Hey guys! Hope you all are doing well and staying safe. Thank you all for the reviews and for reading. I love hearing from you and seeing how you guys are liking the story. One question I have, is anyone else getting annoying ads in the middle of the stories when you read them on the site? I have noticed that most I have been reading have ads that occur throughout the whole thing. Anyway, enough about that, here is the next chapter. Enjoy.

(The North Pole)

At the top of the world night had come and gone, though one could not tell since outside remained veiled in darkness. Here during the Winter season, the sun had not shone since October. However not everywhere was devoid of light. One area where humans rarely traversed the brilliant white snow was aglow with soft luminesce. The source gleaming from the thick paned windows of North's Workshop that had been built deep in an enormous glacier.

Within this fabled building everything had resumed from the day before, yetis once again going to their stations to continue the work from night shift's progress. Even the small elves had resumed their 'work' as they too scurried back and forth across the floor attending to their own 'projects'.

Far from the chaotic work area in one of the Pole's infirmary rooms its occupants were still sleeping. One was the storm spirit Ahio was still recovering from his run in with Jakren and his group. Though he looked peaceful, one could not help but notice the even darkening bruises and deep cuts that covered most of Ahio's face and limbs, and if one were to move back the blankets they would have found the same all over Ahio's body. A slight creak from the sling that held Ahio's broken leg above the bed woke the room's other occupant.

In the reclining chair at the bedside Faine jerked awake, his attention going instantly to Ahio. Immediate relief could be seen as the teen saw that the storm spirit had simply moved in his sleep and had not fallen like he had originally thought.

"Wonder if I should go get Ahio breakfast?" Faine yawned slightly, still feeling a bit tired since he and his friend had stayed awake nearly all night talking about their new homes and the Guardians that had taken them in, "I don't want him to think I left him alone though." The Dryad glanced at the storm spirit.

Ahio had fallen back into deeper sleep, the teen starting to snore.

Faine grinned, "I could probably go to the kitchen and be back before he even notices." The teen carefully got to his feet and tiptoed to the door. Once there the Dryad quietly opened it and stepped into the quiet hall.

After shutting the door behind him, Faine hurried down the corridor to the kitchen.

Once there he halted in the doorway, Faine's eyes widening at the sight of several yetis scrambling around making various breakfast items.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Faine's gaze went to his feet when all of them stopped to look at him, "I didn't mean to interrupt your cooking." He took a step back without looking up, "I…I can come back."

"Rarg."

Faine startled when a shadow was in front of him, in surprise he glanced up into the smiling face of one of the yetis.

"Rara rag." The yeti swung his massive arm towards the room, hoping to convey to the shy teen that he was welcome to join them.

"Thank you." Faine bowed slightly, even though he could not understand what had been said the creature's meaning had been clear. "I won't be long I promise." The teen quickly made his way over to the fridge.

"Let's see…." Faine studied the contents as he pondered exactly what to make for himself and Ahio to eat, "I think scrambled eggs would be perfect." he grabbed a white carton from a shelf.

Faine turned from the fridge to the counter that was beside the stove, after setting down the eggs he had grabbed the teen scanned the many cabinets trying to think of which would be the best to start looking for the utensils he needed.

"Rawra ra."

"Oh, thank you!" Faine smiled when the yeti from before pointed to the cupboard just on his left. The Dryad quickly opened it and grabbed a large bowl from within.

The room echoed with cracks as the teen broke open several eggs into the bowl

"Wonder if Bunny is up now." Faine thought as he stirred the bowl, "I should probably have left already." The teen watched as the yetis began streaming out of the room, heading to the main work area, "I hope that Bunny isn't mad that I've stayed this long." he winced slightly at the thought that the Guardian might be angry with him, "I'll leave right after we eat."

Faine spent the next few minutes finishing up the breakfast for him and Ahio. Once it was done the teen grabbed a large tray and placed everything on it and hurried back into the hall.

