The Ice Crystal (Published)

Chapter 21

"Thank you." I say gratefully to the elf that is healing me, "That feels a lot better."

"I'm surprised to see that you're still able to move with those wounds." The healer says, "I've never seen so many wounds in one sitting before. All I can do now is look after the cuts that look the worst. You may have to stay another day."

"I can't." I say getting up, "I thank you for helping me uh..."

"Secena." She says, "I'm glad to help!"

"Secena," I bow to her, "thank you for helping me and I'm grateful for your hospitality. I hope we meet again one day."

"And I to you." She kisses two of her fingers and puts her fingers to my forehead, "You have my blessing that you'll make it to the Ice Castle and restore the world. Good luck."

I limp out of the hut and smell the frost laden forest. The cold season is getting ever so close. It won't be long until the snow begins to fall. I hate being cold and I hate travelling in the mountains more. Nothing but wind, snow, and cold. Nothing but a barren landscape that reaches miles high into the sky.

"Are you able to travel with your wounds?" Myriani asks.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." I tell her, "It won't be long until snow is here and I want to be out of here before it does. I hate the cold and snow; brings death onto those caught in it."

"You may see it that way," Myriani gets up off the ground, "but all of us here see beauty in the snow. The way the flakes float to the ground makes me want to be free. I know that isn't possible with me being the queen, but one can still dream."

I chuckle at the little girl's words. I look down at the forest floor. I can still see the blood of Fiore; still wet, still there reminding me of his awful soul. He may be gone, but he is just another obstacle that I had to overcome. I know my father is out there plotting something, and I feel like I've fallen into his diobolical plan.

"Rias," I hear the Ice Crystal's voice in my head, but it isn't Scion's, "your judgement is clouded by this beast. Do you want to know what the beast is?"

"Tell me!" I plead.

"You already know him as Nefal, your father." The voice answers. I can't believe it. This devastation is because of my father! He's caused all this! "Calm yourself young one. You can defeat him I know you can. My powers will get stronger as we get closer to the Ice Castle giving you more powers. I sense that Nefal will try to stop you at every turn."

"How did my father steal your powers?" I ask, "How did a human manage to do all this?"

"There was a time when there used to be a great beast named Abaddon that stole my powers and forced Hell onto the human world. Nefal must have defeated Abaddon and absorbed its power at some point. Nefal knows the darkest of magic. Only those with hearts of darkness can control Abaddon. Nefal does not have that. He still has an ounce of humanity left in him; his love for his daughter."

"My father loves me?" I mock, "The only thing he loves is spreading evil and killing others."

"That is because of Abaddon's influence. His heart and mind still loves you. Nonetheless, you will have to kill him to gain my powers back."

"I knew that!" I tell Her, "I just hate having the weight of the world on my shoulders! I never signed up for this!"

"You have others who are looking out for you." She says calming me down, "Look around. You couldn't have better friends."

I look back at Myriani who's jumping for joy behind me talking to Secena. I look back down at the forest floor and see Thoron touching the blood of Fiore. As much as I hated Fiore, I feel bad for killing Thoron's teacher and caretaker. I hope that he moves on and comes to his senses. I know that he won't leave my side no matter what. I will never leave his.

"See you are not alone Daughter of Light." The Goddesses soothing voice washes over me, "You are not alone and never will be."

I smile and look into the sunset. She's right I'm not alone. I've always had friends beside me my whole life. Some are gone now, but I'm still not alone. I have Thoron and Myriani beside me and I would ask for nothing more.