Chapter 67

Alanya walked up to stand within inches of Jack. He still had the sword pressed to his throat. "Get up!" He released the pressure of the sword enough for Jack to get to his feet. Alanya backed him into the wall.

Jack sneered and hit the sword, knocking it out of Alanya's hands. He shoved him back with his mind and took a step toward him. The force struck Jack, a full body blow that lifted him up off his feet, sent him flying backwards. His body slammed into the ground, and a thousand black stars spun inside his head.

"Jack!" yelled Brad and watched stupefied as his eyes rolled back in his head and his hands clawed at his throat while he choked for breath.

"You'll not beat me Jack," declared Alanya. "Not this time. You're weak. You're no match for me! You've neglected your powers for to long.

Sam struggled to sit up. Dean watched his brother fearfully, because he was unable to reach him. He was still pinned.

"SAM!" yelled Dean when a shocked cry escaped Sam's lips. He doubled over, the pain unbearable. Dean was released and ran to his brother's side.

"Hold on, just hold on," said Dean and swept him into his arms, fighting against the panic as he saw the pain on his baby brother's face.

"Stay there Sam," warned Alanya. Sam struggled against both pain and terror as he pressed his face into Dean's shoulders. Alanya turned back to Jack who could feel the dark pressing its edge, ice cold, blade sharp. He struggled against the pain, knowing, understanding one point. Today, right now, was the battle for all.

Brad, John, Jack and the others watched as fog closed around them, cold and full of whispers. It made Jack want to run. He could actually feel it, horrid little fingers tickling along his skin, almost teasing him.

Jack also heard Alanya laugh in his head, even though, he wasn't even grinning now. He winced as the demon started messing with his mind, the pain beginning to come full force.

Panic leaked through his shield of will as the fog crept hideously beneath his jeans. He looked. Now Alanya was grinning and he started hearing voices. He pushed them aside, his pulse racing. Jack walked to the center of the cave. Alanya let him pass and then followed. He threw the chair Brad had been sitting in, out of the way. He knew Brad had gotten loose, but he wasn't concerned about that. He'd deal with him and the others soon. He faced off with Jack, both turning with the other.

"It's not going to be that easy Alanya," said Jack. "I'm not going to let you have the ones I care about anymore. I'll protect them and I'll win."

"You'll loose," said Alanya simply. "You'll loose and I'll destroy every last one of them, leaving you for last. Let's see what you've got Jack."

It was getting dark in the cave and Jack needed light. Alanya had several candles placed around the cave. Jack opened his arms and every one of them burst into flames.

"Impressive," said Alanya. "I'm all giddy now." He said it sarcastically but inwardly he was a little nervous. Jack wasn't backing down. Not like before. He was facing him head on. Alanya grinned evilly and inwardly, Jack was praying that he would be strong enough. If not, his friends would die and he would be taken.

"You want the dark," said Jack. "I prefer the light." They both continued to turn, both careful to keep eye contact.

"You're mouth is bleeding Jack."

"You sucker punched me," replied Jack. Brad walked over to check on Sam and Dean. Both were as well as could be expected. He couldn't get to Bryan and Tony because of the bars of electricity but they looked ok, and John was still dangling in the air in the cage, but was keeping a very close eye on his boys as well as the others.

Jack wiped at the blood with the back of his hand. "I owe you one, you son of a bitch!" Alanya grinned evilly. "Then let's fight!"

"Sounds good to me," said Jack. He lifted his arms and called the thunder.

"Jack," said Brad nervously. "That's not right!"

"I know what I'm doing," hissed Jack.

"So do I," answered Brad.

"What?' asked Dean and Sam at the same time.

"He focusing all of Alanya's energy on him. He's pulling him away from us. He's going to get himself killed!"

"What are you talking about?" John was up on his knees again. Tony and Bryan just stared.

"He's preparing to sacrifice himself so Alanya will let us go!" said Brad.

"What!" yelled Tony. "JACK!" He jumped up and almost grabbed the bars but caught himself before he did.

"He's making himself the target!"

"Jack stop!" yelled Dean, but Jack didn't hear them anymore. He was totally focused on Alanya.

"This isn't going to happen Jack," yelled Dean. "Forget it!" He winced as the power began to build. Sam jumped to his feet suddenly angry.

"You're not going to sacrifice yourself for us Jack," he yelled frantically, but Jack couldn't hear him.

"Shit," yelled Brad. Around the cave light shone deep gold. The wind rose to a roar.

"Jack!" yelled Brad. "NO!"

Jack glared at the demon, his powers reaching crescendo level. The earth trembled beneath them. Suddenly Jack threw up his hands and said, "From fire I come, of fire I yearn, spark and flame and clearly burn. To purge this beast who hunts for blood, and from him shield all I have loved."

"NO!" yelled Brad but Jack continued.

"I am fire and he is me, as I will, so mote it be!"

Lightning flamed across the sky, spurned up from the ground. It roared in the air and sparkled like diamonds on the rain. The storm broke like a fury, spinning a whirlwind out from the clearing and through the woods.

Brad jumped up beside Jack and yelled, "From water I come." He spread his arms wide. "Of water I cry. Pour from the sea, flood from the sky, to wash clean this place of light, and protect it from the demon of night. I am water and he is me, as I will, so mote it be!"

Rain lashed out through the night. Jack came to himself and stared at Brad in shock. "What he hell?" Brad looked back at his friend and knew.

"Get back Brad!" yelled Jack and shoved him. He lost his concentration.

Alanya stepped up to Jack and snarled. Even as Jack moved forward, Brad stepped back up. Jack lifted his hand and he pulled down a sword. A wild blue light speared from the tip as Brad stepped in front of Jack.

"NO!" yelled Jack. A trickle of panic cut through his control, and the light around the clearing wavered.

"Get back Brad!" yelled Brad once again.

"NO! I know what you're doing! I'll go to hell with him before I let you sacrifice yourself!"

Jack stared at him even as Alanya stepped toward him. His panic receeded. His powers built from his heart and spread through his arm.

"I won't lose Brad!" said Jack. "I can't!"

"Yes you can," said Brad certain. Alanya screamed with greed. He knocked Brad back and faced off with Jack. Alanya took his sword and knocked Jack's out of his hand. He backed him up against the wall once again.

"You're trapped Jack," said Alanya greedily as Jack raised his hands, palms out and went still.

"Stand an be ripped to pieces!"

Jack shook his head, the confusion coming. He got dizzy and saw double. He looked at Alanya and saw two of him.