Jason did not crave suffering, he craved clarity, belonging, understanding, and something he hadn’t felt in a long time, a sense of ownership.
He had been training with Fenris for over a month, he’d been in the forest that long, not a trace of his world in that long.
The last thing he remembered, greeting Lydia and then going to bed after Alex brought him back.
Maybe that was why he was able to stay here and train for so long.
Fenris was no longer more powerful than Jason, Jason was conjuring every counter to Fenris’ attacks, and simultaneously defeating Daphis’ song.
“You are getting stronger, Jason.” Fenris grinned, but not a grin that portrayed satisfaction, one that implied mischief.
“See how you handle this.” Fenris disappeared into a black cloud.
Jason did not flinch, he had a feeling he knew this trick.
Jason sank into the ground, as if he’d disappeared into it completely.
He waited, unseen.
Fenris did not reappear, instead, a large flapping sound started in the distance.
Like a massive set of wings had just been set into motion.
There it was, off into the distance, hovering above the trees, a large dragon.
Jason chuckled, no big deal.
As he lay there, absorbed into the ground, he assumed control of nature itself, channeling his focus to the trees below the dragon.
The branches extended upward, vines protruding and wrapping around the dragon.
The dragon was powerful, the branches and vines only slowed, did not stop the dragon.
Jason assumed control of more, continuing to obstruct the dragons movements.
Then he felt it, a sharp stabbing sensation in his low back.
“Dammit Fenris!” Jason chuckled as he saw the fairy below him in the dirt, jabbing at him with a tiny spear.
Then another appeared, and some more.
Ground’s no good, Jason thought, let’s take this to the sky then.
Jason immediately rose out of the ground and levitate into the air, generating a field of raw, visibly crystallized energy around him, acting as a shield.
The dragon was coming closer.
The vines did not slow it as much as Jason hoped.
No big deal, try this on for size, Jason thought.
Jason held one hand out in front of him, interrupting the Dragons thought process, and enabling it to turn back around, and around, and around.
He made it fly in circles above one tree, and with the other hand, he enabled the tree to extend dozens of vines up, wrapping the dragons legs tightly and subduing it.
The whole time, Jason never noticed the growing crowd of beautiful fairies gathering behind him.
Fenris stood below Jason, admiring what he saw, but chuckling as he planned to come out on top and expose a weakness.
Jason turned his attention from the Dragon, temporarily letting his confidence win as he disabled the shield.
Was it a mistake?
Maybe.
Fenris siezed the opportunity and unleashed the fairies on Jason.
Jason was suddenly covered head to toe in tiny women with wings, all of which much stronger than he would have guessed.
Not strong enough.
Jason’s eyes began to glow a bright green, and the fairies suddenly changed their target, Fenris down below was now being swarmed.
Fenris smiled, vanishing again.
Jason chuckled, his eyes changing to black, this enabled him to see exactly where Fenris was as he vanished.
Moving directly behind me?
Jason thought to himself.
Bring it on.
Jason reached out and conjured a staff into his left hand, immediately touching Fenris over the head with it as Fenris appeared.
“Lucky for you, Fenris, I am nice.” Jason winked.
Fenris smiled, “Unlucky for you, Jason, I am not.” Jason couldn’t react fast enough, before he could respond or turn, the dragon he’d forgotten about ate him.
Fenris started laughing as he sank to the ground, the dragon landing a short distance in front of him.
With a wave of Fenris’ hand, the dragon spat Jason out.
Jason, now covered in dragon saliva, rolled onto the ground, visibly amused and annoyed at once.
“You are doing so much better, Jason.
Much better than anyone with such short time.” Fenris encouraged.
“But, you still have much to learn.” Jason chuckled, wiping saliva off his face and chest, “Yeah, I’m learning that.” Fenris put a hand on Jason’s shoulder, “Don’t take it personally.” Jason smiled, “You know, I’m not, actually.” “Good.
