“Are you trying to say that our love is weakening her? How could that be?” Aurora yelled in protest.

 

“Oh, how astute,” Rosshossho replied, “So much sharper than the ‘favored daughter.’”

 

“Explain yourself, Beast!” Mistral barked, losing patience.

 

Rosshossho flurried a reply, “We the beasts, each of us are dependent on something … Howeesha exercises in your cowardice and Korakorkomaq revels in your episodes of destruction and anguish … but I am different.  What is a blizzard, ‘favored daughter?’”

 

Mistral glared into space for a moment and then gasped, her eyes widening.

 

“You understand now, yes?” Rosshossho swirled about them.

 

Aurora looked at Mistral, her eyes betraying her anxiety.  She didn’t understand the link like she seemed to.  Did it mean something bad? Would it spell the end of their love? If her love was harmful to her, how could she remain close to her beloved?

 

Mistral saw the raw emotion in Aurora’s face and spoke. “A blizzard is cold.”

 

“Yesssss … and to make full use of my aspects, so too you must remain.”

 

There was a long pause after that.

 

Rosshossho uttered one harsh word into the void standing in the center of its fury, “Heartless.”

 

Mistral snapped, “Why now? I have been a staunch defender of charity for years, and now you claim I must be heartless.”

 

“Because such things are impersonal and because her cousin loosed our bonds via your own choice.  We are able to be more free if we are not pleased.”

 

“Cousin?” Mistral asked. She looked directly at Aurora and gasped. “You’re referring to Dark Angel.”

 

“Yes, have you not felt more power since she tried to turn your heart to our works?  Did you feel nothing different after Great Manitou’s warning?”

 

Aurora sighed. “I see.” She looked to Mistral sadly.  “So your choice is this.  We continue to love each other and your powers are weakened and maybe they’ll go out of control.  And because of this happiness we share, you’ll not be able to be the hero you deserve to be.  Otherwise, the only other way is to take away this freedom they gained.  She was supposed to be a sorceress, but I’m not one.  I don’t know how I can help you.”

 

Rosshossho spluttered a response, “I will not share my power with one who is so … warm.  Let you feel the bite of this cold from across the seas and understand your position.” There was a sudden whirl of activity.  The cycling flurries whipped up to a new fury.  On the ground appeared by Mistral’s feet a collar of ice. “Let this token show your loyalty to the good you do, and show that will kill the embers in your heart.  Let them die, and I shall serve as I must.”

 

Aurora protested angrily, “ But without warmth, how can she withstand you? Without warmth how can she be a true hero anymore? You want only to change her to fit some image of what she has to be so you can free yourself.” She looked at Mistral, saying what she probably already knew. “I think his offer would only lead to a total loss of your control over them all.  It’s the positive parts of your heart and soul that actually chains them down.  That’s why Great Manitou chose you.  That’s why it’s your burden and blessing.  It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? I don’t think his answer is the right answer.”

 

Rosshossho roared with the sound of many snowflakes crackling like the heart of winter.  “How else can you hope to retain my power? Why am I able to resist your will?”

 

Mistral whispered softly, staring down at the collar, “I don’t know. I have a responsibility to people of the world … all, not some.”

 

“Simply put the thrall collar about your neck,” the beast cajoled her, “and it shall destroy this that keeps my power from you.”

 

Aurora shook her head and threw her arms apart vehemently. “Hypothetically, speaking.  You lose your ability to love. Your capability of doing so.  What else are you related to that you’d lose or wouldn’t leave you?  Will you accept not caring about others?  Will you walk the same path the Black Angel did? Will I someday have to defeat you, a slave to these beasts?” Aurora threw her arms around Mistral, gazing deeply into her eyes.

 

“Don’t accept this as the only way.  There has to be another.  Up until now, you’ve been completely in control of them. If you think that distancing yourself from me and the world means that you’ll gain a handle on your emotions or them, if you truly believe it and know it with your heart and mind. If your knowledge and what Great Manitou teaches you tells you this is the only way, I’ll painfully accept the fate you’re accepting.  But don’t willingly accept without thinking about all of those things.  Which one of you is the master? You? Them? You? Or your power? Which one of you dictates. Who is the prisoner? Who is the jailer? Who has to punish who for what they deserve?  Who’s the only one here who can do it? The choice you make will mean the fate of the world.” Aurora asked her fiercely.

 

Mistral looked up at Aurora and nodded. “I am old enough now to decide if I want my powers, and on what terms I should hold them. Thank you, Aurora. I could not have thought of that on my own.”

 

Aurora laughed deprecatingly, but she smiled warmly. She hoped that she truly meant that, blushing for having spoken so much.  She wasn’t sure if it was said sarcastically, maybe because she was older.  But this would mean maybe that she’d made her choice already.

