Frozen: The Spirit and the Drage Chapter Thirty Two, a frozen fanfic

Notes:

No one can catch a break.

Ryu says her friends are dumb for doing something then ten seconds later does the same thing.

Elsa learns the importance of stretching before physical activities.

Anna gets some therapy.

This tremor wasn't like the others they had been experiencing in the previous hours; it was constant, shifting the temple's foundations. Running back into the grand hallway Elsa's head drew upward following the trail of a large crack along the walls splitting the ceiling apart.

Ryu barked at the pair who were shielding their eyes from all the dirt and dust in the air. "Anna!" Kristoff yelled, running from under the refuge Ryu's wings provided.

He embraced her tightly. Elsa allowed him to check her over as she assessed the situation. "We have to get out of here!" Judging how there was no way they'd be able to go back the way they came unscathed Elsa troubleshooted the main issues. There was an unusual pressure coming from the upper level which was stressing the arcades along the opposing walls into bending.

Running ahead slightly her arms outstretched, compacting ice rapidly stabilizing four. Clenching her teeth, her legs spread with the forces pushing against her from the left and right. "Ryu! Get them out of here!" The desperation of her tone almost made Ryu take off with Bulda, Anna and Kristoff. The dragon growled, shaking her large head at the notion.

She was terrified, but the possibility of Elsa being buried alive scared her more. She would not leave her. Bellowing she crashed her shoulder against a developing fissure, pressure scraping her claws against the floor until she raised upon her hind legs, pressing her head against the buttresses. The weight held no mercy for them, brutally sinking downward.

Over her own distension grunts of effort Elsa could hear Ryu's shrill low screech under the hideous stew of rocks and rubble.

Seeking shelter among the walls or in one of the rooms, Anna felt the ground beneath her feet giving up demands from the floor of supporting her weight. Her shout was short when the forming hole's gravity tried to pull her under. She made the mistake of looking down, swaying left to right. Time had caught them before any other being that dwelled in the temple. Her hands vice gripped the ledge. She shook in fear of keeping her place, this hold seemed to not disturb the stone she clung to. Her feet kicked forward to find some purchase but found only air. "Kristoff…" her stifled voice was choked out by the falling rubble pelting her head and cheeks.

This was it. She'd fall, she knew it, from the way her fingers burned bending over the ledge, to the subtle sliding of the stone coming closer towards her.

Anna bent her head in a way that would cause the least damage when stone fell from the broken floor, she wasn't given the chance to scream.

"Kristoff!" Now her tears were ones of relief but only for a moment. It seemed fate had other plans than what she had wanted. "I got you Anna!" Kristoff glanced back at Bulda holding his waist sash tugging backwards. His biceps bulged as he began lifting her. "We've got you. I'm going to pull you up." He promised, but Anna doesn't allow herself to believe having seen the flooring he was laid across, she noticed how his weight burdened it and how with every move he made it protested more. Anna closed her eyes tilting her head down, she raised her gaze to the ceiling above knowing what had to happen. Adamantly she shook her head, sagging her body down.

"Not exactly helping feisty pants." He complained slanting further towards the hole.

"Kristoff–" Anna breathed, gulping. "You–you have to let me go… now." An authority was placed on her last word while the previous ones were broken, trembling.

"You hit your head huh?" It was ridiculous to him. He continued lifting him but Anna's initial struggle became more urgent as the ceiling shifted

"Kristoff? I love you."

"Stop it." He warned darkly, tightening his grip. Anna shook her head. "I need you to run." He wouldn't relinquish his hold on her. Anna knew this. She kissed his palm savoring the feel of him, the strength and dirt caked within his callouses. Memorizing every detail of his hands and face, clasping one she held it tight, then with great regret sank her teeth into his wrist as hard as she could, perhaps puncturing it and letting go of his other hurting both their fingers which were entangled.

"Anna!" The ceiling had finally enough, tumbling down its load he scrambled backward coaxed by his mother.

Ryu was never good at these decisions, she and Elsa with combined efforts secured this section but not where it also mattered. She gave Kristoff the one thing they didn't have– time– to pull Anna back up and get over here.

But if he did that he too would sink, the ground beneath him capsized and flooring above also descended another inch dislodging from the summit. Massive cascades of rock and rubble pulled free from the ceiling, shattering and rolling like a hideous stew of earth and granite as it struck the ground

There was definitely a struggle going on at the other end. She looked to the over refinement that was Elsa whose chest labored excessively.

She wanted to stay with her that's what she chose, yet when she heard Kristoff and Bulda's wail, and Anna's scream which caught Elsa's attention, the dragon abandoned the wall sprinting down the hall, leaping over the elevated mound created by the destruction.

Grabbing the man by his shirt she used the same amount of strength as on the cracks and flung him and Bulda towards Elsa, unwittingly sending the woman to her knees with the impact his rolling body caused.

She barely made it past the collapse as she dove into the hole hoping that her weight would quicken her fall enough to catch up with Anna before she hit whatever was waiting for them at the bottom.

The only noise to surpass the cacophony of the subsiding ceiling was the wail that ripped itself from Elsa's throat. Even the roaring of a shattering empire couldn't compare with the agonized cries echoing off the walls of the hole, so loud it felt like it shook the temple more than the earthquake as her sister was once again stolen away from her.

The impact her body made with Anna's was not gentle, her limbs and wings that wrapped around her were not delicate, but she'd rather squeeze the woman uncomfortably than risk her slipping out of her grasp.

The first collision had Ryu tucking her head in, eyes sealed shut. Wherever they landed was up to their trajectory now. It hurt, she had to keep reminding herself it wasn't the worst pain she had ever felt to lessen the urge to whimper. They snowballed and cascaded from walls to ledges slowing down the decline. Ryu barreled over the top of herself finally coming to stand still.

She didn't want to move, or open her eyes. Remnants that survived the plummet cracked against rocks a few feet away and on top of them.

She was hyperventilating, locked in place holding Anna close to her chest. She stayed still as well, exempt from the trembling she exhibited, keeping her face and balled fist against Ryu's torso.

Kristoff was a pacific, level headed person, it was what he was known for. That man was now banging his fist into a bloody mess on the floor. It Bulda some effort to stop him from breaking his hand. He yanked his arm away from her small hands but she took no affront allowing him to slump against the wall taking deep breaths.

Elsa was too busy checking over the rubble destruction beyond the sizable ice dome. There was a clatter of materials here and there among the mess. Her shivering body clambered up nearly slipping and scraping her knees. She covered her sobs with her palm. "Anna… "

Bulda observed the adults breaking down in front of her meaning the torch of reason had been passed down to her and she'd wield it valiantly.

She couldn't let anguish consume them or they'd get nowhere. She wanted to comfort them both but that task was on a shelf she wasn't meant to reach. The only solution was to get her daughter back.

"Well!" She began dusting off the leftovers of what just happened. "That was an awful earth shake, not as bad as the one back in 1812 but sent me for a loop–" as suspected silence answered. "I'm going to go find Anna and Ryu, they're counting on us. Feel free to join me."

It was all the coaxing Elsa needed. Her feet scampered off the rocky hill at the mention of Anna and Ryu's name. They couldn't keep up with how fast she wanted to go, sending her hurtling on her face, fortunate that she didn't twist or break her ankle. As if numb to it she propelled herself upward. "We have to hurry and find a way down to where they are and get us out of here." She tugged at Kristoff's arms and he stood reluctantly.

It was okay that he wasn't in the mood to talk, so long as he kept on moving Bulda was satisfied. She'd get him to open up eventually. Elsa was content to leech off of Bulda's calm confidence lacking her own. She marched forward at a hurried pace. Her heart felt hollow but Bulda could sense she was already filling it with a new goal that she'd stop at nothing to complete. The longing chewed through the sorrow. They couldn't afford to wallow, the ones they loved were in need and the answer to that need filled their hearts.

"Okay, well it's simple really we just have to find an opening and go through it." Yes that was all, it may have taken a while but Anna was determined to hug both her sister, mother in law and husband. All at once then each individually. The thought calmed her nerves just a tad. As they walked towards the tunnel Anna's shaking knees collapsed and she lurched forward as the intrusive thoughts washed over her like black waves overtaking an already sinking ship. She couldn't inhale properly, odd noises came from her throat.

So many things were happening all at once. Anna was frozen solid upon the fjord, feeling a cold she couldn't comprehend being possible. She was hanging over the broken dam having missed the jump. They were all happening now. She had to make it to Elsa, she had to face death to save her people.

Unbeknownst to her she was merely staring forward on her hands and knees, making feeble whimpers with each breath.

The hand that touched her shoulder sent her doubling away like it burned her covered skin only worrying Ryu more.

"Anna… what's happening?" Ryu retracted upon seeing the fear in Anna's eyes.

Collecting herself, Anna stood feeling unsteady wiping herself off.

"Nothin-nothing, I'm fine, let's go." She didn't bother to sound more convincing. It wasn't something she had any desire to discuss or explore.

"Well that's not true." Ryu replied simply. "If you need more time to rest–" she jutted her thumb over her shoulder.

"I said I'm fine." Anna turned dangerously towards Ryu. She eyed her only softening her demeanor with a sigh when she heard how she sounded so sharp over the echos not used to hearing it come from herself.

Luckily Ryu didn't seem offended moreso puzzled.

"I'm sorry, just a little shaken up is all from the fall, it's nothing." She shrugged as they entered caverns that appeared too well sculpted to be naturally made, Anna could barely see two inches in front of her.

Ryu scoffed at this. "If there wasn't any confirmation before there is now; that you and Elsa are definitely both related." It sounded both playful and mocking.

"Excuse me?"

"You both hide yourselves so much."

"I do not hide myself." Still Ryu was not convinced. "Maybe not as much as Elsa does, but you hide the bad things, I've seen you do it with her, and her to you and other people."

Anna should not have continued to reply; she knew it wouldn't lead to anything good or conducive, but her mind was overstimulated even with the lack of stimuli around them additionally the topic was pricking at exposed nerves. "Elsa and I do not hide ourselves from each other. No hiding and no secrets." Anna couldn't see the brow rising on Ryu's face, even if it weren't dark she'd be too distracted worrying about so many things plaguing her mind. She twisted her fingers together.

"Speaking of what is going on between you guys anyways?" Ryu walked ahead and rolled her head back tauntingly. "Thought there were no secrets between the two of you."

"There wasn't–" Anna hissed, nearly tripping over something. "Aren't– isn't."

"Right, what's it to you anyways?" Ryu's tone went from blithe to downright sardonic and averting which had nearly slipped Anna's detection. They reached a large overturned column which Ryu easily cleared, leaving Anna to find her own way through a gap where it curved.

