Leaf Clan

"I might have no choice but to use my powers though to save Nick." I said as we quickly made it to Icecream's room. I carefully laid the Ice Vampire and Icecream's bed with the help from her. "All the others who can help with creating ice are either too weak or would not risk it doing it. And I'm probably the only Ice Crystal left in all of Glaciem that still has strong enough powers to work." I said. I was stressting out even more, but all I could do was endure the stress, and do what my mind says. 

After the two had gotten Nick to the the young Ice Crystal's room, Icecream sat down on the bed beside the Ice Vampire King, and looked at Heart, a flash of concern for the Princess in her orange eyes. Heart had been having issues with keeping her strength up ever since the heat had come over Glaciem, and although the last thing Icecream wanted was for her to have even more of that much-needed strength sapped away by using her magic, she was fearful for the King of Eternalus' life. "Do what you can," the young Ice Crystal said. "But please be careful, Princess."

Nick moved as best as he could, gritting his teeth to keep from screaming as his stomach twisted in agony, and curled up beside Icecream. He breathed in her scent, and although it didn't help much, there was a sense of comfort that helped to relieve some of his pain. He looked at Heart then, and nodded his head once, which looked as if the motion itself was unbearable.

I nodded at Icecream's words. I saw the concern in her eyes though. "Don't worry about me, I'll possibly be alright after this." I said, attempting to reassure her. I wasn't really sure myself though if this would put me in a weaker state, or keep me about the same. It would of been normal though, if it weren't for this damn heat. I carefully placed my hand on Nick's chest, trying not to make him more in pain than what he already was in. I formed a layer of ice on chest, than did the same thing onto his forehead. Awhile doing this, I started feeling light headed, but ignored the feeling. By the end of it, I thought I was gonna pass out, but I endured it anyway. I'm hoping this would make the young King less in pain.

Nick's body sagged against the bed, and his head lolled back against the pillows, relief spilling over him. A heavy breath left his lungs, and for a heartbeat, he looked as though he were about to fall into unconsciousness. "Thank you..." he said weakly, looking at Heart. He chuckled then for just a moment, before a spluttering cough shattered it. "You know... a couple months ago I bet you would have let me die, wouldn't you? You hated me. What changed? Could it be I've grown on you?" 

I rolled my eyes and sighed out. Even when he was sick like this, he still managed to act like himself. "Nick.. You should know by now that deep down I sitll care for you. Even though you can annoy me to no end at times, I'll still be there to aid and help you." I said, panting a bit in between words. 

((sorry if its short cries hard LOL))

Nick smiled, and for once he didn't reply. Instead, he fell into silence, watching the ceiling with a blank gaze. "...My brother would be proud of you," he said finally, his voice weighed down by exhaustion and some other indecipherable emotion. "He always did envy you, you know. I think he even admired you, but until now I was never able to see why..."

Silence befell him once more, and he closed his eyes to conceal his tears.

"You have become quite the princess, a leader that even I cannot hope to become. That is why my brother admired you. He saw it long before I did, when I was too callus and blind. I am sorry for taking him from you. I know he was a dear friend of yours." 

I smiled from his words, yet my heart ached from it. I never knew someone would envy, even admire me, just for managing the kingdom. Even in the state at the kingdom was now, and his own condition, it was surprising to hear those words from the Ice Vampire. "Thank you for your kind words, Nick." I managed to say out, keeping my weaken in breath at a normal pace. "Do not be sorry, for now, just rest." This was the first time in awhile that Nick said something person, in front of Icecream and I. Even though his apologies, would never bring him back from the dead, his spirit gone and lost. And were his words true, had I become what I was destined to be? I was too young at the time though when the time come for me to take the throne, changing my whole perspective, and forcing me to learn more quickly then I anticipated. Father would be handling this situation better then I could, the whole kingdom in panic and losing many to their weaken minds. I can barely even handle it myself, yet I continued onward, my people holding onto their hopes in me. Even someone I less likely would of suspected to hold my hope, did even in their weakest state. 

I raised myself up, embracing the words, sighing out and let out a slight smile yet again. I can make it through it all.

Nick smiled as he watched Heart raise herself up, looking like the brave and fearless ruler that she was. He was glad his words had empowered her, but wasn't able to give her strength any longer. Exhaustion fell over him, and all at once, he was swept away into darkness. His head lolled to the side, his eyes closed, and a single tear rolled down his cheek, which Icecream gently brushed away with her fingers.

The young Ice Crystal looked up at her princess, her orange gaze filled with a hint of sadness and worry. "He's dying," she said softly and quietly, her bottom lip quivering. "And he knows it. I won't ask you to use your powers again to save him. I can see what it has done to you, but I can't lose him -- not him, too."

There was a sudden creaking of the door, followed by Ignitus' red form entering the room. "I might be able to help with that," he said. 

