Mark turned off the car engine and invited them in, "Let's go."
"Where?" Jayce asked. "Aren't you going to come inside?"
"It's already 11 and I'm tired. I just wanna go home and sleep."
"You can sleep here, Oreck and come on, it's been so long since we were under the same roof."
"I was here last week..." Jayce was hesitant. "What's wrong, Oreck?" Samantha asked.
"N-Nothing I'm just a little exhausted, that's all."
"Get in, I'll fix us all some coffee," Mark said as he unlocked the door.
"I'll be a few minutes, you two get comfortable," he took a look at them, "or not… Please don't get too comfortable here."
"What's that supposed to mean?" said Samantha. "Oreck knows," he replied walking out of the room. Jayce took a seat on the couch when he noticed Samantha was gazing at him. "What?"
"I have no idea what he's talking about." Samantha rolled her eyes and sat next to him.
She took Jayce's hand into hers and interlocked her fingers with his. "Hey," she said softly.
Jayce looked into her eyes, "hey…" he reached for her cheek with his left hand. His eyes watered. She kissed his hand, "We're here now. Everything is going to be okay."
Jayce gave a half-hearted smile, "Yeah,"
"You guys want cream? Sugar?" Mark asked from the kitchen.
"Yes for me," Jayce said. "Me too," Samantha added. She looked at Jayce, "What is it?"
"Uh? What?" He looked to his sides. "Something's on your mind," she said.
"Nothing important."
"Coffee's ready," Mark came with a tray in his hands and put it on the table at the centre. "So Atria, tell us about yourself." He said.
"What? Do you not remember me?"
"I remember you Atria but I don't know about Samantha, I and Oreck have known each other for a while now, so I know about Jayce, but not Samantha."
"Oh well, I'm from Swindon, my dad got transferred here when I was 14 and they moved back last year but I decided to stay. So, to sum it all up, a struggling musician living on her own in Berkley. Is that enough?"
"For now."
"Okay, now your turn."
"Really?" Mark spoke, "You're telling me that you don't know about me and Jayce?"
"Well… I guess I do."
"Anyway, what now then?" Mark questioned.
"What do you mean?"
"We were reincarnated for a reason, remember?"
"Oh, that." Both went quiet. "Yeah, that..." Mark broke the silence. "You okay, Oreck? You've been quiet for some time now."
"I'm good."
"If we're here then obviously he's out as well." Mark pointed.
"Yes, but he shouldn't," Samantha spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"The spell that I did is almost unbreakable. He couldn't have gotten out on his own."
"So someone helped him?"
"Not someone but something," She explained, "You know about the magic field around the earth, right?"
"Yeah, mages can control it to some extent and that's how they do magic."
"Yes, knowing you, you probably already know that its direction changes once every ten thousand years but what you don't know is that there's an uprise in the field decades before the event and after it, there's no magic for another decade. The uprising is at its peak during the event as the field gets magnified."
"So, that…"
"Let me finish Mark," "That uprise is more than enough to break him out of my spell. I was hoping that by the time magic gets back to the level where it can be used again, we'd be ready. But there's still time for the event. At least seven more years. He got out early. I don't know how he did it or why he hasn't gone after the last spell yet."
"I know," Jayce spoke. "You know how he got out?" Mark was surprised.
"Mhm,"
"Well? Tell us."
"He's not out."
"We couldn't have been reincarnated if he's not out." Samantha stood up.
"You said that magic has been rising for the past few years. This must have given him enough strength to do one spell in particular. The possession spell."
"You're right, my spell had weakened him but the uprising must have given the strength to do it. He must've put his mind into someone outside which triggered our reincarnation and since he's in someone else's body, someone from this time, he's not able to do any spell. That's why he hasn't made his move yet.", "But how did you know that Oreck?" She asked.
"Spend enough time with a man and you'll pick up a few things about him." He replied.
"Wait, how long did you live after she cast the spell?" Mark spoke.
"Let's not talk about that."
"I'm sorry Oreck," a teardrop escaped Samantha's eye, "I-I killed you." Jayce picked her up, "You didn't kill me and besides, I'm here now." He wrapped his arms around her and she hugged him.
"We're okay now, everything's gonna be fine." He kissed her head
"You can come back now Orion, I'm not crying." She wiped her tears.
