(This…feeling of uncertainty. I feel as though…Lily isn't the girl I need or want, but she's…a thing.) Jodi thought as he splashed the cold water across his face. (This deep feeling of wanting. Of needing. This…isn't me. This is the work of something else. Something I can't see yet.)
There was a knock on the door, Lily's voice began to talk through the door. "Are you almost done?" Lily asked as she pressed her back against the wooden brown door. Jodi opened the door, catching Lily before she hit the floor. "Sorry. I didn't know you were on the door." Jodi sighed.
"Eh. It's alright!" Lily laughed.
"Any new on Kai?" Jodi asked as he moved to the side to let Lily in the bathroom.
"Haven't heard anything from anyone. But…I'm really here to tell you the news on Xavier." Lily said in a whisper.
"Xavier?!" Jodi asked as he tilted his head slightly to the left.
"He…died last night."
"…..oh…."
*****
"That's…unfortunate." Jodi sighed as he placed his hand over his left eye, as he leaned against the wooden wall of Lily's room. "Another one…is gone. But why?" Jodi asked and he bit down on his lip.
"Jodi…"
"I'm okay. It's just…tsk. We just saw him when? Last week was it? Two weeks? Another one of our people are…"
"That's not all I've been informed. They found out that Beta, the daughter of the Mighty clan's leader was behind the attack at the town. Also, there have been rumors…rumors that suggest Ahana and Joey had something to do with Xavier's death. Some people believe that Kai has formed some kind of…likening to Joey."
"That doesn't make sense!" Jodi raised his voice. "I…I believe that our side is good, but I can't ignore all the signs. I don't trust the clans. I believe…they know stuff that we don't. I believe…they planned that attack, willing to throw the lives of innocent people out of the way!"
"So you're against what some people are saying?"
"Yeah. I don't trust the clans, but I also think Joey is bad news. We need information and soon. Right now, I don't even know what to think or believe."
"I like Kai, but…maybe he really does have some little pact with Joey or something."
"Then, again, it seems we're on the opposite side of the lake." Jodi sighed. Jodi sat down at the desk in front of the window, thinking about the time Kai came through it. "Kai ain't with Joey. He might like him, but I know he has nothing to do with Xavier's death. Him, Ahana, and Joey. What reason would they-"
"It's because…Xavier could do what Malice could with his energy. Xavier posses that ability. Xavier would've been a threat to them, so they killed him. That's the story." Lily hugged Jodi from behind, letting her long hair drop over his shoulders.
"We have our own opinions on it. What we need to do and focus on is capturing Joey and Ahana. That's the only way we will get our answers, babe. Or…we can ask to visit-"
"Yeah, visit Kai." Jodi stood up, nudging Lily away and walking out the door. Lily grabbed Jodi by the arm, stopping him in his tracks. (This strength-)
"Jodi! You understand, right? You know our job! This is what we do. Thee are traitors everywhere we go in life. Please, don't look at me like I'm…some…some bad person."
"I know you're not. I love you, Lily. We have our differences and our own opinions. Hell, even argue a lot. But that's life. I'm glad and willing to go through that with you. But…you're wrong to think this way in this situation. Kai came through that window…asked us for help. He came to us with bruises on him after the fight Ahana…AHANA had with Malice, and explained that he fought Joey, but Joey left him alive, which is exactly why Kai let Joey go."
"But why do that-"
"Because that's the man he is!!" Jodi yelled. "Xavier. Kai. Now…now you go along with these ridiculous rumors? I thought I knew you better, babe. I really did. You need to just…look around and take a good long look. You don't even seem too hurt about Xavier being gone. I get he was not the best person, but still. You should read his files. Tells a lot. Anyways, I'm…I'm gonna go clear my head. I don't know who you are right now. Really."
******
(Get into the spiritual club. That's the goal here. This mission…really is a pain in my rear end.) Mandy thought as she waited in long line.
