~Chapter 15~

Marcus

I was too harsh. My powers really seemed to have changed some aspects of my personality or maybe it was really me. I wasn't the same young man who fell in love with a young woman with ice magic. I wasn't just the head of the guard. I was a king to two countries. I've already dealt with several errors in judgment, this one being one of the worst. In my short time as king, I was tired of making mistakes.

Something happened to my wife and I couldn't help her. The rest of us left behind while she went off on her own and I was furious knowing I had nobody to blame, but myself. I was left alone stewing in my toxic thoughts. Then I heard that voice. It was a lot stronger and louder than any other time I had heard it. My thoughts became a dull roar in the recesses of my mind. What I heard in my head was hard to ignore. The trees around me began to blur as I could pinpoint the direction that I heard the call. Could it be Elsa? I wasn't entirely sure. For several minutes, I felt like I was floating across the ground still following the direction of the voice. I know my feet flew across the ground almost like I was flying or floating. My heart was racing and yet I wasn't stopping to catch my breath. Deep in my veins, I felt the heat from my power that I've been trying to keep at bay. Worry set in heavy as I focused on these thoughts and I swear I could hear my wife in my head.

Embrace your gifts, Marcus. Don't be like me. You're unique. Let your power explode from within.

Maybe it was all in my head, but I had to hold onto something. Anna thought Elsa was gone, but I didn't dare to believe it. I couldn't. Perhaps the torch inside me could reach her somehow and bring her back to us.

Continuing my march westward, the trees began to change in color and variety in what seemed like a few steps. One step I was seeing colors of green and orange-colored leaves, but then the next I noticed dead trees with empty branches. The bark on these trees was devoid of life. I stopped suddenly and came to an eerie open clearing. No grass at my boots just arid dirt. Any remaining plant life was dead. Maybe I had lost my way and as I turned to retrace my steps, I heard the voice beckoning to me again. It was closer now than ever. This reignited my excitement because I wanted to find the source of this voice. Maybe they had fire powers just like me. As I walked forward, there was no destination ahead of me, but then I felt a magical force yanking me forward. It was similar to how the family and I were pulled into the enchanted forest upon arriving here. A magic barrier clearly protecting something though it wasn't fog like what surrounded the whole forest border, this barrier was invisible. Once I passed through, I didn't even look back behind me. The call was strong and hidden in plain sight behind this barrier was a volcano simmering in the distance. It urged me forward and I didn't once look back.

My hands really began to glow and emit steam out of my palms at least nobody nearby was in danger. The ground beneath my feet began to rumble as I approached almost like it was reacting to me though I knew I had never been here before. The voice kept beckoning me toward the fiery volcano like it was coming from inside. Surely that couldn't be possible. I stopped short of the volcanic rock. The air reeked of sulfur.

Now what? I thought.

Why would the voice lead me here stranded with a dead end?

"You have to open the door…" A voice called out behind me.

A tall man approached seemingly out of nowhere. My fire grew from my palm as I prepared for an ambush or anything else that might do me harm.

"Ease up, Marcus. Is this how you want your first impression to your uncle to go down?"

I lowered my hands, but the flames wouldn't cease. My lack of control always revealing itself at the worst moments.

"James Terryn?" I questioned.

"In the flesh." He replied, bowing to me.

This man had me beat in height at least by several inches making him over six feet tall. His face showed no signs of aging or greying in his hair. He was clearly older than me, but younger looking than I figure someone claiming to be my uncle would look. His dark chestnut eyes matched his hair that was pulled back in a neat low ponytail.

"What did you...I mean, how did you? Why are you here?" I muttered trying to piece together a form of a question aloud.

"I'm here to help you, my nephew. You're going to need it for what's to come."

"What proof do you have that you're my blood?" I demanded.

"My word is my bond."

"That means nothing coming from a complete stranger."

He glanced down at my hands and smiled.

"You have the gift of embers. Your father and I always hoped to be granted such power."

"I'd hardly call it a gift. Though one perk of our family bloodline is that we're immune."

James took my hands still aflame and he held tightly as I tried to yank myself from his grip. He gave no reaction to what should be a severe burn to both of his hands. After thirty seconds, he dropped my hands.

"I told you, my word is my bond."

"That was foolish, I could have hurt you." I grumbled.

"I'm glad you're here nephew, now you can free our family."

"Free them? Until meeting you, I thought our family was dead."

"What led you here? A voice correct?"

"How would you know that?" I asked, raising a curious brow.

"It was the call of your mother. She and your father have been trapped inside of that volcanic prison for over twenty years." James nodded.

