All around us, there exist a realm. A realm that the human naked eye cannot see or comprehend. Jinns,demons, ect.
Everyday there is a war in our world. We just can't see it.
(Why? Why have I…been put here? I've struggled all throughout my life…why? Struggle is normal, but…this…this is hell. Why?! Why?)
Joey lay on the ground in the fetal position, covering his head with both his hands. Shaking and quivering from chills all over his body.
Kai looked down and looked closely. He could see numerous amounts of jinns trying to take ahold of his body, possession.
"What the- NATALIA!! GRAB HIM!"
Natalia quickly pulled Joey away as Kai slayed all the jinns in the area. "They're attracted to him. That would explain…the strange light that rushed passed me. Joey is like a damn light bulb that's being lit in a dark forest. We need to hurry up and regroup with everyone." Kai said as he wrapped a black blanket around Joey.
"Joey…please. Stand up." Natalia said.
"I also need you to explain that." Kai said while pointing at the two. "Why is it that you come to protect him? You know the stories, right? Joey is a target of the jinn-"
"I can't explain it." Natalia said as she helped Joey walk.
"For your own good, Kai. Forget you even had that question in mind." Joey added, as the two took the lead and headed towards the town.
(He's nothing how the jinn slayer corporation describes him. Am I really…gonna turn him in?)
******
"Damn she's heavier than she looks!" Xavier said as he tossed Ahana off of his shoulder and walked over her. "We need to radio it in. We've captured Ahana."
******
Jodi and Lily stopped in their tracks, noticing the barrier holding everyone inside had weakened. "Are they free to go now?" Lily asked as Jodi picked up a girl and smiled at her. "I need you all to listen. Keep heading straight and you'll be able to leave. However, once you leave, you'll have no memory of anything that happened today. I am sorry." Jodi explained to the large group of people.
"Sir…who…who are you guys?" A woman asked.
"We are…jinn slayers."
******
"We still can't get hold of the teachers?! Just what's going on then?" Xavier sighed as Ghost tried to get someone to answer. Wraith climbed the building, with Jackson right behind her, having Harvey's body strapped to his back. "You guys seeing this?! We caught her!" Xavier laughed.
"Yeah, that's nice and all, but you should prioritize the civilians who're still stuck here!" Jackson said as he placed Harvey down.
"The enemy who we've been looking for…IS priority. You two should be down there helping the civilians." Xavier spat back, dragging Ahana towards the middle of the roof.
"Just tie her up and help with civilians." Ghost said.
"Yeah, I'm already on it." Xavier said. Xavier locked eyes with Jackson, his intense gaze sending chills down his spine. Xavier smirked at Jackson and tied Ahana's and Harvey's hands together.
"Happy now?" Xavier asked.
"Let's just find and save everyone we can. We also need someone to get in contact with our teachers." Jackson said.
******
Malice is my blood. One of my great ancestors of the past from the great clan. If he can do the things he did with his energy…does that mean…that I can also do the same, if not be BETTER than him? My whole life of living, I've always tried to become the best. Be the guy…THE guy. I couldn't stand the fact…that Ahana could go toe-to-toe with Malice. Even become stronger than him while I sat on the sidelines and simply watched! My life in the palm of HER hands! It drives me crazy to even think about it! A damn woman of all things…I…I had to rely on her strength. Even Lily. That damn mut Lily. How dare she touch me!! I vow to become stronger….and show my rightful place at the top of the mountain of peak strength! Never again. Never again will Lily embarrass me the way she did.
******
Kai, Natalia, and Joey reached the town, everything was in ruin…just a dust town. Kai took a couple of steps forward before looking on at the faint distance. "Where…where is everyone?" He asked in a shaky voice. Kai fell to a knee, putting his hand on his head. "I should've stayed. This all is…is my fault-"
"Keep it together, Kai!" Natalia said, her voice breaking through to him.
"This isn't on you! I promise to explain everything about Joey in due time, but you were just following orders. Don't blame yourself!" Natalia said.
Kai stood up again, using his jinn energy to locate anyone left. "I see them!" Kai yelled. Kai held out both his hand. "It would be best to leave Joey here." Kai said.
"What?! He's literally unconscious! What if something gets him?! Didn't you say the jinns view him as a torch in a dark forest?! We need to hide him, not just leave him in the open."
"I hear what you're saying, but…they have Ahana. That's something I'm glad to hear, no matter if I do owe Joey. I owe him, not Ahana. Besides, if they see Joey, they'll want to take him also. We can't have that risk… and the nearest buildings are around our group. You have to put him in a tree or something. Or…you can just stay here with him. The only slayer who knew you would be on watch is Ghost."
