A lot to do

The azure blue sea faded slowly behind Jack and his two companions as he turned towards the island, leaving the big ship behind that slowly began to drift out at sea. He had hoped for this new, exciting job, but getting it so easily, and under such mysterious circumstances, amazed him. His two companions didn't make things any easier, as they never left his side. Flanked by the two young women, Jack could observe them as the sounds of a bustling island grew around him.

Arson, the lady with the unnaturally bright, fiery eyes, showed no reaction as he turned his head towards her and admired her elegant, well-shaped body. Beautiful was an understatement. While a woman's body at perhaps mid-twenties should be beautiful, Asron seemed almost flawless, godlike, in the warm sunlight. Her glowing red eyes, as if a whispering fire burned behind them, constantly scanned the park and the guests, who seemed to receive little attention from the three.

"What is your task for us, Master?" Blinking, Jack turned his head and followed the pleasantly cool voice of Crystal. Her azure blue eyes, like deep water, almost frozen, fixed on him and observed him with an intensity Jack had never seen in even his most devoted girlfriends. It was as if the young woman was looking into his soul and…

"Wait… Master?" Jack stopped on a wide, brightly paved promenade leading into the park. People everywhere, happy, bustling, but Jack stared at the supernaturally beautiful Crystal who had just called him 'Master' with neutral, carefree, almost disinterested eyes.

"Yes, Master." No smile, no hint of humor.

"Like… with a Master… key… or something?" Crystal just continued to stare at him, creepily.

"You are the Master," she said with her calm, flowing voice. "You order, we obey."

The sun was high in the sky, but the island offered plenty of places to cool off and find shade. Arson's eyes gleamed softly in the dimness of a large parasol, whose shadow concealed Jack's transformation from the unsuspecting eyes of the island visitors. The red-eyed beauty observed the passersby, scanning them with a methodical gaze, while Crystal caressed Jack's overheated skin with cool touches.

It wasn't just the women's eyes, not Mr. Faust's demeanor, or Cassiope's revealing outfit. It wasn't their words or their behavior.

It was the island.

"What is your task for us, Master?" Again, there was barely anything human about Crystal's doll-like demeanor, no emotion in her face. Her touches were gentle, supportive, while Arson seemed focused on keeping the area around the three free from intruders. Both seemed concentrated on their task, and their behavior seemed to Jack as if they were trying to appear human for his sake.

But they weren't.

And the island wasn't what it seemed.

Because Jack could feel it.

The power.

He couldn't describe it. It wasn't his body or mind. As far as he could tell, he was still the young man who had woken up this morning with hopes of an incredibly prestigious job.

It was his soul. He felt it in his soul.

This island was his destiny.

"Master?" He looked at Crystal. "What is your task for us?"

And if this island was his destiny...

Then he wouldn't refuse Mr. Faust's gift.

The warmth of his body didn't penetrate the woman's cool skin, but when he touched her, a small hint of brown, normal, eye color mixed into her gaze.

“Tell me everything I need to know.”

The island was incredible. A paradise for anyone wanting to escape their monotonous lives. Mr. Faust had said it, but only with the help of his loyal servants did Jack truly understand what he meant.

“There is still much to do, Master.” This time, it was Arson who spoke, as she described the various facilities on the island. Everything was already in place. Jack could see thousands of people strolling around and having fun. Adventures were being lived, dreams fulfilled, and miracles happening. He could feel it. But still, they were only at the beginning of their journey. “Master Faust demands improvement," Arson said with relentless fire in her voice. "The gardens and the maze are still neglected. More greenery. More life. More can be done to promote the island. Our fitness and wellness centers lack leadership and direction. We have hardly any animals in our petting zoo. The various buffets and restaurants complain about insufficient options for the guests. The hotel cannot meet the standards and expectations of Master Faust. The shopping mall has too few products in too small quantities to cater to all the guests. The arcade and the gaming center need some organization. And the large pool area needs maintenance. Furthermore, all our facilities urgently need dedicated, willing staff and...”

Arson had a fiery nature, but she fell silent immediately when Jack raised his hand. The dignified gesture made her eyes sparkle with a soft glow, and her smooth, red-orange painted lips closed, waiting for a word from her master.

“I understand, Arson,” said Jack, rising from his seat. “Mr. Faust wants this place to become something he can be proud of.” The two women watched him impassively as he stretched and let his gaze wander over the people strolling around. He stood there for a moment, a simple man, surrounded by his kind, observing and willingly absorbing the aura of this strange place. A gentle breeze wafted around the three, carried by a wind that only they could feel. Jack's hair moved slightly, and he almost felt the energy coursing through his body, caressing his soul like a devoted servant embracing her master. Then he turned to the two women. "I need a place where I can control all of this."

Arson bowed, but Crystal's lips curved into a warm, relieved smile for the first time as she looked into her master's eyes and glimpsed the power within his soul.