Trash/low-level jinns. Jinns that aren't the smartest and cannot talk. They simply…just act.
Meduim-level jinns. They can talk, think, and sometimes…if near the power of high-levels, will possess objects or people. They also use spells and attacks.
High-level jinns. Very powerful jinns that usually require a strong slayer to handle or more than one to handle when fighting. These jinns have very powerful abilities and can cast spells known as "rituals."
Insane-/upper level jinns. Unless you're also an insane-level jinn slayer, run. Or if there are multiple high-levels. These jinns can evolve on a very high level when in combat. Before the great reset that Ahana placed, there were more than 10 insane-level jinns. There are only 3 on earth. Due to the large amounts of jinn energy that put Ahana's own energy to shame…there has been a large increase in the numbers of insane-level jinns. Now there were a total of 10 insane-level jinns. Because of the existence of Malice, a very powerful jinn who now rivals the very power that balances the world itself in terms of the natural order of jinn energy: The eye of god.
When a user of the golden eyes is born or formed into this world, it shifts the balance also. This is whay causes the decreased number of insane-level jinns in the world. The power of the eyes of god puts fear into the souls of the jinns. It's like if a predator was walking in the jungle, and everything went silent to avoid detection. That same sense applies in the spiritual world.
Malice wasn't the strongest jinn in the world, but very close on that level. And the closest one to Ahana. Before Malice had touched the ground itself…none of the insane-level jinns dared to step foot in America, where Ahana was located. Malice was an extreme-high-level jinn, very close to the insane-level. Due to his pure negative energy…he had acted as the predator that dared to stand against the other predator that ruled the jungle. Giving inspiration to the hiding predators around the world. This is why the count of insane-levels had jumped from 3 to 10.
There is only one jinn that's insane-level in America. But her energy isn't as dominant or terrifying as Malice's yet. Because she's in a deal with a man and a special kind of jinn.
Malice is now, by nature, acting as th new red-eyed user. He didn't own the eyes, but due to his power and physical distance from Ahana, the natural order had viewed him as a red-eyed user in a way.
*****
Thursday morning….
"Wake up already, man." Ahana sighed while she kicked Joey. "The hell?" He said as he rolled out of bed. "We going to school or what?" Ahana asked as she sucked on her lollipop. Joey smacked it out of her hand. "Too early for that, Ahana. And yes…we're going to school, but we're gonna be late. I want…to let you know…that you're not going to the spiritual party." Joey said.
Ahana tilted her head and gave Joey a confused look on her face. One eyebrow higher than the other. "I mean…okay." She said.
"Huh?" Joey sighed.
"It's fine. I was gonna go with Harvey, but if he doesn't wanna go then I won't argue. I'll just hang out with him!" Ahana said with a smile.
"No. You'll stay low and TRY to actually confirm if that woman is the cursed soldier."
"Yes, sir!" Ahana saluted in a joking way. "Ahana. Is this some game to you? Do you not understand the gravity of our situation?" Joey asked as he splashed cold water on his face from a water bottle. "I understand the gravity. A cursed soldier thing is cursing Harvey and the girl Mandy. So…what can we do? We should ask what it is the curse deal is."
"Yeah…we need to find Mandy." Joey added.
"I agree. You…should look for her at school." Ahana replied.
"Why me? Aren't you two in the same grade?"
"We are. But I think she'd trust you more than me. Besides…if I lay eyes on her again, I might just forget her and Harvey share a curse."
"Then you get to Harvey's room and wake him up. I need you two to investigate the area. Count on me to get information out of Mandy."
"And you can count on me to get you information on the woman." Ahana said confidently as she held out her fist for a fist-bump. Joey smirked as his sister. "Oh, what the hell." Joey sighed as he gave her a fist-bump.
******
"Tomorrow I'll be setting up camp near the spiritual party. I'm gonna need a crew. Mind if I already give you some of my picks?" Kai asked Obilisk.
"Go for it."
"Well…obviously imma go with the other legend. The white lightning. I'd also like to have Xavier, Wraith, Jackson, and the pup who didn't show up, Ghost."
"Ghost? Why would you want that maniac on your squad?!" Obilisk asked.
"It's simple. He's strong." Kai said with an excited smile.
"Hmph. Strength isn't the only thing that makes a team work. To be fair, I totally dislike your picks." Obilisk scolded.
"Why's that?!" Kai asked.
"For starters, you went with Xavier because of his strength an Wraith because of her unique abilities. Those two don't get along, as I've already told you about what happened at the meeting with those two."
"It's good drama, old man! Relax. If Xavier steps out of line…it'll be easy to fix him." Kai said as he began walking off. "Where are you going?" Obilisk asked him. Kai turned around to reveal his light blue eyes. "To find my team."
