An important note: Some mature themes that hint at child abuse/implied non-con are in this chapter but is written subtly and not in any great detail so is still ok for most to read it. If you dislike or are triggered by these themes, quickly scroll through the flashback part written in italics. I may put the same warning above it so you know when to scroll down if you wish to.
***
The main character Jak Price spent many months training for the tournament with his dad and has significantly improved from before. Now there was only 6 months left for the tournament! Jonny had left Jak to train by himself in the woods near his home as he was now capable of fighting off most beasts roaming around the place. Jak was now 9 years old and was for the first time training all by himself without the help of his father.
Not quite.
Sometimes, Lucy would check up on him to see how his training was going so Jak wasn't completely alone. Jak was currently doing his most favourite thing. Climbing the tall trees as fast as he could, using his dad's technique. As he was climbing the tree, Lucy jumped out of the same tree, doing a front flip and landing perfectly on the ground.
Jak who jumped out of his skin in fright, fell from the tree!
Luckily, Lucy caught him in her arms before he could land on the ground.
"What the hell?! Lucy stop scaring me like that!"
"I couldn't help it. I was bored."
Jak rushed off to show Lucy what his dad got him.
"Look here! My dad got me a sword that's my height. It's heavy but it looks so cool!"
"Nice!"
"And-and a gun that shoots lasers that can cut through anything! I used it to cut a hole through the tree back there! Isn't it terrific?"
"That's a really dangerous weapon. Please be careful with it."
"Ok."
"So anyway, I've got some information from the enemy. Would you like to know?" Lucy grinned like a gossiping woman about to give someone info about a juicy scandal
"Great job! Now give me the details."
"I was watching him train the other day. To my amazement, he was able to pick up a boulder and throw it into the air, then he pulverised the rock in 5 seconds flat! Jeff seemed to be using his energies already even though-" Lucy stopped
"But that can't be possible! He's just a kid like me."
"I know. He's too young to use his aura even if he's exceptionally talented. Be careful, Jak. Train well."
"Can we do some sparring?" Jak asked her
Lucy smiled and nodded, getting into a stance.
Despite Jak trying his best, Lucy won again and pinned him against the ground roughly.
Jak winced then began to kick with his legs at such a fast and furious pace that Lucy was taken back.
"An interesting and rather childish defence. I need to ask where you learnt it from. Has anyone else held you down like this?" Lucy asked, curious yet concerned
"My arch-nemesis Jeff. Oh and Arkhon."
"W-What? Arkhon did what?" Lucy asked
Jak giggled nervously, covering his face with his hands.
"Come on. Spit it out already!"
"We were only playing a game." Jak smiled
Lucy furrowed her brow. Even though she was just a few years older than him, she couldn't help but feel the need to protect him and make sure that he was happy. She watched him fiddle with his light blue scarf. She couldn't understand why Jak couldn't just tell her.
'It was such a silly game. I-I feel embarrassed. I don't wanna tell her. Maybe she'd lose respect for me as a boy. Normally, girls would prefer to play those types of games.'
"I-I am a boy, you know. I-I-no. We just played a game and I-I was about to lose so I used a secret move that made him lose instead. I-It was fun!"
Lucy shook her head, trying to shake the worrying away.
"Why did you have to tell me you're a boy? I already know that. W-Wait unless. No! It can't be! Please don't tell me that-"
"Tell you what? What's going on?" Jak asked her
She lowered her voice by speaking near to his ear.
"He didn't try to touch you, d-did he? You can tell me. I promise I won't react badly."
Jak took a long pause to think about it.
He shook his head, making Lucy sigh in relief.
"No way! I would shoot him if he ever tried to! Anyway, I-I am a boy! He would never do something like that to me!" Jak told her
Lucy giggled in agreement with Jak's response and as Jak punched the apple tree to get some apples she walked over to him, still giggling.
He gave an apple to her to eat.
They had a brief moment of silence before choosing to speak again.
"Hey Jak. I know you call Jeff your enemy but do you really hate him?"
"I don't actually hate him. He's just really annoying. He's really weird."
"Oh, I think he's very troubled. Something bad is or has happened to him. That might explain the way he acts sometimes. I heard that he was suspended from school for 2 months because of what he tried to do. Is that true? I don't want to believe in false rumours."
Jak knew the reason why Jeff had gotten suspended but he didn't understand it that well. He couldn't understand why the teachers were so shocked. Why the principle reacted the way that he did. Was it because Jeff wanted to do a 'grown-up thing'? Jeff acted more adult than anyone else and often made fun of how naïve and innocent Jak was.
Jak told her what really happened and she couldn't believe the rumours were true!
*Content warning: child abuse/non-con implied - if you don't wanna read then quickly scroll down.*
"Now as I told you girls, this is a useful skill to have that only improves with more practice. Now, who wants to try it? Come on, don't be shy." Jeff spoke
The girls stared at him but didn't say anything. Some of them giggled. Jeff felt disappointed at being turned down. If he would've offered the same thing to people older than these girls, they would have been much more willing, Jeff thought.
