Chapter #6
It confused him. In his mind, he couldn't even see what happened. It just did. And Seralicore was right behind him, watching him sink to the floor. Jack didn't even know what was happening to him. Didn't know where he was, or what he had been doing a few moments ago. Seralicore laughed, and Jack heard the ring clear in the back of his skull. Who was laughing? Who would laugh at a time like this? His memory was starting to go. So were his sight, hearing, and touch. All he had left, was his mind.
Seralicore was still laughing when Jack came back to consciousness. The room was destroyed. The portrait held nothing but a black background. No Wolf, no moon. It was empty, except for the horrendous gash that went from roof to floor, and sliced through the cloth. Jack put his head in his hands, and rocked back and forth for a while. His nerves had finally been outfoxed. He felt he lost everything. Lost his home, and now the only person who would tell him what was to happen to his pathetic life.
Seralicore's shadow came over him. He looked up to see her smiling. "Misery is nothing but an illusion, Jack. Come with me. I'll show you power, and how to use it properly." Jack stared at her for a moment, completely oblivious to what she was saying to him. All he heard was, 'misery', and 'power'. That's what really got him to listen.
"What do you mean, power?" Seralicore let out a small chuckle. She knew what his heart was telling him to do. She placed a hand on his chest, and shoved him to the floor.
"Not that kind of power Jack. I'm talking world domination. Control over everyone, and anything in it. Something that not even Napoleon was ever close to doing. You would not only have control over this world, but all the worlds, including the one the humans reside in. All you have to do, is follow me, and learn my studies. And then the war can truly begin. Without you, this prophecy will never come to be." The words were smooth, like milk. Jack was beginning to see light in this darkness, and his heart gave a jolt.
If he controlled all the worlds, then he would be able to get back to Sally, and Halloweentown. No one would be able to stop him. Not even Angel. In fact, Angel was gone entirely. He didn't even want to find her anymore. He already knew the Otis Andrews riddle. And preferably, he hadn't found any other clues than that. So why bother? All he needed, was Sally, and Sally alone. No Angel to get in his way. Whoever kidnapped her, could do whatever they wanted. He didn't care anymore. It was then, that Jack realized his heart was turning black and cold. And he liked it, though he knew not why.
He took a deep breath. "Okay." He gasped. "I'll do it. But it isn't for your pleasure, or anyone else's. Mine, and mine alone. I have the love of my life to return to, and I don't need you getting in the way. Especially after I learn what you want me to learn." Seralicore gave a demented grin, and pointed to the portrait. The ripped seam made jack look twice, for he wasn't sure if it was a good idea.
If the portrait would come back, and so would the Wolf, then what would Seralicore want from him? She would probably torment him to no end. After a moment of looking around, Jack noticed that Clarion was missing.
"Where is he?"
"Who?"
"Clarion!" He jumped up, and started pulling up rubble from the castle's collapse. Cloth, and stone piled on top of one another to create a dim, gray world, soft and drearier than when Jack had first come here. Smoke, and dust roiled up from the remains of the once beautiful, yet evil manor. It never occurred to him, then until he started to look around for Clarion. The traitor...
The truth was, Jack wanted his revenge for getting him caught up on such a mess, and causing the destruction of his friend. Angel was probably kidnapped by this man, and even though Angel was out of his mind right now, Jack was more interested in what he'd done to disappear as quickly as he did. Seralicore probably helped him out.
"He's in the dungeons right now. Repairing some... equipment. If you'd like to come with me now Jack, I'll start your first lesson in the studies." Jack was suspicious, but knew he wouldn't get another word out of her mouth. So, he followed.
The town was dark now. The streets were empty, the houses lights were off, the street lamps were so dim, you couldn't see person's features from 4 inches away. The sky was clouded, and azure blue, and gave the landscape a glowing look. Not far away from where they were walking, Jack saw a small crypt. The crypt's lid came off suddenly to reveal a room, and a tunnel that lead from that room to a slimy green staircase.
"This way." Seralicore lead the way to the bottom of the earth's stomach. Jack closed the lid on his way down, only to slam one of his long finger bones under it.
"Ow!" Seralicore turned around, and glared at him. It wasn't like he did it on purpose! She escorted him, making sure he didn't slam his fingers into anything, to a room with a boat, and slimy green... whatever it was that was everywhere. It looked like lava, except for the fact that it was... well... green. It glowed an eerie light. A sunken ship, with only the bow standing up out of the liquid, rose to a very high ceiling. The whole setup was underground, and yet still in a room. The ship had strips of the green sludge all over it, making look like the Titanic did shortly after it sunk to the bottom of the ocean floor. Seralicore ushered him onto the boat, and rode him to the ship, making sure he didn't touch whatever the liquid was.
Reaching the ship, they went in through a window in the side, and came to a rotted wooden room that looked like a school house. Jack's new discovery forced him to have a look around. The room showed no signs of the glowing green mess. Only the room itself, unless you happened to take a peek through the window. The rotten wood creaked, and bent under his weight, even though he was very light. Seralicore followed suit, and handed Jack a very large manual, with the inscription "The Broken Wings Of Nightmares".
