Chapter 10: The Will of the Abyss
Lillian's emerald eyes gazed into Jack's own set dubiously, she inquired," This watch is the first item?"
The watch innocently swayed in the air, its smooth surface catching small specks of light.
Jack's eyes bore into the watch with gathering excitement. "Yes," he hesitated; malicious voices taunted him of being 'the hopeful idiot'. What's the matter boy? Don't you realize a monster is incapable of saving those whose souls aren't filled with complete and utter filth? Deep inside his mind, a yellow-eyed monster bore an ugly toothy grin as it whispered these words teasingly with a purr to its tone. Shaking his head, he urged himself to ignore the vindictive monsters from his own self-deprecation. Swallowing the lump gathering in his throat, he spoke again, putting an edge to his words to signal his finality, "Something in my gut tells me so."
Lillian stared at him, the doubt evident in those eyes, "I thought the watch belonged to the Nightray boy? Elliot, I believe? From the little snippets of conversation I've gathered outside this realm, he wrote a song also called Lacie?"
Outside this realm? Can she also jump through the two worlds?
Jack's eyebrows furrowed, while Lillian had his trust there were times he questioned whether or not she was a chain in disguise. However, his prediction was only based on the facts that she was capable of jumping through dimension tunnels and possessed unlimited, untapped powers.
Then again, through Oz's eyes, he had seen the Will of the Abyss perform many actions considered unfeasible. A wryly grin crossed his face, the Will of the Abyss was a little girl granted unbelievable powers through a connection with the Core itself. No matter what path he took every door at the end of the tunnel came to the same conclusion- nothing was impossible thru the Abyss.
The teenager sent him a deprecating look for his late response; Jack mentally scolded himself for being sidetracked. If there was one thing he learned from their short time together it was that she wasn't hesitant in showing her annoyance towards him. While others fled in terror just by being in the same proximity as him this child held no trepidation and had basically welcomed him with open arms. Even when it was obvious there were times she was tentative in revealing her knowledge of these realms.
Along with disapproval over my course of actions.
In order to ward off her suspicions he graced her with a pleasant grin. What was it with strange women having a strong sense of clarity with clairvoyance?
"Actually the boy Leo, currently being possessed by dearly departed brother Oswald, wrote the song. My guess is the caged soul of Oswald urged him to create the piece." Jack grinned to himself, he considered it rather ironic Oswald would compel the boy to write the same piece he had written to his beloved sister one hundred years back. Did Oswald have some lingering attachment that caused him to have her 'song' played as a requiem? After all, he was ordering her annihilation a second time. "But no this is actually my pocket-watch which somehow or another fell into the hands of Oswald. The fool shouldn't have touched my belongings after I had carefully placed it in a location for Oz to find." His voice lowered as he mentioned the last portion.
Jack grinned knowingly to himself, truthfully after finding the watch he decided to place it upon Lacie's tomb- its rightful place of rest. He did not leave the watch to serve solely as a memento, but in the hopes someone would find it- a certain chain who was known for being an unruly child in his human form.
Lillian continued to question the matter of the watch's ownership, much to his chagrin. "But didn't you just say Lacie gave the watch to Oswald-"
"Yes, after the Tragedy, I, by chance or fate, happened to find the watch and now it belongs to me," he responded frankly, growing fed up with her unceasing questions.
Noting the smidgeon of sarcasm laced with his remark, Lillian whistled, muttering under her breath, "Cheeky little bastard aren't you?"
Jack ignored her, right now things were looking hopeful again and his mood had brightened. He wasn't going to allow some young girlish…entity to damper his spirits. Or these damn voices.
Apparently, the fictitious persona of a devil sitting on people's shoulders goading them to commit sin had chosen a new route of entertainment: reminding Jack how pathetic he was. But not anymore.
Jack would show those self-doubts and faces belonging to past demons that tormented him he was capable of greater things than being a love-struck adolescent boy. No, he would save the girl and return her to the world she loved…no matter what.
What that 'matter' entitled he was still uncertain.
Now that he had attained the first item in his grasp, the next agenda was figuring out a way to unlock the hidden memories contained within. Jabbing at dials, opening and closing the lid, and even swinging the watch resulted in limited responses. (Lillian did laugh at his own expense, inquiring whether or not he was performing a magic trick). His frustration began to build and the urge to rip his hair out increased with every failed outcome.
