Just as Leo had finished off Blufkin, the entire room had shifted. (What's this?)
Leo was now in a dark room with a throne in the middle. "I figured you'd be too strong, Leo." Armstrong said as his massive figure arose from the throne. "Welcome back to work. I'm not here…to fight you, Leo. I'm here to simply explain why you should-"
"Where is she?" Leo asked.
"Oh, that's right, your daughter. I'll be honest with you. Your daughter…was behind that door with my owner of this ritual and jinn weapon. You were so close, Leo. You should listen to my offer though."
Leo said nothing. He just gave Armstrong a nasty look in his eyes. Leo was doing well to contain his anger. It felt as though his body alone would explode from rage. "I will kill the thing that started this. After I've killed you and your little crew of course." Leo said in a firm voice.
"That's the point. We want the very same thing. Why not combine our strengths, and-"
"Because you're an awful man. The Jinn slayers have been looking for you, that I know. They've been looking for who was responsible for slaughtering an entire city one night. One of the wolrd's biggest mysteries. You've killed innocent people and lied to people. All for…all for soemthing they have nothing to do with. You killed me wife. You've hurt my friends. You've kidnapped my daughter," Leo grabbed his shirt tight and squirt his anger. "WE DON'T WANT THE SAME THING!!! I WANT YOU DEAD AT MY FEET, BEGGING FOR YOUR LIFE!!" Leo yelled, his jinn energy began to grow.
"Leo. If you don't agree, I will order the caster to rip your daughter's head off. Is that what you want?" Armstrong tried to threaten Leo, but Leo was already on it. Armstrong couldn't understand…just how intelligent Leo truly was.
"Kevin and Duce will find my daughter, and slay the caster. As for that threat you've made, if you don't give me my daughter in the next minute, I'll have Euphoria consume your family." Leo said.
(What did he just say?!) Armstrong had worry in his eyes. "W-what do you-"
"I'll show you." Leo swiped his hand across his face, revealing Armstrong's wife and kid sitting on their couch. He could see Euphoria in the corner.
Armstrong's eyes widened. Leo was surprised to see a big smile on Armstrong's face. "Aaahhh….AHAHAHAHAHA!!! LEO…you…you truly don't understand the malice the human heart can have! Did you really think..I'd care about them?! Screw my wife and child! This…this is the world I'm talking about!! Any hero would sacrifice their family for the world! I'm not the bad guy here but, damn it, I'm sure as hell not gonna let the world burn! You've made the mistake of bringing your friends here, Leo! Everyone you have involved…will die here inside of this tower!"
******
Astor looked around for the weak point. He couldn't locate it anywhere. "Where is it? I know it's here inside of the-" a fist collided with his face, knocking him to the ground. "You thought i was finished?! Don't be a fool!!" The jinn roared.
******
Duce and Echo were running up and up. A massive hole appeared beneath them, but Duce managed to avoid it and help Echo. "Feels like we've been running in circles. The same damn home has reappeared-"
"No, wait. I…I feel something!" Duce said as he took a knee and placed his hand on the cold metal floor. "YES!! Right here, Echo! Follow!" Duce punched through the floor. The two were immediately met with a terrifying army of jinns.
Imagine mountains…mountains that go out far and far away. Now, imagine the distance covered by a large army of jinns…that's what Duce and Echo were witnessing. A golden door at the very bottom of the drop opened up. A man with a golden face looked up at the two and gasped. "Close the door you idiot!!" The man shouted.
"That's the man who's controlling the tower and giving the others a boost!!" Duce yelled out. Echo was so confused. (It must be a jinn energy thing. That has to be the only way he can see that.)
Duce grabbed Echo by his wrist. "Hang on tight, old man. This fall might kill you, so hold onto her with your life!" Duce yelled as the two fell down.
"Wait, what the hell are you-"
"Jinn falcon!" The massive Falcon appeared directly below the two. Duce and Echo quickly grabbed on. "Alter dive!"
The falcon tucked its wings and dove directly towards the door. "HOLY SHI-" the three bursted through the door. The golden-faced man was launched back onto the wall, hitting head first. Echo rolled off of the falcon and raised his gun. "Got a whole army coming here. What's the play?" Echo heard no response. Echo turned to see Duce looking at a little girl that was chained up to a wall. (No way! That's…that's Leo's-)
"Jinn weapon: blessed gauntlet." The man with golden skin said. A golden light shot down from above. The wind pushed Echo and Duce back. Duce could finally get a clear look of the man. His entire skin and body was golden. He was tall…exactly 6'2 in height, was a wide man who looked to be in the 200s, he wore no shirt, wore golden pants with no shoes, revealing his brown feet, and wore a golden mask that had the design of deer horns. The man put both of the golden gauntlets on and took a fighting stance.
(Two slayers? No…one of them is nothing more than a normal human I see. A medium-level slayer….seems to be edging very close to high-level. And one normal human. I'll shoot for the human first. He has zero jinn energy. Will be easy to kill him where he stands!) the man thought.
"Holy…FIST!!!" The gautlents glew in a bright gold. The man threw two powerful punches. Echo felt a force push him aside, making him avoid the air strike. (What was that just now? It felt like…someone pushed me?)
Echoe quickly reached inside of his bag and tossed out a smoke grenade.
