Chapter 36-Merging

Jack took a step back in order to be release from Elsa's touch. It was hard to watch him move despite for it being just a step, for he struggled with just that one. "No Snow Queen, there's no way we're doing a Merging," he said sternly.

"We have to Jack," Elsa argues while taking a step forward. "We can't beat Pitch in our current state, let alone all these Nightmares and Fearlings. They have the advantage in strength and numbers now."

"Look, we'll find another way to get through this battle; it's just—not by Merging."

Elsa smiled painfully. "I wish I can believe you Jack but there's no other option. Just a few seconds ago you even said that you and the others were ready to die fighting a lost battle. But I won't accept it—I won't accept your deaths like that!" Elsa once more cupped Jack's face with her hands, forcing him to look into her eyes. "Jack, in the Pact I promised to not only protect my people, and the kingdom of the Southern Isle: I also promised to protect you and the others, to see this war through, and to fight like I have never so before. If there is ever a time for me to keep my promises, to uphold my end of the Pact, it would be now. And the only way—the best way I can think of is to perform a Merging, with you."

Elsa assumed Jack couldn't get himself to move away. So instead, he just removed her hold on him and grips her upper arm as hard, yet settled as possible. It was as if he was trying convey all his reasons and feelings as to why he disproves of a Merging now. "Snow Queen, listen to me," Jack said through closed teeth. "Remember what North said; performing a Merging may give the human partner powers belonging to their counterpart Being, but there are consequences. There are not only the physical changes, but there are the chances that you may change who you are from the inside, you run the risk of being consume." Jack then loosen his grip after seeing that he was hurting Elsa. "Beside," he said with hope, "we don't even know how to perform a Merging."

"You don't, but I do," said Lukas as he takes a step forward. "I don't like the idea of doing a Merging under these circumstances either, but I agree with Elsa. We have no other choice."

"Lukas," Jack warns angrily, but the Prince ignored him.

"In the events if I ever get the chance to convince my brother to separate from Pitch, North taught me how the Merging is perform and done, and how to dissolve it."

Before Jack could say anything else, Merida suddenly appeared beside them out of breath. "J-ust—do it, Jack!"

"Where's Pitch Red?" Jack asks, looking around in a defensive position.

Merida had to cough a few times before being able to take in a breath to speak. "He—" she swallowed, "he got away from me…and he's making his way towards the Safe Camp. Pitch is going to combine his strength with his cronies to try to break through Blonde's wall of charms." Merida then brought up her hand and placed her thumb and middle fingers in her mouth, and whistled sharply. Angus answered with a cry before galloping towards his rider. "Just do it Jack, we have no more time to argue. I'll try to do what I can to buy you lambs some time to perform the Merging, but don't expect much."

Without every slowing or stopping, Angus continued to run at full speed. When the horse was nearing, Merida reached out, and with accuracy, grabbed Angus' reins and swung herself onto the saddle. And the two were gone once more.

This time, Elsa was the one who took a firm hold on Jack's arm. "Jack, please…" she begs. For the first since Elsa met Jack, she had never once seen him mad—or too mad at anyone, particular at herself. However now, to have his eyes glaring at her made Elsa sadder than anything at the moment. But she didn't turn her eyes away or soften her grip on him.

Jack growled as he rubbed the back of his head hard. So hard, that Elsa could hear the lines on Jack's fingertips causing friction against the hair and skin. "Fine," Jack said, "But we are dissolving the Merging once this fight is over."

"We'll talk about that later," said Elsa. Turning to Lukas suddenly, she asked him how the Merging is performed.

"I'll talk you though it," was Lukas' replied before swiftly taking out The Promise Book. Mirroring what he did the first time; Lukas took in a deep breath through his nose and then released it through his mouth. But this time, Lukas exhaled the air out slow, and it was glowering in moonshine. The air snaked around the book before settling onto its spine, in which Lukas stoked it gently. The book smoothly opened and particles of light, like fireflies, neither darting nor swarming, but floated up from the flipping pages.

As the particles began to spread around the group, Elsa started noticing how things were becoming quiet. Sounds of clashing metals, screams, shouts, and cries were fading away. What was most noticeable, were movements. It seemed as though everything was moving too slowly for the group. The drifting leaves and bending trees were moving slower than normal, until finally, everything just froze.

"Alright, now what?" Elsa asked Lukas. As she turns to face the Southern Prince, Elsa was alarm to find Jack was gone. "Jack?" she calls, while turning in every direction to find him. "Lukas where did Jack go?!"

