Hector took cover as the clock tower came down and a dust cloud enveloped the street. He let out a breath of relief that his plan worked and that he also wasn't dead, however the stench of death that permeated the air made him frown. How many of his comrades had been flattened by that monstrosity?

From a command point of view, the losses would be acceptable as it allowed them to topple the titan they had faced but on a personal level the cost was too high. Knowing that now wasn't the time to dwell on such things, he signaled the guards to move forward when something peculiar happened.

The sound of something flappening came from above him and the woman who helped avoid the international incident concerning Rahim's effects landed in front of him, being carried by a black silhouette with wings. Such a sight instantly had him pulling his pistol which caused the guards around him to do the same but the woman raised both her hands in a surrendering gesture.

"There's no need for that, I'm just here to give you and the royal couple from Blackdust a message."

Hector did not lower his weapon but his face took on a curious expression. The woman kept her hands raised as she turned her head over her shoulder to see Ahimoth and Lilian walking up to them, both of them giving her suspicious looks as they likely saw how she came to be here. With everyone here that needed to be, the woman cleared her throat before speaking.

"The first thing I should say is congratulations on your victory, by crushing Gluttony, you've successfully exhausted the invasion force."

Everyone who heard what she just said looked at one another in confusion and doubt but kept their weapons aimed at the woman as none of them didn't know if she should be trusted. Ahimoth was the one to break the silence first.

"And how is it that you know that, one that massive tub of lard was called Gluttony, and two, he was the last line of this invasion?"

"Because I'm Sloth the Indolent, named after one of the Seven Deadly Sins as my other acquaintances were."

The way she spoke was so simple as if she was conducting inventory in a library, however it had Ahimoth grasping her by the neck and bodily lifting her up with one arm while cooking back his fist.

"You are-"

"One of the monsters that have been created by Talib in Blackdust, yes. By picking me up, you've put yourself in the way of several rifles who might hesitate with you in the line of fire, an illogical course of action, albeit useless as I have no intention of fighting you. As I said, I've only come to deliver a message to you, your wife, and Mr. Bowman."

Mary didn't seem threatened or strained for breath in the slightest as she projected her voice a bit more to address the three of them. "While you've managed to defeat the invasion forces, you should know that inside the castle, Rahim has finally wrestled control of his body."

Ahimoth narrowed his eyes in a searching stare expecting her to say more but she stopped speaking then turned her eyes over to the fallen clocktower in the distance.

"I know you've received your orders to retreat. I can tell you wish to stay if not to capture the Queen then to rescue Lust. You can leave that particular concern to me, she will be along when this is all over."

As soon as she finished, a large mound of rubble exploded as someone burst out of it and landed on a higher pile of rubble that allowed him to look at everyone below him as he fought to catch his breath from the drain of his stamina being lost after creating his massive form. The guards instantly turned their rifles on him as Lilian raised her hands and a flame blossomed in each hand but the man was focused on Mary who was still in the grip of the large Prince.

"But Sloth, you can't expect me to-"

"I expect nothing from you, but we both know that Talib will be most displeased with you if you disobey his orders. Especially if you're doing so over the matter of what James would've done for Rin. Just because you have their memories doesn't mean they live on, James and Rin are both dead, the sooner you accept that, the better off you will be, now go."

Gluttony looked torn and wanting to argue but Mary's flat stare had him curse before turning on his heel and taking off. Hector watched the enemy run and yelled at his back to hold it while signaling his guards to fire. A symphony of gunshots resounded as Gluttony was riddled with bullets but continued to run. Hector cursed before telling his guards to go after Gluttony, all of them ran after the Sin leaving only the noble and the royal couple alone with Sloth, who turned her neck to look at Bowman with a critical eye.

"I assumed you sent them off to both capture Gluttony and to keep them from learning too much about what's going on. You're quite practical, Walter Stonewell was right to pick you." Ahimoth tightened his grip on her neck to the point he was on the verge of breaking it to get her attention but the woman turned her eyes above them as another black mass swooped down and scooped her out of the Prince's grip before flying off back toward the castle.

