Ice Fire

Copyright © 2018 by Uzomah Chelsea. N.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author and publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

All names, characters and events are fictional and have no relation with persons living or Dead, any resemblance is purely coincidental.

All offenders are liable by law.

CHAPTER ONE

Today was the day. The day she had once looked forward to for so long. A day that she had looked forward to with hope and promise every year since she had come of age.

A day she wished would completely disappear from history. A day she wished she could forget. Today was Páliükez, a special day when each fae who was of age could find their chosen. There would be a three day celebration afterwards to celebrate the newly found soulmates and their bond.

The excitement of the day began two days before. The happiness, the cheer, the preparation, the hope, laughter and joy. She hated it. Hated it with everything inside her. Hated how some who had not found their chosen were twittering on about it and could not seem to stop. Hated seeing the hope in their eyes, sensing their expectation.

She hated most of all how those who had already found their chosen were more lovey dovey and cozy during this time, more than usual. Holding hands and looking at each other with so much love and complete adoration.

Today, vows would be made and renewed. Promises to care for each other, protect them with everything including their lives, love them for the rest of their lives, cherish them and to do say again in paradise and in their next lives. It was all disgusting.

She would never tell anyone else but herself. She was bitter. Badly so, because she wanted for herself what she saw today and had wanted it for such a long time. Because she couldn't have it because she wouldn't allow herself to. Because who ever was in charge of her fate played a cruel prank on her and decided to keep it that way. Because she refused to get her heart broken like before.

It was nearly midday and fae were already gathering. Elves, fairies, sprites, nymphs, , goblins, gnomes, pixies, dwarves, even weres. Some would've already found their chosen by now. She walked past them, away from the city, the town and into the forest.

Everything, as usual in the winter realm, was covered in white. In snow, ice and frost. The only natural colours in the forest were white, the brown and black of bark, stone and fur, green of the trees and plants covered in frost and the blue of ice.

She preferred to be away from everyfae right now. In a place where it was just her and her thoughts alone. In a place where she could cry, scream and stew in peace before she went back to face more disgusting torture. She was already going through enough.

There were still fae around but scarcely. She could deal with that. She just needed to go deeper. Along the way, she saw a pixie girl, she had short black hair that met her neck in an inward curl.

She was wearing a cool blue sleeveless dress that complimented her skin. She was just standing there, her eyes seemed to be somewhere else. Her wings alight. She knew what that meant. The girl had just felt the connection between herself and her chosen for the first time.

No sooner than the thought crossed her mind did her chosen appear. He was a fairy. The pixie girl turned, her eyes meeting his. He had blond hair that met his shoulders and he was lanky even in his dark green shirt and pants, his own wings alight.

From her vantage point she couldn't tell the colour of their eyes. But she could sense the emotions coming off of them, knew them too. She walked on. She hated it.

A part of her heart was happy for them, they would be happy together and a part of her heart despised it, because they clearly had what she wished to have.

She hadn't gone much deeper when another scene met her eyes. She felt angry, hurt, she felt like crying.

There was a couple in front of her. The one couple that she had been avoiding all week. The one couple she didn't want to see today. She felt the tears well up in her eyes. Shanire and Reyim.

Shanire was in Reyim's lap. They were sharing a kiss. She left. It didn't look like they would be out of it anytime soon.

It was exactly five years today that they found each other. She could remember it clearly.

It was Páliükez again. She had come of age two years ago and she still had not found her chosen. She had dreams about him, never seeing him clearly. Maybe he would come or maybe that was just her.

She liked a particular fairy for as long as she could remember. He had returned from his four year training and she had her hopes high that it would be him. Reyim. They had been good friends, that night she hoped they would be more.

She had dressed up in her best favorite. A pale purple long sleeved dress and left for the ceremony. She went with her parents. They would renew their vows for the two hundreth time.

The ceremony went wonderfully, there was music, dance and food. Even when the ceremony was over she still had hope. Many found their chosen at night, long after the ceremony was over.

