Screams. Blood. Creatures. I see them. I saw a massive creature flying across the beautiful night sky with the moon directly behind it. It was beautiful. More and more, I see these creatures roaming our world. What's happening?
******
"A damn knight was trying to kill Lily! What more do we need? I say we go over there and talk to the king!" Rock said.
"Would be foolish." Hercules said, standing up and looking out of the window. "The king has to explain, yes, but we also can't ignore the knight's great power. It would take a jumping to take two of them on, god forbid all of them want to team-up and fight." Hercules added.
"What about Joey? We're just going to ignore him?" What about the clans? Did we finish our investigation?" Amber asked. Everyone shrugged, but Astor tipped his hat and smiled. "I say we focus on this new country. Joey and Ahana both haven't caused any harm to anyone. besides, I guess we could cut them a little slack for helping the corporation with Malice while you all were off fighting that damn monster."
"We owe them nothing." Hercules added. "We will continue to have outside sources locate and find those two."
"Fine by me." Rock said as he leaned back in his chair and took a sip of water from his red cup.
"I get what you're saying, Herc, but wouldn't it be wise to keep an eye on an entire country who has fighters who can take us on? You're forgetting that these people are also connected to the spiritual world and have information on jinns-"
"And you're forgetting…that I don't care. Lily has already told her side and we're already having Natalia head towards us with a knight. Not sure what Nry wants, but I don't know the whole conversation. We will get info out of the knight and continue having our alliances look for Ahana and Joey."
"Good luck with that, Herc." Astor laughed. Hercules slammed his hands down on the table, creating silence that sliced through the room. "The clans! Joey! Ahana! Kai! This new land! All things need to be looked at and addressed all at once! If we focus all of our attention to only problem, the others will start to rise on issue! I won't allow-"
"We sent a knight: Lucio to your lands to investigate a terrible energy." Luna said, standing beside Hercules.
(When did she-)
(Is…this a knight?!)
(I didn't even sense or see her!)
Everyone froze as they were more amazed by Luna's intense jinn energy. "Who…are you, woman?" Hercules asked, sweat slowly falling from his forehead.
"Sweat? Are you…afraid, Hercules?" Luna asked while glaring at him.
"Who allowed you to come in here?"
"The girls you sent to meet my king. I've been here the entire time, listening to your conversations and I must say…you all have a lot on your hands." Luna said as she sat on a chair and crossed her legs.
"Sorry…but this is only for-"
"United States jinn slayers? People are people, Amber. Shouldn't we all be gathered here and talking amongst each other about our problems around the world? That's the problem…with you damn foreigners." Luna said as she tilted her head back and chuckled.
"Exscuse me?!" Amber said now standing up.
"What exactly…are you looking to talk about?" Astor asked as he put his foot on the table. "First off, I'd like to apologize for Lucio personally. We had word that Joey was in a certain area and he simply…was confused."
"Confused?! He attacked a student!" Hercules said, his voice getting louder. "I'm aware, but if Lucio truly wanted to…he could've killed that girl. Lucio must've smelled Joey on your student. His nose never lies. Perhaps you should look deeper into your students-"
Don't tell us…what we have to do with our people. Lily hasn't been in contact with Joey!" Hercules said.
"Lily. That's her name…"
(Lily. Lily….hmm.)
"Lucio will face punishment for this act. You all…have my word." Luna said calmly. "I'd also like to add something that I think you all should know. Other countries hide what they see as you all do. There have been counts of demon sightings."
"AHAHAHAHA!!!!" Rock laughed holding his stomach. "Ahahahahaha! You…you said demon sightings?! Aaaahahahahaha!!!"
"This is no lie or joke, Rock." Luna said as she locked eyes with him. Rock shut up immediately and stared back. (She's…wait, why do I suddenly…feel…attracted?)
"You feel that?" Luna asked, staring deeply at Rock. Rock gave Luna a confused look, almost looking scared. "That feeling…is all over the world." Luna said as she seemingly sped over to Rock. No one in the room even caught her movements as she was now close to Rock. "What the…"
Luna grabbed Rock by his chin and pulled him in close. "Energy is changing all around the world. This isn't some strange feeling you've suddenly had. Right now, your astral form and body are being attacked. Causing you to have these emotions and feelings."
"Astral world body? Demons? What is she even talking about?" Astor sighed.