Lifting up his palm he questioned if the power of a chain might help produce better results. Calling forth the B-Rabbit's dark powers, his palm had just produced a faint reddish tint when Lillian grabbed ahold of his hand, shaking her head.
There was no longer amusement in those orbs of hers. Another emotion had replaced her previous delight- concern, sadness…pity.
Jack glared in response, when his eyes began taking on the color of blood her emerald eyes sunk in sadness-that damnable pitiful look, a look he hated recalling all those years living under his mother as the nobles looked upon him in shame. If they weren't scoffing at his existence, then it was the matter over being born a bastard. As though his birthright was the only thing that defined him. Not his soul, personality, or even charisma, the only thing considered notable in the horrid world of power and riches was whose blood coursed through your veins. Lillian's voice cut through the impending anger building from past traumas, "This isn't the way, Jack."
He stared at her incredulously. Just how would she know if B-rabbit's powers would prove successful or not?
His initial response was to shove her off, but something compelled him to hear her out. Perhaps, a conscience that he had ignored for the past century. "What makes you say this Lillian since we haven't the slightest clue in how to unlock memories do we?"
Lillian's pale eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, "No, but I can already tell that using the power of B-Rabbit will do nothing more than destroy the trinket."
The chain's power will destroy the watch?
His eyes widened in alarm. B-Rabbit. The chain adept at destroying entire civilizations, a chain he had wished to use to bring the world into the Abyss a century prior.
And he was just about to use those powers to destroy any chance at restoration of Lacie's memories and freedom.
Jack's impulsive decision was slowly proving to be the idea of an idiot as he continued thinking over the matter in a rational manner. B–Rabbit was a destructive power that easily wiped out any troubles the wielder may face, and now as Lillian's words sunk in he realized the chain's power could obliterate the watch and all of the hidden memories contained within.
Realizing he was making a foolhardy decision, Jack lowered his hand, releasing a mournful groan of aggravation. Lillian patted him on the hand, almost in maternal affection, "The answer will come in good time Jack. Let's weigh our options now and decided which is the best result."
Jack responded childishly, "I'm tired of waiting for an answer to appear before us, taking action is the best response currently."
Lillian tilted her head, staring at him skeptically. "Don't lose faith Jack, if you're already throwing in the towel then you basically have already quit before you even truly began."
Jack scoffed. Once again she was proving to be omniscient, how did she always have the perfect response to ease his troubles. He might as well have given the girl a cloth to wipe away his troubles. Ironically, he believed she could erase anybody's problems, a silly concept. "Heh, guess we're two of a kind aren't we, Lillian? We're both the black sheep of our realms with nothing to lose. Society has rejected us, our families reject us, and even our realms think our existences are of little importance. Truthfully, other than protecting the woman who radiances warmth what is our purpose?"
Emptiness poured into his heart like a pitcher pouring water into a glass.
Lillian snorted. He lifted a fine eyebrow at her response, she rolled her eyes, huffing, "The more I listen to you it sounds to me that you're wanting to spend valuable time feeling sorry for yourself than actually formulating a plan."
When Jack stared at her in disbelief over her accusative statement, she continued on her lecture, similar to a rotating top given a good spin. "No offense, but to the listening party all I'm hearing is the jabs of a lost boy when I should be listening to the ferocity of an assured man."
Lillian sent him a daring, enticing look- a look that read: "I have just insulted your ego, now show me what you're going to do about it."
No matter what damage Jack had done to others, he was still a human man made of flesh and emotions underneath it all. Just like a fish to the bait, he took her harsh words to heart – taking the bait- and had already come up with the perfect response.
Jack sent her a scathing look; if she wanted to play mind-games then he would meet her challenge. Hadn't he once lived in a world filled with nothing but self-obsessed worshippers and actors chipping away to a person's ego for a few coins?
Sporting his dazzling grin he replied mockingly, "My, such bold words for someone whose lived in this realm for unknown epochs. Also, I could ask why you're so determined in helping a lost soul such as myself… perhaps you're the one whose more desperate for companionship than I?"
He added extra venom into his last statement, "Perhaps, you're the one who's lost not I?"
The pained expression that clouded her previous look of determination made Jack regret his words. How he wished he could shove his foot into his mouth presently!