She hadn't seen Reyim at all, even asked around. No one knew where he was, so she went to look for him. He never liked such large gatherings, he preferred smaller ones and there were a few places she knew he would go. She had already gone to three of them. 'Oh well' she thought. 'Three more to go.'

She went into the woods, not calling out since there was only one place he would go. She headed there. Ready to give him a lecture about leaving without telling anyone, only to find him with Shanire, a fairy girl who never liked her for some reason and a few years ago she decided the feeling was mutual, both their wings alight. Her hands in his black hair, his hands cupping her face, her dark hair in a mess as they shared their vows and a kiss.

Her heart broke into a million tiny fragments that day and broke a bit more as she remembered. The tears welling up in her eyes finally started falling. She started running. Screaming in her head how it wasn't fair.

It would be another year before she would meet her chosen and he didn't even acknowledge her, even when she was dreaming. Constantly rejecting her. Shattering what was left of her already broken heart, making it bleed more than it ever had. It wasn't fair.

She ran and kept running till she ended up on the other side of the forest. Even at that she kept running. Her white hair billowing behind her, as white as the fast spreading frost she left behind. She wished she could fly, fly till she couldn't breathe and fall to the ground and end it all. Maybe that pain would distract her from this pain.

Her father was a fairy but her mother was an elf. She looked alot like her father, a fairy, but without the wings that graced his or any other fairy's back. She inherited her mother's stature. Her long legs and wide hips. She got the speed and reflexes of an elf and the magick that came with both.

She wished she could keep running, stay away till this damn day and the days after would be over but she couldn't. She only had two hours to herself and then she had to go back. She had work to do. She sighed. Even that like everyday was torture and even more so today.

CHAPTER TWO

The run left her drained when she came back. She went straight home to shower, change and grab her uniform before she went to work. She didn't feel like eating. Maybe when she calmed down or was hungry enough she would eat something later. Right now she needed a shower.

Winter fae rarely or almost never sweat, unless in hotter weather or after or during strainous exercises. So showers weren't that common most of the time. 'They would be today though.' she thought to herself. She could feel the bitterness slowly seep in again.

Grabbing a towel before stripping, she tied it around her chest before walking into the bathroom, trying to decide between a cold or hot bath.

She decided for the usual. A nice icy cold bath. She stepped into the tub and turned the shower knob and an icy spray engulfed her, wetting her hair and her body.

Not all winter fae were cold to the touch. Some were warm or even hot. They were not impervious to the winter elements, they caught colds and running noses. Even got cold. They were just atuned to the conditions. She was warm.

She needed to hurry before anyone came around. She grabbed the bottle of soap from the stand, poured some in her left hand before putting it back and rubbing all over her body. She needed to hurry.

'Hurry for what?' the thought crossed her mind. It was true why was she hurrying she was just leaving one torture for another. Ever year.

Rage accompanied bitterness as they seeped into her body. Frost began to cover the tub and unlike when she felt normal or sad, the frost came in fast moving sharp needles. Sharp enough to cut skin, draw blood. Fast almost enough to be considered blinding.

She turned off the shower, stepping out of the tub, the killer frost receeding, in speed, size and sharpness until nothing was left.

She wasn't the kind to share her darker emotions with anything or anyone. Her rage was a silent but deadly storm that came and went. Rising before vanishing like it never existed before rearing again in her frustration. The tub didn't need to suffer, after all it had been there for her when no one was. She would not destroy it.

She took the towel and dried off tying it on her head and walking out of the bathroom. Fae weren't ashamed of their nakedness. Covering up was out of courtesy. Even for chosens. She went to her wardrobe and took out her clothes and her uniform.

*********

The Palace's interior was a marvel even from the servants entry. A combination of ice, stone, wood and metal. The sun's rays hitting the ice and changing its colour with the coming of dawn and dusk. Ice turned to stone as she continued inside. Checking into the servants quarters to write her name and check the portion of the palace she would be taking care of.

The grand house master kept things in an orderly way and in such an orderly way that no one got the same portion twice. Ever. The servants were always shifting. A way to keep secrets safe.