(His fighting IQ is nothing to underestimate. He knows I can't track him because he does not possess jinn energy for me to see within this smoke. However, I can still see the kid-)
Duce appeared behind the golden man. "How could you do this to a child?!" Duce yelled in anger. Duce swung his staff with much power and energy behind it. The golden man used his elbow to stop the swing, and spun on the opposite side with his other elbow. Duce quickly flipped the staff sideways, blocking the elbow. "Holly…PUSH!!!"
Golden aura pushed Duce back. The golden man immediately thought about Leo's daughter. (He's going after the girl. I'll stop him in his tracks!)
The man took a step forward and turned his body.
Echo never went for Leo's daughter. He knew she was safe for now. He wanted the golden man to turn his back for an opening.
Low to the ground and lurking in the smoke was Echo. Holding a long knife. Echo pushed it deep inside of the man's neck.
(He didn't go for the girl?! No, I mustn't lose focus! I have to focus my energy into regeneration…I've only been able to heal my arm…but if I don't stop the bleeding…the tower and power boost will stop working!) the golden man fell on his back and began to hold his neck with one hand. "Jinn serpent!" Duce pointed at the man, as a long and muscular snake wrapped its body around the golden man.
"We can't kill him, Echo! Every ritual possibly carries the chance of having effects after their deaths! We need to hurry and-"
Just then, the snake began to struggle holding the man in its powerful grasps. "Ahaha! I didn't think I'd actually be able to pull off such a stunt!" The golden man laughed. "Holy attack: Great fist of furry!!!!" In all directions, balls of golden light spreader out across the medium size room. (The lights are fist! He's punching that fast?!) Duce thought before the attack landed. In only a moment, the entire room was torn apart, Duce and Echo could feel the blows from the punches.
*****
Five minutes of pure onslaught went on. The punches were so powerful and accurate, they could easily rip through the skin of a rhino itself. The golden man stopped his attack and waited for the dust to clear.
The golden man kept his fighting stance, searching the area while turning his head. The room was torn to shreds. It fell apart like a banana being peeled. "Seems like I overdid it." The man sighed.
The army of jinns was showing at the way botttom of the tower. They all began to climb up. The golden man locked eyes with Echo, who was blown across the tower and landed into the room across the far gap. Echo tried to reach into his bag, but couldn't from the intense pain. Echo looked down to see two large holes that were in his body. "Heh…d…damn it, you got me good." Echo said with a smirk on his face. Echo could see Duce hanging from above, Duce was hundreds of yards away near the top of the room. "You tried your best. Now die, soldier." The golden man said as he slowly pulled his fist back. "Holy…"
"You can't kill me…because I've got…the thing that's keeping your stupid deal going!" Echo yelled. Echo reached behind him to put Leo's daughter in front of him.
The golden man was shocked to see her over there. (When did he grab her?! How did he?! There's no way a normal human can move that fast! My punches are faster than sound!)
"Take her and move, Echo!! Climb up!!" Duce yelled as he jumped down from above. "Jinn….DRAGON!!!"
"Kid. Remember what Leo said!"
(Oh, he's right…I forgot…if this man is the caster, which I'm sure he is, there's a chance he's made it a pain to shut this whole tower down! We also need to get everyone down into this floor and room!)
"I'll stay back! You get her to a safe spot and wait!" Duce yelled.
"Damn brat." Echo sighed. Echo turned to see the fright in Leo's daughter's eyes. "Don't make that face. You're about to see your daddy soon, little miss." Echo reassured. (Something's off. Was Leo blinded by rage or what? Her body…it's so damn cold. On top of that…she hasn't said anything to me or anyone!)
*****
"No one will die tonight. I plan on dealing with you rather quickly, Armstrong."
"Oh?! You've already made one big mistake, Leo."
Armstrong held out both of his arms. "Apparently there can be more than one user of this ability. According to the gray-haired man…it was only available to one person before. Now…behold! From deep within hell…I summon the all-mighty…the all-terrifying 5-star general. The wicked amongst the wicked…the UNTAMED!! I SUMMON BAKEMONO AND 10-STAR GENERAL, Yogo!"
Two red holes began to open up from the floor. Leo jumped back and immediately felt the pressure and power of the two jinns that were emerging from the floor. One massive black arm reached out from the hole, screams of agony and immense heat came from the hole. Leo stood in horror as two giant beings towered over him. The energy alone causes the air to vibrate. (This…this power! It's unreal! Especially from Yogo! Just what in the hell ability is that?!)
"Bakemono and Yogo…I cammand you…to KILL THIS MAN!!!" Armstrong ordered as he prepared to attack with the two jinns.
Yogo was a slim giant jinn with all black skin, long white hai, two long white horns, and golden jewelry that were on its ankles.
In a flash, the massive fist from Bakemono connected with Leo. Leo was sent through hundreds of doors and rooms through the tower. Leo couldn't even see what was happening. Bakemono teleported above his body. The massive monster put its hands together and slammed Leo downward. Armstrong ran down the metal wall of the tower, managing to keep up with Leo's falling body. Armstrong jumped and flying kicked Leo into an open door. Leo created a sword and managed to slide on the ground with his two feet. (Their energy output far exceeds Armstrong's. It's because of the caster…that's the only reason Armstrong is able to control these jinns. Not only that, their readings are off the charts. I sure it's from the fact that Armstrong has also received a power boost, making the beast much stronger than what they usually are.)
