I was roused from my sleep by the sound of birds singing outside. Light slowly streamed through a small gap in the curtains, directly into my eyes. As I slowly opened my eyes and groaned, my vision adjusting to the room, I realized I was lying on Jack's sofa in his flat above the pub.

I looked down at myself and noticed that my chest was wrapped in bandages. As I stood up and moved toward the mirror on the wall, I inspected the visible parts of my body, finding nasty bruises along my stomach and cuts all over. I also noticed my hands were wrapped in bandages.

What the hell? My eyes… They'd changed color... I thought to myself as I looked closer, examining my eyes. My once-hazel eyes were now a deep, dark purple. Well, it could be worse, I suppose. "I could dig purple... It's kind of cool... Imagine if it was hot pink or something." I thought to myself, shuddering at the thought. My mind drifted back to the incident with the spiderwoman, the strange magic man, me almost getting murdered, and the sheer rage that had filled me. Thinking back to the anger in that moment caused my eyes to brighten. "Aghhh!" Suddenly, my hand muscles cramped up, and the pain caused me to buckle over, forcing me to my knees.

Taking a few deep breaths, I steadied myself and stood up, making my way towards the door that led downstairs. I paused at a couple of the photos on the wall: one of my father and Jack, the other of Jack, his late wife Sarah, and a younger version of myself. This one I knew was taken a few years after the passing of my dad, and unfortunately, only a few months before we lost Sarah. Continuing on, I go downstairs, stopping at the door to the bar. I could hear movement inside; it was probably Jack getting ready for the night. Maybe I should wait. "Come in, Cam," Jack said gently.

Entering, I looked at Jack, who was staring at me in a way I'd never seen before. There was an unmistakable mix of emotions on his face—worry, anger, and sadness—all cloaked in a stoic demeanor. "Sooo... I'm guessing it was you that caught me?" I said, grinning, unsure how to start this conversation. "So, gramps, did you see me explode all over the spider lady?" That got a response. His stoic visage finally broke, a grin spreading on his face. "Sit down, kid, and yes, I saw you blow your load, leave her unsatisfied, and then fall asleep—a real good show."
I roll my eyes, enjoying our playful back-and-forth that brings some normalcy to the otherwise awkward atmosphere. "I guess you're so old you can only get off on watching, huh?" I chuckle, and Jack gives me a teasing look. Then he takes a swig of his drink, taking me by surprise and making me realize that he had been drinking all along. After a moment, he sighs and asks the question that had been on both of our minds. "I suppose you want answers, huh?"

I sit up straight as Jack looks at me one last time, then he downs his drink. "Before we begin, I will not apologize, even though I knew about your 'outlook on life'. Your dad made me promise—his last wish was for you to have a normal life, to grow old and die surrounded by family." Jack's voice breaks as he speaks about my late father's final wishes. "That was doubled by Sarah asking me to look after you before she passed as well." I go to speak, but he cuts me off.
"The thing you fought last night was a devil from the Abrahamic religion, or more specifically, a reincarnated devil that abandoned its master and was consequently turned by its own sins into a monster." Jack paused, seeing that I had questions. Sitting there for a moment, I replied, "A devil, as in plural? And what do you mean by Abrahamic religion? Are there other kinds of devil's?"

Jack rubbed his chin for a moment before continuing, "Listen, I will sum it up for you quickly, and we can go over it later, but for now, yes, a devil, as in plural in the Christian religion, the inhabitants of the underworld are the devils, and while yes, the devil Lucifer was real, it's actually a whole race that goes by devil or devils." Jack sighs for a second. "The other races in that faction are the angels who reside in heaven, reinforced by the churches and their exorcists, and the Grigori, the home of the fallen angels, who, funnily enough, actually include a lot more than just their fallen brethren; they have many different facts that are with them.