******
Lily sat in her room and drew a tree…a tree standing alone in a great big field of green beautiful grass. "Drawing again, loser?" Jackson asked as he barged into her room. "You can knock?"
"Nah, knocking is lame. Besides, your mother said it was fine. Where's Jodi?"
"I have no idea. Probably at school or something." Lily said.
"I see. What made yo draw a damn tree sitting in the middle of a field?"
"It represents peace and freedom. Freedom from the world itsel, society. The tree is the first being there in the open field. This tree…will go on to give birth to more trees in this pure and peaceful world. When that happens, more and more people won't have such negative energy when they enter this new world."
"Hmm…interesting." Jackson sighed. "I don't believe in a pure world. Wherever there is good, there will be bad. That's just the way it works in this life. But…I'd like to hold on to that belief of yours, Lily. You have a creative mind." Jackson said as he put his hand on Lily's head. "Stop that." Lily said in embarrassment. "Ahaha!! Let's get ready for school."
"Nah. Imma need you to come with me, Jack." Kai said as he was hanging upside down from Lily's window.
"Aauughhh!!!" Lily screams as she tossed her book at Kai, hitting him in the face and knocking him down.
Jackson put his head through her window and looked down to see no one. "Damn you're slow. Not what I was expecting." Kai sighed as he was now laying on Lily's bed, going through her books.
"Who the hell is this guy?!" Jackson asked as Lily tried to grab the book from Kai. "Hey, now…LITTLE GIRL STOP IT!!!" Kai yelled as Lily grabbed him by his locs and pulled him off the bed. Kai slapped her hand away an he bags fixing his hair immediately.
"She looks disgusting. I'd be damned to have that touching my hair." Kai said as he sprayed what looked to be oil on his hair.
"That's not gonna-"
"Oh, shut the hell up!" Kai spat. Kai took a deep breath and smiled. "I'm here for Jackson Price! The demon sword owner. I need to on my very special mission!" Kai said as he gave Jackson a thumbs up.
"I'll pass." Jackson said politely.
"Huh?!"
"Huh?!"
Kai and Lily gasped. "You wanna pass up on what seems like a fun mission?!" Lily asked.
"Lily…we don't even know this man. He just barged into your home and ask for you to join him-"
"Actually the window was wide open. Allowing strangers to know about your everyday life, you don't even know about the creep that looks up at your window every time you're home in th day time." Kai said as he perked up his chest and smiled.
"You think that's something to show off?!" Lily said in anger.
"Enough of this dumb talk. My name is Kai!! A student of Obilisk, asking a fellow slayer to help me on a mission. Your powers would be exceptional in the team I'm forming!" Kai explained.
"No thanks."
"Wraith is coming!" Kai lied. "Yeah, I'll go." Jackson quickly changed his mind and began packing his things.
"Aren't yo gonna ask me something, Kai?" Lily asked as she shake her legs in excitement.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah! Lily…would you…ask Jodi for me?"
"...…"
"...…."
"..."
"YOU DAMN IDIOOOOT!!!" Lily screamed as her energy flowed throughout the room.
"Ahahahahaha!!!! You've got some pretty nice energy, Lily!!" Kai laughed. "You can tag along! I can tell…you're strong and have a pure heart." Kai said as his tone shifted. Lily stopped and noticed Kai's face. Kai immediately put a smile back on and walked towards Lily's window. "Let's go get Jodi out of that school!" He said while giving them a thumbs-up.
******
Jodi was in class taking notes. He suddenly felt a powerful presence of jinn energy. One stronger than his own. Jodi quickly exited the class and ran outside to the football field. He could see a man leaning over and picking at the grass. "Exscuse me, but who're-"
"The name is Kai. Kai Willow! You must be…Jodi? Hah! You look nothing like I've been told! But damn, you sure do like to stand out, huh?" Kai asked as he was already behind Jodi and playing with his hair. (When did he-)
"Damn, man. You're hair…white hair? This is some cool stuff!!"
"Uhh…thanks?"
"Yeah, I know I suck at introductions! I'm a student of Obilisk. I'm forming a team to help me on my mission!" Kai said.
"Kai…I've heard of you. Is it true what they say about your jinn slayer ability?!"
"Depends on what you've heard!" Kai laughed. "This mission…it's either gonna be really easy or the fact we have to fight weak jinns the whole night. Are you in?"
(Jodi's not like Jackson or Lily. I believe he'll accept the offer, because he's him. A kind hearted guy.)
"If you truly need my help and if people's lives will be in danger, you can count on me brother."
"Sick." Kai said with a smirk.
******
"You're Mandy…right?" Joey asked as he stood behind her with his cafeteria food. "Uhh…yeah? Who doesn't know me?" She asked.
(I see why Ahana doesn't like her!)
"I'm Lucas. I'm Isabella's brother."
