Curiosity and Nightmares

Rating: M

Pairing: BlackIce

By: Shadako

11th Chapter: The touch of a goddess leaving you weak.

This wasn't like him at all. Just sitting around idly, doing nothing. But what choice did he have? After the little run in with the angry elvish guard and North, Jack decided to just stick with staying in the guest room. It was boring, yes. Normally he would complain about it, or just get the hell out of here. Right now however he felt way too frustrated and worn to move much, let alone leave the room. These last few days sure were taking a toll on him. Since MiM's last message he had just lounged around on his bed, icing over the furniture around it. Sulking, mostly. It was just unfair how much faith the man in the moon put into him, yet nobody else thought him capable of even the simplest things. Like speaking to guests without pissing them off somehow, for example. Or judging him to be completely unfit for any kind of battle, thus leaving him here to do nothing. Why couldn't the man in the moon be bothered to tell any of the other guardians how important he supposedly was?

Jack was seriously beginning to feel like nothing but a nuisance at this point. Well, alright, he felt like that for a while now. But it certainly wasn't getting any better. Quite the contrary, actually. Sighing tiredly he dropped his staff onto the carpeted floor, both hands coming up to rest over his eyes. Just why couldn't he stop feeling so pathetic and sad? It wasn't like him at all. He's a spirit of fun, for crying out loud. And all he does is sit around uselessly, being a depressed little mess. He really wants to snap out of it, it's just that he's lacking the energy to do so right now. It's all a little too much for him. All these complicated feelings he has to deal with now, yet no idea how to do it. He never had problems like that while he was all alone for the past three hundred something years. Not that he wants to go back to that lonely life, oh no. It's just that he hadn't imagined it to be so difficult to have an actual social life. And that having friends and something akin to a family also means dealing with their possible rejection. Being ignored by other spirits hurt much less while he didn't have anything to compare it to. That's a different story now, however. He has come to cherish the guardians and now he just feels like they couldn't care less about him. The logical part of his mind, the reasonable one, kind of knows that they just want to protect him. But that doesn't stop the burning feeling of being left out. Another sigh, this time much more annoyed.

"Just why is everything so damn complicated right now..." Eyes still closed and covered by his own hands, Jack fails to notice the appearance of another figure in his little guest room.

"Life would be pretty boring if everything was easy all the time, wouldn't it." The familiar voice of the dark spirit answers and Jack lowers his hands. Sitting up on the comfy mattress, the boy turns to face the nightmare king. Like the day before, he's seated on the wooden desk. Calmly observing the snow whirling outside through the window. Jack's rolling his eyes, letting his hands drop down on the covers. What's with that guy and always showing up without warning? It's kinda creepy if you never know when, or if, Pitch will show up next.

"Not boring, just easy. And I'd like that, actually. How did you get in?" Pitch shrugs, pointing towards the bed the winter spirit is sitting on. Or more like, to the ground below the bed. So the weird dark portal thing is still there and open? Figures the dark spirit would keep it that way. He's not the kind of person who likes to wait for an invitation every time. Jack feels a bit uneasy, knowing that apparently inviting the dark spirit in once kind of gave him a free pass with the warding spells. Not that he could do much about it now anyway. "Right..."

"Don't you sound just thrilled to see me, Jack. What's with the gloomy expression? Still riled up about almost getting eaten?"

The boy's expression falls even more at the reminder, ha had almost forgotten about the horrible snake - lady trying to devour him. Thanks to Pitch, the memory is now vividly playing in his mind again. A shudder running down his spine, he's silently thanking baby Tooth for finding some not bloody clothing.

"No, I wasn't until you so kindly reminded me. I feel even worse now, thanks."

"You're welcome." Blue eyes glare at the older spirit, not that Pitch minds much. Just why is the nightmare king so infuriating all the time? Does being an asshole come automatically with being a spirit of darkness? Or maybe it's just him. "Yeah, fuck off."

"Well, someone's in a great mood today." Who's fault is that, Jack can't help but wonder. Well, not like Pitch had much to do with how horrible things went for him, but still. Somehow, it's all his fault. His, and MiM's. Both are being incredibly hard to tolerate at the moment. And now he's thinking about what the moon said earlier again. Nothing he'd like to think about right now, at all. So instead of looking at the other spirit, Jack busies himself with picking up his staff.

"Yeah well, you'd be pissed too people around you would constantly treat you like an idiot. Or if all you're good for is being North's little helper."

