That same day, in an unfamiliar place, there was a real darkness, so deep and dark and yet silent that one person thought it was the end, that it was the end of its journey, but at some point in the darkness there was the first flash and crackle of a burning fire, Ress slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the face of a certain black-haired man in a gray suit with embroidered symbols of the people of Northuldra, and his blue eyes showed great joy as soon as they saw the first signs of life, Ressa looked at the young man's face in complete shock, unable to understand where he was and why was he standing over her, at first Ressa moved her hands and feet but, not feeling any bonds, she understood that she was no prisoner, it immediately set off an alarm in her.
- You're not sleeping, I was so afraid. Ryder said, watching Ressa open her blue eyes wide, but that was the moment when that brief calmness was suddenly broken.
Ressa jumped forward as if struck by lightning, stood up in a second, grabbed a startled Ryder and slammed him against the stone wall of a small cave where a small fire was burning, heating a small pot suspended on three wooden planks, Ressa first looked around the cave, understanding that she was alone here that she is not in the cell, she is not captured, she looked at Ryder looking into his eyes which surprisingly did not show fear, Ressa was surprised she grabbed her back looking for a spear but she didn't find it.
- Please. Ryder said as Ressa pressed a tighter grip on her prey's throat, her plate armor gleaming in the soft light as well as her eyes, always expecting the same.
- Go ahead, beg, beg for your life. Ressa said.
- please don't get up so fast, your head hurt, you need to rest. Ryder said and his words made Ressa back away from what she thought was a strange man, but finally and fatigue suddenly overtook her, Ressa with a bandage wrapped around her golden hair and her head hit the stone ground and slightly confused she looked at the face of a frightened man but his fear it was not caused by her but by her condition.
- I begged you shouldn't get up so fast, I don't know much about medicine as I should, but you may have balance problems, one of the stones hit you on the head and you lost consciousness. Ryder said himself as he took off his hat and placed it next to the warrior woman.
- you?, why, you know who I am, I'm a warrior woman, your crow, I fought against you, tell me what's your plan here, go ahead, what's your point, you want to negotiate. Ressa said, holding her left hand to her head where a bandage was wrapped.
- No, I just wanted to help, and I didn't want you to get hurt, I don't want to. Ryder said as he sat down on the other side with a visible flush on his face.
- yes, I already believe you, go ahead, where are yours, where are they, it's definitely a trap, right. she asked Ress, and Ryder, finishing stirring the pot, looked into the face of the warrior woman from the south.
- there's no one here, not even my sister knows anything, I lied to her, said I went to look for Elsa, I didn't tell anyone, you're safe, now please, you need to eat something, it's not much, a side dish of fish with mushrooms, that's what I managed find please. Ryder said, handing the uncertain warrior a wooden plate with a spoon and steaming food, but Ressa looked warily at Ryder and set the food aside.
- I will not. She said Ressa and Ryder immediately took a second spoon and the pot began to eat, showing that there was no poison or trickery here, and finally Ressa, feeling her stomach growling loudly, took a wooden plate, a spoon and began to eat almost wildly.
- man, I've never seen anyone so hungry, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. Ryder said, looking from Resse to the blank wall.
- tell me one thing, what is your plan, I see that you are different from everyone else, you must have a plan, you want to negotiate, since you are probably the first man so cultured and cunning at the same time, go ahead and tell me the truth but don't lie, I hate people who lie to me. Ressa said between words as she waved her spoon quickly and finished her portion for Ryder.
Ryder looked at the ground and his face turned slightly red again, although the cave was dark and the only source of light was a small bonfire, Ressa saw a certain change in the behavior of the northerner, the westerner, Ressa holding the spoon tight was ready to finish off the opponent even with a wooden spoon Ressa was really ready for a lot but not this.
- I did it out of the kindness of my heart, I didn't want anything to happen to you and I don't want to, even if you leave now and come back to fight us again, I won't raise a hand against you. Ryder said, looking now into the blue eyes of the warrior woman.
Ressa did not expect such a thing, the more she began to laugh at the strange and incomprehensible naivety of the man who had saved her life, for her, Ryder's behavior was truly naive and stupid, and that's what she saw now in the man on the other side of the fire.
