Wow you guys it's been like two whole months since I updated :I It feels like I haven't written for ages (I haven't actually) so if this one feels different to normal... I'm gonna blame that lol

My technical difficulties are not fixed, but they've also become less frequent so I guess I'll just keep writing and if it plays up it plays up? Idk

Anyway hi again hope you enjoy this weird chapter :) It's kinda short but it's just an add-on to the previous one. I'll try to get another one out really soon to make up for the delay

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All Things End - Aftermath

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It had been a long time since Seraphina had visited the North Pole. The last time, if she was remembering correctly, had been to survey the state of the ice (and she hadn't liked what she'd seen; climate change was getting out of control, not that the humans with power seemed to care). Her last trip specifically to Nicholas St. North's Workshop was so long ago she couldn't even recall the details. And she was only here again now because her youngest couldn't seem to keep himself out of trouble.

The boy in question was easy enough to spot, buried up to his neck in the snow by the Workshop's door. Toothiana was crouched beside him, bundled up in a jacket that could only belong to North. She looked up at the sound of crunching snow, her expression shifting as she caught sight of Seraphina. But whether Mother Nature's presence lessened her anxiety or increased it was impossible to say.

"Seraphina," Toothiana sighed. It sounded like relief.

Seraphina offered her a small smile, before shifting her attention to Jack Frost. He was paler than death – a testament to the events that had caused his condition. Had he not been immortal, he would certainly be dead. Couldn't keep yourself out of trouble for one day, my silly boy.

"Can you help him?" Tooth asked softly as Seraphina kneeled down in the snow on Jack's other side.

"He'll live," Seraphina offered. "That much is a given. I can ease his sleep, and strengthen his magic, but the rest will be up to him." She pressed her hand against his forehead. She could sense his magic hard at work repairing the damage, and her own eagerly joined it.

"Death–"

"Is mistaken. And I should hope they will think twice before trying this again." Or they would be dealing with her personally. Like the Guardians, she could not harm them physically, but she didn't need to.

Tooth wrung her hands together, still visibly unsettled. "When Jack became a spirit, we know he… we know he died. But if Death was opposed to it, why did they wait until now? It's been hundreds of years."

Seraphina pushed herself back to her feet, and held out a hand to help Tooth do the same. "Are the other Guardians here?"

"They're inside. We've been taking it in turns to watch Jack."

They were likely worried that Death would take advantage of Jack's current weakness. Normally, perhaps they would. But these were special circumstances. "Come," she said.

"But, Jack–"

"If you are concerned, have one of the yetis relieve you."

It wasn't until Tooth saw a yeti standing vigil with her own eyes that she let Seraphina lead her inside. Together, they followed the sound of voices to the Globe Room, where they found the other three Guardians in the middle of a heated discussion. They fell silent as Seraphina and Tooth approached.

"Mother Nature," North greeted, surprised but welcoming.

Bunnymund, beside him, bowed slightly, and Sanderson offered a cheery wave. All three wore the same strained expression as Toothiana. It was nice to know that Jack was surrounded by people who cared so deeply for him, though the situation was rather unfortunate.

Seraphina held up a hand to stop any explanation North had been about to give, and took a seat on the end of the couch closest to the fire. "I already know what happened," she said. The news had travelled quickly, the Nightmare that had brought it hastened on by Jack's wind. She'd suspected for a while that Pitch Black had developed a soft spot for Jack. "Sit down."

The Guardians did as they were told, shoulders tense like they were expecting her to yell at them. She let them believe it for a moment longer.

"You can relax; Jack will be fine, in time," she began. The Guardians sagged in relief, and much of the tension in the room evaporated. "What happened today will not happen again. It has already gone on long enough."

"What do ya mean?" Bunny asked carefully. It was clear, though, that he had already drawn his own conclusions.

"Death has been after Jack's soul since the day he became a spirit, but they have rarely been as bold as they were today."

"Wait," Tooth cut in. "This has been going on for that long?! Why didn't he say anything?"