 

Mistral put her hands together. “Come out and face me, Rosshossho, Great Beast of the Maddening Blizzard. I would have words with you.” She turned to Aurora and spoke, “Please keep watch for me, Aurora. I’m going to try to force him to obey.”

 

After a few seconds, the blizzard grew worse and despite it, Aurora didn’t feel the sting of growing cold.  Her field was up. It did seem to get colder and colder until a creature not unlike a Yeti strode out from the darkness with ice for fangs.  It looked somewhat like she saw before, but far more malignant, more malevolent.

 

“So rarely do you wish to see me, ‘favored daughter,’ so often you merely speak your words and let them echo to my ears.  Though the other beasts do seek to harass you, it is my powers you truly fear.  More subtle than my lightning-brother, more bold than my cowardly wind-brother … it is through me that you truly felt, ‘favored daughter,’ and while I curse the Manitou for binding me into your body, I savor your fear and dread … and I have revelled in your pain and suffering at the hands of the foreigner.”

 

Mistral shouted her defiance to Rosshossho. “You are bound to me, Rosshossho, and if I perish in battling this ‘Snow Witch,’ then you die with me, do you not understand that?”

 

Rosshossho snarled. “So what if that is the case? The Great Beasts are immortal. Should you die, the worst that will happen is the end to a boring existence.  At best, we shall be released to terrorize your world once again.  It seems my brothers should withhold their powers as well!”

 

Mistral shook her head. “You are bound to me, you are as mortal as I am. Why risk yourself for this petty vendetta?”

 

“To end the shame of this existence of helping you pathetic mortals … that is worth the risk to me, for either way, this existence ends.”

 

“I won’t let that happen. You will merely suffer as I do.”

 

Rosshossho roared, “FOOLISH GIRL, I AM ROSSHOSSHO! I AM THE MADDENING BLIZZARD! I STEAL YOUR SENSES, I FREEZE YOUR BLOOD< AND IF YOU CHOOSE TO LET YOU LIVE, YOU WILL GO MAD!” it screamed practically, the furious cold of its fetid breath washed over the two.  “Perhaps the Dark One has freed me enough to risk killing you … perhaps I should put this … to the test!” he said, pulling a clawed hand back to strike.

 

Aurora did as asked and kept watch for her, though she wanted to shield Mistral.  Could she challenge Rosshossho with the power of the two? What would her beloved do? Would she use other mystic powers she talked about? Would she need help? She could only wait and see.

 

Aurora dashed away when the beast swiped its large clawed paw at her and she dodged as well.  Mistral jumped back after its limb swiped through the air.  She tackled it, but she couldn’t move it.  The beast chuckled menacingly and grappled her, but with her greater agility, she evaded the raking claws.  She kicked at its legs, but she winced as her leg connected. It had to be like kicking a gnarly old tree stump.

 

“I AM PLEASED TO SEE YOU STRUGGLE SO,” Rosshossho said, its voice booming all the time. “THIS WILL MAKE YOUR DEATH FAR SWEETER!”

 

Mistral started punching at its midsection, to seemingly no effect.  It swiped at her again, and this time it managed to draw a thin scarlet along her back, despite having dodged.  She gasped and winced, continuing to move outside its attacking range.  As it chuckled, she continued to kick at it, but it brushed her blows aside.

 

“HOW LONG WILL YOU ATTEMPT TO STRUGGLE BEFORE YOU GIVE INTO THE INEVITABLE … ‘FAVORED DAUGHTER’” it chuckled.

 

“Don’t give up!” Aurora cheered for her girlfriend. “Think about its weaknesses!” She winced, watching only.  Why was she kicking and hitting it? Mistral didn’t fight with her fists.  Why would she start now? She had to have a good reason for doing it.

 

Mistral rushed in to attack again, and Rosshossho shot out its hand, as big as her head and grabbed her around her throat.  It lifted her off the ground as she kicked her legs, trying to find footing.  Pulling her closer, it laughed scornfully in her face. “HA HA HA … YOU’RE SO WEAK … HOW CAN SOMETHING LIKE YOU CONTROL A BEING SUCH AS I?”

 

Mistral grinned then, and reached out to grab it by its hair on its ears and suddenly an incandescent bolt of lightning shot out from the darkness and electrified the beast! It howled, dropping her and stumbled backwards. But she kept her hold on its hair and a rush of wind lifted it up off the ground, suspending it in the air.  And another lighting bolt struck.

 

“I control you, because for all your power, Rosshossho, I’m still smarter than you. You think because I called you out, I would fight you with my hands and feet?” She let go of its hair and turned to Aurora, giving her a wink. “If you won’t give me your power of your volition, then perhaps I should just attack you and test to see if you’re mortal or not as you are.” Another lightning bolt struck the beast and it howled loudly, tumbling in the whirlwind.

