??? POV:
The Ice clan remained untouched and unthreatened by any and all threats thanks to my friends and my power alone. Not even that selfish emperor can even take control of this place, as here we are free to do whatever the heck we want without anyone telling us what to do or how to be ourselves. I brought them peace and freedom, that is why they see me as their hero than a monster compared to the others back home.. Well it use to be my home. I just wish my dear little sister was here to experience what freedom really feels like, let along with true love.
"Xander!" A nearby scout comes rushing into my hut as I laid on my back within my hammock, waking me up from whatever rest I was in. I lifted my head seeing them standing there with a very concerned look of their face, forcing me to get up from my hammock and cracked my back in the process.
"What is it, Hugo? Is someone hurt?" I asked maintaining a calm demeanour as someone else to including the leader of these icy lands.
"Apollo has been spotted making his way through our lands for the past few days, and he isn't alone. He appears to have some sort of human captive in his possession, they appear to have a human prisoner" they announced instantly grabbing my attention, but why in hell would he be coming on my land? Unless he's trying to get back to the empire with this human captive. I really need to see this for myself.
"I'll deal with it personally. Don't let anyone interact or even attempt to fight him, I need to find out exactly what he's planning" I instructed making it an easy order so none of my friend will get hurt if one of them were to fight such a dangerous foe, but only I have the power to match him as his leader isn't actually my real birth father. I have a much better father role in my life now, and he's far more honest with his opinions compared to the last one I had. I hate liars.
The scout left my hut as I instantly left to meet Apollo myself and get a better understanding what he's planning to do with this human. Innocent or not they aren't meant to be in this realm to begin with, as it's far too dangerous for any weak species to coexist here. The plants and beings are far too strong and dangerous and could easy wipe them out of existence.
The cold freezing temperature was bearable as it's icy breeze touched my face once I entered outside, but due to my time being here it was no longer a issue. So I began to head out to Apollo's last known location where he was seen, and due to the land filled with ice and snow it was a little harder to spot him, but eventually I managed to hunt the bastard down along with his human companion as well. I patiently stalked up behind him seeing the human being dragged by their wrist across the freezing snow. Their light beige skin appeared to have become rather pale, clearly cold and exhausted for how long he's been dragging them along, but their long dark maroon hair reminded me of someone. I can't really put my finger on it. Suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks causing the woman to almost slip on some nearby ice.
"Can't you do something else other than following me around?" The anger and growl within his response made it clear that I wasn't welcome, but he was standing in my territory.
"Sorry, but you are trespassing on ice clan territory. And about the mortal you're travelling with, they aren't meant to be here. Take them back to their realm before I alert the wizard" I warned him as he too knew that I was not bluffing, keeping my cold golden eyes glared directly at him, no matter how little blood came from a wound I can see leaking in the corner of my eye somewhere on the human's body. He groaned throwing his prisoner back causing her to fall onto their back with a thud, slightly winding them from impacting the reveal harsh hard ice that snuck out from under the snowy surface, as the cowardly bastard who only attacks weaker targets turned to face me, showing no Jim's of sympathy whatsoever for what he has done. The poor woman has been weakened by freezing temperatures, lack of proper nutrients and water, let alone bleeding from an unknown that could prove fatal if nothing is done.
"Very funny that you think that, Xander. Even though they are not human not in the slightest, but one of our own stuck with a curse that prevents them from revealing their true identity. Let alone being the emperor's recently disowned daughter, Devina. Now leave me be, as I did not come here for a fight" he said being his usual selfish self caring for what only he wants, and not the poor beings that end up falling for such a cold hearted beast. I took a step forward with a loud stomp skidding some of the snow from under my boot, asserting that I was not planning of leaving this human in such dangerous hands. Let along someone he claims to be no one other than Devina herself, but what exactly has he done to her? Why do I feel like ripping him apart so badly? "Really? You want to fight me now? I thought you learned from out last interaction, but clearly a weakling like yourself needs another quick reminder of you're truly dealing with" he growled with a intrigued grin as his red eyes glowed bright baring his fangs at me, wishing for only one thing is mind. A fight to the death at best, but I only wish for a mere distraction or an opening to stun him before I flee with this poor defenceless creature. I must also prove that his words are true. Has she really returned?