Raising a brow the dark spirit turns his gaze from the window to Jack. He really sounds frustrated, doesn't he. Looks like the other guardians are too absorbed in their pretty little battle plans to pay any attention to their newest member. Fits them well. They always were a bunch of self centered oafs.

"It's not like I value the opinion of the guardians too highly, you know. So I doubt I'd care." It's true, really. Why should he care what those light preaching fools think. Well, clearly it's not what the youngest guardian would have liked to hear. Another piercing glare is sent Pitch's way. One he pays no mind to. Why should he care if the frost boy is angry, after all? Simple, he doesn't. No matter what a mentally handicapped nightmare is thinking.

"Well, I do care. And I'm fed up with this." At those words the winter spirit gets up from the bed, stalking through the room with his staff in hand. Ice spreading over the carpet where his feet touch.

"How can they just assume I'm useless in a fight? I did hold my own pretty well against you, after all!" Ah, now he's just venting, isn't he. Watching with mild amusement, Pitch's golden eyes follow the angry boys steps.

"I didn't exactly try to exterminate humanity, though. Nor did I command an army of corpses." An annoyed wave of one hand is Pitch's answer. The blue eyed boy turns on his heel, having reached the furthest wall already.

"Whatever! That's not the point, okay?" This time the dark spirit can't hide his smirk when he answers Jack. "Obviously."

"Just... shut up. I'm part of the guardians, just like them. They can't just freaking ignore me! Or act like I'm some spoiled brat all the time."

Anger rising, the guardian of fun fails to rein in his temper. Normally he wouldn't tell Pitch of all people about stuff like this. But who else is there to listen? No one, sadly. So the annoying older spirit will have to do.

"Compared to them, you are nothing but a brat, Jack." Another death glare and another pleasant smile. How Pitch always manages to be so infuriatingly calm in conversations is just not normal. Jack is almost shouting by now, still stalking through the room aimlessly. And the Shadowmancer just calmly watches from his seat on the desk, providing a smooth answer every now and then. It really, really pisses the frost boy off. Even more so than everything else right now.

"Oh, shove it. I can fight as well as they can! I can help them win against this creepy dead guy, they just don't let me. I'm not as damn useless as everybody here makes me out to be!" Golden eyes watch the little outburst, then falling on the spreading layer of ice on the floor with distaste. Freezing up the hem of his coat again, not to mention his shadows. What a bother.

"Well, I never claimed you to be completely useless." Voice still pleasant and teasing the dark spirit gets off of his seat, walking over to the seething boy.

"In fact, I do need you to find that sword, remember?" With those words he vanishes, only to reappear right behind Jack. Angry and not in the mood for Pitch's games, the winter spirit only glares at the opposite wall, refusing to turn around. Also, he really doesn't need the other to see how the close proximity is affecting him, his face heating up. He can't suppress the shudder that runs down his spine however, once the nightmare king's fingers trace over his shoulders.

"It's not like you couldn't get somebody else to do it." It takes a lot of willpower to keep his voice from wavering, but Jack manages. Only for his breath to hitch and his eyes to go wide when the taller spirit leans forward.

"That's right. Yet you were my first choice, Jack." Those words spoken so close to his ear make the boy's knees go weak and words die on his tongue. A weird feeling pools low in his stomach, making him strangely happy for some reason. About what, he isn't so sure. Maybe it's some sort of serious brain damage he suffered in the last fight with Pitch.

"So..." The ghostly touches wander from his shoulders down to his upper arms, gently grasping the fabric of his new hoodie there. Somehow it's really getting hard to breath. And to focus on anything but Pitch. The guardian of fun really doesn't know what the dark spirit is doing to him anymore. Or why he's reacting the way he is. Holding his breath he waits for the other to finish his sentence. Only to be pushed towards his bed none too gently.

"...don't make me regret my choice and get moving." Just like that the spell is broken, Pitch is no longer touching him nor speaking to him in that teasing tone. Instead the nightmare king's dark chuckle fills the room as he vanishes into the shadows once more, leaving Jack alone.

Blinking in confusion for a moment, the youngest guardian stares at the bed in front of him. The flustered silence is soon broken by an annoyed groan, hands gripping the staff tightly. Just why does he always act like a deer caught in the headlights with Pitch? By now he really should be used to the teasing and stuff. Everything to get him riled up. That's just how the messed up shadow king acts, nothing new there. So why does it still affect Jack so much? A question he really has no answer to. None that he would have liked, anyways.

