War of the World

Chapter 1: Orphaned

12-year-old Bulma stared out of the window of the carriage she rode in. There was nothing to look at except the mountains of ice that seemed to stretch on and on. She had been riding for what seemed like years when it had only been perhaps a week. She was with her parents en route to Ostrum. They were the Royal Family of Zephyrus on their way to visit the holders of the Ice Throne.

"Mommy, why do they call it the Ice Throne?" Bulma asked suddenly, breaking the silence in the carriage.

Bellezza, the Queen of Zephyrus, smiled warmly at her only daughter. "Well, it is called the Ice Throne for a number of reasons. One is that the rulers of Ostrum are called the Colds. Another is that their kingdom is surrounded by ice and snow. In fact, they say it is so cold in Ostrum that even the throne is made of ice."

"A throne made of ice?" Bulma's blue eyes went from wide to narrow. "That sounds interesting. But why are we visiting the Colds? Baba says they're just power-hungry mongrels with no real respect for life."

Bellezza's eyes widened in surprise. She glared across the carriage at her husband. The king was choking on his laughter. "Brevia, it isn't funny. That is not how we should think of our... adversaries."

"Adversaries? That implies that they're bad people. Why are we visiting bad people?" Bulma asked.

Brevia, the king, cleared his throat. "I forgot how bright you are, Bulma dear. The Colds aren't a savory bunch as Baba elaborated on in so many words. However, it is better to be on good terms with them than to fight them," he said.

Bulma stared at her father for a moment. "Fight them? Why would they want to fight us? Are they interested in stealing the Throne of the Gale from us?"

"I should hope not, Bulma. The winds were not against us when we left," Brevia said.

"The winds only spoke of our journey, not our destination. Baba says one must look deeper into the winds to know the future. She says only few chosen ones have that power," Bulma said.

"BABA says a lot, doesn't she?" Brevia intoned.

Bulma nodded. "She certainly does," she replied. She went back to looking out the window. "I miss my lessons. I was starting to get good."

"You can go back to playing warrior princess when we get back. But for right now, you aren't to be seen with a weapon. I hear the two princes are all about fighting. However, they are much older than you. I will not have you rough-housing with them." Bellezza turned away from her daughter.

Bulma went back to staring outside the carriage window. They just seemed to be climbing an endless wall of snow. It was most disconcerting for her. She did not like the cold at all. She was a Daughter of the Gale. Baba, her caretaker, always told her that she was born under the blue moon. That meant the gods favored her. When the time came for her to reign, she would do great things. I will be great. That's all I can be, the princess thought as she drew shapes on the condensation of the window.

As the caravan came to the entrance to Palatium, the capital city in the kingdom of Ostrum, Bellezza dressed her daughter in a long blue coat. She tied the princess' long aqua locks up in a braid and pinned it atop her head. She placed a furry hat on Bulma's head and handed her a muffler.

"Really, Mommy? Do I have to wear all of this?" she asked.

Bellezza smiled at her daughter as she put on her own warm clothes. "You'll thank me as soon as the caravan comes to a stop and we have to get out of this warm, insulated carriage. Come." She gestured for Bulma to come closer. The princess did as Bellezza kneeled down to her level. There was a strange worry in her eyes. "Bulma..."

"What is it, Mommy?" Bulma raised an eyebrow at her mother's serious face.

"I..."

"Bellezza, we're ready!" Brevia called from the front of the carriage. Bellezza sighed and kissed her daughter's forehead before standing. She walked ahead of Bulma, leaving the child staring there, confused. "Come along, Bulma!" Brevia motioned for his daughter to follow Bellezza.

The second Bulma stepped outside of the carriage, she felt as though she'd walked into a block of ice and held her face against it. She was now grateful for how much her mother had bundled her up in. She immediately took in her new surroundings. Besides the obvious mounds of snow, the roads were paved in something that looked like purple bricks. The houses were also made of the same material. The palace was a strange amalgamation of different shaded bricks. The roofs were all covered in snow with icicles hanging from them. As Bulma did a circle, she heard a deep voice from behind her.

"Good evening, Brevia."

Bulma turned and stood between her parents. She watched the king, known as Frigus, approach him. Behind him were who she could only assume were the princes. It was not hard to see who was the older of the two. They both had pasty skin. Their lips seemed to be permanently blue, as if they were perpetually hypothermic. Bulma shuddered at the sight of them. Even if their bodies were fairly humanoid, they were simply... unattractive. She turned her eyes back to the towering King Frigus.

