Jack opened the front door to his home. His thoughts racing, he didn't notice Aster and Eathan standing in his living room. Jack was rubbing his forehead, trying to soothe his growing headache away. He glance up and saw Eathan giving Aster a strange look.

"Hey, guys?" Jack said meekly, giving a small wave.

Eathan turned to Jack, "Oh hey, how was your stay at Liam's?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders, "Fine and frustrating."

Aster raised an eyebrow, "How was it frustrating?"

Jack gave him a small smile, "I'm not sure."

Eathan shrugged, "Well, as long as you're still alive."

Jack gave a short laugh, "I suppose so."

Aster's phone rang, "'Ello?" Eathan couldn't hear what the voice on the line was saying, "Yup. No, it's no problem." Aster smiled, "I'll see ya 'round five then. Yup. Bye." Aster hung up his phone and looked at the confused faces of the men before him.

"Who was that?" Jack asked.

Aster shrugged, "Just a costumer," He looked at his phone for the time, "Actually, I should prolly get headed, last minute things to prepare." He walked over and gave Jack a kiss on the forehead.

Jack smiled, "See you soon, love." Aster smiled in response and briskly walked out the door.

Jack looked to Eathan, "So, how was your three days without me?"

Eathan shrugged, "Uneventful. Though, something's bugging me."

Jack tilted his head, and made way for the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, "Oh? And what's that?"

Eathan followed Jack into the kitchen, "I don't know. I just feel like I'm supposed to tell you something."

Jack was facing the coffee pot when he gave a curious expression, "Interesting. Wonder what you're supposed to tell me?" Jack asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

Eathan rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, me too." His hand passed over a bump, "Ow." He said quietly.

Jack heard him though, "You're hurt?" He asked as he sat down at the kitchen table.

Eathan shrugged his shoulders, "I guess. I don't remember bumping my head though."

Jack took a sip of his drink, "Strange." He looked to Eathan, "Want me to take a look at it?"

Eathan shrugged again, "I guess so. Can't hurt right?"

Jack smiled and waved Eathan over. As he looked through Eathan's dark hair he spotted a red, sensitive looking bump, "Well, I don't see any blood. You should be fine in a couple days."

Eathan smiled and stood, "As long as there's no blood."

Jack smiled and took a drink, "Yeah, no, you'll be fine."

/==/==/==/==/==/==/PAGE BREAK==/==/==/====/==/==/==

Jack jolted up, a nightmare scaring him to wake. He looked around his bedroom, and flopped back down. He sighed deeply.

"Fuuuuck." Jack half yelled. He rolled onto his side, trying to not think.

He heard light footsteps and creaking floorboards coming from the hallway. He didn't turn to look when he heard his door open. Nor when he felt a weight settle onto his bed. Jack laid still as the weight shifted and laid next to him.

Deciding that the weight on his bed was one of the more benign creatures, he spoke, "You know, I've been trying really hard." He paused and took a deep breath, "I Don't want to become the Elder, but I also don't want to become apart of a war. And as awful," Jack inhaled deeply, "as my life is, being tormented by demons that is, I don't want to die either." Jack felt a hand rest and begin to rub his arm, "I honestly didn't expect one of you to listen," feeling tired, Jack didn't think twice about the comforting hand, "I'm glad you are though," Jack gave a long yawn. "You know, my brother Eathan doesn't even know that my entire life has been plagued by creatures I'm pretty sure are from Hell." Jack scoffed lightly, "If there even exists such a place." Jack turned his head slightly, "I'm not really sure what to do." Jack sighed, which turned into a yawn, "I know you owe your allegiance to your Elder, but I'm going to ask you anyway," Jack laughed softly, "Is there another way? Some sort of fourth option I'm not seeing?"

Silence persisted as Jack waited for an answer. Sleep was becoming difficult to keep at bay while the hand rubbed his arm comfortingly. Just as Jack was about to succumb to his subconscious, a familiar voice spoke.

"Tell everything 'No'." The recognizable voice said.

Jack turned with tired movements, "Eathan?"

