***I'm so sorry about the delay. 2 chapters in one!! xo***
Yeah, come in, sir," Leo said, his voice dry and firm. Frustration simmered beneath the surface as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "What brings you here? Just checking in?"
Armstrong offered a brief smile as he stepped past Leo. In the cramped space of Leo's home, he loomed like a massive brown bear on two legs.
"Just checking on your research. Noticed anything strange lately?" Armstrong asked, pouring himself a glass of water.
(Thanks for asking?) Leo thought bitterly. "The research," he began, weighing his words. He decided to keep the truth to himself. "Nothing weird at all. Just been going around asking questions." He sighed.
Armstrong's gaze sharpened. "I see," he replied, his tone flat. "Well, that's too bad, huh? Your wife was great at cracking these odd little cases." He chuckled under his breath.
Leo's eye twitched. "My… wife. Yeah, you remember when she solved the case of the 'flying ship'?" A hint of life returned to his voice.
Armstrong burst into laughter, shaking the house. "Oh, how could I forget? Just a flock of drones controlled by teens. It was all over the news." He settled into the couch across from Leo. "Listen, Leo, I… I don't like liars. You know that?"
Leo tilted his head slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I went by the woman's house. I found her body lying on the floor."
A wave of sickness washed over Leo at those words. "B-body? Sir, what do you—"
"I didn't even get to the worst part, Leo. It looked as though half of her had been eaten
from the inside."
Leo stood up, reeling from the revelation. (Harvey? Dead? No, this must be a mistake. We were just with her yesterday…) He stopped, staring blankly at the wall. (The thing must've done this!)
"Did you call the police?!" Leo asked, his voice rising.
"We can't, Leo. I called the higher-ups at the company to handle the body. This is our protocol. Don't panic."
"Panic? An innocent woman was found eaten in her home! You won't even tell anyone? You're just going to keep it secret?!" Leo argued.
Armstrong smacked his lips in frustration. "Secrets? Leo, I need to know what you saw! All this is swept under the rug. That's when we come in. Sometimes, we have to get our hands dirty—hide things from the public."
Leo paced back and forth between the table and the couch. "Okay, so what happens next?" he asked.
"You find the thing that did this, and we call the government. This is beyond our jurisdiction. I want you to track it down and try to capture it."
Leo halted, fixated on the wall. He recalled Euphoria's words: "You didn't kill it when it was small?!"
"Animals… insects… oh, man," Leo said, shock dawning on him. He hurried around his house, practically scattering everything in his path.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Armstrong demanded, rising from the couch. "You need to communicate, Leo. What's the problem?"
Leo stopped, taking a deep breath. "The thing likes animals, okay? Tonight… you know how there's always an animal festival?"
Armstrong's expression shifted dramatically. "Get your crew out there. I'll send some of my best to assist you. We can't let this thing get any more animals—or possibly people."
******
It was night. Leo, Echo, and Sasha sat in a blacked-out truck, tension thick in the air.
"Look at the goats, guys!" Sasha exclaimed, pressing her face against the window.
"Stay focused, Sasha. This is serious," Echo scolded, his gaze fixed outside.
Sasha pulled back, her hands instinctively finding her thighs. "Sorry," she murmured, her voice tinged with sadness.
"What's the plan, Leo? You haven't said much," Echo pressed, frustration evident in his tone.
"Just keep an eye out," Leo replied dryly.
Echo shot him a piercing look. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. Just keep your eyes open," Leo snapped, his irritation palpable.
The two men exchanged intense glares, but before the silence could stretch, Sasha jumped between them, a smile breaking the tension. "Let's go out there! There's no point sitting in here while everyone else is possibly food!"
---
"I can't hit him! Damn it!" Sasha shouted, her thick curly hair flying as she ran her hands through it in frustration.
"I think my nephew aims better than you!" the clown jeered from his perch on a flimsy platform above a large tank of water. "Why don't you go get your mommy to throw the ball better?" he laughed, his voice dripping with mockery.
Nearby, people chuckled and whispered, and Sasha felt herself suffocating under their laughter. "Shut up, shut up, shut up…" she whispered to herself.
"Just one ball, please," Leo said to the attendant, cutting off the clown's taunts.
"Sir, you can have multiple—"
"Just one," Leo said, his cold stare silencing any further argument.
