Riptyde

Chapter 5: Family Reunion

"N-No, it can't be, it just can't be...

It's been one month since my spiritual and emotional training ended. Connie kind of decided that I didn't really need physical training except when it comes to my sword. When we left the monastery I felt like I actually connected with her, like we're actually friends now. I kind of have this feeling that I dont just wanna be friends with her. A-Anyway, back on track, we left and now we're on our adventure. Believe it or not, she actually has the same goal as me. She told me the last night at the monastery "we have a common goal, Jack. I want to find and kill the bastards that took your brother. That's why I asked in the first place".

We've been traveling for five weeks now, we're in a dence jungle. We had a lead on one of the members of those terrorist that blew the school sky high. Their commander was a well built fellow with two assault rifles strapped to his back. He was obviously pissed at his men about something, and he wouldn't let up.

"I told you fucking idiots to look for Riptyde and that girl! AND YOU ALL MANAGE TO FUCK UP THAT SIMPLE TASK"!! Why was he so hellbent on finding us? Why does he actually hate us without even knowing us. "Connie, who is he, why does he want us specifically dead"? "I don't know", she replied. "Maybe it's just his orders, we have to capture him and interrogate him". I nod in acceptance, "should I follow him"?

"Yes, but keep your distance. I don't want you getting captured and/or killed". I nod and follow the commander. Connie trained me in some stealth that she was taught, and she said even she didn't know that much. But it was enough to keep my distance from the commander and follow him to his quarters. We got to an office with a name on it that was scratched out, obviously not his office. He called who I can assume was his boss. "Have you found what I told you to look for, or are you still looking for Riptyde"?  His superior sounded pissed, he's looking for us against his orders? "No, I haven't found the artifact. And yes, I'm still looking for Connie and Jack, they need to pay for what they did"! What did we do, we don't even know him! "Well go back to your real objective and stop trying to find Riptyde"!!

The comms device shut off and the commander slams his desk. "Damnit, he doesn't understand why I need to find them, to find HIM". He seems to have a hatred for me, but why? Why does he need me? His back is now facing the door, I sneak into the room. "Finally, you come to me. How've you been, Jack"? He knows me somehow, but I don't know him. But I feel like I know him, now that I think about him. Why does he seem so familiar? "So Connie finally found you, reformed you, helped you become a hero in your own eyes. Well, she's as delusional as her mentor". He knows more about Connie than I do, how? What does he mean by this shit? "You really don't recognize me? Oh right, how could you? We haven't been seeing each other eye to eye in a long time. Well, I remember you. And I remember how badly you fucked me over. I won't let you have the chance to do it again". Jesus, this is starting to scare me a little. He obviously has been planning his 'revenge'  for a while now. I still can remember where I've seen him before, where have I seen him before?

"I'm sorry for...whatever I did. But that won't stop my personal objective, finding you boss and killing him for destroying my life over five years ago". I'm trying to keep him cool headed so this doesn't end in a conflict, mostly because I still haven't mastered this sword. "You don't understand what all of you have done to me, my life. I'll never forgive you organization, but I'll let you go only if you answer my questions. Do we have a deal"? Keeping this guy calm is key to finding out the information Connie and I need.

"Okay, that's fair enough. I never knew you were so good at negotiating but then again, I don't really care about you anymore. Ask away, Jackson Riptyde". Ow, that kind of hurt but whatever. "Okay, thank you for working with me. Question one: what is the name of your group"? A simple yet stupid question. There's no way this could go wrong. "We are called The Infinite. We believe that dark magic is the real way of the world. Any more questions, 'bud'"? The Infinite, huh? That's something to go off of. "Question two: what do you mean by magic and dark magic? I thought that was just rumors and tall tales". I think we're getting somewhere now, this could be useful information. "Oh, my dear friend, you don't know anything. Magic is very real, but only the most powerful of people can master and wield dark magic. The mythical creatures, witches, wizards, angels and devils, they're real, and we look for them so they we can govern the world at there side. Any more questions you want to ask"? Okay, this guy is DEFINITELY on something strong. There's no way that all of that exists, absolutely no way.

"Okay, last question: what did you bastards do with my brother"? This is personal on so many levels, this is for me. "Ah finally, the question I've been hoping you'd ask. You're little brother is doing fine, exceptionally well to be honest. He excelled in every aspect of our initiation and the training he went though. He became a real commander in record time. And has been doing amazing ever since. So that's all, Riptyde"? N-No, it can't be. It just can't be. Johnny would never join a terrorist group willingly, never. "No, you're lying! He would never join you willingly, he's not like you people!

"Oh Jack, now I know why you couldn't remember me. You still I'm that stupid little boy you carried on your back"! Oh my God, it couldn't be. I can't believe it, I see him now. He has my mother's eyes.

"Johnny, is that you?"...