going to kill me What do you want?"

He removed a handkerchief to wipe the blood off of his hand. "What I want, my friend, has always been the same." He smiled maliciously. "I want to play a game."

—:0:—

"I don't like this," Anna nervously paced back and forth with her nails in her teeth, "they should have been back by now."

Elsa, while not pacing per say, was sort of walking in circles just as anxiously as her sister. "Something must have happened to them. Do you think they were caught?"

Seated beside them, Drake's legs had been bouncing nonstop for the last ten minutes. "We're running out of time. There's only a few minutes until this trial is about to start."

A half hour ago, the three continued on as if nothing was out of the ordinary. When the time came They headed to the islet, situated themselves in the waiting room, and only now started to panic.

"That's it," Anna headed for the exits, "I'm going to find them."

Before she got too far, Elsa erected a wall of ice to block the door. "Anna no!" Drake got to his feet while Elsa melted the wall. "You have to stay here with us."

"I can't!" Anna shrieked. "Something happened to them, I know it!"

Elsa took her sister in her arms. "I know. I'm worried too, but they're going to be okay."

Drake scratched the back of his neck while muttering, "Even if Landon's with them. OW!" Elsa slapped him on his arm, glaring with a look saying he wasn't helping the situation.

"Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf are in trouble, I can feel it. Can't you?" The question caught her off guard. "Elsa, Olaf was created from your magic, you must be able to, I don't know, feel him?"

Elsa seemed unsure, causing her to glance at Drake over her shoulder for support. "Makes sense to me. All magic is different so you should be able to feel your own no matter where it is."

Elsa looked back at her sister. "But I…"

Before she could finish her thoughts, Elsa noticed Hans step into the waiting room with Arabella beside him. Arabella was staring at the back of his head with an icy stare that could match her ice powers. Hans on the other hand was acting as if she wasn't even there.

Without warning, Drake advanced on the prince, fists balled and ready for a fight.

"Ah, ah, ah," he tsked, "anything happens to me, Annabelle dies. I'm sure Arabella told you that." Drake stopped himself inches from Hans, using every ounce of his energy to keep himself from beating his skull in.

Arabella joined the sisters just as Anna took a step towards the prince. "Hans, this craziness has to stop." She pleaded. "Your beef is with Arendelle, let her sister go and we can talk about this."

He snorted a laugh. "Awe, are you actually begging for mercy?"

"I'm trying to appeal to the goodness in you." She reached out to grab his hands, an action that surprised everyone, including him. Since the violence and threats hadn't worked, Anna was now attempting kindness. "Yes you left me to die, yes you tried to kill Elsa and take over our kingdom, and yes you lied to me, but before all that you were a good person, we danced, we talked, we even sang together."

Drake leaned over to Elsa's ear. "Sang together?"

"Don't ask It's a long story." Elsa was more focused on what was happening in front of her.

Anna felt a spark of excitement when she saw his expression soften, but it was only for a moment. He jerked his hands away. "Everything I did, I did for the sole purpose of tricking you into marrying me and then taking your kingdom."

"Why?" Drake wondered aloud, "no offense, Elsa and Anna, but Arendelle is small, and not like it's swimming in resources." The sister glared. "Unless you count … ice?"

"Just keep digging Drake." Arabella whispered.

"To answer your question, true, Arendelle is not that impressive," Hans continued, "but I was never going to get out from underneath the shadow of my twelve older brothers, or my parents. I was going to prove that I had what it took to be a king, a ruler." His eyes narrowed at Anna, "and I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen. No matter the costs."

A palpable stillness followed his words until being broken by slow clapping. "Great speech! I was very moved. Though I'm still in awe by the twelve brothers, your mother had quite a womb." Dirgelaff strolled passed them, putting a hand on Hans's shoulder to settle him. "For this last trial, are we ready to begin?" He addressed the two dragon knights. "The rules of this game are simple. Survivor wins."

Anna felt her sister take her hand, probably feeling just as anxious as she was. "Master Dirgelaff, I have a request."

Everyone watched Drake curiously, Dirgelaff in particular rose a thick black brow with interest. "A request? Well color me amused. Speak, and I'll see if it's a request we will use."

Drake nodded, continuing the falsehood of his respect for the sorcerer. "Since Arabella and I are both Dragon Knights, I propose we duel in the manner taught to us by our dragon masters. An Ignis Rexia. Five minutes, three rounds, the final round a battle of our dragon forms. The rounds repeat until, for lack of a better word, a technical knockout."