When he heard her start to sniffle, he became horrified. Here was someone who honestly wished to help him and what was his response to her trying to motivate him? Use cruel words to gain the upper hand.
Running a hand through his braided hair, he contemplated over how to apologize to her. Do I hurt everyone I touch intentionally? Or is my sole purpose for existence tearing people apart?
Shifting his eyes away, he watched as some matter floated across the terrain. Small specks of light dusted the outer region of this dimension giving everything a dreamy feel. Lillian kept her eyes planted on something in the distance, refusing to even look his way.
Someone had to say something and right now it was obvious who was in the wrong. Jack sighed, brushing off some dirt from his green jacket as a means to distract himself a moment longer.
"Look Lillian, everything I said before…I'm sorry. I didn't mean the things I said, I was in a bad mood and your words caused my anger to rear its ugly head again," he noticed her bare feet shifting in place, her long platinum hair blocked her eyes from him. However, he could see the straight line of her lips, despite her attempt to look undaunted there was a slight tremble that revealed her hurt. As he talked she avoided his gaze, but he knew she was listening since she continued twisting her orange dress within her hands. Something told him it was a nervous habit based on previous experiences with women.
"Everything I said before ignore it. They were unkind words used by a man who should have known better," he looked at her hopefully; he really was being sincere with his apology. Maybe it was because she was a child, or because she always looked so bright and full of hope that reminded him of days' lost- the memory of Lacie singing by a stream resurfaced- that caused him to be bothered by her sadness. Whatever it was, it kept him from wanting to see her pained.
"Will you forgive me, Lillian?" he asked quietly.
At first she didn't respond, she continued clenching and unclenching the bottom of her dress. He closed his eyes. As he drifted there, he remembered the sad, mournful song Lacie often sang. For some reason, Lacie's lyrics always soothed him. A wave of nostalgia drifted over him as he remembered her lovely voice, that calming soothing pitch she would take whenever he began to drift to sleep.
A serene smile formed as he remembered a time when he was right at the brink of deep sleep he felt Lacie run her fingers through his hair affectionately. He had just gotten done discussing earlier how it was difficult to sleep lately since wintertime always made him overexcited due to a lingering attachment to his boyhood- trying to cover the fact the only reason he had learned to adore the cold was thanks to her. As she glided her nimble fingers through his long locks, he feigned the act of deep exhaustion, if he stirred or even made the smallest of noises he knew the moment would end since Lacie was very careful in not allowing anything beyond the most minuscule of physical contact between them.
While Lacie was always stubborn and mentioned how she didn't want to give people the wrong impression, Jack always noticed that whenever she did extend a hand towards him as an adult there was an air of uncertainty that replaced the carefree attitude she had possessed as a young teenager.
Why was that? Had something changed between them without his knowing? Did he offend her accidently and it caused her to grow hesitant.
So many questions, and none had been answered.
The one time Lacie went beyond the breach of personal contact they had created for themselves surprised Jack beyond belief. He was trapped between not wishing to push pass their set boundaries, confusion as to what caused these sudden bold advancements, and the desire to cross the small distance and capture her lips with his own. The urge to kiss her had never been as present to Jack as in that moment, as she touched his face he noticed her eyes would constantly drift back to his lips questionably.
He imagined her lips, how smooth and pink the tender flesh looked, he always wondered what would have been her reaction to his kiss. Then again, while he always questioned what could have happened if he had cross that small distance, part of him was happy just being around her.
The monster clouding his mind reminded him that he was a man, and men had desires. Jack ignored the monster; he was too busy being fond over those small moments of happiness between Lacie and himself whenever they were left to themselves.
What could have happened if she lived?
Past regrets began to pool from Jack- the great "what if" amongst them. He had been so determined in not breaking her trust he didn't even fathom the concept he should have tried making the first move to see what would have happened. Jack chuckled at the irony of the situation, he had let countless no-faced individuals see him in a way that filled him with self-loathing and allowed their vile hands to touch him, but the girl designated as a monster made him shudder like a schoolboy who had never been kissed and feel clean once more whenever she did the simplest of gestures. Such gestures as- the brushing of fingers or whenever she had taken the initiative to grasp his hand.
Truly ironic.