Leo planted his feet and took a fighting stances a giant hand ripped open the roof of the small room he was in. Another bursted from the door. Leo jumped up and avoided both the fist. The room was picked up and launched across the valley of an opening inside the tower.
Leo jumped out of the metal boxes in room and began to fall. Armstrong grabbed him by his head and threw him at Yogo's horns. (Damn!) Leo thought as he flipped to avoid the horns. Leo looked up to see Bakemono opening its mouth.
Leo immediately launched himself off of Yogo's head and held out his fist, headed towards Bakemono's mouth. Before the jinn could shoot out flames, Leo went inside and punched through Bakemono's head. Leo spun around while in the air to see the massive jinn had regenerated. (I can't kill it. Bakemono has immense energy…it also seems like he's giving or adding energy to Armstrong. I see. In order for me to beat Bakemono…I'll have to take down Armstrong. As for Yogo…her ability is heavily affecting my energy. I can't even…I can't even see an equation for these three! Which means, I'll have to fight without the mask's help. I'll only have the physical and small amounts of jinn energy from it. Of course, these are all possibilities. I'm almost 95% sure I'm correct on what these two generals can do ability wise!)
Leo landed on a small metal pole that hung out from a shattered room. Armstrong floated above both the giant jinns and held out both his arms. "Three on one. Any other slayer would've been dead by now. Your energy is remarkable! It's a shame I have to kill you, Leo."
Leo smiled at Armstrong. "Sorry…but this isn't the fight you think it's gonna be." Leo said with a smirk.
"What's that?" Armstrong asked.
"You see, I figured you truly wouldn't care for your family. You're so focused on achieving victory over your mission, that I told Euphoria about plan b. Leave Armstrong's house and kill any of the people who've turned to jinns.
"That's impossible! I've already sent Venom and-"
"They've been dealt with. I could sense their energies fading away. I also knew you'd send the triplets after her, knowing that I gave you her location. Of course you know…once Euphoria consumed enough souls, she'll return to her human and most powerful state. With the very small amount of energy I had left, I could finally sense her. I welcome you…your death, Armstrong!" Just then, the entire tower began shaking.
Bakemono and Yogo looked up to see a woman that looked like an angel in darkness.
A black woman with a large curly-like Afro floated above everything and everyone inside of the tower. Euphoria had perfect pink lips, beautiful glowing skin, a slim body figure, is 5'8, wore an Egyptian dress that covered her middle and showed a small amount of her thighs, two gold bracelets that were on her right arm and right wrist, and had beautiful brown eyes.
Euphoria immediately locked eyes with Leo and smirked. "Leo….you really are…an interesting code." Euphoria said. In that moment, Armstrong could see Euphoria holding a dragon's head in her hand. "Y-you killed them?!" Armstrong yelled out. Euphoria looked down at Armstrong and dropped the dragon head. "The triplets are gone. I killed them, the same way I'm about to slaughter you and every jinn inside of this tower." Euphoria said.
*****
Nina was in the town, fighting off any of the jinns that Euphoria had left behind. Her insides began to tingle, as creature took over and looked off in the direction of the tower. Creature's body trembled in fear. It fell to a knee and looked. "This feeling…why…why do I have this name in my head?!" The creature grabbed its head and roared. "I feel…I feel…this presence is Ahana?!?"
*****
Bella stopped her fight with Sasha and creature's split-version. Bella smiled at Sasha. "Looks like you win this one, Sasha. That monster is unleashed, and it's only a matter of time before they attract more attention. It's time to scramble out of here!" Bella said as she dissapeared. "Follow her!! She knows the way out!" Creature yelled.
******
Astor prepared himself for the powerful jinn. However, the jinn stopped and took a couple of steps back. "What in the world?" Astor asked. The jinn punched itself in its chest and ripped its heart out. "I…don't want to fight that thing!" The jinn said as its body collapsed.
******
Echo ran down the long hall with Leo's daughter on his shoulder. He took a sharp left and almost fell down a bottomless pit. "Holy-"
Echo could hear the voice of Astor at the bottom.
"Is this the way out?! But…if it really is…Duce is fighting the caster. This pit…is the way out! I'm positive it'll only open if Astor finds it or if Duce kills the caster. Or am I wrong?"
*****
Euphoria slowly pulled out her golden rope. The light burnt thousands of the jinns in the area, making them hiss and crawl away. (Damn it! What do I do?! If Bakemono dies…I die since he's out! If I lose a fight I die because he's out! But…Yogo can't handle Euphoria alone! But, if I put Yogo away, Leo will…will kill me!)
Euphoria flew towards the metal wall and began to swing her rope, killing the jinns on impact and making her way towards Armstrong. "Grow!!" Euphoria demanded her rope. The golden rope extended and was longer than before. Euphoria ripped through the massive army of jinns, slaughtering them in unrecognizable numbers.
