Sanctuary

by Mauled2Death

Pushing onwards to see his fate through, TJ's journey continues in book two of Frequency: Sanctuary. In order to gather his remaining memories he and his companions strive to defeat some of the greatest Agasuras Jienda has ever seen to collect the pages of a magical tome named Memorius Sanctum. Yggdrasil finds itself in a race against time to complete the book or die trying.

2. Prologue

This is the actual beginning to the story, so you can skip over the last chapter if you don't want to see the spoilers.

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Prologue

"Many had thought of the royal family as only a line of figureheads. Little did they know, what they needed was not just a leader, nor a hero, but someone who could be their champion, and of a family who could deliver them just that." (Peorth Ásvaŕtlim)

The snow gently fell upon the Refrize Snowfield, the entirety of the area already blanketed in a coat of it. Three armed people carefully waded their way through the field further away from the main path and straying out into what seemed to be an endless abyss of snow. Though they all bore weapons, each also carried a rucksack with tools and other various supplies upon their backs seemingly for glacier climbing.

The only male in the trio was the first to speak, "I didn't know the Cerebians held any ties with the selkis." He said. "I always believed they were Agasura, judging by the way that humans attack them." He wore a long black button-up coat and matching black boots. Much of his face was hidden beneath his hood, but a portion of it was visible, revealing his dark skin tone and bright golden eyes. Beneath the jacket the sheaths of two swords peeked out from both sides of his waist.

One of the ladies ahead of him wielded a spear featuring a spear head reminiscent of a mountain with a beautiful ruby on the hilt resting on her back. She wore a baby blue coat that covered most of her body, but unlike her companions she did not wear a hood. She had long icy blue hair tied back in a ponytail and piercing sapphire eyes; she wore yellow frameless glasses and two heart earrings, a gold heart that rested upon her left ear and a red heart that hung from a small series of beads in her right. "It was only recently that we had developed a relationship with them; our presence through the Haven, Xenym, did not bother them, so long as we did not encroach upon their territory. The elder had nearly severed ties with us after its destruction because the humans had come too close to discovering their homes. I had paid them a visit after the event in order to discuss the matter, and to protect the ruins of the Haven in order to keep our secrets safe. We must meet with him again now in order to undo the favour." She explained. Though her voice sounded rather soft, she still contained a commanding presence in her words, despite her tone remaining unchanged throughout.

"The Haven was where our people took refuge after the attack on our home, and acted as a hub to build the relationship between our kind and humanity." The second girl shook her head. She wore a long tan coat and white fur boots. Two icy blue twin tails rested on the outside of her hood and two ruby red eyes peeked through the inside. She twirled a small dagger in her hands as she walked. "Of all the places the Dark Moon could have attacked, if only it wasn't one of the Havens. So many innocent people lost their lives in those attacks. I know you'll find a way to resolve this peacefully Peorth." Her bubbly voice betrayed the serious topics she spoke of.

Peorth nodded slowly. "If there is not a way, we shall forge a path ourselves." The trio stopped at a wall and she and their male companion removed their rucksacks. The three geared themselves up in harnesses and grabbed other tools to assist them in climbing. She took out an ice axe and he handed her rope to which she tied to her harness and prepared to climb. She reached up and slammed her pick into the ice, using it to pull herself higher and grab hold of a short ledge, steadily furthering herself higher on the glacier. As she moved further along she placed ice screws within the ice along the way and tied the rope through them, furthering herself on the glacier.

The two watched at the base of the glacier, the young man in the group more uneasy than his companion.

"You know, when the big boss asked me to join you two on a peace mission with the selkis, this is not what I expected." He said.

"Are you new to ice climbing Axle?" His companion asked.

"I'm not new to it, no, but I'm awful at it." Axle replied knitting his eyebrows. "Extreme sports were always pretty much out of my league. I prefer long walks on the beach. " He shifted his gaze to her. "I assume you and the boss have done this all the time? I can see it now; Kooh and Peorth: professional simul-climbers."

Kooh laughed. "I'm the experienced one in Yggdrasil. Actually, I was the one who taught her how years ago. She was so cute her first time." She smiled as her face flushed. "I was her battle partner, her teacher, and one of her best friends for most of her life. She's surpassed me in all of it and taken things to a whole new level."

Peorth turned to the pair and signalled the next person to follow her lead.

"You go on ahead Axle. I'll belay for you."

Axle gave her one last reluctant look and followed his guild master up the glacier. Peorth continued on with skill and ease; she was well versed in ice climbing, despite the fact she was not only a guild master, but a prominent quest-goer within the guild and one of the best, if not only Warlords with a spear. Though Axle said it was not his specialty he was still able to keep a steady pace while Kooh followed the two and grabbed their equipment along the way.

Peorth soon found herself at the top and climbed her way up leaving one last belay station for her companions as she scouted out the area; she shifted her goggles to the top of her head as she scanned the area. The land alike to many others across the continent had been broken apart and levitated at differing heights. In order to proceed to their next destination, they would have to find a way upon the various pieces of land to proceed to the next glacier. Shortly after Axle reached her vantage and stood next to her as he caught his breath.

"Where do you get this stamina boss?" He asked. "You're a brick wall when we spar and you're a demon in everything else!"

She rummaged through her pack and removed a grappling hook from it. "A lady never tells her secrets." She replied in her usual calm tone.

As Kooh climbed up shortly after him she chimed, "That's our guild master!" She grabbed the last few pieces of equipment and packed them away for the time being.

"It would be best if the two of you stood a safe distance away. Using this item can be very dangerous for any bystanders." Peorth explained. The two backed away and she began to swing the hook around, throwing it towards one of the nearby platforms and latching it onto a rock. She tugged on the rope with a fair amount of force and the object seemed sturdy enough for her to climb. She placed one foot against the platform and hoisted her other foot onto it, climbing it with relative ease. She quickly reached the top and examined the others from where she stood. "The other landings are not so far that we would need to use our equipment for them. We can proceed through speed and willpower."

"Now we're in my element!" Axle enthusiastically chimed.

He quickly followed her up to the top of the platform and Kooh came last shortly after. Before them stood a multitude of platforms, varying in shape and size, some more welcoming than others. Some seemed to be coated in ice and snow, while others were rockier and unfit for the group to risk running across.

"Our short-term destination is that glacier over there. Once we arrive at the top it would be best if we set up camp and started a campfire. The days will be long and the nights will be cold, but we must persist. It may take us upwards of a week to arrive at the selki's settlement, but so long as we remain vigilant we will succeed." Peorth said.

"We've faced way worse than this boss." Axle chuckled. "If you think a mountain or two can stop this guy, I might need to become your next teacher."

"We're right behind you all the way Princess." Kooh said.

Their guild master took a reluctant glance back at the two with knit eyebrows, her face displaying a mix of dismay and confusion, nearly hidden by her typical serious expression. "My faith is yours." She drew her spear and broke into a full on sprint forward, her companions quickly following in her wake. Leaping from one platform to the next, the group quickly moved towards their next goal and eventually came to a landing that was quite a distance from the next. "Do not lose your momentum now! We must clear this jump in one attempt!" As she stormed forwards she aimed her spear at the ground and slammed it into the ice, propelling herself off of the ground and towards the landing.

Axle followed after leaping through the air and using the Blader's unique skill, the Double Blade Step. As he flew through the air he gained an extra burst of speed and launched himself forward easily clearing the gap. Kooh following in their wake last held out one hand, firing a thin jet of light that froze as it touched the ground creating an icy bridge from one side to the other.

"Over already? It was fun while it lasted." Axle groaned. He stole a glance at his companion crossing her bridge. "If you could've done that all along, it kinda defeats everything we just did. Party pooper."

She shrugged. "Should've asked."

Peorth placed her spear back in its sheath. "This may have been the first, but it certainly will not be the last we will need to clear." She said gearing up once more. "Be careful with your mana consumption Kooh. If you are to fall short, we will fall prey to the storm. Forgive me for putting this burden upon you, but I prefer asking this than asking you to fight in my stead."

"No problem Princess." She replied cheerily. "I wasn't given my title just for show." As the guild master turned away a tiny smile crept up on her lips and she began to climb the glacier.

"You…think the boss is holdin' up alright?" Axle asked with a worried expression. "She's been pretty quiet lately. More than the usual Peorth."

Kooh sighed but retained her smile. "She's hurting really badly, but as always, she won't let anyone see that side of her. Though she relies on us, she can't rely on us emotionally. I know she trusts us with her life but after everything that's happened she still carries the world on her shoulders." She laughed quietly. "Being a queen can do that to someone; on top of being responsible for her race in life and in death…"

Peorth signalled her companions to follow her lead once more and Axle prepared to climb up shortly after.

He reluctantly took a glance at Kooh, not for the sake of himself, but for her. "So what about you? What's your stake in all of this?"

She grinned. "She gave me something to live for."

