I make sure my footsteps are dead quiet as I tread along, hopping shadowy corner to shadowy corner to avoid detection.

I'm alone right now but it's all as it should be. While I sneak my way to the upper floor, the others have spread out as well; Elle and Olivos go one way, Coxen and Sephora another, even Shaykh goes her separate way, back to Aelita to avoid suspicion- this way it will be harder to round us up if we do run into trouble.

Skidding to a halt in front of a familiar pair of doors, I cross my fingers Shaykh was right and I pray even harder that my intuition will pay off.

Reaching for the handle, I pause, realizing how crazy this is.

I'm planning to simply waltz in, hoping the one person I need is there and the one person I don't isn't? I must have forgotten who I am.

Taking a step back, I hesitate, wondering what I could do. I could try that ninja break in again but that was risky the first time- I can't do it a second time guaranteed.

Realizing I'm only wasting time now, I push every worrisome thought from my head and brace myself. The only weapon I have on me is the dagger Shaykh supplied me with once we parted ways. I have to make due with what I have, but I need to be on an even higher alert than usual.

Stepping back up to the door, I grip the handle and this time I don't hesitate when I burst into the room. My dagger is already out and ready to stab someone, anyone, lurking behind the door.

At first glance, once my palpating heart evens out, the room appears empty- which relieves and frustrates me at the same time. I don't lower my guard, though, as I take a few more cautious steps into the room.

Sighing, my shoulders slump. "Where could they possibly-"

"Mal?"

A hushed voice coming from behind the bed instantly grabs my attention.

Rushing over to the edge of the bed, I'm surprised when Clifford emerges from the other side, a goofy but genuine grin plastered on his face.

"It is you!" He seems in good spirits and in good condition still which is relieving.

Coming around to his side, I capture him in a crushing hug.

"I'm so glad you're safe. You can't even begin to understand how relieved I am."

He looks up at me then glances over at door, his smile fading a bit. "Axel'll be mad at me for not listening."

"Forget about him, we need to get you out of here."

He frowns at me now.

"I can't. We can't leave Axel here," His voice drops again as his eyes dart from side to side. "Plus, she might come back."

"She? You mean Aelita?"

His curls bounce along with his nodding head.

I practically roll my eyes as I take his hand.

"You don't need to worry about her, she can't hurt you."

Even with the reassurance, he still won't budge.

"But I have to wait for Axel to come back. He'll be upset that I didn't listen."

"Clifford," I squat down to his level. "Forget about Xalale, you don't need to be around all this. Besides, don't you want to see Elle and them again?"

He looks away, giving a meager shrugging. "Yeah, I guess so, but-"

"No buts. Now we have to go."

Thankfully, he quietly nods and finally allows me to drag him along out of the room to be led to safety. I immediately start heading towards our predestined meet up spot, located near the servants' quarters. Upon arriving, I notice we're not the first ones there.

Clifford lights up. "Elle!"

Elle appears just as eager to see Clifford again. They embrace and she takes a moment to inspect him for any visible injuries.

"I'm so glad you're safe and sound," She says, squeezing his hand.

He tipped his head to the side. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Being around the ki- oh, never mind. All that matters is that you're safe."

He glances around. "Where's Sephora and Coxen?"

"They should be returning shortly."

I hope they are.

Though Elle guides him over to a loveseat, Clifford refuses to sit. He's a bit antsy- more than usual- and somewhat unsettled.

"I'm worried about Axel," He says, looking over at me. "He's not okay."

"He's never been okay."

I frown, giving him a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?"

"I want him to come with us."

"Come with us where? Why?"

"He's not happy, Mal."

I let out a slightly agitated sigh. "I know he's not, but he's never been the overly joyful type."

"Yeah, but he's not himself."

Elle must notice my mounting annoyance with this cryptic discussion because she takes over with a gentler, more patient approach.

"What do you mean?"

He looks at her and shrugs halfheartedly. "I dunno, but he's just not himself." He focuses on me again. "I talked to him, you know."

It's a bit hard for me to act like I don't give a damn when I honestly (despite my better judgment) do.

"Did you?"

