From a few miles away Elsa had been deceived into thinking that peaks' crest would act as a half circle wall as means of protection, now standing on the rocky ledge she could see she was half right. The jagged crown was a wall but once one got past it there was a lethal drop into a crater, an endless fall, and if the clouds hadn't shrouded what awaited them, Elsa doubted her eyes could see that far to the bottom.
The wind was unforgiving, Elsa and her companions had the constant need to squint, wanting the ability of having her full– nearly full vision Elsa tamed her long tresses up in a ponytail, giving the same courtesy to Anna, handing over a thin ice band, she gazed back down into the crater.
There was no path, no trail, just a few connecting parts and naturally formed arches which bent in very unnatural angles downward, even the clouds now that she was looking closer were lenticular clouds drawn towards the epicenter. Elsa had concluded from the walls and formations that like a beast of the sea who opened their large gaping maw sucking in anything above so to were the contents being pulled into the waterless whirlpool, until– feeling pricks at her fingertips did she notice that her magic was leaking from her pores in small incremental wisps.
The discovery was alarming at first, until Elsa realized she had been the one doing it. The urge wasn't strong enough to inspire her to fling herself off the edge but there was a lure, a force that she was drawn to by her own beguilement, not akin to a siren's song but a pastry that sat on a counter wafting its delectable scent through the air.
She turned to see the only one affected by this phenomena as well was Ryu. Her reaction was much more perfervid, the dragon passed along the ledge anxiously drumming her fingers along her biceps. She still had the will over herself to not abandon them there but wanted in.
"Just a straight plummet to certain death." Kristoff's voice echos died down telling of how far the sound traveled before it ricocheted off a surface. Anna kissed his cheek tenderly. "Don't worry Kris, Ryu knows the way down safely." As she said this the dragon shook her head keeping her eyes pointed to the crater with a serious expression. "I don't, I just follow the pull."
Bulda rubbed her chin curiously at this. "Must be the light magic, which means it's still alive somewhere deep down there. I wonder if they have any crystals." The excitement grew in her voice as she spoke of the prospects but again Ryu shook her head. "It is not the same gravitational force I felt in the gours. That was… concentrated and raw–overwhelming." That made sense to Elsa if she were to go off the stories and descriptions Ryu had graciously shared with her of her training sessions. The way she could make sense of it was that the magic crystals the trolls protected were sources, not diluted, of this world yes but the core of most things magical. It seemed bold to correct an expert that was Bulda but she knew Ryu was only stating the sensations she felt and considered herself extremely intrigued. "This is… like a lullaby. Someone is awake down there and they…" It was like comparing lemonade to an actual lemon.
An expression of shock, worry, and excitement took over her face at once. "They know I'm coming."
Kristoff sputtered for a moment. "Who is they?" Ryu simply shrugged. "I dunno, let's go!" She morphed and went for the edge.
Anna bounced into action rubbing her palms climbing onto Ryu's back. "I'll go first, I've already been down there once. Bulda wanna join?"
"Is moss and lichen soup the perfect remedy for toe jam rot?" Anna blinked at her for a minute befuddled. "Umm… maybe? Yesss?" Bulda laughed, holding her belly. "Of course I'm ready to go! I've been waiting for six hundred and eighty two years for this! To not just explore a drage temple but to be accompanied by one as well." She squealed giddily. "Cliff is going to be so jealous." Ryu didn't want to get Bulda's hopes and expectations too high, yes she was a dragon but she was still just… Ryu.
Anna leaned down and whispered context in her ear. "That's my father-in-law. You'll meet him when we get back." Ryu had no issue with that, she liked Bulda, she was good times. The rock troll spread out her arms for Ryu to grip her gently with her forearms, holding her like a child holding their teddy bear, rearing up to rest back on her hind legs. She had to brace her arms for a better grip, this troll was sturdy.
"Okay, you guys take the scenic route Elsa and I can take the stairs and meet you down there." Elsa looked to Anna and understood her face of sympathy and pitied the man. Flying with Ryu could make one who was as ground centered as Kristoff sick to their stomach as the weightless sensations caused all of their organs to float around inside. Anna loved it the moment she felt it but Kristoff, he'd happily stick to riding Sven.
"I'm sorry Honey but it's not a straightforward way down, there's lots of twists and turns and then a loop da loop–" Anna's finger twirled swiftly. "I still have no idea how Ryu navigated her way there without crashing." Ryu hooted at her. "That's true you did crash on our way out, but let's be honest that ceiling came outta nowhere. Just hang on tight–" Anna squeezed her legs closer to Ryu's torso. "and move your body according to hers. Like dancing!" They stared at each other until Anna remembered a well known fact about Kristoff. Her face fell instantly.
"Oh that's right."
Elsa watched her wings spread and take them off the ledge, to her bewilderment Ryu didn't plunge straight down as she expected, instead curving slightly up in their descent, to left then right vanishing into the clouds and darkness. She could hear Anna and Bulda's "Woohoos!" Even from a great distance.
As they stood, Elsa wanted to comfort Kristoff but her thoughts remained on what was awaiting them, still she wrapped her arm around his shoulders receiving a grateful small smile in return. They both watched the clouds waiting for Ryu's familiar silhouette to appear.
It seemed the siren calls from magical beings and entities was the life cycle she was destined to follow, it had to be some obscure law of attraction she wasn't aware of yet.
The directions came quicker, the need to be led grew less required as Ryu memorized the way, she wished she had also focused that much mental energy on exiting, figuring it would be just an inverse. She was proven wrong when as Anna foretold she slammed into the ceiling of a ridge creating a cloud of dust and small rocks falling around the collision.
It took fifteen minutes when Elsa jumped away from Kristoff hearing a yelp reverberate from the crater. It was definitely Ryu. She cupped her hands around her mouth. "Ryu, are you okay!"
A weak gurgle answered back, sounding closer than the cry.
"Anna? Mom? How ya holding up?" Kristoff called but his only replies were too faint to be considered discernable.
They back up for Ryu to land and shake out her body. Elsa touched her gently, unsure of where she hurt herself. Cooing she motioned for them to climb on her back with Elsa upfront. Kristoff's anxiety began to influence Elsa's wellbeing, heightened when Ryu ominously spread her wings teetering over the edge. This was a lot more nerve wracking than Elsa remembered. "Oh god." Kristoff took deep inhales and even longer exhales, his strong grip kind of hurt but Elsa wouldn't deny him the security. "Ryu would you mind if I umm tethered us to you?" Ryu dragon twisted her neck back to them, giving a little shake turning forward. Placing her palms on Ryu's neck, ice crept around her neck to her chest, spreading fractals to her torso, the ropes tied around Kristoff and Elsa's waists keeping them securely locked to Ryu's back. She growled and grunted as they tightened whenever Elsa grew more stiff. "Sorry." Elsa ruffled her mane's fur, very appreciative of her patience with their novice discomfort.
Her breath jumped at the same time as Ryu did off the ledge following the same path she took before, Elsa could feel herself rising from the dragon's back despite the tether, her organs rose along with her floating the contents of her stomach. She gripped Ryu's fur probably too tightly to gain some semblance of control. Even if she tried she wouldn't have been able to steer the Dragon was now one track minded determined to reach their destination as hurriedly as possible. The speed they went at kept Elsa's ponytail constantly whipping Kristoff in the face. She reminded herself to never doubt Grand Pabbie again. No human would have been able to traverse this maze on their own. The smell of rotten eggs and damp rock assaulted their nostrils.
Ryu performed a series of twists and turns, Elsa couldn't even see around them, catching only glimpses of rocks and cave-like structures. A small glimmer of light shines through a crack she hoped they could fit through. "Duck Kristoff." Ryu was forced to turn sideways, tucking in her wings and limbs– even her ears to squeeze through.
The first sense to detect anything was their ears flooded with the sounds of water. Opening her eyes, Elsa found herself astounded by the warmth and brightness of the sun hitting her face.
