#chapter 74

[manga-meow]

[dungeonmeshititlepages]

[herstrayskies]

"It's alright don't be afraid. Even if you stumble and loose your way, I'll call your name. It's something more precious than any material gift and because I love you I'll call it all the time. So stay here with me forever. Yukine, here you are and..."

Noragami Chapter 74 Gift & 104 Nation

[zonaenthusiast]

From this scene what stands out for me is how smart Nami is and how quickly Usopp understands and adapts to the situation.

Nami accomplishes two things: saving Usopp's life and alleviating the gyojin's suspicions about her after what happened with Zoro. Nami manages to kill two birds with one stone with a plan that would only work with Usopp because any other mugiwara would not have played along.

This scene and Zoro's scene are sisters not only because of the location and what Nami has to do in the face of the gyojin, but also because Usopp picks up that something he doesn't fully understand is happening with Nami, just as Zoro picked up on it earlier.

[everymephistopheles]

[mustardyellowsunshine]

Dog-boy’s trying so hard to play it cool. 😁

[meimi-haneoka]

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Chapter 74: Comments + JP-ENG translation differences

Here we are, welcome back everyone!! End of the month, time for another chapter leading us into this exciting finale for Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card!! I want to start this post with a little foreword before diving into the chapter itself and the eventual translation differences ✨ I just wanted to say that I write this post with a sense of pride but also with even more sense of responsability compared to the previous months. You've probably stumbled upon my recent report of the latest CLAMP Space, where the authors have talked about CCS Clear Card, and their support/blessing to "people addressing the translation differences in their monthly posts on their blog, because they felt uncomfortable about them". Although they never straight up gave names, I certainly feel like they were talking about blogs like mine. And so I'm humbled (and even a little nervous) to be able to keep doing this, since I've wondered multiple times if it was even proper for me to write these posts every month, as if I was leading a crusade against the official English translation. In fact, I'm not. And I hope that's clear enough. When the ENG translation respects the vibe and original intention coming out from sensei's words in the manga panels, like this time around, I always make sure to say positive things about it. But try to understand me, the irritation runs deep because these are years of translation differences accumulating and at times even changing the perception of the story. And then, you stumble upon English speaking fans on the internet who got the gist of the story wrong or disrespecting/failing to appreciate it because of such translation mistakes (we go from Sakura calling Syaoran "Li-kun" in one of the earliest volumes, to Kaito saying that he wanted to give magic to Akiho, wtf??). And I think it's such a pity. It's not fair. The fandom deserves to know what the script is trying to say with a meaning as closer as possible to the original one. I hope I'll be able to help in that regard, for what's in my possibility and with my limited skills, till Clear Card will be over. ✨

OKAY, now let's cut the chatter and see what happened in this chapter!! I'm happy to say that this time around, translation-wise, we don't have anything impairing the correct understanding of the plot, just nuances! As usual, before starting, we can't skip the gif of the month!!

The Color Page

Oh my gosh! Sakura! You look amazing here!!! Such a fierce stare!! She looks just like a powerful and respected magician and OMG THEY GAVE HER A BLACK OUTFIT!! JUST LIKE I'VE BEEN ASKING EVER SINCE THE BEGINNING! I don't know, maybe the veteran followers of this blog can remember, but I've always wished to see Sakura in a black costume/dress in Clear Card 😊 She looks stunning...and what's more, she's once again with the gears and clocks decorations, just like in the period of the Clockland play. But, heheh, this time the clock looks different. The big clocks that were featured during the Clockland chapters (with Sakura + Syaoran, Akiho and lastly Kaito) were often "strange". They all had the same design, the one with SyaoSaku was "regular", but the ones next to Akiho and Kaito had their numbers either in messed up order, or straight up wrong (what kind of clock got '0' as the only number?). I had already assumed by then that they had a significance we had to decode along the development of the finale. This one in this color page, however, really looks like the most classical clock with roman numerals. The order of the numbers and their position seems correct. So could this be a sign that Sakura is about to restore order into this mess that Kaito's desperate wish created? The text on the JP version is the classic incantation to release the Dream staff from the key (we haven't heard it in a looooong time because she manifests her staff immediately, by now!) I also want to point out that we *still* don't have any announcement of "Clear Card ending in next chapter" or "Clear Card ends in 2 chapters!" like it's custom in these serializations, so I can say with confidence that Sakura won't surely be over in chapter 75 (at the beginning of July) but probably not even in chapter 76 (at the beginning of August). Are they aiming at chapter 77 (beginning of September)? Double 7, it's a lucky number for CLAMP ✨ For those worried about "3 chapters aren't enough to finish this!!", please consider that it's not so much about the number of chapters, but the amount of pages. This chapter for example is already longer than usual, 35 pages. That's what really matters, and we could get even an epilogue or some additional pages in the volume version! And now onto to the actual chapter!

An Important Discussion

Yukito, Nakuru and Touya are leisurely spending time at Yukito's home, with a funny scene of Yukito feeding some mikan to Nakuru (and she seems delighted by the cozyness of Japanese kotatsu!). Suddenly, Touya announces that Sakura is coming over. Yukito worries about how it's getting dark and that maybe it'd be better to go pick her up along the way, but a grumpy Touya says there's no need for that: along with Sakura are also coming Syaoran, Akiho and even Tomoyo. Yukito and Nakuru can't help but being surprised, and Nakuru wonders "The all-stars are coming? What's going on?" 😂 I found so hilarious the use of the term "all-stars", which in Japanese usually indicates a whole cast of a performance composed of famous actors, and sometimes it's applied to sports team too. But the room temperature drops immediately when Yukito looks at Touya, with a very pensive face, and it's immediately clear that something serious happened and Sakura is coming to discuss that. Touya might not know exactly what, but as we can see, he's already got a feeling.

Sakura and the kids arrive, apologizing for coming so suddenly, and they sit down, all with very serious faces (save for Tomoyo. Tomoyo never loses her calm composure 😆). Sakura starts dropping the bomb immediately: "I want to talk to you about something very weird" and "I want everyone who knows about the Cards and magic to hear this". Sakura is dead serious, and she informs Syaoran (sitting at her left side) that she's just told everything to Akiho shortly ago. She also tells Kero and Suppy to come out of her purse, for the second time (since the first was halted by the rewriting of the forbidden magic) putting an end to the farce of Kero constantly needing to act like a plushie in front of Touya!! Remember when the fandom used to point out that it was weird that Kero kept hiding from Touya, despite saying himself at the end of the Sakura Card Arc (after Touya gave his powers to Yue/Yukito) that he was perfectly aware that Touya knew everything about them? That really felt like a "plot hole" (maybe at this point the only REAL plot hole) for the longest time, and I am honest when I say that I had already given up hoping to see an explanation for it, wanting to treat it like a "glitch" in the narrative and using suspension of disbelief to overcome it! Well well well, CLAMP surprised me again! Cause in this chapter they actually tried to give an explanation to that "discrepancy"! And of course, being this about Kero, the explanation is rather silly (confession - I didn't understand Kero's reasoning very well, but I'll give my interpretation of what he said): Kero saw that even after that event, Touya didn't try to interact with him and thought that maybe he didn't consider him a cute and gorgeous magical creature, but rather something else....(was he butt-hurt?) Suppy of course is spitting fire cause why the heck did we need to keep pretending to be plushies?? and Kero's reply is "Because I thought it'd be fun pretending to be plushies together when you came over!". Now, if you remember how difficult and taxing it was for Suppy to force himself to stay still, you can understand why he's so mad! 😂 Touya says, quite annoyed, that he simply didn't try to interact with him because he thought that Kero was getting a kick out of acting like a plushie! I feel like sensei have quite reached and almost broke the 4th wall with this scene, because Sakura here says something that I'm pretty sure many of us have thought in regard to this "discrepancy": "I did wonder at some point why you kept that up despite I was telling you multiple times that I had the feeling my brother was onto you". And it's true, we've seen that in volume 4! Well, to me it felt like a stretch, but eventually we got an explanation for that situation so I guess it's better to leave it behind us! 😂

