Hey guys! Thank you for the reviews. I love hearing from you guys and seeing how you are liking the story so far. I try to answer questions you may have about things in the story so far. I know the series has gotten long so feel free to ask, as long as it will not spoil something I am happy to answer :) I do apologize for not uploading sooner but I have been staying with my grandmother for the last few weeks. I love her so much; I talk about my story with her and she has been loving it. In fact, she gave me a cool idea for an upcoming arc ;) I can't wait! Now without further ado, here is the next chapter. Enjoy.

(North Pole)

A harsh Artic wind howled across the barren landscape, its bitter cold touch ripping through all who had the misfortune to be without shelter. A darkness hung over the land engulfing it in blinding black. It was not a welcoming scene, and most of the inhabitants of this harsh biome had made themselves scarce as they waited for the return of the light.

However, one brave teen was trudging through the deep snow in his search for a wayward Ale who had gone out into the darkness.

"Nyx! Where are you!" Faine's voice bounced in the air, echoing off the bits of falling snow. "Just where did she go?" the Dryad shivered as a blast of Artic wind clawed his face, "I have to find her fast before she freezes."

Faine carefully moved the crackling torch he snagged from the front foyer in a sweeping motion in hopes that he would find the Ale's tracks. "There we go." The Dryad exhaled in relief when the light revealed tracks that were most definitely demon kind.

As Faine followed the tracks he couldn't help but shiver, "I'm glad I grabbed this before I left." the teen made a mental note to apologize to North for both the oversized fur robe and torch he had snatched from the foyer "I hope Nyx is ok, I don't remember seeing her with so much as a jacket on." Faine shuddered thinking about how the young Ale was faring in the harsh cold.

From what Faine had seen in the Vaults demons had a high tolerance for heat but when it came to the opposite end of the spectrum, they were very susceptible. If caught out in extreme cold conditions demons slipped into a sort of hibernation and if left in that state, they simply faded into the Void. Though due to their internal flame demons could last longer than others in such conditions. Faine had witnessed this firsthand when Tithus had bound him out in the cold. While he had felt the cold slithering through his veins after just a few minutes the imps that kept watch seemed to not be affected in the least.

A scream suddenly cut through the silence, jerking Faine back to the task at hand

"Was that Nyx?" Faine thought as he doubled his pace the teen worried that perhaps the young Ale had gotten herself into trouble.

After fighting the wind and snow for what felt like an eternity Faine caught the faint outline of wings. Instantly the teen realized that it was Nyx.

"You need to leave now!"

Faine frowned at the anger he could hear in the girl's voice

"Please! You don't understand!" a frantic female voice resounded over the snow, "He'll kill me!"

To Faine's surprise a snarl answered the unknown woman's plea.

"I don't care!" Nyx's words roiled with fury, "You cannot be here!"

Faine hurried forward, as he neared the teen lifted the torch higher so that its light could be cast further. The flickering flames danced within their iron holder as if excited to be out of the stuffy Workshop and able to offer their light for another purpose other than greeting those who visited.

Faine stopped short at the scene now revealed

Nyx stood ridged; her wings flared outwards as if the Ale were trying to make herself seem bigger. The flickering flames of the torch glinted off the demon's extended claws, which were poised in a way that told Faine Nyx was ready to attack at any moment.

The teen's gaze left Nyx to what was causing her behavior. To Faine's surprise it was not some monster or some other being that exuded an evil presence. No in front of her, kneeling on her knees in the deep snow was a young woman. Her raven colored hair spilling over the ground as she bowed her head.

"Please have mercy." The woman's voice trembled, a combination from fear and the bitter cold, "I have been through so much to get here."

"And just how 'did' you get here?" Nyx growled, her tail flicking side to side mirroring her growing anger.

"I used a Far stone." The woman held out a small blue stone for Nyx to see, "I managed to snag it from a desk while I was cleaning the master's office."

"Liar!" Nyx's voice held a slight growl to it, "No one would be dumb enough to leave a transport stone lying around for anyone to take!"

The woman cringed at the Ale's shout, "He didn't think anyone would try to escape." Her face seemed to fall, "Most of us are too broken to even consid…"

"Enough of your lies!"

Faine's eyes widened when he saw the young Ale's body tense, the Dryad had watched demon kind enough to know that she was about to attack. Without thinking Faine rushed forward, "Nyx stop!" the teen shouted as he grabbed Nyx's arm.

