It had been a long time since Jack had seen Wuya excited about something. It was the first time since her battle with Dashi that she'd achieved an ounce of success. The last of the Heylin flower, after several failed experiments, had finally yielded her a small portion of power. Just enough to make a small rock golem. Jack had watched as the creature took its first steps, more fascinated by the magic involved than hurt by Wuya's clear affection towards it.
In fact, Wuya was put into such a good mood, she allowed Jack time alone while she went into the forest to train her new creation.
Once she had left, Jack took to the collection of magical tomes now at his disposal. He skimmed over the titles, nibbling on his lip. Khaing had flown inside, alighting on his shoulder.
"There must be something about ancient curses in here." He murmured, running his hands along a few spines to clear away the dust. Row after row, he searched, making sure to return the books to their original places. On an upper shelf, he pulled down a large book that was certainly worse for wear. Pages were faded or torn out completely, but there were still some information to be had. He frowned, frustrated at his lack of findings, when he came across a passage.
Lao Mang Lone soup, a concoction of dark magic that made the drinker forever young, giving them great magical power, yet turned them into a ferocious beast. It was noted that it was dangerous, as it took a great will to not be consumed by the inner beast of the drinker. There was no mention of an antidote or reversal process.
Jack frowned, this had to be it but there was no mention of forcing the drinker to stay put. Maybe it was a combination with something else? He torn the page about Lao Mang Lone out of the book, pocketing it and returning it to the shelf. There had to be more.
Khaing cawed, flying over to Wuya's personal armoire.
"What is it?" He followed, opening the cabinet she pecked at. Inside were more books, not just spell and potions, but stories as well. He blinked at them, intrigued by one with a dark green cover. He pulled it out, thumbing through the pages when an illustration caught his eye.
It was an ink illustration of a frightful monster, reptilian and bipedal…just like Chase. Jack's heart sped up as he read the story attached to the drawing. It spoke of prince who, many centuries ago, craved power. A dark wizard, named Hannibal, offered the prince a potion that would make him immortal, grant eternal youth, and great power. The prince accepted the gift, becoming a force to be reckoned with. He had a will strong enough to tame and control his inner demon, wielding magic like a god.
Jack read in awe. Was Chase this god-like figure? It certainly sounded like it. As he read on, his chest tightened. A great magician was called upon to stop the prince, as he had been taking more kingdoms for his own. After a terrible battle, spell was placed upon the prince, confining him to his castle. If he were to ever step foot outside his palace grounds, his mind would burn up, forcing him to become a mindless beast. As time wore on, people began to forget as mortal do, the once grand kingdom center because a small and highly superstitious village. And the demonic prince was trapped, forever, less he wanted to lose himself.
"Wait...did she…know about this?" Jack asked in a small voice, looking up at Khaing. "Why would she send me there if she knew it could be so dangerous? I mean, she…wouldn't have just sent me there to die, would she?" His mind was racing with questions, the answers terrifying to him. This woman, the only mother he'd ever known, who raised and clothed him. She wanted him…dead?
Swallowing hard, he put the novel back in its place and shut the doors. Khaing fluttered to his shoulder, gently rubbing her feathery head against his cheek.
"I…I need to talk to Chase." He murmured, starting to head back to his room. Maybe the man could calm his nerves and talk some sense into him. There was no way Wuya wanted him to die.
Right?