Chapter 39 The Power of Endurance

Snow continued in pursuit. She found herself climbing a countless set of grand stairs to the very top of the castle. The steps were so tall, they mimicked a mountainous trek.. Frederick was just in front of her.

“Frederick, you can’t outrun me!” Snow shouted with dagger in hand.

“Children shouldn’t.. run with.. knives.” Frederick uttered, panting every couple of steps. He eventually reached the top landing and flicked his hand at Snow. The ring crackled with lightning.

“Freeze!”

Snow heard a thumbing vibration in her head as her body was brought to a halt, the thumbing vibration in her mind got increasingly louder. Snow focused up and she regained control. It appeared that the ring was still strong enough to temporarily halt her. She resumed her chase on Frederick. Snow got up to the landing and ran straight, towards the King’s corridor.

Frederick was hunched over catching his breath at the end of the checkered hallway. The King’s hallway was filled with statues, symbols of the kingdom and their victories. Just behind Frederick was a golden door. That had to be the King’s room.

“You’ve been quite the disruptive RUNT for changing Harper’s stance. A good effort, I will admit, but you and your guardsmen will trouble me no more!”

Frederick coughed before yelling out

“Activate!-Daiga!-Emergency protocol!-Protect the king!”

All of the statues in the hallway started to shake violently as runes on their backs all began turning on. Various animals and warriors all gained movement and jumped into the middle of the hallway forming a crowd of stone deterrents that blocked her way.

“Good luck getting past that.” Frederick declared before pushed into the King’s chamber, slamming the golden door behind him.

Snow backed up as all the constructs looked her way. She tried looking for a way around but this was the only way to the King’s chambers.

Little Crow landed on the floor next to her. It looked to her in curiosity.

“What's the plan, you say? Simple.”

Snow lowered herself to the ground, hunching over in a running position.

Little Crow cawed at her in disagreement.

“No choice Little Crow, this is the only way.”

Snow kicked off the ground with a running start, right at the constructs.

Snow’s eyes darted left and right as the crowd of constructs each took a swing at her. She was swift enough to dodge half of the pummeling attacks. The other half, was rough. Her back, arms, and legs took blow after blow as the rocky arms and claws slammed into her. Snow’s only focus was to protect her head and dodge the ones large or sharp enough to be lethal. As she barreled through the stone punishment, Little Crow flew ahead of her, pecking at some of their control runes, forcing some of the big constructs to prioritize the small bird.

The assistance helped against the deadly ones but didn't stop most of the punishment. The hallway was too small, Snow didn't have the essence of time. This was the only thing she could think to do to make the plan work. Snow laughed and cried as she ran through the gauntlet of constructs. If anyone was fit to do this, it was her. Snow was no stranger to a beating, this wouldn't be the first, nor second. This whole trip had been a test. She needed to prove that she could do this. With each bruise that was inflicted upon her, she thought about one thing and one thing only; proving her mother wrong. As Snow looked at the oncoming gold door, she envisioned her mother standing just in front of it. Her mother, watching with her with those cold, judgmental eyes. “‘You rub dirt in our name.’ You are insufficient to our standards. ‘You... Will... Contribute.’” Snow had to do this, she had to earn her place and earn her name. Frostblood or not she was a Regalian. If this is what it took to be equal to her sisters, she would take any amount of torment.

Snow made it to the end of the gauntlet covered in bruises. Her panting breath misted in the air as she barged into the King’s chambers.

_________________________________________________________

The King’s chamber held two circular balconies that protruded from both the east and west. The south side of the room had floor to ceiling windows that gave a view of the entire mountaineer realm. Within the chamber, a crimson bed laid against the north wall, surrounded by dressers, mirrors and decorative weapons. Near the bed, on the east side was a large stone desk. A teen garnished in red clothing and slick black hair was seated at the desk. A golden crown, gilded with horses, laid just next to him. It was the King. Frederick was standing just behind him, whispering in his ear.