Dirgelaff grew more and more excited and intrigued with each word. "I am most fascinated with the customs of your lands. Yes! I will honor this tradition, as best as I can."

Drake bowed his head. "Thank you master Dirgelaff. We won't let you, or your audience down." Anna eyed him curiously, wondering why he was being respectful all of the sudden. Maybe he wanted to make sure Dirgelaff honored his traditions?

"Splendid! I'm sure this will be a kick! Now how's about we all go outside and greet your public."

Like the first trial, the champions and their sponsors were brought into the center of the arena greeted eagerly by a vibrant crowd. A crowd that seemed to have grown since this all began. Likewise, Dirgelaff took his usual place in his box at the top of the arena stands. After welcoming everyone to the final trial he gestured to the champions below.

"Let's hear from our sponsors, what is it you wish for should victory be yours?"

An orb floated in front of Hans. "My wants are simple. I wish to conquer the known world with an army. An unstoppable army." The crowd murmured with uncertainty, others waved him off dismissively, and others just desired the bloodbath to begin.

Dirgelaff barked with laughter. "My, my. The young prince is quite bold. If you are victorious it will be something to behold." The orb floated to the Arendellian sisters. "Now let's hear from the royals of Arendelle. What is your wish, please tell?"

The sisters took each other by the hand, Elsa narrowed her eyebrows over her angered eyes, glaring furiously into the orb as if she was addressing Dirgelaff face to face. "My wish is for you to no longer host these horrendous tournaments. That you will no longer take pleasure in the lives lost that are playing your demented games." The crowd murmured again, a few going as far as to begin booing at her, but her chin was high. Firm in her decision.

Dirgelaff was taken aback, Still he chuckled to himself. "Oh my queen, as selfless as you are gorgeous, such a wish is quite courageous." He then addressed the crowd, "unfortunately my friends, her heart is not ours to take, for it belongs to someone else. Our good friend Drake."

The two flushed, but didn't let themselves buckle beneath the booing, or clapping of the crowd around them. Neither one wanted to give him the satisfaction of letting him get under their skins.

Dirgelaff motioned for the crowd to quiet down. "Regardless, I will honor your wish, though it may not seem the most lavish. Bid your champions goodbye and take your seats. Then we will get to the real treats."

Anna took Elsa aside and whispered something in her ear, something Drake couldn't quite make out with the other sounds around him. Elsa's blush got deeper, but with a giggle, nodded her head. Both sisters took positions on either side of him, got to their toes and kissed him on each cheek.

"Good luck." Anna whispered. "No matter what happens, thank you for everything."

He smiled at her and gave her hand a squeeze. "Your welcome, and thank you."

He turned to Elsa, who's eyes had fallen to the ground. "Um… just… don't die."

He smiled at her, also squeezing her hand. "I'll do my best." And as unexpected as the sisters kissing him, he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.

—:0:—

Dirgelaff began addressing his crowd again, but the Dragon Knights stood by each other going over the details of their upcoming duel. Both had been redressed in their uniforms, Drake in his leather vest and Forearm gauntlets, Arabella in her violet scaled, leather, full bodied outfit with extra black leather pieces on her neck and torso. Both were equipped with additional harnesses, one on his back to hold a twenty four inch sword, and one on her thigh to hold her weapon of choice. A collapsible trident.

"An Ignis Rexia Huh?" She asked. "Think of that all on your own?"

"I don't trust Landon, but he has good advice. Just thinking a few steps ahead." He shrugged.

Arabella looked at the ground. "Just so you know I am so—"

"Don't." He cut her off, "you have nothing to be sorry for."

"Then you'll understand why I won't be holding back."

He nodded with a grin. "But don't expect me to hold back either."

"Like the last time?" She looked up with a smirk.

He snorted smoke into her face. "I wasn't holding back, the sun was in my eyes."

"—and with all that out of the way! Let's get this Ignis Rexia underway!"

Drake and Arabella turned to each other and shook hands. "May Clow smile on you."

He returned her smile. "And you." They split apart and took positions about eight feet from each other. With their feet they scribbled markings into the dirt beneath them, once finished, they stomped the ground to ignite their spots on fire. Drake's fire blue, and hers a red violet. The crowd "oh'd", before the two kicked the fires out, leaving burn marks in the ground. "Master Dirgelaff can we get a five minute timer by chance?"

An orb floated towards showing numbers ready to countdown from five. The two left their spots and stood a few feet from each other, then raised their fist close to their heads, however hers were held differently.