Wings flared in surprise as Nyx was snatched back from her target, a sound not unlike a hiss escaped as she jerked around to see just who had interrupted her attack. However, Nyx halted instantly when she who it was.

"Faine?" the girls yellow eyes lost their ferocity.

"Nyx what is going on here?" Faine slowly let go of her, though he readied himself should the girl be furious that he had stopped her.

Instead Nyx seemed more annoyed than angry that he was there.

"You really should have stayed at the Workshop, Faine." Nyx crossed her arms as she glowered at him "Your kind don't fare well in the cold."

"Neither do demons Nyx." Faine snorted, "That's why I came after you so I could help you."

"That was kind of you Faine." Nyx flicked her tail, "However I didn't need any help, I simply found a stinking piece of filth." she turned her gaze again to the woman, "and I was just about to dispose of it when you stopped me."

"Please!"

Faine startled when hands grabbed the hem of his coat, he stared down into pleading sapphire eyes.

"You have to help me." A shiver shook the woman, the cold having seeped into her more since she had crawled on her knees to reach the Dryad.

Faine's chest tightened as the woman let go of him and sank back into the snow, as if she had used all her strength getting to him.

"Faine, you can't be buying this?"

"Buying what Nyx?" Faine glared at the Ale whose expression held every ounce of contempt she was feeling, "She needs our help."

Nyx's tail lashed sideways, "What she needs is to be gone."

Faine rolled his eyes as he turned his attention once again to the woman who was watching their exchange, "What is your name?"

"My name is Decadence and we must get out of here." The woman shakily got to her feet, "He will most likely figure out where I have gone and will be here soon." She glanced behind her into the dark as if expecting someone there.

"Who?" Faine felt a shiver run down his spine at the pure terror reflected in her face.

A loud thump shook the ground.

"Me!"

Faine's attention jerked to the new voice, "Oh gods…not him." was certain he was going to faint from fear as he laid eyes on the emerald skin demon standing amongst the cloud of snow he had stirred up with his landing, "Kreager…"

A sneer curled the demon's lips, "Oh good, a worm knows my name." Kreager pointed a finger at Decadence, "Hand over the wretch now and I just might let you walk away with your pathetic lives."

"Please!" A strangled cry escaped from Decadence, "I can't go back!"

Faine startled when the woman rushed behind him, her hands on his shoulders as she crouched behind him as if trying to hide. Which wasn't really all that effective since she was taller than him.

"Don't let him take me!" Decadence buried her face into the teens back, "You just can't…"

"I don't know if I can do anything to stop him." Was Faine's panicked thought, the poor Dryad himself shaking like a leaf from the appearance of one of the demons that had a direct hand in his torture within the Vaults. Faine straightened suddenly, as hopeless as he felt the teen knew he needed to try and make this trembling spirit clinging to him feel differently.

"Don't worry." Faine faked a smile, "I won't let him touch you."

Decadence's eyes gleamed with emotion, "Thank you."

"Don't thank him yet." Kreager sneered as he took a step forward, "This little brat is nothing but a Dryad, little more than a wood worm." The demon's guttural laugh ricocheted in the air, "In fact I remember him now, Faine right?" a twisted smile curled the creature's lips "Yeah you would have been kindling if that winter brat hasn't shown up and froze me." The creature's black wings rustled as he folded them against his back, "However, I don't see him around this time to save you."

Faine clenched his fist, yes Jack had saved him and for that he'd forever be in the winter spirit's debt. However, he had also been taken in by one of the greatest spirit's he knew and Faine was not about to let his mentor down.

"Though it would take more than that brat to ta…"

While the demon continued prattling on about how he wouldn't be stopped, and they were all doomed, Faine silently had been searching the ground around his own feet. The Dryad thanked the stars above when he felt the tiny minuet signs of life of Artic Willow just a few yards away from where they were.

Which was good news since Kreager had bored of bragging about his own cleverness in deducing that Decadence would seek out the Guardians help and the most likely one she'd pick would be North since demons avoided the cold at all possible.

"Now, as fun as this has been watching you tremble in terror." Kreager smirked when Decadence ducked her head again, "However, as you can understand I want to leave this Void forsaken place as soon as possible."

Faine however didn't bother to answer, the Dryad busy sending out his request for help. Within moments the all too familiar tingling in the back of his mind erupted as the flora responded.

"Of course, we will assist you Child of Rhea." A choral of voices echoed within Faine's mind, their words soft but clear.