Once in the corridor Faine started towards the infirmary room, after only a few moments the teen arrived back at the room he had left Ahio. Quietly he opened the door, not wanting to startle the storm spirit should Ahio still be asleep.

Loud snoring told Faine he had been right in that assumption.

"Man, I hate to wake him." Faine thought as he placed the large tray on the table that was beside the bed, "I know he needs as much sleep as he can get." The Dryad glanced at his friend, wincing slightly at the still prevalent bruises that covered Ahio's body, "It will help him heal faster."

As Faine warred within whether to wake the storm spirit up, Ahio suddenly made the decision for him.

"Don't!"

Faine nearly jumped out of his skin when simultaneous with his scream Ahio sat upright, his eyes wide with terror, "Ahio! You're safe" Faine quickly placed a hand on the storm spirit's shoulder, "Calm down before you undo any healing that leg has done!" the Dryad glanced at the sling that held Ahio's casted leg, the contraption swinging wildly from the sudden movement.

"F…Faine?" Ahio's grey colored eyes blinked slowly as if he were trying to regain his bearings, the storm spirit went still as he realized that it was just his friend.

"Yeah, its me." Faine offered his friend a smile, "You're at the North Pole Ahio remember?"

"I know that." Ahio exhaled slightly, the teen obviously trying to calm himself.

"Were you having a nightmare?" Faine felt his friend tense again, the storm spirit's gaze shifting from looking at him.

"Hey, is that for me?" Ahio quickly changed the subject when he caught sight of the tray of food.

Faine decided to let it go, if his friend did not want to talk about his obvious bad dream, he was not going to force it.

To Ahio Faine offered a smile, "Of course."

"How'd you know I love scrambled eggs?" Ahio grinned as he adjusted himself so that he was sitting up better.

"I didn't." Faine laughed as he placed the tray over Ahio's lap, "I just made what I thought you'd like."

"At least you didn't try to feed me bark or something else that Dryads eat." The storm spirit jested as he began eating.

"Dryads don't eat bark." Faine pouted as he grabbed his plate from the tray, "We absorb energy from it."

"Really?" Ahio glanced at his friend, "Can you absorb energy from any plant?"

Faine nodded, quickly swallowing "Yeah, but the plant has to still be alive."

"So, no plants that North owns would work huh?" Ahio laughed as he thought about all the poor potted plants that were rather brown sitting around the Workshop.

"Not at all." Faine chuckled, "Though I might be able to encourage some life into some of them…" the Dryad grew excited at the thought of maybe helping out North.

"Don't bother Faine." Ahio grinned, "It's a hopeless cause."

Faine started to retort when a sudden burst of orange broke through the darkness outside the window, "What in the world…"

"Faine?" Ahio watched as the Dryad got up and went to the window, "What is it?"

"I'm not sure?" Faine stared out into the blackness, searching for whatever could have caused what he had seen. When nothing met his gaze Faine shrugged, "I guess nothing."

Just as the teen was about to turn another explosion of orange pierced the dark, this time followed by a piercing shriek.

"That didn't sound like nothing." Ahio set his fork down on his tray, "What's out there?"

"I can't tell..." Faine squinted as he stared into the blackness trying to make out what or who had screamed, movement drew his attention, "Nyx?" the Dryad stared in disbelief as the Ale demon exited from the glow of the Pole's lights and disappear into the cold night "Ahio, I have to go after her! She can't be out there! Demons can't be in the cold for too long!"

"Neither can you Faine!" Ahio filled with panic, "Just go tell North!"

"No time!" Faine rushed from the window to the door, "I'll be fine!"

"Wait, Faine!"

Ahio's yell went unheeded as Faine raced down the hall the teen bent on catching up to Nyx before she went too far.

(Burgess, the Bennett home)

Miles away from the situation unfolding at the top of the world things had quieted down for those within the Bennett house.