A punchbowl waterfall descending in a constricted form spreads out in a wider pool, feeding the luscious fauna in the steep walled canyon The mountains cradled. The air smelt spicy and warm like flames were present yet nothing burned, juxtaposed to the cold, crisp, thin air from where they came from.
Elsa could only stare with her mouth open at the oasis that lay before her. Anna and Bulda waved at them from below when Ryu landed in the grass peninsula shaded by a large tree. Elsa dismounting studied it having not expected a Norway maple to be growing this high up. To be fair she hadn't expected there to be a small little paradise overgrown with various plant life either.
Even Kristoff was transfixed by what they found, tiny little particles shimmered in the air floating giving away that they were not a bug or insect of any kind. Come to think of it, as Elsa explored around, despite being the perfect sanctuary there were no signs of life other than the fauna present. One conclusion could have been the altitude but inside Elsa didn't think that was correct.
The ethereal energy was somewhat overwhelming even for her let alone a stray goat or wolf who couldn't understand what they had come across. Across the land bridge Anna seemed to be enjoying herself completely chatting with Bulda seeking the meaning for what they saw.
Elsa crossed glancing down at the water Ryu morphed and brought up the rear. It was expectant of her to splash around or leap, running from one side to the next, yet she remained tranquil. Even her eyelids weren't open fully but Elsa could tell she was still absorbing every detail no matter how miniscule, she couldn't blame her she was well and felt a deep heavy peace surrounding her being.
So captivated she hadn't noticed the cairn planted in the grass before them. Oval and arcing, about four feet off the ground, it was hugged by creeping plants hiding the ornate sigils tattooing its surface. As Bulda pulled away the foliage Elsa leaned in closer to examine them more thoroughly. It was so similar to Nordic runes she knew by heart yet distant enough that she couldn't make heads or tails of what they could have meant, too curving and spiraling, all connected. The stone was sterile, lonely, despite the solid composition.
Anna broke the silence first.
"Well how do we get in Key?" Ryu shrugged at a loss for words ignoring Elsa's reaction to her nudity as she covered her in another cloak, it was becoming routine at this point. Bulda remained quiet squinting at the symbols, anyone who looked at her could see the connections her eyes were making as they flitted from one side to the other, her trail of reading led to the wall behind the shrine where she called to Kristoff to help in clearing away some of the hanging plants.
A creepy still, small voice whispered in her ear. "Touch it." The voice did not come from within, feeling the air from Anna's mouth caress her neck startling Ryu to jump away.
"Why did you whisper?" She complained.
"I don't know, didn't want to disturb the peace of this place." Her eyes gesture to their surroundings.
"Wait-" Elsa held out her hand. "Maybe you should wai-" but it was too late. Ryu's body shook as if she was struck by lightning and teeth clenched, looking closely they could see the subtle spasming in her muscles. When the ordeal was over she fell limp to her knees, face planting in the ground and rear end pointing to the sky.
Anna took her fingers away from cupping her chin in favor "Well that's not ideal." Thirteen seconds when Ryu gasped, bolting upright glaring at Anna, her hand sliced through the air following a sharp whisper. "Stupid fucking idea."
"Aha! Well that's easy!" Bulda called. "It needs to know you're a dragon ryu. Show it." Ryu cringed, great now Bulda was speaking in riddles. Elsa helped her along by blowing cold mist in her face, she couldn't help but return it catching on from the spirit's raised suggestive brow.
Facing the stone, her friends backed away, slightly uncertain of what would follow after Ryu opened the door. She eyed the pillar, fingers feeling cramped rubbed together as she took hard gulps. The first test, it was silly really, she knew what she was yet inside anxiety brought up terrible what if scenarios of what ifs. If whatever was supposed to happen didn't, she knew Elsa and the group ever determined would pry their way in but the shame of not performing well enough to prevent that… it made her want to throw up.
Her friends waited patiently behind her. "Come on Ryu, you love burning things." Elsa grinned at the whisper Anna meant for just herself.
Inhaling as deeply as she could Ryu closed her eyes, bracing her legs, her chest glowed from the build up of flammable substance bubbling. Even when full capacity was reached still she kept stoking the flame unaware that the heat she radiated could be felt by the others.
Finally she released the flames which spewed out in such copious amounts Elsa, shielding her eyes, feared she would light the glade on fire or melt the stone.
The shrine, like a dehydrated flower soaking up the first rainfall of the season, absorbed the fire within its crevices, spreading the lumination to the sigils.
A low, resounding groan awoke behind the shrine. The obsolete sound of stone that hadn't been moved in centuries was heard, crumbling any too sedimentary stone away, it would not be stopped nor delayed. The wall began lifting, tearing away the fauna that had called it home for so long from their roots. It was slow moving but stringent. The dust was a choking hazard refusing to settle even once the wall was fully opened.
The large corridor was lit by Ryu's flames traveling along the sides contained in the lengthy braziers which seemed to reach all the way to the end.
Ryu tilted her head. "Where is it taking it?" Bulda joined her side and smiled. "Probably somewhere it can be examined by another dragon. Dragons can identify each other by their flames, each one is unique to them."
Slowly they entered, traveling along the quiet hall. Bulda was practically skipping appreciating the architecture and they were only in the entrance. Elsa held Anna's hand, needing something to keep her from sprinting down the hall to see what was next, the sensation of the pull only growing more sporadic inside. The symbols on the walls similar to the one on the shrine were at a loss to her. Ryu kept her eyes trained forward, refusing to look at the walls, the two sides of her taking their places ready to battle one another.
Elsa's breath hitched when they reached the end of the corridor, what lay before them was a great expansive space that could fit at least three of the earth giants comfortably. She had encountered large structures before but this… made her feel like nothing more than a spec.
"Wow." Anna breathed. Light filtered from various sources including the hole carved in the roof, so many ways to go, the tasks that awaited them suddenly became much more daunting. Along some of the walls, rows of tall statues shaped like beasts of old were erected. Some of them looked like humans melded together with red deer, while others looked like strange birds mixed with lynx cats possessing hooves. Others were bipedal bears and carried weapons that could deal death in one blow. All at least fifty feet high.
Elsa shivered when she looked into their faces, recognizing some of the creatures from what they represented in her culture and myths… well could she even call them that now– they were history and all shared a trait that created a foreboding sense of dread. It was they're dead, cold eyes, akin to the shrine outside, felt as if they were once filled but now remained empty, eyes that followed the group no matter which angle they took… If it hadn't been for Ryu's presence she would have felt like a proper trespasser. Touching some surfaces Anna noticed that even when being gentle it brought bits of disintegrating materials into her palms.
"This stairway is large." Kristoff points out, hoping the others caught on to what he was insinuating.
"Of course it is cutie," Bulda chimed. "Dragons aren't exactly small creatures." She laughed at the very notion. "How big did they get?" Anna asked exuberantly.
"They never stopped growing so no one really knows. A dragon has never actually died of old age before," Elsa frowned at this. Looking at Ryu, she wondered what she would look like as a titan, it plagued her to think of the individuals who wanted to snuff out her young life when she had so many years of growing and loving ahead of her. "The largest one in history, well that is difficult to say since so many interpretations of them exist even among their own kind. There's Bakunawa whose mouth is said to be as large as a lake, he was rumored to have a desire to eat the moon- Then there is leviathan, he was a sea dwelling dragon, said to be three hundred miles long." Anna dropped her water satchel at this. Elsa couldn't fathom such a creature like that existing, how did they eat? How did they move? How did they not rule over the earth itself?
"The list goes on really, but this probably isn't even the biggest space within this temple. Oooh let's go see!" No wonder dragons prized age and size if they had the capabilities to become such behemoths. Ryu remained quiet and perhaps feeling self-conscious regarding the talk of size, it was a sensitive topic for her, whenever being referred to as small made her bristle up like a cat.