A month ago I thought you might have been hopeless.” “I did too.” Fenris looked into his eyes, “Any connection there?” Jason stopped.
Well, son of a bitch.
He thought.
He craved suffering, so that is how he learned.
He lost faith, so he lost his guides, he lost hope in himself, so did they.
“So, I influence this place?” “Maybe you influence your experience in this place.” Jason chuckled, “So, is that the same with Xela?” Fenris looked deeply into Jason’s eyes, “Xela shares the same experience as you, yes.
But, he chooses to use his power in a different way than we hoped you would.” Jason listened.
“That’s is why you are the only one who can beat Xela and Aidyl.
Those connected to both worlds possess greater power than anyone in this forest.
You and they can be brought back from the dead.
We can not.
We can bring you back, so can you.
It is impossible for us to kill them, because they could just come back.
I am not connected to your world, and they can only be stopped if they are killed in this world, and the other.” Fenris explained.
“What if I kill them in the other world.
Will they die here?” “No.
Only in their world.
And if you kill them there, they can come back through their extension here.
That is why it is imperative that you find them and destroy them as they exist in both worlds.” “How do I find them in the other world?” Jason asked.
“That’s much, I do not know.
I have no connection to the other world, so I cannot tell you if you have power there or not.
I cannot tell you if they exist in your life or not.” Fenris shook his head.
Jason wondered.
“I need to see them.” Fenris laughed.
“I don’t think they will invite you for tea and a chat in their castle.
They know who you are, and they know what you are here to do.” Jason smirked, “I wasn’t suggesting a chat.” Fenris studied Jason’s expression.
“I used to do some recon work, I can still be sneaky.” Fenris chuckled, “Evidentally, so can my dragon.” Jason chuckled, “I let you win.” Fenris led the way back to the clearing where they’d met so many times before.
“Before we do this, do you have any last words of wisdom for me?” Jason asked.
Fenris smiled, “No.” Jason’s smile faded, he was left looking at Fenris like he’d just dropped a bomb on his French toast sticks.
“No?!” Fenris smiled even wider.
“No.” “Really?” “What would you like me to say?” “I don’t know, man.
Something helpful would be nice!” “You will do great things, Jason.” Jason rolled his eyes.
“Fenris, sometimes I think you’re the crazy one.” Jason vanished into a red cloud, leaving Fenris in the clearing.
Fenris chuckled, “Daphis, I think he is finally starting to learn.” Daphis appeared from behind a bush, her figure bearing more leaves, more vines, and more nature features while maintaining that human figure.
“We’d better let him back to his world for a short time, though.
He’s come so far.” Fenris opened a book Daphis had concealed behind a branch appendage.
Jason woke in his bed.
Wait, I was just getting ready to snoop!
He thought.
Oh well, I did want to talk to my family.
Jason got up, stretching.
His knees popped, and he temporarily gripped one in noticeable discomfort.
“Getting fucking old.” Jason chuckled to himself.
He checked the time.
1030?!
Holy hell, he hadn’t slept this long in a long time.
Jason threw on some clothing and stepped outside his room.
“Morning lazy!” Alex teased from the living room couch.
“You’re lazy!” Jason shot back.
Alex chuckled.
“Coffee’s brewed.
I took the day off, figured we’d go fishing.” Jason hadn’t gone fishing in a long time.
He liked the sound of that.
“That’s sounds good.” Jason said, grabbing a cup and pouring his coffee black.
“Might as well drink mud, Jason.” Alex said as he appeared behind Jason, creamed coffee in his cup.
“You know I don’t drink that fruity-frappuccino shit.” Jason teased.
Alex did not reply verbally, just stuck up a middle finger.
Jason returned the gesture, just in time for Lydia to walk inside from the back yard.
“Not nice, Jason.” She said, shooting a glare at him.
“He started it!” Jason accused as Alex walked away, chuckling.
“We were going to go out fishing, Lydia.
Want to join?” Alex asked.
“I have to go to work.” “Call in sick!” Alex said.
