The Ice Crystal (Published)

Chapter 38

I look back at the ship to see it pulling away in the breeze. I can hear the agonized screaming of people being killed and tortured. All my instincts are screaming at me to save them. It doesn't matter if they are pirates, they are innocent lives that have been caught in the middle of my war with my father. The screaming grows louder in my head to the point where I can't stand it. I duck my head underwater to block it out, but the screaming keeps growing louder and the water around me begins to churn with my rage. I can't stand idly by as people die!

A whirlpool then surrounds me as my rage reaches its boiling point. The Ice Crystal disappears from around my neck and a light emits from my body.

"Your heart is pure enough to unlock my limitless power." The Goddess's voice rings out, "I give you the Blessed Armor. May you use it well."

The light grows brighter as my clothes disappear and the armor appears on me. The Ice Crystal reforms on the top of my right hand and giant metal, feathered wings sprout from my back. I rise back to the surface and grab Myrian's hand. She is nearly weightless in my hand, but I know that the Ice Crystal is giving me strength and speed. I flap the giant wings and rise into the air. I catch a glimpse of myself in the clear water. My hair had grown longer and changed to a light shade of blue. The armor cuts off at my belly and then begins again after it. The armor glistens against the lake. The wings are blue and white, while my body armor is black and white. I race for the ship to prevent anymore lives from being lost. I won't allow it!

We land on the ship that's stained with the blood of the pirates. Mattora is chasing the rest of the pirates around the deck of the ship laughing maniacally. In the blink of an eye, I stand in front of a surprised Matorra. He backs away slowly as I land.

"How did you defeat Kaiser that fast?" He asks with fear spreading across his face, "That's impossible!"

"You will pay for your atrocities!" I say angered. The Goddesses voice echoes with mine, "You will be punished severely!"

I throw him backwards with the power emanating from my hand. He crashes through a wall. He stumbles out with wood chips and cuts covering his body. His clothes, which were clean a second ago, are now ragged and torn. He wipes blood off his face and turns to me. He growls and long tendrils of water, rocks, fire, and air begin to flow around him. Two can play at that! I rise into the air and unfold my wings. I spread them out and call upon the Ice Crystal's energy. Spheres of energy from on and around my wings. I shoot the energy at Matorra before he could do anything destructive. The beams of energy scorch and destroy the deck on their way towards Mattora. He tries to get out of the way, but I hold out my hand and freeze him to the spot.

"Justice will be served!" Our voices ring through the air, "You will no longer control or cause chaos ever again! Now die!"

I urge the beams onward and listen to his screams as the energy rips into him. I feel my hold on him lessen as he is erased from existence. I let out a huge sigh and breathe heavily as I come to a rest on the deck. I close my eyes and try to control my thoughts and feelings. I open my eyes to see Myriani's pretty eyes looking into mine.

"That was incredible!" She screams giving me a hug, "You saved most of the ship and its crew."

I look around the ship and find that most of it is scorched or destroyed. I give out a little laugh and scratch the back of my head in embarrassment. I may have gone a little too far.

"Thanks!" I give out an exhausted laugh, "I'm really tired now."

"Thanks to you lassie," Dogen appears behind us, "We can all rest easy. Too bad for my crew and ship, but those can be replaced. A city and my hometown can't be. Guess I should keep yer secret. Don't want the whole city knowing yous was there. For the rest of yer reward, I'll get ya to the other side. The Ice Castle isn't far from where I'm dropping ya off."

He turns to the opposite side of the lake,  "That's odd."

I turn around to see what he's talking about and see the darkening sky. That isn't from a sunset, that's from Chaos's influence and time is beginning to run out.

"Nonetheless, you all better get some rest. It'll be a while before we hit land. Again thank you."

I nod and stumble to my feet. I lean on Myriani and we head to what's left of the cabins.