I listened to Icecream, and as I was about to say something, the fire prince entered the room. I turned to Ignitus. "Oh, really?" I said somewhat hoarsely, but quickly cleared my throat. The dry air was getting to me a bit, but I ignored it for now. "Whatever it is, please say so." At this point, I was willing to accept anything to help anybody, no matter how dangerous or simple it was.

((sorry the reply is so short dies LOL))

Ignitus paused, looking at Heart with a brief spark of concern. He had been about to question whether or not she was okay, but reminded himself otherwise. "Of course, Your Highness," he replied, bowing his head. Within a few moments, he was at her side, his red gaze momentarily sweeping over Nick and Icecream. "I recieved this from one of my knights, before he died from his wounds." Holding up a letter, he offered it to the Ice Crystal princess. It was written in blood.

We have seized the Fire Kingdom. The few men who stood as knights are either dead or taken prisoner. If you wish to reclaim what was once yours, come to us. We will be waiting. And bring Princess Heart; we have a proposition for her. If you fail to do so, we will slaughter your villages, and your streets will run red with innocent blood. 

- Lord Temnota, leader of the Trabeakot Kingdom

"Princess, before my knight succumbed to his wounds, he informed me that some of the people whom have taken my home are fire users. I have reason to believe they may be responsible for this terrible chaos," Ignitus told her. 

"Thank you, I am truly sorry for the loss of one of your loyal knights." I said to Ignitus, and accepted the letter. The way it was written in blood was somewhat of a startlement, but as I started reading through it, I exactly knew why it was written in blood.

As I finised reading the signature of the letter, my hands that were holding the letter began to tremble. I could feel my body start to somewhat shake, but I forced myself to pull myself together. I couldn't hold my fear back though as I wanted to scream and cry. They hadn't bothered me since they took father years ago, yet, why did they want my attention now? To torment at me for what they've taken from me? Take even more from me or cause me a deal of more pain then what I was going through now? Throughout this entire mess, I had kept myself back of showing fear. I couldn't now, my body couldn't handle this new blow. Tears started to creep their way into my eyes, and I quickly gulped down the lump in my throat. They have taken a neighboring kingdom, an ally kingdom to our clan. 

All I could do was stand there trembling, starring with wide eyes at the blood written letter, thinking of the worse yet to come. I did not say one word. Why was this happening? Why are they doing this? Why now?

"He will not be forgotten," Ignitus replied. He waited silently then, watching Heart as she read the letter. Suddenly, her expression changed, and he found himself staring at her as she trembled wildly, her gaze fixed on the letter in her hands. Eyes widening, the Firebrand prince reached out, gently touching the Ice Crystal's arm to hopefully snap her out of her trancelike state. "Princess? Are you alright?" he asked worriedly. "Do you know this Lord Temnota?"

Icecream watched the two rulers, concern settling in her stomach. Although she didn't say anything, she wanted desperately to comfort her princess, but refused to leave Nick's side. The Ice Vampire lay almost motionlessly on the bed. Were it not for the light movements of his stomach and chest, one could easily assume the worst. Although he would appear asleep to many, including Icecream who was too focused on more important matters, he was now awake once again, staring at Heart with narrowed red eyes. He said nothing, waiting for the right moment to speak. Of course, he still felt weak and exhausted, but how was one supposed to get any rest when so much was going on?Dammit.

"What?!" Ignitus snapped, staring wide-eyed at Heart as the truth spilled past her lips. He reached up with both hands, brushing her tears away with his thumbs, before he pulled away, a scream of anger escaping him. "I promise you, Princess, we'll make things right. That bastard will pay, even if I have to destroy my own kingdom to ensure his demise."

"Y-you really are a fool," Nick said from the bed, his voice nearly cracking from his weak state. "We need the bastard alive... if you are right, Prince, he might be able to reverse this... if you kill him... I'll kill you. It would be the least I could do before I die." The Ice Vampire rose himself up, ignoring the horrified look that Icecream gave him, and stumbled to his feet. "I am going with you."

Ignitus scowled, looking at Heart. "We cannot bring him along, Your Highness. He is too weak. He will only get in our way."

"Shut up, you useless piece of shit," Nick hissed, his red gaze now narrowed to slits. Although Ignitus looked infuriated, he didn't dare speak a word, though his expression clearly stated he wanted to, desperately. "I am going, and if any of you try to stop me, I will rip your throats out. I may be dying, but I am not defenseless. I can handle my own; I need to be there for you all, especially Miss Royalty.

I smiled slightly from both Ignitus' words and the way he wiped my tears away for me. It faded away though once the two princes began exchanging word with each other. The way Nick was deteremined though, even in the state he was in, gave me hope inside. I was as much worried about him as everyone else, especially Icecream, seeing her give Nick a mix of a worried and horrified look. Even though he threatened to murder us if we refused for him to come with us, I have no idea how well he'd survive against the Felshifters. They could be vicious whenever they wanted to be, especially when Lord Temnota had a goal in mind. 