"Um, I'm her sister."

"And?"

"And it's my job to protect her and so far all of her secrets have just led to her getting into danger."

Ryu frowned, vacillation spreading with each sprouting scale needling its way out of her skin. "Not all of them."

"And how would you know? You barely even been in her life for two months! You don't know everything about her."

"Nor do I want to yet, I have a lot of questions about Elsa but guess what? I don't demand to know, she has a right to privacy without people trying to stay up her ass all the time eh."

"I don't invade my sister's privacy–"

"I never said that, but you did." Anna had enough of this, standing before her was the same girl that influenced Elsa to not tell her about the assassin and God knows what else putting her in danger for no other reason other than 'wanting privacy'. Judging by how deflective and aggressive Ryu became in such a quick manner only made Anna more suspicious and uncomfortable.

"I am not going to take your advice on how to behave with my sister. You aren't aware of all that we've been through! You don't understand what it's like to lose family once, let alone thrice in one lifetime."

"Oh yea and how would you know?"

Anna, emotionally running on fumes– actually she was sure those were gone now too– holding her tongue considering the detriment her words could have brought.

But she needn't say it. Her face spoke up without her parting her lips.

Because you don't have one…

Instant regret came quickly when something snapped behind Ryu's expression turning it dark and ugly. Her body armored itself in light gray platings which nearly took over her face. Taking a deep breath she shrugged, smoothing her hands over her horripilate hair to smooth it down to no avail as soon as she was done it puffed up again ripping the disguise of an indifferent persona away.

" I don't have a family. Maybe that's for the best." Anna took a step back stunned. "What– how could you possibly think that–"

The way Ryu became so inclemently placid, speaking the cruel words to follow in the same manner one would telling their spouse about their day in town. "Easy, hearing about all the stupid actions you all took in the name of love for each other, I think I'd rather be alone."

"Love is the most powerful thing in the world, being alone is terrible." Anna said, a little more forcefully.

"How? Because you can't handle being alone for more than five seconds without breaking down?"

"So what! I love being with my family, I enjoy being surrounded by the people I love. Is that so hard to comprehend? Being alone is the worst thing that could happen to someone." Ryu rolled her eyes thinking of plenty worse things. "Where would you be if you hadn't met Elsa, or me, Kristoff and everyone else? Honestly."

"I'd be a quarter way to Australia by now, living as I was meant to."

"Ryu you can't truly mean th-"

"Why?" She chuckled humorlessly. Spitting venom, coiled like a snake in the grass. "Because some Queen who stupidly believes that love fixes everything told me so? Kuso, that isn't how the world works, Anna, grow up!" Shaking her head Ryu backed away in disbelief.

Anna trailed further behind until they reached a fork in the path one led to what seemed to be another part of the temple and the other lower section, perhaps used for mining or maybe an emergency escape.

Anna trudged left to the upper incline knowing that Elsa was on a level above them so if there was a way up they'd take it… or so she thought it would be, not hearing Ryu behind her she turned seeing her stuck in place.

"I'm not going in there."

"Ryu come on, Elsa is probably worried sick about us."

"I'm sure she is but I'm not going in there."

"Why?"

"There's something in there, and I don't like it." Anna groaned, even if there was something she was sure they could overcome it… maybe. She hoped at least but Ryu was not budging. "Ryu we don't have time for this."

"Then go, I'm not coming. I'll find my own way out." Anna wanted to rip out her hair, instead rolling her eyes and stomping away to the left. It was indeed more of the temple, gulping at what Ryu said she fastened her jacket around herself and moved forward. "I'm coming Elsa."

Ryu traded two legs for four, no longer needing to care about a bothersome, emotional redhead to– quiet sobs caught up to her ears making them fold backward in guilt.

Those things she said, those horrible, horrible things. And why? Because Anna said something that was somewhat triggering but entirely true. And what had she done? Spit lies and slander from behind the safety of her wall of false stoicism. Even if Anna were wrong and she did have a family, Ryu was certain she'd screw up and drive them away. She couldn't even handle friends– friends who had risked their lives for her just to save her countless times– take her in–show her nothing but kindness and this was how she treated them. The worst being that Ryu couldn't figure out why she said those things to Anna, how it escalated to that point. She said only one intelligent thing during their whole argument: she was meant to be alone but not for her own sake, for the sake of any who dared cared about her.

If it wasn't confirmed before that she was a monster Ryu was aware it certainly was now. Turning on the spot she trotted back out the lower tunnel and to the left where Anna had gone. She was nowhere in sight, which sped the dragon's legs up, she did sense something, an unknown Ryu didn't want to bother with.

Monster or not, Ryu wouldn't leave Anna to fend for herself. She wouldn't necessarily approach her, shame prevented that, but she'd definitely keep a very close eye on her from a distance.

Her tears blurred any peripherals she had. It was so dark Anna thought her lids had slid shut over her eyes without her own will.

What was on the left and right didn't matter, all that mattered was getting to Elsa.

That was why she was so easily startled by the blue blaze which sprung up to her face. "Oh! Hello there Romeo." Anna's mood was perked up a bit at the sight of her Sprite friend. They were happy to see her too apparently if one could not tell by the way they caressed themselves against her body and face wiping away Anna's tears.

"Wanna keep me company?" Romeo blimped thrice following after her listening to her ramblings.

"Maybe Ryu was right. She obviously knows something I don't about Elsa and I should be okay with that right?" The sprite hummed. Anna frowned, glancing down. "And maybe I am just being overprotective but Elsa is so precious–beyond precious– to nearly lose her thrice then officially twice I guess that has kinda just made me… "

Crazy.

As if reading her mind Romeo twirled quickly then took off ahead turning a corner. Anna's shoulders slouched. Left again.

The sprite returned floating by the corner bobbing up and down. Anna quirked a brow. "You– you want me to follow you?"

She slowly stepped in their direction following the sprite to see what he had to show her. Maybe a way out, but that seemed to be too much wishful thinking.

The wind moaned against the walls making the ghost that haunted this giant tomb harmonize an eerie choir. Between the sounds and environment even with company Anna's flesh remained covered in goosebumps, her heightened senses caused a jolt. What was once sarene, a sleeping giant hidden from the world, had now trapped her family within its belly where Anna sensed horrific things distorted by time.

She studied the large pulleys and platforms taking up space in the next room she entered, dejected by the fact that there was no opening to the outside or upstairs. It smelt…clean but there was an undertone of medicinal smells that snuck up on the senses. Cold, stale, untouched, sterile.

"Is this a medical wing?" Anna's question remained unanswered but she was certain she knew right away entering a smaller corridor. Beakers and bottles lay askew upon trays and desks dried up from any contents they contained. She found Romeo encircling a dangling chain– at the end of it a handle.

His message had been received, an instinct inside telling Anna not to pull it was out voiced by her curiosity. Reluctantly her fingers gripped the handle. A moment passed till Romeo egged her on nudging her arm and blinking rapidly.

"What can it hurt?" Tugging on the chain Anna closed her eyes bracing for what was to come.

She hadn't the slightest idea until a warm sticky glob spilled out from a chute onto her head. Recoiling back as it seeped down her face and body she made noises of disgust involuntarily holding out her arms. To keep it from her eyes she continuously wiped at them till they were safe from being covered.

"Ugh– god Romeo what were you thinking?" She admonished, the sprite seemed very pleased with themselves and perplexed by her displeasure and glaring.

"I'm not in the mood for pranks right now." It was just a silly trick right? The nagging intuition from within said no. That being covered in the gooey, light blue glowing slop was a huge detriment. Anna, not needing anymore negative fruitions, settled on this being just a mischievous jape, shaking her head, still rubbing as much of the substance off and going back to the larger area of the infirmary.

"Oh my god!" She flinched away at the sight of Ryu. To placate her racing heart her hand went to her chest. Anna was reaching her limit of frights, nerves were completely shot. Still it was a relief to see someone familiar, although their fight had left a sordid taste.

Ryu remained still standing staggered at the other end of the room. Anna wasn't sure why the air felt so tense, maybe it was the after effects of vile words spewed out in defensive anger… still there was something else about the dragon's presence that was disturbing. A niggling sense that tickled at first was now ringing alarm bells off inside of Anna's head, preventing her from going forward.

Ryu made the first move, trotting forward, plunged along by a drive, not sprinting but dead set on her target– had spurred Anna by the sharp rowels of panic to retreat away into the room going to the wooden door and attempting to pry it open, her intuition saying to put as much distance between herself and Ryu as possible. That would be ridiculous right? In the background she heard behind her chuffing and other vocalizations that were unnerving to hear.

Turning she saw the dragon had taken to licking the floor where the mystery goo had spilled out. She cleaned every drop and just to be sure cleaned it again.

The door squeaked open causing Anna to cringe. She looked back slowly towards the large creature that had noticed– licking her muzzle, the movement uplifting a lip exposing the fangs hidden underneath, eyeing her.

Ryu's breathing was quick and irregular, reminding Anna to slow down her own hyperventilation. Continuing her moves slowly Anna turned pressing her back to the door, desiring as much space as she could get. Something wasn't right and this was confirmed by Ryu's eyes, dilated to the max, there was no color left in them, only black. Her muscles were coiled so tightly Anna could see them ripple and twitch despite the rest of her remaining deathly still, exempt from her shoulder sinew she could see protrude favoring whichever limb she pressed forward. Anna could only describe the sight as someone would a great cat stalking their pray, so patient and ready.

Romeo tried to communicate something frantically flying about, he was not understood, Anna couldn't even tear her gaze away from Ryu to look at the sprite.

A clash and a clatter from some beakers he knocked down broke the stillness. Ryu huffed as Anna scrambled to open the door too afraid to turn around and close it behind her. She sprinted blindly not looking back knowing Ryu was in pursuit of her.

Is this how mice feel? Anna pitied them. She skidded needing a barrier, she wouldn't be able to outpace four legs on flat terrain. She climbed some knocked over pillars, squeezing into any space she could fit. It was a second too late when a large paw missed her.

"Periwinkle!" Anna's desperate calls were ignored as the dragon circled the crawl space working out how to get in there, after a couple minutes the dragon barked repeatedly seven times before ending the last in a chitter vibrating her throat.

"It's me! It's me Anna!" She was trapped. The arm out reached in the hole Anna flattened herself against the wall when a long toe nearly nicked her skin instead hooking itself in her shirt.

She needed an out but then what? Obviously Ryu wouldn't make it back to the others in this state and what if they couldn't fix her? Would they have to leave her in this temple a feral beast less she would tear them apart?