“I’m not sick.” Lydia said.
“Pretend.” Lydia rolled her eyes and shot Alex a look.
“I can’t believe she treats you like this, Alex.” Jason joked.
Alex laughed, and Lydia shot Jason a sour face.
“I swear, if looks could kill.” Jason smirked.
“You’re both about to be grounded.” Lydia threatened, jokingly.
“Shit, we’d better go man.” Alex joked.
“You sure you won’t join us?” Jason asked.
“Maybe if we bat our eyelashes at her.
She can’t say no to us both!” Jason suggested to Alex.
They both stood in front of Lydia, putting on the darkest innocent faces possible.
Lydia rolled her eyes, “Fine, I’ll join you idiots.” “Yes!
Can we rent a pontoon?!” Alex asked.
Lydia looked at Alex like an arm started growing out of his forehead.
“Yeah!
Can we mom?” Jason asked, getting obnoxiously close.
Lydia shook her head, “You two are ridiculous.” Alex looked at Jason, “I didn’t hear no.” Jason smirked.
“You’re right!
I didn’t either.” Lydia rolled her eyes.
“Best wife ever!” Alex said as he grabbed his keys.
“I’m going to regret this.” Lydia joked under her breath.
“No you’re not.” Jason said behind her, leaning forward and kissing her cheek.
“That’s my wife, asshole!” Alex joked, throwing the keys at Jason.
Jason caught them, “I don’t wanna drive.” “Neither do I.” Alex said, disappearing out the door.
Jason looked at Lydia.
“Don’t even ask me.” Lydia said, straight faced.
Jason smirked, “I never win.” In the RAV4, Jason drove, Lydia in the passenger seat.
The worst part, the passenger is the DJ, and Lydia was not accustomed to good music.
Jason had to endure Taylor Swift, Taylor Momsen, Selena, etc.
Not his cup of tea.
“This is your fault.” Jason mouthed in the mirror at Alex, who sat grinning in the back seat.
Alex, no response, just middle finger.
Jason decided revenge was necessary, he swerved just enough to cause Alex to be lightly tossed to the side, bonking his head on the rear passenger windows.
“Motherfucker!” Alex yelled.
“Oops.” Jason said.
“Squirrel.” He chuckled.
Lydia reached over and slapped Jason’s arm.
Jason frowned.
“Rude.” Alex laughed.
Jason pulled into a parking space near the marina.
Putting it into park, he switched off the car.
“I will DJ next.” He volunteered himself.
“Nope.” Lydia said.
Jason looked at Alex.
“She’s the boss.” Alex smirked.
Jason shook his head.
“You’re buying.” Jason collected the fishing gear and cooler while Alex grabbed the tackle vox and another cooler.
They walked toward the marina, waiting for Lydia to show up with the keys for the pontoon.
“We got a 20′, who can drive this?” Lydia asked.
Jason and Alex looked at each other.
Jason held up a fist, initiating rock-paper-scissors.
Jason won.
“Fuck!” Alex shouted.
“No drinking and driving, pal.” Jason teased.
Lydia chuckled, offering no assistance as she walked to the boat while the guys carried the stuff.
Jason set the cooler down on the boat and readied the fishing gear as Alex started it and drove them out to the middle of the lake.
“You always pick the worst spots, Alex!
No wonder you only ever catch blue-gill.” Jason teased.
“May I remind you, I got that 15lbs drum-fish I 2022!
What is your record?” Lydia chuckled as she pulled up her phone, showing a picture of what had to be a 30lbs+ catfish.
Alex and Jason looked at each other, “Photoshop.
Obviously.” Jason said.
“I was just about to say that.” Alex laughed.
Lydia rolled her eyes again.
“They say if you do that enough, your face will get stuck like that!” Jason teased.
“Who says?” Lydia asked.
Jason froze, mouth half open to start forming an answer, “Uh, science.” Alex laughed.
“What science you fucking dope?” Lydia questioned.