The three of them were surprised at the sudden exit and were about to make chase when the large Prince cursed.

"That bitch took Rahim's sword!"

Rahim stared at the blonde with dead eyes as he firmly pulled at the chains and examined her face as he could tell that pulling on them exhausted her. Sweat went down her brow and her eyes were squinted in concentration as she focused her being on his restraints. He knew that she had stretched herself far too thin and was pushing her powers to their absolute limits, to protect the ones she loved.

Somehow, even with the fake expression that he was sure Wrath would've given her, Elsa had seen through his facade and already knew his intent.

Had she come within his reach, he would've wrapped his arm around her throat and squeezed until she moved no more.

Wrath had almost completely diminished his reserves and Rahim had difficulty keeping himself upright, if he had any more strength, he would've killed her in a quicker perhaps even painless way.

Kai and Gerda looked at him with wide eyes as they both took a step back, surprised by the sudden action of the young woman. Rahim barely considered the two of them, logically speaking, they weren't a threat to him, even in his current state. He had planned on killing Elsa, then escaping Arendelle. If either servant tried to stop him, he'd make quick work of them, not wasting a thought on if he would kill them or not.

Elsa felt every inch of her body scream at her for using her powers now, she knew she was beyond exhausted but the moment she locked eyes with the young man, her instincts screamed that she was in danger. Never before had she felt such a sensation whenever she was around the young man. Even Wrath hadn't garnered such a reaction when she first laid eyes on him.

Edward had seemed to be someone burdened with guilt and harmless because of it as he tried keeping his distance from others.

Wrath was a predator to be sure, but one that was rather unmotivated. He was docile and content with staying in his courtyard unless told otherwise. Dangerous and unnerving to be sure, but perhaps what they had in common granted them a certain affinity for one another.

Rahim couldn't be any more different between the former two. Elsa looked into his eyes and saw a void, that brief moment she looked into his eyes and searched for the kind soul that hid inside them, she saw nothing.

The blonde had gotten to know much about Rahim. Edward had described the avenger in great detail when the two of them were first getting to know each other, back when Edward associated Rahim's past with his own and tried to imitate who he would be now had he survived.

However Elsa knew different, the stories she had been told by Edward, the memories that belonged solely to Rahim gave her a very different picture of what the man would be had he been alive. She expected someone whose sole desire on this earth was to get revenge. He had spent his life trying to achieve it and knowing his very own body was used to make his death meaningless should've pushed him into unholy rage given his final assault on Wrath.

Yet, when the Queen looked at him now, the seemingly composed man in front of her was the exact opposite of what she expected. He wasn't in a rush, did not yell, thrash, or demand she release him. He looked as if this turn of events did not warrant a deep thought in his head but when her eyes locked with his, she could feel the desire to kill her waft toward her.

Elsa knew that she couldn't keep this up, Rahim had to as well cause when he tugged on it and saw her wince, he made no more moves. It was only a matter of time before she would have to let go of her hold on him but for now, as long as they held, she could at least give Kai and Gerda the chance to escape.

"Kai! Gerda! Leave now."

The two servants perked up at their names and turned toward Elsa whose brow was becoming even more drenched with sweat. The plump man was utterly confused on what the young man had said but the urgent desperation in the young woman's voice struck a chord in him. Her voice was authoritative and left no room for argument that had him moving toward Gerda and ushering her toward the door behind the blonde, the older woman still stunned by the recent events.

The two of them just passed Elsa when the young man spoke. "You do realize that she's sending you away, so neither of you will be forced to watch me kill her right?"

Kai froze at the cold words that Edward spoke. They stabbed themselves into his brain and exploded, ringing over and over in his mind. The plump man couldn't see Edward ever doing such a thing, the young man had done so much and shown that Elsa meant the world to him. Try as he might, even with the darker looks he had seen on the young man's face, he held Elsa's safety forefront in his mind.

But what about that earlier look in his eye when he fought that monster…

The plump man remembered Edward's feral look that radiated an intense weight on his shoulders. It looked as if the young man did not recognize Kai at all when they looked at each other but then completely ignored him to face his opponent.

