Meet the Empress of Ice.

When the hole seals shut behind you, the small chamber you find yourself in turns so quiet that you can nearly hear the movement of the blood between your ears and nothing more. There's no sound of your party, nor the wind outside. The room is a perfect cube, and while the floor, ceiling, and walls seem to also be made from perfectly smooth, clear ice, it isn't slippery to walk. You feel like you're inside a fun house, where there may be a mirror in every direction. There is something else present in this room besides yourself, however, and that's a hook holding some sort of garment to your right.

Once again, the voice speaks. It's louder now, and seems as if it's coming from all directions. "I wouldn't ask you to part with your weapon, but you must follow my traditions if you're to enter my domain. Keep your sword, but undress from your clothing. Put on what you see. Only then may you continue."

"So you want me to get naked?" you ask.

There's a long pause. "... No. I mean, temporarily I suppose."

"You better not be doing this just so I slowly freeze. I may be strong, but these lands are frigid. It's a little better out of the wind now, but I'm still standing on ice, am I not?"

"You'll find that once you're garbed in what I've presented, you'll feel even better than now."

Surrendering to your fate, as you know you could fight your way out regardless anyway, you unhook your belt and scabbard to place temporarily aside. Then piece by piece, you dismantle your wardrobe. It feels a little odd stripping down to your underwear here, though once you lay your hands upon outfit's fabric, the touch to your skin is alluringly pleasant. It's so soft and light, yet as it slowly covers your body, you feel warmer already. The garment is a sort of robe tied by a strap around your midsection. It's a beautiful silver, covered by the imagery of snowflakes and stars. Though it's all so thin that it almost feels like you're wearing tissue paper, it covers you regardless, and isn't so much warmth it emits, but enchants your body to feel comfortable in the cold. The floor doesn't even burn your bare feet.

You look yourself over through the reflection on the wall as you slide your scabbard through the strap. "Not bad," you comment. "A lot more serene and ceremonial than what I usually wear, but I'm glad this wasn't a trap."

Yet again, there's a long pause before any voice responds. Eventually she mutters out, "Y-Yes. Not bad. And you are correct not to trust all you meet. Though in this instance, no. It's no a trap. You may now enter if you wish." And with that, a doorway cuts open yet again, though this time, on the wall ahead.

The chamber ahead is stunning. It's nothing like the home of K'iina. While not any larger, the floor and walls and all the rest are still made from solid ice, and the ceiling is held by four decorated pillars. In the center is a round blanket, and upon that is a woman sitting with legs crossed.

Aak'aba the Empress of Ice has pale blue skin--more of an icy shine to it than what you'd seen from aqulo, and more intense than even from Shivra. Her hair is pure white, and so long that if she were to stand, it would still reach the ground. While sitting, it spreads out in all directions along the ice. Her lashes are lush and long upon closed shut eyes, and her lips shimmer as if made from glass. There's hardly anything else to see, so you step towards her with hesitation, even after her previous words about the lack of a trap. You heed her others, about not being naive with your trust.

"... You're Aak'aba, correct?" you ask.

Once could easily mistake her for being deep in meditation, but she does respond. "I am. And what is your name?"

"Kyle Warren. I also met with K'iina earlier today."

She's wearing a robe as well. It's snow-white, loose, and spread long out around her in a manner similar to her hair. She looks almost like a lotus flower if one were made from frost. "I should be surprised, but you and the others were strong enough to best the demon. So I ask then. Why are you here? You're not pirate. I--" Then she stops. Slowly, her eyes pull open, but there are no pupils to be seen, nor irises either. "I sense something in you. A gift, from the Lady of the Lake."

"You can sense that, huh?"

Her eyes shut as quickly as they opened. Then she pats the blanket beneath her. "Come. Sit."

You join in front of her, crossing your legs as well. It isn't all that large, so you're nearly touching knees as you await her next words.

"It's been more years than I could count since I met her last," she explains. "How is she?"

"As far as I know, she slept in Crystal Lake for so long that she doesn't even know. But we woke her up one day, and instead of going back to bed like usual, she remained awake. Now she's our friend and ally. So pretty well I assume."

"You're full of surprises."

"As for why I'm here, we need to reach the floating island. Thunderbeard is there after all."

Once again, her eyes open. She stares deeply into yours. "You can't."

"A lot of other people seem to--"

"I mean that I can't allow you to slay Thunderbeard. That's what you've come to do, yes?"

"He's a slaver. And he hurt people I've grown to care about."

"I know. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not on his side. There are... other reasons as to why I can't allow it."

"One way or another, I'll get up there--"

"No!" She shouts now, much to your surprise, and her words cause the walls to shake. She stands to her feet. For a moment, her robe wafts up to reveal fair, slender legs, and feet slipped into beautiful blue sandals covered in glittery white flowers. She clenches her teeth and bares her presence down upon you. Though her emotions don't flare up as wildly as K'iina's, clearly something got a reaction out of her, and the chamber itself is reacting accordingly.

You look up as a few shards of ice fall from the ceiling. Slowly, you pull yourself back up to your feet, and take a step backwards. "You were cursed by his patron too, weren't you?"

She looks to you silently. Then after a moment, deep blue rushes across her face. Her eyes widen, and she claps her hands against her cheeks while staring at you in horror. "No... That K'iina. She told you? You know my humiliating secret?!"

"... Uh. The chastity belt?"

Quickly, Aak'aba turns away from you, shivering. "First you tease me with your undressing, and now you bring up such a thing so casually."

"Excuse me, but you asked me to--"

Then she turns back again and clears her throat. "Ahem, yes. I have been cursed. And if I were to aid in his patron's destruction, and that were to fail, I would be punished... Oh. It seems somebody is trying to enter. My outburst must have alerted your allies to potential danger. Should I open the door regardless of my rules? At least for one, so they don't think you dead."

"That's probably a good idea."

"Anyhow, this person may interest you most."