Gracie
Back at the academy, I sit alone in the darkness, trying once more to connect with Jack using my Soul Scrying power. The locket he gave me rests against my heart, radiating warmth and comfort.
Closing my eyes, I reach out into the void, searching for any flicker of his spirit. "Jack," I whisper. "Please, give me a sign."
At first, only silence answers. I focus all my energy, picturing Jack's face, remembering the sound of his voice. I channel my emotions into the locket, hoping our bond will transcend the barrier between us.
Minutes pass, my anxiety rising with each second. I'm about to give up when suddenly, like a candle flickering to life, I feel it - the faintest brush of his consciousness connecting with mine.
I gasp as the connection solidifies, my eyes flying open. The academy's darkness fades away, replaced by the warm, inviting glow of our Christmas cabin. The scent of pine and cinnamon envelops me, so vivid I can almost taste it on my tongue.
"Jack!" I exclaim, my heart racing. He's there, right across the table, looking as handsome and infuriating as ever. "I've been trying to reach you for days! Are you okay? Where are you? And why does it look like our Christmas cabin?"
A grin spreads across his face, and I fight the urge to both kiss him and smack him. "Well, hello to you too, Gracie. I see your talent for rapid-fire questioning hasn't diminished."
I roll my eyes, but can't quite suppress my smile. "Forgive me for being concerned when my boyfriend vanishes off the face of the earth."
"Boyfriend, huh? I thought I was your 'infuriatingly handsome study partner'?"
"Don't push it, Snow. I can still change my mind."
We share a laugh, and for a moment, it's like we're back in that perfect Christmas, just the two of us against the world. But the illusion shatters as Jack's expression turns serious.
"Gracie," he says, his tone sending a chill down my spine. "We're in trouble. Big trouble."
My smile fades. "What's happened?"
As Jack explains the situation, my emotions run wild. Shock at his uncle's betrayal. Anger at the Ancient Evil's audacity. And underneath it all, a fierce determination to set things right.
"So let me get this straight," I say when he finishes. "Your uncle's gone full ice villain, teamed up with the embodiment of evil itself, and they're planning to sacrifice Santa to plunge the world into eternal winter and darkness?"
"That about sums it up, yeah."
I crack my knuckles, a grin spreading across my face. "Well, looks like I picked the wrong week to give up chaos magic."
I lean forward, my mind racing. "Okay, we need a plan. But first, tell me everything you know about where they're keeping you."
Jack's brow furrows. "It's called the Temple of Shadows. Dark, creepy, probably Evil Lair 101 material. But I don't know exactly where—"
"Wait!" I interrupt, snapping my fingers. "The map! We visited Baba Yaga, and she gave us this ancient map that was supposed to lead us straight to you."
Jack's eyes light up, but I deflate just as quickly. "Problem is, the Ancient Evil stole it from us. We're back to square one."
A mischievous grin spreads across Jack's face. "Not necessarily. Don't you have that freaky photographic memory of yours?"
I blink, realization dawning. "Holy mistletoe, you're right! I can recreate the map!"
"That's my girl," Jack winks, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks.
"Okay, so I'll redraw the map, gather the gang, and we'll come bust you out. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy."
Jack's expression sobers. "It won't be easy, Gracie. The Temple's crawling with shadow creatures, and my uncle's ice powers are no joke."
I reach across the table, wishing I could actually touch him. "Hey, we've faced worse. Remember the Great Fruitcake Fiasco of '22?"
That gets a chuckle out of him. "Fair point. Just... be careful, okay? I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you."
"Aww, Jack Snow, you big softie," I tease, but my heart swells. "Don't worry, I'll bring the whole calvary. Baba Yaga's minions, my clumsiness, the works."
Suddenly, the edges of our cozy cabin start to blur and fade. Jack's image flickers like a candle in the wind.
"Gracie," he says urgently, "the connection's breaking. Remember, the Temple of Shadows. And watch out for—"
But before he can finish, he vanishes, leaving me alone in the darkness once more. My heart pounds as I open my eyes, back in the cold reality of the academy.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. "Hang on, Jack," I whisper, clutching the locket. "I'm coming for you."