Now, Kai got a glance of the young man's earlier expression, the cold look in his eyes that held his for less than a moment before being replaced by a typical happy one. He barely missed it but the chill that went down his spine had him turn and look once more to see if Edward really would harm Elsa.

The blonde woman saw Kai turned and she herself did the same to yell at him to properly illustrate the danger they were in.

"Kai! I said-"

That turned out to be a huge mistake.

Elsa felt her connection to the restraints snap after a hand grasped her throat with an iron grip. The backlash of her ice being broken brought a wave of weakness that washed over her and had her slump in his grip, which was the only thing keeping her standing upright. Her words died in her throat from her exhaustion that she could do nothing more than look at the cold expression of Rahim who held dispassionately in her gaze.

Kai didn't hear the ice breaking or the young man's footsteps, it was as if the plump man had blacked out for a few seconds. Regardless when he saw Elsa in the young man's grip, fear coursed through him of course, but he found himself releasing Gerda and doing the first thing that came to mind.

Rahim's eyes bore holes into Elsa's as he could tell she had trouble keeping her eyes focused. She was limp in his grip which would make killing her all the more easy, if it wasn't for Kai's foolhardy attempt to stop him coming his way at this very moment. The avenger's eyes shifted towards Kai's sloppy punch aimed for his head.

The plump man held his fist above his head and raised his shoulder to bring it down toward his target's head. Rahim could see every exaggerated movement Kai's muscles took and could instantly tell the direction and speed it was coming from. He would've been able to catch the punch if he had his left arm but since he didn't and had no desire to endure a second dismal attempt to stop him; faster than Kai could react to, Rahim lifted his leg and delivered a fast side kick to the man's gut which had him crumple to the ground.

"Kai!"

Gerda rushed to his side as the plump man threw up his last meal from that one strike. Elsa's eyes had tracked her friend's descent to the ground and desperate strength welled up into her as she grasped the hand around her neck and tried to pry the fingers off. Needless to say, it was fruitless as Rahim focused back on her, after deeming that he wouldn't be bothered by the pair next to them.

The avenger's fingers tightened around the slender neck that they once caressed as his palm pressed more into her throat. The muscles in his arm contracted to tighten his grip with the express intent to cause her arm, unlike all the other times they would relax under her touch. Rahim's cold eyes dispassionately watched Elsa's face contort into pain as her eyes went wide and her fingers uselessly dug into his hand.

Just a little more before…

The smell of tobacco hit his nose and had him automatically release his grip on Elsa's neck and jump back before a large hand could grab his wrist. The blonde's body instantly slumped and would've hit the ground if not for the quick responsive hands of Walter Stonewell catching her and allowing her to try and suck air back into her lungs.

Rahim's eyes didn't narrow, they just took in the Captain's sudden appearance and mentally wondered how the large man could sneak up on all four of them without any of them noticing. He didn't hear any doors opening, no footsteps, not even the breaths that came from the old man's mouth.

The avenger's eyes slanted over to Kai who was still being doted on by Gerda. Perhaps it was because of his incessant wheezing that Walter was able to sneak up on the young man. Whatever the case may be, Rahim considered this new development gravely.

He considered the shape of his body, the exhaustion that weighed down on from today's events, and what his objectives were.

"To tell you the truth, I wasn't quite expecting that we would be meeting this soon, I would've thought I'd have more time to come up with what I wanted to say." Rahim's eyes found Walter's, who was currently supporting Elsa while extending a hand for Kai to take so he could get up as well.

"But now that I've gotten a chance to look you in the eyes, I know exactly what I want to say." The avenger's eyes scanned the old man, noting the two swords at his waist as well as the cane slung through a belt loop behind his back. As usual, his Captain's uniform left little to the imagination but Rahim had all of Wrath's memories and knew the old man would have firearms of some sort in the folds of his uniform, maybe even other weapons hidden all over him.

