“I wish this were real, Michael. I wish you were real. I will miss you and the boys when I wake up and this was all a dream.” She turns back and clasps Santa’s hand, climbing into the sleigh. With a flick of the reigns he leaps into the morning sky, taking Michaels heart with him. He sighs and trudges back inside.
Serenity watches him go and turns back to look at the man driving the sleigh. He is large and muscular like Michael with a lush white beard that matches his long white hair. “So you’re supposed to be Santa?” she asks sarcastically.
“Yes, I am. I have been Santa for the last five hundred years or so. Though, I am hoping to retire soon. Michael would be the most obvious choice, but I’m not sure he would want the job. We shall see.”
“I’m flying through the North Pole, with Santa discussing career choices. I must be losing my mind!” she says semi-hysterically.
“No, you’re not crazy, Serenity. I will explain.” He flies through the air to the highest peak and straight into the Northern Lights.
Serenity decides if this a dream she should just enjoy the moment. How many people get to ride with Santa through the Northern Lights? She reaches her hand out hoping to touch the swirling colors. It sifts through her fingers like mist. The sleigh begins to slow until it stops all together on the top of a mountain. Santa climbs down and walks around reaching for Serenity’s hand.
She steps down with him into the snow and realizes she isn’t cold. “It’s a perk of the job, controlling the weather around me.” He says smiling as though he read her mind.
They walk a few feet and Nick stops as he looks up. He reaches a large hand towards the lights. When his fingers touch the mist, it solidifies. He grabs a whip of bright purple and jerks it free, pulling it towards them causing Serenity to gasp in awe.
“Serenity, this is the North Pole. I am Saint Nicholas, you can call me Nick. I am husband to Noel, father to Michael, grandfather to Nathan, and Sincere. You are a Guardian, chosen by our creator to protect our most valuable gift. The future. Our children. Legend says that in times of great need a guardian will be chosen to protect us. You see we don’t just bring toys, we bring hope. If hope is lost then the Darkness wins.”
“That is a lovely story, Nick, but I don’t buy it. I am nobody special. I am a human and you are clearly, not, human. Tell me what your legend says about that!” she demands frustrated by all of this.
“You are gifted, Serenity. Your voice is a gift that brings peace and hope. Surely you have seen this, felt it when you sing?” At her nod he continues. “When you felt Sincere’s pain, your guardian instincts to protect him came forward. Then again when you were attacked in the snow. Your powers are only to be used to protect. You protected Sincere, but not yourself. Again when Michael was being attacked, you were able to tap into that power and pull it close!”
“Serenity, my family is in danger and I will not be able to protect them without your help. I know this is confusing for you, but it is not safe for you to return to your home yet. On December sixth if legend holds true, your powers will come into full strength. Then you should be able to protect yourself as well as others. Until then you are vulnerable to attack. You are welcome to stay with us here, where you can be protected and learn to use your gifts.”
“Is that all?” she asks with a small laugh.
“No, young one. That is not all. You are being hunted by the Dark One. She seeks with all of her heart to destroy you. If she wins, then the world as you know it will cease to exist. She will destroy all hope, goodness, light, love, and laughter. Starting with you. No one that you love will be safe, not your parents, nor your sister.”
“Can she be stopped?” she asks quietly.
“Yes, if one is strong enough, they can journey to the Well of Souls and stop her from drinking from it. But it must be done under the winter solstice moon.”
“If it is that simple why hasn’t anybody tried to stop her before now?”
“We have tried to stop her, but only a guardian is strong enough. You must get to the well and drink before she does. The well only appears when the Guardian is chosen. You are the Guardian,” he responds with a small smile. “If you choose to help us you will not be alone. Michael will go with you. Serenity, I know what I ask is too much, if you say no, I will return you home with no memory of ever being here or meeting any of us. The choice is yours.”
“It will be that easy, just say no. Will another guardian be chosen if I say no, Nick?”
“No. There is only one, chosen every five hundred years. You would not be the first to turn away, Serenity. There is no shame in following your heart,” he reassures her.
“I need a minute, please.” Serenity walks away to think things out, she looks up at the beautiful colors and see’s Michael’s smile. All she can feel is Sincere’s hugs, and Nathan’s gentle touch. They are the true gifted ones, what kind of person would she be to turn away and leave them unprotected?
She turns back and smiles at him. “I will stay, Nick.” He barks out a laugh that booms off the lights and reminds her of his son. He whips his ribbon of purple light out at her
