Fearlings were all around, flying and writhing in hoards, blotting out the moon with their darkness. FrostLight zoomed through the skies, gathering as many fearlings as he could with his glow and laughter.
He cursed under his breath when he had taken a peek at the mass that was following him. They were less than he remembered, which meant more would have gone after Katherine this time.
He looked up at the darkened sky, trying to spot any sign of the moon. He had sent his moonbeam friend back to the moon to call in reinforcements earlier before the chase had fully started.
He couldn't wait much longer. He had to go to the Lamadary now or risk Katherine and the other's safety. With a quiet curse under his breath, FrostLight flipped his direction and put on a burst of speed as he rushed to the Lamadary like an arrow flying true.
It didn't take him long to reach the magnificent structure of white marble, lapis, and many other gems. He knew the Lunar Lamas were talking with Ombric at this very moment, yet he did not stop his flight as he whizzed past them all, startling a few as he flew.
His target was one thing in particular. The Gong on which the fall of the Golden age was depicted as told by the Tsar himself. He had rushed right into the room where it was kept, his spear drawn back for a strike. With a great swing, the staff met the Gong, sending out a loud ringing that alerted the Holy men. Instantly they had all rushed in, Ombric following in toe. FrostLight perched on top of the still ringing Gong, his spear held high.
The Lunar Lamas were all gathering around, murmuring excitedly among themselves. They were about to start praising when the astral boy suddenly spoke.
"Ready your warriors! Fearlings gather at the base of the mountain!" The boy yelled. "Arm yourselves with stardust and head out! Time runs short for the child who hides from the shadows!"
To Ombric's great amazement, the Lunar Lamas had all started to switch gears. From whispering statues to men of action, they all rushed around, yelling commands and instructions and soon an entire armada of abominable snowmen appeared all carrying weapons made out of fallen stardust.
The old wizard watched the boy who leaped in the air, glowing brightly like a beacon. He wondered how- how did a boy like him get the holy men of the Lamadary to act when he, the greatest wizard at the time could not even get them even mildly concerned about the threat of the fearlings.
His eyes landed on the Gong the boy had struck and felt a sense of awe strike him. For there, on the glistening golden metal was a depiction of the final battle of the Golden age. And there on the far corner was the information he had been denied for the longest of time. The true reason for the battle's end.
The image was small, but so was every other image on the gong that described the tale of the golden age. But there he saw the image of a man and a woman, crouched down, their faces set in determination, surrounded by fearlings and nightmare men while opposite to them was the tall and imposing figure of Pitch Black.
But his face did not hold an ounce of triumph for streaking towards him was a boy in armour, a dagger held aloft. Ombric's eyes darted between the image and the spectral child that was hovering in the air above then back to the image. It was the very same boy. The old wizard hummed in intrigue before his musings were interrupted by the call of a horn. His gaze snapped towards the sky now where he saw a horde of fearlings spiral and swirl around them, dispersing only due to the light of the spectral child who charged in first. They were suddenly in a fierce battle against the fearlings that came down onto the Lamadary.
Ombric had rushed in to help, he could still cast spells as a spectre after all. But then the boy's words had dawned on him. A child was there. Katherine…
It didn't take them long to finish off the fearlings at the Lamadary and no sooner did the astral boy leap into the sky, dashing off towards where Ombric could assume Katherine was with North with the Lunar Lamas right behind on giant Snow Geese and instantly, he projected himself after them, hoping with all his heart that his dear friends were safe. It came to ombric as a surprise when the boy seemingly turned and leapt up into the clouds as the army rushed to the site of the coming battle.
Meanwhile, back in the cave, Katherine had been rudely awakened by a rough pull and the sound of a battle around her. "Get away!" She screamed, pushing and kicking to get away from the fearlings that had pulled her up.
Her eyes scanned the cave, finding the reindeers struggling against ropes of darkness while Sandy was encircled by an entire horde of the wispy wraith-like shadows, his back pressed up against the wall while his whips continued to crack at them.
"Get away from them!" Katherine had heard Pitch, the good Pitch, scream, however she could not see him with all the darkness.
