Andrei listened to Vulak and asked, "Did you disobey the Ice Lord's order when you left the squad?"
Vulak replied, "I carried out his order because I sensed from the way he spoke that my sister was in a state I shouldn't see her in, and that if I removed the ice, I might attack the demons' region, where I would either be the killer or the killed. But what made me leave the squad was what he did after Rose was buried."
Andrei quickly asked, "What did he do?"
Vulak answered, "Fine, now we return to that moment after Rose was buried. Everyone was weeping until their eyes were nearly dry. The tribe leader was standing over Rin's grave, in pain and crying. He stopped his tears, composed himself, and said, 'The time has come to stop crying and think about the tribes. As you know, we inherited the magic of healing, passed down through generations. My daughter was my pride and the pride of all the tribes. She was the last heir, and she has died. The necklace has not lit up for its next bearer. I know I speak while not a full day has passed since my daughter's death, but these are our customs: to find a new bearer for the necklace immediately upon the death of the previous one, so that they may assume the responsibility.'
"He put his hand in his pocket, took out the necklace, moved towards an old, nearly dilapidated tree, and hung it on it. 'We must repeat the experiment and let the necklace choose the new bearer.'
"Everyone waited for the necklace to light up for someone, but it didn't. All the tribes waited for hours for the necklace to light up, to no avail. The Soul was observing, 'So, the necklace has chosen its last bearer... no, rather, the bearer who was supposed to be its owner... Rose. Even the necklace is grieving for you and wants no one but you.'
"And amidst everyone's anticipation, the Ice Lord stepped forward, to everyone's astonishment, and took the necklace and put it around his neck as if it were his own.
"'Ice King, what are you doing?'
"The Ice King responded calmly, 'As you see, if the necklace does not choose anyone, then someone must guard it, and that person will be me.'
"'What? You say you will guard it? With these words, you are saying that the tribe has failed to protect the necklace throughout the past centuries!'
"Vulak, 'I am not saying that. I am saying that I will protect the necklace until it finds its bearer.'
"Vulak was angered but tried to control himself. 'They have not found its bearer, so it must be handed over to the tribe leader.'
"The Ice King retorted, 'Everyone agrees to this.'
"'How do you know they agree? They haven't uttered a word!'
"The Ice King replied, 'Because they know that I am one of the Seven Knights, meaning I can protect it better than they can.'
"'You speak of protection? Could you not joke with me? Where was your protection when the demons attacked the villages and nearly seized them completely? Where was your protection when the town needed you? Where was your protection when my sister decided to sacrifice herself to save us because you were absent? Answer me! True, you defeated the monster, but what about the demons? If you are so strong, why were you late in protecting the village? Tell me! Why did my only sister have to pay the price? Tell me!' Tears streamed involuntarily from Vulak.
"'I am sorry, Vulak.'
"Vulak heard that word and rage began to consume him without stopping. 'Sorry? Don't say it to me, say sorry to the villagers! Tell Rose, "I am sorry I could not save you!" Say it to me—no, I am the one who will say it: 'I am sorry I followed a leader who cannot protect anything!'"
"Iris screamed, 'Vulak! What are you saying?'
"Vulak looked at her with eyes full of anger. 'Do you agree to this? Do you want my position? Then take it! It's clear that Rose meant nothing to you!'
"Iris was shocked and said in a faint voice, 'She meant everything to me, but...'
"Vulak stopped her. 'I don't care what you say. As for you, either return the necklace or you must fight me for it!'
"'You say fight? Are you sure?'
"'Absolutely! Power of the Light Element! Absolute Radiance!' Vulak launched a tremendous beam that cut the mountain. The Dark Lord avoided it, only to find blades of light coming toward him. He froze them. Vulak was behind him, placing his hand near the Ice Lord's face and firing his beam: 'Power of Light! Piercing Radiance!'
"'I advise against it, Vulak.'
"'What? You advise against it? Hah! Are you joking? You are the one who will truly die!'
"Vulak found a blade of ice above him, which cut off his hand. Vulak screamed in pain, and in a split second, the Ice Lord struck him with a blow that made him lose consciousness.
"'Now, is there anyone who objects?'
"Vulak's father stepped toward his son, grasping his arm and placing it in the snow. He looked at the Ice Lord. 'I believed you came for us, but alas, you Knights see us as merely worthless people. You carry out your mission, even at the cost of our lives. But you are wrong! We, the people of the Ice, are not an easy prey for one of us to be humiliated and the others to remain silent!'
"All the tribes rose, ready to fight, but they were shocked that Iris, Julian, and Harold were protecting the Ice Lord.
"'After all he did, you stand with him? Even you, my daughter?'
"Iris gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. 'I am sorry that you consider me your daughter, but circumstances dictate.'
"'And I, my daughter, am a father who cannot allow his daughter to be touched! From now on, stay away from the tribe as much as possible, because if I find you, I will eliminate you!'
"The tribes were angered. 'What are you saying, Zephyr? Listen to me! Those standing before us are our village's children! Will you kill them?'
"'And what about the Ice Lord?' Zephyr replied, 'They made their choice, and alas for them.'
"And that is how I separated from the squad."
"And how did your hand return?"
"My hand was healed by an acquaintance of Emily's mother."
"I don't understand why Rose sacrificed herself. I mean, life is precious. When death comes for the greatest of people, they fear it, but despite the pain and all the pressure, she endured."
"Believe me, Andrei, that is my question too. Why did she decide that? And I hope to find out."
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To my college readers: you are the ones who truly get it. I'm in the middle of exams and a really tough period, so please forgive the silence!
A new chapter is on the way, and I hope you'll show your support so I can keep going. Sorry again for the delay!