Jack shook out of the realization.
What is happening to me?
This feels like a memory…
The small Yeti jumped on Jack's back with strong enthusiasm, grabbing him tightly.
The Yeti child spoke playfully, touching his fur.
"Let's go home, Dad!"
Jack was in a trance of thought. Mostly because he didn't dislike it—he almost felt fondness for it deep in his heart. He didn't feel out of his environment.
Jack decided to go along with it until he could truthfully understand what was happening.
He scratched his face with his big hands, speaking in a low growling voice.
"Where was home again?"
The small Yeti let out a chuckle and spoke cheerfully.
"Haha!
Stop joking, Dad! You know it's right by the lake."
Jack looked at the sky thoughtfully.
Wait… I do know.
How do I know?!
Jack took big steps toward a large igloo that wasn't far from them. The igloo was huge, made with bricks of ice that were blue and relatively smooth.
Jack approached the front door, which was big enough for his large body to go through. He and the small one—still on his back—entered the igloo.
Suddenly, the small Yeti jumped down and ran toward another Yeti who was waiting inside.
The small one let out a happy growl and embraced the other Yeti.
"Mom!"
The mother stared back at Jack and spoke in a growling, yet feminine tone.
"You are home…
Miche."
Jack's eyes widened as a surge of memories flooded his mind. He had a life with these two. He remembered them—and cherished them—as his family. He remembered playing with the young one, building that igloo with his own two hands. Creating a home to protect them from the outside world.
Suddenly, a small tear appeared in Jack's eye.
He blinked strongly, covering his eyes and lowering his head as more tears began to roll down his face.
What is happening to me…
Jack lifted his gaze once again.
His eyes widened in horror as he saw no one in front of him. His mouth opened almost unconsciously.
"NO!"
He let out a growl that echoed through the entire icy home.
He already came…
He took everything away.
Jack looked around the igloo, now tainted with blood.
His eyes trembled. He turned around to leave, as if searching for them… for his family. He stared into the emptiness, finding no sign of them—only blood splattered everywhere.
Where is he?!
Where?!
A strong snowstorm now enveloped the outside of the igloo. The storm resembled the one from the night he arrived… late. Jack's eyes widened even more.
He took a step outside—and there, he saw a man.
Tall. Slender. Black hair fell from his shoulders. His face was as sharp as his gaze, which gave off a feeling of endless cold. It was…
Kal.
Only this time, he wasn't made of ice. He looked slightly younger. His face was pale. His eyes—white as the snow below.
The fierce snowstorm made his hair flutter. His voice traveled through the snow.
"Hello,
Miche."
Jack frowned in rage, letting out a powerful roar.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?!"
Kal stared at Jack with a calm gaze.
"Do you really want to know?
You should've seen the mother's face when your child attacked her."
Jack's gaze trembled with fear… and rage—for the man in front of him.
"You!"
He started to take strong steps toward Kal.
"YOU!"
He dropped to all fours, pushing himself forward.
"YOU WILL PAY, BASTARD!"
But before he could reach him—he was gone. Almost as if he had vanished into the storm. Only an echo of his voice remained.
"You might be useful one day… so live."
A sinister chuckle followed.
Jack's mind shook.
WHY?!
WHY?!
Suddenly, a void of endless darkness began consuming his surroundings—until it swallowed everything.
Jack looked at himself, tears streaming down his face.
He was back in his own body.
Light spread through him once again. As if nothing had happened.
Only this time, in the endless darkness, there was someone standing in front of him. A gaunt creature with white fur that enveloped his body. It was…
Jack stared at him and let out his voice—now human once again.
"Miche…"
Miche stared back at Jack with an empathetic gaze. His growling voice spread through the darkness.
"Sorry…
Sorry to make you live that, Jack…
And I'm sorry for attacking you that day as well."
Jack's eyes widened.
"What is this…
Why am I feeling like this?
Why did I become like that when I fought him?"
Miche approached Jack slowly, stopping just a meter away. He looked down to meet Jack's gaze.
He stared at his big hands, covered in white fur. His growling voice was now gentle.
"It was me…
The power of the Yeti…
You see, Jack—we are spirit beasts.
I can enter one's soul… temporarily."
"It just comes with a… Price."
Jack stared back at Miche with a small frown.
"So… you gave me that…
That power?
Is that why I saw your memories with Kal… and remembered your family like they were mine?"
Miche formed a small frown as well.
"Yes.
I also had a glance at your memories.
Your family, Jack… they were nice."
Jack looked off distantly as he heard those words.
"Yes, they were.
Yours too, Miche."
"I'm sorry for getting you into this, Jack," Miche said softly.
"I couldn't stand any fragment of that man living peacefully…
I couldn't live with myself if I let him be."
He looked down, voice tinged with regret.
"He tried to control my mind… to make me attack you, Jack.
He knew…
He knew you were here, in the North of Winter."
Miche's eyes trembled as he continued.
"I used my final bond to make you strong enough to tear that man apart…
Even if it was only an incarnation of him."
"It is an ancient sacrifice, usually using it would kill you but right before he plunged that sword into my skull… I saw you enter."
His voice grew somber continuing to speak.
"Since Kal had no soul… Or least that version of him didn't. I used my soul bound on you."
Jack stepped forward and embraced Miche in a warm hug.
He whispered in a soft, teary voice,
"It's okay."
Jack had only actually met Miche for half a day, yet with their memories opened to each other—they felt like more than friends. They felt like family.
And Jack realized one thing.
This wasn't a hello.
It was a goodbye.
Because after this…
Miche was going to perish.
Just like his body…
His soul would leave too.