"That's… new."

She smirked. "I've learned some new things." Drake was so focused on the fists by her head, it was out of the corner of his eye that her left leg was coming right for his head with incredible speed. He brought his forearms up to block her strike, but the force was so fierce he felt his entire body rattle.

"Oh… shit."

—:0:—

Dirgelaff watched with increased interest as the knights began their duel with a bare knuckle brawl. Drake in particular seemed taken aback by her apparent newfound skill. As the battle continued, Dirgelaff grew more and more intrigued as it seemed both were evenly matched.

"This fight will be quite the nail biter. They both seem equal as fighters."

"I've noticed that as well." Bernard agreed.

"Well just so we don't suffer a loss, how about we add some chaos." With a flick of his finger large rectangular monoliths burst from the arena and started spinning. The knights were surprised at first, but didn't take long to adjust to their new surroundings. Now with the spinning pillars one would slam into them and be tossed around like rag dolls.

Dirgelaff chuckled sinisterly, casting an occasional glance at the royal sisters. His lips curled in disgust when he saw the look of concern on the queen's face.

"She possesses great power for one of royalty," he slammed his fist on the armrest of his chair, "with our powers combined, she should be with me!"

Bernard put his hand on his shoulder. "Patients master. It will happen, we just need to wait a little longer." Bernard suddenly jerked in his seat with an audible groan gaining his masters attention.

"What is it?"

Bernard closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. "I believe we're having complications down below. Don't worry, I'll handle it."

His face twisted in anger. "Be sure that you do. The last thing we need is more interference from those two." Dirgelaff went back to the battle as Bernard closed his eyes again. The five minute timer finally got zero, and the two knights separated to their respective spots that they had burned into the ground. Once there Drake withdrew the sword from his back and Arabella removed the collapsible trident from her thigh.

"Finally they've taken up arms. Let's hope my little surprise works like a charm." He glanced back at Elsa with a grin, but was quickly replaced with dread.

Where was Anna?

—:0:—

Anna poked her head out of the moving box with hesitation. Looking side to side and forward looking for any sign of her boyfriend or snowman. Overlooking the symbols on the walls, she quietly crept down the passageway. Anna was able to use Elsa's concern for Drake to her advantage in helping her sneak away, now she was thinking she may have needed backup.

"Sorry Elsa, but I've got to find Kristoff." She whispered to no one in particular.

Her back went rigid when her foot stepped in something wet and sticky, accompanied with the smell of metal. She shuddered while gritting her teeth and pinching her eyes shut.

"Please, please, please don't be…" opening her eyes a crack she saw her foot in a puddle of blood. She squealed in fear and disgust as she tried to tiptoe around it. Further investigation revealed various stabbed and or headless Bernard's littering the floor. "No Kristoff. That's a good sign."

As she maneuvered through the carnage she was greeted by a familiar, shrill scream. Hurriedly bouncing down the hallway was her snowy friend, Olaf, coming at his top speed and screaming bloody murder.

"OLAF!" She scooped him into her arms and squeezed. "You're okay, you're okay!"

"Anna?!" He wrapped his stick arms around her. "Boy am I glad to see you! Now let's get out of here."

"Hold on, where's Kristoff and Landon."

He pointed in the direction he had just come from. "That way. They told me to run so I did."

Anna shook her head. "Well I'm here now. Take me to them."

—:0:—

Earlier

"—I want to play a game." Dirgelaff threw the palm of his hand against Kristoff's head. There was a momentary flash of light and When he pulled away a mixture of swirling colors was hovering in his outstretched palm. "Now there is something I must ask. What is the name of the woman who's love you bask?"

Kristoff spoke with venom through his teeth. "Anna. Princess of Arendelle."

"Good, it seems you got that question right. And how did you meet your heart's delight?"

Kristoff opened his mouth, but couldn't seem to find the words. He knew Anna, he loved Anna, but why couldn't he remember how they met? "I… don't know?"

He "hm'd" With satisfaction. "Does she live in a castle or shack? Do you remember the touch of her Lithe and ample frame, or is the only thing on the tip of your tongue the princesses name?"

Kristoff reached deep into his memory, but for the life of him he couldn't remember anything about Anna. Her smell, her touch, the sound of her voice, where they first met, where they fell in love, nothing. All he could remember was what she looked like and her name, nothing else.

Horrified he looked at Dirgelaff and the orb in his hand. "What did you do to me?!"