Leo flew at Armstrong and punched him into the metal wall. Yogo and Bakemono quickly came to Armstrong's aid. Yogo threw a punch and Leo jumped and began running on her arm. Armstrong landed on her arm and shot a beam of jinn energy at Leo. Leo slid on his knees to avoid the blast of energy. He jumped back up after the beam had passed, continuing to run at Armstrong. Armstrong threw a jab, but Leo dodged and countered with a left overhand. Armstrong was knocked to a knee. (I have to act fast and use Bakemono! But if Euphoria makes it before Bakemono kills Leo…I'm finished. I'll die! The safest option…in order for me to possibly be able to escape, I'll need Yogo's energy minipulation to keep up with Leo and to be able to hold off Euphoria for a while. Damn! I'll…I'll..)
Leo caught Armstrong with a powerful jab to the stomach, making the man fall on his back and to the ground. "Bakemono, return!!"
The massive jinn disappeared. Leo continued his assault while Euphoria only itched closer from above.
Armstrong clapped his hands together and shot a small blast of energy towards Leo. "Expand!!" Armstrong yelled, causing the small ball to explode. Leo was pushed away then avoided the giant foot from Yogo. Leo jumped back and looked up at the face of the jinn. (Give me something…anything!)
Suddenly, an equation formed in front of Leo. (What's this? The mask…it's almost like…it has a life of its own! This equation…it's unreal!)
Leo snapped his fingers, a small yellow ball shot at Yogo, completely erasing the jinns arm. The jinn fell back, shaking the entire tower. It let out a loud screech that almost erupted Leo's eardrums. Leo could feel his energy pouring back into his body. (What the hell was that?!) Armstrong thought as he tried to attack Leo. Leo stood there, taking Armstrong's punch. Armstrong's hand was broken on impact from Leo's body. "The goal for you was to never fight me and win. You simply wanted Bakemono and Yogo to do the job for you. You're not good with that ability…it's better off with the original source of power. You'll die here, Armstrong. Here and alone!!" Leo said as he slapped Armstrong across the cold metal floor. "Yogo, activate your-"
Green blood filled the area like a tsunami. Leo jumped up and floated to avoid it. Armstrong busrted from the blood and looked up to see Euphoria playing with Yogo's head. Armstrong jumped up and flew in the air. "It…it can't be like this! I…I was going to save the world!! You idiots have no idea what you're doing!! I saved countless lives! I did nothing-"
"Blast arm off". Euphoria whispered.
Suddenly, Armstrong's left arm exploded from the inside. Armstrong fell back down into the blood and held onto his shoulder tight. "DAMN YOU!!!! He yelled out. Leo and Euphoria were now standing over Armstrong.
Armstrong balled his last fist and slammed it into the ground. "You idiots…you two are so damn screwed for what coming. Why? Why would in all hell…listen to a jinn, Leo?" Armstrong cried.
"Armstrong. Raise your head."
Armstrong looked up and locked eyes with Leo. "We have every intention of killing the person responsible for this mess. We will find them. If killing them truly will reset things, which is a theory of course, then we will do it. No matter…if things change here. If you come back. If I don't exist. But you…you killed off other people who are like me. Who-"
"RITUAL: NUCLEAR-"
Armstrong's head rolled off of his body. Euphoria delivered the finishing blow to Armstrong.
"You're welcome." Euphoria said.
Before Leo could say anything, he and Euphoria heard screaming from above them. Bella leaped across the clearing, with creature and Sasha following closely behind her. "That's our ticket out." Euphoria said.
"No. It's your ticket out. I have to look for my daughter."
"Your daughter? Oh, that's right." Euphoria put her hands together. Euphoria could see the entire tower from her location. A large purple circle, with two people standing above it came into view. "They're far away. From how the tower is reacting and shaking, it's easy to say the caster is in a fight…and losing. You'll have to trust Echo and Duce with your daughters life, Leo. You'll die trying to reach them." Euphoria said.
"I'm not an idiot," Leo began. "You're one of the most powerful entities on the whole planet. You can easily clear it. How about this, Euphoria. I'll help Sasha and Crewture out. You go help Duce and Kevin with my daughter. You're just worried I'll die, ending our little contract or curse, causing you to either die or lose all of your power again."
Euphoria chuckled and rubbed Leo on his head. "Smart human. I made the right choice picking you. Let's not waste time. I'll get your daughter out of here…trust me, Leo."
******
Duce and the golden man exchanged blows. The massive army of jinns fell from above. Duce dodged the falling jinns and the golden man's punches. "Dragons breath!" Duce tilted his head back and unleashed flames from his mouth. The golden man jumped to the side.
"It doesn't even matter what happens now, boy. You've caused way too much damage and there's too much jinn energy that's been built up inside the tower. This place is gonna go boom!" The man laughed.
"Tell me how to leave…and I'll spare your life. All we want…is the girl to survive. I'm not sure what mess they have you in…but you're incredibly powerful due to your abilities. We can help you!" Duce yelled out.
The man smirked and imagined a woman standing in Duce's place. The man lowered his arms and took a deep breath. "I'm screwed …no matter what goes down. Promise me something, kid. Find a woman that goes by: Catalina. Her abilities…will change everything." The golden man said as he punched himself through his own chest.
Duce gasped as blood poured out from the man's body. The man fell to his knees and slowly gasped. "There's an orb. An orb that you have to stay in contact with..it needs…it needs to feed on the energy of a living being…all while the portal is being open from both the users on the outside and inside…all you have is…five minutes." The man explained.