Some servants were already out of their uniforms, already done with their shift and getting ready to leave. Others were moving in to change into their uniforms. She joined them. All those with found chosens got cubicles, those that had not didn't. She changed and put her clothes and shoes in a shelf with her name engraved on it. She had already found hers but no one needed to know that, especially not the fae in question.

The uniform was today was pale blue in colour, each servant was given three each. One for normal days, one for special occasions within the realm and one for when high foreign royals from other realms visited. Today was a special occasion, so the pale blue. The females got gowns while the makes got trousers, white shirts and blue vests. The edges had ice crystals stitched to them giving the wearer a beautiful semi ethereal look. Anyone could find their chosen anywhere and anytime. No matter who or where they were. Hence the outfit.

She left the servants quarters and headed to do here tasks. Taking a cart with her. She had laundry duty for every room in the east wing.

Most rooms in the east wing didn't have occupants. In fact out of the thirty something rooms only four were occupied and occupied by nobels who had not been giving a permanent stay. Tonight, they would be put to use though. The bitterness was still eating at her.

There was less stone in the east wing. Everything that wasn't stone was ice,

seemingly thin ice that was as thick and as hard as volcanic rock. Even most of the furnishing was made of ice, save for the bits of wood, metal and fabric here and there. She just needed the bedsheets and any clothes there might be and head down to the laundry room.

She knocked on the first door on the right. Checking if it was occupied. A voice greeted her. A woman's voice.

"Who is it?" The woman asked from behind the door before she opened it. The woman had long pale blonde locks, that framed an oval face. She had grey eyes that turned icy when they met Iyra. Iyra did not know who this woman was but nonetheless she was nobility. She bowed.

"I'm here for the laundry milady." She answered. The woman gave a bored expression before replying. "Oh yes. Come in then." Making way for her to pass through.

Taking the cue, Iyra walked in. The lady closed the door behind her. Walking passed her in a dark blue, gem embroidered gown that hugged her figure.

"Take those." The woman said, pointing to laundry basket close to her wardrobe and made her way into the bathroom. Iyra made her way towards the wardrobe and carried the basket, holding it to her waist before she moved to the bed.

"Anything else milady?" Iyra asked, her hand moving to get the sheets off.

"Yes, take these also." The woman said. Putting a bundle of clothes in Iyra's arms.

"Will that be all milady?" Iyra asked maneuvering her way towards the door to drop the bundle in her arms and empty the basket and place in the cart before going back for the sheets.

"Yes, that will be all." The woman said sitting in front of her dresser. Looking into the mirror, putting the finishing touches on her hair, paying little attention to Iyra

With the bedsheets in her arms, Iyra bowed before leaving the room closing the door as she left.

The rest of the rooms were easy enough. The nobles acted just the same. Ignoring her, giving her clothes and letting her take the bedsheets. There were three males and one female in the wing, no one else. The woman seemed to outrank all of them. She made her way towards the laundry room.

Most of the clothes would be washed manually, cleaned with magick or magically reconstructed altogether. Of course the latter was done when the clothes were beyond repair.

She pushed the cart towards the shute, dropping the load in. It wouldn't get mixed up. The carts were magically spelled to have all its contents speak the name of the person who put them there. Everyone working in the laundry room had their own collection of clothes to clean. To know all you had to do was listen.

Taking the cart with her she headed towards the lift. The lift was made of ice, its movement powered by gears and magick. The craftsmanship of dwarves and goblins.

A superb combination of their knowledge, talents, skills, ingenuity and creativity. It certainly came in hand when you didn't have wings or any power of flight, levetation or teleportation. Stepping in, making sure the cart was inside well, she said her destination outloud.

"Laundry room."

The icy doors began closing, the slabs coming to meet each other. Once they did, a series of insignia and spells all in the shape of a snowflake appeared, shining a bright blue and the lift began to move. Move downwards. Slowly at first but then there was a sudden uptake in speed. It felt like being plunged down. Like falling.

As quick as it happened. It stopped. The doors opened. She made her way out, pushing the cart infront of her.