Elsa began calculating, if it took Ryu twenty years to reach the size she was at now, she had a very long way to go. Elsa would help her every step of the way, she had no idea how long she had to live and didn't question it all that much taking things one day at a time regarding her mortality, it was a depressing thing to consider her magic prolonging her life. She'd have to watch her friends and family leave this earth but now she at least didn't have to be alone, intuition still told her that Ryu would be alive long past her time though, that was even sadder. The idea of the colossus Ryu roaming the world on her own, last of her kind, all Elsa could do was hope the world would treat her kindly.
Ryu nudged Anna's arm with a mischievous grin. "If I don't die by the time I get that big, guess who am I going to put in my mouth?" Anna shuddered at the very idea.
"Just don't swallow." Kristoff warned. "I kinda like her."
"Nah she'd probably give me food poisoning and kill me."
Anna huffed, snatching her elbow away from Ryu's grip. "Excuse me but I have heard from a very valuable resource that I taste very delicious."
"From who? Kristoff? I've seen him eat an onion thinking it was an apple and didn't even flinch. Come on Anna." Ryu ripostes
With how charming she is Elsa was sure she'd have many love stories. Her smile slowly faded at this. She felt sick at the idea of Ryu looking at someone the way she looked at her, to kiss them, to caress them, to assure them that they were her one and only and all other love she experienced in the past were candle flames compared to the forest fires they ignited in her.
Her hatred at this concept was self-absorbed. Ryu deserved to be loved through her entire existence; she knew it but she couldn't help it. She was the first and definitely would not be Ryu's last. She wanted Ryu to be loved, she wanted her to be protected by someone much more capable than she. All her inadequacies, they were a glaring blot on her existence, she'd die and someone else would come along and take the torch handling it with much more ability than she was capable of. She'd give Ryu everything she had to give and that still wouldn't be enough, and then Ryu would give it to someone worth so much more than she, would Ryu stay with her when old age eventually reached her, or would she grow bored and leave to search for a someone that could keep up with her? And if this terrible reality didn't come to fruition Ryu would be alone.
So alone…
She could stop now, she could leave before Ryu loved her and she loved Ryu but that too was a miserable option. No matter what she chose, every path led to pain.
Her eyes began to sting from tears held back.
She was going to be ill. Why did she have to do this when she could have been listening to Bulda's lecture? Breathing became difficult, so many thoughts swirling through her head and none of them good. If she had been paying attention she'd notice how her distress carried over the walls and ceilings. She'd notice how the air clenched not from her hyperventilating but the temple itself. The peace was disturbed.
"Hey I'm gonna go–" she looked around for a way to escape. "Just gonna peek in these rooms to see if we missed anything." Before anyone could question her disappearance she ducked into a smaller hall blindly entering a room. It was a study, so mundane for its location could explain. Elsa didn't care; she needed privacy to calm herself. She felt foolish for letting this get to her as much as it did. They came here with a purpose, a serious one at that and here she was hiding and sniveling like a petulant child.
"Well that's… unexpected." Anna said, holding out her arms, Ryu wasn't certain if she meant Elsa dipping away in a random hallway or the doorway which was sealed. It was unlike the others, the brightly hued white door was out of place amongst the dark stone. Patterns curved along the front of it the archway was much darker in tone than the actual door. It had no knob or handle, no latch or button to press, sealed tightly fingers couldn't pry it open.
"Blow your fire at it." Anna commanded.
"That's not the solution to everything." Yet Ryu still attempted this and nothing. Anna examines it closer, touching the outside. "It looks… flesh-like." She sounded disgusted by this but still continued her probing.
"I'm going to go see what Erusa found, keep trying to open it." Ryu stated but the prospect of that happening made Anna's stomach churn.
"Erusa?" Ryu's worry grew when she didn't turn around. "Erusa?" Her voice deepens and a smile disappears from her face.
Approaching Elsa flinched from the hand placed on shoulder, Ryu looked her over. The only thing out of place was Elsa's puffy face, she sniffled tell tale signs that she had been crying.
"Erusa what happened? What's wrong?" Elsa's throat bobbed, swallowing the lump that formed.
"I'm sorry." Her voice quivered. "What for?" Ryu gave a weak chuckle, really what happened? Elsa had been behind them as Bulda talked and then she was gone.
Elsa rubbed her face with her hands, not believing what was going on herself. "You're going to be alive for a very long time, and you will find and experience so much love, and care." It was a conflicting thing, her voice, sounding both sorrowful and happy. Ryu blinked. That sounded like a good thing to her.
Elsa turned, putting the tomb down gently on the weathered desk. Clasping her hands behind her back. Her shoulders rose. "I won't be there." Oh.
Ryu couldn't help but half smile at this. "Yes you will." Her confidence was puzzling to Elsa, Ryu could tell, she had that inquisitive look on her face.
"How do you know?"
"I can not explain it, but you're not like other humans, Erusa. The magic inside of you is not something that ages. It is so close to light magic and that it doesn't snuff out unless it meets an external source." Elsa hadn't considered that.
"Still, no matter my magic, my body Ryu, my soul… "
"I'll keep it in here!" Elsa choked up at how Ryu excitedly pointed to her chest… her heart. "Bulda was saying dragons can serve as vessels."
Pulling her in, Elsa caressed her nape and cheek. Feeling calmer already, she took a breath. "And when you meet someone else after I'm gone and want them to stay?" Ryu doubted this would happen, after all she had traveled the world and met no one like Elsa. "You'll have company?"
Elsa winced. "May get rather cramped in there, besides you'd have to die for that to happen." They connected their foreheads, sharing air. Elsa couldn't deny, the idea of joining souls, becoming one in a way she couldn't even fathom, was comforting, beautiful.
"Erusa I don't know what's going to happen in the future, I may die before you do. But I do know about now, and right now is what matters most because it's happening." Ryu planted Elsa's racing feet back on the ground. "Our time is limited." Elsa rebuttals.
This didn't deter Ryu, she remained resolute, she never actually focused so much on the future in the way Elsa did. More so it was planning her next move, what country she'd swim or fly to next, where to find her next meal. This concept Elsa was describing didn't solve any problems now even if they could figure it out. It didn't take away hunger, thirst, it seemed to only begot pain. So why did Elsa fixate on it so adamantly?
"Then let's enjoy it while we can no?" It was true Elsa was jumping ahead, flipping through the book of her life but the pages were blank, not yet written so she theorized the ending to soothe her anxieties just worsening them.
"Hey?" She lifted her eyes. "If you ever worry about this, or anything again… if you want to, come to me." Elsa nodded, savoring the brush of fingers against her cheek.
"Breath, focus on the now." Focus on the now; Elsa could do that, right now she and Ryu were holding each other's faces. Now there was a blurry girl at the end of her nose, her eyes merging together, it was a funny sight, it meant Ryu was so close.
"What do you feel?" Ryu gently guided her hands over the table.
"I feel the wood of the table." Ryu nodded. "Good, what does it feel like?" Elsa had no idea how she sounded unfeignedly fascinated from such a simple, inconsequential inquiry. "It's old and will probably give me splinters." It did.
Ryu grinned, keeping her eyes closed when she felt Elsa jolt. "Only been here for twenty minutes and you're already injuring yourself." Bringing Elsa's hand up to her lips
"A new record." Elsa would have told her she could use her magic to push out the slither of wood but the way Ryu sucked on her index finger stopped such protests dead on her throat. The heat from her breath alone was instantaneous, reminding Elsa of how alive Ryu was, spilling over her hand in little puffs of steam as Elsa exhaled. A tingle rolled down her body all the way to her toes which she clenched in her boots. Like a sweet venom, Elsa took note of how wet Ryu's mouth was, wet and hot, potent. How soft and pliant her lips were. Elsa hoped that there was an afterlife and that she could bring Ryu along with her when the time came, even if it was hell Ryu would probably drive Satan insane with all her meddling, and damned curiosity.
Feeling how gentle she was careful to not pierce Elsa's skin with her fangs Elsa closed her eyes sighing, her other hand occupied itself scratching the nape of Ryu's neck drawing unorthodox sounds from her as well.