The teen's eyes started to mist at the mention of the goddess of his village, "Thank you so much. May Adana forever bless your roots."

There was a slight rustling as the plant swelled with what Faine could only interpret as pride, then silence returned as the plant withdrew its consciousness.

"Why so quiet worm?"

Faine's attention jerked back to Kreager, however instead of answering the demon he glanced at Nyx who seemed oddly unconcerned "Nyx, get ready."

"Get ready for what brat?" Kreager sneered as he took a step forward.

Almost in tandem with the demon's step the snow surrounding him erupted in a geyser of white.

"What the…!" was all Kreager had time to yell before he was buried underneath a wave of oval shaped leaves.

Faine turned as the twisting wave of green coiled around the flailing demon, "Please work this time…" was his prayer as the Dryad planted his foot on the ground. Faine's eyes closed as he concentrated on what Bunny had taught him.

"Oh wow…that's amazing!"

At Decadence's voice Faine opened his eyes, the teen nearly jumped for joy when he caught sight of the dark circle that had appeared a few yards away. However, Faine controlled himself and managed a serious face, "Ok Decadence into the Ecosphere, it'll take you straight to North's Workshop." The teen sweat dropped, "At least I hope it does." The last part he didn't say aloud, though it was the main thing on his mind.

"You are amazing! Thank you!"

Faine startled when the woman leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, "Ummm, your welcome."

"Is it safe?" Decadence's voice trembled slightly as she stepped up to opening

"Quite safe, there's all kinds of snakes and bugs in here." Nyx smirked as she hurried to the opening, "They just 'love' eating spirits like you." The demon clicked her teeth together then leapt into the hole.

"Thanks a lot Nyx." Faine exhaled when Decadence's eyes went wide with fear, "Look, Nyx is just kidding. I have traveled the Ecospheres a lot of times and there are no snakes or bugs ok."

"Ok, I trust you." Decadence trembled, the woman obviously swallowing her fears. She stepped to the edge of the crater and peered into the darkness still hesitant to make the leap.

"Enough!"

Faine startled as a burst of warmth washed over him "Oh no…" the Dryad stared as charred leaves drifted into the wind, Kreager finally managing to free himself from the onslaught of green, "Decadence, you have to jump now!"

However, the woman didn't need any further prompting, since the sight of her pursuer free was enough motivation.

"Thank Rhea." Faine sent a silent prayer of thanks as the woman disappeared, he rushed forward to escape himself.

Just as he neared the rim Faine dropped to the ground, his entire body jerking as what felt like electricity shot through his entire body. The deep snow muffled his screams as the sensation crashed through him again and again, each time seeming to last longer and longer.

Despite the agony Faine tried to drag himself forward, "No no no…" the poor teen chanted as he watched the opening begin to close, "No!" his anguished scream was as much from the pain now assaulting him as it was to the fact that white snow now resided where the crater had been. "I failed again." was the last thought Faine had as his eye closed, his body slipping into the realm of unconsciousness.

(At the Bennett home)

Unaware of the events at the top of the world, in the tiny town of Burges the morning sun had finally risen from its slumber. With its warm rays now beaming down upon the Bennett residence. A semblance peace seemed to have settled upon the home. Though for one soul inside, peace was the furthest thing from his mind.

Bits of ice sprawled out across the hall carpet, the tiny tendrils glistening with soft splendor. These white webs weaved themselves across the surface of the corridor floor, leaving a trail from the stairs to one of the bedrooms. The tiny lines ran under the closed door and into the room where they continued to the far corner of the room coming to rest beneath the bare feet of the winter spirit who had created them.

A low sob filled the steadily cooling room as Jack pulled his knees to his chest and buried his face into them. The winter spirit didn't care that all around him bits of snow had begun to swirl, nor did he care that the entire atmosphere of the room had dropped in temperature.

No, all that Jack could think about was the sudden hole that seemed to have been ripped in his chest.

"Jack…sweetie?"

Even his mother's calm voice didn't gain a reaction from the teen, who instead of answering her simply pulled his knees tighter.

After a moment of tense silence, the room echoed with a creak as the door was opened slowly.

Jack didn't bother to look up, instead he simply closed his eyes tighter, he could hear his mother's steps upon the thin carpet.

"Jack, what is wrong."

A whimper escaped the winter spirit at his mother's gentle tone.

"Jackson, please talk to me." Rashana's voice wavered as she knelt beside her son, "Whatever is going on I want to help, you don't have to deal with it on your own. You are not alone anymore."

