Chapter 47: Playing Games, Sister's conflict.

After Elsa recovered, she repaired the ice castle bringing it back to its former glory.

Actually this time it was even better considering Lioro gave her some pointers along the way.

Inside a room, Lioro sat across from Elsa. The once-icy room had been warmed slightly, not by magic, but by the laughter that now filled the air. The large table between them was occupied by a peculiar board, scattered with small figurines.

"This… is called Chess?" Elsa asked, tilting her head, her platinum blonde hair falling over her shoulder.

"Yes," Lioro replied.

Elsa pursed her lips, studying the game pieces. "I thought we would fight again when you said 'game'."

Lioro smiled lightly.

"It wouldn't be fun if I just let you use magic all the time. Besides, games are a good way to sharpen the mind."

Elsa smiled: "Fine. Teach me."

Lioro took his time explaining the rules. Though she struggled at first, Elsa quickly picked up the game, her sharp mind adapting to the strategy.

For a while, they played in peaceful silence, occasionally broken by Elsa's small grumbles when she lost a piece.

"You planned this move earlier, didn't you?" she accused after losing her third lance.

Lioro grinned. "Maybe."

He had so many ways of beating a beginner it was amazing.

After all, Elsa didn't know any openings, no mid-game or end-game strategy.

Her mind was sharp but in his eyes, she was a complete newbie.

After all, he was a 1500 elo!

Elsa pouted, crossing her arms.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Lioro shrugged. "Maybe a little."

It wasn't really fun to crush newbies, it felt only so-so.

They played another round. And another. And another. Five games in total.

By the end of it, she was gripping the edge of the table, her frustration barely contained.

Lioro managed to counter all her attacks every single time and she could never see his attacks coming.

Just when she thought she had an advantage! Voila! Mate!

It was really frustrating!

Ice was beginning to creep along the wooden surface, tiny spikes forming where her fingers rested.

Lioro noticed and chuckled. "You're going to freeze the table if you keep that up."

Elsa huffed and leaned back, rubbing her temples. "I just… don't like this game.....and losing."

"Then let's play something else," Lioro offered.

Elsa shot him a skeptical look. "Another game you'll win?"

Lioro thought for a moment before saying. "How about a card game?"

Elsa raised an eyebrow. "A card game?"

Lioro chuckled, then suddenly straightened his posture, his expression growing serious. A moment later, he placed his hand over his chest as if recounting an ancient legend.

"Elsa, allow me to introduce you to a game unlike any other. A game of war and deception. A game of strategy and cunning, where kings and monsters clash on a grand battlefield. A game so legendary that only those with the sharpest minds can hope to master it!"

Elsa blinked. "...Go on."

"It is called GWENT!"

He raised his hands dramatically making a small fireball rush out, adding to the theatrics.

Elsa stared at him. "...Are you messing with me?"

Lioro smiled. "Absolutely not."

Elsa leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, intrigued. "And you have these cards?"

Lioro shook his head. "No, but you could make them, right?"

Elsa blinked, then slowly smiled. "I can make them."

Lioro explained about the cards, and the details before Elsa went to work.

She raised her hand, and ice formed in the air, shimmering as it took shape. Within moments, a full deck of beautifully carved ice cards materialized before them. The details were stunning, with intricate engravings on each card, depicting knights, monsters, and spellcasters.

Lioro picked one up, impressed. "Not bad."

Elsa rolled her eyes playfully. "Not bad? They're beautiful."

"They are."

His simple agreement made her pause for a moment, but she quickly refocused.

"Alright, show me how to play."

For the next hour, Lioro explained the rules. Elsa picked up on it quickly, her frustration from chess replaced by excitement. They played their first round, and as expected, Elsa lost. But this time, instead of frustration, she laughed.

"This is actually fun," she admitted.

"Glad you liked it," Lioro said as he shuffled the cards for the next round.

They played several more games. Elsa lost each one, but she was enjoying herself too much to care. She was determined to win at least once.

But still… she lost.

Again

And again.

And again.

At first, she laughed, genuinely entertained. But as the losses piled up, a familiar irritation stirred in her chest. She wasn't a sore loser, but why was he always a step ahead?

