“Oh,” Ms. Jinx said. Her mouth was hanging open as she stared at Jackson’s left stub of an arm. Joseph as warned her, but nothing prepared someone for having the sight forced upon them.

Jackson had gone to speak with his teacher shortly after his meeting with the queen. Up until the reveal, their conversation had been rather heated. She demanded a reason why he let everyone believe him dead. Jackson countered much as he did when he reunited with Joseph. She had commented there was difference between dealing with some bullying and letting his classmates throw a funeral. He had never asked for one, nor did he care that his classmates felt upset at their own mortality.

They got rather loud, both making excellent points until Jackson went for the kill. He unclipped the cape and let his teacher see what had happened to him.

“I hate when one of you come back to me like this,” she said after a long pause. “You’re not the first of my students to come back to me like this. They could get their hands sewn back on of course, wounds stitched up by the court mages. You are by far the worst, but I believe you are too harsh on your peers.”

“But Joseph and his gang look fine?” Jackson said, in shock. He had never given his classmates much thought. To him, they were living the good life in the capital.

“Since their departer, your peers have gone on much more dangerous missions.” Ms. Jinx struggled to speak. She was choking back tears as she went on. “I have been sent on difficult assignments since they left. You probably don’t care, but the number of students still acting as heroes has dropped by about half. No one died yet, but they have come home maimed. Some came back carrying parts of each other, while others came back in pieces. Even those not hurt don’t want to fight anymore. I don’t want to fight anymore. And now I got a difficult decision. What do I do about Joseph?”

“Joseph?” Jackson asked, surprised.

“You’re going to do whatever you want. Most think you are dead, and many will probably follow your example once we get back. But Joseph is hunting the Berserker. On one hand, that’s a good thing. Those in the capital blame him for the injuries they have sustained, or their friends took in the line of playing hero. But I also saw the Berserker the other night. How can I send one of my students to fight that thing again? He can’t come home, and he can’t go after the beast. What do I tell him to do? You’re living proof at what that thing can do?”

There was spite mixed with her words. Jackson knew she blamed him as well. If he had not volunteered them, had not spoken up and convinced everyone to go along with this crazy world, then they would not be in danger. It was Joseph’s fault, Jackson knew this. But he did not blame him for his injuries.

“Your students are idiots. And I think you need to remember that no one makes us do anything. Joseph did what he thought was right, at the time. We keep doing what we think is right in the moment. Do I think we should be this world’s heroes? No. But no one forced us. I trained with the guard because I wanted to. I marched off to face the Berserker because I wanted to. Blaming Joseph won’t change the decision I have made. That goes for us all Ma’am.” Jackson finished, trying to keep his voice level. “But he won’t see it that way. He’ll blame himself for every one of our injuries. We die, he’ll carry it like he pulled the trigger. And I think Joseph realized that already. But my arm, and my leg, and my back, and every other scar I’ve earned in this world are not his fault. Not your fault, not my fault. The Berserker cut off my arm and leg, the Berserker stabbed me in the back and a Dragon charred my skin. Not Joseph.”

“No one else sees it that way,” Ms. Jinx said in a sad voice. “He’s a scapegoat.”

“And you wonder why I don’t want to return.”

“That’s not fair.”

“And? This world has cheating old men, dragons, Berserkers, Time Travelers, evil kings and cunning queens. What’s fair about any of that? I’ve found my happiness despite all of that. I think, I think, I think the others need to get out more. Need to see this world as I have. And need to stop persecuting each other when things aren’t going right.”

“You sound like an old man.” His teacher laughed. “Maybe you are right. Maybe, we are selfish. But I can’t undo the scars. I can’t convince them that Joseph decision didn’t cause them to lose a hand or a foot. And I think they are right. Joseph made a terrible choice, and we all suffer for it. You suffer for it. I see the pained look in your eyes Jackson, I see the scars ripped across your body and the shaking in your hands. He may not have swung the sword, but Joseph is to blame for every one of those scars.”

Jackson sighed. He knew there was nothing else to say. That was it. She believed Joseph was some how to blame for everything that had gone wrong in this world and to her students. They parted after that, and Jackson went to his next meeting.

Next on his list was Edward, but that was less than a conversation and more of Jackson yelling at him. He told him to be ready to leave for Border Town by nightfall tomorrow and to get that stupid grin off his face. A few nobles approached him next. They wanted to inquire about the Berserker, his rates and earning favor with the queen. Luna was so upset that their conversation involved her pointing at him, bursting into tears, pointing again, screaming and finally Jackson just walked away.

He was returning to the wagon when he saw a small group surrounding it. He could also just hear the clashing of swords and a few cheers. Jackson came up on Gypsy’s flank, grabbed her by the waist then sighed when he saw who was fighting.

Catherine was currently dueling Barbara and Angela. Angela was on the ground, panting while cursing Catherine. Barbara was forcing Catherine back, swinging both her large swords with ease. Catherine did not seem to be struggling, in fact she was smiling. She seemed to enjoy a good fight and focused on keeping a good defense while Barbara slowly wore herself out.