So with not much of a choice but to follow the Shadowmancer back into his lair, the guardian grudgingly gets down on all fours. Not that anybody here will miss him, anyways. And down there he can be somewhat useful. At least this way he can actually help his friends, even if they don't want him to. Now if only he could forget everything that went down the night prior in that dark lair. With another furious blush the winter spirit crawls beneath the comfortable guest bed to access the shadow portal once more. Praying to whoever is willing to listen that his messed up mind will finally shut up about the disturbing attraction he's developing.

~.~.~.~.~

Standing in front of the entrance to the ancient ruin city again is less pleasant than Jack had imagined it. He warily watches Pitch trace the symbols again, waiting for the familiar glow that would signal the opening of the gateway between realms. One hand absentmindedly traces the pale flesh of his own neck, very aware of his recent brush with deadly talons. He'd like to avoid another run in with the snake monsters, if possible. A shaky breath escapes the boys lips when the older spirit finishes his spell. Time for the second try in mission: get the magic sword. His fingers clutch his staff tighter, this time not eager at all to enter the pathway.

Jack following behind the Shadowmancer, they enter the abandoned temple for the second time. By now very aware who, or rather what, placed the rotting sacrifices under the old statue they pass. The guardian of fun can't help but be on edge. Who knows if the snake woman have prepared for their return as well? It's as eerily quiet as it has been the first time so far. Nothing but the strange light and weird plants. Oh, and the deadly traps, of course. But this time around Jack makes sure to watch out where he's stepping.

Their journey is a quiet one, for the most part. Pitch pointing out a stone plate to not step onto or a wall to better avoid touching, but that's about it. Not that Jack minds all that much, he's not eager to draw the snake wardens attention again. Sadly, they wont be able to avoid it forever. Already they are drawing closer to the large building in the center of the city. The one that supposedly holds the magical artifact they seek. Or so they hope, at least.

Pitch is prepared for any attack this time, deadly spells ready at the tip of his fingers. The first time he was careless enough to let his guard down, after they were able to cross most of the city without encountering anything. Now he knows better. The wardens just stick close to the center of the old capital. Not necessarily a bad thing, either. It means they are protecting something, making it very likely that his ancient tome had been right. They will indeed find the powerful heirloom of this long forgotten culture there. Now to only get inside the sanctum and get their hands on that sword. And leave with it, in one piece, preferably.

The pair enters the huge building of the main temple, much like the last time. They follow the same passages, old walls overgrown with vines and moss. Still no sign of the wardens, for now. Something that is about to change soon, surely. The closer they get to the sealed off chamber they had found on their first visit. Weird glowing plants do little for the creepy atmosphere of the place, the silence only broken by their own steps and water dripping somewhere. Jack's attention is drawn away from the weird many – legged bugs when his companion forms the familiar scythe in his hand.

With a sharp breath he raises his own staff, this time damn ready to fend off the monster snakes. He's not eager at all to get eaten, thank you very much. Another corner they round and the artfully engraved double doors come into view. The guardian making sure to stay clear of the walls this time, senses heightened for battle. When they reach the same spot they had been attacked in before, Pitch comes to a stop. Following his example, so does Jack. His blue eyes trail over the ground, making out traces of a dried dark liquid. Oh, gross.

They wait in silence for a moment, eyes never leaving their surroundings. Nothing stirs, this time. Raising a brow in question, the guardian turns to the older spirit.

"Uh, shouldn't these snakes be all over us by now? Where are they?" A smirk plays across the features of the nightmare king, despite his fighting stance.

"What, missing your new friends already, Jack?" An annoyed roll of eyes and the boy goes back to searching the wide hall for possible enemies. Well, this is kinda creeping him out. Not knowing where those horrible things are hiding is probably worse than actually facing them. Or not. Yeah, maybe not. "Pitch."

Recognizing the tone of the others' voice, the dark spirit spins around quickly, spell already half way woven and ready to strike. The warden is approaching quickly, slithering along the wall to their right, barely making any sounds. This time however she's not making it far, eerie green flames flickering to live on her skin, burning the wailing creature to ashes in seconds. Jack takes a step back, watching the rain of burnt flesh and bones crumple to the ground.