“Common science.” Jason spent too much time saying it, only further throwing Alex into a fit of laughter.
“God.” Lydia rolled her eyes, stifling a laugh, “I swear mom and dad dropped you.” Jason splashed water from the lake at her, “Did not!” Alex took a sip of his beer, “Did so.” He coughed, trying to disguise the words.
Jason turned to face Alex, a look of mock betrayal on his face.
Lydia chuckled.
“Throw your fucking pole in, asshole.” Jason joked.
Alex complied, throwing his fishing line out into the water and taking a seat next to Jason.
“I needed this.” Jason said.
“Me too man.” Alex said, patting his friend on the shoulder.
“Tomorrow, you need a job though.” He joked.
“Facts.” Jason admitted.
“We have a position that just opened up.
” Lydia offered.
“Does it involve computers?” Jason asked.
“Yeah…” Lydia started, knowing well what she just suggested.
“Oh, fuck that, I’m no good at tech stuff.” Jason said.
“You could be a stripper.” Alex joked.
“You really think so?” Jason asked, striking a mock provocative pose.
“Idiots.” Lydia groaned.
“I actually might have found something.” Jason started.
“I need to finish my degree to advance much, but I think I can manage that.” “What is it?” Lydia asked.
“Project management for a defense contractor.
They do some work on IPOE.” “IPOE?” Lydia asked.
“Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment.” Alex explained.
“Basically intelligence work that helps grunts figure out which door to kick.” “Ah.” Lydia said.
“Yeah, works good, they’ll take me as is, but if I want supervisory, I need a degree.” Jason explained.
“Solid!” Alex said.
Jason cracked a new beer, “Thanks!
I am pretty excited about it.” “I’m excited for you.
When do you interview?” Lydia asked.
“No interview yet, I dropped the application about a minute ago.” “Good luck!” Alex said.
“Hopefully they take ASVAB waivers.” He joked.
Jason laughed, “If not, I’m fucked.” Lydia smiled.
She didn’t say it, but seeing the two finally friends again was what she wanted to see for a while.
What changed?
She didn’t know.
But she was happy.
“I’m glad you called in, sis.” Jason said, words slurring as he started succumbing to the brain numbing effect of his beers.
“Fucking lightweight.” Alex threw an empty can at Jason’s head.
Lydia tried not to laugh as Jason looked around with his best serious face, “Ever throw something at me and I learn about it, Alex, I swear to god…” “Ooh!” Alex interrupted, mock terror on his face.
Jason stood up, staggering toward his friend.
“You were supposed to drive, you’re drunk!” Jason could barely form the sentence.
Alex laughed, “Yeah, I’m the drunk one.” Jason complained, “Where are the fucking fish!” Alex chuckled, “In the lake.” Jason turned toward the water.
“Oh, yeah.” Lydia laughed.
Jason looked at Lydia, “You.” He pointed.
Lydia looked at Jason, a curious look as she started to chuckle.
“Me?” Jason walked, or rather stumbled, toward her.
“We should go swimming.” He didn’t wait for her response as he got down to his boxers and jumped into the lake.
Alex sprang to his feet, “Ah, shit.” He looked at Jason swimming around.
“Think I should go get him before he drowns himself?” Lydia chuckled, “Maybe.” Alex got down to his boxers as well, jumpong in after Jason.
Jason turned toward him.
“You’re not Lydia!” Alex laughed, “He’s right!
Get in here!” Lydia looked at the two men in the water.
“No way!” Jason splashed at her, “Come on!” Lydia took off her top, and then her shorts, diving in after the boys.
“Yes!” Jason yelled.
“Holy shit!
What’s that?” Alex asked pointing behind Jason.
Jason turned, “Wha…” he didn’t have time to finish asking before Alex jumped on his back, dunking him.
They messed around for a while, splashing and play fighting in the water.
This was what Jason had been waiting for.
Even as they got out, exhausted, Jason felt better than he had in a while.