Reborn

Chapter 13

Someone told me that I wasn't clear enough on what the Ancient Evil was and the mermaid's part in the story. In Chapter four, I believe, Grand Pabbie said what the Ancient Evil was – it's a spirit that can shapeshift, take on any form (solid or otherwise) that it wants to enter people's minds and take control. The mermaid is the Ancient Evil. Sorry, thought that was made clear in the same chapter that Pabbie said what the Evil is. If you have any further questions or I'm still not clear, feel free to ask.

~

The Evil drifted around Anna – or more correctly Phoenix, watching closely as she trained, testing the limits of her powers. The Evil was intrigued by the fact that she had more than one. Anna/Phoenix was no longer dressed in her usual green and yellow dress, but wore what people in the far future would call a grey tank top and khaki pants according to what It had seen.

Lowering her arms down to her sides, Phoenix, her face emotionless, turned to him. Once he had gained unlimited access to her mind and unlocked the other 90% of her brain that remained unused by all human life-forms, Phoenix had been able to see It – even though It was really just a floating black mass that was invisible to the naked eye. "My mark?" she questioned.

"60%," It replied. "Start again."

She simply nodded, accepting whatever It said, and resumed her exercises. As she worked, It took on the form of a human so that It could smile. Everything was working out like It wanted – Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and that annoying and non-stop talking snowman were heading up North.

Exactly where It wanted them to be.

~

Entering the town, Elsa's hunch proved correct. The market people kept offering them food – completely for free – when they caught sight of the Queen of Arendelle. Elsa pretended to insist that she pay for the food, then pretended to give in and took what they offered.

Hey, she had to keep her dignity.

Tying as much food onto Sven as they could without overbearing him, she then picked up a pair of hiking boots, that, she grudgingly admitted to a smirking Kristoff, were more suitable for the terrain than her beloved high heels .

Per suggestion of the shoe shop assistant, Elsa also picked up a pair of loose, light grey trousers and top that was cinched at the waist with a brown leather belt. Again, more suitable for their trek.

Thankfully, everyone gladly demanded they take it completely free of charge.

After resting in the public square by the fountain and eating light, still-warm, crusty bread with butter and cheese washed down with fountain water, they continued on their way.

They made good progress – by mid-afternoon, the town was several miles behind them.

They stopped and rested until nightfall, then continued onwards during the cool of the night. Elsa was grinning like an idiot as she walked by Sven and Kristoff. Her new outfit was really comfortable and felt so light and airy, while her dress (comfortable as it was) was rather tight in comparison. I'll get my seamstress to make me several of these when I get back, she decided. If I get back.

Her grin turned to a frown. I promise, Anna. I promise we'll find you.

A twig snapped.

Kristoff and Sven froze. Olaf came to a halt behind Elsa. "That was one of us, wasn't it?" Elsa commented, though she did whisper.

Kristoff raised a finger to his lips. They all fell silent and listened, straining to ear the slightest possible noise that wasn't them.

"What are we doing?" Olaf whispered out of the side of his mouth to Elsa.

"Shh!" she whispered, more harshly than she meant to as her nerves were suddenly taunt.

"Oh! I get it! We're playing 'See Who Can Be Quiet The Longest'. Alright, Go!" and Olaf pressed his lips tightly together.

They heard the sound of several guns cocking from all sides, hidden in the bushes. They kept absolutely still.

"Who's there?" Elsa called out.

"Show yourselves!" Kristoff called out.

"Put your hands on your heads and kneel on the ground. And DON'T LOOK UP!"

"I won!" Olaf cheered gleefully.