"I trust your trip through the pass was without incident?" Frigus asked her parents.

"Yes, Frigus. The guide you sent was most helpful. Although navigation is a specialty of my men, it is much harder to do when this close to the poles. The north is largely unexplored by the people of Zephyrus," Brevia said.

Frigus greeted Bellezza and kissed her hand. Then he looked down at Bulma. "My, aren't you a pretty young girl. Is this your first time experiencing the cold, princess?" Frigus asked Bulma.

She was not afraid of him, but he gave off nothing but bad vibes. Bulma was usually a pretty good judge of character. Behind Frigus' smile was something evil. The princess did not back away or cower from him, though. She simply nodded. "Though it is cold, I do believe the scenery is beautiful, sire."

"Such eloquence for one so young is hard to come by. I think I'll like you, princess. Frieza!" Frigus snapped his finger. Bulma looked past him. The smaller of the two princes came forward. He had very narrow eyes and a tuft of pinkish-white hair at the top of his head. His skin was so pale that he almost blended in with the terrain. He glowered down at Bulma as he stepped up beside his father. "Take the princess inside. Show her to her chambers and make sure she's comfortable."

"Am I to be a bloody servant now? I shouldn't have to look after this little brat. Make Cooler do it," Frieza complained. Frigus' pleasant expression dropped from his face as he glared at his son. Apparently, the look was all that was needed. Frieza sighed and looked back at Bulma. "Come on." He turned his back on her and started to walk away.

Bulma looked up at her parents. Bellezza nudged her forward softly and Bulma followed after the taller boy. She frowned as she noticed he was not going to slow his pace to allow her to catch up. Bulma walked faster. She fell into step beside him. He looked down at her, mildly disgusted and shook his head. They walked towards the large glass doors to the palace. Glass? Why would they make the castle doors out of glass? It's so easy to break. The princess got her answer when she saw how thick and heavy the doors were. It took several chains to even pull the giant doors open. Once they were open, Frieza sped through. Bulma almost had to jog to after him.

"Stupid girl," Frieza mumbled as they walked. He saw Bulma looking at her surroundings as they trekked through the castle.

"I'm not stupid. Just because you're older than me does not mean that you're smarter, either," Bulma said, almost as a second thought. She was still looking at the elaborate sculptures and paintings that adorned the wooden walls of the palace. The pictures were all of the royal ancestors. Every now and then there was a landscape painting. "Frieza, is it? How old are you anyway?"

"Sixteen."

Bulma's head snapped towards him. "You're sixteen? But you're so... Never mind." She turned away and went back to looking at the walls. As they turned a corner, Bulma gasped as she saw a ghostly white figure standing near a window. The woman was wearing a long white gown that was little more than a thin piece of silk. Her dark violet hair was streaked with white. She had narrow eyes as well, but the other prince favored her more. "You're Queen Coryza," Bulma said as she stopped in front of the woman. The queen of Ostrum's beauty was known far and wide. She was more beautiful than Bulma had imagined.

Coryza's pink eyes narrowed at the young child before her. Then she smiled. Her smile was kind and very unlike Frigus'. However, Coryza's smile did not quite reach her eyes. "And you must be Princess Bulma of Zephyrus. Welcome to our kingdom, little one," she said. Her voice was smooth as the silk her dress was made out of. She looked at Frieza. "You may return to your father, Frieza." Her tone changed drastically when she spoke to her son.

"You can't order me around. You aren't my mother," Frieza said haughtily. That only earned him a hard slap across his face. He looked back at Coryza. "You... You struck me!"

"And I've half a mind to do it again if you do not heed my words. Go back to your father and make yourself useful to our guests. I will take care of the princess now." Coryza turned around without waiting for a response.

Bulma looked on as Frieza poked his lip out and then stormed away in the opposite direction. She watched him until she could no longer see him. "For a teenager, he sure is childish. I'm an only child and even I'm not that spoiled," she commented. She immediately realized she had spoken aloud and looked at Coryza. The queen was just chuckling as she was opening the door to a guest suite. "Forgive me. It was not polite of me to speak in such a way about the prince."

Coryza shook her head as she faced the princess again. "You merely made an observation, little one. And a correct one at that. Frieza is spoiled rotten and I blame every bit of that on Frigus. Follow me." She entered the room. Bulma trotted in after her. Her eyes widened at the luxurious room before her. "This is where you'll be staying for the fortnight. I hope it is to your liking."

