204 The Wrath of the Sorceress

AUTHOR'S POV

With a strong force emanating from a flick of Syria's fingers, Helena instantly felt strangled… choking heavily as her feet set off from the ice floor. Helena held her neck as she gasp for air, until Syria threw her across the leccy chamber hitting the ice columns breaking it into pieces. With a step closer, Syria haven't had enough as she drag Helena again, slamming her frail body against the ice formations. She did it a few more times. Then another, and another. She needed to destroy Helena's spirits, that she may be able to trap her in the talisman, just like what she did with Beatrice.

Beaten, bloody and wounded from all the shards of ice that slashed her face, neck and hands, Helena still stood up with the look in her eyes that angered Syria. Grunting, Helena pulled an icycle that stabbed her leg without batting an eye. The sorceress can't figure out where Helena gets the courage to stand against her, when she have destroyed all the driving force that could uplift her inner being. "Is that all you got?", Helena gasped for air as she lick the blood on her lip. She picked up her crest and secured it in her purse.

Seeing the rousing prowess in Helena's eyes provokes Syria to attack more. "Absolutely not", the sorceress said as she squinted her eyes and uttered Dolor in Caput. In an instant, Helena screams in indefinable agonizing pain that tears her head apart. "I shall put you in misery until you beg me to stop.", she didn't break her eye contact on the wincing soul traveler.

Helena couldn't think as she drop on her knees grabbing her hair in excruciating pain. She couldn't even scream from the inexplicable torment torturing the insides of her head. In slow pace, Syria come closer… heightening the power that she harness to weaken Helena until blood trickle out of her nose.

Struggling, Helena let out tears and shed out sweat all over of skin as she deliriously suffer Syria's dark magic. With all her might, Helena waved her hand that sent a strong blast of wind making the sharp pointy icicles from the ceiling drop upon Syria's feet, disrupting the sorceress. Syria jolted back as she cross her arms in defense. "Careful, you wouldn't want to make me bleed", Syria threatened.

With rapid breaths, Helena tried to summon the glacier that makes up the floor. Her powers shook the entire leccy chamber as it rumble like thunder, and shatter like glass. Free from Syria's grasp, Helena was able let the ice rise surrounding the sorceress, and eventually caging her with thick sleets of ice. "Nice trick! This would perfectly suit Galen", Syria excitingly uttered.

Helena staggered on the slippery ice as she make her way out. Her blood made a trail on the icy floor at her every uneven step. She could feel the warmth within Syria's ice cage as the sorceress beam a red light from inside the frost. Helena limply climbed up the stairs, hurried but slow. Mid-stairs, she heard a loud shriek coming from outside making her turn her lips into a fine line. She can't believe there will be dark healers here. Helena reached for her dragon hilt as she slowly ascend. Before she reached the top, Syria have freed herself from the sleets of ice. "We aren't done yet", Syria said.

Syria then made a dark orb of energy, and blasted it off Helena. Helena rushed up, missing Syria's attacks. Syria's orbs were scorching that it melts the ice it hits. The sorceress continued to send off more of her dark orbs, grunting from hitting amiss. With the remaining power she have left, Helena blocks all Syria's orbs with ice and water that would possibly hit her.

Dodging Syria's orbs, Helena slid down a few steps of the melting ice. The beautiful spiral stairs can no longer be seen, as the steps have completely shattered and melted from Syria's orbs.

Helena never understood the greatness of dark magic until now. Seeing the multitude of infinite power Syria can create and the vigor that the sorcerer gained, it is truly gratifying and tempting to seek for such great but evil magic.

Syria continued to chase Helena, until she finally got her cornered at the only apparent frosted stair by the wall. Helena, who's tired and weary, clench her fists thinking that this might be her end. "Farewell Helena", Syria uttered, preparing another orb in her hands. Just then, a dark arrow struck Syria's chest. When Helena looked where the arrow was drawn, she was completely and instantly in tears to see Stellan. "Grab my hand!", he uttered.

EARLIER

The creatures of the snow have started to be curious of Galen and his knight's presence. All who approached met the King's blade, to keep him sane and entertained. The more he shed blood in the snow, more creatures get more attracted. Aether suggested for the King to stand back, for not all Calusean wilds are as gentle as the ones that he easily slaughtered. However, the more Galen waits in silence, the more he gets more anxious, knowing he is only a mountain climb apart from Helena.

Little did they know, Stellan, Alesso and Vesta stealthily made their way to the Snow Mountain's stairwells. Welcomed by the snoring saumen by the entryway, the three snuck in on tiptoes and zipped lips.

Jac and Umbriel accompanied Ottis back to the rebel camp. Ottis still haven't woken up, despite breathing fine and all of his wounds were healed. Freya flew out as soon as they left for the camp. She departed leaving no explanation to the concerned priest. As for Atrius who wanted to aid in the search for Helena, he chose to tail the paladins.

Meanwhile, the paladins have finally walked past the saumen without waking it. They knew saumens aren't really violent, unless they are disturbed in their peaceful slumber. Cladded with a sheer lining of anticipation and woe, Stellan feels light headed as he clamber up the frosty stairs of snow mountain. He hopes for another glimpse of Helena before she leaves, and perhaps see that beautiful smile on the soft lips of hers.

They all suddenly stopped when they heard a clumsy trudge catching up to them. Drawing their weapons, Stellan and Vesta hid in the snowy mountainwall and waited for it to arrive. Alesso climbed on higher ground to get a clear view of what's coming. As it come forth, Alesso lowered his bow and sighed. He whistled a tone to the others that what went after them is nothing menacing. But then, just when he was about to head out, the paladin archer sensed something more.

Stellan jumped out from the wall, startling the newcomer. "What are you doing here?", Stellan grabbed Atrius by his coat.

"I… I followed you", Atrius lifted his hand, with his string of beads. "You can put your weapons down now.".

"Maybe not", Vesta lifted her labrys over her shoulder as she look out. "Is the saumen no longer there?", Vesta searched the rear of Atrius, just in case he have been followed.

"What saumen?", Atrius creased his brows in confusion.

"The snow creature right by the entryway", Vesta answered with a concerned tone.

Atrius was so confused for he didn't saw anything on his way up. He shook his head as he shrug his shoulders. Suddenly, they all heard a whistle tone slightly higher than the former, hooting like an alarm. Stellan and Vesta stood guard with their weapons up.

A large shadow towered Atrius, which sent him dumbfounded, gaping at the paladins. When he looked back, a green arrow went flying hitting the enormous furry creature behind him.The saumen with fiery red eyes roared angrily as it pound its large fists on the deep snow.

"Way to go, Prince of Vierme", Vesta said, tapping Atrius by his shoulder.

"Run!!", Alesso shouted as he send more arrows towards the saumen. However, it only made it angrier.