Enraged that Anzan would say it, she reached over the table with a strong fist to Anzan's jaw. Anzan smiled at her. He gripped the edge of the table and shoved it into Amari. Anzan roughly slid Jack away from the table, his chair sliding into the far wall across the room. Amari flicked her wrists towards Anzan, sending the table flying towards Anzan. Anzan shoved the table to the floor with his arm. He pushed away from the table and stood out his chair. He quickly wrapped his foot around the chair leg and whipped the chair towards Amari. She side-stepped out of the way and waved her arm toward Anzan, sending her chair toward him. He swiped his hand through the air, sending and shattering the chair against the nearest wall. Amari took a quick step toward Anzan and shoved her hands toward him, causing Anzan to soar into the kitchen. He swiftly regained his balance, landing on his feet and he spun around, facing the counter where he knew the knife-block to be. He promptly pulled out the first hilt his hand landed on, spun on his heel and threw the knife at Amari.
She quickly grabbed the knife from the air and dropped it to the ground, stepping toward Anzan. He swiftly grabbed another knife and held it tightly. He took a long step toward Amari and jabbed the small blade at her. She leaned to either side, using her hands to force his in another direction from herself. She grabbed his wrist as he went to stab her and twisted his arm to drop the knife.
As the knife fell, Anzan spun in Amari's hold, untwisting his arm. He forcefully punched Amari in her gut, propelling her away from him and to the living room floor. She stood abruptly and grabbed the edge of the couch. With seemingly no effort she flung the couch toward Anzan. He raised his leg high and brought it down onto the couch, slamming it down onto the floor.
Amari darted over the couch and towards Anzan. He braced himself as she lunged forward. As she jumped at Anzan he reached out, grabbing her by the shoulders, he spun on he heel and tossed her over his shoulder and shoved her roughly to the ground.
Anzan immediately moved his heads to her throat. Without squeezing, he simply held her to the floor.
Anzan smirked, "Done?"
Amari held a wrath in her eyes as she spoke, "No." She swung her legs up and kicked Anzan in the back, attempting to get him off of her.
Anzan held still, a smirk playing across his lips, "Our creators did do one thing," He held a light squeeze around her throat as he spoke, "They did not make us equals, and that, Amari, is why you will never win."
She raised her hands to push him off, "Get off of me!" she yelled and dropped her hands when she realized he wasn't even budging.
"Jack knows what he has to do," Anzan said, his smile fading, "There is no point in being angry."
Amari turned her head to the side and looked at a frightened Jack, "Don't be scared Jack, this is how we settle things."
Anzan gave a short laugh, "No, this is how things are settled with you and your creator."
Amari glared at Anzan, "Coming from you, that holds very little proof." she raised her fist and punch Anzan in the arm as hard as she could muster.
Anzan's arm didn't move and his grip only tightened, "I think that is proof enough." He looked to Jack, who was wide eyed, "Jack, your time will be up in two weeks from tomorrow. I want you to do whatever makes you happy." He looked to Amari, "The Elder wants to be with his wife here," He raised his eyes back to Jack, "And Amari and her creator want you to fight in their war."
Jack raised his hands to his head, frustrated, "The fuck…" Jack stated in a low whisper.
-_-_-_-_-_PAGE BREAK-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Eathan awoke slowly, rubbing his head as he did so. He opened his eyes slowly, a dull ache pulsating inside his skull. He looked around through squinted eyes. A thick smoke slowly weaving through the air.
Eathan hesitantly stood, feeling unease creep through him. He looked around again, this time with his open fully open. He saw Aster standing a short distance away.
He started to walk up to him. He paused a few steps away from Aster, fear of something, stopping him.
He leaned forward slightly, "A-Aster?" Aster didn't move from his position, "Aster is that you?" Eathan reached his hand out towards Aster, "Aster…" His voice trailed off as he brought his hand closer to the eerily standing Aster.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Aster's voice was quiet.
Eathan ignored Aster's question, "Where are we?"
Aster turned his head to face Eathan, "Isn't it beautiful?"
Eathan took a step back as he looked into Aster's eyes, "Aster, where are you?"
Aster's eyes were pure white, they held a blissful expression, "I always wanted to see this."
Eathan lifted an eyebrow, "Aster, what are you talking about?"
Aster turned his whole body to Eathan and stepped toward him, "This place, isn't it amazing?"
Eathan took several steps back, not taking his eyes off Aster, "Aster, something is wrong with you."
Aster's face contorted into a wicked grin, "Everything is finally right with me." Eathan took another step back, tripping over unseen rocks and falling to the ground, "Eathan, I don't have to hide here."
Aster's body began to warp and twist, his arms growing in length, his skin started to melt off and drip to the ground. Eathan was paralyzed by fear as he tried to crawl away.
Aster's legs became thin like the legs of a chair, his arms stretched like branches, his muscles altered rhythmically as he howled out, his face twisting and his jaw began to jut out, his perfect teeth were turning yellow and jagged like a row of mountains not quite fitting together.
His chest was heaving deep breaths and Eathan could Aster's ribs fracture and break as his body changed.
_-_-_PAGE BREAK-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Jack sat idly while he lost himself in thought, ignoring the two beings that were fighting for his choice. Not that it matters much anymore, whatever I chose, I know I won't kill Aster. He has so much more to live for. I won't make him apart of this. He isn't apart of this. Jack mulled over his two choices now. I don't want war, there is enough of that. Jack hummed out loud, recapturing the attention of the two on the floor. I don't want to be trapped in such a dismal world either, but I don't want to be used either. I wonder…
Jack raised his head and looked to the two beings still wrestling on the floor, "What would happen if I just died?"
Amari scoffed, "Not possible."