Upstairs Chand lay out cold, the ancient spirit still recovering from his hard-fought battle against his younger brother. At his bedside sat Abyss, the Void Keeper's head nodding as he tried desperately to stay awake in case the man before him woke.

Downstairs in the Livingroom unlike his father Jack had already woken up and was currently laying on his back staring up at the ceiling.

"Stupid Pitch." Jack grumbled as he placed his arms behind his head, "When I see him again, he's getting a snowball to the face." A sigh escaped the teen, "Though I got to admit if he hadn't used the Dream Sand on me, I probably wouldn't have slept at all."

A creak resounded as Jack sat up, "Plus, it's a good thing that I didn't go with them to Tooth's place." a grunt escaped the winter spirit as he stretched his arms upwards, "Since I'd have had to explain why I needed to get back here by the afternoon."

"What's going on this afternoon?"

"Ummmm…" Jack sweat dropped as Jamie (who had just woken up himself and had come downstairs) walked into the room

Thankfully the winter spirit was saved by what sounded like a tornado coming down the stairs, complete with its own siren.

"Sophie, you should still be asleep." Jamie scolded the little girl as she came to a stop on the bottom step.

"Silly Jammy!" Sophie grinned, her green eyes sparkling, "The suns awake so we should be awake!" a laugh escaped her as she jumped from the step to the floor.

"You can't argue with that logic Jamie." Jack chuckled as his little sister raced around the room.

Jamie grinned as he watched Sophie make one more lap around the Livingroom and then rush back upstairs, "I guess not." The boy glanced around as he made his way to the armchair, "So where's Pitch and Darkness?"

"Oh, sandy britches decided to take Darkness to see Tooth." Jack huffed as he pulled his legs up in a crossed position, "He thinks maybe she can help since she's the expert on memories."

"Why didn't you go?" Jamie grinned at the pouting look that came to his brother's face, "I take it Pitch said no."

"In his own sweet way." Jack huffed as he crossed his arms, "He knocked me out with Dream Sand!"

Jamie laughed as he sat down, "Pitch probably had a good reason."

"Doesn't give him the right to go around knocking people out." Jack placed a hand to his chest, "Besides Jamie, you're supposed to be on my side."

"Sorry." Jamie put on a horrified look "I can't believe our brother would do that!" Jamie gave the winter spirit a look of sympathy, "Would a bowl of ice-cream make everything better?"

Jack grinned at his younger brother's dramatics, "Thank you, that would make me feel better."

"Ice-cream is not a breakfast food you two."

Both boys glanced at the stairs where Rashana was now coming down, Sophie in her arms.

"Sophie! Why did you wake mom up?" Jamie exhaled in frustration, he glanced at Rashana, "I'm sorry mom I should have kept her down here."

"It's ok Jamie, I was already awake heading down when she came up the stairs." Rashana smiled as she carefully set Sophie down, "Sophie you want to watch cartoons while I make us breakfast?"

"Yes!" Sophie bounced around her mother, she paused suddenly "Can we have fence toast?"

Rashana laughed, "Of course."

"Yay! Fence toast, fence toast, fence to…"

"I take it she likes French toast." Jack laughed as Sophie's chanting trailed off as she ran into the Livingroom to turn on her cartoons.

"Oh, that would be an understatement." Rashana chuckled, "Sophie would eat it for every meal if I let her."

"I don't see what's wrong wi…" Jack stopped mid word when his mother turned to go into the kitchen.

Rashana's regal wings were a tattered mess, three of the appendages were bent at unnatural angles as if the wings were writhing in agony. The fourth was nothing but bone, tendons and sinew exposed due to there being no feathers nor skin covering it.

"Oh gods…" Jack's voice was a bare whisper; however, it was enough to cause Rashana to pause.

"What's wrong Jack?"

Jack felt his stomach drop as several white feathers withered into dust when Rashana turned around to look at him.