The dreaded sound of rock straining against rock drew Anna's attention back to her predicament. By the way her pillar shield was slowly drawing away, it seemed Ryu had figured out a way in.

Panting Anna stood, a chill never wavering intensified on her spine. The moment Ryu would burglarize her safe haven she'd take her opening and run like hell.

The dragon had a different idea of how things would play out though. Anna hated the way it seemed she had read her mind, as soon as the pillar was moved Anna could have sworn she blinked and there was the dragon closing in.

"Ryu, I– I'm– I'm sure Elsa wouldn't want you to hurt me–" shuffling back tripped Anna onto her rear, using both her hands and feet to scoot backwards against the wall. "Or anyone for that matter. Please, this isn't you!" For the first time since they met Anna was petrified of the creature and what she was capable of.

It felt like hours but had only been one since their separation. Elsa wouldn't entertain the possibilities of fate being even more cruel than any evil in existence stealing away Anna and Ryu from her.

She'd remain positive for the sake of her own sanity and those around her for if that were to happen her powers would become unpredictably dangerous and as an off chance fetal. So she instead focused on how it would feel to hug them, to kiss them tearily never letting them go again.

Comforting Kristoff and Bulda would only bring thoughts of her family being hurt to the forefront, it would address realities Elsa refused to acknowledge so they walked in silence.

The misery which oozed from Kristoff was louder than the resounding thunder from the temple which seemed to be drawing nearer and nearer, but Elsa wouldn't think about that either.

"ELSA!"

Elsa's heart stopped beating hearing her sister's shrill scream echo throughout the domain. "ANNA!" her answer was just as dolorous.

Without any regard for their own safety or sense of direction the group raced forward, Elsa managed to stay a few paces ahead, jumping and safely vaulting over any obstacle that dared to lay in her way.

I'm coming Anna.

A large gap awaited them, Elsa was not deterred, it was an easy fix to make it to the other side and even if it wasn't she'd still make it to Anna nonetheless.

Initially Elsa had thought another part of the temple was falling towards her but the temple did not possess fingers, nor an arm, nor a face.

Falling backwards from the heavy contact of an arm leaning against the ledge hauling from the depths of the hole, a creature emerged, pulling itself up revealing more of its form with a low guttural bay, akin to an old man rising from his chair.

Elsa couldn't believe what she was seeing, but then again, a part of her could. Their limbs shook the entire mountain it seemed, confessing to the crime of causing the earthquakes and cave ins.

It was no animal. The only word Elsa could use to describe it was enormous. What even was this?

Elsa had experience with giants, having been in the company of the Earth spirits back home. Gigantic was where the similarities ended. Where the earth giants seemed to be cut from the mountains being made entirely of rock, this creature possessed animalistic features. Covered in shaggy fur, the vines that hung off of their back and shoulders told Elsa that they had just woken up from a dormant state for those to grow.

Their head Elsa recognized to be wolf-like but the rest of them was a concoction of a man. From this distance she couldn't be sure if it also fused to rock or if that was merely armor. She moved backward to collect herself from the apprehension and gut wrenching dread that were poisoning her mind.

How this decrepit fortress supported his weight was at a loss to her.

He had set his sights on the stunned Kristoff and less stunned Bulda, his eyes, those eyes, they glowed green like moss grown over a lake. Yet there were pupils or irises, just a swirling vortex swallowed into a black hole, Elsa drew the connection to the lenticular clouds back on the mountainside crest.

Rushing ahead towards them she and Kristoff clasped at one another's elbows."Vakten?" She asked Bulda who nodded, struck with awe.

"I thought he'd be asleep!" In spite of his voice cracking in disbelief Kristoff retrieved the pickaxe sheathed in his waist shaft readying for battle.

"He was but something woke him up." They hoped he wouldn't be temperamental as most creatures were when woken up but the angry growl resonating throughout his chest said otherwise.

His earthquakes were upon them, bouncing anything not nailed to the floor. Elsa took inventory of the circumstances searching around then to her family.

The tone she spoke in had rarely come out, more popular during her reign, it left no leverage of argument against its authority.

"Kristoff, you and Bulda get away from here, get outside if possible and see if there's any ways to lower levels."

"What? No! I'm not leavin–" he clamped his mouth shut when her eyes bore into his, the intensity did not match her relatively calm face. Defeated, he picked up his mother.

"Elsa honey?" Her stare softened at Bulda's warm call. "He may be more understanding than you think." Elsa could only hope that was true.

As they retreated, the winds had already begun the process of a whirling blizzard.

Stepping before the behemoth Elsa stamped her foot, beneath a pillar rose putting her at their eye level.

They did not appear to be surprised or confused at the display. Elsa didn't care, she wouldn't strike first, rather choosing to showcase her abilities remaining on the defensive.

Uplifting her wrist summoning ice shoots to coat his feet. Now that he was in place she spoke, projecting her voice as loud as she could. "I mean you no harm!" The winds and snow ceased all movement in a manner nature could not explain.

"I am Elsa Fifth spirit of the Enchanted forest. I came here seeking answers for my friend's predicament– she's a dragon and in danger. I do apologize for the intrusion, we thought you'd be asleep–" Elsa fumbled, shaking head and hands realizing how that may have come across. "Not that we were going to invade your home while you were asleep, we had no intention of disturbing you or any other inhabitants."

His the shapes in his glass eyes twisted and shifted, Elsa watched carefully feeling exposed to a unfathomable degree waiting for his response. He lifted his legs one by one, shattering the ice shackles. A deep audible cut through the air followed his mace's wallop to her pillar, collapsing it, an ax to a tree. She didn't even notice the weapon.

Elsa yelped as she fell caught by the large palm. His fingers easily juggled her body to be enclosed in his fist. She tried pulling out of it but her physical strength could never dream to match his.

Placating the pang of guilt she burrowed down into his hand and caged herself in an encasing of ice, compacting as much as she possibly could before allowing it to expand outward forcing his palm to open.

Falling down she spun facing the ground blanketing it with snow to break the fall.

Unfortunately she landed on her back. Elsa whined, closing her lids. Blowing a puff of air out her lips to remove the rouge tresse of hair that flopped over her eye Elsa shot upright, removing her boots, a sheen of ice coated the bottom of her feet.

The giant immediately made his move, she had time Elsa convinced herself, enough to at least she'd her jacket and tie up her loose hair. Bouncing on her toes she awaited till he was within range. "Okay, you're cranky understandable, let's see if I can cool you off." Her arms raised, charging up an arsenal of hail and ice. Rapid shots impeded the mace boring downward towards her. The force staggering him momentarily.

His free hand reached to grab her once more, Elsa evaded leaping and rolling to the left. "Oh no you don't!"

His blows were heavy, his size only giving him more speed then she could muster alone her only advantage was her magic and agility.

Elsa's keen vision calculated the environment, all the nooks and crannies she could fit into. Maybe her size also provided an advantage as well.

Barreling straight between his legs, narrowly dodging the palm trying to capture her. She sprinted for the arches, turning he advanced upon her, probably predicting she'd head for the way she came. Elsa shook her head when his left hand slammed against the small entry she snaked her path to right, he proved to be just as well versed in strategy as she was colliding his mace down destroying the arches. Instinctively Elsa lowered herself to the ground skidding beneath the rubble through an opening. Her hands planted on the lowest part of the mace's shaft vaulting her legs over it.

"I should have stretched."

"Ryu if this payback for earlier yo–" Anna grunted from tumbling over the stairwell. Her body ached, covered in black and blue and horrible scraps."You've made your point!" Anna gave her a trail to follow striking out from off the flat plain of a path she had been running along, following into the labyrinth that the temple had bestowed upon them.

She executed a series of intricate loops retracing when Ryu was near to catching her again and again making all of her dodges and spirals feel fruitless. Weary, Anna was insistent with hands and face lashing out to clear away anything be it dust or thick foliage hanging from any structure, to meet her sister.

The dragon continued her pursuit through the column stumps and maze-like hallways. No matter how much Anna tried to trick her through doubling back curving this way and that she remained on her heels.

Anna sought another means of escape which in her hindsight had been so foolish to attempt with a creature that could fly– she went up, clinging to any cranny or crevice her fingers could successfully grasp and hoisted herself up until she met the beams of ceiling.

Reaching a support she knew she had an advantage above Ryu being more fitting for the small spaces she had led her through which gave her enough time to flatten herself down on the limb, through a screen of dust and darkness almost as thick as a rich soup, she watched, covering her mouth with her palm to muffle the quick air that was exhaling and inhaling from her lips and nose.

Ryu burst through the small doorway, having to contort her form by the desperate way she flexibly wormed her way in. She sniffed the ground, seeding a dread within Anna turning on her back. She had felt that power up close, with one particular paw swipe the young dragon could lacerate her upper body, not initially per say but that would be a tortuously slow death.

Her brain had slowly imagined wolves hunting her instead of the ancient beast below whose sound remained unfamiliar and horrifying.

She had heard the scrape of large toes against stone lift up. The dragon wasn't exactly trying to be stealthy or maybe she was just a clumsy fledgling unaware that the best strategy for prey was the quarry to not know of their presence. Either way Anna thanked whatever powers at hand for her predator's recklessness.

Risking a glance to the side she could see Ryu had stood up on her hind legs and bobbed her head releasing the very distinctive bay she had earlier crescendoing in the same juddery chirp, bouncing off the walls.

Anna deep down knew the call was for her but wouldn't answer it. She couldn't.

Ryu dipped her head, Anna could hear and so much as feel the inhales she took. This was so much worse than being confronted by a wolf or leopard in the woods that followed instinct blindingly.

Between the dragon's size, swift ability to maneuver on a second's notice, the capability to adapt to all the traps and tricks Anna threw at her, her hissing even breath, which despite being fast was not over barren as Anna's was…

Ryu could probably hunt her down here for days without growing weary…

Turning back up Anna thought of nice things, things she promised herself she would do though that list was self indulgent when she thought about it–being one to take life as it came, she had thought she'd grown, improved and bettered herself. Laying up here brought the thoughts of the dangers she had willingly put herself in, she felt like a child terrified of what was lurking under the bed. I need to slow down, if I want to live into my thirties.

Wood splattered everywhere, breaking Anna's momentary peace and reflection. She screamed rolling down Ryu's spine to the floor. The dragon barked again but Anna wouldn't sit around and listen to it.

She was reaching her limit, telegraphed by her screaming legs and torso, they burned worse than her lungs which in her opinion was stating a lot.

