Into a New Realm

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This chapter has been edited.

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Chapter 6: Into A New Realm

[Sellirina Arc I]

"So, Sellirina huh?" Blaize asked as he stood in front of the various portals along everyone else. Everything was now ready and all they had to do was enter the portal going to their destination. The realm of fire and ice, Sellirina.

"Yup. That's the place." Rinne replied with a nod.

"Actually I've been there before with my father." the Violet prince, V said suddenly, surprising everyone. He was usually silent so his reply was quite unexpected.

"Really?! So, what is it like?" Urika asked, joining in the conversation.

"The realm is divided into two regions, intense heat and bone-chilling cold. I guess that's why they're dividing us into two groups." V stated without any rise or fall in his tone. It was completely deadpan, just like his expression.

They all nodded in understanding.

As soon as everyone entered the portal to the realm of fire and ice, Saya's group were immediately greeted by a really strong blizzard in the middle of nowhere. For this mission, they were divided to two groups. Our group was, well, here in the ice part while the other one was in the fire territory. The people in the group were Saya, Sumire, Kiede and their chevaliers, the green prince, Pierre and the yellow prince, Kise.

"What's our location?!" Saya yelled through the cold blizzard and immediately summoned her armor via the rose petals and saw the others do so as well.

"Isn't it obvious? Were in the Ice territory!" Kiede replied her with a shout.

"Let's fly over this blizzard. We might reach the Ice Kingdom faster that way." Pierre suggested. It was actually quite a wise idea.

"That's a great idea. Let's do just that." Kise said while grinning wide.

Saya had to admit that that was certainly a good idea, if it weren't for the fact that Haji can't fly.

Haji was her knight so he also must have inherited her powers as well as the ability to fly but for some reasons, he couldn't. Her parents told her it was completely normal for a case as such to happen but sometimes, it still really sucked.

Haji seemed to guess Saya's thought and patted her head.

"Don't think too much." Haji said warmly. To be honest, it was completely fine for him not to fly but sometimes, he found it to be inconvenient not to be able to. But no matter, he could and will protect her no matter what.

"I'm sorry-" Saya raised her head to apologize but before she could continue, Haji suddenly grabbed her and covered her mouth.

"Shh!" he gestured, placing his slender pointer finger on his lips. Saya looked around to see that the others were on alert.

Ahh... She really was such an idiot.

A sound through the bushes alerted them, and that meant there were people watching. And right then, figures, people with hair as white as snow and skin glistening like ice appeared. They were dressed lightly as if the weather didn't affect them.

At the sight of them, Saya's hand instinctively went to one of her swords situated in her waist.

They were surprised yet again when the white haired people all suddenly bowed lowly. Actually, all of them were surprised.

Sumire and the others looked over at Saya. It would seem they were expecting her to say something. She guessed her mother being the ultimate queen made her the instant leader.

Saya sighed. Let's do this.

"Rise." she commanded. The white haired people rose up from their position and a man in his twenties, their leader, it would seem, stepped up.

"Speak." Saya commanded once more. The man bowed and stood straight.

Saya noticed he had a warrior stance. He was also wearing armor and it would seem he was a high ranked official. Years of battle training and watching the army in the palace made me think that way.

"Forgive our intrusion but we were expecting you." At the man's words, confusion filled their group.

They were expecting them?

The soldier told all of them that the Red Rose Queen already told the Icelanders that they were arriving to avoid unnecessary conflict. They were already engaged in one, they wouldn't want a misunderstanding now of all days. But it looks more like a tag game of of death rather than a war.

They arrived at a magnificent castle made of solid ice. It was really beautiful and the blizzard didn't reach here for even the sun is shining through. But in everyone's minds, Kiede's home, the palace in the Blue Rose Kingdom is a thousand times more beautiful and grander than this. After all, she was an ice dominion angel.

All of them walked the long corridors and hallways of the large castle only to stop and face huge double doors. The guards on both sides opened the doors and a grand throne room greeted them.

They walked towards what would seem like the rulers of the Ice Kingdom.

Saya stepped ahead knowing all too well that this was her responsibility as leader.

She sighed mentally. Things we do for the world.

Saya curtsied elegantly and perfectly. "Your majesties." she then rose up. "I was told you were expecting us."

"Why yes, dear. Your mother told us you were going to visit us. Apparently, we are also extremely concerned for our realm." the Ice queen said with seemingly genuine concern for everything that's happening.

The rulers of this realm seemed quite alright. They just hoped it were the same for the other group.

"We already know about the situation and we will gladly cooperate to your plans." The King said.

Saya, as well as the others were vaguely shocked but quickly hid their expressions. The rulers of this side of the realm being quite trusting was truly unexpected.

Saya composed herself and replied steadily. "I will be forever grateful for your help." she was also glad that the conversation went well.

"It must've been a very tiring journey. I'll have the servants lead you towards your temporary quarters. Please let us know if you need anything." the Queen said as servants slowly entered the hall to lead them towards their rooms.

"Hey, Haji. Do you think it's weird?" Saya asked Haji as she sat down the King sized bed.

"What is?" Haji asked and sat down on the sofa right across her.

"That we got here with no problems whatsoever." Saya replied. Haji then put his fingers on his chin and looked deep in thought.

"Hmm... I don't think so. It is completely like your mother to act this way to make our mission easier." Saya slightly contemplated on his words.

She sighed. Even though it was a fact and Haji was completely right, she still kept on getting this feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong...

Saya was suddenly broken out of her thoughts when Haji sighed. "Alright. To ease your worry, I will stay alert while we're here. As you always say, never let our guard down." he said. Besides, in all the years he has known Saya, once she doubts something, there's bound to be really something that's hidden.

Saya laughed gratefully. "Thank you."

He softly sighed and smiled back with a look of defeat and adoration. He really couldn't resist her.

That very night, the both of them slept with their eyes half open in wariness...

Meanwhile, in the Fire Kingdom...

"What do you mean something is strange about the Ice Kingdom?" Rinne asked, her usual easygoing attitude gone, replaced by the aura of a princess.

The Fire King nodded. "Yes. For a century, both sides of the realm were at peace. It was only 'till recently that our people seemed to detect strange activities on that side near the border, like some sort of aura was wrapped around the thick snow." he said with a frown in his face. It seemed that this matter has more to it than in the surface.

"You mentioned some strange activities. What sort of activities did your people see?" Urika asked. She really had a bad feeling about this. The others were on that side, she just hoped that the ever intuitive Saya and Sumire sensed something.

This time, it was the Fire Queen that replied her. "Some Icelanders were seen to be thrown in the Forest of Red and White, appearing to have cheeks that seemed hollow, with bodies so thin they were almost just bones. Their eyes were no longer silver and instead was an eerie shade of black. From everything that we've found out so far, it seems to be a work of forbidden magic." she said. She also took out her powers and showed us everything through what seemed like a projection of memories.

What they saw truly confirmed their suspicions

"That's not good." V said, carrying a heavy tone that completely conveyed the entire situation.

"Indeed. That's not good at all." Blaize agreed without his usual spunk this time.