"Yes, Jack?" The recognizable voice asked.

"What would you do?" Jack asked his eyes meeting Eathan's.

Eathan gave Jack a thoughtful expression before answering, "I'd fight tooth and nail to find a fourth option." Eathan stated bluntly, "Because those option really suck."

Jack's eyes started to well with tears, "I don't even know where to begin to look."

Eathan pondered for a moment, "If you were you in a room full of all the people you knew, who would you ask?"

A tear fell from Jack's eye's and he started to shake as he spoke, "All of them, I'm so lost, I don't even know who to ask."

Eathan reached over and embraced his shivering brother, "It'll be okay, Jack."

Jack shouted into Eathan's shoulder, "Don't say that! You don't know!"

Eathan rubbed Jack's back, "You're right, I don't know." Eathan sighed, "Can I tell you what I think though?" Jack nodded slightly, "I think you want to do what's right," Jack nodded, "The options you have, what? Become the Elder, I don't know what that entails, but it sounds bad," Jack gave a small chuckle, "Somehow take part in a war, which to me sounds awful and, committing suicide," Jack nodded, "Which I don't recommend," Eathan took a deep breath, "I think you should find a replacement for two of those options."

Jack gave an unseen quizzical expression, "How do I do that? Apparently I have an obnoxiously strong soul."

Eathan hummed, "Be proud of that fact, but if your soul is so strong, why can't you decide to nothing?" Eathan moved his head back and looked down at Jack, "Also, how'd you find that out?"

Jack smiled, "A seemingly holy woman and Anzan told me."

It was Eathan's turn to give a quizzical look, "Who's Anzan?"

Jack frowned, "Right, sorry, Liam. He's one of the seemingly holy people, but he wants me to kill myself and let everyone else deal with this."

Eathan rested his head back atop Jack's, "Well shit, didn't see that coming." Jack laughed, "Did you?"

Jack shook his head, "No, that's why it's funny."

Eathan smiled, "Oh I see. Well, like I said earlier, if your soul is so strong, why can't you push everything, like them, away?"

Jack hummed, "Huh, probably because I don't have super powers."

Eathan chuckled slightly, "Have you ever tried?"

Jack shook his head again, "I didn't know my soul was so strong until this morning."

Eathan began rubbing his hand on Jack's arm, "Why don't you try? If your soul is as strong as they think, why can't you rule this as they rule theirs?" Jack shook his head, "Just meditate like Tyler used to."

Jack faintly smiled, "He was very strange though." Jack thought for a moment, "What ever happened to him?"

Eathan was silent for a bit, "He moved out a couple weeks after you left, said something about trying to find you. He showed up on the news." he took in a deep breath, "He had wondered a bit too far in the wrong direction. He's in prison now for quite a few broken laws."

Jack yawned, "Like what?"

Eathan hummed, "A lot."

Jack smiled, "Tell me." Jack yawned again.

Eathan shook his head, "Car theft, Tax evasion, several murders, drug smuggling, a crime against nature and, something about trying to rob a bank. He's probably in for life."

Jack hummed, "He was strange. I knew it." Jack's words were slow, sleep finally winning the battle.

Eathan smiled to himself, and got up to leave. Jack's hand gripped his arm. He went to remove it, but Jack tiredly shook his head. Eathan gave a short laugh and settle back down, letting sleep overcome him as well.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/PAGE BREAK-/-/-/-/-/-/