Natalia thought about it, but she thought about what Ghost would think if she never showed her face to the group.
"Damn it!" She spat.
******
Ahana opened her eyes, her hand tied with Harvey's. His body was clean and unbothered. Ahana's lips quivered as she slowly placed her head against Harvey's shoulder. She then curled up in the fetal position, her shoulders shaking, lips quivering, and heart pounding against her chest.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…I'm so…"
A hand pressed down against Ahana's face. Kai emerged from the edge of the building, climbing over Ahana and Harvey's body when pulling himself up.
"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to grab you by the- huh? Natalia, is this her?" Kai asked.
Natalia used a zip line gun and launched herself into the air and over Ahana. While Natalia was in the air, she locked eyes with Ahana, who glared back at her. (She's…really…really is her?!) Natalia landed on the building and pointed her gun right at Ahana. Kai quickly stepped in front of the barrel and held out his hand.
"They want her alive. You know this, Natalia. Control yourself."
Natalia bit her bottom lip in rage and put away her gun. "Let's hurry up." She said softly.
(That…beautiful soul…) Ahana thought, her saliva beginning to fall out of her mouth while staring at Natalia. "Who…who are you." Ahana asked, trying to lift her head, a gaze of attraction? No, this was different. It was like a predator looking down at prey that was too delicious to let get away.
"Where is everyone?" Kai asked Ahana.
Ahana looked past Kai, only focusing on Natalia. "I'm not sure what it is, but I know you from somewhere, right?" Ahana asked.
"Don't engage in conversation with her! Only I will speak." Kai told Natalia.
"They went after civilians. No one in your group was harmed." Ahana replied.
Kai looked and noticed Harvey. "Who's the boy? Who tied you to him-"
"Harvey is his name. I…got him killed." Ahana said with regret in her voice.
"Find the others, Natalia. I'll watch over her."
"But-"
"Go…"
******
(What darkness you've been fated to endure. You poor, poor child.) a voice said from the inside of Joey's head. Joey opened his eyes, he floated in a dark place that he'd never been before.
"Where…am I-"
(We are within a realm only one such as your self…can manifest within your mind.)
"Who are you?"
(I'm no one. I'm nothing. I'm simply…here.)
"That doesn't even make any sense!"
(Joey Castle….go find her. Get Ahana back. For it has not yet arrived.)
"What hasn't arrived?! Answer me!!"
(WAAR!!!! WAR IS COMING, JOEY CASTLE!! REMEMBER THIS: WHEN THE PRIDEFUL LION SUFFERS, YOU AND EVERYONE WILL BE CASTED INTO THE DARK PITS OF HELL!! THE TRIGGER OF IT ALL!! NOW…GO…GO FIND…AAHAAANAAA….)
Joey jolted awake, his head throbbing with pain. He was left in a tree, its thick branches were able to sustain his weight. "Ahan…Ahana!"
******
Everyone had gathered on top of the building, trying to figure out their next move. "Kai is giving commands like HE was here." Xavier said while shrugging his shoulders up to his ears. "It's pathetic. Kai, the great legend who sat back and hid!"
"He didn't hide. We were dealing with the person who casted this barrier." Natalia said.
"Wait. You mean…the barrier that's STILL up?!?" Xavier laughed. "It's clear…we had a bad leader on this mission. While we fought and risked our lives, all you did was-"
"What did I do, Xavier? Tell me." Kai asked, now standing with his chest against Xavier's.
"If you pay attention for once, you can see Kai's jinn energy has fallen off, and he has a rather mean injury to the back of his head. He…was fighting someone." Lily explained. "He didn't hide away like a coward. So stop it."
Xavier walked past Kai and rubbed his hand through his smooth hair. "Lily…always knowing something." Xavier said softly. Wraith reached out and grabbed Xavier by his arm. "Relax. It's…over now. That's all that matters, right?"
There was a pause, but Xavier knew it was true. "Yes. It is over, but we didn't win. A lot of innocent people died today, and it's on HIS hands!" Xavier yelled, pointing at Kai.
"Are…ARE YOU FOR REAL?!?" Jackson yelled, drawing his sword. "What the hell-"
Lily turned around to see Joey limping towards Ahana. "It's Joey!!" Lily shouted.
"That's him?!" Jodi asked, his electric energy starting to rise.
"Joey Castle?! Xavier reached for his jinn weapon.
"Joey?" Ghost gasped.
(That idiot! Why would he- for…Ahana?!) Natalia thought.
Before Joey could even react, he was pinned to the roof, his head slamming against the building with Jodi holding him down, his blade pressed against Joey's neck.
