Jack careened down the mountainside, his skis slicing a path through the powdery snow. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the landscape, but unfortunately Jack had no time to take in the stunning vista. He wobbled unsteadily on his skis as he glanced over his shoulder to check on his pursuers. The enemy skiers were progressing down the mountain at an alarming pace, quickly eating up the distance between themselves and Jack.
Suddenly, Jack's skis gave out from under him and he toppled to the ground. Cursing his lack of skill, he got up and resumed his frantic journey, but he had barely regained his momentum when he fell once more. Looking back at the cadre of skiers behind him, it was clear to Jack that this chase would not continue much longer unless he changed strategies. He scrambled to his feet and quickly made his way laterally along the mountainside to an outcrop. He dropped to the ground among a collection of rocks and tried to lay as flat as possible, desperately trying to slow his breathing before the skiers approached his hiding spot.
The skiers approached his position slowly and circled up a few yards down the mountainside from Jack. As Jack became increasingly sure they would not move on without discovering him, he carefully unsheathed his rapier from the scabbard on his waist. He would certainly not go down without a fight, and he was determined to get the jump on them.
Without warning, Jack reached out from his hiding spot and swung his rapier at the nearest enemy. As the thin blade whipped through the air, sparks of energy crackled up and down the weapon, making it appear as if Jack were wielding a lightning bolt. The blade connected with the skier and unleashed a mighty clap of thunder, throwing everyone to the ground. Jack had a growing sense of dread as he began to fear his plan had backfired. Surely the thunder would provoke a fatal avalanche.
Jack's fears were confirmed. Above him an enormous snow drift was forming. The snow moved with glacial steadiness, uncharacteristic of an avalanche. It began to spill over the edge of the alcove under which Jack was hiding, though instead of falling down it maintained its shape, forming a blue roof. Jack and the skiers were struck dumb at this perversion of nature. Incoherent whisperings from a deep, rumbling voice curled through the air. As the whisperings reached a crescendo, the snow roof collapsed, burying everyone completely.
Due to Jack's hiding spot, he was buried under significantly less snow than the skiers, and he was able to free himself relatively quickly. Jack quickly brushed himself off and looked around, but there was no trace of the enemy skiers. Again, Jack heard the elemental whispers. Though he could not make out the words, Jack became aware of an ancient presence trying to communicate with him.
I did this so that upon the success of your mission you can free me and others like me, it said. Jack continued making his way down the mountain.