"Okay. That was like, extremely gross." Pitch merely shrugs, lowering the hand that had unleashed the deadly spell. He turns to face the sealed doors again, slowly approaching.

"You prefer it to get up close again?" Wincing slightly the guardian only shakes his head, following the other. Well, better the thing is dead, than him. But he really hadn't needed to see a body dissolving to charred remains in the blink of an eye. It's a little unsettling to know that Pitch has this kind of tricks up his sleeve as well. He would very much prefer to never be on the receiving end of that kind of magic.

"That's odd. Where's the rest of these things?" Standing guard while the Shadowmancer started his work on the magic barriers again, Jack couldn't help but wonder. Last time there definitely had been more than just one or two of the snake ladies. Pitch is paying him little mind, now fully absorbed by his task. Entangling ancient warding spells isn't easy and requires a lot of concentration. Setting them off on accident is the last thing they need right now, really. It would probably send the whole building crumbling down over their heads or something.

"Probably not eager to die. Just be glad they leave us alone. " Only a few more threads to be unwoven. Someone really did a damn good job of locking this place up and preventing access. What a bother.

"Whatever. What's taking you so long, anyway? It's getting kinda boring, you know." The nerve of that boy. Unbelievable. With a sigh Pitch loosens the last strands of ancient magic, leaving the doors to the sanctuary of the temple open. Taking a cautious step back, he admired his handiwork for a second. Well, so much for holy magic keeping out the vile creatures of darkness. Pathetic, wasn't it. Some great goddess this one must have been.

"There, this should do the trick." Jack was quick to step up to his temporary allies side, taking in the entrance. He shrugged his shoulders after a moment. "Doesn't look all that different to me, honestly."

"It isn't deadly anymore to just touch it, at least. Now, let's see if that holy weapon can hold true to the books." Despite saying this, Pitch didn't reach out to grasp the rusty handles. After a moment of silence, Jack decided that he might as well. Waiting was never his strong suit, and the curiosity was killing him here. He finally wanted to get to that magic sword, so they wouldn't be helpless against the crazy Lich guy anymore. Reaching out, his fingers curled around the old metal. Pitch's gaze never leaving them, holding his breath for the fraction of a moment. And just like that, Jack was able to push the creaking old doors inwards. The ancient sanctum opened without triggering anything horrible to come their way.

Once the big doors had given way, the boy cautiously stepped into the vast halls stretching beyond it. There was no sign of any monster waiting inside, which was no surprise to the nightmare king. Nothing could have gotten beyond the net of these protective spells. Not even the wardens would. They sensed the power hidden inside, sure, but they were unable to cross the threshold. And their own live was apparently more important to the primitive creatures than guarding the doors as well. Not that Pitch had any objections to that. It's not like he greatly enjoyed the smell of burning snake, really. Careful not to touch the doors, he entered after Jack.

It was obvious that almost everything inside this holy sanctuary was made to repel the darkness. The former inhabitants of this city built these halls to worship their goddess, a holy creature of light. So it didn't come as much of a surprise. Still, Pitch hadn't expected his powers would drain so considerably from just stepping into the holy chamber. This was not good, nor was it according to his plan. If he wanted to keep his weakness to the holy magic hidden from the guardian of fun, they had to hurry. The sooner they got out of there again, the better. Golden eyes scanning the many treasures and statues lining the walls and pillars, he was quick to make out what they sought. Right there, in the middle of the once grand room, stood the tall figure of a woman.

"That's the sword, isn't it?" It was Jack speaking, the spirit also taking in the statue of the beautiful goddess. Her stony dress reaching the floor, spilling fast over the marble. In each of her hands she held something, an opened book in one, a shield in the other. The ages past did nothing to tarnish the beauty of the shrine and the goddess made of stone. The altar at the bottom of said statue however was what drew the attention of the guardian in. A powerful aura surrounded it, almost humming with energy. An unearthly glow radiating from the weapon, innocently lying on a velvety cushion at the statue's feet. He stepped closer, not affected by the strong repelling magic. The holy light didn't burn his skin or drain his powers, just like Pitch had predicted.

However, that was the only thing going as predicted. His scythe vanished between his fingers, body unable to summon the power to uphold the spell. Not good. The shadowy tendrils of his long cloak had shortened considerably since he entered the sanctum. Not good at all. He was loosing energy, and fast. Alarmingly fast. He could barely stand to look at the altar, the softly shining light feeling like fire on his skin. Everything withing the nightmare king screamed to leave this place. Yet he stood his ground, teeth clenched in frustration. It seemed so easy to destroy the warding spells, yet the mere presence of the holy altar brought him almost to his knees. What a pathetic display indeed.