"Don't move a damn inch!" Jodi spat.
(Jodi…)
Lily came in, putting her knee against Joey's head.
(Lily.)
"Hold him down and I'll prepare to-"
"Stop." A voice said amongst them. Everyone turned around to see Kai walking towards Joey.
"What are you saying?! He's right here! We have them both!!" Xavier said.
"I hate to agree, but we have Joey in are grasp. All this death and destruction…it will be for something! Don't let these people who died here tonight be for nothing!" Lily said.
Natalia looked up at Kai. Trying to think about what he'd do in this situation. If one were to ever stop the jinn slayers from executing their mission, it would be deemed a crime. A crime that would possibly lead to death…possibly.
(Kai. What is it you're about to say? If we can't have Joey…we need Ahana. They won't keep their mouths shut. I don't want Joey to be taken away, but I…I rather just keep Ahana. Either way, Kai is…you're gonna…)
"What transpired here today…wasn't the work of Joey or Ahana. It was…"
"The clan." Joey said.
Everyone turned their heads. "The clan? What are these lies-"
"He's not lying. When we first came here, Wraith saw me and I even told her to report back. I fought Joey…and he won. Instead of taking my life, Joey went on to try and run away with him companion, who tricked him, tried to kill him and even set the barrier that is around us now. We all worked together to greatly injure the woman. I owe Joey. A second chance like he did me. I will not let any of you take him." Kai said with a cold look in his eyes.
"I-I can't believe what I'm hearing!" Xavier laughed. "You want a death wish?! Just because he did you a favor doesn't mean we-"
"You can't blame him, Xavier. This is…who Kai is." Ghost explained.
"Let's think logically, yeah? We set him free…what else is gonna come after him then?! You talk as if he's some good kid or something. No! That was not what we were taught! Capture him! That's the goal when it comes to him! You setting him free will only cause more death. Don't you get it?! Everyone here can agree with me on this one, Kai."
"Kai. He…isn't wrong. We can't let Joey just…leave. He's a damn fugitive to the jinn slayer corporation. Getting rid of him would be almost…like a deadly sin in a way. You'll be facing…possible death if we report this." Jodi said.
"And I have faith…that you all will do me the solid in not saying a word about this. Even if you all disagree or won't go through with it. I'll take you all on right here and now for that boys freedom." Kai said.
"Why…why risk your life for…for me?" Joey asked, running out of breath.
"Because I…see myself in you." Kai replied. "I don't want to capture you. Not like this. It ain't fair. You've used all your energy and…I should've listened to you from the beginning. I'm sorry, Joey."
(To put your life at risk for my own…and you haven't even known me for an hour or at all even. Kai, I…thank you…) tears began to build in Joey's eyes, as he looked over and reached out for Ahana. "Let…let me take my sister." Joey said.
"Kai…we can't-"
"You will. There is no can't. Let him go Lily. Jodi. Jackson. I will get him one day…just not today."
"I've never seen anyone…so damn selfish in my life." Lily whispered. "Joey. You're a lucky guy aren't you? You now know exactly what you look like in detail and we know that you're in the area. It might not be today or tomorrow. But the next time we run into you, Kai won't be there. Remember this." Lily threatened as she pushed Joey's head into the ground.
"Don't touch him like that!" Ahana yelled.
"Selfish? It was Ahana who saved us after all. She wasn't here to kill anyone or cause harm." Wraith said. "We all…are at fault. We were supposed to see this coming and it's my fault for not telling anyone about Kai's whereabouts."
(I'm still not sure why I didn't. I thought…)
"She's right. Ahana did save us from that monster and even defeated it. She…saved people, but ultimately got them killed also." Jackson explained.
"Yes, but she…did save us. She tried." Jodi added.
There was a long moment of silence before Lily and Jodi got off of Joey, who immediately crawled over to Ahana.
"Joey. I know you can't move well, but you need to go. Now. I can sense our teachers coming and they're moving in fast." Kai said as Kai turned around and looked at the town. "We've got work to do."
"I'll be sure to tell them everything that happened here today-"
"You know Ahana saved you. You…know that you can owe her this and you know it." Ghost said.
Xavier smacked his lips and faced away. "Goodbye then. Joey Castle and Ahana Castle."
******
Joey ran and ran, Ahana using every ounce of her remaining strength to hold Harvey. "Ahana…we…we have to drop him." Joey said. "They did us a favor cutting the tie, but we can't keep moving like this. You have to…let him go, Ahana. Let him…." Joey fainted, completely drained of everything that he could do.
