When a black cloud rose over Arendelle, as it turned out even in the far part of the night, in the Enchanted Forest a black cloud was visible on the horizon, as soon as a black cloud appeared, heralding the worst, Elsa asked Anders to personally check what could have gone wrong, to which tragedy could happen, Anders glided south without a word, unaware that everything he did started the reactions of the barbarians hidden in the thicket, and Elsa, standing together with Honeymaren Ryder and Ressa in front of four monoliths, did not feel what she had just started, it all started with the first crack of a crushed twig.
Suddenly, from the west, everyone was alerted by the sound of men in heavy armor running, Honeymaren, Ryder and Ressa looked to their left at a sight that was impossible and yet, they were barbarians wielding heavy swords and massive shields, seeing the barbarians golden-haired Ressa trembled because she did not want to believe what she had just seen, the return of her brother, Ressa didn't even believe her own blue eyes, the vision finally came to her in full, the more so when she met the terrified look of the black-haired fianc , Ryder, tugging at her gray robe with red stripes, spoke in complete silence panic.
- Ressa, Ressa!, please wake up, we must do something, but the barbarians did not give up. Ryder said in a panic as his blue eyes twitched.
- You need to run away quickly. Honeymaren screamed as she pulled off her gray cap in fear, releasing her thick black hair and her brown eyes were also trembling as well as her hands.
- it was planned, we won't be able to escape into the forest, surely the road is blocked, how stupid I was, why did I believe it was over, my brother never gives up!. Ressa shouted, stopping Ryder and Honeymaren as more barbarians came out behind them and the ten barbarians slowly began to surround their target, extending massive shields in front of them.
- and so it's all fluff, smoke over Arendelle, Anders, why did I ask him. Elsa said clasping her hands ready to strike with the power of the ice.
The barbarians screamed and Elsa hit the ground with the power of the ice around, everything under her feet began to freeze, but the barbarians, as before, happy to fight again, hit the lord with their strong legs and shields, catching him and walking slowly to their goal. Elsa started to hit the ice waves again but the three barbarians quickly combined their shields creating a veritable wall of shields and rushed in a mad attack pushing all the power Elsa had, come the snow and ice hit with great force it was nothing like the fury of the strength and ferocity of the barbarians themselves Berserkers who were not afraid of anything and wanted only one thing, fight and blood, Elsa covered her face with her hands at the last moment and three frozen shields hit her with all his might, Elsa fell to the ground losing consciousness for a few seconds, and when she opened her eyes again she saw the ten barbarians surrounding her, her, Ressa, Ryder, and Honeymaren.
The barbarians screamed again and were ready to fight until three of them were hit by a strong wave of fire from the forest, the three barbarians hit by the armor laughed at the feeling of pain, spun back and hit the wall shield on the bouncing point igniting everything around, little salamander Bruni it rolled over the ground and sent out more fiery waves again, but this time the barbarians uncovered their shields feeling nothing but great pleasure from the pain, which of course shocked Bruni, and it wasn't over yet.
- these are the spirits of the elements, they came to our aid. Ryder said, watching as two more spirits hit the barbarians simultaneously from two sides.
From the right side gale struck, strong winds hit with all their strength and the barbarians, shouting in a shrill way with voices full of pleasure, hit the ground with their shields and blades, giving full resistance and suddenly rushing forward so that even the gale was pushed for a moment, and on the other side against the wall Nokk came out of the shields, the blue spirit of water, the force and the sudden blow managed to break the wall of four shields, but only for a moment because the barbarians quickly got to their feet again, raised their shield and swords high, chanting their great fury with screams, even amok.
Elsa, rising from the ground with a slight bewilderment, saw the three spirits unite their forces, as Nokk, rushing along the ground, charged together with Bruni and Gale in ten barbarians giving them everything.
Bruni released his wave of fire, Gale whirled, increasing the power of the fire and when everything started to explode and Nokk, screaming, hit the cloud of dust with all his might, creating quite a shockwave, while Honeymaren, standing at the back on the other side, watched in shock as the line of Barbarians was even then unwavering.