Unbeknownst to the struggle of the other spirit behind him, Jack continued to walk up to the shrine and the giant statue in awe. It was truly a sight to behold, and the warm glow radiating from the beautifully crafted sword drew him in. He had never laid eyes upon such a weapon before, it's power unlike anything he had felt so far. After a minute of silent wonder at the magnificent blade, he blinked a couple of times. Only now noticing the absence of Pitch next to him, he turned.

"Hey, what are you doing back there? Come on, shouldn't we, I dunno, break the magic and pick it up, or something?" Wincing slightly at the boy's words, the dark spirit turned his attention to the door behind him. Pretending to watch out for the wardens, but in truth just wanting to get the hell out of this dreaded place. It was making him sick to just stand there. He'd be damned if he took a single step closer to the holy shrine.

"There's nothing to break, just pick it up. Who enters the sanctum is worthy of the blade, there's no need for further barriers." Well, the worthy – part was a lie, but it was true enough that he didn't sense any other safety measures around. And so far the boy hadn't burnt his skin from touching the doors, or walking barefooted on the sacred ground. While Pitch himself was already feeling like he'd been drained of his powers to the core, standing barely a few feet from the entrance. This place was torture, truly. Why wouldn't the insufferable brat just hurry up?

"Really, just like that? Well, that's easier than I thought." A little suspicious at the dark spirit's sudden strange behavior, Jack approached the altar cautiously. His fingertips reaching for the hilt of the sword, careful not to burn himself. To his surprise however, the warmth he felt radiating from the powerful magical item did nothing to heat the metal itself. It felt just a little warm to the touch. He lifted the weapon carefully, surprised at how light the long, elegant blade truly was. Fine vines of silver curling around the golden hilt, the blade engraved with elegant runes he had never seen the likes of before. With a breath of relieve he pulled his hand back, withdrawing the treasured heirloom from it's rightful place.

"Hurry up already, will you." The impatience in Pitch's voice surprised the guardian a little, the other spirit usually so calm. He thought nothing of it however, seeing as they probably should be going, in case the snake monsters were none too happy about them stealing their holy artifact. With the sword in hand, he turned from the alter and the stone goddess, making his way back towards the waiting Shadowmancer. He missed the way Pitch recoiled slightly, when he stopped a little too close to him, weapon almost touching the black robe.

"Yeah, yeah. I got it, so let's get out of here, before the snake girls come back." Most beautiful sentence Pitch had heard all day. He sure didn't need to be told twice, quickly striding towards the entrance. Jack following suit, taking one last glance back at the statue. Back outside, he leaned his staff against the closest wall, shutting the doors to the sanctum. Not that it mattered, really, but he somehow felt they shouldn't be disturbing the sacred place more than they already had. His temporary ally was already walking down the long hallway they had come form. Cursing under his breath, he picked up his staff and hurried to catch up.

"What the hell, don't just go and leave me in this creepy place!" The dark spirit barely spared Jack a glance while he kept walking, pace brisk. Well, someone sure was eager to get out of the ruined city. Not that the winter spirit was objecting, he preferred places with some actual wind as well. And the musty smell down here sure wasn't pleasant, either. He had to almost start out into a sprint to catch up to Pitch, his guard now let down. They had the magic sword, they were almost out of the main temple. And the Shadowmancer didn't even summon his scythe, so Jack assumed it safe enough. A little miscalculation on his part, sadly.

They reached the hall they had entered the huge building through, the spacious doors leading outside into the narrow alleys of the forgotten capital. Only, the doorway wasn't as wide open as it had been when they walked in. Instead, thick vines blocked the exit, moss and moldy branches thrown onto them. Seems like someone has been waiting for them. Or rather, something. Clawed limbs move across the walls, not on one, but both sides. Eyeless heads with huge, snarling mouths drawing closer and Jack can't help but swallow nervously. Well, at least now they know where the rest of the wardens has gone.

"Oh great, just when things were going smoothly for once..." Grimacing, the guardian eyed the advancing monsters with distaste, raising his staff with one hand. "Well, any plans?" When he didn't receive an answer, blue eyes dared to leave the wardens for a second to search out their temporary companion in battle. Only to widen slightly. The nightmare king still hadn't drawn his weapon, neither did he seem to pay much attention to the snakes at all. Instead, one pale hand was pressed against the grimy wall nearby, golden eyes shut tightly.