******
3 days later
******
Rose sat upon a large rock, looking at the sun beginning to rise from the darkness of clouds. She always found warmth in that. The sky. The light. The light breaking through the darkness and giving her skin that warm feeling, the feeling of hope and peace. Rose sat back, enjoying the view while it lasted.
"Ever since that day…I've slowly begun to lose my life. I think…me and the other one was more connected than I thought. Heh…Joey. Are you…okay?"
Rose looked over to her left and then slowly looked back up. "You of all people…would be the one to find me, huh? Nice to meet you…Ahana."
Ahana wore a dark blue jean jacket, with a black shirt, silver chain, and puffy blue jeans. "Hey there. I've spent the last two days looking for you. Trying to find your energy. I finally found it." Ahana said.
"Of course you did. How…how is Joey-"
"Don't speak about him. He's in a coma and that's all you gotta know. It's…it's…"
"My fault." Rose said.
"No. It's mine. I got Harvey killed. My brother hurt. Other civilians died because of me."
"Heh. You weren't the one who trapped them inside. This was all me and him. I never asked…I never asked for any of this. I was forced into that damn thing and came out a monster. Years of life…just gone. I wish I could go back. Go back to…meeting-"
"Meeting Joey. You two built a genuine friendship. I know that feeling because I'm craving it. I miss my friend too. We both…have failed when it comes to that." Ahana sighed. Ahana sat down next to Rose and looked up at the sky as well.
"I'm…dying."
"Yeah."
"You wanted to talk? F-for what? What are you gaining?"
"Nothing."
"Then why…why are you here?"
"To listen."
"Listen to what?"
"To what you have to say."
Rose sat up and chuckled to herself. She suddenly stopped and thought about death. Ahana glared at Rose as Rose began crying. "I'm so scared. When I die…I'm gonna…I'm gonna end up like…like them…"
"Yeah…you are."
Rose wiped her tears and began shaking in fear. Ahana moved over even closer and reached out; put her arms around Rose's shoulders. "I'm sorry…that you ended up like this."
*sniff sniff
"Can you…can you stay with me? Until it's time? I'm so scared…."
"I will. I'll hold you until you drift off to bed, Rosie."
"What?"
"Oh. I said-"
"No, no, no. What did you call me?"
"Rosie. That's what I called you."
"...."
"Something wrong?" Ahana asked, a smile beginning to form across her face.
"You're-"
"I am. I never told you, but…I made a vow within myself when I met you. Whatever were to happen to that vessel or mind, or anything. I'd still be able to connect with you for one minute before I go back into my astral world slumber. This new version of me is…rather something." Ahana said. "It feels like yesterday when I…had those three as my pups." Ahana said with a smile.
Rose pushed Ahana away and began running. "They always run from me." Ahana sighed. "Rose." Ahana said calmly. Rose continued to run down the hill.
Rose turned around to see nobody there. She turned ahead and ran into Ahana's chest. Ahana gave her and hug and began to squeeze tightly, cracking Rose's back and ribs.
"Don't run…just shh." Ahana whispered in Rose's ear. Ahana fell to her knees, still hugging Rose as Rose tried to wiggle around and get away.
"I told you that you belong to me. I told you this. Don't worry…you're not going to that place for suffering. Instead you'll be…one with me. You'll be apart of me. Inside me. Part of my being."
"Stop! Stoooop!!!! I'll be good!!! I promise I'll be good!!! Please don't do it!!! I'd rather go to hell!!! Please!!!!" Rose cried and begged, blood beginning to fill her mouth.
"Shhh. I'm going…to consume you. Consume your spiritual body and make it apart of me. I told you over one hundred years ago that you belong to me. Not…not Joey. Joey-Joey is nothing! A damn pawn on my board. You…YOU are what I need-who I need. There's no greater honor than to be consumed by someone of my caliber. Sleep, Rosie. Sleep….go to sleep…"
(Joey I…I'm so sorry…f-for everything I…I should've…I should've….)
"Heh. Even…even right now…I feel…not in being belonged to someone. You were wrong in the end…Safari."
(Safari was just a form she took. Her real physical body was somewhere else in the world, but she possessed and acted like Safari…a random girl who lied to me and pretended to be in the clan. What…the hell is she? This isn't a jinn or a demon. It's…it's…)
Rose took her last breath and died in Ahana's arms. Her eyes rolled back, her back snapping even more and the world went completely still and silent.
"My minute is almost up. I have to eat quickly…"
******
On Valentine's Day
******
Mandy knocked on the door- Ahana's door. She opened it slightly to see Ahana laying in her bed with her back turned. "Ahana?"
"Yes?" Ahana said in a dry voice.
"I…would like to give you something-"
"I don't want it. Thank you though, Mandy."