"After school hours and they have us wait out in the hot sun to see IF we get into the club?" Mandy smacked her lips. Mandy felt a tingle at the back of her neck. She turned her head slightly to see a boy with white hair walking down the street about 40 yards away. (I'm new to energy, but that boy…)
Suddenly, a tall boy accidentally bumped into Harvey, nearly knocking her over until a nearby girl stopped her from falling.
"Watch where your going!" The girl spat at the tall boy. The boy looked down at the two and smiled. "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. Let me help you up." The said, his perfect white teeth seemingly showing Mandy's reflection. Mandy held out her hand, the boy followed and pulled her towards him.
"Thank you." Mandy said as she swiped at her clothes. "Thank you also." Mandy said to the girl behind her. The girl had short black hair, almost bald but some hair was there, green brown eyes, light brown skin, two silver necklaces and a silver ring. She had on puffy gray sweat pants and a short white shirt. "Yeah, you should've thanked me first. I caught you before this tall jerk even-"
"Now, now let's not do it." The boy said as he turned and walked ahead.
"Where are you going exactly?" Mandy asked, pointing at the boy.
"In front of the line."
"Huh?!"
"What?!"
Mandy and the girl gasped. The boy rolled his eyes and walked back towards them. The boy placed his hand on Mandy's head and looked down at her mockingly.
"If you have something called energy or powers, the head of the club will be interested in you. You two are o ly rookies when it comes to this kinda stuff, huh? You probably don't even believe in supernatural. Probably don't even believe in physics or anything."
"Weelll…in MY religion, if I were to go to a physic or use crystals, that would be considered bad or demonic to most. People for SOME reason don't know that, but I know of physics. I just wouldn't be caught dead in doing that stuff." The girl replied as she put a piece of gum in her mouth.
"Smart girl. What's your name?" The boy asked. "I'm Carla. Carla Vamos."
"What about you?" The boy asked Mandy.
"Mandy Lionheart." Mandy replied.
"I'm Atlas Clover. Nice too meet you two. Anyways, I think…you two might do just fine in trying to meet the club's head. Tomorrow at least." Atlas said.
"Huh? Why tomorrow?" Mandy asked.
"Because I'M gonna blow them away with my skills!" Atlas said with a smile while pointing at himself with his thumb. The wind blew, allowing Mandy to catch a clear view of Atlas's face.
Atlas was strangely….beautiful. His face matches that of a beautiful woman that only you'd dream of. He looked angelic to everyone around.
Atlas had a lean oval face shap, with a slightly pointed chin. Large almond eyes, with the upper lids being smooth and steady, the lower lids were subtly tight. Soft looking pink lips, high cheek bones, beautiful glowing skin that shined in the light, stood at the height of 6'8, and was muscular, his muscles showing through his long sleeved black shirt.
"Woah." Carla gasped.
"What?" Atlas asked as he raised an eyebrow. "No. Nothing. Do good when you have your meeting." Carla sighed.
Atlas waved at the two girls and continued walking, having multiple girls turn their heads as he walked by them.
"He's beautiful." Carla said.
"Eh. Can't argue with you on that one. Still…seems like a pain in the rear." Mandy said as she turned again to look down the street. The white haired boy was still walking down it slowly.
(Who is that?) Mandy asked.
******
After 2 hours of waiting in line, Mandy and Carla had finally reached the door to the interview. (I finally made it, Joey. I can-)
Suddenly, the door flung open and a girl with dark purple hair peered out. "Sorry, but, we're done for today. See you all tomorrow!!" The girl said as she slammed the door shut. Mandy's eye twitch from anger and embarrassment. Before she could say anything, Carla touched her shoulder. "Don't stress it. We can leave school early tomorrow. Wanna get a bite?"
"…why not."
******
Jodi sat down at the burger restaurant, looking at the menu at the dark wooded table. "For two please!" He heard a girl said. Jodi looked over to see two girls laughing and talking to each other.
Jodi noticed one of them look in his direction and point at him.
