And now, for the finale!

CHAPTER 26: CONFRONTING THE COLD

afterwards

The fields were bitter and cold. The wind whipped fiercely, snow floundering over the fields. Although the storm was over, a cold wind still raged in pained hearts.

Once, there had been a time when she could cry at every misfortune, every silly and trivial pain, but now, no tears came to her eyes; an icy numbness had taken over. She sat on the ground and stared at the snow.

For it had been her fault this had happened. All of this. She could still remember Angéle's haunted expression as she hit the blast, her lover turning to ice right before her eyes. Now they would never have a future together, a life where they could give each other hope. It was all gone now.

She remembered everything now. The killing of Urujak, the destruction of Solaria, the Palace of Glacia, the Sekuko mansion. It came to her now, clear as day. And there was nothing that could be done.

"Aria," a voice behind her called. She barely even registered the voice, didn't even turn around. None of it matters anymore… Then she felt warm hands on her shoulders. "We need to go now."

Aria shook off the hands and glared up at the offender. "Leave me alone," she snapped. "I don't want to go. This is home now, and is where I'm fated to spend the rest of my life. When Angéle died, a part of my spirit went with her. It's my fault she died." She closed her eyes.

She couldn't be with the others. Not even when Darius had arrived and finished Icy off. She'd run as soon as he entered the scene, quickly, so that they wouldn't catch her and make her go home. But they found me now…

"I know this is hard," the clear-eyed woman said. "But we cannot leave you here, even if we wanted to. For your trial awaits. The United Realms has declared you an interrealm criminal."

Aria closed her eyes. Good. For that was what she was – a criminal of ice and sorrow. And nothing they said in her defense would change that.

"Come," the woman repeated, quietly. "Let's go."

Aria didn't want to. But something in the woman's tone halted her, and she stared up at her, at her clear blue eyes. And then she remembered who she was.

"You were the woman I saw the day I killed Ujurak," she breathed.

"Correct." The woman nodded. "I am his wife, Shamaness Akna of the Adlivun Tribe. And I am here to take you home." She extended her hand.

Aria took it slowly. Standing on two unsteady, shaking feet, she trudged through the snow and towards the hateful castle.

Her friends were standing in a circle, all solemnly to greet her. There was Maire, the girl with whom she'd spent her days at Alfea; Darius, her ex-boyfriend; and Daewon… Aria froze immediately at the sight of him, her eyes wide and horrified.

"It's okay," a woman behind them said softly. "We are not here to hurt you." She had light brown skin and high cheekbones – Aria immediately made out that she was a priestess. Like Angéle… She closed her eyes.

"We have to go back to Nunangat," the woman said. "There, the UR forces await." She turned towards a man with black hair, who was handling a female prisoner.

Aria stared at her. Oh, her… She could make out Icy's white hair, even against the snow. Her sisters, Darcy and Stormy, were being handled by two other men behind.

"Come on," the priestess said, breaking the silence, "it's time for us to go." She closed her eyes.

A portal appeared in front of them. Aria stared at it numbly, stepping forward. She closed her eyes as she stepped through the portal, allowing herself to be sucked through.

She landed in another world filled with snow. But this world was… different. She felt the fluidity of the air before she'd even landed, the milder climate of this world. Isolde's Freezix power dominates it no more… And then she stared above her head. Swirling, against the dark sky, were brilliant lights.

Solare… thought Aria, staring. The display was absolutely stunning. Arctic lights, in different shades of blue, gold, red, pink, green, purple, and nearly every color that anyone could think of, shone brilliantly against the dark sky. By comparison, the stars looked pale and shabby, like fake jewels.

And then she heard a shout, bereaved and terrible.

"No!"

Aria stared behind her. She saw a girl splayed across the snow, her eyes glassy, her body completely still. That's Darius's sister… Darius ran forward, his eyes filled with grief.

"Sharzad!" he sobbed. "I told you to be careful! Why didn't you listen? Why didn't you promise?" He collapsed on the snow.

"The bravest warrior I've ever seen." Sedna stepped forward. "Out of all of us, she deserved to live the most. I am honored to have known her." She gazed down at Darius, who was still sobbing. "I am sorry, Prince Darius."

"Why?" Darius cried. "We were just reunited, and now she's gone? Why did this have to" –

"She died for the noblest of noble causes," a voice interrupted. A shaman stepped forward, placing his hands on Darius's shoulder. "She died to save Akna's daughter, a mere infant. And that sacrifice was the bravest of all. Look at the sky." He pointed to the arctic lights. "Our spirits welcome her, honoring her above all."

