The tunnel leads them straight into an inner palace room of Glacira Palace. As Michi and the others emerge from the tunnel, they see Frostkeeper already seated before them.
"Good job, Akihiro," Frostkeeper says calmly. "You can go now. Let me handle the rest."
"Yes," Akihiro replies, bowing before leaving through the tunnel.
Michi and the others sit on the chairs as Frostkeeper gestures for them to do so. "I am Frostkeeper, guardian of Glacira Kingdom, and protector of Queen Theodera."
Junia steps forward and hands over Depri's letter.
Frostkeeper waves it aside. "I don't need that. I already know the matter—as does my Queen. She is ready to give you what you seek. But there is a problem. Someone—or perhaps an entire organization—is trying to block your way to the pieces."
Kael leans forward. "Who? What?"
Frostkeeper's eyes narrow. "A shady girl has been spotted in Glacira. She is not a local and bears a black forehead mark."
"Black mark?" Michi mutters.
Lior explains, "Those who forget the reason of the mark and abandon the path of the sacred mark—their mark becomes black or grey."
Frostkeeper continues, "By my conclusion, she intends to do something big here. But before that—Michi, come with me for a moment. I want to speak to you alone."
Michi nods and follows him into a separate chamber.
Frostkeeper turns. "Utsuya Hayasaki—or Michi, if you prefer. My real name is Zayden Cooper. There is something you must know, something Depri cannot tell you due to her bond with a certain being."
He suddenly activates a yellow time barrier, sealing the two of them.
"This world was not created by that being. It has remained unchanged for crores of years. But that thing hijacked this planet, manipulating its systems. I cannot stop it, bound by my deals."
"Deals?" Michi asks.
"I was chosen as Avatar of King Theodre, who could bend time and glimpse futures. His age reached millions of years. My old variant, Twilight, once served him, but his plans were destroyed by the reverent of Despair, Melancholy. So he waited until I came, made me his avatar, and signed a deal—granting me his powers, but binding me forever to Glacira. One day, he vanished without a trace. His daughter, Queen Theodera, became Queen of Glacira and my master. Michi, you've heard rumors about her, haven't you?"
"Yes," Michi says softly. "That she wants to die."
Frostkeeper lowers his head. "Yes. She wishes to die so I might be free of my deal. But I don't want freedom. I want to remain here to protect her. Because…I love her."
Michi smiles quietly.
Frostkeeper allows himself a faint smile, then drops the barrier. Together, they return to the others.
"The girl," Frostkeeper says firmly. "Her name is Evela the Sorrowborne. She controls those zombie-like robots that attacked you."
Suddenly, Kairo Vex rushes into the room. "Captain Frostkeeper! You need to hurry! They've attacked the palace! Ravien is holding them off, but there are too many—and a hooded figure is with them."
Frostkeeper's eyes sharpen. "She is here." He turns to Michi and the others. "Michi, Lior, Kael, Junia, Tieu—please, help us defend the kingdom first. Then the Queen will grant you the door piece."
All five nod in agreement, rising to follow Kairo.
Frostkeeper grips Kairo's arm tightly. "Inform Kitbash. This is going to be bloody."