Axle knit his eyebrows and turned away putting his focus back onto the task at hand to reduce the risk of falling. Once he got a reasonable distance away he called out to his last companion and she followed up last grabbing their tools along the way, and after a fair period of time the three found themselves at the top, joining in setting up camp as they arrived.

After a few hours the group's tent was properly erected and they found themselves around a warm fire eating their meal. The snow came down harder and the winds were even fiercer at their altitude, but it seemed almost as if the snow that would fall upon them would melt as it approached from an invisible sphere surrounding the three.

"Hey boss, think you can fill me in on the details of the mission again?" Axle asked.

"Did I not brief you properly on the mission Axle? Forgive me for this failure." Peorth replied earnestly.

He gestured for her not to worry about it. "That's alright boss! It was short notice anyway."

She nodded. "Please allow me to do so now then." She cleared her throat. "As you may know, our final battle draws nearer by the day, though time is precious, we have much that needs to be done. Leaving the Agasura aside, we must assemble and assist the God's Governors in the Awakening process. One of the four shrines, dedicated to the goddesses Undine and Dione, are located in the Snowfields. In order to access it, we must see the selki elder and request his assistance in removing the storm that currently prevents outsiders from approaching Xenym. It was originally my request to him many a years ago, and now I must return to undo it."

"That explains that." He placed down his bowl and patted him stomach. "That's some good stuff. Warmed me from the inside out!" His eyes wandered across the frozen landscape and he saw nothing but snow and ice as far as the eye could see. "What's up with this part of the Snowfield? Too cold for the Agasuras?" The two nodded. "Oh what a relief." He laughed uneasily. "I'd honestly take fighting Agasuras over fighting mother nature. Can't punch one of them in the face." Kooh snickered at the comment.

The guild master suggested that they rest as much as they can so they could remain on the move. Should they stay in the mountains too long, there was a very high chance that they would freeze to death. Kooh did not seem fazed at all this, but Axle was not pleased with the idea.

Over the next few days the group further trekked across vast frozen lands and climbed glaciers and mountains in order to get one step closer to their goal. By the fifth day they found themselves in a cavern upon one of the mountains. The trio huddled around a fire in an attempt to warm themselves from the brutal storms that awaited them outside.

"Feels good to finally get a break from using my mana." Kooh said with a sigh of relief.

Axle breathed into his hands and quickly shifted his gaze to her following her comment. "You don't know how much I love you right now." He said.

She held out her right hand with her fingers outstretched. "Better put a ring on it! I won't stay single forever you know."

"I wish the two of you a very happy life together." Peorth said.

"We're just kidding around!" Axle defensively retorted.

"As was I." She smiled slightly as he placed his face in the palm of his hand.

"She…she got me."

She suddenly hushed him as she placed a finger to her lips and shifted her gaze further into the cave, an area shrouded in darkness. She outstretched her free hand and a tiny sphere of light took form above it, approaching the darkness and stopping within the center of that which was in their sight. It remained stationary and levitated, lighting the area as it did. The other two rose to their feet to get a better glimpse at what waited for them and they both gave slightly perturbed expressions upon discovering it.

Kooh was the first to react. "Is that…"

Axle frowned. "It's a penguin. Wearing a scarf." Just as he had described it, a small purple penguin with large bushy yellow eyebrows and a striped scarf approached the group.

Peorth rose to her feet and drew her weapon. "That is an Agasura Axle. It is not the strongest, but it is not something to underestimate regardless. Where there is one Agasura, there will certainly be more. Even if we are to defeat it, it will certainly return as will the others." She stepped ahead of the two and pointed her spear towards the creature. This place is no longer safe; we must fight our way out and press on until we can find somewhere else to take shelter and rest."

"We'll have your back a.s.a.p. Boss. Just hold on until we get this stuff ready." He said quickly rushing to get everything they'd need packed and ready for their journey.

"Worry not for my sake. I have been trained well." Peorth rushed forward and Kooh joined him in readying their gear. As she approached the creature, it suddenly broke into a dash while remaining on the spot, suddenly dropping to its stomach and sliding towards her. She leapt as it approached and swept the ground with her spear, knocking it aside into the cave's wall. She spun the spear around her back to her other hand and impaled the creature. She placed her foot to it and pulled out the bloody spear, shifting her gaze to the oncoming group. "As I had expected, this will be over quickly."

Four approached, each of them coughing up fish bones and preparing to throw them. Peorth prepared her weapon and as they began to throw theirs, she spun her spear around and knocked them aside. She tossed her spear at the penguin leading the group and dispersed into a series of tiny spheres of light, coming together once more upon the weapon. She raised the impaled creature and spun it around, knocking two aside followed by her slamming the spear into the ground and pushing it further into the penguin.

"Peorth behind you!" Kooh shouted. Peorth stole a glance behind her as she back flipped over the penguin on her flank and noticed an icicle lodged in its stomach. The icicle suddenly burst as did the creature, launching a series of smaller pieces alongside its entrails into the others and pinning them to the walls. "Sorry you had to see that! That's one of the reasons I don't use that spell too often."

Though Peorth's expression betrayed the fact, she was perturbed by the sight as was Axle.

"You're a real killer aren't you?" He asked with a grin. "Remind me not to get on your bad side." Kooh smiled innocently as she followed behind their guild master.

The three continued on down the cave, finding themselves in various twists and turns as they proceeded to the exit. At times the ground seemed to become steeper than what they were familiar with, leading down, possibly towards the base of the mountain they had climbed.

"Something's coming. Best be ready Boss." He commented.

She nodded. "I will take point. Axle, I would like for you to cover the rear, and Kooh shall provide long range support only when it is necessary."

The sound of wolves howling caught their attention as they turned another corner and found themselves face to face with a pack of four white wolves. Axle drew his swords and Peorth readied her spear. The duo made the first move, storming their enemies with their arms at the ready; she leapt through the air and thrusted her spear towards the nearest wolf and missed it as it evaded the attack and two others stormed her flanks. Axle joined her side and blocked their fangs with both his blades, the two biting down on his swords allowing him to drag them in front of him. He kicked one aside and pulled the other to him as he raised his right hand blade, taking a swing at the beast and grazing it as it successfully evades the brunt of his attack.

While Peorth had her foot in the face of one of the wolves, she repeatedly thrusted her spear at the other in order to keep it from biting her. "This is very strange…" She muttered as she slammed the spear down causing one beast to jump back and swung it at the other, knocking it aside.

"What is?" He asked rapidly taking swings at the evading creatures.

"These creatures are not seen out of the Frozen Labyrinth. They are Instance Dungeon Agasura…could their presence here be connected to our battle with the greater Agasura?" She stomped the incapacitated wolf's face and impaled the creature, immediately turning to the other and fending it off with the shaft of her spear.

"Well I'll be damned." He found himself surrounded from in front and behind while he carefully examined the scenario. As both wolves leapt at him, he leapt above them, causing them to turn away from the other as they both leapt up to strike him down. He dashed through the air behind one of the two and twisted on his heels to impale the creature with both blades and split it down the center. "Never been there myself. Sounds…exciting."

Peorth forced the beast back and carefully eyed it as it evaded on instinct, followed by the two circling around her and her companion now standing back to back. "Is that so?" One of the two leapt at her and she stepped aside, causing it to bite Axle's buttocks.

"Sweet gods!" He cried out repeatedly bashing the creature's head with the hilt of his sword despite its persistence in hanging on. The other took the opportunity to strike him and he immediately reacted by dropping both his weapons and pinning it to the ground, breaking its neck though the other still held on. Peorth grabbed the beast by its snout and forcefully pulled it away from him, thrusting her spear into its open mouth without a second thought, tossing it aside shortly after. Axle gently massaged his buttocks as he rose to his feet. "How many Agasuras would go out of their way to bite a man's ass? I mean, it is rather tantalizing, but if they tear it off there won't be anything left for all the ladies of Jienda."

As Kooh approached she said, "You better strut that stuff while you've still got it Ax." While passing him she gave him a slap exactly where he got bitten and he cringed.

"That one's gonna cost you five thousand, K! A gigolo of this quality isn't cheap!"

The trio pressed on further into the cave and they found themselves in a predicament because of their lack of light. Peorth created another sphere that quietly levitated over her palm, but as she had told her members, if she was to try and maintain the spell, casting others would greatly increase the strain on her body, while spending even more mana; more than she could spare.

"So how did you find yourself in the Frozen Labyrinth anyway Boss? I've heard it's a pretty dangerous place, especially considering the guardian waiting at the end of it."

She occasionally shifted her gaze between the darkness before her and her companion next to her as she replied, "To the selki, it is a rite of adulthood. For us, it was a rite of acceptance into the clan. Though my mother had not performed this act, she had proven herself a worthy companion to the clan through her actions. She and the elder were very close during her stay on Jienda, short as it may have been. The first time I had visited, he told me many stories of the time they spent together and the wonderful things my mother had done." She gripped her spear tightly. "He believed that I too, had the potential to be an incredible lady like her, and though he believed in me, he sent me on the rite not for self-assurance, but to show his people that we were trustworthy. His actions were only in their best interest."