"Ahana…every since that day, you haven't even looked me in the eyes once. You can look at me. Talk to me. Anything. It's not fun being all alone in this house."
"Mandy…I…" Ahana jumped out of bed and turned to face Mandy. "Say something! Yell at me! Curse me! Scream at me! Blame me! Why…why are you acting?! Say what you want to say, damn it!" Ahana said as she grabbed at her own shirt.
"Ahana…you are you and that's what Harvey loved about you."
Ahana's eyes widened, she looked at Harvey with a gaze of confusion…yet affection. "Harvey always wanted to go. Get away and get out. He wanted to break the rules while being kind. He…wanted to be free. You helped him do that. To feel like a kid and not like a pawn like I did. I know he's grateful to you and loved you. So…that is all-"
Ahana hugged Mandy tight. (What am I doing?) Ahana thought. Mandy hesitated, surprised from the move. But she put her head on Ahana's shoulder and began hugging her back.
"I brought you something and I hope you'll like it." Mandy said as she went out and grabbed something from behind the door. It was Harvey's stuffed animal.
"Oh, Mandy you…why'd you-"
"AHANA!!" The bear yelled at the top of its lungs, jumping into her arms.
Ahana looked up and down at Mandy. "What…what is this?!"
"It's my jinn ability: Echocraft. Don't get the wrong idea, this isn't Harvey, but…it holds some of his memories. Some. And for now…that's about all. It seems as though it remembers your name though." Mandy explained.
(My jinn ability is a strange one. If I poured too much "echo drift" into the animal, another spirit or jinn could've taken it over. There is a time limit on the activation of it, but I can always use Ahana's energy and pour it into the object to keep it alive. It's not Harvey, but it contains memories. All I need to trigger this is to have something that the person was connected to or if an object was special to that person. This is the smallest thing I can do…to bring her happiness.)
"Huh? Hey, why are you crying?" The bear asked while tilting its head slightly to the right. It looked up to see Ahana with a stream of tears flowing down the sides of her face. Ahana pulled Mandy in and hugged her along with the bear. "Ahana, you're…you're really hurting me here! You hug like you're tryna kill me or something!!" The bear shouted.
"We have a lot to talk about…Harvey. I'm…I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for it all! For everything!" Ahana cried out, falling to her knees with the bear in her arms.
(That's right. I visited Rose. Sat with her. Then all I remembered is being surrounded by her blood and a torn open body. Did I…do that? When? My chest felt tight as if I hugged someone to death. My arms…swollen from the squeeze. I…I don't think I did that.)
******
Mandy opened Joey's door and discovered that he was finally awake. "Joey!! You're…you're awake!" She said cheerfully.
Joey sat on the edge of his bed, looking out at the sunny day from his dark room. "Joey?"
"Hmm? Oh, hey, Mandy." Joey said with a smirk.
Mandy looked down and twisted her foot. "You…you've been knocked out for a while. A few days to be exact. I did my best to clean you and feed you, sorry if you're still-"
"No. I feel great and full. Thank you."
Mandy stood in the doorway and waited for Joey to say something else, but nothing came out. "Are you okay?" Mandy asked.
"Am I…okay? No. No, I'm not okay." Joey replied.
(Joey, you're an lucky guy aren't you? Lily. Jodi. Jackson. Wraith. All of you…I remember us all being together for sometime. Now you all view me as the enemy.)
"Every single day. I wake up and always hope I lived a dream. I'm not where I wanna be. Not mentally. Not physically. Not emotionally. Not even in life. I'm just here, existing in a world that's cruel and unfair. I always ask myself…why was I of all people cursed by god? Made the way I am? Why did fate…why was I born to be like this? There are people who're bad people, but they have their way. They manipulate people. Lie, kill, steal, have riches, are greedy, carry heavy lust, let their pride ruin them, and…are angry enough to slaughter others." Joey clinched his fist, blood beginning to spill.
"I have to find someone. Someone who goes to that school. Then, I need to escape this. Then…kill them. Some way. Somehow."
"Kill who?" Mandy asked.
Joey turned and faced Mandy. "The ones who cause sin and evil."
(I'll break this curse and get my answers from them. I'll bring this whole thing down! Like why…did Ahana have to get her hands on the good eyes? Is THAT fate?! Is it evil's doing?!)
"Joey. If you are ever questioning why things have took a bad turn, then…know that faith does exist. I'm not sure who or what it is you're referring to, but I can hear the pain in your voice. You're hurting. I know…what it feels like to give up on hope and faith. You think nothing will come to-"
"What do you know about it, Mandy? Tell me."
