The night was serene. The stars shone softly in the dark sky, casting their light over the frozen realm of IceStorm. Some people walked peacefully through the streets. Others, however, did not have that privilege.
In a rented cabin, isolated from the town, Ferinish ate dinner alone in the kitchen. Her gaze was distant, weighed down by a muted sadness.
The warmth of the food brought some comfort, however brief. When she finished, she rose in silence and went to the bedroom, where Slady had been unconscious for days.
"…"
She sat down beside the bed, resting her head against his chest. The steady sound of his heartbeat made her sigh with relief.
"I know you'll wake up, Slady. And I'll be here, for you."
Then she returned to the kitchen. She soaked a cloth in warm water, adding a little soap.
"This should help keep him clean, I hope."
***
The next morning, Ferinish was washing clothes. The sturdy fabric required effort, but she was patient. She submerged the garments in the frozen water and, with a simple magical touch, warmed the liquid to make cleaning easier.
After finishing, she placed the clothes in a wooden basin and headed back home. As she approached the door, however, she saw a figure standing there.
'Carolina?'
With her sword in hand, she advanced, alert.
"Raise your arms and move slowly."
The blade touched the visitor's neck. Carolina shivered, but obeyed, lifting her hands slowly.
"Ferinish. I didn't come to fight. I'm unarmed… I'm not even in my military uniform."
Her gaze swept across the cabin and landed on Ferinish, surprised by her domestic posture.
"What happened to you… and to Slady?"
Ferinish looked away, dejected.
***
"I... I'm sorry about this."
Carolina covered her mouth when she saw Slady's physical state.
"Yes… it was your queen who did this."
Ferinish's voice carried a quiet hatred. Carolina nodded, feeling the weight of the words.
"I can imagine how it is… seeing a friend like that."
"Slady isn't just a friend to me."
The revelation surprised her. Carolina hesitated, then quickly understood.
"I see… so it hurts even more."
Ferinish nodded. She took a syringe and filled it with a greenish liquid.
"Hey! Wait… what are you going to do with that?"
"It's not what you're thinking. It's nourishment. I need to feed him."
With precision, she injected the liquid into his arm.
"Oh… it's just that… Slady used that stuff for other things, you know?"
"I know. We used a lot of it when we were hungry and away from the cabin… we endured days without food with a single dose of those."
"This is… insane."
Carolina sat down, stunned. Ferinish accompanied her, her gaze fixed on Slady.
"That kind of substance… was the beginning of Fraizen's downfall."
"How so?"
Ferinish raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"She's weakening. People say it's a divine punishment… but from what I know of Slady, I think he had something to do with it."
A faint smile appeared on Ferinish's face.
"I understand…"
But Carolina furrowed her brow.
"The problem is Fraizen is furious. And she sent me here… to hunt you."
Ferinish fell silent for a moment.
"So… why didn't you try?"
"I…"
Carolina looked away.
"I'm tired. We've had our confrontations… but I see that you only want to live in peace. And honestly, I'm sure Fraizen knows I wouldn't stand a chance against any of you."
Her eyes fixed on Slady for a few seconds. Ferinish stepped forward and pressed the blade to her neck again.
"Think carefully about what you're going to do."
"I know who I'm dealing with. And no… I would never hurt Slady, even if I had the perfect opportunity."
Ferinish stepped back and sheathed her sword. Carolina flopped onto the couch, exhausted.
"When I joined the army… I only wanted to be strong. I wanted to give my little brother a future. Do you understand that? To be the best person I could be for someone?"
Ferinish nodded slowly.
"You understand more than you think…"
"But now… I only see paperwork, my brother only sees me at night, and the people still live in fear. Not of criminals… but of the queen herself. Fraizen, the one who should protect them."
Ferinish looked at her, sincere.
"You would have more right to be queen than she would."
Carolina widened her eyes, shaking her head.
"No… I'm not as strong as you. Nor politically shrewd like Fraizen… or Carlos."
