After cleaning the cuts on Jonny's back and bandaging his wounds, Mary, Jak, Sama and Tama gave Jonny a look of concern.
"Dad. What really happened?" Jak asked
"Please wait Jak. This may be too difficult for you to hear." Mary replied
Jonny continued to look down at the carpet, his body frozen in a state of despair.
Sama and Tama decided to give them space by leaving the room.
Hugging his mother tightly, Jonny continued to apologize.
"Your brand. It's still troubling you, right? Did Arkhon visit you again?" Mary asked
Jonny stiffened at the name being called.
Jonny turned around to be met with faces that were not judgemental or mocking but sincere and warm. He gave a small smile at his son and his mother, confident that they would always be by his side, supporting him. He knew it was getting more and more pointless to blame himself. He was sure that he'd get his revenge on Arkhon soon.
"Everything is fine now. I am sorry for making you worry." Jonny said, not wanting anyone to worry about him.
Even though he was hurting, to him, it was much worse to have the people he cared about to burden themselves with worry.
"You are not to blame. It's Arkhon who disgraced the death match, using it as an excuse to selfishly indulge in his wicked desires. Remember that always. It wasn't your fault. Be strong for me, my son. I will always care about you no matter what." Mary said
"It's all right Dad. That Brand can only make you stronger, not weaker. So don't be sad." Jak said, trying to cheer him up
"You have a strange way of looking at things. So, it doesn't matter if a beautiful Demon controls my fate? Just kidding son. You've cheered me up a little. Don't you worry. Our training will continue as normal." Jonny put on a smile that looked convincing.
"Ok dad. I'll defeat all the Demons in the Tournament and win as a 9 year old human boy! Cool, right?" Jak said
*Meanwhile, Sama and Tama both eavesdrop through the wall next door*
"A Brand?" Sama said
"Arkhon? Tournament?" Tama said
"They're preparing for a tournament? Sounds fun. We can join right?" Sama asked
"No. You have to be a strong child from Lakedaemon. We aren't children or Lakedaemon." Tama replied
Jonny's excellent hearing picked up on their conversation. He was annoyed that they were mentioning Arkhon's name and even more annoyed that they were eavesdropping!
"Excuse me for a second." Jonny excused himself
Jonny rushed to go to the room where Sama and Tama were staying.
He was too angry to knock so he just barged right in.
"You cheeky little squirrels, quit eavesdropping in this house! Don't utter that man's name in here again!"
Sama and Tama were giggling because he'd just used 'cheeky squirrel' as an insult!
"What name? Arkhon?" Sama smirked
Without warning, Jonny grabbed her by the collar and lifted her from the ground with ease then he left her slumped against his shoulder.
"Say sorry, Sama. You've pushed him too far. He's a demon. He could hurt you without much effort." Tama said, warning her
"Nope. I'm not scared of him. Put me down, now!" She screamed in his ears
"I warning you now you little bitch. I'll let you go when you apologize to me." Jonny replied
"What? I see. How interesting. So you're just Arkhon's property now, isn't that right? I wonder what Arkhon would want with a man like you who's rude and has mood swings all the time?
That did it. Jonny cursed loudly as he became extremely furious.
"YOU FUCKING BITCH. I'LL TEAR OUT YOUR ARMS, SET THEM ON FIRE THEN CARVE YOU UP LIKE A JACK O' LANTERN!" Jonny shouted at her, his eyes now red.
Jak burst into the room.
He saw Jonny trying to choke her in an attempt to force her to apologize and tremble in fear.
Even Jonny didn't want to take it too far and kill her so he tried his best to control his anger and his physical strength to prevent that from happening.
Tama seemed to walk round in circles in a panic not really sure what Jonny was gonna do.
Jonny looked at the worried look on his son's face then forced himself to calm down slightly, Jonny promised himself that he'd ship them out as soon as he had the chance or have them deported.