Chapter Text
The small town of Burgess, Pennsylvania was bustling with activity as clouds rolled over the sky and snow slowly drifted down. Along with the unexpected flurry swooped in a pale, white haired teen whose twine pants and dark blue hoodie were covered in frost. With him was a shepherd's staff that casted more snow as he rode the wind across buildings and cars.
This young lad was none other than Jack Frost.
He whooped in joy, zooming past the town with a destination in mind. Considering how fast he was going, it didn't take much time for him to arrive at the Bennett household, a two story house in the middle of a small neighborhood. He'd visited the home frequently for the past two years, so he found Jamie's window easily.
Before announcing his arrival, he couldn't help but smile at the sight before him. Jamie's little sister Sophie was jumping around the room, her dirty-blonde hair and Easter themed pajamas rustled up. He could faintly hear her shouting at Jamie to play outside, but the brunette was busy working on something at his desk.
Oh this won't do! Blowing into his cupped hand, Jack conjured a snowball and threw it at the window, startling both siblings who rushed up to the sill. Jack greeted them with a smirk, and Jamie opened the window as quickly as he could. Jack came in with a gentle breeze that did nothing but rustle the pile of books and papers on Jamie's desk.
He glanced at the desk before asking, "What's holding you up, Kiddo? I didn't make the snow for nothing you know."
"Homework." Jamie huffed and flopped back into his chair. "Mom made a rule that I had to finish my schoolwork before going out into the snow. She says I keep procrastinating, but that's not true!"
"Well, how many times did you turn in late work?"
Jamie peered at him sheepishly. "25 times since January?" He went back to his work before slamming his pencil down. "It's not my fault they keep cramming homework down our throats! What are we, robots?"
"Here, let me try to help."
"You sure? It's math homework this time, not history."
Jack rolled his dark blue eyes before stretching out his hand. "Just give me the paper."
"Okay, but I'm only having trouble on the last problem." Jamie gave his homework to the immortal over three hundred years old.
Jack scanned the paper and gave a sharp nod. "Pencil? Maybe a calculator too and another sheet of paper for me to write my stuff on."
Jamie handed him the requested items, and he vigorously started solving the problem. After a minute of small clicks from the calculator's keys and a bunch of erasures, Jack handed back the assignment. Attached to it was a sheet of paper that had multiple ways to solve the problem with written explanations underneath, each of them separated by a box of frost doodles.
"I don't know how they taught it to you in school, so just copy the one that looks the most accurate."
"I—how did you do this so fast?" Jamie stared in shock at the assignment. "I thought you were only good at history?"
Jack scoffed. "I know I look like a trickster extraordinaire, but I had a lot of time to learn these sorts of things," he paused before adding, "Plus, I have some nerdy friends that constantly ramble about technology. If I didn't know anything science or math related, I'd be lost in a sea of words whenever I have a conversation with them.
"Wait, do you know stuff about English?"
Jack laughed for a solid minute, slowing down to calm himself. "Kiddo, I was literally the inspiration for a bunch of different authors. I've read a lot."
"Wait, you were?" When he received a nod, Jamie grew confused. "If you were really popular before, what happened? I thought you didn't have that many believers."
Jack pursed his lips and gave him a flat smile. "I used to be believed in before the 30's." He then waved a hand dismissively. "Eh, that's a long story. Let's have fun in the snow instead!"
Immediately, Sophie ran from her space next to Jack and down the stairs. The wintry teen went to follow behind her, but he noticed that Jamie lingered in his room.
He could tell the kid wanted to interrogate him about it, but now wasn't the time. "Jamie, are you coming?"
Sighing, Jamie ran downstairs with them, laughing in excitement. Jack joined in, hoping that his friend would soon forget about what he said earlier.
In all their ruckus, the kids startled their mom, who called out from the kitchen, "Jamie, are you guys alright?"
"Yeah, we're fine!" Jamie pulled Sophie over and helped her with her hot pink coat. "We're just going out in the snow with Jack!"
"Did you finish your homework?"
Jamie rolled his eyes as he put on his blue jacket and gray snow pants. "Yeah, it was a pain!"
"In that case, be safe!"
"We will!" Jamie swung open the door and stepped out onto the snow with Sophie in tow.
"Oh and Jamie," Mrs. Bennett's voice held a faint twinge of nervousness, "don't…"
"Go on the pond or in the forest!" Jamie shouted back, "We know!"
