Part 2: A Journey with Milla

Chapter 9: The Cliff of Beginnings

Date: February 25th 2043

"Brrrr… it's so cold!" Carly 'shouted'. I frowned.

"Is it?" I paused and looked around, and looked to my gloves, tightening them. "It doesn't feel cold here…"

"Are you serious?" Milla exclaimed. "I'm freezing!"

I shrugged. "Guess it helps that I'm the nephew of the Ninja of Ice." I sighed as they both shivered. "Alright… fine. We can stay somewhere today… wasn't there a house up here Milla?"

"Uh… well… there's said to be a hidden house here somewhere."

"Hidden?" She nodded. I frowned. "It must be Uncle Zane's old house. Mom told me they lived up here." I looked around and gasped as Zane stood in the snow a few trees away. He motioned for me to follow then turned and started walking away. I rushed forward, leaving Milla to chase after me. I stopped at where Uncle Zane stood originally. I frowned and stared at the snow.

Footprints? I thought that he was only in my mind…

I looked at where he walked and then to Milla.

"Come on… I think I know where the house is."

We walked for what seemed miles until we reached a rather large tree. As we reached it I noticed a door in the bark. Zane's footprints ended at the door. I turned to Milla and nodded. "Well... this is it." I said as I pulled on the well-hidden handle.

We all stared in amazement as we saw the house my uncle once lived in.

It was surprisingly clean, probably done by mom after Zane's funeral. I noted the gears and wires next to the old couch. I smiled as I saw a small metal fireplace. Carly screeched and flew in a circle around the air, causing Milla and I to laugh. I closed the door behind us and walked in.

"Ok. We can stay the night here, then leave in the morning."

"Deal!" Carly said as she flew near the heat-giving fireplace. I smiled and sat down at the couch, giving a sigh as I carefully placed my swords on the ground next to me. I closed my eyes and folded my arms behind my head, relaxing. I felt Milla plop on the couch and I opened one eye to watch her. She was watching Carly twirl around, and I couldn't help but give a small smile.

Day ended and we decided to rest early. It was sunset when we all went to sleep. I allowed Milla to sleep on the couch, using a blanket I found next to the wires and gears. Carly curled into a ball on the couches arm rest and slept peacefully. I lay on the floor the same as I always did; with my arms under my head in an X.

I sighed and turned to the side, then the other side. I growled and sat up, shaking my head.

I just cannot sleep…

I thought silently. I turned my head and saw Milla and Carly were sleeping peacefully. I smiled and slowly stood, quietly grabbing my swords and strapping them on. I was extra careful on the stairs and opening the door, since they were metal and made lots of noise.

I let out a sigh of relief as the cold winds blew into me. I closed my eyes and allowed the wind to freely blow my hair back. I slowly opened my eyes as the wind died down, uttering a stuttered 'what' as I saw Uncle Zane standing in front of me. I blinked twice as he walked away. I took a step forward then stopped, turning as I stared at the hidden house.

I'll be quick…

I said to myself before darting after my Uncle's strange footprints in the snow. I was forced to battle monsters along the way, but I kept close to my uncle. I frowned as I looked up. The sky was turning orange… sunset… maybe I should turn around and return to the house… no… I'll give my uncle a few more minutes…

The farther we traveled, the more I wanted to follow him. I had a strange feeling about where we were heading. I couldn't shake it.

I took one last step and stared at where we were.

I-Is this… no… I-it cannot be…

I blinked twice and shook my head. Mom had told me of this place. She called it The Cliff of Beginnings, since this was the location where everything started. The place where both mom and Uncle Zane fell to their deaths. The cliff…

I took cautious steps, my eyes never wavering from the broken edge of the cliff. I slowly knelt, then took a careful seat at the very edge, staring into the endless sea of green trees below and the orange sunset.

"Couldn't sleep?"

I jumped, my right hand on Frost Bite as I turned, staring into Milla's eyes. I gave a sigh and relaxed once more. She walked up to me and sat by my side.

"Yeah… I guess you couldn't either…?"

She shook her head. "Nope…"

A few minutes passed before I stared into her eyes.

"Hey… Milla…?"

"Yeah, Frost?" She said, glancing from the sunset to my eyes, then back. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Back in Scatter Canyon… When you said something about my parents…" She blinked, and then stared at me, but I refused to show her my eyes. "You… were right… My parents aren't on a trip… they were…" I formed a fist and let out a shaky breath. "Th-the true reason I am on this journey… is to rescue them… from Guilt…"

I glanced up to her sparkling eyes.

"Frost…?" She whispered sadly. I blinked twice and looked to my hands. I reached up and took Frost Bite from its case, staring at my reflection in the crystal.

"The accident happened two months ago… on Christmas Day…" I whispered as I put the sword back.

Milla bit her lip and looked to her own hands. "I told you why I was on this trip…"

"Yeah…" I said glancing to her. "…You wanted to know what could drive a person to train as hard as me…"

"…Do you know why…?" She asked. I shook my head. She gave a soft sniff. "My parents were taken by Guilt too…"

I blinked and stared at her soft face. I put a shaky hand around her fist.

"I… I am sorry…" I whispered. She glanced at me.

Time magically seemed to slow, and it was just us. A blush filled my face and I hesitantly looked away from her glamorous eyes, but she continued to stare at me.

"Heh… well… I think… that I can sleep now… Thanks for talking to me…" I said as I stood, scratching the back of my head, my face bright red. I turned and started to walk away.

"… Frost wait!"

