Perspective of the Ice King (Simon):"Will you take care of the house, Gunter?""Quack," replied the penguin, that ancient being who had accompanied me even during my times of madness."Thanks, little one," I said, gently patting his head. "I'll try to bring you some bottles so you can relax with your friends, okay?" I added with a tired smile."Quack, quack," he replied cheerfully, as if no worries existed in his world.
I just shook my head as I walked along the snowy paths. I moved slowly, without rush, but carrying an invisible weight that gnawed at me from within. The cold air hit my face, and each step echoed through my kingdom, a reminder that something wasn't quite right.
Suddenly, I noticed a point of intrusion: someone had entered my barrier… but they left as quickly as they came."Strange," I murmured, shaking my head. I couldn't afford distractions.
With a gesture of my hands, I summoned ice maidens. Their swords gleamed with an edge sharp enough to slice through reality itself. Dangerous, lethal, and needing no further orders than one:"Protect Gunter," I said firmly, continuing my walk until I finally lifted off into the air.
As I left my kingdom, my mind was occupied by memories. Even though I had absorbed them, they remained confusing. Like understanding but not comprehending at all—a tangle of memories that weren't entirely mine but burned my mind like icy fire.
I flew for several minutes, crossing frozen skies, until I passed the hero's house in Ooo. I observed it briefly, out of curiosity more than anything else.I opened my demonic eye to see closer, and what I saw made me shake my head."Poor ugly kid," I muttered, turning away.
And what had I seen? Finn, the human, wrapped in blankets and surrounded by ice cream cones. His expression was deeply depressed. And I know depression—I still carry the shadow of seeing someone "die" before my eyes.
I kept flying until I reached some mountains. I descended softly and landed inside an ice wall, as if the earth itself welcomed me. I looked around to confirm that no one was watching. I didn't need the mages appearing for some nonsense at that moment.
Once I confirmed, with some spells, that no one was observing me, I spoke the keyword:"The mages are the law."
A door opened immediately. I entered without hesitation, and it closed behind me with a metallic echo.I deactivated most of my magic, leaving only basic protections—the only ones allowed in this place.
I walked calmly through the halls. Some wizards glanced at me with raised eyebrows, curious or suspicious, but I ignored them.I observed the shops around me. None of their signs interested me… what I sought was something to help locate magical minerals I had in mind from my books.
Then my gaze fixed on a particular spot: a shop that seemed ordinary at first glance. Yet, my instincts told me what I needed was there. A strange magical instinct, but one I appreciated.
I entered calmly, and as I crossed the threshold, a voice resonated through the air:"Welcome to the magical shop of the Rock Wizard," said a sharp voice, staring at me for several seconds.
"Ice King?" the wizard asked, confused. "Did you change your look or something? Not that I mind… you look younger," he added sincerely.
I just looked at him and shook my head."Yes, it's me. I'm, as I said, experimenting with things," I replied, my voice still carrying the Ice King tone but hinting at prosperous changes.
"Even the voice, man," said the Rock Wizard in awe. "Really, if you have time and aren't chasing princesses, you should show me some of those spells you use.""Of course," I said, a twitch in my eye, trying to stay calm.
"Well, what brings you here?" he added as I observed the rocks I needed for the locator.
"Could you give me: three thin, fine-tipped Carborubions, 1x4 in size. Also two 2x2 cm Electrorrubium. I'll need two pounds of Rubiluz Tree powder, one of Rubeléctrica Stone—that one's a pain, literally costing me a lung—and a Voltarruby Heart."
The Rock Wizard nodded until he heard the last item."Huh?" he said, confused."What's wrong?" I asked, raising an eyebrow."Well… I have everything you asked for except the last one, Ice King," he admitted honestly.
"Really? Too bad," I said, watching him gather the rest of my order."Here, Ice King," he said, handing it to me."What do you want in return?" I asked directly."Some gold coins and good portal potions, if you know what I mean.""Portal ones?" I asked calmly."Yes. It's dangerous here, and you're one of the few who can make them."
"I know… but you'll feel ice when you pass through."
Thoughts of the Ice King:This wasn't being said out of kindness. Normally, a wizard always warned of side effects to avoid a bad reputation… or even death over something as absurd as failing to mention a crucial detail.
End of thoughts.
"Thanks for your purchase, Ice King. You can ask in the back, to the left. There's an information shop for the last item I didn't have," said the Rock Wizard calmly.
"Thanks, Rock Wizard," I replied sincerely as I stepped outside.
The wizard watched me leave as if nothing had happened. "Wow… he's walking around so calmly," he murmured, surprised.He glanced at what I had paid him. "He even gave me an extra potion. Generous and all," he said, putting the potions in his sack. He knew they would soon be needed in a war the Grand Wizard was preparing again."Maybe they'll tell the Ice King… I would've invited him myself, but he looks too sane. He'd probably beat me up," he muttered, shaking his head.
End of vendor perspective.
I walked toward the place he had indicated. Honestly, this day was turning out very productive.
"Good morning," I said as I entered calmly.
"Good morning… huh? Ice King?" the informant replied, his entire face covered by a dark cloth.
"Hello," I said with a smile. "I'm here for what I came for," I added, more seriously.
"Oh… yes," he said, immediately alert."I want to know where the Voltarruby Heart is."
The informant stayed silent for a long time, as if weighing each word."That'll be 10,000 coins… and three of the potions you already know, plus three strength potions."
"That expensive?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Pay first, or leave," he said firmly, though his voice trembled slightly. I noticed he was nervous, as if even his proposal was too low for its actual value.
"Alright," I said, handing over what was required.
The wizard quickly handed me a paper. I glanced at it briefly and tucked it away."Be careful, Ice King," he said gravely.
"Understood," I replied, leaving the City of Wizards.
"The wizards are the law."
I exited the City of Wizards and flew back toward the Ice Kingdom.
As I crossed the skies, I noticed the Candy Kingdom engulfed in flames.
"Well… I should help a little," I murmured, descending.
"Help!" shouted the banana guards in panic. "Fire! Fire!" they screamed, running chaotically.
I landed calmly in the middle of the chaos.
"What's happening?" I asked a candy citizen.
A small strawberry boy raised an eyebrow. "My name's Berry… isn't it obvious?"
"Ah…" I said awkwardly. "Alright, I'll help."
"Hey, weren't you…?" Berry started, but fell silent as the temperature dropped drastically.
All the fire consuming the place froze instantly. Flames extinguished, crystallized in a heartbeat.
"See you," I said, and left without another word. I didn't want to run into the Candy Princess. I didn't notice she was barely twenty meters away, frozen in shock.
I patted Berry on the shoulder and flew off.
"Huh?" the small strawberry said, confused, watching the fire vanish. "Well… it's not my house," she added, walking off dramatically.
The Candy Princess remained paralyzed."The Ice King… helped? What? Am I dreaming?"
She stared as I flew away."Hey, Mentita… am I dreaming?""No, Princess," replied Mentita, giving her a pinch.
"Ouch!" exclaimed the Candy Princess."See?" Mentita said, as if it were nothing."This is weird…" murmured the Candy Princess, unsure how to proceed.
End of Chapter 4.