Jack knew she couldn't hear him, but he couldn't help but say, "Don't worry, they're safe with me!"
Before she could say anything else, Jack threw a snowball and flew off. Jamie closed the door as an afterthought and both sister and brother chased after the spirit. In their chase, they ran into two girls, one with ash brown hair and the other wearing a beanie that covered her reddish brown hair. Jack immediately recognized them, and so he dropped down to settle next to them.
"Jack, I knew you were the one in charge of this," the ash brown haired girl said.
"That's right, Cupcake! I couldn't help but see that Burgess needed some snow."
Once Jamie caught up to his friend, he stopped and panted. "Hey Pippa, where's the others?"
The one with the beanie, Pippa, responded, "I honestly have no idea. Do you, Cupcake?"
Cupcake shrugged. "The twins are probably sleeping in again. I texted Monty though, and he said he was getting ready."
"Well, I could go pick up Monty with the girls," Jack said, the North Wind picking him up again, "The Bennetts can go wake up Caleb and Claude."
"How are we supposed to do that?"
"Well, you know my way." With a wave of his staff, he conjured up a small pile of snowballs. "Take as many as you can and chuck them at their window till one of them gets up. We'll meet you at the park."
"Oh, thanks Jack!" Jamie and Sophie both grabbed as many snowballs as they could and ran off.
Once the two left, Jack summoned a sheet of frost under the girls, causing them to fall on their sleds and slide across the impromptu path. As they went along, Pippa told him to stop and so he did.
"We're going the wrong way," she explained, pointing in the opposite direction, "Monty's house is this way."
Jack grimaced. Despite knowing this town like the back of his hand, he still struggled with directions. Thankfully, he managed to correct himself and reached Monty's house in no time. The blond boy was zipping up his green jacket and fixing his glasses when they got there.
He yelped but quickly rightened himself up. "Jack!"
"Heya Monty!" Cupcake greeted before Jack could, "We're heading to the park to meet up with the Bennetts and the twins!"
"Oh okay, I'll get out my sled then."
Once he did, Jack led the three of them to the park. The kids sat down on a bench while Jack perched on top of his staff as they waited for the others. It felt like forever before he could see Jamie and Sophie with the dark skinned twins, Caleb wearing a red jacket while Claude had on a black one.
"What took you guys so long?" Monty asked, "We've been waiting for almost half an hour."
"Those two were still sleeping," Jamie replied, gesturing to the two in question.
"Lemme guess, playing video games all night?" Cupcake looked at the twins, unimpressed.
"Yep!" Claude exclaimed, turning to his brother when he deadpanned, "What?"
"Nothing. Jack, do you have any ideas for what to—"
Before Caleb could finish, he was hit in the face by a snowball. "What else do you think?" Jack casually juggled a snowball in his hand. "Snowball fight, all of you guys against me.
"Are you sure that's a fair fight? Maybe someone else can be on your team," Monty protested.
Jack shrugged. "It's a winter spirit against a bunch of kids. Of everything, it's unfair for you guys."
"Hey, that's not true!" Pippa exclaimed, bending down to make a snowball, "We can beat you!"
Jack chuckled. "You gotta catch me first then!" He bounded off into the trees, the others trying to strike him. It was a game of cat, well cats, and mouse. As it went on, the kids grew tired while Jack kept flying up to dodge their attacks. Soon, they all needed a break and paused beside the fence blocking them from the forest.
"No fair, you shouldn't be able to use your powers!" Pippa whined.
"Why not, milady?"
"Be-because-" the girl stammered in frustration, "We're outnumbered!"
Jack raised an eyebrow from the tree branch he crouched on. "I thought you guys said earlier that you all outnumbered me?"
"What she means I think," Monty clarified, "is that we don't have any way to get at you."
Jack grinned good-naturedly. "Hmm, I see your point. I'll stop."
Just as he touched the ground, Jamie immediately tackled him. "We win!"
The others followed suit; though, Monty was most hesitant doing so. It ended up becoming a massive tickle war with Jack at the bottom.
"Oh gods, stop!" Jack said in between fits of laughter, squirming in their grasp.
Instead of doing, Jamie yelled out, "Guys, it's his feet!"
Pippa, Caleb and Cupcake followed with Jamie and started tickling his feet, freeing up most of his upper body. As such, Jack was able to sit up and tickle Jamie's armpits.