I paused and slowly turned to look at her. She stood and walked over to me, her face as red as mine. She glanced to my hand, taking it in hers. "Th-there is something… I wanted to tell you… since the day you saved me at the dojo…"

I blinked twice and stared into her eyes.

"Frost… I… L-"

The ground beneath Milla suddenly turned pure black. We both gasped, and I held her tightly as mist rose from it. Trails of black slowly grew up her legs then her waist.

"Frost!" She screamed, and she was slowly pulled down as though it were quicksand.

"Milla!" I shouted and I held her hand. "Milla!"

I watched in horror as her head slowly vanished, her eyes filled with fear. I held onto her hand until it vanished, and I was shoulder deep in the black hole. I saw the hole shrink, and I was forced to pull out my arm a sharp pain struck the center of my palm. I sat on my knees and stared at my hand, wincing.

The center of my palm was dark purple with surrounding black coloring. At first glance it resembled a stab wound. I held my wrist firmly and breathed through my teeth. I returned my gaze to where Milla once was.

I let my tears flow freely down my cheeks, and watched their salt melt the snow below me. I gave shaky breaths, remaining on my knees. I gasped and stared into the dark sky ahead of me as a howl came from a mile away. I shook my head and looked up to the silver moon.

"Why… Why do you have to… take everything from me…? I… I loved her…" I whispered into the moon. I shook my head and looked back down to where Milla was a moment ago.

Frost…

I faintly looked up and saw Uncle Zane standing in front of me. I blinked twice at him with tear filled eyes. This time he had a halo and a pair of pure white wings. I looked to his feet and saw that there were no footprints in the soft snow as he slowly knelt in front of me, placing soft hands on each shoulder. I stared into his icy eyes and gave a soft sniff.

"U-Uncle Zane…" I whispered before putting my head on his shoulder. "H-he took Milla… h-he took h-her…" I sobbed. "Why… why does he have to… wh-why does he do th-this…?"

Zane held me tightly as I cried into his shoulder.

"Frost… Frost, listen to me…" I pulled back and stared into his icy eyes. "You cannot blame yourself. The more guilt you feel, the stronger Guilt gets, and the harder it will be to save her…" He whispered to me softly. I sniffed and faintly nodded.

Zane smiled and gave a one last hug before standing.

"Uncle Zane… why… how can I hug you… if you are only a faint entity in my mind…" I asked as I slowly stood.

"What if I am not an entity? What if I am your own consciousness telling you not to blame yourself? What if, I am not dead at all?" He said with a slight smirk before walking to the edge of the cliff, leaving no footprints in the soft powder on the ground. I frowned and took a step towards him.

"Uncle…?" I whispered softly. He faintly turned his head to me, but continued staring at the distant moon. I bit my lip and looked to his hand. It was hanging lazily at his side. "You… you didn't deserve to die the way you did…"

I saw his hand tighten into a fist, and his bare hands turn white. I looked up to see him looking me in the eyes. He turned once more and smiled.

"Don't you see…? Frost…" He whispered to me as his eyes sparkled with faint tears. "That is why it has to be you…"

I blinked, feeling my tears rush into my eyes once again. I gave a shaky breath as the realization seeped in. I shook my head, and drooped my shoulders, looking back to my feet.

"B-But Uncle… h-he's an ever-powerful entity... and I am just… just…"

"…A kid…?"

I nodded faintly. Zane shook his head.

"No, Frost… you are so much more. If only you knew… what you are capable of…"

I glanced into his eyes and wiped mine. "Uncle… are… are you proud of me…" I whispered faintly. He blinked twice and walked up to me.

"Of course I am, nephew. Even if you do not defeat Guilt… I will be proud of you if you try…" He gave me a smile and stepped towards the cliff, sitting down at the edge. He patted the earth next to him, as though to tell me to sit with him. I gladly obeyed.

A few minutes passed before Zane closed his eyes and started to sing. I smiled and felt the tears pour from my face. His voice was just as dad described, deep yet soft and light on the ears, and his words filled with truth and hope. I noticed the sun rise in the distance. I blinked twice, taking mental pictures of this moment with my uncle. The sunrise and the sweet words flowing from my uncle's mouth were the best things I ever thought I would see and hear.

Before I even realized it, I joined in his singing with my eyes still closed, and melted with his words, creating a perfect harmony. It felt like hours passed, but the gradual rising of the sun reminded me of the time. After a while, I noticed that his voice slowly ceased, and I sensed his presence no more on the cliff. But I continued to sing the slow, soft melody of hope that we made.

I sighed as I reached what felt like the perfect ending and looked back to the sun. I blinked twice with a smile before standing and turning. I lightly jumped as I saw Carly sitting on her hind legs and staring at me with awe.

"That was… amazing… I didn't know you could sing like that."

I faintly blushed, then smiled. I picked her up and scratched her under her white chin. She smiled and gave a soft purr before landing on my head. I started walking, continuing to Guilt's Castle. She looked around and frowned.

"Wasn't Milla with you?"

I stopped and closed my eyes, tightening my fists.

"Yes… Guilt got her..."

"Oh… I… I am sorry…"

"Hm?"

"I could tell you liked her…"

"Oh…" I said as I continued. I lightly glanced to the sun again. "Hey… Carly…?"

"Yeah?"

"Did… Did she like me?"

Carly smiled and gave a soft purr as she buried her soft feathery head into my white hair.

"If you want my opinion… yeah… I think she did."

I couldn't help but smile. I walked slightly faster than normal.

Do not worry, Milla. I am coming