Aegis knows the exact moment it happens.
He has been going about his usual routine of monitoring the region he is in and helping those who need it – although ever since Pandora bonded, there has been a lot less trouble with the likes of released monsters – when the Plane of Elemental Spirits shakes. It would take a lot to cause this sort of situation so after reassuring the other spirits he is with, he soars off in search of the cause, eventually coming to the edge of Pandora's domain, a great wailing emanating from within.
"Pandora!" he calls, swinging his charm anxiously; despite being in her domain, Pandora is an immensely powerful spirit and whatever has caused her this much distress could have consequences for the rest of them. "Pandora, please! You must calm down!"
There is no answer, the wailing instead increasing in pitch despite his continued pleas. With Pandora experiencing such anguish, it is dangerous to try to venture into her domain so Aegis makes the decision to go to the one other being who could help to soothe her, manifesting in the material world…
…only to come face to face with a wall of ice.
Oh… he thought, eyes widening and taking a step back as he made out the shapes of three people within the ice; one in robes, one seemingly with a skull for a head and one with a cube that he recognised from Pandora's descriptions by their side. Yes, that would certainly cause this sort of reaction.
Dimly he registered the sight of fires raging around the area, the trees behind the cliff the block of ice was situated on still smouldering, before returning to the Plane of Elemental Spirits, Pandora's wailing still permeating the surroundings.
With no-one else who can calm her down, Aegis steels himself and cautiously makes his way into Pandora's domain, clenching his charm in his fist as he navigates the shifting surroundings until he finds the spirit he's looking for, crumpled to the ground and sobbing her eyes out.
"Pandora…" he reaches out a hand tentatively as she looks up at him, eyes glistening. "I saw what happened…I'm so sorry…"
Pandora's expression crumples and she covers her face with her hands, letting out more sobs. "It was the mage they'd freed; Jaania. They'd saved the world again and she froze them, declaring it was time for magic to end! I hate her!"
Aegis settles down next to the distraught spirit, slowly rubbing her back in the hopes that it will soothe her somewhat (although realistically, how can you adequately soothe someone whose SoulAlly has just been frozen in a block of ice?).
"They're conscious in there, Aegis!" Pandora continues hysterically, the landscape warping further with her emotions. "It's muted but I can still feel them through the bond. And I can't…I can't do anything! If I tried to free them, there's a high chance it could go wrong, and my cube is frozen in there with them so I can't safely manifest to comfort their friends, their dragon…!"
She breaks down sobbing again and all Aegis can do is sit there with her, murmuring soothing words and rubbing her back until the sobs eventually subside and the area settles down again, although Pandora's shoulders still shake.
"I can't begin to imagine how you are feeling Pandora," Aegis bows his head. "All I can do is offer my support. I will visit you as often as I can, and if you want, I could attempt to free the Hero. I am attuned with the element of Ice after all, and while there was too much fire to try when I first saw them, I could always have a go?"
Pandora sniffles and nods, wiping her eyes. "Thank you, Aegis. I could do with a friend, and I would be grateful for any attempt."
Aegis nods and makes his way back out of Pandora's domain so as not to risk manifesting in the wrong place. Quickly checking to make sure there is not too much damage after Pandora's outburst – fortunately not; a few uprooted plants but the tremors appeared to be the worst of it, he doesn't want to imagine what the chaos could have been had he not been able to comfort her and calm her down – he returns to the spot where he found the block of ice.
The fires had been put out and so Aegis stood in front of the ice and called upon his element, trying to connect with the magic forming the crystal and commanding it to melt. Unfortunately Pandora was right and the magic was too powerful, so while Aegis felt it changing him as he tried to draw it to him – his helmet and armour becoming more ornate and even a shield beginning to form around the arm that didn't hold his charm – the ice itself was unchanged.
The Hero would remain frozen.
Sighing deeply, Aegis ceased his attempt and returned to the Plane of Elemental Spirits, re-entering Pandora's domain, which thankfully is much calmer than before, until he finds her hovering where he had left her, looking a lot more composed. She cocks her head to one side at his new look before a mournful noise emerges from her at his expression.
"I'm sorry Pandora," Aegis sighs. "The magic was too powerful for me and I was unable to free them."
"I suspected it may be," Pandora replies sadly. "But thank you for trying Aegis. It means a lot to me. For the time being, I shall remain here in my domain until the Hero is able to escape the ice and we can reunite, because they will!" she adds fiercely. "No matter how long it takes, they will break free!"
Disclaimer: DragonFable is owned by Artix Entertainment