Mandy didn't say anything, but Joey now stood up and towered over her, standing right in front of her while glaring down. "What do you know about this?"
"When I was younger. I…I never really had the best childhood experience. My mom was addicted…addicted to a not so friendly substance. One day, she had used all her money to the point we started getting conviction letters. One day, a group of men offered her a deal. She could get her substance, have the bills paid for all she'd need to do…was sell her daughter. Almost every single night…those men and their friends would…the point is. After being surrounded by darkness. Associated with it. I managed-no, fate…managed to give me some light. You and Ahana. Harvey. Light came through and set me free from that dark place. Home. The jinn. The deal. Now…I'm here with you all. It's not the best, but to me it's still light that I can have and put my faith into. In hope for a even better future. You, Harvey, and even Ahana…are my heroes. So hold your head high! Light always breaks through the darkness. Yours will shine through soon enough. Have faith. Put your faith in the ones that are around you."
Joey's lips began to quiver as Mandy noticed she reached out. "Do you need a hug?"
"Yeah. I'd like that…" Joey said with a crack in his voice.
(I never thought that we'd…have another companion at our side. I promise. I promise I'll get you all to remember what we once were. I'll find this special person, break this curse, and somehow…be free. Rose, I don't know where you are, but I know that's also what you're looking for. Freedom. I hope you get that….)
"I know it's not much, but I wanted to give you this flower." Mandy said as she held out a bright red rose. "Heh. The comedy in that." Joey whispered.
"Is this dumb?! I didn't know what else to get you-huh?" Mandy looked up to see Joey smiling at the flower.
(For now. At this moment, I'm feel that…that light.)
"No. It's not dumb at all." Joey said as he put the rose behind Mandy's left ear.
"You can have it. My Valentine's Day gift to you, Mandy." Joey said as he put his hand on her head and rubbed it softly. "Thank you…means a lot." Joey said as he walked out of his room.
Mandy began to blush…and extremely hard at that. "Th-thank you!"
******
"Today is your day for judgement, Kai." A tall man said. His eyes were green, with black hair that dropped above his shoulders. The man wore a long black cloak that dragged across the floor of the unknown building that had golden walls and a golden floor. A single lateen lit up the place, revealing ancient symbols and language.
"You're being accused of letting Joey castle escape. And Ahana, the god-eye user. How could you? How could you betray our rules?!" The man asked.
Kai said nothing, his back was covered in scars, blood dripping from his head, his hair hanging over his face, and a foul smell came from him.
"LIFT HIM!!" The man yelled.
Suddenly, Kai was pushed up into another room, the floor board beneath him easing him above. Kai entered another room, but this time, everyone who is involved with jinn slaying was attending this judgment. Kai raised his head and locked eyes with Xavier, who was sitting high up in the bleachers of the room. The room was massive. Bigger than a stadium. Where were they? If this is only a room, you could only imagine the whole thing.
The two leaders of the clans stood in the middle of the giant room, their chairs at the bottom near Kai.
"Kai. Student of Obilisk, the man who fights like a god amongst men. Obilisk, step foward." Sasha, leader of the dark clan said.
Harben, the leader of the mighty clan leaned back in his chair, resting his head against his head.
The large man Obilisk stepped into view. He stood next to Kai, but he couldn't help but look at the scares and blood all over his students body. "Release him." Obelisk said. Sasha raised an eyebrow and chuckled to herself. She ignored Obilisk and continued with her speech.
"To all jinn slayers who were present at the mission, please stand-"
"Woman."Obilisk said.
The energy in the room shifted. "Obilisk, don't let your emotions get in the way of what he did. I know he's your…favorite." Sasha said, looking up at a girl in the bleachers who gave Kai and nasty look. "But he isn't a child. He knows what he did. He let him and her go. HE is the reason so many people lost their lives!" Sasha stood up. "ALL SLAYERS WHO WERE PRESENT, RISE!!!"
Jodi, Ghost, Lily, Jackson, and Xavier all sat up. Obilisk glared at the group of young slayers, homing onto Xavier with a glare in his eyes. "It was Xavier who reported this crime, yes?" Harben asked.
"It was. Xavier…tell your side again." Sasha ordered.
Before Xavier even opened his mouth, he could feel the hatred and the gazes of everyone that was present that day. Xavier didn't care for them. He didn't feel an ounce of guilt. "Ma'am. Kai let Joey go. On top of that, he let Ahana go. All for his selfish desires of wanting to catch "him the right way", but instead, people died for no reason that night. We could've had their deaths not in vain if Kai had only let us capture them."
"Your response, Kai?" Sasha asked. "He's absolutely right." Kai replied.