"Whoa!" Her hands squeezed the railing of a balcony leading to nothing but a painful demise, black velvet was the only way that could describe what lay ahead– a thickened void, Anna couldn't see the end of. Her momentum doubled her body over.

Ryu skidded nearly passing the archway. She leapt in place angling her front to Anna pressing forward in spite of her outstretched hands. Anna glanced back at the drop then to Ryu wondering which she would be better off taking her chances with.

There was nowhere left to run, not that she'd be able to if there was. She scrunched her eyes bracing her body for agony. Maybe she'll snap out of it while chewing on my leg.

Sobbing, expecting fangs Anna glanced down to the chuffing muzzle pressed and licking her chest. Not yet trusting it, Anna wanted to scoot around the large body taking up most of the platform but when she shuffled to the right a powerful head pushed her back in place.

"Okay! Okay…" Anna's voice came out in a half-choked breath, pushing an absent hand through Ryu's mane, relinquishing any plans she had of escaping. Shaking palms tried fruitlessly to put some space between her and the large mass of muscle. Finally opening her eyes to the licking and nuzzling her gaze momentarily locked with Ryu's. She wasn't going to devour her, instead more enraptured by the goo that clung to Anna. Quickly Anna shredded her jacket, the target of Ryu's infatuation, which was stained the most she shoved it roughly to the dragon's face–"Keep it."– stepping past her, she rigorously shook herself off to be rid of the substance.

She was still trembling, wiping the stress tears leaking from the corners of her cheeks. Her walk was hurried, she would not be running for a long while.

Ryu easily caught up, jacket clenched in her jaws. She dropped it at Anna's feet entering a play bow wagging her rump. Anna scooped it up, sighing, draping it over her shoulder. Ryu's antics continued less intense than before she leapt as Anna continued forward to keep them at equal distance.

Anna shook her head speaking up in a croaky voice. "I don't want to play." She didn't have enough resolve to put any anger in her words.

Ryu ceased her efforts, she couldn't have possibly understood anything except Anna's energy and posture. Slowly she lowered her butt and ears, sitting upon her haunches watching the woman trudge forward. Ryu barked in the same tone Anna heard earlier but juxtaposed did not pursue after her.

The sound halted Anna mid step, when a realization detonated in her mind. Whatever that goo was didn't turn Ryu into a feral beast, was she ever really in peril? Did Ryu turn on her like a starving dog?

Anna turned around seeing her seated down the hall, sympathy gripped her heart. She desired more than anything to just feel Elsa's arms wrapped around her again but… Ryu in this state– would have no hope of making her way back or even out of the temple.

I can't leave her like this.

After a cleansing breath, Anna thought of Ryu's issues, how hindering they were, but she had to admit she was pretty fucked up too. Together they were so dysfunctional. If Anna were a normal person she wouldn't be able to overcome that, but she remembered so many who would say: You're not normal

Anna half smiled.

No, no she wasn't. She was an atypical queen but a queen nonetheless, and Queen's did not abandon others who needed guidance.

"Come on Ryu!" She didn't move. Of course she didn't, why would she? Going back Anna studied the dragon who sniffed at her.

It was so stupid, Anna concluded what she was about to do but her determination won thought made her heart pound in her chest, ignoring the clamoring in her ribs Anna sprinted down the hall and predictably Ryu chased her catching up. She grunted and growled, swiping her paws at Anna's ankles.

Anna yelped when she was tripped up, her guard remained at attention in case Ryu grew too rough in her handling. And it was a bit more physicality than what Anna was comfortable with; what with her raising to her hind legs wrapping her forelegs around Anna's torso and shoulders sometimes taking her to the ground but nothing malicious. Ryu's fangs never pierced her skin and her talons remained retracted. It was still just Ryu, she was still cheeky, and stubborn if not more so than the dragon normally was.

Anna felt her trust growing in Ryu's self control, and was shrinking in regard to her sense of direction, sometimes going in the opposite direction they were supposed to be headed; more inclined to explore scents and rooms.

"Ryu!" She chastised, Ryu's eyes drew up to her from where her head rested on her crossed paws. It would seem she decided that now was the time to take a break.

Surrendering Anna sat on the stones next to her. It was beyond frustrating, but with Anna lacking the actual strength or ability to control her she didn't really have a choice. "You know–" she began not knowing why she chose to make conversation if Ryu couldn't reply. She grinned as her mind wandered to Kristoff and Sven. "The faster we get to the upper level the faster we can see Elsa and go home." What if they couldn't return her to normal when they did get back. Anna shook her head– no they would– still just in case they couldn't…

"Ryu–" Anna leant her elbows upon her raised knees. "I… I'm sorry about what I said earlier–" her soft voice drew Ryu closer towards her. "I was scared and I don't know what the emotion is called or what happened but I was stuck in all the moments that I almost died, it was like they were happening again and I couldn't breath or think and– well that's no excuse but I wanted you to know it wasn't you. Those things I said were untrue and I'm sorry. That isn't me. I won't let it be." Ryu purred at the slender fingers combing through her dirty mane. "I'll get us out of here, I promise. I'll keep us safe." Her size had such a dissonance with the way she nuzzled against Anna's now outstretched legs. A responsibility was born inside Anna's heart towards the creature.

After a few moments Ryu startled her standing up and stretching. It was interrupted by a clanging echoing around them.

Anna groaned standing to her weary legs. What now? Noticing Ryu's distress, hissing and rattling scales she wrapped her arm around her neck. "Hey it's alright, it's okay. It must have been the wind. Or it's our ears playing tricks on us." Her touch assuaged the scales to lower and to lure Ryu into following along hesitantly.

As time went on Anna found herself becoming more and more casual with the dragon. Speaking of where was she–

Anna looked around and spotted her looking up at the ceiling letting out a longing bellow. "Yes I know! You want to go up there, me too."

Finally! The trek had led them to an area that looked like progress met their eyes. It was a relatively large, open cavern, the ceiling high and vaulted, stalactites crowning around, ferns and moss growing at the edge of the crumbled pillars and fallen pieces of wall.

"Oh look at this Ryu now you can play!" Anna called excitedly but the dragon was already ahead of her galavanting pass. She jumped off the debris and galloped around.

Anna investigated their surroundings for any openings or crevices. Occasionally Ryu would brush past her sending her toppling over but Anna minded less and less.

Straightening, she gave her attention. "Run Ryu! Run–" she offered an example of jogging around, now Ryu was less interested and more intrigued in hosting her own probing. "Or just walk around, that's fine." Anna chuckled, coming over to what had caught the dragon's sights. Aha! A small hole nearly blending into the wall appears to be the only way forward. "Seems like only I can fit–" Anna ventured, bending sideways to look inside, she glanced up at Ryu. "Unless you want to become smaller."

Ryu scratched herself, message received and understood; Anna would be going alone to find a way through for them. It was a short way to the other side. She could hear Ryu's calling barks which held a sad tone to them as she watched her vanish into the crawl space. They made eye contact. "If I'm not back in twelve minutes… wait longer." Only Ryu's warbles replied.

Going lower seemed foolish to Anna, especially with the synthetic helmets and limbs littered about the high buff she was upon. The trepid sensation returned yet this time there weren't any culprits responsible present. Was this an Aqueduct system, maybe sewers. There had to be some purpose meant for draining excessive water here. Everything was eroded.

Clasping the ledge Anna descended herself to the next stone etching testing its durability with a few boot taps. When deemed safe she continued. It wasn't the most expansive drop she had seen in the temple but enough to make the hairs on her arms and nape stand at attention

Pain coursed through her limbs as the various scraps and bruises pressed uncomfortably against the wall. Anna sucked in air filling her lungs to capacity, there were no more footholds her toes could probe for. She checked then double checked just to be sure.

Looking down had her considering… it wasn't an awful fall, wouldn't be a pleasant one either and lethal if she fell wrong.

"Just jump Anna–okay I can do this! I can do this–just jump. This was a stupid idea, whatever– break your leg for all I care!"

The internal argument was cut short impulsively when Anna let go of the ledge. keeping her legs bent and arms out to brace for impact. She landed with a huff on now sore ankles and slipped backwards onto her butt wincing. The cold stone bit into her palms.

Standing, Anna dusted herself off taking a look at where she had landed herself.

Her attentiveness zeroed in on the much hated flesh doors. Initially Anna had concurred that much of the findings they discovered down here had been a result of cave ins, parts of the temple sinking down into the ever vortex that was the mountains it was built into, if that were so then why was the door here? Why were there a few doors here, not in ruin but intact and still sealed shut?

Anna's eyes narrowed, slowly, keeping her gaze fixed on the door she backed into the wall and slid along it feeling blindly for a way back up, deciding she'd rather backtrack with Ryu than be down here for too long.

At first Anna thought the small hiss was her ears ringing but as it grew louder and louder her insides twisted into a nasty ball upon knowing it came from one of the flesh doors.

As many times as her and her family tried to pry open the door, witnessing it finally, slowly, crack open was dreadful. Even with the unworldly light that beamed through the crack.

Heavy metal footsteps alluded to the soldier's presence, his actual appearance just as if not more so chilling than the opening of the foreboding door. Standing at a high seven feet his shadow loomed over Anna like a storm cloud threatening a peaceful field. At first glance he could pass as a person but if one took the time to study him they would see in-between his heavy panoply, the gothic plating was somewhat recognizable etched in the mysterious material that made up his suit but it was overcome by the similar markings and symbols Anna had seen all over the temple, where the joints and other extremities that would identify him as human lay the spongy flesh synthetics she had pointed out to Elsa inside the helm earlier.

That wasn't what concerned Anna though, her worries drew her eyes to his left hand, clutching a terrifyingly beautiful helbard. The exaggeratedly Malachite glow although fainter than the beaming behind him was not dimmed out by it. The shaft was dark black and green in places, the color not unlike freshly tilled soil. It was decorated with coils, running the length of the stone, each scroll-work containing ancient runes which were carved deep into the surface of the grain.

The head, shaped like one of Ryu's fangs and over a foot long, looked sharp enough to filet a chunk of marble into the finest slabs, and seemed so natural, that of bone… Or– Anna gulped– teeth, and she knew of only one creature big enough to have a tooth of that size. Within the body of the head, more runes could be found as the ones etched into his body, but these glinted with a vibrant luster, in sharp contrast to the rest of the shaft.

As he exited, much to horror another twin followed suit, and another… and another.

Anna didn't need to be told twice to move her ass. She got up and sprinted off to the right. Not looking back she could hear their hurried steps behind her. Am I faster then them– maybe– I don't know, guess I'll find out.