"I took what you cherish most." He pushed the magical orb closer. "Your memories and bond with the princess you hold close. I haven't taken all of them, oh no not yet, but it will be your choice whether or not you forget." Before Kristoff could ask what that meant, Dirgelaff snapped his fingers creating a box seemingly out of thin air in the empty space behind him.

Another snap of his fingers and Kristoff was released from his chains. "This will be how the game works, if I may have your attention." He flicked his wrist to light up the box revealing two separate chambers behind glass walls. On the bottom of the box were two handles connected to wires connecting to each box.

Another flick and Kristoff's memories were placed in the box on the left. "And now for the part that may create some apprehension." He snapped his fingers once more.

In the second box, Out of a shroud of mist appeared a young girl, not much older than thirteen or fourteen, bound, gagged, and a noose around her neck. Under her feet was a small platform that she was having trouble staying balanced on.

Kristoff and Olaf gasped in unison at the screaming girl. "What are you doing?! She's just a kid!"

"I won't be doing anything, the consequences of your actions, on yourself you did bring." He gestured to the handles. "You are to take each handle into each hand and the game will begin once I give the command. The wires will pull and tug tightly on your arms until you release one of them to save them from harm. Do nothing and both will be lost, just keep that in mind as you consider the cost." He held out his hands to display the boxes. "Let go forever of the bonds and memories with the woman you love, or suffer this little dove?"

Dirgelaff strolled passed him, putting a hand on Kristoff's trembling shoulder. "This is punishment for disrespecting my home and myself, a most egregious sin. You don't have a lot of time, so it's best to begin." He snapped his fingers and the platform holding the girl in place began to slide back into the wall.

With the girl screaming and Kristoff scrambling, he didn't hear Dirgelaff order the other Bernard's to stay in place to make sure he completed his game. Kristoff grabbed both handles, which stopped her platform from vanishing, but now began to pull his arms in opposite directions. Fortunately his life in the mountains gave him the strength to hang on, but it wouldn't last long and In the end he would have to let one of them go.

He looked at the box on the left, seeing his precious memories of himself and Anna flashing before him. The first time they met at Oaken's trading post, when they saved each other from wolves, when he introduced her to his family, the first time he said "I love you". He didn't have the heart, but he turned his head to the girl. Young, fair skinned, dressed in an English Victorian dress, and white hair.

White hair?

Arabella's sister!

"Kristoff!" Olaf shook the cage, also shaking Kristoff from his thoughts. His muscles began to ache and throb as he tried with all his might to pull the handles close. Bernard's men stood emotionless as they watched him struggle with both his body and his mind. The girl screamed through the gag between her teeth, Olaf called for Kristoff to save her, and through it all, Kristoff only thought of Anna.

"I'm…. sorry."

He released the left handle, grabbing the right one with both hands. "I'm so sorry Anna." He sobbed. The girl, while still screaming, now sounded like she was trying to get his attention. He followed her stare to the other handle, a handle that was stuck in place by a silver shuriken.

"What the—?" Battle exploded behind him between the four Bernard's, and someone dressed in all black, a black mask, wielding a samurai sword. The Bernard's each drew swords and engaged the man in black. "Who—?" The girl screamed again. While the left handle was stuck in place, the shuriken was losing its grip.

"Kristoff!" Olaf bounced in his cage, giving Kristoff an idea. Maneuvering through the battle, Kristoff grabbed the bird cage Olaf was trapped in, pulled it down and took it to the glass wall.

"Close your eyes!" The girl did as instructed. "You to Olaf." Taking the cage he slammed it into the glass wall, shattering it to pieces and splitting the cage open enough for Olaf to escape. "Go get help!"

"Yes sir!" Olaf bolted for the exit. "'Scuse me, pardon me, oop that's your head, 'scuse me."

Kristoff meanwhile reached into the box, took the noose off of her neck, and pulled her out to safety.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She was too historical to respond as he untied her and removed the cloth from her mouth.

Overwhelmed she threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you!" She sobbed. "Thank you." Followed by more screaming and more glass shattering, this time from the box holding Kristoff's memories, memories that began flooding back into his mind.

"Here's a test. What's Anna's cup size?"

That obnoxious English accent made Kristoff's blood boil. Standing up, he clenched his fists and was ready to start punching the Englishmen into oblivion.

But just to be sure, he remembered Anna was a B.

The girl, cowering behind him, pointed at Landon.

"He took me from my home. He kidnapped me." She screamed.

Landon rolled his eyes with a groan. "How many times do you have to say it, I was being forced against my will!"

