Chapter 11

Last time on Paranormal Dilemma, Aria unexpectedly collapsed due to her core that is growing increasingly unstable which is interfering with her powers and transformation as a result is causing her core to emit huge amounts of unstable amount power emitting pain in her chest as their is no more magic left for it to stabilise the negativity off which causes it to inflict pain to the host and go after nearby ghosts within 25 feet radius for either their ectoplasm or their core only if they have one that is or they become a full course meal to a ectoplasm craving beast.

"Ah..right on queue" Clockwork spoke with his back faces at Dan who held an unconscious Aria in his arms uncomfortable and in pain. "Let hop straight to it shall we, Aria hasn't got a lot of time left" he added feeling how uneasy Dan had become as more time is waisted. After explaining Dan was left rather speechless now with the knowledge that the so called spiritual kingdom hasn't disappeared disappeared from the Spiritual Realm nd is more invisible from the naked eye which is kinda suspicious.

"So you're telling me that the place we need to go is through the fire and ice nations? It could take us weeks or even months to get there! Could there possibly be an easier way to get there right?" Dan replied not in the best mood as Aria's condition is continuing to deplete the more time they waste within the Spiritual realm, unless someone decides to use a spell of some sort to slow down the core's unstable meltdown preventing her from possibly dying before they could get to their destination.

"Unfortunately due to the change of magic within the spiritual realm the fire nation has became one with the ice nation as both are covered in snow, ice and year round worth of freezing blizzards with no end that can kill a human being within 48 hours without the right equipment to keep them warm while embarking on their journey to their destination. However there is a short cut through both nations that might involve you to come across some rather dominant and aggressive ice clan that is mainly populated by territorial polar bears that aren't very fond of humans so whatever you do don't let them see her or you would have to fight them or their leader in order to progress with Aria" Clockwork replied knowing his stuff as time has presented a lot to him and the knowledge on this realm as it is one of many things he can do other than changing time and saving timelines. Dan slightly growled to himself as clockwork did what he would and woke Aria up and stabilised her core for no longer than 5 weeks due to past experience in the spiritual realm with an old non immortal friend before they too sadly met their end. "This spell can only hold for no longer than 5 weeks and on the last sundown until then you're on your own, if time runs out there's nothing else we can do to save her other than try to find the spiritual kingdom before time runs out" he lastly said opening a portal for the two to enter as Dan sighed slightly prepared when Aria was wrapped up in a heated blanket before going through the portal as snow and freezing temperatures instantly hit them forcing Aria into her blanket while he held her seeing the dark night sky but the cold doesn't affect him as hid body was mostly made of heat as his core is a mix of two elements fire and ice making him suitable to walk around in a freezing iced out terrain like this.

"I'm too tired for this shit" Aria grumbled still half asleep with a banging head ache from being forcefully woken from her concussed state and met with this cold while his body emitted heat keeping her warm for the mean time as he walked through the freezing terrain until coming across a tiny cave to shelter in until sunrise where the freeze temperature will drop low enough for Aria to get used to without freezing or gaining frostbite. "Where are we?" She asked looking up at Dan as he sat down at the fairest part of the cave keeping her still in his warm embrace as freezing temperatures were still making its way inside the cave but not as much as it was outside.

"We are in the Spiritual realm to find the Spiritual Kingdom in order to stabilise your core before it kills you" he replied laying it all down than just lying to her about the whole situation as she huffed not ready for any of this and laid her head against his chest slowly drifting off again as he stayed awake keeping watch until it is redeemed to be safe.

"Mm..I'll worry about it tomorrow, goodnight" she lastly said before slightly sleeping away in the only warmth she's probably going to have during the entirety of the journey other than her specialised heated blanket she was given when walking on her own in the cold. Dan silently waited and watched as snow fell from the sky in different pattern and speeds showing off their own elegant sparkle when coating the already snow floor with an extra soft back up white coating before it either freezes or just sits there waiting..patiently until someone steps or uses it for fun based activities. As 30 minutes went by Aria was out cold in a deep dream not worrying about a thing or what could happen when sleeping like this unaware on how cute she was being curled up in some dudes body using his warmth to keep her toasty and safe.