Swirls of hieroglyphs kept pace warped and left trails of the malachite green. They were only interested in touching bare skin, making Anna wish she hadn't left her jacket with Ryu.

Leeches! These things were leeches! Anna concluded as they attached to her skin stinging like the bite of walking half naked on a winter's morning. Scratching and smacking at them like insects was pointless. It couldn't have been fatigue which made Anna's shoulders feel like a huge chainmail which weighed as much as herself had been placed upon them, it wasn't exhaustion that intensified the gravity on her thighs and legs.

Her breaths labored with effort, efforts that weren't enough to keep her moving at a speed which kept them at bay.

Large powerful stone hands encircled around Anna's waist lifting her up off the ground, she gave them an excellent challenge with her screaming and thrashing about and began calling out to Elsa, Kristoff, her mother – those who would not hear till she settled on using her usually loud voice to warn the one person she could of their presence.

Her mind felt like it was thinking so clearly yet also focusing on nothing at all. It was euphoric but hindering, every emotion was intensified a thousand times over. Every thought so fleeting so important she felt sad when it escaped her never to be recovered again.

And when the redhead left her, anxiety was disabling. Ryu exhausted all possibilities of getting through the hole. Her mind one tracked on with its desire for the gabby human's company. She had been digging now for, well she didn't know for how long but it felt like a long time just for the stone to laugh at her claws which only caused scratches.

Giving up she chose a spot next to the gap and laid down in a miserable huff. She could go back, find some food to quell the hunger pains but even that need was dampened by her human's absence. In this state she couldn't care how pathetic the whines which escaped with every breath sounded, or the tears which dribbled out her pupils, she just wanted her human back.

This place was so lonely, devoid of life. Ryu squeezed her eyes tight as she tried to remember what it was. A place of worship? Maybe. Now that she thought about it, Ryu couldn't remember much of anything before her and the redhead's fun game of chase. She was very anxious about it, as to why Ryu couldn't answer. She wanted to stop but the delicious scent which clung to her skin and clothes had lassoed the dragon tightly around the throat.

The scent was gone now leaving only in its wake confusion and exultation.

The dread that suddenly overcame the atmosphere was much worse than the separation anxiety plaguing her. Something was wrong, the dragon stood up and began pacing about to calm her nerves in vain. She growled and screeched at nothing. Scales and fur reflexively raised giving an uncomfortable tickle along her spine.

"RUN RYU! DON'T LOOK BACK JUST RUN!"

My human!

Ryu's ear tendrils shot straight up twisting towards the hole. Approaching it cautiously she peeped in and saw nothing, but she heard the sounds of a struggle, the clanging of armor. The sounds echoed in her head until they were the only things heard, muting Anna's cries to silence. Ryu's rushing heart beat in time with the gnashing of weapons. She was rendered motionless.

The trail would wash away soon, left upon the bank. It was so hot here, summer or winter, spring and fall. She'd always be looking over her shoulder hearing the galloping hooves and music of iron banging against iron behind her even in the waters.

Coming up on a cliff the tell tale signs of approaching ships and men made the dragon sigh lowering her head questioning why she went on. Biding time? Maybe a game to see how long she could go on for?

She was so tired.

Pressing a paw against the rock the dragon roared, giving away her position looking to the upcoming hurricane she'd use to escape them. And she just might. Still an eye needed to be kept on them. The horn signaling sleepless nights droned out over the waves. Still she was here thinking of him, still haunting her heart.

This wouldn't be easy; sharks had bullied her out of their hunting grounds penetrating her developing scales which grew austere day by day yet not hard enough to survive the oceans. Blood from wounds earned from living at sea also helped those tracking her follow along as she walked the Australian costs.

The dragon sat in the cove licking her wombs till the storm picked up just right for her to call out again and take flight. She'd die maybe tomorrow, not tonight…

This was not as Utopian as how she wanted this encounter to go. Maybe injury played a part, maybe fate. The dragon growled trying to find the rhythm of the storm. The weakness in movement must have been spotted and exploited. The dragon roared, flapping her wings to catch up but it seemed luck did not favor her tonight.

Still with the rain and wind beating against her face blinding her vision the dragon moved into the perfect position, the lightning revealed her hidden shadowed wings spread.

Ryu's life flashed before her eyes when the harpoon struck its mark through her wing, spreading the burning pain in the membrane, traveling up her shoulder. With nothing to hook into it slumped out of the gaping hole.

Hope of traveling above the storm still drives her upward. Or what could have been.

There was a beautiful person, there was laughter, peril, and a small home filled with children. Would her future have that? Children, she could tell stories of temples and foreign lands, and of the cold world to prepare them.

There was peace which did not seem possible now. Yet before all that this would have to come first. This pain. The loss of what had always been taken away was the price she'd pay for such a wondrous existence.

It could have been her mind rushing to come up with conclusions as it did when she was younger, to scribble down her story before it ended. A comfort.

The heavy "no!" She heard from the seamen and realized that she'd been not only struck by the harpoon but banished from the skies forever, the world yanking her back down into the ocean.

There was stillness, a force carrying her body. Opening her eyes which burned initially until Ryu's lids blinked over a protective layer she hadn't known she had.

Moving in the water was like moving in the air except there was more assistance. Soon she found a rhyme she could bob her form to accordingly. White fuzz filled the space around her. Ryu sank under the ship's hull naively surfacing searching for Susannoo. Her gaze found him as the ship left her vancity. Treading the water she tried to cry, for him to capture her and take her back to her nice small cell and continue to visit in the night, but he shook his head, cocking the jade bolt through the crossbow in his arm, signifying that all other hunts before this had been practice, a chance for Ryu to gain her stride–now that she found it, the dragon officially became quarry and he the hunter. It felt so wrong to think of him in such a way, it was the truth now.

Her boy. Her sweet boy was capable of all this.

Ryu would not be tested to see how far his tolerance went and dispersed into the depths. The night made it difficult to swim low enough to camouflage among the corals and other vibrant life. That sadness that she left him alone followed along like a parasite but she knew his boys were with him. He had a group as most lords in Japan did. Some still wanted to make it up in life and left him. Ryu promised as she watched them leave with disgust she'd never do such a thing. Always by Sussanoo's side no matter what.

The karma of looking down on those who left with dignity bore down even past the gallons of water, she swam above them just to be dunked down under.

Surfacing she'd put a significant distance between herself and the ships. Hesitation kept her in place until the cannons, still so loud, sounded off behind with those awful screeches of metal weapons and armor scraping. Ryu scrunched her shoulder, in a wince not used to the new reality that faced her.

She had grown up with so many of Susanoo's boys she'd hoped that a part of her would convince them to plead her case to him and take her in from the harsh seas. Never did their eyes soften.

She was proud of them in a way. How determined they were to follow the chase she presented.

Ryu had to keep telling herself it was selfish. She just wished she heeded the warnings instead taking some encounters as a chance to catch up on Sussanoo's life.

Did he ever get the chance to marry and have kids? Was hunting her a tradition they carried? Cause if so she'd lead them around the world just to thrill them. But no Susanoo still chased alone without any prospects.

Why didn't he have children? A Wife? Someone? Why still chase after her? The regret only deeply seeded itself relieving only a small bit when Ryu would see some of Susanoo's boys almost unrecognizable from time. She knew them…

As the years went by their numbers dwindled. One by one and sometimes two by threes were nowhere to be seen on the hunts.

Susanoo would have to stop eventually and make a family right? If he never did… if Ryu drove him to the oceans…

She couldn't have waited forever. Now she has a life. It wasn't perfect but she had found it and made it all on her own, and if she left him still roaming… he used to be her purpose.

Drifting to an abrupt halt, Ryu panting looked back.

"JUST RUN RYU! DON'T LOOK BACK!"

Anna.

Slowly Ryu turned around then took off to where Anna's voice came. Her strong legs no longer trembling with fear, the tears dried replaced with a blaze shadowed the furious furrows of her brows.

Stopping at the hole it was pointless to even try to get through. Ryu backed away regarding the wall.

If Susanoo was out there still searching for her to avenge his family name that was his choice, and Ryu would always be remorseful she led him to that but this was her choice.

A new purpose.

It had nothing to do with legacy, or dynasties or even fate. Even if it wasn't the same it would be the closest Ryu could ever get to defending family. Here and now that was her choice.

My brother. I'm so sorry.

A prodigious concoction of hail and sleet gushed from Elsa's palms, it built up the wall layering it thrice over creeping to the top of the grand entry. If all went according to plan this should have caged the Vakten.

Elsa could see the silhouette studying the wall. To her terror he raised his arms ramming them through the barricade in an explosive wave. The force sent her backward a few feet away.

The night sky cast the two opponents in its cascade of colors.

Glaring Elsa stood slowly, readying her stance. All around them the blizzard roared, swirling in tandem with Elsa's arms and legs. She twirled gathering the storm, herding it towards the Vakten. A composure Orchestrating a great and mighty melody. His massive arms shielded his face from her elemental symphony.

"Surrender, I don't want to hurt you." That age old authority surfaced once more, the one she knew, as naturally as she knew to use her powers. Vakten charged forward against her weather, his mace thudded to the ground and swiped quickly at Elsa, the unearthed ground overtook her.

This is growing old fast. Elsa was at fork in the road, she didn't want to condemn the Vakten for performing the duty he was created to do and on the other path he could only be considered as a delay, an obstacle that was keeping Elsa from getting to her sister and Ryu who– if those cries were anything to go by– in some type of distress. She had promises to uphold just as he did and would not bend to make his job easier.

The spinning of her body guided her winds into a vortex unintentionally flinging her into the air. Elsa had always prided herself in her adaptation capabilities and this time was no different. Now at a greater altitude than her opponent her hands drew close together, a sphere of winter was born growing as her arms spread apart. Twisting her torso she moved her hold behind it pushing it towards her target striking the top of his head.

Her thighs split, landing upon an ice platform sprouted from the ground.

At least that affected him. He shook his mighty dome, growling in frustration, it shook Elsa's entire core but she remained dauntless. She had him locked in her sights, ignoring the large shadow passing over them quickly. Buildings and other structures could be heard crumbling in the distance, what else was new.

Anna's struggles became more reckless and painful when she saw what the soldiers had planned for her. She'd sooner have them throw her off and overpass than take her through those awful doors.

She'd never find out what was behind them, never!

A loud roar brought them to halt. Some looked over their shoulders towards the disturbance.

High up the wall rocks flung everywhere, as dust shrouded them. Anna gasped and broke out the biggest grin she could have mustered today.

"RYU!" The dragon shook her head like a rutting buck wincing away the pain of having just used it as demolition equipment clawing her way out the tight opening she had created. She had slipped twice, still uncoordinated from her brain fog.