He grabbed the ball, focused on the red target, and with a swift throw, sent the clown tumbling into the water below.
---
Echo took a bite out of a chicken leg, the taste oddly familiar. "This tastes… funny," he muttered, closing his eyes as memories flooded back. (Reminds me of your cooking, Mom.)
He lifted the piece again but froze, the taste turning bitter. "D-damn it!" he exclaimed, his head dropping as tears threatened to spill. He buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed by the memories of shared meals and laughter.
---
"Thanks, Leo," Sasha said, clutching her giant stuffed panda as they walked together.
"No problem. I know what it's like to be teased," Leo replied.
Sasha glanced at him, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Leo… how do you handle the death of a loved one?"
Leo's expression grew serious. "You don't."
"Y-you don't?" she asked, shock evident in her voice.
"You just have to remember their love. Life is precious. I can't bring my family back, but I can hold onto the love they gave me. That love outweighs the pain. Life is valuable, not because we live, but because people love and value us," Leo said, his gaze fixed ahead.
"I've never thought of it that way. Thank you," Sasha replied, nodding appreciatively.
---
Suddenly, Echo's head snapped up, panic etched across his face. "No, no… something's not right!" He pulled out his gun, drawing startled glances from the crowd. "Sir, put the gun down!" a woman cried out.
Echo could hear whispers behind him. "Behind you!!!"
Chaos erupted as people screamed and were thrown around, panic spreading like wildfire. (I can't see with everyone in the way! It's here! It's messing with my head!) Echo ran toward the source of the terror, gun raised.
"DON'T PANIC!" he yelled, diving behind a table and flipping it over for cover. "I know you're here! Show yourself!"
Around him, confusion reigned as people scrambled to escape. Leo and Sasha exchanged a glance before sprinting toward the commotion.
---
"Go this way! You can get out!" Sasha urged a man and a little girl hiding nearby.
"Wh-what the hell is going on? What is that thing?" the man cried.
"I…I don't know," Sasha stammered.
---
Leo pulled Sasha over a fence, landing on the ground beside her. He spotted a man and a little girl hiding not far ahead. "I'm gonna go grab them." Sasha said as the two of them moved towards them. Sasha and Leo both crouched down to help the two.
"Leo…"
"What?" he asked, glancing back at her.
Sasha pointed behind him, her face pale with terror. Leo felt a hot breath on his neck and slowly turned to face a massive creature.
It towered above him, its skin a grotesque mix of reds and oranges, made from the flesh of long-dead animals and humans. Its teeth were white and sharp, a sinister contrast to its seven-foot frame, spiked back, and long, curling tentacles.
Sasha hyperventilated, her eyes wide with fear. "I-I—"
The creature opened its mouth, a gaping maw filled with jagged teeth.
"LEO!!!" Sasha screamed.
"Get back!" Leo shouted, diving for his bag just as the creature lunged. It grabbed him by the leg and flung him away like a rag doll.
---
"Why do you need this bag?" Echo demanded, his voice strained with urgency.
"We need to be prepared. This creature is larger than before. Research suggests it's consuming 50 to 70 thousand calories nightly. It's growing rapidly. If we don't stop it soon, it'll become too strong," Leo explained breathlessly, clutching the bag.
"And what's in that bag?" Echo pressed.
"A tool from a fellow associate that might give us a chance to take it down."
---
Before Leo had picked up Sasha and Echo, Euphoria nudged the thick rope with her nose. "This is what you'll use to subdue the creature. It's infused with a tiny amount of my jinn energy."
"Jinn energy?" Leo asked, confusion clouding his features.
"All beings have it. You'll learn more when you're ready. It's all about emotions," Euphoria explained, her voice steady.
As Leo picked up the rope, a spark of energy coursed through him. "But I must warn you. If someone without jinn energy touches it, they will explode. Only you should handle this. Or don't… I could care less about human lives," Euphoria added with a disinterested flick of her massive paw.
---
Sasha looked down to see the bag was gone. (Leo has it?!). She dashed toward the man and the girl. "Go this way! You should be able to escape!"
"What the hell is going on? What is that thing?" the man asked, panic rising in his voice.
"I… I don't know," Sasha replied, shaking.