She then watched in absolute horror as the figure of the Djinni came into view, a fearling picking up the doll of North while Katherine continued to struggle against the shadows that held her back.
"Little man," the voice was so eerily similar to Pitch's voice yet much darker and more sinister. More than the Boogeyman ever could be. "How useless you've become." The robotic head then turned to face Katherine who stiffened at its malevolent gaze. "We once had a fearling Prince slip out of our grasp, and now the host that has served us well has been corrupted and disobedient. All because of that annoying pest of a boy Guardian."
"Do not dare touch her!" There was a flash of movement in the shadows just as the fearlings holding her let go, dropping Katherine to the ground with a quiet "oof" before instantly searching for anything, anything she could use against the fearlings.
"But he is not here to protect you now." The Djinni laughed, hinges and joints groaning and creaking as it did so, stepping closer to Katherine. Katherine was scared. She was scared, so very scared, her fear only growing stronger the closer the metal man came towards her, making her scramble backwards, her limbs flailing as she did so to get away. Then her hands grazed the diamond dagger that had fallen from her grasp when she was pulled from her sleep.
Her trembling hands instantly gripped it. She was scared but she was determined to not go down without a fight. Her breathing was rapid as the darkness drew closer. Her eyes shut, she refused to let the tears slip.
She was terrified. Pitch was backed up against the corner, so was Sandy. The reindeers were restrained and unable to come to her help. North and Ombric were still dolls. And the boy of light wasn't there to keep her safe.
"But before I turn you into my fearling princess, I just must hear you scream. One. Last. Time..." With a wicked grin at the fearling holding North captive, he gave it a command. "Crush him."
The fearling instantly threw North to the hard, rocky floor where he laid in shattered pieces. The crack that sounded throughout the cave, sickening.
Instantly, Katherine dove forward, away from the surrounding fearlings as she hastily and carefully started picking up the pieces that was once Nicholas St. North. She would not scream. She wasn't going to give that demon the satisfaction of her screams. But she was still afraid.
—
But what if we fall?!
We won't.
How would you know?!
If I fall, I can fly. If you fall, I'll catch you. You have to believe in me!
—
You know about the Djinni?
I know many things. Like how you often stay up late to write your stories, or how the children sneak out at night to play with the bear!
And how would you know that?
I'm always keeping an eye out, Katherine. You just have to look up!
—
Thank you for catching me earlier…
It's what I do. I couldn't just let you get hurt!
Then will you keep me safe from other things too?
Of course!
—
I know you're scared right now but you're going to be alright… but you have to believe in me.
…promise?
On my soul.
—
Their brief conversations returned to her in a flash. The spectral boy had always been there for her. Always been there to keep her safe. He promised he would. He promised she would be safe. All she needed to do… was believe.
Ombric taught her- Ombric taught them all- that magic's real strength comes from belief. Anything was possible with belief. She had seen it happen with her own eyes after all. It had to work. It had to.
Instantly she darted to the back of the cave, holding North and the dagger close. In moments she was going to be turned into a fearling by whatever now possessed the Djinni.
"Oh, what a feisty fearling you'll be!" It cackled, stepping ever closer to the girl. A metallic hand reached out- the very same that she was dropped into by the spectral boy- cut through the air. Then they stopped. The Djinni did not move any closer. It stopped, as if turned off. "What is the meaning of this?!" The voice hissed. "This can not be!"
"Don't underestimate the young wizard!" Came the voice of Pitch, the nicer Pitch, as a stream of golden sand whipped at the fearlings surrounding Katherine, followed by the whinnying of horses as they came charging at the wraiths.
Pitch and Sandy were now pushing their limits against the fearlings, while still reduced in size, he still could change dream sand however only two nightmares could form. Yet, even as the fight raged on, they did not interfere with the Djinni.
Katherine did not waste time as she worked nimbly, placing each piece of North back together as she started to chant under her breath the very first spell she had learned from Ombric. "I believe, I believe, I believe. I believe you can be real again. I believe we will be safe. I believe…" With every word she spoke, the brighter and brighter the crystal in her hands shone.