Her fingers drummed against the table. Her ice-crafted cards shimmered faintly in the dim light. Then, an idea crept into her mind.

'What if…'

It wouldn't be much. Just a small adjustment. One or two cards. A subtle shift. He wouldn't even notice.....

Gulping down a mouthful of saliva, Elsa sneakily glanced at Lioro, seeing that he was focusing on his cards she moved into action.

With the faintest flicker of her magic, the card in her hand changed. It was seamless, undetectable. Even she could barely tell the difference, if she didn't know better, she'd believe she had drawn it naturally.

Her heart pounded slightly, a mix of excitement and guilt swelling inside her.

Lioro smiled, not saying anything.

How could she possibly hide magic fluctuations from him?

With his six eyes, he could pick up any and all disturbances in magic no matter how small.

So for this round, he deliberately played to lose.

And as expected, Elsa won.

"I win!" Elsa declared, sitting up straighter as the last round ended in her favor.

Lioro smiled and nodded. "You did. Good job."

Elsa froze.

Her victorious smile faltered slightly. She expected him to protest, to accuse her of cheating. Instead, he had accepted his loss without hesitation.

Guilt began to creep in. She had been so eager to win that she resorted to using magic. And yet, Lioro, who had bested her so many times before, had simply accepted it without argument.

"You won't say anything?...."

"Oh congratulations," Lioro said simply. "It was a good match."

Elsa stared at him, then let out a groan, covering her face with her hands. "Ugh… now I feel awful."

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Elsa peeked at him through her fingers, her expression torn between guilt and frustration. 

Finally, she opened her mouth and spoke.

"That.....I cheated....."

After saying her words, she lowered her head and waited.

But even after a few seconds passed, Lioro didn't say anything.

Feeling confused Elsa raised her head, only to find him perfectly calm.

Seeing his expression she understood.

"...You knew, didn't you?"

Lioro smiled: "It's hard for me not to notice."

Elsa's shoulders lowered and she said with a pout,

"Then....why didn't you say anything?"

"Because it's a simple game," he said.

"And I didn't mind losing."

His 'I didn't mind losing' hit her right in the heart, making her feel even worse. She let out a groan, covering her face with her hands. "Ugh… now I feel awful."

Lioro chuckled. "It was a good match."

Elsa, torn between embarrassment and frustration. Finally, she sighed and lowered her hands. "Fine. Let's play again. This time, no magic."

Lioro nodded. "Alright."

They shuffled the cards, and the game began anew.

This time, Elsa played fair.

And though she lost again, she found that the victory she truly wanted wasn't about winning, it was about enjoying the game itself.

However, after a few hours, Elsa finally got a hang of the game and won her first round fair and square.

"I won!"

She declared in sheer excitement, putting her hands on the table she leaned forward and looked at Lioro with shining eyes.

Her face was a little close.....

Lioro was taken aback because of her sudden enthusiasm.

After a moment, he said with a smile: "Congratulations."

"Yes!"

Elsa straightened her back and tightly clenched her fists, doing a small dance on the spot.

Lioro gave her a weird look.

All this for over a single win? How about he remind her that the score was 30 to 1?

Just as Elsa celebrated her first fair victory, the heavy doors of the ice castle opened. And a voice rang out.

"Elsa!"

A familiar voice filled with emotion.

Elsa's breath hitched. Lioro watched as a myriad of emotions flickered across her face, surprise, hesitation, longing, and finally, apprehension. She slowly stood and then said to Lioro.

"Please stay here."

Lioro nodded.

Elsa took in a deep breath before making her way out of the room.

Lioro changed his position and came to the end of the door, secretly looking down at the scene.

From his concealed spot, he listened as Anna's voice filled the space. "Wow, Elsa! You look different! It's a good different!"

There was awe in her tone and genuine admiration at the ice palace. "And this place, it's amazing!"

Elsa's voice was softer, uncertain. "Thank you… I never knew what I was capable of."

Anna hesitated before stepping closer. "I'm so sorry about what happened. If I had known—"

"No, no, no," Elsa quickly interrupted. "It's okay. You don't have to apologize. But… you should probably go. Please."

"But I just got here!" Anna protested. "If I belong down in Arendelle! So do you!"

Elsa's tone hardened. "No, Anna. I belong here. Alone. Where I can be who I am without hurting anybody."