Dan's PoV:

I slowly exhaled with both eyes closed before looking up opening them at the cave's ceiling thinking about what was happening right now hearing her calm breathing while she laid against my chest using the warmth of my body until the end of this mission but feeling her this close to me is making my body feel incredibly weird, what's happening? Why i my heart beginning to speed up? When i looked down i saw how peaceful she was just sleeping there unaware that i was looking at her which such..passion and weird emotions that i hadn't felt before in a long time. Screw the snow this is far more important and keep her safe just like I promised myself even though there will be a time when I'll fail to keep that promise but i will make it up to myself if it does come to that but it wouldn't..not on my watch. After spending another hour of watching the cave i came to a conclusion that it was safe enough for Aria and that i could sleep away too and wake when the sun rises again, if they have a sun or it would be very weird if they don't.

When the feeling of movement was felt waking me up accidentally holding Aria tightly without knowing until she booked my nose unexpectedly making my eyes open up and look down seeing how close she was to my face as i released her giving her some space. "You almost squeezed the living soul out of me" she complained sitting on her knees 1 metre away from me as i just looked down at her in my ghost form seeing how human she was thinking of the many things these creatures could do to her with one slash, bite and glare but Aria is far more greater than anyone I even know other than her hidden kindest to people despite being an overprotective mother for Brea and in order to be that mother then Aria must live.

"We must continue before the spell wears off and I don't think you would want to experience that pain again..i don't..*whispers to myself* maybe" I didn't like to see her in pain but what i did was something i want to experience again, she tasted so sweet and smells so nice it's addicting to anyone who is lucky enough to get that close to her..i got lucky even though it wouldn't be happening again any time soon. I stood up from the edge of the cave looking down at Aria as she stayed sat looking up at me with that adorable expression that's making me picture dirty things like a normal being would but I kept my composure and held a hand out pulling her up from the floor with the blanket still covering her body before beginning the journey through the supposed shortcut Clockwork showed me to go buying us some more time until the spell wears off. It took us about a week to arrive at this so called ice clan we stopped a about half a mile away from it making me take my cape off and throw it on top of Aria before making our way inside hoping to not make any bad gestures to the bears or any higher ranks that walk around as we entered into their territory, we were pulled by a nearby bear who happens to be annoyingly noisy at me and my hidden human partner blocking our path through the huge clan.

"What are you supposed to be? And why are you in our clan? You ain't no beast" he said getting close in my face making me slightly growl showing off my dominance and overprotectiveness as he grew too close to Aria who stood behind me not wanting to potentially moulded by a polar bear. He looked down at her seeing the cloak that hid her human like features believing that she wasn't a human being in a realm they most certainly don't belong in. "And you have an..elf companion, hm not bad. Are you just travelling through?" He said finally getting the grip of things as i felt her slightly grab onto my suit making me look down at her before glancing back at this dumb bear who stood there waiting for my reply.

"We are just passing through that's all" i replied keeping myself off this bears potential list for its next meal even though I could kill it if it dares to lay a single claw on Aria or myself. It laughed patting me on the back taking my serious glare as some sort of joke, fighting and threatening a natural thing around here? If it is then maybe we can get through this with ease.

"You are funny pal but truly why don't you and your lovely lass come and drink with us tonight huh? My treat" he offered as he suddenly began to push us along with him deeper into the clan seeing how many polar bears that populated the place and its iced terrain perfect for them and fishing as it is their natural specialty in the wild like this. "Trust me guys you'll love what's happening tonight, especially you pal i can tell that you with those big muscles are good enough to be a champion or ever a gladiator" he continued to talk pointing most of them at me as if Aria seemed to be some sort of weak..elf? She isn't even tiny! When we got to the so called bar the place was amazing and filled with powerful higher ranked polar bears as if they were celebrating something and we were luck enough to be apart of it but I don't think that Aria i that much of a drinker..is she? "Tonight we are celebrating the successful marriage between princess Uran and prince Hira the further of both clans that are soon to be reunited into one!" He said putting an arm over my shoulder pulling near the front of the bar as we sat on some chairs with drinks ordered to us but Aria wasn't given alcohol but milk instead as she tired it down using her weak immune system to get out of it and would get drunk easy which I didn't believe for a second.