"I have grown significantly since the last time we fought. And as a pointer I don't pick on weaker creatures just to feel better about myself, but right now at this moment in time I feel like getting rather violent" I replied bringing out my claws and fangs as my golden eyes glowed bright baring my fangs that were bigger and sharper than his was, and upon seeing my aggressively dominant stance I saw his grin drop at how big I became in his eyes. He knew at that moment I was the bigger alpha let alone the stronger one too, but this was just a mere distraction as the human behind him slowly crawled away into a little opening that led underneath the ice. Mainly into a small ice Rabbihog whole as these things are the sizes of foxes, so a den can at least fit one human inside depending how deep they get. Hopefully she managed to get deep enough and stayed out of his arms reach or her days are numbered.
"How the fuck are you this intimidating? It's impossible! You're supposed to be the weaker link" Apollo growled angry to see that he was no longer the strongest ever since we passed from our training to become elite knights, but I didn't stick around long enough to show them all how they underestimated me. I've become what they failed to be, a ruler and a real father to my 3 children. 2 boys and a recently a gorgeous little girl. I couldn't be any happier.
"It's called training and determination. Something you lacked as a man-oh wait, you never was one to begin with" I growled back stepping forward again, as his foot took one back onto some nearby revealing ice and slipped, but unluckily he caught himself in time and glanced up at me before looking around in a enraged panic not seeing the human anyway.
"You.. BASTARD?!" He suddenly darted towards me like some savage animal that had one intention in mind. To kill me. However, I do not plan to, not anymore at least as I have grown from their evil ways. I used my arms and blocked his first attack that caused the entire area to shake, as a gust of strong air bursted from such a powerful attack, but it'll take more than that to take me down.
"Nice try, Oiker. You hit like a little bitch" I stated as an 'Oiker' in our realm is linked to a creature similar to a pig, but bigger with tusks, rugged fur and is used mainly for riding, pulling heavy loads or kept as farming animals. Even if they're the size of these so called rhinos from what I've heard exist in the human realm. It is a very interesting place and yet I haven't seen any of it.
I pushed him back and used my eight put to kick him away, using his feet to skid to a halt glaring his eyes up at me filled with whatever rage he had towards me. I was ready, but whatever he does next is just going to lead to his own downfall.
"Xander!" I heard my small elf wife's voice calling out for me as I instantly turned by head to the left, immediately spotting her rushing over, with our little daughter in her arms wrapped in a fur blanket I personally skinned and sowed together from a solo catch from last week just for the baby.
"Isabel! You shouldn't be out here! It's far too dangerous, go back!" I screamed waving my hand for them to leave, but Apollo too this opportunity and pulled his arm towards my wife, opening his palm directly at her and Amabel. A bright red ball of energy was created within seconds along with a sinister grin that painted all over his face.
"You do have a quite a lovely family, but that makes you weak. You'll thank me once I get rid of these worms" Apollo stated as I instantly bolted for my wife with everything I've got, hearing his attack set off like lightning, but little did he know I too have got something absolutely shocking planned for him.
Just seconds before the attack could hit my wife or my week old daughter, I used myself to shield them hearing it impact and explode on my back as snow like smoke surrounded us. I peered down seeing my little wife unharmed along with my daughter which was a relief, but I wasn't going to let him go so easily.
However, when the smoke faded I turned to expect him there, but he had disappeared like a coward as I growled and stomped my foot against the ground, causing the ice around me to slowly crack. Then the thought of that human woman came to me as I rushed over to the Rabbihog hole. It was still untouched so he didn't know where she is hiding, but is she still alive?
"Psst, human. Are you still in there? If you are please give me some sort of sign" I quietly called through with my head poking into the den seeing the long tunnel that went down deep inside. A weak groan echoed through along with some shuffling, and with a strong sense of blood. I instantly turned to look directly at my wife who was the exact same size of this human, but was confused on what I now need from her. "Love.. I need you to go in there and save that human. It's an easy job, but she needs our help and fast if we want to send her back home alive!" I begged showing how serious the situation is along with the blood trail that went down into the den. She let out a sigh and handed me our daughter as I got up stepping back, before watching her get down on all fours I had a moment to admire the view, as she crawled inside until I couldn't see her anymore.
