CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 89: SLEEPING PRINCESS

The narrow hallway outside of Elsa’s chamber felt colder than the rest of the castle, as if the very air itself feared what lay on the other side of that last door. John walked beside Merlin, but his heartbeat was so loud he could hardly hear the old man’s footsteps. With each step forward, a strange, gripping pressure took tighter hold in his chest, one he’d never felt.

He tried to calm himself, tried to breathe the way his father once taught him, tried to pretend this trembling inside him was just worry... nothing more.

But with each heartbeat, the truth pulsed louder.

Why am I feeling like this for her?

He didn’t fully understand it, not yet, he only knew the very idea of Elsa in pain broke parts of him he never knew existed.

They reached the door.

Merlin stopped. His hand rested on the wood as if he needed courage to even push it open.

"She... she’s inside," Merlin whispered, trying to steady his voice. "Prepare yourself, John. This seal... it takes much from her. More than any father should ever witness."

John nodded, but felt his throat go dry.

"I’m ready, sir."

The door creaked open.

A soft blue glow filled the room, emanating from the ancient runes carved into the walls and floor—runes Merlin had set around his daughter in a desperate attempt to keep her alive.

Elsa lay on the bed in the middle.

Still. Too still.

What used to be a radiant skin now turned pale, almost translucent. Her breathing was shallow and slow, laborious as if each breath were a fight. Her hair spread out like silver threads across the pillows, dulled without its usual sparkle.

But it was her body that made John’s heart shatter-her limbs fragile and cold, her aura nearly dried out. The magical seal not only suppressed her power, it devoured her from within, taking blood, energy, warmth.

The moment he saw her, John’s breath collapsed.

"El... Elsa..." he whispered, unable to stop the shake in his voice.

Her fingers moved, barely. A weak twitch.

It was like she sensed him, reached out to try and call him in a language only the heart understood.

A sharp pain rose behind John’s eyes. Tears blurred his vision. He clenched his fists hard until his nails cut into his palms.

No. Not in front of Merlin.

You’re strong. Look strong.

If he broke down, Merlin would lose the last piece of hope he had remaining.

Merlin walked slowly to the bed, his shoulders slumped, his hands trembling as he brushed a strand of hair away from Elsa’s forehead.

"I have never seen her like this, John," he whispered. "My little girl... she was ever full of life. Chasing birds, running through the gardens, refusing to sit still even for a moment. She used to laugh at storms, saying the thunder was cheering for her."

A faint, broken smile crossed Merlin’s lips, then faded.

"She was training too. Learning to heal. Learning to control her abilities. She wanted to grow stronger, not for herself, but for this kingdom."

John swallowed hard.

"I know... she once told me that she wanted to protect people."

His voice cracked at the end, but he steadied himself with determination.

Merlin turned to him, eyes wet but focused.

"John... we can’t afford to lose hope now. Hope is the only shield left."

John nodded, stepping closer to Elsa’s bed.

"What do I need to do?"

Merlin sighed deeply.

"Go beside her. Sit. And place your hand gently under her head. I will chant the ancient words... but I need your seal—your warrior-raised aura— to stabilize the ritual."

John blinked.

"My seal? But I don’t—"

"You do," Merlin cut in firmly. "You just don’t know how deep your potential runs. What I felt from you outside the cave... that was not ordinary energy. You are not an ordinary boy, John. And today you will prove it."

John’s chest constricted.

He wasn’t sure he believed that—but for Elsa, he would try anything.

He stepped closer and lowered himself onto the edge of the bed. Very carefully, very softly he slid one hand beneath Elsa’s cold head.

The chill was sharp, freezing his palm instantly.

But he didn’t move away.

If anything, he leaned closer.

Merlin closed his eyes and raised both hands. He started to murmur something in an ancient tongue. The blue runes on the wall flared in response, pulsating like a heartbeat.

And then—

John felt it.

A pull.

A drain.

Like something was sucking the warmth straight out of him.

His breathing hitched.

"M-Merlin... my energy... it’s—"

Yet he never ceased his chant, though exclaimed sharply:

"Yes. The seal absorbs your energy to stay active. Alone, it has been draining Elsa for days. Now, it takes from you instead."