"The selki are Agasuras right? It's hard to believe that the Cerebians and the selki aren't out for each other's blood." He remarked.

"You are correct. Though they are Agasuras, they were able to see past what had brought them back to life and overcome it, freeing themselves from their desire to harm. In doing so, they taught others and have been able to form a civilization somewhere far away from the eyes of humanity; somewhere they could be safe. But mind you, not all selki have chosen this path, and those that have not will attack." Peorth's eyes wandered back to the darkness as her gaze gave off a curious, dreamy feel. "They are not the first to have broken free of this mindset; there are others, and I believe that this may be a start to ending this war, without the need for hatred and bloodshed. Someday, I pray that we can all live under the same sky in harmony, be we Man, Agasura or Cerebian."

Axle grinned. "Oh Boss…you're just a big ol' softy underneath that badass warrior-princess guild master exterior aren't 'ya?"

She reluctantly shifted her gaze to the two who beamed back at her as she muttered, "I am not a…a softy." She gestured for the others to stop as her gaze turned into a cautious glare. "Something is coming…if there have been two of the five Agasuras that could be located in the Frozen Labyrinth, that leaves two creatures of very different size…and this sound…must be a minotauros!" The sound of Peorth's voice travelled through the tunnel to where the creatures approached and the sounds of their stampeding returned back to the group. "Stand back Kooh! Axle, prepare yourself! They are approaching rapidly!"

"Now things are getting interesting." He twirled both blades in his hands and crossed them swinging them downwards as a powerful blue aura surged forth from him. "Can't let you hog all the cool moments now can I? I've got an image to keep too." She nearly stared blankly at him, but she reluctantly kept her focus on the approaching enemies.

From the darkness two pairs of enraged crimson eyes appeared, and following them the massive bodies of two minotaur creatures followed; each a solid grey with a white mane, the two bearing gigantic axes.

Axle lowered his blades as his expression lost a fair portion of its excitement. "I was expecting something big; I didn't expect something that big. Who would have thought there were two of the bastards?" He asked. The two girls both raised their hands in response. "Don't you two know what a rhetorical question is?"

"Focus Axle!" Peorth immediately responded. "These are not enemies that should be trifled with!"

"Those imposing axes of theirs agree completely with that statement." He retorted. "But this is nothing I can't handle. Allow me." He readied both his blades and immediately dashed between them in mere moments, cutting a swath in their flanks with ease. As they turned around and slammed their axes where he once was, he had already leapt onto the wall and immediately pushed himself off of it, slicing their shoulders as he descended.

"If possible cut the tendons Axle! Without their axes the minotauros will not be as dangerous!" Peorth shouted to him as she leapt up towards the left Agasura and stabbed it in the arm with her spear. It attempted to punch her to which she grabbed hold of her spear and leapt off of the arm, grabbing hold of it with her left hand and swinging back up as it hit the wall.

"You've got it Boss!" As the right minotauros attempted to punch her after its companion failed Axle leapt from its knee onto its arm and thrusted one of his blades into the arm, dragging it along as he ran towards the shoulder. The creature cried out as it flailed its arm flinging Axle from it, but not causing him to lose his balance upon landing. "They have pretty tough skin! Even if I pierce it with my blades it'll take a lot more than that to hurt 'em enough to make 'em drop those axes."

She pulled her spear out and leapt onto the other minotauros' head, rapidly taking stabs at it until it slammed the blunt end of its axe over its head in a desperate attempt to stop her. The creature stumbled forth and Axle leapt toward its arm, thrusting both his blades into its elbow crease.

"Slam dunk!" He cried out as he placed both his feet on its arm and tried to pull out the blades.

"Behind you!" Peorth shouted. He caught a glimpse of the second minotauros reaching out to grab him so he dropped the blades and fell to the ground, only to be seconds away from its hoof.

"Shit…" He muttered as he blocked his body with both arms and the hoof collided with them, throwing him back into one of the walls.

"Are you alright?" Kooh asked.

"I'm fine! A kick or two can't stop good ol' Axle! Though they've still got my swords. That really sucks." He rose to his feet tightly gripping one of his arms. "Time for round two."

"Stand back Axle! This will be very dangerous." Peorth dashed between the second Agasura's legs and leapt up towards Axle's blades; she used them as a hold to puncture the creature's arm once more with her spear and pulled herself up before it could punch her again. She held out her hand and three tiny spheres of light appeared around her, immediately firing off towards her second target, all direct hits to the head, all of them easily agitating it. It stormed towards her, raising its axe and bringing it down without a moment of hesitation, easily slicing through both of its ally's arms, lopping both off at varying lengths. Both the axe and the arms fell to the ground, the weapon still tightly gripped in its decapitated hand.

The creature roared in a combination of pain and anger as blood gushed out from both its severed arms, coating the walls, its companion and occasionally the two fighting them.

"Pbbth…gross!" Axle shouted as he spit out its blood and continued trying to pull his blades from its arms.

The creature continued crying out as it broke out into an even greater panic, running around the tunnel, slamming into walls and knocking its companion around in its frenzy. Peorth kept a watchful eye over the two as she evaded and waited for a chance to strike. Axle pulled out the blades and twirled them around cheerfully. He turned his focus to the first minotauros with its back turned and its rampaging companion, preparing himself to strike. He dashed past it once more, cutting a line in its leg and stabbing it with both blades without turning around. He began to rapidly cut the leg and the creature turned its focus to him as the other stampeded towards him.

"You're way too loud for me not to spot you." He said with a chuckle as he leapt towards the center of the Agasura.

"Axle look out!" Kooh shouted to him as he stole a glance behind him and caught a glimpse of the axe approaching.

"I'm on it!" He dashed in the air towards it and sheathed both his blades, skillfully vaulting over the axe and safely avoiding the attack.

"It was a trap!" Peorth cried out as the creature turned to him and stomped its foot causing a strange blue mist to appear and drift down as Axle lost his momentum and suddenly fell. He collapsed to the ground and attempted to rise to his feet but could not muster the strength to. Shortly after the creature kicked him aside and he was tossed towards the wall once more, painfully colliding with it and sliding down to the ground as he dropped his swords and groaned.

"Well…this is awfully…familiar." He muttered between his breaths.

The Agasura approached him raising its axe and drawing energy to it while Peorth dashed to his side with her spear at the ready. "I will not allow you this victory!" She shouted as it brought down the axe upon her spear which she blocked. Without a moment to spare it attacked again with a horizontal swing, another following it, a third, and it prepared for one last attack, the others successfully stopped by the guild master. She caught a glimpse of the second minotauros charging towards the two and she knew she could not stop them both. "I did not want to have to do this…" She held her hand out as a magic circle with the emblem of the home of the god's appeared beneath her; she spun her spear over her head and slammed it into the ground as she shouted, "Barrier Break!" Moments before the two were decapitated and crushed, a blue aura surrounded both she and Axle and surged forth, growing in size, causing both creatures to freeze in place as it passed through them. She collapsed to the ground tightly gripping her spear as she caught her breath. "Axle…you must finish this. I do not have the mana nor the stamina to do any more than this."

Axle wiped the blood running down from his head and grinned as he picked up his blades and rose to his feet. "Leave it to me Boss." He took a deep breath, then leapt towards the nearest minotauros, using its leg and arms to rise higher into the air eventually leaping from the blade of the axe to the nearest wall and jumping even higher from there. As he reached the peak of his ascent, he raised both blades above his head and began to spin down towards them as he shouted, "Wheel of Blades!" He quickly descended to the first Agasura, cutting right through its head and torso and continued on through the second, splitting it in two as he landed coming to a quick and bloody halt. "Oh for God Ah's sake…I'm covered in this shit." He said with a displeased frown as he shook his arms to get some of the blood off of him, though he was covered in it from head to toe. As he did, tiny blue spheres emerged from the two creatures like sparks and they collapsed to the ground.

"Excellent work." Peorth said as she walked towards him and gave him a nod.

"You two were really cutting it close there. I'm glad you're alright." Kooh told them with a cheerful smile.

"Physically, yes. Mentally? Not so much." Axle replied reluctantly.

"I'll fix you up right now." She held out both her hands and a deluge of water barraged him, nearly knocking him off of his feet.

"Th-thanks." He said shaking off the water this time. She placed her hands to his head and they gave off a gentle blue glow, and as she removed them the wound on his head began to close.

"Your turn Princess." She performed the same for Peorth, but it appeared from above and washed the blood from her. Afterwards Kooh took her hands and the aura she emitted appeared once more, travelling through her arms and hands to the guild master's.

"I feel much better already. Thank you very much." Peorth said. She clasped her hands together and she basked in a golden aura for a moment, completely drying her once soaked clothes.

"Restoring mana and healing wounds is just a small thing. You're both very welcome."