"A force and power you all haven't even recognized. It's a force, and entity that's causing this." Luna explained as she began walking around the table. "I'm here to warn you all and to tell you that you should manage your goals and missions accordingly. I'm not here to order you or anything, I'm simply…telling you what's coming g to your land."
"…what's coming?" Amber asked.
"….death." Luna replied. "Natalia and her crew even noticed it. Our lands have little to no people. Our current population went from 10 million to only 7 thousand. This…power is deadly. We don't know who or what is capable of making such energy, but it's starting to go worldwide. We're looking at a global nightmare and possibly even human extinction."
"None of this adds up." Astor began. "This…energy you're referring to….i think I know what you mean. What I can't understand is why…why has all of this suddenly happened after discovering your land?"
"My king has reason to believe…that this energy has came from someplace deep within the spiritual world."
"Okay? So go solve the problem." Rock sighed.
"You think something like me, who's a physical living being can just enter the spiritual realm?"
"You're a person who kills jinns and you're telling me you can't just find this energy somewhere on the planet?" Rock asked .
"Use that head, Rock. She said it's deep within the spiritual realm. My question is: how do you all have so much information about the spiritual world? This astral world?" Amber asked.
"'I'd like if you all could give me Natalia and Raven once again. I'll be giving them information I trust them with when it comes to the astral and spiritual world. It would seem that you all on the outside world are…not the most educated on this subject."
"Let me come." A boy asked as the door to the room opened. Luna was immediately drawn towards his sword, its aura glowing with power. "What's…your name, boy?"
"Jackson. Jackson Price."
"Leave this room." Hercules said, standing over Jackson. "I've been locked away at home and skipping class…I think it's at least worth putting me out in the field to do something." Jackson said.
"He can come." Luna said with a smile.
"I'll accompany you all." Duce, who sat in the corner of the table and finally spoke. Duce was recently appointed as a teacher amongst the jinn slayers. He is new and is still looking for pups to train.
"You can trust me on this journey while you all continue to track Joey and other problems. We can learn more about this new world and even more about this…energy apparently people are feeling. Rock, what did you feel?" Duce asked.
Everyone looked at Rock and he smiled uncomfortably. "I…I felt the urge to…it was lust."
******
"Yeah, you're a damn creep, man." Ahana sighed, putting a cold cloth on Mandy's forehead. Javier rolled his eyes and punched the metal wall. "You think I meant to do that?! To do this?! Stop patronizing me like I'm some creep!"
"Well, you did…do what you did, right? I don't care if you didn't mean to do it or not. Remember this, Javier. I know you didn't mean to do it. I…just like to tease is all." Ahana said as she put a blanket over Mandy. "It's the school, right?" Ahana asked.
"Yea, but you aren't allowed to leave, right?" Javier asked.
"Who said that?"
"Joey." Javier replied.
Ahana turned and faced Javier. She gave him a bored expression and simply glared at him. "I love my brother, but he's not the one controlling me. I've…lost a friend, because I didn't listen, but this…this one task isn't bad to do. I'm going to go scope out the school tonight. I'd like it if you could just keep a secret for twenty minutes, Javier. Watch over Mandy."
"You want me to watch her? I don't think-"
Ahana put her hand on Javier's face. Javier felt…warmth in the moment. "It wasn't…your fault. Mandy is strong and will understand that. If she truly doesn't forgive you, then just have Joey watch her."
******
"George, I don't think this is a good idea!"
"Stop crying! As long as we leave before night fall, we'll be okay and can return to the village."
"The sun is already setting! We need to hurry back and-"
"Florida, don't you wanna see it?! Don't you wanna know if the rumors are true?! To the east…always avoid the east. Don't you wanna know why?" George asked Florida.
"You idiot! We have to leave right-"
The two kids were now standing in front of a massive and wide dark cave. It's cool air shot out at them, almost knocking Florida down. "Is this…the cave?" George asked as he took one step foward.
"Let's leave…please-"
"Let's just wait on top of the opening. If something really DOES walk out, then we leave, if not we will still leave, but get yelled at for nothing.
30 minutes had passed, with Florida begging to go home. Florida feared walking home in the dark with no lights. She had no choice but to leave when her brother wanted. George was about to leave…until the two of them could hear heavy breathing from inside the cave.
"George…"
"Y-yeah…I heard-"
"RRAAAAAAARRRRWW!!!!"