---
Leo brandished the rope, watching as the creature halted, hissing at the sight of it. "You… have the code," it rumbled in a deep, terrifying voice.
"Don't know what you're talking about," Leo lied, adrenaline surging through him.
The creature tilted its head, a sinister grin spreading across its face. "You… are going to make an excellent meal!" it growled, dropping low and roaring, shaking the ground beneath Leo's feet.
Leo wrapped part of the rope around his right hand, steeling himself for the fight.
---
"You have three chances. Each strike will deplete your jinn energy. The rope carries a curse. One hit will kill anything with jinn energy, and it can break free from rituals," Euphoria had warned.
Rituals?" Leo had asked.
"You'll know when the time comes. But listen, Leo: don't waste a strike to save a life. It's either you save a few or many. You must take that creature down first."
Leo had scowled, frustration boiling beneath his surface. "Why can't you do this? Come with me!"
"I'm not at my peak power yet. For me to have a chance, I'd need to unlock my human form. Right now, I could injure it, but I'd be severely weakened," Euphoria replied.
Leo clenched his jaw, determination hardening in his eyes. "This might be our only shot. Euphoria, promise me you'll tell me everything."
"You have my word, Leo Starworth," she had said, lowering her head.
---
(Just three strikes. That's all I've got. I'll let it hit me… that'll give me the opening I need to touch it with the rope and kill it!) Leo thought as the massive creature arched onto its legs, leaping toward him.
(I can't survive that mouth! I have to take a strike now! While it's in the air!) Leo realized, pulling back and slapping the thick golden rope at the creature.
It twisted and turned, swiping at him with its claws. The impact sent Leo flying across the dirt road, smashing into the ground.
"LEO!!!" Sasha screamed, her voice filled with anguish.
As he fell, a smirk crept across Leo's face. "Gotcha…"
The creature's eyes widened, realizing too late that the rope was about to ensnare its leg. It shed its skin and leaped back a few yards.
(That's two strikes already. This thing is too fast for me, and my ribs… I think they're broken!)
Leo struggled to push himself off the ground, but his body wouldn't respond. He glanced around, seeing people trying to escape. "At least I can save them," he whispered to himself, determination flaring within.
The creature advanced, a sinister smile spreading across its grotesque face. "It's time to feast," it growled.
"Heh. Not a chance in hell," Leo spat, mustering his remaining strength to hurl the rope at the mass of bodies blocking the exit. People began to flee into the surrounding forest.
"That won't stop what's going to happen to you. This is the end, Leo," the creature hissed, lifting him off the ground as if he weighed nothing.
******
The creature squeezed Leo tightly in its massive hands, its grip like iron. (This is it, huh? This is how I go out?! I didn't even get the chance to find out everything—)
Suddenly, a bullet struck the creature in the eye, causing it to drop Leo with a deafening scream that nearly burst his eardrums. Leo hit the ground hard and rolled over to see Sasha and Echo, pistols drawn and aimed with fierce determination. The creature turned its fury toward them. "How dare you damage my face?!" it roared.
Dropping low, the creature launched all six spikes from its back at the two. Sasha instinctively pushed Echo to the ground, rolling out of the way as Echo fired two shots. The creature dodged both bullets and charged forward. "So, bullets hurt it? This can't be a jinn, right? That would explain why everyone saw it here," Leo muttered to himself, mentally noting the creature's weaknesses.
Echo squeezed off a few more shots before reloading. The creature leaped, swinging its body with its tentacles, drop-kicking Echo before grabbing him by the foot and tossing him toward Sasha. They crashed to the ground. "Is he going to be okay?!" Sasha asked, panic lacing her voice.
"He'll make it," Leo assured, gritting his teeth against the pain. "But we won't even be able to reach the car with that thing in our way. What even is it?!"
The creature suddenly halted. Leo, Sasha, and Echo's jaws dropped as it began to split open. A woman's face emerged from within, screaming in agony. "PlEAse… GIve It THe CODE!!!"
The creature closed its chest and laughed, a chilling sound. "You see what you've done? This is all your doing, Leo."
Sasha and Echo turned to Leo, confusion and fear etched on their faces. "Mind filling us in on what this thing is talking about?!" Echo demanded.
Leo hesitated. "I didn't think I'd have to say it, but I promise to explain next time."
