Ice King

Creeeek...

No twist of the knob was required. The door slid open. Moonlight broke into the room, illuminating the middle of the room. The stained windows on the side also allowed light to reach the corners.

In the middle of the room, sitting on a worn-down wooden chair in front of a fireless fire pit, there was a man. He turned around in his seat, revealing a face incredibly similar to Oscar's. Simply more aged.

"Oscar."

"Boreas."

The name felt natural to Oscar, escaping his lips like second nature. As if he had said it a million times before. After he said it, he felt a little surprised.

Boreas? That's... his name?

The man was the same man he had seen on the day he froze.

So... my body is likely in a near-death situation. 

The house was devoid of anything you would see in a regular log cabin, like fruits, maybe a pet, and some paintings on the wall. The only things within the house were the ashes inside the fire pit and a wooden table.

"I've wanted to talk to you for a while, Oscar."

"Really?" The statement surprised Oscar. Last time they met, he was a little more… volatile? Now, his voice lingers with warmth and familiarity.

"Yeah. And I know why you're here. To obtain my power, right?"

Oscar nodded.

"Take a seat. I don't want your legs getting tired."

Another wooden chair that Oscar seemingly did not notice appeared. He promptly sat down, his hands between his lap.

"I was really willing to give you this power a while ago. But, I was just waiting for you to find me."

"I see."

"Kidding."

Chains of ice erupted out of the chair, wrapping Oscar and binding him. Boreas guffawed.

"Did you think I had a change of heart? I'm still the same senile old man that's constantly fighting for control!"

He mounted over the table, lunging at Oscar.

I don't know what I was thinking,

Oscar completed the sentence aloud. "I really have never been good with talking anyway."

The chains shattered around him, shards of ice flying around the wooden log cabin.

"!"

As Boreas approached him, he grabbed him by the jugular, holding him tightly. Boreas gurgled.

"I'll just beat you into submission."

"You passed the test."

The real Boreas stood near the door frame.

Oscar quickly turned around.

. .

.

"So… this whole time, why have you been fighting for control?" Oscar asked.

The two were now sitting around the table, the corpse of a false Boreas underneath it. This time the campfire was lit, a false blue fire burning.

"Part of it is because… well, it's boring in here. In your mind. Spirit world. I'm not sure what to call it. But it's not fun. Living life is much better. The other reason is to help you learn to handle it better."

"… Huh?"

"If I just give it to you, the… perhaps I'm telling you too much."

"It seems you aren't telling me enough. From the looks of it."

"When the time is right, I'll tell you everything. The most important thing is for you to know that I'm not an enemy."

"…" Oscar remained quiet in acquiescence.

"Your body outside is at a near-death state. Smart. You remembered the events of how we first met and recreated them."

Well, that wasn't me. Oscar's eyes wandered.

"I'll send you back. Activated. The Glow of Boreas will be bestowed upon you. Some of it, at least. Listen, what's important is that you'll have full control over it. We'll talk again soon.

Boreas reached over and tapped his forehead with his index finger. Oscar's vision began to blur.

"Oh, and Oscar, I've noticed something about you."

Oscar's head slammed onto the desk.

"Do you think ice is the only thing you can create?"