Sin city's cold and empty,
Nobody's around to judge me.
I can't think clearly anymore,
I'm blinded by the lights.
[ＳＴＡＲＴ ＯＦ ＡＲＣ ３: ＳＥＣＲＥＴＳ ＯＦ ＨＡＶＯＫ]
[The Daniels Estate, Havok, Piasu, Ryomania, 1:40 PM, May 7th, Tuesday 2025]
Blood spilled out quickly and she tried covering it with her hand but that didn't stop it.
She didn't even have enough energy anymore to use Ruach.
Carrion stepped over her body and moved towards what remained of the mansion, stepping over debris and dead 'heads' as he made his way to the center.
He looked down into the large crater where the foyer once stood.
The Sentinel inside dissipated.
He looked over his shoulder at Erika's body.
Carrion Murata: "She died, huh? What a waste… Pride'll do that to you."
He then crouched down, looking into the crater.
His special eyes gave him enhanced perception.
At the bottom he spotted a large golden gauntlet, adorned with clocks, it was right in the center of the hole where the Sentinel once stood.
Carrion Murata: "There's the Primordia…"
Carrion didn't hesitate, he jumped down into the hole, he landed, cracking the ground beneath him and causing the area to tremble.
He didn't take any damage due to his previous rules set up by his first Holiness, N95.
Carrion Murata: "N95: Take off all rules."
He deactivated his ability, not needing it anymore and stepped towards the Primordia.
Carrion Murata: "The Primordia… One of the twelve ancient relics held by the first hosts, and now we have it. Hah. I'd like to see what kind of relics The Syndicate has compared to us… And I'd look for The Solar Branch too, but… Meh. It's weak… Not my mission anyway."
He crouched down and grabbed the gauntlet, it was surprisingly heavy and almost the size of his whole torso.
Carrion Murata: "Dang… This shit's hard! Alright, let's see if it works…"
Carrion held up the gauntlet and put it on his right arm. The clocks alongside it instantly began ticking.
He smiled, pleased that he had completed his task.
Carrion Murata: "Sweet. Now I've got to get the hell out of here…"
He reached up to his left ear, pressing his earlobe twice.
Carrion Murata: "Hey, Saeger? The mission is over. Come get me."
Broc Saeger responded to him, seemingly telepathically.
"Good, I've been waiting underground for over an hour… You know I hate the dirt."
Carrion waited for a few moments before a yellow taxi cab emerged from the dirt, Broc Saeger's ability.
Carrion Murata: "If that's so, then why do you have such a Holiness? Huh?"
Broc poked his head out of the left-side window.
Broc Saeger: "Because, I'm a taxi driver."
Carrion Murata: "Tsk, whatever… Let's go back to Havok and report to The Overseer… Do you know where that is? I know you're a newbie and all but I'm not guiding you like a GPS, I'd rather walk."
Broc Saeger: "No, no, I got it, I drove Krist over there… It's the center building in Havok."
Carrion Murata: "Good."
Carrion entered the taxi, sitting in the passenger seat.
Broc Saeger: "So, the Primordia, how does it work?"
Carrion Murata: "How should I know? We're not meant to use it. This is for Jinn… Shut up and drive, will you?"
Broc Saeger: "Yeah, figures."
Broc then activated his ability, submerging the car underground and driving through the dirt.
[The Daniels Estate, Havok, Piasu, Ryomania, 1:45 PM, May 7th, Tuesday 2025]
Cathy and Amelia had been sitting in a small broken down shack behind the hill next to the mansion.
After so many years, the 'house' was not destroyed. But it was rundown.
Cathy Ariston: "I can't believe you thought this was an actual house… And you and Jack's parents and Erika all lived here?! Until they built that big mansion?"
Amelia sat on a rickety chair, her legs curled up and clutched in her arms as she looked around, nervously.
Amelia Orwell: "W-well… Yes… I suppose that, since I was younger back then, I saw this place as bigger and just assumed it was a house! I haven't been here in years… So…"
Cathy Ariston: "Yeah, I get it… Don't worry, we'll go back to the mansion. I'm pretty sure Erika finished the battle…"
Cathy said as she peered out of one of the broken windows, a rat ran beside her floating feet and scurried past Amelia's chair.
Amelia Orwell: "Eeek! A rat! I knew they were real… Oh my goodness, that was so scary…"
Cathy Ariston: "Shush! I hear something…"
Cathy punched some of the broken glass on the window off so she could get a better look.
Up ahead, a yellow taxi car emerged from the ground and began driving up the road leading into the suburbs.
Cathy Ariston: "Wait… Isn't that the taxi I saw earlier? Something isn't right…"
Cathy mused, rubbing her chin and hovering over to Amelia.
Cathy Ariston: "Is—Did the Daniels family ever own a car? I mean, here."
Amelia gently shook her head and stood up from the chair, dusting off her skirt.
Amelia Orwell: "No, not that I'm aware of…"
Cathy Ariston: "Something's wrong… I think we should go back to the house."