"Yeah. He didn't want to talk about you. He never told me why," His sad puppy dog eyes come into play now. "Are you guys really not friends anymore?"

Again, all I can do is let out a great heave of hot air and look at him with a wistful face.

"It's hard to explain, but in a way, yes."

His gaze drops back down to his shoes. "Oh."

"Some friendships last, some don't."

Just as I'm about to plow past the rest of this uncomfortable conversation, Elle speaks to him.

"Everything will be okay in the end. It always does."

He looks up at her. "Yeah, but Axel doesn't know that. He's probably worried about me- he doesn't know I'm with Mal."

"Well, that's probably for the best," She says. "We don't really need unnecessary attention on us right-"

"But he told me to stay put- he'll be worried."

He's suddenly interrupted by Coxen and Sephora's late entrance. They immediately welcome Clifford back but he's still trying to explain things.

"He'll start looking for me and then I'll get in trouble because I didn't follow directions and that'll make him even less happy and I want Axel to be happy again."

"Clifford," I place my hands on his shoulders. "What Xalale says doesn't matter."

"But he said not to come out unless I heard his voice."

I stop.

"Is that why you were hiding behind the bed?"

He nods. "Yeah, he said 'Clifford, don't come out unless you hear my voice and my voice only, no matter what'. And I pinkie promised him- I broke my promise."

This information causes me to think, reflect.

"Why would Xalale tell him that?"

Immediately, I know exactly why he told him such a thing- and what it entails. Truthfully, I knew it all along but it's different seeing it play out.

"Well," I look back down at him. "He'll understand in the end. For now, you're just going to have to trust me, okay?"

Looking back longingly at the door, he lowers his gaze but nods, "Yeah."

"Good."

Now that we have Clifford, our next phase of action needs to be slipping out of here- or at least those who need to get out. There's still the orb to worry about, but I'm just taking it one step at a time.

"We need to start trying to get out of here," I begin, getting down to business.

"Is Shaykh going to accompany us?" Olivos asks glancing around.

"I don't know," My eyes dart over to the door for a second. "I'll make sure she's safe, just worry about yourselves."

"You are coming with us, aren't you?" Coxen asks, his eyebrow arched in expectation.

I'm battling a fine line between telling them the truth and lying straight to their faces, but we've been through too much at this point for me to just abuse their trust.

"I am...but I have to do something first."

I can almost hear the collective, exasperated sigh breathed in my honor.

"Mallory, what-"

"I swear it's important- I have to do it. I'll be right behind you, plus I have to check up on Shay, make sure she has a way out as well."

He gives me a look that tells me he's not fully buying all this but he seems resigned to simply accept my stubbornness and poor life choices.

"Okay, but I'm staying behind with you until your task is completed."

"This is why I love and dread this guy."

"Fine."

I'm even more grateful that he doesn't question what my business for staying behind is. I have a sinking suspicion he knows but he doesn't fully understand- no one does. I'm here to finish what I started- the main reason I returned to this world; it gleams on my finger even in the moonlight.

Elle gives me one of her customary encouraging hugs before Coxen and I depart from them.

"I will see you shortly," She whispers in my ear.

Her positivity rubs off on me as I nod in return.

"See you soon."

After Coxen shares his farewells with his sister, we're off to locate Shay and for me to figure out what to do now.

"Where are we going?" He asks as I lead the way through the halls.

"To find Shaykh." And ultimately Aelita.

"How do you know where to find her?"

"Because," I shrug while hurrying through the halls. "I just do. It's an intuition."

He goes with it, and so we silently stalk through the castle- past the multiple guards and servants that roam the halls. It's truly a gut feeling I'm following because Shay never told me where she or Aelita would be. I don't even know where Xalale is- he clearly wasn't in his room with Clifford. There's one place where my feet are leading me to, one place I could travel to in my sleep at this point.

Coxen catches on where I'm heading by the time we're only a corner or two away from it.

"What's your plan?" He asks.

"Don't really have one."

I feel his eyes shift over to me in doubt. "A plan would be beneficial."

"It would be," I agree.

