As Glacius and Electrica approached the grand entrance of her palace, the electric guards crossed their staffs, barring their path. Their eyes flickered with uncertainty as they assessed the imposing figure beside their mistress.
Before Glacius could speak, Electrica stepped forward, her voice sharp. "He is with me. Let him pass."
The guards exchanged wary glances but, fearing her notorious temper, they hesitated only a moment before stepping aside. The massive doors groaned open, revealing the opulent interior.
Inside, the palace was a testament to Electrica's power: walls pulsed with currents of energy, and the air hummed with latent electricity. At the center stood her throne, an intricate design of metal and crackling energy.
Glacius approached it without hesitation and seated himself, the cold aura around him causing a thin layer of frost to form on its surface. He leaned back, exuding an air of ownership.
"This suits me," he remarked, his voice echoing through the chamber.
Electrica watched him, her heart pounding. "So, you truly intend to freeze the world?"
He turned his gaze to her, eyes like glaciers. "Yes. And with you by my side, you'll witness it all."
A deep blush spread across her cheeks. "Then... I'm yours."
Without warning, Glacius reached out, pulling her onto the throne beside him. The sudden closeness made her heart race. "Sit with me," he commanded.
Electrica's mind raced. Was this truly happening? Had the icy prince chosen her? She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course."
As she settled beside him, Glacius closed his eyes. "I will rest now. Conserve my strength."
She hesitated. "May I... join you?"
A slight nod was his only response.
As he drifted into slumber, Electrica leaned against him, feeling the juxtaposition of his cold form against her warmth. Her thoughts briefly flickered to the fairy girl. "She's gone now," she murmured.
Glacius's voice, though soft, carried conviction. "I struck with precision. There's no chance she survived."
Comforted by his certainty, Electrica allowed herself to relax, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest lulling her into a peaceful sleep.
Glacius sat motionless on the throne, eyes shut, as Electrica slept peacefully, leaning against him. But slowlyâquietlyâhis eyes snapped open, sharp and calculating beneath his frozen calm.
A smirk crept across his face.
"So this is it," he murmured under his breath. "A great alliance... and a devoted princess who supports me." His voice dripped with satisfaction. "Feels great... she actually fell for me. All too easy."
He looked at Electrica, still asleep beside him, and whispered, "This is just the beginning of something much bigger. With her influence, her reach, her armies... my conquest would have spread even faster."
He stood, gently moving away from the throne so as not to wake her.
"But first," he said coolly, "I need to prioritize my remaining task."
Meanwhile...
Far from the palace, an hour had passed since the brutal confrontation.
Near the outer edges of the island, waves lapped softly against the gentle shores of the neutral aquatic village. A ripple in the ocean carried with it a tragic sightâPrincess Peggy, bloodied and motionless, drifting near the edge of consciousness... or perhaps life itself.
Gasps echoed through the quiet village as the neutrals spotted her floating form.
"Someoneâhelp her!"
A few dove in and gently lifted her out of the water, laying her carefully on the wet sands. Her wings were torn, her light dimmed. Blood still seeped from the wound impaled by Glacius's ice spear.
The aquatic neutrals surrounded her, hearts heavy with dread.
"She... she's not breathing..." one whispered, choking back a sob.
"She... she's dead," another cried.
"No, she can't be!" a younger neutral wailed, clutching her pale hand. "She was our hope!"
Their mourning spread like a tidal waveâgrief and helplessness etched on every face.
Without her, there was no guarantee Glacius would honor the peace... no protection from what may come next.
"She was the only one who stood against him," an elder murmured. "And now..."
The gathering fell silent, their hearts shattered, staring down at the fallen fairy whose light once gave them courage.
Tears ran like rivers, merging with the ocean tide.
Hope had fallen.
Inside the throne room, the icy glow of monitors lit up Glacius's calm, calculating face.
He scrolled through the various security feeds Electrica had set up throughout her island. His expression, typically neutral, showed a faint trace of amusement.
"So... she really went all in," he muttered. "Spies in every corner. Surveillance tight as steel. Can't believe she's this intelligent..."
He glanced sideways at Electrica, still sleeping near the throne, her lips curled in a faint smile even in slumber.
"Impressive," Glacius said, eyes lingering on her. "A worthy one indeed."
Turning back to the screen, his tone shiftedâmore analytical, colder.
"Security's solid. No one's sneaking in or out unnoticed. She's built a fortress here. No wonder the neutrals are terrified."
But then, for a brief second, he said nothing. Just stared blankly at the screen that still replayed a flickering, slowed-down memory of the earlier battle.
Peggy. Bleeding. Falling. Fading.
He closed the footage and stood up, brushing back his cloak.
"She played her part," he said quietly.