"Next time?!" they shouted in unison.
"Sorry, but there probably won't be a next time! We can't—"
"Look behind him!" Leo interrupted, pointing urgently.
Sasha squinted into the darkness of the forest, spotting a flickering flame approaching. The creature turned its head. "Who's there?!"
A man emerged from the shadows, wearing a pirate-like hat, a long black trench coat, and tight black jeans. He brandished a sword made entirely of flames. "That man…" Leo breathed, "he… he has a massive amount of jinn energy!"
"Jinn energy?!" Sasha and Echo echoed, wide-eyed. "Okay, you really need to start talking!"
The creature let out a hiss. "Who are you?!" it demanded in an intimidating voice. The man continued walking slowly toward the group. "Me? No one important. They sent me and the other one because of unusual jinn energy readings. There's a lot happening around here. I'm a jinn slayer from the jinn slayer core. My name is ASTOR!!! AND I'M GONNA BURN YOU TO THE CORE!!!" His voice boomed with conviction.
******
**Betrayal**
The creature hissed, fury radiating from it. "A jinn slayer?! How could you possibly be out here?!"
"I don't want to explain all the details," Astor replied, a confident smile on his face. His sword shimmered with a fierce light, the heat emanating from it palpable. "I'm here from the jinn slayer core! We've detected strange readings and energy flows from this area. Looking at you, I can tell you aren't a jinn. Yet you possess incredible strength and jinn energy. You're a walking monster in the flesh!" Astor laughed, then turned serious as he looked at Leo, Sasha, and Echo. "Get out of here. Now."
The creature roared, its frustration palpable. "The code won't be going anywhere!" It unleashed its tentacles, ensnaring the three. Astor planted his feet firmly, gripping his sword with determination. *The one with the shattered ribs has a large amount of jinn energy. Could he be a jinn slayer? No, I would've been notified of him by now. He seems lost in what he can do with his energy. Is he actually… new to jinn energy? If that's the case, I need to figure out what this creature wants with him and who created it.*
Astor began charging flames at the soles of his feet, the air around him crackling with energy. The winds whipped around him, almost knocking Sasha back. "Last chance, creature! Let those three go, and I'll make your death quick!" he shouted over the chaos.
The creature roared defiantly in response. "Good!"
In the blink of an eye, Astor launched himself at the beast. "Jet Impact… KICK!!!" The collision sent a shockwave rippling through the area, knocking Leo, Sasha, and Echo back several yards.
"We have to leave, now!" Leo yelled, desperately scanning for the vehicle.
As they staggered away, the creature's eyes narrowed, fury mounting as it saw them escaping. "NOOOO!!!!!" it bellowed. It swung its fists and tentacles at Astor, who expertly parried the onslaught. Sparks and flames erupted as their attacks clashed, both combatants matching each other's incredible speed and power.
Astor grinned, recognizing the creature's skill. (A skilled fighter indeed. However, I won't let this monster escape!)
From behind, the creature opened its back and launched a smaller version of itself. (Go! Kill them!)
Astor jumped back and spun. "Blazing Strike!" He sliced through all of the tentacles with precision, but they regenerated almost instantly. *Fast regeneration ability. In that case, I'll burn the whole thing,* he thought, closing his eyes. The area turned gray, revealing all life forms glowing brightly. "Alright," he chuckled to himself.
Astor flew in and head-butted the creature into a nearby tree. The creature jumped back up and shot a spike at him. Astor barely managed to dodge as the spike grazed his face. The creature didn't let up; it charged at Astor while unleashing an endless barrage of spikes. Astor took a stance and a deep breath. "Flame Wall… BURST!!!" A colossal wall of flames erupted from the ground, shooting high into the sky. The area was now split in two. The creature and Astor took this moment to analyze and strategize their next moves.
(This man is no pushover. Easily a high-level jinn slayer. I'm through messing around. It's time to let the beast out!) the creature thought to itself.
On the other side of the wall, Astor crouched, focusing on the thick flames before him. (Not a jinn. But it would be on the high-level marker. This thing has a unique aura, almost like I'm fighting multiple beings. I need to find out who or what created this creature. And it mentioned something about a "code." I need to reach tha man before it does!)