It was true. Aria stared up at the lights, how they swirled with an intensity she'd never seen before. They burst into color, brightening the arctic sky. I wish Angéle could see this… Grief overtook her, and she stared around.

Hundreds of warriors lay injured on the snow. She saw fairies with their wings torn, pain in their eyes. I have to fix this… After all, it had been she who had caused this entire war. She ran forward, her eyes wide.

"Where do you think you're going?" the priestess's voice called through the air.

Aria ignored her. I have to heal these people… She transformed into her Enchantix and flew to the nearest fairy, reaching for her fairy-dust.

"It was a spell that took your wings," she said solemnly, "and therefore, fairy-dust should bring them back." She opened her pouch, watching the dark blue dust fall from its folds.

She could hear the woman's gasp, and stared at the blue that fell like glitter against the snow. This has got to work… She closed her eyes, feeling the energy pulse through her hands. At last, she opened her eyes.

Nothing. Not even one speck of the wing had grown back. There was absolutely nothing that was healed.

"I" – Aria stared at the woman, at a loss for words. How did my fairy-dust not work? I have my Enchantix! The priestess flew forward.

"Aria, how did you gain your Enchantix?" she asked.

"B-by saving Angéle," Aria said, her voice uncertain. "I saved her from Isolde's wrath."

"Your Enchantix is incomplete," the woman said quietly.

"But" – Aria stared down at the pouch in her hands. How could that be? "I sacrificed myself. I saved Angéle's life!"

"She is not of your realm," the priestess interrupted. "Enchantix opens its wings to you once you save someone from your realm. Not someone from somewhere else."

"But Angéle and I were in love," Aria whispered.

"That doesn't matter," the woman responded. "You are still bound to the ancient laws."

"I" – Aria's knees buckled. This can't be. She could feel her whole world crashing around her, everything coming to a halt.

She stared down at the fairy she'd tried to heal, who was glaring up at her. And then she looked around. She could see the tired faces of the warriors around her, the pain their eyes all reflected, the sadness. I caused this… Sedna stepped forward.

"The UR forces are here," she said.

And so they were. Aria turned around, watching as a spaceship landed on the snow. The warriors moved forward, carrying Icy, Darcy, and Stormy into the prison van.

"There they are," said Sedna, glaring at Aria. By the looks of it, she didn't seem to think any more of Aria after what had happened, and quite honestly, Aria couldn't blame her. "They're waiting for you."

Aria turned around. A man from the ship was walking up to her, carrying handcuffs. His eyes narrowed.

"Aria Cadenza Cacciatore." His voice was hard, booming against the snowy fields. "You are under arrest for malicious destruction in Solaria and Whisperia, and the murder of Princess Galatea. Do you submit yourself to the UR's jurisdiction, or will we have to take you by force?"

Aria turned back towards Akna. She was holding her baby in her arms, and looked up at Aria. A small, tired smile stretched across her face. It's because of people like her that I need to keep going… She transformed back to her civilian form and lowered her head.

"Yes," she whispered, painfully, "I submit."

Days passed. Aria lay huddled on the floor of her prison cell, a dark cell in the bowels of Magix. The ventilation was horrible and the food was tasteless, but even if it had been gourmet, she wouldn't have been able to eat any of it. She pushed it away each time, closing her eyes.

And every night she had nightmares. Dreams of Angéle, being frozen by ice over and over again. She could see Isolde's face over and over again, the lie pouring from her lips a thousand times. She's dead, she's dead, she's dead… And every time, she would wake up screaming in the middle of the night.

Her only visitor was the priestess – Atete, her name was. She was to be her counsel in the trial. Not that I deserve any…

She wished they would stop trying to help her. She deserved whatever came her way, whatever punishment. For she was a criminal now. She had been from the moment she'd decided to kill Galatea.

And then, the day arrived. Aria blinked as a female guard came into her cell, unlocking the bars.

"Time to go." She pulled Aria off the ground. "Your trial awaits."

Aria blinked. She couldn't tell how many days had passed at this point; it seemed too soon. "Already?" she breathed.

"The Trix's trial is over," the woman said dryly. "I can assure you it did not take long." She placed handcuffs over Aria's wrists. "Now go."

Blinking, Aria followed her down the corridor. They reached a door, which the woman pushed open. It revealed a grand hall, one that Aria stared at in awe. INTERREALM CRIMINAL COURT was inscribed into a marble column.