Cause we have more important matters at hand. Sakura places her phone on the table, showing Eriol & Kaho in videocall!! NOW all the "stars" of this show are present! 😂 So Sakura starts her recount of the most recent events, saying "It's really weird...but I swear it happened". After everyone listened to Sakura, of course they're all surprised. Nakuru wonders if there's any magician who can really have the power to "rewrite" a world...Eriol says that as far as he's heard, there isn't any magician among the living ones who has that degree of power. However, if said magician had access to a "medium" able to use the "forbidden magic", then it's another story. And that's the Book Sakura told them about. Sakura confirms that the one who told her all of this is the Guardian of the book herself. And then, to Akiho: "The plushie shaped like a bunny that you cherished so much was the temporary form of that Guardian. You named her 'Momo' ". Here I have to point out that the way the ENG translated it infers that Akiho remembers about Momo ("You know that stuffed bunny you loved so much?"), but actually in the JP version it's mostly Sakura informing Akiho that she used to cherish a bunny-shaped plushie, cause Akiho has no recollection of it. In fact, right after, she answers "But that's the title of a book I really love so much!". THERE IT IS! I've mentioned this many times in my social media accounts, and even lately in my "literary references" post here on Tumblr, but it turns out this simple answer by Akiho kinda confirms that she might really have named Momo after that book. And it's not only a beloved book because of its story, but also the one she was reading when she met Kaito for the first time. I've always thought that having her most beloved plushie named that way, and having precisely that book when they met for the first time couldn't have been unrelated. So I'm really happy for this scene here and I hope it'll get eventually confirmed better later.

Sakura takes Akiho's hands (she'll do that a lot this chapter and I simply love it) and reassures her about something that I was SURE she was going to say:

JP: "The fact that we became twins is an effect of the rewritten (world), but the fact that you are an important person to me didn't change at all, Akiho-chan"

I've preferred putting the JP version here because once again we have the usual stuff that I complain about lately: Sakura in JP used 大切なひと (important person) to describe her relationship with Akiho, and this is absolutely coherent with all the previous times. In ENG they used "you're special to me", but the adjective "special" in Japanese (特別な) in relation to a person has been consistently used in the latest chapters to describe the person Sakura is in love with (and not only Sakura). So they shouldn't have used that adjective in particular. They should stick to the literal translation. Especially cause that "special person" will come up in a few pages. I know I sound pedantic with this separation between "important person" and "special person", but I mean, CLAMP sensei are consistently keeping that distinction so I'm convinced the translation should do its best to keep it, because it's a guide to lead the readers among the relationships of CCS. Which sometimes can be quite complex.

Touya teases Sakura again with the sis-con joke, and Yukito teases him back by saying "Are you talking about yourself now?" (I love how Yukito always teases the big and grumpy Touya 😂they're really made for eachother). Tomoyo comments that it's been "a sight for sore eyes" (the term used in JP is 眼福, ganpu, and it's used when you see something precious) to see Sakura in the role of the big sister and Akiho in the one of the little sister. Akiho is moved by the fact that, despite everyone knowing the truth now, nobody shunned her or rejected her presence, and exactly like I imagined, I'm 100% sure Sakura will keep thinking about her as a sister (not a blood-related sister maybe, but surely with the same importance of one) even after everything will be solved later. Cause the bond between her and Akiho was never a fabricated thing, but always been genuine from day 1. Even if they got close in such a short period of time, it's just what happens normally in real life too. Sometimes you bond very tightly with people over a short period of time, cause you feel you're so compatible.

So Sakura continues. She says that for this reason, she wants to bring (someone) back. She's convinced that what the Record Card showed to her is not everything. She feels like there is someone who is missing from both what the Record Card had shown to her and from this rewritten world as well. Syaoran is confused, "they're missing, and yet you're sure they're there?". Sakura understands that confusion and says "It's weird, right? I can't really explain how I know it, but I just do." And then, towards Akiho: "That person....is your special person, Akiho-chan". There it is, the infamous "special person" again. It's clear what Sakura is meaning here. "This is the person you're in love with, Akiho-chan". Of course Akiho's face cannot be any other than a dismayed one at hearing that. And then the pain comes, all at once, piercing her heart and leaving her speechless. Sakura says that the Record Card wasn't showing anyone with Akiho in one of the scenes, and yet she saw her extremely happy. That was enough for Sakura to know that someone was indeed there with Akiho.

I'm Always Searching For Someone

We're shown one of the most important scenes for anyone liking Akiho and Kaito (and their bond), the night that Akiho was so brave to confess her feelings to him through a covert (and very local) way, claiming that "the moon is really beautiful". And in the same occasion he accepted to spend some time strolling and talking to her. It was clear from the moment that scene happened that it would've become important later. And the readers who know what happened and what we lost are feeling probably the same pain Akiho is feeling right now, only that she's unaware of what is causing it. Akiho says "I'm really happy to live with you, Sakura, and everyone in the Kinomoto household, but...I've been in pain. Because I'm always looking for someone who's not there...". So Akiho did feel the effects of that void. The void that only your most important person can leave when they're gone. It's just that, we've seen her being so happy with her "new" family, and yet exactly like most of the fandom imagined, that didn't really work to fill the void Kaito left. It's impossible to fill that void because that person is just irreplaceable. This scene of course stabbed my heart but I had imagined that we would've seen it sooner or later. Sakura gets more confident with the confession of what Akiho's been feeling, and tells her that she thinks the one she didn't want to lose and the one who rewrote their world are the same person. "So I'm going to bring them back". Sakura announces with a smile, but Kero just wonders in dismay how she's going to do that. Sakura believes that the pocket watch in Akiho's possession will show her how. As if on cue, Akiho takes it out of her purse and places it on the table in front of Sakura's phone, where Eriol and Kaho can see it. They recognize it's a magical artifact specialized in time magic, but they also recognize that in order for a magician to be able to use it, they would need to have a tremendous amount of magical powers. Akiho suddenly panics. It dawns on her. I think the mental connection she's made is "if Sakura wants to use this to bring my special person back, she would need to achieve an amount of magical powers that could put her in harm's way". Aside, of course, from all the other dangers that a "mission" like that could pose to our heroine. And of course she'd never be okay with that. But Sakura reassures her. "You aren't making me. I want to." Sakura explains that both when she was dealing with the Clow Cards (and we see a scene of the Final Judgement, the one where Kaho gives her the Moon Bell) and when she was transforming them into her own Cards (they show us a scene from the last battle with Eriol), she was able to overcome her troubles thanks to all of the people who loved her and cared about her.

Sakura, JP: "Therefore I want to do what I can for my important person, too"

Again the use of 大切なひと (important person) in relation to Akiho. I think this panel in particular is pretty important (and the big font indeed suggests so). I feel like it's the core, the heart of Clear Card Arc. Sakura, whom until now was accustomed to be cherished and pampered in a protected environment by her loved ones, is starting to take the first steps towards self-assertiveness and maturity. Sometimes those loved ones would overdo it with the loving, and ended up depriving her of her own agency. Sakura is finding herself, she's starting to trust her instincts and capabilities more and more, and that leads inevitably to a question: "what do I want to do with these gifts life gave me and blessed me with? What can I do to give back to the Universe all this love I'm receiving?" Searching for her self-identity will inevitably make her step out of her comfort zone. She'll take risks. Even on herself. She'll need to assess situations, make decisions. And here she decided that she wants to use her natural gift (her magical powers) to help someone in need. Someone important to her. Someone dear who lost someone irreplaceable and lacks the means to bring him back. Sakura decides to step in, help her "sister", doing exactly what she herself told her during last chapter: if I happen to be good at something that you can't do, I'll help you out. That's the beauty of being all unique and different.

I've seen people often wondering what's the purpose of Clear Card Arc, if we really needed to this arc and such. Well, to me the answer was made manifest in this chapter. 🙂

But back to our story, Tomoyo understands that moment has finally come, so she says that maybe she can't use magic, but she felt it was best to bring along with her a certain big bag (that we all know what contains, right??). She also says that she had the feeling she had made an asymmetrical costume before, but when she went to check, she realized she hadn't made it yet...