Duce ran over to the man. "Why?! Why would you-"
"My job is finished. If they're all dead like I truly feel, then the deal is off the table from the boss. This…is my end. Tell…tell Catalina that I'm sorry…for…every…." The man took a final breath. Duce closed his eyes and said a small prayer for him. He opened them to see Echo and Leo's daughter standing behind the man. "Seems simple enough." Echo sighed. Echo picked up Leo's daughter and tossed her over to Duce.
"Hey, what in the hell are you-"
Echo put his hand on Duce's shoulder. "Haha. I'm glad I circled back. You take Leo's daughter…based off what the man said, one of us has to stay and hold that orb. One of us has to die, Duce. I'd rather it be me."
Duce slowly put Leo's daughter down and grabbed Echo by his shirt. "What is this nonsense?! My job is to save civilian lives, not to watch them give their own life! This is my job. You're taking her and leaving, old man!" Duce yelled.
"You just don't get it."
"Don't get what?"
Duce reached inside of his pocket and held out a picture. It was a woman and a group of 13 men sitting on top of a tank, smiling.
"This…this is my family…and my world. They're gone. You still got something to live for. You young, got a bright future, and still have people in this world that care about you. Let me take this one, boy."
"I can't allow that. It's my job! I signed up for this. I'll stay and figure a way out-"
"I'm not asking. I'm telling you. You need to go back to your home. Me? Heh…I-I've got nothing left. You've got friends and family to go back to. I'm alone in this world, Duce- I am. Let me take this one, yeah?"
Echo bent over and began to unload his bag. He pulled out twenty grenades, two ARs, and two turrent machine guns. "Surprised I'm able to pull this out or have it in the bag. Leo's powers sure are something." Echo stood tall and shoved Duce towards Leo's daughter. "Take her and open the portal.we need five minutes, yeah? I'll hold onto it…and I'll hold it until you two can get through." Echo explained.
Duce said nothing. He looked at the cold metal floor with a very tired look. "I'm sick of people dying in front of me. I can't let you do this."
"Yeah, I know, kid." Echo quickly pulled out a smaller grendade. Duce quickly grabbed Leo's daughter, to cover her. Duce and her were pushed away and went flying down the hall. "YOU IDIOT!!! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!!! STOP-"
Echo tossed another grendae. This time, it was a small explosion that made the hall start to fall. The fall would lead Duce and Leo's daughter to the portal. "KEVIN!!" Duce yelled as the hall plummeted.
Echo turned around and noticed all of the jinns from the walls sprinting after Duce and Leo's daughter.
"Let's get it rolling." Echo immediately loaded his two ARs and began letting the shots fly. He watched as the bullets made the jinns disappear when he hit them.
Echo felt a wet feeling on the side of him. (Blood from the holes…either way…I'm finished here.)
The army of jinns just continued to grow and grow. (You don't realize it…but the man had a complete orb the entire time! I managed to grab it when he unleashed that one attack. He was smart, but I was smarter! All I need…is to hold off for five minutes!)
The wave of jinns only grew closer and closer. Echo dropped the guns and mounted the turret machine guns. One gun shot on its own while he manually used the other. He mowed a good portion of the jinns down. Echo could hear something behind him amongst the chaos. He turned his head to see a tall jinn standing over him with a long sword. Echo quincly tossed the orb into the opposite hand, as the jinn sliced his hand clean off. Echo Quincy spun the gun and shot the jinn multiple times. He spun it back to see hundreds of jinns now on the same floor he was, running straight at him. "Damn you all to hell!! If it's death that wants me…I'll waste no time in welcoming it with open arms!!!" Echo yelled out.
******
Duce ran and ran. "Damn you! How could you just throw your life away like that, Kevin?! We haven't even known each other for a complete day!" Duce stopped as he looked down at the bottom of the pit. He could feel the tower beginning to fall apart. (It's a shock that his weapon is still lasting this long without him being alive. Though, I'm positive he will come back into this world as a jinn.)
Duce used his remaining energy to try and communicate with whoever could hear him on the opposite side.
*****
Astor tore apart the office. He could finally hear a voice calling from underneath the floor. "Why didn't I think of that?" Astor punched through the floor to see a very small white dot hovering in the darkness. "Duce?!"
"Yeah, it's me! Listen…the whole things about to explode! I'm not sure on how to open our side, but we need to hurry!" Dive yelled.
Astor looked around and thought about the creature. (Think. There was a guardian. The only way for the caster to of have placed or created the portal, is through large amounts of jinn energy. I'll assume I have to somewhat release my own output of energy. Also having the other on the opposite side to also release their jinn energy. So be it!)
"DUCE!!!" Astor called out.
"Y-yes sir?!" Duce yelled back. "I need you to focus and match your energy with my own." Astor yelled through the black pit.
"Match your energy? Astor, in my current state or even in general, I can't match-"
"Raise your energy as high as it can possibly go! I'll match it, trust me. We don't have much time left damn it!"
