Opening her eyes, Fraizen looked around, realizing she was no longer in the human world. In front of her was a light, like a formless spirit. The light burned her eyes, forcing her to look away. Now she realized her body was the same as in her past life, human.
Her body was naked, but she felt no shame or discomfort; it was natural. Then a voice echoed in her ears.
"You are dead, your judgment is final, you must go to hell."
A small wave of despair rose in her chest. Fraizen looked back, seeing a shadowy hallway and a dark gate, stinking and emanating only darkness.
"I have done terrible things, I deserve this..."
Taking a step toward the door, the voice echoed in her head.
"All humans tend to fear hell. They want to escape, they try to stay between heaven and hell, but they're always taken there..."
That light floats toward Fraizen, making her feel a pleasant warmth, like a fatherly embrace all over her body.
"But you accept it, you acknowledge your mistakes; that's an act of courage and wisdom. But I won't lie: it will be very painful to pay for all your sins in hell. But when it's all over, you'll realize it was worth it."
Fraizen didn't look at the light, watching the entire dark path illuminated, as if all the evil around that gate were being eliminated.
Standing in front of the gate, Fraizen hesitated and took a deep breath.
"I'm afraid, my God."
"Don't call me God, just Zyrionq. And don't be afraid, I'll be rooting for the success of your purification. And when I can receive you, I will love you eternally."
The light mingled with Fraizen's body, her body enveloped in a warm embrace, like a loving father's embrace for his daughter. The queen, now human, hugged herself, as if returning the embrace.
"Promise?"
"Yes, I promise..."
Fraizen closed her eyes, and the light moved away from her, returning to its original place.
"It may take centuries or millennia for you to be purified of your sins, but all will be ended with eternity. I wish you good luck, my daughter."
"Thank you, my father."
Feeling more relieved by her creator's actions and words, she opened the gates of hell, accepting her fate...
***
Returning to the castle, Ferinish found Slady, leaning her only arm against the wall. She approached, and their eyes met.
"Ferinish... am I too late?"
"No, it hasn't..."
She placed her hands on the man's shoulders, helping him to his feet. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed, and Ferinish leaped out of the castle.
"I'll be right back."
As he climbed the castle, Ferinish saw the walls surrounding the entire IceStorm crumble in a colossal tsunami. The survivors of the kingdom screamed in despair, but Ferinish remained calm, leaping out of the kingdom and heading toward the tsunami.
"I feel... strong, stronger than I ever would as a human..."
Just as the tsunami was about to engulf the entire kingdom, Ferinish drew his sword, making a slash. It cut the tsunami in half, with the water beginning to evaporate and other drops falling into the sky. The clouds split in half, revealing a bright sun that had not been seen for so long.
Seeing the waters begin to fall upon the people, the people celebrated, believing in a miracle. Ferinish remained still in her place, watching the drops fall like rain on her, the liquid not even touching her locks or armor, evaporating instantly.
'...but with all this power, won't I become a monster, like Fraizen did?'
Ferinish thought. Then she fell to her knees in the snow, exhaustion taking over her body completely.
With a sigh, she fell to the ground, unconscious.
A few days later...
The sun was shining in the IceStorm skies, with many celebrations, but also tributes to those who had passed. The cold was still intense, but much more bearable than it had been before.
In the cabin, Ferinish woke in her bed, feeling an ache of exhaustion in her body, but also feeling stronger than before.
She pulled back her covers, realizing her nakedness and noticing that her size had also increased a little. She wrapped her body in the covers and got out of bed. Looking in the mirror, she stared at her eyes, which were dark blue with a white slit shaped like fire. Her hair was dark, with streaks of blue.
She felt so... beautiful; it wasn't just her strength, but almost a sense of femininity.
Closing her eyes, Ferinish caught a pleasant scent from the kitchen, and her heart pounded as she remembered Slady.
Going into the kitchen, Ferinish found the man sitting in the chair and serving a brownie at the table. That crispy cake looked delicious.