There were a lot of maybe's that awaited them, those weren't written in their books yet, there was no reason to fear doom if it wasn't down yet.
Why not fantasize about nice things?
Elsa's fingers found their way to her hair, if asked Elsa would adamantly insist they acted on their own when they pushed Ryu down her finger's length. The dragon didn't pull away, instead hollowing out her mouth to play along. She pressed on the soft parts exploring places her tongue hadn't been yet finding them utterly fascinating. She was drunk off of the feeling. The devotion, and adoring touches. Elsa knew she was forever ruined before but now…
A part of her wished they'd never met, the idea of irrevocable emotions and pinning such as what she experienced were terrifying. She needed to quiet her emotions, they were too loud. The only way she'd survive was if Ryu lied to her, sweet untruths that could keep her from getting out of bed in the morning..
This is unsanitary. Elsa couldn't deny that Ryu probably put worse in her mouth, the story of how she drank from stagnant waters still worried Elsa but she must have had a strong immune system. Elsa's fingers were most likely the most sinful though. The thought brought a moan past her lips, she worried the bottom one with her teeth.
"Umm." The familiar voice brought the pair from their personal heaven turning to the doorway seeing Kristoff frozen behind Anna who looked horrified at what she witnessed. How long had they been there?
Elsa was also locked in place. She was a fish thrown onto land unable to breathe or move. Ryu dug in her cheeks and pulled out the splinter. "Got it!" She smiled unfazed by what was happening, unbeknownst to her Elsa was eternally grateful. Ryu gave a lopsided grin. Why did everything Elsa do have to be so damn cute?
Elsa folded her hands in front of her. "Ryu was helping me retrieve a splinter from my finger." Elsa bent the red digit by her cheek, closing her eyes with a fake smile sporting her face.
"Oh… okay." Kristoff quickly left them, his face red.
As she walked by Anna narrowed her suspicious eyes at both her and Ryu.
"Despite their immense size it seems the dragons were akin to the jotunar." Elsa quickly redirects gesturing to the study, though from Anna's expression Ryu could tell she would not let this matter go soon. Before she could ask any questions, lights leaving a trail of their presence surrounded them. Elsa would have raised her hands staving them off had not their sweet and mischievous nature been sensed from the start. They surrounded the group curling around their limbs, once the physical interrogations were over they settled upon floating among Elsa, Ryu and Anna deciding that the last was their favorite.
Anna and Elsa, being more pious than the dragon, blushed as they curled and lingered among their body's more private areas. It was a greeting but an intimate one all the same. Anna giggled as one in particular favored her arm and neck. They tickled like the breath of wind yet we're heavier and more grounded in reality. Whenever they touched the skin it tickled like fingertips that never were bold enough to touch.
It didn't take a lot of deduction skill to know that they were flirtatious in their invitations yet still innocent with intentions. As one trailed particularly slowly up Ryu's crotch to her arm she couldn't resist the temptation to smack one away. It didn't hurt luckily but they were just performing their assignment and Bulda pulled Ryu's hand away.
Elsa blushed profusely, she had been lured and called but never seduced. Though numbers out counted Anna's, the queen's sprites were relatively more enthusiastic.
"Hello." Elsa greeted in a small voice conscious that any loud noise would spook the first signs of characteristic life they had seen.
"Sprites!" Bulda chimed, holding out her hand to one that ventured too close. "They are relatively harmless. They served dragons for many purposes, like strenuous tasks, to pleasuring and giving more experience to more youthful drage." Ryu strained out a groan from fighting off the adamant apparitions. "Seems to make sense." They reacted differently to Elsa and Anna, almost mournful and sympathetic than the excitement that twirled around Ryu and Bulda's crystal, paying a reverence they didn't offer to the group.
The rubble that lay beneath Elsa's boots felt unstable initially as she descended more stairs opening to the true center of the crater which cradled the whole temple. The sprites followed them of course, having not had any contact with a living being in so long. The vale could serve as its own habitat to any creature seeking refuge from man yet remained empty devoid of organic life.
The sprites kept their actions innocent, yielding not so pure reactions. "I don't like how good it feels."
Deciding Kristoff had enough when a sprite lasciviously crawled up along between Anna's legs."I think I'll name you Romeo." Kristoff intervened in a manner Anna couldn't help but find endearing. "Hey! Hey– she's married." His chastisement was upon deaf ears–if The sprite even had ears, continuing its journey to her neck.
Some of Bulda's stories while riveting became staggering to say the least. Instead of answering questions it instead overtook the dragon's mind. She felt lost and small in this enormous structure; it was familiar and strange. Even with all the overwhelming information and history flooding from Bulda's lips to Ryu's ears something else kept nagging at her.
Every now and then a low wail would sound from the temple walls sending down leaves and dust from the ceiling, a giant waking to the call of life to their impingement. It felt like a stranger in the woods hollering their name to identify themselves yet couldn't carry their voice over the distance. The peaceful essence of the temple now was gone, replaced with disquietude that should have been swiftly rectified.
Since her incident in the halls behind them and Sprites desperately hovering over their shoulders sometimes trying to convince Elsa and Anna to stay in one place pressing forward felt foolish. Moving from a light rain fall into the eye of the storm.
A large tremor shook the ground beneath them as well as above, eyes seeking guidance to Bulda. She seemed unfazed by the earthquakes, even her feet did not stumble when the large stone plates were misplaced, squeezing against their neighbor creating atypical manners.
"Tempelvakten." She breathed in almost a whisper of recognition.
"The what?" Kristoff questioned.
"The Templevakten; a giant sentinel that takes care and protects all those who inhabit the temple, ward off intruders, but they're main functions were to manage the vættir."
"And us being intruders would we have to worry about this… Templevakten?" Bulda shook her head but she still seemed unsure. "No, that little earth shake was probably just the aging temple. The Vakten would be dormant, just as the vættir." He nodded. So everything was sleeping, that boded well for them.
They'd have to watch their steps now, less cost tripping over a jutting stone that Elsa still could not identify.
Entering a chamber drew Elsa's eyes over the strewn about equipment and artifacts, they still displayed the same type of sigils as were carved into the walls and entry stone. Browsing her attention was drawn to a large greenish gray helm perhaps discolored by erosion of time, it had a repulsion that made her want to kick it across the floor but instead she picked it up flummoxed by the great weight drawing it back to the floor. Remnants of magic still loitered around spilling forth the cracks and visor, queerly it wasn't able to be pried open as a classical knights helmet would. Where a head would fit into was some kind of pale pink substance bunched up in folds.
"Hey Elsie what are you–" Anna's words trailed off as she eyed the strange object in Elsa's grip. "That can't be right, is… does it attach to a dummy or something?" Elsa was glad she caught on to the unusual design quickly. "No, whatever is inside can't be taken out, this isn't meant to be worn but filled." She fingered the puckered middle knob that protruded out. A joint, meant to plug into a cavity of some kind, reminiscent of a human body but much less complex. There was no decay or rot as flesh would over time nor were there signs of an actual human head being inside. This was crafted with an unambiguous design at play. "They look like the doors." It felt stupid to say and in any other circumstance may have been but Elsa trusted her sister's observations with all her heart and jotted down everything she said within her mind. "See? Looks like flesh yet it's dry." Anna's finger trailed the ribbing pulling each fold along. Of all the days Elsa left her journal at home.
"Whatcha you guys looking at?" Elsa shared the piece over her shoulder to Ryu who was much less disturbed than the siblings. "Huh…" She easily explored the entirety in a more rough treatment than what they had given it. "Synthetic." Handing it back over to Elsa she was drawn in by the more compelling weapon's stand.
Placing it back down on the table Elsa shook her head, she wouldn't give herself a headache over what another race that existed centuries ago was hoping to accomplish.