******
Echo shot down multiple jinns. He dropped both the guns and ran at them with a small blade. Echo sliced out the floor beneath him, causing him and the millions of jinns to fall down. Echo shot a grenade launcher at the crowd of jinns, making the explosion kill a few hundred as they fell. He tossed the launcher to the side and reached back inside of the book-bag. ( more weapons are spawning from the inside?!) Exho thought as he hit the floor, and was met with a powerful foot to his stomach, making him cough up blood as he fell through another floor. Echo kicked the jinn off and rolled to land on his back. Exho looked behind him to see Leo's daughter and Duce standing above the pit. (Damn it! At this rate…I won't be able…NO!!)
Echo reached inside of his bag again. This time, a large weapon unknown to man emerged from the bag. Echo put two hands on the weapon, as its red core began to flare to life from him holding the trigger. Millions of jinns fell down and began to run towards the man. (The orb is in my pocket. It's the only reason I'm able to activate that damn pit and give them an opening to escape!)
"DUCE, HURRY IT UP!!!" Echo yelled out. Echo fired the powerful gun, it's automatic build almost knocked Echo on his feet. "THIS IS MY JAM!!!" Echo yelled out.
******
Astor took a deep breath and released his energy. He immediately picked up on Duce's and started to match his energy with his own. "Got you!!"
*****
"I still have to wait for 2 minutes! The pit won't open until then. And I can't move from my position!" Duce explained. Duce didn't turn around…nor did he want to. He could hear the sounds of shots and jinns roaring right behind him. But…he had complete faith In Kevin. For he knew, he would protect him and Leo's daughter.
******
The gun ran out of ammo. Two giant jinns grabbed Echo by the head. Echo quickly pulled out a sword and sliced their hands off. Echo kicked the jinns back, making them fall on the much smaller ones. Echo stabbed one jinn in the heart and yanked the blade from its chest to continue swinging.
(Even if you make mistakes-which you will, know that everything happens for a reason. I'll miss you…Kevin.)
Echo smacked his lips and increased the speed of his attacks. "Mama…did I make the right decision? Did I…make you proud?"
Echo fought off and held the entire army off with only his small blade. The jinns were all now low-levels, but the number of them would've overwhelmed even Duce. Being that the caster of the Tower and spell had died, the jinns were now back tot her normal status in power. Low-level jinns usually aren't the smartest of all of them. However, each and every jinn that was present, dared to not try and fight Kevin. From far above…there stood one medium-level jinn, who realized just how powerful Kevin was. The jinns on the floor kept on attacking him, While the medium-level jinn pointed at Kevin. It was too high up for even Kevin to see.
Kevin had stood above hundreds of jinn bodies that lied beneath his feet. The jinns backed off in fear, as Kevin raised his blade into the air. Suddenly, a shot of energy pierced through his chest like a bullet. Kevin dropped the blade and staggered backwards. "Is..is that the best you've-"
Fifty more shots went through his body. Like a knife cutting through butter. Kevin turned around…and slowly walked towards Duce. (D…damn it.) Kevin gargled on his own blood, with little holes all throughout his body. The army of jinns sloly walked behind him, waiting for signs of death. "Duce," Kevin whispered. "I would've…loved working with you…." Kevin said as he closed his eyes and began to fade off.
(Not yet, my son. You still have a mission! You didn't finish yet!) his mother's voice said in his head.
"Yes ma'am…." Kevin immediately turned around and with a straight face, looked directly towards the jinn army.
(To all my comrades….forgive me. Leo and Sasha…I want you guys to forgive me too. I'm not dying on the ground. I'm a warrior. I'm…)
More energy blast shot through Kevin's body. Kevin didn't budge or change anything in his face. Not even a slight twitch or show of emotions on his face. The jinns slowly crept towards him. The medium-level landed in front of the army and held out its hand. "This man is…dead."
No one had noticed it, But Duce and Leo's daughter were about to jump into the portal. Duce let Leo's daughter go first before he turned around to look at the army. He looked at the body of Kevin and noticed a large bomb in his hand.
"Kevin…thank you….my friend." Duce closed his eyes and jumped through.
Before the jinns could react….the bomb had went off.
Kevin opened his eyes to see a big dinner at the table in his old home. His mother and old group from the army were all sitting down and eating. "You have them hell. A lot better than what I would've done." A woman said right beside him.
"You guys…I."
"You don't need to say anything. You…were absolutely amazing, Kevin." His mother said with a heartfelt smile. Tears began to run down Kevin's face. "As long…as long as I did the right thing. I saved them! I…I didn't let my comrades die!" Kevin cried.
Everyone at the table stood up and hugged him tightly.
******
Sasha and creature were now right behind Bella. Bella entered a white door and slammed it shut behind her, Sasha quickly kicked open the door, only to find an empty space. "What the?!" She gasped.
"This isn't the way out. What tricks is she up to?" The creature asked. A man's voice came from behind the two. "Don't let her fool you! The exit is right there in front of you!!" Leo yelled as he dashed past the two. Leo grabbed them both and ran as fast as he could. (Huh?! Leo?! I thought…I thought he was supposed to take on Armstrong? Is his daughter here? Did they find her?! What about Echo and Duce? Astor?) Sasha thought about everything and everyone in that short amount of time. In that very moment, she was outside of the tower and tumbled through the trees. Sasha tried to catch herself, but creature grabbed her and hugged her tightly in its arms as they hit the ground. Sasha looked around to see Leo running in the distance.