"Jaa-aha-ck!"
Unfortunately for the immortal, the North Wind decided to join in on the fun with her invisible hands.
"Wi-nd! Trai–hahaha–tor!"
"Wind!" Sophie bounced on Jack's stomach, gaining more laughs.
"Guys hahaha stoooop!" Jack huffed out, not sure whether to be annoyed or happy at their tickling.
Pippa triumphed over Jack. "Admit that we are the lordlings of snowball fights!"
"You are!"
They all paused in surprise, and Jamie said, "I didn't think it'd be that easy."
Jack took a few deep breaths before responding, "I'd be ashamed if you guys weren't with how much time I spend with you!"
Taking the explanation, the kids all flopped on top of Jack, exhausted from the impromptu tickle fight. They stayed like that for a while till Jack noticed a branch laden with snow was right above them. With an evil smirk, he rustled the branch with his staff, causing an avalanche of snow to fall on top of everyone.
Immediately, the kids gasped and jumped off, Jack taking the opportunity to righten himself up again. "You haven't won yet!"
Sprinting off, he refrained from flying in the wind as they all tried to chase him down. Even so, he managed to dodge all the snowballs thrown at him and shot a few himself with perfect accuracy.
In their fun, they accidentally wandered into the more active part of the park, and Jack noticed a couple looking at the sight in confusion. It reminded him of how he was still invisible to most people since they didn't believe in his existence. However, his momentary sadness cleared away when their toddler pointed towards him and squealed to his mom about how Jack Frost was here.
He seriously needed to thank Jamie and his friends for restoring belief in him.
Speaking of Jamie, Jack barely dodged the snowball Jamie threw at him and dashed off. Hopefully, he'll get to see the child again and give him a permanently frozen ice gem like he gave to all his new believers.
"Jack! Slow down!" Jack snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Cupcake's shout.
He chuckled, jumping onto the branch of the closest tree. "No can do Cupcake. All's fair in a snowball fight!"
"Jack, it's supposed to be all fair in love and war," Monty corrected.
"Nah, I like my phrase better." Jack threw more snow at them, causing Cupcake to squeal.
He backflipped off the branch, landing on the ground. Before he could run away, the Burgess gang launched so many snowballs at him that a mini cloud of snow blinded them all.
Soon the cloud cleared, revealing everyone lying down on the white powdered ground, covered in snowflakes.
"Tired," Sophie groaned, "I wanna go home."
Jamie stood up and helped his younger sibling get up. "Monty, Pippa, what time is it?"
Monty checked his watch. "What?"
"Woah, what's wrong Monty?" Caleb asked.
"It's already 4:50!"
"What? Already?"
Claude cringed, remembering something. "Caleb, Mom told us to return by 5:00 or we'll get double chores."
"Seriously, you just thought of telling me that?"
Jack shrugged, not really understanding the issue. "Well, there's still time."
"The park's a good mile away though," Monty pointed out, "It'd take at least fifteen minutes to get back, and they don't even have sleds."
"Why not I take you guys through the wind?" Jack offered, "It's not that hard for Wind to carry a few kids."
Pippa blinked in confusion. "Aren't people going to freak out over a group of flying kids?"
"I'll just take you high enough that nobody can see you. It'll be fine!"
Claude raised a hand up. "Uhhhh, I'm afraid of heights."
"Well too bad, you should've told me about the curfew earlier," Caleb shot back before nodding his head to Jack, "We can go on a flight!"
"Oh could we join too?" Jamie asked, struggling with his sister who was about to fall asleep, "Soph is about to take a nap, and I can't carry her."
Jack shrugged. "It should be fine. Although, I'm going to take Caleb and Claude back first before they get in trouble."
The twins were suddenly snatched up by Jack, and they soared through the sky, Claude yelling in fright. Fortunately for him, they arrived at their home in a heartbeat.
"Woah thanks, Jack." Caleb brushed off the snow on his jacket.
"Yeah!" Claude added, "Though, can you give a warning next time?"
Jack snickered. "We'll see! Just don't freak out after having a dose of fun like adults do, alright?"
"Okay! See ya later."
With that, Jack took off and went back to where he left the other children. "Now, who else is ready for a ride?"
"Woah, that was pretty fast," Monty commented.
Jack shrugged. "It's the wind, what else would you expect?"