At those words everything within Jack seemed to shatter.

"Yes, I am!" Jack didn't notice that at his shout a swirl of ice rose around him, "I don't even belong here!"

"Sweetie…" Rashana's own heart was breaking at the frozen tears running down her son's face, "Who ever made you think that?"

Jack's gaze went to the floor, his whole-body trembling "You…"

"Me?" Rashana reeled back, "When did I…"

"When you were talking about Jamie's mark…his Chanuar." Jack whimpered avoiding his mother's eyes, "You said that having one showed that we belonged to dad's bloodline…that the only people who have one are those from his family."

"That's right Jack." Rashana frowned as she studied that winter spirit, "But why would that make you thi…"

"Because I don't have one!"

At Jack's shout the temperature in the room dropped, ice beginning to creep up the walls rapidly.

"I've tried thinking back to when I came up from the lake, if I had something…anything like what Jamie has." Blue eyes rimmed with tears, "But I never did! So that must mean I…I don't belong!"

"Oh Jackson!"

Jack startled when he felt himself being pulled sideways, however instead of fighting against it the teen instantly wrapped his arms around his mother Jack burying his face into her.

Rashana gently stroked the winter spirit's back "Sweetie I am so sorry."

Jack forced himself to move back from her, though he was relishing the feeling of physical contact, "It wasn't your fault mom." The teen couldn't stand the look of pain on his mother's face at the thought she had hurt him, "I just…I just overreacted."

"Jack, you reacted as anyone would have." Rashana shook her head "No, I shouldn't have just assumed that you had developed a Chanuar."

"Why haven't I mom?" Jack's voice trembled slightly as he settled onto his knees

"I am not sure sweetie." Rashana's expression became thoughtful, "Normally the Chanuar appears with the first show of power and then becomes more defined the more that power is accessed."

"But I've been using mine since I came out of the ice." Jack glanced at his hands, "But I have never noticed anything like what Jamie has…"

Rashana's face grew thoughtful, "May I see?"

Jack held out his hands for her, the teen watching as she ran a finger over each palm.

"Interesting." Rashana's face clouded with emotion, she could feel ridges all over her son's palms as if there were scars…however nothing but smooth skin could be seen. She was about to ask him about that when she felt a spark of energy strike out against her touch. Instantly Rashana was sure just what was afflicting the teen, "Jackson, I am going to ask you a question and I need you to think really hard."

"Ok." Jack tensed slightly, not missing the tone of unease within his mother's voice.

"At any point in time have you come in contact with Extirpate?" Rashana spoke calmly, though her voice trembled, "It is a type of stone that is smooth in texture and is blood red with blue veins running throughout."

Jack felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end, his breath caught in his throat as memories of blood red stone imbedded deep within teal ice rushed back to him.

Rashana however mistook his silence, "I mean, it would be a small chance that you would have. All but a few slivers of this stone was destroyed by your father..."

"Why would dad destroy it?" Jack's voice cracked as he interrupted her.

"Because Chand discovered the true reason behind its creation." Rashana's face darkened, "The Extirpate removes the very essence of a spirit."

Jack shrank in on himself, "Are…are you sure that's what it does?"

"Unfortunately, I am very familiar with what befalls a spirit that has been afflicted by an Extirpate." Her tattered wings rustled echoing her veiled anger, "They become hollow versions of themselves. Unable to call upon the very thing that made them who they were. These poor souls simply follow orders without thought or emotion."

"So that's why he…" Jack's voice was a bare whisper, the teen finally coming to a horrid truth.

"Jack?"

Blue eyes glanced at his mother's concerned face; how could he tell her what had happened? How could he burden her with the horror that had been his for nearly a hundred years within that glacier fortress?

The teen decided that he couldn't do that to her.

"I don't think I've ever seen a stone like that." Jack hated his words the moment they left his mouth, the teen feeling guilty about lying to his mother.

"Are you sure Jackson?" Rashana frowned, she had been certain of what may have happened to her son.

"Mom, can…can I be alone for bit?" Jack dropped his eyes so he didn't have to see the hurt he knew would be on his mother's face.

Rashana was a bit taken aback by the teen's request. It was obvious that her son was hurting, that there was something he was holding back from her. "Jackson…" her voice was gentle as she reached to comfort the teen, to let him know that he could tell her anything. To her surprise the winter spirit flinched at her touch.

"I'll be down in a moment." Jack struggled to keep himself together when Rashana withdrew her hand slowly.

