Darkness over Ice [LadyYunaFFX2 x ForeverM]

[ForeverMischievous]

Darkness roamed Arendelle. As it had, for several weeks now. It was long past just an irrational fear. It wasn't just black clouds blocking out the sun. No. It was something different. As if the sun never arrived, to their side of the planet. As if an impenetrable layer, had formed between their happy little Kingdom, and the sun. Whispers had started. Saying that it had to be their Queen. She'd done it before. Filled the lands with fear, with her magics. Even though there had been peace for several years now, and that the Queen had seemingly controlled her powers, what else could it be? This wasn't a natural phenomenon. Magic was the course. And who else, if not Elsa.

The Queen could've done anything to prevent this. Spoke with the Trolls. The Witches of Herlock. Nothing would get her anywhere. No one knew, what caused this darkness. But one thing, the Witches -could- mention. This was like 'Darkholm'. A Kingdom that had long since been buried in darkness. And it happened like it did now. Their Kingdom had been ruled by a Mage, as well. But since the Darkness took over, no one had dared go there.


The sea was calm, that dark evening. The Darkness was as thick as always, only lit up by desperate lanterns, trying their best to break the choking darkness. Most where silent, only light rumbling from the nearby Tavern. A part of town, that wasn't exactly affected by the 'Darkness'. A Captain of a supply ship made his last inspection of his ship, before preparing to head to the tavern as well. But something caught his eye. A figure in the darkness. Walking. But not on the harbor, or one of the piers. But on the water. Shrouded in darkness bellow a dark hood, the man showed not his face as he walked by. But it felt as if the air around him got thinner, and the Captain had to gasp for his breath, as he dropped down in fear. The figure seemed to hover up on the harbor, continuing on it's destination towards the Castle. No one dared stay in his way. Everyone stood as far from the dark shrouded character as they could.

The shrouded figure met the front gates of the castle, before he stopped for a moment, as the Castle guards made their way towards him. A Guard warned he should stay back, placing a hand on the figure's shoulder. But instead of meeting the clothes on the figure, the hand went through, a look of fear in both guards. Except the one who had touched him, soon turned pale, as he began hacking for his breath. And as he did, the figure continued on it's way, a hand waving though the second guard, causing him to drop to the ground as well. A sword was swung through the figure, but it was as effortless as cutting through fog, and the figure continued. He waved his hand a single time towards his attacker, sending the guard flying through the air with a scream, cut short when he hit the nearest wall. Anything else the guards threw at him, continued to have no effect. And once the figure reached the front door, he passed through it, as was it just another inch of air.

Once inside, the figure stopped it's approach, soon surrounded by Guards, throwing threats. The figure just remained silent, until the Guards did the same. There where silence for a few seconds, before the figure held out his right hand, cupping it upwards. A ball of darkness seemed to take shape in his had, as if shadows came together in his hand. The ball seemed to take in power. A power, Elsa would undoubtedly feel. A power, that when it exploded, as the figure clenched his hand shut, sent a wave of force through the entire castle. Guards, maids, guests and staff where all thrown for the nearest windows, as if a suction was created there, only aiming for them.
The royal family, however, was hardly affected. They'd feel the winds strike them, but would not be thrown with them, as everyone else. Should they try to help someone, and hold them back, they would find the winds far too strong for them to handle. Not even Elsa's magic could stop the strong winds. People would just get thrown right through. As if a cleansing was going on. Cleaning out anything that wasn't Royalty of Arendelle.

Now, there was silence. And Elsa would now be able to feel the other presence in the castle. Weather she'd hunt it down, or not. It was looking for her, slowly making it's way through the Castle's many halls. With each step it took, getting closer.

 

[LadyYunaFFX2]

Queen Elsa & Princess Anna​

It had been about a year since Elsa finally got control over her powers. Everything was moving forward and all in the correct directions. Her sister, Anna, was preparing to marry Kristoff in a few more months. The announcement had been made a few weeks ago; or attempted to be. But then, that had been when it had appeared. This new source of darkness that Elsa was genuinely clueless about. She didn't have the slightest idea where it had come from. But she knew one thing for certain. It was not one of her powers.

Ice was her domain. It was the only thing she could ever control. She'd known that for years. Unfortunately, the people of Arendelle had a valid concern. Still, it irritated her that they continued to point fingers at her.

But ... I suppose, who else can they turn to for the blame? Elsa mused inwardly, sighing softly as she ran a finger through her bright locks. It truly was amazing how fast things could go from bad to worse. Today, clearly, was no exception. For a long while, silence continued to linger around the castle. But then, guards began to make a commotion. Elsa peered out of the window and saw an unknown figure approaching.

That alone was far more than enough for Elsa to turn on her heels, find Anna's room, and knock frantically on the door.

Anna, before all this, had been switching between being a sister and a fiance. Right now, however, her only remaining family member remained. And given all the new and unusual circumstances, Elsa needed her now more than the last time she had caused the eternal winter to sweep over Arendelle. It'd be on accident, of course. But now, they were dealing with something that even Elsa couldn't understand let alone control.