The dust finally settled and the barbarians had their shields cracked they stood on in a defensive formation and the three elements, not believing they would see it, took a step back until the earth began to tremble and the sky was hit by a mighty great scale hitting like a bowling ball into the central row breaking forever line of the enemy, suddenly the barbarians with broken shields saw the great three rock golems coming full of unknown emotions, in particular the central golem once kidnapped by the barbarians, but even then the barbarians did not lose the will to fight, on the contrary, to everyone's horror, they ignored the spirits of the elements and charged at the terrified people.
- not this time. Said Elsa and she hit with her ice power again, ice waves and ice shards hitting the armor eventually hurt the barbarians, breaking some of the armor and sending some of the barbarians to the ground, but those who kept running suddenly landed on their knees and slipped under the mod rays hitting Ryder and Honeymaren, suddenly before anyone could react two massive swords were at the throats of the two hostages, and the scream of the last leader drew everyone's attention to the east, between the forest and the ground leading to Arendelle he came out, leading the relentless vengeful man, Horgan leading the older village of Yelena, holding her by the throat with a sword.
- Horgan, no, it's impossible, you couldn't, the tribes left you, I'm dreaming. Ressa said terrified seeing her golden-haired brother in heavy black and red plate armor.
- that's right, so naive, so stupid like my sister, the right Ressa, you're so stupid. Horgan said, holding the elder of the village under the blade.
- leave her, you monster, you hear, leave everyone alone, please. Elsa said raising her hands up high.
- cha cha cha cha, I'm supposed to leave them, what, but I prefer to watch one of them suffer, he, the one who took my sister. Horgan said, his blue eyes blazing with great vindictiveness.
- No please, I'm begging you, leave him, I'll do whatever you want! Ressa screamed as the barbarian's blade was right in front of the throat of Ryder, who was lying in a basic boot.
- Ressa please, you can't be weak now, too much is at stake, I love you. Ryder said, resigned to his fate.
- I doubt it, people in love are weak people, that's what our parents always taught us, they got together for the power of money, Ressa, have you forgotten, really, how stupid, pathetic, weak, you are not worthy to be my sister. Horgan said holding Yelena under his sword.
- don't listen to him, it's lies, Elsa, please, he wants to force you to submit, you can't, aaaaarrrr. Yelena said as the blade of the sword pressed closer to her throat, almost taking her breath away.
- shut up old witch, understand, you're all weak, he's the only one here who's strong, but thanks to you, I managed to outmaneuver him, ha, even if Brandon fails me, I'll still make it, so Elsa, look around and tell me if you're a strong queen today. asked Horgan as the three blades were at the throats of Honeymaren, Ryder and Yelena, and the four elements watching everything from the salamander to the great golems fell back in submission, but their gaze was directed only at the princess in the blue-and-white dress.
It was the moment when Elsa was forced to fight herself, to understand what it means to be a wise and strong ruler, because how can you define a good king when he is ready to give his own life in exchange for his citizens or when he sacrifices everyone for a greater victory, everywhere there are costs and any weakness the enemy will exploit with all severity, especially an enemy who is unscrupulous, ruthless and cruel, and such was and is Horgan.
At this point, only a madman would know what to do, and his answer was always right, but Elsa was here alone, and it was her fault that Anders had sailed south to Arendelle as Horgan wanted, and now Horgan had practically every bargaining chip in his hand, Elsa looked at Ressa standing close to her pain, fear and Ryder lying down, she knew when she made a contradictory decision she would do them great suffering, just like the whole Northuldra tribe after losing the elder village of Yelen and Honeymaren, Elsa lowered her head covering her face with her white hair and she held her hands out in front of her knowing she had failed so much.
- I'll go with you, but promise me you won't hurt anyone. Elsa said.
- You have no right to throw any demands at me. Horgan said firmly.
- you monster, you have no right to be my brother!, I will never call you brother again, you hear me!. Ressa screamed knowing what her brother would do, his lust for revenge would bring so much suffering to all oh around but suddenly Horgan shuddered because he didn't expect what he saw.
Elsa materialized an ice blade and brought it to her own throat demanding, not asking, and her words became loud, angry, full of rage and strange madness.
- I know everyone here is going to die anyway so be it and you'll never reach for your reward and tell me how you'll feel so close yet so far you'll lose everything you've fought so hard for and you won't care will compensate, even revenge on all of us and know when that happens he will get you, he will chase you and he will stalk you all to the end of the world, none of you will survive. Elsa said loudly, and the two sword-wielding barbarians Honeymaren and Ryder suddenly began to withdraw their blades, and Horgan himself clenched his jaws tightly, threatening again.
