Curse of the Nokk

Chapter 1- Drowned

The wind howled through the night, the winter air stinging any mortal that passes by. It burned their skin and throats. They shut their eyes. The white flakes in the air blowing in all directions, covering the fur coats of the people and sticking to their hair. Winter was harsh every season. People warned of the Jokul Frosti, the old man winter who punished the mortals every year with harsh colds that destroyed their crops, killed their animals, and sickened many people to death. Little did they know, he was no old man winter, but a young man. As careless as can be, who enjoyed letting his power run free. He spiraled in the winds, bringing about coldness in the air and frosting the trees and foliage. Jokul Frosti is his name, but some may know him as the mischievous Jack Frost.

Jack Frost grinned to himself, he watched the people flee into their harms. Escaping the winds that began to pick up with enormous strength, harsh air turning a deep cold with ice cutting through the air. The blizzard took over the town, frosting every building, taking out what fire they had. He laughed to himself, his power was great, so strong.

The deceitful spirit flew over to his favorite part of the forest, where he last remembered opening his eyes for the first time. He was quick and nimble, bouncing off of tree branches and landing onto the frozen lake beneath him. Swirls of ice trailing from his cold pale feet. The moon shining high above them, with dark clouds surrounding its white glow. There was a chill that ran down his spine, something was wrong.

"Jack Frost." The moon spoke to him, the young man's eyes quickly look to the sky. He had not heard the moon speak for years. Frozen in place, still. He waited for the moon to continue.

"You have not used your magic wisely. You have brought harsh winter that makes all people fear the cold. We nature spirits must be in balance with the people." The moon said to the winter spirit, scolding him for being so careless. The young man simply shook his head. "How else will you have winter? There is beauty in it but also danger. Winter is to be accepted in all its forms." Jack Frost defended himself, standing his ground atop the ice.

"You heart has grown cold. Careless. You shall be punished as decided by all the spirits." The moon spoke to him, the clouds moving around the moon. Letting its light shine on the winter spirit with all its might.

Suddenly the ice began to crack underneath Jack. His eyes widen with fright, his heart pounding in his chest. He quickly tried to fly away but the wind simply knocked his body down onto the crackling ice. Jack Frost stood, trembling as the cracks of ice grew deeper and more pronounced. Shattering underneath him and plunging him into the piercing cold water.

The water stung his skin, rendering him unable to move. His entire body trembling as the cold turned against him. Every muscle in his body contracted, hurting him. The water taking away his breath and forcing his lungs unable to take a breath of sweet air. The only light he could see was the moon, staring down at him with sorrowful light. He sensed the disappointment, the pain. Jack Frost screamed for mercy, ice forming on his lips and tongue. Clouding his eyes until he could no longer see. He thrashes in the water as ice formed all around his body. Suddenly he felt his legs move into such a long reach, he reached his hand down, feeling no human leg but something more animalistic. Unable to see he felt more of his body until suddenly he had no fingers but hooves. His face becoming long. When he was able to scream again he began neighing frightfully. Suddenly leaping out of the water with such strength. Slowly his eyes began to see once again. Jack Frost looked down, seeing nothing but long horse legs extending from his body. He looked into the clear cool water to see his reflection. He gazed into the eyes of a horse staring back at him. The winter spirit had transformed into a water spirit, bound by endless water. Unable to fly. The sound of his neighs pierced the air, no longer a man but an animal. A beast.

The Nokk plunged into the water, disappearing underneath the frozen lake. The moonlight fading away and leaving the creature in darkness. Alone. And changed for eternity.

Or so he thought.

"Melt your cold heart. Though you have become frozen in feelings, learn to love and care again. You may be a bringer of winter, but that does not mean your soul is cold. These my last words to you Jack Frost, until you change." The moon declared before the clouds hid its light and form.

The water became still, ice freezing over the frozen lake. As if it had never been broken.