"Had to put the dishes in the washer, you were crying?" Mark came back in and sat with an awkward silence.
"So, we have to find the person who has been possessed by Morack and kill him." He said.
"No. If we do that he'll just find someone else, it's a temporary fix. We need to find a way to kill Morack in his body."
"But Atria, isn't he still immortal, how are we going to kill someone who can't be killed?"
"No, no being is ever truly immortal. Nature never allows that. Everything that has ever existed must cease one day."
"Okay, but how?"
"I don't know that yet."
"What are we supposed to do now then?"
"We wait, my memory is still coming and I'm sure I had found a way to kill him."
"That's great. How long do we have to wait?"
"I'm not sure. But it'll come to me."
"Okay then, in the meantime I'll try to find Morack's whereabouts." Mark got up and headed to his workshop, "almost forgot, we should use our current names, not the past ones."
"Agreed,"
"Atr-Samantha, my sister's room is upstairs, second door. You're about the same size as her, you can get changed if you want and the both of you can sleep in any room you want."
"Goodnight,"
Samantha turned to Jayce, "Don't worry, I'll find the way to kill Morack. I won't let anything harm you again, not even me."
"I know you will find the way and you can never hurt me."
"What's bothering you then?"
"I guess I'm just a little exhausted."
"Fine, you get some rest. I'm going upstairs." She gave a kiss on his head and left. Soon, Jayce fell asleep on the couch.
In the morning Jayce was woken up by the 8 a.m alarm on his phone along with Mark, who had just gone to sleep a few hours ago.
"Morning Mark."
"Yeah, morning." His eyes were still closed.
"When did you sleep last night?"
"I don't know, late 4… Just let me sleep a little more, you go do whatever you want."
"Sleep tight then."
"Oh hey Jayce, you're up," Samantha's voice came from the kitchen.
"Hey, Goodmorning Samantha."
"Morning, hope you still like eggs."
"Yup, eggs are my always and forever."
Mark snarled under his breath. "Sorry."
"Hey, Mark, you're out of eggs now by the way." Samantha didn't know that Mark was trying to sleep. "You don't mind, right?"
Mark opened his eyes and gave Jayce an annoyed look. "I was quiet." Jayce pointed at Samantha.
"Thanks for waking me, my queen."
"Oh, no problem but didn't we agree not to use our past names last night? Guess your memory is not that strong after all."
Jayce laughed and Mark threw the pillow at him, "What are you laughing at," he said.
"How dare you attack your prince! I shall have you imprisoned for it." Jayce said with a heavy voice.
"Please forgive me, your highness, let me make it up to you." Mark went to Jayce and wrapped arms around his neck, "by ending your life."
"Guys quit playing and get your arses over here," Samantha called them for breakfast.
"Let me finish Jayce for once first,"
"I'm… so-sorry," Jayce tapped Mark's arm thrice. "Be a good prince now," Mark let him go and walked to Samantha but then Jayce rushed in and pushed him aside with his shoulder, "Oh, sorry, I didn't see you there sir." Mark charged at Jayce but then Samantha stopped them, "Sit. Down."
Both of them obeyed her after passing a look at each other. "Two of the most powerful men in the world and you're acting like kids," Samantha said.
"Why are you acting like our mom?" Mark spoke loud enough that she heard him. "Because someone has to be responsible and mature."
"Yeah," he laughed
"I'm not childish like you two."
"Of course you're not," Jayce smirked. "Seems like someone's not hungry," She looked at him.
"I'll eat Mark's too."
"Keep your eyes off my breakfast Jayce."
"Okay guys, enough fun. Let's be serious for a minute now." Samantha asked, "Did you get anything useful, Mark?"
"I figured out where your kingdom's sanctuary is."
"And…?"
"Nothing," he took a breath, "I can't find who Morack is, 'cause I don't have anything but a vague idea of when he might have possessed that person to start with. I don't even know whether I'm looking for a man or a woman."
"It's okay, we'll figure it out. Right, Jayce."
Jayce was enjoying the food, "Yeah, we'll figure something out. Just give it some time."
"You're right, we're gonna have to wait anyhow." Mark agreed.
"Samantha, are we still on for tonight?" Jayce asked but she seemed surprised by it, "Of course, you're talking about the dinner right?"