The three continued on through the tunnels passing by various turns, but luckily not coming across any other Agasuras as they did. The group came across a rather steep path in the cave and as they climbed the sound of the wind caught their guild master's attention.

"Do you hear that?" She asked the others.

"Yep. Sounds like we're almost out of here. If there are no Agasuras at the exit we should set up camp and set out again in the morning." Kooh suggested.

The trio arrived at the exit and began to unpack their things, building a fire and preparing to rest.

Axle uneasily stared out upon the mountains that stood before the group and sighed. "Are the Agasuras from the Frozen Labyrinth that strong normally Boss? I've seen my fair share of Instance Dungeons, but I've never come across anything like this. If these Agasuras are that powerful, do you really think we could face off with the Seven Sinners?" He asked.

Peorth was crouched down in front of the fire pit attempting to light it with flint. "The Agasura are preparing for the return of the king. At this time, they are at their strongest, and they will only become stronger upon his arrival. I believe in the Cerebians with every fibre in my body. Not for a moment will I have a doubt that we could not defeat the Seven. Their powers will carry TJ through his journey, and in doing so help him in defeating the king and his proxy. I am sure you are aware of how dangerous the missions in dispatching them will be, so I will not force you to partake in this." She replied.

"I'm not chickening out." He laughed. "I don't wanna fight them as much as the next guy, but I can't leave all the heavy lifting to Yggdrasil's ladies. Besides, if you've done so much for my family and I already, and I'm still relying on you guys. In turn I'll help you guys save the world; it's the least I could do."

Kooh laughed and Peorth nodded approvingly, lighting the fire and backing away cautiously after it caught her off guard. The trio warmed up around the fire and rested in preparation for the next few days.

For days the group continued on further climbing glaciers and mountains, travelling through mountain passes and rappelling whenever necessary. The winds and the cold were brutal but the trio remained stalwart in their travels and continued on despite this. On the tenth day they had found themselves travelling through another small mountain pass and as they came through they could barely see a small village on the outskirts of the continent.

"It seems we have finally come across our destination." Peorth said covering her face with her arm.

"Thank the stars." Axle muttered. "Any longer and I would've thrown the greatest tantrum Jienda's ever seen." He had both his hands in his pockets and his coat covering most of his face.

As the group approached they could see the citizens buzzing around the village, some stopping and staring as they discovered the three nearing their home. Each of them seemed to be wearing various animal pelts for clothes and wearing walrus skins on their heads, ones long enough that they dragged on the ground. Then the panic began; some drew weapons while waiting for them at the entrance, and others took refuge in their homes. The moment they stepped foot in the village the selkis began to point their spears and other various weapons at their unwelcome visitors.

"Drop your weapons or die where you stand!" One of them shouted.

"Do as they say." Peorth told her companions removing her spear and placing it on the ground before her. Kooh and Axle took out their dagger and blades respectively and followed suit.

The selki who made the command gestured his companions and six of them cautiously approached the group and confined them. Three others took their weapons into custody as the trio was dragged away.

"I'm not one to question your judgements Boss, but I don't like the way things are going right now. Does the selki chief usually confine and disarm his friends?"

She remained silent for a couple moments. "This is standard procedure. Not every visitor can be trusted, as scarce as they may be. I trust in his judgement."

A few minutes later the trio found themselves confined in an ice prison. Peorth reluctantly turned to her companions to meet a pair of mixed expressions. While Kooh smiled wryly, Axle wore an expression that clearly displayed his dismay on the matter.

"Forgive me…" Peorth said apologetically while bowing her head.

"I'm not mad at you Boss, but I'm not liking this scenario at all. Realistically, if we don't get an audience with the head honcho I think they're gonna gut us and wear us like those walrus. I don't wanna be someone else's hat." Axle remarked. Kooh snickered quietly and he followed suit shortly after.

"Have faith."

After another five minutes a pair of selkis entered, lead by a single tall handsome man. They entered the prison and he immediately requested that they release the three. As the trio exited, Axle cautiously inspected the elder from head to toe. He was tall, much more than any of the three, their sole male companion aside. He had long blonde hair, blue eyes and a solemn expression. He wore blue robes and remained barefoot despite the cold.

"Well…he's not as menacing as I had expected him to be." Axle said.

"Am I…not to your expectations?" He asked with a puzzled expression.

He laughed. "Actually, you're nothing like what I expected. I was thinking more along the lines of a beefcake that could crush all three of us with his abs alone. Someone who could bench press the palace like it was nothing but a thing; might have just been my wishful thinking though. You're just…a really handsome dude."

He glanced to Peorth and she nodded, which was not quite the response he was hoping for, but would likely be the closest thing he would receive from her. "I appreciate the thought." He answered. He turned to look at the group as a whole and bowed down. "My name is Jared. I am the elder of this humble village. I am familiar with the Cerebian queen, Peorth, and her trusted companion Kooh, but you are a new face. May I ask your name?"

"Call me Axle. I'm one of the princess' loyal subjects."

Peorth stole a reluctant glance at her companion once more and Kooh smiled. "Ah I see." Jared replied. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Axle. All of you shall be my honoured guests on this day. Please, join me for a meal."

He led the group through the village to one of the largest homes in the entire area; Axle looked around completely astonished by what the selkis had built from ice alone. How they had managed such a feat was beyond him, and likely his companions also, but not something the two would be questioning at the time. Jared stopped them at his door step and turned to the onlookers.

"My brethren, today we have received a visit from Asgard's very own queen. For those of you who are familiar with her from her last visit, I need not inform you of our standing on the matter, but those who have not met her she is a very good friend to me. If you see Peorth or any of her companions in the near future, please treat them with respect. For those available, I would like for you to partake in preparing a meal and a place to house our guests for their stay."

The crowd seemed reluctant about the matter, though none were quite willing to voice their opinions. One brave villager decided to call out to the Chief and question his intentions. "Elder? I have a question."

Jared acknowledged him with a nod. "What is it that you wish to know?"

The villager seemed to have mustered all of his courage to ask. "The Agasura and the Asgardians….the Cerebians…haven't they been enemies since the beginning of time? Aren't they just going to kill us?" The crowd began to join in the point shouting their thoughts on the matter and voicing their disdain.

As Jared prepared to respond to their insecurities Peorth gestured for him to stand down and approached in his place. "I understand your fears, and I appreciate your concerns, but we are not here to harm you or any of your people. Diplomacy would be our first choice whenever possible, but this is not a possibility with many of Jienda's Agasura. Just as you and I can speak here and now, there are other creatures in which we can do the same, but many that we cannot. Forcefully removing the souls of the dead from their Agasuric hosts is often times the only way to give them a moment of respite, but despite this we constantly strive towards a permanent solution. With this lofty goal in mind we have come seeking the aid of your people once more. I hope we may solve this and strengthen the ties between our races."

For nearly half a minute, Peorth's brief speech was met with silence and mixed expressions from the selkis, but soon after the silence was broken.

One of the villagers took the lead and shouted out to them, "Welcome to our village!"

Another joined in crying out, "Stay as long as you like!"

A family of three waved to the trio and said, "We'd love to have you."

Many of the other selkis joined in their cheers and invitations granting the three a feeling of acceptance.

"You could charm anyone or anything with your words alone Boss. If I wasn't on your side already I'd be sold right here and now." Axle chuckled.

"A leader must do her best to be charismatic Axle. One must do more than win battles; they must win the hearts of the people that cherish them." She replied.

Shortly after their discussion Jared took his leave with his visitors, entering the home and leading them through a couple of the halls to a small room featuring a desk and a couple of chairs. There was very little within it, save for a couple of weapons and animal pelts.

Jared sat down before the desk and stared sternly at the three. "Pray tell Peorth, what brings you so far from the human civilizations to our village?" He asked.

"I wish for you to dispel the storm currently blocking the path to the ruins of Xenym. I am sure that you are aware of it, but the Agasura king is threatening our worlds with his return, and in order to stop him we must awaken the God's Governors." Peorth replied.

He nodded solemnly. "I am aware of this fact, yes. But as I am now, I am unable to undo the spell that I have once created."

"What?" She was genuinely shocked by the fact.

He clasped his hands together as his expression became sullen. "As aware of his return as you are, I am. The Agasura from the past generations…those who were originally under him have been afflicted by his curse, and by the day grow bloodthirsty. I am no exception to this fact." He intertwined his fingers as he rested his forehead upon them. "For this reason…because of this reason, my precious daughters have slipped away from me."

"If there is something we can do to help you, it would be our honour."

He smiled slightly. "My youngest daughter, Choky, had wandered away from the village many months ago, and we have all been worried about her. Though I put the utmost faith in my people, I do not seek conflict with humanity, and their disdain towards the race will only lead to bloodshed upon both sides. With this thought in mind I had sent my elder daughter Misty to find her. Despite her disposition towards humanity, she is one of the precious few that were able to escape the Agasura king's dominion. She knows my views and she respects them, so she will not attack the humans needlessly. If you could safely bring the two back, they could perform the task for you without risking the consequences of falling prey to the king."