Aria walked down slowly. She could see the golden glamour of the hall, its chandeliers high above her, brilliant and ornate. All that fuss for a court… She moved to the front of the courtroom, sitting next to Atete in the defense's row.

"All hail the Honorable Chief Justice Rama Acharya," the bailiff shouted.

Aria stood. She looked over her shoulder and saw a white-haired man walk down the aisle, making his way up to the podium; eight justices were seated behind him. He tapped his gavel against the stand.

"Please be seated," he said.

They sat. Chief Justice Acharya sat on his throne, reading the proceedings. "The Realms of Melody, Solaria, Whisperia, and Magix versus Aria Cadenza Cacciatore." Briefly, he gazed at the table behind him. "Justices, will you please stand and raise your" –

The doors banged open. Maire barged into the room, followed by Darius and Daewon. Her gaze was defiant as she stormed into the room, the guards' mouths agape as she glared forward.

"I hope you're not holding this trial without us," she snarled. "We'll prove to you that Aria is innocent, that she was possessed by Queen Isolde. We didn't cast that spell for nothin', lemme tell ya" –

Aria stared at Maire, the way her red hair fell in a whirl down her shoulders, and how hilariously underdressed she was for the court. I'm surprised they don't put her in contempt of court… She heard the prosecutor's shout of outrage, the chief justice's sigh that yes, she could stay, as the defense would want to hear from her at some point. Aria gazed at her friends, the friends who would defend her until their last breath, how they'd risked everything to save her from Glacia. She met Daewon's gaze, low and levelly, and understanding and acceptance came over her.

For the first time since her stay in the Land of Dreams, she smiled.

She was found not guilty by means of possession. Since no one could interrogate Isolde and bring her to justice, the case was left alone. However, Justice Acharya did mandate that she undergo treatment at Dasha Avatar Hospital, where there was a wing allocated for mental health.

And every day, Atete came to visit her. She was her psychologist now; the two of them were inseparable. For the next week or so, Aria began to slowly work out her thoughts.

It was painful, having to confront the beasts that had plagued her for so long. For although the spell had been broken, her original mental state could not be altered so easily. It would take time for her to heal, to get past the demons she had believed in for so long.

But Atete said she was already on the way to making progress. Whatever her affair with Angéle could be described as, it had changed her for good. She could no longer be described as utterly cynical, for she could see the people around her that had helped her.

But someone was still missing. Someone would always be missing for the rest of her life, because of the foolish mistake she'd made. The girl whom she'd loved more than anyone else was now dead, gone for the rest of her life…

She stared out the window. She and Angéle had gone through so much together in the castle – playing music together, growing together, helping each other survive. The same way Angéle had begged Isolde not to punish Aria, Aria had leapt in front of Angéle to save her from Isolde. And even after all that, how had Aria not gained her Enchantix? How had she not been able to save Angéle.

Maybe, she thought, our love was never that strong to begin with. It was all just an illusion, wasn't it? It was all a lie. We may never have stayed together had she survived…

Against the hospital's regulations, she'd snuck to one of the computers, looking up information about her illness. Narcissistic personality disorder, they'd called it. According to the Web, it was impossible for narcissists to fall in love – they lacked the empathy and compassion for that connection to be real.

But then if it wasn't love, then what was it? Aria thought. What did Angéle and I share? All those times we spent together – I understand her deeper than any person I've ever known. I cared for her and saved her from herself. And yet… She opened her eyes as someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Aria?" Nurse Nandini was standing behind her, her eyes gentle. "You have visitors."

Visitors? Aria's heart began to thud. She stood up and walked towards the visitors' lounge, the nurse following behind her. Who could it – Her eyes went wide as she stared at who it was.

Lord Luigi and Lady Liling were standing in front of her. They looked tired, and Aria could make out they weren't fully healed from the ordeal. None of us ever will be… But they were smiling. Aria ran towards them, her eyes wide.

"Mamma! Papà!" she cried, grabbing them both in a tight hug.

"My sweet Cadenzie," Papà laughed, ruffling her hair. "You're back."

"We always knew you would be," Mamma said, her smile sweet and sad.

"This is real, right?" Aria breathed, drawing back. "I'm not dreaming, right?"

"Cured," said Atete, appearing from behind. "Completely cured. Would you believe it, they broke out of their comas just as the news of your arrival reached Solaria. It's a miracle." She smiled. "I guess we're all in need of miracles now."

"I wanted to say something to you beforehand," Aria said, gazing up at them. "I'm so sorry I ever collapsed the house on your heads. Darius and Maire told me about why you sent me to MOA when I was so young, why you never contacted me. I can't believe I ever doubted you." She lowered her head.