The Zephyrean princess circled the suite she'd been given. Her suite back in Zephyrus was magnificent in its own right. What made this room she'd been given so stunning was how different it was from her own rooms. It was adorned in all white. The inside walls separating the suite's rooms were painted white. The doors were made of the same glass the big doors to the palace were made of. They weren't nearly as heavy though. The ceilings were high and brilliant chandeliers hung in each room. The furniture was definitely different from her rooms in Zephyrus. The couches and armchairs were covered in some sort of soft white fur. The end tables were made of glass and the dressers were made of mahogany.

"It's absolutely beautiful in here," Bulma said as she looked around the room. She began taking off her coat, muffler, and snow hat. She heard Coryza chuckle behind her as Bulma folded them neatly on one of the armchairs. "Did I do something wrong, Queen Coryza?"

Coryza immediately shook her head. "Not at all, Bulma. I'm just so pleased to see you have such wonderful manners. It is a welcome change from the unruly princes."

"If you don't mind me asking, why did Frieza say you aren't his mother? You are the queen," Bulma inquired. Coryza's smile faltered and Bulma bowed her head. "I'm sorry. That is none of my business. I should not have brought it up."

"Slow down, little one. I do not mind you asking. Most people would not think to do it. You're right, I am the queen. However, " Coryza sat down on the furry couch and motioned for Bulma to sit next to her, "Frieza is not my son. Cooler is my only child. Frieza is Frigus' bastard, though you wouldn't know it the way he coddles the boy."

"If Frieza is a bastard, where is his mother?"

The Ostruman queen smiled. "You sure are the inquisitive one, aren't you? Her name was Tremere."

"Was?"

"Yes. WAS."

Bulma looked up at Coryza, directly into her pink eyes. "What happened to her?"

"After her son was born, I killed her. I walked up to her in court and twisted her neck." Coryza mimicked the hand motion. "I gave her a quick, clean death as opposed to having her head severed in a public execution." She looked down at Bulma. The princess seemed intrigued.

"You did it in court. I think that qualifies as a public execution, just less bloody." Bulma watched the queen chuckle at her observation. "Why? Why did you kill her?"

"She slept with my husband and bore him a child. I can't very well kill the king in a fit of anger, little one. However, I exacted my revenge well enough. That's not the worst of my sins, though. You needn't be afraid of me, child. I will not harm you," Coryza said. She stood up. "Well, I'll leave you and allow you to familiarize yourself with the room. See you at dinner, little one." She left through the entrance in a blur of white.

Bulma found the queen interesting. She seemed a good deal more genuine than the king. She did not feign her kindness. Bulma was surprised that she had so willingly told Bulma the story of how Frieza came to be and what happened to his mother. As far as Bulma knew, her father had never strayed from her mother. She was exceptionally good at reading people and her mother harbored no ill will towards her father. In fact, the worst fight they ever had involved what color drapes to put in their room.

Rising from the furry couch, the 12-year-old went inside the bedroom. Much like the couch and armchairs, the bed had a white fur pelt draped across the red sheets. The sheets of the bed were the only thing of color. The floor in this room was a white carpet that sank in when Bulma stepped on it. She took off her shoes as not to trek any dirt on the pristine floor. There was a balcony. Bulma headed over to it and slid the doors open. She stepped out onto the stone balcony and leaned over the rail. She was right above a snow-covered maze. She could see the kingdom just over the wall in the distance.

It did not take long for Bulma to realize that she did not have her coat on. With a shiver, she turned to go back inside when the cold wind blew towards her. The wind swirled around her body, whispering to her. Bulma squinted, trying to hear what the wind was telling her.

Beware, it howled before leaving her. Chilled to the bone, Bulma hurried back inside and shut the door.

"Beware? Beware of what?" she whispered.

During dinner that night, Bulma ate silently as her parents spoke with Frigus and Coryza. Bulma sat across from Cooler. She noticed how refined he seemed to be in comparison to his half-brother. He had yet to even acknowledge Bulma. She kept stealing glances his way, wondering if he would ever speak. He was definitely the better looking of the two brothers, which wasn't saying much. He favored Coryza much more than he favored his father. His eyes were darker than hers but he had the same violet hair.

"Is my face really that interesting to you, princess?" Cooler asked suddenly. He raised his eyes to look at Bulma. She was still looking him over. "Well?"

"I was just thinking about how little you look like your father and how much you look like your mother. I suppose that is a good thing, though." Bulma went back to her dinner of plum-covered pork and potatoes. "How old are you? Frieza told me he's sixteen. I don't believe him, though, or you'd look like Frieza. No offense, to his... highness."