Anyone who took the time to analyze the situation, whether they could use any magic or not, would be able to see that. But almost all the other citizens didn't want to think. They wanted Arendelle back to normal and answers as to who or what had done this. Thus, when Elsa and Anna continued to insist that neither of them knew, it only further enraged the people.

It saddened her heart to know that so many were trying to place all the pressure and use her sister as a scapegoat.

Is there really nothing that can be done?

Anna's thoughts were interrupted by the desperate knocking on her door, making her open it to see an almost terrified-looking Elsa.

"Find .. Kristoff ... and leave." The Queen instantly replied, albeit in between pants from running up all the stairs.

"W-wait a second. Elsa, what's going on?"

"I'm not even sure myself. But whatever - whoever - is about to enter, I'll deal with them."

"But Elsa! You're already enduring so much as it is and ---- "

"It's my duty to do so. Anna, don't make us repeat the fights from back then, please."

That got Anna to go quiet as she stared at her sister. Those arguments truly had been the worst ones. And while she didn't want to risk losing her sister due to a verbal battle, it felt wrong to just abandon her.

"Elsa, please. I'll stay behind you if that would make you feel better. But don't I have the right to know what's going on?" Her voice managed to calm down, although there was definitely a slightly desperate tone in Anna's voice.

Elsa went silent, thinking on her sister's request. After a few minutes of contemplation, she sighed again and nodded. "Alright. Listen to your own words and follow them then, please. Because .. whoever this is, even the guards aren't able to deal with them. That's really bad."

"I will. I promise."

The slightest sign of a smile crossed both girls' faces as they hurried to the throne room together, with Elsa taking a slight lead. It was clear to the Queen that this man seemed to know his way around. It was fair to assume that he'd be likely to come here.

And when he arrived, she'd be ready.

 

[ForeverMischievous]

The figure continued through the hallways, raising his head slightly, to follow the desperate Queen's movement. His eyes where closed, as he took in a deep breath through the nose, sighing lightly at the sweet scent of Elsa's powers. A wide smile spread across his face, as he shook his shoulders lightly, starting to head up the stairway to the throne room, where he now knew she was hiding out. He closed his eyes, slowing down his steps, as he stretched his fingers, cracking them a few times. She'd feel his power approaching, as he felt her's. Her's was still in adolescence. She had fully controlled her powers, but had not honed them. And in the world she was about to be introduced to, she was still considered 'weak'. Easy prey, for a creature such as himself.

Stopping in front of the Throne room's main door, the figure paused, now opening his eyes again, just staring at the door. He rose a hand, to gently push against the door. He was expecting her to attempt to freeze the door shut the second it showed signs of movement, so immediately the figure vanished. What ever she tried to do with the door, even if nothing, it happened. The figure didn't seem to enter, and the door would be frozen tightly shut, should she have tried that.

A few moments of silence broke, where the sisters where left alone. Just silence. But suddenly, a candle was cut out, in one side of the large room. Then the one next to it, with a short delay. And then another, with a shorter delay. The wind, seemingly blowing out the candles, took in speed, blowing out the candles rapidly, before only the lights of a few candles on each side of the sisters was still around, leaving them just enough light to see the figure, suddenly appearing several feet away from them.
"Finally, we meet. Elsa. Anna.. You Kingdom was strong, to resist blaming you, for several weeks.. That is rare.." The figure spoke, as his hands removed the hood from his head, revealing his face. The man's face bore a small scar on the left side cheek. But all in all, it was nothing like the monster it'd seemed so far. But still, there was an intimidating glare in his eye, his bald head not making him seem any less frightening.

 

[LadyYunaFFX2]

Queen Elsa & Princess Anna​

For a while, Elsa had considered trying to freeze the door. But as her mind replayed how easily this man was going through her own guards, the answer became clear. It wouldn't do her any good. Besides, it'd be better to conserve all the power she had. If she wasted it now, there would be no hope of Elsa being able to protect anyone, be it herself or Anna. She didn't want to fight but with how things were going, it seemed as if that was inevitable. The thought made Elsa's teeth grip her lower lip slightly as she waited, sneaking a glance behind her to indeed see that Anna was hiding behind the throne as she'd instructed.

By the time Elsa's eyes focused back in front of her, however, the candles began getting cut. One .. two ... and then all but a few remained. The sight had definitely made both, albeit Anna more, gasp in a mix of shock, awe, and horror. It'd happened so fast. How were either of the sisters supposed to survive?

"Who -- ??" Anna began to inquire, ceasing as she saw the glare coming from her sister. Her mouth closed as she remained behind one of the the thrones.

"Who are you? What is the meaning of this? And what is your purpose for all you're doing?" Elsa inquired, finishing what had very likely been Anna's first question. Maybe this could all be settled with just words. But the fact Elsa hadn't yet used any of her ice magic proved one thing to this man; she didn't want to fight. Not unless it became a last resort.