With our little fight resolved quickly, we decided to go and discuss how to proceed.
Our discussion went well. To my surprise, the old man was well-educated, which caught me off guard because it differed from the arrogant air he possessed during the fight.
We managed to resolve the misunderstanding with just a few minutes of conversation.
They had no absurd demands, just the return of the princess. Well, if she wants to come back. Even After knowing she's in danger of being thrown away again, that's up to her.
The princess refused to return, which was the best decision. no one would do the opposite in her situation.
Everything was going well, the heroes would return to tell the king about the princess's decision until the forest was fully frozen. And then, on the darker side of the forest, a girl appeared.
The girl's voice was cool and composed, betraying no emotion as she stood before them. Her hair was as black as the midnight sky, and it flowed down her back in waves of silk. Each strand was as dark as the night, and it seemed to absorb the light around it. Her eyes were a deep, piercing red, like glowing coals in the darkness. They seemed to bore into the very souls of those who met her gaze, and a shiver ran down the heroes' spines as they looked at her.
As the girl emerged from the shadows, a chill filled the air, and the temperature dropped sharply. A thin layer of frost began to form on the ground beneath her feet, spreading out in all directions. The air around her seemed to freeze, and the forest was suddenly silent as the animals took notice of her arrival. The trees and foliage in her path turned brittle and stiff, and the ground cracked and creaked underfoot.
With a single gesture of her hand, the girl unleashed her power, and the forest was plunged into an icy wasteland. The trees were encased in thick layers of ice, and the once-lush vegetation was now a barren wasteland of frozen snow. The chill was so intense that the heroes could see their breaths as they watched in amazement.
The girl stood before them, her eyes fixed on them, unflinching. The heroes were dumbfounded, unsure of what to do next. They had never seen anything like this before and knew they were facing a powerful adversary.
As soon as the woman spoke, I felt a wave of unease wash over me. Her voice was low and commanding, and she looked straight at me as she said, "My name is Amaterasu, and I have come to claim what is rightfully mine." Stella, my faithful companion, quickly stepped forward and positioned herself in front of me, her cat-like instincts sensing danger in the air.
I couldn't help but notice the dark tresses of Amaterasu's hair that framed her face, and her eyes were a deep shade of crimson that seemed to bore into my soul. The tension in the air was palpable, and my heart was racing with fear.
"How long has it been, Amaterasu?" The old man, who was leading our group of heroes, stepped forward and addressed her.
"Enough for you to be an old man," Amaterasu retorted, her tone gruff and dismissive. The atmosphere became even tenser, and I could feel the weight of her gaze bearing down on me.
"What are you doing here, Amaterasu? You never leave your castle," the old man's voice shook slightly.
"Are you sure you're going to stand in my way, you stupid old man? I thought when I ripped your arm off you already understood," Amaterasu's red eyes gleamed with malice as she stared at the old man's severed arm.
"Get out of here, you psychopath!" Stella's voice rang out, but Amaterasu was already making a sword of pure ice, ready to strike.
Amaterasu raised her hand, and as she did, the air grew colder and colder until it turned into a visible mist. Suddenly, a sword of pure, solid ice materialized in her hand, reflecting the ambient light in a brilliant display. The blade was razor-sharp, and its surface seemed to sparkle like diamonds as it shimmered in the air. Its hilt was adorned with intricate designs of frost, and its weight felt perfectly balanced in Amaterasu's grasp. It was a weapon of beauty and terror, capable of cutting through anything with ease.
In a flash, she charged at the old man with incredible speed. "If one arm wasn't enough, I'd rip off both," she growled with a menacing tone that sent shivers down my spine.
Despite the old man's efforts, Amaterasu easily overpowered him and hurled him away with a flick of her wrist. As she turned her gaze to me, Stella drew her sword with a sharp metallic ring and positioned herself in front of me, ready to defend me with her life.
The clash of metal echoed through the air as the two women engaged in a fierce sword fight. Amaterasu wielded her icy sword with deadly precision, striking with lightning-fast movements that left Stella struggling to keep up. Each parry and thrust was met with a powerful counter-attack, and soon Stella was on the defensive, desperately trying to stay alive.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that Amaterasu was the more experienced fighter, and Stella was slowly losing ground.
Before Amaterasu could defeat Stella, I stepped in between them, unsheathing my sword and deflecting her attack. Sparks flew as our swords clashed, and I could feel the weight of her experience as she tested my skills. But I was determined to protect Stella and myself.
As our swords continued to clash, Amaterasu's demeanor suddenly changed. She looked at me with a different expression, one of intense passion. "What's more romantic than fighting your future husband, Adam?" she said, her voice laced with emotion.
For a moment, I was taken aback. She no longer looked like a monster, but like a girl in love. The fight continued, and I gradually gained the upper hand, using my newfound strength and skill to counter her every move. It was a fierce battle, but I was determined to come out on top.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, I struck the final blow. Amaterasu fell to the ground, defeated. But instead of anger, she looked at me with admiration. "Finally, someone worthy of being my husband," she said, her eyes shining with newfound respect and love.