"BELLA, STOP NOW!!!!" Leo ordered the jinn. She continued to run away. Leo quickly formed an equation and solved it quickly. Bella's foot was sliced clean off. The jinn face planted into the ground. Bella spun around and shot a energy blast at Leo. Leo used his hand and swiped it away. "S-stay away from me!! Get away!!!" Bella cried.
Leo continued to walk towards the jinn with both his arms at his side. Bella sent slash after slash, hitting Leo all over, but not going through. Leo was not standing over Bella with a killer look in his eyes. Bella used her arms to cover up, preparing for the worst…but instead, she felt two arms hug her tightly. "What are you…"
"Even after everything you've done to me and others…I can't…I can't have this hate in my heart." Leo whispered softly in her ear. Bella sat there not knowing what to say, she was stunned…surprised even! How could someone who she had lied to and hurt so much be so calm and forgiving?!
"Leo-"
"Bella. I understand why you all did what you did. I truly do. For that reason, I am sorry. I'm sorry that even if you didn't mean any of it, I truly viewed you as my best friend. I…I loved you, Bella. I did." Leo said as he let go of her and looked her in her eyes. "I'm…I'm so sorry, Leo." Bella said, with tears beginning to build in her eyes. Leo looked at Bella's new monstrous look.
"I know who you truly are, Bella. You simply had a mission…I hold no grudge to that. Armstrong killed my wife, not you. Can I…no-can we pray together?"
"You…want to pray…for me? I thought…you weren't a believer?
******
Euphoria had watched Kevin sacrifice himself to protect Duce and Leo's daughter. "I do not understand. Why risk your life for them? Am I missing something? What did you gain doing that, Kevin?! What was the reason?!" Euphoria whispered to herself. Euphoria managed to escape with Duce without being noticed. When she was out, she immediately went towards Leo. Only…to arrive when he and Bella were praying. Euphoria was standing on a nearby tree trunk, looking down at the two as they had finished their prayer. "I hope you allow her to be reborn one day…as a gentle and kind spirit. Amen."
"For you to pray and forgive on such a level to a jinn…it is truly…remarkable." Euphoria whispered to herself.
Leo put his head against Bella's. "Bella…do-do you have any last words?" Leo asked with hesitation in his voice.
Bella leaned against a tree and looked at the beautiful night sky. "My father always kept telling me to kill you. I simply…couldn't ever bring myself to do it. Not until I knew fully that the man I came to care for, what the code that Euphoria had been looking for. Leo…I'm…I'm so sorry," Bella said with a shaky voice. "The least you could do…is make it quick…." Bella said sofly.
Leo stood over her and just looked at her. Bella closed her eyes, accepting her fate.
*****
Astor, Duce, and Leo's daughter all walked through the thick forest. "She doesn't talk much. To be frankly honest with you…we might need to even take her in." Duce said. Astor stopped in place and looked back at the young slayer. "I don't think…Leo would take that lightly. I do agree with you…but we need to get Leo…we need to get him to fight with us."
******
Creature stood up and began to sniff the air. "I can smell my original self in the town. We shall go there, woman!" It said in its deep voice. "What?! No, we should wait for-"
"I'm already here." Leo said as he approached the two.
"What happened with Bella?" Sasha asked.
"I killed her. She is no longer in this world." Leo said. Leo walked past the two and pointed ahead. Your other you is coming, creature. I'd wait here if I were you. I'll hurry and gather up everyone and finally…see my daughter."
******
Leo came flying in from above and landing right in front of Astor and Duce. He immediately locked eyes with his daughter and fell to his knees. "Sweetie…you're really…you really are alive." Leo said as tears formed in his eyes. His daughter ran into his arms and hugged him tightly. "Dad…I was so scared…dad, I-"
"Shh. Don't talk. I know…I know. I thought I lost you all this time!" Leo cried out loud. "If only…if only I hadn't been such an idiot!!"
Duce and Astor stood in the back. Euphoria was still watching from on top of the trees view. She watched as Leo held his daughter and embraced her. Euphoria gasped in surprise. A memory showed inside her mind. It was her, in her white Egyptian dress, a little girl who was in the same dress, and a woman with long beautiful hair in the same dress. The two swung the girl in between them as they walked down the golden street, with the beautiful blue sky and bright sun shining down on the three. Euphoria could hear nothing but laughter and joy from the three. Euphoria slapped her head and just stared off at the dark tree branch. "My…my child and…and…best friend?"
******
The sun was now beginning to rise. Everyone had got together and began to discuss what to do next.
Sasha had broke the news about Kevin's death. For a while, Leo wanted to be alone and sat alone until the sun had risen.
"Thank you for everything…brother." Leo quietly cried.
*****
A couple of hours had passed
"Leo…I must tell you what's been on my mind. I think it'll be wise if you came with-"
"The jinn slayers? Yeah, I've e thought about it. But I don't think k it would be safe for-" Leo turned around to see Sasha playing with his daughter.
"I don't think it's safe for me or my daughter. Also, Euphoria. I don't have anything against you two, but I can't trust your higher-ups or teammates for that matter." Leo explained.
Astor looked at Duce and shrugged his shoulders. "We won't force you…but I can't say my higher-ups won't be pleased with knowing this information." Astor explained.