The foliage grew thicker, making Elsa grin. Not even mother nature could be stopped by the powerful forces of dragons and Jötnar. She'd always find a way in if the environment deemed suitable for her children. They now as delved lower the intricacy of the carved crevices made it seem deliberate. The sprites had calmed their endeavors now moving more slothful . Certain windows allowed the wind to blow through creating beautiful sounds, Elsa considered what kind of music Gale would create if let loose here. The images on the wall became more abstract in a puerile manner, there was less meaning but an importance she recognized from the fatuous drawings decorating her own home. These were makings of children. No matter the species, culture or race there was a universal language shared among them all and it was spread by the children.
One marking Elsa could only name as utterly darling caught her attention. A little paw print, the digits fat, with tiny claw marks scraping the stone. Surveying all deliberate juvenile pictures surrounding it, Elsa could tell–the manner in which it looked desperate yet still imprinted firmly to wall, the way the paint trailed down leaving tiny tracks in stone which lead in a circle–she was witnessing the scene of a little one at first kept from making a mess of the art pushed away. Told by the skid marks, they would not be deterred and would make art just as their elders. Along the wall hand and more paw prints followed, tiny and precious, each varying in size. Perhaps siblings.
Children were so beautiful, the most precious beings in the world. That was as close humans would ever come to purity and light magic; a child.
From what Elsa had heard from the women in Arendelle and Northuldra described it as a song with simple melodies then once the soft bundle was held a symphony would be heard.
Leaning down for a closer look nothing could wipe the wide smile from her lips. Nothing. A longing was born within her. A thirst, one that she couldn't rely on anyone to quench.
"What do we have here?" Ryu crouched down smirking at the scene. Elsa tore her stare from the wall to return the smirk, her mind made quick work of where she wanted to lead this conversation.
"Were you ever this small?" Her fingers danced over the paint which did not stain.
Ryu could never give Elsa children, that was an impossibility and Elsa couldn't find herself trading her in exchange for the chance of reproducing. Still the thought lingered in the back of her mind tucked away for safekeeping, if they were to fill Arendelle full of little dragons, she chuckled at the fumbling she and Ryu would make handling the chicks. Elsa had never really considered herself the motherly type, she had no experience with children officially other than the ones that dwelled amongst her people, she still loved them. Two sides of extremes were possibilities, either her emotional instability would get the best of her and she'd ruin them with neglect or she'd spoil them rotten. She had considered adoption prior and was still but wanted to ensure the child would be entering a stable home first, no assassination attempts, no magical being threatening her friends and family, no danger. That was the future she wanted for any children she may or not have…
Ryu looked to Elsa and found herself subtly distancing herself from her, she could see the longing in her eyes but she could never fulfill it. She knew that. Having seen Elsa with kids before in Northuldra and based on the drawings she kept in her home the ones in Arendelle were fans of her as well. She was a perfect amalgamation of a mother. Kind, nurturing yet firm, wise, so very very warm, and fun. She had never considered children, it seemed those who were fucked up fucked their children up as well. That had to be true, her adolescent-hood was anything but ideal.
An arrow flew past her head embedding itself in the tree in front. The young dragon panted bolting upright. Susanoo burst through brush on horseback leading the charge of five or so men. Staring back before running, she could see all she had done through his eyes. All she had taken. She should have run but stood frozen in place regretting it when a bolt pelted her side.
The years seemed so short, and the dragon would have cherished them more closely had she known they'd lead up to this. She wanted to believe that all stories were lies that her kind were not destroyers of life but how could they be denied now, when all of that came to fruition and even still she'd been given a chance just to sully it and now there now was no longer them. No longer an us the dragon thought as she sprinted through the forest. The mud proved helpful despite being considered a hindrance provided traction beneath her sharp claws which gripped it just to fling it in the air and propel it backward.
She shouldn't have grown so attached, she shouldn't have let him love her as deeply as he did, for it was the depth of that love which turned to hate and now inspired him to chase her down in the night. Dodging trees and boulders the dragon thought it best to just allow the hunting party to overtake her. That would serve justice for what she had done. Survival forged her legs forward, in spite of the second guessing. She thought of Susanoo as her soulmate but now, she thought of other possibilities; what if her soulmate died, what if as she had been taught she didn't have a soul. It was these thoughts that nearly killed her in this moment twice.
How she wanted to turn around and tell Susanoo she'd give him everything, even the things they used to share just so long as he gave her back her heart before he killed her.
She had no idea what lay ahead. All she had to do was keep moving forward, propelled by the sounds of neighing horses and flying arrows.
She wanted to be back in that cell she had been in a few hours ago, stay there and have quiet conversations with Susanoo, listen to him convince her of lies; that she wasn't a monster and that the fire was an accident. That their father would be proud she could create such flames. She'd sit there forever and listen if it meant he wouldn't hate her. This was a prime example of how far forgiveness and understanding extended which till now the dragon had thought those lines were extremely short till she had been convicted and saw them in Sussanoo's eyes. The world was gigantic but they thought together they were bigger, once… when they were eight and held on to that dream. That dream had them pushing each other past their limits on training, past the points they believed their bodies and minds would break. All because of a dream. They'd feed back and forth ideas and desires long into the night in stories, discarding parts that didn't fit as perfectly as they imagined.
So foolish and stupid!
They had learned quickly that dreams were not meant to become plans for the future. The dragon was never really after glory, she just wanted Susanoo to succeed and know things, know why.
Her small frame nearly fell off the cliff into the raging waters abusing the sharp rocks below. The dragon mewled to whatever God was listening, eyeing the bushes as lights bled through their cracks. Hooves thundering against the night.
Ryu closed her eyes to clear away their streams, she looked back as Susanoo appeared, a hero upon his noble steed. A future lord ready to take action to rectify a crime against his family name.
The noises that came from her mouth were pathetic and did not appeal to his better nature. He had the best nature. The only one who had ever truly known her, the only one the dragon considered to be good and now he considered her the scum of the earth. Not worth a ceremonial death as those that came before her.
Fear took over, facing to the cliff her chest rose repeatedly against labored breaths. Only the sky and sea awaited ahead.
"Dragon, stop this tired venture and face your crimes." His voice sounded so strange, so authoritative, to be very curt, harsh, and withdrawn, so much so for his age. She'd driven him to this. His movements and handling towards his favorite mare were much more aggressive.
Realizing there was no use to reasoning Ryu faced ahead. She spread out her shaky legs but was not stopped, she was still a fledgling, Susanoo knew fore he had pushed her to this stage himself not knowing it would be the bane of his existence. The wings that opened were trembling, drenched, her down fur and scales were weighted making her feel pounds heavier. To her suspicion the dragon wasn't shot, the hunters had to have seen her readying to take flight or die trying. She'd like to think it was compassion from Susanoo behind her that stopped them or at least curiosity of whether she could brave the storm brewing ahead over the waters. She'd never know though, she didn't look back.
Taking what could have been the last breath the dragon jumped from the cliff's edge plummeting, whether it was the storm winds she had no idea but something carried her novice wings along the air keeping her afloat.
Over the past hour she had learned the errors of moving her limbs in the wrong manner or wings, crashing her into the sea, desperately she'd flap against the waves somehow finding flight again so ready to leave behind the life she had once lived. The dragon didn't know what awaited her; the only tells were the thunder winds and warm waters.
The dragon became convinced that after fifteen days the east sea was a never ending force and all the tutors she'd eavesdrop on were lying. Fatigue nearly drove her to crash again, as well as the winds which grew stronger the further she went. The dull atmosphere was replaced with a need to keep above as the winds pushed against the dragon's body, so many times she had been tossed and twirled, sucked into the water spouts that formed. Above the commotion she heard yelling. The more optimistic side picked up Sussanoo's voice.
Limbs fruitlessly fighting against the winds the dragon whined. Please Sussanoo take me home. That was not his intention when by pure luck the young girl avoided a harpoon shot at her, nearly piercing her chest.