The King was emotionless, scribbling with a quill on Fredrick’s deed. Snow never gave thought that the King’s age was no different than hers, buffered by a few years. His majesty was a little older than Gravis. The most powerful person in Vulcas was a teenage boy. A boy, that was being puppefied by the evils of vengeance. Age mattered not in the harsh realities of life. Looking at the whole scene, Snow squeezed her fist.

“Frederick!”

“How the hell did you get in here? I swear, those mages are useless!” Frederick gave Snow a half glance, his attention was focused on the deed.

“It is done.” The young King said in a deadened voice, the quill falling from his hand.

Frederick stamped the decree with the King’s seal before grabbing it. Frederick faced Snow, his lips widened and his eyebrows scrunched in an evil grin.

“You or that decree won't be leaving.” Snow responded to his sinister gaze.

“You know what would be tragic? If our young king was slain by the runt of Regalia.” Frederick began his walk to the balcony while he issued his new command. “King Raden, kill that Lotus runt.”

King Raden rose from his seat. His Majesty had become an actual puppet now. The King stumbled around his desk and grabbed a decorative sword from the wall. The golden sword was a curved blade that had two pronged tips. He swung it forward, pointing it directly at Snow.

“Damnit.” Snow readied her dagger.

King Raden charged at her.

Frederick paraded onto the east balcony, he made his way to the corner where the King’s messenger eagle was perched on its post. Frederick rolled up the deed and slipped it into the tube on the eagle’s back.

“History seems to repeat itself.” He shut the lid of the tube and the eagle screeched after taking off with the decree. “But this time, I will be the one that laughs last.”

Back in the King’s room Snow was trying to get through to Raden.

“Raden you are being controlled! Snap out of it!”

Raden only responded with the swings of his blade.

It was hopeless. King Raden swung widely as Snow held her dagger up in defense. The King had a clear range advantage. All Snow could do was stay on the defense, trying to block the sword with her dagger. She hopped left, right and back. Raden was pushing her to a corner of the room. The King’s hazel eyes were void of any emotion and his body was void of any spirit. He truly looked like a puppet. She needed to disarm him but she also couldn't risk hurting him. Snow’s back tapped against the wall.

“Uh oh…”

Snow readied herself. King Raden raised his blade in the air with both hands. He was about to swing hard, Snow didn't have room to dodge. She would need to try some sort of deflect. Snow put her right foot against the wall and held up the dagger in a reverse grip. King Radan swung at her diagonally. The blades made contact. Snow could feel the bite of his sword, along with its weight. Snow used the wall as leverage and kicked off while twisting her wrist to the side. His blade was redirected to the side, scratching at the surface of the floor while Snow rolled past him. A lucky deflect. Snow looked at the back of his leg, she was reflexively going to drive her dagger into it, but she paused. In that short hesitation, The King spun around and swung at her again, this time cutting her over the shoulder. Snow hopped back, backing up to the bed, while holding onto her bleeding shoulder.

“Damnit, I can't just stab him like that.” Snow said while looking at his majesty. Snow eyes spanned around the room, looking for something she could use against him. There were decorative weapons on the wall, perhaps she could use one of those. An arming sword hung just above the bed caught her eye. Snow put one foot on the bed to grab it before pausing. Looking at the bed she had an idea.

“I hope this works…”

When King Raden got close enough, Snow grabbed hold of the royal blanket and tossed it the air above both of them.

The messenger eagle was halfway through its descent. The regal bird carried the king’s orders to decree military force against any Lotus presence in the Mountaineer Realm. This message being delivered from the mountaineer heavens, would sink the world back into hell. The eagle was no different than an angel of death, upon its landing, flowers would bloom. Flowers, fed by the atrocities of war.

The eagle could already see its destination and was gliding straight there. However, its route would not be so free. The smooth road to hell had become obstructed, with resistance; small talons ripped into the eagle’s back, causing the eagle to swerve upwards in a panic, wondering what just attacked it.