Listen to me well, because this is the solution to the mystery of the cryptical thing Ohkawa sensei said in relation to one of Sakura's costumes, during the latest CLAMP Space! Basically, she hinted that there was a reason why we hadn't seen Sakura wearing officially (for a Card battle) this costume yet, and that we would find out why soon. I know the ENG translation here talks about "complementary outfits" (referring probably to how Tomoyo will later reveal complementary outfits for both Sakura and Syaoran), but that only shows that they misunderstood the word アシンメトリー (lit. Asymmetry). Tomoyo here was literally talking about asymmetry because the "costume she thought she had made, but didn't find in the end" was precisely the one Ohkawa was hinting at during the latest Space, the one Sakura was trying on in chapter 36 and 37! Tomoyo had a sense of deja vu, about having made an asymmetrical outfit before, but actually couldn't find it because...well, the forbidden magic had removed any reference to the Clear Cards! (including, apparently, the costumes!) So that goes to show that Tomoyo, despite not having a crumble of magic, was also subjected to the deja vu and weird feelings of "discrepancy" that such rewriting of the world would cause. But hold on tight, cause another reference is on the way!

Tomoyo continues saying that while she was sewing the sleeve of the outfit, she had the strong feeling that this costume would turn into a very special one. And what do we have here? OH YES, it's THAT sleeve, the one we've been waiting for so eagerly! The one that Sakura saw in a dream with MCF once! Sakura back then asked to MCF if they would meet outside the dream when she'd be wearing that outfit, and MCF only cryptically said that it would be "the beginning of the end". Considering now we know that MCF has been mostly a byproduct of Lilie trying to communicate with Sakura and inadvertently messing things up, I do wonder about that MCF. Was Sakura, by any chance, actually was supposed to see Kaito and she saw the robe instead, because of Lilie? Or is that an actual member of Akiho's clan? Only this finale can tell us the truth. Sakura will certainly meet someone, with that costume.

Sakura thanks Tomoyo, always so ready to show her support, and she does something very sweet, as a result of regaining all of her rewritten memories: she tells Tomoyo that she'll do her best to come back without getting the costume dirty, but if it eventually starts fraying, she knows that Tomoyo will be there to repair it.....yeah....doesn't it remind you of something?? Of course I bet any Tomoyo fan knows very well what scene Sakura is referencing with this line....

When Sakura told Tomoyo she repaired her torn costume with the Repair Card in chapter 40, Tomoyo expressed the wish to be her the one repairing those costumes, with her own hands. Because she had created them specifically for Sakura, so she would also want to be the one to repair them in case they'd get damaged. Basically telling her "I made these with all my love for you, and I'd prefer that a Card didn't take my place even when needing to repair them. I want the costumes that you wear to be made completely by my own hands". Always reminding us that making something with your own hands for your loved one is the greatest proof of love for any character in CCS (which is something I find truly wholesome and beautiful). Sakura here shows to have understood and accepted that wish fully, therefore acknowledging Tomoyo and her feelings. Tomoyo is uncharacteristically surprised for a second, and then with the happiest smile she confirms that of course she'll be there to repair it!

Sakura looks at her brother Touya, who only grumpily tells her to respect the curfew. Sakura is confused because they never had a curfew time at home, but her brother replies "Come back before dad gets worried. That's our curfew". (in ENG there's an additional part here, I guess to fill in a bubble that would be left empty) Sakura confidently replies "Got it".

Nakuru is all giddy, excitedly announcing that they decided to go to war and they need to decide the formation!! Suppy mocks her, telling her she's talking as if she were playing one of her warring states games (in JP the term used here is 戦国ゲーム - sengoku game - and I've found there's a specific game called indeed Sengoku, but it seems the same term extended to indicate all the war games set in the Sengoku era), but that doesn't deter Nakuru, who says that if she gets chosen, she will certainly participate actively (here the ENG uses game language from what I can see - not an expert - but good job!)!!

Sakura's plan is different, though. She says that tonight she'll be going only with Syaoran. She knows that if everyone could go with her, she'd feel more confident and reassured, but...

Sakura, JP: "If I want to find Akiho-chan's most important person, I have the feeling that it'd be better for me to go with my most important person"

Here we go. We temporarily leave aside the "special person" terminology to go back to the more famous and loved "my most important person" term, to indicate THE ONE person someone loves the most. 一番大切なひと (ichiban taisetsuna hito). The term we all learned because it's been so crucial to indicate the person someone was in love with during the old arcs of the story. The term Sakura eventually used for Syaoran at the end of CCS volume 12 to finally give a "definition" to the love she felt for him. Now she uses it to define Akiho's feelings for Kaito. This is "the" term that takes precedence over all the other terminology used, and also goes to show how important and solemn the moment is. Sakura's intuition tells her that in order to find Kaito, Akiho's most important person, she should go with Syaoran, her own most important person. This is probably because her magical intuition (let's remember that Sakura got the power to see the future) grasped that her bond with Syaoran will be absolutely pivotal in order to have a positive outcome for the mission they're about to embark on. They will probably have to put that bond at work....maybe to explain, show, help someone understanding something that he still doesn't seem to grasp perfectly? Or rather, a stubborn refusal to understand it, which caused them all to be in this situation they're in right now? What's for sure is that if Sakura and Syaoran manage to find Kaito, and if they'll also manage to free him from the Seal of D. + the artifact with all the magical books that Akiho had engraved in herself, their job won't certainly be over like that. Kaito needs to talk to someone. He needs to understand many, many things. Some of those things, Sakura and Syaoran can at least try to introduce them to him. Because while it's true that Sakura wants to bring him back for Akiho, she also needs to make sure that coming back is also Kaito's wish. Because they can't force him if he isn't 100% convinced himself. I'm sure this is a very important thematic for CLAMP, respecting someone's self-determination. And since his state of mind, last time we saw him, was that he was perfectly expendable and that he was absolutely not necessary in Akiho's life, they need to change that perception. And there's also the fact that, despite being so different, Kaito and Syaoran are pretty similar in several aspects too. So maybe the role Syaoran can have in "communicating" with Kaito could be very important and impactful. Maybe that's what Sakura's intuition was trying to tell her.

Here, the ENG translation decided to translate that "most important person" with "favorite person". I have definitely turned up my nose at seeing that (why not leaving the iconic term?) but in the end I decided to relax because, at the end of the day, the result is similar. It indicates a person for whom your preference and importance is above everyone else. What really *mattered* in this scene - and lo and behold, it seems ONLY the English and Portuguese versions got it right (let me know about the Chinese one, cause I can't read that one) - is that Sakura used the same term to describe what Akiho feels for Kaito, and what SHE feels for Syaoran. "I am aware that this missing person is for Akiho an existence of the same importance Syaoran-kun has for me. Therefore, I will do everything in my power to bring them back, because I fully understand that kind of bond and I understand the void they leave in your life when they're not there" She knows, to some degree, what it feels like to miss your most beloved person, due to the period she had to spend apart from Syaoran. And they could still have phone calls and writing letters. Akiho's situation can only be worse. Sakura's understanding of that bond is also what causes her intuition to suggest her to go only with Syaoran. It's all connected. So it's of utmost importance that the translations use the same term when both talking about Akiho and Sakura. Then, about this scene, we could also say that it was a beautiful demonstration of how much Sakura (but also Syaoran) has grown up, now fully confident to declare in front of everyone that Syaoran is THE most important person in her life. Without blushing and without any drama. It's just a fact. After all they've been through, I think Sakura can feel confident enough in her relatinship with Syaoran, and there's no shame nor embarrassment in stating that aloud.

The people present here can only accept and show their support, and Eriol encourages Sakura to follow her intuition (remember the whole discussion about listening to the stirring of your heart, the so-called intuition? Yeah, a great lesson from Mama Yelan which will also be applied to another character soon). Sakura tells Kero that if she needs him, she will certainly call, and the guardian beast reassures her that he'll certainly hear his master's voice, same for Yue.

Then, lastly, Sakura takes Akiho's hands and holds them tightly. They share another sweet forehead touch (seriously, I love them so much ❤️). Akiho is worried, so worried, but also very resolute. She wants this as much as Sakura does. Sakura tells her that there'll surely be a moment when she'll request Akiho to do something only she can do, and asks her to please wait here with everyone till that time comes.

