"What do you say…Joey-boy? May I also add…if you have any attempt of trying to get them to remember you, that's one step closer to me going back into this variant of myself."
"I….would rather die."
Ahana chuckled. "So be it, little brother."
"….do you promise? Is this really the deal?"
"Yes."
"…..I….accept." Joey said as he grabbed Ahana's hand right before the explosion killed them…..
******
The next day….after Lucio attacked Lily.
Joey, Javier, Ahana, Ted, and Ghost were all sleeping outside around the campfire…or so Joey thought.
Joey opened his eyes, hanging upside down from a cage, filled with thorns and spikes that stabbed. Flames, screams, pain, agony, and suffering was everywhere in this world. A world Joey had never seen before or even ever thought of imagining.
(Suffer. It is coming. Suffering and…a new born!) a voice said.
Joey jolted his eyes awake, yelling at the top of his lungs, waking everyone out of their sleep. Ahana jumped up and crawled to Joey. Joey was shaken up, sweaty a bunch, his face ready, and eyes full of fear.
"Joey?" Ahana asked, tilting her head to the side. Joey placed his hand on Ahana's right shoulder. "I'm okay. Please relax, Ahana."
"I…I wasn't panicking or anything!" Ahana said.
"This is the second time. Are you okay, Joey?" Ted asked, crawling up to Ahana's shoulder. "Yeah. I'm alright. I keep seeing this place. A dark place. Full of death, tragedy, pain, screams, and more. That place…it…feels oddly familiar."
"What's he talking about?" Ted whispered in Ahana's ear.
"Not sure, but I think it's just him feeling used to having that dream."
Joey looked around and stood up, moving the thick blanket off of him. "Are there jinns outside?" Joey asked.
"Yes. About 1,000 are outside trying to break in. One reason why Mandy couldn't even come here. Ahana said as she leaned against the white wall. "That's…crazy." Joey sighed.
"What's wrong with you?" Ahana asked, playing with her nails and moving Harvey over onto her legs.
"Nothing." Joey replied in a cold tone. "Well obviously something is on your mind. Is it the jinns? Rose?" Ahana asked.
"All of those and more. Life…has really been kicking me in the rear, sis."
Ahana smacked her lips and leaned forward, resting her arm on her knee. "You aren't the only one who's going through something. Always think about people around-"
"No, it's not that. It's just…I'm…I'm like a wolf. A wolf that's been dropped in the great open ocean. I'm clueless in where I'm gonna go. I simply…am letting the waves of fate and destiny carry me around, dropping me off to different islands and mysteries. I can't control where I'm going. Just letting the waves carry me into the vast unknown…" Joey looked up at the ceiling of the room and simply held a blank expression.
"Waves of fate? You…believe in that stuff? Fate? Destiny?" Ahana asked. "I do." Joey replied.
"I see. I guess that's where we differ, bro. I believe…I can simply control my own destiny. My own fate and reality."
"Heh….AHAHAHAHA!!! AaaaHhhAHAHAHAH!!!" Joey continued laughing, holding his stomach from the intense cramps.
Ahana raised an eyebrow, giving Joey a confused look. "What's so funny?"
"Ahhh…you Ahana. You said you can control your own fate. Your own destiny. Is that why Harvey is gone?" Joey asked, glaring over at Ahana. "What did you?" Ahana chuckled.
"I said," Joey now standing up. "Is that why…Harvey is gone? You can control fate and destiny, right? Then why isn't Harvey here?"
Ahana remained seated, sitting there with a straight face and glaring up at Joey. "Don't piss me off." She said in a low voice.
"Answer me. If you can control your own fate, then answer! Why is Harvey-"
Without Joey being able to react, Ahana stood up and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off of the ground. "I said. Don't. Piss. Me. Off." Ahana said sharply.
"Get…your hands…off…of me!" Joey said as he slammed his fist onto Ahana's wrist, freeing himself from her grasp. He coughed and gasped for air, looking around and locking eyes with Ahana.
"Don't you ever touch me like that again." Joey said.