"Oh…you're related to that weirdo. What a shame…you're rather cute."
"Thanks, but I'm not here for flirting."
"Yeah, I bet. I always see yo walking with that red-haired girl. What is it you wanna talk about?" Mandy asked as she took a sip of water.
(This is gonna possibly blow my cover, but I don't think I need to worry, being that it's a public place.)
"Lately, I've been feeling…weird around my sister. She was going crazy…saying how you and her have…unusual power." Joey explained.
"I'm not sure what it is you mean. I think she's weird, so that'll explain-"
Joey pulled out a piece of paper, reading: "I know the jinn can listen to our conversation. It isn't showing itself anywhere, so I know it's safe for you to read."
Mandy's eyes lit up. (This guy….)
Joey quickly wrote again on another piece of paper. (Mandy, we're trying to free you of your curse. I need to know what it is! So we can possibly try to have you free from it!)
Mandy looked around and pulled out her own sheet of paper. (You won't like it, Lucas.)
Joey gave her a confused look and began writing. (Tell.)
Mandy closed her eyes for a moment and wrote down quickly. (Find a girl that goes by the name of…Isabella and…a boy named Lucas.)
Joey nearly fell out of chair. (I don't get it.) Joey thought. Joey wrote down again and quincly spun his paper around. (When did yo get cursed?!) he wrote.
(About last year) Mandy wrote.
Joey put down his pencil and just looked at the table. "What…the hell?…" he sighed. (This doesn't make sense. This is telling me that a jinn that was put here by the clan was sent here a year ago, cursing Mandy and Harvey, and somehow knowing we'd be here?! And somehow knowing what our names would be-
No. No…that's not it. Or it could be?)
Joey wrote something down again. (Do you know who the cursed or what the cursed soldier is?!)
(Yes and yes.) Mandy wrote.
(The least you could do…is tell me who the soldier is and what their plan is).
(The soldier…is a woman from my foster home. Me and Harvey's foster home/care center. I'm not sure on their plans…all I know is that they want lots of sacrifices for something….something big.)
Joey put down his paper and pulled Mandy in by her shirt. "Mandy, why…haven't you reported back to it?"
"Because I don't want to kill anyone-"
"Mandy…listen to me. You…your curse is about to be lifted. And you…need to run. RUN!!" Joey yelled as he pushed Mandy away.
"Wh-what's going to happen?!" Mandy asked as Joey ran towards the fire alarm. (I remember Ahana's other warning about the cursed soldiers. When a curse is lifted on them, the jinn can explode out of the cursed one's body, like a bomb! It won't kill anyone, but it'll cause everyone to wonder what the hell happened with Mandy!!)
Joey pulled the fire alarm and yelled loudly. "FIRE!!!!!"
******
Ahana and Harvey were sitting down on his bed, trying to figure out what to look for. Harvey's phone suddenly started going off. He flipped it over to see Mandy's name.
"Why is her name in your phone?!" Ahana asked.
"Relax, please. I'm sure it's her wanting to meet up-"
"And beat on you again?! No way!" Ahana snatched the phone and answered. "Listen, Mandy! I swear the next time you're alone, I'm gonna shove this phone so far-"
"Ahana, listen to me!!" Joey began. "I need you and Harvey to get out of there!! The curse is over! It knows! It knows about me and you!!! I need you an Harvey back at the hideout…NOW!!!"
Joey yelled as he hung up the phone.
"Ready to hang on tight to me and fly?" Ahana asked. Harvey's face turned red when asked the question. "Let'sjustgetthisoverwith!!" He said quickly.
Moments later, Ahana flew through his window, with Harvey hanging on tightly to Ahana, wrapping his legs around her. "Thisissodamnannoying!!!" He shouted.
******
Joey ran and ran, holding Mandy in his arms. (Everyone in the building evacuated before her explosion! The jinn is no longer connected to Mandy or Harvey. They're free!) Joey thought as he jumped building from building. "Mandy, you stay with me!! I'm gonna get Ahana to try and heal you!"
******
"Heal her." Joey said as he put Mandy on the table.
"Nah. She can die to be honest." Ahana sighed.
"I'm not asking you. I'm telling you to heal her-"
"Do you think I'm just something you point in a direction and shoot? Ahaha! You don't…want to try and boss me around again, Joey." Ahana said as she now put on a serious face. "Ahana…you're willing to let an innocent-"
"INNOCENT?! Ahahaha!!!" Ahana leaned against the wall and laughed. She immediately snapped out of it and looked straight at Joey. "Joey…don't piss me off."
"No. You don't piss ME off." Joey replied. "You're going to save her. Force or not." Joey threatened.