"You're a brat, a child who finally got what he wanted and didn't like it so he's throwing a temper tantrum."

Out of all things to say, Rahim wasn't expecting that. His expression didn't change, nor did his body give away the slightest hint that he was interested but deep down, in the darkest depths of his mind, he was slightly curious of what the old man was talking about.

When the young man didn't speak, Walter continued. "All that time wasted, you've spent your whole life trying to get back at one guy then you literally turned into the thing you hated most. If that isn't the most fitting example as why revenge is a foolish waste of time then I don't know what is."

Rahim's only response to the old man's words were a blink, not a slow or fast one showing he had trouble understanding what he heard, but a regular one that showed he simply accepted the information and it had no bearing on him whatsoever. Walter was about to continue but Rahim actually chose to open his mouth to speak.

"Attempting to goad me into losing myself to anger is an exercise in futility. Wrath may have been easy for you to manipulate but it's an entirely different standard when considering me."

Kai's breathing got easier as he took Walter's hand and was hauled to his feet, one of his hands going to the place the young man had kicked him to relieve himself of the pain. Elsa had also regained some strength and wasn't using the old man as a crutch as much as she slowly tried to put more weight on her feet.

"I'm not goading you, nor am I manipulating you, I'm telling you the truth no one in your life was able to. You've wasted your life, tell me, now that you've finally had your body under your control, what is left for you? You've been exiled from your home, you have nothing to your name, and the only friend you might have left is off cleaning up the mess you left for him."

"All of which are the results of Wrath's actions interacting with my life." Rahim cooly replied.

Walter smiled with an amused expression. "Really? You and I both know that Wrath wasn't the reason you were exiled from your home."

Elsa may have been exhausted but her brain was now up and running making her look at the Captain in confusion. She didn't know what he was referring to. Rahim was exiled from his home because of the massacre that Wrath was forced to commit during the civil war. While it wasn't his fault for being controlled by Father during that time period, Wrath was the catalyst that resulted in his exile.

Rahim's eyes fractionally narrowed. "What do you base that assumption on?"

Walter shrugged, "From what I've been told of this Father guy, or Abraham if you want to use his actual name, he struck me as a guy who was very logical and would protect what's his." Rahim's eyes once again narrowed while Elsa's eyes widened at the fact that Walter knew Father's actual name.

"Sure war happens and you can't expect to control everything but ordering someone to wipe out innocent families is something only an idiot would do. Now if you think Rakat would do something like that then you don't know him in the slightest. Back when I knew him, he was very tactful and insightful, knowing just what to say to push someone to come up with a conclusion that benefited him. Like that little incident with Ashfeld, he showed them that he had no quarrel with them and even allowed them to keep the spoils, but left a monster behind that could properly illustrate the only reason they were alive was because of Rakat's desire for unnecessary conflict, a conflict that he was very easily able to win."

Walter felt Elsa was beginning to lean off of him as some strength returned to her. Not taking his eyes off Rahim, the old man passed her off to Kai who instantly went to support the blonde despite wincing at the quick movement. Gerda rushed to her other side to support her pseudo daughter as well which let Walter stand up to his full height and place his arm behind his back. The movement had Rahim tense but Stonewell was relaxed as he continued to speak.

"Now during the civil war, even if he was having such trouble with the rebelling force, it makes no tactical sense to kill off their families. Threatening them and squeezing them would've been smarter to get his enemies to surrender but outright killing them was stupid. Sure, with Wrath's ability to sense rage, it would bring the war to a sudden end as he would know where they were hiding and what they planned. However, one thing that bothers me is that if Wrath truly was ordered to do such a thing, then why not kill Alrick? Surely Alrick wouldn't have been able to keep completely calm upon hearing all his soldiers' families had been slaughtered, even if he was able to, one of his soldiers would know where he was so killing him would've been the smart thing to do. Instead, Alrick was able to make it to the throne room and fight Rakat one on one without any interference, even when he wasn't the official number two warrior in Blackdust, that title belonged to Asshat the meat head. Which means that the whole challenge would be unofficial."