I'll admit it, I was really disappointed when I've read this scene the first time around. Not only because I had imagined all kinds of scenes in my head (included Akiho wearing one of Tomoyo's costumes) and they shattered that possibility (but oh well, I am prepared to that), but also because I feel like this isn't a good choice from a character development POV. I understand it, I really understand it, this is Sakura's story. She's the one who gets to shine in the finale. And we've talked about it before, there's no doubt that Sakura in this story goes through a journey to find her identity and what she wants to do. So now it's time to let her do that. But Akiho has been slandered for the whole manga, accused of all kind of things because of prejudice, and one of those was "she's weak and passive, she does nothing". Seeing her "on the sidelines" once again, when we're talking about rescuing her most important person, feels extremely off. Letting someone else do "the job for her" doesn't even feel like Akiho.

Then, as hours passed by, I thought...

Maybe Sakura wants to take care of the first part of the mission, because it'll certainly be the one where it's most likely to encounter some magical danger (dragon-chan???). And Akiho wouldn't be able to defend herself from that, devoid of magical powers as she is. She could potentially end up risking her own life. And then all of this would've been for nothing. And then I thought, wait, maybe Akiho knows that. She knows it very well, since she's a girl with a pretty good understanding of herself and her own limits. And this is certainly a limit she does have. So what she can do is to wait safely at home, as hard and painful as it can be, for the REAL, big moment when her presence will be absolutely necessary. Sakura said it with great confidence so it's 100% sure it will come. Therefore, as an Akiho fan, I will swallow this pill and wait together with her. 🫤

But the chapter isn't over yet, as Touya and Yukito go outside in the garden while Sakura and Syaoran get dressed for their departure! Yukito teases once again Touya, telling him that his face is scary and that Sakura's earlier statement ("most important person") must have caused him "damage" (still seemingly talking in game language). Touya of course doesn't reply, so Yukito continues, giving finally confirmation to the suspicion I've been having ever since this "rewritten world" started: Touya did notice something was off. He didn't know precisely what, but he knew it had something to do with Sakura. Yukito also gives us the opportunity to see just how kind and generous Touya is: he purposely didn't go back home often because he wanted to reduce his presence around Akiho as much as possible. Not because of negative feelings, quite the contrary: he was worried she'd get even more hurt if she established a bond with him, only to end up finding out that they weren't really brother and sister. (Meanwhile, we see a very cute panel of Akiho talking to Kero, Suppy and still in videocall with Eriol and Kaho!) And then, to follow the leit-motiv of this chapter, very centered on calling back stuff that had already happened in the original world, Touya says that he won't allow anyone to hurt his close ones (they used "family" in ENG, but the word 身内 can indicate also friends and such, the common characteristic is that they're very close). Got the feeling you've already heard these words, especially with the use of the word 身内 ? Yes, of course, it's vaguely the same threat he made to Kaito back in chapter 54, during the double date! 😂 Hmmmm, I have the feeling that if they manage to bring Kaito back (of course they will!), someone will want to have a word or two with him....let's hope he'll just stick to words! 😂 Jokes aside, it's very heartwarming to see how even Touya warmed up to Akiho, and took her under his protective big brother's wing! In fact, Yukito can't just miss the new opportunity to tease him (stop flirting so shamelessly in front of us, Yuki! 😂), telling him he's so overprotective for his sisters!!

The two lovebirds have finished changing their clothes, and we're all left staring at them agape, together with Nakuru: they look stunning, in their complementary outfits!! Sakura even got heels ❤️ And yes, dear readers, as already hinted when Tomoyo was speaking, this is IT, THE costume with THAT sleeve that appeared in Sakura's dream! It is the biggest indication that it's finally time for the last confrontation. Both Sakura and Syaoran look so resolute and ready to make a mess of space and time to bring Kaito back!! 😂 As many have noticed, Sakura got her Dream Staff with her, despite the Clear Cards have disappeared: my theory is that the Key was never removed by the forbidden magic, only the Cards, or maybe that the key came out now that Sakura got her memories back.

And this is where the chapter ends, with another huge cliffhanger!! Will we see Kaito, next time? Being a chapter number ending in -5, and being in the very last volume, I expect big things from it! Chapter 75 will be published on CLAMP's Youtube channel on July 1st, while the relative Nakayoshi magazine will be released on July 3rd (by the way, we'll have Sakura ONCE AGAIN on the cover and ANOTHER Sakura furoku!!). As usual, when I have less translation mistakes to talk about and more space for my feelings towards the chapter, I go overboard! Another freaking long post 😂😂 So I'll just leave you here, as usual I'll wait for your asks in my inbox! Bye Bye!!

[thefisherqueen]

Now, from this peculiar sideway position of the whale’s eyes, it is plain that he can never see an object which is exactly ahead, no more than he can one exactly astern. In a word, the position of the whale’s eyes corresponds to that of a man’s ears; and you may fancy, for yourself, how it would fare with you, did you sideways survey objects through your ears. 

I have never before tried to imagine this. Thanks, Ismael, I hate it

[bigfrozenfan-fanfics]

Chapter 74 - Yelana's surprise and Anna's special journey

Links: Chapter overview, Character list, Map, Glossar Rating: M over all Publishing cycle: around every 2-3 weeks

Remarks: all my chapters contain carefully selected music tracks (try to use headphones). It’s your own decision if you want to use them or not while reading. The purpose is to musically support the respective mood of the plot. If you can please use a browser for reading (not the Tumblr app) due to the text formatting and music.

The Norting was over and the Northuldra left the hall to return to the camp one by one. Ryder and Honeymaren were the last to leave and she glanced back at Elsa, but she was still standing by the stairs with her sister, Yelana and Alena, engaged in conversation. Honeymaren turned away sadly after a moment or two and slipped out through the door just as Elsa saw her.

          While Anna spoke enthusiastically of the meeting house, Elsa had become rather pensive. Unfortunately, there had been no more opportunity for her to speak to Honeymaren. Not to mention that if tears had flowed from both of them, it would have drawn unwelcome attention to them, especially to the young Northuldra. Uncomfortable questions might have arisen and that could well have had a negative effect on Honeymaren. But there had to be something Elsa could do to arrange a secret meeting with her. Suddenly an idea occurred to her.

          “I'll climb up to the top of the tower, Yelana, if I may. I need to think about something before we talk about your ideas,” she said.

          “Of course, Elsa, just go up and have a look around,” replied the woman addressed, and Elsa began to climb up cautiously, not really trusting the cantilevered stair structure.

          But nothing wobbled or swayed, everything was very sturdily built and she gained more confidence. Her steps quickened and just before she reached the platform she was almost running.

          Then she was under the pyramid-shaped roof, holding on to the thin balustrade and looking down to spot Honeymaren. She discovered her just before she would disappear among the bushes. She was the last one down there and no one else was in the clearing. Honeymaren turned around one last time and Elsa waved at her with her arms raised, hoping to be seen, because she didn't dare call down loudly because of the others down in the hall.

          Just as Honeymaren turned around, she saw Elsa standing at the top of the tower out of the corner of her eye. What was she doing there? Elsa was flailing her arms frantically. Honeymaren waved back a little uncertainly with a hand at her side until she suddenly realised that Elsa was trying to communicate something to her through gestures.

          First a finger pointed at herself, then she pointed at Honeymaren while her mouth moved, silently trying to tell her something. Apparently she feared that someone was listening when she called out. Then she pointed several times to the south, towards the camp, and finally hugged herself. Honeymaren had understood. Elsa wanted to meet her later at the camp to talk and … was the self-hug supposed to mean that …? She nodded overtly and repeated the finger gestures with a smile, only in reverse. And at the end she threw Elsa another kissing hand and waved happily.

          Elsa breathed a sigh of relief. Honeymaren had understood and agreed. She absolutely had to talk to her tonight and be with her before she left for her journey perhaps as early as tomorrow morning. Only the exact location in daylight could still be a problem.

          Behind her, she suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs. It was Anna, who now also stepped onto the narrow platform and tried to look around. But two people at once hardly had room up here.