(What the hell's he doing?!) Jackson thought.
"Come again?" Sasha asked.
"I said, he's absolutely right. People died because of me that night. I'm the one who actually fought Joey, but the kid spared my life and helped me take down an enemy who was causing harm to the citizens of that town."
"Exscuse me!" Amber raised her clan from the bleachers that hung from the walls. Astor sat beside her, rubbing his finger under his chin. "What was this threat exactly? I don't remember seeing or hearing anything about that! Not even from my own pups!"
"Good question, Amber." Sasha said while putting on a fake smile while looking at her.
"The threat…wasn't a jinn or a human. It was a mixture…physically at least. It could use jinn attacks and anther type of attack from a jinn slayer. There were two of them. Malice, the one most of us know about was one of them. It was like…they appeared out of nowhere." Kai explained.
"I agree fully with Kai." Jodi spoke up. "We were there ready for possible small little jinn threats to appear. You know, the jinns that might cause someone to wanna get drunk, fighting, negative energy, ect. Low-level jinns, NOT an extreme high-level threat. Malice appeared out of nowhere, but then again, there was that strange spawn of energy that was felt throughout the country."
"So the question is, where was Malice in the beginning? Where was the second one? How did they get here in the first place?" Lily asked.
Sasha and Harben looked at each other for a moment before Sasha opened her mouth. "Such things are currently being investigated."
"I ain't done." Kai whispered. Everyone went silent as Kai went on. "Joey Castle also said…that the clans released those things in order to try and find him."
(Joey. I must say, I didn't expect our projects to fail their task at killing you. This…is about to piss me off.)
"That can't be true!" Xavier shouted. "You shouldn't trust the enemy's word, Kai!! Joey only said that to trick us into letting him go and YOU fell for it!!" Xavier yelled.
(Wait. I don't trust Joey, but…I remember…I remember Sasha saying something about the clans having their own plans. Could this be…)
"I get why you'd say that, but then again, Joey…you could almost tell it was true." Jackson argued.
"I believe our clan-"
"Are you serious? Isn't the reason your entire family is gone because of them?!" Lily asked.
Xavier quickly summoned his jinn slayer weapon, with Jodi and Jackson quickly following his lead. "I dare you to move even a damn inch!" Jodi threatened.
"Enough!" Harben yelled. "In exactly 1 week…we shall continue this sentencing. We WILL get to the bottom of all this, slayers. In the meantime, don't you dare draw your weapons on each other all for opposing opinions!"
"You need to keep your girl in check. One day, so help me god, I'm gonna-"
"You'll do nothing." Astor said, putting his hand on Xavier's shoulder. "This is over for now. All of you, clear out and go to yoye usual meetups. Where you would go with your teachers." Astor told the crowd.
"What's gonna happen with Kai?" Wraith asked Astor. Astor looked down and shrugged. "Kai…should be fine. He'll be locked away I believe, but alive."
(The real question is…why report it? They know the consequences of something THIS important. I say this because I'm also hiding a little secret. Xavier…do you want…Kai's death on your hands?)
******
Three days later
"BECAUSE YOU FAILED!!!" Harben yelled at his daughter, Beta. Beta collapsed to the floor and cried, her father's hand print on her face. "We have to think about the clan! You're my daughter…but I cannot have this get out! Beta, I love you, but…we must say that you did this."
"WHAT?!? Why can't Kai take the fall?!"
"We didn't think…Joey would run that much information or be alive to tell it. It makes us already look suspicious. You, my daughter, have to take the hit on this. The story will be this: you were caught. Caught with information regarding your plan. You then escape. Run away, never to be found again."
"But father-"
Harben grabbed Beta by the head and pulled her in close. "Beta, listen to me. I will not…allow my clan to fall. YOU will go to a place where we've recently sent jinn slayers to communicate and request aid in the hunt for Ahana and Joey. It's an unknown land. A country! A massive country that is covered by magic to hide its view from plain sight! You will go there. You will live amongst the king and his people…and stay there. I fear…I fear if we were to hide you, that damned girl would find you and…"
"Ahana?! Father, i-"
"There is no time. That's the story…me and Sasha have already agreed upon. You ran away to never be seen again. You'll remain in hiding in the great kingdom of the unknown. The kingdom is so large and vast, even if jinn slayers were to be there, they'd have a difficult time seeing you. Beta, I love you. I am so sorry. Please, forgive me."
******
1 day before the conversation….
"Arriving now to the place. Seeking permission to drop in, sir?" Natalia asked, with two more girls sitting beside her on the large aircraft.
"It's so beautiful! Look at all those colors!!" The girl with dark green hair gasped.