Her lips peeled back at the sight of soldiers apprehending Anna, snarling dangerously.

To Anna's surprise the soldiers merely carried on as they were before towards the door.

Ryu leapt down landing directly onto one of them propelling his dismembered limbs to sprawl across the floor. Wisps of magic expressed from his parts like green mist whirling around a bog.

Now she had their notice, the ones not occupied with Anna surrounded Ryu trying to pull her to their levels. The force of her jaws when she gripped their arms and smacked their torsos was enough to send them toppling over. Hearing Anna's struggles Ryu ran over and sliced her paw against Anna's capture sending her to ground unceremoniously.

"Umph!" She grunted, recovering swiftly to her feet.

They acted as mindless draugr. Anna could tell their intentions were not lethal as they tried to overpower the fledgling though she wouldn't voice this to Ryu who was being surrounded with clinging hands pinning the dragon to her belly.

"No! Put me down you bastard!" Anna was once again snagged and easily slung over a shoulder to be taken through the door.

Two soldiers clasped Ryu's wing, holding it steady for their comrade to slice away the icy layer with adroit precision protecting her disabled limb. The dragon whined when the hole in her membrane was exposed.

"Ryu!" Anna cried, the volcano within her boiled with wrath heating her entire body to what felt like impossible degrees. Growling menacingly she took her hand and dug into her captured flesh as far as it could go. It was enough to force him to release her. Without wasting another second she raced over to the pile up.

She couldn't keep track of the chaos. All she was aware of was the soft joints she dug into without mercy, the soldiers remaining single goal minded hardly noticed her annoyances.

"Leave." A jab in the shoulder.

"Her!" A stab to the back of the knee.

"ALONE!" Anna gripped the soldiers head and pulled using the force of one tugging her hips back decapitating her target. She held the helmet, staring at it for a few seconds, deciding it would be a great weapon to bash against her assailant's head, staggering him to loosen his grip. She ran while playing decoy climbing a pillar, dangling her leg like a toy in front of cats.

With three off of her Ryu roared chest glowing, she breathed out an unexpected blast of hot flames. It didn't injure them, serving as only a distraction for her to rise. She barked Anna's signature call and ran for her, colliding into their enemies.

Fueled by adrenaline to make a hasty retreat Anna didn't bother turning around instead flipping off the pillar landing onto Ryu's haunches.

Her mouth made a 'O' as she looked between the pillar and dragon. Forgetting their situation she was ecstatic with her coordination she didn't know she was capable of.

The plethora of soldiers exiting the doors trying to flank them brought her back to the present. Ryu drove them forward until they drew closer and closer to the wall that enclosed all around them.

"Uh Ryu? What's the plan here exactly?" Anna's slightly panicked inquiry was ignored and accidentally answered when Ryu bent her head forward, Anna now knew her intentions which only worried her more.

Sure the dragon was thickly skulled– that much was known from the beginning with her needing to challenge everything and everyone– but how much could she take before a concussion or any type of head trauma took hold.

Anna wilted leaning back, her eyes closed tightly waiting for impact.

They imploded through the wall falling down. Anna opened her eyes. She recognized that sensation.

It was air unfiltered by temple walls. Harsh weather cutting her skin. Through the haze the northern lights shone greens, turquoises, violets and pinks, down illuminating their way through the storm.

They crashed onto what looked like a scaffolding bridge made of wood and poles. It swayed and creaked ominously, complaining about Ryu's mass and the abuse bestowed upon them from the unexpected snowstorm.

Her landing wasn't graceful with the gale force severity.

Between the blizzard and momentum, Anna launched off over the edge to the left. Ryu yipped and surged her neck forward carefully, catching the back collar of Anna's black blouse between her front teeth.

She had to raise slowly, using her tail which lowered to the other side to keep the bridge from teetering completely over. Anna shoved her fingers in the front of her shirt easing the pressure of the collar to not get strangled.

Ryu's sharp fangs easily tore through with the weight of Anna exuding the fabric to its limit ripping before she could be pulled up.

Anna released a single shout angling herself to face Ryu.

Her strong reaching hands clung to the long tail curving towards her from under the bridge. Wrapping her legs around it as Ryu reeled her back in, placing her finally on somewhat solid ground.

Resting her palms against her knees she bent over to catch her breath.

"Finally we can get a minute." She sighed. Ryu's sharp hearing barely picked it up over noisy winds

Their necks snapped back to the splintering woods collapsing behind them ripping rope and metal poles.

They exchanged deadpanned expressions. "Okay that just proves there's a God and he hates us. Go Ryu go!" Ryu gripped her torn collar and flipped her backwards onto her back and took off in the opposite direction. The sound of breaking wood always behind them, splinters nipping at their heels.

God must have been furious at them, making the pathway to safety in front begin to mimic the same trail of collapsing destruction which went upward instead.

Anna squinted her stinging eyes catching the vortex forming to their right. "Oh no Elsa's pissed." By now she had learned the intricate language Elsa's magic spoke.

It was always infused with her emotions. Anna had witnessed tiny sleet tornadoes when Elsa's patience waned but only for a few seconds before her sister's resolve took over and willed them away of course this was a very rare occurrence, it took a lot to push the woman over the edge with her having a better sense of self control. Elsa always took responsibility for her emotional responses knowing the detriment they could cause.

Never had Anna seen one to this magnitude. Anna could only hope she was safe, the need to make it to her, the desire to soothe her temper washed over Anna.

"Ryu!" The dragon didn't stop. She pressed on teeth gritted, the ground beneath them crumbling under gravity. "Ryu you can't fly!" Anna didn't understand why she screamed those words, as she clung closely to Ryu's haunches, still the dragon readied her wings.

Ryu had hoped for a longer launching pad but it was gone so she'd just have to make due. If Anna was right and God did truly hate them then he'd have to fuck and tear this world to everlasting hell to ever hurt Anna so long as Ryu was around.

The dragon's paws slid across the boards leaving only a few seconds for her legs to bend correctly and launch them into the air, her wings outstretched keeping afloat for a little while. Anna tugging her mane aimed them towards a tower though there was no way in.

The impact had destroyed the side, Ryu's paws gripped and clawed at any type of purchase she could get a hold of. The old temple's structure gave up on them sending the pair further down but Ryu's claws hooked onto a sturdy cant.

"What do we do!" Anna hollard, her eyes moved all over to find a solution. She found it in a toppled beam the dragon could not reach, the cross bracings would stop it from rolling under them if she angled it correctly.

Urgency overrode any sense of preservation, inspiring her legs to lurch her off of Ryu and up the sloped platform.

She made quick work of any blockage and went behind the beam pushing it with her shoulders. "I got you! You're gonna be alright!" One square side went over the other until it was close enough for Ryu's talons to dig into. She leapt onto the Dragon's side climbing up, occasionally her boots couldn't find traction and she nearly slipped off if not for her hands clutching vice to Ryu's fur.

Ryu's legs boosted them upwards fighting against the Earth's pull to the top of the tower. She was hunched, with her ears flat against her skull. Anna did the only thing she could have and rubbed Ryu's head as the tower toppled over. Its top did not reach the cliff's buff but Ryu's leap brought them to it.

The struggle did not end, with rocks and boulders constantly failing them.

She could do nothing. Offer no solution with nature just not on their side. Anna bid the outside farewell as they crashed through the top of a dome. Ryu's spine allowed herself to twist in the air so her legs could brace them in the fall.

They were both losing patience with the other. Trading blow for blow, yielding was not an option for either. The negative emotions withdrew easier and stronger waves of magic from Elsa's fingers.

Elsa pushed her palms down flat then jerked them upright into the air. A obelisk had expanded up beneath the Vakten's muzzle uppercutting his chin, or it was supposed to and would have worked had he not leaned his face to the side gripping it with his left hand, ripping the monolith from the root. He revved up his arm preparing to slug it into her side.

Elsa's shoulders sag. Great, I gifted him another weapon.

Elsa couldn't see to her right now when she occupied disintegrating her magic from his grasp.

It was the slightest, swift, motion caught in her peripherals that drew up a wall seconds before the mace would collide into, her. It crumbled just as she did to the ground barreling over.

Elsa was grateful they were outside and causing as little damage as possible. The Vakten not sharing her concerns of property damage, gripped a huge chunk of a building, rolling it straight for Elsa, awaiting it to hit his mark. A thin long whip of ice shot from behind the trajectory latching onto a vestibule yanking Elsa from the line of damage she swung. Looking at her creation semi-surprised.

Well that's handy. And also gave Elsa an idea of how to stay eye with colossus while also keeping her mobile.

The boulder continued its path. Elsa's attention was drawn away when a loud demolition of a tower could be seen over her shoulder.

"Wha-" her head swiveled to the Vakten who was heading towards her to take out the foundation of her perch, to the tower. "Was that you!" Her tone was accusatory.

Knowing what was to come she used her new found trick to zip past him before he could hit the foundations of the vestibule.

The toppling tower had sparked an idea on her mind. Swinging downward Elsa aimed quick icy barrages into his eyes blinding him… hopefully.

Elsa hurried before his arms would rise above reach and lassoed his wrist yanking herself up, leaping upon his furry forearm she climbed taking the opportunity of the flattened terrain.

Elsa would not let guilt cloud her senses causing her to hesitate. She knew what had to be done for everyone's sake. She brought her left arm up, swirling it above herself once, twice, three times and on and on while running along the Vakten's limb, when enough magic had gathered she hugged it to her torso pulling power from her chest as she let herself go, almost lost amidst the broken dam of her powers, she had to remind herself not to harm him, all she had to accomplish was incapacitation.

In the entirety of their entire battle Elsa had been tossed around like a ragdoll, the Vakten hardly stumbling back from her attacks and defenses, Elsa was about to change that. Now it was his turn.

Elsa evaluated her work with satisfaction, knowing this was just the beginning, magic versus brutally raw strength.

Everything seemed to be happening in seconds, five seconds ago she was whimpering for Anna, four she was running away, three they were fighting, two they were outside testing out unsounded structures, and now they were falling painfully, crashing through piles of stone and wood. The fall was the longest part, Ryu thought it would never end until it did.

It was nice, allowing her tired eyes to stay closed, happy envisionments danced around

U– up!

What was that?

The distant voice was becoming clearer, still Ryu fought against answering its call. It brought both physical pain and emotional comfort. One outweighed the other so Ryu opened her bleary eyes only for dust to cover her large pupils, blinking it away.