(Is she…pointing at me?) Jodi asked. The two girls came over and sat on the opposite side of Jodi.
"I'm Mandy. This is Carla, I just met her today, and I noticed you walking alone, so…here we are!" Mandy said. "What's your name?"
(The hell?) Jodi thought. "My name is Joseph." Jodi lied, keeping his identity secret. "Ahh, Joseph. Nice to meet you. I know it's weird for us to come over, but you seem sad enough." Mandy said as she looked at the menu.
"So you came here and sat with a stranger? Becusse I looked down?" Jodi asked. Jodi looked over at Carla who shrugged her shoulders.
"Are you that kind hearted or something?" Jodi asked Mandy.
Mandy looked up at Jodi, her smile was completely gone. "Why is it people are like this today? Kindness or having a good heart is…weird? Maybe I've done wrong in my life and am trying to be better. Maybe I just wanna try and be better. Be better than what I was yesterday and treat people with respect. You ever wondered that, Joseph? Why is kindness weird? Odd to people?" Mandy asked as she put down the menu.
"I…couldn't answer that. I really-"
"I believe…that bad energy or beings run things. So when someone is trying to be kind or "different" it's labeled as weird amongst us humans, who are, without question, not the best species."
Jodi sat back and chuckled. "I suppose there is a lot of bad in the world. But you also have to see where I'm coming from. A stranger to me…is sitting right in front of me, and trying to judge ME on how I respond."
"Well, actually, I'm not the one judging you. You actually are the one judging me for coming over here."
"Yeah, well, I think in all this is a pointless and stupid interaction you caused!" Jodi said. Mandy slammed both her hands on the table and leaned in.
"If it's pointless why don't you just tell me to piss off?!" Mandy asked, causing people to turn and look at the table.
Carla ignored the two a continued to scroll the food menu. "Oh, the volcano burger sounds good!" Carla said.
"You know what?! You're absolutely right. Why don't you and your friend piss off?!" Jodi spat back. Jodi leaned in and caught himself looking deep into the eyes of Mandy. Jodi found himself in a dark room, nothing but Mandy's eyes glaring back at him in a seductive way.
Jodi snapped out of it and pushed himself away. "The hell?!" Jodi yelled, looking around confused. "What's your problem, dude?" Mandy asked.
"My problem?! What's your problem?! Why did you look at me that way?" Jodi asked.
"Aaand here we go." Carla sighed."
"Look at you what way?! Carla, did I do something?!" Mandy asked.
"Nope." She said.
"You tryna call me a weirdo now?!" Mandy asked.
"What-no, it's just…"
(Something's…off. Everyone here…has someone. Romantically attached to them. What's this weird energy…that's flodding this place? That's making its way…into the souls of people?)
Jodi stood up and looked around, sweat beginning to pour from his face and drip onto the wooden table.
"Something's wrong?" Carla asked him.
"N-nothing." Jodi said, clearly disturbed by this unusual presence. "I'll be leaving now. Sorry for my outburst."
******
The world was changing, but why? What was the cause of this…sudden energy?
The news of Xavier's death reached every jinn slayer group that was associated with the United States of America's corporation. Eleanor drank all day and night after hearing the news of her student. "Eleanor…can you please-"
"Shut your mouth,Torogram. I'll stop drinking when I'm done. Leave me be, please…"
Torogram was a large boy, standing at 6'5 and weighing over 300 pounds of muscles and scars. He was a Samoan with tattoos and symbols also covering his body. Long curly hair dropped to his upper shoulders, warm brown skin, full lips, a broad nose, and expressive dark eyes.
"I uunderstand that, but we have a situation down at the lake. For just this next hour, in case we need you…can you please put the bottle down?" Torogram asked.
"Okay, fine." Eleanor said as she threw the bottle at the wall, shattering glass everywhere.
Torogram ignored the scene and simply said "thank you."
"Toro." Eleanor said softly. Toro turned his head, his hand still on the doorknob. "There used to be five of you. Only two remain now. Am I…a trash person?"