I patiently waited for several minutes until she came back up with the human in hand, dragging them until they were finally out of the den.
"She needs immediate medical assistance!" She yelled as I handed Amabel back to my wife, allowing myself to pick up the human and rushed them back home. Luckily her injuries were seen to before anything critical could happen, like a dangerous infection.
No one's POV:
Ever since Dan had first entered the realm it had been over 2 weeks filled with endless searching for Blaire, but no clue were giving until reaching a secluded village that lived near the edge of their forest land, connecting to the Ice Lands being the third biggest biome compared to the two largest biomes, that are ruled by two of the both powerful beings in the realm. Emperor Aelius and the all powerful wizard Alaric.
"Can you calm down? All this negativity is giving you wrinkles" Danny jokingly mumbled loudly and yet quiet enough for Dan to hear him, this made him pause for a moment and touch around his face with his hand, that remained hidden underneath his capes hood taking the boy's joke seriously, before glancing up seeing Danny running in the direction of the village, compared to several others they had came across prior for any intel on Blaire's whereabouts.
"Oi!" Dan yelled calling out for the boy and tried to catch up to him until slowly down, eventually coming to a stop beside him once seeing how different this one was. It was filled with different kinds of creatures including those from the ice clan living peacefully here, as a carriage filled with luggage pulled by huge Oikers' in the direction of the Ice Lands.
"Do you think any of these guys have seen Apollo?" Danny asked glancing up at Dan as their presence instantly drawn some attention to some of the town folks. Even as they began to walk through only talking to some of the villagers, but due to his appearance being similar to Apollo's they hardly got what they needed. This only made things worse agitating Dan even more about to storm out until a elf male came out luring them aside.
"I heard you're looking for Apollo. Are you looking for a death wish?" They asked glancing between the two knowing one of them would easily be floored by him, but Dan on the other hand they were sure he can stand up to him.
"No, are you?" Dan replied sternly glaring with his eyes glowing red scaring the elf shitless at how similar vibes he shared with their common enemy. Danny quickly jumped between them with a nervous laugh.
"Don't take his empty threat seriously. My brother is just trying to find his wife, which Apollo had stolen from us. We only want to know here he was heading" Danny explain mind Dan freeze as he knew for a fact that Blaire wasn't his wife yet, but having him boldly saying it only made him wonder. The elf struggle to ease under Dan's intimidating gaze and gulped, pulling out a map along with some directions heading into the Ice Lands as on the other side of the huge ice biome, was the biggest mix of rainforest and grassland biome to exist that is owned by the emperor.
"He was last seen crossing Ice Land borders after being banned for several illegal crimes against its people, but I suggest hiding your face. It'll probably keep you alive" the elf said giving Danny the map and where Apollo could possibly be along with Blaire, little did they know she was currently safe in good hands for the time being.
"Give me that" Dan snatched the map out of his hands and took a better look knowing exactly where to go, as on their way here the boarder of the Ice Lands weren't that far from where they we're currently, but there was a long time left until they can find Blaire and possibly get back at Apollo for what he has done, once fully aware of the state she was in. "Luckily one of us here knows how to work a map, but don't talk to anymore strangers. It'll only drag us behind on getting Blaire back home with us- well mainly me" he added leading the way eventually leaving after grabbing a few things, beforehand with a bag filled with coins they managed to grab onto or they might've not made it this far.
"No need to be so hostile. That guy was actually trying to help us, compared to the others. Be grateful" Danny said walking behind him trying to scold Dan for the way he was acting back then, but he only huffed before remaining silent looking at the map until reaching the ice biome within the next two hours. The freezing temperatures immediately took an effect on Danny due to him being half human, but during their journey it was starting to set making the temperatures drop even lower, forcing them to hide in a nearby cave that was covered by snow appearing to look like a hill. A fire was made to warm the cave around them as Danny went closer to the fire, and stuck there all night feeling it warm them both up throughout the night, even if the cold hardly effected Dan at all.