"It is fine Elsa," Lukas answered calmly with a tranquil expression. "You'll see him in a second." Their surrounding began to quickly fade into darkness, leaving the pair with no other source of light other than the fireflies.

Soon the fireflies changed their luminous glow, from the guiding warm light of yellow, to that of diamond deep blue. Afterword and not a moment later, Jack reappeared twelve meters away from them. And just like in the Pact, he was within a ring containing the symbol of a snowflake. However this time, there were multiple other rings in circling Jack in the center. Four to be exact, making it five rings in total, including the centered ring.

Jack appeared to be asleep lying in an up-like position, as though he was popped-up in a chair. The black sands were still attached to him, less alive now. But despite so, Elsa thought how peaceful Jack's expression was; his body floating weightlessly as if he was under water lifted by currents.

When she approached the first ring to get to Jack, an invincible barrier stopped her from going any further. Elsa placed both her hands against the barrier, giving it a slight push but it didn't give way. "Lukas?" Elsa called, while taking a step away from the wall.

Lukas moved up to be beside her. "It's just like what North said," he began. "In order for a Merging to work, the human partner must possess something that makes them similar to their partnered Being. The four rings before you are Jack's Layers: the symbol, the centered ring, is Jack's center. In order for you to proceed forward, not only do you have to identify Jack's layers and or center. But you have to also relate to either ones, otherwise a Merging is impossible."

Elsa looked back and forth between the centered ring and the first. "But how am I supposed to identify them?"

"Remember what you saw and experienced during the Pact, use what you know about Jack. The Pact may serve the purpose of strengthening the partnered Being, but the Pact also secretly serves as a building block for the partnered human later on. The Pact forces Beings to share everything that makes them who they are. That way, if the partnered human wish to perform a Merging, they would already have something to help them identify the layers and center of their partner."

"In that case, I already know what his center is…fun." At the identification, Jack along with his symbol started to surge with several shades of blue. "But I don't relate to that all too well," Elsa voice quietly. She thought quickly, racing through memories of what she'd seen about Jack, what she felt and understand about him. But there were too many possible identities that could be his Layers. And with having to rush, Elsa could only recall strongly the memory of Jack and his sister skating on the thin ice. The most relatable thing the two shared was the love they have for their younger sister, and they would do anything for them. But even then, she could not pass through the first ring.

"Here," offered Lukas, seeing the panic and struggle Elsa was having. "Try talking about the memories out loud to me. I can try to give you some ideas for better insights." Elsa nodded, accepting Lukas' aid. "Right, tell me what's was your first impression of Jack."

"…That he was deviant, different from what stories and legends said of him."

"Anything else?" Lukas pressed.

"A jokester," Elsa began listing with a soft smile," a trickster, a clown, much like a jester…overall, mischievous." The first ring glow suddenly bright, startling Elsa.

"Good," Lukas exclaimed in encouragement. "Now, umm…what strikes you the most about Jack?"

Elsa placed a hand against the wall to see if it will allow her through this time, but she made no progress. "Well…most of the time he seems calm, almost like he doesn't care. And there are times I think he's having more fun than he should…He's so carefree—"

The second ring glowed, but not as brightly as the first or centered ring. The light emanating from it was only glimmering. It was as if the Layer was saying 'ah—so close, but there's something else missing.'

As if Lukas had read Elsa's thought, he quickly said to her, "It's alright Elsa; sometimes there is more than just one identity within a Layer. But keep going, tell me more…What was your last thought before I offered my help?"

Elsa made for another push but there was no avail. "I thought about Jack and his sister."

"Right!" Lukas said excitedly. "You love Anna as much as Jack loves his little sister. So what do you think that means?"

"…I don't know," Elsa said in frustration. "I tried identifying with that memory but—"

"Don't give up on that one; tell me how that memory makes you feel."

"…Jack risked his own life in order to safe his sister, and the fact that he kept her calm by playing a game despite their situation…he's amazing. He thought best of what to do…As for me, there could've been a better solution, but all I did was shut Anna out just because I didn't want to hurt her, or anyone."

"Hmm? But from what've herd, the order to close the gate was given by King Agdar and Queen Idun. It wasn't your fault, and that was never your wish."

"No…but it eventually became my wish…And no matter how great King Agdar and Queen Idum were as rulers, they were also parents. And parents are still human. They can make mistakes despite their good intentions."

