After removing the hood of the bloody corpse, Dean and Michael were momentarily taken aback.
The corpse's eye sockets were empty, devoid of any eyes. Other than that, the two confirmed that he was an old man.
On the forehead was a large symbol carved into the skin, and blood constantly seeped out of it. It was circular shaped, and inside the circle was what seemed to be an angel.
The angel was holding a book in its right hand, and a trumpet in the other.
Michael was about to remove the corpse's cloak when he realized that nothing was underneath the dark cloak.
This guy was just wearing a cloak? Don't tell me he's immune to the cold?
Taking out his phone, he took a picture of the corpse's face.
He then said to Dean, "Carry him back to the entrance of the forest. I'll deal with the remaining archers."
Dean did not hesitate, and carried the lifeless corpse onto his shoulder.
Michael quickly said, "Scratch that, take him back to the group and explain to them what happened. Don't leave out any details. Oh, except for whatever he told you."
With a nod, Dean rushed back with the corpse on his shoulder.
After Dean was gone, Michael sighed. He planned on telling Tiero of the dying old man's last words.
***
The group stared at the corpse that Dean had brought. Dean told them everything that happened. Among the group, Donovan, Clara, and Vincent were listening intently. The messenger, Johnny, then reported the matter to Tiero.
Michael returned a short while after. He took the dead body with him, and after receiving thanks from Johnny, he and Vi activated the teleportation sequence and left Tosla.
"Alright, everyone. Let's keep moving." Johnny instructed, already heading forward. The rest followed him from behind, except for Dean, who had already rushed straight to the forest.
The blizzard had become more intense, and if one wasn't careful, they could be sent flying. Everyone stayed in a single group, moving forward relentlessly.
After a long while, they finally reached the forest. Dean was sitting underneath a tree, and he seemed to be playing something on his phone.
As Johnny ordered Dean to get off his phone and take this more seriously, he stood up with a sigh.
Johnny turned to face the group. "Past this forest is a large castle made of ice. We will approach the castle with the intent of making peace and doing no harm."
"The… owner of that castle has strong senses. They can sense killing intent, so we will all have to be careful. But be on your guard at all times."
"Arrows managed to halt our mission, but we refuse to be stopped anymore."
With that, he turned around and walked forward. Feeling motivated and encouraged, the group followed him from behind.
They walked in a straight line, and sometimes, Johnny would gesture to the group to stop because of nearby threats and dangers. But Dean was frustrated at this, since he was sure that all of them combined could overcome any danger that were to suddenly appear now.
As they walked, the blizzard weakened significantly. The deeper they went through the snowy forest, the trees looked more and more bizarre.
Some of the trees were darker in color, and its leaves looked devoid of any life. There were even trees that were frozen in ice, and trees stripped of its leaves.
They traveled through the forest for two hours, occasionally taking breaks and setting up a camp.
The food that Rayman had brought with him was thoroughly enjoyed by the group, and the way Rayman ate his food so delightfully made everyone's stomachs growl.
They had a total of four camp breaks, and eventually, they were almost at their destination.
As they neared the castle, Vincent suddenly gestured for everyone to stop. Rayman was about to tell everyone to stop as well, but Vincent beat him to the punch.
This was because there were giant golems made of ice scattered everywhere. Vincent and Rayman were able to see this thanks to their excellent vision and the blizzard that was thinner here. If they approached, the golems would certainly attack them. These were the inhabitants, or rather, the natives of the planet.
Dean sighed. "I'll handle this."
Three minutes later, Dean returned. He wasn't tired at all.
"Are you hurt?" asked Johnny.
Dean shook his head. "No."
Johnny nodded and gestured for everyone to continue walking.
If everyone had teleported here in the first second of the mission, none of them would die, however, some of them would certainly suffer grave injuries.
They eventually left the forest, and saw the castle.
It was so ridiculously tall, probably even taller than the highest building in Umbrellas.
Suddenly, they heard the messenger, Johnny's voice, "If a battle occurs, we retreat immediately…"
"But if retreat is not an option, we fight. We can only rely on Dean and Clara, as they are the only Storm Rank here."