Standing tall, Astor prepared for the next phase of his attack. "Time to turn up the heat! Flame Attack: Phenomenal Sun!" He burst through the wall, and the creature, caught off guard, swung a massive tree at him. Astor sliced through it effortlessly, then dashed behind the creature. "Shining Strike!"
The creature let out a piercing scream as fire seared its backside, spinning around to deliver a fierce punch. Astor ducked and countered with a knee to its stomach. The creature stumbled but quickly regained its footing, rearing back to strike with both fists. Astor braced himself, forcing his sword into the ground. "You're killing her, Astor," the creature taunted, a sinister grin spreading across its face.
Astor narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
The creature opened its chest again, revealing the woman inside. "If you kill me, you'll kill her," it cackled.
Astor's hat shadowed his eyes, but his lips twisted into a determined smirk. "One person… or many?"
Before the creature could utter another word, Astor flared all his remaining jinn energy, igniting the area in blinding flames. "Ritual: Nuclear—"
But a massive shadow loomed overhead, casting darkness over him like a faint mountain. "What… is that?" Astor gasped, disbelief washing over his features. A powerful roar reverberated through the ground beneath him.
Astor quickly raised his sword, slamming it into the thick ground.
******
Sasha wrapped tape around Leo's midsection. "So, are we going to a hospital or what?!" Echo asked, speeding down the dirt road.
"Are you crazy?! And explain what?" Leo winced, holding his side.
"We could say you fell or something. Look, man… you need to explain EVERYTHING to us!" Echo insisted.
Leo smacked his lips, about to respond when a deafening explosion echoed behind them. They turned to see a massive cloud of black smoke rising into the sky. "What the hell?!" Sasha screamed.
"You need to take me home, Echo! There's someone there who can explain everything and tell us what to do," Leo urged.
"Really?" Echo replied, surprise etched on his face.
"Yes, she'll tell you everything!" Leo insisted, urgency in his voice.
******
Echo pulled into Leo's driveway, urgency etched across his face. "You better be right about this, Leo!" he said, throwing open the door and rushing to help Leo out of the car. "We need to hurry and leave. This place won't be safe if that man loses to the monster." Sasha's voice trembled with fear.
Leo fumbled for his keys, his heart racing as he opened the door. He was taken aback to find Bella sitting on his couch, her face pale and worried. "H-how did you get in here?! Why are you here?!" he asked, rushing over to her.
Bella's hands trembled as she squeezed her pants tight around her knees. "I… I saw something and ran over as quick as I could," she stammered.
Leo turned to Sasha and Echo, concern flooding his expression. "Hey, man… can you—"
"Not now!" Leo interrupted, his voice sharp. He gently cupped Bella's face in his hands, searching her eyes. "Listen, there's some really weird stuff going on right now. I promise I'll explain everything, Bella. I have… an associate. She'll tell us what we need to know. She's… she's not from this world."
Bella's gaze flickered with confusion. "I know that… it sounds weird. But I need you to pack your stuff and get in my car. We need to run… fast." Leo began tearing open the couch cushions.
"Leo…" Sasha said softly, concern creeping into her voice.
Ignoring her, Leo pulled out a large stack of cash. "You all need to get on a plane and avoid this mess. It's me that it wants." He handed Echo and Sasha some money, desperation bleeding through his voice.
"Leo, please listen!" Sasha pleaded. Leo halted, slowly turning to meet her gaze.
"I have two questions, okay? One: how the hell are you moving around so well?! You have broken ribs!" Sasha's voice quivered with concern.
Echo stepped protectively in front of her, his eyes glistening with fear. "Leo… who the hell are you talking to? There's no one there, man."
"What do you mean? Bella is right here—" Leo turned, only to find Bella standing with both hands behind her back, a chilling smile stretching across her face. His heart plummeted.
"You… you're a—"
"That's right, Leo. I'm a jinn… and you've confirmed everything I needed to hear." Bella's voice dripped with malice.
Leo stumbled back, panic clawing at his throat. "RUN!" he shouted.
******
Leo opened his eyes, disoriented and tied to a chair, blood trickling down his forehead. Echo and Sasha were bound beside him, their expressions haunted. "You're finally awake!" Bella sang, her demeanor disturbingly cheerful.
"What… have you done?" Echo croaked, still coming to.