“Caw!”

Little Crow had blood on its talons, cawing angrily at the elite eagle that was three times its size. The shadowy summon flew back into the eagle as an exchange of sharp scratches were made. The two birds flew chaotically as a battle in the sky began, unbeknownst to all.

The crimson blanket had descended onto both Snow and King Raden. Within the blanketed confusion, King Raden stabbed at the blanket to try to get it off of him. While his attention was misdirected, Snow charged right at him and tackled him to the ground. Snow sat on him while he tried to fend her off. Snow held his sword arm down.

“Here goes nothing!”

Snow smooshed his face and forehead with her right hand. Snow strangely felt something when she did that, the same tickling sensation when she was hit with electricity was felt now. The King’s resistance slowed to a stop as his eyes came into focus, his pupils were no longer dilated. He looked around as if he just woke up. Realizing Snow was on top of him, his brown complexion tinted pink.

“Oh, hi there. Are we?” King Raden looked to his sword arm, seeing the weapon wrapped by a blanket and then Snow’s shoulder wound. A slow realization flurried into his mind as his memories cleared. “I was unable to control myself. My deepest apologies! Are you okay!?” Raden grew angry. “My advisor forced me to do that stuff, I swear!”

“I know.”

After freeing King Raden from the spell, Snow went onto the balcony alone.

“You're already too late,” Frederick awaited her on the center of the balcony. “The decree is sent and there is nothing you can do about it. You failed!” Frederick declared with vile satisfaction.

“Do you really think you achieved a victory?”

“Yes, your people’s weakness will be revealed to the world! The era of fear is over!”

“Answer me this Frederick; if the Lotus are so weak, then why are the people who gave you all the information about us in hiding? If we are so weak, then why did it only take two frostblooded children and three lotus agents to run through your entire kingdom? Why do you need to hire mercenaries to do a job knights should be doing? Who are the weak ones here? Certainly doesn't sound like us.”

“I do not expect a child to know the logistics of war.”

“I do not expect a spiteful councilor to know the will of the people.”

“You mean forced will?”

“My mother inspires peace, whatever her sins are during the war have been made up three times over with all the lives she’s saved...”

“SAVED!?” Frederick hunched over and laughed as hard as he could. “Is that what you really think! There is no helping that level of ignorance!”

“I think I finally understand the reasoning behind your anger. You are stuck wallowing in the dark. You lack forgiveness.”

Frederick grew very angry at that.

“Me? Forgive?! You have no clue! NONE! “I will not sit back and take this from the child of the woman who took EVERYTHING FROM ME!” Frederick held up his hand and the ring crackled even stronger, overloading along with his emotions. “My job is done! All that's left is satisfying my vengeance now. After I kill you, I pray that the gold mage eradicates your entire kind! Now-”

“Die!” Frederick commanded.

The ring was engulfed in a full blown lightning current. Snow put her hand to her chest as her heart pounded faster.

“DIE” Frederick commanded again, even louder.

Snow closed her eyes and tried to fight against the will of the ring.

“D…I…E” Frederick screamed into the air.

Snow’s dagger slipped from her hand, rattling against the ground. She tried her hardest to fight against his ‘will’. The ramblings of her mind, and the beating of her heart appeared to be slipping from her control. Snow balled her fist and took a cold breath.

Snow regained control.

She opened her eyes.

Frederick was standing just in front of her, holding her own dagger.

He smiled as he shoved the royal dagger into her chest.

____________________________________________________

🦁Frederick🦁

Frederick was huddled in the corner. All he could sense in the dark was the occasional water droplets, landing in front of his cell door.

Footsteps approached. The metallic noise of keys shifting the gears in the lock were heard before the metal cell door screeched open. A mountaineer knight appeared.

“Guildmaster.”