Rahim remained silent as Walter stared him down in the eyes watching, waiting for any subtle changes in his expression. "If the challenge was unofficial then that would mean anyone was free to kill Alrick as he had no legal right to challenge the King, especially considering he started a civil war. Despite this, he was able to avoid Wrath the Furious who was able to completely decimate his elite force right outside the throne room. Rakat wasn't a very prideful man and would've had no qualms about killing Alrick in any fashion that would blowback the least on him. Plus he would see that killing all those families would one, take away from his workforce and two, inspire others to rise up against him. Which means that he would never give that kind of order and as Abraham knows how motivating the loss of loved ones are, he wouldn't do such an illogical thing either."

Walter then raised a hand and had it outstretched to Rahim as if he was showcasing him. "Which means that that decision came from the killer himself."

Rahim's eyes returned to their normal size as he took in the old man. Elsa's eyes were shocked and she couldn't speak as she allowed everything Walter say play in her mind over and over and couldn't get over how all of it made so much sense. The only thing out of place was Edward's own testimony which would directly disprove everything the Captain was saying but then she remembered that it was Edward's testimony and Rahim's who didn't seem bothered or insulted by what Stonewell insinuated.

If anything, he looked as if he knew what was coming next.

"...how long did you know?"

"When the runt told me the entire story when we went on our trip. He was too busy focusing on the coin; he didn't notice that I was rereading reports on his actions as well as what Alrick told me prior to that trip. There were several inconsistencies between the reports and his recounts. I spent most of the night thinking about it and when I finally got a working theory, his last recount when I woke up proved me right. The first memory he said he had was waking up on that table and immediately acting the same as you were before the operation. Had it really been Wrath taking over then there would be an obvious change. The runt didn't have a mind to begin with and now that he took over your body he was naturally able to speak and act the same way you do? Even with your memories, it would take practice, experience that he didn't have, but it would be quite easy for you to imitate him as you had the experience and it didn't take you long to become an obedient tool that Wrath was since you've had that practice being Talib's your entire life."

Rahim didn't speak, he just considered Walter for a longer moment. Wrath had already expressed that the old man was very perceptive and much wouldn't get past him; nevertheless, Rahim did not expect the Captain to figure out what really happened several years ago. He supposed he should've been impressed but Rahim could not begin to care one way or the other, his only concern at the moment was his newfound freedom.

"Why? How could you do that…"

The avenger's eyes slanted over to Elsa who stared at him with an unbelieving horrified expression on her face. It wasn't hard to imagine what was going through her head, she had listened to Wrath confess and grieve over what transpired during the climax of the civil war. She knew the scars it left on him and how it pushed him to attempt to kill himself only for his survival instinct to kick in and save his body from self destruction.

Walter was right in his theory that Rahim had control over his body during the civil war, he committed all those acts and allowed Rakat's army to escape then watched over them as he was ordered to. He remembered one particular night that a woman who resembled his mother made his mind rage against itself and before he could figure out what happened, he found himself imprisoned while Wrath chose to run.

Now that he had access to Wrath's memories, he now knew that when he saw that woman, Wrath couldn't reconcile seeing her die knowing that he was the cause since he experienced the emotions Rahim had back when he was a child. The trauma of everything that the two of them did culminated and forced a psychotic break where Rahim was imprisoned, "Edward" was born and Wrath trying to retain the persona Father would want from him.

Edward, Rahim supposed, was the person he should've been. Someone plagued by his actions and regret, seeking a place where he wouldn't have to fight but had a strong moral compass. Ending up in Arendelle was an unexpected twist of fate where Edward was able to find people he would come to care about and someone that he could love.

Yet Rahim felt nothing, he could look in her hurt blue eyes and not feel an ounce of emotion. She looked at him as if he was a monster, something that gravely weighed on Edward's mind but it made absolutely no difference to him. It was so insignificant to him, he didn't see fit to answer her question.

Walter on the other hand, already knew the answer.

"He did it because he wanted to know that anyone in the same circumstance would do the same he did."

