Revelation

Memories of Mother

Hey, guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Happy reading!

After the battle, the army had found an exit not far from where Ian had been slain and stepped back into the uneasy wilderness. They had been met with deep forestry and cloudy skies, signs that they had all taken to set up camp and rest for a bit until they could continue on.

That had been three days ago and despite many discussions and strategies, the army still found itself walking in the same forest and seeming to go in circles.

It took some restraint on Jack's part to not drop right then and there and scream in frustration. He massaged his head with both of his hands. "When will we ever get out of this forest?"

"Don't worry, Jack," Elsa gave a faint smile, despite the same sweat that was coating everyone by now running down her forehead. "The paths converge here."

"Have you been here before?" Jack asked incredulously. He couldn't believe that Elsa could remember such a thing from that early in her childhood. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes... I faintly remember it," Elsa smiled. "When I was still young, I would hold my mother's hand and listen to her sing while we walked."

Jack couldn't help but smile with her. "Well, since you're the guide here, I can't argue with you if you're absolutely certain," he chuckled at Elsa's modest blush. "Lead the way, Miss-"

"Welcome to the Invisible Kingdom."

The army turned quickly to the source of the voice and saw up ahead, a woman walking towards them. Her dark brown hair was twisted elegantly while a fanciful plume stood atop of her head. Her strides conveyed confidence as she came closer to them, a barely visible smirk on her lips as she glared at them.

Wait a minute, Jack thought, studying the woman more carefully. He narrowed his eyes. Isn't that-

"Mother?!" said Elsa, stumbling over her words. "H-how...why are you here? Y-you're supposed to be-"

"I am Idun," said the woman. She twisted a strand of hair around her finger, smirking at them, "one of the Invisible King's faithful servants." She cleared her throat arrogantly. "My apologies if that wasn't clear to you all."

Elsa inhaled a sharp breath. "What... Invisible...servant...?!"

"Yes...although I was defeated at the Floating Islands, I will not be defeated this time."

"Mother... Then...that mage... It was you, wasn't it? How can we see you now when we could only see your silhouette before?"

"Foolish girl. I have the ability to show and hide myself at will, a power graciously given to me by King Emmanouil."

"............"

"This can't be!" Eugene said quietly in distress. "I heard that the Invisible King turns dead humans into minions, but..."

Hiccup stood beside him, his expression conflicted. He shook his head sadly. "Turning Elsa's mother into a servant... What a cruel thing to do..."

"Elsa...are you all right?" said Jack quietly.

Elsa closed her eyes for a moment and nodded firmly. "...Yes. This woman is not my mother. She has no memories of her life. She is only an Invisible servant... Isn't that so, Mother?"

"Mother? I don't understand you, but...I know only one thing... You will all die here. Such is the will of the Invisible King Emmanouil," said Idun with an irritated frown. She turned her head and gave a mysterious signal and soon, Invisible soldiers were surrounding them.