Frozen in the Void
Chapter 2
The Festival Finale. A Happy End or One of Impending Danger?
"So your lands were ravaged by Void for nearly seven and a half years? How did you manage to turn the tides?" Elsa asked staring out the window of the castle's study.
Roda, Sara, Lia, Raven, and Dimitri stood around the fireplace of the study, partially confused as to how the Queen seemed to be shrugging off the chill.
"It wasn't easy." Sara insisted. "For my part in it there were two sisters who were told to find Dragons and their Riders who might possibly have knowledge of what to do. The group they were with that was accompanying them consisted of people who either believed in that cause or had ties to them. I was one of them."
Roda explained, "The Dragons assisted in evacuating the human homeland. For better or worse they seemed to know about the potential destruction that was going to ensue before the apocalypse happened. I regret I wasn't able to stop the man who summoned the Void but…"
Roda trailed off as he gazed into the fireplace. He realized he had paused before continuing.
"Most of the dragon's and riders were killed or captured; transformed into malevolent monsters. After my group had reconciled but failed to kill the man, we retreated and split up. Some retreated to the other nations, the big man you saw retreated to the mountains, and some of us went with the young duo back to the dragon's home. Apparently those girls with Sara were much like Raven and Dimitri but where they have powers associated with Void, the others claimed to have powers of an entity named Spirit. Gained from their mother who seemed to have been chosen as some kind of Avatar. She was the one who warned those of us 8 years ago. If we hadn't been so focused on grudges just maybe…" He trailed off again but caught himself.
"When they managed to find Dragon's Edge, I wasn't in the best state of mind and they found the Dragon Riders to be limited. Few veterans, many elderly riders who's age was catching up to them, and young riders and dragons who were as green as a farm boy picking up a sword for the first time."
Sara had wrapped her arm around Roda's and continued where he left off.
"An attack on the island managed to get Roda back on his feet. Because he regained that spirit, we managed to hold off the attack. From their all of us devised the plan to try and unify the nations. It took a lot of effort but in the end we managed to get the nations of Dessila to unify and formulate an attack on the former emperors castle and liberate Amarh."
Elsa seemed astounded at what went on. And how it seemed to just be contained to this far away land.
"You haven't mentioned where Lia was in this."
"I was more a problem than a solution. I had been corrupted and controlled by Emperor Foregon." She said the name with spite. "My parents had only just figured out who I was to them and they didn't want to see me die to the Void. Somehow they saved me when they could have easily killed me."
Elsa could hear the pained inflection in her voice.
"It's like we said though: our family's life is complex to say the least."
"I see." Elsa looked at Emperor Zephyr's letter. "So since your nations have been clearing out remaining infestations, you noticed Void disperse past your freshly deceased God Serpents."
"We've been starting to think that them still being alive would be better but everyone assumed they were just monsters roaming the outskirts of the oceans," Roda explained.
Elsa continued, "And so your Dessilan Excursions have been to try and track down the fleeing…Corrupters you called them? How many were there?"
"Only four," Sara answered. "This one was predicted to be the largest. Two were killed shortly after the expeditions set out. The Halfling Fleet and Dragons caught up to them and eliminated them before they could infest anywhere. The other is being tracked by a force led by our friend Tharan Thular. Our last contact was 3 weeks ago but we haven't been able to set up Tele-crystals due to being at sea for most of that time. When we stopped by the Seven Isles it wasn't for long because there was a minor infestation there and the Corrupter flew away. We were then waylaid by a storm and why we hope we are not to late."
Elsa pondered what they were saying. If what they were saying was true then Arendelle could be in great danger. Though they were strangers she felt like she could believe them because the sudden dread when she saw that black mass streak across the sky was suddenly returning.
"My sister's husband regularly makes trips into the mountains and forests. He's informed me that he hasn't seen anything different. He even trekked up the mountains and hasn't found anything resembling the signs you mentioned."
"With all due respect your majesty, he wouldn't know what to look for," Lia stated. "While much of the Void creatures tend to be mindless monsters, some have expressed intelligence when they weren't being ordered by Emperor Foregon or his…lieutenants. If it has burrowed anywhere then only Raven or Dimitri can sense them. And you don't have to worry about them. They aren't evil like Dracolith was."