"You-"
"DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH-"
Ahana slapped Joey across the face, knocking him back and into the wall.
"Guys stop!" Ted yelled, Joey getting up and running at Ahana. Used her powers and stopped Joey in his tracks, holding him still. "Stop!" She yelled.
"Screw you!" Joey yelled as he spat at her. "Screw me? Okay, I'll take down my barrier and watch…you fight off those jinns!" Ahana said as she then launched Joey through the metal wall and outside.
Joey could hear the silence around them suddenly vanish. (I knew it.) Joey thought as he landed perfectly on his feet and pulled out one of Ahana's swords from his back. A tall and muscular man emerged from the woods, swinging a thick and long chain over his head with a blade attached to its end.
"This is for Humogi!" The tall man yelled, his face becoming clear in the moonlight. "Jinn slayer attack: Blistering chains of bloodlust!"
Joey saw and felt nothing. (What do I do? Attack?)
(Does he know…already?!?) the man thought as Joey took a step back. "NOW, JOGO!!" The man yelled out, as a small white haired boy with black tips leaped from the darkness and over Joey. "Jinn slayer attack: Stone Cold!" Joey's feet were engraved into the ground, his two feet seemingly made out of stone.
Jogo flipped and landed, smiling at Jodi and revealing a thick sword covered in stone and gems.
"That was easy!" Jogo laughed. "Hey, Zarban, I thought you said it would be hard to capture the cursed boy?" Jogo shouted over.
"You idiot! That ain't even the least of our worries, turn the hell around!!" Zarban warned, as Jogo turned and saw Ahana walking towards the two.
"Ahana, don't hurt them!!" Joey yelled.
"Yeah, I know." Ahana said as she held out her left arm. But before anything could transpire, a woman, with ten men covered in black outfits fell from the sky and crashed down into the forest. The thick clouds of dust blurred Joey's vision, this immense and powerful energy felt…familiar.
"I've missed you, boy. I've missed you so much…I could just hug and squeeze you to death." A woman's voice said, as the dust began to clear and reveal a large afro. Joeys eyes lit up in anger and frustration.
Zuri lifted her head, revealing a forced smile, and multiple veins popping out of her head from the anger held within her.
"My curse…TO YOU, JOEY!!!" Zuri yelled as she dashed at Joey, her white blindfold blowing in the wind from her speed.
"ZUUURIIIIIII!!!!!" Joey yelled out.
Zuri dropped kicked Joey in his stomach, blood shot from his mouth as he was pushed through multiple trees from the impact. "KILL THEM ALL!!! DO NOT LET THEM RUIN MY FIGHT!" Zuri ordered her men.
"Yes, ma'am!" They responded, taking their stances with golden spears surrounded with jinn energy.
It was like the world was in slow motion. Ahana had to act and fast, but the attack she wanted to unleash would certainly harm everyone there in a deadly way. However, she could see him. "Heh, now I can let loose a little." Ahana said as she teleported behind Zarban.
Ghost appeared out of thin air, trying to stab Zuri with a small blade. Zuri smirked and jumped up, spinning her body and kicking Ghost in the throat.
Ghost was as knocked off balance while in the air, but he quickly recovered. "Who…are you?!" Ghost asked, landing in front of Joey. "The Queen of death!" Zuri announced, running at Ghost.
"Hurry up and free yourself, Joey!" Ghost said as he ran towards Zuri. "Jinn slayer attack: traveling slice!"
Ghost had seemingly froze time for a fraction, then ended up behind Zuri. Zuri felt a gash opening on her left arm. Ghost had landed the first blow.
"How dare-"
"Your instincts were spot on, Joey." Ghost interrupted. Ghost turned to reveal his jet-black sword, matching perfectly with his long cape, one massive symbol was engraved in the sword.
"We knew you'd come. This place isn't even our hideout, but Joey and I figured this would happen. It's a shame though. I was in your shadows, watching you all for hours and you all didn't even noticed?! What a damn shame." Ghost said with disgust in his voice.
"Piss off kid. I'm not here for you. I'm here for him!" Zuri said while pointing at Joey. "Well, I'm with him. He's my priority at the moment. You need to piss off." Ghost said.