"So basically if you use your magic, get into battles or come across humans, you might be susceptible to the Agasura king's dominion? Though I am curious, does Misty dislike humanity because of the preconceived knowledge on the discord between the races? Or is there a personal reason?" Kooh asked.

He nodded. "That is correct. As for your question, I believe it is safe to say that it is a personal reason. Misty believes that the humans were responsible for the death of her mother."

"Eep! Didn't realize it was that personal! Sorry…"

He smiled gently. "It is in the past now. Though, despite what Misty believes it is not the truth. Though she was too young to remember it, she was slain by our people." He lowered his eyes. "I fell in love with a human, and to leave her in the company of my people who were not ready to accept her was my greatest mistake. I could not choose between my people and my family; both needed me, but I could only have protected one of the two. My decision has been reflected upon my daughters, and the scars they bear for it show. I will not sacrifice anything further, because I will find a way to hold onto that which I hold dear."

"You show 'em Elder." Axle cheered with a raised fist.

Kooh rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I understand now. So about these daughters of yours…your youngest, Choky? I might have seen her. Correct me if I'm wrong but she looked a lot like you…blue eyes, blonde hair?" He nodded. "About this high…" She placed her hand at a certain height and continued nonetheless, "white dress, little red fanny pouch with a red belt? Child-sized white walrus skin and a stick?" He nodded again.

"That is her exactly."

Axle cautiously glared at Kooh from Peorth's left flank. "Kooh…have you been kidnapping young selki girls?" He asked.

"I wish!" She excitedly answered. "I wanna take her home and make her my little sister!"

Jared disregarded the comment. "Where did you last see her? Do you remember?"

Kooh smiled. "Yep. She was standing outside of the Racoon Hot Springs in the Soprano Snowfield. She looked like she wanted to go inside, but when I offered she refused. After realizing she was a selki, I thought she was a peace ambassador." She and Axle broke out into laughter for a brief period while the other two stared blankly at them. "A-anyway…" She stifled any further outbursts. "I've heard from some of the other guild members recently that they saw a cute little girl around there. She's likely still in the general area, so if we go now finding her should be easy."

"I have also caught word of sightings of Misty in the Refrize Snowfields. I had my doubts on the matter, but if you believe they may be your daughters, I shall set them aside and investigate the matter with my guild." Peorth said.

Though his expression was rather worn out it did not detract anything from his radiant smile. "You are as kind as Remedi was Queen Peorth. You truly are her heir." Jared replied.

Peorth's face flushed slightly as she averted her gaze. "I still have much to learn from Mother, but someday I wish to walk side by side with her."

After their conversation many of the selkis from the village delivered various dishes, often consisting of fish that could be found in the frozen waters just off the coast of their village, and meat from their hunts. The tribe had various ways of preparing their meals and the group was eager to dig in. Some were prepared raw, others cooked to varying degrees; the meal as a whole various delicacies amidst their kind. Once they had finished their meals Jared asked his villagers where the three could stay and the two girls and Axle were taken under two different homes.

Peorth and Kooh found themselves sharing a small room featuring two beds made of solid ice; they were as comfortable as one would expect, but they were not ones to turn down the generosity of their hosts. The blankets they had prepared from animal pelts would likely keep them warm through the night. While the guild master removed her glasses and set them aside, her partner had lay back looking toward the ceiling.

"Are you still worried about him Princess?" Kooh asked.

"What do you mean?" Peorth responded with a puzzled look.

"TJ. You're worried about how he's doing since he hasn't woken up yet right?"

She blinked. "I worry for the sake of all of my people the same. No more would I worry for his sake as I would for yours, regardless of the scenario."

Kooh smiled. "That's such a 'you' thing to say. But you don't need to worry. He's a tough cookie! He's survived three or four encounters with Choen Palm and all sorts of other Agasuras. He'll wake up and we'll win this war, with everyone."

The guild master remained silent for a couple of moments, but eventually chuckled as she lay down too. "You are in a league of your own Kooh." She smiled slightly. "I admire that about you."

The following day the trio and Jared stood outside of the Chieftain's home as they made their final preparations for departure.

"Forgive me for asking such a thing of you. Travelling through the Snowfields is no easy feat, and adding to that fact our warding spells, it only becomes more difficult. Once you locate Misty, she should also be able to dispel anything preventing your return to greatly reduce the time you must travel. Though I must admit, she is a very stubborn girl. Regardless of what you may say, she may see you as an enemy, so fight her if you must, but I ask that you return her alive. If she is not severely wounded, I would be greatly in your debt."

"It shall be done Elder. We shall do everything in our power to bring your daughters back safely. I can assure you, I have the utmost faith in my guild members, and you may place yours in them too." Peorth responded.

"That's a tall order Boss." Axle snickered. "No pressure huh?" He crossed his arms. "Say, what did you do with your Warp Crystal? That thing would be pretty convenient right about now. It could take us right to the Refrize Snowfield."

Peorth rummaged through her rucksack and drew the familiar item; the small spherical crystal surrounded by a set of horizontal shards of topaz. "Though I had exhausted the energy within it, it is now recharged. This was not my doing." She commented.

"Surprise!" Kooh shouted.

"Where did you find a charger Kooh? There has been a severe drought of the item recently since many have been leaving Elias. How did you locate one of them?"

Kooh grinned. "There's nothing I can't do for the sake of our guild."

"I appreciate your efforts. Your diligence truly is paramount to our success."

"Before you leave, take these with you, I insist." Jared said. He quickly entered his house and returned with three pelts. "Our village's tailors had prepared these for your journey. Our lack of a need for warmth does not give them many opportunities to make such articles of clothing. They hoped that these will keep you warm."

Peorth accepted them and distributed them to her companions. "Please give them our regards." She nodded to the two. "We shall be setting out now Elder. Until we meet again."

"Safe travels, Cerebians." He waved to them as the three reached out to the crystal levitating in the guild master's hand and disappeared in a bright flash of light emitted from it.

The trio found themselves at the foot of an Iris Stone in the Refrize Snowfield. Standing upon the stone's pedestal they could see the entire area at a glance. The footholds beneath them like pillars, housing the grey beetle g and the fluffy pink creatures Peorth and TJ saw at the Elias anniversary festival called shaggies.

"Any sign of Misty?" Axle asked as he scanned the area himself.

"Nothin' so far. I can't feel her presence either." Kooh answered. "Let's go find Choky first. Where one is, the other's likely nearby. And if they can sense each other they might just lead us to the other."

"I am in agreement with this plan. The Soprano Snowfields are not far. Remain vigilant you two; we cannot afford to estimate the Agasura, especially those so close to the Frozen Labyrinth." Peorth said. The two nodded in response. "Let us begin."

Lead by the guild master the trio leapt from the pedestal and quickly sprinted across the platform beneath them. Leaping across a small gap they came across a flatland that lead towards another series of footholds, on one side and lower in height, what seemed to be a manmade building; the other at the highest point in the Soprano Snowfield, a mystical frozen gate with a swirling energy within it.

"Axle, search the lower and middle sections of the Snowfield. Kooh, you will search the gate and the surrounding area. I will check the hot springs. Be careful what abilities you use in this area. Remember that humans often come through here, so we must conceal our irregular spells and appearances."

Kooh nodded and immediately made her way towards the nearest ladder while Axle headed in another direction. Peorth was not far behind her female companion but diverted from her shortly after and made her way to the hot springs, stealing a glance at the entrance and entering the women's bath shortly after.

As Axle walked the snow began to fall harder than it had before. The winds became intense and nearly pushed him down as he waded through the ever-growing snow.

"The heck did I wander into? Take one step off the main path and you nearly get buried by snow! That kid is probably neck-deep in this stuff by now…" He groaned. "The sooner I get her out of here the better." He tightly gripped the coat he was given to stay as warm as he possibly could. As he walked he caught a glimpse of someone standing alongside a child in the snowstorm. With how much it poured down upon him, his vision was blurred and he could not make out their faces, but he had a feeling that someone had found Choky and brought her back to the Soprano Snowfield. "Hey! Boss! Kooh! I found the kid! She's over here with this lady! Let's get her and go find the big sis!"

Axle continued on through the snow despite how difficult it was. He found it odd that the lady with the child did not approach so the two could return to the Snowfield, but he felt she had likely been travelling for quite some time to have been as far as she was at that point. As he neared her he could make out her features; long violet haired tied in a ponytail and kind blue eyes. She wore a light blue kimono, a pink obi and a white shawl. Next to her was Choky, exactly as Kooh had described her.

"Hey Miss! Did you wind up out here searching for that kid? We were looking for her too, and her sister. Come with me and I'll take you out of this snowstorm. At this rate, we'll wind up as popsicles!" He called out to her. As he approached the young lady gestured for Choky to take his hand and Axle reached out to her.