"Ryu!" Her human…

It was her human! Ryu chirped and swung her head back and forth but that was a bad idea creating a resounding throb reaching from her temple to the base of her spine.

"Hey…" Anna breathed rapidly. She looked as if she was about to break, Ryu could tell. The tell tale signs didn't lie in her bloody nose or scratched dirty face– it was in her eyes, her watery sorrowful, terrified eyes. "Hey it's oka–okay." She hiccuped– speaking seemed difficult so why did she do it?

"We–" Anna pointed to her chest then to Ryu's. "We're gonna get outta here and go see Olaf." She nodded repeatedly. "I mean we have to, he's waiting for us, and Sven and Nokk." She sounded hysterical. "I know Elsa really wants to see them too and us so we have to go." Go? Go where?

Standing Anna pushed Ryu's flank and for the first time she stood for her. Nearly losing balance if it weren't for her steadying touch.

Ryu followed her eyes to what appeared to be a mine shaft. Suddenly Anna was upon her, offering the warmest most desperate hug she had ever received.

She sobbed into her scales. "I am drowning." At first this confused Ryu but when she looked around there was no sign of land. So she supposed if Anna was drowning she'd be going down with her. Hand in hand.

It'll be Alright Anna. Ryu flattened her large tongue, laying a soft, experimental kiss above Anna's eyebrows. When she wasn't rebuffed she continued her grooming, clearing away the dirt and debris from Anna's face and hair. Planting her nostrils directly onto her hair she memorized Anna's scent using it to steady her nerves. It was faint, obscured by the stench of sweat, blood, and the temple, there were still hints of the mystery slop she had been covered prior but Ryu ignored that in favor of what Anna truly smelt like. She needed that the most.

Sweetness tainted by the biles of fear and stress, deserts, ink, grass, and an aroma similar to Elsa's but different, Ryu couldn't name it but it seeped out of her pores. It gave her all she needed to know about how Anna was feeling, and it clenched her heart tightly.

The dragon escaped the embrace nudging Anna with her snout towards the mine like tunnel. Anna sniffled, nodding. Ryu entered first having to crouch low and keep her wings tucked in tight. With a low gurgle she gestured beneath her. Anna hesitates crawling beneath her, still she feels protected from anything that would occur above.

They went at a slow pace, her hands hurt, and her legs and arms burned, the occasional nudge or lick from Ryu on top kept her going. The dragon stopped whenever Anna needed to lay prone for rest catching her breath before surging on.

Despite everything she couldn't rid the small smile on her muzzle keeping her thoughts on what the reunion between the sisters would be like. A quiet voice spoke out how she'd never be able to see it but that alright so long as it happened she could let her imagination do the rest.

Don't worry Erusa, Anna will be back to you where she belongs.

The first thing the giant's vision saw was the small woman, expression grave, charging up his arm, balancing the eye of a storm, shimmering in blues and whites. She leapt upon his muzzle when she felt his arm lowering.

His reflexes were too slow, the time it took him to register what was happening a battle cry released the tidal wave of nature's gifted powers into his face.

The initial squall was enough to bend his knees backwards, but Elsa wasn't finished, another billow volcanoes from within pinning him on his back with a thunderous clap. The earth was unprepared to receive him.

Elsa would give him no chance to recover, another hurricane spilled from her embedding into the earth this time spreading all over his body freezing his limbs and entire form solid.

Everywhere was shaking.

Ryu could no longer afford patience, picking Anna up by the scruff she crawled faster ignoring the dust and small debris clouding her vision.

They were almost there, she could see the light to the other side. She knew regretfully that this method would only give Anna more scratches and bruises but she'd rather that than what awaited them in the tunnels. The tunnel grew smaller, crushing them in its hold.

When the hole size became a hindrance to their speed, she laid fully on her belly, she grasped Anna's small waist between her paws. "Ryu, what are you doing?" Using whatever reservoir of strength she had left Ryu roughly pushed Anna forward sending her tumbling through the end of the excursion.

"Ryu!" Anna screeched, her body could not react quick enough to beat the cave in. The ceiling enclosed around her cutting off the light. Anna's cries had confirmed she made it, lulling Ryu's restlessness. She couldn't move but that was alright. She didn't have to anymore. "Damnit Periwinkle! Don't– I'll find a way to get you out!" Ryu purred, she wouldn't have chosen those words nor that tone as a lullaby but they were strong and meant Anna was alive, she'd take it.

Anna would make it to Elsa, and without needing proof of this the assurance imprinted on Ryu's heart. It slowed along with her breathing to conserve oxygen. She was no amateur to caveins.

Why was she still fighting? She didn't know, old habits die hard, she guessed. Her stubbornness was not easily given up, even in situations when surrender made perfect sense. She just couldn't.

The resulting thick smog was grey and tan as if a volcano were clearing its throat before it really started to erupt

Anna's breath shuddered, as she pressed her ear to the rock wall, even the blare of her blood rushing was silenced to pick up any traces of sound.

"Ryu, why?" She whimpered sliding down to her rear, her arms enveloped her arms.

"I won't let you make her fade away as a fairytale." Anna cursed through clench teeth at the temple. Her most important goal roused in her mind. She was powerless in this situation, yes but Elsa…

Elsa could get Ryu out of there easily!

"Ryu? I'm not leaving you! I'm just going to go get Elsa, she'll be able to get you out! I'll be back!"

She had no idea what she was doing except running. Now pressed for time, she could hear the clock ticking in the back of her brain as she raced climbing up anything and everything. Ryu could only last for so long.

Elsa resigned herself to squatting down on the Vakten's chest. Her lungs throbbed and body trembled from the exertion. Just a minute, all she needed was a minute then she'd find Kristoff and Bulda and they'd go get Anna and Ryu. She prayed they were keeping good company with each other.

Elda hugged herself, closing her eyes. Just a minute.

It was so quiet she barely heard it over the dying winds, but it was there. A single crack. One eye opened, casting downward. More followed creating a proper frost quake effect. Crackling lines spread growing larger as they traveled up the frozen sculptor.

Surrounded by the cryoseisms splintering her hard work. Her inscrutable face craned up to the heavens. She threw out her arms in a shrug voice cracking when she spoke to whoever was up there. "Why are you always picking on me?"

Preemptively she bounded down the snow cape before the Vakten could burst free from his prison.

Groaning tiredly she spread her legs in a battle stance slowly, flicking away any giant chunks of ice and snow that flew towards her direction.

"Enjoy your nap?" A stomach curdling roar answered from the guardian's maw. He bared his fangs at her, each defeating Elsa in both height and width.

Rising she watched him wipe away the remaining residue of their fight.

They stared, unmoving. Elsa did not want to do this. She knew that from the beginning, she had no desire to destroy and no lust to rage on till one or the other had fallen. From an outsider's perspective he had the upper advantage but from Elsa's she'd still place her own money on herself, if she was impartial to gambling.

Did he tire? She hadn't the slightest idea.

If he lost a limb did he have pain receptors that would slow him down? Elsa couldn't tell.

Even without her magic she knew the one thing in her corner he did not have, and that one thing tipped the odds to her favor; her undying, unwavering love for Anna which had enough power to inspire Elsa to travel in-between dimensions to take on everything single deity in every single pantheon that existed be they myth, legend, or fact. Being willing to sacrifice everything was telegraphed to the Vakten's eyes from her own.

The fizzing thrum that was resonating from her palms she silenced by closing her fist.

"I don't know if you can understand me, and I don't know if you can be injured or tired, and I don't know if my magic is as powerful as your strength…" she glanced to the side embarrassed at how this was coming across. "Come to think of it, I don't know a lot of things– But! I do know this; I will never stop trying to protect my family and friends. Never! So that brings us to an impasse doesn't it?" He made no move to attack, that was a good sign.

I think. Elsa couldn't tell from their stand off alone, still she kept her chest puffed and chin high, addressing the ancient sentinel with what she hoped was the appropriate amount of respect and reverence he deserved.

He had garnered her sympathies, she could sense he was not always this violent why else would the dragons have kept him around such precious treasures as their young. From the gleam in his eyes she could see how their extermination affected him to behave with more severity. His creators destroyed, left alone for centuries to awaken to some trespassers defiling his home.

"I don't know what you want with me, but you can have me if you allow my family– all of my family– to safely depart from this temple. No harm will come to them and I will cease attacking." Elsa's face darkened, her voice spoke with the power to mute the northern lights dancing above them. "But know this, if any harm comes to them, I won't be able to control what will happen next. If you refuse my offer by morning only one of us will be walking away from this and I know for certain it won't be you."

He just stood there, letting the wind blow and distort his fur. To Elsa's utter amazement he pinched the area of his nose between his eyes rubbing his thumb along them. It was too human of gesture to not look comical. Somehow in some manner Elsa had exasperated him. Given any other scenario it would have been a comedic sight.

A grumbling hum synchronized with a bellow from his throat. His hot breath created thick clouds of smoke when it made contact with the chilly air.

It was a language Elsa could not begin to try and translate, she recognized some of the symphonics of the base but that was where all familiarization ended.

To assure they were on the same page Elsa made her best attempt to speak his language. He was a wolf, or half wolf. From all her observations and mental notes Elsa could identify the Nordic influence on this temple beneath the draconic culture. It made sense to her, they existed during the times of olde. So of course that culture, her history, the history of her people, had blended into all self aware beings of the time. It was even more telling with his likeness resembling the wolf. The an animal of protection in Nordic culture. The wolf was a moon Animal often related with renewed energy and wisdom through balancing connecting with youth and an unforetold wisdom.

She had never heard old Norse spoken before, but was certain that was the base language the Vakten spoke in, mixed of course with variations of hums, and drum-like baritones.

She ducked her head, closing her eyes and held out a palm. Elsa's heart drummed along with colossus' buzzing consonant. Ears picking up every micro movement the Vakten made. Her hopes danced to the sound of what seemed to be the sheathing of a weapon.

Elsa jolted when a large mass pressed to her hand pushing her back. "Ouch." She complained but did not withdraw her hand. It was only his index finger. Elsa shook her entire hand up and down, soon he followed the motion.

She wasn't confident in what she just gave herself to but it was worth it, more than worth it if her family could remain safe.

After the agreement was solidified, the hand hovered above Elsa's form, hesitant, testing to see if she'd retaliate.

The only reaction was scrunching her eyes closed when the Vakten descended upon her.

What the fucking hell!

Anna did not have time for this. She growled at the soldiers filling in, she had hoped she ran past the doors fast enough that they wouldn't get whatever notification they had received prior to her presence but those hopes were dashed to pieces.

Anna fought off as many as she could, her limit was an army. She sobbed, prying herself from their grasps. No matter how many she paralyzed another replaced them efficiently.

