Chapter 15: A Real Act of True Love

Amidst the sudden stillness of the hot air, Malina felt weaker as she tried to reach Young in time. She felt her strength decreasing with every passing moment. Her skin was a deep red, almost hot. Barely lifting her head, Malina tried to call out, "Young."

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From a distance, Young found Malina stranded on the other side of the dry desert. "Malina!" he called out. "Hang on, Malina! I'm coming for you!" Then, he took off at lightning speed to reach her in time.

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Malina lifted her head and found Young running towards her. She then tried to use her strength to try to reach him. But, something else caught her eye. Was that her sister Alex? Was she out there among the sand and dust? Malina tried to focus hard.

Then, Malina found Ian standing behind Alex, who still had her face buried in her hands and kneeling to the ground. Malina watched in horror as Ian drew out his sword and raised it above Alex. He was slowly taking his time, almost smiling maniacally as his plan was being perfectly executed.

Malina knew that giving Young a kiss would be the only way to save herself, but she could not bear to watch Alex be killed in front of everyone. With difficulty, Malina turned her direction away from Young and headed toward Alex instead.

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"Alex!" Malina shouted. With her last surge of energy, Malina lunged forward, using up every last bit of her strength left. She threw herself in front Alex to block Ian's attack. "NO!" she cried out.

At that very moment, Malina's entire body froze, turning into solid red crystal. Ian's sword came down at full strength on her body. The sword immediately shattered into pieces! A forceful blow then knocked over Ian, who fell in angry astonishment.

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At the sound of the sword, Alex slowly turned around and saw her Malina's frozen crystal body, with one arm raised above her to shield her sister. "MALINA!" Alex cried out and cringed at the sight of her sister. Her fingers trembled as she caressed her sister's unseeing face. Her eyes filling with tears, she threw her arms around Malina's crystal body.

"No, Malina," Alex whispered, sobbing. "Please, no!" Alex cried, embracing her sister.

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Rascal ventured over to find his friends, and immediately paused when he saw Alex hugging Malina. "Malina?" he asked. It hurt him to see Malina so still, without movement or life.

Young, Chabela, and Rascal all bowed their heads in a mournful silence. So did the noblemen and dignitaries above the watch towers of the castle. A somber silence began to fill the kingdom as they mourned.

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As Alex still embraced the frozen figure, drops of water began to form on the tips of Malina's fingers. Her wrist was slowly bending. Malina was beginning to melt! Suddenly, Malina had returned back to her normal self!

"Malina!" Alex exclaimed. "Alex…" Malina mumbled, opening her eyes to face Alex. Alex giggled with joy. "Did…did you sacrifice your life to save me?" Alex asked.

Malina staggered over to Alex, fell into her arms, and replied, "I love you."

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Rascal held his breath eagerly. "An act of true love will restore a melted heart!" he exclaimed, suddenly knowing the actual truth.

Overhearing him, Alex turned Rascal's words over in her mind, suddenly realizing their full meaning. "Love will restore…" she murmured. "Love! That's it!" she exclaimed suddenly. She kept hugging Malina joyfully.

"What's it?" Rascal asked. Alex took a step back and raised her hands in the air. Malina stepped forward and pressed one foot down on the sand. Suddenly, the water came returning back to the ocean! Malina's hands waved forward…and ice began to cover the barren landscape!

The ground began to rumble and shake. The water lifted a ship high onto the water, where Alex and the others were. Flames magically danced everywhere as they flew away from the dry trees, which then shimmered a shiny green. Alex waved her hands once more, and the flames disappeared, revealing the blue sky in a snowy landscape!

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Everyone all across San Theodoros erupted in cheer!

"Hands down, this is perhaps the best day of my life!" Rascal said. But once again, his red fur was beginning to turn white from the cold. "And," he added, "quite possibly my last."

Alex looked over to the ferret's whitening fur and gasped in shock. "Oh, Rascal!" Alex said. "Hang on, little buddy." She then waved her hands again, this time surrounding him with hot air. Rascal's fur then returned back to normal! "Yay, my own personal blaze!" Rascal exclaimed. "Ha! How are we doing this?"

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Malina then turned to see Ian struggling to stand on his feet. Young began to charge, but Malina stopped him short. "It's okay," she said. "I got this." She then walked over to Ian.

"Malina?" Ian said, dazed from the blow. "But Alex…sh-she melted your heart." He was still thinking that Malina had been left melting to death in the library where he had locked her in.

"The only melted heart around here is your own, Ian," Malina said firmly. After turning away for a minute, Malina turned back. With all her might, she delivered a strong punch right in Ian's jaw, sending him falling into the water. From above the watch tower, the dignitaries all applauded in victory.

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Malina smiled with pride. She was already beginning to feel warmer already. She took one look at Young and grinned. Then, she ran to hug Alex again. They hugged each other longer, growing tighter. Neither one of them wanted to let go.