"Pitch?" Still no answer. Alarm raising, Jack turned his attention back towards the monsters lying in wait. Apparently he wasn't the only one who noticed the Shadowmancer's lack of fighting spirit. With the threat of dead bringing spells and scythes out of the way, there was little to hold the wardens back from their prey.

"Oh, not good... Pitch, seriously!" It slowly dawned on Jack that he wasn't getting much help in this fight. Not that he had any idea why or what the hell was wrong with the dark spirit. But he surely wouldn't let himself get almost eaten again. Brow furrowed in determination, he raised his staff, first layer of frost shooting out to coat the wall to his left. Their hold on the cracked stones slipping, the snakes are forced to the ground. At least that way, there wouldn't be any more surprise attacks from above. The second wall following suit, ice spreading quickly.

Not impressed by the boy's display of power, the attackers keep creeping closer. Slowly, carefully, in case the other spirit, the one that had incinerated on of their sisters with a flick of his wrist, would act. Fire wasn't something the depth dwellers were fond of, but ice, well that they could handle. Cold was nothing to them. They were hungry, and a second time they surely wouldn't let their meal escape.

"Well, crap..." At least a dozen of the scaled creatures now blocked the path between the two spirits and the barricaded entrance. No other way to get out of the building, as far as Jack knew. And Pitch wasn't exactly in a talk active mood. Another barrage of ice shards only pushed the monsters back for a moment, clearly not very affected. Just like the snake woman Jack had fought before, ice didn't seem to do much harm to them. Well, wasn't that just great. Lowering his staff a fraction, he raked his brain to come up with anything else. Damn it, if only the stupid king would snap out of whatever the heck was wrong with him.

The wardens clearly weren't patient enough to wait for Jack to figure our a strategy, though. One of the beasts, the largest one, chose that moment to snap forward. Weird fins and strong tail propelling the heavy body over the dirty ground, right towards the guardian of fun. Blue eyes widened and one hand dropped the staff, coming up to grasp the sword hilt as well. He wasn't sure what had possessed him to lift the ancient weapon, maybe it was just reflex. It was a sword, after all. Surely he could cut something up with it nicely, right? How hard could wielding a blade be, after all? Lifting the holy weapon, warmth seeping into his skin from where he touched it, the boy swung.

Completely missing the body of the attacking warden. The creature however still recoiled with a shrill shrieking sound, wailing horribly as if burnt. It coiled and screeched, clawed hands coming up to shield it's grotesque head from the light. Jack watched with wide eyes as the warden skittered backwards, desperately trying to hide from the intense light the sword now radiated. It's kin also retreating, scurrying backwards. Well, that surely was one useful blade, he didn't even have to actually hit anything. Still, he'd much prefer to be out of this place right about now, before the creatures decided to attack yet again. Lunging forward with the blade raised, he tried to drive the beats back. The wardens scattered away, clearing his path, doing their best to hide in any dark corner they could find. None of them seemed to keen on getting in any contact with the holy relic.

This was bad. No, not just bad. This was the worst possible outcome. Nails scraping over the mossy wall in anger, yet lacking strength to do any real damage. Pathetic. Truly, utterly pathetic. The boy raising this blasted sword only made it worse. Then again, he probably saved them both. Which is nothing short of embarrassing, really. A king of nightmares, reduced to this, by just a bit of holy light and magic. Gritting his teeth in annoyance and anger, Pitch called for his trusty nightmares. The entrance to the forgotten city in his lair still open, his loyal servants able to pass freely. Still, it felt oddly like admitting defeat, calling his mares to the aid. Yet there wasn't anything to be done about it – he would need time to restore the lost energy. Nothing he could do to aid in this battle, barely able to keep his focus on the surroundings at all. And the more the boy used the relic, the worse this was going to get. Pathetic.

Why hadn't he considered this? An ancient magic strong enough to strip the Lich King of his powers and seal him away, surely it was just as dangerous and efficient on a different king of the realm below. How could he not take this into account? He had believed the old tome to simply exaggerate, as if the mere presence of the holy relic could be weakening a spirit like him. It had been hard to believe. Well, apparently the tome was not exaggerating in the slightest. And now he had to pay the price for his foolishness. For a moment he lost grip of his thoughts all together, only trying to prevent the burning pain from overtaking his senses. This was torture, like liquid flames washing over his skin. Absorbing more and more of his power as the seconds ticked by. Golden eyes unable to open, body fighting to stay upright. Pathetic.