The steel tip of a samurai sword met the flesh of his neck. Kristoff had almost forgotten the warrior in black that had come to his rescue. Whoever he was, he moved around Landon until they were face to face, the blade still pressed snuggly against his throat.

The man in black removed his mask, showing the scraggly black hair of the Raptor. "You owe an explanation. How did you know all of this would transpire? How did you know to have me stay behind for this very instance?"

Kristoff glared with red hot rage. "You knew? You knew Dirgelaff was going to capture us, and force me to almost kill this innocent girl?"

Landon shrugged, not at all perturbed by the blade at his neck. "Yes and no. I knew Dirgelaff was going to capture you, but I genuinely had no idea what you were in for." He stared at the girl. "Annabelle, I don't expect you to forgive, or believe me, but I didn't know what he was going to do to you. For what you've been through, I am truly sorry."

She continued to hide behind Kristoff, as Landon said, not believing a word he was saying.

"As for you Kristoff, when I discovered that Dirgelaff had been listening in on our conversations to overthrow him, I had to improvise. This was the only way I could stay in his good graces as we made our plans. I asked our good friend Raptor to stay behind to rescue you when the time came." Landon moved to lower the Raptors sword, but he held it firmly in its position.

"I'd say everything worked out—." A sickening squelching noise erupted when a blade went right through his chest and out the other side. Raptor backed away, apparently having not killed one of the Bernard's well enough. Apparently he had gotten to his feet, grabbed a sword that was used in the battle and put it through Landon's chest.

He staggered a bit before looking down at the sharp blade poking out of his body, but instead of collapsing dead from the blow, he scoffed. "That's unfortunate, I liked this suit." The group could only stare in disbelief, unsure of how to process this. "Well you could at least act broken up. I could have bloody been killed."

Landon turned to the Bernard who had tried to put as much distance between them as he could. In a blur of black smoke Landon was on top of him, holding him by the throat and pinning him against the wall. The Bernard copies didn't have emotions, but this one seemed to be in genuine panic.

"What sort of fiend are you?"

A hungry grin spread across Landon's lips, revealing jagged, serrated teeth. "I'm a demon." He closed his eyes and when opened revealed nothing but red. A red so deep it looked like dried blood.

Kristoff stood in front of Annabelle blocking her view as Landon twisted and contorted, shedding his human face into something Kristoff could only gawk at in pure horror. The last thing he saw before closing his eyes was red and teeth. He forced her to cover her ears to block out a sickening crunching sound followed by what could be described as a body hitting the wall.

Opening his eyes again, the Bernard's head, shoulders, one of his arms, and upper chest was bitten clean off, the sight of which made Kristoff gag on his own bile. The Raptor had pointed the tip of his sword at Landon, who had now changed back into his human shape, but was still covered in blood.

He licked his fingers clean, before gesturing to the corpse. "I'm sorry, did you want some? I tend to get greedy."

Raptor gripped the sword tighter. "My empress was right. You are a Yoamo."

Landon held out his arms as if accepting applause. "Demon from hell. That's me."

Kristoff wasn't sure what to make of this. Demon? Those were bad right? Judging by what he had just seen, that was probably the case. But then whose side was he on? Sure he got him and Olaf captured and almost got this girl killed, but then he also saved his Bond and memories of Anna. What's going on?

"Kristoff!"

Another test of his memories. He breathed a sigh of relief when he recognized it instantly.

"Anna!" Before he could intercept her, he took Annabelle by the hand and led her from the room until he came face to face with the love of his life. Olaf in her arms and as excited as she was to see him, she became wary when she saw Annabelle beside him.

"Kristoff who's that?"

He stood to the side so she got a good look. "This is Annabelle, Arabella's sister."

The name invoked some form of life in the girls eyes. "Ari?! Is Ari here?!"

"Yes," Kristoff smiled, "and now that you're with us we can stop this trial."

"And I suggest we make haste." Side by side Landon and the Raptor joined them, only adding to Anna's confusion.

"Why's Raptor here? Why's Landon covered in blood? What the Fjord happened here!"

"I'm sure your beau will explain everything in perfect detail, but right now we've got a duel to stop." Landon walked passed her towards the moving box. "While Kristoff was playing with Dirgelaff, I was getting a sneak peak at his plans for Drake. Impressive as it is, I doubt Drake would find it much fun."

"Wait! What does Dirgelaff want to do to Drake?"

Before he could respond, the moving box opened. About six Bernard's stepped out of the moving box, blocking their path.

"Oh bugger."