"Mom…your wings…" Jamie's voice trembled as he beat Jack in responding

Rashana was a bit confused as to why her sons were so upset. Then her face clouded with understanding, "Its already happening…"

Jack could see pain in his mother's eyes as she turned again and started into the kitchen, "What's happening?" the winter spirit jumped up and hurried after her, Jamie close behind.

"Boys, I will not lie to you." Rashana's voice hitched slightly, "My essence is disintegrating."

"What! Why!" Jack paused at the doorway as his mother continued to the fridge.

"It is a natural deterioration that happens every time Chand revives my soul." Rashana sighed as she opened the appliance and began pulling out things she needed, "Though it is happening a lot faster this time than last."

Jack winced when one of her wings contorted, sending a sickening crack in the air, "Is…is there nothing that can be done?" the winter spirit's heart was breaking at the pain he knew his mother must be feeling.

"Yeah mom, can't Sophie heal you like she did with Darkness?" Jamie whimpered slightly as he pulled out a chair and sat at the table.

"If only it were that simple..." Rashana smiled at him, "But I am afraid that Sophie's power will not work on me."

"But…why?"

Jack was wondering the same thing as he joined his brother at the table.

"Sophie's power is directly connected to my own." Rashana sighed as she grabbed a bowl and began cracking eggs into it, "Therefor it cannot be used on me."

"That's not fair…" Jamie whimpered as he watched more white feathers wither to dust.

"I know dear." Rashana stopped for a moment to look at them, "Please do not worry about me sweeties." Her sapphire eyes reflected a soft calm, "I will be fine. The process of losing my wings hurts but for a fleeting moment." Her expression turned stoic, "However, it is worth it to be able to stay with my family for a bit longer."

Jack frowned, he started to ask her what she meant when Rashana held up a hand

"No more questions." Rashana smiled as she turned again to her task, "Instead let us focus on this day." She glanced over her shoulder, "What are your plans for it?"

"After breakfast I am going to find the gang and tell them all about what's been going on." Jamie beamed with excitement, "They are going to freak out!"

A chuckle escaped Rashana as she grabbed a large griddle and placed it on the counter, "Just remember that none of your friends will be able to see your Uncle if you decide to tell them about him." She shook her head as she turned on the appliance, "Abyss's role has long been forgotten by the mortals of this world."

Jamie grinned as his mother cracked several eggs into a large bowl and began mixing them, "I'll just help them see Uncle Abyss like I did with Sam."

Rashana whipped around nearly knocking the bowl from the counter, her eyes full of fear, "Jamie, you did what!"

"I…I helped my friends see Sam a few weeks ago when we were hanging out." Jamie shrunk down, not sure why his mom was so upset, "I...they weren't able to and it was upsetting Sam so much…and I…I didn't mean to!" the boys voice trembled, "It just happened! They couldn't see him, and I put my hand on Sam's shoulder, then my arm felt all tingly, then they could see him, and then this weird moon shape mark appeared on my palm!" hazel eyes rimed with tears as Jamie took a breath, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean…"

The boy's apology was cut short by Rashana who had left her task and embraced him in her arms.

"Shhh sweetie there is no need to apologize." Rashana's voice was gentle as she stroked her son's hair, "I am the one that needs to for shouting." Her sapphire eyes gleamed as she carefully pushed him back, "I am so sorry if I made you think you had done something wrong. Your news just…surprised me that's all."

"It's ok mom." Jamie smiled as she wiped the few tears that had fallen.

Rashana brushed some hair from his face, "You must have been so confused and upset this whole

"Well I talked with Pitch about it and I felt a lot better after." The boy glanced down, "Though I should have told you about what happened too mom." Jamie's expression turned sheepish, "But I didn't have the chance and then with everything that's happened since…"

"It's understandable Jamie." Rashana smiled at her youngest son, an inhale of breath brought her gaze to her other son, "Jack?"

