The night was serene. The stars glimmered softly in the dark sky, casting their light over the frozen kingdom of IceStorm. Some people walked peacefully through the streets. Others, however, didn't have that privilege.
In a rented cabin, isolated from the city, Ferinish dined alone in the kitchen. Her gaze was distant, burdened with a quiet sorrow, as if something important was missing.
The warmth of the food brought some comfort, albeit fleeting. Once she finished, she rose in silence and walked toward the bedroom, where Slady had remained unconscious for days.
"…"
She sat by the bed, resting her head on his chest. The steady sound of his heartbeat made her sigh in relief.
"I know you're going to wake up, Slady. And I'll be here for you."
She then returned to the kitchen. She dampened a cloth with warm water and added a bit of soap.
"This should help keep you clean..."
She returned to the bedroom and carefully undressed Slady. Her eyes moved along his body, not with malice, but with tenderness. The scars that covered his skin told stories she didn't yet know… but wanted to learn.
"I won't leave you like this."
Gently, she ran the damp cloth over his chest, feeling the texture shaped by old wounds. When she reached his most intimate part, she hesitated. She had little experience with male bodies, aside from the few shared baths to conserve water.
"Eh..."
Looking for a reference, she searched among the books on the shelf until she found simple instructions.
"Gently pull… keep it clean... Alright."
She sat at the edge of the bed, blushing, but resolute. She wasn't doing it out of obligation, but out of care, out of love.
"Just part of the job..."
***
The next morning, Ferinish washed Slady's clothes with an almost ceremonial focus. The tough fabric demanded effort, but she was patient. She submerged the garments in frozen water and, with a touch of magic, warmed the liquid to ease the cleaning.
After finishing, she placed the clothes in a wooden basin and returned home. But as she approached the door, she noticed a figure standing still.
'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… not even wearing the military uniform."
Her eyes scanned the cabin and settled on Ferinish, surprised by her domestic posture.
"What happened to you… and to Slady?"
Ferinish turned her gaze away, heavy with sorrow.
***
"I… I'm sorry for this."
Carolina covered her mouth upon seeing Slady's physical condition.
"Yes… it was your queen who did this."
Ferinish's voice carried a quiet hatred. Carolina nodded, feeling the weight of those words.
"I can imagine… seeing a friend like that."
"Slady is not just a friend to me."
The revelation caught her off guard. Carolina hesitated, but then understood.
"I see… that makes it hurt 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 think. It's nutrition. I need to feed him."
With precision, she injected the liquid into Slady's neck.
"Ah… it's just that… Slady used to use that stuff for other purposes, you know?"
"I know. We used a lot of it when we were starving and far from the cabin… we survived days without food with just a single dose."
"That's… insane."
Carolina sat down, stunned. Ferinish joined her, her gaze fixed on Slady.
"This kind of substance… was the beginning of Fraizen's downfall."
"What do you mean?"
Ferinish raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"She's weakening. The people say it's divine punishment… but from what little I know of Slady, I think he had something to do with it."
A faint smile formed on Ferinish's lips.
"I see..."
But Carolina frowned.
"The problem is that Fraizen is furious. And she sent me here… to hunt you down."
Ferinish fell silent for a moment.
"Then… why didn't you try?"
"I…"
Carolina looked away.
"I'm tired. We've fought before… but I see now that all you want is peace. And honestly, I'm sure Fraizen knows I wouldn't stand a chance against either of you."
Her eyes settled on Slady for a few seconds. Ferinish stepped closer and pressed her blade to Carolina's neck again.
"Think carefully about what you'll do."
"I know who I'm dealing with. And no… I'd never hurt Slady, not even with the perfect opportunity."
Ferinish pulled back and sheathed her sword. Carolina collapsed onto the couch, exhausted.
"When I joined the army… I just wanted to be strong. I wanted to give my little brother a better future. Do you understand that? To be the best person possible for someone?"
Ferinish nodded slowly.
"I understand more than you think…"
"But now… all I see is paperwork, my brother only sees me at night, and the people still live in fear. Not of criminals… but of the queen herself. Of Fraizen, the one who was supposed to protect them."
Ferinish looked at her, sincere.
"You'd have more right to be queen than she does."
Carolina widened her eyes, shaking her head.
"No… I'm not strong like you. Nor as politically sharp as 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 a distance between you two. Why?"
Carolina lowered her head.
"Carlos Rezon always wanted to be a soldier. Just 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 or your friendship with Carlos… there are other paths."
Carolina chuckled bitterly.
"If only 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 closely, surprised by the serious tone.
"Go ahead."
"I've seen soldiers try to leave. Some couldn't take it anymore… others disagreed with her orders. All of them disappeared."
"And the reason?"
"Fraizen said serving her was a divine privilege. And anyone who rejects that… doesn't deserve to live."
Ferinish clenched her fists, understanding the unspoken truth.
"That woman… she's the devil himself. What made her this way?"
Carolina sighed, disheartened.
"Before becoming a Destroyer, they say Fraizen was sweet. Innocent. But she accidentally fell into an Inférius… and spent days there, alone. Had to survive that frozen hell."
Ferinish leaned on the bed, listening intently.
"When she came back, she was no longer the same. She massacred a village and raised the walls that now surround IceStorm with her power. She took the throne by force."
Ferinish reflected in silence.
'Is all this revenge? Pain? Or was shesimplycorrupted by power?'
"Was there a king before Fraizen?"
"Yes. I don't remember the name. The records were in the old castle she destroyed. But my grandmother said his name was Antônio III."
"Antônio III?"
"Yes. From the old royal family. Unlike past kings, he was fair. A good ruler, even if only for a short time. But he lost to Fraizen… after she had already become something monstrous."
Ferinish nodded, deeply lost in thought.
"If I may ask one last question…"
"Of course, Ferinish. I'm here to help."
"If Fraizen were to die, whether from the poison Slady used or if someone kills her, will those walls disappear?"
"That's a very interesting question."
Carolina crossed her arms over her chest.
"I think so. Everything in IceStorm exists because of her. The region used to be cold, but bearable. Now, the sun barely shines, all because of Fraizen and her hold over this land."
Ferinish nodded, then stood, motivated.
"We will gather our strength, with the strongest soldiers and the people of IceStorm. We will try to make Fraizen change her ways. But if she won't…"
Her voice grew serious and cold.
"We'll kill her, and someone will take the throne."
Carolina stared in disbelief. She rose from her chair.
"That's… almost suicide. Fraizen is weakened, but she's still incredibly powerful. Didn't you see what she did to Slady?"
Ferinish gripped the hilt of her sword, looking at Slady, whose chest rose and fell gently, proof that he was still alive.
"I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for him. I want to give Slady a safe place, far from pain."
Carolina nodded slowly.
"You're really a woman in love."
Then Carolina brought her hands together in front of her waist.
"But you're not wrong. I want to be there for my little brother. I want to be the kind of friend Carlos can rely on. I want to be free from pain, too."
She looked at Ferinish with serious, motivated eyes.
"I want you to help me, Ferinish. To change the fate of my kingdom. To make this place not only better for me… but for the people who live in it."
***
In the castle...
Fraizen Rosenmary was in the bathroom. Her body seemed more intact, but black, root-like spots still covered her skin. As if, even though Slady's poison had been contained... it was still there.
She looked at herself in the mirror, running her hand, which had turned into something like icy claws, across her face, tearing the tissue of her skin brutally.
"I swear... I swear to Zyrionq that I will kill that man and that woman. I will make their lives hell!!"