"…I may not be able to understand how you feel about that past, but the fact that you kept yourself in seclusion for so long is amazing in itself…It's like you said, you didn't want to hurt anyone. You went far and beyond to protect Anna and your people from yourself…Just like Jack." Elsa turned to look at Lukas. "He would do anything for his sister; in fact, he would do anything for the children of the world. Sworn as a Guardian or not."

Elsa smiled and looks back towards Jack. "He's very dedicated isn't he…? Dedicated…" She repeated more quietly. "He's devoted." The fourth ring glowed brighter than all the others, and instantly the invisible barrier disappeared.

Elsa tested the ring before trying to walk passed it. She placed the edge of her shoes on it and the ring rippled softly upon her touch like water. Satisfied, Elsa walked into the first ring. But when nearing the second one, she was once more stopped by another invisible barrier."

"The order in which you identify and relate to the Layers doesn't matter," Lukas explained. "And it doesn't matter how deep you go. What makes a Merging powerful is the number of Layers you relate to and how strongly you relate to it."

In the far distance there was a massive crackle sound, as if a crystal ball has suddenly been dropped but has not yet shattered. Quick to follow were the shrieks and wails of women and children mix with the men. They were on the verge of becoming a frenzy of cries.

"Time's up Elsa," Lukas said as he lifts the Promise Book to be leveled with his chest. "We have to go help them now."

"—Not yet," she said firmly.

"Elsa we don't—"

"There's just one more Layer to identify. And I have a feeling I can relate to this one more so then the last one. Just give me a minute."

"…Fine," Lukas said with agitation. Another loud crackle was herd in the distance, forcing Lukas to look in the general direction of the Safe Camp. "Make it quick Elsa!"

Too focus to hear, Elsa kept her eyes concentrated on Jack. As much as he looked peaceful floating there, there was something else aside to his expression…Sadness, Elsa decided. But what reason would Jack have to be sad? She tries to recall as many of his sad memories, or possible answer to identify the last Layer. The first one to pop into Elsa's mind was Emma; he could be sadden by his own death, leaving his little sister to feel pain, sorrow, and even guilty for what had happen. And then there's Elisa…his death could—would, cause her heartache.

But you don't feel that way. Elsa reminded herself. Too much time has passed; all too late for you to morn over the lost years...Years…Century. Elsa took a glance at the third ring before looking back at Jack. It's not sadness. She realized. Elsa then recalls a particular feeling she had, her sympathy towards Pitch Black. All those years alone, hated and unaccepted by others…Jack was the same to Pitch in similar regards. You didn't quite get along with your fellow Beings and spirits. You only run into some of them on small occasions, but nothing much came from those…not until just eight years ago…And it took you so long to finally be seen by children…I made the choice to be alone but you didn't. And yet we felt the same pain…You were lonely. The third ring flickered. Elsa felt a sudden stab in her heart, enough to weaken her legs to the point of almost making her fall on knees. But she kept herself firm by leaning slightly against the invisible wall. …I was lonely.

The last Layer flared in brightest. Elsa was prepared to have a rough stumble forward but she was met with weightlessness. Elsa was startled when she was suddenly drifted five inches off the ground. Instinctively her body tries to balance itself wanting to feel some sort of solidarity, but the attempt only made her lose balance instead. Elsa felt herself about to fall backward when a gentle push of the wind saved her. Next she was sent forward into the second ring by the same wind, and this time was in danger of falling forward. She prepared herself by closing her eyes and tightening her body as much as possible, but was met with a soft—still cold, cotton surface.

"You can open your eyes now Snow Queen." Elsa did as told and found herself within Jack's arms. Unfortunate it looks as though he was still mad about having done the Merging, but there was something different about him. Perhaps it was because of the black sands. They were still trying to spread themselves abound Jack, but meanwhile, they were also slowly chipping away from his body; the outer lines of the sands dissolved as they fell into crystal blue glimmers before disappearing for good. "How are you feeling Snow Queen?" Jack asked.

"F-Fine," Elsa said. Although she was somewhat feeling a bit flustered being in Jack's arms, but she wasn't going to admit that out loud.

"Lukas, end the Merging now." Not a second later, both Elsa and Jack herd the slamming of a book closed, and soon found themselves once more surrounded by nature, with sounds and movements back to normal.

"—Jack!" shouted Elsa in shock. Without warning she was lifted off her feet by Jack; one arm was wrapped around her shoulder while the other one was hooked under her legs.

Without every looking at Elsa, Jack turned his attention first to the prince. "We'll be heading off ahead of you Lukas, join the fight as soon as you can." Next Jack turned towards the Safe Camp. "Hold on tight Snow Queen," he instructed, and instantly took off flying. With little choice left for her, Elsa obeyed and wrapped her own arms round Jack's neck in order to keep herself in place as they flew.