          “Wow, great view from here … you can even see over the treetops … and how sturdy and yet filigree everything is built. That's some impressive construction for the Northuldra, don't you think, Elsa? Is that why you are so pensive? But well, I'm curious what Yelana will tell us about it and her ominous plan. I'm already curious.” Anna tried to make a little more room for herself, but to no avail. “It's a bit cramped up here for two, isn't it? Would you rather we went back down?”

          Elsa nodded. “You're right, it is indeed. It's probably only meant as a lookout, like on ships. There's only room for one there, too. You go ahead, there's no other way,” she giggled.

~~~

“You've already seen everything inside here, so let's go around the building and you could take a closer look at the construction,” Yelana said. “Afterwards I'll tell you about my idea, which might be a little crazy.”

          When they were all outside and followed Yelana on the tour, she first told them a bit more about the purpose of this house and what the side entrance was all about.

          “I noticed that too when I was looking at everything before the meeting. Why is it that you don't have any noaidi anymore, or was it that … Gyda?”

          “Well, sort of, but that was decades ago, before a magical mist trapped us, but she was cast out for certain reasons I won't go into. Before that we had someone without mention of a full council of elders. However, when the old King of Arendelle started a war with us, many of them died in the battle,” Yelana explained. “But now we have peace with Arendelle, thanks to Queen Anna and Elsa.”

          Alena nodded thoughtfully.

          “Times have changed and if what you said about Honeymaren is true, Alena, and the changes that will happen to her once she takes her position, then now that I think about it like this, I feel that perhaps my idea is not so far-fetched. I was now allowed to be a guest in Arendelle for a longer period of time and was even given a place in the royal council, as a mediator between the two peoples. What if the Norting were to take on a completely different role in the future? One in Arendelle, in a very similar building, only much bigger, combined with the modern architectural style of Arendelle and that of the Northuldra. It could be a meeting place, a focal point to our people and market place for our crafts and trade more generally.”

          “But that's quite a wonderful idea, Yelana!” said Anna enthusiastically. “In fact, I could think of quite a few other things that would bring our two cultures even closer together. I'm beginning to understand what you meant by 'new possibilities and opportunities for the future'.”

          “And you still have people who know about the unique architectural style?” asked Elsa. “Because this new building in Arendelle would have to look very similar, be just as special, and have just as much of an effect on the visitors there as it did on us today.”

          “There are only two left to whom the knowledge has been passed on orally, but they are too old to do anything themselves.”

          “Would our builders then, and there would not be many who would come to visit, be allowed to inspect the building here more closely in person and speak to your two elders here on site?” asked Anna.

          “True, Anna, the best way to ask such questions is to see the problem with your own eyes. You might as well make some first drafts and take lots of notes,” added Elsa

          “I don't think that should be a problem,” Yelana confirmed. “Ultimately, it's still my decision and I don't think Honeymaren would mind either. Well, it looks like I'll be needed in two places in the future.”

          “But that's fine, Yelana, and it would only be for a year,” Elsa said, “Your people love you and would miss you if you left them to live in Arendelle in the future. I saw that clearly in the hall today.”

          “Alena, I also noticed a certain thing you mentioned when you were in your trance,” Anna interjected. “The peoples in the far north, who, like the Northuldra, also call themselves the People of the Sun, actually speak different languages?”

          “There are, as far as I know, as many as eleven languages and sometimes it is really difficult to communicate,” replied the noaidi.

          “Oh, I can well imagine, especially because you have no writing of your own, as Yelana once told me. In Arendelle we can learn foreign languages from books and teachers who know languages. In Arendelle, too, we know different ones, from visitors and emigrants from distant kingdoms.”

          “Think of Sorenson, Anna,” Elsa interjected. “What if we set up a university in the new building, as he once casually called it. It could become not only a place of getting to know each other, but also of knowledge,” Elsa enthused. “And that would be the perfect place for him as a scientist, if we give him a leading role there. As you know, he was still thinking about staying in Arendelle.”

          “Good idea, sis. Besides, what if we don't set up the future royal council there, instead of holding it in the castle? Do you think that would be possible?” asked Anna.

          “Interesting thought. In principle, as queen, you'll just have to decide. As for that, I hope Kai is successful.”

          While the sisters were still discussing and exchanging thoughts, Yelana looked enthusiastically back and forth between the two of them, because she would never have thought that they were both so fired up about her idea. Alena, on the other hand, was lost in thought, trying to reconcile what she had seen in her trance on Honeymaren's journey with what had just been said.

~~~

Further south in Snoob …

“No, it's really no problem and we are delighted to help. Just take all the sacks with you, because our silos are full to the top due to the last three good harvests. So we have no shortage of grain,” the baker said to Kristoff and Karl, “and thanks to the windmills, grinding into flour is also much faster than it used to be when I was still learning the baker's trade.”

          “You have windmills too? Haven't seen any at all,” Kristoff commented.

          “They are up on the plateau where there is always enough wind. Did you know, Your Highness, that windmills were invented by Queen Iduna of Arendelle?” asked the baker and Kristoff nodded.

          “Of course, she was after all the mother of my … betrothed, Queen Anna.”

          “Sorry, that was a silly question of mine. It's just that I like to tell that story more often. We owe a lot to her invention.”

          “I can understand that, but tell me, so many bags and all the other food that was donated to us today, we can't even transport them all with our cart. Can you take them to the collection point for transport to the capital? Karl knows where that is.”

          “Of course, I'd be happy to. Is there anything else I can do to help?”

          “Thanks, but no thanks. We're done for the day with our tour and I'm sure Arendelles citizens will be very grateful for your generosity.”

          Kristoff and Karl said their goodbyes and left the bakery after Kai's brother had told the baker where the hall was from where transport was to be made in the morning. Karl had led his brother to the Baron's estate two hours ago and he had not yet returned.

          “Let's go and see how Kai is doing,” Kristoff suggested and Karl agreed.

          A little later they were standing in front of a stately mansion and asked the servant for admission when he opened the door.

          They only had to wait a short time in the richly decorated entrance hall, which radiated a rural charm and presented oil paintings as well as some trophies of the hunt on the walls. In the middle, a wide staircase led up to a gallery, from which two corridors branched off to the left and right. In the center hung a huge oil painting showing the baron and baroness. While he stood beside her in a dress uniform decorated with several medals, with his hand on her shoulder, she sat in a flared, bouffant dress in pastel red and had her straw-blond hair pinned up. They both looked at the onlooker with smiles.

          She looked relatively young to Kristoff, no older than her mid-thirties. Unfortunately, he had not had the opportunity to meet her last time and so he approached Karl about it.

          “She's not as young as she looks here, the painter has embellished it a bit,” he grinned. “I don't know her exact age, but be sure that she is not much younger than the baron himself,” Karl said quietly enough so that only Kristoff could hear.

          The servant returned and led them into the drawing room, where they saw Kai and the baron sitting engrossed in conversation. They both stood up as they entered and the baron immediately approached Kristoff to give him a warm welcome, grasping both his hands.

          “I am pleased to have you visit me here and welcome you to my humble estate, Your Highness. My wife sends her apologies and would certainly have liked to meet you too, but she is feeling unwell today and has had a bit of a lie down. Please join us,” said the baron with a welcoming gesture. “Welcome, Karl. How is Hanna?”

          “Very well, Your Excellency, thank you for asking.”

          Kai bowed slightly to Kristoff as he stepped closer and took a seat beside him in the wide armchair.

          When all were seated, the baron asked, “May I offer you something to drink, Your Highness? A glass of wine perhaps, or a glass of sherry?”

          “Thank you, Baron, not necessary, but perhaps a glass of water?”

          The baron instructed his servant to fetch what was requested from the kitchen and immediately began to address the conversation with Kai without further ado.

          “We have agreed that I will take care of our queen's request as early as tomorrow morning and I feel very honoured to be able to help Arendelle in this way. In fact, I already have my own eye on a candidate from our little town for a council seat and I'm sure he would be proud to be invited to the audience at the castle.”

          “That is excellent news, baron. Thank you for your help,” Kristoff replied.