Turning down the final corridor to our destination, he stops me once realizing I'm not going to formulate a plan at all.

"What are you doing?"

He doesn't say it in a disgruntled, harsh way, but rather an earnest manner.

I sigh. "Trying to fix my mistakes."

"By doing what? Charging in without an inkling of a plan?"

"No, by going in there to change things. Look, I understand all of this seems crazy and dangerous but I just know- instinctively know- what I'm supposed to do."

Though he shakes his head he replies. "I understand but I just- do what you need to do, I'm always going to be right there."

"Thanks. You're an indescribably amazing friend."

"Just stay safe."

I smirk, "Of course."

We continue until we arrive at the doors I've never forgotten the sight of; those heavy doors now encased in ice. This is where the cold is originating from, I can feel it, like the heart of the castle.

Standing before it, I'm slightly surprised no guards patrol it. My main concern, though, is the next step. I stand there for the longest time, shifting on my feet, Coxen behind me, resting a reassuring hand on my shoulder until, finally, he softly speaks up.

"I'm right here."

I sigh, staring down at my feet as I place one feeble hand on the freezing handle.

"That's the problem."

"What?" He turns me around so he can look into my eyes.

"Coxen, I know I'm going to sound like a self-centered person again, but I need to do this by myself. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Mallory, there might be an ambush waiting for you on the other side of that door and I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt will I stood idly by."

"Please, Coxen, this is the personal business I was talking about. I won't get hurt, I promise."

He appears uneasy, ready to argue back, but suddenly, two guards turn the corner and take us in. Immediately, their weapons are drawn and they're advancing towards us- for once, it's perfect timing. Though this is bad, it's also good because it gets Coxen off my back. We lock eyes for a quick, knowing second before he whips out his sword and starts to confront them. I, meanwhile, slip into the room by myself.

Leaving the soon-to-be chaos outside, I stand in the throne room and for a minute I believe I've walked into the wrong place.

The throne room looks nothing like it did from the last time I was here.

Apart from the apparent ice makeover, I notice an icy staircase leading to some new level beyond where the floor above is crafted from nothing but ice. A prominent throne sits front and center, grabbing your attention- especially in the ghastly light. It's truly a throne room fit for an ice queen.

An ice queen who sits, in all her chilling beauty, on the throne that demands your attention. She wears a placid expression as if she were waiting patiently for me to arrive, as if she timed my arrival herself. She's the first person I lock eyes on.

Off to the side, I spot the cloth covered table that glistens with the translucent pieces- all of them there. Xalale, who was previously occupied by something before I stepped in, sets his eyes on me, but his mother is the one I'm locked in a stare down with. Though it should be, my mind is far from obtaining the pieces. What's alarming is when I try to find Shay and can't. But I have no time to focus on anything or anyone else.

"Mallory," Her voice always tries to have some sweet benevolence to it, as if she's truly overjoyed to see me again. "You're not a second too late."

Despite the compassionate facade she always tries to put on, her eyes- like her son's- always tell a different story.

"Am I?"

I begin to slowly approach her throne- my demeanor neither bold nor threatening- simply intentional.

"No," She straightens even more in her seat. "In fact, I was hoping you hadn't left yet."

"You thought I would leave? At this point?"

"I knew you to be a determined young woman; you wouldn't abandon a task so easily."

I don't reply to that as I stand before her, only two thoughts occupy my thoughts. Where is Shay and how do I stop this?

As if she could read my mind, Aelita stands to make her way over to the table where Xalale is, still watching this unfold without a single word uttered.

"I found it quite amusing how careless you expected me to be."

I frown. "I'm sorry?"

Her satisfied chortle makes me uneasy.

"Shaykh. You sent her back as if I would not notice the change in her. I pride myself in my observance, dear, it was no trouble at all."

The air becomes thick as I struggle to keep my voice as steady as it had once been.

"You seem pleased with yourself." Doesn't she always? "What have you done?"

Studying me, she lets out another chortle before giving me a slight smile.

"Don't look so fearful, dear, I haven't laid a hand against her. She has been dealt with appropriately but I would never act out against a young woman like-"

"Aelita," My voice cuts the air sharper than a cat of nine tails. "What have you done?"