"What else,"
"Yup I'm in."
"Great, I'm done. I'll be leaving now. See you tomorrow Mark." He put his plate on the dishwasher.
"You're going home, so soon?" Mark asked.
"Yes, my dear friend, not everyone is a smartarse like you. I have some papers to finish."
"Do you mind dropping me home?" Samantha asked him.
"You need to ask?"
"Alright then, I'll see you two tomorrow at university then and remember not to mention anything of our past in front of others." Mark reminded them.
"Would it be so bad if they knew?" Jayce said.
"No one will believe you Jayce and then they'll think we're either delusional or just liars."
"Well we can't let that happen." he tilted his head, "Alright then, no mentioning of past and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye and shut the door behind you."
"Jayce," Samantha said, "Is everything alright with you?"
"I'm good, why are you asking me this again?"
"Well, you seem a little too chill than before."
"lifetime before?" She nodded her head.
He sighed, "Morack already took the joy out of Oreck and Atria's life. We're given another chance, I'm not gonna let him mess our life too. When the time comes we will stop him, no doubt there, but I'm not gonna stop living my life as Oreck did."
"You're right, he has already taken enough from us. No more," she put her hand on his and crossed their fingers. He kissed her hand and she smiled.
"Samantha when I get far from you Ereck will wake, right?"
"Do you want me to make him sleep some more?"
"No, it's okay, I was just making sure so I don't get caught off guard."
"What do you mean?"
"You know, he pops at some of the worst times, last time he started talking while I was driving and gave me a jump scare."
She giggled, "Can't help with that just yet."
"It's fine, I'll get used to it." He dropped her hand to make a sharp turn, "Oh, I almost forgot, I have to return the car today so I won't be able to pick you up. You're gonna have to get to the restaurant on your own."
"Why don't I pick you up?"
"You have a car. Alright, pick me up at 7:30?"
"But where are we going?"
"You'll see tonight."
"You don't have to surprise me every time we go out."
"Yes, but I like doing it for you, that and I have a lifetime of surprises to make up for." he grinned.
"Here we are," He said.
"Do you wanna come inside?" She asked.
"I will tonight," "Tell Ereck I said hi," She unlocked her seatbelt.
"Sure," he kissed her cheek.
"See you at 7:30" She got out of the car and into her home.
"Bye." He drove away to return the car and took a cab home. On his way home Ereck woke up and soon he knew what had happened since last night.
Nothing interesting happened that afternoon, Jayce worked on his papers while Ereck kept distracting him from time to time.
In the evening, however, at 7:30 Samantha came and knocked on his door. He opened the door and saw Samantha in the same dress from the first day he saw her, "Wow," came from his mouth.
"Thought you'd like the dress." She kissed him and made her way inside the apartment, "Are you ready to go?"
"Let me get my coat,"
Jayce went to pick his coat and Samantha walked around looking at his apartment. She didn't find any tv in his apartment and it was mostly empty besides a couch, a table in front of it and a study desk, along with two stools. The desk was full of papers from earlier and on the floor was a rectangular rug covering the centre of the room.
"Let's go," He said and they both left the apartment. Samantha unlocked her car as they walked to it. It was a blue sedan. "Can I drive?" Jayce asked and she tossed him the key, "You need to ask?"
On their way to the restaurant, Samantha asked why there's no tv in his apartment. "Because I haven't bought one yet. All the furniture that you saw was already there with the apartment, that's why I took it." He answered
"Just as I thought." She said, "How's Ereck?"
"What do you think?"
"Grumpy."
"Bingo! You know, he's the only one among all four of us who hasn't changed at all"
"He wasn't meant to be reincarnated, he came as a bi-product of your rebirth."
"That's gonna hurt his ego."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"For a person with his ego, hell no."
After driving for a little further he stopped the car and parked it.
"I don't see any restaurant, Jayce."
"Cause there isn't any. It's 2 blocks ahead, I thought we'd walk the rest."
"Didn't know you were the romantic type."
"I just wanted to walk with you, romantic or not, I don't mind." They got out of the car and started their walk.
At the restaurant, after giving their order, both were enjoying each other's company. They were having a great first date when Jayce saw Ruzanna and ducked a little to avoid her.
"Why are you ducking?" Samantha asked him.