Nodding along, I listened to Jack continue, "In the world hidden from humanity as a whole, the vast majority of religions, myths, and legends are real. The Greek gods—real, angels and devils—real, monsters, dragons, and things to make you shit yourself in the night—are very real." After a quick breath, he continues. "And magic, the very same power you used to protect yourself last night and is currently flowing through your body," Jack gestures to my hands.
Eyes widening at that, my thoughts race: "Magic? I have magic. I wonder, What can I do?" It seems like I'm a wizard, Harry. I wonder what I can do. Oh, what about necromancy? summoning? The next spiderlady that wants to get frisky is going to be hit by a fireball, I swear to God...or Gods? Actually, how does that saying go now that there are multiple gods?

Sitting back, the realization of Jack's words finally sank into my mind. The revelation fills my head with endless possibilities. "This is everything," I whisper aloud, "this is all I ever wanted... and more." A wide grin spreads across my face, stretching it to the point where it hurts, and my eyes are filled with wonder and excitement. "There's so much..." I continue to mutter, lost in thought and unable to contain my enthusiasm.

Jack shook his head, snapping his fingers a few times in front of my face to get my attention. "Kid, kid... CAMERON!" he roared, and my gaze returned to him. "This world is dangerous and filled with more danger than can be explained in a year." Jack continues, his mood serious. "It's what killed your father." My expression fell, and the light in my eyes dissipated slightly. "And why your mom left?"

I go to speak, but Jack beats me to it: "Before you speak, the path you think you want to take is filled with sadness, death, and misery. There is wonder and excitement, but it will be found on a mountain of corpses. With this and the fact that it was your father's dying wish to avoid this world, will you still pursue it?"

As I go to answer, my memories take me back to a few months ago and the path my thoughts were going down.

Is it really worth living in a world so dull? Wouldn't it be better to end it now?

"Yes." I croak the emotion in my voice, choking me. "Yes, I'm sorry, Jack. No gramps; I'm sorry, even though dad didn't want it, even though you don't want it. I need it, and I will do it no matter if it ends in my death.".

Jack looked at me, the clock tiking behind us, before letting out a sigh. "Okay, I can see it in your eyes—the same expression your dad had when I trained him. Fine, but no grandson of mine, bilogical or not, is going to be some weak wimp." Jack stands from the chair and straightens his posture, his eyes zeroing in on me and narrowing an expression on his face I can't quite place. "So what now?" I ask, looking back into his eyes, nervous but resolute. "Now? Now we train," he said, as his blue eyes glowed dangerously.

Looking at Jack, "Who are you, gramps? You obviously are not some bar owner." Jacks stopped for a moment before answering, "I work for a place called the Guild. When I was younger, I worked as one of their hunters, whose job it is to take on contractors of their choosing to fulfill different tasks, anything from developing a package to the elimination of something or someone." Staring him down for a moment, I reply, "Soo, you're a mercenary?"
Humming, he replied, "In a sense, you're right, but as I got older, I stepped back and took on a more advisory role for some of the newer members; in fact, that's where I met your dad, and he became my first and last student." He trailed off, becoming more somber.

My eyes widened. "Dad was a magic merc?" Getting an annoyed expression, Jack looked back at "He was a hunter, yes," he responded. "He had amazing potential, a chance to be someone outstanding, but he was content where he was and lacked the drive to further better himself. If only I had pushed him harder, he may still be alive today. This is the path you've chosen, and I will not make the same mistake twice," he declared, his voice commanding and filled with determination. "I will break you down and mold you back together into someone who is unmatched by the end of this. I won't be surprised if you hate me, but you will be alive to do so.".

Looking back at him, I stand and hug him. "I will never hate you, old man; I will learn everything you have to offer; every bone you break will heal stronger; every hit you land, I will learn to dodge the next; but i do I have one question." Jack stared into my eyes, complex emotions swirling in his glowing eyes. He nodded for me to ask.
"When do we start?"

This was a bit shorter than the 1st, as i get more into it im gonna try to writer more per chapter but didnt want to info bomb in 1 chapter - so until next time ( ill try to get more done full time job and that}