Frederick rose from the cold ground. He looked up at the guard.

“My time is here. It seems.”

Frederick had been put on trial for execution. For giving away all of the merchant guild’s money after the Republic surrendered to the Lotus.

“Guildmaster Stone, you accepted my son in your guild when he had nothing to offer. I will always appreciate you for that, I apologize for everything that's happened.” The guard offered his sympathies.

“It’s quite alright. I don’t expect anything in return, I only wish for the students to better themselves and make a name for us. The guild has now been abolished, so I hope he learned something valuable in the time of our operation.”

Frederick was escorted to the exit of the jail. A band of Lotus soldiers had been waiting for him. The small group of warriors bore black and white armor with a Lotus symbol on their chests. In front of the group was a man he was familiar with since the coming conclusion of the war.

“Frederick.”

It was the man in the cloak, the informant who tried to get him to betray his country.

“Just get on with it, I don’t need to hear from you anymore.” Frederick didn't even look him in the eyes.

“I was here to congratulate you. Your crimes have been exonerated.”

“That can’t be right.” Frederick's eyes rose to meet the man’s words.

“Why yes, after careful consideration, her majesty has decided that since you have such a great reputation among the lower class that she has made a special exception to spare your life.”

The mountaineer guards behind Frederick padded his shoulder and started cheering for him. Frederick couldn’t believe it. The Lotus knew no mercy. He knew that their ruler was ruthless.

“Am I the subject of a jest right now?! If you wish to kill me, don’t strip me of my dignity and get on with it already!” Frederick yelled, silencing everyone.

“I speak the truth, you may leave this jail and go wherever you please, except the merchant guild grounds of course.” The informant exited the jail with his escort.

Frederick emerged out into the sunlight. Some of the mountaineer guards insisted that they escort him home, which Frederick found strange but he trusted them over the Lotus. The ex guildmaster began his walk as a free man, looking back, he saw the lotus soldiers were still watching him. They had amusement dancing in their eyes and were talking amongst themselves. Frederick decided to just dismiss them from his thoughts. All he wanted to do was apologize to Lady Vyrelia for losing the whole guild that they worked so hard to build.

“Guildmaster, I suggest we take the right.” One of the knights suggested.

“I wish to go straight home. I do not need an escort.”

“It's still dangerous around here. A detour around the right to reach your home is safest I assure.”

“What, is the row of gallows that much more dangerous? Let me be attacked, I care not.” He pushed his way past the mountaneer knights and turned left.

The knights stepped in his way one final time.

“Guildmaster. I beg you, let us take the detour.”

“No! I am no longer guildmaster, I do not need an escort and I do not need a detour!” Frederick forced his way past the knights again and continued on. After a few steps he saw the prison gallows.

All the color in his face disappeared.

The gallows were full. He recognized everyone up there. All of his guild staff, all of the partners he sent letters too and in the center of it all, Lady Vyrelia hung, still swinging.

“No… No, No, No!” Frederick couldn't believe his eyes, Lady Vyrelia’s face was still purple. One of her shoes had fallen to the ground. “Lady Vyrelia!”

Frederick fell to his knees. The guards tried to obscure his view. “Let’s get him out of here.” They tried to get him up, but Frederick fought them off before running forward towards the gallows, tripping and falling down just in front of Lady Vyrelia’s shoe. Frederick looked up at his staff who he served with since the founding of the guild. They were the closest thing he had to family.

His nails dug into the dirt as he yelled.

“My friends… My family… My love… Why… WHY BRUTUS!” Frederick yelled into the ground.

Brutus came up to him taking off his hood.

“Your reputation may proceed you, but we still need to set an example for the other guilds. Consider them lucky. Our warriors, who were killed and tortured by your country, were demanding far worse punishment to far more of your guildmates. Be grateful for this act of mercy.”

“They had nothing to do with it and you know it. That business was between US!”

Brutus looked down upon him with a face of disgust.

