Coldsnap: Harbinger of Ice

Chapter 32: On Thin Ice

As Flamestar exited his chambers into the main meeting area for the Seared Hand, he could see that his followers were all muttering amongst each other in disbelief. As he took his place at the front of the room and sat in the throne, he silently motioned for everyone to calm down. Ignicion, his sidekick, now fully recovered, hovered down onto the stage floor and stood to the Fire Sect leader's left; after all, the magma creature would be loyal to his master until the end, and the heart was closer to the left side of one's body than the right.

Also sitting alongside Flamestar was his newest ally, Frost King Alpin; the Fire Sect leader had hastily ordered some of his followers to construct an additional throne to his right in order to seat him.

However, despite the Frost King's reassurance, it was clear that the Seared Hand still had more than a few concerns regarding his presence.

"Flamestar!" one of the Seared Hand mages called. "What is the leader of the Ice Sect doing in our presence? Isn't he the one who trained Coldsnap?"

"Did I not remind you earlier at our last session that he was one of my associates?" Flamestar countered. "Besides....it's okay. He's not on her side anymore. In fact.....he has fully voiced his support for our plan....our plan to bring complete and total ruin to Earth. His partnership with us proved to be just the thing I needed to swiftly recover from Leo's defeat. Although he may have fallen, I knew he would always serve my purposes until the bitter end. And for that....he has earned my utmost respect."

The assembly cheered, both for Leo's valor and Alpin's addition to their efforts.

"A chance to get revenge on Coldsnap.....I would be a fool not to jump at the opportunity," the Frost King mused. "But....what exactly is it that we will do?"

"It won't be long now, Your Majesty. Neither for me, nor for you, nor for the Seared Hand. Soon, we'll muster our forces and launch a massive assault on the Grand Terminus, taking it for ourselves and establishing it as a staging ground for our conquest. Our first goal will be to take control of the portal network at the center of the city," Flamestar explained to Alpin and the rest of the audience.

"The one with the gateways to all four regions, as well as Earth?" one of the flame imps asked.

"Yes.....that one. Aren't you a smart little creature?" the Fire Sect leader replied. "Once everything's secure, I'll have the mages re-direct Earth's portal to a suitable location on the planet to begin our invasion. Although....I'm rather ashamed to admit that I haven't decided on that yet....."

"Flamestar know everything! Surely things turn out fine!" one of the molten giants assured.

"First, we take one city. Within days, the country. And within weeks.....the world," Flamestar said, smiling wickedly. "The Ascendant was a fool to think that this planet was worth saving. He should've just destroyed humanity while he had the chance, instead of creating the other Mage Aspects to fight and die for such a stubborn species. Soon, though....we shall right his wrongs. And all shall burn.....beneath the fires.....of our victory."

Just then, Ignicion lightly tapped Flamestar on the shoulder. "Umm.....boss? Aren't you forgetting something?"

Flamestar raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm?"

"What about Coldsnap?" Alpin asked incredulously. "She and her friends are still out there!"

The Fire Sect leader rubbed his hands in anticipation. "Oh, don't worry, my friends.....I have something special in mind for her. She's going to pay for taking out my double agent."