Rahim's eyes moved back to the old man who didn't have a mocking or relaxed expression on his face, instead the avenger felt he was looking in a mirror. Walter's eyes were dead as he spoke, his face betrayed nothing and Rahim, for some inexplicable reason, felt that this was Walter showing his true colors.

Elsa didn't understand, she had been well versed in Arendellian history as well as other kingdoms including their wars and how they conducted them. For the life of her, she could not recall one kingdom adopting Rahim's approach in such a mass number. "Do the same? Kill innocent people just to stop a war?! Who would-"

"I'm not talking about stopping a war." Walter's words were grave and carried with them a power that held everyone's attention. Rahim, who barely said anything, was remotely intrigued at how accurate the Captain was with his assessments.

"Rahim wanted undeniable proof that if someone lost their loved ones the same way he did, they would choose the exact same choices he himself had. The fact is, he knows he wasted his entire life after a pursuit that ultimately was pointless given his current situation. All the pain, rage, and death that ravaged his mind meant absolutely nothing when his goal was no longer attainable. So he wanted confirmation that any human would have wasted their lives the way he had if they went through the same thing he did. It's why he did it in a mass number, to further prove his theory."

The mentioned young man still saw fit to not speak. Walter, once again was correct in his answer. Rahim supposed that the actions he took, while they did allow him to complete his task, was also self-serving in the way that he confirmed that it was a natural response and as such shouldn't allow them to dwell on his mind. He was just a human, and being overcome by violence and rage after loss was a natural reaction. While he supposed he did waste his life in the sense that all he accomplished meant absolutely nothing in the face of death, he regretted nothing.

He was given a second chance at life to be a tool for Talib and Father. What they intended for the world meant absolutely nothing to him, the only thing that mattered to him was using his life for something that actually meant something to him. The problem was, after his 'death' nothing meant anything to him, all his rage evaporated as he now had no one to hate anymore. He had become Wrath, Father was a notion to him rather than an actual person so he felt nothing for him as well, as for Talib…

Rahim had hated the alchemist as a child, but the sense of elation that accompanied his space was enough to offset it. Once, he considered killing the alchemist to see if the elation would increase but knew if he did so then he would never feel it again. Torturing the alchemist was also out of the question as Rahim knew that pain didn't register to him, it was a "useless distraction from the task at hand" as Talib expressed during their lessons. Ironic, given that most of the pain that befell him and his brother spawned from the alchemist's harsh punishments. That being said, it was because of Talib that Rahim was as strong as he was right now and could make the best out of any situation.

Despite the Captain's denial, Rahim was sure that the old soldier wanted to anger him to give himself an advantage. It was the first thing he did to Wrath when they first fought and resulted in him completely outclassing the stronger fighter. The avenger was no fool, he knew that in his current state, Walter Stonewell would be a very difficult opponent. Rahim was younger, faster, and stronger but so was Edward and even with Wrath fueling his strength, the Captain had easily won their battle. Even when they sparred and Edward would overwhelm the old man, Rahim could see through the memories that Walter wasn't completely devoted to the spar.

He was paying attention of course and he did try but didn't go all out. Their trip to the abandoned training site drove it home that Walter, when he got serious, was in a different league than any warrior Rahim or Wrath had killed. Losing his temper and rushing the old man would very likely result in his death, so the avenger stayed back, debating if it was even worth fighting Walter or escaping now that he had the chance.

From a logical view, he should escape. The only reason he was even still here was the sole fact that he had the opportunity to kill Elsa. She was right there and no one was around to stop him. Currently, he didn't feel one way or the other whether she lived or died. He remembered his soul echo expressing his desire to kill her, while he may not have personally fueled it, that persona was a version of him that he could have been had he remained the same as he was when he was in his first life.

Killing the blonde would be devastating for Wrath, an overwhelmingly obvious act of revenge. Taking away someone that Wrath had grown to love, the same way he had taken the avenger's mother. Back then, it was just for the sense of pleasure, now it was more of a practical avenue for him to take.

