Jack followed the map his father had given him, instructing him to o and see to a matter that was left unfinished. He struggled through the wood being eaten alive by bugs, worried what matter he was being forced to take care of. What could he possibly do here? What could he do in general?! His mind went back to the conference with his father that morning.
Jack had walked into the receiving room to see his father already waiting for him. He entered slowly reluctant to see what mood his father was in this morning. He had tripped over the edge of the carpet landing in front of his father. He looked up to see his father smiling down at him.
"Here, Jack, let me help you." His father had said helping him up. "You must be more careful. You know better than any one how delicate you are."
"I know." Jack muttered. "Why did you send for me?"
"I have a mission for you. Here just follow these directions and do as you are told. It is very simple for you."
That was why Jack was now roughing it out in this horrid forest. His mind was so pre-occupied that was not paying attention as to where he was going or what was coming at him.
"OW!" Jack howled in pain. A rather thick branch had hit him in the head and though it was rather foolish Jack couldn't help, but blame the tree. He slowly got to his feet and continued on.
The trees finally opened to a huge lake with a waterfall flowing into it, carved into the rock face of the waterfall was a vast beautiful palace. There were many people going about talking, playing, and enjoying the sun light that shone down on them all. He took another step forward, every one turned to look at him with curiosity. A boy about the same age as him stepped toward him.
"We've been waiting for you. Come, look into the water." He said, pushing Jack closer to the water's edge.
His red eyes scanned the clear water for several moments trying to see what they wanted him to see, but then something emerged from the water, landing on the bank in front of him. He stumbled back to see what was standing before him. It was a man, tall and muscular. His long dark hair clung to his face, a few strands falling in front of his golden eyes. His pants clung to his legs; a few of the women standing nearby pulled a robe onto his shoulders.
"Hello, little prince," He said. "I've been expecting you, since your father came to my home."
"Who are you?" Jack whispered, his voice stolen away from shock.
"I am Chase Young, the demi-god. I am a water dragon and this is my kingdom. Now tell me, what is your name?"
"Jack."
"Well, Jack, do you realize why you are here?"
"No, my father told me to come here to finish something, but didn't say what."
"Yes, you are here to finish the transaction between me and the king. He sold his own son to save himself."
"Please, tell me that isn't true." Jack cried, tears threatening to fall. In truth that sounded exactly like something his father would do.
"Do you wish to see?" Chase asked, pointing to a small pool set apart from the lake. Jack followed him to the pool, frightened by what he might see. Chase waved a hand over the water causing the deal between him and the king coming to life on the pool's surface. Jack watched for as long as he could before the tears started to fall. He sniffed loudly covering his face with his hands.
"Alright, I get it! Please, stop!" He cried.
With another wave of his hand the scene disappeared. Chase motioned to the boy that had first spoken to Jack. The boy obediently answered his master's call and approached them.
"Take Jack to his room, Kido." Chase told him and with an affectionate shove from his master, he led the way to Jack's room.
"How can you be so happy when you are a slave?" Jack questioned once he thought they were far enough away that Chase wouldn't hear.
"Master Chase takes good care of us. We aren't treated as slaves or servants, but as friends and equals." Kido explained.
"Yet you call him master?"
"Only as a title of respect."
"Why do you stay here instead of returning to your home?"
"We owe him and we could never leave him." Kido said, looking at Jack stunned by the very thought of leaving Chase.
"What could you possibly owe him?"
"Each of us owes him for something different. I owe him for taking me away from my family."
Jack was curious as to how that could be a good thing, but didn't want to pry. He was still very confused about the whole thing, but there was no time for it now. They had reached Jack's room. It was decorated in a garden style with vines wrapped around all the stone work. The closet was filled with clothes that complimented Jack's unusual coloring. Jack was astonished by the beauty of it all. Kido stood smiling smugly next to him.
"What did you expect?" Kido asked.
"Not this."
Kido left him there to rest if he wanted to. Jack sat on the bed still amazed by the room. It didn't make any sense. Why would he go to so much trouble for him? He was to be a servant, yet just as Kido said, he wasn't treated as one. Why was this so confusing?
"What is on your mind?"
Jack jumped at the voice. He stood and turned to see Chase looking at him with curiosity in his eyes. He was dry now and had changed, but his tanned skin could still be seen due to the open robe which he now wore over his pants. Jack's eyes seemed to study him for a moment before becoming locked in the liquid gold of Chase's eyes.