"As soon as this party is over we'll leave" i said to her as she hummed leaning against the bar not really motivated about anything knowing by the look that she isn't used to partying like this. "You can try and enjoy yourself a little bit but don't get yourself caught lacking" she sat up drinking the milk before maybe requesting a bit of alcohol which was a big turn of things but as long as she enjoys herself then everything will be fine if they keep their paws to theirselves.

"Mm..maybe i should have some fun for once" she quietly mumbled to herself which brought some relief to me as she drank the alcohol as if it was water to her which surprised me a bit, another polar bear can up and sat beside her in a flirtatious manner which was aching me to fight him but i don't want to embarrass myself than i already have.

"Hey sweet little salmon, wanna go out some time?" He spoke forcing me to keep my composure calm even though it was visible that i was mad as my hand was clenched tightly in a rock hard fist resting on the wooden surface of the bar scaring the bar tender with my intense atmosphere.

"No thanks you're not my type" she replied as he grew closer not getting the moto at all but it could be the male hormones kicking or something depending from these guys have a mating season like most animals do.

"By the way I'm Richard and Don't worry we aren't always like this its just because it's currently mating season and everyone is looking for a mate if still single like poor Veil here flirting with your beautiful little elf" he said as i watched this Veil guy very closely for any inappropriate moves towards Aria since we agreed to pretend being mates until we leave the clan in one piece but i have a bad feeling that things are going to take a turn for the worse.

"Dan. but if he doesn't move I'm going to do it for him.." I growled looking at Richard with a cold, death glare making him lean backwards off the stool that he was sat on attempting to get his friends attention.

"Veil! Back off from the elf, she is already taken" he called out successfully as the guy backed off clicking some stupid finger guns at her before taking off to talk some other girls finally taking the stress off my shoulders. Aria suddenly rested her head against my shoulder as i looked seeing a to so happy woman still drinking alcohol but doesn't seem to be intoxicated yet which was good so i took the drink away from her just to prevent anything unexpired to happy if she was to get drunk.

"No more drinking for you Aria.." i said catching Richards attention again as he looked at me weird like if he had heard her name before and if so i would be incredibly concerned, he rested his arm against the bar table keeping his attention faced towards us and us only.

"Did you say Aria?" He asked as we both looked at him confused even though Aria was a bit drunk but still able to communicate just fine without slurring like most drunks do.

"Yeah what's it to you" i replied back slightly protective and yet curious as he glanced over to look at Aria one more time before sighing as if he messed up, does this mean we have been fond out already it is almost nightfall and the cold temperatures are beginning to pick up, suddenly he pulls closer gesturing me to give him my ear so i rolled with it and leaned in.

"I heard not too long ago just as you guys came in someone smelt a human like scent and the only one closest to being one here is here making it not one until Aria's cover is soon to be blow if you don't act fast and hide before the guards arrive" he whispered helping us but why? And where are we supposed to hide its our first time wondering the spiritual realm and this clan.

"But its our first time here we have no ideas on where to hide" i whispered back as he gestured for some friendly back up seeing that most of the polar bears in here we actually nice and helped Aria hide from the not so good guys that would take her without hesitation until we were positioned into the far back of the bar in a dark corner covered by huge fluffy bears bears who wished to protect Aria.

"We can only do so much for you I'm afraid so until they're gone you'll have to stay here, but if they do end up finding you then the rest is in your hands pal" Richard lastly said before taking back to the bar leaving the two of us sat here behind big white fluffy polar bears covering us from all that try to find us. The door to the bar swung open as professional guards came rushing in with a rather old looking bear following last in rather posh looking armour which was kinda far fetched just for a human.