"Um Jack, can you help me?" Jamie called out as he struggled to keep Sophie upright.
"Sure thing, Kiddo." The teen quickly picked up Sophie and cradled her in his arms. "I will say, I'm not sure if I can help the others get back." He waved his staff in a tight swoosh. "I can't exactly summon an ice trail with my staff."
"That's okay, we'll just walk back," Pippa reassured, Cupcake nodding in agreement.
Monty fidgeted the straps of his sled as he picked it up. "Y-yeah, Jamie should go home before Sophie falls asleep."
"Hop on my back then, Jamie." Once he did so, Jack turned his head and looked at him. "You ready?"
"Yep!"
Jack launched off into the sky again, but this time he went slower. Unlike with the twins, he wasn't holding onto Jamie at all, and he didn't want the kid to fall off. Finding an isolated place, Jack landed safely, not even jostling Sophie as he did so.
"Do you think you can carry Sophie back?" Jack questioned.
"Yeah sure." Once he successfully got his sister, Jamie whispered as they began to walk to his home, "Thanks for the snow day, Jack."
Jack raised both his hands up, smiling. "Eh, it's what I do best." He later tilted his head towards the house when he noticed Mrs. Bennett standing outside. She must've noticed the kids, even though they were at least a block away. "Now, your mom is probably dying to see you."
"Snow day?" Sophie randomly piped up, shifting her head to look at Jack.
Jack beamed. "Sure thing Soph, check this Friday."
"Yay!" With that, Jamie ran back to his mom.
"Make sure you go slower!" Jack playfully shouted, and the brunette slowed down.
Before leaving, Jack noticed Jamie telling his mom about the upcoming snow day. She merely shook her head fondly before her brown eyes lingered on Jack's blue ones. She gave him a grateful grin, Jack only able to blink in confusion. When he glanced back, it was as if nothing happened.
Jack shook his head and shot off to his home, the pond where he rose from over three centuries ago.
With nothing better to do, Jack strengthened the ice on his pond as he spun in the wind. Once he deemed it safe, he landed on the frosted water, skating around in lavish circles.
Of course, he could go to the underground bunker he built so long ago, but he was honestly tired of being cooped up. Plus, he wanted to stay here, and it wasn't like anyone could tell him otherwise.
He picked up more speed before doing a quadruple axle, landing gracefully as if he'd practiced for hours. He continued his dance on the ice until he felt another immortal settling down on his territory.
Jack skidded to a stop, noticing a Japanese woman waiting for him at the edge of the pond. "Yuki! How's everything been?"
Yuki flicked away a strand of her black, thigh long hair and curtsied, her light blue kimono bobbing slightly. "The court has been alright Ou-sama. However, I am here to deliver a message from Mother Nature."
Jack sighed, hopping on the winds to go beside his friend. "What is it this time?"
"Well, Mother Nature wishes to call a meeting this Monday to discuss the Equinox." Jack opened his mouth to say something, but Yuki raised her hand to stop him. "Yes, I am aware of the Guardian meeting you have that day. I told Mother Nature, but she stated that this was an urgent meeting that you must attend."
The teen groaned, looking at the ground as he tapped his staff anxiously. "Is there any way to have it earlier? Bunny's already on my tail for missing the past two meetings this year."
She shook her head. "No, but perhaps it is time for them to know about your other role?"
Jack's head snapped back to Yuki, a flabbergasted look on his face. "And then what, have them kick me out?" His voice held a touch of hysteria as he continued, "How am I supposed to explain something like that? I can't just strut in and say that I've essentially been lying to them for the past two years!"
"I understand, but your duty under Mother Nature and the Winter Court is more important than Guardianship," the Japanese immortal reminded, pursing her thin lips, "Although, perhaps the Guardians shall be alright with knowing this, Ou-sama. With how joyful I have seen you lately, they seem to care about you and your whereabouts like we have."
Before Jack could refute the claim, they both heard the crackle of ice as a frosted trail formed out of thin air, heading towards the forest.
"What was that?"
Jack shrugged. "I have no idea, but it might be someone dangerous."
Just as the teen was about to take off after the frozen path, Yuki snatched him by his hood. "What makes you think we should follow it?"
He rolled his eyes. "Seriously? I don't know about you, but there's a town back there with a group of kids that can see me. I can't let some willy nilly spirit try and attack my home."