Jack rolled over in his bed, something stopped him from rolling as far as he wanted. He slowly opened his eyes, seeing Eathan soundly asleep next to him. He gave a slight smile and rolled the other way, out of the bed. His feet hit the floor with a light thud.
In the kitchen Jack sits at the table silently as t he coffee pot brews. He thinks back to his conversation with Eathan the night before. Meditate, huh? I guess it's worth a try.
The coffee had finished brewing as Jack sat silently. He finally huffed out and stood. I don't even know what I'm supposed to be focusing on. Jack poured himself a cup of coffee and moved back over to the table. He set the cup down and rested his hands on his thighs. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe I should focus on my soul. However that's supposed to work. Jack stared at his coffee cup. Okay, maybe I should try telekinesis.
Jack leaned forward and was practically glared at his mug. Thinking about it being moved across the table. After a few minutes he gasped out a breath and leaned back. Maybe that's not what I should do. All I have is a headache now.
Jack laughed at himself for thinking it might work, and took a drink of his coffee. He set it back down, and glanced into the hallway. Okay, he's still not up. So I don't have to worry about looking like a fool.
Jack sat back in his chair and hummed in thought, Maybe it's strength, like Anzan. Jack stood and grabbed the corner of his table. He gave a slight pull to test its weight. Knowing he could throw it across the room. He focused for a bit on his arm. Imagining he had the strength to pick up and throw his coffee. After a few moments of trying to focus on his arm, he lifted quickly.

"Ow!" Jack shouted, "Okay, definitely not strength," He said to himself.

Jack sat back down and rubbed his arm, helping dull the instant strain he put on it. He took a drink of his coffee. He wasn't sure what he should think about while he meditates. Maybe I shouldn't be thinking about anything. Jack put his hands back on his thighs and began to clear his mind.

"Hey, Jack." Eathan groggily said as he made his way to the coffee pot.

He glanced behind himself at Jack when he only got silence as an answer. He sat down across from Jack and got a better look at his face. He smiled to himself when he realized what Jack was doing. I can't believe he actually took my advice. Eathan sat quietly and waited for Jack to come back to reality.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/PAGE BREAK-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

The Elder looked over his eleven charges. They stood in a semi-circle in front of it. Its eyes looking at all of them at ones. Its tentacle-like arm whipping about its own fury. Its face was expressionless, but you could see the anger emanating off its towering body.

One of the charges stepped forward, "Elder, it seems we are losing the contr-"

The Elder cut off its charge with a hard swat from its roaming arm, "I know the circumstances!" The Elder shouted inside each of their heads.

The silenced charge spoke again, "Elder, send us all. A few of your brother's already kidnapped the prey's people."

The Elder thought for a moment, its anger subsiding for a moment, "Where is Agares?"

A charge on the end spoke, "You sent him to the lower levels of this plane."

"Bring him here now," The Elder said. Within seconds Agares was walking towards the Elder.

"Chief Elder of Fog, you requested my presence?" Agares spoke calmly, but his body betrayed him by radiating his hatred.

"Agares, I am going to send you and the others to-" Agares interrupted the Elder to speak,

"Twelve of us?" Agares asked suspiciously.

"Yes. In one week for our prey, you twelve you go and collect him." The Elder placidly stated.

Agares gave the Elder a wicked smile, "Good."

/-/-/-/-/-PAGE BREAK/-/-/-/-/

-Two Days Later-

Jack sat on one the couch cushions in the middle of his living room, his legs crossed and his palms resting up on his thighs. His thoughts cleared yet, shaping the world his mind retreated to.
Jack was sitting in his valley, surrounded by tall grass. His body relaxed as he heard footsteps walking through the grass.

"Hello?" Jack asked with eyes closed.

"Hello, Jack." A familiar voice spoke.

Jack opened his eyes and turned to look at the figure, "Rick?"

Rick sat down next to Jack, "Yes, Jack?"

Jack's mouth opened and closed few times before he finally spoke, "Why are you here? I thought this was my subconscious?"

Rick nodded, "It is. Your subconscious wanted me here for some reason."

Jack smiled lazily, "Huh, well, meditate with me?"

Rick smiled, "I'm assuming you don't want to talk then?"

Jack shrugged, "I'm clearing my mind, can't really do that if we talk."

Rick smiled, "That is true."

Jack smiled back, "Although, I guess, if my subconscious wants you here, there must be something you have to say."

Rick shook his head with a grin, "Not me, your subconscious."

Jack tilted his head, "Well, what is it?"

Rick waved his had dismissively, "Ask me something that's been bugging you. Maybe I have the Answer."

Jack pondered, "You now or the real you?"