Bella responded with a vicious slap that nearly broke Echo's neck. Grabbing him by the hair, she leaned in. "I'll tell you when to speak, okay?"
"They can't hear you or see you!" Leo's voice was firm, but he felt the cold grip of dread.
Bella rolled her eyes, unfazed. "It's okay; I'm allowing them to see and hear me right now." She circled them like a predator stalking prey. "This… was very easy, Leo. For a man as smart as you, I thought this would take longer. It's really sad."
Grabbing a gun from beneath the kitchen cabinet, she faced Leo with a twisted smile. "You don't have to do this," he pleaded, desperation seeping into his voice.
"Ahaha, I don't? Oh, baby… Leo… you're the code. I have to kill you." Bella chuckled darkly, her eyes glinting with madness.
She turned her gaze to Sasha, who was trembling, tears streaming down her face. "See, this is the stuff I have to deal with. You always like someone else, Leo. Always. All. Of. The. Time." Bella's voice dripped with venom. "What's your name, woman?"
Sasha hesitated, her voice trembling. "Sasha."
"Basic name," Bella mocked.
"Isn't Bella also basic?" Sasha shot back, her defiance surprising even herself.
Bella smiled wickedly, raising her gun. "This has nothing to do with her!" Leo shouted, his heart racing.
"Oh, it does. You have memories, huh, Sasha? Memories of your past?" Bella's words were a dagger, piercing through the room's tension.
Sasha's eyes widened in horror. "What are you talking about?"
"It's getting worse. People from that small town are starting to get it. Just a small percentage for now," Bella said almost to herself, as if savoring the chaos.
"Just tell me… how the hell—"
Leo tried to ask.
"There's no need to ask. It's simple. I was given orders since the day I met you. When your wife was out of the picture, I made it my goal to get very close to you. That night when I was in the bathroom… I planted an audio recording device to hear everything. Everything was planned from the jump. I even know about Sasha at the restaurant, I know about Euphoria… the bitch who needs to die. I know every little thing. You have been caught. Now it's time to die."
(They still need Euphoria. If I were to die… she'd just go find another potential code. I'm safe, but I have to save my friends!)
Bella held the gun out, a twisted smile on her lips. "He's mine, Sasha. I'll make sure that pretty body and face of yours is cut up and eaten." Her finger hovered over the trigger.
"WAIT!" Leo screamed, desperation lacing his voice.
Bella didn't flinch, still fixated on Sasha, who was sobbing, visibly terrified. "I know where Euphoria is. She doesn't come out here. We have a secret meeting location whenever I need to see her," Leo lied, his heart pounding as he prayed it would buy them time.
Bella paused, the gun still aimed at Sasha. "Okay, Leo. Just in case, though." In a swift motion, she shot Echo in one of his knees.
"OH, GOD!!" Echo screamed, agony twisting his features.
"FUCK!!"
"Bella!!! I WILL TAKE YOU TO HER!!! STOP IT!!" Leo yelled, fury and fear mixing in his chest.
Bella's eyes flickered as she caught a glimpse of Leo's energy, the vibrant glow surrounding him. "Sorry. I… just couldn't help myself. I had to hear someone scream." A small smirk danced on her lips, chilling Leo to the bone.
(All that potential…yet…you still don't use it. What a shame, Leo.)
******
Sasha helped Echo limp toward the door, Leo pushing it open with Bella looming ominously behind them. He froze as a tall teenage boy stood in front of the entrance. "You must… be the one Astor was talking about," the boy said, a smooth confidence in his voice. His mid-fade black hair and piercing brown eyes gave him an air of danger.
Suddenly, a long snake wrapped around Bella's body. "A slayer?! Here?!" Bella screeched, panic breaking through her facade.
The boy pushed Leo aside, snapping his neck with a nonchalant flick of his wrist. "You need to start covering up the readings. Made me and Astor travel all the way down here… what a pain," he said, his voice cold.
"You've made a grave mistake, boy!" Bella hissed, breaking free from the snake's grip as she landed softly on the ground, rage igniting in her eyes.
"I'm outmatched and probably gonna die. Get out of here," the boy warned, his stance resolute.
Leo waved for Sasha and Echo to follow him. "Thank you," he murmured, gratitude mixed with fear as he cranked up the car and sped away.
