The Frozen Hell

As I read the last part of the letter my heart sank. Execution? Rosa? What was happening? Why was Rosa here and most importantly why was she being executed? As tons of questions rose inside me, I looked at Luke's pale face. Poor him, first he had to be killed the most brutal death imaginable and that to by his own precious sister, he now also had to witness her death. I can't even imagine the pain he is going through. Suddenly, his expression changed, he now wore a determined look, his eyes were reflecting the growth he achieved at this place.

"We are going. We have to see the end of it, I won't allow anyone to execute my sister. We have to uncover the truth and our purpose here." Luke looked me in the eyes, my face reflecting in his determined eyes said "Zai, please help me. I know we both have a lot to ask from my sister, so please help me. I beg yo-"

"Chill out bro." I said in a dismissing and nonchalant manner. "I know you have been through a lot. Do you really think I will not help you. If I will not help than who would?"

Luke's expression changed to a warm and kind one that I knew of. I could see Elysa tearing up. I don't know why but I think she got some kind of a wrong idea. Well, dismissing her. Our main concern was now to reach the Great halls and see the truth fir myself. But before going there was something I needed to know.

"Luke, tell me, how much time have you spent in this world?"

"10 years, I think... But my body hasn't aged."

"Okay so, what do you do here or putting it in another words How did you survive in this place ?"

At this question, Luke face changed into that of a depressed man and he spoke

"Zai, I'll be honest, I don't know how I did it. I woke up and I knew about all the powers residing in my body. It felt as natural to me as breathing. But my mind was always a mess. I can't remember anything about the 10 years I spent here. Whenever a day passed, sharp migraine runs through my head and I forget everything. That's how my last 10 years went by. But exactly 35 days ago the Great King contacted me and told me to go to a certain place exactly 34 days later. I was cautious but without any sense of purpose I went there and there, I saw a group of ghouls kidnapping a certain person. I found you, Zai. Since the day the King called me, my migraines stopped and I remember who I was in this Frozen Hell"

It was a great shock. I really can't imagine what this boy had to go through. But still not looking weak I asked him "So, who are you in this place?"

Luke stood up in an elegant manner. Shit, I think I knew what was going to happen. His blonde hairs flowed graciously as held the hilt of his sword and stood in a knightly manner, he spoke

"I am 'Luke Goldeheart' -The last Prince of Heavenly Virtues. I am the Supreme commander of special forces of elite knight, working directly under the orders of The Great King. I am also in possession of the great blessing of 'Light of vitality and blessings' I have been assigned as a mentor to you Zai, the last vessel of damned darkness'. Also, I am the candidate for the next Great King of Frozen Hell."

As Luke completed his long ass intro, I was prepared for the worst. An explosion, a hurricane or a freaking tsunami. But as he completed, light emerged from within his silhouette and covered his entire figure. Now enveloped in golden light he looked like an angel descending from heavens. The light disappeared in an instant revealing Luke again. Well atleast it was not destructive as others right? I look up to see roof of the house disintegrating due to intense light.

"Oh come on man. Why the hell you guys always have to destroy something when introducing your dumb asses" I screamed as the roof collapsed.

Luke looked at Elysa, slowly pulled out a piece of paper, wrote something on it and gave it to Elysa before becoming a beam of light himself and disappearing completely. Elysa and I read the piece of paper

'Sorry can't pay until payday'

Elysa roared and using her wind magic flew from the hole of the roof in order to chase him. I chuckled. This was such a Luke thing. Even back on earth he would 'accidently' break something and make Rosa chase him all over the town. Man I missed those days.

Feeling nostalgic I lean against the window and mesmerise into the beautiful sunset of this hell. There is so much to know but not enough time. This chaotic place has its own will and it wants me to follow it. Those who align themselves with the will of the world are bound to be swallowed by the ocean of life. I cannot be swallowed, I need to reach the depth of this ocean and see the truth deep within it. As I stand there determined,I remember an important detail. Elysa and Luke were supposed to be here to protect me but they have gone now. Yup I am scared. I hid in a bed with blanket wrapped on me.

Those bastards really left the one they are supposed to protect alone. Well I guess its not like someone is going to just snatch me and fly away right. Still covering myself in blanket I hid and not knowing when, I soundly fell asleep.

***

"Feel it Zai ! Feel it ! Fell the flow of magic. Imagine a basic shape like they used to do it in those anime and mangas you used to watch. Imagine how they conjured their Power." Luke screamed at me. Here I was wondering why the hell is this guy supposed to be my mentor.

"Cut him some slack Luke, not everyone can just use magic like this." As Elyse finished speaking she waved her hand in the air and I was launched several feets above in the air due to heavy gusts of winds. I fell facefirst onto the ground. I hope that I'd just die and atleast then I would not need to be treated like this. It was then that someone grabbed me by my hands. It was the most unexpected person.

