AUTHOR'S POV
Running through the thick snow, Helena dragged her flimsy legs with her weaker stamina after using her powers on Freya. Drawing more of her powers would strike her dangerously weaker, putting her life in more danger. As she hasten between the snow-covered trees, Helena could hear Gaspard's wicked cackle haunting the peaceful boreal forest. His sinister voice calls her, like a demented ghoul reeling her in.
Princess…
Princess…
Exhausted, Helena hid behind a tree sustaining her strength while she catch her breath. Looking around, she could no long hear Gaspard's voice. The foreboding ambiance with the rebel's frightening calls was once again replaced with nothing but troubling silence.
As she was about to sprint out, Helena was spooked when Gaspard jump on her out of nowhere. "Hello, my dear Princess", he howled as he bashed Helena's head with the hilt of his short falchion. Lights out, Helena plunged on the soft snow, falling on her back. Dropping his sword, Gaspard laid on top of Helena with her hands over her head.
Wriggling with all her remaining might, Helena couldn't barely open her eyes while Gaspard run his rough hands all throughout her body. "This is the best day ever", he gave her a malicious scowl before burying his face in her neck.
As he was too intoxicated with Helena's scent, Gaspard suddenly felt a peck on his nape. Then another… and another. When he looked up, he saw a black bird disturbing his good time with the princess. As he was about to hit the bird, it soared at a certain speed that it pecked on Gaspard's eye. "Ahhh! Why I ought to… I'm gonna break those little wings of yours you mothafuckin' piece of …", he cursed in the wind as the bird continued to flap around.
Meanwhile, Helena tried to reach for the sword, which is arms reach away. Unfortunately, Gaspard was able to knock the pesky little bird down with a single punch and returned down to his business with the Princess. "Now where were we?", he uttered with his other eye oozing with blood. Just when Gaspard was about to tear Helena's clothes off, he felt something sharp poking the back of his head.
"Get up", a voice of a man was heard. With darkened eyes, Gaspard raised his hands as he slowly stood on his feet. "Slowly now", the man said.
As Helena make a clear view of the man who just saved her, Helena was astounded to find Ottis standing against the debauched rebel. "Ottis…", Helena sighed so much relief.
"Move away, squirrel. Are you alright?", Ottis uttered as he point his sword at the rebel.
"I'm.. fine", Helena slowly stood up and backed away, kicking Gaspard's falchion from his reach. Then, Helena noticed that the black bird which saved her earlier have changed to Freya. "Freya", she whispered as she carefully dash towards her friend who is an Ymbryne. Gladly, Freya didn't gain any life threatening injuries.
"You should've killed me when you got the chance", Gaspard blurted out as he turned around and skillfully disarmed Ottis with a small dagger he picked up from his boot.
"Ottis watch out!!", Helena shouted with worry while Ottis fight for his life unarmed.
Closing the distance, Gaspard smirked as he wield his dagger at Ottis with perfect agile and timing, aiming for his torso. Ottis swerved at his quick attacks as much as he can. However, he admits Gaspard is way too fast for him. After a couple of more swings and attacks, Gaspard stabbed Ottis twice right in his left abdomen.
"Ottis!!!", Helena shouted in fear for Ottis' life. At this rate, he can no longer fight well and might not even walk away alive from this duel. Helena stood up with an attempt to aid a friend in great danger.
"Once I'm done with ya, I'll go back to your squirrel and enjoy everg bit of her taste down to her very last hole", Gaspard continued to tease his wounded opponent who seemed easier to take down.
With deemed infuriation, Ottis grunted as he lunge at Gaspard, grabbing his arm with the knife smashing it on his leg disarming the rebel. He used all his might beating up the rebel with his bare hands, enduring his stabbed wound as he crush the rebel with a malicious mind over Helena.
Unfortunately, Gaspard took the upperhand punching Ottis straight to his jaw, dropping to his knees. "Sorry man, I guess the party is over", Gaspard was about attack Ottis again when Helena's decided to use her nature magic. She summoned the snow that immediately froze Gaspard's legs up to his knees, making him immobile. "Argh!!What's this?! You're a.. you're a..", Gaspard was surprised to see Helena's powers.
"Just a squirrel", Helena said as Ottis impale the rebel with his own falchion before laying down on the snow. Immediately, Freya retrieved the King's talisman from Gaspard. He even gave the poor girl a fright as he clasp on her arm tightly with those fiery eyes, before he breathe his last breath.
"Oh Ottis…", Helena called as she kneel down beside her friend. He lost too much blood that his pale skin is almost as white as snow. "Let me heal you, this will be quick", Helena offered while she take his hand.
"You're too weak for that", Ottis weakly said. "Squirrel.. Get this. It's your stuff… Now go to Snow Mountain. It's not too far from here", he handed Helena's chanery containing her personal items with his bloody hand. He started to feel colder than usual as he cough up blood.
"I'll stay with him, Helena. As much as I want you to stay… I know you have to go", Freya grab hold of Ottis as he lay him on her lap. "You are a good person, and there's no one I could ever wish for than to have you back again as someone I can call friend… I know I said sorry last time… I just want to make it more proper. I'm sorry for being too selfish. What we have here is not your war to fight.", Helena was speechless all the way.
"She's right… squirrel. I'm starting to.. like witches now", Ottis stammered. Helena chuckled with her vision marred with tears.
"Listen, Iaso told me that there are no more lights in the leccy. According to our old books, you could bring this talisman up there, the soul of your mother inside will ignite the lights of Caluso. The celestial powers of Tris will set off the luminous glow of the Snow Mountain for a while, then you can free your crest from the binding Wiccan spell Agalea placed. You can soul travel away from then", Freya said with a very heavy heart.
"Thanks Freya…", Helena bit her lip, not to show how it tremble so hard in so much sadness.
"Go now Squirrel, I can't let you see this ugly version of me", Ottis started to breath laboriously, while he force a smile to comfort Helena.
Helena stood up and turned her back. However, deep inside, she knew what she had to do despite the consequences. "I'm sorry, but I can't go without doing this…", Helena returned back down and laid her hand on Ottis' chest.
"No..", Ottis refused until his rolled up losing his consciousness. Freya tried pushed her away but Helena is completely decided to keep Ottis alive and heal him from his injuries.
"Now I can go", Helena could feel her head start go lighter, yet, she tried so hard not to show Freya.
With a huff and puff, Helena trudged her way up to Snow Mountain. Forlorn, she's too heartbroken not to even see Stellan and say one last goodbye or at least one more kiss, and perhaps one last look in the eye. Then she wondered if this is something her heart desires. Her mind became clouded with the catastrophe she's leaving her friends with. She started to doubt the decision that she made, and in every step that she make… the heavier her heart seemed to have become. Finally, after a few more walks, Helena reached the stairway to Caluso.
"Not so fast Helena", Evandrus uttered before Helena make one step on the first plight of Caluso's stairs.