With that said, the group followed the messenger as they arrived in front of the castle's massive doors.
The messenger pushed open the doors that looked too heavy to be opened. This incredible display of strength surprised most of them, except for Dean.
The interior of the castle was revealed to them. Everything was made of ice, and everything looked too simple, devoid of any "people."
Donovan determined that this was the throne room, and just as he expected, there seemed to be a throne in the far end of the room.
But it was too dark, so he and the others couldn't determine if there was someone sitting there or not.
As for Johnny, he silently said to the group, "Do what I do, and don't speak up."
Having said that, Johnny stepped forward and kneeled on one knee. Pressing his right hand to his chest, he "solemnly" spoke in a language that Donovan and the others couldn't understand.
Everyone was filled with confusion on who the messenger was talking to, when suddenly, a voice resounded across the throne room. The voice was deep and full of authority, and it was in a language that everyone, except for Johnny, couldn't understand. Upon being reminded of Johnny's words to do what he does, everyone kneeled as well.
The messenger and the unknown speaker conversed for a while, when suddenly, a loud noise resounded across the large room.
Suddenly, everyone was immediately filled with fear and dread, as if their hearts were put in a box of needles and the box shook wildly.
The messenger, as well as everyone else, couldn't move.
Johnny continued speaking in that same language that no one could understand.
Suddenly, he muttered in a low voice that was directed to everyone, "A fight is imminent. Get ready."
Upon hearing this, everyone was filled to the brim with fear and dread even more. It seems that this messenger had angered the unknown speaker hiding in the shadows.
Meanwhile, at the Portal Chamber.
Tiero, the old man Null, and the others that were with them, cursed and tsked.
We failed once again… Tiero sighed, and he couldn't help but sit on a chair. He was too drained, tired, and exhausted.
The previous missions on Tosla to convince the "person" who was speaking in the shadows to let the planet Tosla "cooperate" with Umbrellas had all ended in failure.
The previous teams either retreated back to Umbrellas, or were massacred inside the icy castle.
These consecutive failures had exhausted Tiero and the others.
Suddenly, their attention was caught by a loud noise coming from the live recording in front of them.
***
Donovan and company heard another loud noise, when suddenly, the massive door behind them began to close.
Unable to move from their spot, the throne room was fully covered in darkness as the entrance shut.
Suddenly, the entire throne room was illuminated by a blue light coming from the chandeliers hanging high above. The fire on the chandeliers was blue in color.
More and more lanterns and candles lit up.
Donovan cast his gaze to the icy throne at the far end of the room, and saw a large figure wearing black armor, holding a sword that was imbued with blue fire.
Vincent and Rayman, who were both Rangers, used their excellent vision to better look at this intimidating figure who oozed with authority.
The figure's head seemed to be a human skull covered in ice, and in its eye sockets were floating balls of blue fire. The figure was also wearing an old, golden crown covered in ice on its head.
Upon seeing this, everyone immediately stood up. Having overcome the fear and dread from earlier, they "brandished" their umbrellas.
Left with nowhere to escape, their only choice now was to fight. But their opponent seemed to be a powerhouse, and this was a losing battle.
The messenger, Johnny, retreated to the back of the group, still speaking in that alien language. But this was futile, as it seems that the figure sitting on the throne was no longer willing to listen.
And everyone had come to the conclusion that this was the one speaking to Johnny from earlier in that alien language.
Suddenly, the figure in black armor moved. They seemed to be covered in ice that was stuck to the throne.
The ice broke, and the figure stood up.
They suddenly spoke in the English language, "I… am the King of Ice, guide of frozen souls, and the Freezing Death."
"I am Wilhelm Wraithson… The last king you shall ever see…"
"Visitors… from beyond the sky… You do not belong here, and this… shall be your final resting place."
Their voice was deep and full of authority. As they spoke, their "mouth" didn't seem to move.
At that moment, there was the sound of bells jingling, the very same jingling that Dean had heard when he first entered the snowy forest.