- You know what, I'll be honest, since you're being honest and so am I. Ressa said, putting her hands behind her back, leaning on the stone ground.
- I'm listening, say. Ryder said, looking now with widening eyes as Ressa stretched out her legs, unclasped her gloves, and revealed her pale and delicate hands.
- you're naive, you're a naive dummy, yes, if I were in your place, I wouldn't be merciful to you, but you're stupid, anyway, I don't want to stay here any longer and since you won't stop me, naive, I'll go back to my own and take care of everything. Said Ressa, laughing at the last words.
In fact, Ressa expected a response, an angry, booming response, she was even ready for a direct attack, that's why she always held a spoon in her right hand to use it like a dagger in case of problems, but to her surprise Ryder looked back into her eyes with that strange look and spoke softly and confidently.
- I will certainly never change anything, you have your responsibilities, you have your home and loved ones, I, I may be a stupid naive, maybe I am such a fool, and if you want to go, but not now, please, you still need to rest, please stay here with two o'clock, I'll check your wound, see if you can keep your balance, then you can go back to yours. Ryder said and Ressa widened her eyes and her right hand dropped a spoon because it wasn't what she expected, because as it turned out the naivety of her interlocutor was greater than she imagined, suddenly her thoughts collided with the last words and she understood the obvious.
- my loved ones, even my brother is a stranger to me, I have to be on my guard all the time there, especially now that we are close, I constantly have to watch out for daggers that can stick into my back. Said Ressa looking blankly at the ground now until her eyes suddenly met the eyes of a strange man, Ressa shivered because again not what she expected, Ryder gave her hands, clenched her own hands and Ressa suddenly understood what provoked this crazy man to help her .
- madman, normal madman. Ress thought, and suddenly she pulled Ryder to her, squeezing him in a tight hug, fighting with herself not to crush Ryder's hand viciously or take advantage of his naivety.
- thank you for everything, I am Ressa. Ressa said looking straight into the eyes of the surprised inhabitant of the Enchanted Forest.
- Ryder Nattura, resident of the Enchanted Forest, people of Northuldra. Ryder said feeling his shyness starting to get the best of him now and his hands starting to tremble slightly.
- you are trembling, I see that I am dealing here not only with a naive but also with a timid man. Ressa said pulling Ryder to her and kissing him on the right cheek before they shoved him back and jumped to his feet.
- what have you done, we're not that close, I'm about to break your nose. Ressa said, picking up a highly surprised Ryder.
- I, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. Ryder said not knowing what was going on and what to say until he suddenly landed hard in front of the fire and Ressa laughed loudly.
- you're funny, after all, I made the first move, you know, it's really the first time I've dealt with someone like this, me, why didn't we meet about eight years ago, and by the way, how old are you, but tack. Ress asked, picking up steel gloves from the ground and putting them on her hands.
For a moment, Ryder sat on a hard ledge staring at the girl smiling at him, a great woman warrior and at the same time the person who showed him the most beautiful smile in the world.
- I, that is, I mean. Ryder was tangled up in words.
- come on!. Ressa shouted, lifting the northerner from the ground again and they put him against the stone wall.
- go ahead, say what you want to say and no pretense!. Ressa said loudly.
- I love you. Ryder said, and Ressa, like struck by lightning, retreated all the way to the adjacent cave wall and stared in utter shock at the innocent blue eyes of her interlocutor.
- I, I'm sorry, I, this.
- enough, you're really crazy, you're naive, soft, crazy, who are you, and how old are you, tell me because from what I can see, I can be your scary sister or even your mother.
- I am twenty two years old.
- so I can be your older sister I'm almost thirty, madman, normal madman, although I don't know who's bigger here, you, me, that I'm still listening to you or those who came here and attacked you all, me, I'm stupid, then I'm the most stupid here, I shouldn't serve them, I shouldn't. Said Ressa, sitting down by the wall with her eyes fixed on the rock floor, taking off the white bandage from her head and her head began to think intensively, to plan, until her eyes shone when she again saw the naive man kneeling in front of her.