- if you dare threaten me, I'm on the side of force, not you, what are you doing, leave that blade, or. Horgan said angrily as Elsa approached the ice blade and stopped it a minute before the left artery.
- go ahead, tell me more, something more, if you want to blackmail me, go ahead, we're all going to die someday anyway, it's only a matter of time, whether today or tomorrow, well!, what do you say!. Elsa screamed and Horgan took a step back to sneer.
- I didn't expect so much strength, bravo, you have my respect and it's a rarity, so a fair exchange and you have my word here, on my blood, come with us and I will spare your friends, we will leave together and never come back. Horgan said in the first gesture of trust, releasing and throwing Yelena to the ground as she slowly crawled away from the vengeful barbarian chieftain.
- no, Elsa, you can't, if he leads you to the forge, he will reach for great power and so we will all suffer pain and suffering. Ressa said but froze as the barbarian's blade was again at Ryder's throat.
- I, Elsa. Ressa said, terrified on both sides, because she didn't know what to do, but Elsa did.
- I know what I'm doing, Ressa, I know, he'll come to help, he'll make it, tell him where to look for us. Said Elsa and moved forward passing the parting barbarians Yelena getting up shocked until she stopped in front of the cruel man.
- What about our contract?. Elsa asked, stroking her throat, ready to react immediately if Horgan cheated on her.
Horgan smiled broadly again, because probably the first time someone truly surprised him, showed his strength, was even able to bend his will, so according to the agreement Horgan gave a signal to his men, and the barbarians withdrew their blades and quickly retreated to their leader, Ryder and Honeymaren quickly got up and, together with the four elemental spirits, watched in shock as Elsa surrendered herself to the cruel man as agreed.
- then come with me, the mounts are waiting for us. Horgan said leading the princess by the right hand in front of everyone, come on, there were some who wanted to give chase, stop the cruel man like Ryder, but he and the great giants were all stopped by Ressa and the princess herself.
- please don't stop us, I gave my word, he gave my word, now only a madman can stop it. Elsa said, and from behind the wood came twelve bronze horses that Horgan had captured in the wild steppes just in case, now these bronze mounts became the cruel man's greatest advantage as the black cloud to the south began to recede.
- we're going fast, princess, it's time for you to fulfill your destiny, the forge is waiting for you, it only needs your power, and when it gathers your power, then you will all see ha ha ha. Horgan laughed ominously as he and the ten berserkers left the Enchanted Forest together with the captured princess.
- how stupid I am, I should have known, but I wanted to believe so much, so much. Ressa said as she hugged Ryder.
- Ressa, don't be mad at yourself, you're in love and you wanted to finally find your happiness, it's not evil. Honeymaren said wanting to comfort her future sister-in-law.
- Ressa, listen, it won't change anything, he wouldn't come up with anything anyway, remember, your brother. Yelena said, but Ressa quickly overcame all her anger, landing in the east where her brother had left, and her anger made even the three stone golems take a step back.
- he's not my brother he's a rat, a monster, smelling of dung and puke, let the abyss swallow him, let the thunder burst him, when Anders comes back and defeats him, I won't ask him to have mercy on him, Horgan must pay the ultimate price for his crimes! . Ressa screamed, throwing her hands up high and cursing the stinkiest lines.
- but what now, what shall we do?. Ryder asked.
- nothing, we can only hope that Anders will return soon, but it depends on what Horgan prepared in Arendelle. Yelena said, and Ressa, who was standing next to her, clenched her hands so tightly that the squeezed Ryder squealed as the firm grip on his wrists left a mark.
- I, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I forgot myself, Ryder, I'm sorry. Ressa said.
- Nothing happened, really, Ressa, tell me what that rat Horgan could have prepared for Arendelle. Ryder asked without mentioning the word brother.
- anything worst to slow down our friend as much as possible, anything, but we must have crazy hope today, and wait, surely Anders will come back, that's what I'm sure of, because that's what Horgan fears the most right now. She said Ressa, looking with Ryder, Honeymaren and Yelena to the south where the black cloud was fading with every moment.