"Blow away." Zuri whispered, causing Ghost to be pushed back.
"How can you…" Joey began to ask, but Zuri cut him off.
"A vow. For me to use my abilities without the great eyes of the family, I sacrificed years of my life. Years of my life in order for me to use my ability again! This time, Joey, I will…KILL YOU!! Kill you and claim my rightful place as Queen of the family-"
"SHUT UP!!" Joey yelled, breaking free from the ground. (Her ability is slightly different from before. She doesn't need to see us. She can simply yell out a command to anyone in the area?)
Joey analyzed the situation, looking around quickly at everyone. (Jinn slayers are here…along with Zuri and her crew. We knew we'd be followed, which is why Ghost went invisible and kept watch the whole time on the outside. It seems we had no clue Zuri was coming. Only jinn slayers. Ghost thinks Zuri is with the jinns slayers though!)
Joey looked over and yelled out to Ahana. "DON'T HURT ANYONE!! THE WHO YOU SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH IS-"
Before Joey could finish, Zuri was now standing behind Ahana. "Kill Joey." Zuri whispered in Ahana's ear. Ahana felt a tight sensation around her body. She took a step foward without wanting to and kept on walking at Joey.
(This works on me?!) she thought. Ahana panicked as Joey prepared himself. "Ahana, fight it! You're strong enough to do it!" Joey yelled out.
"R…RUN!" Ahana managed to yelled, as she dropped low to the ground and began charging her jinn energy.
Everyone stopped in their tracks and looked at the bright energy.
"Zuri, you don't know what you're doing! This is Ahana! You can't just-"
"Cry me a river, boy! Shut up and die!" Zuri laughed, as Ahana's energy spiraled out of control.
"Tsk. Get away!!" Zarban yelled over to Jogo, who was fighting two of Zuri's guard. Even all of Zuri's guards looked over at Ahana. They all began running in different directions. "Her energy is getting out of control!" Zarban yelled.
"Jinn slayer attack: Stone skin!" Jogo said, his skin starting to cover with thick stone.
Zarban used his chain and swung through the forest and away from the area as fast as he could.
"Yeah, screw that! We're out of here, Joey! Fall back!" Ghost yelled as he went invisible.
Joey stood his ground. He only looked at Ahana, who's energy was destroying everything around her in flames. "I can't…can't stop it!" Ahana shouted.
"Yes you can." Joey said calmly.
Zuri, standing behind Ahana laughed. "You idiot! You're just gonna let this be an easy kill?!" Zuri laughed.
Ahana flew towards Joey, her fist pulled back. "Move!!" Ahana yelled.
It was like nothing else existed. Ahana focused only on Joey and the words coming from his mouth.
"You're stronger than this. I have faith…that you won't lay a hand on me."
(Joey!)
Ahana stopped her fist, fighting off Zuri's power. "How are you…" Zuri looked in awe as Ahana struggled to pull back her arm. "Joey…" Ahana said with struggle in her voice, pulling back with everything she had. "I'm not…a puppet!!" Ahana shouted, turning around and shooting a beam of energy at Zuri. Zuri launched herself into the air, dodging the massive beam of energy and creating lots of space.
Zuri's purple jinn energy glowed well in the night, complementing her style. (I've heard stories of the great Ahana. She was said to be a woman, not a child! What's the meaning of this magic?)
Ahana walked towards Zuri slowly, confident and strong. She smiled at Zuri while having a crazed look in her eye.
"You aren't…what I've heard." Zuri said. "What you've heard? What have you heard? How do you know Joey?" Ahana asked.
"Me and Joey go way back. I'm not sure what happened here, but there's been some…changes." Zuri said in a playful tone. "Changes?way back?" Ahana tilted her head, trying to understand what Zuri was saying. "Joey…he did this to my eyes. A few months ago to be exact. He took my eyes from me. He killed my brothers. He even-"
"Don't listen to anything she tells you, Ahana!" Joey yelled, bursting out of the darkness.
"How do you know her?" Ahana asked.