"….no, ma'am. Not at all. Only one of your students passed away while in combat. The other two, like Xavier, died being heroes."
"Huh?"
"Xavier wasn't the best person, but I understand him. Jinn slayers risk their lives all the time on the battlefield. We aren't heroes. We're slayers. To die a hero is a complete honor. Not everyone is a hero. Not everyone doesn't fear death. Not everyone…has the guts to really risk it all to save one life. I believe that stems from us learning from our teachers. You…are doing your best, Eleanor."
******
(Time. Time. Feast.)
Lily ignored the voice that was in her head and continued her writing. (You crave. You…sick child.)
"Shut up."
(You crave. Need. You want.)
"Shut up."
(Forest. Watching you.)
Lily immediately lifted her head and looked to her left where the large forest was behind two houses, she noticed an extremely tall figure going back into the forest.
"The hell?!?" Lily gasped as she stood up straight, the hairs all over her body stood up, signals telling her "death" was that way. She began to sweat rapidly, her heart beating faster.
"N-no! It's a threat! I'll stop it!" Lily leaped out of her window and ran towards the location.
(Where is it? A jinn? A person? What was that?) Lily thought as she ran through the forest, looking everywhere she could for the tall person while she was running.
"Child." A man's voice said. Lily stopped in her tracks and spun around, trying to find the source of the voice. "Where are-"
A massive fist backhanded Lily and sent her crashing into a tree, knocking it over. Lily ignored the pain and lifted her head to see a tall man. With bright golden armor, a long black cape, and long wet black hair.
"You have the same smell as him. Why is that?" The large knight said.
"Who…who are you?" Lily asked, her mouth still numb from the hit.
"I am Lucio, one of the ten great knights of the great king. I'm here…looking for Joey Castle. However, my nose lead me to this. Why do you share scents with him? Are you related to him?" Lucio asked, sniffing at the air once again.
"Explain yourself." Lucio said, towering over Lily with his intimidating jinn energy.
"I'm not related to Joey. I hate him as much as you do! The only thing I'm lost on…is where the hell did you come from?! How can you track him?!"
(My nose never lies. This girl, for some reason…is related to Joey Castle. My nose doesn't just smell the physical aroma, but the spiritual real within one's body. I can smell Joey…and her as one.)
Lucio walked towards Lily. "You are coming with me, child."
"I ain't going anywhere. Not until you give ME some answers!" Lily yelled.
"I will put you to death in front of the king. You and Joey…are similar."
Lily jumped up and charged at Lucio. (What's with this guy? His vibe…his energy. It's…not normal! But why am I trying to fight him? Why…am I actually excited?!)
Lily pulled her right arm back and surrounded her fist with a large amount of jinn energy. Lucio didn't move or react, he simply felt sorry for Lily.
(What a rookie. To have such beautiful energy and yet you…)
Lily punched Lucio in the chest, her hand breaking on impact. Lily didn't make a sound, she jumped up and tried to kick Lucio in the head, but the large man grabbed her by the leg and slammed her into the ground twice. Lucio lifted Lily up, studying her face. "Knocked out. I was hoping…to finally find someone strong. Next time I'll find Joey and that cursed child." Lucio dragged Lily across the ground and began walking off.
However, Lily gained consciousness again. "Don't count me out." Lily said. Lucio turned his head, as Lily broke free from his grasp and kneed him in the head. "Jinn slayer attack: power drive knee!"
Lucio grabbed Lily by her neck and launched her into another tree. Before Lily could do anything, Lucio slammed his foot onto her chest, causing her to cough up blood. "I commend you for your bravery and efforts, but you're far too weak. Stand. Down." Lucio said as he removed his foot.
(Still…can't do anything, huh? Hehe…too weak? Why? Why don't I…ever…ever stand strong?)
Lucio grabbed Lily by her neck and held her in the air. "You shall die here. Weak child." Lucio then kicked Lily away, her body flying through the forest. Lily layed on the ground, her entire body numb with a bloody pool beneath her. (Am I…going to die?)