Leo looked around to see Nina sleeping against the tree. "Look around you. I can't risk them trying to harm what we've got going. But I need to know something, Astor. I want you to tell me the truth."
"…lay it on me."
"You've been scared shitless since I've seen you. Care to explain why that is?"
There was a deep silence among the three. "Scared? Scared of what?!" Duce asked Astor.
Astor hesitated for a while and gulped hard. "Okay…I'll explain some of this stuff. The jinn slayers have been ordered to search for a boy and girl, not sure why the higher-ups want them or even the clans…but it's orders. Event been trying to track them down and we've found them probably a couple of times only, but the girl…she has a very powerful ability…an ability called: the eyes of god. I'm assuming that's one reason the higher-ups want her and the boy. The girl was here today…she was here. She threatened me…and I…I believe every word she said." Astor explained.
"What did she look like?" Leo asked.
Euphoria from above listened in close. As Astor opened his mouth the describe the girl. "She wears an eye-patch, has long blue hair, around 5'8 in height, wears a weird outfit that's blue-blackish, looks to be 16, and has a pretty smile."
Euphoria jumped down from her tree and grabbed Astor by his shirt to pull him in. "That girl…that's it!!!" Euphoria yelled as she began to laugh. (What the hell is happening?) Duce asked. Euphoria turned and faced Leo. "That girl…I understand just why their higher-ups want their hands on her! She's the one we're looking for. She's the one who caused this…mess." Euphoria explained.
"How do you know?" Duce asked.
"I've had many visions of such a woman in my dreams. The only difference from his description of her, was the fact that she's a girl…not a woman. Gives me all the information I need to know that she has the power to somehow still be alive today. That gives me proof she's definitely not a normal human. She may even be…a prime just like me."
Euphoria put her hand on her chin and began to think. "Me and Leo…will help you on your hunt. But we will not…be in contact with the jinn slayer higher-ups or their comrades. We will still do things our way, and only ask for your assistance once we find the girl."
"Yeah, we'll see how that goes." Astor said in a dry tone. (Euphoria still is a huge piece of the puzzle though. But…for now I'll allow it. These guys have my word.)
"In that case, it's about time you all get a move on, then. The jinn slayers are about to come and cleanse this town, rewriting what happened here and even erasing memories. We've already jammed singles so no one was able to contact anyone about the situation on the outside of town. We can even catch the people who're on the road trying to get away." Astor explained. Astor handed Leo a card. "Call me whenever you have a question or a lead on the girl. We have reason to believe they're not necessarily too far from the jinn corporation." Astor explained.
"Where are you guys located? I think me and Euphoria will most likely be able to find her."
"North Carolina. Give it a visit. For now…take care of yourself and the people whore at your side."
******
Once again…the Dark clan and Mighty clan's leaders decided to meet up. The leader of the dark clan: Sasha. She was a beautiful Native American woman. She had long black hair that dropped down to her waist, had two red marks of paint on the left side of her face, and wore an all-white outfit with diamonds around her fist.
On the other end of the table was the leader of the mighty clan: Harben.
Harben had yet to ever fully show himself. The only thing reversed was a pair of blue eyes. The rest of his body was surrounded by a thick energy too dark to see through.
"Beautiful as ever…Sasha."
"Thank you." She replied in her soft voice.
"Let's cut to the chase. I shall let you know…Malice is almost complete and ready to be unleashed into the world. The problem is…I wanted him to kill Lily. However, it seems like our little…roach has casted some sort of spell that has revived some of the dead, even her rewriting history itself!" Harben yelled as he slammed the table. "Not only that but, the ones who've been revived have no memory of her. The angles and us are smart to not tell anyone. Along with the other criminals of war who're still out there. Such as….Jinx for example. She's been off the radar and has even been spotted once. She hasn't told a soul." Sasha said.
"Yes, it is the smart thing to do. We don't know the consequences if Ahana is truly back. It's just not safe to let anyone who's been revived know the truth. And with that being said…we will use Malice to hunt down and eliminate her and Joey-"
"JOEY?!" Sasha gasped, her energy starting to show.
"The angels…aren't in their normal calm state. They're not telling us something. I have reason to believe that Joey and Ahana are fully in a contract with each other. Causing this rewrite to happen."
"Don't you know just what Joey is?! We can't have either of them running around! Ahana is one damn thing…but Joey also?! No, we need to send our best troops to kill them-"
"No. We don't want to start an all-out war with them. Besides, Ahana still possesses the eye of god. We aren't sure just who will receive the other eyes and the red eyes. But for now…it's clear who the main target should be. We need find mainly him. We need to find….Joey Castle."
******
A tall teenager stood among the crowd. He was 5'11, had blue eyes that nearly shined through his hair that was covering his face. Blond hair, and wore multi-pocket black pants with a black jacket that covered his face. He was on a very packed train, barley any room to move. The kid looked up at the tv. He squinted his eyes to see a man hiding within the crowd having large amounts of jinn energy.
"There's no way you don't see that, brother." A girl sitting down on the seat next to him. The girl stood up and began stretching her arm. "This eye-patch is so annoying. Whatever though…just another slayer for me to kill, huh?" Ahana said with a smile.
*****
Next Volume: The spiritual party massacre arc
Next chapter: In Hiding.