“Catherine!” Jackson snapped.

“Far- Uncle?” She said. Jackson watched the color drain from her before she broke from the fray. Barbara looked shocked and seemed to take a moment to process that the fight was over.

“Don’t do anything dumb, remember?”

“Angela attacked me,” Catherine defended herself. Jackson felt his own rebelliousness in her. “I was just ending it.”

“Jack, who is this girl?” Angela snapped from the ground.

“Don’t call him that!” Catherine snapped, raising her sword.

“Enough. I am not in the mood for this.”

“Honey, you do owe us an explanation,” Gypsy said in a dangerous tone. “This stray problem of yours is getting out of hand.” Barbara nodded her head.

“Traitor,” Jackson snapped at the monster. “I need you guys to keep an open mind. She’s a time mage, and she from the future. And she’s my future adopted daughter.”

“You know, Jack, after I kill her, I’m going to kill you for making something so stupid up.” Angela snapped.

“Don’t call him that, and he’s not making it up. I will be born in about eight months from now.”

“And what evidence do you have that you are from the future?” Angela snapped.

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Catherine showed them her golden sword.

“So?” Angela said.

“Don’t you recognize it?” Jackson said flatly. Barbara and Gypsy shook their heads, but Angela eyes went wide.

“But there’s only one?”

“That ones from the future,” Jackson said.

“It’s a-a replica,” Angela stammered.

“Get Joseph, ask him,” Jackson said flatly.

“I don’t want to see that deadbeat!” Catherine cried. “And he ain’t touching my sword.”

“I believe you,” Gypsy said to Jackson. “She’s your future daughter. That doesn’t answer about a dozen other questions we have. Like why she is here?”

“Oh, to stop the war and you guys getting murdered. That’s where I was yesterday, didn’t my note explain that?”

“Why do we put up with you?” Angela snapped.

“He’s good in bed,” Gypsy joked. “And your note said nothing about time travel, nor who Catherine was. I accept you now have a daughter.”

“Niece, we decided on that as I didn’t raise her. A possible future me did. This stuff hurts my head.”

“So, who are her birth parents? Or are you going to steal a baby in a few months?”

“Hey,” Catherine snapped. “I’m right here.”

“I’m going to be the mother, so I want the details.”

“You’re going to be the mother?” Angela growled. Barbara also gave Gypsy a death glare.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Gypsy said with a smirk. Jackson tried to let go, but Gypsy grabbed his arm and held it in place. “We make the best couple.”

“Listen here you drunk,” Angela shouted. She pointed her blade at Gypsy as she approached her. “You ain’t his wife yet, you don’t get a claim on him, yet, and I can think of a couple better people to fill that position.”

“Like yourself?” Gypsy smirked. “Please, I’m a much better candidate then you. I’m at least honest about my feelings. You’re not in my league, dear.”

“Don’t I get a say who my parents are?” Catherine snapped.

““No!”” Angela and Gypsy said together.

“That’s not fair.”

“No one chooses their parents,” Gypsy said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Girl, maybe this is a conversation for later. Like eight months from now when she’s born.” Jackson said, trying to end the conflict.

“I am born.”

“Not you, but your younger self. The one currently baking. Oh, my, god, my head hurts.”

“She needs a strong role model. A good aunt figure.” Gypsy puffed out her chest as she spoke. Jackson then felt the color drain from him. He wanted to stop Catherine from speaking, to prevent what he knew was coming.

“I already got an aunt,” Catherine snapped. “Her names Annabelle.”

“I thought she was your sister now,” Jackson said quickly, hoping to survive this conversation.

“Young Annabelle is my sister, but her future self was your sister. You are going to make a blood pact after all.”

“A what?” Jackson said.

“He makes a blood pact?!” Gypsy snapped. She then glared at Jackson.

“What’s a blood pact, and I’ve not done it yet.”

“It means you two shared your blood with each other, it’s an old soldier thing. Making you two family, closer than family. You two went through hell together after you changed teams.”

“I don’t even know Annabelle.”

“But she’s your daughter, she even said so,” Catherine reminded him.

“She’s insane. And you know that was to my future self, stop trying to get me stabbed.”

“Future self? You time travelled as well?” Angela yelled.

“Yeah, he’s also running around murdering people now.”

“Just what the world needs, another one of you,” Angela said in a bitter tone.

“This time travel stuff is giving me a headache,” Gypsy complained, releasing Jackson’s hand.

“Welcome to the last twenty-four hours. It only gets worse.”

“How so?” Angela snapped.

Jackson didn’t answer. He didn’t want to answer. He did not want to admit he was now a Berserker seed, that Barbara was a small piece of this Elizabeth, that his future self had tried to kill them. That they were all supposed to be dead. Catherine stayed silent as well. Barbara looked between Catherine and Jackson. She looked as confused as ever. No sign of her true self to be seen.

“What’s going on over here?” Joseph said as he approached. Catherine just glared at the intruder.

“He got another one,” Franklin explained. He had been watching the duel between Catherine, Barbara and Angela.

“Don’t start that,” Jackson snapped.