******

The sun had set and night had come on well before she was done. The festivities would have already started. She didn't want to go but she couldn't risk staying. With that last thought, she slipped her foot into her shoes. Grabbing her bag and taking off. Anyone who saw her running would think she was in a rush for the night. And in some ways she was, but not for the reasons they thought.

The journey away from the Palace was a long one. The longer the better. After making sure she was a good ways away, she slowed her speed to a mere walk. Her bag slung over her back as she made her way ever so slowly to the city. Ever so slowly back home. Her mind going back to the day she found him.

It was the last night of the three day celebration. Infact it was almost over. She was still hurt over Reyim. She was alone in the forest, sitting on a solitary frost covered rock. Hurt more that she had not found her chosen. Hurt even more by the thought she maybe didn't have one. She wanted to spend the rest of the night there. Alone.

The night passed and the day began. The previous day gone but the world still shrouded in dark skies.

Everything was silent, save for the wind that blew, carrying the symphony of cricket song and the chime of icicles knocking gently against each other in the trees. She stayed there for another hour.

By now her parents would be worried. They had let her stay out this long because she was to be an adult next year. Certain freedoms were hers now that she hadn't known existed.

She got up from the rock and with a burst of speed set for home. The trees blurring as she ran. She was getting closer, she could see the lights. The lights in houses, in the streets. The festival lights. Then she heard Then she heard screams. She stopped dead. She saw smoke and fae running. Fleeing.

*The places with extra space before them are memories. They are meant to be italicized.*

CHAPTER THREE

*All this is a memory.*

She wondered what happened. What was going on. She didn't know but she ran with them.

"What is going on?" She asked. Her question thrown to whoever would answer. Her legs pumping as she ran. Trying to figure out where they were all headed.

Seeing the destruction that was on display. Homes, businesses, streets, trees all destroyed. But by who? What?

She saw a group of guards up ahead, motioning for everyfae to get inside a tunnel quickly. Everyfae seemed to run faster at the sight of the tunnel. Safety already in sight.

They all ran in. The tunnel was large and long, large enough for flying and other fae that were equally just as large, lights guiding the way.

The guards spied outside for a bit more before going the in with the rest of us, sealing the way in before doing so.

The tunnel opened up into a giant dome shape. A giant crystal was fixed in the center of the ceiling serving as light a source.

There were so many fae inside already. Fae with very scared expressions on their faces, holding crying and startled children. Fae with injuries. Broken limbs, gashes in their flesh, broken and torn wings.

The guards that closed the doors rushed passed her. One of them was wearing with armour, armour with the same insignia as Reyim's squad. She rushed after him. Catching by his arm, he turned. He had blond hair and brown eyes. Stubble was evident on his chin.

"Where is Reyim?" She asked. Her mind still hectic. She had not seen her parents or anyone she recognized. Reyim was helping them both on a project that they refused to tell her anything about.

"He's not here." He answered. Her heart fell dramatically.

"He's probably in one of the other domes." He continued. "I have to go. Excuse me." He said before pulling his hand away. She let his hand go and he disappeared into crowd.

She was remembered she was running towards the Southside of the city so she would completely avoid everyfae including her parents. They were already sensing something was wrong.

She had not wanted to talk about anything and wanted to be completely tired when she got home so they would leave her be. She was in the city's south. Her home was in the north. All of them were still there. She just hoped they were ok.

Several hours passed. Everything in the dome was less frantic. The wounded were being taken care of and mended. The children had stopped crying. They had been given warm meals and most of them were asleep.

She was tired, her run during the festival and that of safety had taken a toll on her. She didn't have any energy left from her early emotions. The adrenaline rush was over. All she was left with was uncertainty, confusion and fear of the unknown.

All the beds and chairs were taken, almost everyone was sleeping, so she settled for the spot on floor closest to the wall. She made her way there, making sure not to step or knock into somefae sleeping.

She placed her back to the wall and slid down its smooth surface till her butt touched the floor. Bringing her legs to her, using them to rest her arms and her head. Her earlier questions rang through her head. What was happening? Was it the rebels? If so why now?