As the wave of nausea began to subside, Jack recalled something, which had ruined the happiness of moment. Jack had been enjoying the gentleness of her fingers, loving the feeling of those dainty hands no matter if they were seeped in blood or picking lilies out of the pond, when Lacie paused in her routine. Right as he began to drift off into the world of dreams, Lacie's soothing voice whispered, with a touch of melancholy, "Damn you Jack, you always find a way of making me regret leaving people behind."
And with that, an imaginary boulder landed into the midst of the memory, jarring everything. Jack opened his eyes now in the present- at the time he thought she meant their first encounter; never in his wildest dreams did he imagine her lamenting over the loved ones she would never see again.
Lillian stared at his somber expression inquisitively. He hadn't realized he had drifted off into dreamland for such a lengthy amount of time. The teenager exhaled slowly, her small ribcage moving up and down meticulously.
After gathering courage, she fixed him with a rocky expression, she then began to speak, "I'm not going to lie and say your words haven't affected me Jack. Perhaps, I have been stuck here for millennia or even longer, but these details don't make me a vacant, wandering soul in search of attachment despite your apparent belief. I have already told you before I wish to help you because of Lacie. Her presence helped make the Abyss a happier place, but this was back when we could see her alive in the realm beyond. Right now, she isn't truly alive she's just living. A shade of her former self."
Jack stayed silent, listening to her speech intently. She stared into his eyes without blinking, but Jack was overcome by the feeling she was seeing straight through him. He was reminded of Oswald saying Jack reminded him of water, she could see him but there wasn't someone truly reflected there.
"Now I will forgive your indiscretions," she pointed a finger at him accusingly when she noticed the relief flash across his face, "but don't believe for a second I'll tolerate such behavior a second time. Next time you make another comment like that I'll condemn you to the farthest reaches of the Abyss were no one can hear you scream."
Lillian practically sang the last comment; an outsider would have thought she was discussing puppies and toys with the eerie merriment she was glowing over the mention of torturing Jack.
Jack nodded cautiously. What in the hell have I gotten myself involved with?
"Fabulous! Now let me have a look at that contraption and see what I can make of it!" she shouted joyfully.
Soaring over, she halted right before colliding into Jack. The girl began humming a tune Jack couldn't place a finger on. Though there were certain sections that seemed familiar.
The girl hovered in place examining the dangling object with keen interest. Jack bit his cheek to keep from laughing since she reminded Jack of a canary; she continued twisting each and every way looking at the watch similar to a bird looking for a worm.
At one point, she even sniffed the watch. Jack was struck by deja vu. He recalled another time when another girl, though slightly younger and darker, who often did the same gesture when examining things.
Alice.
The girl who killed herself to save her precious friend.
Jack glanced down shamefully as he recalled her habits, at the time he found her obnoxious and crude, now he wish he had shown her more concern.
While he couldn't claim to have accepted her wholeheartedly without slight scrutiny- the girl's habit of biting his cheek whenever he said something which pleased her left behind many days of bloodied cheeks and growing tension- he could honestly say without any doubt in his heart he didn't wish that fate on her despite his exasperation with her.
Out of all the regrets he harbored in his life, her death was ranked high in his continuous list.
Dear, sweet precious Alice. I never wanted you to die, please believe me.
Lillian was too preoccupied with her analysis to notice Jack's fingers tighten on the chain. Even though he regretted the events of the past, if Alice got into his way again he wouldn't hold back when dealing with her.
Although Alice was a formidable opponent compared to her composed sister who naively followed his every whim just because she enjoyed his company.
Jack bit back the sigh wishing to escape, while he would deal with the twin in the same manner as the first sister, he would hold some lamentations over his actions. Neither girl deserved their fate thanks to their bastard father.
But fate had played it parts and each player held their role. He was responsible for their misery along with their 'so-called' father. Perhaps, even more so than he would have liked to admit.
The young man had been lost in his own personal dilemmas and almost jumped out of his skin when Lillian released a cheer. Twirling round and round, she screamed over some unknown discovery.
The girl giggled excitedly as he placed a hand over his heart, willing the rabidly beating heart to calm its trials. Internally, he felt like he had a horse pawing at his sternum.
"Lillian, please for the love of…the Abyss, don't randomly scream into my ear please," he urged forcefully, though his gasping for air took away some of the bluntness.
The hyperactive teenager ignored his request initially, too lost in her own giddiness.
"Lillian," Jack spat out harshly.
