Chapter 3:Truth about the Ring

Truth about the ring...

Jack enters the bar. He walked directly to the back and enters the smoked filled office. The moment he closed the door he found himself enfold into burly arms.

"This is creepy Tiny." he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"How are you doing prince?"

"Son..."

"Hello father. I am sorry that I disappointed you."

"Jack I taught you to never say that. I respected your choice to follow your heart. Tell me what had happened." Nico Grayson looked at his only son. He could see the traces of physical battle on his face.

Jack went and sits in his usual chair across from his father. He knew and respect the way he was taught and raised. When he met Olivia he knew he didn't want her in this life always filled with violence or betrayal. But apparently this also happens in high society.

"Father, how did you manage without Mom and my sisters?"

"It wasn't easy son. My life is the past and we can talk about it anytime you need. I have to inform you that you need to go and see your grandfather in the old villa in the mountains."

"Why?" Jack was surprise since the old guy chased him away once he turned eighteen. He left the villa with only the ring now on his finger.

"I am not sure. You know my dad. He mumbled something about a shifting in the here and now."

Jack looked curiously at the simple gold ring.

"I will but not now father. I need to find out where Olivia is." He stood up.

"Son, sit down. Tell me why your body was filled with holes. I had to pay that surgeon a pretty penny to keep this quiet."

"My father in-law's welcome." he said making the office suddenly chilled. Feeling restless he stood and starts to circle the office. He can still feel the bullets entering his body.

"Jack, before your path of revenge begin, go to the old villa."

"What about Olivia? I think the story of her being kidnapped was just to let me drop my guard." His expression suddenly grim with unspent fury.

"Jack while you are with your grandfather I will get guys I trust to get entrance into that mansion. I must insist that you go to the villa first. This is important. "

"Fine. I was out of action for almost three weeks. I want you to make certain I am still married to Olivia."

Jack stopped his motorcycle across the road. He didn't climb of but just waited. He can still feel the negative effect of the bullets entering his body. In truth he will remember that always.

"Hey you!"

Jack look around surprise. He was instantly furious with himself when he realized he didn't notice the person. He frowned after he look to see who he was talking with.

"What the fuck?" getting from his motorcycle he actively look around. "Where the hell are you?"

"Right in front of you fool." the voice said.

"Fuck off."Jack climbed back on his motorcycle. The moment it roars into life he felt strong arms circling around him. As he look down at his body he saw nothing yet the strength of the arms were around his waist.

"Why the hell can't I see you?" Jack tried getting of the motorcycle but he feels stuck.

"I am part of your now." the voice said.

"You are invisible right?" Jack question while wondering about his sanity.

"At the moment. I am surprise that you aren't looking with your third eye."

"Huh!" Jack said feeling stupid. "I need to get away from here."

"I know the road." Before Jack could react, the motorcycle roar into life. The ride to the villa in the mountains was done fast and reckless. Jack just can't seem to control the drive as the invisible man completely took control.

Jack stood in front of the gate. He looks around. The villa was completely covered in thick brush but somehow the entrance was clean and clear.

"You are wasting time."

"Stop controlling my actions. This is very annoying."

"You do know there is more of us." the voice said with satisfaction.

Jack felt a shudder of annoyance. He kept quiet as he reached to open the gate. The moment he steps through he has this feeling of dejavu walking back into his past...

"Jack Grayson what are you doing in that gate house?" The booming voice of his grandfather startled him. As a twenty five year old man he found himself being eighteen years again.

"Good afternoon grandfather." he looked at the tall clearly still very strong man who has his resemblance.

"Curious. Since when do you have manners? Last time you were here; didn't you curse me?"

"I think it was the other way around. My dad said you requested my presence."

"I see you still have an attitude. That ring will teach you the values you refused to acknowledge before." The old man mumbled. "Let’s go. We are wasting time. "

Jack followed his grandfather entering the gate house that always set apart from the villa itself. A chill of familiarity washes over him once the door closed behind him.

"What is this place?" The big craven like room was shrouded in a dim lightning.

"Your new reality. Sit down on the chair."

Jack watches the sudden appearance of the object appearing from nowhere. He look around for the ghost but it was only him and his grandfather.

"Remove your shirt."

Jack decided to do whatever was asked of him. He watches his grandfather approached him to count the bullet holes that was now sealed but has left its mark.

"What is her name?"

"Olivia." he answered truthfully.

"Does she love you?"

"Yes grandfather."

"Are you sure?"

"I am. When her own father made her choose, she has chosen me. That was the moment they blindsided me into believing she was kidnapped. I had forgotten for a moment I was in enemy territory."

"I can see the results. How did you survive?"

"I am not sure. I woke up in the coffin like box. I think something happened when I put the ring on my finger. I manage to get out from under the ground. When I finally understood I was alive was when dad stood in front of me."

"Did you shift in any way into your past?"

"I don't understand." Jack look openly confused.

"In time you will. Do you remember the day you found the ring?"

"I did."

"Did you ever put it on your finger before now?"

"No grandfather. You have put the fright in me for finding it. I just always carried it with me." Jack looked at his finger. He felt disoriented a moment.

"Okay. The ring encircled your past with your future. The only way that lifeline would be corrected is when you defeat your enemy. Jack that ring never called to your father. It seems to skip a generation or two. Years ago once I settled my debt, when I woke the ring was gone."

"What's going to happen to me now?"

“This is your life. You write your own story line. What do you want to do right now?"

"I want to know where Olivia is?"