 

Around, the blizzard thickened and grew far colder, and Aurora stepped closer to Mistral to avoid losing sight of her.

 

“Stay close,” Mistral said to Aurora, and after a moment, she reached out and fumbled around her hand until Aurora reached out and grabbed her reaching hand. When their hands connected, she squoze it firmly.

 

“If you will not serve me, then I’ll have my companion simply absorb your essence, and I will learn spells that will replace you. She’s a far more appropriate jailer for you.  She’s full of so much light and love.  There’s no foothold for you in her soul or heart. She keeps the Black Angel chained.  You stand no chance against her light.”

 

“WAIT! WAIT!! YOU CANNOT DO SUCH A THING!” it wailed.

 

Aurora blushed at the stream of compliments for her willpower and character.  All she could do was fidget after that, her heart thumping.

 

“If you are so confident, Rosshossho, that you can live without me, then I am willing to test to see if I can live without your presence … so make your peace with the Great Manitou, we are about to start.”

 

“NO! LISTEN TO ME! NO SPELL CAN PROTECT YOU FROM THE ONE YOU CALL SNOW WITCH!”

 

“Speak quickly, and I may consider allowing you to lend me your power,” Mistral said.

 

“THE SNOW WITCH … SHE IS A SPIRIT FROM THE LAND YOU CALL JAPAN! SHE IS LIKE MYSELF … DO NOT BELIEVE SIMPLE SPELLS CAN PROTECT YOU!”

 

“...... continue,” Mistral said, though the way she held Aurora’s hand belied her difficulty in being so cruel.

 

“Favored daughter,” Rosshossho said finally without a mocking tone, “She is a new spirit, but carries old powers from her land. Her power is great and will overwhelm simple mortal spellcraft … with my power, you have a chance to defeat her, as I can overpower her … but I can also simply protect you so you can defeat her on a different front.”

 

Mistral turned to Aurora. “Will you please leave him with me?”

 

She was asking her, as though she’d half promised her this thing’s power, or rather threatened to chain her to another troublesome creature.  Aurora almost laughed.  She had to still be acting the part.  

 

Aurora looked up at him and shrugged after looking quizzically at Mistral. “Eh … alright.” Her tone was dismissive.  “There’s always this Yuki Onna anyways.” She put on a grin.  She didn’t know her name, but since she was a geek, a bit of an otaku and a superhero groupie, she knew what to call her.  It actually made her think of a manga or two she’d read.

 

“All right, then,” Mistral said. “Rosshossho … if you ever cease to give me your power as I need, she will return to claim you.  Why do you think I love her so much? She will rid me of you and your brothers the instant you stop obeying.” Oh shit … would she somehow end up with three more freeloaders?

 

“But it burns when you think of her … it’s too unbearably warm,” he said, cowering as he tumbled in the cone of air.

 

“This is part of your punishment … and always understand that it can be worse if you resist.” She turned sharply to Aurora. “Let’s leave him to his frozen world, Aurora,” she said, walking away. Her fingers tugged her gently along.

 

“Yeah.” Aurora grinned and laughed softly. “Nice.  I knew you were my hero.”

 

They walked for a short distance and the fire appeared again.  It was the flame of Great Manitou.  They walked through the fire again, and Aurora met that young woman from before when it had appeared in the vision of her past.  She looked at the two disdainfully as they emerged into the lodge.

 

“I am surprised at your solution, favored daughter.”

 

Mistral let out a heavy breath. “Great Manitou, I cannot deny my feelings for this woman … so I took the only action I felt appropriate.”

 

Great Manitou responded, “It’s the nature of the whites to impose their will upon nature. I didn’t expect this from you.”

 

“Great manitou, you made me their prison, and in doing so, also their warden.  If this was not intended as a punishment for me, then I think you should allow me to punish them as is necessary by the spirit of their punishment.  I admit that I didn’t want to do what I did … I thought I would perhaps, but I did not. But it was the only way I could stay true to my heart.” she said looking at Aurora with a smile.

 

The spirit then smiled and rose to embrace the both. “Favored daughter, you have grown well … and were right to do what you did.  Though perhaps a little less.” She chuckled. “I am pleased with your maturity and will now reinforce the bonds which were loosened if you wish. You have earned this.”

 

Mistral smiled. “I don’t wish for you to do that, for it is my responsibility. I am learning spells and rites, and I will learn how to strengthen their bonds as part of my obligation.  Thank you for the offer, Great Manitou.”

 

The deity smiled more broadly and embraced them both again. “Favored Daughter, it is your strength of spirit and heart that fills me with hope.  You can always call on me, and though I may not always be able to assist in deed, I will always be here to comfort you.” As her words faded, so did Manitou, leaving the lingering warmth of her presence.