Frieza looked up and glared at her. "Why you insolent little bitch!"

"Frieza!" Frigus yelled down the table. He shook his knife at his son. "Behave yourself and watch your mouth. Princes do not speak to ladies like that."

The pink-haired prince inhaled sharply through his nose. "Yes, Father," he said begrudgingly. He glared daggers at Bulma. The 12-year-old did not look fazed in the least. Instead, Cooler had himself a hearty chuckle at his half-brother's attitude. Frieza snapped his glare towards Cooler. "What are you laughing at?"

"I've never seen someone get under your skin so much." Cooler appeared thoughtful for a moment. "I amend that statement. Prince Vegeta from Saburra gets under your skin like no other. Seeing a 13-year-old get the best of you is nothing short of entertainment."

Bulma could see that Frieza was about to blow his top. Although Bulma had never met the prince of Saburra, she knew of him. From the stories she heard, he was quite the charmer, but not in a good way. People also said he was a born ruler and would one day be a conqueror of many lands. Baba believed otherwise, though. She told Bulma to make sure she befriended the Saburran prince no matter what. I wonder why she would tell me to do that... Oh well. If Frieza hates him he must be a splendid person, Bulma pondered.

"You never answered my question, Prince Cooler," she said. "Do you need me to repeat it?"

Cooler looked back at her. "I'm eighteen, Princess Bulma."

She smiled up at him. "You're old enough to become king."

"Yes," he cut a sly glance towards his mother, "I am."

"Pfft! Father would make me king before he made you king of anything. Only the Cold sit on the Ice Throne," Frieza said. Cooler looked back at him, frowning. Frieza simply ignored the glower. "You know it's true. Father thinks you're too soft to rule."

"It does not take a hard soul to be a king. What truly makes a monarch is their ability to lead. Anyone can give orders and have everything done just because they say so. Only the wise and cunning make good kings and queens. In order to lead, you must learn to follow. From the few hours I have been in your presence, I know that Prince Cooler would make a far better ruler of Ostrum than you." Bulma noticed it had gotten eerily quiet at the table as she spoke. She looked up from her plate to see that everyone was watching her.

Coryza raised an eyebrow at the princess. "How do you know this, little one?"

Bulma swallowed, wondering if she should reveal what she knew. She shrugged. "A feeling I have."

"I daresay our Bulma is wise beyond her years," Brevia said with a smile at his daughter. She smiled back and nodded at the compliment. "She's a student of the world already."

Coryza smirked. "That she most definitely is..."

The first week of the fortnight passed quickly for Bulma. She spent most of her time in the libraries of the palace. Only once did she venture out into the gardens only to discover they were covered in snow and ice. She did notice that there were plenty of ice sculptures, though. Since it was cold all year in Ostrum, the sculptures did not melt. They were all of the royal family and of great Ostruman warriors who once roamed the lands of the continent of Tenebris.

One thing Bulma discovered about the Ostruman palace was that it was filled with secret passageways. All the passageways lead to the outside in one way or another. Some would cross and could be used as shortcuts through the palace. With others, she could spy on the meetings and various activities going on in the palace.

On the tenth day of the Zephyrean excursion, Bulma was roaming the hallways of the castle and looking at all the artwork. Being an only child, she learned quickly to make her own fun. She noticed that she was soon in a part of the palace she had failed to explore her first week there. From her memory, she figured it was one of the towers, although it seemed very deserted for the most part. This part doesn't look like anyone has been here for years... She looked up the stairs that went towards the top of the tower. She took the first step and started to go all the way up. She noticed a small alcove a third of the way up. It was just big enough for her to fit in. After testing it out, she stepped out and continued upward.

It was a long trek to the top. When she got about halfway up, she heard noises coming from the top. It sounded as if someone was either calling for help or in pain. She quickened her pace to see if they were in need of assistance. The moment Bulma got to the door, she paused when she heard Cooler's voice behind it. She instead peeked through the crack. She covered her mouth to hide the gasp she heard.

While she had never seen to people in the actual act, Bulma knew what "procreating" was supposed to look like from the pictures in the science books back in Zephyrus. What Cooler was doing with some unidentified woman against a wall could definitely qualify as that. Bulma began to pull away when the woman through her head back. Her violet hair flew out of her face. Bulma gasped when she realized it was Coryza. Her hands immediately clapped over her mouth. She swore Coryza's eyes met hers before she turned away and ran back the way she came without stopping.