"Oh, shut up already." The pale girl with long black hair sighed.
"Remember, we are only here to possibly get new recruits for the hung." The black haired girl said. "Yeah, I know, but isn't it weird?" The green haired girl asked.
"What's weird about it, Eli?" The black haired girl asked.
"Just think about it Soul. We've flown over this area multiple times. Never once had we noticed a thing…but suddenly there was a energy reading one day and BAM!! There's a whole country that's being hidden by magic from the entire world?! A kingdom at that!" Eli explained, her voice loud and full of life.
"She has a point, Soul." Natalia began, her voice tense and smooth. "It's…weird. Like it just spawned from a land that was teleported on earth. Like god just decided to drop some random land in the middle of the ocean. I always wonder…is this fate? Something or someone dropped this place here? Or did we simply just…really not see it before?" Natalia asked, as Eli came over and hugged her tight. "Lighten up!! Don't be like mean little Soul over there!"
"Shut up." Soul sighed.
******
In the middle of the country was a massive castle, with five tall and thick buildings, the middle being the largest. The castle was white with a bright red roof. Inside of the middle building, sat a man with an extremely long black beard. He wore lots of jewelry, had many women around him, thick black eyebrows, and wore an all black military fit that showed off his thick muscles.
The golden doors to the chamber opened, as ten men with amazingly powerful jinn energy walked into the room. "King Nyr. The slayer corporation has landed. Three children are here." A man said, kneeling before the king.
"Tell them to wait. I have a meeting with someone else first." Nyr said in a soft, yet intimidating voice.
"Yes, sire."
The chamber was cleared, and the sound of footsteps approached the door. The doors swung open, as a powerful looking and tall man walked in. With a woman walking at his side.
"King and future Queen of the Okeke family!"Nyr said.
Zuri and the king of the okeke jinn slayer family from Africa: Omaron.
"What…the hell do you feed your men?" Omaron asked, holding out his hand to shake.
Nyr grabbed his hand and gave it a firm squeeze, locking gazes with the king.
"This is your daughter?" Nry asked.
"Indeed. We have…but a small favor to ask of you." Omaron said.
"I'm listening?"
"We'd like to use some of your men in aid to find and kill Joey Castle! A boy who killed my brothers!" Zuri said, her long red blind fold covering both her eyes.
"That injury…it has no remains of soul damage. A human did that to you? Or it's part of a jinn ability?"
"Joey did this. He killed my brothers! Took my eyes and said "this is my curse to you."
The king sat back on his great throne, his long braids brushing against his chair. "I cannot do much, BUT…I can offer you lot one of the best trackers on my assault team."
"Anything helps." Omaron said.
"Very well." Nry snapped his fingers. It was like he had appeared out of thin air itself.
(Oh?) Omaron thought.
An extremely tall man, about 7'5 in height, appeared. He had long, wet and curly black hair, yellow eyes, skinny body frame, resembling that of the creature called: slender man, and wore a knight-like fit, his golden armor shining brightly in the hallow room, his black cape blending in well with the surroundings.
"He me of my great ten knights: Lucio. Lucio, you shall go to the outside world and find him. Find the boy…Joey Castle." The king ordered Lucio.
Lucio tilted his head back and began to sniff the air. "Found him." Lucio said, as he marched past Zuri and Omaron. "Are you sure?!" Zuri asked.
"Blond boy. Blue eyes. Found him." Lucio said. "Follow." He added. Omaron and Zuri wasted no time.
"Thank you, Nry." The ruler of the okeke family said.
Smirked at the king and gave him a nod. Everyone cleared out the room, leaving Nry alone in his chamber.
(So, the mutant is still alive. Why…why am I suddenly here? Could it be…that a pillar is here?! A great pillar has came to the physical world?!)
"Tsk. Such beings…are nothing! I am Nry! King of the great Ubulla country!! Hidden by magic from society itself!!!"
Jinn slayer introduces….
Nry face began to shift dark and scale-like. Like a reptilian, his teeth grew in size, and his arms grew bigger than before. "I shall be the new pillar! For my plan has already worked!! I shall rain supreme in this world!!" Nry laughed. "I'll kill the mutant and claim my rightful spot as a pillar! No, as the ultimate king and ruler of THIS world!!!"
*****
The jinn kingdom arc
*****
The woman sat alone in the dark. Her long pink hair all mangled together and stiff. She sat up in her chair and smiled, playing with her dice.
"Joey. If I kill you…if I kill Ahana somehow. Will that bring everyone back? I guess I'll roll on it. The higher the number, the more luck is on my side. The lower the number, you might just…"
******