          “Of course, it will take some time to reach the mayors of all Snoob's settlements and elect their candidates. It is a task with great responsibility, requires many conversations and tolerates no mistakes. But I am sure in a few weeks there will be enough candidates for the queen to choose from.” He paused for a moment and then added, “For the military issues, especially the navy, you might also want to visit the naval base to the south with this request, it's only about half a day's ride from here.”

          Kristoff had not yet had much experience in expressing himself appropriately to a baron in such important matters, but he knew from last time that he was very friendly and obliging. Moreover, he knew what was important to Anna and what had happened when she dismissed the old royal council. Therefore, he chose his words carefully.

          “Her Majesty will be very pleased, because it is essential for her to form a new council as soon as possible. Arendelle needs people who are one hundred per cent loyal to their ruler and who, together with her choices, will make smart and wise decisions for the entire kingdom.

          She will undoubtedly be very happy about this development, Baron. I will think about your suggestion of visiting the naval base, thank you very much for that advice.”

          “May I take this opportunity to ask how it actually came to the dissolution of the Royal Council, because that was it, wasn't it? Kai could not give me any information about that.” The baron, who was sitting directly opposite Kristoff, looked him straight in the eye and leaned forward slightly.

          Now Kristoff suddenly felt in a predouille, for this was a highly precarious question from the baron and actually he should have expected exactly that; he thought. He pondered feverishly and felt pinned down by the baron's penetrating gaze. As friendly and affable as the baron had seemed so far, with this one question and the way he asked it, he proved that he was not the baron of Snoob for nothing. Kristoff had been a little deceived, he now realised.

          He thought back to that day when he had witnessed the chaos in the council hall and how some council members literally attacked Anna verbally. Kristoff thought he could still hear the reverberations of the shouting and Anna's loud reaction to it. He still felt the shiver that ran down his spine when Anna had Monrad taken away for treason and announced her clear and at the same time irrevocable decision.

          “Well, as you can imagine, dear baron, I was present at that day's council meeting as crown prince. I will not go into the details here, but the queen could not help but make this decision. The capital was in direct danger and there had been cowardly and brutal attacks on the farmlands and elsewhere. Our citizens were in turmoil and the role of the council would have been to support their queen, stand fully behind her and help her make the urgent decisions that needed to be made. But unfortunately that was not the case and the queen had to crack down. She made, in my opinion, absolutely the right decision.”

          There was absolute silence in the room for a few moments and Kai had held his breath during Kristoff's words, looking at him hopefully. Such moments could be the test of a crown prince. But now Kai relaxed again and smiled inwardly. Kristoff had done his job well, justifying the queen's decision with confident and diplomatic words, and beyond that, even coming to her defence. “Bravo, Your Highness“; thought Kai.

          The baron had become thoughtful, lowering his gaze as he leaned back in his chair again, probably trying to imagine this situation right now.

          “Yes, you are right, Your Highness. In such a perilous situation, one has to rely on the wise advice of all who are entrusted with it. If the royal council fails to do its job, or even works against its queen, then its members have forfeited their council seats.” The baron finally nodded. “The queen has acted wisely and I understand now. Thank you, Your Highness for your honest words. The queen undoubtedly has a wise and faithful betrothed by her side in you, my congratulations. You are to be envied.”

~~~

In the north, the sun had hidden above the enchanted forest and seemed unwilling to show itself again. Thick grey clouds hung over the treetops and it seemed darker than it was then under the thick blanket of mist. The birds had retreated to their nests and the other forest animals were busy looking for and hoarding supplies for the long winter.

          When the sisters returned to camp with their escort, Elsa found that many Northuldra surrounded Honeymaren, asking questions about her journey and what to expect. Advice was given and help was offered. As the noadi had predicted, the first volunteers had stepped forward and offered to accompany her.

          Elsa saw no chance to talk to Honeymaren undisturbed, let alone exchange caresses before they parted. She sighed and Yelana did not miss her glances at the young Northuldra. She therefore took Elsa aside for a moment.

          “It's difficult for you, isn't it? I can see it.”

          Elsa looked at her and just nodded. Words were superfluous here. Yelana put an arm around her shoulder comfortingly.

          “Maybe you should think of something else and take a chance.”

          “What do you mean? What chance?”

          “I spoke to Alena yesterday and she told me all that happened at the fifth monolith and also about how you were able to see your mother again with her help. Think about it … Alena will leave tomorrow together with Honeymaren and today is the last opportunity for a whole year to ask her for something. Who knows if Alena will even come to visit us again, because she also told me that at her age such long journeys are increasingly difficult for her.”

          Elsa looked at her broodingly for a while and Yelana pushed her head a little closer with her eyes open questioningly and her eyebrows raised, as if to ask “Well? No idea what I might mean?” and then suddenly a light came on for Elsa.

          “Anna!” she groaned and Yelana nodded in satisfaction.

          Elsa hugged her and said, “Oh, Yelana, thank you so much! That is the most wonderful idea I have ever heard! I must find Alena right away and ask her if she can do it for us and then I must explain it to Anna somehow. She'll probably hardly believe it.”

~~~

“Are you sure I can do this, Elsa? I mean, you're the fifth spirit and have magical powers, but I'm just normal human,” Anna said when they were on their way to the monoliths.

          “Anna, you're not just 'normal' at all, think about what you've already achieved and that you never give up. You are the other side of the bridge and the nature spirits have confirmed you in that.” Elsa stopped and took her sister by the shoulders. Then she looked deep into her eyes.

          “Alena is preparing a potion that will make it easier for us to be in a trance with our minds and travel to the in-between world. Besides, we'll stand together on the great stone, the direct link to this world. Just think what a huge and unique opportunity this is for you … not only will you be able to see Mama again and even talk to her, but for the very first time you will be standing inside Ahtohallan without the slightest danger of freezing to death! You wanted to accompany me there back then and now you can, even without any effort. I promise you, you will be thrilled!

~~~

Honeymaren was surprised that Elsa didn't appear, perhaps giving her hand signals again, but then she saw Alena walking towards the monoliths with her drum in her hand and a bag over her shoulder. What was the noaidi up to? Go on another dream trip before they both left tomorrow? Honeymaren excused herself to the surrounding Northuldra and promised to be back soon.

          She strolled leisurely in the same direction as Alena at first, then ran after her as she crossed the edge of the forest.

          “Alena, wait. May I go with you?”

          “Certainly, Honeymaren, although I don't think you'll have much entertainment with me.”

          “You go into a trance again … about tomorrow's journey, aren't you? That's why you brought your drum.”

          Alena shook her head. “That's for an entirely different reason. Elsa wants to take her sister, the queen, on a spiritual journey to her mother, and they need me for that, because I'm only here for today.”

          Now Honeymaren was surprised, and that explained why she hadn't seen Elsa again, when it was she who had insisted on meeting her. So that's why this sudden change of heart, because of her sister; Honeymaren said to herself and paced broodingly and silently beside Alena.

          Shortly afterwards, they all met. The sisters wondered at first why Honeymaren had come along, but it soon cleared up when Alena explained.

          “It will take me a while to prepare the potion, you three can talk in the meantime,” she said, rummaging various utensils from her carry bag, including some small chopped wood, tinder and flint.

          “Can I have a word with you, Elsa? Alone?” asked Honeymaren, standing up.

          Elsa nodded and excused herself to Anna, who knew very well what this must be about for obvious reasons.

          “You go ahead … I'll watch Alena in the meantime.”

          The latter was building a small fire and was now waiting for enough embers to form.

          A few steps away, Honeymaren said to Elsa, “If we want to meet tonight, I know the perfect place for it, one that almost no one knows about and one that is not easily discovered.”

          “And where exactly?”

          “See that hill back there with the big ridge behind it?” Elsa looked and nodded. “Go to that hill after dark and keep to the right. Soon you will discover a hidden lake. You won't miss me, because I'm already waiting for you there on the shore and then I've also built a fire. Maybe I'll also catch a few trout that we can roast … we'll see.”

          “All right, Maren, sounds good and I'll come. But let's better go back now, Alena seems to be ready in a minute.”

          Alena just took a lot more out of her bag and Anna wondered.

          “Tell me, how deep is your bag, all that stuff you're getting out of it?” laughed Anna, watching Alena with interest as she poured her special herbal mixture into the guksi and crushed it with a small mortar before adding some water from a small leather bag and tipping it into the pot, which she then placed in the middle of the embers.

          “Well, everything you need for a trance like that. This is my prepared travel collection and doesn't take up that much space. Everything else will be added on the way,” Alena said, stirring the slightly simmering green brew with a reindeer bone.

          Anna felt quite different when she saw and, above all, smelled it.

          “And I'm supposed to drink that then? That's disgusting!”

          Alena laughed. “It's not as bad as it looks, believe me,” she said and Elsa confirmed it to Anna when she came and sat down next to her. Honeymaren remained standing next to her for now.

          “Alena, can you be with us later and can lead us to Ahtohallan? I'd love to show Anna,” Elsa said and Honeymaren's eyes immediately widened.

          “Wait a minute, you're going to Ahtohallan too? I want to come with you there! No Northuldra has ever been inside the glacier, not even close.”

          “I'm afraid that's not possible. I will only accompany you so far that you reach the in-between world. Everything else you must ask your mother's spirit. It is she who has the direct link to Ahtohallan … and no, Honeymaren, unfortunately the potion is not enough for that, nor my powers for three instead of two trance travellers. It is very exhausting for me, you must know.”

          Honeymaren nodded with a pout, “Too bad …”

          A few minutes later the potion was ready and she poured it back into the guksi to pass to Anna.

          “Blow a little on it, it's still very hot. After that you just have to close your eyes and put your hand on one of the big monoliths. I will …”

          At that moment Elsa interrupted the noaidi and told her a slight change of plan.

          “Alena, we will use the fifth stone and sit together in the middle. You can sing your joik from the top then.”

          “But I thought only the fifth spirit was allowed to step on this stone. You know what happened a few days ago.”

          “That's true, Alena, but Anna and I together form Ahtohallan's bridge, the interface between man and the magic of nature. The two of us are the only ones who can do that without danger. And as you know, the fifth stone is the direct path to Ahtohallan.”

          Elsa was right and nothing happened, not even a glow from the symbols on the other four monoliths. They both sat with their legs crossed on the star in the middle and Alena started her joik and drummed to it. Honeymaren stood next to the noaidi, who had also sat down at the edge of the large hole in the earth.

          Elsa slowly drank half of the bowl and passed it to Anna. She pinched her nose and gulped down the green concoction as fast as she could, after which she screwed up her face in disgust and threw the guksi carelessly aside.

          “Close your eyes and just let Alena's joik and rhythm carry you away. Concentrate on it completely and relax. You don't have to be afraid at all, Anna, I’ll be there with you the whole time and soon …”