"Jack, are you certain?" Rashana's own heart was aching for the teen who still looked as if he were going to break down. She exhaled when the teen just nodded "Just know sweetie if you ever need to talk…" her wings rustled as she got to her feet, "I'm here for you."

Jack's heart felt like lead as he watched her walk out, bits of ash dissipating in the air as white feathers fell. This was for the best; he didn't want to burden his mother with any more than she was already dealing with.

"That was pretty rude brat."

"Not now Rancor." Jack growled slightly as the Hellfire's voice rippled through his mind.

"Yes now."

Jack flinched; the demon's tone made it clear he was not going to be easily dismissed.

"I want to know why you sent the Queen away?" here a slight snarl echoed within Rancor's voice, "She only wanted to help, and Eon knows you need it."

"Mom has too much already she has to worry about." Jack exhaled, "She doesn't need to be bothered with me."

A chuckled escaped the Hellfire

"I doubt the Queen would think it a bother brat." Rancor snorted, "She loves all her offspring…even when they act like newly Embered hatchlings."

"Embered hatchlings?" Jack raised an eyebrow, "What are those?"

"Don't change the subject." Rancor huffed, "You need to spill why your heart went ninety miles to nothing when the Queen mentioned that Extra Paint stone."

"First off, I'm not trying to change the subject I really wanted to know." Jack grunted as he slowly got to his feet, "and second, it wasn't an 'extra paint' stone it was Extirpate."

"Whatever."

Jack grinned slightly; he could almost hear the demon's eyes rolling

"Just tell me why you got so worked up brat." Rancor's voice became gentle, "Does it have to do with Wi…him?"

Jack sighed, sending a cloud of ice into the air, "You are correct in that assumption Rancor."

"What happened?" Rancor's voice was soft, the demon knowing more than anyone just how traumatizing the experience had been for the winter spirit.

"It happened after one of my many escape attempts. I guess he got tired of having to go after me so that monster dragged me to this weird cavern." Jack shook as memories surfaced "It was made of ice like everything else in the castle." A shiver ran down his spine, "But what made it different than all the other places he had taken me were these stones that were imbedded deep within the ice."

"The Extirpate…"

"Precisely." Jack nodded as he sat on the edge of his bed, "Even though at the time I didn't know what they were called or what their purpose was I knew that I had to get away from them. Though…he didn't really agree with that idea."

"What did Wi…he do?" Rancor caught himself a second time, the demon not wanting to mention that monsters name not only for Jack's sake but his own as well.

"Well the bastard dragged me back and he…he broke my legs." Jack's voice was a bare whisper, the pain from that action coming back to him.

"He did what!" the Hellfire's voice was mixture of horror and fury, Rancor cursing the ancient ice spirit with every fiber of his being.

"I…I should have tried to escape again." Jack whimpered slightly, "But the pain was so bad Rancor!" the teen clenched his eyes, "and I didn't know that monster was taking away my family!"

"Calm down Jack." Rancor spoke quickly when he sensed the teen starting to panic again, "That bastard didn't take your family away from you." The demon's voice became gentle, "No one can do that."

"But I don't have a mark like Pitch or Jamie…"

"Look, I don't know why you never developed a Chanuar." Rancor made sure his tone was firm, "But there is no doubt in my mind that you are Raze's son."

Jack felt a spark of hope ignite in his chest.

"For one thing, only your father's bloodline would be strong enough for a Hellfire of my caliber to be able to join with and them not be reduced to a hollow vessel."

"Gee, was I lucky." Jack couldn't help but grin at the smug tone in Rancor's voice

"Immensely." Rancor continued, "But besides that, you have displayed power similar to Raze's on more than one occasion."

"Hey, you're right." Jack's face brightened.

"So see brat, Chanuar or not, you do belong to this family." Rancor's voice became soft, "And there is no one that can change that."

Jack sat in silence for a moment, he still wondered as to why his mark had not shown but after what Rancor had just said, the pressing weight he had felt in his heart had lessened.

"Thanks Rancor." Jack spoke as he got to his feet.

"Your welcome brat, now I'm exhausted from coddling you." Rancor's words were followed by a yawn, "I think I'm going to rescind and take a nap."

Jack rolled his eyes as Rancor's presence began to dwindle as the Hellfire withdrew, after a moment the teen rose to his feet and headed out of the room.

Please review and let me know what you guys thought. I love hearing from you and seeing what you think of the story so far. I hope all of you are well and staying safe, until next time.