Rahim had all of Wrath and Edward's memories, the times they wrestled one another for control and the uncanny power that Elsa held over the both of them. Even if he had the ability to completely suppress Wrath currently, he couldn't risk what the Queen could trigger within him. Wrath had managed to overpower him when he saw someone who just looked like Rahim's mother being killed, the avenger didn't want to consider what could happen if Elsa stood in his way.

However, now that Walter has arrived, killing her would be quite difficult and despite her personal desires, she was Arendelle's Queen. As such, if he left her kingdom, she could not pursue him or have any means to force him to come back with her. The only way she could force him to return with her was if she bested him with her abilities but that required her actually doing so and also leaving Arendelle.

Elsa had made Arendelle her prison; she would sacrifice everything of hers to keep it safe.

Even the body of the man that had truly and completely loved her.

Rahim straightened up before turning on his heel and began walking away causing everyone but Walter to perk up in confusion. The blonde young woman had been on edge watching the young man's every move the entire time in fear he would try to attack any one of them again. Her mind told her that he was dangerous and she needed to be on guard but her heart thought of Edward who was trapped somewhere inside the emotionless man that nearly killed her.

His muscles did not react to her touch, they remained stiff and intended to harm her. They were rough and callous as if she was a bug they were going to crush underfoot.

In Edward's grip, she felt safe, precious, loved.

In Rahim's grip, all she felt was Death's cold embrace enveloping her.

She could see that he had lost interest in her entirely as he turned around and walked away. His eyes that were focused on her earlier, became empty as he turned around. She should be relieved he was leaving, her mind screamed at her that him choosing to leave on his own was the best thing that could happen. Now no one would be killed trying to stop him.

She didn't know what it was. Maybe it was seeing the face of someone who held so much emotion for her, looking at her as if she was nothing and turning his back on her without any hesitation made her heart lurch. His footsteps were measured and echoed in her mind, digging up a buried memory that scarred her.

Yet, as his footsteps echoed as he walked away, her heart lurched in a way that dug up a buried memory that remained with her to this day.

Princess Elsa cutsied perfectly as the King and Queen stood in front of her with Kai behind them placing their bags down. She knew going on a voyage to the Southern Sea for a trade conference was to be expected of them and routine but she felt that something was wrong. Call it a gut instinct or her nerves but she just knew something was going to happen.

"Do you have to go?"

Her eyes shone with worry and fear as she looked at both her mother and father to give them both a dose of the emotions welling in her eyes.

She knew they both could see the emotion in her eyes but all they did was smile reassuringly. "You'll be fine, Elsa." Her father said with all the faith in the world.

The blonde held their stares and clamped down the words on the tip of her tongue. She wasn't worried about herself, she was worried about them. Yet they instantly assumed she was thinking of herself and her powers. Elsa wanted to clarify, wanted to say that she had a terrible feeling welling up in her stomach, that they could just send a representative in the royals' place but ultimately said nothing.

Her father's tone was full of faith that showed her that he was supremely confident that Arendelle would be standing perfectly fine if he were to leave and die tomorrow. As such, Elsa couldn't bring herself to argue as she watched them turn in slow motion and when her father took that first step away from her, her heart lurched with the footstep that almost made her raise her objections.

She just hoped that she was just letting her fear get to her and everything would be fine in two weeks…

She had kept silent that day, allowed herself to be convinced that nothing would happen as two important people in her life walked away from her. She knew that she couldn't have known they would die in the storm the next day. People come and go, such is the nature of life. She knew that she couldn't expect every person who left for a time to die the moment she took her eyes off them.

But this was different.

When Anna left on her honeymoon, even though Elsa was worried she didn't feel her heart lurch with every step.

Each step he took thundered in her ears and tore the words out of her mouth.

"Edward, wait!"

The young man continued to walk, seemingly oblivious to her call. However, his fingers slightly clenched from hearing the desperation in Elsa's voice.

"So that's it, you're just gonna go?"

Rahim felt no need to answer the Captain's question, he heard the old man sigh before hearing the very familiar sound of steel scraping against a sheath as it was being drawn.

