That's Just Cold

Your Highness

Again, we were right back to square one. AKA, the Ice Realm. It's quite unfortunate that the Hyperbeasts feel the emotions we do, as mine was quite agitated and nervous. It's as if they were bound to feel every positive and negative emotion like a curse. I'm just hoping the others haven't noticed Cryos' odd behavior.

We arrive at the Palace, which was heart-achingly in ruins, but on its way to repair by the builders of the vicinity. I look around and realize that only the ground floor has been compromised, but not the first floor. I make my way there with my friends behind me to see my father.

A large door, framed with shiny, lustrous metals and jewels was easily recognizable from a mile away, as no one in the entire realm owned such as the King and his family did. Reluctantly, I knock on the door, despite my desperate need to knock the door down to make sure of my father's condition. I hear a faint "come in" from the room, considering how large it was. To be completely honest, he was...very pleased to see me?

"Ikor, my son." He said, softly. It was hard to reply to such a tone from him. "I knew you would know exactly what to do."

"Yes, father." I looked down, not being able to bear the condition he was in.

"You don't have to be so formal to me, son. Soon, you'll be King of the Ice Kingdom, and all will have to show that respect to you."

What?

"This is temporary, is it not?" 

I saw his shift of emotion, from joy to grief. I hadn't noticed my friends standing distant to the door, giving me ample space to talk to my only family. They knew where this conversation was heading, but I did not.

"Ikor, you may not remember so well, but you have more of your mother's features than mine." He held my face in his hand, which started to feel colder to the touch. I felt it. "Every time I try to remember your mother's face, the only face that comes to my mind is yours. You have her delicate and empathic personality, but all of that was hidden because of how I raised you. I'm sorry, my son."

"F-father, it's alright! You allowed me to be a Herald for Gorm, you've let me be educated by the best, just please-!" I could feel something fall down my face. "You're the only family I have left..."

"Ikor..." He tried to comfort me, but it was impossible to justify my situation.

"Why are you leaving me too? Just like mother! Just like aunt! Why?! D-did I do something wrong?"

"Son, it's destiny that's decided who's meant to be King. I know you'll...figure it out." He struggled to mouth.

"I should've arrived sooner, I'm sorry dad! I'm really sorry!" I sobbed, but before I knew it...

He left this world with a smile, something no one would have dared to believe until they saw it with their own eyes.

I would be lying if I said that wasn't the lowest point of my life, but unlike before, I had Gormians that understood, and I immediately understood that when I felt them embrace me with their arms as I cried like a small child. But Cryos wasn't the only one who felt what I felt, as I could feel my comrades weep with me- even Riff.

It was not long before I noticed a document on his side desk, stating my status on the throne, which felt like absolutely no achievement whatsoever. It was a just a matter of a lucky chance, if you could call it that. 

After what seemed like an hour or two, we left the room, which immediately signaled the courtier of what had happened. He'd mentioned something of the coronation taking place after the reconstruction of the palace, but everything else was a blur.