George and Florida were shaken. Florida began to slip and fall in front of the entrance to the cave, but George leaped forward and caught her. "George…" Florida whispered, tears filling her eyes as George could see a massive green humanoid creature emerge from the cave. The creature had long orange hair and stretched as it yawned.
"Don't…don't let me go, George…" Florida whispered.
"Florida, stop crying before-"
George could see a tear drop headed towards the creature's head.
The creature felt a drop of water, it looked up quickly to see nothing. It lifted its head higher and began sniffing. "Children!"
George and Florida ran through the night wilderness. "Don't look back! Keep running!" George said as the two could hear powerful footsteps behind them in the distance, shaking the ground. George was behind Florida. He turned his head and saw the giant sprinting towards them with his head down.
George quickly pushed Florida to the side and into the darkness while he continued to run.
Florida could see something massive leap into the air and land near George. Florida couldn't see anything, only hear George's screams as he was being ripped apart and the sounds of bones being crushed. The smell of blood thickening in the air, the cold wind making Florida shake uncontrollably.
(George…George is….)
She sat within the tall grass curled up for about 30 minutes.
"I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die. I'm gonna-"
Suddenly, Florida wasn't as terrified. She want cold. She wasn't…alone.
It was like being in a good dream. A place you'd never wanted to leave if you had the choice. That feeling came out of nowhere, as a large had rested against her shoulder. Florida didn't turn around, only listened to the soft voice behind her.
"Children. Always getting hurt because of adult conflicts or interest. What a pitiful world." The voice said as two extremely long and pale arms huggéwwqed Florida and lifted her slowly into the sky.
Florida could see the giant man eating her brother down below. "Do not look below. Focus on what's ahead of you. What is it you see, child of Ulu?" The being asked. Florida looked up, trying to see the person, but couldn't. All she could see were large black wings that blended in almost perfectly with the beautiful night sky. Florida looked ahead to see two horses with a long horn sticking out of their heads.
"Unicorns? These are astral world beings?"
"Indeed."
"I forgot that the people of this great new land knows well of the astral world. That is good."
"Where…are we going, sir?" Florida asked.
"It's more of where you'll be going. I am not of the astral world, Florida. I am an enemy of your great king."
Florida looked ahead and watched as they bursted out of the large cloud. She looked down to see the large city lights, it was beautiful to her. "You've always…wanted to fly. Are you…at peace, Florida?"
"Surprisingly…yes. Yes I am."
"Do you…want me to let go?"
"I…do."
"You know what that means, right? You'll fall to death and-"
"Please, let me go…mister."
******
Sightings all around the world increase every day. The supernatural was becoming one with the physical world, a merging that happened every rare occasion. What is the cause? What's behind the strange energy?
******
That stormy night, Joey laying in his bed in a pool of sweat. He was dreaming? It would seem as if Joey were having a nightmare the way he was shaking and sweating.
(Death. Screams. Flame. Gold. Light. Help. Lost. Found.)
"Damn you Joey…why didn't you safe me?!" Lily asked, her body burnt and covered in bruises. "You're supposed to be on a mission to cancel out this curse! Why are you doing this?!"
Before Joey could answer, another voice came from behind him on the burnt land. "You think you're saving us? You're just gonna get us all killed!" Jackson yelled.
"No, I'm trying to fix this! I want everyone to survive!" Joey defended himself. "Is that why Ahana's still alive?" Jodi asked.
"I can't kill her or the original version of herself will be born again!"
Jodi stood directly in front of Joey, his entire body bloody and scar. "You didn't need to accept the deal. You…did this to us."
"No-"
"YES!"
"YES!"
"YES!"
"YES!!!"
*****
Joey opened his eyes, looking up at the white ceiling. Jeoy sat up and held his head with one hand, trying to fight his tears. "D…damn it…."
*****
Ahana roamed around the school from the outside, using her energy to locate anything strange feeling, but she couldn't find anything. "Yeah, he's just a damn creep." Ahana sighed, sitting on the ground and leaning against the cold fence. "Find anything?" Ted asked, crawling up Ahana's arm. "Of course not." Ahana replied. "Why are you sitting here?" The bear asked. "I'm…thinking."
"Of?"
"About life."
"What about it?"
"Every…thing. You. Mandy. Joey. The slayers. Solutions. Problems. Life ain't easy, Harvey. But…for some reason, despite everything that's happened and will continue to happen, despite all the bad in this world…I still…find it beautiful in a way. I can sit here tonight and smile…despite going through what seems to be hell."