Now I knew this couldn't be for real. Reuben told me about what happened with my family the night of the Kaldsian siege. The slaughter of my family and Kalde citizens.

"You were only a baby the night of the siege. Traitors on the inside of Kalde lowered the gates and let our enemies flood our walls. You were only a baby and your mother took you and ran to keep you safe. She took you to Arendelle, correct?" James asked.

I nodded.

"Many lives were taken that night and few survived. I was taken prisoner by our enemies while your father made a miraculous escape following after your mother and you."

"I was told they both died." I muttered.

"A greatly exaggerated story I'm afraid." James shrugged,

I searched his eyes and still was uncertain if I could believe this man. The call rang out again clear as a bell and being so close to the uncertain source gave me such excitement. What if my uncle was telling me the truth.

"Where have you been all these years? Why haven't you tried to find me?"

"As I said, I was a prisoner and I'm lucky I made it out with my life. A deal was made for my life and once I was free, I made every attempt to find anyone in my family."

"How long have you been free?"

"A few short months. I returned to Kalde to find it in ruins."

"There were people still living there. Didn't they tell you where to find me?"

James shook his head solemnly. I found it strange that Reuben didn't tell James about me.

"How would you know my parents are still alive in there?"

"You hearing the call is proof enough and this place isn't just any ordinary volcano. It is the source of ancient power that Kalde people are gifted with. I see you're trying to control yourself as we speak."

Feeling a little embarrassed, I tucked my hands behind my back.

"You have nothing to feel ashamed about, nephew. Your power is a gift."

"Some gift that without control I can harm those I love most."

"Fear is the enemy, not your power." James nodded patting my shoulder.

He had a soft spoken voice that was calming to hear.

"If you'll let me, Marcus. Let me show you what this place has to offer someone like you. Not to mention reuniting with your parents."

"Why couldn't you get them out?"

"I don't have that power." James said, glumly.

The call echoed loudly in the recesses of my mind once again. If my parents were in fact still alive, I would stop at nothing to get them free.

"Lead the way, James." I nodded.

"The first step starts with you, nephew. Place your hand on the surface of the rock."

I followed his instruction and just touched the surface of the rock wall and my hand immediately began to tingle. Something reacted with my powers as a portion of the rock wall slid to the side revealing an entrance inside this volcano. James quickly led me inside.

"What is this place?"

"This is known as Incendos. The birthplace of fire power for the Kalde line. There is tremendous power in this place. Do you feel it?"

My hands balled into fists and continued to glow brightly though I didn't feel like I was going to accidentally release power. Either I was suddenly capable of control or that was the power of this place.

"I feel it in every vein of my body. If this place is for the Kalde line, why are my parents trapped?"

"They sacrificed much to save you, their son. At the cost of your freedom, Incendos took theirs."

"They're stuck here because of me?" I muttered feeling immediately gut punched. I felt sick and guilt immediately crept up inside. "I have to get them out."

"And that is why we're here." James nodded.

James led the way inside as we began winding down in a spiral, edged against the wall. Only one single path lay ahead that was only a yard across. Glancing barely over the edge I saw molten lava and smoke emanating from the core of this place. I didn't at all feel a surge of heat from the lava. Thanks for my Kalde genes I suppose.

The path narrowed as we made our way down and the call urged me forward. Was this really the voice of my mother calling me? I asked James so many questions as we pressed on. Basically everything leading up to the siege of Kalde.

"Arendelle and the Southern Isles were the key conspirators against Kalde." James told me. I knew about the tension with the Northuldra, but why would Arendelle get involved? Agnarr and Iduna were close with my parents. Anna showed me those journal entries and pictures. This didn't make any sense unless those journals were a lie. Agnarr brought me into their kingdom as a baby and gave me to Pieter and Rebekka to raise as their own. Did he do this out of guilt for what happened to Kalde? It made sense. Growing up as the adopted son of the Arendelle royal guard captain appointed to by King Agnarr, I might as well have been a prisoner of war. My anger began to stir within me. I'm not sure if it was the stifling air within this volcanic chamber, but it made me uneasy.

"You've been in Arendelle all these years, correct?"

I nodded.

"I eventually married their queen and now I'm a king to two countries. Kalde and Arendelle. My powers surfaced one time when I visited the Kalde ruins."

"Marcus, how could you be a king to the country that destroyed your people and your family?"

There was immediate guilt. I'm sure James didn't mean anything by it, but it struck a chord. I pounded the rock wall to my right with my fist. I yelled in frustration as both hands blasted out a beam of fire. James stepped back, but didn't look afraid, he should be. I pulled back my hand from the wall. My knuckles were cracked and now bleeding and stung tremendously, but I didn't care. It's a heart wrenching notion when you find out your entire life has been a lie. Was anything real? If Agnarr were still alive, would he have allowed Elsa and I to marry? I felt sick. James grabbed my shoulders.