"She's right," Dimitri added emotionless. "We learned that Corrupters were gifted with intelligence and since Foregon's demise, this one has proved to have greater instincts than others."
"I believe you." Elsa looked out the window again at the setting sun. "But if it is as dangerous as you say then I would suggest waiting till tomorrow at least. The wolves around Arendelle can be dangerous and you don't know the land. I can even ask Kristoff if he can act as your guide. He's grown up in the forest and mountains so he knows them like the back of his hand."
"Hmm…" Roda thought.
"I'd advise that too. Fighting in unfamiliar territory is dangerous. Even with Jacobe, Dalimm, and Mallaq, we'd still be at a disadvantage."
"We could use the rest too. Not many of us are seafarers like Captain Dorner and the Halflings," Roda added.
"I know it is a small thing to add to it father but being around the people of Arendelle's festival might raise some morale too. I know that many of the force are glad to see something jovial for once since the celebration at the end of the war. Myself included."
"Alright then: it's settled." Roda looked at the queen. "We'll do just that. And if you can speak to your man Kristoff then we would appreciate it."
"Then it is settled then General Roda. And if you can't find lodging due to the festival, I would like to extend the space in my castle. If you intend to rid us of a potential threat of this magnitude then it is the least I can do."
Just then a knock was heard on the door.
"Enter."
A young woman entered the study and bowed.
"The cook wanted me to let you know that he was ready to start cooking dinner my queen. Will the guests you mentioned be dining with us?"
"Queen Elsa we really shouldn't. We don't want to intrude!" Sara said surprised.
"It's alright I insist. I told them at least 4 but were there any others you wanted to introduce me to? It really is no trouble at all."
"If that is the case then could you fit 9 more? Those are some of the people you saw that have been through the ordeal in Dessila up close and personal. Captain Dorner will prefer dining on his ship or a tavern over eating in a castle." Roda responded.
"Certainly general."
…...
Elsa was waiting outside in the courtyard of the castle. It'd be an understatement to say she didn't sleep well the night before. Even the entertainment of the characters at dinner could only be a light smile. She could see now why Roda gave her a warning about most of them. She couldn't see how some of them were friends given they always seemed to banter nonstop to the point of fighting. Even with the serious situation.
"I wonder how they can do that? Could it be they don't care or is it their way of handling situations?"
Like Olaf never seeming phased by anything sad, they seemed to not be phased by the horrible situation.
"I hope Kristoff is alright. I know he goes out with Sven in for a morning walk in the woods but hearing some of their stories has me worried."
"Good morning Queen Elsa."
Elsa gasped in surprise as the general startled her from her thoughts.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to catch you off guard," he said, his strict tone of voice never seeming to disappear.
"It's alright. I was just thinking is all. Do you usually roam this early in the morning as well?"
He shook his head, never relaxing in his posture.
"No. It has always been a habit of mine to patrol the streets. Even in the Amarhian capital and it's size, I always patrolled them. It helps keep me busy and ensures I remember the layout of the city. This time, however, I used it to analyze your cities defenses in case the worse case scenario might happen. And, to put it bluntly, it wouldn't last. I have a feeling war has not been common in these lands?"
Elsa nodded.
"As far as I can recall, we've never had a problem with much of anything like that. The most has been wolves but usually people are prepared for them."
Roda's gaze fell to the sword sheathed at his side.
"I envy that. Despite the jests of Zuretha and MaLelia I don't like war and fighting. But Dessila always has known some kind of turmoil and I have been a soldier a very long time."
Elsa could sense the weariness in his words but she also could hear something else. To her it sounded like pain.
"If I may ask how long would that be?"
He looked at her as he answered, "Since I was 16. My family has always been a military family. I turned 63 this past year. Most soldiers my age are in advisory positions or leadership positions somewhere in the back lines but I will always stand at the front or not stand at all."
"You sound like a brave and dedicated man Sir Centuri. I imagine you have earned many honors in your service?"
"Many." He adjusted his cloak. "Many decorations and honors. Many stories. Many unofficial monitors and official alike. Many sleepless nights too. I don't regret my service and I admit I could be a much better man but you don't lead my kind of life without having to constantly see ghosts and nightmares. Those I could do without. But in the name of all that is good I must move ever onward. Maybe one day I can never rest while evil is allowed to fester."