The young man turned, prepared to have another debate with Walter only to see that the distance between them had been crossed by the old man whose face was the same as the one on the mountain. The time for talking seemed to be over as Walter roared when he got close enough and swung with deadly intent.

The avenger barely leaned out of the way before reaching toward the Captain's weapon belt and pulled out a pistol then primed the flintlock before aiming it at the old man's back. Before he could pull the trigger, Walter had drawn his second sword and swung at Rahim's waist forcing him to jump over the steel and readjust his aim.

Landing in a crouch and out of harm's way from the Captain's weapons, Rahim finalized his aim and pulled the trigger. Unfortunately for him, Walter moved as if he was a torrential downpour, his movements were so forceful but flowed into one another without rest. Before the flintlock mechanism could actually light the gunpowder, he used the momentum of his strikes to flow into a roundhouse kick that caught the pistol and had it slide away after the bullet was fired in a random direction.

Not allowing himself to miss a beat after the loss of his weapon, Rahim dived at Walter's back and grabbed the cane that was a hidden sword before another kick caught him in the chest and had him rolling until he recovered.

Now he had swapped places with Walter who stood between him and the only exit out of the throne room, while he was in between the Captain and Elsa.

Walter straightened up as his deadly expression did not lighten in the slightest as he addressed the young man. "I can't have you going on your merry way."

Rahim remained low as he spoke with his eyes searching for any cracks in Stonewell's demeanor.

"Why, because your Queen's secret lover is leaving? I wouldn't describe you as someone who is sentimental."

Walter kept his eyes locked on Rahim's, trying to clearly convey the point of his words. "Because you know too much about Arendelle, from our guard movements, the royal family's habits and schedules, as well as our strategies for crisis situations. Arendelle will be at great risk if that information falls into the wrong hands."

The finality and deliberate way Stonewell spoke made it clear what his intentions were. Anyone who knew the man would easily be able to tell what he intended to do. He was the Captain of the Royal Guard, his job was to defend the royal family as well as Arendelle.

Destroying threats against Arendelle was well within his job description.

Rahim stood to his full height as he stared into Walter's eyes with dead ones. "That is correct, I do know all of that and more. Which means I am a credible threat to Arendelle and as such, it would fall to you to eliminate that threat. But tell me, is there not a shred of hesitation in what your duty demands you to do? No doubt in your mind about the actions you're about to take? You've spent quite some time earlier conversing with me and explaining to them what kind of person I am instead of just killing me outright."

The young man outstretched his hand toward Elsa but kept his eyes on Walter. "Are you afraid of losing another daughter by killing their loved ones?"

Gerda and Kai both looked at the old man with concern; they knew that was a low point for the Captain as he had confided that into them. They didn't expect him to act out rashly, but they knew hearing those words had hurt him.

Elsa didn't have a clue what Rahim was talking about but could tell that he was poking at a sore spot for the old man who didn't react. All he did was slowly and purposefully get into his ready stance with his two swords in front of him.

"There's only two ways you're leaving this room. One; the runt walks out for you, or two; you're stepping over my corpse."

The young man's face finally showed its first emotion since they had begun speaking; disappointment. He sighed, "Fighting you is more trouble than it's worth…"

Rahim flipped the cane in his hand and grasped the handle before pressing with his thumb to show a glint of the blade hidden inside.

"...but if it cannot be avoided, then at the very least, Wrath will have the pleasure of watching someone he considers a parent die right in front of him."

Hey guys, I know its been a while and honestly I have no excuse. Its been a pretty long year for me, nothing really bad happened but its my last year in the Army and I'm trying to finish strong but each day gets harder than the last. I promise that not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about this fanfic, I've got piles of notebooks filled with ideas on how to end it, I just can't find the time to actually get down and do it. BUT, one of those new ideas was Rahim meeting Walter and fighting him :D. I hope you stay tune for the next chapter, I'll be in at Fort Polk for about 2 weeks with no electronics so I hope to crank out a new chapter soon, stay tuned please.

I WILL FINISH THIS FANFIC!