"Let's press on. All will be well."

I began to move my legs again as I heard the voice of my mother again calling to me. The only thoughts that filled my mind now were just to set my parents free finally after all these years.

Lava bubbled below us coming from the core in the pit of this cavern. We finally reached the bottom of the spiral, but it was a dead end halted by a giant rock wall.

"Where are they, uncle?" I shouted, clenching my fists in anger.

"This wall is a door and your parents are trapped just beyond."

I saw some etchings in the rock surface of some language unfamiliar to me. James didn't notice it or point it out.

"What's that?" I asked.

James looked up following my finger point.

"It's a warning." He replied, "Something about dangerous prisoners.

"I know I don't remember them, but I doubt my parents are dangerous." I shrugged.

"Would you say the same about yourself?" James questioned, raising an accusatory brow.

I recoiled, my uncle was laying on the guilt heavily.

"But why here?"

"They did it to save you. To release them, all you have to do is put both hands on the wall and expel your fire energy."

"For how long?" I asked.

"Until the door opens." James answered.

My uncle took a step back as I stepped up to the door taking several deep breaths. I hesitated for a moment until the call beckoned me again. It was soothing and sweet to hear knowing that it was the voice of my mother. I quickly placed my palms against the rock surface and closed my eyes trying to focus and it was harder than I thought it would be. A few minutes passed and I couldn't get my fire to release.

"What's wrong?" James asked.

"I-I don't know." I muttered.

"Why are you resisting, Marcus?" James snapped, "Your parents are trapped. We need to get them out."

"I know!" I shouted, "I'm trying!"

"Well try harder, you're the only one with the ability to do this."

Beads of sweat began to drip down my face as I began to focus again. Hundreds of thoughts filled my mind. How I grew up in Arendelle and befriending Elsa and Anna. Anna and I became best friends in those years while Elsa isolated herself. Fighting my place for years and eventually falling in love with Elsa. Then I began to think of Kalde and those visits to see Reuben. I learned a lot about my past from him, but next to nothing was similar between what James had shared versus Reuben's story. The main similarity was the siege of Kalde. Pain began building in my muscles like I was resisting my power. Then I thought of what my uncle told me and I tried to embrace it fighting through the pain, but it was strange, I never felt pain when expelling my power before. As two fire blasts came from my hands hitting the door, the rock began to glow. I shouted in an agonizing cry. My hands were shaking as I kept them on the door, but felt like I could fall to the ground.

"Keep pushing, Marcus!" James urged.

My hair was damp with sweat and I felt something coming from my nose. I leaned to my right wiping my nose on my shoulder and as I pulled away, there was blood in its place. This wasn't good. I don't know how much longer I could take this. James looked eager as he paced behind me watching and waiting for the doors to open. Until finally they did.

The wall slid to both the right and left and a bright light shone through as I quickly covered my eyes from the intensity. Seconds later it dissipated and looked in the room expecting to find my parents. There was nobody here. There was a pool of lava bubbling in the center, but nothing else other than rock. I ran inside stopping a few feet short of the lake of lava. Feeling crushed, I whirled around looking at my uncle.

"What's the meaning of this? Where are they?" I yelled.

"Dead." James replied, coldly.

"But you said…"

"I had to say something to get you here to open the door."

"The voice...I heard it."

Just then it echoed again and I spun around trying to find its origin. Then the sound seemed to echo from James.

"It was you?" I challenged, crouching in a defensive position.

"Within all magic, there is memory. It is indeed your mother's voice from long ago."

"You have magic?"

"Of sorts. It isn't elemental. More like one of decay. I needed you Marcus and thank you for opening the door."

Enraged, I threw up my hands and tried to focus all my energy in scorching this man. Family or no family. James waved his hand and black magma seeped out from the rock beneath my feet slowly crawling up my boots. It should have burned me, but it was only warm. I tried to step out of the gunk, but I couldn't. My boots were stuck like glue. I couldn't burn it. I reached for my sword at my belt desperate to cut myself free as James grabbed both my hands getting in my face.

"You have power, boy. No doubt. My magma immobilizes, but also has a secondary purpose of corruption."

The magma was rising quickly growing above my waist. I tried to move or jerk myself free, but it only seemed to make the magma rise faster. James covered my hands in the magma securing them down fast. I was defenseless. Useless.

"What do you want?" I growled.

"A part of myself that has been lying dormant in here for centuries."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Kuva, tyrant of flame and shadow and as a reward for your assistance, I won't kill you."