Harvey stepped in between the two and pushed them back. "Can you two just knock if off?! What's the matter with you?! Mandy and me were forced to be in a deal with the jinn or we would've died!! Anything she did to me, she had no choice because she was fighting for her life!! I chose to avoid Ahana to not gain information, making Mandy lash out because I was risking her life for a strangers life in her eyes!" Harvey fell to his knees and began to beg for Mandy's life.
"So, please…please don't let her die, Isabella!! Please!! Don't let Mandy die…." Harvey cried.
"Harvey…" Ahana said softly.
(What's with this relationship they've got? Ahana really does…listen to him.) Joey thought as he stood back and watched as Ahana held out her hand and closed her eyes. A yellow ball of light surrounded her hand as she slammed it onto Mandy's chest.
Mandy opened her eyes and gasped for air. Harvey ran over and hugged Mandy tightly in his arms. "Thank goodness…" Harvey cried quietly. Ahana stepped back and looked up at the ceiling with a bored expression on her face. "You can stop hugging the girl who literally beat you." Ahana said under her breath.
"Harvey…" Mandy said.
"Y-yes?!"
"Let…LET GO OF ME YOU PERVERT!!!" Mandy said as she shoved Harvey back. "You were touching me while I was knocked out?!"
"N-no. I'm not even strong enough to hold you. It was Joey who was touching you while you were unconscious!" Harvey said, pointing Joey out.
"The hell?" Joey said. "I don't touch you while you were unconscious. I literally just picked you up and-"
"SEE?!? HE DID TOUCH YOU!!!" Harvey yelled while pointing and jumping up.
"Oh…Joey, you carried me here?" Mandy asked.
"Yep." Joey sighed. Joey looked down to see Mandy using her hands to cover her mouth. "Joey…touched me." Mandy giggled.
"You've gotta be kidding me, man." Ahana sighed.
******
"I have reason to believe the cursed soldier is gonna go to the spiritual party for that reason." Joey said as he finished explaining. "It would make sense. Especially because it's going to be such a big party." Harvey said while adjusting his glasses. "So we're going off of what Mandy has said about it wanting souls?" Ahana asked.
"Yeah." Joey replied.
"I see. In that case, it sounds like you'll need help. So you can count me in-"
"I need you here safe and sound." Joey interrupted.
(So brave!) Mandy thought.
"Tsk. Joey, we don't know much about the enemy. You claim they were created by the clans, so why go alone?! We should fight together…as a team." Ahana said.
"She's isn't wrong, Joey. Who's to say you can handle it alone? We don't know how strong it is or anything-"
"I have my own ways of handling situations. Tomorrow night…stay here-the three of you. If I'm not back by midnight…then it means I'm dead and you shouldn't come looking for me."
Joey looked at the clock and saw the time. "Schools out already? That's right…I was supposed to meet with Rose. I'll be back tonight. In the meantime, you three stay here."
"Now's not th time to hangout with that stupid girl!" Ahana yelled. "How could you say something like that and just walk out?!" Ahana asked.
"Umm…is Rose the red-head?!" Mandy asked. (He should hangout with me instead…)
Joey put on a blue jacket. "It won't be long. I'll be right back…" Joey said as he shut the door.
*****
"You didn't come to school today. I was a little worried honestly. You also seem on edge about something. Are…you okay?" Rose asked while she walked beside Joey down the street.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just trying to figure out what I'm gonna do Friday night."
"I know what you could do." Rose said with a smile. "Let's go to the party!!" Rose said. "About that…I want you to stay home, Rose."
"Why? Is something wrong? Or it is that I've been annoying?"
"Neither. It's just…I've got a bad feeling about going to the party. Please promise…that you'll stay away. Please, Rose."
*******
"Ghost! It's been some time!l Kai laughed as he held out his hand. A rather small boy emerged from th shadows. He wore a long trench coat with black pants and a ghost mask. "I'm here to ask if you'd be down to go on another mission."
"Count me in, Kai." Ghost replied in a straight manner.
******
Night time
"Ready the ship." Malice ordered a servant. "Yes, sir." They replied. Malice sat down on his throne and waited. The old rusted door had opened up again, with Beta walking into the room. "Tomorrow night. Why leave now?" She asked.
"Because I wanna prep for the hunt. I'm looking for the girl, not Joey."
"Tsk. You really are hard headed. That proves why you ended up like this-"
Malice was now floating above Beta, with a blank expression on his face. "Question, Beta. After I slaughter Ahana and kidnap Joey…does the curse still stand? Or am I free?"
"The curse would break." Beta replied.
"Then I'd be very careful…of how you talk. Because who knows? I may just wanna hunt you next." Malice warned as the aircraft was now above his room.
"See you on the battlefield tomorrow, Beta." Malice chuckled as the roof of his room began to open up. Malice sat back down on his throne as it levitated into the air and onto the aircraft. "Let the hunt…begin."
******
Next chapter: The Petal bullets