Meanwhile, three hours later, twelve horsemen were riding on the great northern steppes, spurring their bronze mounts captured from the eastern steppes every now and then, and the princess riding in the middle, her hands tied, watched the rust-colored mountains and the now deserted barbarian camp, a hundred empty makeshift houses and tents, but now her eyes the princesses were focused only on the pass leading to the forge of the elements itself, this is where Horgan, riding the primates, led ten berserkers and his last prey and at the same time the last piece of this great puzzle, now Horgan with his hands clenched on the reins, with a big smile stared at the sight of the upcoming success because his great day has come when he will gather the last elemental spirit and reach for indescribable power.
- stand. Horgan said, the party stopped just before the pass, the berserkers dismounted from the backs of swift horses and dragged the princess by force.
- Come with me my beautiful. Horgan said, extending his right hand in a heavy glove to the princess.
- you'll never get away with it, you can be sure of it. Said Elsa as Horgan laughed maliciously and dragged the princess into the depths of the forge.
Elsa watched the enormity of a strange place, first she saw a great pass where a great forge had stood a thousand years ago, now there was a hewn road leading to the strangest and most feared place at present, and it was the forge of dark times itself, a great runic place of power, pure magic where the old mages hewn this place and soaked it with their power, there were four luminous circles and broken black steel, in these places the essence of the other elements was already collected, about the fifth circle that was waiting for the last power, and of course the sixth central circle focusing all its power.
- this is where my plans will come true, please, prince, don't be ashamed, take your place, go ahead. Horgan said gallantly.
Elsa still remembered the given word, and despite the attempt to fight, two of the berserks even threw her into the last circle and Horgan himself took the central place, it was the moment when the last rune circle began to glow, Elsa fell to her knees and the essence of her power began to flow into the circle of power by the will and design of the Emperor himself, this was the moment when the power was fully drawn, copied and duplicated many times, the half-conscious Elsa could only watch as the last power now concentrated in the central circle and glowed as Horgan stretched his arms wide to the heavens demanding the final sixth but a minute passed, then five, then ten, and nothing happened.
- What does that mean, why doesn't it work?. Horgan asked, looking at the central circle, which suddenly stopped glowing and there was a truly terrifying silence.
- you lost, you gathered everything here and you lost like the emperor once, what!, ha ha. Elsa laughed and Horgan clenched his hands tightly and moved towards the princess suddenly everything began to shudder and an unimaginable roar shook everyone.
Horgan and his berserker turned back to see all six of the shining circles crack, the runic writings vanished forever, and from the very place of the great forge, a monstrous head begins to emerge, followed by arms down to the waist.
- What is this!. One of the barbarians shouted as he watched as an unknown whitish creature began to emerge from the ground and grow larger every second, and his terrible roar, a pair of black eyes and two paws raised high made everyone tremble.
- it's impossible, but how!. Horgan screamed, looking at his people with equal fear at the image of the titan growing with every second, and the monster, as it turned out, the power of the five elements, focused his attention on them and began to cackle in an incomprehensible language.
The monster built of salt land where life is impossible stretched out his right hand and shot from it a pair of heavy boulders strengthened by a powerful wind, and their power shattered the cordon of ten berserkers who were scattered around the area to the very pass and the salt monster screamed and shot from the right rushing bolts of ice and water power combined into one, a mighty force beyond Elsa's powers hit the ground at the pass and drove the terrified barbarians away forever, now the black eyes focused on the princess rising from the circle and the barbarian leader retreating backwards.
- what is it, why did it work like that!. Horgan shouted, still unable to believe the image of his defeat.
- Horgan you fool, now you know why the emperor never finished his work, it wasn't about the betrayal of his loved ones and advisers, but himself, it was him and his vengeful soul, he was cursed here to wait until someone wake up, we were all puppets, but you the most, oh no! Andreas where are you!. cried Elsa as the huge, ever-growing monster first laughed, nodding its head in confirmation of her words, and then spewed out a huge amount of fire from its terrible mouth, raising its right and left paws high.
Everything started exploding.
Meanwhile, four Menhirs ago, Aders landed at great speed where Ryder, Honeymaren, Yelena and Ressa were waiting for him, and it was Ressa who was to deliver the currently worst news of what had happened only three hours ago.
- what happened, where is Elsa, where is she. Anders asked, his green eyes hiding nothing but inscrutable madness, a cold lack of emotion, but that suddenly changed when Ressa gave him the bad news.
