It was about ten o’clock by the time Jack made it home, and the media was already exploding with assorted videos and conspiracy theories explaining the events. Since only a couple of hours had passed, there were still no theories even close to the truth, and most of them were trying to use science and logic to explain something that defied both. Jack contemplated the repercussions of the wraith’s actions while trying to guess at Mr. White’s future intentions, but came up with nothing. It didn’t make sense to attack such an insignificant base that would make absolutely no difference in an all out war unless he was trying to distract them from something much bigger, or testing something.

‘What’s bigger than monsters trying to take over the world? Also, this move would be a little risky just to test out the humans’ power.’

(It is possible he wasn’t testing the humans.)

Ellis was floating next to him, a thoughtful look on her face as she joined his efforts in figuring out the aspiring demon king’s plot.

(Think about it. Why would he send a relatively powerful group of monsters to attack an area with such a low population? He was most likely wanting to see what you would do, since you’re the only thing in this area that could stop them.)

The goddess brought up a good point that seemed to make a lot of sense. Jack’s response showed both intention and ability to fight back against the wraith’s army, and measured his approximate level of power. Jack sighed, and shook his head.

‘This kind of thinking will have to wait until later. Right now I have other matters to attend to.’

Jack decided to put these issues aside for now, but kept his guard up just in case the likely event of something bad happening comes to pass. Entering the apartment, Jack was welcomed by three of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen, standing ready in his living room.

Jenny was wearing a dark-blue tank top with blue jeans and white tennis shoes, a black purse hanging over her shoulder. Jack’s eyes drifted over to Val, who was wearing a frilly, white dress that hung down just above her knees, and swayed with each of her movements, complementing her silvery hair well. Jack figured Jenny was the one who dressed her, and mentally acknowledged her skill, while looking over to the scantily-clad cat-girl. Fae was wearing something that could easily be mistaken for underwear made for some weird S+M fetish.

The room went silent for a moment, Jenny seeming slightly frustrated at all the attention Fae was getting, Val rubbing her knees together awkwardly while blushing, and Fae standing tall, proudly displaying her clothing.

(Where did she even get that?)

Ellis muttered to herself the exact same thing Jack was thinking, though he had no voice at the moment to vocalize his feelings, and just stood there for several moments. The silence grew as the four, including Ellis, stared at Fae, who looked around at the others with a slightly confused expression.

“What? I told them earlier that this the customary way to dress when going out on a special occasion.”

There was still no response from the others for a while afterwards. Luckily, Jenny finally broke the silence, and was able to convince Fae to wear some of her clothes for now, since Fae’s would draw unnecessary attention. With a couple of complaints, Fae was now presentable to the world, wearing one of Jenny’s more kosher dresses which was still quite revealing due to their size difference, and a black baseball cap to hide her ears. Seemingly satisfied with her new dress, complimenting it’s black color saying it was “dark in all the right places” and “fit like a glove” to which Jenny stuck her tongue out mockingly.

The group set out, leaving the apartment building, and heading to the street where a full day of fun awaited them.

The street Jack lived on did not have much to do when it came to entertainment, aside from the park, but was not lacking in clothing shops, and other assorted stores that one would normally go to browse than buy something in particular. Jenny had referred to it as the “perfect date street” on a couple of occasions, and had forced Jack out on little shopping trips several times since he had moved here. Jack had simply gone along with it then, but was secretly hoping Jenny would not bring it up in conversation now that there were others here that may misinterpret it.

(Like how you misinterpret everything else?)

Jack ignored Ellis’s snappy comment, and returned to the task at hand, letting Jenny lead the way to their first destination. They walked for several minutes with Jack trailing behind with Fae while letting Val and Jenny whisper back and forth between each other under their breaths. Jack probably could have listened in, but he thought it would be rude to eavesdrop and decided to just enjoy his view of construction crews reassembling the destroyed buildings. His “fight” with the wraith had done quite a bit of damage to several local buildings, however those were pushed off on the monsters that had appeared not far from here, and Jack was not likely to be questioned.

(Jack, I’m going to go look around through the stores, okay?)

Ella interjected on his thoughts, making him pause to consider letting her wander out on her own, but eventually nodded in approval. Nothing besides him had been able to see her so far, and she could disappear if she got into trouble, so she should be safe. Ella smiled brightly, then flew off to his right, inspect a clothing store that was displaying the latest fashion for a moment before disappearing through the walls. Jack sighed, noticing Fae’s footsteps approach his left side before matching his speed, and drawing in close, almost brushing against his shoulder.