The female reluctantly let go, dropping the male gently. "Alright, but do not forget about me."
Jack grinned. "Of course not, Yukes."
With that, the two immortals took off, Yuki running beside Jack as he skated along the mysterious trail. The frosty teen launched himself off the ice once it stopped forming, whooping with thrill when the Wind caught him. However, whatever joy he felt died when he saw where they were.
More specifically, when he saw the broken bed frame beside them.
Immediately, Jack surveyed his surroundings in an attempt to find any other anomalies. However, all his eyes met were near barren trees, snow-speckled grass, and green shrubbery that managed to survive the colder temperatures.
"Is this not the Boogeyman's Lair?" Yuki questioned, using her foot to poke at one of the loose boards of the bed frame.
Jack pulled her back quickly, almost causing her to slip and fall. "Don't do that, you might fall in!" he chastised, "For all we know, the place might be even more awful than before now that it's resurfaced."
"I wouldn't call it awful per say."
Jack and Yuki snapped their attention to where the voice came from. In that very spot, a woman in a blood red dress materialized from the shadows, her black cloak trailing behind her in a wave of silk. The hood of her garment was down, revealing a set of red eyes and black curls that contrasted with her pale skin. Around her neck was a black choker, a skull charm radiating with magic dangling from the lace.
"Hello Jack, what a pleasure meeting you again," the newcomer smiled, flashing a set of sharp teeth under her pale lips.
The immortal in question growled, holding his staff out in a defensive manner. "Hel."
Hel, the Norse Goddess of Death, tilted her head. "Hmm, not as much of a warm welcome as I anticipated. Perhaps my accomplice might receive a better reaction?"
Oh cue, another goddess walked into the clearing and took her place beside Hel. The furry, black hem of her dark blue robe drifted along an invisible breeze with her long hair covering her clothing in a blanket of black.
Jack tensed, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. "You know, I'm not that surprised that you teamed up with her, Khione."
Khione met his wavering gaze, black eyes connecting with blue. "Is that so, Jackie?"
Yuki summoned her weapon, the glint of her longsword catching everyone's eye. "Ou-sama, get your wakizashis."
Jack side-eyed his friend and gulped. "I dunno, I never tried to call it without—"
"Try to. We do not have the time."
Jack closed his eyes, scrunching his face in concentration as he tried to summon his own set of weapons. Unbeknownst to him, his enemies waited as an ice wakizashi slowly materialized into his unoccupied right hand.
Panting, the teen instantly braced for a fight, tightening his grip on his staff and sword, barely able to destroy the burst of shadows that attacked him. The Wind attempted to pick him up, but Khione immediately pushed him back with her own gale. As such, Jack allowed his friend to carry him towards Yuki so that the two of them were back. The duo braced for an attack as a ring of darkness surrounded them, immediately slashing away when it decided to pounce.
Jack paused when his wakizashi stabbed through the stomach of a human-like shadow. Even so, he deflected a blast of ice from Khione with his staff, still staring at the swirling irises of the creature in horror.
"Oh, you've never seen a fearling in its full glory, Jack?" Hel called out with a smirk, dodging an attack from Yuki, "They're corrupted souls, just like your precious Blaze."
Jack flinched at the name, instantly waking up from his stupor. Taking the blade out, the teen impaled another fearling as he twisted away from one of Khione's blasts. This time, he sent his own ice towards the snow goddess, effectively pinning her to a tree.
Just as he was about to slaughter the rest of the creatures, Jack froze when he heard Yuki yelp.
Turning around, he saw Hel holding his partner up in a tangle of shadows, a dagger at her throat. He distantly noticed Khione breaking out of his frost, recoiling back when he felt her icy touch on his arm.
"So, the great Jack Frost lost because of a little Yuki Onna," Khione purred against his ear.
Jack wanted so badly to flip her onto the ground, but he was afraid of what would happen to Yuki if he did. "Oh shut up, Snær Bikkja*," he snarled instead.
His attempt at being intimidating only backfired when all he earned was a laugh. "A Snow Bitch, huh? Did my oh so dear husband teach you that insult?"
"You always want a deal, don't you Hel?" Jack said, bluntly ignoring the woman behind him, "What is it that you want this time?"
"Well, there are a plethora of things I would like," Hel drawled, running the tip of her dagger against Yuki's skin, "Control over Pitch again, the return of my husband, world domination. Of course, you can't offer me any of that, now can you?"
