Swords of Wisdom

Eight

17 Years Later

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A maid ran up the stairs, and stopped when she saw some maids talking. "Hey, Prince Jack's training outside...shirtless," she said to them. They all ran out to have a look.
Servants and some guards were watching Elijah, sparing with Jack.

Jack caught his sword with his right hand, and with a fast move, he knocked out Elijah's sword to the ground and pointed his to him. Elijah raised his hands in surrender.

"Okay, this it the fifth time you've beaten me," said Elijah when Jack lowered his sword.

Jack gave him a look, "Are you sure it's fifth?"

Elijah rolled his eyes, "Okay fine...maybe a hundred times."

Jack smirked and turned around to see Kristoff coming to them with water. He poured both of them two cups.

"How's his training?" asked Kristoff.

"He's improving," said Elijah as he finished his water.

Kristoff frowned. "Didn't you give me that answer a week ago?" 

Elijah shrugged, "I don't know what to say. He's becoming stronger everyday." They both looked at Jack. Jack poured the water into the cup and poured it on his head; the water traveled down to his face, to his chest and to his defined abs making the maids go crazy. He shook his head making his white hair shake.

Kristoff glanced at the maids at the corner and some passing by; they were all drooling at Jack. He chuckled; those maids are all just the same.

Jack had grown over the years. He was now tall, 6'4 in height. His training had paid off because he was now well build. He was no longer that cutie boy; he was now a handsome 27 year old man.
Kristoff too had grown. He was 6'2 in height and well build. He is always used as Jack's sparing partner.

"Why are we doing this everyday, again?" questioned Jack, ruffling his hair.

"Queen's orders," said Kristoff.

"Why?" asked Jack. "We never took a break."

"Every prince trains to protect his kingdom," said Elijah.

"Yes, but there haven't been any sign of trouble," said Jack.

"We don't know," said Elijah. "What if something happens when were not ready?"

"What could happen?" asked Jack. "No enemies had dared to attack here, because they know I'm the chosen one."

"Only North and East know," said Kristoff. "But not south and west."

"Maybe your mother wants you to train so you get kill the person who killed your father," said Elijah. "You said it yourself, it wasn't an accident."

"I said maybe," said Jack. "And if I find out that is true, I will not rest until I find that person."

"I wonder how that person crashed the two ships so deep under the sea," said Kristoff.

"Well according to some sailors, they said they saw black sand," said Elijah.

"Black sand?" asked Kristoff. "I thought sands were brown."

"Well there were some on the broken parts of the ship," said Elijah.

"What does this got to do with everything?" asked Jack.

"It means someone who can make black sand, is responsible.''

"Seriously?'' said Kristoff. "How can someone have the power of black sand? That is so lame."

"It maybe lame for you but did you see what it caused?"

"I wasn't there that time."

"Yeah but...you know what, forget it," said Elijah, giving up on the conversation.

Jack took his shirt and put it on.

"Hey Jack! Long time no kiss." Before Jack could turn around, two pair of hands grabbed his cheeks, pulling him down. Soon his lips crashed into someone's.

Jack broke the kiss and looked down to see Keri. "Oh Keri, wow...you're already here?"

"Yes, I just miss you so much that I couldn't wait to see you," said Keri.

"I missed you too, come here," he hugged her.

"Well, we better leave you two lovebirds alone," said Elijah getting up. He pulled Kristoff with him when he saw that he wasn't moving.

Jack held on Keri's waist while they both were walking inside.

Keri is a brown haired girl who Jack had met two years ago. She and Jack started dating when she was in the castle for two weeks. She was so alluring to Jack, with her long hair, light brown eyes and kissable lips. Jack proposed to her four weeks ago. Some people were happy, some were not.

Jack and Keri sat down on the sofa. Jack had a white towel around his neck.

"I thought you were coming on Thursday," said Jack.

"Like I said, I missed you," she said.

Jack smiled, "You are so sweet."

''I can if I want to be," she moved to Jack and before she could kiss him, a red haired girl walked in.

"Jack, mother wants-"she stopped mid-sentence when she saw Keri. "Am I interrupting?"

"Yes you are," said Keri trying to hide the venom in her voice.

"No its fine," said Jack, sitting up straight. "What is it, Maria?"

"Mother wants to see you," said Maria.

"Now?" asked Keri.

''Yes now," snapped Maria.

"Okay," Jack stood up. "I'll be back, Keri." He walked past Maria and left the girls.

"Moment killer," muttered Keri.

''Oh I'm sorry," said Maria. "Did I ruin your precious moment with my brother?"
 
"Yes actually," said Keri, glaring at Maria.

"Well I'm glad I did," smirked Maria. "I so not want to see your filthy hands on my brother.''

"Oh please, we're just getting there," said Keri.

"I don't understand why he likes you," said Maria making a disgust face.

"Because I'm prettier," smirked Keri.

"Oh please, you both are so different," said Maria.

"It doesn't matter, as long as he loves me."

Maria snorted, "Love? Has he ever said that you?"

"He'll say it," said Keri. "After all, I'm his fiancé and there's nothing you could do to change that. After we're married, I'll be living here and, as much as I hate it, we're going to be sisters in laws."

"I'll never accept you."

"I don't care if you accept me or not, as long as I'm with Jack."

"Well don't get ahead of yourself, you're not married yet." Maria glared at her and walked away.

***

Jack was standing in front of two doors. He knocked and waited. When he heard a come in, he went inside. He saw his mother, sitting on her desk.

"You wanted to see me?" asked Jack.

"Yeah," she stood up and looked through the glass of the window.

"Is there a reason why?" asked Jack.