(Weak. Pathetic girl. Trash. Dirt. Waste of life!!) the voice said in her head.
"Shut up…." Lily whispered, tears coming down from her eyes.
Lucio stood over her now, he revealed his extremely long golden sword. "Goodbye…child." He said as he slammed his sword down. Lucio looked to see Lily had disappeared and was now standing behind him with her back turned.
(She dodged?)
(This energy…it's…)
A bright clear light of energy shot from the sky and onto Lily, her body being lifted slightly into the air. Was it from her fight with Jodi? The overthinking? The guilt? Her mind had been pushed to it's limits. Physically, this was the weakest she felt in some time. All of this had unlocked…a jinn weapon.
Two gauntlet gloves came down above Lily, their golden armor catching her eyes immediately. The left one had a moon symbol in the middle of it. The right one had a sun symbol.
"Is this…"
(Her jinn weapon. I'll kill her before she activates their power!) Lucio thought as he launched himself into the air and pulled out his sword. "Extend!" He announced, his sword growing and penetrating Lily through her stomach. Lucio spun around dragged his feet on the ground elegantly, turning and then walking towards Lily.
"Brave child indeed. It's a shame you-"
(What's this?!)
Lucio noticed Lily had two of the gauntlets on, grabbing the sword with both her hands and beginning to pull herself from the long sword.
(This power and energy. This girl is…is…)
As Lucio stared in awe, Lily was in pain, pulling herself from the sword that was jammed to the ground.
(This power. It's my own? Why? Why do I feel…like I can tackle any foe that stands before me?)
Lily pulled herself from the sword and fell back, her energy slowly beginning to rise.
"What are you?" Lucio asked.
Lily ignored him. Her chest began to rise first from the ground, her head and legs looking numb.
"WHAT ARE YOU CHILD?!" Lucio yelled holding out his hand and making his sword return to his hand.
"Jinn slayer attack: Hallow sun fists strike." Lily whispered, as her body disappeared. Lucio immediately focused, feeling the presence of Lily now behind him.
(She's not here physically.) Lucio thought as he used his sword to block Lily's fist with his long golden sword, having to turn around at something that wasn't there to the naked eye.
(This child wasn't born of that of the flesh. She was born with the skin of the unknowing.) Lucio thought as he jumped back, Lily reappeared above him. "Falling morning sky!" Lily announced, a large swarm of jinn energy covering the air, building up enough weight to crush an entire small town.
With one finger, Lucio jumped into the air and simply tapped the energy out of the sky, destroying her attack.
While in the air, Lucio spun himself around to try and locate Lily, but she had already vanished.
(Someone like this shouldn't even be existing in the physical realm. I think I get it now. Why the mutant is special. This girl has royalty within her blood! Part of the great born has been split, allowing her to access this or have this power and connection to the great born. In other words: I have to actually…try.)
Lucio landed and closed his eyes. Focusing on everything around him. "Child, you've sparked my interest. I shall now give you a demonstration on what a knight can do!" Lucio laughed, putting two hands on his sword and growing it above the forest, standing taller than 20 meters.
"W-what the-"
"Luko form one: Splitting soul tide!"
Green jinn energy formed around the sword, as Lucio brought it down on Lily. Lily, instead of running, dashed towards Lucio, catching the sword with her new jinn weapons and began to push back.
"Astral form." Lucio said, his sword went from a golden color to a now light green aura, slicing through Lily's arms. She noticed this and immediately jumped out of the way before the blade could fully slice them off.
(Her speed has also increased. Along with her strength, durability, and even energy storage. These aren't the powers from her weapon, it's the power of something else that I can't see or sense.) Lucio thought as Lily charged at him once again, pulling her right fist back.
"Jinn slayer attack: Traveling moon blow!"
"Luko form two: fading strike…astral form!"
A devastating air punch traveled towards Lucio, who disappeared due to his immense speed.