"Just cut to the chase," Jack huffed, body stiffening when Khione grasped his other arm and pulled both of them back.
He just hoped those hands didn't wander any further.
"Ah, you want to go straight to the point I see." Hel gave a cold smile and tilted Yuki's head subtly. "Although, I'm surprised you haven't figured it out already."
The gears in Jack's head turned as he tried to think, quickly realizing what the goddess was hinting at.
"You want me, don't you?" The frosty teen looked straight at the death goddess in a show of defiance, internally quaking in fear. After all, two women from his worst nightmares had him and one of his closest companions at their mercy.
"Correct."
Jack nodded sharply. "Alright, but can I ask why?"
Hel peered at Khione, their gazes meeting, before she responded, "There are quite a few reasons, some of which you already are aware of." The goddess glanced at the bed frame that was still there. "However, I couldn't help but notice that my Pitch was scathed by the Guardians a few years back." She grinned when she saw the dawning horror on Jack's face. "Sources say you joined their ranks within that time period?"
"You want me to pay for all the harm I did to Pitch." Jack gulped when all he received was Hel's daunting look.
"Ou-sama, don't make the—"
Hel stuffed a shadow in Yuki's mouth, cutting her off. "Apologies, I almost forgot she was here. Now, where were we?" The goddess feigned a look of contemplation before her eyes glinted cruelly. "Ah yes, the deal. Jack, are you willing to sacrifice yourself so that your friend may live another day?"
"Yes." There was no hesitation, even though he was terrified of what was going to happen.
Hel merely hummed as if she knew that would be his answer. "In that case, I shall let her go if you surrender yourself to us."
Jack peered at Yuki who was vehemently shaking her head.. Despite that, he agreed, "Alright, but on two conditions."
"What are these conditions?" Hel questioned.
"For one, you'll let Yuki go first." When the goddess didn't automatically accept, the frosty teen tilted his head towards Khione. "You already have me in your clutches, so it's not like I can get away easily. Plus, I don't believe your word, and I'd rather not invoke an Oath."
When he saw Hel agree to that, Jack continued, "The second condition is that Yuki takes my weapons."
His enemy shook her head at that. "That would interfere with my plans for you. However, I suppose the Yuki Onna can take your wakizashi. I only require your staff after all."
Jack frowned. What was she planning to do with his staff? Even so, he relented, knowing he was at their mercy, "That's fine with me. In that case, I surrender myself to you."
Triumphant, Hel unhanded Yuki, who was glaring at Jack. The frosty teen merely spun his wakizashi around, which was a difficult feat considering Khione still held him by his elbows, but he managed to give the hilt to his friend nonetheless.
At least, he was trying to give the hilt to her.
"Yuki, please take it," Jack sighed when she refused to step forward, "I already gave myself up. The least you can do is keep my swords safe."
"I cannot accept you being taken away again," Yuki protested.
Khione chuckled, Jack feeling a huff of air on his neck as she did so. "As if you have a choice. He's already ours, whether you accept it or not. Since she refuses to comply, perhaps we should take it with us?"
Jack shook his head. "No, I'll get her to. Maybe if you let me go for a second, I can talk to her?"
Just as Khione was about to disagree, Hel shook her head. Reluctantly, the snow goddess parted from the frosty teen, stepping back and crossing her arms. Of course, Jack wasn't truly free as he felt a tendril snake up the arm with his staff.
Still, he took the opportunity to go towards Yuki. When they were close enough, he whispered in Japanese, "I need you to prepare an attack. If you stay, nobody will know something is wrong."
Yuki pursed her lips before replying back in her mother tongue, "I still say this is a terrible plan, Ou-sama. Who knows what she is capable of this time?"
"I know, but there is nothing else I can think of." He looked around and relaxed when he saw that the others in the field didn't seem to overhear or understand what he was saying. "Please, just take this. I don't want to lose something else because of her."
Even with the conflict within her light blue eyes, Yuki took the weapon and swiftly ran off. Jack sighed; though, his relief didn't last long for he was yanked back into Hel's grasp. He gasped, a trickle of sand landing on his head, breath quickening as his vision started fading.
"I hope you understand that I must use some nightmare sand to knock you out."
He growled in response, fighting against the sand with all his might. However, he eventually succumbed to its effects, the darkness consuming him.