Jane sighed. "I received a letter in Klistorina saying that there was an attack by the Black wolves."

"Black wolves again?" asked Jack.

"Yes and this time, it was during the day. The wolves knew that it is dangerous but still they took the risk. Something's wrong. So I want you to go and figure out what has gotten the black wolves scared to actually come out of their hide out. And also, kill every black wolf you see. And see if the people have anymore problems."

Jack nodded, "Okay."

"You leave tomorrow," said Jane.

Jack bowed and went out. He closed the door and walked down the two stairs.

In Jack's office

"So what's the mission?" Kristoff was leaning on the wall looking at Jack.

"We have to go to Klistorina," said Jack. "The black wolves had come out of their hiding place during the day. Mother thinks something's wrong."

"Why bother?" said Kristoff. "If something's wrong with the black wolves, leave them."

"Who says anything about helping the black wolves? Now that they're all out, we could hunt them and find out how they were created."

"Or who created them."

"Yeah," nodded Jack.

"Okay, so we leave tomorrow?"

"Yeah; get some sleep, Kristoff; tomorrows going to be a long day."

(Next Day)

"Jack, remember to get the scrolls from Mr. Patrick," said Jane. 

"I will," said Jack.

"I don't get it, why can't I go with them?" said Maria, looking at her brother and mother.

"Its dangerous," said Jane.

"Oh come on, I could be of help," said Maria, pouting.

"Since when are you of help?" asked Jack, raising an eyebrow, mockingly.

"Since..." Maria furrowed her eyebrows, trying to think of a time she had helped Jack. "Or how about that time when...oh wait, that was Kristoff. Well there was a time when...oh no, Kristoff helped you."

"See?" said Jack. "Kristoff helped me a lot, that's why I trust him and need him." Kristoff smirked at Maria making her glare at him.

"But come on," said Maria. "Give me a chance."

Jack shook his head, "You're way too young."

Maria narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me? I'm seventeen!"

Jack let his eyes trailed up to the sky, "That's still young."

"You've seen me handled a sword, and fought with tons of guards!"

''That does not count," said Jack.

"Yes it does!"

"Now that's enough, both of you," said Jane, stopping the two siblings before the argument becomes worse. "Maria, you're staying."

"But-"

"Maria you're staying and that's final."

"Fine," Maria folded her arms and walked away.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to your brother?"

Maria did not turn around. "I've said it many times; is not like he's not coming back!"

Jack glanced at his mother, she was looking a bit sad. "Huh mother, we're leaving now."

Jane looked at him, "Okay, take care.''

Jack moved over to Keri. "And you my darling, be good."

"I'll try," said Keri. "But if your sister crosses the line, she's getting it from me."

Jack sighed.

"Jack, come on!" called Kristoff who was already on the ship. Jack gave Keri a kiss before going to the ship.

Jane watched as the ship set sail. She hoped that Jack would come back. Jack had left many times, but what Maria said made her feel uneasy.

When the ship was out of sight, she went back.

Back at the castle

Keri was walking down the corridor when she heard someone spoke.

"Did he leave?"

Keri turned around. "Yes uncle, he's already heading to Klistorina."

"Perfect." Out of the dark, came Pitch. "The plan is working perfectly. Soon the chosen one will be gone and then will get rid of his mother."

"Can we get rid of the sister first?" said Keri. She's being a real pain.

"We have more important matters to deal with," said Pitch. "After Jack is dead, we will be looking for the other chosen one." Keri smirked at her uncle which he smirked back.
 
***

Jack was looking down at the blue sea.

"You hungry?" asked Kristoff, walking towards them.

Jack shook his head, "No."

"What are you-get him!"

They both looked at each other, and then they both went down the deck.

"What's going on?" asked Kristoff.

"We found this guy,'' said one of the guards.

The guy was wearing a brown hood; he came running to them. The guard blocked his way; with a swift move, the guy dropped him down to the floor. Jack held the guys shoulder, with a quick move, the guy knocked his hand away and tried to punch him but Jack moved aside, his fist almost made content with Kristoff's face.
Five guards took hold of him, trying to put him down. One of the guards removed his hood.

"Get your hands off of me, you nitwits!"

The guards gasped and moved away, kneeling on the ground. "Forgive us! We did not know it was you!" They all said.

Jack narrowed his eyebrows, looking confuse. "Maria, what the hell are you doing here?"

Maria turned to him. "I wanted to come; you guys didn't let me so I moved to plan B."
  
"And your plan B is to sneak into the ship?" said Kristoff.

"How did you get in?" asked Jack. "We did not see you.''

Maria rolled her eyes. "I can turn invisible, you dummy."

Jack frowned, "I'm taking you back."

"You can't, we're far away from home," smirked Maria.

Jack smirked, "I can fly, you dummy."

"You can't!" Maria removed the brown hoodie and threw it to one of the guards. "I've never been anywhere and I needed some adventure!"

"We're not going on adventures!" said Jack. "We're going on a serious mission that does not involve childish girls!"

"Childish? I am not a child! I'm still coming; besides, I like missions better."

"I'm still taking you back."

"Don't or..."

"Or what?" asked Jack, giving her a challenging look. "I can take you out with one hand."

''Or I'll tell mother the real reason why you didn't showed up at the celebration ball," said Maria, smirking.

Jack's eyes widen, "You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh I would."

Jack narrowed his eyes; he sighed after 3 minutes. "Fine, but if you get into trouble, don't blame me."

"Yes!"exclaimed Maria, jumping up in excitement.

Jack rolled his eyes. ''Speaking of childish,'' he muttered.