"Heh. I know what you mean, Ahana. I know…my true self isn't here anymore, but…I….i don't ever want to forget this world. I love the day time. Seeing all the different colors, feeling the breeze of the wind, being able to move my toes, walk, talk, taste, and much more! All of these blessings…make life worth living!" Ted said as he raised his paw in the air with pride.
Ahana looked to her left and stared at Ted. For a moment, she saw Havery's face. Ahana gave Ted a heartfelt smile that slowly turned to quivering lips. Ted looked over and tilted his head. "Why you looking at me like that, Ahana?!" He asked.
"No…it's nothing. I'm just…sorry. I'm sorry…for everything…Harvey."
******
The following morning in Ulu.
The massive aircraft flew through the skies, Jackson taking in the amazing view from above. "How's Wraith, Jack?" Natalia asked, sitting down in her seat while playing with her hair. Jackson's hair blew in the wind, his earrings also blowing. "She's alright. Ever since…Xavier died, she's been avoiding me. I guess she needs space." Jackson said.
"She's avoiding you?! That don't seem right-"
"What Raven means…is that we're here for you. Don't stress over Wraith…it's not like you two were really-"
"About to land." Luna said over the announcement. Jackson kneeled down and looked to the east of the country. For a moment, he felt a pressure of energy he'd never felt before. (That place.) he thought as the aircraft was now landing.
"Welcome to my state: Anura." Luna welcomed. "We've been here already?" Eli asked.
"I was talking to Jackson Price." Luna said as she turned and smiled at him.
"Question." Jackson said.
"Yes?"
"King Nry is the one who rules this large country, right?"
"Indeed."
"You're great spirit. Based off what I've read, it was a spirit who made this land for astral world beings. How is it humans like you, the other knights, citizens, and the king are all here?"
"A long time ago, Yuna, the creator of this great country and land, fought against a pillar. The pillar saw that this land would eventually lead into the physical world in the future. Yuna, of course denied the pillar. The pillar and Yuna were at war with each other in the astral world. All of the astral creatures fought against the pillar and their army. Being greatly outnumbered and overpowered, Yuna had one more trick up their sleeve. Yuna casted a great spell, a spell that can only be achieved with a pillar being present or growing in strength. Yuna casted a spell that opened a portal into the physical world. The spell required a physical body of a random person in the physical world. Somewhere within middle eastern countries, a random child was chosen. Chosen to be the one who'll gain great power and be able to fight off a pillar if one were to emerge. One night, in the physical world, a prince baby simply…vanished. As soon as the spell was casted, there was a great shield placed upon the land of Akron. Akron is the name of this country. It's been shielded for centuries and even brought into the physical world to stop the confrontations in the astral world, but a pillar hasn't been active in many many years. Not…until now." Luna explained.
"Wait, I still have-"
"Luna!" A man's voice called from above. It was a knight with purple armor, very tall, with black spikes covering his armor, and a helmet that covered his head and hair with two large purple horns. The knight landed between Luna and the group. "What's the matter, Ovolu?" Luna asked. Ovolu stood up, towering over Luna and whispered something in her ear.
"That is…unfortunate." Luna sighed, walking past the knight and standing in front of everyone. "Natalia. You are free to explore my state and it's riches as you please. I will return after I handle an issue." Luna said.
"Just leave them to roam?" Ovolu asked. "Yes. Is that a problem, Ovolu? Or would you like to watch them?"
"….id rather fight." Ovolu said as he bumped into Luna and flew away. "I'll be right back….slayers." Luna said as she seemingly teleported away, leaving a strong gust of winds from her speed. "What an interesting story," Raven began. "The astral world was at war with something. Something she calls a pillar. The pillar. Is it from the astral world? Physically world? Or spiritual?"
"Since when did these different realms exist?" Jackson asked.
"They've always existed. Jinn slayers don't pay attention to the astral world though."
"Why's that?" Eli asked.
"Would you believe me if I told you dragons exist? Unicorns? Bigfoot? Trolls?"
"Absolutely not." Eli sighed.
"Exactly. We deal with spirits. Spiritual realm beings who aren't in the physical world, but can curse or be attracted to people with bad energy from the physical. We jinn slayers can perceive the spirits in the spiritual world, even allowing us in the physical world to then gain access to the energy that allows us to harm or even get touched by these spirits. It is the jinn slayer corporation that opens us up to angels, which most of us already believe in. Jinn slaying weapons are made from the spiritual world, but it's a weapon that represents your spirit's will or symbol. To put it short, it can symbolize your role in this life." Raven explained as she walked close behind Natalia.