"Carlos?"
"My childhood friend. The one who fought with you in the castle."
Ferinish raised an eyebrow, recognizing the name.
"Oh, right. Before the battle, we noticed some distance between you two. Why?"
Carolina lowered her head.
"Carlos Rezon always wanted to be a soldier. Like me. But that choice put us on opposite sides. Fraizen pressures both of us, trying to mold a perfect soldier to serve her."
Ferinish crossed her arms, thoughtful.
"Why don't you resign? You don't want to lose your brother, nor the friendship with Carlos… there are other paths."
Carolina laughed, bitter.
"If it were that simple..."
She leaned in, speaking in a low voice:
"I'll tell you something. But it's confidential. If Fraizen finds out I revealed this…"
Ferinish watched her intently, surprised by the serious tone.
"You can speak."
"I've seen soldiers try to leave. Some couldn't take it… others disagreed with orders. They all disappeared."
"And the reason?"
"Fraizen said serving her was a divine privilege. And those who reject that… don't deserve to live."
Ferinish clenched her fists, understanding the subtext.
"That woman… is the devil itself. What made her like this?"
Carolina sighed, broken.
"Before becoming a Destroyer, they say Fraizen was sweet. Innocent. But she fell into an Inférius by accident… and was stuck there for days, alone. She had to survive in that hell of ice."
Ferinish leaned on the bed, listening attentively.
"When she returned, she was no longer the same. She massacred a village and raised the walls that enclose IceStorm with her power. She took the throne by force."
Ferinish reflected in silence.
'Could all this be for vengeance? Pain? Or did the power simply corrupt her?'
"Was there another king before Fraizen?"
"Yes. I don't remember the name. The records were in the old castle, which she destroyed. But my grandmother said his name was Antonio III."
"Antonio III?"
"Yes. From the old royal family. Unlike the earlier kings, he was fair. He was a good ruler, even if for a short time. But he lost to Fraizen… when she had already become something monstrous."
Ferinish nodded, thinking deeply about one last thing...
"If I can ask one more question..."
"Of course, Ferinish. I'm here to help."
"If Fraizen were to die, either because of the poison Slady put in her or because someone else kills her, will those walls disappear?"
"That's… a very interesting question."
Carolina crossed her arms across her chest.
"I think they will. Everything that happens in IceStorm is because of her. The region's climate used to be cold, but bearable. Now, there's hardly any sun because of Fraizen and her authority over the area."
Ferinish nodded, then stood, motivated.
"We will gather forces, the strongest soldiers and the people of IceStorm. We will try to make Fraizen change her ways. But if she doesn't change..."
Her voice grew colder and more serious.
"We will kill her, and someone will take the throne."
Carolina was incredulous at the idea. She rose from the chair.
"That… is almost suicide. Fraizen is weakened, but she is still very powerful. You didn't see what she did to Slady?"
Ferinish gripped the scabbard of her sword, looking at Slady, who didn't move an inch, only his chest rising and falling as proof that he was still alive.
"I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for him. I want to put Slady in a safe place, away from pain."
Carolina nodded.
"You really are a devoted woman."
Then Carolina brought her hands together in front of her waist.
"But you're not wrong. I want to be a present sister for my little brother. I want to be a friend Carlos can count on. I also want to be away from pain."
Carolina looked at Ferinish with a determined, serious expression.
"I want you to help me, Ferinish. To change the fate of my kingdom. To make this place not only good for me, but for the people who live in it."
***
In the castle...
Fraizen Rosenmary was in the bathroom. Her body looked more intact, but black stains, resembling roots, still covered her skin. As if, even if Slady's poison had been contained... it was still there.
She looked at herself in the mirror, running her hand, which then turned into something more intense, over her face, tearing the fabric of her skin with brutality.
"I swear... I swear by Zyrionq that I will kill that man and that woman. I will make their lives a living Inferno!!"