Whether she was expecting such brazen retaliation or not (I know from the way Xalale glanced between me and her he didn't expect that) she continues to appear at ease with the whole situation.

"I've done her no harm, that's all you need to know."

I'm not satisfied with that response, but she seems more interested in a different subject matter.

Picking up one of the pieces from the table, she inspects it with a keen eye as though it was a diamond.

"Do you know how long I've waited for this moment to come about?"

I remain silent in the face of that clearly hypothetical question.

"The years that have passed by me without any reward. It was arduous progress but looking back on it now, I can say that it was a road well traveled."

I don't know if she's done monologuing yet until she starts back up from her pause- still sounding so pleased with herself.

"These last few days, I've debated with myself if I should allow you the pleasure of witnessing this spectacle that you so relentlessly tried to avoid or if I should give way to my better inclinations and deal with you right now."

My pulse quickens though I determine not to sway in her sights, even when her eyes evaluate me with lethal interest.

"I decided to continue practicing the patience taught to me and grant you these last moments. It would only be fair of me. Not to overlook the fact that I still find you a well-mannered young woman in all regards."

"Aren't I lucky?" I dryly reply.

She's so high on cloud nine about all of this, I think she wholeheartedly believes she has this victory no questions asked- as though I'm going to sit by like a "well mannered" girl and nod my head.

Finished, in her mind at least, with me, she turns her attention to Xalale- the one who's really in control of all this.

The endearment she's expressing towards him is as manipulative as it gets.

"It's almost over, all of it. Nothing right now is permanent- the pain, the past, none of it. Everything can become anew and you know that. You're strong enough to do this."

"Oh, now you have faith in him," I speak up. "How convenient."

I may not have a sword or back up or an ex machina but I have my voice and I am tired of this puppet show- it's time to cut some strings.

Aelita pretends I'm not even there, she keeps her focus on the one she has to keep her control over.

"Things are so uncertain right now, but I promise you that everything you do now will come to pass. I have put my faith in you now you need to return that trust."

Since Aelita is not the one I'm trying to get through to, I focus my sole effort on Xalale.

"Her promises mean nothing, she doesn't understand the concept of loyalty, you know that."

His eyes only flicker in my direction for an instant before he looks back at his mother. I know from the look in his eyes that my words are doing something but it's not enough yet.

"We can start anew," She rest a reassuring hand on his arm. "We don't have to be chained by our past mistakes. No matter the circumstances, I have always wanted a new chapter for us. Do not think of anything but the future- that is all that is of importance- can you do this thing, for us? For yourself?"

I take a bold step forward, my voice firmer yet with consideration.

"None of this is about you, Xalale, all of it is about her. When has she ever been on your side? She does not care. She rejected you because of who you were- because it didn't fit her agenda. She called you a monster."

That gets his attention. I've shaken the foundation some.

Aelita won't loosen her control for even a second. Her grip tightens slightly on his arm as she fights to remain dominant.

"Can you do this for us?"

"There's never been an 'us'."

Her posture has stiffened subtly and that grip keeps on gradually tightening- I'm getting to her as well.

"I know you can do this thing, you are able. Why are you even considering the words of a girl who has never even looked to you as a friend- she's made a mockery out of you."

With one mention of me- I'm somewhat shocked at how- his resolve solidifies again. She knows exactly what buttons to push that will trigger a reaction.

Her voice lowers to a hard volume.

"You are capable of more, show her that."

I'm at a lost. So I'm the thing driving him to do all of this madness? I knew it but now I'm completely aware.

Without further persuasion, he turns to the pieces on the table.

"Xalale." I don't know what else to say, what else to do.

For once, Aelita glances back at me. I've never seen a person look so triumphant in themselves.

Of course, my words have become void in his ears- I'm not worth his attention anymore...because of all our unresolved issues.

His sole focus is on the pieces in front of him that have already begun to faintly glow their trademark blue-ish milky white. The aurora only strengthens as dark tendrils begin to gravitate around them.