"So this sword of mine…was originally from the spiritual world?" Jackson asked.
"Exactly! Mine. Natalia's. Even you, Eli. These weapons aren't forged in the same part of the spiritual world where jinns come from, but they contain a small amount of their energy to allow us to slay them." Raven explained.
The four of them walked through a thick jungle and could see the top of a golden pyramid. "That's…"
"Yeah, Luna's house or something." Eli said. "Her house?!" Jackson gasped.
******
"The fact we could just walk in is sick!!" Eli laughed as she immediately ran up the massive golden stairs to the right side. The golden room was layed out different. Energy…energy itself kept the kids from touching the ground, allowing them to walk on air seemingly. There were no windows. Just a golden floor with golden walls and items hanging around. "This place…" Jackson said softly.
"What about it?" Natalia asked. "I'm not sure…I just…feel easy." Jackson said as he removed his hand from the wall. "How's the hunt going for Joey?" Jackson asked. Natalia jumped a little bit, she glared at Jackson, hoping he didn't see that. "It's…it's going. Don't worry, we'll get him…soon."
"You think it's true?" Jackson asked.
"What?" Natalia said.
"That him and Kai…"
"Oh, no. Not at all. Kai only helped…because Joey was fighting the woman who placed the barrier."
"I see. So you all worked together to take out a main threat. That's good. I've always thought it was strange…Joey fighting somone and Ahana fighting Malice. Joey said the clans put Malice and the woman there. Kai said it too. Why would…Kai lie about that?"
Natalia balled up her fist and hid her anger. "I believe…I believe that Joey and Kai aren't together or friends. I believe them. I truly believe…the clans placed those monsters there." Natalia said as she looked back at Jackson. Jackson and here held eye contact for a few seconds before Jackson smiled and put his hand on her head. "It'll be handled." Jackson said as he walked past Natalia and upstairs. (Handled? How will…)
"Natalia, look at this!" Raven said from below. Natalia turned the corner and saw a massive hole in the floor behind the stairwell. "Woah." Natalia said, entering the giant room with many symbols on the walls. "I…I can…I can understand this language!" Raven said as she pressed her hand against the wall. "How can you understand all this? What does it say?!"
******
Luna hadn't thought about Duce. She didn't realize he also came, as he told the crew he'd follow the aircraft with a jinn animal. While being carried in the air by his falcon, Duce was able to see through his hawk's eyes, as if he was the hawk itself. "Where are they? I could've sword I saw two of them headed to the east of this land."
Duce scouted the area, trying to locate their energy through the sky, but couldn't. "Where are you two?"
******
"You know what you did. All I need from you…is to confess!" The girl said, smacking Kai across the face. "Haven't…we met before?" Kai asked, lifting his head to reveal a bloody smile. "Tsk! What the hell are you?" The girl asked as her nails morphed into long sharp claws.
"Those claws…oh, you're from the Lukanie family! I knew I recognized those facial features! How's your father? The last time we met, we had a dance off and he lost badly-"
The girl slashed Kai on the upper chest and the right side of his face. "Silence!! I've been ordered to come here under the orders of the Dark clan! What they want…is a confession!!" The girl said as she swiped at Kai again, cutting his chest once again.
Kai's blood poured into the floor, both his arms raised in the air by thick chains and his feet hanging above the ground. Kai looked up at the girl and smiled. "You servant famalies…really piss me off. That's one thing I disliked about your father. Always following their orders when he knew…he was a slave. The cycle continues, I guess." Kai said.
The girl reached behind her, about to slash Kai once again, but before she could, Kai broke free from the chains and grabbed her by the neck. Kai lifted her off her feet and began tightening his grip.
"Why do you think they sent you down here instead of one of their own?! They can't contain me! I'm CHOOSING to let you do this, because you're a kid. But I'm starting to lose my patience! They have two days. Two days to let me out or I'm gonna break out my damn self!" Kai warned as he dropped the girl and healed himself. "Put my in my cell."
******
Jodi sat back into the chair, looking up at the clear blue sky. Lily was sleeping upstairs in her room, while Jodi sat on the porch of the house. "What exactly…was he talking about? These knights know something we don't. Maybe I…should go to that land…."
******
Next chapter: The State Ulu pt 2.