Lioro silently watched the drama unfold.

"Actually, about that—" Anna started.

A sudden, cheerful voice chimed in. "Hi! I'm Olaf, and I like warm hugs!"

An unconscious smile formed on Lioro's face, It was Olaf! 

The ability to make living things out of ice was simply incredible.

"Olaf?" Elsa murmured in confusion.

"You built me. Remember that?", Olaf said.

"And you're alive?..." she added in surprise.

"Um… I think so?" Olaf replied innocently.

Anna laughs lightly. "He's just like the one we built as kids!"

Elsa softened, just for a moment. "Yeah… We were so close."

Anna seized the opportunity, stepping forward eagerly. "We can be like that again!"

But Elsa quickly took a step back, recalling the memories of their past when she hurt Anna using her magic.

Her sister was not the same as her, she was different, and she could get hurt, unlike Lioro.

"No, we can't. Goodbye, Anna."

Anna, however, was undeterred. "Elsa, wait!"

"No, I'm just trying to protect you!"

Elsa turned around.

Anna followed. "You don't have to protect me. I'm not afraid!"

Lioro watched the drama.

Anna continued, her voice breaking slightly. "Please don't shut me out again. Please don't slam the door. You don't have to keep your distance anymore! Because for the first time in forever, I finally understand!"

'What's up with the sudden lyrical? Damn Disney!', Lioro commented in his mind.

Elsa looked torn, visibly struggling as Anna pleaded. But the moment Anna reached for her hand, Elsa recoiled.

"Please, go back home. Your life awaits. Go enjoy the sun and open up the gates!"

"Yeah, but—", Anna tried to say something.

Elsa didn't let her.

"I know you mean well, but leave me be. Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free!"

Anna's voice turned urgent. "Actually… we're not."

Elsa blinked. "What do you mean you're not?"

Anna hesitated, glancing at her hands. "I get the feeling… you don't know."

Elsa took a small step forward. "What… do I not know?"

Anna swallowed. "Arendelle's in deep, deep, deep… deep snow."

"But it's okay, you can just unfreeze it."

Elsa clenched her fists, panic rising within her. She shook her head. "No, I can't. I... I don't know how!"

Anna took a step closer, her voice gentle but firm. "Sure you can! I know you can!"

The words barely registered in Elsa's mind. Doubt and self-loathing clouded her thoughts. 

"Because for the first time in forever—"

Lioro: 'Again with the lyrical.....'

"Oh, I'm such a fool, I can't be free!" Elsa interrupted, her voice rising with fear and frustration.

Anna shook her head desperately. "You don't have to be afraid!"

"No escape from the storm inside of me!" Elsa cried.

"We can work this out together!"

"I can't control the curse!"

"We'll reverse the storm you've made!"

Elsa turned away, her hands trembling. "Anna, please! You'll only make it worse!"

"Don't panic!"

"There's so much fear!"

"We'll make the sun shine bright!"

"You're not safe here!"

Anna reached out, pleading. "We can face this thing together!"

Elsa clutched her head, shaking violently. She couldn't do this. She wasn't strong enough. Her magic surged, the storm inside her breaking loose.

"No!"

"We can change this winter weather—"

"I can't--But!"

Suddenly Elsa exclaimed and her eyes widened.

A familiar figure passed through her mind.

The ice storm died down.

"Maybe he can!"

Remembering his power, filled her with hope.

With that flame, He should be able to counter her ice and save her kingdom!

After all, he was just like her!

Turning back towards her confused sister, Elsa said with a smile.

"let's go meet my friend! I'm sure he can help!"

With an unconcealed smile on her face, Elsa ran back towards the upper floor.

Anna taken aback by Elsa's sudden change, hesitated for a moment before quickly following behind her.

Meanwhile inside the room.

'Is it time for my epic entrance?'

Lioro thought as he smiled and looked at himself in the mirror.

Raising his hand he adjusted his hair and dress.

'Tsk tsk tsk what a beautiful face I have....'

Sighing at the bad luck of ugly and average people who could never understand this feeling, Lioro walked towards the balcony and opened it up, then he looked outside with his hands on his back and waited.

Just a few seconds later the sound of hurried footsteps rang out.