(Astral world attack. It's like his sword dissapeares in thin air itself. Invisible to my eyes and senses. But still. What's with this power of mine? I feel…like I'm slipping. Like something else wants to take hold!)
Lily looked around and immediately began running through the forest. (Don't stand still. Move!)
As she was running, moves and ideas suddenly popped into her head.
This is what happens when one receives a jinn weapon. The weapon's abilities will be engraved into the person's head. As if they already knew what the weapon can do.
(Why can I…suddenly see it?)
Lily jumped up, avoiding the sword that swept through the forest floor, slicing many trees in the process.
Lily flipped her body in the air and launched a shot of jinn energy to her left.
Lucio leaned to the right and avoided the blast, making a large explosion. (She can sense me?)
Lucio teleported to Lily while she was still in the air. He he tried to jab his sword through Lily once again. (Her wounds have also healed. That takes a lot of energy to do, but with her output, it's like it isn't having any withdrawal.)
As Lucio tried to stab her, Lily also teleported. This time, she was now above him. "Jinn slayer attack: Sun ray punch!"
"Predicted." Lucio said with a smirk, slashing Lily. Starting on her right collarbone and ending at the left side of her waist.
"I used my energy to quickly submerge myself into the astral world. Since someone like you can't fully see or perceive it, your punch traveled slowly to me. Astral world's time is much slower of that of the physical world. Allowing me the time and space to slice you."
Lily hit the ground face down, she began trying to use her energy to heal her wound. "Now that you're focusing on healing, you'll be wide open." Lucio explained as he stood over her. He raised his sword in the air with both his hands. "Goodbye…child born of that of fake blood."
Before Lucio could deal the finishing blow, a powerful spark of energy flashed behind him, powerful winds pushing him foward.
Lucio turned to face the being that crashed from the sky. He saw a boy with spike-like hair, his hair was white, eyes glowing bright white. It was…
"The white lightning." Lucio said as he raised his sword immediately.
"Liiiily!!!!" Jodi yelled, dashing at Lucio with incredible speed. It was almost instant, but Lucio was able to react and block Jodi's kick. "Who the hell…are you?!" Jodi asked, pushing Lucio away with his leg. Lucio slammed his sword into the ground to stop himself, flipping his hair behind his head to see Jodi fully.
"You look…different from what I've heard. Your arm…it's…normal? Your face? It's also normal?"
"The hell are you babbling about? Answer me! Who…are you?! Why did you…attack LILY?!" Jodi's electricity spreaded all through the forest, causing Lucio to use his energy to shield himself.
Lucio couldn't help but stare at Lily. He smirked at Joey and opened his mouth to talk.
"Beware of that girl, white lightning. That girl…is not a normal human. Even I'm not sure what fated role she plays, but know this: Anyone who is involved with someone of fake born will face the ultimate death! The death that will make the demons of the great pits of hell dance and cheer! A death…you can't escape. A death…you cannot defeat! You are destined to be launched into it! Face the army! Fight until you can't fight anymore! Beware…beware….BEWARE!!!" Lucio's energy covered the forest, creating a thick fog-like illusion that covered Jodi's vision.
Jodi ran through the fog and swung his sword where Lucio was, but it there was no point. Lucio…had disappeared.
"Lilly!!" Jodi yelled, running over to her and flipping her over. "I'm…okay." Lily gasped. (She healed? On her own?)
"What did he mean by that?" Lily asked, tears forming in her eyes. "Am I a problem?" Lily asked.
"N-no! Don't listen to what he said! None of that's true! I don't even understand any of what he said." Jodi replied.
"But, why would he…lie? What did he mean I'm not a normal human!?"
"Lily, please, relax yourself…we don't need to rush. Just breathe…relax…." Jodi said calmly.
******
Energy was changing all around the world, but why?
Humans. What easy creatures to manipulate and control. One could easily affect their own life and choices.
Joey doesn't know it, but very soon…he will learn more than he ever did.
******
Next chapter: Mandy's investigation