[The Daniels Estate, Havok, Piasu, Ryomania, 1:47 PM, May 7th, Tuesday 2025]
Jack Daniels: "No, no, no… It can't be…"
Jack had been running all the way across Havok for the past one and a half hours.
Hamloins was near the Industrial district of Havok, which was directly opposite of the Influential district where the suburbs were.
He had seen the destroyed remains of the mansion as he continued running down the street, finally the broken gate of the property.
Jack Daniels: "No! No… The house…"
He jumped over the gate with ease, but as he drew closer to the now destroyed mansion, he slowed down.
He came face to face with Erika's corpse.
Jack was completely frozen.
Due to the nature of Erika's primary holiness, Hey, Soul Sister and the pact she made long ago.
Jack Daniels had a piece of her soul.
Her love.
Jack Daniels: "Erika…?"
He couldn't believe his eyes, he crouched down and began shaking her by the shoulders, his eyes fixed on the large gash on her neck.
Jack Daniels: "E-Erika?! Erika! Wake up, sis! We got the meat… We can make steak now! Everything will be fine, right sis?! Mom and Dad will finally come home… They'll finally see me… I won't be—"
Tears started falling from his eyes before he could even realize it.
Jack Daniels: "I won't be alone anymore…"
Her love had shattered.
[The Daniels Estate, Havok, Piasu, Ryomania, 1:50 PM, May 7th, Tuesday 2025]
Cathy Ariston: "You've gotta be kidding me…"
Cathy and Amelia had approached from the backyard of the now destroyed mansion, everything had been reduced to rubble.
Even the hedgemaze garden Amelia spent every morning tending to.
The sight brought her to tears.
Amelia Orwell: "Noooo! The gardeeeeen!"
Cathy Ariston: "Shut up! I think I see someone—"
They both approached the front of the house.
Their eyes widened in horror as they saw Jack Daniels crouched over Erika's corpse.
Cathy Ariston: "No… Erika lost…? Jack…"
Amelia couldn't bear seeing what had happened and fell on her face, bawling her eyes out.
Amelia Orwell: "MISTRESS ERIKAAAAAAA! NOOO!"
Cathy felt a bitterness in the back of her throat at the sight, the corners of her eyes pricked with furious tears more than anything.
She didn't know Erika well, but she didn't want Jack to see her corpse.
Cathy glanced between Amelia and Jack and hovered closer to him.
Jack didn't even look at them as he slowly stood up.
Jack Daniels: "Erika. You were going to make dinner for all of us. Wake up…"
He then turned, slowly looking up at Cathy with a big grin on his face, despite the tears steadily flowing from his eyes.
Jack Daniels: "H-Hey! Cat-Girl! Do you know what happened to my sister? I think she fell asleep!"
He asked almost impatiently, forcing out a chuckle that turned into a wet cough.
Cathy covered her mouth, unsure of what to say.
Cathy Ariston: "I'm sorry… I thought… She said—"
Jack held up his right hand, it began glowing in a white aura, covered by Flow.
Jack Daniels: "Hey… It's cold… Hey! Cathy? Tell me, who did this?"
He asked again, stepping closer to Cathy, forcing himself to grin.
Cathy backed up from him, holding her arms to her torso.
Cathy Ariston: "A guy. From Iris. She said his name was Carrion or something like that… I don't know!"
Jack lunged forwards, hitting Cathy right in the stomach and sent her into what used to be the kitchen.
Blood flew from Cathy's mouth as her aura flickered, the punch broke through her Fracture.
It was an Apex Strike.
Jack burst out laughing, his right hand turning back to normal as he grabbed his knees, doubling over.
His eyes, despite their glow, looked hollow.
Jack Daniels: "Hahahaha! Ah… Hahahaha!"
He continued forcing himself to laugh.
Cathy got up from the pile of rubble, her aura flickering back to life.
He heavily damaged her stomach, blood came out of her nose and her white-tanktop had a hole in it from the punch.
Cathy Ariston: "Wait! J-Jack! I'm sorry, okay? I tried my best to—Ack—Help… But she said she'd handle it… I trusted her."
Jack looked over at Amelia, his expression turning serious and then looked back at Cathy again with a big grin.
Jack Daniels: "Hey… Cathy? Why… Why didn't you help my sister?"
He ran over, giggling giddily, both his hands covered in a white aura.
Cathy flew up as best she could, the sustained damage from the Apex Strike messed with her Divinity.
Cathy Ariston: "Please! Please Jack! Don't do this! I'm sorry… I know, I know I should've—"
Jack threw himself into the ground, launching off of it with both of his hands and reaching her in the air.
Jack Daniels: "Answer me. What happened to my sister…?"
Before his punch connected with her torso again, Cathy pushed him away with her gravity.
The force of Jack's strike alone, caused a shockwave in the air which sent her backwards.
Cathy Ariston: "Jack! Please! We don't have to fight… We don't—"
Cathy's eyes widened in horror as he turned and began running towards Amelia.
Jack Daniels: "Oh Amelia dear! What happened to my sister?!"
He chuckled, his arm extended to hit her.
Cathy flew in before he could and drop-kicked his side, sending him flying backwards into a tree.
