With Draconis's levitation spell, Zerath and Nefarion, along with Balam and Gressil, hovered amidst the clouds high above the royal castle. They witnessed how the vicious torrent of ice was breezing through the courtyard as if a hungry wolf feasted on its prey. The chaos was now beginning to loom over the capital city with its icy clutches.
"That child is cursed!" Balam shrieked with horror. "How is he so powerful to do this?"
Nefarion held a piercing stare at Draconis. "There must be some spell powerful enough to stop this tide."
Draconis bowed, sweat trickling past his ears. "I-Impossible, Your Majesty. Please forgive this humble servant but simply freeing Sir Lucian and young lord Astaroth was a mountainous task. This ice is somehow extremely difficult to break or melt."
Gressil suggested. "If young lord Astaroth can make flames strong enough to contain the tide-"
"How can you even suggest that, Sir Gressil?" Balam protested. "Do you not see my son's condition? He is gravely wounded because of the princess and the child!"
Zerath's eyes squinted dangerously.
"You saw it too, Sir Gressil, how Astaroth's flames couldn't melt the ice either," his nostrils flared.
"I'm not saying to melt the ice rather contain it, even temporarily, to stop the tide's advance. We must act now or else the citizens are in danger!"
Zerath turned his gaze toward the distant horizon, his mind racing through permutations and possibilities for at least something to make sense. He gently closed his eyes.
Nefarion's steep voice was as grim as the dark clouds gathering over him. "Seal the capital city gates right now. Unleash the barrier walls," he commanded with a strong front.
Gressil pressed his lips. "Forgive my insolence, Your Majesty, but at this point, it'll be too late for our message to even reach the city guards in time. The ice is moving too fast. The barrier walls wouldn't be up until then."
Nefarion's expression worsened. "So should I see Casca becoming the second Nethermoor then?"
A tense silence fell.
Zerath slowly opened his eyes and said, "Sir Draconis, make a passage for me in front of Casca's gates."
Casca was Rudaheim's capital, where ice was rapidly encroaching.
Balam snorted. "What can my lord even do? It's impossible to stop the ice!"
Orobas grimaced. "So what should we do? Stand around and do nothing?"
Balam bowed toward Nefarion and pressed his lips. "This may sound cruel, but the cursed child is the source of this dire situation, Your Majesty. Before Casca gets frozen like the royal palace…it's in our best interests if we eliminate the source of-"
"Sir Balam."
Though the grey clouds above stemmed from Eurus's power, the deathly chill permeating into the crevices of the air at this moment was because of Zerath. His steely gaze locked at Balam as if his head was on the guillotine.
"It was your son who first showed aggression towards Eurus and Princess Clairette. What's happening now is the consequence of cousin Astaroth's intervention. Even a beast doesn't stay calm when attacked."
Balam's face reddened with fury.
"Heed my words, Sir Balam. Do not suggest a death sentence to a child who was merely trying to protect himself. You must be cognizant that you're standing before the Crown Prince and future King of the realm. I urge you to speak wisely."
Balam clenched his fists, rage and humiliation trembling through his veins.
How dare a dirty child from the streets insinuate that I'm lower than him? How dare he think that he will become the Demon Realm's King!
Draconis swallowed down a hard gulp and promptly stepped behind Gressil for safety.
Nefarion raised his palm. "Enough with this heated exchange of words. I want an answer now. As for how the events unfolded, there will be a separate hearing for this in the court."
Balam's expression stiffened for a moment.
Zerath bowed. "I ask for your forgiveness, Your Majesty."
Nefarion asked, "What do you intend to do at the gates? Is there any means to stop this tide?"
"I think there is one."
—
Zerath stood in front of the grand iron gates that marked the entrance to the capital city of Casca. The captain from the watchtower, Valtor, hurried towards Zerath and dropped to his one knee.
"My lord."
"How are the civilians inside?"
"Afraid and anxious, my lord. Everybody is panicking. The knights are trying to contain the chaos, but the people are getting even more agitated. Please state your command! Shall we raise the walls for protection?"
Zerath stared at the distant but monstrous wave of ice rapidly approaching Casca with every passing moment. The dark clouds in the sky now cloaked the city with its might of a possible eternal night. There wasn't much time left.
"No. The walls wouldn't help. Tell everybody to escape as far and as high away as possible."
"Yes, my lord," Valtor respectfully said. "I'll assist you with my able knights to fight the tide."
"No. Nobody will stay here. I want you and all the knights to escape as well."
Valtor's eyes widened. "How can I leave you alone, my lord? I urge my lord. Let this humble servant assist you! I'm willing to die even if I could be of little use to you."
"Don't take your life lightly, Captain Valtor. I want my people alive and well."
Valtor lowered his head, warmth swelling in his chest by his concern.
"How can a single demon fight this unyielding wave of ice? Don't take your life lightly either, my lord. You're the future King…"
Zerath looked at him and smiled. "That's why I'm fighting. It's my duty to protect you. But I won't be throwing away my life either. I assure you I'll stop the ice from reaching Casca."
As Valtor reluctantly departed with a heavy heart, Zerath braced himself to battle the relentless wave of ice barrelling towards Casca. His hand reached out to the hilt of his sword, sliding his companion out of its sheath.
He pointed his blade at the approaching tide, then sprang forward, diving headfirst into the seemingly ravenous frosty waves.