“Do not waste their sacrifice and do something stupid. Her majesty granted you this leniency because I begged her for it, otherwise she would have the whole guild executed, including the students. You will make yourself useful and maintain stability in this disgusting pit of a district. There has been an open councilor slot in light of some… corrections. I know you are a good man, Frederick. I do not kid when I say; this is a blessing, be grateful.”

Brutus walked away with the Lotus soldiers.

Fredrick was speechless, all he could do was watch Ms. Vyrelia’s still swinging corpse. The light in his eyes disappeared along with hers that day.

______________________________________________________

❄️Snow❄️

Blood was dripping onto the ground as Snow and Frederick were locked in standing hold. The dagger was stabbed through Snow’s hand as she was holding it inches away from her chest.

“I see, did your big plan work?” Frederick mocked.

“What plan?” Snow muttered.

“Your little act in being affected by the ring. I thought you resistant, but you are immune.”

Snow gave a pained smirk.

“Yeah... I guess that was it… I didn’t expect you to strike me that fast. I barely caught it.”

Their hands shook as the struggle continued.

“I am afraid no matter how strong your blood is, a child is still a child.” Frederick began to overpower her, pushing the royal dagger closer towards her chest.

“You… Sure about that?” Snow questioned him. An icy crack sounded.

Frederick's eyes shifted to the source of the noise. The blood on the floor was turning white. The cut on Snow’s shoulder began to fill with white. The blood around Snow’s hand stemmed as the impaled blade was being surrounded by a flower of ice.

“What is this?!”

“Frostblood regeneration is strong. However, when the person is nearing their limit they start growing ice, that includes over their wounds.” Snow explained as she grew increasingly more smug.

“What frost ability have you used? You’ve used none! You are a fake!” Frederick shouted, trying to pull on the dagger. The dagger was firmly stuck within the flower of ice on Snow’s hand.

“Look who is the ignorant one.” Snow grabbed a piece of the ice, snapped it off, and stabbed it into his forearm.

“Damn runt!” Frederick finally let go of the dagger and stumbled back holding onto his arm.

“I didn’t need to use any ability to use the Frostblood.” Snow ripped the dagger from her hand.

“You are telling me that you hit a limit by simple resilience?!”

“It's been a long day. What can I say.”

Frederick gritted his teeth. “So come then, try to finish me!” Frederick shouted in frustration.

“I don't need to. You lost already.” Snow turned her head towards the door. “You can come in now!”

The bedroom door swung open revealing The King, Arthur and a dozen of the royal guards. They all stormed in.

“Did you idiots forget?” Frederick screamed. “She may be immune to the ring, but none of you are! That’s right!” he raised his hand.

“Kill each other!”

Nothing happened.

“DIE!”

Still nothing.

“Are you looking for this?” Snow turned over her icy hand revealing the ring. Frederick was shocked.

“Yield yourself Frederick.” The King’s guard began to approach him.

Frederick backed up to the railing.

“It doesn't matter, the decree is already sent! You can't do anything about it now. Your precious generals are just waiting for the-!”

A bird crash landed on the balcony in between everyone. It was Little Crow. Little crow’s wings were ripped up as the shadowy companion hopped up to Snow. Something was in its talons. A parchment. Snow took the parchment before holding it up for Frederick to see.

“Waiting for this decree?”

Frederick’s face became a concoction of disbelief and frustration.

“Why, why must you foil so many years of what I rightfully deserve!” The royal guard moved in to arrest him. “Back off!” He growled at them “Or I'll throw myself from this castle!” Frederick leaned further back against the open balcony rail.

“There is no way out Frederick. Just give yourself up!” The knights demanded for his surrender.

“I will die on my own terms!”

The young Mountaineer King stepped forward from the crowd of knights, Snow stayed close to him.