Jack Daniels: "Ow… ow… I don't want to think anymore, I didn't see anything, this is a dream…"
He aggressively shook his head, one of his ponytails coming undone. A bright white aura began emanating from him, alongside white glowing particles.
He began using Ruach instinctively, even if for a brief moment.
Whatever damage he had sustained was healed.
He continued crying steadily.
Jack Daniels: "She trusted you? That's the best excuse you've got… Why? Why the long face, horsie?!"
He began laughing maniacally as he launched off the tree towards Cathy, tackling her into the ground and sliding off of her.
Jack Daniels: "You know… She taught me how to use this one. Pop Cracker!"
He twisted his feet, kicking Cathy's jaw right into the ground hard enough for it to crack.
From the strike itself, white cracks began forming in the air and ethereal glass shot out of her.
His Apex was growing stronger.
Cathy's head rattled inside her skull, she could barely see.
Before she became unconscious she lifted her hand, sending him up in the air.
Jack Daniels: "Oh… so it's your fault! Haha… I knew it! I really hate you~"
He looked down at her with a grimace, debris began flying from all over the property towards him.
He tried punching most of it away but couldn't and soon, the debris formed a sphere around him. Trapping him inside.
Cathy Ariston: "I'm so sorry… Jack…"
She flicked her wrist as hard as she could before the bone cracked, the sphere was sent flying.
It flew right into a house across the street, embedding itself into the wall and then exploded in a violet energy, pushing Jack upwards.
He landed in the back of their car's trunk.
Jack instantly stood up, his body healed itself because of Ruach, but his vision was blurry because of tears and he wasn't thinking straight.
Losing a part of Erika's soul that was intertwined with his meant losing a part of himself.
His love shattered.
His hands trembled and he clutched his face.
Jack Daniels: "Why? Why?! WHY?! You stupid, worthless, little b—"
He coughed bitterly and knelt down as he felt the full force of grief, or what remained of it.
Jack Daniels: "This isn't happening… This isn't my life. I've gotta go home. I've gotta…"
He couldn't take it.
The white aura around him, alongside Apex and Ruach deactivated.
He jumped off of the car and ran down the street past the mansion.
Tears flew from his eyes as he ran.
[The Daniels Estate, Havok, Piasu, Ryomania, 2:00 PM, May 7th, Tuesday 2025]
Cathy Ariston: "We really… Messed up…"
Cathy coughed up blood and flew back towards Amelia, she stopped her wailing as she came to and looked up at Cathy.
Amelia Orwell: "M-M-Miss Cathy… Master Jack… He tried to hit me! Waaaah! He doesn't love me anymoreeee!"
Cathy wrapped her arms around Amelia, her aura seemed to shut off completely for the first time without having to concentrate on a mental image.
Cathy's body felt heavy.
She was incredibly exhausted.
And due to the force of all that had happened, she too was close to death.
Cathy Ariston: "I don't think—Amelia… Use your Tinker Bell to heal me… Quick…"
Her eyes shut and she fell into Amelia's arms.
Amelia's eyes snapped open, she stopped crying.
Amelia Orwell: "What?! No… I can't lose you too… Okay! Okay! Um… What should I do…? Um… Tinker Bell!"
The golden bell appeared in her right hand.
Amelia Orwell: "I wish for… I w-wish for Cathy Ariston to be healed!"
The bell rang in her hands on its own and floated up, a strange yellow aura began covering Cathy's body and her injuries quickly began healing.
Cathy's eyes opened and she looked up at Amelia who now held her head in her arms.
Cathy Ariston: "Thanks… you really are a sweetheart…"
She put on her best smirk as she reached up to caress Amelia's right cheek.
Amelia chuckled weakly.
Amelia Orwell: "You're okay… Wait—What about Mistress Erika?!"
Amelia reached out and grabbed Tinker Bell.
Amelia Orwell: "I wish for Erika Daniels to be healed!"
The bell didn't ring.
Amelia didn't know how her ability worked, at least not fully.
Tinker Bell could not heal the dead or bring them back.
Amelia Orwell: "What?! This… this can't be… No! No! Bring Erika back!"
Amelia rang the bell aggressively, finally chucking it away. It disappeared in glowing yellow particles and the yellow aura around Cathy also vanished.
Amelia Orwell: "What… What do we do?!"
She sniffled looking down at Cathy, who was now mostly healed of her injuries.
Her stomach was still bruised from Jack's Apex Strike and a few bones might've still been broken.
Cathy Ariston: "I… I'm going after Jack. I have to talk some sense into him before he hurts someone… Or himself."
Cathy's aura flickered back to life, she flew up, looking down at Amelia.
Cathy Ariston: "Stay here, I won't be gone long… If I don't come back soon, just teleport me here with Tinker Bell, okay?"
Amelia nodded and began sobbing again, this time hiccuping.
Amelia Orwell: "Okaaaay!! Hic… Hic… Don't get hurt!!! Waaaah!"
Cathy flew out past the broken gate of the property.
Looking back at all the destruction, she felt horrible.
Cathy Ariston: "What have we become…?"