~~~

Anna didn't notice at first how she slipped over into the trance, she only saw grey light behind her closed eyelids and thought it was the daylight she was still perceiving. She wondered if the whole ritual would work here, because after all it was Elsa with the special abilities and not her. At the beginning, Anna wasn't scared of what would happen, but then the grey turned into a bright silver that wafted and moved.

          Usually, Anna was not afraid of heights and had even climbed onto the castle’s roof once, but what happened next took her breath away since she couldn't believe what was happening. Anna was frightened to the core, rowing her arms in the hope of finding a foothold somewhere. But there was absolutely nothing she could grasp and instead thought she was falling into groundlessness. Anna had to gag. At least that's what she thought, because she quickly realised that her body was not reacting as she expected. She couldn't feel it at all.

          Moments later, she noticed that she was floating in place, above an infinite green grassy plain far, far below her, with a wide river winding through it. Nothing here apparently had substance or weight. So her body and her sensations had been pure imagination. She turned her head to the side. Elsa hovered right next to her and grinned at her.

          “Why are you grinning at me like that? You could have given me a heads up, couldn't you? That wasn't funny just now, Elsa!”

          “Sorry, sis, I forgot that because of my magic I'm better prepared for unexpected things and therefore easier to cope with. It should be clear to you that we are not here at all, Anna. Our spirit, our soul is the one who is traveling into this world, while our body is still sitting motionless on the stone. Here in this timeless world you only need to think and you are already in motion. But if you want just take my hand and I'll guide you.”

          Anna thought it in jest and in the next moment actually held her sister's hand.

          “Wow, this is actually so easy, but then how do you explain that we can talk and hear each other when we don't even have a body here?”

          Elsa tapped her temple, “Only in here, Anna. Our minds are connected, so to speak.”

          “I still don't understand how that works. How can that be?”

          “I haven't given it much thought until now and just accepted it, it's just the way it is. Go ahead and try it out, sis, so you can get a feel for it. Absolutely nothing can happen, because Alena is watching over us and guiding us to our destination. Oh and don't worry about time, because it passes many times slower here than in the real world.”

          “Oh no, I'd rather not. I'd just like to get to Mama as soon as possible to give her a hug and tell her all the things I couldn't.”

~~~

Just like last time, they floated down to the entrance of the glacier, only this time there was no magical bell of mist visible. Instead, Iduna was already waiting for them in an aura of light and Elsa wondered if Mother was actually watching their every move from here and thus, as she promised her then, watching over her daughters.

          When Anna recognised her figure, tears of joy immediately flowed down her face and Elsa was deeply moved by her spontaneous reaction. Her sister must have thought of a heartfelt embrace, because while Elsa slowly floated down, she was already in Iduna's arms, crying.

          “Mama … “

          Iduna also had tears in her eyes when she could finally hold her Anna in her arms.

          “My darling … oh how I wished that we would meet again one day, even if it is only this way. Let me look at you.” Iduna held her at a little distance and looked her up and down. “How grown up you have become and you look almost like I used to in my gakti. I'm so proud of you for being the Queen of Arendelle now, my darling. Elsa, come here to me too … I want to hug you both.”

          Iduna finally held her two daughters together in her arms, Anna sobbed into her shoulder and Elsa internalised every second of this reunion together.

          “I've already told your big sister that I'll always look after you both and I haven't let you out of my sight for a moment. What you have achieved together is just unbelievable. I am so proud of you both, especially that you have finally found each other again after all these years apart. Papa would be so happy about that.”

          “'Papa? Do you know where he is? Is he … okay? I mean, like you, Mama?” asked Anna, looking pleadingly into Iduna's blue eyes.

          “I'm afraid I don't know, little one,” she replied, stroking her cheek tenderly, while Elsa, still half in an embrace, sadly bowed her head.

          “I've wanted to ask you the same thing all along, Mama, but events never really allowed it,” she said, and Iduna looked at her sympathetically.

          “I know, my little snowflake, I've always felt that, but couldn't answer it myself. Perhaps Ahtohallan has only protected his own, since the beginning of time. You two are my direct descendants and therefore half Northuldra. But your papa, as much as I loved him …”

          For a few moments, each looked down at the ground in dismay, not saying a word, and loosened their embrace again.

          After a few moments, Elsa broke the silence.

          “I couldn't stand it when we found the shipwreck, Mama, and from the remnants of the water of the dark sea in the ship's planks I restored the memory of your very last moment with the help of my magic. I needed to know what had happened to you both and why you had sailed to Ahtohallan. We both wondered and saw that terrible moment, heard your last words, felt the love for each other and learned the true reason for your journey. To find out the truth about my magic … of Ahtohallan.”

          “I saw you begin it, Elsa, and also saw the ice sculpture of me and my Agnarr form. But I could not watch that moment to the end because the memory of our deaths was simply unbearable to me,” Iduna replied sadly. “But what you don't know is that just before the cold waves came over us, I saw a vision of the two of you in the sea, grown up and finally reunited. I called out to Gale, as I did when I rescued your father, thinking Ahtohallan had shown me, but alas I received no reply. I was still going to tell Agnarr and he hugged me, but then …”

          Anna began to cry again and Iduna took her in her arms comfortingly.

          “Can you tell us more about the time before, Mama? Did Papa know at some point that you were a Northuldra and saved him?” asked Anna, sniffling.

          “Oh yes, my child. I told him everything that day and we also talked about you two. I felt it was a great mistake to keep you apart for fear Elsa would not be in control of her emotions and magic. Agnarr and I agreed in the end that once we were back, everything would change. And do you know why, Anna?”

          “Why?” she asked softly.

          “Because we both had faith in you that you could hold up the world with your love. We wanted to tell you all about Elsa because you were beginning to grow up. Your Papa still had doubts because your sister could be overwhelmed by her feelings, even for joy, not just for her anxiety. But I told him that if anyone could help Elsa, it was you, Anna. Agnarr finally agreed with me and said there was hardly anything you couldn't do. Agnarr and I had every intention of telling you everything, Anna. We loved you so much … both of you, and we believed in you. And I still do! Come here, you two, and let me hug you again.”

          “Thank you, Mama, for everything and for always being there for us,” Anna said through tears and Elsa added, “and also for never giving up believing in me.”