The light when they managed to get her through the door was blinding, white never ending. Some sick joke of an afterlife.

Struggling her mind to exhaustion, taking away any light and in turn giving black in her wake.

"Why do you doubt yourself?" It felt like the first breath of life she had ever taken. Lurching Anna upright. Immediately she calmed, above her stood the magnificent white Elk pinning her in place with those light blue eyes which could cross examine Satan if he stood before the deity.

He allowed Anna to study their surroundings, not there was much take in. Just a white void never ending.

Finally Anna answered, unable to bring herself to cry though she wanted to. The white elk's presence created such contradictions, both overwhelming, imposing, and yet succor, pervading that any times of trials were that of the past. "Because I've made mistakes and done the most stupid of things."

"And?" Cernunnos' response trickled memories that were appalling, but they were different from Ryu's. Hers had been mocking and dubious, gauging Anna into feeling foolish for even making such comparisons. His voice reminded her of her father's, he reply was foolish all the same to them but instead of mocking his tone promised answers.

"And… My mistakes can be costly. I have a lot of people to take care of and protect." Anna expecting shame found none in his eyes, just the simplicity of expectancy.

"So take care of and protect them." Anna wished it was that simplistic, but the trouble her family got into was unlike others she had heard about from either her citizens or staff and even visiting dignitaries.

"What if I can't?" She whispered.

"Then you are unable, in this regard however it isn't a matter of can and can't but a matter of will or won't. Will you, if you are able?"

"Ye– yes. Yes of course."

"Then you can. For you are very able." Anna wished she shared his assurance in her own aptness towards herself but she did not, something thin and opaque always at odds with the determination to do so at war with each other. "What if it leads to disaster?"

"Then that is what happens. Will a doe– her first mothering season– not protect and care for her fawn because she may not be able to?" Now the king began circling her, it did not feel predatory but very gauging, as if he wanted to study every inch of her whilst she responded. It reminded Anna of the luthiers that would pluck the strings of her violin and tune it accordingly, finding the best response for each string.

"Umm I don't know much about deer but they're still around and I've seen them with their babies so I'm going to say no–"

"-And if she fails, will she refuse to birth another come next spring?"

Anna shook her head, keeping eye contact with the elk when he finally stopped in front of her. The God had been expecting her to remain unwavering as she quivered her reply.

They sat in peculiarly comforting silence regarding each other.

"Nature is and will always be an unstoppable force and as much destruction that man hath wrought upon it he is still a part of it, no matter the separation humans wish to bring between them." His point seems so unrelated, far away the sound of the struggles of strong warriors and craftsmen cutting and carving their way through nature among varying generations whispered into her ears, till they quit to the King's will.

"You will make more mistakes, that I can guarantee but tell me knowing this does it deter you from protecting your fawns?"

Fawns? Anna wasn't a deer, and she certainly did not have any fawns, to make certain she checked her still very human legs and very human hands. No she wasn't then the entendre shined its light upon her. "It won't stop me, nothing will ever stop me from keeping my family safe and happy." Her fist closed staunchly.

"And during certain times when you can't or have no need to? What then?"

The question sent Anna's mind into a spiraling turmoil, she felt drunk without any of the beneficial perks that drove people to take strong liquors in the first place.

"I'm Elsa's sister– she… we well we'll always be there for each other no matter what."

"So you identify yourself through your relationships." It was not a question but an observation. "Without those titles what is left? What are you?" The way Cernunnos spoke it out to be was said with such dominance and confidence could not be disputed.

Anna gulped, her fingers had wrung themselves into almost knots, every single memory of the time she had done that very thing he brought to attention surfaced in her mind.

Hi, I'm Olaf's friend.

Hey, I'm Kristoff's wife.

I'm Bulda's daughter.

Of course– I'm my people's queen and a servant of the people.

I'm Elsa's sister.

"I will tell you– the fear of becoming dispensable to those in your life. That is not true Dear Anna, Others who truly care for you will not abandon you if they no longer need you. Always focusing your energy on meeting others needs whilst alluding to the impression you have none of your own."

Anna thought this untrue she definitely always voiced she needed her sister and other family. The shame of being once a useless naive princess who stood outside her sister's door crying, knocking, always hanging around to remind her, then endangering Elsa and all of her people with some flimsy whim of what she thought was love. Anna was eternally grateful that her family showed her what real love actually was and would consider herself a love expert had she not heard what Cernunnos said next.

"Love, true love, is not transactional, you do not always have to earn it. Gifts are not earned– they are given. And if you need something use your voice–" his own sang through the void bringing forth grass beneath them. "I know it is strong, I heard some time ago all the way over here." He jutted his snout to the left then became serious once more. Anna blushed having realized how her screams of terror had probably wrecked disquietude amongst the entire mountain crater. She didn't know it carried so far.

"Remember, not everyone can sense your needs as you can sense theirs. Accept and embrace meeting yourself as well and invest time and dynamism into creative projects if it pleases you. I do in my own free time–" on cue a tree Anna had never seen before erected next to them, blooming pink flowers that looked like they belong to a fairytale, a dream, nonexistent in her world.

"Enable yourself to feel pride in these ventures even when they aren't helping someone. You are more than worthy of love even when asking for help."

Shyly she shot her eyes up to him speaking quietly. "I- I play the violin."

The elk god bowed his neck to her. Anna could have sworn he was batting his eyelashes at her. "I will humbly invite you to showcase this skill here."

"It would be an honor to play for you!"

His ears twirled in erect circles rapidly. "It would be an even greater honor to listen." Anna chuckled at the exposed weakness the God had for creationism, with his interests going towards the arts as well.

It wasn't until his breath had wisped over her face from his nostrils had Anna perceived how close she had been scooting towards him, and how he had knelt down to lay next to her. Overcome with emotion her arms flung out and wrapped them around his chest and neck in a tight hug. The king stiffened, a rarity in his lifetime where he did not know how to act until Anna whispered into his dense and coarse fur.

"Thank you."

He cleared his throat, voice sounding just as soft as hers. "You are quite welcome Dear Anna."

When she finally relinquished her grip he stood to his hooves. His eyes were so strong, warm, and held lifetimes of wisdom within them when he stared down at her. "Until we meet again?"

A beat skipped in Anna's heart followed by another and another, now she had thought she was dying. "Will we?"

"Yes."

"I didn't think the god of nature would be so….well versed in the ways of love."

He was not offended but still perplexed by her naivety. "I am one of the many keepers of life and peace, you cannot create those things as pure as God without love."

"Huh" Anna huffed, mulling over the connections. Without thinking she tilted her head at him, unable to keep from speaking her mind. "Do you know about sex?

Ceronoss looked down his nose at her for a few seconds, giving her a chance to revise her question but Anna never seized the opportunity.

"I am a deity of fertility." His sardonic undertones were not at a loss to her.

"Oh right!" Anna fiddling with her shirt and pants in habit. "I guess that kinda goes hand and hand or hoof and hoof.. for you anyways." He studied her then looked away, his shoulders shaking with contained laughter.

Anna squinted mischievously, wiggling her brows and smiles. "Know any tips?" She liked drawing out his side of him. One of the mysterious Gods of Celtic history enjoyed jokes and banter; who knew.

"A few." The smirk on his muzzle would have been discernable from anyone who hadn't spent some time with him.

"Can I know some?" Now he chuckles out loud. "You said to be more vocal with my needs."

"Another time, perhaps I will lament my true story to you, those are stories that contain enough tips. Now we must get you to Elsa. She misses you.

"And I miss her." Anna sighed following along quickly.

"How do we get there?"

"We walk." As they went on to seemingly nowhere Anna could contain her questions no more. She needed to know if this was a purgatory. From the king's response, it wasn't.

"Do you doubt anything I tell you?"

"No." It was the truth as far as Anna could expand her understanding of what was happening. They are constantly walking towards her sister and never reaching her. She could feel that ceronoss was beyond appearing as apparitions bending to another's will to trick a person into thinking a certain reality was real. Still she wondered.

"Is this some type of spiritual plane or something? "

"No, it is the infirmary." His matter of fact response confused Anna who had never seen an infirmary or read about one like this.

"Oh."

He had seen her during their walk, tracing with her fingers the now invisible scars and bruises drawing him to speak up.

"You may experience some soreness upon awakening, and I cannot vow that your mind will be left unscathed, we can only hope for the best when it comes to these matters… I, however, think you'll live." It wasn't obvious but the deity's sense of humor was sly, and dry, slipping by a quick tongue if one did not catch it.

Like Elsa's.

It was comforting to know God was not above in stature to a joke or two.

"Why was I brought here? Seems like an infirmary for spirits.

Since the first time they met, Ceronos' eyes widened a considerable degree. He turned his entire neck and head to Anna.

"You are a spirit." Anna sputtered pointing to herself. "Me!" He nodded once.

"What? No, no, no, you guys must have confused me with Elsa, she's the fifth Spirit."

"You are both two halves of the fifth Spirit, tethering it to become whole with your bond." Anna couldn't deny that. "Those Åndevakter were made by the dragons to safely capture and tend to any spiritual being loose in the temple." Instead of making sense this only confuzzled Anna more. She stopped walking and challenged him, casting her hands akimbo unsure of where the boldness to question a deity came from.

"Then why did they attack us?" Cernunnos remained placid, stopping his gait to face her. "They attacked you?"

"I mean yea! They grabbed me and were taking me through those weird doors…" Anna trailed off as her mind caught up. "Which brought me here…" she could still incriminate them. " They attacked and held Ryu, a dragon by the way, down to the ground and tore into the ice patch my sister gave her on her wing so she could fly. They just took it right out!" This did not throw the king off his gait.

"They sensed a foreign magic on her and removed it. A defense against any spells that could be placed on young ones by humans or other entities." He spoke as if this was a common occurrence.

It still made Anna question everything she had been through. The temple was never hostile. Just operating on a centuries old system created by its rulers.

Without another word said the pair reached where white ended and darkness began.

"I will go no further, you must keep moving forward and Elsa will be waiting for you." In slough of the dubious setting Anna couldn't find herself doubting a single instruction the Elk informed her of. She just didn't want him to leave her presence.

In a good nature she turned and grinned up at him. "You're a very wise and handsome Elk. Your mate is lucky." The king bowed and went on in the opposite direction before calling over his shoulder. "Mates."

Anna's smile grew, shaking her head, then continued adventuring into the black without fear. She would have ran but all sense of urgency was gone.

Elsa was safe, so was Kristoff and Bulda.

They'd get to Ryu.

All would be well.