Chapter 17: Althea frost

The golden rays of the morning sun crept over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the tranquil waters that surrounded the island. The gentle lapping of the waves created a soft rhythmic sound, harmonizing with the cheerful chirping of birds flitting between the trees. Dr. Lucas stood outside a large, weathered tent, his hands clasped behind his back, lost in the beauty of the dawn. As the sun's light spilled across the landscape, it illuminated the distant silhouette of a grand estate perched elegantly atop a hill, a stark contrast against the wildness of the island.

Harris,Lucas's aide, approached, breaking the momentary spell of serenity. "Doctor," he called out, his voice just loud enough to overcome the soothing sounds of nature. "What did Dale say to you last night before he left?"

Lucas turned slightly, his gaze shifting from the horizon to his aide. The sun caught the contours of his face, revealing a mixture of weariness and determination. "Don't worry about it," he replied, the words passing through his lips with a calm finality.

Harris nodded, but a hint of concern lingered in his eyes as he continued, "Are all the survivors okay after the check-up?"

Lucas straightened, the momentary distraction fading. "Yes. As far as I can tell." He studied Harris expression, sensing the unspoken worries. "Any issues with… you know, the infected?"

"It's just two," Harris said, his voice lower now. "They're infected, but not fully transformed. They're in the lab as we speak."

Lucas exhaled slowly, relief washing over him like a wave. "Okay, good. We need to take the rest to the estate on the other side of the island. They'll be safer there."

"Understood," Harris replied, the tension easing as he quickly made a note before turning to leave.

Once alone, Lucas returned his focus to the sea, his expression darkening as he gazed out at the endless blue. The beauty that surrounded him felt bittersweet, and the worries of the world beyond this island clawed at the edges of his mind. He thought of Elena, Eva, and Evelyn—the three people he had come to care for deeply amidst the chaos that had enveloped their lives. Memories flooded his thoughts: shared laughter, moments of hope, and the quiet whispers of fear that had risen as swiftly as the tide.

Lucas rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. He couldn't shake the nagging worry that something—anything—might have happened to them in his absence. With each passing moment, he imagined the worst: Elena stumbling upon the zombie-like creatures that had begun to plague the island, Eva's steely resolve finally breaking, or Evelyn succumbing to despair.

The sound of rustling fabric drew his attention back to the tent and its shadowy depths. It served as a temporary refuge, a makeshift laboratory filled with equipment that had been hastily set up. He needed to check on the two infected individuals, but first, he had to ensure the safety of the others. He took one last look at the sunrise reflecting off the distant estate, a sanctuary that felt worlds away.

***

Chloe's heart raced as she sat on the bed in the room of the estate on the isolated island. The morning sunshine filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on the white mini box in her hands. She felt a wave of worry wash over her as she thought about her missing mother and sister, Elena.

Opening the box, Chloe's eyes fell on the white crystal inside. A gift from Elena, given to her on her birthday some years ago before she disappeared. The memory of the ice woman trapped within the crystal flashed through Chloe's mind. Althea frost, powerful and enigmatic, had warned her not to summon her unless she was Cryos' future wife. But now, desperate to find her family, Chloe knew she had no choice but to use Althea's powers once again.

Glancing out the window, Chloe wondered how Elena had found the crystal and where it had come from. But she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. Placing the crystal on her head, Chloe's eyes turned white as she felt a surge of cold wind swirling around her.

An image of a girl formed in the wind, slowly morphing into the figure of a woman made of ice. Althea frost stood before Chloe, her frigid gaze piercing through her.

"It's you again, Do you claim to be Cryos' future wife?" Althea asked, her voice as cold as the ice she was made of. "And don't try lieing to me, because I feel everything" she added

Chloe's heart sank as she shook her head. "No, I am not," she admitted, her voice firm but filled with determination.

Without a word, Althea was about going back into the Crystal, dismissing Chloe. But Chloe's desperation pushed her to speak up.

"Wait," Chloe called out, her voice filled with urgency. "I know I'm not the one destined for Cryos, but I need your help. My family is missing, and I believe your powers can help me find them. Please, just hear me out."

Althea frost turned back to face Chloe, her expression unreadable. Chloe took a deep breath and gathered her courage as she spoke to the ice woman.

"Please, Althea," Chloe began, her voice filled with desperation. "I may not be Cryos' future wife, but I need your help. My family is missing, and I don't know where they are or if they're even safe. I don't have anyone else to turn to. Please, will you help me?"

Althea frost studied Chloe for a moment, her eyes piercing and cold. Then, with a nod of her head, she relented.

"I will help you, Chloe," Althea said, her voice as cold as the ice she was made of. "But remember, you are not my charge. You are not Cryos' destined mate. Do not forget that, or the consequences will be dire."

Chloe nodded, relief flooding through her. She knew she had made a risky move by calling upon Althea's powers without being Cryos' future wife, but she was willing to do whatever it took to find her family.

"Thank you, Althea," Chloe said, gratitude evident in her voice. "I won't forget your help, I promise."

With a wave of her hand, Althea frost conjured a swirling vortex of ice and snow, enveloping Chloe in its freezing embrace. And with that, Chloe was transported to a new realm, a realm where she would begin her quest to find her missing loved ones, guided by the powerful ice woman known as Althea frost. "Do you have any idea on were your mom work?" Althea frost asked

Chloe, looking afraid, said, "Please, you must not inform anyone—"

"—One, that your mom and sister work in a secret Lab in a forgotten corner of the city. Hidden from the prying eyes of the public, a warehouse that seems abandoned," cut Chloe off before she could complete the word. "Is that it?" Althea asked.

Chloe was amazed and confused. "How did you know all that? I was about to inform you not to tell anyone because—"

"—It was a secret," Althea interrupted Chloe once more. "You were about to ask me how did I know what you were about to say. And I'll answer that question right away. It's because you put the Crystal on your head in the real world. You're just sitting on the bed and the Crystal in your head is not visible anymore. When you leave this place, the Crystal will fall offf your head and you will be human once more." Althea Frost stopped talking as she looked at Chloe with surprise. "Do you by any chance know Elena?" she asked advancing her steps towards Chloe.

"Yeah, she's my elder sister," Chloe said, becoming more confused. "If you're in my head and have all my memories, why do you have to ask me a question about my family?" she added.

Althea was just smiling. "Find the Prince's bride, teach her all you know, and be free." Althea's expression was bright.

"Don't tell me you've been caged and as a punishment you were asked to teach Elena magic, and after 7 days of training, you're free," Chloe concluded, surprised that a powerful being like Althea Frost could be caged.

"We are going to track them all down, then you give me back to Elena, and I'll be able to start training her. I can't wait to be free from this ice Crystal, then my name will be clear," Althea Frost said.

"My sister is not going to like this. I see why she gave me the Crystal."

"Is it not easy to find out? She wants you to get my powers and be able to protect yourself from the global crisis happening now."

"She knew something like this would happen. We have to find her, Althea."

"Then get ready," Althea said with a cold smile on her face.