"Lord Achilles has arrived and demands your attention!" A fellow guard said introducing their lord to everyone with their powerful presence as lord Achilles was far more bigger than the others revealing that he was the king and most powerful out of the others that resign in the clan revealing why they are scared to help us if the were to find us hiding here.

"I was notified that we have a human within our ranks so where is she?!" He growled taking this all too seriously scaring even some of the big guys that hid us from this grizzly beast lord himself as they slightly quivered not wanting to get on his bad side but i wonder why? What's so scary about this big white polar bear other than his old and yet scary appearance due to the scars on his body especially the face.

"My apologies my lord but they had already left just 10 minuets before your arrival" Richard said trying his best to hide us from the king but i had a feeling that things weren't going to go as planned, as expected he wasn't believed as Aria's supposed scent was still lingering throughout the bar persuading the lord that this human he's after is still here.

"LIAR!! Guards arrest him and search this place head to bottom, i need both the human and her counterpart alive!" He growled as Richard was apprehended before the search began forcing me to hide Aria behind me even though i too was more likely on their list feeling bad for him after all he did risk his life to save ours. "Don't stop until you find them!" The lord sat down on a table near the front entrance of the bar waiting for his men to find and bring us to him as he demands proof of what he was told is true or not so a punishment will be put in order.

"What's happening?" Aria asked as i looked behind me seeng how confused she was of the situation but it would be best if she wasn't to know of what had happened to Richard. I could feel them growing closer as more bears were aggressively shoved until finding their way to where i was stood covering Aria the one they were after.

"We found them sir! What are your orders?" The guard called out bringing Achilles to his feet and headed over making us greet face to face for the first time way bigger than i expected him to be looking up eyeing his eyes piecing into mine in an attempt of interrogation and surrender her over but it takes more than that to make me give anything i like away.

"Hm..if you come in willingly then no harm will come to your human counterpart, however if you dare to even struggle or break free i will personally slice her throat right here before your very eyes. Do you understand?" He coldly ordered as i scoffed not wanting to deal with this but it's all I could do so i surrendered and let them take us so Aria could live. We were kept in separate cells in his underground cellar that was protected by magic preventing any of us from escaping or phasing through to get to the other side. How dare he use her life like that?! Aria isn't some toy and to be used as some sort of manipulation against me and keep me continued here for whatever sick plan he had in store for us.

"Remind me why we are stuck here?" Aria asked laying against the wall behind me on the other side not getting the whole picture yet. I was beginning to hate all of this crap and kill the lord if he dared to lay a single finger on her again or even a piece of fur blood shall be painting the walls of his palace red.

"You really are deaf, *sighs* but if i were to struggle or break free back in the bar and here then your life would be taken because of my selfish attempts to escape" I replied even though i wouldn't call it selfish but what could possibly go wrong other than wait in a stupid magical cage until your face is decided...I'm going to lose it!

"Oh. But what would happen if i were to escape instead of you? Will you die too or just me?" She replied back which was kinda confusing but i doubt that she wouldn't get killed as this Achilles guy is making a big deal over some human like if he could stand a chase against Aria in her full form despite it being unstable and incomplete back then against her stupid ex..I'll kill if i see him again.

"Both probably.." i replied still known that she was still slightly drunk revealing to me that this lady does drink but not that often as she has things in life that needs her attention more than alcohol, this woman is unbelievable and that's me saying something and what she's been through an hasn't lost her shit yet has been surprised and how can she act so calm in a situation like this?

"Damn, I wonder how Richard is doing?" I heard her talking to herself as i chuckled giving up at this point but she does have a point though, i feel like this was all apart of some sick plan for something we are unaware of putting me under pressure again wondering if either of us would make out alive as i prefer both since it was out mission to find and stabilise her core before time runs out and i refuse to let her die because of me. "I have that bad feeling again just after i mentioned Richard..I'm worried about him Dan" she said aiming it at me and wasn't lying either as if i too can feel the worry that is overwhelming her body again and last time that happened lets just say things didn't go as planned.