"It's…a long story that I'll explain after we deal with this." Joey answered.
(She's…terrifying.) Zuri thought.
******
It's like that day when we were in the great library of legends and tales. Stories of the great jinn warriors the world had ever known. Kings, queens, curses, and jinns. All legends gathered into one singular place. A place I came to love. A place I…I wanted to be like them. Legendary. Queen of my family. I remember father pulled me in on one stormy night. The lightning so fierce and strong, I thought the earth itself was going to crack. That night…you taught me about…something. That something….was a woman.
"Once…in the great distant past, there was us. Living happily on our great continent, there was a great king. A king in gold and black. The king was rich, kind, brought peace, and prosperity to his people. One day from the sea, there was a white whale."
"A white whale?!" Zuri laughed.
"Indeed. The white whale came into our land. At first, the people of our continent didn't approve of this mysterious stranger, but the king of the land met with the white whale and grew quite fond of it. The white whale and the king built an legendary friendship. The white whale served as his great army general, claiming new lands, bringing down great kingdoms, and ultimately having his people united as one. The king wanted but only one kingdom throughout the land of Africa to unite his people from the possible outside world threats. The white whale and the king were very successful, until, one night a great storm hit the land. This storm was…unusual and out of the blue. It is said that this storm contained the tears of god. After the great storm had hit, the great kingdom and all its history was destroyed. The people who survived this great storm found the king dead…dead in the arms of the white whale. The white whale then casted a great spell that rewrote history itself or it caused some great chain event. Suddenly, there was no great kingdom. No united people. No peace. The white man arrived at our shores one week after the great storm. The people cried and begged for the white whale, but the white whale never returned to the land. It set out. Set out to the sea to never return."
"So this white whale…caused slavery? Is that what you're getting at, father?"
"The white whale was powerful and invincible-like, because it had the power to defy destiny and cast its own path in god's destiny or plans. It's also written that the great king was a BLESSED one. That's what attracted the white whale."
"Is the white whale bad then?"
"Bad? No, Zuri. Evil. I'm telling you this, because I want you to watch out for the white whale. You'll know when you see it. As I've ran into it once in my life. Run. Run away, Zuri. You can't win….if it's the white whale."
******
(This feeling of…dread and fear. Ahana…couldn't be the white whale. It's a damn animal, not a human! But this…this feeling feels familiar! Every single cell in my body is screaming at me to run or kill her, and I'm in the running side!)
"Do you not remember?" Zuri asked quietly.
"What did you say?" Ahana asked, walking closer.
Zuri noticed Joey behind her, locking eyes with him. "I had a dream." Zuri said. Joey and Ahana both stopped in their tracks. "You…what?" Joey asked.
"A dream. I remember this feeling and memory. Soon…that's right. I don't need to kill you. But then again, you were riding on a great black winged creature."
"What the hell are you on about?!" Ahana shouted.
"Soon, Joey will be taking part in a magnificent death. It all makes sense now. Heh. I'll be seeing you soon, Joey Castle. This is goodbye….for now."
Ahana was about to chase, but Joey quickly grabbed her by the wrist. "Don't follow…Ahana." Joey said.
"Why are you…"
"Please…" Joey sighed in desperation. "….okay…."
********
The next day at exactly 2:00pm.
"Everyone's being weird." Carla sighed. "In what way? They all act the same." Mandy said as she typed away on her computer.
"I mean, look out the door. What do you see?" Carla asked.
Mandy lifted her head from her computer and saw a couple kissing outside of the door. "What's wrong with that?" Mandy asked.
"Walk out the door."
Mandy sighed and got up from her desk. What could be so bad about kissing? Mandy looked to her right and noticed the unusually long line of couples kissing down the hall. Sylvia, tongue, and and deep eye contact. Mandy raised an eyebrow and stared at them. She walked over to a couple, nervously trying to get their attention. "Umm…could you guys, oh, I don't know, be a little more…not messy?"