~~~

They talked for a long time, shed tears and rejoiced together. Finally they could ask Iduna all the things that had been on their minds for a long time and got all the answers about why and what had happened in detail. Elsa and Anna poured out their hearts and when Iduna began to take Anna on a mental, fantastic journey into the past and also into the in-between world here, Elsa left the two of them to themselves and did not want to disturb.

          Elsa thought and was satisfied, more than ever before. At some point Anna returned from this journey and the moment had come to ask Iduna one last question.

          “'Mama, I would like to show Anna Ahtohallan and what I experienced there before I became the Fifth Spirit. Anna wanted to come with me then, but I thought it was far too dangerous. So I just sent her away with Olaf and I think she was pretty upset about it.”

          “You bet I was, even Olaf was. He of all people didn't know such feelings yet and couldn't believe you just put us in that ice boat any more than I could!”

          “I'm sorry, Anna. I just wanted you to be safe and I made the way back to the Northuldra camp out of ice.”

          “But then we ended up on the river by the earth giants and fell into a dark cave, all because of you, Elsa!”

          “But it wasn't planned that way, Anna. If you hadn't left the path, and you must have, then …”

          Iduna interrupted them both abruptly. “Please stop arguing!”

          Affected silence fell and they both realised that they were about to ruin a wonderful moment. They apologised ruefully.

          “Well … I don't know if that's possible, Elsa,” Iduna finally said. “But I know why you ask and also what your reason was for sending Anna away. You couldn't have known it at that moment, but your sister wouldn't have survived the cold there. So your hunch was right, and Anna, in the end Elsa's action was a good thing, because otherwise you wouldn't have been able to free the forest and the Northuldra with her help. Everything happened in the end exactly as it should.”

          Iduna did some soul-searching for a moment and then continued speaking. “'However, I am sorry that you had to think that your sister was dead, Anna, because she went too far. You remember that lullaby I was singing to you when you were little. I mean, so were you for a while, Elsa, and frozen. But Ahtohallan didn't allow it in the end because your sister, at the risk of her life, managed to right the wrongs of that time.”

          Iduna sighed, “All right, we could go in as far as the Hall of Memories, and provided Ahtohallan helps me, you could see your experiences there again, of both of you. As you know, Ahtohallan is a river of memories and nothing is forgotten there. But I won't take you deeper into it, even I am not allowed to, because all the memories slumber there until the beginning of time.”

          Elsa and Anna looked at each other questioningly and then nodded excitedly at Iduna.

          “Well, wait a moment …” Iduna closed her eyes and her aura weakened a little, even flickered a bit, but it only lasted a second or two, then she nodded. “We can go.”

~~~

It hadn't gotten much later when they both came out of the trance, though they felt like days had passed. Anna sat quietly, a rapt expression on her face, while Elsa looked at her, smiling.

          “There you are again,” Alena said from above. “Have you seen all you wanted and are you satisfied?”

          “Oh yes, Alena, more than that,” Elsa replied half aloud, “it was a magical experience and obviously very special for Anna.” She looked around, “Maren left already?”

          “Yes, a few minutes ago. She wanted to go back to the camp.”

          “Oh crap,” Anna said suddenly and the other two looked at her in surprise. She opened her eyes and looked at her sister. “We forgot to ask what happened to Kolgrimr …”

~~~

Far down, at the deepest point of the glacier, where not even the semblance of daylight penetrated the thick ice, two frozen figures stood close together. One could have mistaken them for two banished memories if one stood in front of them with a torch in this absolutely deadly cold, but it was Kolgrimr and Gyda who had fallen into oblivion here.

          However, what the onlooker wouldn't see was that both were still alive and kicking and trapped down there in eternal torment. Punished until the end of time and possibly also a morbid pastime for Ahtohallan to listen to their thoughts sometimes. But not only that, for Ahtohallan had made sure that both could hear each other's thoughts and berate each other eternally for their failures.

          Ahtohallan ensured that their minds stayed awake and experienced day after day all that caused them the most torment and did not eventually succumb to madness. Every single day began over and over again for both of them.

          Kolgrimr relived all the moments when he had failed, when he was always just about to reach his goal and still missed it. Each time he experienced the evil pranks of their invisible yet extremely effective ghost, who later turned out to be Honeymaren. And he was even more annoyed that he had been so stupid not to think of her brother Ryder, whom he could not sense and who had set the ball rolling by freeing his sister. If only he had killed him; he thought ruefully. At the end of the day, the same scenes repeated themselves over and over again, the fight at the fifth monolith, which he lost and where he was deceived by Elsa, whom he hated so abysmally, and she - in spite of all his efforts - finally achieved the liberation of Ahtohallan.

          He saw her standing before him as the fifth Spirit in her radiant robe, heard Anna's laughter again and again watched the errant throw of his battle staff with the sharp blade on it before the earth giants grabbed him and his mother at the end and carried them away. Kolgrimr felt abysmal anger and equally great regret for himself. He imagined how everyone laughed at him and how absolutely no one would remember him in the years that followed.

          Gyda, on the other hand, was plagued by a draugr that followed her wherever she went and lurked in the shadows. She lived through all her fears since the time when her husband left her, took her son away from her and she was cast out by the Northuldra.

          She saw her son lying drunk in the tent with his new ally who wanted to be king, along with all his men who lay snoring around him in the camp. She witnessed his multiple failures and the careless way in which he had failed to stop his prisoners from escaping, on the very ship this Thord had arrived on.

          She began to reproach her son and give endless advice on how he could have done better if only he had listened to her. And then he would angrily yell at her to shut her mouth and finally stop her annoying nagging. And all this repeated itself over and over again, day after day, and would go on for eternity.

          For this was Ahtohallan's punishment for the unspeakable atrocities committed against his charges, the Northuldra, and the innocent people of Arendelle. For the death of Iduna and the attempt to kill her daughter, his fifth spirit, and ultimately for the betrayal of Ahtohallan himself, for Kolgrimr had separated him and the nature spirits from the world and wanted to banish him forever in order to rule himself and thus bring disaster to all.

~~~

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Remark: I hope you have enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a comment if you liked the story, I would be pleased to read your opinions, even criticisms. If you want to be tagged as soon I publish the next chapter please let me know, except you are already tagged :-)

Tagging: @true--north @annaofthenorthernlights @dronning-formynder05

[connoisseursdecomfort]

The wtf moments in Chapter 74

and a few more important ones

I mean, I never expected Billy to surrender, but I guess it does make a lot of sense especially when Endo spent that much time hinting how he really felt about this abduction/hijack.

Was he in law enforcement/the military by the way?

Anyway

1. Quick-thinkingTM Anya

2. RIP matchstick men

3. Can we talk about how cute Yor is and how grumpy Loid looks in Anya’s mind? ft. the googly-eyed Desmonds

4. Awww baby Becky <3 I believe it is also Becky who screamed when Anya is dragged off the bus

5. I think Billy knows what’s waiting for him. But still.

6. Yor and Loid are going to learn about this from the fucking news MY GOD and I can’t imagine how they feel about it especially when the news is PRAISING THE FUCKING LAw enFOrcEMenT

[everykiba]

[manga-meow]

[derikisu]

[dailyvinland-sagapanels]

[zonaenthusiast]

Usopp wonders why Zoro is looking for Arlong when he has no reason to, without knowing that reason is him. Zoro x Usopp nation, rise!

[everymephistopheles]