- forgive me but this cursed rat who is no longer my brother attacked, kidnapped Elsa with him and took her to the forge of dark times, Anders please stop him. Ressa pleaded.
- so he tricked us, no!, no time to debate, stay here, I'll take care of everything. Said Anders ready to fly.
- Anders. Ressa said.
- I'm listening.
- Anders, me, listen, Horgan is not my brother so you know what you have to do, he must pay the ultimate price for everything he must!, do him justice. Ressa said full of anger, fury directed at her brother.
Anders didn't answer, instead, gleaming with the legs of the shuttles, he shot skyward above the clouds and sped off to the northeast.
Anders flew through the clouds, cutting them through and all the time he remembered what had happened so far, first the last conversation with Carlos koz owski, then meeting the gray man, then Olivia, and finding the golden chip and appearing in this extraordinary world and now in front of himself all he had was this, an image of the northern rust-colored mountains trembling with each passing moment, and strong fire began to shoot up and around the great peaks.
Anders, seeing something incomprehensible, landed in front of the camp's worn-out impact power, then suddenly another explosion of flames threw the defeated barbarian leader who, still holding a broken blade in his hands, rolled on the ground and stopped in front of Anders and started laughing.
- what are you laughing at, where is Elsa, I ask. Anders said angrily, grabbing Horgan's right left hand with such force that the armor cracked and Horgan dropped his blade.
- you know what happened, I was deceived, the soul of the emperor has always been waiting in this accursed place, now I have awakened a real catastrophe, I have been deceived. Horgan said with a grimace of defeat.
- I don't care where Elsa is, I ask!. Anders shouted with such force in his face that Horgan closed his eyes for a moment.
- I don't know what happened to her, probably the salt monster burned her, his flames covered everything. Horgan said, anticipating the final one, Anders closed his eyes and let go of the barbarian leader as suddenly the mountains behind him exploded destroyed as a great mid-belt monster, connected by a runic circle of power, crashed into the ground.
Anders looked back his eyes showed only a great mad emptiness Gay monster began to howl at the heavens, Anders looked down sharply at Horgan lying defeated before him who expected nothing but death.
- well, what are you waiting for there's no one in this world strong enough to forgive something like that, you've lost her forever, so cry, get mad, show what you're capable of, eh?. Horgan asked as suddenly Anders grabbed his left arm and started to pull him away from the destroyed area.
- what are you doing, why, no!, you can't do this to me!. Horgan began to scream, grabbing the broken blade and wanting to strike, but everything was stopped by Anders himself, suddenly throwing the vengeful man deep into the steppes away from the raging monster.
- to forgive something like that you have to be crazy, I am, and you will live to see your failure until the end of your days. Anders said, standing twenty meters in front of Horgan and he was suddenly even more seething with rage trying to get up.
- it's not impossible, you want to forgive me, it's impossible!. Shouted Hurgan, facing disbelief and a strange because crazy smile on the face of a man from another world.
- yes and no, because a lot is forgiven but not this, crimes and criminals like you are not forgiven! But death in your case would be too much mercy, you will live with the face of failure, someone once told me that there is no greater pain when a man is aware of his mistake, but there is a pain when you see the face of your failure and there is nothing you can do! I will take everything from you as you take from me!. Anders shouted, raising his right and left arms high, preparing for a vicious blow.
- no no!. no no!. shouted Horgan, but strangely his terror and rage were never directed at the madman and his forgiveness mixed with revenge in the most refined way and the princess running here.
- Anders!, don't do it, please!. Screamed Elsa who with the power of her ice managed to protect you from the first wave of fire and escape from the forge through the pass before it was blown up.
- Elsa!. Anders shouted, and together they hugged each other tightly, and Horgan, filled with seething rage, could only watch his next defeat, but everything was not settled yet because the hundred-meter-tall monster screamed even louder, all his anger now directed at the spirit of the sixth element.
L
It was probably a real horror, horror from every side, the success of a coward, the possible death of a princess and the shocking decision of a mad man who rose to the top of his madness and to forgive and at the same time take revenge in such a way, because life with a vision of failure for someone like Horgan is something worse than the ultimate swift death, and people like Horgan, the criminals, must never be forgiven, ever!
I've always heard that a heart of stone can be crushed, that an ice heart can be melted, but what can you do when a heart turns into a pillar of salt where life and feelings are impossible, how to fight something like that, is it possible.