Eternal flame

Chapter 5

The days blurred together as I wandered the shadowed halls of the fortress, still feeling the heavy weight of the helmet and the ever-present pull of the serum within me. Each step felt like I was walking further away from who I had been, and closer to becoming the monster Pitch had designed me to be. But amidst the darkness, something flickered—a tiny spark that resisted, a memory of who I once was.

I was lost in thought when the summons came.

The familiar sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor, and a voice, low and commanding, cut through the silence.

"Dragonfire. The king demands your presence."

I straightened instinctively, the order pulling me from my reverie. It was the first time since I had entered this cursed kingdom that I had been called to the throne room directly. Pitch’s absence had left an unsettling void, and the king, despite his composed demeanor, was far from a passive ruler. There was something unsettling about him, something that kept me on edge, even more so than Pitch’s wild cruelty.

I pushed the unease aside, steeling myself for whatever came next.

The throne room doors loomed ahead, heavy and imposing. I stepped forward, the cold stone beneath my boots seemingly colder with each step. As I approached, I could hear the muffled sounds of hushed conversation from within. The moment I entered, I was greeted by the king's piercing gaze, sharp and calculating, though his attention was focused on something else.

Elsa stood beside him, her presence as graceful and quiet as ever, her eyes soft yet tinged with concern. But it was not her that made my pulse quicken.

It was the map spread out on the grand table in the center of the room—crimson markings and symbols marking areas across the kingdom that were under siege.

"You’re here," the king said, his voice calm but with an edge of urgency. "Good. We have a problem."

I stood straighter, the helmet's weight a constant reminder of my place in this new order. "What’s happening?

The king’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Our spies have spotted a massive force of Berkians heading this way. They're already close—within hours. We have no time to waste."

Elsa's expression darkened. "Are the defenses ready?"

The king’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Not enough. They’ll break through if we don’t act quickly. We need everyone we can muster, immediately."

The room fell into a tense silence as plans were hastily formed, but all I could think about was the looming threat. Berkians. Even their name brought with it the memory of destruction. A ruthless, relentless force—just like the storm that now threatened to engulf the kingdom.

I didn’t need to be told twice. I turned to leave, heading toward the courtyard where soldiers scrambled to prepare for the worst. My heart pounded as I made my way to the armory, each step heavy, laden with the weight of the past and the fear of what was to come.

The clang of weapons and armor filled the air as soldiers donned their gear. I moved among them, my hands shaking slightly as I gripped the hilt of my sword. The adrenaline began to surge, pushing back the darkness of the serum that clouded my mind.

"Dragonfire!" a voice called. I turned to see one of the commanders, his face grim.

"We’ve got reports of their forces advancing fast. They’ll be here before we can get the gates fully secured. The first wave’s already coming."

I didn’t need to hear more. My mind snapped into action. "Gather the archers and position them along the walls. The rest—prepare to form a line at the gates. We’ll hold them as long as we can."