Zenian's internal fantasies were abruptly interrupted as the Eternal Frostheart began to emit a frigid aura that intensified with every passing second. The once-controlled, icy glow now radiated an overwhelming cold, so potent that the air around it began to shimmer and crackle.
The temperature in the room dropped sharply, a biting frost filling the sacred ice chamber. Zenian, lost in his fantasies of conquest and domination, was initially oblivious to the drastic change. But the creeping frost climbing his arm brought him back to harsh reality.
Zenian jolted slightly as he realized his hand, still gripping the Eternal Frostheart, was beginning to freeze. A thin layer of crystalline ice crept over his skin, and the bone-chilling cold pierced through his aura, making his once-confident smile falter. He steadied himself and growled, his pride refusing to accept the artifact's defiance.
"Oh, you think I won't be able to handle you?!"
He declared, his voice echoing through the chamber. His wings flared out, and his angelic aura surged in an attempt to counteract the icy tempest emanating from the spear. Yet, despite his efforts, the cold continued to intensify, and the frost advanced further up his arm. His confidence wavered momentarily, but he quickly reasserted himself, clenching his jaw in defiance.
"No! I am not going to give up that easily," he spat, his breath visible as frost in the freezing air.
"I have my desires to fulfill… my destiny to claim!" His voice grew more desperate, his tone tinged with frustration and determination. Zenian's mind raced, his fantasies now replaced by the reality of the divine artifact's overwhelming power. The Eternal Frostheart was no mere tool to be controlled; it was a force unto itself, one that demanded submission or annihilation.
The angels behind Zenian were not spared from the artifact's wrath. As the chill intensified, their discomfort turned into dread. Their breaths came in labored puffs of mist, and their bodies trembled under the relentless cold. One by one, they began to falter. Some fell to their knees, others collapsed entirely, their forms crumpling to the icy ground as the bitter cold sapped their strength. Cries of anguish and pleading filled the chamber.
"My Lord Zenian, please," one angel gasped, clutching their frostbitten arms. "You must let it go! This is madness… you'll die if you continue!"
"Yes, Lord Zenian," another chimed in weakly. "We beg you to leave the Eternal Frostheart…" Their voices faltered as they succumbed to the freezing temperature. Despite their pleas, Zenian remained unmoved, his grip tightening on the divine artifact. His pride and ambition blinded him to their suffering.
"Silence!" Zenian barked, his voice a mixture of authority and desperation. "I will not be swayed by weakness! You are angels, my subordinates! Bear this trial with me, or fall as failures!"
The remaining angels exchanged helpless glances, their fear and despair growing as the temperature continued to plummet. Even as their lord struggled against the Eternal Frostheart's power, they could see the frost spreading across his once-pristine wings, dulling their luster and threatening to immobilize them entirely.
Zenian's aura, which had once radiated strength and confidence, was now flickering, diminishing under the relentless assault of the artifact's cold.
Standing at the edge of the chamber, the Ice Phoenix observed the unfolding chaos. She crossed her arms, her expression a mix of relief and dread. Zenian's hubris was leading to his downfall, and with it, his dreams of claiming her as a servant. She let out a quiet sigh, her voice tinged with disdain.
"Well, that was bound to happen," she muttered to herself. "He never had what it takes to wield the Eternal Frostheart, much less command me." Her icy blue eyes surveyed the scene, noting the growing layers of frost forming over the walls and floor of the chamber. Despite her disdain for Zenian, a deep unease settled over her as she felt the artifact's power surging beyond control.
She turned her gaze to the entrance of the temple and then beyond, sensing the shifting energies in the Megaverse of Dementia. The storms outside were intensifying, the already harsh environment becoming more chaotic. The icy winds howled with a fury that was palpable even within the sacred temple. The Ice Phoenix frowned, her voice lowering to a murmur.
"Even if that arrogant fool fails to wield the Eternal Frostheart," she said, her tone darkening, "the devastation it's about to unleash… it feels like the calamity of eons past all over again. And this time, it could doom the entire icy omniverse."
Her gaze drifted to Arfrotian, who stood calm and composed amidst the chaos. His tranquil demeanor was unshaken, as though he had anticipated this outcome all along. The Ice Phoenix couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration and awe at his unyielding calmness.
"How can he remain so composed," she thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Even in the face of such a catastrophic event… he's truly unbelievable."
As if sensing her thoughts, Arfrotian spoke, his voice steady and resolute. "Well, it looks like it's time for me to intervene," he said, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "Ice Phoenix, do you remember our promise?"
His words sent a shiver down her spine, and not from the cold. She met his eyes, which were filled with conviction and obligation. For a moment, her composure faltered, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks despite the dire situation.
"Of course I remember," she replied, her voice tinged with both defiance and unease. "If… you… get out of control…" Her words trailed off as she struggled to finish the sentence. The weight of the promise they had made loomed over her like a shadow.
Arfrotian sighed, his expression softening slightly. "I just hope you won't hesitate when the time comes," he said, his tone both firm and resigned. "But for now, we have more pressing matters to deal with."
As he turned his attention back to Zenian, the Ice Phoenix's thoughts spiraled into turmoil. She clenched her fists, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. The promise she had made to Arfrotian weighed heavily on her, a burden she hadn't anticipated would cut so deeply.
"Why couldn't I say it?" she thought, frustration and confusion roiling within her. "Why couldn't I just voice the promise… that if he loses control, I'm supposed to kill him?"
Her mind flashed back to their initial encounter, the moment she had tried to kill him without hesitation. Back then, it had been a simple duty, a task to guard the temple and prevent intruders. But now, the thought of fulfilling that promise felt impossibly heavy.
"Why does it feel different now?" she wondered, her gaze fixed on Arfrotian. "What is it about him that makes this so… unbearable?"
Her thoughts were interrupted as the Eternal Frostheart's icy aura surged once more, causing the entire chamber to tremble. The frost spreading across Zenian's body began to crackle and splinter, the divine artifact resisting his every attempt to dominate it. The room grew colder still, and outside, the storms in Dementia raged with increasing ferocity, their echoes reverberating through the icy omniverse.
The Ice Phoenix's heart sank as she realized the full scope of the impending disaster. Her gaze returned to Arfrotian, who stood unwavering amidst the chaos. Despite her inner turmoil, she couldn't help but find solace in his presence, even as the icy omniverse teetered on the brink of annihilation.