Ice Phoenix stood frozen in place, her gaze locked on Arfrotian's back as he strode forward, unwavering, toward the impending calamity in Zenian's hands. The Eternal Frostheart pulsed violently, its icy glow spreading further, preparing to unleash devastation upon not only the Megaverse of Dementia but also on the entire icy omniverse. And yet, amidst this chaos, a strange warmth settled deep within Ice Phoenix's heart.
Who is this man, really?
Her mind raced with the weight of his words, the sheer absurdity of what he had requested from her. If he lost control, if he became something beyond salvation… he wanted her to end him.
The thought alone was unbearable.
Why do I feel this pain? Ice Phoenix clenched her chest, as if trying to contain the unfamiliar ache. What does he even mean to me?
She was the guardian of Dementia, its protector, yet here she was—conflicted, shaken by emotions she couldn't understand. Arfrotian had done nothing but reassure her, pull her from the depths of her self-imposed torment. His presence had been an anchor, his words a lifeline. But was that all? Was it just gratitude? Or was there something deeper?
She bit her lip, her glowing blue eyes filled with turmoil. Was it because he actually sympathized with me? Was it how he helped me regain my resolve? Or... could it be something even deeper?
She shook her head violently. Now was not the time to dwell on such thoughts. The Megaverse of Dementia was on the brink of another catastrophe, and the very man who had given her strength was walking straight into the eye of the storm.
Arfrotian's pace never faltered as he advanced toward Zenian. The fallen archangel was trapped—half-frozen, immobilized from the backlash of the Eternal Frostheart. His grip on the divine spear was involuntary now, as if the weapon had become a parasite, leeching off his very essence. His wings, once pristine, were now brittle with frost, his body barely responsive.
The cold seared his soul, but it was nothing compared to the horror that settled in his chest when he looked up.
Arfrotian was smiling.
A slow, knowing smile that did not belong in a situation like this. A smile that carried neither concern nor hesitation. In a moment when all should be panicking, planning, or fearing the worst—Arfrotian was utterly calm.
No, not just calm.
Amused.
Zenian's breath hitched, his fingers twitching against the icy grip of the Eternal Frostheart. Why is he smiling?
Nobody had seen this coming. Not Zenian. Not Ice Phoenix. Not even those who had been watching from the shadows.
Arfrotian whispered to himself, so low that only he could hear, "Guess the rat took the bait…" His smirk widened. "And completed his move."
Then, as if to mock the very concept of impending disaster, he chuckled.
"Looks like it's my time to play check."
Ice Phoenix's breath caught in her throat. What does he mean?
From the very beginning, Arfrotian had been orchestrating something. Every action he had taken, every word he had spoken—it had all led to this moment. From requesting Ice Phoenix to allow Zenian to wield the Eternal Frostheart again, to standing beside her, to ensuring the fallen archangel got exactly what he wanted.
Arfrotian had wanted this to happen.
Ice Phoenix's eyes widened in realization, but before she could call out to him, Arfrotian had already reached Zenian.
The archangel, frozen in place, could only stare as the mortal-looking man approached him with unwavering confidence. Arfrotian's presence, despite being devoid of celestial energy, was overwhelming.
Zenian gritted his teeth, rage bubbling inside him even through the pain. His original goal had been simple—take the Eternal Frostheart, wield its divine power, and make Ice Phoenix his. She was supposed to be his prize, his conquest. He had imagined the Ice Phoenix kneeling before him, her once-defiant eyes filled with submission.
But instead, she had looked at Arfrotian.
She had cared for him, worried for him.
It was an insult. An absolute disgrace.
Zenian's anger reached its peak, and despite his frozen body, despite the agony, he mustered his strength. He would annihilate this man first, then claim what was his.
But before he could react, before he could even process his next thought—
Arfrotian spoke.
And what he said shattered every last ounce of Zenian's confidence.
"Thank you."
Zenian's world stopped.
The words echoed in his mind, rattling him to his very core. Thank you?
His mind spun, struggling to grasp the implications. He had expected arrogance, defiance, threats—anything but gratitude.
And then, Arfrotian's smirk deepened, his eyes gleaming with something dark, something cold.
Zenian's heart pounded violently against his chest, but it wasn't from anger anymore. It was something worse.
It was fear.
"You..." Zenian choked out, his voice barely above a whisper. "What... what are you planning?"
Arfrotian tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Oh, Zenian." He chuckled, almost pitying. "You still don't get it, do you?"
Zenian's breath turned ragged as realization dawned on him. This wasn't just a simple confrontation.
This had been a setup.
From the very beginning.
Arfrotian hadn't just anticipated this moment—he had crafted it. Every piece had been placed exactly where he wanted. Every decision Zenian had made, every action he had taken—it had all led him straight into Arfrotian's hands.
And now, the trap was about to be sprung.
Ice Phoenix, still standing in place, felt a shiver run down her spine. The way Arfrotian moved, the way he spoke—it was as if he had never doubted this outcome. As if he had been playing chess while the rest of them had been fumbling in the dark.
She didn't know what method he was about to use. She didn't know how he planned to stop the calamity.
But one thing was clear.
Arfrotian was in control.
Zenian, despite being the one wielding the Eternal Frostheart, was the real prisoner here.
And as Arfrotian took his next step, the air around them changed.
The warmth in Ice Phoenix's heart remained, but now, it was laced with something new—
Awe.
And just a hint of fear.
She gripped her hands into fists, her gaze locked onto Arfrotian. Who... are you really?
As Zenian's scream of rage and terror echoed across the frozen wasteland, the answer to that question was about to be unveiled.
And the Megaverse of Dementia as well as this icy omniverse would never be the same.