"Boy, if you had any idea of what he is, you wouldn't even want to save him," Bella sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.
"My name is Duce. Pup of Astor," he replied, ignoring her taunts as he took a defensive stance.
"You can't win. Go home," Bella warned, her eyes narrowing.
"Can't do that. It's the reason—"
Without warning, Bella leaped through the roof of the house, her silhouette a fleeting shadow against the moonlight. Duce looked up, determination setting in. "Jinn… FALCON!!!"
(She's following them?!)
******
"Hurry up!" Sasha yelled, her voice laced with panic. "Driving as fast as I can! We need to get him to a hospital—"
"NO! Not with these things on our asses, Leo!" Echo shouted, clutching his knee, disbelief and anger flooding his voice. "She… she really shot me!?"
Leo gritted his teeth, holding his head with one hand in a mix of frustration and sorrow. "Damn it… she was… she was my best friend," he said, his voice cracking. "D-damn it!"
Suddenly, a loud thud reverberated through the car. "Huh?" Before they could react, a hand punched through the roof, fingers gripping Sarah's hair. In a split second, Echo lunged into his bag, pulling out a knife and slicing through Sarah's hair. Leo slammed on the gas, the engine roaring as he honked frantically, swerving to clear a path through the chaotic traffic.
"There are too many cars! You need to get off the highway!" Echo yelled, his panic rising.
"Yeah, I know!" Leo shouted back, weaving between vehicles, the tires screeching as he narrowly avoided collisions. A massive figure loomed behind them—Bella, relentless and vicious.
Duce soared above her, his expression grim. "I'd hate to put other lives at risk," he mused, his voice calm despite the chaos. "But… well, I'll make sure to get the innocent out." He closed his eyes, green jinn energy swirling around him. "Jinn… gorilla."
"I'm gonna rip your heart out and eat it before you go!" Bella taunted, her voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. Leo slammed on the brakes, but Bella wouldn't budge.
Suddenly, a massive gorilla crashed down in front of the car, its thunderous landing shaking the ground. Multiple vehicles swerved to avoid it, colliding with deafening crashes. The gorilla leaped, tackling Bella off the car, both of them tumbling onto the highway in a cloud of dust and debris.
"Run! Now!" Leo shouted, helping Echo out of the car. A panicked crowd surged up the street, people screaming and scrambling for safety. Unbeknownst to them, an explosion erupted a few yards back, sending debris flying through the air.
Bella and the gorilla continued their violent struggle, the ground quaking beneath them. Bella hurled the massive ape into a nearby car, the impact resulting in another explosion that lit up the night sky. The gorilla, unfazed, lifted the smashed vehicle over its head and launched it at Bella. With a flick of her impossibly long nails, she sliced through the car like it was paper, metal shards flying in all directions.
Duce landed behind her, gripping a long staff. "What a boring jinn weapon. You've managed to cause a bit of fuss for people trying to see their families," Bella laughed, her confidence radiating.
"You talk too much," Duce replied tersely.
"Do I? Tell that to the 47 people that are dead." Bella chuckled, a chilling sound.
"YOU CAUSED THIS!! Surrender now, and I will make your death quick!" Duce yelled, desperation creeping into his voice.
The tension in the air thickened as Leo, Sasha, and Echo sprinted up the road. "Take this right to get off the highway. The tower is just around the corner. We can stay there for the night," Leo urged, his breath coming in ragged gasps as they charged up a hill.
"CODE!!!" a deep voice roared, echoing through the chaos.
The creature leaped from the massive trees surrounding the area, landing with a ground-shaking thud in front of them. "Damn it!" Sasha yelled, fear flooding her voice.
Without hesitation, the creature swiped at Leo, sending him crashing against a tree with a sickening thud. "LEO!!!" Echo screamed, panic surging through him.
Leo's vision blurred, the world spinning around him as he struggled to focus on Echo, who was now in the creature's grasp. "No… no," Leo whispered, feeling a surge of desperation.
Just then, a voice echoed in his mind. (Leo, I know I have a lot to explain… but if I do this, you have to—)
"You've been running and hiding all this time, Euphoria! Just shut up! Let me handle this!" Leo snapped, the tension in his voice palpable. Sasha, Echo, and even the creature turned their attention to him, surprise etched across their faces.