She heard hushed ramblings near her. She raised her head and turned it in the direction of the ramblings. The ramblings were coming from an old dwarf, a few other dwarves tried to calm him down as his hushed ramblings turned to screams. Waking some fae with a jolt.

"I told you he was coming! I told you! I told you!" He screamed.

"Popop, no one's coming. It's just some rebels." One of the male dwarves said. He had rich brown hair that flowed down his back. The only thing she could see from where she sat. Must be one his relatives. She thought.

By now her curiosity had peaked and she got up from her position and went over to where the dwarves were. Other fae joined her.

"What is the old dwarf talking about? A fairy asked. His crown was bandaged. An injury that would have to mend on its own. Both his wings were torn, mending ever so slowly.

"Nothing, he's believing one of his hallucinations again." The same dwarf replied. At this the old dwarf looked at him, anger evident in his face and his voice.

"You still do not believe me, Torak?! None of you still believe me!" He continued to scream, drawing more attention.

From where she stood, she could see the old dwarf clearly, he had completely white hair that was a result of age tied in and braided behind him, his skin was wrinkly, flabby against his bones, weathered by time. He could have been more of less a thousand years old. His auburn eyes showed wisdom and insanity. It would be hard to believe anything he said.

"We believe you Popop. We do." His relative said. The rest nodded in affirmative. A reply meant to make the person it was directly spoken to believe it. The speaker had no belief whatsoever.

On closer observation, the dwarf named Torak, not only rich brown hair but eyes too and a beard that nearly covered all of his lower jaw.

"Why aren't we leaving then? Why aren't we all leaving?! We all have to get out of here?!" The old dwarf screamed as he tried to stand. He fell back almost immediately.

"Where is my walking stick? We have to move! We must not doddle!"

He screamed before trying to stand again. Torak and his family kept him down.

"We will Popop but we have to wait awhile first, bombs are still flying outside. We will all leave when they stop. When it's safe." Torak said.

By then a crowd had formed behind the family, herself included.

"Somefae please shut him up!" A fae shouted as the cries of young children and babies grew more.

"Keep it down." Another shouted.

"What is going on?" Came another.

"What is he talking about?"

"What is he so afraid of?" Somefae asked.

At this the old dwarf turned his neck so fast any faster and it would have broken and fixed his eyes on the young goblin that had asked the question.

"You do not know what frightens me?" The old dwarf asked.

The young goblin seemed scared now. Anyone would be with the look the old dwarf threw. He was still a child. He stood rooted and shook his head. His black curls bouncing around his face.

The old dwarf kept his eyes on the boy. "What frightens me should frighten all of you here! All of you!" He continued to scream.

"You do not know of who I speak of because he has been told as a scary to scare you young ones into behaving. The only ones with sense enough to believe. These fools that call themselves adults refuse the simplest thing that I'm trying to tell them!"

"That's enough Popop, you are scaring the young lad." One of the dwarves said.

A female this time with the same auburn in the old dwarf's eyes but on her head in a series of long braids tied behind her back and silver eyes. The old dwarf seemed to calm down.

Taking the opportunity, she turned to the young goblin. "Go on now, stay with your mother." She said in calm voice.

The goblin boy let out the breath he had not known he had been holding. His black eyes said a thank you as he turned and pushed into the crowd, leaving the old dwarf and his ramblings behind.

The old dwarf started laughing crazily, his aged yellow teeth gleaming in the crystal light. Spit flying. Many moved back. The dwarf was obviously insane.

"You want to know what I'm afraid of? Do you?!" He continued laughing hysterically.

At this point some had taken a couple steps back. Most of the dwarves were hiding their faces. Too embarrassed by what their Popop was doing.

"The only fae who fought and survived the battle of Geaten. The one who harbours the secrets of Deokyen. The fae whose mission is to seek vengeance for his fellow soldiers. To tear apart this kingdom from the roots and completely reconstruct it, destroying whatever is in his path. No matter what rank, age or gender. Whether good or evil!" His laughter had died down, his eyes full of madness now. Shining like little jewels in the light. His face twisted in a show of old and burning insanity as he spoke.

