Opening her eyes, Fraizen looked around, realizing she was no longer in the human world. In front of her was a light, like a formless spirit. The light burned her eyes, forcing her to look away. Now she realized her body was the same as in her past life, human.
Her body was naked, but she felt no shame or discomfort; it was natural. Then a voice echoed in her ears.
"You are dead, your judgment is final, you must go to hell."
A small wave of despair rose in her chest. Fraizen looked back, seeing a shadowy corridor and a dark gate, stinking and emanating only darkness. The queen, now human, considered her decisions, accepting her fate.
"I have done terrible things, I deserve this..."
Taking a step toward the door, the voice echoed in her head.
"All humans tend to fear hell. They want to escape, they try to stay between heaven and hell, but they're always taken there..."
That light floats toward Fraizen, making her feel a pleasant warmth, like a fatherly embrace all over her body.
"But you accept it, you acknowledge your mistakes; that's an act of courage and wisdom. But I won't lie: it will be very painful to pay for all your sins in hell. But when it's all over, you'll realize it was worth it."
Fraizen didn't look at the light, watching the entire dark path illuminated, as if all the evil around that gate had been eliminated.
Standing in front of the gate, Fraizen hesitated and took a deep breath.
"I'm afraid, my God."
"Don't call me God, just Zyrionq. And don't be afraid, I'll be rooting for the success of your purification. And when I can welcome you, I'll welcome you with open arms."
The light mingled with Fraizen's body, her body enveloped in a warm embrace, like a loving father's embrace for his daughter. She hugged herself, as if returning the embrace.
"Promise?"
"Yes, I promise..."
Fraizen closed her eyes, and the light moved away from her, returning to its original place.
"It may take centuries or millennia for you to be purified of your sins, but all will be ended with eternity. I wish you good luck, my daughter."
"Thank you, my father."
Feeling more relieved by her creator's actions and words, she opened the gates of hell, surrendering to her fate...
***
Returning to the castle, Ferinish found Slady, leaning her only arm against the wall. She approached, and their eyes met.
"Ferinish... am I too late?"
"No, it hasn't..."
She placed her hands on the man's shoulders, helping him to his feet. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed, and Ferinish leaped out of the castle.
"I have questions for you, Slady. But this isn't the time."
As he climbed into the castle, Ferinish saw the walls surrounding IceStorm crumble in a colossal tsunami. The survivors of the kingdom screamed in despair, but Ferinish remained calm, leaping out of the kingdom and heading toward the tsunami.
"I feel... strong, stronger than I ever would as a human..."
Just as the tsunami was about to engulf the entire kingdom, Ferinish drew his sword, slicing the tsunami in half, the water beginning to evaporate and other drops falling into the sky. The clouds parted, revealing a bright sun that had not been seen for so long.
Seeing the waters begin to fall upon the people, the people celebrated, believing in a divine miracle. Ferinish remained standing in her place, watching the drops fall like rain on her, the liquid not even touching her, evaporating instantly.
'...but with all this power, won't I become a monster, like Fraizen did?'
Ferinish thought. Then she fell to her knees in the snow, exhaustion taking over her body completely.
With a sigh, she fell to the ground, unconscious.
A few days later...
The sun was shining in the skies of IceStorm, with many celebrations, but also tributes to those who had passed. The cold was still intense, but much more bearable than it had been before.
In the cabin, Ferinish woke in her bed, feeling an ache of exhaustion in her body, but also, her body felt stronger than before.
She pulled back the covers, realizing her nakedness and noticing that her size had also increased a bit. She wrapped her body in the covers and got out of bed. Looking at herself in the mirror, she stared at her eyes, which were dark blue with a white slit shaped like fire. Her hair was dark, with streaks of blue.
She felt so... beautiful...
Closing her eyes, Ferinish smelled a pleasant aroma from the kitchen, and her heart pounded as she remembered Slady. Going into the kitchen, she found the man sitting in the chair and serving a brownie at the table. That crispy cake looked delicious.
"You're awake..."
Slady inclined her head, taking a piece of the cake and serving it to the woman.
"Have a taste."
Without a word, still wrapped in a blanket, Ferinish sat in the chair, picking up the cake and consuming it.
"Hmmmmmm..."
She closes her eyes and moans at the flavor. The crunchiness was impeccable, with a slightly burnt taste, but it gave an incredible extra kick. The brownie was like relief after so much pain.
"Thank you."
"You can eat, I made it for you."
Slady leaned back in her chair, silent, oblivious to Ferinish's condition. Without realizing it, the woman leaned over and rested her head on the man's shoulder. He didn't object, placing his hand in her hair and giving it a gentle caress.
"You told me you had doubts, Ferinish. Satisfy me."
"Okay..."
She shifts in her chair, staring at Slady seriously.
"How did you wake up and know I was fighting Fraizen... and how did you get the equipment so quickly to face her, even if only for a short time?"
The man leaned back against the furniture, thoughtful. Then he answered her honestly and calmly.
"I forced my mind to wake up; I've been having a headache because of it. During my 'unconsciousness,' I could hear everything and feel everything. I knew you would face her, Ferinish. And about the equipment... I always find a way to produce it."
He nodded, showing the complicated state of the kitchen sink, full of liquids and mixtures, attempts to produce the poisons. Ferinish observed the scene and then remembered what he said, feeling embarrassed.
"Did you even hear my statements? I didn't mean to..."
"Don't worry, it's okay."
He places his hand on Ferinish's shoulder, feeling the tension in his body.
"We'll talk about this soon. Rest up. The process of becoming a Destroyer has undergone some changes, only allowing you to obtain 10% of your full power."
"Okay... and the rest?"
"In my experience, there's some Destroyer who has 90% of the total power. Who it is, I don't know."
He shrugged. Ferinish stood up, feeling more tired than usual. Slady supported her on his shoulder, helping carry her to the bedroom.
"Just because I don't have my mechanical arm doesn't mean I can't help you."
Ferinish simply surrendered, letting herself be laid down on the bed... she looked a little sad, Slady noticed.
"What happened?"
He sat on the edge of the bed. Ferinish stared back at him, covering his chest slightly with the blanket, feeling more vulnerable than usual.
"I feel like you weren't affected by my feelings, Slady. I love you, and you didn't care..."
"..."
"I just want an answer, you don't have to reciprocate, I just want you to be honest with me..."
Before he could say the next sentence, Ferinish felt his lips touch Slady's. The shock was instantaneous, but she felt a great sense of relief, as if she had received the answer she so desperately needed. The gesture was innocent, not profound, but still lingering. The man pulled away, looking at the woman with his usual emotionless expression, but in his eyes, he felt the meaning of that kiss.
"Satisfied?"
"Yes... that's what I needed."
She gave a small but genuine smile, laying her head on her lap against the man's. He put his only remaining arm in her hair, gently smoothing it.
That morning became more special than usual...