"Very well, if we in this body can not turn you then our brethren fearlings will!" Fearlings gathered all around her, hovering like vultures. It was with a scream they charged at the girl who pulled the doll closer to her chest as she watched them approach, only to be burned away by a blinding light that enveloped her, coming from the dagger she held in her hands.
However, before she could even think about fighting back, a rumbling came from outside of the cave. At first she thought it to have been thunder, then it grew closer and louder. Then she realised it came from the ground and the sky like a mighty battle cry.
All eyes turned to face the entrance of the cave. The sky was brightening, dawn was upon them soon. The rumbling intensified and soon the entire cave began to shake. Outside they could hear the calls and wails of the fearlings and nightmare men.
Then, without warning, the entire top of the mountain had disappeared, blasted away into nothing more than rubble. Everyone had ducked to protect themselves on instinct only to realise they were safe.
They were exposed now. Outside in the open air. The sight was both spectacular and terrifying. It was epic, one could say. For all around, on every mountain peak and valley, on the ground and in the air were hordes upon hordes of fearlings and nightmare men. But all around and closing in was a wave of white, hairy, bear-like creatures armed to the teeth with weaponry that could fight against the shadows.
There was a loud clap of thunder that filled the air then light came rushing through the thick dark clouds as moonlight filtered through. And from the cloud rushed hundreds of thousands of moonbeams. Katherine's eyes widened in awe at the sight, her silver eyes glazing over with tears of relief when she saw who had led the army to them.
The spectral boy let out a fierce battle cry as the moonbeams raked the skies, felling any dark creature that flew with the aid of the giant Geese with men riding on them, shooting down the bigger fearlings as they glided over the battlefield.
There was a clatter of metal against metal that drew the attention of Katherine. The sight before her filled her with so much joy that her tears finally flowed. For in front of her now stood North in all his glory, clashing weapons against the Djinni.
"Dark and sinister imp!" North bellowed in cheerful sarcasm. "How annoying you've become!" He laughed, swinging one of his swords at the Djinni, sending it a few feet back.
They were clashing now at an inhuman speed, sparks flying all over as each snapped and taunted each other as they fought.
"How does it feel to have your own creation turned against you?!" The djinni sneered.
"What I made, I can destroy!" North countered with a cheerful smile.
"We've ended hundreds of planets! You're nothing but an inconvenience!" It hissed.
North laughed then stood still, his arms spread in a taunt. "Do your worst!" The djinni didn't move, observing the ex-Cossack with a quizzical look.
"What trickery is this?" It asked. "We can slice you in half before you even lift your sword!" But North only grinned wider, not moving from his position as he began to whistle with insulting ease.
Having enough, the Djinni roared and lunged forward, using all the might it could to strike, only for the metal arm to stop an eighth of an inch from the young man's brows. North laughed at this and turned slightly to look at the girl not too far from him as he gave a wink.
"It is drawing in chest," North stated slyly. "He can turn us into toys, but he can not harm us with his own hands. Your artwork is very special, Kathy!"
The Djinni roared in frustration as it tried to swing again but this time at the girl, who flinched and held up the diamond dagger in a fable attempt to block with her eyes shut tight. The sound of North's booming laugh made her peak out at the battle once again, this time she saw the Djinni sword only inches away from her but seemed to have gotten stuck.
Seeing this, the young girl broke a smile which turned into relieved giggles then full on laughter, the dagger in her hands glowing brighter and brighter. Then in a flash, the Djinni was gone with a loud crash.
There, on the ground, a good yard away was the figure of the Djinni, attempting to stand. Right in front of her stood the spectral boy, bouncing from foot to foot, also laughing while rolling his shoulders. "Hah! You fall like a vegetarian! Seriously! An entire metal suit and yet a scrawny boy, made out of literal light like me can send you flying!" He paused for a moment, turning his gaze over to the golden man with a black mass on his shoulder. "No offence."
"None taken." Pitch mumbled, crossing his arms.
With an angered sneer from the metal Djinni, the remaining fearlings all gathered and disappeared into the distance as the light of day started to break, followed closely by the Djinni in its flying form. It wasn't until after the fearlings were all gone did everyone sigh in relief. Dawn had finally broken through and any fearling would be a fool to step into the light that burned them away.