"You guys will surely kill him" Deeno said assessing the situation. What the hell is this bastard doing here. "What are you doing here you bastard" Elysa said in a rude voice. This girl really becomes a different person when Deeno is involved.

"Well, The king sent me as an escort but seeing the things here I think I need to protect you from them." Deeno said in a mocking tone. While taunting both Luke and Elysa. Atleast he was right about one thing.

"Well, Mr. Muscle head, if you can't help then I'll be very happy to see you get your ass out of this place." Luke said.

How the hell does this boy get so much courage. Deeno instead of getting angry made a distinct face I was not familiar with and started "well, okay Mr. Assbrain. So tell me his affinity."

"Affinity...? " Luke looked confused and looked at Elysa who suddenly flinched and tried to embarrassingly hide. Deeno sighed,

"Elysa, I can excuse this snotty brat due to his poor experience but why are you so useless and careless. How come you haven't even told him about affinity." Elysa looked like she melted from the amount of sheer embarrassment and sat in a corner covering her face.

Deeno looked disappointed and sighed and started to explain- " Affinity, refers to the potential of one's magic proefficiency in a certain type of magic or simply to say it is the potential type of magic you can learn. For example our assbrain has an affinity for light and healing magic while Elysa has an affinity for wind based magic and I myself has been affiniated with Earth and some other magic. If one has a potential to awaken thier already awakened abilities, thier power, through rigorous training and concentration can transcend the limit previously known and ascend to either the godhood or savage class. My 'Prideful Earth' and Elysa's 'Gluttonous wind' are a prime example of savage class abilities while this assbrain's 'Light of vitality and blessings' is a good example for godhood class. Of course there's also a slayer class but those are rare and are not researched often"

Man, He talks a lot. I mean a lot. Here I was thinking that this is one of those muscle brain type of character whose only thoughts are violence but he seems to be a very reasonable and composed person. Well atleast now I know what I was doing wrong the whole. But wait-

"How would I know my affinity, I mean theres probably hundred kinds of magic or abilities so how do I know which one I have?"

"Ha. Now tell us you, you muscled brain gorrila." Luke said in taunting Deeno.

Grabbing Luke by his nape and smacking his head, Deeno explained "Well I already knew that this is the kind of problem I'll run into so I already prepared this in advance." As he finished speaking, he pulled out a small syringe like device from his pocket.

As Elysa saw that, she gasped "Are you really authorised to do that Deeno" she asked in a concerning voice.

"I have no choice Elysa" Deeno said while looking at me while holding the syringe.

This can't be right. As I took a step back, earth shook and before I knew it I was knocked out by Deeno. "You bas...." were my last words before fainting.

I woke up 30 mins later to find Deeno, Luke and Elysa sitting besides a campfire in the middle of damn afternoon. At this point I didn't even question them and just sat besides them.

"So, do you feel any changes" Luke asked me.

"No, it's still the same. I don't think that thing worked properly"

"It was exactly due to this same reason that the company manufacturing them went broke and thus this product became somewhat rare. Some reports even claimed that this could turn the user into some kind of broken psychopath. Elysa added to this conversation.

"I knew it you were trying to kill him, weren't you?" Luke yelled at Deeno. He really is trying to defend me. He truly is a great friend. I am tearing up. "You want to quickly kill him and get off this job as soon as possible so you can play with your damn cats at home everyday, right?" Nope. I was wrong. This guy's still an idiot. And what's wrong with playing with a cat?

Deeno ignored Luke's nonsense and was looking at my hands before opening his mouth "I knew you guys were useless, careless and even dumb but I never thought you'd be blind too. Look at his chest you dumb asses" as Deeno finished sparks appeared around my hands and suddenly an intense light flashed through my chest. Like an intangible fairy, it was going back and forth between my back and my front. It felt a big funny but after a few seconds the blue orb of light now turned into a mysterious shape and right went into my chest. On my chest a mark appeared. It was a sign of Lock.

Elysa and Luke gasped in shock and Deeno was sitting quietly.

"What's this" I asked pointing at the sign of Lock on my chest.

"A temporary rune, that will allow you to wield your affiniated powers until your real powers awakene. Just think of it as a trial service." Deeno told me.

I was surprised. Now I could use my powers? I wonder what it'll be. Something like these three or a completely different type of power. I was excited but more than me, there were these two-

"Use your powers Zai" both Luke and Elysa said excitedly like a child looking at their father fixing a toy for them.

I did as I was instructed by them earlier, as I imagined the usage of powers within my mind, the air surrounding me suddenly got cold ,when a blinding light emerged from my palms and in an instant the light flashes and exploded like a flash bang.

It was the time when I realised what my abilities are and it shook everyone and even me.

***