His vision was blurring ever so slightly.

His muscles grew heavy.

But he gritted his teeth and forced his energy forward.

He would not be the reason Elsa’s condition worsened.

The voice of Merlin rose louder, echoing in the chamber:

"The sealing. awakens. through balance.

And then-something lit within John.

A flicker.

A spark.

His body reacted instinctively, as if it had been waiting for this very moment.

A faint glow spread across his arms, warm and golden, growing brighter with each breath.

Merlin gasped mid-chant.

"Your aura... it’s stabilizing her!"

John felt light exploding through him, warm, pure, powerful.

Elsa’s breathing slightly relaxed.

Her chest lifted more smoothly.

But the drain on John increased.

His head spun.

His fingers trembled beneath Elsa’s head.

Still-he pushed more power.

"John," Merlin warned, "don’t force yourself too much. Your body is still young—

"I can handle it," John whispered through clenched teeth.

"I won’t let her suffer alone."

Merlin’s eyes widened, but not at John’s words: only at the glow intensifying from his hands.

"You’re awakening... your true form..."

John didn’t know what that meant.

He knew only that he couldn’t stop now.

He let the glow surge.

His aura expanded, wrapping Elsa in a gentle shield of warmth.

Her pale skin took on a faint color.

Her fingers twitched again.

Merlin stared, incredulous.

"I—I never thought a human could generate this much stabilizing power. John... your ability is amazing."

John exhaled deeply, feeling sweat roll down his temples.

The drain eased a little.

Finally, after what had seemed an eternity, Merlin lowered his hands and the ancient chant faded.

The runes softened.

The room quieted.

John’s glow dimmed and settled gently around Elsa like a protective blanket.

He panted heavily, exhausted but steady.

Merlin set a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"You did it," he whispered. "You really did, John. You stabilized the seal... and saved her from slipping further." John looked at Elsa’s face. She breathed softly and calmly. She showed a flush of color in her cheeks. Or more precisely: There was a faint warmth to her cheeks. Relief washed through him like a wave. "What... what do we do now?" he asked softly. Merlin smiled, fatigued, yet full of restored hope.

"Now, we watch and prepare. Elsa will need time. And so will you." John nodded and stroked a soft thumb over Elsa’s hair. It was then that he realized something deep— He would fight for her.

He would protect her. He would grow stronger, strong enough that she would never fall like this again. For the first time since he entered the room, John finally let out a long, steady breath. "You’re going to be okay, Elsa... I promise."

This awaken of power make John more conscious and smart as well. John admire "You need to concentrate more, we don’t take risk King Merlin. It’s matter of Elsa’s life so we must care".

Merlin with weird "why? What do You mean by it!".

John took a slow breath, steadying the faint tremble in his hands. The glow around his body softened, now stable and controlled. "Merlin," he said calmly, though his chest still tightened with worry, "before we continue... we should test it. My seal must be strong enough to overpower the previous magician’s seal. If mine is weaker, even for a moment, it will feed energy back into that corrupted magic... and Elsa will suffer again."

Merlin’s eyes widened slightly—John’s thinking was sharp, mature, far beyond his age. "Yes," Merlin agreed, voice low but firm. "You are right. We cannot risk triggering the old seal. If it wakes again... it will crush her remaining strength. We must test your energy barrier before linking it fully."

John nodded, keeping his palms gently on Elsa’s cold, fragile skin. The glow around her flickered faintly with each breath she fought for. "So... what is the plan?"

Merlin straightened his back, wiping the fear from his face. "First, I will weaken the old seal’s influence for a short moment—just a tiny opening. During that time, your power must immediately respond, expand, and cover the gap. If your energy pushes back the residue of the dark seal, then we will know you are strong enough."

John’s heartbeat quickened again, but this time with determination. "And if I fail?"

Merlin answered without hesitation, "Then I will stop the reaction instantly. I will take the backlash myself. But we cannot step forward blindly." He placed a reassuring hand on John’s shoulder. "You are doing more than any warrior your age ever has. Believe in your power, John."

John looked at Elsa—her pale face, her trembling breath—and whispered, "For her... I will not fail."

But