Just before i could speak footsteps could be heard walking over to our cells making me look up seeing Lord Achilles standing there looking down at me and then glanced over at Aria with more of a interested look in his eyes which wasn't giving me any good vibes. "Take the girl up, i have more interesting things planned for her" he ordered as guards were heard forcing Aria out of her cell struggling to go with them this time making me jump up standing straight and up at the lord himself who grinned in response. "Don't worry she wont be harmed in anyway just..adjusted a little" he said with a pause as i grabbed the bars feeling them burn and electrocute through my body before sending be flying backwards feeling how powerful these jolts had and how effective they were against me.

"She hasn't done anything wrong! And I'll be damned if i were to let you hurt her in anyway" I growled getting up again but this time i just glared at him with murder in my eyes showing how serious i was on keeping this one human safe even though she wasn't human at all..let alone an experiment either as Aria doesn't remember anything about her childhood or anyone when she was a kid other than a beautiful back garden with a single pink like Sakura tree in the middle of the courtyard of some castle making it highly unlikely that she was born or made in a lab or it'll be too easy to figure out if that was the case but for her it isn't.

"So be it" he said taking one last look at me before turning his back at me and then stopped halfway looking over his shoulder seeing that i was still staring at him with murderous intentions making him smirk showing me his grizzly teeth. "What i have in store for you isn't going to compare to the thing you're used to doing back in the mortal realm" he finally said leaving me alone or so i thought while Aria is up there taking whatever shit he's putting her through and if she comes back with blood or a single bruise then this is going to be my last straw before i ape shit on this bear.

No one's PoV:

Aria was dragged upstairs to the throne room as she was forced down by guards waiting for the lord to arrive and when he did sitting in his throne glaring down at her without her blanket or Dan's cloak to keep her warm from the freezing temperatures leaving the guards to feel her slight shivers not yet used to the temperatures of this land. "What do you plan to do with me hm? A defenceless human really! What can a single human do to you? You're literally a giant compared to me" she growled at him switching personalities very quickly in front of the bastard that doesn't give a crap about anyone by the look of things. Achilles just looked down at her in silence seeing how angered this one human was acting over this aggression before gesturing his guards to release her as she had a point, what can one human do to a over 10 foot tall standing Polar bear that is far taller and bigger than any ordinary polar bear you're used to seeing.

"State your purpose and why you are in my land? I demand to know" he ordered putting Aria under some pressure as she looked around out seeing guards surround her both left and right preventing her from potentially escaping.

"No offence my lord but i am forbidden to tell you why we are in need to walk through your clan I'm afraid" she responded hearing him lowly growl shutting her up for a little bit knowing that anyone of the bears could kill her if they so desirably wanted to like cold hearted beasts even though some aren't always as mean as you think they are. He sighed putting a paw to his face unsure if he should go through with what he actually planned with Aria and her friend that is still trapped in the cellar trying to find a way to escape when the time is right. Achilles stood up from his throne making all guards in the room get down on one knee as he made his way towards Aria until he was just close enough to grab her by her throat his huge bear like paws pulling her up to his face bearing his big sharp teeth to her as if he wanted to engulf her whole.

"If your counterpart fails to meet my standers tomorrow in the arena then i will kill you in front of him and tear you limb from limb until i get what i want" he growled threatening to end her life if Dan's performance is poor and not as exciting as the king thought it would be using his prisoners as toys for his own sick games. He threw her to the ground before the guards took her back into the cell they pulled her from showing the leader with no respect at all leaving the two stuck down there until tomorrow where the most dangerous, twisted game they are yet to play with one life on the line depending on the other to survive and keep both lives safe from potential death which is what the lord wishes unaware of what these two are truly made of.

To be continued...