Leo's red and black jinn energy flared to life, illuminating the darkness around him. "Just… stay away from us. Leave. Us. ALONE!!!" he bellowed, charging towards the creature. The beast barely had time to react as Leo's fist connected with its face, sending it hurtling through the shadows.
Sasha and Echo exchanged wide-eyed glances. "Oh, shit!" they both exclaimed in unison.
******
Duce and the gorilla fought against Bella, their attacks growing more desperate. Bella danced around them, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Is this really… the best you can do?" she taunted, landing a powerful kick on Duce that sent him staggering back.
He planted his feet, gritting his teeth. "Jinn sn—" But before he could finish, a white line sliced through the air, narrowly missing him. The line cleaved through everything in its path, leaving destruction and chaos behind. Screams filled the air as blood spilled onto the busy highway.
"Damn it. I'll have to really utilize my powers," Duce thought, his mind racing. (If one animal dies… I can't use them again. I need to get everyone out of this area while trying to keep her contained. What a pain in the ass. Astor hasn't shown any signs of helping or energy output. Was he defeated?)
"Dreaming of your death? How about I cut that heart out? It'll be over fast, slayer," Bella jeered, stalking closer.
Duce took a step back, his thoughts racing. (I can't beat her. My objective is to save the people and transport them out of here. In that case…)
With a wave of his hand, he summoned a massive snake that coiled around both him and Bella, obscuring their view. (The snake is swallowing people right now! I'll be able to transport everyone and get away. I'll die if I keep—)
Bella leaped into the air, aiming for Duce. He crouched low, preparing himself. "Jinn frogs… million!" Duce shouted, and an overwhelming chorus of croaks filled the air as hundreds of frogs swarmed around Bella.
She merely looked down, a bored expression crossing her face. (He's trying to run away. I'll let him walk… I need Leo and his little friends. I'll wait for him to save the people and get out. When a jinn slayer knows their back is against the wall, they won't attack. Hell, I bet I could even—)
Bella turned, ready to walk away. But Duce, crouched low with his staff, called out, "Blade!" The staff transformed, extending into a spear that glinted menacingly in the dim light.
In an instant, he jabbed the spear into her throat.
******
Leo unlocked the tower's doors and hurried Sasha and Echo inside. They collapsed onto the floor of the waiting lobby, adrenaline still pumping through their veins. In the corner, water bottles and snacks beckoned, but Echo hurried over to devour them, hands trembling.
Leo rubbed his forehead, peering through the window into the dark woods. "She will come for us. So will the creature. We have two options: 1. We hide. 2. We strategize and fight."
A series of claws scratched against the floor, and Leo turned to see a breathtaking figure. "Euphoria," he breathed, relief flooding his voice. He extended a trembling hand, almost in disbelief. "You… have to tell me what I can do here. I know you want me to strike some deal! Tell me what I can do to stop all this."
Euphoria licked her paw, then sat down gracefully. Sasha and Echo stared in awe, unable to look away. "They can see me?" Euphoria asked, her voice laced with surprise.
Leo turned to find Sasha and Echo gazing in amazement. Euphoria pressed her wings against her body, almost as if trying to conceal herself. Sasha approached slowly, her voice soft. "You're so beautiful."
Euphoria tilted her head, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Thank you…but do not touch me without permission again, or I'll have to eat your soul, okay?" She snorted, brushing past Sasha, giving her a gentle bump with her head.
"These jinns you're dealing with are special. They even allowed these two to see other jinns, despite not being cursed," Euphoria said, her tone shifting to something more serious.
"Hey, you need to explain everything," Echo pressed, his voice tinged with urgency.
"I don't have to do anything, boy," Euphoria replied, her eyes narrowing as she scolded him.
Echo looked around, bewildered. "Boy? Euphoria, do you have any idea who you're talking to?!" he exclaimed, pulling out his gun.
"Pull that trigger, and I will hang you with your stomach split wide open!" Euphoria roared, her voice echoing through the lobby.
"Let's just calm down," Leo interjected, trying to diffuse the tension.
Euphoria sat down, clearing her throat. "I will explain everything. Only in full detail. And only once. Let's talk about this 'code' that our enemies want, yes?"
Next chapter: The Weapon.
In 3 days! (Actually)