Elsa also had to shut her eyes a few times against the currents of the wind. In its own right, the strength of the wind with the speed she was being flown at, was much more intense then when she was escaping through a storm during the Frozen Incident. When it finally became too much for her, Elsa buried her face against Jack. Allowing herself to temporarily be shield against the strong air currents.

"Just a bit further now Snow Queen," Jack encouraged When the distance was closing, Jack told Elsa to prepare herself. For he plans to find Pitch first and engage in battle right away if Red isn't already fighting the Being. However, with his arms occupied, he needed Elsa to do the attacking and blocking. "Just trust me to keep you flying in the sky," he said with absolute focus. "But if need to, I can let you down on the ground and then—"

"No!" Elsa said firmly. "If Pitch is to be beaten then we have to fight him together now. We have to combine our magic. If you need an arm in order to fight, then unhook the one under my legs and just hold me up by my waist; I can hold on to you with one arm as well. Besides, I don't like the idea of fighting anyone while being carrying around like a bride."

"Bride huh?" said Jack in a low voice. Looking up, Elsa could see that Jack was trying hard not to smile, which resulted in a stiff looking grin. "What ever happened to Princess Style?"

Elsa couldn't help but smile in amusement as she responded to the question. "I'm now a Queen, not a Princess Jack. And Princess Style has a more damsel in distress feeling then Bride."

"Don't let Anna hear that," said Jack teasingly.

"I'm not afraid, she has another name for this. Strangely, Anna likes to call this the 'trust exercise' for some reason."

XxXxXx

The sky echoed with a man's cynical laughter. There wasn't a single ray that could penetrate through the thickened black tree. What little light there was left in the sky was soon to be gone in a matter of an hour. As if they were holding onto a prayer of hope, all the civilians banded together in the center of their Safe Camp. Each women and children, men and elders, holding onto whatever source of light they could maintain: from lamps, to touches, even the tiniest candles, to counter against the darkness.

The charms surrounding the Safe Camp had well in serving their deeds, but they now possess several cracks, as if they were as dry as a barren desert land. As the Nightmares and Fearlings continued their repetitive assaults, they charms continues to crack, and even chipping away into dust. And with the civilians' quickly resigning themselves to their fear and dismay, the strength of the charms was dwindling.

Merida had met up with Lipso and Grill after separating from Jack and the others. The three along with what army they have left, now formed the last line of defense just right outside the perimeter of the charms. Merida had set several bonfires around to help the soldiers see, but her magic over fire and light was now limited, due once more to her failure in upholding her Pact. She can even no longer get close to engage with Pitch anymore; she can't afford to leave the men, and Pitch's his army was too vast at this point. They just continue to pour out from the Hole seemingly endlessly.

After a moment of final thoughts, Merida decided that she didn't want to end the battle like this, with her back corned against a crumbling wall. She decided to charge. Charge with all her might and power, to point her arrow, her light, all that she is against Pitch Black, against the Nightmare King.

As Merida prepares herself, she felt a chilling air swept over the land along with many others. Merida then felt a strange surge of energy within her. She struggled to identify what it was; it felt like it belonged to Elsa—no, Jack, which one…? Both…? Merida eventually settled on describing the surge as bright, as well as strength. She then smiled upon the realization, and her smile only grew as she saw a snow storm in the distance, heading straight in Pitch's general direction. It was hard to make out, but the storm was made up of waves: carrying hundreds of companies of stallions, flocks of giant owls, packs of foxes, herds of elks and reindeers.

"Merida," said Grill, "is that—"

"Aye," she said instantly. Her skin was warming, and her hair was burning its red. With a snap, she increased the heat of her bonfires, and even spared the flames to stretch out like a spider web. "Winter is coming a bit early boys!" she shouted, "but let's have a little fun anyway!"

XxXxXx

Black and white clashes. Overhead far into the sky, Pitch watched as his minions due battle with the snow army. Pitch was standing tall and looming on his cloud of black sand, making no move to direct his army. He didn't even turn when Jack and Elsa flew to a stop a few feet behind him. "Greetings," said Pitch, still not turning. "I was beginning to wonder where the two of you were. But now I can see what the two of you were up to."

"What's the matter Picth?" said Jack lowly. "Not afraid of equal competitions are we?"

"Of course not," Pitch replied casually. He finally turns to face Jack and Elsa. He holds a sharp smile with eyes glowing. "Finally, the real fun begins."