"They called him evil, ruthless, cruel, incapable of mercy! Now he is! Colder than anything in the realm of winter. Dark as the night sky in the realm of eternal darkness. Now he is! He is unforgiving, forsaken and long past the point of redemption. He is real and he is here! Maleric Asagaia! The last solider left standing in King Osidian's Flurrian army! Son to the Queen of night and darkness, Waleia! He is here and he will kill us all! We all have to leave! Leave now!" His screams reached their peak.

Guards appeared, with them were healers. One of the healers, took out a vial from her bag, going close to the dwarf as his family members tried to keep him down. His movements had suddenly become savage and powerful. This was the dwarf that couldn't stand a few moments ago.

"Keep that thing away from me! He screamed seeing the healer and the vial in her hand, moving more vigorously.

"Aren't you all listening to me?! We have to leave!"

"Stay away from me!" He shouted on seeing the healer.

"It will all be better Popop. Don't worry." The female dwarf who had the auburn hair said. "It will all be better when you wake up."

"Aureasol! I'm not going to sleep! Get her away from me! I won't have her knock me out! I have had enough of being thrown into oblivion when i am speaking! I. Will. Not. Have. It. Anymore!" He screamed. His voice carrying annoyance and power. Power they all felt.

He got up, pushing his relatives to the ground, getting ready to run. The guards grabbed him. Holding him down with all their strength and all their results of training. The healer rushed. Her hand going to the vial to take off the stopper.

"Don't you dare you bitch!" He screamed.

She dared. The healer took of the stopper just as he was about to swear at her again and waved the opened vial below his nostrils. The old dwarf instantly went off to sleep. Falling into an oblivion he hated.

The other healers approached the guards, levetating the dwarf into a position that faced his back to the ground and carried him off in the direction of the medic wing.

The guard waved his hand to the crowd.

"It's all over everyfae. Nothing to see here." He said and the crowd despersed.

"Mad old cout." A goblin said walking away.

Torak and Aureasol were already apologizing. "We are so sorry for what my Grand father just did." Aureasol apologized. "He has been like this for a long time. His condition is taking its toll on him." Torak added.

"It's alright. The healers will take care of him and hopefully keep him asleep till this all stops." One of the guards said.

"Thank you." Torak said. She couldn't hear the rest. She was already leaving when there was a loud howl.

A howl loud enough to penetrate several hundred meters below the surface. Everyfae stopped. Silent. The babies were still crying, parents trying to keep them quite. As soon as it began, the howl ended. Still everyfae continued to be silent. Nothing followed for several minutes.

Then, there was a banging at the tunnel entrance. Someone was trying to get in. One of the guards near the entrance tried to make a move, his comrade held him and shook his head. No one else made a move. The banging continued.

"Let me in!" The fae screamed. It was a male's voice. "Let me in! Let me in!" He continued to scream and no one made a move to help him.

"Let me in! Let me in you bastards! Let me in! Please. Let m-" His pleas were interrupted by a scream of terror. His scream of terror. One of agony followed and a terrible rending of flesh followed. No other sound followed. Just silence, for several more terror filled minutes.

Then, a more powerful banging started. Whatever got the fae outside was trying to resume his job. Getting inside.

The guards began to work. Leading everyone to another escape tunnel. The tunnel wasn't lit by any lights this time. Everyone just blindly followed in the dark except for those with night vision. The guards leading them probably did.

They reached a room with lights. At the far walls were portals.

"These all lead to a safe house in the Palace." One of the guards clerified. There were six guards and three portals in the room.

"One of us will lead each group into the portals and the others will come in after you. Got that." He said. Everyfae nodded. The banging becoming louder.

Looking at his fellow guards, he nodded and so did they.

"Let's go!" He said and went into the portal on the left. The other guards took the portals in the middle and on the right. Every other fae followed.

She was pushed to the portal on the right. The blond fae from Reyim's squad. He nodded at her before she was unceremoniously pushed in by the fae behind her and nearly trampled when she went through the portal.