Jack trained with strong determination day after day. Night after night, he glided himself through the village. Going with Aos and Mila almost every day, the three of them occasionally went fishing as well. They noticed Jack's ability to hunt fish grew stronger, as well as helping him with his sense of absence of heat. He hunted 20 fish each night, leaving enough for Mila and Aos to sell. Aos and Mila kept half and distributed the fish in the village. Jack kept the other half as the provider.
And like that, six months passed by.
Jack was behind Nicholas' home with an elegant staff made of wood in his hand, pointing his staff downwards. He was wearing a compressed black sleeved shirt, his eyes piercing blue as always. His hair was raven black. His hair now a little longer, his eyes illuminating with a light blue hue, his gaze much more confident.
He commanded ice to appear from below. A spike rose from below—this one, although much more precise, the ice smoother than anything else he could've commanded before. He concentrated more as a drop of sweat started falling from his cheek.
Come on.
Come on.
WORK!
His hand tightened around the simple staff. His hair suddenly began to turn silver. Suddenly, the spike started forming cracks and broke off into many little pieces. He released his strong grip, making his hair turn back to its original color. Jack held the staff with one hand as he supported himself with his knees, exhaling from exhaustion.
Dammit.
I thought I was already there at least…
Strong boots approached Jack, hitting the snow slowly. Nicholas stared at Jack with a smile, his hands crossed in a confident posture.
"Good job, you are getting better, kid."
Jack stared at him—his eyes seemed calm, but his composure not so much.
"You call this better, after months of training?"
Nicholas' gaze sharpened as he stared at Jack strongly.
"You are naïve, kid."
"I didn't even unlock my second stage of lineage till I was eighteen."
"And you are already advancing on your primary and secondary ability."
Jack's eyes broke composure and relaxed.
"I know I'm not weak… but I'm not strong either."
"Just like you said, I am naïve. I do lack experience with the monsters of the wilds."
"That's why tomorrow, I am taking it down…"
Nicholas' eyes widened.
"By 'IT' you mean the Yeti?!"
Jack gained his composure, standing back straight. He wiped the sweat off his face, his eyes now full of confidence.
"Yes."
"Sorry, Nicholas, but I can't keep running from my past…"
"He knows about my lineage, and I need to know why."
"So thank you, but don't try to—"
Nicholas shrugged, interrupting him.
"Fine."
Jack's face turned confused. He scratched his head.
"Really, you don't care?"
"Huh…"
Nicholas sighed and said in a calm tone,
"Really, I strongly object to this, but I can't stop you anymore. You have to make your own decisions."
"If you really are going, come with me. I have something for you."
Nicholas opened the door, showing Jack the way.
There, in Nicholas' main table, lied a small ornament. A golden circle.
Jack's eyes widened as he saw the artifact.
"This…"
Nicholas smiled proudly.
"Yes, it's a compass."
"The same one you had."
"Back then, I was barely able to make a worthy artifact."
"In reality, the other compass worked…"
"But we are lucky that you landed somewhere where I could get you. That old thing only had four possible commands: south, east, west and… north."
"This version took me a long time to make, but it can take you anywhere if you've already been there."
"Just command it to."
"One use, obviously."
Jack stood speechless and slowly walked towards the ornament. He grabbed it with his hand. Pressing the side, he heard a familiar sound.
Click.
Revealing the inside. It was the same as before.
Jack stared intensely while sweat dropped down his face.
He relaxed, as he noticed the silver hand moving accordingly.
He spoke while still glancing at the familiar ornament.
"Thank you, Nicholas…"
"For… everything."
"I will do what I must and find that Yeti."
He turned around quickly, facing Nicholas.
"And I will survive."
"So don't worry."
Nicholas sighed and let down a nervous smile.
"You better."
***
Jack was ready to leave. He grabbed a backpack filled with survival utilities.
This time he wore a dark cloak above his compressed sleeve shirt. A pair of solid black boots broke the snow. His staff was tied to his back. His dagger sheathed in his belt.
Before I leave, I must go to them…
Jack slowly glided towards Mila and Aos' shed.
The shed that once looked old and not taken care of was now a bit bigger and in pristine condition. Jack looked at the now refurbished shed and let out a warm smile.
It seems the fishing really paid off.
Jack knocked on the door, and only a couple of seconds later, a small black-haired girl opened the door. She ran towards Jack and embraced him in a hug.
"Brother Jack!"
She raised her head, meeting Jack's eyes.
"What are you doing here so early?"
"I'm here to say goodbye."
Mila's eyes started slowly tearing up.
"Goodbye?"
Jack patted her on the head a couple of times.
"It's okay, it's only a couple of days."
Aos walked towards Jack and Mila.
"A couple of days?"
"Where are you going?"
Jack looked at Aos with a somber face.
"I'm going for it, Aos."
"I'm getting that beast."
Aos' eyes widened with worry.
"Already?!"
"Yes... I can't just sit still anymore."
Aos looked at him warily, speaking nervously.
"Do you have everything?"
"Food?"
"Water?"
"Flint to put a fire?"
"Maybe you should stay today and check your things again."
Jack gave him an empathetic stare, still patting Mila on the head.
"Don't worry, I have it all."
"Besides, I only need to put a fire when I need to cook."
"Don't worry, Aos, I will make sure I come in one piece."
Jack raised his hand, gesturing a thumbs up and giving him a calm smile.
Aos sighed strongly.
"Fine…"
"Don't do anything crazy."
Jack let Mila go, sliding outside of the village towards the forest, waving one last goodbye to them both.
Jack placed his hood up while gliding.
Time to hunt…
He raised his head upwards.
Just like the old times, Dad…