The battle raged on - Glacius versus the serpent, with Peggy caught in the middle, trying to thaw the beast while keeping Glacius' relentless ice at bay.
Every time the serpent broke free from a chunk of ice, Glacius would simply freeze it again, layer after layer. The creature's roars echoed through the village, a painful sound of struggle and fury.
"Glacius, stop!" Peggy shouted, using a burst of light to melt the ice creeping along the serpent's tail. "You don't have to keep doing this!"
But Glacius remained silent, his face as blank as ever.
The neutrals, watching from the distance, were frozen not by his magic but by fear. Some begged Peggy to stop Glacius, while others just clutched each other, realizing how powerless they were.
Then, the serpent lashed out - a sudden whip of its tail knocking Glacius off his feet. He skidded across the frozen river, his body creating a long crack in the ice.
For a moment, Peggy thought the fight was over.
But Glacius slowly stood back up, brushing ice off his shoulder with an eerie calmness. "Interesting," he muttered.
His eyes glimmered with a strange spark - not anger, but something colder, like he welcomed the challenge.
With a swift motion, Glacius formed a massive spear of ice in his hand. It shimmered like a frozen blade, dangerously sharp.
He raised it, aiming directly at the serpent's heart.
"No!" Peggy screamed, throwing herself between the beast and the spear.
The neutrals gasped.
"Move," Glacius said, his voice steady.
Peggy shook her head, her wings fluttering in panic. "You'll kill it!"
Glacius' grip tightened. "If it's a threat, it must be neutralized."
Peggy stared him down. "Then you'll have to go through me."
For the first time, Glacius hesitated.
There was a flicker - just a flicker - of something in his icy expression.
Before either of them could move, the serpent let out another deafening roar. Using the moment of distraction, it slammed its tail down, shattering the ice beneath them.
Glacius lost his balance for a second.
Peggy seized the chance.
With a burst of her magic, she melted the ice spear right in Glacius' hand.
Steam hissed as the weapon dissolved into water.
Glacius slowly looked down at his empty hand, then back at Peggy.
She braced herself, expecting him to lash out at her.
Instead, he just whispered, "Fascinating."
The serpent, now free enough to move, slipped back into the water, retreating with a loud splash.
The neutrals cheered, but the victory felt hollow.
Glacius didn't react to the serpent's escape. He simply turned his gaze to Peggy. "You saved it. And in doing so, you ruined my hunt."
Peggy crossed her arms. "I stopped you from committing murder."
Glacius tilted his head. "I was only maintaining balance."
"Balance?" Peggy scoffed. "Freezing everything until it stops moving isn't balance - it's destruction."
Glacius stepped closer, his icy aura sending a chill down Peggy's spine. "And melting everything I build isn't balance either, is it?"
Peggy faltered but stood her ground. "It's called restoration."
For a moment, they just stared at each other - ice and warmth locked in a silent battle.
The aquatic neutrals observing from the unfrozen sea whispered among themselves.
"That fairy... she's standing up to him."
"They balance each other like two opposing forces."
Glacius didn't move, but his voice was calm as ever. "This is an endless game, isn't it?"
Peggy's wings twitched. "Seems like it."
Glacius' cold smile returned. "Good."
Without another word, he turned and began walking away from the place, freezing the path ahead of him.
Peggy, with a heavy sigh, stumbled forward- thawing the path he left behind.
The cycle continued.