Jack was lying in a green forest. The grass was short and soft. His black hair pulled back, touching the green grass. He was wearing a light brown shirt that was tainted with dirt. Underneath, a pair of black pants and boots.
Trees surrounded him, the sun shone on his pale face. The birds sang nearby. He opened his eyes slowly as the sun hit his face. Jack raised his hand to cover the strong sunlight.
What is this?
Jack looked at his hand.
Is this real?
Jack raised his torso up, sitting down and looking at his surroundings. He was on top of a small hill. Under the hill lay hundreds of houses, made of gray bricks. Smoke rose above some of them. People scattered around, kids and vendors traveling between roads of sand.
In the middle of the city, a tall gray tower could be seen, towering above the other houses. Jack's mind puzzled.
What the…
Where am I…?
Why do I feel so sleepy?
Aos, Maya!?
Jack's eyes grew wide. He turned his head to take a look around, not finding anyone nearby.
Jack gritted his teeth strongly.
Damn that woman…
Jack sighed, letting his mind relax.
What is this…
Jack turned to his left, grabbing a small brown bag that was lying at his side. He opened it slowly, inspecting the inside.
Jack took out a scroll and left it next to him, seemingly uninterested in the contents. He peeked inside once again.
Let's see…
Apples, herbs,
short knife…
Nothing else?
Boring…
How am I supposed to know where I a—
Interrupting his thought, the scroll next to him shone with a yellow light.
What the—
Jack grabbed the scroll warily. He opened it fully. It was short, with only one thing written in the middle. Words shining and dimming like a heartbeat. The words written were:
[Drop of blood needed.]
Jack stared at it with curiosity, the light still resounding.
I wonder…
Jack left the scroll open on the floor in front of him and grabbed the small knife that was lying at his side. He unsheathed the knife and cut his thumb slightly.
"Ouch…"
Is this real?
How could this be called a trial?
A tear of blood began forming on his thumb. Jack hesitated for a brief second before pushing his thumb on the scroll lightly. Suddenly, the scroll shined in yellow, its light turning blue from one second to another.
The words inside the scroll changed, now revealing much more. Jack stared at the words that sent a chill running down his spine.
What is this?
[Name: Jack Frost]
[Lineage: Frost/Winter]
[Stage One: Master]
Absence of Heat: Can precisely measure temperatures with just his senses, allowing him to detect sudden attacks quicker than any other.
[Stage Two: Advanced]
Commander of Ice: Can will ice into existence, using the humidity of the environment. Also allowed to command already existing ice.
[Stage Three (Unique): ???]
Bond to ???: ??????
Author: Banshee The Roaming Spirit.
His eyes shook at the sight.
What is this?!
How does it know my stages…
Wait, I knew it…
Jack's gaze drifted to the bottom of the page.
Banshee…
Just what is she?
These descriptions. I barely knew what to make of my stages…
To have them like this is… convenient…
Suddenly, the scroll began shining once again, making Jack stare at the scroll confused.
Again?
Runes began appearing on it, blue words with gray, until the light died down once again. Revealing other words.
[Name: Jack Frost]
[Trial Name: Winter Val]
[Lineage: None.]
[Stages: None.]
Author: Banshee The Roaming Spirit.
Jack stared at his body, confused.
This…
His body began feeling heat. The sun that hit his face felt hot. The grass below cold due to humidity.
His body didn't change, but Jack could tell he was stripped of his abilities.
He stared at his body as he could feel the warmth given to him by his clothes.
My powers?!
Jack attempted to use his Absence of Heat, but his eyes didn't glow. Then he attempted to command ice, spreading his arms forward. But to no avail, nothing happened.
How am I supposed to complete a trial without them?!
Damn it!
Jack inspected his body as well. His skin on his chest, before bonded with ice, was now gone. Nothing else seemed to change. At least, physically visible changes… He hit his face with the palms of both his hands, making him concentrate on the present.
Now…
Who is this?
Jack inspected the scroll.
Winter Val?
Mom used to tell me stories about a man with this name…
I can't seem to wrap my head around what they were though.
I wonder—
Interrupting his thoughts, between the trees a small child came out of them.With brown hair and brown eyes. Wearing a brown ragged shirt. He screamed excitedly as he held a squirrel in his hand.