- I asked you not to take off the bandage. Ryder said as he inspected the visible bump on his head between his forehead and ear.
- no, I shouldn't, why didn't we meet before, Ryder, me, I want to help you, now I see how stupid I was. Ressa spoke honestly looking into Rydel's eyes but her logical mind lied in every word because here Ressa found a man she could easily use, easily manipulate, and a few sweet words were enough.
- Ryder, me, listen.
- Yes, I'm all ears. Ryder said, looking confident, if he could he would have stood at attention to obey his queen's orders.
- thank you for everything and. Ressa said before interrupting her own statement with another quick kiss on the lips.
- Yeah, ummmm. Rydel whispered embarrassed, but Ressa never showed any embarrassment or uncertainty, her blue eyes never strayed from the focal point, which was Rydel, the man she decided to use to achieve her own goal.
- Ryder listen, I want to help you, all of you, but I need to know how to help you, my superiors, they want to kidnap the five elements, including that girl with white hair, what's her name. She asked Ress and her right hand twitched slightly as Ryder began giving her everything she needed to gain an advantage.
- her name is Elsa, she is the former queen of Arendelle, but she gave the power to her sister, now Anna is the queen of Arendelle and Elsa stayed with us but now after the barbarian attack everything will change, surely Elsa will live in Arendelle because it is a safer place. Ryder said and Ressa, pretending to be concerned, continued to ask about everything.
- so surely Elsa will have good protection.
- certainly, after what happened here, but as for this thundercloak, I don't know who he is, what he does, why, I don't know, maybe he wants to destroy us all. Ryder said, and that made another brilliant plan pop into the female warrior's mind.
- so listen, Ryder, I will help you, I will give you the necessary information, but first you must go back to it. Ressa said, and Ryder immediately tightened his grip on Ress's hands and gloves.
- you want to go back to them, but is it safe. Ryder asked.
- sure, silly, I'll manage, and you, please, you have to tell me everything Anna and Elsa decide, only in this way we can help each other, and where we will meet. Ress asked.
- I'll show you, come on. Said Ryder, helping the warrior to get up and leading her by the right hand to the exit of the cave, which turned out to be overlooking the dam destroyed a year ago.
- it's there, the destroyed dam, this place is now empty, no one comes there.
- well, then, we'll meet there in three days, but please, Ryder, be careful, I'll be fine, but you. Ressa said as she hugged Ryder.
- remember in three days at noon. Ressa added, looking one last time into the blue eyes of what she considered a crazy man, then she ran through the forest back to her own, her wicked mind rejoicing at the chance she found today.
- but how!. Ressa screamed as she looked back again, unable to guess what had just flashed before her eyes.
Meanwhile, the Dark Sea coast, here the crackling of burning wood woke up the other missing girl, Elsa not checking if she was tied up, cautiously opening her eyes, she immediately and abruptly woke up from sleep looking around, in the morning sky where few black clouds passed somewhere north behind the island called Ahtohallan.
The princess's first reaction was not violent, Elsa stood up on her unsteady legs and looked north seeing a familiar sight, and more memories flooded her mind, finally the last memories reminded her of the great decisive battle of the Enchanted Forest, the attacking barbarians and the striking thunderbolts from the heavens, and the last viewpoint she saw in front of her was the image of a visitor from far away, a man in a red shirt and brown pants, a black-haired man wielding a powerful sixth element, and the last image she saw was a fight, thunder and a shard of a broken steel shield.
- what!, lightning!, Anders!, that's what I'm doing here. Elsa asked as all consciousness, memories and everything around her came to her consciousness.
First Elsa touched her head where first she felt a small bump and a small bandage wrapped around her head and white hair, suddenly Elsa smelled it, heard the sound of a bonfire well, looked behind her and saw him, a man from far away.
- Anders. She said almost in a whisper and looked at the hook with the heating dish sitting in front of the burning fire, but it was not the most important thing but the man sitting in front of the fire.
Anders sat silently in front of the fire, leaning on his right raised leg and his green eyes stared blankly towards the Dark Sea and Ahtohallan, as always having more understanding for the natural world than for man.