After finishing, Cooler stepped away from his mother and fixed himself up. "How much longer do I have to wait? Each day Father tries to grow closer and closer to these Zephyreans when he should be trying to intimidate them. Their people are weak; talking of wind gods and such. The only gods are people who take matters into their own hands," he said. He sounded irritated with the whole situation.

"Really now?" Coryza fixed her white dress back on her. "Likening yourself to a god is a precarious position, Cooler. Thinking you cannot be defeated is something that you should let only your opponents and subordinates believe. Knowing your limits is a very essential in conquering your foes. Hubris can often lead to defeat."

It was almost common knowledge that although Cooler was the firstborn and rightful heir, Frigus intended to pass the throne to Frieza. The fact that Frieza was a bastard held no merit in Frigus' eyes. Coryza refused to let that happen. She would sooner kill her own husband than have someone not of her noble blood sitting on the throne.

Cooler grunted his assent. He ran a hand through his purple hair. "What about that little girl? She's far too smart for her own good." He looked at Coryza. He noticed the disapproving eye she was giving him. "What?"

"She's a child, Cooler."

"She could grow up to be a nuisance."

"Don't tell me you're afraid of a little girl. She may talk a big game, but that little girl is no more a threat to you than I am." Coryza turned her eyes to the door. "She may be of some use to us one day. Not just anyone can sit upon the Throne of the Gale. From what I hear, even Brevia does not sit upon it."

Cooler appeared confused for a moment. "But he's the king of Zephyrus. Why wouldn't he sit on the throne?"

Coryza shrugged. "There's some sort of legend that says only those worthy may sit upon it. Brevia may be king, but he is not worthy of the seat. Come or we will be late for supper. Tonight, we will stake our claim."

Bulma pulled the hidden door in her room open. She stepped inside her room and pushed the heavy block of stone shut. She kept trying to get what she'd seen out of her mind, but all she seemed to remember was Coryza's cold eyes meeting hers. She paced back and forth for a moment. Should I tell someone this? Should I tell King Frigus? No, he'll just think I'm crazy, she thought. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a knock on her door. Bulma immediately sat on her bed as it opened.

Bellezza peeked her head inside. She smiled at her daughter. "I've been looking for you. I thought you were in the gardens. I see I was wrong." Bellezza walked up to Bulma and kneeled before her. She looked her directly in the eyes. "I want you to stay here tonight. I'll see that your dinner is brought to you."

"Why? What's wrong?" Bulma stared worriedly back at her mother.

"Nothing, darling. There's just going to be a lot of grown-up talk going on and I don't want your little ears to hear such language." Bellezza lightly tugged Bulma's ears. "Don't worry. It's just for tonight."

The little princess nodded slowly. Her mother kissed her forehead and then left the room. Bulma moved to her bed and sat down. She would see what the big commotion was about. All she had to do was remember the way to the dining room using the secret passages.

Bellezza met up with Brevia outside Bulma's room. She walked towards him and took his arm. They began the trek to the dining room. Brevia glanced at his wife out of the side of his eye. "Why do you look as if you are going to your death, Belle?

Bellezza smirked and looked at Brevia. "No reason, love."

Bulma awoke in her room about two hours later. The palace was silent. She had fallen asleep waiting for someone to bring her dinner. Sighing, she left the bedroom and headed for the exit to the suite. Before she could open the door, someone grabbed her from behind. She fought hard in their arms, screaming into the hand clamped over her mouth.

"Princess, calm yourself," a serious yet soft voice whispered in her ear. When she stopped thrashing about, the person released her slowly and turned her around. Bulma stared in the darkness at someone she knew to be part of the Praestes, the protectors of the Royal Family of Zephryrus. They were never seen, but people knew they were always watching. The member of the Praestes before Bulma was dressed in all white, blending in with their surroundings. His face was covered and only his dark brown eyes were visible. "Get your warm clothes on quickly, your majesty. You are in danger. We must get you back to Zephyrus."

"Danger? What do you mean? Where are my parents?" Bulma fired off multiple questions in succession.

"Please, princess. I do not have time to disclose all the information. I am simply following the orders of Queen Bellezza. Do not tarry. We must be on our way," the man said. Bulma nodded slowly and did as she was told. The Praestes were sworn protectors of the Royal Family. She had no reason not to trust him.

When she was dressed, the man bowed respectfully to her and popped her on the side of her neck. Bulma fell into his arms, unconscious. He hauled her onto his back, wrapped her in a blanket, and took off out of the balcony into the cold night.