Jeff was surprised when one of the girls shyly raised her hand.
"I-I wanna try it." She smiled sweetly
"Excellent. Now, if you start to feel scared, let me know and I'll guide you through the process."
Jeff couldn't help but feel concerned looking at her. She was a lot younger than what he hoped. He wasn't even sure if she really knew what she was about to do. Other dark thoughts had forced entry into his mind.
'At least she's been given the chance to do this willingly. At least you asked her instead of just taking! You are much too merciful, son of Calamity. She's lucky to even embrace you in this way. That commoner.'
Jeff allowed her to hold it in her hands.
He sighed, immediately feeling relaxed.
'This feels nothing like what it normally feels. No sticky, greasy heavy hands that shake with sickly eagerness. Only small soft ones, motivated by wonder and curiosity.'
Jeff started to close his eyes soon after he felt the warmth of her mouth.
10 seconds barely passed when he'd heard the familiar sound of one of his teachers.
"EXCUSE ME? WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?"
Jeff was scared and he didn't know what possessed him to say this.
"What? Do you want to try it too?"
The teacher's jaw fell out of shock and disbelief at what she had just heard from him.
The teacher made Jeff stop and made him apologize to her despite him telling her that she chose to do this. He apologized to her.
The principle was called and Jeff was forced to see him.
Jeff didn't bother explaining himself. He wasn't remorseful about anything that he'd done.
He remained nonchalant until the Principle threatened to suspend him or even worse, expel him.
Desperate to stay in school, Jeff tried to make a deal with him.
He decided to put on a character, playing the part of a coy little boy with charms unbeknownst to himself. He made himself appear slightly hesitant, slowly running his hand down his own shirt before clearing his throat, getting ready to speak. He looked up at him with a bat of his eyelashes, his green eyes sparkling with light. Jeff noticed a change in the principle's stern demeanour and took it as a positive sign.
"I-I really must stay in school. I really like it here. What must I do to make you change your mind? I am prepared to do anything."
"Anything?" The Principle asked
He was confused about what the boy meant by this.
The boy put his slightly trembling palm onto the young man's wrist.
Pretending to have a temporary lapse in judgement, he flinched and quickly took his hand away.
The principle gulped, feeling even more uneasy.
'His brows are furrowed. A clear sign of frustration. Upon gazing upon such a beautiful boy, he feels conflicted.' A voice rang inside Jeff's head
'Shut up! That's not true! He's not a creep.' Jeff argued with his dark inner thoughts
'But wouldn't it be better if he was a creep? It would be much easier to control him. Now lie like the little whore that you are. Pretend to be so sweet and innocent. Take his breath away.'
Jeff cringed at the thought but soon after, something took hold of him.
"What that girl did to me in the playground corner, I-I didn't make her do it. I am not a monster, sir. Please forgive me. You may punish me by any other means but please do not suspend me. Take out that long ruler of yours and have me lean against the desk."
"Enough, child! This is not a matter light enough for me to spank you. You shouldn't be teaching indecent acts to your fellow classmates. This can negatively affect them as well as yourself. I am sorry but you must learn your lesson. I have no choice but to suspend you."
"What if w-we made a deal? I'll go down on my knees and do the same thing to you, however you want me to in exchange for not getting suspended. I will not tell another soul about this. I've done this before so you don't need to worry about whether I am able to do this correctly."
"No no no! I don't want that. Y-You don't have to do these things for anyone, do you hear me boy? Please remember that you are allowed to say 'no'."
"Are you taking pity on me? You fool! I don't need someone like you feeling sorry for me. What do you know huh?! What do you know?"
"I am still suspending you."
"Ha! Suspend me as you wish! I'll take my leave and do many indecent acts along the way!" Jeff retorted
The principle shook his head. He had never had to deal with such an odd child before.
'What on earth is going on in his life? He comes from a rich family so I assumed that he was well protected and had a good life.' The Principle thought
***
Lucy decided to change the topic.
"I'm so sorry Jak, but the Circle members will plan out what this years' tournament will consist of. It will be a lot more dangerous!" Lucy told him
"WHAT?!!! You mean Arkhon and Gravity Flames and these other elite demons. They're all so crazy if they wanna make it more intense! But Lucy, I've got a secret." He spoke
"What?"
"I can't help but feel really excited about that. I'm looking forward to this tournament!"
"You are? You are really something else! All the kids I know are nervous. Except for Jeff of course."
***
War talks - Members of The Circle gather.
"He will return and awaken." Klaw II spoke
"We need him for the upcoming war against the Sinister Blue." Arkhon said
"Our peaceful times are about to come to an end. Our towns will be pillaged and our people sold into slavery." Nimue spoke
"Don't be so dramatic. We'll be winning as soon as the Demon King awakens." Myk spoke confidently
"Don't be so overconfident, M Gravity Flames! Fordos IV is almost at breaking point. Hungry for war, he's preparing to bring the largest army on Earth, the Sinister Blue and a special group called the death squad to conquer Lakedaemon. That's what many people are saying." Arkhon spoke
"Don't worry darling. We will all try to awaken our beloved king at the right time. Lets not worry ourselves with these war talks." Nimue spoke
***
Someone was currently running through the woods breathing heavily as they tried to reach Jak Price.