"Hold it right there Axle!" Peorth's voice called out from the storm.

As he turned to the sound of her a spear drifted right past his head and collided with the lost lady, followed by Peorth materializing between them upon the spear. Both she and her spear gave off a radiant glow as she pulled the spear out of her adversary's face and kicked her down, thrusting her spear into her again as an intense heat emerged from around the weapon.

"Boss that's a person you're killing!" Axle shouted rather intimidated by her sudden attack. "You nearly took me down with her too!"

As she pulled her spear away she placed it upright by her and shook her head. "That was no person Axle. She was an Agasura."

"Seriously? Then what about-" He stole a glance at the child's hand he was about to take and found nothing in her place. He turned his focus back to the lady and discovered water upon the snow and a kimono being reduced to nothing but snowflakes. He placed one hand to his forehead and shook his head. "I don't get it…something like this never happened before. I've been here before, but the ice ladies never acted like this. I can't believe I was nearly tricked by one! I couldn't even tell she was an Agasura…"

"It is not your fault." Peorth responded. The snow began to clear up as they spoke and the rest of the Soprano Snowfield became visible. "Another effect of the dominion. The snow that fell around here dulled your senses, preventing you from sensing her Agasuric energy. If I had not used the Radiance spell, I too would have likely fallen into the trap."

He clenched his fists and sighed with relief. "Well it's a damn good thing you're here or I'd probably be an ice sculpture. Thanks."

"That is what friends are for."

As they walked back to where they began a sudden gust of wind stopped them in their tracks as the snow was sent aflutter all around them; as it began to clear up they saw Kooh with Choky beneath her shoulder.

"Do it again!" The young girl excitedly cried out as she was put down.

"Sorry kiddo, but you only get one ride." She replied. She turned to her guild mates and flashed them a victorious grin with a peace sign. "One down, one to go!"

"That's what I'm talking about!" Axle said with a fist pump.

"Wonderful. Let us begin our next search." Peorth said.

The trio returned to the Refrize Snowfields and scattered themselves amidst the various levels as they all tried to find Misty. After nearly a half hour passed the team found themselves at a standstill, not sensing the presence or even catching a glimpse of the elder selki.

"This is starting to get a tad tiring." Kooh muttered. "Choky, you wouldn't happen to know where your sister is, would you?"

The young selki looked at her and blinked twice. "She said if I ever get lost, that I should whistle and she'll find me."

She smiled wryly. "If only I asked sooner." She requested that Choky perform the action, and the young selki did as she was asked.

Merely moments after the whistling died down, a series of snowflakes and powerful gusts rushed into the area and began to gather around one place creating a barrier. All at once it had dispersed and in the center of it stood Misty. She stood taller than the other girls, but was still shorter than Axle. Alike to her sister, she had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes; she wore a red tube top with shimmering golden patters and a matching short skirt, with a large blue walrus skin resting upon her head. She also carried a spear in her right hand.

"Choky? Choky where are you?!" Misty cried out upon her arrival while she searched the area for her sister.

"I'm right here!" Choky replied waving to her from Kooh's side.

"Humans!" She snarled. "Get away from her!"

"Please wait a moment Misty! You're misund-" Before Peorth could finish her sentence two adventurers approached from the bridge connecting Elias to the Snowfields.

"That's the Agasura the girl at the Fight Arena wanted us to hunt." A young gunslinger boy said, pointing at Misty.

"Looks like we've got competition for the mark." His companion said. Another boy, wielding dual blades.

"An ambush? You humans are as cowardly as you are numerous! If I have to fight you all off to get Choky back then I will!" Misty roared.

Axle frowned. "We're not even-oh screw it." He muttered. "Can this get any worse?" He shifted his gaze to Peorth. "What's the good word Boss?"

She drew her spear. "Kooh, take Choky somewhere safe. Until that task is fulfilled, I need you to hold the adventurers back. I will deal with Misty." She replied.

"What's the catch?"

"I wish for you to defeat them without killing them. If you can defeat them without wounding them, you will have my thanks."

He drew both his blades and cracked his neck in three different places. "Heh…that's too bad. I was gonna get serious on 'em." He grinned. "But I'll get the job done."

She nodded to him and the two rushed their enemies, Peorth taking the lead, clashing weapons with Misty. "There is no need for us to fight, Misty. I have met with your father and he asked us to bring your sister along with you back to the village, so I beg of you, cease and desist!"

"All humans are liars! I didn't trust you before and I don't plan on trusting you now! Return my sister to me!" She forced Peorth back and with a wave of her hand forced an icy gust towards her.

She blocked the attack and her spear gained an icy aura. "If I must I will use force, but fighting us will solve nothing! I do not wish to harm you!" Peorth stormed towards her again, but rather than using the spearhead of her weapon to impale Misty she swung the spear and attempted to hit her with the blunt edges. Her slow swings were easily blocked and her opponent took jabs in between attacks.

"Your actions and your words tell a different story human! I won't be fooled by you!" Misty parried Peorth's attack and took three jabs at her, all which she easily blocked.

"Your judgements will not be clouded when you remember who I am!"

Nearby Axle rushed the gunslinger and he fearfully backed away as Axle attacked him with the blunt side of both of his swords, pressuring him towards the cliff with rapid attacks.

"Will you-stop already?! Are you trying to kill me?!" He asked furthering himself from his enemy.

"Not at all, but I do plan on keeping you occupied. If you haul ass and leave us to our business nobody has to get hurt." Axle said calmly with a grin, despite the fact he was still assaulting the gunslinger.

"Gimme a hand over here Roy! This guy will kill me before we can get that selki! I value my life more than I value that stupid bounty!" The gunslinger shouted.

His companion stopped in his tracks as he was approaching Misty and turned towards the two. "Just shoot him and get it over with already! Say it was a casualty of the quest or something! We don't get a bounty this good everyd-whoa!" Before he knew it Axle was in his face with both of their blades in a deadlock.

"What was that? Did you just tell your friend to murder me?" He forced the blader back and laughed wolfishly. "Now you've scored yourself a place in my hit list! I dare you! Go ahead and try to kill me! Give me a reason to stop holding back so I can cut both of you down!"

"Axle!" Peorth shouted while she was forced back by Misty and was attacked with a series of icicles.

"I was just kidding Boss!" He leapt towards Roy and let his opponent make the first attack, matching him, swing for swing using the exact same motions but superior force and speed to parry every attack.

"Gimme some covering fire here!" Roy cried out to his ally.

"I-I'm on it!" The gunslinger shouted back, aiming at Axle and firing off a couple of shots.

"Try not to him me, thanks!" The blader shouted again.

Roy sidestepped, allowing his ally a clear shot at their enemy while narrowing the battlefield. An onslaught of bullets approached Axle and he stopped his attacks, raising his blades above his head and bringing them down, releasing an aura exactly alike to the one he created earlier. As if he became an apparition he moved while striking his opponent and avoiding every single bullet as if almost naturally. Their blades constantly clashed and Roy quickly lost his grip on his weapons as his palms became sweaty. With one final swing Axle knocked both blades out of his hands and knocked him aside with the blunt side of his sword.

A wolfish grin spread across his face as he turned a demonic glare towards the gunslinger and began to walk towards him laughing. The gunslinger cowered in fear, backing away and firing as he did, but not a single shot could hit Axle.

Like a dance the selki and the guild master fought, their weapons clashing as they kicked up snow in their wake. Peorth leapt at Misty and slammed the ground as the selki jumped aside and attempted to stab her in turn, missing the attack as the guild master dropped to the ground and tripped her shortly after. The moment Misty touched the ground an icy wind blew and forced Peorth back while putting the elder selki back on her feet.

"Impressive." Peorth said as she readied her weapon and returned to the fray.

As she approached she performed a small jump and as she slid towards Misty she spun unleashing a series of rapid attacks putting her target on the defensive. When she came to a halt she swung upwards, pulling her target off the ground as she leapt towards her with an overhand swing. Misty held out her hand and forced Peorth back towards the ground with another gust; as she hit the ground and slid backwards, a series of icicles pierced the snow in her wake and she narrowly saved herself by blocking them with her arm. She tightly gripped the icicles lodged within and ripped them out, dripping her blood into the snow. She swiped her spear across the floor creating another cloud of snow and quickly healed the open wounds, temporarily closing them, but not properly treating them.

Axle now with his weapons in their sheaths fought the gunslinger alone, still dodging the bullets aimed at him and punching him in response.

"Is this the best you can do? You're putting yourself and your friend in unnecessary danger." One the gunslinger's guns were now pointed at his face and was fired off immediately without a second thought, but it only pierced the air. Axle winded the boy with his knee and punched him aside with the back of his right fist as he approached him with both hands now in his pockets. "You don't know who or what you're up against, and you I think it's better that you don't know. So quit while you're not ahead."

"What do you know about us?!" The gunslinger said storming towards Axle and attempting to punch him but only being caught in the act. After having his hand grabbed he twisted his wrist and pointed the gun at Axle's head, only to fire it off and miss as he tilted it slightly allowing him to avoid the shot.

