The Icy Omniverse trembled.
Its very essence had changed, infused with a new, unfathomable energy—one that had never existed before. The fabric of the omniverse itself, once ruled by an unshaken cycle of icy stillness and ancient laws, now shifted in resonance with the pulse of something far greater. The sovereign essence that now filled the air was undeniable.
And yet, its true source lay unconscious.
Inside the sacred icy temple, where history and time had first begun, Arfrotian’s body lay still, cradled within Ice Phoenix’s embrace. His head rested on her lap, her arms wrapped protectively around him, and her brilliant frozen wings curved around his body like a cocoon, shielding him from all harm.
But something was changing.
Waves of pure white ice and red ice pulsed from Arfrotian’s still form, their power rippling outward in a controlled yet relentless storm. The icy crown mark on his forehead was almost fully formed, exuding an aura of royalty—of sovereignty. The moment it fully completed, a deep shift coursed through the entire omniverse, as though all its laws had recognized the arrival of their new master.
Ice Phoenix’s breath hitched as she stared down at him.
Her normally composed expression was one of sheer astonishment. This—this was something she never could have expected.
"This... this crown mark... Could it be…?" she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion.
At first, she had thought it was impossible. She had thought Arfrotian was merely an outsider, a man from another omniverse, someone far removed from the fate of the Icy Omniverse itself. But now, as she looked at him, as she felt the undeniable power surging through his form…
She realized the truth.
"I should have known... This man..."
Her eyes glistened, and for the first time in eons, a tear of pure joy slipped down her cheek.
"He was the one all along."
This man—who had risked everything, who had stood against two clashing cataclysmic forces, who had withstood the Eternal Frostheart’s backlash and yet still lived—
He was the one chosen by fate itself.
He was her sovereign.
No, not just hers.
The Sovereign of the Icy Omniverse.
And then—
"NO!!"
A sudden, enraged howl shattered the sanctity of the temple.
Zenian.
The fallen archangel stood frozen in place, his body half-trapped in the unrelenting frost of the Eternal Frostheart. His minions—those who had followed him into the depths of this temple—were either completely frozen solid or trapped like him, powerless.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Zenian’s eyes burned with pure, unfiltered denial.
"NO! IT’S NOT POSSIBLE! AN OUTSIDER LIKE HIM—HE CAN’T BE THE KING OF THE ICY OMNIVERSE!!"
His voice boomed through the temple, echoing in sheer disbelief.
Ice Phoenix’s expression twisted into something fierce, something filled with utter contempt.
She lifted her head, her glowing blue eyes burning with cold fury as she turned her gaze to Zenian.
"OH yeah?" she hissed, her voice dropping into a venomous whisper.
The temple shook.
Zenian felt his very soul tremble.
"AND WHAT ABOUT YOU?!"
The room crackled with dangerous energy. The temperature dropped so low that even Zenian's frozen half-flesh felt like it was burning.
"You who betrayed me. You who wielded the Eternal Frostheart twice, each time bringing suffering to this world. You who have tried to twist this omniverse to your will, YOU THINK YOU ARE EVEN QUALIFIED TO BE WITHIN THIS SACRED TEMPLE?!"
Zenian flinched.
For the first time in millennia, he was afraid.
He gritted his teeth, rage consuming him.
"WHY? WHY SHOULD THAT NOBODY—THAT MAN—TAKE EVERYTHING FROM ME?!"
His wings, still partially encased in ice, twitched violently. He struggled, gritting his teeth, forcing every ounce of his willpower to try and break free.
But it was futile.
No matter how much he struggled, the Eternal Frostheart’s divine ice refused to let him move.
Zenian’s mind raced. He had spent eons plotting, waiting for the moment to take control of this omniverse. He had played every game, manipulated every piece on the board. He was supposed to be the one who ruled.
And yet now—
That throne had been snatched away.
By a man who was never even part of this game.
Zenian’s fingers clenched into frozen fists. His breath came out in ragged pants as beads of cold sweat formed on his face. He couldn’t believe it. He refused to believe it.
Then—
A pulse.
A shift.
A heartbeat.
Zenian froze.
Ice Phoenix gasped.
And then—it happened.
A deep, slow breath escaped from Arfrotian’s lips.
His fingers twitched.
His chest rose.
And then, his eyes opened.
It was a sight to behold.
His right eye shone with the wisdom, purity, and serene power of white and blue ice combined. His left eye burned with raw, untamed passion—the overwhelming presence of red ice.
Zenian stared in horror.
Ice Phoenix stared in awe.
As his eyes settled back to normal, Arfrotian blinked, taking in his surroundings. He was about to analyze the situation—
But before he could say a word—
He was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace.
Ice Phoenix threw herself onto him, wrapping her arms around him so tightly it was as if she feared he would disappear again.
"YOU’RE ALRIGHT!!"
Her voice cracked as tears of relief rolled down her cheeks.
Arfrotian, still dazed, registered the warmth against him. He felt her trembling.
And then, he understood.
A soft smile graced his lips. His arms slowly moved, wrapping gently around her as he whispered,
"Did you miss me, my Ice Phoenix?"
Ice Phoenix froze.
And then—she broke.
"You IDIOT!" she sobbed, gripping him even tighter.
"Who told you to take on two cataclysmic forces just to fulfill a promise?! What would I have done if I lost you?!"
Her voice cracked with raw emotion.
"You—YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW WORRIED I WAS! COULD YOU EVEN IMAGINE?! YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE I HAVE LEFT!"
She choked on her words, her body shaking with suppressed sobs.
Arfrotian sighed softly.
He lifted his hand, gently running his fingers through her hair, soothing her. His touch was warm, reassuring.
"I believed in you."
His voice was calm, yet firm.
"And besides..." He gently lifted her face, his fingers brushing against her tear-stained cheeks as he wiped her tears away.
"I never expected you to cry this much for me."
Ice Phoenix’s heart jolted.
Her face burned red.
She stuttered, completely flustered.
"W-Well, what do you mean ‘someone like you’? Aren’t we... partners?"
Arfrotian chuckled softly at Ice Phoenix’s cuteness.
"Of course."
Zenian, watching this unfold, felt his soul collapse.
Because at that moment—
He knew he was already so, so dead.