"Val!
Brother!
Look!
I got it! I finally caught one!"
Jack stared blankly, his mind entering thought.
So I became Val?
First time dad with Miche…
And now brother…
But this time I do seem in control of my emotions.
Jack was staring blankly at nothing until the small child waved his hands in his face.
"Val!
Can't you hear?!
I finally did it."
The kid waved the squirrel above his head.
"I caught the beast!"
I should play along for now… I need answers.
Jack nodded and spoke in a calm voice.
"Good job."
The kid's eyes widened.
"Good?!
Did you say good!?"
He mumbled to himself.
"Val said a compliment…"
Jack's mind puzzled.
Did I say something wrong?
The kid touched his head.
"Are you okay?
Do you have a fever?"
Jack was thrown aback.
"No… I'm fine."
The child gave him a suspicious look.
"Hmm.
What are you doing with that scroll?"
Jack's face sweated nervously.
"Oh, this?
Don't you see the words?"
The kid raised an eyebrow.
"Words?"
The child stared at it and then stared at Jack with a worried face.
"I was right… You are definitely sick."
Jack stared at the scroll, scratching his chin.
So, he doesn't see the words…
Jack sighed.
Act Jack, act…
The kid raised both of his arms once again.
"Come on, let's go Val!
I want to show mom already."
He laughed as he sprinted towards his house.
Jack's face let down a nervous sweat.
"Hey, wait! I have to get my things!"
Jack began placing all of the things he took out back in the bag, including the scroll.
I'll have to look at that better later.
He nervously grabbed the bag and began going towards the kid that was already far away, going downhill.
"Hey w-wait for me!"
The kid's voice resounded.
He stared at a crowd of people walking nearby, raising the squirrel above his head.
"Look everyone! I slayed this roaring beast without any effort!"
He stared at Jack who was walking behind.
"You won't beat me!"
Jack shouted once again.
"Was this even a race?!"
Jack sped up.
They reached the city, going towards the road of sand.
Sellers everywhere, carriages moving merchandise. People chattering echoed in the whole city.
Jack took a look around, freezing for a second.
So many people…
Before Jack knew, the child was already ahead of him again.
"Come on, I said wait!"
He walked towards a smaller road filled with houses.
The kid finally entered one not so far from where they were.
A small cottage house made of gray bricks—simple but well made. The ceiling was made of wood and wheat. A chimney peeked from above.
The brown-haired child entered the house with giggles. Jack, right behind, entered slowly. The house seemed cozy and organized. A shout came from the room next door—faintly familiar.
"Ray, Val!
Is that you?"
The small child answered.
"Yes mom!
Look at this!"
The kid barged into the room, a simple rustic kitchen. The tabletops made of wood.
Jack approached warily into the room.
Come on Jack, composure…
He took the first steps into the kitchen, finally seeing the person behind the calm voice.
Jack stood still with wide eyes. The woman had piercing white eyes, her hair long and black. Her presence charming and calm. Jack stuttered as she embraced the kid.He stared in disbelief.
Hiss eyes turned wide, his feet slightly trembling.
The woman met his gaze, making Jack shiver. It was the spitting image of his mother. She spoke to Ray.
"Hey hey, let go of that squirrel before you hug me."
Jack's eyes began tearing. A second later, the mother noticed Jack. Her eyes looked at him with the same fondness his mother did.
"Oh, hello Val."
She gave him a warm smile—warmer than any other.
Jack stood still, not knowing how to react.
He spoke nervously, his eyes almost tearing.
"Mom?"
Ray spoke. To her mom with the same worried face as earlier.
"I think Val is sick. He's acting kind of weird."
The mother let go of Ray's embrace, walking slowly towards Jack.
"Hmm, let's see…"
The mother approached and touched his forehead gently.
"He seems fine to me…"
Jack froze at the sight of the woman. It was like seeing her alive again…
A second later, he hugged her with strong force. The woman stood there with wide eyes.
"Hmm, I guess you are right, Ray. He does seem kind of weird."
She embraced him as well, her voice now near his ear.
"Do you need to rest, honey?
How about you stay home for today? I will make dessert."
Jack let out a tear, stuttering—still embracing her.
"Yes…
That sounds good."
His mind resounded.
Desert sounds good…