Large boulders of ice were tumbling down in the lake. The lake had flooded and the water had risen to dangerous levels. It was now overflowing the banks and had entered the surrounding forest. The current of water was so strong that it tore down everything that stood in its way. The boulders of ice smashed into each other with deafening noise and disintegrated into thousands of shards as if an explosion had occurred. The commander's fear darkened like the night. He realized that this continuous onset of chunks of icicles was the reason behind flooding of the lake. And because of this the King's chamber also rocked. The soft mud of the banks had been eroded. As the water entered the forest, it uprooted trees bringing them down with loud creaks. Because of this some of the serpents that were in the forest region were washed to the shores or got buried under the trees. The forest area around the lake was filled with screams and cries of the serpents. 

The water swelled and gushed towards him with force and he was hit by something sharply. That thing fell and got stuck on his shoulder and a metallic blood-like smell hit his nostrils. He lost balance. He took his hand to remove it. When he brought that thing in front of him, his eyes became wide with fear. It was a human hand ripped apart from the shoulder. As shock registered his mind, he couldn't help thinking as to where that part of the limb came from? As far as he knew, there were no humans in the vicinity. 

​​

He ducked under water to save himself from the fresh onslaught but the turbulent flow eddied its way inside the lake bringing a massive amount of ice. The commander was hit by a huge ice chunk and suffered a deep laceration on his skin. The blood flowed out. Suddenly another shard of ice came and lodged itself in his tail. He shrieked in pain. After removing it, he dived deeper into the lake. With his tail bruised badly, he somehow managed to make his way down. 

Over the surface of water, all the serpents who were combing the forest were flustered. They retreated from the forest in order to run back to the lake. That was much safe. But when they arrived at the lake, the scenario was frightening. Where the hell did the ice come from in the lake? 

Still they all dived inside. 

The onset of icy water only increased. Many serpents drowned, many were washed away with strong flux and many were mashed. 

While on this side of the lake, it was strong current of water that created havoc, on the other side it was Shang Kui. 

The wounded commander dived deeper to go to save his King. When he reached the King's chamber, he saw that it had been dislodged from its place. The chamber was tossed far away and the King was hurled unconscious half, beneath it. His limp limbs swayed with the water current. The commander rushed to him. Using his strength, he removed the iron chamber and pulled the King out from there. 

At this point of time all he had to do was save the King. So he picked him from there and swam deep inside a secret cave below water that was only meant for the royals. 

The large army of serpents was completely crushed. Their morale was low. The one who could run came to seek advice from the King, but he was nowhere to be found. His chamber was flung away. They couldn't even find their commander. 

As the serpents escaped from Shang Kui in the opposite direction, Shang Kui charged them further. His killer actions continued for the rest of the night. The strong current of water affected him the least. The dragon created mayhem. 

The ice layer that Enya had created along with the shattered remains of the fighter jets—all had come to the lake. 

--- 

Adrianna watched the entire layer of ice colliding with the mountains. Once it was over, she turned to leave. Enya joined her. 

"What do we do with the time circle, my Queen?" asked Haldir.

"Let it remain hung in the air for the entire time until this battle is over," she replied. "I am sure that Ziu won't stop here." Saying that she pointed her broom to the palace and flew. 

All her way to the palace, her mind was not at rest. There was frustration mounting. She had to meet someone and clear up the matter. 

When she reached the palace, she was surprised to see that Dmitri was present there along with Nate, Liam and several other werewolves whom she didn't know. She narrowed her eyes at them. 

Except Dmitri, everyone bowed to their Luna. 

"I am Alex." Alex introduced himself. 

Adrianna tilted her head and furrowed her brows. "I have heard that name," she said. 

Alex smiled. "Pierre found you in one of my caves, when your sister Kayla abandoned you." 

Suddenly a memory flashed in front of her eyes - bats, darkness, and a small girl. She became still. Her throat bobbed up and down. It was painful. Those days were painful, those memories were sore. 

Dmitri came to hold his wife. "Adri…" he said softly. "It is over."

Adrianna nodded immediately. 

"Alex helped us to spy upon the serpents and some of his pack members were even dragged to the lake and killed." 

She couldn't believe it. Her limbs became shaky. So much destruction for the selfish reasons was beyond comprehensible for her. 

"I have come along with Dmitri to take avenge upon the serpents and the humans. Please let me know what to do," said Alex with determination. 

"Hmm. But first I have to meet someone in the human realm," she declared. 

"What?" Haldir protested immediately. "No! I won't allow you to go there." 

Isidorus stepped forward. "You are not going there, Adrianna," he said with anger. 

"I will," she shot back. "I must meet Niiya!" She walked away from them. "He needs to answer my questions." 

"Niiya will never be able to help you," answered Isidorus.

Adrianna swung her head in his direction as her face became red with anger. "Why do you say so?" 

"Because there has been a promise between him and Ziu. He cannot breach it."

"Then I just know the way to talk to him," she spoke with a clenched jaw. 

--- 

The General walked out of the control room. He went to the group lieutenant of the remaining fleet of jets. 

"You have to fly to the same coordinates as the previous group went to." 

"Yes Sir," came back a firm acknowledgement. 

The General knew deep inside that he was sending his crew to the suicide mission. He watched the young faces of all those men out there. They were hardly over thirty. Some had wives and children while some weren't even married. 

"But I need you all to do something," he said on an afterthought. 

"Sure Sir." 

The General explained to them in detail what had to be done and left. He decided to meet Niiya and Dr. Tanaka. The father and son duo never mentioned anything about the powers of the wizards. He had many questions to ask. And if he survived all this, he would ensure that Niiya was removed from the post of being a human representative for other realms.