* * *
I burst through the library doors, my heart racing with excitement. "I connected with Jack!" I yell, my voice echoing off the dusty shelves.
The room falls silent. Holli, Cristof, and the others freeze, their faces a mix of shock and hope.
Holli breaks the silence first. "What happened? Is he okay?"
I plop down at their table, scattering books and papers. "He's alive, but we've got a serious problem on our hands."
I launch into the story, my words tumbling out faster than a reindeer on Christmas Eve. I tell them about the Temple of Shadows, Jack Frost's betrayal, and the Ancient Evil's plan to sacrifice Santa.
"And get this," I add, leaning in conspiratorially, "they want to plunge the world into eternal winter and darkness. Talk about putting the 'ice' in 'crisis'!"
As I speak, Cristof's frown deepens. When I finish, he slams his fist on the table. "This is useless! We still have no way to find them!"
A grin spreads across my face. "Oh ye of little faith. I've got an idea that'll knock your stockings off."
I stand up, cracking my knuckles dramatically. "Time to put my photographic memory to good use."
Closing my eyes, I begin to chant:
"Memories locked, now set free,
Ancient map, appear for me.
Ink and parchment, come to life,
Guide us through this yuletide strife!"
A swirl of golden light dances from my fingertips, coalescing into a shimmering, translucent map hovering above the table.
Holli's eyes widen. "Holy sugarplums, Gracie! You actually did it!"
Cristof leans in, his earlier frustration forgotten. "The Temple of Shadows... it's in the Frozen Wastes of Never Never Land!"
I smirk, feeling pretty pleased with myself. "Not bad for a clumsy witch, huh?
My eyes continue scanning the shimmering map. The others crowd around, their faces illuminated by its golden glow.
"Well, this is about as useful as a chocolate teapot," Holli mutters, squinting at the parchment. "How are we supposed to navigate the Frozen Wastes with just a bunch of squiggly lines?"
Zelda pushes her way to the front, her green eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh ye of little faith. Stand back, amateurs, and watch a pro at work."
She cracks her knuckles, a wicked grin spreading across her face. Clearing her throat dramatically, she begins to chant:
"Map of mystery, secrets untold,
Reveal the dangers, both new and old.
Show us the path through ice and snow,
Guide us to where we need to go.
Frozen Wastes, your tales unfurl,
Let your secrets now uncurl!"
The air crackles with energy, and I feel the hairs on my arms stand on end. Suddenly, the map erupts in a dazzling display of color and light. 3D holographic images burst from its surface, filling the air around us with swirling snow and jagged ice formations.
"Holy reindeer droppings," I breathe, my eyes wide with wonder.
The ethereal voice of the map fills the room, describing our journey in vivid detail. "The path to the Temple of Shadows is treacherous," it intones. "First, you must cross the Glacier of Shattered Dreams, where the ice reflects your deepest fears."
A miniature glacier materializes before us, its surface a kaleidoscope of terrifying images.
"Then," the voice continues, "you'll face the Howling Winds of Despair, which will try to strip away your hope and turn you back."
Tiny figures of us appear, battling against a furious, violet-tinged gale.
Cristof frowns, his brow furrowed. "Well, that sounds delightful. Any other charming obstacles we should know about?"
The map obliges, conjuring up a field of glowing, crystalline structures. "Beware the Crystal Spires of Deception," it warns. "They will attempt to lure you off your path with false promises and illusions."
"Fantastic," Holli drawls. "A frozen wasteland that actively wants to kill us. Just how I wanted to spend my holiday break."
I can't help but grin, despite the gravity of the situation. "Come on, guys, where's your Christmas spirit? This is just like a festive obstacle course... with potentially deadly consequences."
Zelda snorts, her eyes still fixed on the swirling images. "Yeah, nothing says 'happy holidays' like mortal peril and psychological torture."
As the map continues its ominous narration, I feel a mix of excitement and fear bubbling up inside me.
I clap my hands together, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, team. Who's ready for a little winter wonderland adventure?"