Elsa could almost see the weight of the burden he felt on his shoulders. Elsa could only imagine what must keep him awake and what he has seen.
"He must feel so…haunted. Sara did say he bottled things up. It makes me wonder if he regrets living as long as he has. The poor man."
Elsa couldn't help but feel pity and she changed the subject to attempt to take his mind off the past. They sat at the large fountain and Elsa talked about Arendelle and her family with him. As the two were talking, they began to notice a minor commotion at the gates. Suddenly the guards were shouting to open the gate and as it did, a form came tearing through. Elsa recognized it as Sven with Kristoff slumped on his back.
"Kristoff, Sven!" she cried as she ran to meet the reindeer.
Upon getting closer Elsa and Roda saw Sven was covered in wounds resembling bite marks and scratches and was near ready to collapse. And the two saw that Kristoff seemed to suffer from more serious injuries.
"Sven, what happened? Kristoff? Kristoff wake up!" Elsa cried shaking him.
"These wounds look bad. We need to act now your majesty," Roda said taking charge, not losing his cool.
"Kristoff what happened? Kristoff wake up!" Elsa repeated.
Roda grabbed her roughly by the shoulder and pulled her to the side. Shaking her real quick and making her look at him, he spoke in a militaristic tone.
"I need you to go get everyone. Especially MaLelia. She'll be able to help him but you need to get her now!" He let go of her shoulder. "I'll get him taken care of but right now I need you to get her okay? And you'll need to help keep control of your sister."
Elsa nodded.
"Good. We need to keep a level head right now and I need you to compose yourself. I promise you that MaLelia can help. Now go!" Roda ordered.
With that he gave Elsa a light push towards the castle and turned to the guards. As the queen hurried, Roda could be heard commanding the guards.
"I need to know the closest room. Any room, we need to get him to a bed. The rest of you haul the reindeer to the same one if he falls."
Else turned to see Roda yank Kristoff off of Sven's back. Despite being much shorter and smaller than Kristoff, Roda was surprisingly strong due to nearly five decades of regular physical training. He proceeded to put the ice man's arm around his shoulder and carry him to where one of the guards was going to lead him. She was amazed that Roda didn't seem burdened at all.
"Don't just stand there, let's move!" he shouted.
…...
The room was crowded with the new arrivals. Elsa was holding Anna close and consoling her while Dalimm was checking Sven's injuries out in the hall. Everyone else was watching MaLelia use her healing magic. Elsa had been wondering how the short red head could help but she never accounted for the new arrivals having magic. She couldn't understand why they didn't tell her about that if they were free with their information about Raven and Dimitri's abilities.
"If you are wondering why we didn't tell you about our magic, it's because we didn't how anyone would respond if they didn't have it as well."
Someone seemed to have read her mind. As Elsa turned her head to whoever whispered to her, she saw it was the tall skinny man in the robe. Joshua was his name as she recalled.
"What?"
"Hmm? Oh, I just assumed you were confused about MaLelia's magic. I'm sure Roda told you about Raven and Dimitri because we could play them off as being the spawn of a devil or something. Quite literally they are but enough about that. Letti and Rose, those girls we talked about and during dinner? Same situation." He casually waved his hand in the air. "Divine providence in a way. MaLelia and myself? We're rather powerful mages though she was a cleric more or less."
"Does anyone else here have magical abilities?" Elsa quietly inquired rubbing Anna's head.
"Sort of but not really. Bardak and Roda have some interesting skills but they aren't what we could scientifically classify as magic," the mage casually said.
Roda had been tapping on a few of the other's shoulders and motioning for them to follow him outside. Without a word Zuretha, Jacobe, Bardak, and Dimitri followed him out.
"How's he doing Dalimm," Roda asked.
"A few deep scratches and some nasty bites. Nothin he can't recover from since I bandaged him up and used some of this gunk to prevent infection," he responded holding up some medicine he carried in his pouch.
"That's good then. I want you all to get your equipment and get prepared. We'll meet by the town square shortly."
"What's the plan Roda? Are we going for the Corrupter?" the giant of a man, Jacobe, asked.