Jack gave her a curious look before he spoke, "But that was third option, me and Aster both have to die if I want to be with him, but I don't want to kill Aster. So what if I just died?"
Anzan smiled, "Finally, you figured it out." Jack tilted his head, "Jack, if you want to do nothing and let everyone else deal with the problem, you have to die. Aster was just a bonus."
Amari shouted, "Shut up! We will not be ignored!"
Anzan tightened his grip, silencing her, "Quiet, let Jack chose what he wants." Anzan smiled down at her, "All of you have dealt with this problem for decades, no reason you can't just keep dealing with it." Anzan turned to Jack, "So, do you have a decision?"
Jack hummed before speaking, "What would happen if I became the Elder?"
Anzan tightened his grip even more around Amari's throat, keeping her from answering, "The bad of this world will be near nonexistent if you succeed." He grunted as Amari fought back his hold, "If the burden of being the Elder becomes too great, you will be consumed and destroyed, collapsing everything. Killing everyone and everything. Including Amari and I here."
Jack hummed, "Okay, I still have a sliver of time before my decision is final." He rubbed his temple, "I definitely didn't expect my day to go like this." Jack looked at the two before him, "Are you gonna let her up?"
Anzan smiled, "When you are finally inside your home."
Jack huffed at the answer, "Alright then, I guess I'll be headed." Jack stood to leave and started to make his way home.
++_-_PAGE BREAK-_-/_-_-
Eathan was being dragged roughly across the hard and rocky ground while he scratched frantically at the grotesque hand that pulled him. He had long forgotten when he started to be pulled, just that that the smoke field he woke up in was very far away.
He dropped abruptly, he banged his head against the ground as he fell, his sight went blurry for a moment. He heard distant voices as he tried to refocus his vision. He rubbed the back of his head gently, feeling a sensitive bump, he winced. His vision cleared along with his hearing.
"You've done very well, Amon," A thin sounding voice said.
"Thank you, Elder of Sight." Another voice, sounding harsh and forced.
"This isn't the one my brother wants though." The thin voice said.
Sounding ashamed, "I know Elder of Sight, but it is the one you wanted."
Eathan lay where he was, his eyes closed not wanting to see what was talking.
"Open your eyes child." The thin voice spoke. Eathan shook his head.
He felt hands wrap around his face, "I said," The thin voice sounded thick now as it spoke, "open your eyes!" Its voice boomed in Eathan's ears.
Eathan reluctantly opened them, slowly he started to see what was holding his face. The face staring at him held a soft expression, it's eyes were gone, only hollow sockets left in their absence. Where its nose should have been, it was smooth, it's smile was sly, but kind all the same, its teeth were white, and moved throughout its supposed gum-line, not letting Eathan get a steady look at them.
The face pulled away, and hands fell away slowly, giving Eathan a chance to rest on his elbows. Eathan stared up at the malformed beast with a questioning but, fearful gaze.
"Don't be afraid child. I mean you no harm." The monster's voice sounded thin again, as if it was wheezing out words. Eathan said nothing and waited for the creature to say more. "I understand your fear, I am rather deformed. No matter though, you don't need to speak. Just listen." Eathan nodded slowly in concurrence. "I am the Elder of Sight, I can see everything, which includes the future." The Elder paused and held a hand out to Eathan, "Come, take a walk with me." Eathan was tentative as he took hold of the Elder's. He winced as he stood, "I apologize on behalf of my charge here, he was rather rough with you." The Elder of sight started to walk away, "Follow me, speak if you would like, but it is not necessary."
Eathan started to follow behind the Elder, glancing back at the still form that dragged him here.
"I'm sure you're very confused, as to why you are here?" Eathan nodded as the Elder glanced back at Eathan, "You should feel lucky Amon was dragged here as well. Otherwise one of my brothers would have found you."
"Amon?" Eathan asked.
The Elder smiled, "You would know him as Aster, the painter from Australia. He is of my creation. My favorite actually," the Elder paused and looked to the left and right. The Elder turned to the left and began to walk again, "I sent him to your world many centuries ago. With one purpose: Stay ahead of our chief Elder." A solemn expression flashed across the Elder's face, "I had to do it so far ahead of his plan he wouldn't suspect anything."
"What do you want?" Eathan asked, becoming strangely comfortable in the Elder of Sight's presence.
"Straight to the point, I like you." The Elder smiled, "I'm never certain of what I want. Just what others want."
Suddenly A beast was in front of them, "Elder of Sight, Jack is almost home."
The Elder frowned, "I know, I'm almost finished here," The Elder looked at Eathan, "You mustn't tell Jack anything of what you saw if you remember. I will tell you one thing that you won't forget," A sad look hung on the Elder's face, "Don't let Jack kill himself. That is all."
As Eathan was about to speak, the monstrosity that was now known as Amon embraced Eathan. The Elder rested his bony hands on both their shoulders, and a black smoke, swirled around them, encasing them like a cocoon.
As quick as it had come, the smoke faded away, and he saw he was being embraced by Aster. He pushed away from him, and looked around. He was back in Jack's living room, the TV was on. And the coffee he had spilt earlier was gone, and now rested inside his cup on the kitchen table.
He looked back to Aster, with a confused expression, "Why were you hugging me?"
A/N
Okay, I hope enjoyed this chapter! And the twist as well, I bet none of you were expecting that! This twist about Aster is about the only thing I planned, so let's all put our hands together and thank the writing overlords that I have not planned the ending yet! Which means, votes are at hand, so, PM me or review with your vote, if no one votes, it'll just take longer for me to write a new chapter cause writer's block and stuff. you have until December 8th, 2014. Five days should be enough. If no one votes, I will just post my own, and I'm pretty sure no one wants that. I listened when you voted for aster to live, so I will listen now. Have a wonderful day/night/evening/morning/dawn/dusk or twilight!