“So many secrets... what is it you keep on looking at? Does it have something to do with your newfound power? Or your arm?”

Fae had apparently noticed his eyes trailing off in pursuit of something invisible to her, and had become incredibly curious. Jack still had quite a bit of trouble trusting her, and had no intention of sharing Ellis’s existence with anyone he didn’t absolutely trust. She cocked her head to the side cutely in an attempt to see my face better, her long black hair flowing out of the baseball cap Jenny had lent her to hide her ears, and dangling down to the side.

“Why would I tell you my secrets when you won’t tell me yours?”

Jack responded blandly, not necessarily rude or polite, but simply stating his perspective. Fae smiled, then straightened in resignation, returning to her previous position next to him before slowly drifting a couple of inches away. Jack thought the conversation had ended with that, however Fae had no intention of relenting in her search for information.

“I see... then, if you wouldn’t mind satisfying my own personal curiosity, why haven’t you pursued any further relationship with these girls? Surely you would be able to snag at least one of them.”

Jack paused, considering whether not he should reply, and found no real reason to withhold his response, though he would have to omit a few things for personal reasons. He sighed, slowing his pace to distance himself away from the girls in front of him, not wanting them to hear what he was about to say.

“I’ll tell you, but only as a way of thanking you for pulling me out of my own head earlier.”

Fae closed the distance between them, lightly leaning against his arm in anticipation as he continued with in a low tone of voice.

“You have probably figured out how valuable they are to me, without them I would be alone, probably forever. Because of this, I would give absolutely anything to keep them safe, or make them happy, which is why I can’t let myself think of them as anything more than friends.”

Jack’s face didn’t change, but Fae seemed even more intrigued now, wrapping her arm through his to bring him closer.

“From now on, my life is going to be hell, and I will likely die before I reach the level of power that would be sufficient to protect them. I don’t know what love is, but if it’s no more than an intense feeling then I will learn to deal without it, and let them fall for someone else. Someone that will love them with all their heart and keep them safe from the things I can’t.”

Jack slowed, almost stopping for a moment, his face darkening for barely a second before returning back to normal, and he resumed his pace.

“If it’s more than just a feeling, then I will take the repercussions head on, and submit to the consequences. I’m hoping I can take on all of the weight, and let them live out their lives in happiness. It’s the least I can do considering what they’ve been through and what they’re going to go through for my sake.”

Jack’s face had a hint of determination reflected in it, a seemingly unstoppable will to do what he thought was best for his friends. A thought came to Fae’s mind, one that Jack had failed to address in his plan.

“What if they fall for you?”

Jack’s determined look was shattered, before quickly being replaced by a sad smile that reflected his other reason for avoiding a relationship.

“Who would want a guy like me? I’m not charming, or funny, or good looking, and my future is still undetermined. I would be a poor choice.”

“But it’s their choice to make, whether you like it or not.”

Fae began to walk faster to keep up with the ever-distancing Jenny and Val, who were still deep in conversation, probably talking about what they wanted to do next. The cat-girl pulled Jack along with her, forcing him to move at closer to the others with renewed enthusiasm.

“Don’t think of yourself like that. It’s insulting to your friends who care about you, and only makes you miserable. Besides, you’ll be my husband pretty soon anyway, so don’t act like you’ll be alone forever!”

With that, the pair rejoined the others, and resumed their trip together as a group.

Hidden by a higher power, a single man watched the group from a distance with eyes slowly filling with jealousy and anger.

‘This guy won the fucking lottery of life! Look at that group of girls fawning over him! Why don’t I get something like that? He doesn’t deserve it any more than I do, so why does he get everything and I get nothing?’

The man’s fists clenched in frustration as he watched the group of girls surround him as he stood there seemingly unfazed. The implications made the man furious, and he began to curse under his breath, knowing there was nothing he could do to change his fate.

“Do you want it?”

A cool voice filled with power beyond even Jack’s imagination sounded from behind the man, causing a jolt of electricity to run up his spine. He turned to face the stranger, but saw nothing in the direction of the voice which only heightened his fear.

“Want what?”

The man responded in confusion at the voice’s inquiry, looking around frantically for any trace of it’s owner. A face materialized, and cold, green fire igniting the air around it as it floated just in front of the man’s face with a malicious smile. Green flakes made of an odd energy floated behind it’s head, drifting off before disintegrating into nothing, and the man thought he might be dreaming.

“Power, of course.”