Maybe it was a foolish whim to hope that he'd come to his senses by now but he didn't. The dragon took advantage of the winds using them to avoid the projectiles aimed at her from the ships below. Diving down she used her dead weight to pull her from the vortex wishing she didn't, for only more ammo was used once she was clearly seen. The dragon cried at Susanoo retreating when he scowled at her with a look she had never seen before. She stared at his wet face, the rain disguised his tears telling of all the tragedies, his soul which loved every part of her.
The dragon's train of thought became self-centered. Who was going to take her home! Who was going to feed her beneath the tables at banquets? Who was going to defend her when she was chased out of his room by ladies with brooms and their fans? Who was she going to watch grow and conquer the world?
Not needing to be told twice Ryu flapped away from ships glad that the storm provided her some leverage.
Who was she going to watch during the sleepless nights dream peacefully?
She couldn't be the only one who treasured those moments, they felt too real, too monumental to just let go.
She didn't mean it. The dragon swore to the present day she didn't mean it. She had no defense and her only alibi was trying to kill her!
It was deserved, well earned but that was music Ryu couldn't face right now if she were to survive, yet inward she knew… was sure that every thought she'd have facing forward in her short life would be plagued by him. A small bit of satisfaction slithered around her heart that she'd had done the same to him in some way. She promised herself she would never love another person as much as she loved Susannoo.
Ryu chuckled, with a small grin. "Smaller." They sat thinking of different things.
Before the next half of a lower level could be reached, the group was stopped by Bulda rolling up the stairs looking doleful and frantic in disorientation. "We should probably explore another part." Ryu immediately went on the defensive for the second time with the rock troll really. Her brows furrowed and she frowned, twisting her head. "Why?"
"There's nothing down there that would aid us. I'm sure. It smells...wrong." There was a tone some had only heard once from her in their lives and for Ryu and Elsa it was the first. They glanced at each other exchanging a silent message, Ryu being the contrarian that she was and Elsa wanting to be thorough plowed down the troll woman's resolve. "Bulda we can't be certain what would be useful to us or not, it's best we examine every inch of this place if we can. All of us." Elsa's rare finalizing tone left no room for contention, her urgency fueled by Ryu's eagerness to see what was almost hidden from her. Bulda gave up as they walked past her, Ryu and Elsa leading the charge, even her son and Anna's touch gave no comfort.
The sprites fled as quickly as they had come, fearing where their new friends were heading.
The scent as they went down grew more putrid, and like old clothes left wet for too long mixed with death, only pressed them on. They couldn't say whether it was morbid curiosity or another otherworldly desire to see what was at the end of the stairs.
The hall was dark, but Elsa remained resolute. Ryu could guide them, she had been avoiding using her magic fearful that it would trigger something, be it the ground opening up and swallowing her whole or the temple collapsing upon them she couldn't say.
Another shrine awaited at the end of the hall, Ryu made quick work of it by lifting the large wall similar to the one outside.
Anna had to cover her nose with her wrist protecting herself from gagging at the horrible things invading her nostrils.
As the fire illuminated the sepulcher she was swiftly taken to Kristoff's side by the arm protectively grasping her shoulder.
"Fuck." He breathed, the gravity of what they had come across made him wish they listened to his mother.
What else could be said?
Elsa ceased her breaths, swallowing harshly. The joy that had filled her chest was now consumed by…
What was it she felt?
Littered throughout the rows of nests, explained the smell. Corpses, skeletons, some mummified by dust and ash, both in wholes and others torn and skewed, missing pieces. Skulls that resembled humans, skulls shaped with elongated muzzles, and horns.
A tearful Anna had to turn away, never being surrounded by so much death before. What happened?
Ryu could only stand off to the left silent. She had witnessed lifelessness before, she had seen her fair share of corpses, perhaps she was too calloused to it. She felt remorse, most of it extended to Elsa and Anna. They didn't deserve to be exposed to such atrocities. She wanted to drag them both out of here pretending they hadn't come across it. There was no going back now, she was aware that once it was witnessed it'd be tattooed to the soul forever.
Elsa took one step further into what was once a place to house young life now encapsulating death. Her head turned to the left, spotting a dragon's skeleton no bigger than a large dog, laying on its side upon a bed of rotten leaves and cloth. Kneeling besides, apathetic to the dirty floor her eyes trailed over every inch of it.
She folded her lips when she saw it, there scattered, a few small scales gray from dust. She delicately picked up one and cleaned it with her fingers revealing a deep crimson color.
Elsa's lips trembled as the fate of so many innocent lives that barely had any time in the world finalized in her heart, hardening it with a hatred for whoever could commit such acts of barbarity.
No.
She knew who had done this, fury threw resolve away and was replaced by her wrath. Frost began to cover the scale cradled in her hand.
Elsa silently apologized to it, reigning her powers back in. This little one did not earn any of her anger.
Elsa felt she owed it to them to take a part, even a small bit, of them with her. "Please forgive me." That I am here, and that you are gone. Please.
Her eyes stung with the need to cry, she couldn't bring herself to do it. She had no right, she was alive and well, not forgotten in a temple for thousands of years.
A small seed of revulsion and hatred planted in the soil of her heart towards her own species.
"Elsa?" Anna's still voice broke the trance from over her shoulder, a hand touched it and squeezed gently. "We should let them rest." Nodding as Anna helped her to stand they wrapped their arms around each other following Bulda, and Kristoff out. Ryu stayed behind them eyeing the back of Elsa's head.
She saw the subtlety of Elsa pocketing something but would not ask. It seemed peculiar to keep a memento from the tomb but she wouldn't question Elsa's coping methods.
Elsa didn't want to forget. She'd never forget. The cries and wails of children echoing in her mind, plaguing her thoughts with macabre visions.
Bulda grew less forthcoming with her words trudging on and she remained at Kristoff's side. A high pitched whistle blew through the halls. Darkness seemed to be bleeding through the walls dimming the environment.
"Elsie?" Anna coaxed when she noticed her sister had ceased walking staring out a large caved in gap within the wall.
The air around her was cold. She was trembling in effort from keeping her magic from lashing out in an unspoken grief.
Anna stood beside her following her gaze to the valley, trees clung to cliffs and structures desperately.
The temple had been so decrepit for a very long time that now the foundations of buildings were barely keeping them erect, all smothered in ivy and vines like a thick curtain and moss flowed sluggishly through the cracks in the stone, both the only thing adhering the cracked walls together and the one thing splitting them apart. Loss carved out in gaping holes.
She turned attention to her sister. "Elsa…" how could she make it better? Turning back time seemed like the only feasible choice but that was impossible. Elsa spoke so hushed Anna almost didn't pick up her words over the wind.
"I'm sorry I led you to that–" Anna caressed her back in small circles. "We both saw it, how could you have known what was down there?"
Elsa shook her head bitterly. "I should have listened to Bulda. Stupid, stupid!" How could she have been such a fool?
Anna needed to stop Elsa's self berating before it consumed her mind, not only that it seemed there were so many things brewing inside of Elsa creating such a nasty storm her features couldn't settle on a single emotion and just feel it out.
In the fabric of Elsa's jacket her fingers twisted, needing some physicality to ground herself.
"It was meant for us to see. It's history that can't be erased and shouldn't be left to vanish in obscurity. I don't regret it. Things like this, tragedies– they should be known. And the victims deserved to be memorialized." Elsa heeded Anna's wisdom, it did not erase the responsibility she felt but it was true, forgetting history was a dangerous misgiving sealing that it would only repeat itself in the future.
Facing her, the younger pulled Elsa in for a hug warming the air around them. With her head resting against Anna's shoulder, Elsa squinted at the distance. "What is that?" She whispered, drawing Anna's head from laying on her own.
The monolith-like building erected in the middle of everything appeared so out of place they almost didn't trust their vision. No signs of decay or age, timeless as if years couldn't touch it. That's where the pull had come, from the top of the peaks, to the entrance that's where Elsa's insides longed to go.
