Revelation

Siblings of Hnda

Hey, guys! First of all, thank you so much for all of the nice and encouraging comments on this story so far! Secondly, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 1,000+ VOTES ON ONCE UPON A DECEMBER! GAAAHHH! That's like...I can't even describe the feeling right now. Your support means the world to me and I love every single one of you who took the time to read my works.

Well, enough of my blubbering. We've got a story to go on to! I hope you enjoy this chapter and happy reading!

The crackling of fire and the aroma of food made Jack's heavy eyelids flutter open. Moaning softly, he slowly sat up and rubbed his head, whilst craning his neck to look at his surroundings.

Where am I? he thought to himself, noting that everything he saw was unfamiliar to him. And how did I get here?

"You're awake."

Jack almost jumped in surprise turned when he realized that someone else was in the room with him. He turned to the source of the voice and realized who it was.

"Jasmine?" Jack said incredulously.

Jasmine nodded. "We meet again, Jack. And before you hear it from anyone else..." she donned a sheepish smile, "sorry about hitting you back there.... I would have never thought it was you."

"Hey, it's okay," Jack said. "I've always wanted to be taken by surprise and hit so hard on the head that I might have to worry if my great-grandchildren will develop problems with their memories," he added goodnaturedly.

Jasmine chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck uncomfortably. "That bad, huh?"

"I may be exaggerating a little but you get the point."

"So...where am I?" he asked, looking around again. From what he could tell, he was in a house or cabin that was made with logs. The smell of food and the hissing of fire came from the homemade grill that was situated between him and Jasmine. Eyeing the food made Jack realize how hungry he was, making his mouth salivate at the sight of the assorted meats and vegetables cooking.

"This is the Fire Tribe's village," Jasmine said. She stared at Jack intensely for a few moments before speaking again. "Listen, Jack. I've handed you over to the kingdom of Hnda."

"W-What?!" Jack exclaimed, standing up abruptly before having to sit back down again due to the dizziness he was experiencing. From the number that had been done on his head or the news that had been given to him, he didn't know what was the cause of it. He cleared his throat, trying to calm himself. "I...I see. You had no other choice. I'm guessing that I'm going to be executed then."

Jasmine smiled, a mysterious twinkle in her eye. "Don't worry. You aren't going to be killed."

Jack's head whipped up. "What? Why? How are you so sure?"

"Because-"

A knock at the door interrupted her answer. Jasmine glanced at it, a hint of surprise on her visage. "Oh? He's already here...."

..~..

Despite being in the Fire Tribe, when Jack first stepped outside, it was freezing cold and there was snow as far as the eye could see. He instinctively wrapped his arms around himself, shivering uncontrollably.

"I thought this was the Fire Tribe," he mumbled when Jasmine came out to join him.

Jasmine chuckled. "Well? What exactly were you expecting?"

"Definitely not this," Jack grumbled as he followed Jasmine to where their secret visitor was waiting.

"Yes, the Fire Tribe's weather is a bit...unpredictable at times," Jasmine said, smiling sympathetically at Jack. "I wish that I had something to cover you up, but unfortunately I have long gotten used to this sort of freakish weather to not need such things anymore."