"I know that you're nowhere near ready to fight me," He slammed his head into the gunslinger's causing him to reel back in pain, "and probably not ready to fight her either." He stomped the ground with one foot and took a step forward, slamming his adversary against the snow.

"Idiot." The boy said pointing his gun up at Axle and missing again as he stepped aside into a trap.

The once disarmed blader leapt through the air towards him and had his weapon in position for decapitating their mark. Seconds before he could cut Axle's head off a multitude of hailstones rained down upon him and pushed him to the ground.

"You sure took your time Kooh. Shouldn't have taken you that long to put the girl at the Iris Stone." Axle said with a grin.

"I wanted to enjoy the fight for a bit longer. You did well handling both of them for that long though. Promise me you won't get your head cut off next time?" She remarked.

"I could handle these small-fry without a scratch. It'd be over in thirty seconds if Peorth let me get serious." The gunslinger leapt to his feet and began to fire shots at the two. Both leapt aside and Kooh raised a cloud of snow with a sweep of her foot, from it Axle leapt out and knocked the gunslinger aside with one of his blades. "This one's all yours. Been a while since I got the chance to fight another blader."

She emerged from the remaining snowflakes with knit eyebrows. "You…you don't actually wanna fight me, do you?"

He rose to his feet despite how bruised he was and wiped the blood away from his mouth. "Don't you underestimate me!"

Peorth took the offensive, rushing Misty with a series of attacks; after discovering that she had the capability to easily block and parry her slower attacks, she had decided to stop holding back to such a degree and started taking jabs at the selki. Without targeting any places that could be fatal she took three stabs and on the third retreated as Misty stomped the ground and icicles emerged from it, nearly impaling the guild master.

"You're really starting to annoy me!" She snarled, causing the wind to gather around the area, every gust like an icy whiplash.

"I must put an end to this soon…" Peorth muttered as she approached again, fighting off a storm of icicles and the icy winds that carried them.

The moment she was close enough to hit her with her fists she rose into the air with an upward stab and descended with a kick, being caught mid-air and tossed aside. Not letting it hold her back she rushed her target again with a short leap followed by three rapid stabs and a spin, all of which were blocked while the last was leapt over.

"I've had enough of you!" Roy shouted as Axle twirled his blades in a challenging manner. "I was saving this for the selki but I think you've earned it!" Axle sheathed his blades and began to dance around in a mocking manner. He crossed his blades and swung them to his sides. "Power Overdrive!"

"A blader who specializes in power huh? Now my interest is peaked." Axle said with a grin, gesturing for his enemy to approach as he armed himself. The two rushed each other and Axle began his onslaught, keeping Roy on the defensive. His enemy focused solely on the defensive and Axle knew he was wasting more stamina in trying to tire out his enemy rather than wound him, so he reduced the amount of attacks he made.

"Got you now!" Roy said suddenly shifting his style to an offensive stance. Axle took the defensive this time, but every single swing weighed down on him and he knew in terms of raw might he would lose the battle, especially against a blader using the Power Overdrive skill. He blocked the next incoming attack with both blades and slipped out of his target's range immediately after.

"I won't rest-" Before he could even get proper footing Roy continued to press him and he continued despite the circumstances, "-until I get that icy princess to say thanks for being awesome!" Axle began to dodge around his enemy's attacks but he knew he could only get so much footing before he was trapped. He stole a glance at Peorth's battle and the two remained at fairly even grounds; Kooh on the other hand seemed to be toying with the gunslinger, clearly holding back as she only attacked him with basic water wizard skills. He began to inch his way closer to her while narrowly avoiding Roy's attacks.

The gunslinger kept constant fire on Kooh but he could not keep up with her movements. Every step she had taken was almost as if she were skating on the snow, making her movements quick and sporadic. He continued firing in a desperate attempt to predict where she would be next but she proved him wrong each time, and with every failure he would be bombarded with chunks of ice and hailstones. As she moved she would occasionally smile, and this annoyed him even more.

"We're not getting anywhere with these two Roy! Let's just get what we came for and get the hell out of here!" The gunslinger shouted to his companion who was drawing nearer by the second.

"I've got this guy on the ropes! Once I take him down I'll help you fight her!" Roy replied.

"Forget that! Let's just go with the original plan! Now's our best chance!" The gunslinger took a deep breather and charged towards Kooh. She smiled and twirled her dagger in her fingers until she tossed it up into the air and grabbed hold as she skated towards him and turned her dash into a rising spin. As she prepared to disarm her mark he stopped suddenly and turned away from her, performing a back flip and easily surpassing the height she had reached as his guns emitted a bright light and transformed into two massive crimson handguns as he shouted, "Mobile Defense!" He fired a single shot from each gun and a string of lightning trailed behind the two as they zipped towards her. She held both her arms out and blocked the shot using a barrier that quickly faded shortly after the shots collided with it.

"That was close…" She muttered. "Oh! Axle!"

The gunslinger landed behind his companion and as Axle sidestepped to avoid falling from the landing they stood on, he had ran right into a charged attacked by him. A powerful gust of wind forced him off of the cliff and he narrowly managed to hang on by grasping the edge. One of his blades fell into the snow below and his grip on the cliff was rapidly slipping.

"Hang on Axle, I'm coming!" Kooh shouted as she rushed over to him.

"Forget about me just stop those two!" He roared, knowing well that he could not hang on for long. "If they get to Misty we can kiss our world goodbye!"

"If it's a world where I have to leave my companions behind than it's not one that I wanna be a part of! You can't just die to guys like these!"

As she rushed to Axle's side Roy stormed Misty who seemed to be preparing a powerful attack. Holding both hands above her head, a large sphere of snow and wind was gathering and Peorth stood a safe distance away with her spear tightly planted in the ground so she was not pulled into the spell.

Her eyes immediately darted to the approaching blader and she shouted, "Stop where you are! That spell is much too dangerous!"

"Hell no!" Roy snarled as he leapt towards Misty just as she caught a glimpse of him soaring towards her. She lowered her hands to both of her flanks as he entered the range of her spell and a massive barrier of snow and ice emerged from all around her, severely wounding him and launching him away from where they now stood to the crevice between the Snowfields and Elias.

As Kooh helped Axle back up she watched the results of the battle unfold and saw Roy being launched away from them. "Oh no…"

"You have to save him Kooh!" Axle shouted.

"But I-"

"There's no time for buts! Peorth and I will handle things here, just go!"

She turned to him and nodded, clasping her hands together as she lowered her head. A magic circle with Yggdrasil's herald appeared beneath her as two wings spread out from her back and she prepared herself to go after Roy. Without a second thought she launched herself from the spot and shot after the young blader with incredible speed, following his unconscious body as it fell into the fissure.

"What the hell was that…?" The gunslinger muttered, still catching his breath from the last attack while doubled over where he had attacked Axle. The moment he noticed him, he was knocked out by the hilt of Axle's sword and hauled over his shoulder.

He sighed as his gaze shifted to the last battle that continued.

"Two down so there are only three humans left…" Misty laughed. "You're not so tough when you're up against powerful spells. Now that I have your weakness I'll end this!" She held one hand out and the sphere appeared again, followed by her raising her hands above her head again to prepare the spell. "You won't be able to escape this one."

"It was irresponsible of me to let those two get involved, and even more so to let them get wounded in the process of our battle. I will not hesitate any longer. The next attack will decide this." Peorth charged towards the selki and her laughing caught her attention but did not stop her approach. Just before Peorth stepped in her spell's range, she unleashed it and the barrier emerged from all around her. The guild master stopped and leapt back before she was caught in it, and continued to move away as the spell grew and nearly pulled her in. "A prolonged version of it? At this rate we'll only be dragged in…" She closed her eyes.

Regardless of the attack she used, she would not be able to get in without being severely wounded, and the more time she spent considering her options the bigger it grew, increasing the risks of her forcing her way in. If she attempted to use her spell 'Broken Wings' to teleport to her spear, it would only be blown away by the gusts. The spell covered every possible angle that she could enter from and using magic may harm Misty; especially using the Cerebian's magic and the Agasura's bane, the Divine Arts. Without it she may fail to stop Misty and only prolong the battle to a point where the others would be at risk also. She needed a way in, that would not get her pulled into the storm, and after the thought the realization dawned upon her.

She placed her spear upright before her as she closed her eyes and channeled her mana. A magic circle appeared beneath her, this time featuring the eye of providence and runic writings within it. She opened her eyes as she sheathed her spear and held out an open palm. "Release, Memorius Sanctum!" She shouted. A beautiful gilded tome appeared in her hand and flipped open, flickering through the pages to one with a series of brightly lit characters written in an ancient text. As it did a powerful blue aura surrounded her and her hair turned white as snow. From her back two wings emerged, much smaller than they were in the Kimara Research Laboratory, but not enough to prevent her from taking flight. As she reached the peak of her ascent, the tome disappeared and she drew her spear, diving downwards, her weapon emitting a powerful light and an intense heat, allowing her to force it into the rock and submerge herself underground.