"Why do you care?" Jack asked, trying hard to sound brave though it came out shakier.
"I cannot hear your thoughts like I can my other servants and I am curious to know what you are thinking." Chase said his eyes searching for answers to his own question in Jack's eyes.
"That's good." He said smiling at the demi-god. "I don't want you to know what I'm thinking."
Chase's eyes hardened showing his deadly rage. He growled fiercely lunging at Jack. Jack cried out as his head hit the stone floor, his spine felt like it would snap under Chase's weight. Jack looked Chase in the eyes, his slender form shaking slightly for fear of the anger he had just brought out in the dragon.
"Ahh….please…….I….." Jack stuttered, air hard for him to get.
Chase seemed to realize what he was doing and pulled himself off him. He was on his knees next to Jack, his eyes filled with horror and remorse. Jack sat up shakily confused by the sudden change in Chase as though he were not acting of his own will.
"I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't realize…I-I didn't mean to frighten you. Did I… hurt you?" Chase asked.
"No, you didn't. Just shaken." Jack said.
"I didn't mean to, I don't even remember attacking you."
"How is that possible?"
"My dragon form also has its own mind and it's hard to control at times." Chase looked away, ashamed of his lack of control.
"How can you not control it?"
"I was cursed ages ago when I was first made a demi-god. I will carry it with me till I am destroyed."
"Destroyed?!" Jack shrieked, horrified.
"Of course." Chase said, a look of curiosity coming onto his face. "Why does that worry you?"
"I, well, I…uhm…I just don't…like it." He stammered blushing.
"What are you thinking?" Chase asked, his fingers gently caressing Jack's cheek.
"Why do you care?" Jack said trying to escape Chase's reach.
Chase noticed Jack's discomfort and pulled his hand back. He stood up and walked to the window, turning his back to Jack. Jack sat back on his bed.
"Jack, please, don't think me cruel." Chase finally said, realizing Jack wasn't going to answer.
"I don't. I just…I don't know."
"I understand, all of them started out that way." He said taking a step toward him.
"Really? They all trust you though."
"They didn't start off that way; in fact most of them didn't trust me for the longest time." He said, sitting next to Jack.
"What caused them to trust you?" Jack asked, looking at Chase questioningly, not having realized he had been there before now.
"Most of them learned after a while I meant what I said about not hurting them, but some learned it the hard way."
"What way is that?"
"You ask a lot of questions." Chase laughed.
"Well, I'm just trying to understand better. So what's Kido's story?"
"You'd have to ask him, not me. It's his business whether or not you should know or not." Chase said, crossing back to the window as though he had heard something that was a fore warning of trouble.
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
"It's him." Chase whispered before dashing out of the room and out to the clearing. "Jack, all I ask is you stay with Kido and listen to him!"
Jack followed Chase, but was soon stopped from continuing by Kido. Kido and the others looked worried; this apparently wasn't a good meting. He wanted to ask questions, but after a look from Kido he realized speaking would be bad at the moment. Chase stood before a man very much like him in size and stature.
"What do you want?" Chase demanded in a harsh tone showing his obvious disdain for the unwanted visit.
"Have you forgotten something?" The man said his eyes dangerous. Jack recognized him as one of the gods, one of corruption. His name was well known by his cruelty and it was…
"Damon, what is it you wish of me this time?" Chase said his tone softer this time, but obviously forced.
"I want my servant to answer his master's call." He said stepping closer to Chase with an evil smile. Chase bowed his head in submission. Jack watched in horror, he was holding his breath waiting to see what would happen to the dragon. "Very good, Chase, listen for my voice."
Damon grinned wickedly as his fingers caressed Chase's cheek. Chase's eyes were closed trying hard not to react. Jack desperately wanted to help Chase, but he was told not to move from next to Kido. Damon whispered in Chase's ear before leaving. Chase turned to them a look of complete hatred marking his features. He tried to reassure them that nothing was wrong, but none of them really believed it. As the others left, Jack walked up to Chase looking him in the eyes.
"Will you be alright?" Jack asked.
"Yes, don't worry about me." Chase said turning to go to his room. Jack didn't like not knowing what was going on, but he contented himself with the thought of Chase explaining later. He went back to his room and lay on the bed, his head spinning with questions.