An angry whine brought the Shadowmancer back to the present, Jack stepping back in surprise, lowering the glowing blade. The strong aura of magic dimming instantly, sensing it is no longer needed by it's wielder. Strong hooves tear through the barricade of vines the wardens had put up. The nightmares take only seconds to shred the plants bloking the entrance, glowing eyes and low whinnying full of rage now filling the doorway. Clearly overpowered and outnumbered, the snake creatures quickly retreat, hurriedly skittering away, out of sight. The mares enter, trampling anything in their path that could be any threat to their master.

A large shadowy horse dashes to it's masters side, providing the aid they have been called upon for. Her sisters eye the room, angry and restless, stomping the dirty ground. With a barely audible breath of relieve, Pitch grasps the mane of his ever faithful steed. He's on it's back a second later, more than ready to leave the forgotten city behind and content with not returning. Ever. She is off the moment her rider is seated, galloping out of the main temple building, towards the exit.

Blue eyes take in the scene a little perplexed, unsure of what the hell is even happening anymore. Blinking slowly, Jack looks down when something nudges his arm. One of the mares is holding his staff out to him in her muzzle, thankfully not biting down all that hard on the wood. A little weirded out by the shadow creature suddenly acting so civil towards him, the reaches out to take his weapon. The horse makes no indication that it want's to harm him in any way, so clearly it's a different one this time. Taking a look around, the guardian can't help but notice that all of the horses seem oddly okay with him being there. Which is, well, strange. But not the strangest thing to happen today. Sighing tiredly, he looks down at the sword, now down to a barely there, dull glowing shine. The power he felt before laying dormant, for some reason.

Okay. Well, whatever. He's so done with overthinking things for today. There's always later for that. Preferably when he's far away from this snake infested city. Slowly walking out of the building, he looks around, no trace of Pitch to be found. Well, isn't that nice. He almost gets them both killed by standing around stupidly in the worst possible moment, and then he just leaves. It's not like Jack knows his way around this dreaded, trap filled maze of a city himself.

"He could've at least told me how to get the hell out of here before bolting off..." His words are answered by the nightmares, for some reason still there, surrounding him. The creatures eye him with a weird sort of interest, one that makes the boy really uncomfortable. He can't help the feeling that somehow, these things are talking about him, in some way. Is that even possible? Probably not. Just his mind over complicating things again.

"Right... now, how do I get out of here?" The question wasn't aimed at anybody in particular, still the mare closest to him decides to respond. She's nudging his arm again, the one not holding the holy relic. It's pretty obvious that the shadows don't seem to like the weapon much. They stay as far away from the sword as possible. Jack looks at her questioningly, the mare turning and offering her side to him. The gears in the winter spirits head turn for a moment, before it dawns on him what she wants.

"Seriously?" He looks at her with suspicion in his eyes. "You won't just suddenly shake me off in the middle of the ride or something?" The horse would roll her eyes at his dumb question, if she could. Why would she let him get on in the first place only to throw him down? Instead she just nudges him again, giving an encouraging whinny. Still a little cautious, but actually kind of glad he won't have to walk through this maze alone, Jack secures his staff under the arm that's also holding the blade. Careful not to touch the mare with either weapon, he climbs on. Not very elegant, but hey, horse riding isn't exactly something he has done before much. Also, no one around to see.

"Well, here goes, I guess." With his one free hand he's holding onto the black mane, the horse taking off and her sisters following suit. All headed for the lair of their king, Jack in tow. And as weird as it sounds, riding a scary, flying horse actually is kind of fun, when said horse isn't trying to murder you. A last glance at the forgotten city below and they reach the portal back to the nightmare king's lair.

~~~tbc.

Another chapter down, and we're making some progress here, whoooo!

They finally got their hands on that sword, isn't that great! Or not so much, for Pitch. Well, sucks to have a weakness like that, I guess.

Gosh this fanfic, I started this out years ago just wanting to write some black ice smut, and what has this become? It's a monster, I'm telling you.

Well, like always, review, it makes me happy! And reminds my sorry bum that I need to update this, which is good for you as well, if you want this monster to grow further. 3

~Shad.