How it began

Jackson was born into a family that really didn't have anything but his father always taught him to help others over himself. So when Jackson’s sister got sick he did everything he could to make sure she got better he began working nonstop making an extra money he could get his hands on. Then the impossible happened and his sister started getting better and for a few weeks the world was bliss. But just like everything in Jackson’s life it was about to get really really bad. Jackson’s dad went to work one night and never returned. Their family called the police and they searched and searched but never found him. Six years later on the eve of Jackson's twentieth birthday his life was about to take a very interesting turn.

As Jackson was walking home from school one evening he looked back and noticed that there was someone following him. He tried losing them using some tricks he’d found on the internet after finding a medal with a weird crest on it. A hawk covered in glittering metal. No matter what I did to try to shake him the guy just kept getting closer and closer but as I started to pick up the pace I looked back a final time to see if he had begun running as well and I turned around completely just to make sure he wasn't just hidden from view for a little bit. But no luck so I calmed down and turned around and began to walk again and out of the shadow to the Right. The Man that had been following charged at me and grabbed me by the shoulder and shoved me with an ungodly amount of strength into a nearby wall putting a crack in it with a sound like thunder.

Calm down Jackson my name is Max I knew your father you turn twenty tomorrow correct. Yes sir I said not keeping the fear out of my voice as much I would have liked to. “Why are you here max” That being the only thing I could keep on my mind. He slightly released his grip on me and let out a huge sigh like he’d been holding in stress for years. “Jack can I call you Jack” I was a little angry and couldn’t keep the anger out of my voice when speaking “No my name is Jackson”. He tightened his grip on my shoulder in response to my level of harshness but then relaxed again “Ok Jackson your father told me to find you when you were about to turn seventeen because that is when you will be able to use this”. From underneath his coat he pulled a Little black book that looked like it had been made from pure darkness. He began to hand it to me. He spoke about the book like it was a religious object but I could hardly focus on him. The book had the same symbol as the medal I found.

After I got over the shock of that I began to pay more attention to what he was saying “This book gives the person who can use wealth beyond imagining but only if he accepts the cost that comes with owning it.”. I stopped him right there “What is the cost of owning this book”. An air of worry in my words “This cost for everyone else is death for any who open it but your family is the true owners so the cost is but one. When the book was made it was stitched from the darkness in the void of the world where only three things exist: the silver hawk, the great eagle and her demons. The great eagle was jealous of the gift the silver hawk made for your grandmother so she sends her demons to hunt whoever in your family who holds it.” As soon as he stopped I said “Woe Woe Woe is it worth it to have all that danger at your door 24/7.” He gained somewhat of a wicked smile on his face then said “your uncle really seemed to enjoy it but he couldn't keep the creatures that came at bay for more than a year. “The book give the bearer abilities to keep it safe as well as wealth So Jackson do you accept the book.” I had to think about for a second that money could get us so much my sister would never have to want for anything again so without really considering what I was doing I said “ Yes I accept the book and all the responsibilities that come with it.” As soon as I spoke the words the book glowed with a silver light and I felt a burning deep within me and felt a searing pain on my forearm causing me to rip it up revealing a silver eagle that appeared to be emitting a glowing light. The pain left just as fast as it came leaving me dripping in sweat and the book in my hand and Max gone. After I got my wits about me I stood up and headed for my house planning to stop at the corner store and grab a drink before I went in. I put the book in my jacket and I went straight for the fountain drinks section of the store knowing I was still on a budget. I was in the mood for a drink just to release the cola raspberry. I walked to the counter and waited for the young lady in front of me to finish paying. As soon as she was done I stepped over to the door and opened it giving John the cashier a knowing wink. “ Hey John, busy day?” He smiled and said “yeah not really but it always starts to wind up around this time. What could I get you today Jackson.” I looked at the dollar scratcher’s and said “I’m feeling lucky I’ll take one of those dollar scratchers and this drink” he grabbed the scratcher and rang up the “ok bud that will be two seventy six sir.” I looked up feigning an exasperated look on my face and handed him a five dollar bill. “Your change is two twenty four” I asked “ can you check this for me god knows I need it.” he took it over to his checker and then shouted with excitement “you won you won”. I looked up and said “ How much did I win bud” trying to hide the excitement in my voice. John still jumping up and down finally turned to me and said “ Dude you won the grand prize 20,000 dollars I’ll take this across the street with you and get your money for you right now” We walked across the street together and he went to get my money for me I’m still bubbling with excitement barely able to contain it. After a few mins I noticed it was starting to get dark. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a weird shape that looked like a person with wings and very long claws. Then when I looked directly at it it disappeared. So I shrugged it off vaguely recalling the conversation with Max like it disappeared when he did. Shortly after seeing that John came back out carrying a duffle bag of cash that I assumed was for me. John walked up to me and placed the bag filled with cash at my feet. “Hey congrats bro” while he was talking I grabbed two hundred dollars and handed them to him stopping him dead in his tracks “No you don’t have to bro it’s fine.” I looked him dead in the eyes and said “ you sold it to me buddy so yes I did.” I closed the bag, picked it up and walked away headed toward home. I headed to my apartment and opened the door and found the place ransacked. My table was broken in half tv was in the wall all my couches where slit open and after I walked in Max appeared behind me and said “ well it looks like someone beat you here Jackson” I spun on him quicker than I should have been able to and punch him so hard he went through the wall and once I realized what I did I went and pulled him out of the wall. “ I’m so sorry I didn’t know how strong I was now” Max brushed himself off and said “ It’s fine Jackson I’m more durable than you might think”

As he was speaking I noticed my family where nowhere to be found. So I began to run to each of their room’s to see if they were there but John had my arm before I could make it anywhere. “Jackson there not here, that's what I came to tell you. I saw them being taken by demons sent by the celestial eagle. Here is the note they left. I picked it up and waited for you to arrive. Hearing that instantly sent me into a rage and I ran at Max grabbed him and slammed him into the wall cracking it. “ Why didn't you stop them if you were here.” Max looked down and said “I am only able to speak with you only here because of that little black book. I'm your uncle. I can’t use the book because I lost the duel that you will now have to face in order to save your sister and your mother.” I backed up and dropped Max “ Where” still trying to recover from me breaking a wall with him “ Ok lets go I’ll give you some gear on the way.” Not looking at him I walked away and went to where I hid the medal and put it around my neck. Then stuck it beneath my shirt and walked back out to Max “ Let's go, it's time to save my family.” Max went straight to the door and walked out I lagged behind and picked up the bag of money and knew what I wanted to buy with it. So following max I went down stairs and he told me where we needed to go to get the gear. It was a small shop with neon hawk in the window. The person in the shop didn't speak. He saw the medal and instantly went and grabbed a sword, a dagger and leather armor to help me win this duel. I put it on as we walked to the local park which was on the edge of town and secluded. We arrived at the park not saying a word to each other along the way and as soon as we hit the threshold of the park. Max stopped me and said “ I can’t go further I will buy all the things on the list and give them to your sister” I nodded and continued on for a few minutes till I saw my sister tied to a tree. I ran to her and untied her and said “Go to the house a friend is waiting” and right before she ran I stuck the little black book in her back pocket. When I died it’s power would be hers then I turned around and standing there was my opponent I pulled the sword out and charged. Me and the demon we're dancing the moves coming like they had been taught to me a million times. But then it took a turn for the worse when she got a cut off on my arm. The pain was so bad I couldn’t stand and then the demon took their chance and made the final cut ending my life. But making my sisters worth living since max would get her out of the country and in the house that all the money would buy for her and he could keep them safe. I died knowing she would have a happy life.