"I have to agree with Nick. If we just kill Lord Temnota, that'll just keep everything the way it is right now," I said, breathing in. "And Nick if you do wish to come, be aware, I'm not sure how powerful Lord Temnota has become over the years, or what he plans to do. If he has already taken Kasai, then I assume he intends to take Glaciem as well. I'm not even certain if we'll all make it, we all could end up being killed." With the words said, my mind raced yet again. I was still unsure why he wanted my attention, my wildest guess could wait for now though.

Reflecting back to the Ice Vampire's words from earlier to help relieve some of the fear, I wiped my tear stained eyes, burning from not crying in such a long time. Setting down the letter that started all this mess, I raised my head up and turned to the three people in my life that mattered the most to me now. "We should discuss what to look forward to, when we arrive to Trabeakot." 

Nick listened as the Ice Crystal in front of him regained her composure and spoke. He chuckled weakly, a grin splitting his lips. "Do not worry, Princess. I am not as frail as I look," he replied. "If we end up under attack, I will do my best to ensure our safety, especially yours and Icecream's. Mr. Fireass over there, on the other hand, can fend for himself. If we die, then we will have died for a good cause." The Ice Vampire King opened his mouth to continue with his speech, when Ignitus silenced him with the raising of his hand.

"Royalty or not, you are a pain in the ass, you know that?" Ignitus told Nick, who simply glared at him. Sighing, he cast his gaze onto Heart once more, and nodded in response to her words. "Let us retreat to somewhere more private. There are guards outside, and I do not want them to know our plans. With three heirs to the throne leaving the kingdom, who knows what kind of chaos that might bring." With that, he turned and left the room, signaling to a nearby Fireguard to stay where he was, when he tried to follow. He led the way to the war room, which he had seen during his tour of the castle on the day of his and Nick's arrival.

"Are you certain we can trust him?" Nick questioned, peering at Heart as Ignitus left the room. He had been about to follow him, but thought it best to stop Heart before they got out into the open where ears could listen in on their conversation. "Ignitus only cares for himself, you know that. If this Lord Temnota is as bad as you say, and some of his followers are indeed fire users, what if Ignitus turns on us to assist his own kind?"

As I was about to leave the room to follow the Firebrand prince, I was stopped by Nick. I stopped and turned to him, listening to what he had to say. He had brought up a good point, but I was fairly sure Ignitus was on our side. If he wasn't he would of destroyed this kingdom years ago along side the Felshifters. 

"I believe we can trust Prince Ignitus. He may seem a bit selfish, but if he did truly cared for himself, he would let this kingdom fall. And he wouldn't of had defended me earlier in the day when those two younger Ice Crystals attempted to attack me." I said, and mentioning what had happened not too long ago, brought the memory back up, but I concealed it back in the depths of my mind. There were better things to focus on now then that.

"If Ignitus does plan to turn on us, then well, I feel like we'll have no choice but to fight him then over what he decides. But I have my doubts he'll suddenly turn on us for after what he has done for us so far." It did make me wonder, but he had done so much for us already. Vowing to aid us, delivering that letter to me to inform me, and even going along with us to take on a possible attack planned by Lord Temnota. I was for sure he wouldn't leave our side. It would be heart shattering for me knowing I put a lot of trust into Ignitus if that does happen though. But then again, anything can happen in all this chaos.

Nick opened his mouth to protest, but found many truths behind Heart's words, and instead thought better of it. "You have a point," he said. "He cares for you. I have seen it in his eyes. He shows you compassion, when he does not to others. If you believe we can trust him, then I shall do my best to do the same." With that, the King removed himself from the room, and stumbled after Ignitus, who stood patiently by the doors to the war room, awaiting on the three. 

Icecream looked at her Princess. For a moment, she was silent, wondering if Heart would allow her to accompany them on their journey to Kasai to meet with the Felshifters, before she decided to take the risk, and spoke. "If we survive this, if we talk to Lord Temnota, and see what his proposition is... do you think we can save everyone? Do you think we can save Nick?" As she said this, her voice became worrisome and fearful near the end. Tears filled her eyes, and she suddenly couldn't bare the thought of losing the kingdom -- of losing Nick. 

Icecream listened to her princess as she spoke, and felt a sense of comfort from Heart's touch, but that didn't stop tears from spilling over and soaking her cheeks. "D-do me a favor," she said, her voice trembling. "Do whatever you need to... but -- but don't die. I-I need you, and so does the rest of the kingdom." The young Ice Crystal sniffled, and wiped her tears away with the back of her hands. "L-let's get going. I've kept you long enough." With that, Icecream lowered her head and left the room to meet up with Nick and Ignitus at the war room.