- me, you?, what happened, or the barbarians. Elsa asked with a slightly trembling voice as her hands were covered with snow, and Anders Malinowski rubbed his black hair with his hand, abruptly stood up and struck his thunderbolt from his right hand, igniting a larger flame, then hid his hands behind him and spoke.
- I would advise not to use ice powers here, ice powers, like water powers, attract electricity, and please sit down, you must be hungry, and keep the bandage on your head for now, just a little advice. Anders said jumping up on the other side.
- I, please, tell me what happened, or barbarians, I will sit down, but please. Said Elsa, sitting on the other side, but so far Anders has not given any answer, instead tilting the pot and pouring the contents of the cauldron into what turned out to be a plate taken from Arendelle.
- I didn't know what you actually eat, so for starters I made a dish for vegetarians, no meat, baked beans, next time I'll make bigos. Anders said, serving a plate of boiled beans in tomato sauce without meat.
- I thank you, but bigos, what is bigos. Elsa asked.
- it's such a delicious dish from my world, cabbage, tomato sauce, mushrooms and sausage, finger licking, but to the point, when it comes to barbarians, I chased them away from here and from the south, I smashed their fleet and drove them out, it was simple in its own way and even funny anyway i did it against myself and for myself and more and as it turned out they were conspiring they provoked a great war but now aredelle and kingdom of the southern isles have made an alliance the enemy has retreated but i am sure the barbarians will come back 'cause it's the same here as my world. Anders said.
The princess's heart regained her composure for a while, after she heard the news very well for the first time, the barbarians were driven out and the unnecessary war was stopped, so Arendelle and the Kingdom of the Southern Isles formed an alliance, another soothing message also showed that Anders did a lot to stop the danger to defeat the enemy and save so many innocent lives, but now as before, when the conversation was about stew, the same word struck the princess's mind, another world, and it was no longer about the dogmas that Anders used about war, the same from his world, it was about here only about another world and if so, how, why, and whether it was true.
- Anders, I can tell you that. Elsa asked, taking the first spoonful of the dish called Baked Beans as her blue eyes and white dress quivered with an explosion of unusual flavors.
- man, this is amazing, wait, do I feel anything else, what is the taste.
- i added some onions. Anders said for the first time showing a smile.
- onion, I thought you couldn't eat it. said surprised Elsa taking more spoons to her mouth.
- onions are eaten, just like garlic and even lemon, onions and garlic are enough to fry and the lemon is another story, but that's not what you want to talk to me about, that's what you can call me Anders, Anders Malinowski, basically in your retinue you don't I liked my name because it was too much associated with a certain musician, but to the point. Anders said, his smile quickly disappearing from his face as he remembered the human world again.
- I'm Elsa, you can call me Elsa without all those titles, I owe you, we both owe much more, and no matter who you are or what's on your mind, thank you for everything, for saving me from the barbarians, thank you. Elsa said looking at the man who gave her a look full of suspicion, expecting the worst.
- Did I do something wrong, I, I didn't mean to offend you about your head, I mean.
- that's not the point, you know who I am, what powers I have, go ahead and tell me, tell me, because you can't surprise me today. Anders said and Elsa nodded and said but not what Anders expected but he was patient anyway.
- tell me if it's true, you come from another world.
- yes, from another but also full of people, with the difference that your world is not so technologically developed. Anders said as he took out his phone from his brown pants pocket, first taking a picture of the surprised princess, then playing music and finally giving the princess his phone with flipping pictures of his world, what his world looks like, cities, houses, infrastructure, everything.
- it's amazing, so it's true, you come from another world, it's amazing, but this technology is a little scary. Said Elsa give the phone back to a man from another world.
- yes, technology is terrifying, someone once told me that knowledge is the greatest treasure, but you must also remember that knowledge corrupts, just like power and money, and everyone will get carried away one day unless they defeat themselves, they won't let their dreams be taken away, he will always tell the truth, he will be a madman, going many ways, against himself and against his own counters, but my world is the same as yours, and you are all the same, because you never do anything selflessly, betrayal, lies and deceit in every way parties, family, friends, beloved, always the same and all started with fear. Said Anders directing his last angry words towards the Dark Sea.
