Chapter 8. Cera the Frozen

"I am honored by your praise, Your Eminence," King Thalorin responded.

Vaelros and the others were astounded at what they heard.

She spoke of King Thalorin as if she was very much older than he was even when Thalorin and most of the soldiers here looked older than she was.

But King Thalorin's response just confirmed her words.

Vaelros figured, if it was someone addressed as Her Eminence, the person in front of them was a Divine Archmage – among the most powerful of high-ranking wizards.

A very powerful entity indeed.

Even Vaelros and Hovereth who had served Livingrings longer than the others had never met her before. They have only heard that the most powerful wizards had their own ranks and far outlived humans.

It meant this place had a different time or the highest ranking wizards do not age at all.

"You are in the presence of a Divine Archmage, Her Eminence, Cera the Frozen," Dunesther said in a low voice for the soldiers to understand.

Some were surprised to learn that the highest ranking wizards had more authority than their king himself.

After all, the organization of the wizards was a mystery to most people.

Vaelros was silently observing when he suddenly had a random thought, 'If they live for so long, then… Are the new ones the results of their experiments?' 

They could change the north and south of buildings and do all sorts of magic so the possibility of what they could do was varied.

Who knew what was possible and impossible for these beings?

Vaelros watched as the Divine Archmage Cera lay her hand gently on the head of King Thalorin as if anointing him again.

If anyone else had done this, they could be beheaded for it.

"Stand Thalorin. You have lived to fulfill your mission to protect the seal and maintain its purity," Cera said gazing at the old king who was once so young when she first saw him many years ago.

Cera the Frozen looked just like a woman in her twenties. Her title befitted her.

The soldiers were still puzzled since no one fully knew the capabilities of the Divine Archmages, except those mostly being used by them in front of many people.

"Thank you," King Thalorin said in a heartfelt voice as if her praise had greatly eased the burdens he bore in all his years as king.

With how King thalorin looked, it was clear the Divine Archmage's recognition was among the highest praise and assurance he could ever get as proof he had done his best.

The Divine Archmage finally glanced at the Rune Masters and commanded in a gentle yet glacier-like voice, "Restore them to their original size." 

The two immediately obeyed without delay.

"Voice of Zar, listen to the songs of our hearts, release the bound. Arath-thereim-Halizar!"

Dunesther and Jenna lifted their staffs and purple lights with tints of blue swirled around with strong gusts of winds. 

As the Ellysian Chains have been restored to their original size with Nymeria and Orion, Cera saw the need for immediate healing.

"Ragnoth, Eclipsing Froze!" Cera chanted in a loud voice as she laid her hands on the prison-like cube, quakes and coldness spread even more. 

Her spell shook the core of the Ellysian Chains. 

Even her thick white hair that flowed to the floor flew out above. 

As they looked around, about four meters of their surroundings were covered in thick ice.

Accompanied by unknown hums and whispers, the magic enveloped them and contained the crackling and quaking of her magic. 

'It seems the wizards were not human at all. 

I didn't fully believe it since they had flesh and blood. 

But, the freeze started from within. 

As she chanted her spell, her eyes started to become even more like white ice, her veins too.

And, all I felt was chilling reverberations of energy. 

Though many of us were born with magic, we borrow it from the environment.

But her, she seemed to get everything from within,' Vaelros thought while observing the wizard. 

It was incredibly rare to see and get near high ranking wizards daily, especially during peaceful times. And especially, one of her caliber casting a spell.

Some of the soldiers became unable to move while the spell was ongoing.

Vaelros also started to feel weakened and dizzy.

"General Vaelros!" Jenna exclaimed.

Vaelros heard it but he was too sleepy and unable to move even when he wanted to respond.

His eyes closed before he knew it until.

Jenna carried Nymeria, lifting her with magic; then casted a spell and awakened the General and the soldiers who were starting to turn into ice statues.

"Let's get out of here fast!" Dunesther added while also lifting Orion with magic, the young prince now fully recovered.

The humans lost themselves in the residues of the magic and were not able to move quickly. 

Their eyes were turning pale white for every second that passed, without them noticing.

"But, she's not done yet!" General Vaelros replied, not knowing he stood there unable to wake up for a few seconds like he was frozen in time.

"No, the Ellysian Chains had cracked and the spells and curses were broken. 

You will die here if we stay longer!" Dunesther explained to the general who was confused.

As King Thalorin and the soldiers stabilized, they all rushed to leave.

Cera never moved an inch, but the magic was slowly getting weaker. 

It was as if she was trying to contain it.

"Can you tell me what happened there?" King Thalorin asked after they successfully flew away in a frenzy.

"King Thalorin, the powers of the highest-ranking wizards can easily kill humans upon exposure, especially if unleashed inside the Floating Orb.

It's where we came from and it amplifies our magical powers and abilities. 

Staying there would have killed everyone," Jenna explained while keeping some information to herself.

There were things they were better off not divulging.

"What!? Are there no-" King Thalorin wanted to ask more, but stopped in shock by what he saw below.

Author's Note:

* Cera the Frozen - a Divine Archmage 

*Ragnoth, Eclipsing Froze - Power of Cera