"Let's go to it." Elsa glanced at Anna shocked when she noticed the stare she shrugged. "It looks very important. We're here to find answers aren't we?"
Elsa nodded.
"Soooo that requires a little–exploration." The way Anna wiggled her shoulders in the direction of their interest accompanied by the lift of her brows, she was definitely trying to distract her elder sibling and get her out of her head till things settled down in there, she had seen the pining in her eyes.
Despite this Elsa was still overtaken by apprehensions, what if she were taking her sister to another horror just as appalling as the one they had walked in on earlier. Anna entwined their fingers, smiling her grin that could clear away any clouds and turn sunflowers to her direction.
"It'll be alright Elsie." She wished she shared her confidence.
Elsa sighed. "We should tell the others before we go."
Anna waved this off with a flip of her wrist. "I already told them." This got a rise from Elsa's brow.
"Not that we would be going to the–weird white building but that we would be talking and needed some time." Nodding they peered over the edge then looked up at the large bridge leading to the monolith.
"How do we get over there?"
Elsa examined their surroundings and took inventory of what she was working with. They were at least ten stories high, the neighboring structures were too dilapidated to rely on for Elsa to build off of, that didn't matter, she could create their own bridge. She'd require triangles, and lots of them. Calculating the distance she came up with the correct equation.
Anna watched the gears behind Elsa's eyes turn darting here and there. It always fascinated her, watching her sister connect dots and come up with solutions quietly.
Stomping her foot once on the floor below them Elsa nodded, content with what she felt. Anna hated to disrupt her thought process but she just had to know.
"You're going to build a bridge."
"Mhm."
"I thought you were avoiding using your powers here… "
"Well–" Timorously Elsa's slender shoulders drew up to her ears. "I'm not up for putting you in danger with trusting the structural integrity of the centuries old architecture."
Noticing Anna's dubious posture Elsa leaned in closer with a teasing tone. "I am trying to avoid using my power, but it exists within me already, so technically speaking– dismissing semantics shouldn't make a difference." When there was no change she shrugged.
"If you don't want to explore we can always rejoin the others–" Anna raised a dismissive hand.
"Dismissing semantics is my life's work." Elsa giggled behind her hand at this. "Okay–" she huffed out, rolling up her sleeves. Her palms sizzled as the ice and snow crystalized upon them. It felt nice having a project she could work on, and felt even better seeing Anna's impressed expression when the abutments appeared on the platform they'd be landing on.
Self indulgence had made Elsa make the bridge a bit more dramatic and intricate than necessary but there was nothing to lose from it. Anna's reactions were fun and in case they needed it in the future she'd rather have the ice and snow compacted together well enough to be exerting the same amount of force on… something as heavy as a dragon in equilibrium.
Anna experimentally touched the curved railing rubbing the smooth surface which glided past her skin with ease. "You're gonna have to make one for me back home." She said to the Spirit who stepped proudly up. Elsa chuckled, shaking her head. "Where would we even put it?"
Anna laced their arms together as they crossed. "I don't know, we'll find a spot even if it leads to nowhere. What's your fee?"
"Oh you know what my fee is." Elsa replied coyly. Anna groaned dramatically.
"Quarter dozen."
"Dozen."
"Half a dozen."
"Two dozen."
Anna blinked at this, rotating her head to Elsa. "You know how bargaining works right?"
"Of course I do, you state your offer then I state what I want and you give it to me."
"You are such a brat!" The last word was emphasized by a thud of Anna's boot impacting Elsa's.
"Me? You just kicked me!"
"I didn't kick you, I nudged you."
Elsa hopping on one foot rubbed the sore area."Still smarts."
Anna cooed, slowing down. "Awww do you want me to carry you?" She was half serious. Elsa thought about it for a moment.
"Since you're offering…" Walking forward Anna presented her back which Elsa hopped up on gracefully, wrapping her arms around her shoulders.
"Still think I'm the brat between the two of us?" A grin spread over Anna's cheeks when she felt Elsa rest her forehead against the nape of her neck.
"Oh most definitely."
Elsa and Anna weren't sure what to expect once they reached the building, but all of their expectations and theories had not prepared them for this. The structure up close was as imposing and salient as it looked from far away, even more so.
The design was very deliberate and the aura was much heavier than that in the halls they had already explored.
Anna wanted to turn around and march right back from where they came, but the look on Elsa's face as she hopped off of her was evidence that she wouldn't follow.
The stone was smooth, porous, cream with tints of blue shimmering ever so subdued by the outer white layers.
There was that door again. The same one Anna saw in the temple and hated for some unknown reason to her. It would be pointless to draw attention to, not like they could open it anyways.
The larger gateway remained cracked. "Odd–" Elsa commented, from the light that shines from the cracks she'd think those who dwelled here so long ago would have kept it closed to keep others from getting inside.
A silhouette passed over startling both girls backward, Elsa whipped her arm out in front of Anna ushering her to stay back.
Or keep whatever it was housing in…
"I'll go first." Elsa assured, turning on her sideways she used her palms to push herself through the thick door.
Huh. The inside was barren. "It's okay Anna!" She called, unable to rip her stare away from the walls. The stone inside, if it could be called stone, opaque, as if there were another side that couldn't be made out.
Catching up Anna huffed out visible puffs. Holding her hand in front her face deliberately blowing out more steamy clouds. "What the- are you cold?"
Elsa's sardonic expression had her instantly holding up surrendering hands. "Right I know it's just– look there's steam as if the air around us was low in temp but I don't feel any changes." This had Elsa examining her closely. "Are you sure?"
"Yea." Elsa looked around taking note of the low hanging mist that nearly concealed the ground. Following the hall which rounded left was fruitless everything looked the same.
They stopped for a minute, Anna gripped her chin then in frustration raised her voice which echoed throughout the building.
"Why is this even here!" For such an important building placed in the middle of everything it was pointlessly empty.
Elsa's mouth opened to offer some answers her mind had come up with then audibly snapped shut. Every muscle stilled like a statute. Her tone remained low and careful. "Anna, don't move."
Anna obediently kept all parts of her frozen except her wincing face. "Please tell me you're kidding around." Elsa's eyes moved from over her shoulder to her face four times. "No."
The shadow within the wall grew larger, the top reaching higher than seven feet, keeping its movements in tandem with Elsa who delicately stepped to Anna pulling her away. There was no threat it exuded, but the power could be detected even if she had been in another room.
"What is that?" Elsa could only shake her head, she had no idea.
The silhouette confirmed her theory that there was another side to the walls as they watched the apparition slowly melt away filmy layers showing itself.
Before them stood a giant white bull Elk, ears twitching as he looked the pair over with intelligent eyes. His presences forthcoming that this was no ordinary Elk but a creature of mythos. His deep brown rack decorated with torques contrasted against his snow white pelt seemingly made of strong oak.
Instead of bolting back outside they remained rooted in place. A flash of recognition flew across Anna's face drawing her in closer.
"Cernunnos?"
Elsa drew near her ear speaking in an equally hushed tone. "Friend of yours?"
Anna frowned. "What? Oh...uh...no, not really. I mean– I know him well, not know him but know of him. He's the King of the wilds, or rather a god or deity of nature." Comprehension dawned on her face. In lieu of all she had witnessed in her life Elsa could not digest this information properly.
"A deity?" Anna nodded. "Like Loki or Thor… Jesus?"
Shaking her head Anna closed her eyes briefly. "Oh no, no. He rules over nature and brings peace to enemies like predators and prey. Some say he even is a God of fertility and life but little is really known about him." Elsa was impressed.
"How do you know all this?"
"I read a book, written by this man. His name was… something… something or other."
Elsa brought her four fingers from her lips. "Very informative." She'd have to bother Anna later about this book.
"Point being I think you'd like him."
"Is it rude that we're talking about him right in front of his face?" Anna rolled her eyes, of course Elsa would be worried about a thing like that.
"We don't even know if he's really there."
"Whatcha mean?"
