A little earlier, with Anivia.
Arriving before her ice egg, the situation was dire. A massive blue portal had opened, spewing out frost guards, ice trolls, and even chained wild yetis. The sight of them enraged Anivia.
She had not managed to secure all the yetis that day—some were lost. Now she realized it was none other than Lissandra who had stolen them and further corrupted them with black ice.
And there she came, riding a massive frost dragon.
At the same time, Bruma, Willa, and Nouna rushed out of their room, alarmed.
— "Lissandra, it's been so long since we've met. You could have warned me—I would have made you tea!"
— "I'm sorry, Anivia, for arriving unannounced… but there's no time! The Seal will soon shatter! Can't you feel it? The Void spreads again across the Freljord!"
— "That doesn't answer why you're attacking my temple!"
— "Of course it does! Willa's magic can be sacrificed to strengthen the Seal. I know you created it with your power and Al's!"
— "Aunt Lissandra? What are you talking about? And why attack Anivia? If Willa can help, just ask!" cried Nouna.
— "I'm truly sorry, little one… but between saving everyone, or saving just one, which would you choose?"
— "Hey! Ice Witch!" Bruma cut in. "I didn't think you were such a coward! There's always a way to save everyone!"
— "Ah, if it isn't the bothersome heroine with the big heart. Perfect—I'll take your shield too. It will also strengthen the Seal."
— "Strengthen, strengthen… all you do is delay the inevitable, instead of uniting to face it once and for all!" growled Anivia.
— "Unite!? We already tried that! You know the result!" Lissandra snapped.
— "He would never want you to sacrifice Willa."
— "How dare you pretend to know what he wanted!? He sought to save this world—and I will do whatever it takes to fulfill his wish! Bring me the yeti, and destroy anyone who resists!"
More troops spilled out of the portal.
— "You even dared use the teleportation artifact he gave you!? If you think I'll stand by and do nothing, go freeze elsewhere, witch!" roared Anivia, raising an ice wall to protect the egg.
— "Hold on, everyone! Alex and a very strong ally will be here soon!"
But Lissandra sneered:
— "Do you think I'll wait!?"
They clashed in a spectacular magical duel—pure ice against black ice, walls shattering, giant hands smashing into each other.
Finally, with a wicked grin, Lissandra pinned Anivia's lower body under black ice. Her dragon unleashed a frost ray; unable to dodge, Anivia shielded herself with her wings. The explosion flung her into a wall. Lissandra teleported, seizing her by the throat.
— "For Al's sake, I won't kill you… but I will take your power. Sleep again!" Her hand glowed at Anivia's neck, draining her strength, her color fading pale.
A figure leapt behind her, but with a snap, Lissandra froze Willa solid. The yeti roared furiously.
— "Perfect! Your sacrifice will save billions. Believe me, this isn't for pleasure." She pressed her hand to Willa's forehead, making her scream in agony.
— "Willa!! What did you do to her!?" cried Nouna.
— "Go! Help Willa—I'll hold them here!" shouted Bruma, facing trolls and frost guards, including an unusually intelligent troll wielding a massive ice club.
Under Lissandra's order, Willa, growing larger and more feral, charged at Nouna.
— "Willa! It's me, Nouna! Your friend!"
Her answer was a punch that sent Nouna crashing, blood dripping from her nose.
Willa stared at her hands in disgust, horrified at striking her lifelong companion… yet powerless to stop herself.
Bruised and battered, Nouna rose again and again… only to be struck down.
— "Why persist?" said Lissandra coldly. "Hope is nothing before a force greater than us. We abandon—or sacrifice what we love."
Nouna's eyes swept the scene: Bruma, bloodied, fighting with all her soul; Anivia, pale and collapsing; Willa, losing herself to monstrosity.
(What can I do… Alex… mom…)
Then a maternal voice echoed in her mind:
(You can do it! You are not weak. You have the power to save us all. I know it—you are my daughter, Nouna!)
She inhaled deeply. Her eyes shone with blue-green magic.
And then—SHE ROARED.
A torrent of power shot into the sky, blasting the ceiling apart. A shockwave struck all around, knocking everyone flat.
Willa regained her senses. Lissandra fell, her helmet shattering, her eyes wide in shock. Anivia vanished into her egg. Bruma, at last, could breathe.
Exhausted, Nouna panted:
— "I… I did it…"
But then, the largest troll burst forth, desperate to crush the source of his fear.
— "No, you fool—!" cried Lissandra too late, lost in thought about Nouna's power.
Yet Nouna didn't flinch. She smiled, looking toward the entrance.
— "Alex… it's your turn!"
— "At your command, my Lady!"
A supersonic crack split the air. The troll's skull twisted under a devastating kick, his body hurled into the wall.
The boy landed beside Nouna, lifting her into his arms like a princess.
— "You were amazing, babe! Let me finish the party!"