“Then maybe you should stop picking up girls left, right and center. We aren’t trophies,” Carley snapped. She gave him a death glare.

“She’s his daughter from the future, show them your sword. It looks just like Joseph’s.” Franklin continued.

“That’s because they are the same sword,” Catherine snapped. Joseph laughed.

“There’s only one holy sword.” Catherine then showed him her blade. Joseph turned a sickly pale then pulled his out. They were without a doubt the same weapon. Jackson could see the same damage on both, through Catherine had slightly more. It was the little detail, the scratches that never came out. The dinks in the handle.

“How did you get this?” Joseph asked.

“Father gave it to me before your wedding,” Catherine explained.

““Wedding?”” Carley, Alice and Princess Lili all yelled. They then looked at each other before blushing.

“Not again,” Jackson said, remembering the fight from a few minutes ago.

“But why did I give up my sword?” Joseph asked, not caring who he would one day wed.

“You give everything else up,” Catherine snapped. “Why would this sword be any different. You are just a deadbeat, a worthless, little boy.”

“Don’t speak to the great hero in that manner!” Princess Lili snapped. “He is noble and true. He would never abandon anything.” Catherine was about to say something, but Jackson stopped her with a glare.

“Believe what you want, but I could ruin him in four words.”

“I’m ashamed of you, I could do it in three, possibly two,” Jackson joked. Joseph looked confused while Catherine seemed to count on her fingers. She was trying to riddle out the perfect sentence that could out Joseph in as few words as possible. Jackson had figured out how to do it in three, so she had to do the same.

“Can we change the subject please,” Jackson said.

“Please,” Gypsy added, still holding her head.

“Actually, we wanted to talk with you,” Joseph said. He was looking at Jackson.

“Let me guess, the Berserker.”

“Yeah, we’ve been brainstorming ways to kill it based on that fight. We wanted to know if you had any ideas. We think we can take it down as it wasn’t too much stronger than us. Maybe with a little more training we’ll be its equal.”

“Equal,” Jackson repeated the word.

“He was holding back,” Catherine said. Her face was a bright red, anger filled her eyes. “You have no idea how powerful he is, nor how much he was pulling his punches.”

“Pulling his punches,” Joseph laughed. “He had us on the ground.”

“She right,” Jackson admitted. “He was holding back.”

“And how do you know this?” Carley snapped. “He had you broken on the floor.”

“He was holding back. He explained it to me yesterday,” Jackson lied. Catherine had explained it, but he had seen his future self. Felt his power. Not to mention he’d fought Barbara’s Berserker enough times to know how powerful they could be. And when you think about the fact he could use time magic, but didn’t, Jackson shuddered.

“You talked with the Berserker?” Angela said. Her mouth was open. “You just talked with it?”

“It’s complicated,” Jackson said.

“More complicated then miss time travel?”

“If you think she gives you a headache,” Jackson said. He now held his own head.

“I’m right here!”

“You can talk with the beast?” Princess Lili said. “That’s impossible.”

Gypsy was staring at Barbara while the others stared at Jackson.

“He approached me. We had to take care of some things, then he left. Thankfully he left,” Jackson said quickly. He could not say that the Berserker was actually him, could not tell them about the assassins as they had just covered them up. And with the princess right there.

“This could change everything,” the princess said. Her eyes were wide, and Jackson could see the gears turning.

“He hates the kingdom,” Jackson said quickly. “Whatever you’re thinking, it won’t work.”

“But he talked with you. You are one of our heroes. It is your duty to convince the beast to side with us. To assist us in this coming war.”

“I think he’s already picked a side. And I ain’t one of your heroes. Not anymore.”

“Jackson,” Joseph said. “We’re one team. If you can stop the Berserker, especially if you can stop it peacefully-”

“I can’t stop him! I can barely fight him! It was dumb luck that our goals aligned yesterday! Trust me, there is no peace with him.” Jackson was yelling now. He had cut off his friend and was yelling. He was red in the face, fear gripping his eyes as he felt the Berserker under his skin. Gypsy grabbed his hand.

“You don’t have to fight him,” she said softly. “You don’t have to fight anymore.”

Barbara moved next to him, pointing her broadswords at Joseph. She did not understand what was happening, but anyone who angered Jackson was a threat. She had a simple solution to any threats. Angela stayed where she was, she was staring at the ground. Her mind was thinking about what was left of his body. She imagined the many times he had fought the beast, and how painful those memories must have been for him.

“Far- Uncle, you can’t run from him,” Catherine said. She got several glares. “You know you can’t. I’ve seen you try. I don’t know what it’s like, but I’ve fought the Berserker as well. I’ve beaten the Berserker myself. Yes, he was holding back, but we both know that doesn’t make much of a difference. And there’s things coming that are worse. I’ve fought them, I got the scars to prove it. You need to choose…” She trailed off.

She didn’t need to finish. Jackson knew what she was about to say. He needed to decide if he would also become a Berserker. Would he give into the seed like his other self did? Did he even have a choice? And the only person with that answer had run away.

“What’s worse than the Berserker?” Franklin asked. He was shaking at the idea.