Ni No Who

Chapter 10

They reached the Glittering Grotto, and stopped to take a breath at the entrance, grateful to finally be out of the blistering winds. As they caught their breath, the Doctor peered around the cavernous place, taking in the sights of the icy walls, the thin walkways with the pit drops surrounding them, and the icy familiars that roamed the area.

"So, what sort of place is this?" He asked Oliver, wanting to hear his version. There was rarely a place that he could explain himself, and this was Oliver's territory.

"Oh! Well, I guess it's used for a lot of things." Oliver tried to explain. "When I came here the first time, we were fighting the Guardian because he was heartbroken, and wasn't protecting this place. And last year, we had to come and put a man who had been imprisoned here at peace. And lots of familiars live here, so many people of the Winter Wonderlands who want to get stronger come here to train and get stronger."

"That's why the royalty get buried here, mun!" Drippy added, jumping up. "Royals in this world train to protect their kingdoms, whether it be with magic or physical strength! The Winter Wonderlands only adapted to magic 'bout a decade ago, so their kings used to pack a punch!"

"And with their training officially over, they return to where it all started." The Doctor finished the story, spinning around with his hands in his pockets as he walked, looking up at the icicles hanging from the ceiling. "And we're sure to find this Hans fellow?"

"He was the last king of Yule, he has to be here." Oliver reminded him as they walked along the icy paths. 

"Yeah, but he did sort of destroy the kingdom because he got sad over a woman." Swaine remarked. "I get love and all, but he threw her out, and still lost his mind."

"So, you think it's so mad to lose your mind over having to send away someone you love and regret it?" Nichole said, her voice as icy as their environment. "Brave way to tell me how easy it is to lose someone you love." She started walking ahead, Swaine hurrying after her.

"Nichole, come on! You know I don't-"

"Save it." She growled, holding up a hand, claws already starting to grow from her fingernails, but she put her hand back in her pocket before she transformed completely, making Swaine step back, but he still followed close, trying to think of something to say to try and make it better. 

That was when they heard a deep growl as they crept onto a more solid platform of ice, all of them looking around for where it came from. "What the hell was that?" Nichole demanded, pulling out her sword.

"Sounded like an animal." The  Doctor commented, pulling out his sonic screwdriver and scanning the area. "A large animal at that."

"What's that?" Swaine asked, his gun aimed at a nearby cave. 

"My screwdriver, does all sorts." The Doctor told him, examining the side of his device. " Right now it's figuring out that noise." As if on cue, another low growl, this time coming from a large opening, a dark cave near them. 

"I think I know what it is." Oliver said, stepping towards the dark opening.

"Oliver, get back! It could be dangerous!" The Doctor shouted, but Oliver kept walking forward, putting away his wand.

"Cerboreas? Is that you, Sir?" Oliver called, and a blue muzzle slowly emerged from the darkness. "Sir, it's me, Oliver. I'm only here to find the gravesite. Can you help us?"

"Oliver?" The growl spoke, and the muzzle became a giant blue wolf, the Spirit of the North Wind and the Guardian of the Glittering Grotto himself. "The Pure Hearted One returns. I assure you, Lord Senkrad's prison remains dormant, and I myself have kept heart as you wished."

"That's good to know!" Oliver smiled as Swaine and Nichole stood at ease, the Doctor coming over confused. "Doctor, Captain Swan, this is Cerboreas. He protects the Glittering Grotto and everything inside of it!"

"A Guardian, eh?" The Doctor remarked, stepping forward. "I suppose you're all magic as well?" Cerboreas nodded.

"I possess powers bestowed upon me by the Wizard King himself. It was he who made me the Guardian of this temple. I guard the magic needed to train the nobility, to protect the stone of Mornstar, to keep those away from the prison of the scarred Lord Senkrad, and to keep watch of those who have passed." 

"The gravesite for the royalty?" Oliver asked. "The ones who used to rule the Winter Wonderlands?" The wolf nodded again.

"That is correct."

"Then you can tell us where it is?" Oliver asked. 

"I trust you have pure purposes in your endeavor, Pure Hearted One. Therefore, I shall lead you, to the Hall of Winter Royals." 

"Just like that?" The Doctor asked as Cerboreas led them down into his dark cave, Oliver lighting his wand so they could see along the way. "No trial by fire, no fight to the death, he's just going to lead us there?" 

"A Guardian in this realm is powerful, but not unreasonable, Doctor." Nichole told him, putting her sword away. "Oliver has proven over and over that he is a Savior worthy of the name. He has fought this Guardian himself and humbled him when others could not." The Doctor furrowed his eyebrows, a little confused. He actually fought against this Guardian, and was praised for it? The Guardian trusted him, even though Oliver was powerful enough to up against him. Oliver could take him out in a fight, yet here he was, leading him to a place that was so important, it required a Guardian. What had Oliver done so differently from himself that Oliver was praised as a hero when he was seen as a villain in many parts of time and space?