With his back towards me and his effort focused on the stones, I could attempt a blitz attack from behind but Aelita would never let me get that far. That feeling of helplessness is beginning to cripple me again.

"Do something!"

A simple command but so hard to execute. I don't know what to do.

So I watch, defeated as the glowing intensifies to the point of being blinding until finally, the light fades away.

Left, in place of the once fragmented pieces, is a translucent orb about the size of a volleyball. The pellucid sphere appears like a clear void as it didn't show anything around it, rather it was simply a clear view- it's own blank slate of the future.

Such a harmless looking orb with indescribable power, all of it now in the hands of a person who hates my guts being controlled by a power-hungry woman.

Aelita beams at it, looking the most overjoyed I've ever seen her.

"Such raw beauty," She breathes in awe. She then looks at him. "One final step, dear, and we can begin again."

Taking the restored orb in his hands, he seems worn but ready to deliver the final strike.

Finally, just when I think I've crumpled in on myself, I find my voice.

"I apologize."

It rings out so starch yet they remain the truest words I've ever uttered.

It's just enough to delay him but not enough for him to meet my eyes. I don't care if he looks at me or not, if he even considers me, just as long as he hears what I have to say.

"I," I take a steadying breath, collecting my scattered mind. "I am not perfect; I have never been nor will I ever be. I have screwed up so many things and I have punished myself for those stupid mistakes, but I know I need to let go of that because I will never measure up."

Turns out, life is full of tragic irony. A broken toy is the perfect one for a broken person.

"I know I'm vain sometimes, I know I can be more than a little self-centered, so I, of all people, shouldn't be telling you this...but I am because I know you, Xalale." I take a feeble step towards him. "Don't do this. Think about it, really think. Why are you even doing this? Is it worth it?"

I want my words to marinate in his mind, I want him to think for himself. I know he knows this is wrong- it's in his gut to know.

At first, it seems like he's blocking me out but gradually the orb starts to dim- I'm making an effort on him. Although he's still not looking at me, he's at least taking a true moment to think about what I'm saying, to reflect on all of this.

Unfortunately, Aelita realizes this and proceeds to put a swift stop to it. She needs him focused on the "what ifs" not the consequences.

"Xalale, do not let this girl deceive you again. She plants these sweet words into your head and expects you to fall for-"

"She's never cared," I let my voice gain the strength that it needs to drown out her lies. "Xalale, I promise you on everything I have that she does not give a damn about you- she doesn't. You know this."

Aelita shoots me a stealthy glare before trying to regain control.

"Do not let her fool you again. Nothing has to remain of the past-"

"She's a snake. You said it yourself. Xalale-"

I finally have his undivided attention. He looks my way and with everything in me, I will not let this moment slip by.

"Don't listen to her, don't listen to me, don't listen to anyone but yourself. What do you want?"

His guards are still up, I can tell, but I can only pray he's honestly mulling over my words.

Aelita will not loosen her grasp on him- she has too much to lose.

"I know that all you want is a new beginning and if you do this thing, if you prove who you are, you will find yourself a new chapter," She tenderly touches his face. "I know firsthand, trust me I do. I rest my entire faith in you."

As she steps back, I'm alarmed to see that her words are still cunning enough to still have him leaning towards her. The orb starts to glow again as dark wisp surround it.

Yet, there's still a glimmer of hope left for me in his torn eyes.

So as the orb begins to brighten with its eerie light, I softly speak to him one last time.

"Xalale," For the briefest second he meets my eyes. No fear, no panic, no anger, just my eyes looking solely at him. "You can do so much good. You have never been a monster. Break the cycle."

He appears to be considering the matter with his eyes closed in concentration.

Suddenly, the orb starts glowing again, intensifying in its brightness until it's nearly as bright as the sun itself. My heart sinks as I realize my words, my pleads, have fallen on death ears. I'll end as a failure who failed tried her best- giving all she had, but I can never claim I didn't try.

Abruptly, the light dies.

Confused, I turn my eyes back to the sight.

The orb is still in his hands, but right before my eyes, it dissolves in fine dust-like particles, falling to the floor like snow. Now, nothing remains but the memory of a once prominent threat.