The boy gave her a little push away and continued kissing his girlfriend, completely ignoring Mandy. Mandy stepped back and looked down the hall. (What the hell-)
Somone bumped Mandy on her left shoulder. She glared at her left to see Atlas bending over, seemingly mocking the height difference and smiled. "Mandy, right? This is the second time you've bumped into me." Atlas chuckled.
"Exscuse me?" Mandy laughed. "You're the one who bumped-"
"Hey, cutie." A girl said, pushing Mandy aside. "Hey-"
"Shut up. This one's mine, girl." The girl said softly and underneath her breath while looking at Mandy.
"Do I know you?" Atlas asked.
"No, but you can get to know me." The girl said, placing her hand behind Atlas's head and pulling him in for a kiss.
Atlas pushed her back gently as he kept her away. "No thanks. To be honest, most of you are acting like crazed horn animals. What's up with that?" Atlas asked.
"Tsk. You're just boring!" The girl stomped away.
"You noticed it also?" Mandy asked.
"Yep. It's…weird. It's like….well, never mind. Anyways, I'm glad I ran into you again." Atlas smiled down at Mandy.
"Umm…why?" She asked.
"You. You seem VERY familiar and I'm trying to figure out from where. Mind if I sit with you in class?" Atlas asked.
"I don't think-"
"Your teacher, right? Mrs. Clark is as in the cafeteria making out with Mr. Torch….you haven't even realized it." Atlas said.
"Wait, really?" Mandy asked as she spun around noticed she was gone.
"I'm…an idiot."
******
"Wait, are you serious?!" Carla asked, Atlas, her, and Mandy huddled up in the corner of the room while the rest of the class was out and skipping the class.
"I don't believe it." Atlas said with a smirk.
"Yeah? I can show you. Give me something that somone gave you in the past, and I'll be able to connect with their spirit." Mandy explained.
Atlas and Carla looked at each other for a moment and then bursted out in laughter. While they were laughing, Mandy couldn't help but appreciate them. "Why are you giving up the at look?" Carla asked. "It's just…in many years, I've never found people I could…I guess…laugh with until this year. I'm glad I met everyone…so far."
"Ahaha! Lighten up! There's people everywhere and all over this world. Keep on searching and you'll find people even better than us!" Carla laughed.
"I know, but still…." Mandy began. "I did have someone once. I treated them bad to stay alive, but in the end…he was the good one and I was the bad. Forgiveness is a powerful tool. A tool that is strong enough to turn the most twisted hearts into something special."
"I agree." Carla said.
"I don't." Atlas sighed. "When I look around and really understand humanity, it's all the same. Forgiving? Kindness? Life isn't layed out this way. The cycle is to be born, work, die, and repeat. To me, it would seem that the height of humanity is to repeat this cycle and keep going on an endless scale. In this life, you need but only one thing and one thing alone to be on top. Selfish. Make the play no one else would…be greedy. Once you make a play or find someone who's also on the same field, you'll connect with people and learn about them. Find people who are like you."
"So, you're saying that life it self is meaningless and that I'll only find somone special if they're on the same path?" Mandy asked.
"Not really, but sure." Atlas said with a smile.
"Then, how come…I've ran into you two?" Mandy asked. Atlas's eyes widened, surprised by Mandy's answer.
"I believe…god has a path and plan for all of us in a way. It's not a coincidence I met you two. You two might just be what I need or something I don't."
"God's path….i see." Atlas said.
******
3:15 after school
Mandy was alone and sitting on a bench that was in the middle of the long hallway of the high school. She pulled out a notebook and quickly wrote down everything she had seen. (I kept my composure being around Carla and Atlas, but I can't ignore that sight. About 95% of the school…has EXTREME….)
Mandy was thrown off of her thoughts, as somone placed their hand on her shoulder from behind.
"Javier?!" Mandy gasped, frightened by him.
"Damn, I'm that ugly?" He laughed.
"So…what?" Mandy asked.
"Hmph! Joey keeps getting on me about not asking you yet, so…have you found this girl or whoever he's looking for?"