"You're awake..."
Slady inclined her head, taking a piece of the cake and serving it to the woman.
"Have a taste."
Without a word, still wrapped in a blanket, Ferinish sat in the chair, picking up the cake and consuming it.
"Mmmmmmm..."
She moaned with pleasure; the crispiness was impeccable, with a slightly burnt taste, but it gave it an incredible flavor. It was definitely a relief to eat something Slady made again.
"Thank you."
"You can eat, I made it for you."
Slady leaned back in her chair, silent, unconcerned with Ferinish's condition. Without realizing it, the woman leaned over and rested her head on the man's shoulder. He didn't object, placing his hand in her hair and giving it a gentle caress.
Ferinish could have cried right there if he wanted; it was so sudden, yet so perfect. Ferinish opened his eyes, staring at Slady...
"I love you."
She said it unintentionally, almost naturally. Realizing she'd declared her feelings, Ferinish turned completely red, almost steaming from her cheeks.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to—"
"I know that..."
The woman was confused and sat down in the chair, staring at Slady with seriousness and shame.
"How?"
"When I was unconscious..."
Slady sighed and became more serious.
"I felt and heard everything you did to me."
Ferinish turned redder than she already was; she remembered the declarations of love she'd made to him while unconscious, everything.
Before Ferinish could respond, Slady stepped forward.
"I'm not a man good at showing affection. But I want to make it up to you."
Slady leaned in... and kissed the woman's cheek.
"I don't know if it seemed very genuine... I hope so."
The woman's heart filled with joy and happiness. Looking at Slady, Ferinish tried to control himself.
"Slady..."
"Hm?"
A little shy, Ferinish placed his index finger on his lips.
"Kiss me here too."
She couldn't control herself. Slady was surprised; he didn't quite understand how he felt about Ferinish, but it felt...
...right.
Placing a cloth over the brownie, Slady placed her hand on Ferinish's face, caressing her cheek. Her fingers moved to the back of the woman's neck and gently pulled her closer.
Thus, Slady and Ferinish kissed.
Ferinish felt her heart beating so fast that she considered a heart attack a viable possibility. Her trembling hands reached the sides of the man's face, stroking his beard and returning the kiss.
Slady's hand went to the warrior's waist, trying to pull her toward him. Obeying the command, Ferinish placed himself on the man's lap, leaning in to continue the kiss.
Breaking away, their lips left a small trail of saliva that separated after their mouths parted. Slady rested his face on the woman's chest, while she rested her face in the man's hair.
"I really needed this, Slady. You don't know how happy I am."
"Your heart is telling me that."
Slady pulled away slightly and looked Ferinish in the eye, more seriously.
"I read in a book that when two people love each other very much, they end up doing something they usually call 'love'..."
Ferinish began to feel dizzy with so much happening. Slady continued...
"If this is what we feel is love, then it wouldn't be wrong to do it, would it?"
"No... it's not wrong."
Ferinish didn't even realize what she'd said; she just wanted to connect with Slady on the most intimate level possible.
***
In the bedroom, Slady helped Ferinish lie down, still processing the situation. The man positioned himself on top of her, his hair falling over her face.
"There weren't any tips on how to make love in the books. Do we have to figure it out?"
He asked sincerely. Ferinish thought for a few seconds, taking in her answer.
"Probably..."
The woman's lips began to tremble, and tears of happiness began to stream down Ferinish's face. She placed her right hand on his cheek.
"If I were to choose someone to learn how to love from, I want it to be you, Slady."
The man closed his eyes briefly, reopening them immediately.
"Every day I'm condemned to become cold and less human... But if I were to choose someone to help me regain this humanity that's growing ever more distant... I want it to be you, Ferinish."
The warrior was moved by Slady's speech, her hands reaching for the blanket that wrapped her.
"I'm grateful to be this 'chosen one,' Slady. Make me your wife."
Then she removed the blanket that covered her nakedness...