Sandy gave her arm a consoling pat, dreamsand swirling above him rapidly in a clear-enough message: Jack had never been much of an open book when it came to his past, or anything about himself, really. It was likely the result of isolation. Seraphina, despite being as busy as she always was, wished not for the first time that she'd paid more attention.

"Even if he had told you, there is little you could have done," Seraphina said. "Can I entrust Jack to your care while he recovers?" Normally she would relocate him to her meadow, but she had matters to attend to, and didn't trust the sprites to watch him.

"Of course," North agreed.

Seraphina stood, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress. "Then I will take my leave. I will come by again in a few weeks to check on him. Keep him outside; the direct contact with the snow will help lessen the burden on his body, and will give his magic a boost." She strode across the room to the door, pausing only once to look back at them and add, "Contact me immediately if there are any complications."

It would take several weeks, she knew, but Jack would be fine. And when he did wake up, it would be with his family by his side, just as it should have been all along.

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"You're not an easy one to track down," Seraphina remarked lightly, lounging in an uncomfortable plastic chair in the corner of the room. "You couldn't cater to stereotypes just once, and haunt a graveyard?"

Death turned their shadowed face in her direction, although she got the distinct impression that they were still far more focused on the unconscious human lying in the hospital bed than her. Seraphina had chosen this room to wait in specifically. It was certainly easier to find someone on the verge of death in such a place than to deal with the guilt-tripping she would no doubt have to endure if she instigated one herself.

'What purpose would I have in a place without life?'

The human's heart-rate monitor beeped rhythmically. It wouldn't for much longer.

"True enough, I suppose."

'What do you want?'

Seraphina surveyed the nightscape beyond the window. "To warn you."

The monitor began beeping erratically, the human's breath becoming more laboured. Death shifted their gaze. 'To warn me,' they repeated, amused.

"Jackson Overland no longer exists. Stop looking for him."

'Or?'

"There are powers greater than you."

Death glanced at her. The amusement hadn't faded, but she had their attention now. 'You would have me subdued? Despite knowing the costs?'

"Subdue you? No." Seraphina rose, and stepped forward until she stood side-on to them. "What do you think the cost of taking winter's shepherd is?" she asked. "Do you honestly think I would let you take what's mine? You cannot exist in a place without life, Thanatos, but I can."

She was life. She could destroy this planet until there was not a single living thing left on its surface, except those that Death could not touch. She could eradicate Death itself. And with a single touch she could restore it, could create a world where life was endless.

She could not harm Death physically – after all, you couldn't fight a concept – but she could destroy them, if pushed far enough. Death and Life went hand-in-hand, but she had never had any qualms about blurring the line. The threat was clear. And she was not known for bluffing.

"Check your list," she said. "Jack Frost is not on it."

The monitor flat-lined, its shrill beep like a siren. On the bed, the human opened their eyes. Death offered them a skeletal hand, and they drifted gently to their feet. Seraphina spared the now lifeless body one final glance as two nurses burst into the room. They would try, but there would be no saving this one.

Guest Review Responses:

Hanabi: Thank you! I mean for the most part spirits can die in some form, I think. Like the Guardians can fade out of existence if they lose belief, which is technically dying. But because it requires that condition, they're kinda immune to everything else? Other spirits without that safety net would probably be a case-by-case basis. Depending on where their magic came from etc etc In regards to the seasonals, I think really only Mother Nature would have the power to destroy them completely. Not that she would cause she's their mom and she loves them

Justme: Yeah even if you tick 'remember me' when you log in it still auto-logs you out after a while ^^' Thank you so much! I'm glad you've been enjoying it! Rain and Storm are probably not going to make any more appearances, sorry ^^' The seasonals are only in it as much as they are because of popular demand haha At the moment I think Jack probably would just see them as coworkers rather than friends or anything, but if they spent enough time together they'd probably get along. I love Baby Tooth. Unfortunately the requests slots are all full so I don't have the space to write a chapter solely about her, but I'll try an include her in one of the requests if I can!

Demi clayton: Thank you!