"Jak Price, is that you?" She shouted
"Yes. What's your name?" Jak asked
"My name is Starr. Nice to meet you! I've heard a lot about you." She replied
"Starr huh? Anyway, what are you wearing at a cold winter day like this one?"
Starr didn't say anything.
Starr looked at her orange bra and black shorts. With the gun wrapped around her waist like an accessory she admitted to herself that her clothes looked outrageously crazy!
"Aren't you cold? I guess girls don't get cold. I'm even wearing a scarf." Jak spoke
"I am not feeling cold right now. Anyway, there's something you need to know."
"Ok."
"Have you heard about the war talks? The Sinister Blue are planning to attack! Death Dealer told me all about it after he asked me to make a sword for him. As the Blacksmiths' daughter I agreed to help my father out and assist him with making the sword."
"Death Dealer? You mean Jonny, right?" Lucy spoke to Starr for the first time
"He's my dad. Death Dealer." Jak told her
"What?! Really that's incredible! He's one of the coolest grown ups out there! I can't believe that you're his son! I was surprised when he asked me to make him a sword. I guess he meant to give that sword to you." Starr said
"Hey Starr. You look like an elf. Are you actually an elf?" Jak spoke
"Jak, you shouldn't-" Lucy started
"It's ok actually. My mum was an elf but my dad is a human being. I'm half-elf. It's supposed to be a secret. Please don't tell anyone!" Starr told them
Lucy looked at the ground. She fidgeted with her hands nervously before speaking up.
"Starr. What was your reason for coming here? It might not be safe for people like you. No offense." Lucy asked
"People like me?! Don't worry Lucy. I know that you're also an elf. Are both your parents Elves?" She asked
"Actually, I'm half elf half human too. My real dad was executed when I was 2 years old. My mum was left very injured and was transported to Lakedaemon with me. But then, Jonny decided to take care of me after she died. Can we change this topic please?"
"Of course. Anyway I have a present for you, Jak."
"Really? What is it?" Jak asked, enthusiastically
She held out a Tape recorder and giggled.
"That's banned in this country! Where did you get it?" Lucy asked
"From Death Dealio the coolest coolio. Oops, I called Jonny that right in front of him and guess what he told me Jak?"
"Dunno."
"He just rolled his eyes and called me a stupid bitch. That just encouraged me to call him that." She laughed
"Ignore him. All that pent up frustration of his has gotten to his head. So he's gone to see Arkhon to solve his problem. Thanks Starr for telling me what gets him so annoyed. I'll call him 'Death Dealio the coolest coolio' until he shoots himself in the foot."
"Really? What problems does my dad have to solve? Is he trying to solve some puzzle or riddle that Arkhon knows the answer to? I'd like to know what kind of puzzle it is."
"I don't think it's a puzzle. Maybe it's about his next assassination target." Starr said
"No no no. I meant something different as a joke of course but as you probably won't get it." Lucy spoke, grinning
This resulted in a glare from Starr and Jak as they thought hard about what she meant.
"Ever had the 'talk' yet?" Lucy hinted
"Oh. I get it now, Lucy! Jeff showed me!" Jak spoke
"What?!" She coughed out, slightly surprised
"We were in the woods the other day and we saw something strange. Two squirrels were doing something together and Jeff said that we can't disturb them because they're bonding. I said 'why are they doing that?' He said couples do that stuff and it's normal. I said 'when did you learn this' and that was when he told me he got the talk after he was caught catching his maid doing it with his butler. I know what the talk is because of Jeff. Anyway, that's a weird joke to make!"
"So that's what..eww! That's disgusting! Don't disrespect Death Dealer like that, Lucy!"
"Relax guys! It was a joke so don't take it literally."
***
Some time later, the trio all went to Jak's house to eat lunch and relax then Lucy went off to study.
"Lets spar and the winner decides what quest we'll do together! LET'S HAVE FUN!!!" Starr cheered, jumping up and down Jak's bed
"I've got a headache and I am tired from training too much. Maybe next time, Starr."
"Oh ok then. I guess we can meet and have fun together next time."
"What are we doing next time?" Jak asked, feeling confused
"I don't know about you but I am going to get the Circles' attention and piss them off!
They'll decide how the tournament goes so I'll have some fun and piss them all off straight away. My target is Nimue or Myk. Maybe Nimue. What about you?"
"My target will be Arkhon." Jak grinned
"You're brave. You know that he rips his enemies apart or impales them, leaving them to die slowly." Starr told him
"Don't worry about that. I can't be his real enemy because he cares about my dad." Jak told her
"How optimistic and fearless of you. I am sure that you and me will survive this tournament together!"
Jak smiled at her and said
"But I don't just want to survive. I want to win and beat all the demons and even beat Jeff!"
"You really are brave, Jak."
TO BE CONTINUED...