Merely seconds after her disappearance she emerged within Misty's barrier and grabbed hold of the selki as she disarmed her own weapon, the two emerging through the snow as the spell lost effect.

"Humans…with wings?" Misty murmured as the two ascended.

"You still have much to learn, and even more to remember." Peorth responded. As she continued her ascent she began to chant, "Paragon of might, protector of humanity; god of thunder and hallowing, I call upon an ounce of your strength to end this battle! Lend me the power to level mountains!" As she said this the two shot down towards the ground like lightning and crashed into it. "Mjölnir!" As Peorth said this, her entire body began to emit an incredibly powerful electric surge that electrocuted Misty as she did. When the spell came to an end, she let the selki go and her hair returned to its regular colour, albeit how frizzy it had become from the electricity.

"Boss…you didn't just kill her did you? I haven't seen a spell that powerful in some time." Axle said staring down at the unconscious or possibly dead Misty.

"She is not dead." Peorth replied patting her hair down. "Though I used Mjölnir, I had greatly reduced the mana output in it, therefore greatly reducing how harmful it could be so it would only place her in an unconscious state. Had I used a spell that was too weak, she would likely have retaliated. Despite the fact that she was able to escape the dominion's negative effects, she, like all other Agasuras is still stronger. We cannot afford to underestimate our enemies any more than we already have." She looked down at Misty and sighed. "I hope that we will be able to clear up the misunderstandings when she wakes." She began her attempts to tame her hair again. "I do not enjoy this."

"Guess that explains how you got the nickname 'Electric Princess Peorth' huh?"

"Axle," She gave him the usual stare, but the intensity in it was much higher than it normally would be. He could feel her silent anger every second her gaze remained on him. "It would be best if you forgot that nickname before I find the need to use Mjölnir a second time."

He smiled wryly. "Consider it forgotten."

Kooh soon returned with Roy beneath her arm, and her wings disappeared the moment she landed.

"What is the state of his condition?" Peorth asked as she quickly examined the body.

"No severe wounds, and nothing fatal. He was knocked out by the blunt force trauma to the head by a chunk of ice, and he did get a couple of cuts from the icicles but it's nothing I can't fix." She looked alarmed for a moment after catching a glimpse of the defeated selki. "You guys fried Misty. What happened?"

Axle grinned. "Peorth annihilated her with a prayer. Talk about overkill."

"As long as she's still kicking maybe Jared won't have the three of us skinned." She laughed. "So what do you wanna do with these guys Princess?"

Peorth rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Take the warp crystal and bring them to the hospital. If possible, request Dr. Laurent. Anything they have seen, he will convince them it never happened." She replied. "I shall wait for you here with the girls."

After a short period the two returned to the Refrize Snowfields and beneath the Iris Stone Peorth sat with Choky and Misty.

"Well that's that. We grabbed some supplies while we were there for the return trip." Kooh said.

"Excellent. Will you do the honours Axle?" He gave her a puzzled stare and she pointed to the unconscious Misty.

As the three walked Axle's grumbling carried them through the cold. Peorth crossed her arms as she examined the path that they had originally took, and the others that were closed off because of the intense snow.

"I know this may be a hefty request, but I would like to know regardless; Choky, are you versed in the Arcane Arts?"

The young girl tilted her head with a blank expression and Peorth stared blankly back at her.

Kooh laughed. "She means do you know how to use magic?" She asked.

"Uh huh." The young selki replied with a nod.

"Great. To get you and your big sister home faster, we'd need to take this path, but because of all the snow and wind it's not safe to go through. Think you could calm down these storms?"

"I'll try my best." The girl held out both hands and focused as best as she could, channeling incredulous amounts of mana from the surrounding area to her, to create a series of magic circles featuring the symbol of the Arcane. As they began to fade the storm eased and the path became much safer for the group to traverse.

"You're a natural!" Kooh excitedly said.

"Your assistance is much appreciated." Peorth said.

"Where's my thanks?" Axle asked with a frown. "I'm gonna induct all of you into my harem for all of my services." He muttered. "Except the kid. She's gonna have to wait until she's much older."

Kooh laughed. "Hope you can show three girls a good time Ax."

After a couple of hours Misty woke up, and they let Choky explain the situation first; after hearing what her younger sister had to say, Peorth said her part and was sure to include the fact that humans do not have wings. Her guild mates found it rather incredible that she went to such lengths to stress the point, though Misty did apologize for her actions. The guild master had to assure her that she would not receive the death penalty for attacking her. The two had a wonderful time with Kooh as she attempted to fix their hairstyles after they had both been shocked right out of them.

They progressed through the Snowfields at a much more rapid pace, leaving aside the need for mountain and glacier climbing, mostly passing through flatlands(as flat as a place could be in Jienda), occasionally setting up camp and resting before they continued their journey. After a couple of days of travelling the group had returned to the selki village and were welcomed with open arms, congratulations and music. The people celebrated with food and dances, and though they insisted Peorth join in too, she remained with Jared and his daughters as they reunited with each other.

"Choky, Misty…I am so glad to have you girls back…" The Chieftain was nearly on the verge of tears as he hugged both of his daughters.

"Sorry for being away so long Father…maybe I'm not as responsible as I thought I was. I don't think I'm ready to really be around humans…let alone leave the village." Misty muttered.

He smiled. "You do not have to go anywhere. You two are the treasures of this village, and without you it would not be complete. Promise me you won't wander off like that again."

"We promise." The two said.

He turned to Peorth. "I cannot thank you enough Queen Peorth. Without your help I may have never seen my daughters again, and they mean the world to me. I can only wish that I could share even a fraction of my joy with you. I owe you an immeasurable debt."

"Think nothing of it Chieftain. You were kind to my mother in her time, and even now you and your daughters are assisting me in my journey. What you have done for us so far is more than I could ever ask for." She looked to the crowd as she caught a glimpse of Axle dancing amidst the selkis. "There may come a time again where I or my members may need your assistance again. It may even be the next generation of Cerebians…" She crossed her arms. "I hope that we can create a new world for the next generation; one where we can all be more than just allies, but friends under the same sky."

"If it is your family, I know that you could accomplish it."

Peorth nodded proudly but her expression showed a few hints of happiness within it. Her guild badge began to shine and she requested that she be excused for a moment.

[Guild]Peorth: Who wished to speak to me?

[Guild]Amu: Chief? It's Amu. If you can, you should return to Elias as soon as possible.

[Guild]Peorth: Is there an emergency? Have there been more attacks?

[Guild]Amu: It's good news this time around. TJ is finally starting to regain consciousness. The side effects of his mana poisoning are wearing off!

[Guild]Peorth: We will be there very shortly.

Peorth tapped her guild badge and the light it emitted faded. She walked towards the crowd and called out to her guild members. "Kooh! Axle! It is time to return!"

"Whaaaaat? Already?" Axle asked as he approached. "It was getting good though."

Kooh emerged from within the crowd and smiled. "Did something good happen Princess?"

"Nothing worth noting." She replied nonchalantly.

"Your face says otherwise." She sneered.

"What do you me-" Before Peorth finished her question Kooh clasped her hands together and formed a small sheet of ice like a mirror. "Ah…I see." After looking into it she could see that her cheeks were flushed and she was smiling slightly. "How shameful." She returned to Jared and his family and gave him an acknowledging nod. "We thank you for your hospitality Elder. I pray that our paths cross again in the near future. It would be a pleasure to see you again."

"Your family and your people will always be welcome guests in this village Queen Peorth. I wish you safe travels." Jared replied with a smile.

As Peorth drew her warp crystal Misty approached and said, "Hey you…" Peorth turned to her with a puzzled look and her face flushed. "I ju-just wanted to say thanks…for finding my sister. And helping us get home. I'm sorry that I attacked you and I forgot what you looked like...and called you humans too."

"Think nothing of it. God Ah had made us all this way; our imperfections are only more similarities between Cerebian, man and Agasura. Be well." The three reached out to the warp crystal and prepared to teleport as the selkies shouted their goodbyes.

After arriving in Elias in the dead of night, Peorth looked upon the city and her guild members shortly after.

"Our battle officially begins now. I hope you two will stand by me right until the very end." She said.

"I'm not going anywhere until I get you to confess how awesome I am." Axle said with a grin.

"No matter how big you get, I'll always be your guardian Princess." Kooh said.

She crossed her arms and nodded. "The powerful bonds we have forged are what will carry us through this war. I will be counting on you two in the near future also." They both grinned. "Yggdrasil, dismissed!"

---

Next chapter we'll go back to our MC and his company, and the weird new names I took up for the chapters. The next release might take a bit longer since I'll be working a bit more with the actual story for Project H/H, so I'll keep everyone up to date on things as usual.