"No. We're going to hunt for whatever attacked Kristoff. Elsa said there hasn't been anything since she saw the Corrupter. Our arrival must have agitated it and if it has had even a few days to settle in, it may have gotten some of the wildlife."
"Aye," Dalimm said in agreement. "They look like wolf bites and claw marks."
Zuretha let out a chuckle, "Ah Void Wolves. Now those bastards bring back some memories eh Maverick!"
The attack dog at her side gave a bark in agreement.
The door closed behind them and they noticed Sara approach them.
"I assume you are going out?"
"Yes but we're looking for whatever attacked him. If we agitated our target then there could be an attack. I want you in charge here Sara. Get some people to the town and alert Captain Dorner. Raven and Dimitri will act as our line of communication."
Sara nodded in agreement.
"I can do that. We'll be ready for anything. I'll help you get your armor on."
…...
"I know it's winter here but it feels colder. Guess that means we're getting close?" Zuretha asked casually.
Jacobe adjusted the massive sheath containing his even larger greatsword as he responded, "Might be. I think it's the Corrupter cowering.
The party walked in a staggered formation behind the hulking bear known as Mallaq. His nose was close to the ground like the dog that trailed at Zuretha's heels. Maverick was no tracking dog but he definitely was familiar with the Void. Everyone but Jacobe had their weapons out and at their side in case of ambush as Jacobe was usually confident and cocky due to his superior strength. Zuretha twirled one of her swordbreakers, Bardak seemed to be praying to his elegant rapier, Dalimm kept his eye on his surroundings with his crossbow, Dimitri had only a simple but sharp dagger as he relied on his abilities, and Roda palmed the cold Dwarven steel of Brutix as he checked the strap of his targe. He shivered in his cuirass due to the sudden gust of wind.
"Hold fast!" Dalimm commanded raising his free fist.
Everyone paused as Mallaq furiously sniffed the ground in the small clearing. Suddenly he raised his head and bared his teeth in a ferocious snarl. Both him and Maverick released deep guttural growls.
"Circle formation. Now."
Everyone followed Roda's calmly stated order. With backs to each other and weapons at the ready, they listened. Through the light wind and trees rustling they heard many a branch snap. Then their predicted enemies, Void Wolves, stalked out from the brush and surrounded them.
"Just as you suspected Dalimm. They've been tracking us the whole time." Roda told the Dwarf.
"Aye but at least we have them surrounded!"
The wolves resembled standard wolves of Arendelle but the void left them warped. They had four eyes and all were stark white. They were bigger and the black fur wasn't black. It could only be described as a shadow at most, nothing at best. It seemed to lick at the air and writhe upon the wolves. Every aspect of the beasts seemed to be alive. Combined the group of 8 counted 16.
"Eight of us and sixteen of them? I think they are scared!" Bardak scoffed as he adjusted his fancy jacket and took a dueling stance.
"Bet me and Maverick'll kill more of them!" Zuretha chimed in.
Jacobe popped his neck with a loud pop and his knuckles with a series of cracks, "Give me some of that action Z. I love a good bet!"
"Excuse me? Who is the best gambler in Dessila? I'll bet you I murder more wolves! How's about 30 silver pieces and 5 gold sound?" Bardak said, his sword hand twitching.
"I'll drink to that! Count me in cubs!" Dalimm laughed.
"Stow it now!" Roda commanded sternly. "Or you won't live to see another coin piece again!"
The wolves started to growl and bark furiously. Maverick and Mallaq growled back. Roda then saw a much larger wolf materialize out of the forest. The Void Alpha let out a howl that sent chills through all the veteran's bodies. The demonic howl sounded like multiple guttural wolves howling at once and they knew the attack was imminent. Then the wolves charged.
A/N: So remember when I said I'd be typing and what not on my Saint's Party Prep Fan Fiction? Well it appears I lied. I have no excuses. So enjoy these first two chapters of this Frozen FanFic crossed over with my own book idea. Merry Christmas and have a happy holidays ya filthy animals! It's currently 3:46 AM Christmas Day. I'll get this edited of mistakes later today or tomorrow. I made a promise on my updated profile and I intend to keep it.