- it's not true what you say, I gave power to my sister selflessly because I wanted to stay here, and believe it or not, my grandfather attacked the Enchanted Forest and my mother from the attacked Northuldran tribe saved our father and took him to Arendelle, my mother, yes like my dad, they loved us the same, never favored me, i love my sister as much as she loves me. said Elsa but never raised her voice because she owed too much to a man who was more of a man wounded by the past than evil.
- I know, I know this story, but understand you are naive about it. Anders said and his tone softened because when he was talking to the princess he didn't want to sound angry but turned on his reasons until he suddenly fell silent, guided by his own madness, remaining silent even when Elsa answered his words again.
- I'm not naive, I believe what I say, I believe and I don't lie, look me in the eye and tell me what you see. She said Elsa leaning closer to the fire revealing her blue trembling eyes and Anders froze then quickly looked to the right waging a veritable war in his mind at his mad will, finally Anders looked at Elsa again and spoke.
- apparently you haven't seen real evil, but you feel it in your heart, you know what fear is, right. Anders asked and Elsa closed her eyes remembering the times when fear had power over her.
- Yes, I know, but I managed to defeat him, I have no fear in me, there is no. Elsa said.
- and yet you are afraid for your people, for your sister, I am not afraid of anything and anyone, because I can hit myself the most, my mother taught me that, and the rest I was taught by the world which I provoked and accelerated what was inevitable anyway, it was enough to push and fear and lies did their job, but a certain common man was also right, and a man benefits from fear by taking not ten but a hundred steps forward. Anders said, squeezing his hands to finally relax them and with a big smile look at the sky doing something according to his will or again opposite, there were no certainties here, because everything was possible.
- tell me what you see then, what the eyes of a madman see, how my world can be like yours. Elsa asked looking at Anders and he showed his phone again in the hands of the princess which now showed pictures of wars and battles, everything that has been going on in his world for many years and the same shows up here and it's always the same.
- always the same, power, money, power and stuff, if there is something worth fighting for, it's immortality, resistance to the power of time because only in this way will you be truly fulfilled and I got it by wielding the powers of thunder, I know it well, I feel it all you, but to the point, maybe you have something extraordinary about you, but don't forget, you are surrounded by people, everyone is afraid, everyone succumbs to the power of fear. Anders said, giving another important information of his eternal youth, but not what was the most important today, but for a long moment Elsa looked in shock at the terrible photos, collected information, weapons, technologies and knowledge that feeds the wars of nations.
- so it's true, knowledge is a force that turns war into something worse. Said Elsa and having had enough of the terrible pictures gave the phone to the newcomer from another world, Elsa looked into Anders' green eyes and spoke again wanting to understand, get to know as much as possible, his world, family, friends, everything.
- tell me what it's like, what happened at your house, why you're like this, and how you got here, if I may, if that's not too scary. Elsa said and her words only brought a smile to the newcomer's face.
- it's worth passing on the mistakes of your own world to others so that no one else makes them, you want to understand, but I'm warning you, after what I'm going to say your world will never be what it was until now. Anders said, sitting cross-legged by the extinguishing fire.
- I want, I want to understand, tell me, I want to know, to believe. Elsa said gently and slowly changing her seat to sit closer to the visitor from another world.
- then listen, it's an inspiring story in its own way, crazy, and so monotonous, but be warned.
- I want to hear it, I want it.
- so okay, okay and Anders said as his eyes met the eyes of the princess once again and they both fell silent for a moment.
- not impossible, this world must be the same, she is naive and nothing more. Sanders thought to himself, then turned his full attention to the Dark Sea and spoke again telling his past and what he had seen, taught, provoked, accelerated.
- is synonymous with lies and fear.
L
Is Ryder naive, stupid, blind?, surely, he has finally placed his feelings in the worst way, giving his heart to a girl truly evil and wicked, like her brother Horgan, and Ressa will use anything to achieve his own goal and forestall his brother in on the road to power, I feel a bit sorry for an innocent man so naive and stupidly in love, but the impending pain is part of the learning, as is Elsa finally learning the story of a human from another world.