Heart of Ice, Soul of Fire

Two specks traveled across a sea of white. Two, one dark and one light, together they moved through a horizon of snow. Two girls ran for their lives.

Before, a wall of red blocked their way. Behind, a wave of scarlet swiftly closed in. Around, the jaws of crimson slowly tightened. Nearing the barrier, the two girls skidded to a stop.

The first was a girl of dark black hair and seemingly similar colored eyes. Raven her name, demon by fame. Slightly cowering behind was Alynthi, hair the color of pale gold and icy blue eyes.

Together they gasped for air, winded from the escape. A shared look told all that was needed, breath too precious for words. 

The only way through is through. Find the weakest link. Stay close.

But in their hesitation, valuable time was wasted. The crimson was almost upon them.

In fear, Alynthi let out a little squeak, but Raven grabbed her arm and led them onward into the incoming enemy. The little girl bit her lip and followed, straining to keep up with her friend.

Wide eyes full of anxiety gazed at the army ahead. Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. They could do this. 

As reality sank in, a whole new side of Alynthi was revealed. Gone was the terrified youngster a moment before. Here was the viscous demon (albeit still a bunny) fighting for their lives. The girl set her jaw and cleared at the scarlet wave before, matching Raven’s fiery vengeance with an icy hate of her own. They would not stop here.

Forward. Forward. Forward. All at once, the three forces collided. crimson before. crimson behind. The two trapped in the middle. The girls were soon enveloped in the sea of red. There, they let their true colors show . . .

With a resounding roar, Raven unleashed her fury in a the form of her gift. Pyro. Fire. Flames licked at her hands, scarring the face of one who came too near.

Equally dangerous (though a bit less controlled), little Alynthi struck out with hers. Cryo. Ice. Shards of said elements were hurled at all she could reach.

Together, the two girls fought bravely, back-to-back. With arcs of fire felling dozens and spears of ice, dozens more, the sea of crimson slowly gave way. With all their force focused at one point, the ranks were thinning. They seemed to be breaking through. 

But, like all epic battles, victory wouldn’t come that easy . . .

Only amateurs in their abilities, Raven and Alynthi were soon tiring. The began to lose control. At the end of their energy, they slowed. But the crimsons did not.

Again and again they moved up to take the fallen’s places. There seemed no end . . .

Raven’s fire started to overtake her, burning all it could reach. She could not tame it. It was too far gone. Hands as scarlet as the surrounding enemy, Raven fought back the urge to scream. Scream in fury. In pain. In hate. In defeat.

But she could not. There was Alynthi. Covered in frost from her unleashed power, she pressed on through the biting cold. If the demon bunny could go on, so would the demon herself. But it was too late . . .

With a howl of pain, Alynthi fell to her knees, an arrow having pierced her leg. Furious beyond recognition, Raven lashed out with newfound energy. A whirlwind of fire erupted around the two, providing them a moment of respite. A wall of flame holding out the scarlet. The two huddled in the eye of the storm.

A startled cry and the arrow was removed. Raven gently helped Alynthi to her feet, love for her friend evident in the dark eyes. Carefully yet swiftly, Raven slung Alynthi’s arm over her shoulders as the little girl gasped in pain. But now was no time to stop.

Together they managed a few staggering steps, but all at once, the firestorm receded. Raven’s energy was nearly spent. 

But they were so close. The river was just up ahead. The river. Their goal. Their freedom. Just up ahead, yet bordered by the crimsons. There was no way through but through. 

A death wish.

Yet they had nothing left to lose. 

And all to gain . . .

 Onward they went. 

Raven took a few of the approaching crimsons down with well-aimed fireballs. The rest seemed to be milling around in a confused mayhem. Thankfully for the girls.

But they were tired. Oh so tired. Raven sagged under Alynthi’s weight as it was all the little girl could do to keep from crying out at every jarring step. 

Almost there. Almost there. Almost th-

A shout and a new assault was launched at the two. This one, they could not fight off. Unless . . . 

Alynthi pulled them to a stop and faced the crimsons, leaning almost entirely on Raven for support. Here goes nothing . . . 

The girl closed her eyes and the snow around them began to swirl. Around and around it twisted, wind howling with a vengeance. Alynthi’s outstretched hands finally dropped and the storm instantly ceased. Sitting there, between the crimsons and they, was a . . . snowman? 

Oops. A look that could only be described as sheepish invaded Alynthi’s eyes as everything paused to stare at her creation. Suddenly remembering what was going on, she pulled Raven away and they staggered away as fast as possible. 

A roar echoed from behind. Raven glanced back and eyes widened. Demon snowman. Alynthi’s little snowman had waged a war of its own and could no longer be called what it was. More like a snowmonster now.

But not all were preoccupied with fighting the beast. A section had broken away and were now back on their trail. And gaining fast.

As hard as they tried, Alynthi with her leg could not move any faster than a slow walk. The crimsons were at a full-on sprint. 

Oh please . . . 

Raven felt Alynthi give way, eyes closed. She was done. The snowmonster had taken too much out of her and now it was all Raven could to to help her move.

Almost there. 

She looked up, eyes determined. 

The river was just up ahead. They were nearly there. But so were the crimsons. 

Almost there. Almost there. 

With a start, Raven noticed the river icing over. She glanced at Alynthi, but the little girl was on the verge of collapsing. It couldn’t be her... Could it?

But across the river stood another group. Clothed in white they were, almost invisible against the snow. They seemed . . . different . . . in some way.

Almost there. Almost there. Almost there.

Raven gave them no more thought than a quick glance. She had Alynthi to think about. The crimsons were almost upon them. 

Suddenly . . . They were gone . . .

Never looking back, the girl of fire knew only that they had a chance. A hope. 

At the river’s edge, she paused a moment, looking out over the ice. Was it strong? Would it hold?

There was no time to know. The sounds of battle grew ever nearer. 

With a deep breath, Raven took a step forward.

Onto the ice. 

Over the border. 

Raven and Alynthi were finally free.

They had finally returned home . . .