Nina opened her eyes and found herself in the middle of a forest. Though she felt conscious, she knew something wasn't quite right.
As she began wandering around the woods, she realized she wasn't truly awake. The last thing she remembered was laying in the hospital, being prepared for her surgery. This had to be a dream; she wasn't in any pain, and she was walking around with ease in an unfamiliar setting. This place didn't look like anywhere she had been before, and she had traveled all over the world.
Suddenly, a tall man with a white moustache and a long beard appeared by Nina. He wore a cream-colored robe and a crown that had antlers and a blue gem in the middle. "Do not be afraid," he said in a deep and gentle voice.
"Where am I? I was just in the hospital," Nina asked, on her guard. "Who are you?"
"I am the Great Ak," the man replied. "I am the Master Woodsman and a leader of the Council of Immortals. We have brought you here to the Forest of Burzee, more or less."
"More or less?"
"Your consciousness is here, though your body is far away."
Thinking that this was no stranger than meeting Santa Claus and the Miser brothers, Nina relaxed a bit and held out her hand, respectfully. "It's nice to meet you, sir. I am-"
"Nina Alvar. Yes, I know a great deal about you. You are in love with an Immortal," he said.
Nina immediately thought of Snow Miser back at the hospital. "Yes. Snow Miser means the world to me. I'm so worried about him."
"Why? You are the one whose life is in peril."
"I know, but...You said you know a lot about me, so I assume you must also know about what happened."
"I do. We have been watching you, closely, and have seen your relationship develop with the one who controls winter."
"You've been watching us?" Nina asked, uneasily.
"We see all," he replied, "especially things pertaining to other Immortals."
As strange as this sounded, Nina stayed calm. She drew a sharp breath. "I can't bear to think about what will happen to him if I die now. I don't believe he will recover easily. I'm doing everything I can to fight for my life. I wish we had more time."
"What would you do with more time?" The Great Ak sat on a log and motioned for her to sit by him.
Nina sat down, beginning to feel more at ease in his presence. "I know you expect me to say that I'll do great things or that I'll save the world, but the truth is, I have no idea what I'd do. You see, I just made peace with some things from my past, and I don't really know what my future holds, if I even have one. I've been trying to find my own way, and even though there are a couple of things I'm certain of, I'm still pretty lost."
He nodded. "You have an honest heart, one that is rare to find amongst humans. I do not need to tell you of the evils and sorrows of the world."
"No, you do not, sir. I have seen and been through many things. I'm not perfect, but I do my best."
"We have deemed you worthy of being granted immortality. The Council is giving you the opportunity for you to become immortal, but only if you so choose."
Nina was slightly stunned by the proposition. Immediately, she thought of all the possibilities and how much easier living forever would make certain aspects of her life. However, one thing stuck out in her own mind. "That's a very generous offer, and as much as I'd like to accept, I'm not really worthy of such a gift. I bet there are a lot more people who have done greater things than I have and who have a clear path laid ahead of them."
The Great Ak seemed surprised by her statement. "Those who would deem themselves unworthy are usually the ones most deserving," he stated. "You are being offered a gift that very few ever receive. It matters not if you have a plan for your future, as plans can change. If you accept the gift, it is up to you how you would use it. The givers would not see it as a waste."
"Why me, specifically, though?"
He paused. "I have seen what will happen if your life ends. The world would be in great peril."
Nina looked straight ahead at the beautiful surroundings, focusing on a flower. What he said didn't surprise her, but she still needed time to process it. Then, she looked up at the Great Ak. "I'm dying, aren't I?" she asked, solemnly.
"Yes. This is why I have come to you now. What is your choice?"
Nina sighed, heavily. "I can't leave Snow Miser. I love him more than anything in the universe, and there are so many things I haven't done yet. I haven't even begun to live my life. I haven't had the chance to fulfill my wishes or help people or...or...be with my soulmate longer." With determination, she said, "I accept the gift."
"Give me your left hand."
Nina held out her hand, and he held it, chanting, "Ora e Sempre," followed by other words in Italian. Nina's body suddenly shone with a bright light, and she had to close her eyes until it died down.
When Nina opened her eyes, The Great Ak said, "It is done. You are now an Immortal."
Bewildered and in disbelief, Nina told him, nevertheless, "Thank you so much. I will do my best not to let any of you down. How can I repay you and the Council?"
"Use your time wisely, and continue to learn and grow and do your best."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"Perhaps someday. Now, go, awaken, and be with your beloved."
Nina woke up. This time, she saw that she was back in the hospital. She knew that she wasn't dreaming, now, since she felt some pain. Slowly turning her head, she saw Snow Miser sitting by the bed.
Snow Miser looked worse than death. His hair was a mess, and his face had a green tint as if he had gotten sick several times. He sat, hunched forward, his shoulders slouched.
Nina's expression immediately filled with pity and concern. "Snow?" Her voice was weak, but she managed to say his name.
Snow instantly looked up at her. His tired eyes lit up. "Nina! Nina, thank goodness you're awake!" He hugged her and kissed all over her face. "I was so scared! The doctor said they almost lost you several times!" He sobbed, holding onto her for dear life.
Nina hugged him the best she could. "My love, I'll be okay. I told you I'd do everything I could to stay with you."
Snow pulled away and held her hand. "I know you did." He laughed in relief through his tears. "You put up one heck of a fight. How are you feeling?"
"Sore," she replied, trying to sit up.
"Don't move; you need your rest," he said. "Want me to get Santa and Heat Miser? They're out in the waiting room."
Nina nodded, and Snow ran out of the room, energized by her awakened state. He soon returned with his brother and Santa, who both looked tired, as well, though they immediately became relieved once they saw Nina.
"How are you holding up, Nina?" Santa asked her.
"I feel like I've been run over by a train several times, but I think I'll make it through alright."
"You gave us quite a scare."
"I'm sorry I worried you guys."
"Okay, but don't do it again. You're on thin ice," Heat Miser joked, nudging Snow in the ribs.
Nina giggled. "I'll try not to. I have a tendency to get into trouble."
"Well, we'll all be here to help you get out of it whenever you need to," said Santa.
Nina relaxed, trying to get more comfortable in bed. "I had a weird dream while I was asleep during surgery. A man who called himself the Great Ak asked me if I wanted to be immortal, and I said yes."
The three men looked at each other, their eyes widening and their faces pale. "The Great Ak, you said?" Santa asked.
"Yes. We were in a place called the Forest of Burzee, and we had a conversation about my life. He said something about a Council thinking I deserved to be immortal. It's one of the strangest and most vivid dreams I've ever had."
There was a silence, then Santa said, "Nina, if you saw the Great Ak, then you weren't dreaming."
The expressions on their faces told Nina that Santa was telling the truth. She thought this over. "That means...I really am immortal."
"Like us," Heat stated, softly.
Snow Miser held Nina's hand. "And we're going to be together for a long, long time."
Nina smiled at him, then at Santa and Heat.
"Let's let her get some rest. She's been through quite an ordeal," Santa told the Miser brothers. Snow kissed Nina before leaving the room.
Once Nina was alone, she tried to get some sleep, but she had so much on her mind. She was still trying to process everything, but if what she thought happened had actually happened, then she would have plenty of time to think about it.