"Yeah, I found her. Trying to get into that stupid club." Mandy said as she began walking down the hall. "We were also attacked last night." Javier added. "I'm not worried. You have Ahana with you guys." Mandy said as she looked around the trash can. "Fair point." Javier sighed as he looked away. He looked back to see Mandy's lower half sticking in the air, half of her body inside of the trash. "What are you doing?!" Javier asked.
"In just…a short amount of time, I've been able to enhance my jinn ability."
"Okay?"
"So…" Mandy said as she pulled out a thrown away piece of paper. "I don't only need it to be an object that someone loved so much, but an object that they used recently or the same day. Instead of having their essence talk to me through an object, I can receive their spiritual memories through my ability!"
Javier just stood their with an blank and empty expression. (The hell is she talking about again? Oh, yeah, her ability. It did what to who and where now?)
"Once I get them, I can then get a replay of their recent timeframe! It's like watching a video of someone's day!"
"…..yup!" Javier said.
Mandy sat down and closed her eyes, placing the paper in front of her. "Why are you doing this?" Javier asked.
"You weren't here today. I've never seen anything so crazy in my entire life! It was like everyone was…was lustful. Like extreme."
(Lust energy?) Javier thought. "All over the school…people were sneaking off campus, kissing, even getting busy in bathrooms." Mandy explained as she placed both her hands on the sheet of paper and focused her energy.
"Mandy!" Javier yelled, his voice more demanding than before. He grabbed Mandy by her wrist tight and pulled her in close. "What…did you just say?" Javier asked. "Javier, you're hurting me…." Mandy tried to pull away, but Javier was much stronger than she expected him to be. Javier grabbed Mandy by the back of her neck and tried to kiss her.
Memories flooded Mandy's mind at that moment. She was now back at her old house, locked away in her bedroom with multiple men standing over her.
"This is…what you want." A dark and twisted voice echoed over all. It was like a massive being that she couldn't see, it was something that hovered above, like a being watching from the great universe. "You want…this." The men said at the same time, circled around her bed. Mandy was thin pinned to the bed by two of them, the tall one in the middle stood over her with a twisted smile. The man then began to choke Mandy while pinning her head against her pillow. "The great fortune has been commenced! WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT….THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE!! VERY SOON, CHILD OF FLAME, YOU SHALL BE APART OF THE VERY FIRST FLAMES OF CHOSEN CHILDREN OF SUFFERING!!!"
******
Mandy woke up, her shirt ripped, like somone tried to tear it. She was shaken, too scared to move and just looked up at the white ceiling. "Oh, god…M-Mandy, I-"
Javier gagged as he fell on both his knees and threw up. Mandy couldn't stop shaking, her heart raced, her mind clouded and loud. Mandy covered up and crawled to the wall, pressing her back against it while she trembled.
"Mandy…Mandy I don't know what-"
"Don't. D-don't explain a damn thing!" Mandy grabbed her shoulders and slid her hands down, replacing them with her nails and scratching at them. "Mandy, that…that wasn't me! I-I'm sorry!" Javier said while he looked down at his hands. "Mandy, I'm so sorry. Mandy, please, let's just…" Javier reached out and touched Mandy on her shoulder. Mandy gasped and pushed Javier away, knocking him down.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!!!" Mandy screamed. Javier felt dizzy from the fall. He looked around and quickly back at Mandy. (Her feelings and emotion…it's leading jinns in the area to just jump in and affect her! Maybe even curse her. Damn! What's up with this school?!) Javier turned and turned back. "Mandy, right now, your negative emotions and energy, it's attracting jinns probably! We need to hurry and-"
"I'll…I'll go on my own, okay? Please, leave me alone…" Mandy said as she slowly got up. "You're gonna hate me, and know that I understand. But with the speed your moving, jinns will flood this area and….sorry." Javier used his jinn energy to increase his speed, running behind Mandy and slapping her in the back of the head. Mandy was knocked out instantly, falling towards the ground before Javier caught her. (This place. It ain't normal…it's…cursed? I'll take this paper so you can finish your little theory.)
******
All over the planet…the energy was changing. Men, women, children, birds, insects, and more. Every living this was slowly changing and getting worse by the hour.
*****
Next chapter: The country Ulu.