"No, Aria, we are sorry," Papà said quietly. "We sent you away because we let fear overtake us. But we shall do that no more."

"We'll be there to aid you in your recovery," Mamma added. "Every step of it. And once you're discharged from here, we'll live together and create a new life."

Aria's eyes began to water. "Thank you so much," she whispered, holding her parents tight to her thin frame.

"And so you have taken the second step," Atete said. "You see, Aria, that you'll never be alone." She smiled at her. "And I have good feelings about this family's future."

Aria smiled. So do I… Reaching over, she wrapped both of her parents in a giant hug. They stood together, their silence a thousand words in its own.

Leif stared down the hill. The field was stained with blood, a thousand warriors' deaths marring the snow. He watched as warriors rebuilt igloos that had been destroyed in the battle, his fellow kinsmen.

Or rather, his former kinsmen. For he belonged to them no longer. Shouldering his heavy pack, Leif turned towards the west.

I've got to get out of here. Now that he'd defeated Bloodaxe, his role was over. They'd locked him up in the Nunangatan prison, along with the rest of his ragtag group. Their time, it seemed, was over. Sighing, he faced the bitter wind, grimacing at the whipping chill over his exposed face.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Leif spun around. Standing behind him was Nukilik, her arms crossed.

"I'm leaving," Leif said shortly. "It's time for me to go somewhere else. This isn't my place anymore."

"My question still stands." Nukilik's wolfish eyes gleamed at him. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I" –

"You don't have any plans, do you?" Nukilik's face was nearly inches from his now; Leif backed away. "You just want to escape your problems, don't you? The move of a coward."

"No one in the tribe ever accepted me," Leif protested. "I'm a Glacian, after all. Glacians are the oppressors, the conquerors of Nunangat. And so I'm headed back" –

"Where?" Nukilik interrupted him. "You don't have a family in Glacia. Both your parents are dead, you have no relatives, nothing. And yet, you still want to go back there?"

Her words stung like ice. Leif stared down at the ground, remembering his vision of his mother and father once he'd first touched the Spirit of the Arctic. She's right… He lifted his head.

"I'm gonna tell you this only once, kid, and you'd better be listening." Nukilik glared at him. "We've all lost sweethearts and family members in this battle. Your sob story don't give ya any special status, ya hear me? None." She flicked her hair. "And what's more, this tribe raised ya, fed ya, clothed ya from when you were a little boy, and this is how you repay us? Get back there with me. Do something to help someone else, whether it be rebuilding, healing, or – I don't care. Just stop sittin' around and feelin' sorry for yourself."

Reluctantly, Leif followed behind her, grunting under the weight of his pack. He gazed down the hill, at the Adlivun camp. Everyone was doing something to help. The least-injured warriors had gone out to hunt for the tribe. The trainees were helping the adults rebuild the igloos, competing with each other to find the biggest ice-block. Even the small children were helping, offering water to the people who labored in the field.

That's who we are, Leif realized. We're a tribe; we work together to surmount problems that come our way. If only I had a place here. He sighed, walking down the slope.

"Just the man I wanted to see." Agloolik stood in front of him. "I was talking to Chief Sedna beforehand. And I've decided that I want you to be my trainee, so you can learn the ways of a shaman."

"What?" Leif's heart fluttered. He stared at Agloolik, and then at Sedna, who was standing beside him.

"Yes," said Sedna, who was smiling. "And I have given him permission to take you. That is, if you accept."

Leif's mind was whirling. To be a healer… To never have to fight any more battles, hunt any more seals… He gazed at Agloolik.

"What say you?" the elder asked.

I couldn't honor Sharzad's memory as a warrior, Leif thought. Even when I fought Bloodaxe to avenge her death, I still didn't feel any honor from it. All I felt was just – sorrow. He closed his eyes.

But as a shaman – I can heal the world. I can break the binds that separate Nunangat from Glacia, and restore order to this world once more. And I'll be honoring Sharzad in the best way possible. He opened his eyes.

"Yes," he said, finally, "I accept."

"Very well then." Agloolik smiled. "I shall take you for your initiation ritual first thing tomorrow morning."

Yes, thought Leif. And then I'll be someone at last. He stared up at the sky.

Through the haze of arctic lights he thought he could make out Sharzad's, a lilac-colored aurora. It beamed at him, as brightly and honorably as her spirit had always been.

We'll be together, Sharzad, he thought. I'll honor you for the rest of my life. No matter what, you'll always be in my heart. He closed his eyes.

For the rest of my life…