Gracious's Last Wish {{ Extended Version }}

The Truth

"Has my book been of any help?" asked Mary.

"It has been a large help.~" He smiled warmly.

They both looked at Gracious who laid quietly on the floor, looking back at them.

Looking back at each other, they began to whisper so she couldn't hear them. Although, Gracious had acute hearing. She perked her ears up and tilted them towards Jack and Mary. Holding her breath, she listened to every single word they were saying.

"..Ask about a chapter I saw," Jack started.

"Which chapter?"

"How to Kill a CrystalWing."

Gracious gulped silently. Was her master planning to kill her after all?

"Oh? Well, CrystalWings are nearly impossible to kill. Their scales are rock hard, as you might already know by now."

"I learned that the hard way.".

Gracious remember the time when Jack had tried to peel off one of her broken scales. His hand slipped and her scales went deep into his skin. It was a tragic moment.

"Mhm. Some weapons can break when made contact with the scales. But even though there are some objects that can go through, it won't kill them. CrystalWings are able to regenerate. But not right away. This connects to their eye color. Their eyes are silver like the moon so looking up at the moon can help them regenerate." She took a sip of her tea.

"..That is very odd. I do not see how that works," Jack commented, sipping his tea too.

"No one does. These type of dragons are very mysterious."

Another look at Gracious. She narrowed her silver optics at them. They looked back at each other.

"Then what does kill one?" Jack asked, still whispering.

"Poison or acid."

"Poison or acid?" he echoed, wondering why those two could work.

"Poison makes a CrystalWing sick and kills their immune system. Though it doesn't work as fast as acid, which melts their insides within seconds."

Jack nodded. "I see.."

Gracious couldn't stand it any more. She wanted to run off and cry.

"Erm.. I will be outside for a few moments," she said, bounding out before she got a reply.

Gracious was sad most of the time, even depressed. But one thing was for sure. Gracious NEVER cried.. or so that's what Jack thought.

As she exitted the hut, she went to a large grassy area. It was bright and warm there. A perfect place for Gracious to cry. Tear after tear, she let it all out into the grass.

"Gracious..?" came a sweet and loving voice.

She turned her head around to see Jack standing behind her. "Master Jack.. I thought you were busy talking to Mary.." she whispered.

"I got worried about you.." he came closer and kneeled down in front of her, his coat fluttering up and resting back down. Using his thumbs, he gently wiped her tears away. "Don't cry.. it's okay."

She closed her eyes and tried to let him comfort her, but she still felt betrayed. The tears kept flowing, causing Jack to keep wiping her face.

"Tell me.. why are you crying?"

Gracious shook her head, but then she opened her misty optics and said, "I thought you wanted to kill me.. after what I heard in your conversation with Mary.."

Jack plopped himself down on the soft grass and wrapped his arms around her neck, pulling her into a tight hug. "Dear Gracious, I could never be so heartless as to harm you. I only wanted to know so I could protect you."

Gracious felt a little more comforted, but she was still embarrassed about Jack finding out she loved him. "That's not the only reason why I'm crying," she admitted.

"Oh? What is the other reason?"

"I am very heartbroken.."

Jack loosened the hug a little so he could look at her. "Is this about you falling in love with me?"

"Yes.. I fell in love years ago.. but never had the guts to say so.. and now that you know.. it's obvious that you don't love me back.." her voice cracked a little and a few more tears fell down her cheeks.

Jack nudged her softly. "I love you as a family member."

Gracious looks to the ground again, but Jack placed his finger under her chin and tilted her head up so she would look at him. "Do not look so sad.. if it makes you feel better, I'll tell you a secret that I've been hiding from you for quite some time now."

Her ears perked up a little. "A secret?"

"Mhm. And promise me you won't look at me any differently than you do now."

"Master Jack, if you told me you were a vampire, it wouldn't change anything.~"

Jack chuckled. "Good.. have I ever told you about Lacie?"

Gracious tilted her head a little. "No. Who's that?"

"Lacie was a very beautiful lady. She was the one I loved. I did anything for her.. unfortunately, she has died from an illness. She was then sent to the Abyss. I wanted to bring the world back to her, so I made an attempt to have all the Chains that held the world cut so it would drop into the depths of the Abyss. When I made an illegal contract with my younger self, Oz B-Rabbit, I had him cut the Chains, but this caused an earthquake in Sabrie, which was called-.."

"The Tragedy of Sabrie..!!" Gracious interrupted."But.. but.. that was over 100 years ago!"

"Indeed it was. And I'm still trying hard to plunge the world into the Abyss. For Lacie."

"M-MASTER JACK..!"

"Sshh.. it's alright. You will not die. I won't allow you to." He tightened his grip on her.

Gracious didn't feel much comfortable now. Her loving master was one day going to destroy the world.

"I have this feeling you wish to run away from me now." Jack said, looking back down at her. He let go to see what she would do.

'Master Jack.. what has he become..?' Gracious thought. She took a few steps back. Staring into his eyes, she didn't see love anymore She saw something else.. Gracious saw evil.

"Gracious.. I understand if you want to run.."

It was true. She did want to run. But she didn't. This was her master. The one who saved her and raised her. The one who was the closest thing to family she had.

"Never.." she mumbled. It was impossible to run away from love, family, and protection. "I won't run.. I can't.."

Jack gave a small smile. "Then return into my arms." and his arms were held out towards her.

Gracious didn't want to run, but she didn't want to return either. She loved him. But was also now afraid of him. But she couldn't resist him. "My master." she whispered and returned into his arms. She was confused about her decision, but was also soft-hearted. "I'm on your side."

He coiled his arms around her. "Good."

{{ To be continued... }}