The girl stopped twirling, having finally taken notice of his peevish face. "Goodness me, sorry Jack, my excitement must have caused me to overlook you."
No kidding, Jack thought peevishly.
"Don't worry about it, now can you tell me what enthused you? Or is it just a random habit of yours?" he asked cutely.
Lillian rolled her eyes, mumbling under her breath, "Why am I always stuck dealing with the pretty assholes?" She smiled at him, trying to mask her disdain, "While you were lost in La-La land, I detected a faint tint of energy, not belonging to the human realm, radiating from this item."
When Jack stared at her dumbly, she rolled her eyes, clucking her tongue in annoyance. The small gesture caused the hair on his arms to stiffen since he recalled Jiri performing the same habit. Though he had dealt with a magnitude of people throughout his life, Jiri was probably one of the most terrifying foes he had ever encountered. She was just plain…creepy.
"What I'm saying Jack," she rose a pale eyebrow questionably when he kept rubbing his arms nervously, "is that this energy wasn't produced by 'human' means. Something nonhuman has attempted to tamper with the watch and WILL YOU stop rubbing your arms like a deranged monkey!?"
Pausing in his movements, he looked down at his arms as he was caught in the act. Dropping his arms abruptly, he began laughing guiltily. "Sorry, got a bad feeling suddenly, someone tampered with it?"
Continuing on with her analysis, though she did give him a look of concern before restarting, "Yes, I cannot determine who toyed with the item, but I can say it wasn't someone of Pandora notoriety. Something inhuman has placed their ill intent into this object and it wasn't a Glen. Although," she twisted her head to the side to stare at the watch curiously," whoever they are they're very powerful."
Jack frowned over this discovery; someone else had plans outside Jack and those goons on Earth. But who and what exactly where they planning?
Question after question began piling on top of one another like a stack of cards; one wrong move and the pile would scatter. Although in his and Lillian's circumstances, one wrong move may cost them everything.
Jack was kept pensive over all these sudden discoveries. Suddenly, he felt like a small flea in a much larger scheme.
Who was this unidentified foe that possessed unspecified powers. Powers which maybe stronger than a Glen's from the way Lillian had hinted.
The man was too absorbed in his thoughts causing his failure in noticing the spark of white energy flowing from the watch as Lillian crept closer and closer to the item. Right as she placed her fingers on the watch's surface, the white glow burst with radiating energy. Jack shielded his eyes just as Lillian released a startled cry of panic. Jack kept one sleeve over his eyes, as he attempted to clamp onto her arm. Feeling his way around uselessly, he tried unsuccessfully to find her as he grasped at empty air.
The light continued to glow brighter until he shut his eyelids down yearning for this strange light to fade. Lillian's voice had faded as the light grew in intensity. Praying silently for her to be all right Jack continued searching for her until his hand made contact with flesh.
Jack leapt in joy as he felt warmth under his palm. Touching at the skin, he felt five small limbs connected to a larger mound of flesh. What luck! He had managed to grab her hand.
With his eyes still shut, he could see through his closed lids, the light dimming. Lillian's hand held onto his, he was happy over this prospect since he didn't wish for either to get lost from one another. "Lillian, I'm happy you're okay! I don't know what happened back there, but since things aren't making much sense anymore we need to keep a careful eye on one another."
Jack could see her form glowing from behind his lids. The light had almost disappeared entirely, but he needed to be cautious. Her light did feel him with happiness, although her sudden silence bothered him. Lillian wasn't the type to remain silent.
"Isn't that right, Lillian?" he questioned.
When the light had finally disappeared, Jack opened his eyes. "Phew, I'm glad that's over with, you had me worried there for a mome- "
His chipper tone trailed off as he stared at the figure floating in front of him. This figure glowed with the same ethereal light as Lillian, and was around the same age and similar characteristics as Lillian- but it wasn't Lillian before him.
Jack sat back on his haunches, staring in shock into the violet eyes of the girl he had imagined never laying eyes on again.
The Will of the Abyss.
The white haired girl smiled sweetly at him, "Hello Jack, I never imagined seeing you again."
Author's Rant- Sorry for such a long break, but I've been busy this summer. Hope I still have some followers, love you all! Muah's! Can I just say Duh-duh-duuuh! *Insert evil snicker- wonder how Jack and the Will's encounter will go? Will she help him in his search or eradicate him?