"Jayce?" Ruzanna called him, "Is that you?" she walked over.
"Yes, it's me." He smiled.
"How are you? It's been so long." She came over along with a tall dark-haired guy, "Babe, meet Jayce, he was my junior in high school."
"Hi, nice to meet you, Jayce." Mike shook hands with Jayce, "Nice to meet you too, Mike."
"Do you want to join them?" He asked her, "Can we join you?" She asked them.
"Sure," Samantha said. Mike pulled a chair for Ruzanna, "Should be fun,"
Jayce was just smiling at them momentarily. "Aren't you gonna introduce me to your date?" She asked looking at Samantha who looked at Jayce.
"Yeah… Ruzanna, meet Samantha, my girlfriend, and Samantha this is Ruzanna,"
"Your senior," Samantha cut him. "You guys catch up. I need to attend this call and I'll place our order on my way," Mike left the table.
"Excuse him guys, he's handling a new project on his team, it keeps him busy a lot these days," Ruzanna explained.
"No, that's fine, work is work. My dad used to do that all the time." Samantha spoke.
"What does he do?" She asked. "He's in business, I won't bore you with details though. Anyway, how long have you known Jayce?"
"I've known him since my sophomore year. We met in the detention room the first time, he was there because he got into a fight with someone and I was there for my behaviour with my teachers. Then we started bumping into each other on the campus and soon we became friends. I think he had a crush on me back then."
"Oh really…" Samantha looked at him, "It was a long time ago," he said.
The waitress came with Jayce and Samantha's dinner, saving Jayce from an uncomfortable conversation. He didn't want to talk about it.
"What else can you tell me about Jayce…" Samantha asked.
"Enough about me. How have you been, Ruzanna?" He didn't let her answer.
"I'm good. I'm in my final year with Mike, although Mike doesn't really need the degree. He's gonna take over his dad's business."
"Didn't you just say he took on a new project recently?" Samantha asked.
"His dad gave it to him so he'd get some practise before taking over."
"That's good," Jayce said. "Sorry for leaving, I'm back now, what's up?" Mike came back.
"We were just talking about you, babe."
"Is that so?" The waitress came again with Mike and Ruzanna's order, "Thank you very much." Mike said.
At the end of the dinner, Mike insisted on paying and asked Samantha and Jayce to wait for them at the exit as they had to use the washroom.
"Your crush huh…" Samantha said once they got far enough from them.
"It was just a teenage thing,"
"I'm not upset about it Jayce, I just wonder why you ducked when you saw her, do you still have feelings for her?"
"What? No, of course not. I've been over her for years now, in fact, I don't even like her anymore. That's why I was trying to avoid her."
"Tell me what happened between you two."
"Nothing happened. I had a crush on her, I confessed, she said she felt the same way and then after a few months she said she never reflected my feelings and ended things."
"Why?"
"I don't know but the next week she was with a friend of ours."
"WIth your friend? That must have hurt… I'm sorry for making you say it but you know, I had to know."
"I know, and it's alright. It was a long time ago and besides, it was never gonna work between her and me."
"And why is that?"
"Because…", "Hey guys, took you long enough." Ruzanna and Mike came back.
"Yup, sorry for the delay, so, it was great seeing you two. We should do this again." Mike said.
"Great to see you too, man."
"Hey, you guys need a ride?" Mike asked the two of them.
"Oh, no. My car is parked just two blocks ahead. We're gonna walk there." Samantha answered.
"Why don't we walk them to their car?" Ruzanna suggested.
"Sure, why not."
As they were walking Mike gave Jayce some tips on self-defence from the taekwondo class he took a few years ago. Jayce had parked Samantha's car near a secluded alley.
"That's our ride," Jayce said, unlocking the door.
"Are you Jayce Clark?" A Russian guy asked from behind. Jayce turned around along with others and saw that the man had two more guys on his side, both Russian and muscular. One of them had some scars on his face.
"Yes… Who's asking?" Jayce said.
"Come with us." The man said.
"Where?" Jayce asked. One of the two men said something in Russian,
"What's going on here?" Mike stepped in.
"And who are you?" The first guy asked.
"Mike…"
"Yeah, Mike, listen, you seem like a good kid, so I suggest you leave. Now." He took a step forward.