Rick looked out over the tall grass, "Me now I guess. There must be some reason you want me here?"

Jack frowned, "I wish I knew why. All I can think is that I miss you being my neighbor."

Rick turned to Jack and smirked, "Well, you already know that. Ask me something that's been bugging you?"

Jack frowned, "Okay." He sat silently while he tried to form the right words, "I have three choices," Jack took a deep breath, "I'm just gonna assume you know who I'm talking about, alright?" Rick nodded his head, "Amari wants my soul for some unseen war according to Anzan, the Elder wants my soul to take his place so he can be with his wife Amari and, Anzan says the only way I can escape it all is if I commit suicide." Jack sighed, "And I know I don't want to kill myself. So, I'm left with two really shitty options."

Rick whistled, "Damn." Jack huffed, "Jack, why are you meditating?"

Jack gave Rick a curious look, "Eathan told me to."

Rick smiled, "Why?"

Jack thought for a moment, "He said something about having super powers."

Rick gave a deep laugh, "Did he now? Well, what do you think?"

Jack contemplated, "I'm just hoping. When I started this a couple days ago, it was to find the strength of my soul."

Rick hummed, "Is that so? Well, have you found it?"

Jack shook his head, "No. I kinda kept doing this to escape."

Rick t'skd Jack, "Now, that's no way to live your last five days."

Jack cocked his head to the side, "How do you know that's all I have left?"

Rick smiled, "I'm your subconscious, I haven't lost count."

Jack leered, "Good point."

Rick smiled and stood as he spoke, "If you still want to find your strength," Rick gestured everywhere with his arms spread wide, "This is certainly the place you're going to."

Jack stood with Rick, "Where do I start looking?"

Rick put a hand to his chin, "I'm not sure," He looked to Jack with a smirk, "It's probably over there," Rick pointed to a mountain in the distance, "At the peak I assume."

Jack tilted his head as he looked to where Rick was pointing, "I don't remember that being there."

Rick laughed and placed a hand on Jack's shoulder, "You made it as I spoke. This is your subconscious, remember?"

Jack frowned, "Why did I make it so far away?"

Rick started to walk away, "The journey is half the lesson Jack."

Jack raised an eyebrow, "That doesn't make any sense!" He half yelled as Rick faded away.

Jack smiled to himself. I should give a Rick a real call. Jack began his journey to the mountain that seemed so far away. As he began his journey the ground began to shake in a rocking motion. He looked all around for the source. As his eyes grazed over the landscape he could faintly hear his name being called.

"Jack? Hey, Jack?" Eathan said as he shook Jack.

Jack's eyes fluttered open as he came back to the real world, "Hey," He said lazily as his mind came back to him.

"Jack, it's night time. You should go lay down," Eathan said as he rested his hand on Jack's shoulder.

Jack looked around his living room, "Damn, Had I been meditating all day?"

Eathan gave a light laugh, "Yeah, you have."

Jack groaned as he stood, his back stiff, "That would explain my obnoxious urge to go to the bathroom."

Eathan held a smile as he spoke, "Yeah, it would. Go do that, and go to bed."

Jack smiled, "Yeah, sounds good to me."

A/N

Hey all, Let it be known, I might as well be jobless. Which is why i've been able to update so quickly. The votes are still open, but now we have a type of fourth option that doesn't suck so much. thank my grandmother all of you. She really thought the options were: "Those option are shitty (Insert my Name), come up with another one, because I'm not picking any of those terribly shitty options." So here I am. Jack has five days. well, four now. he spent the whole day meditating. Anzan/Liam and Amari don't realize how short of a time strain jack is on, luckily his subconscious keeps count. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Reveiw please, whether you vote not is optional! I just like knowing what you guys think.

also to the guest reviewer for this chapter, which I'm assuming is the same one from the last chapter, okay, loud and clear!

Okay, everyone take note: Beast-0 Amari-0 Suicide-0 Other-3

votes will be open until I update! I can see where you guys are gonna vote though. But justin case other people have another opinion, they'll stayopen.