Anna's arms flailed about. "I mean he could just be a vision or something. Also we don't even know if it's him, could just be some random Elk in the walls."
"Still just in case I think we should maybe introduce ourselves just to be safe."
Clearing her throat into a closed fist Anna marched forth hubristically with Elsa as her shadow. "Umm… hey."
She frowned, that's not exactly how she'd approach greeting a God but it'll do.
Cernunnos' ear lowered as his muzzle pointed down at them calmly.
"So I'm Anna by the way, I am a huge fan of your um–work? With nature and everything. Oh! And this is my sister Elsa–" Elsa wiggled her fingers at him in a wave and thus Anna's ramble began. "And you're probably wondering what we're doing here, so we have this friend and they're in trouble with some Yokai– I don't know if you know what those are– but they're angry spirits–"
Thirteen minutes had passed when Anna began to wrap up the summary of what had driven them here. "–so to make a long story short–"
"Too late." Elsa mumbled to herself under her breath.
"–we could really use your help or guidance or literally we will take anything at this point. Please." He remained unmoving before turning back and leaping deeper into the void.
"Oh no, look we offended him." Elsa bemoaned pouting. Anna finally turned to her, devoid of expression. "Was my explanation boring?" Elsa shook her head. No part of anything Anna said could be considered remotely dull.
"Anna, look out!" The king of the wilds returned charging at them with his head bowed. Throwing her weight into her sister, Elsa yanked her to the side out of the trajectory of his stampede.
Reaching the barrier he plunged his antlers into the wall. It sparked and crackled creating a kaleidoscope of dangerous colors ceasing as he bucked upward, lifting the translucent layer opening their view to what truly was hidden behind the veil.
Creatures of all shapes, sizes, and forms traversing the heavenly terrain slowly. It was an Eden, where chimera lay with lambs, and giants walked some similar to humans while others took on more animalistic features. The proud way the king held himself chest puffed out standing straighter than before told Elsa all she needed to know.
"You were the first…" Elsa drew his attention to her, Anna remained in her stupefaction with her mouth agape.
The king nodded his head. Anna broke out of her spell. "B-but you're not Nordic, you're Celtic. Aren't only vættir kept here?"
Cernunnos tilted his head, perplexed by this.
There were many words that could describe the king; Noble, majestical, Ethereal. One word the sister's didn't know they could add to that list was cute.
"Come to think of it, many of the creatures I see aren't Nordic either." Elsa pointed out. The king twisted over his large shoulders doing a once over of his subjects.
"Did the drage place you in there?" The king nodded slowly. "And the others?" The same response followed. Elsa began pacing in front of them, holding her arms behind her back. "They did so using their magic, say for instance the Yokai Anna spoke of earlier the young dragon Ryu, could her magic bring their souls serenity?" When he nodded again Anna fist bumped the air. "I knew it!"
"Do we need anything? A spell or some sort of talisman, something other than Ryu herself?" He swayed his head from side to side.
"So it's just a matter of her digging deep I bet!"
"It can't be that simple Ryu is still a fledgling Anna, not only that but she doesn't have any guidance she's just so–" Elsa growled in frustration. "She's so disconnected from her heritage. She needs help!"
"Do you know anything about Drage magic, can you help her?" The king shaking his head took some steps back, rattling his torques, the metal creating a beautiful melody of refusal.
It was uncomfortable the tingling going up her spine at the manner he pinned her with his eyes pointedly. Message received and understood. It was Elsa's turn to back away a single step.
"What? me?" Elsa squeaked. He nodded. "I don't know anything about Drage magic." He held firm in his stance on the matter.
"Where would I even begin? How am I supposed to help her?" Teach her of a topic she had no capabilities in… Elsa felt she was entirely unqualified.
Anna's supportive touch tampered down the rising fear bubbling like a volcano in Elsa's belly, it was her turn to address the king. "Is there a way for Elsa to learn about Drage magic?"
To their utter dismay he replied no.
"Then how is she to help?"
Anna clutched Elsa's arm tightly at the loud, deep, wailing bugle that came from the Elks mouth.
"What severed connection?" Elsa's exasperation completely bypassed the hauntingly beautiful sound the King made.
Anna's eyebrows scrunched, swiveling her head to throw a surprised look at Elsa. "Since when have you been able to speak Elk?"
"Beg your pardon?"
"You responded. So when did you learn to speak Elk?" Her hand flew up towards the Elk before falling limply to her sides.
"I don't." Elsa wasn't exactly catching on until he grunted. "You don't understand him?"
"Noooo. I don't speak Elk."
"Neither do I do!" Anna snorted in laughter. "Clearly you do. You're a spirit and he's a spirit and he's spirit–soul–type so maybe that's why?" That didn't give Elsa comfort but she had more important things to focus on. He bellowed at her again, his voice reverberating over the wall like a thunderclap.
"From all the years of torment no doubt." Anna heard her sister's voice darken dangerously.
"What's he saying?" Anna intoned. This snapped Elsa back to the present.
"He says the fledgli–Ryu's connection to her magic has been severed."
"So how do we–ya know –" Anna brought her two index fingers together. Elsa sighed tiredly at this. "He doesn't know and neither do I." Elsa could only hope that Grand Pabbie had some wisdom pertaining to the matter. She had always been connected to her magic, perhaps a little too much. It wasn't a separate entity existing within her but instead was her. A physical extension of her emotions and inner being.
The task that lay before them was monumental but if it meant saving her cherished ones and right so many wrongs her species had committed then Elsa would freeze hell over to complete her mission.
Turning to the king she smiled softly. "Thank you for everything. I'll repair the Drage's magic." She didn't know how to repay him except with an oath. She'd been giving alot of those out these past few years. "Once it's restored we will rehabilitate your home from being abandoned for so long."
His ears twirled quickly, lightening his disposition instantaneously. With elegance of royalty he bent his knee and knelt down to her and Anna, they mimicked. With one last bleat he returned the wall back to its opaqueness and pranced off into the void.
Anna looked to Elsa for a translation. "He said you'd make an excellent queen." Giggling at the irony and giving the wall which hid another world one last look Anna caught up to Elsa's quick strides to the exit.
"So we're going to repair Ryu's magic?" Elsa grinned at Anna's self inclusion.
"Yep."
"Do you know how we're going to do that?"
"Nope." Elsa admitted, still smiling broadly.
"I like Cernunnos."
"Me too."
"Do you think we could let him out once we get this place up and running again?"
Elsa's eyes furrowed as they squeezed back out the cracked gate. "I don't know Anna, he's in charge of this place and may be the one keeping it in order, if he were gone chaos may break out among the other souls. Besides, he seems pretty content where he is now."
Anna's steps slowed as something itched the back of her mind, her eyes fell to the floor. "Elsa?"
Elsa looked over her shoulder. "Didn't Bulda say that the vættir would be asleep?"
Elsa thought back and then nodded, not sure of the point Anna was trying to make.
"They're not." That much was obvious but Anna's worry became contagious.
"If they're not asleep, then that means the Templevakten probably isn't either."
They stared blankly at each for a few heartbeats until the gears in their bodies spring into motion propelling their legs to sprint across the bridge back to their family. Dreading the tremors they heard quake the temple.
AN: Tempelvakten- Norwegian for The Temple Guard or sentinel.
Vakten- Norwegian for Guard or Sentinel
Jötun- In Norse mythology are a race of supernatural beings that lived in Jötunheimr, one of the nine worlds connected by the tree Yggdrasil. They're often at war with the Æsir, and are vital in bringing about Ragnarök.
East Sea - The Sea of Japan is the marginal sea between the Japanese archipelago, Sakhalin, the Korean Peninsula, and the mainland of the Russian Far East.
Cernunnos-. Celtic God often depicted as a man wearing or having Stag antlers, he rules over the wild and anything uncivilized, not much is known of him except a few translations.
The book Anna is referring to is called Deutsche Mythologie by Jacob Grimm, published in Germany in 1835