“Fredrick. Is your life worth it?” The King’s voice was timid, but he spoke loudly. “I will not kill you, Frederick. You have my word. I know your ideals do not align with mine, but your heart does. Please. Just surrender yourself.” The King tried to sway him.

“Now, I’m being lectured by children.”

“It’s not lecturing, I am your king. You need to accept that. You can choose to toss yourself from my balcony or allow me to spare your life. Do not forget you were the one who attacked me.”

"What do you know! Everyone I loved was murdered, all to prove a point! You are ignorant if you think the lotus truly want to help us. No, they are parasites! Merciless murderers! I've seen the truth, the daiga mages showed me, they are monsters. Demons! Worse than devils!!”

“The only monster is you, Frederick.” Arthur replied.

“What will the head councilor do? Will you allow me to save him? Or will he throw his life away.” The young King said, giving Frederick the final choice.

“I loved this country… When my people were murdered for the sake of ‘peace’ you did nothing but kneel, your council did nothing but kneel, your greatest general did nothing but kneel. None of you are worth the salt of your ancestors. You are only a boy king, who can’t even produce a shadow compared to his father. Above all else…You are not my king…. and…” Frederick looked at Snow, in that moment, there was a mutual understanding. Snow recognized the look and she sympathized with it. It was the look of real despair. The look of someone who has nothing but darkness left. Frederick had no choice but to jump. There was no other option for him. “This is no longer my country.”

Frederick threw himself off the balcony.

“Frederick!” The King shouted.

Snow was already moving. Frederick just went over the edge. Snow slid with her dagger and went right over the edge after him.

“Princess!” Arthur ran up to the edge along with the rest of them. They all looked over the balcony to see Snow and Frederick dangling off the mountain a couple of feet below the edge of the balcony.

Snow was holding Frederick’s arm, the regalian royal dagger was shoved into the rocky wall just under where the castle brick ended. Frederick was so heavy. He made no attempt to climb as he just dangled there.

“Climb up!” Snow yelled.

Frederick said nothing.

Snow’s arm was trembling. Her icy hand was the one holding onto him. As Frederick slipped, the wound on Snow’s hand cracked, releasing new blood that trailed down his arm. Snow yelled in pain.

“I killed your people, I am dead either way.” He muttered in his depression.

“Don’t worry about that right now, just climb up!” Snow gritted as her grip was loosening, talking was all she could do.

“I was deceived into thinking I could make a difference. No longer will I be made a tool for someone to gain. Let me go.”

The dagger shifted in the rocks. It was about to break free.

“Tool, yeah I’m quite familiar with that myself. Think of a path that’s your own then! Isn’t that how you made the merchant’s guild in the first place!”

Frederick opened his eyes in understanding, looking up at Snow, he said nothing.

“I won't pretend to understand the past of that war I’ve never seen but I do know that dying here does nothing for anyone! You can still make things right. Please Frederick! I can't hold you any longer!”

The dagger shifted strongly, pebbles began to spill from the rock she was stabbed into.

“Snow just let go of him!” Arthur was holding his hand out, he was being held off the ledge by Crow.

“He’s right. Just let me go. I will only hold your family in malice. You are different but is it a surprise that you are treated ill-differently than the rest. You do not belong to that family.” Frederick had completely given up.

“Snow he’s going to get you killed! Crow, lower me more!”

“Grab him, men! Do something!” The King yelled to his guards. The guards grabbed Crow and furthered the human chain link. Arthur was getting lowered closer down but not far enough unless Snow reached for him.

Frederick was struggling to strip her grasp.

“I will not let you go.” Snow reiterated.

The dagger shifted again.

“Then, we die together.”

The dagger snapped.

They both fell.

The castle shook as a slab of earth jutted out the mountain wall, catching both Snow and Frederick.

“Looks like I'm two for two now holy smokes! When is my promotion!” Ares was under them, holding a defeated tracker by the neck in one hand while his other was punched into the wall. Ares had created a new floor just under them.

They had both survived.