As the icy temple's entrance loomed behind them, Arfrotian and Ice Phoenix emerged, stepping onto the endless frost-covered expanse. The mission of guarding the Eternal Frostheart was now shared between them. Though Ice Phoenix was still hesitant about entrusting someone else with the artifact’s protection, there was something about Arfrotian's unwavering demeanor that eased her fears. She was finally allowing herself to hope—something she hadn’t done in eons.

Yet, unknown to either of them, the Eternal Frostheart had reacted to Arfrotian’s presence. The pale blue crystal embedded within the divine spear had glowed faintly the moment he stepped into the temple. It was not a flash that anyone could notice unless they had been staring directly at the artifact. A second, subtler reaction occurred when Arfrotian entered the sacred chamber. The glow pulsed for a brief moment, almost as if the spear were recognizing him. However, both occurrences passed unnoticed, buried beneath the icy silence of the temple.

Ice Phoenix’s Curiosity

As they trudged across the frost-laden terrain, Ice Phoenix found herself glancing at Arfrotian. He walked with the same calm, collected stride, seemingly unaffected by the bitter cold or the vast isolation of the icy omniverse. Despite his imposing strength and intimidating aura, he had displayed kindness and patience she hadn’t expected. She wanted to understand him better, and her curiosity burned brighter with each passing moment.

Finally, unable to contain herself, she asked, “Why did you help me, Arfrotian? What’s your goal? What drives someone like you to such selflessness?”

Arfrotian, walking a step ahead, paused and turned slightly. His cold, blue eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. But then he sighed and replied, “I told you before—I don’t need a reason to help someone who needs it.”

Ice Phoenix frowned, unconvinced. “That doesn’t make sense. No one does something like this without a reason. You risked your life, defeated me, and now you’re helping guard an artifact you have no connection to. Why?”

Arfrotian’s expression remained calm, but his gaze shifted toward the distant icy horizon. “Because I see myself in you,” he said quietly.

A Shared Burden

Ice Phoenix blinked in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

He sighed again, his voice taking on a softer, almost melancholic tone. “It’s simple. The reason I came to this barren icy omniverse is to practice self-control. I carry a power within me—a monster, really. If I lose control of it, the consequences would be catastrophic.” He gestured to the icy wasteland around them. “If that monster within me ever breaks free, it might turn everything into landscapes like this, only red instead of white.”

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Ice Phoenix stared at him, stunned. For the first time, she detected a trace of vulnerability beneath his composed exterior. Though his expression remained unreadable, his words carried a weight that resonated deeply with her.

“You... fear losing control?” she asked hesitantly.

He nodded, his gaze never leaving the horizon. “I fear what I might become. I fear that one day, I won’t have the chance to rectify my mistakes, like you’ve tried to do.”

His voice grew quieter, almost a whisper. “I didn’t want to lose myself in regret before it was too late. And when I saw you—alone, burdened by guilt, fighting to protect what remained—I understood. I helped you because I know how it feels to carry a weight like that.”

The Forbidden Power

Ice Phoenix felt a pang of understanding. Though her experiences were different, she recognized the same fear and guilt in his words that had haunted her for eons. But one thing he said unsettled her—the mention of “red.”

“What did you mean by red?” she asked cautiously.

Arfrotian’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I didn’t tell you about my power, did I?”

She shook her head.

He turned to face her fully, his voice steady but carrying a gravity that sent chills down her spine. “My innate power is something called Red Ice—Pandora. It’s a forbidden state of ice that goes beyond absolute zero. It doesn’t just freeze; it erases. It freezes time, space, light, even singularities. Anything it touches ceases to exist.”

Ice Phoenix’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That... can’t be real. No ice—no power—can do that.”

Arfrotian’s expression remained calm, but his gaze was piercing. “It’s real. And it’s within me. That’s why I came here—to control it, to ensure it never gets unleashed. You don’t have to believe me, but that’s the truth.”

She shook her head, trying to process his words. The idea of such a monstrous power existing was beyond her comprehension. But something about the way he spoke, the quiet certainty in his voice, made her believe he wasn’t lying.

A Moment of Reflection

As they continued walking, Ice Phoenix found herself lost in thought. She had always considered herself the most powerful being in the icy omniverse, but now she realized there were forces far greater and more terrifying than she could have imagined.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but admire Arfrotian’s strength—not just his physical power, but his resolve to control the monster within him. It was a burden she could relate to, and for the first time, she felt a sense of connection with someone who truly understood her struggles.

“You’re a strange one,” she muttered, glancing at him.

He raised an eyebrow. “Strange?”

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yes. Most people would run from someone like me—or try to kill me. But you... you stayed. You listened. You helped. And now you’re telling me about this monstrous power of yours like it’s nothing. You’re... different.”

Arfrotian shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe I just understand what it’s like to be alone.”

Her smile grew, and for the first time in eons, she felt a flicker of hope—hope that she didn’t have to face her burdens alone anymore.

As the icy wind howled around them, the two figures continued their journey across the frozen wasteland. Though their pasts were fraught with pain and regret, they had found solace in each other’s company, and perhaps, a chance to heal.