"Who the hell do you think you are? I'll tell you what, back off now and we'll be on our way." Mike raised his voice.
"Looks like we got ourselves a fighter, boys," They laughed.
"See Mike, we have some business with them, so I'll tell you one last time, leave." The man showed Mike the gun he was hiding in his Jacket.
Mike's heart started pounding rapidly, fear was clear on his face, "Babe let's go." He said, hiding his fear.
"What? No, we're not leaving them with these jackasses." Ruzanna said.
"They'll be fine, we should go,"
"The hell is wrong with you, Mike?" She said. The man reached for his jacket.
He grabbed her, "We need to leave now." But she pulled back, "No, why are you acting like this?" she yelled.
"Suit yourself," He rushed his way out of there.
"You should go with him Ruzanna, we'll be fine," Jayce told her.
"No, I'm not leaving my friends to a bunch of jackasses."
"Listen to the boy, lady, and leave." The guy with scars on his face said.
"Piss off!"
"So what's it gonna be Jayce? Are you coming or should we talk here?" The first guy said.
"I don't know what it's about but okay, I'll come."
"Good choice."
"I'm coming with you," Samantha said. "I'll be fine." Jayce looked at her.
"I wasn't asking."
"Why don't you all come?" The man smiled.
The guys led them to a dark alley right around the corner of the block where two more men were waiting for them.
"So, there's five of you," Samantha said. "Oh, we asked for more, but we're more than enough for you." He said.
"Do you want to talk to them before I take them down?" Samantha whispered to Jayce.
"What? No, Ruzanna is here, you can't cast anything." Jayce stopped her.
"Fine, I'll just call Ereck if they do anything stupid."
"Hey, what are you two whispering about?" Ruzanna intruded.
"Nothing, just wondering what they want from us," Samantha said.
"Me too. Can't believe Mike just fled."
"Stop talking!" The man yelled again.
"That's Jayce Clark?" One of the men waiting in the alley asked the first man.
"Yes."
"Mhm, doesn't seem like much but whatever, let's get to business now."
"Mr Clark, I know you must be wondering what's going on, but it's very simple. Give us what we want and no one needs to get hurt." He said.
"Okay, what is it that you want and I don't carry cash," Jayce said.
"We're not here for your money," He moved close to Jayce, "We're here for the sword."
"The what?" Jayce was confused, "Sword?"
"Give us the sword and you can go."
"I don't know what you're talking about, I don't have any sword."
The man punched Jayce on his upper abdomen, bringing him to his knee. "I don't like unnecessary lies. Give us the sword and we'll be on our way."
"Get off from him!" Samantha yelled and pushed him away. Then she went to help Jayce stand.
Two of the men pulled her away from him. "Leave me!" She yelled again
"Shut up, blondie."
"Leave her out of this." Jayce raised his voice, trying to control his rage.
"Looks like we caught a nerve here." The man said.
"You didn't catch any nerve, rather you're getting on my nerves and trust me, you don't want that."
Samantha pulled away from one man and twisted the hand of the other who had held her. Then the other guy grabbed her on the back of her neck.
"I'm telling you for the last time, leave her," Jayce yelled.
"Or what?!" The man said, "I think you need to squeeze that neck of her a little harder." He said to the guy who had her, "Give us the sword and she lives." He said.
"I said leave her!" Jayce grabbed the man who had held Samantha and pushed him away from her. "You okay?" He asked her and another man hit him on his back. Jayce let go a breath, "Stay here with Ruzanna." he told her. She just nodded.
Jayce turned around and received a punch on his face, "I don't have your stupid sword!" he yelled delivering a liver punch to his attacker. He took the rest of them down within moments.
And then when it came to the man who was giving orders to the others, he took his time to play a little with him. In the end, when he was finally about to go down he grabbed him by his throat and lifted him, looking into his eyes, "So, what sword were you talking about?" he asked him.
The man could say anything because he didn't have any air in his lungs, but Jayce didn't seem to notice and he tightened his grasp. Samantha saw it, "Jayce, he can't breathe." She made him put the man down and calmed Jayce.
Ruzanna had never expected Jayce to be the fighter type let alone be the kind to take five men down on his own. She was in shock as Jayce had turned any attempts of the guys using their gun into a lesson they'd always remember.
"Let's go now," Samantha said.