Both glanced at the winter spirit who was staring at Jamie with wide eyes

"Jack, are…are you ok?" Jamie was a bit worried by look of shock on his brother's face. A thought suddenly sprang up in his mind, "Oh no! Jack must be upset that I didn't help other's see him!" the boy couldn't stand to think that the winter spirit would in any way be angry with him "Jack please, I'm so sorry! I didn't know I could…"

"What are you apologizing for?" Jack's face lite up with excitement, "You helped Sam in a big way! Poor guy needs some believers if he's ever going to gain his strength back." The winter spirit grinned, "I'm just glad you were able to help him. Though…" the teen smirked, "I wish I could have been there when you told Pitch. I bet he freaked out!"

"No kidding." Jamie laughed as he recalled the conversation with his older brother, "Pitch was ready to rip someone limb from limb."

Rashana raised an eyebrow, "That seems a bit extreme even for Pritchard. I would have thought he would be at least a little bit happy that Sam had been helped."

"Oh, he wasn't upset about me helping Sam at all!" Jamie waved his hands, "He was upset about the mark, he thought someone had hurt me."

"Oh, your mark has already appeared?" Rashana's face lite up "Jamie, dear, may I see it?"

"Sure." Jamie eagerly held his left palm upwards, glad that his mother wasn't upset about it.

After just a few moments the silvery crescent moon that was etched upon his skin slowly became visible, now seeming to gleam as the lights of the kitchen hit it.

"It doesn't hurt." Jamie spoke quickly when he heard Jack inhale sharply, "Pitch had a similar mark and he just thought that it happened because I had helped Sam."

"Pritchard was correct in that assumption Jamie." Rashana's eyes gleamed slightly as she tapped her temple, "But there is much more to those marks than just to signal the manifestation of your abilities."

"What do these marks mean mom?" Jack spoke up suddenly, the winter spirit's voice trembling slightly.

"Chand explained to me that they are a sign of your inheritance."

Jack frowned, "How?"

"From what I understand." Rashana moved back towards the counter so she could continue cooking, "When Chand came to live at Chandrakumar with me, the Palace's soothsayer sought him out."

Both Jack and Jamie were leaning forward, listening intently

"Her name was Nigh, and she requested to speak with your father alone." Rashana paused as she laid several pieces of bread within the bowl of egg mix.

"What did she want?" Jack's voice was low, the winter spirit on the edge of his seat

"After they had spoken, I asked Chand what had been discussed. He told me that she had wanted to talk about something the Universe had given him as an inheritance." A loud crackling sounded as Rashana dropped the now soaked pieces of bread onto the griddle, "Nigh told Chand that his bloodline would be given the Chanuar."

"Chanuar?" Jamie frowned at the foreign word.

"That is what Nigh called the marks." Rashana spoke as she flipped the bread, "Chand said that they symbolize the emergence of a person's power."

"I wonder what all the Guardians marks look like." Jamie grew excited at the thought, "I bet they look really cool."

"Sorry Jamie." Rashana chuckled at her son's excitement, "The Chanuar is special to your father's bloodline." she carefully removed the bread from the skillet to a large plate, "Nigh told him that only offspring born from him would inherit the Chanuar. That they were his children's birthright and that they would symbolize for all the Universe that you belong to his family."

"Wow that's so co…"

"That's wrong!"

Both Jamie and Rashana startled when Jack leapt to his feet, the chair he had been sitting in crashing to the floor.

Bits of ice began spreading outwards from beneath the winter spirits feet as he slowly stepped back.

"It can't be right…" Jack's words seemed to more for himself as he brought his hands up so he was looking at his palms, "I just found a family!" blue eyes glanced at Jamie then Rashana, a broken sob escaped the winter spirit then he bolted from the room.

Please review and let me know what you guys thought of the chapter. I love hearing from you. I am so excited for what's coming I can barely contain myself ];) Till next time.