A/N: Good morning/afternoon/evening, fellow readers! I am back once again with a new chapter. Today is Sunday. but still, remember to be safe if you're out on protests and the pandemic. Sit back, grab some food, and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Killer Instinct belongs to Rare and Microsoft. Carrie belongs to Stephen King.

The Cyclades scattered across the Aegean Sea, close to the mainland of Greece. Among the archipelago was a small island covered in lush flora and rocky crags. Crystal clear water surrounded the island, which like most of the smaller ones, was deserted.

Like before, sparks of energy emerged around the coastline, expanding to a ball of light. The colors remained for a few seconds before it vanished, revealing Carrie and Kim.

"Where are we now?" Carrie asked.

"This island is where Aganos comes to mend from his battles with Kan-Ra." Yeo emerged from Kim in his dragon form. "He rests in a cavern he calls the Forgotten Grotto, where we'll find Tusk; even now, I sense his presence."

*"Watashi mo sōdesu," Hisako's voice added, startling Kim and Carrie, with the latter resting her hand on her chest.

"Stop scaring Care. Are you trying to give her a heart attack?" Kim said.

*"Kanojo wa genkidesu. Kyarī wa saishūtekini watashi ni narerudeshou."

Kim sighed through her nose, and the corners of her mouth drooped. A slight part of her regretted adding Hisako into the group, but it was crucial to have the Onryō's help.

"Come, everyone," Yeo said. "The Forgotten Grotto awaits us."

They ventured deeper into the island, where a forested terrain replaced the coastline. Scattered remains of ancient Greek columns littered the ground, with vines snaking around them. Birds chirped in the background with other wildlife remained hidden while continuing their routine.

"So, how did Tusk become a 'Watchman of the Gods'?" Carrie said. "I read some things about him from the tablet the Ultratech technicians gave us, but nothing else."

"10,000 years ago, when Gargos tried to invade Earth, Tusk fought against him until a vicious attack left him mortally wounded," Yeo said. "Upon death's door, the Ichoriens infused him with Shadow Energy, granting him immortality. They also gave him a powerful weapon. Upon his return to Earth, Tusk trounced Gargos, forcing the Shadow Lord to flee. Since then, he wandered the Earth, waiting to fulfill his task until he lost his memories.

"According to Hisako, Gargos sent Shadow Jago to attack Tusk with an Astral relic called the Oblivion Shard. Since Tusk couldn't be killed, having his memories taken away would give Gargos an advantage while he planned for the next invasion."

"Wait. Hisako, does this mean you were there? Why didn't you stop it?"

*"Shadō Jago kara no kishū wa doko karatomo naku umaremashita. Watashi ga dekiru saizen no koto wa, tasuku to kare no buki o kōri no dōkutsu de fūin suru kotodeshita."

"She said no one predicted the attack from Shadow Jago to happen," Yeo decoded. "The only thing she could do was seal Tusk and his weapon in an ice cave, allowing him to recover."

Carrie fell silent, recalling the story Jago told during their time in Lhasa, how Omen forced him to do things he didn't want to do. Could robbing Tusk's memories be one of those things?

The group continued their trek until they found an ancient temple, degraded by time. Doric columns remained tall without a flat base, topped with a smooth capital to meet a square abacus at the intersection. Behind the columns was a large, round hollow, leading to the unknown. As they approached the entrance, Hisako growled, gripping her weapon.

*"Mimikku o kanjimashita. Watashitachi wa sono dōkutsu no naka ni ikanakereba narimasen. Kiba ga arimasu."

"She says Tusk is in there, but we must tread with caution," Yeo interpreted. "A Mimic is nearby."

"A Mimic?" Carrie stepped back, remembering the stories from the Alliance whenever they returned from their missions.

"It'll be okay," Kim said. "Don't think of these Mimics as our friends because they imitate their image. Besides, you have powers, so if that Mimic tries to attack you, you can shove it off in the next dimension. Now let's go save Tusky before that Mimic does anything to him if he isn't aware by now."

Hisako scuttled into the walls while Kim and Carrie descended from the stairs, with Yeo providing light from the aura surrounding his body.

Kim almost lost her footing from one step but regained her balance.

*"Ashimoto ni ki o tsukete!" Hisako said.

"Thanks. Quick question: what's it like being a ghost?"

*"Watashi ga nandearu ka, matawa watashi ga nani ni naru ka o setsumei suru koto wa dekimasen."

While Hisako continued her scuttle, Kim scratched the back of her head and continued her descent with Carrie until they reached the end.

The sun's light shone into another cavern whose opening revealed the Mediterranean Sea, littered with ruined structures and statues of Greek designs. A small island was nearly submerged from a distance, and a bridge-like structure connecting to the mainland. The Mimic wasn't here, but someone else was.

A man stared at the sea while a slight breeze danced around his blonde hair, matching his beard. An elaborate set of tattoos littered his massive torso. A brown belt with a gold buckle and several pouches strapped to his back, and a baldric over the right shoulder.

He wore black, modern-looking cargo pants torn from the knees, a tattered green tartan, and a white sash around the waist. His fur-trimmed leather boots covered his feet while a leather vambrace—also trimmed with fur, covered his wrists. A greatsword plunged on the ground beside him. Runic markings obscured the blade and a carving of a wolf on the handle.

"Is that him?" Carrie asked.

"Yep," Kim said. "How should we convince him? We don't even know if he regained his memories."

"I can hear you from here," Tusk said, surprising the women, "and my memories are fine, though slightly foggy. Who are you? What business do you have with me?"

Kim stepped forward and cleared her throat. "Well, I am Kim Wu. As you know by now, there's an invasion happening, with Gargos leading the way. I—we plan on defeating the freak, and we need your help."

With his back facing the group, Tusk swiveled his head, examining Kim and Carrie. "You, facing Gargos? What can you do against a demigod? Also, why did you bring a child into the mix?"

"Let's get a few things straight! You weren't the only one saving the world from that thing's wrath. My ancestors have done the same, with help from the Dragon Spirit. To answer your second question, Carrie is seventeen, soon to be eighteen, by next year." Kim mumbled on the last three words. "She also has something special."

"I see nothing unusual to her. You might speak the truth about your ancestors, but you have yet to convince me. You and your friend should go home and hide."

"Why, you-!" Kim drew a deep breath, quelling the rising flames building inside her. Calm down. Don't let your anger overtake you, as Yeo said. "If you think I'll be hiding from Gargos, you have another thing coming. What will I do to prove to you I'm a warrior like you?"

A loud rumble shook the cavern as Carrie yelped and hid behind Kim, and Hisako growled. A Mimic Aganos appeared, carrying its rock club.

Oh, this is perfect! Kim switched to her combat stance. "Care, you know the routine."

Carrie headed towards several ruins lying on the shore.

*"Tasuke ga hitsuyōdesu ka?" Hisako asked.

"I can handle it, but if things go bad, you can jump in."

With a toothy smile, Hisako teleported from her spot and beside Carrie, waiting for that moment.

"I am the Mountain of Gargos!" Mimic Aganos avowed.

"Yeah? Well, even mountains crumble, big guy," Kim said.

The Mimic Aganos aimed its club at Kim, but she dodged. The golem hurled its club towards Kim, and though she evaded, it curled into a ball and barreled towards her.

Kim leaped over the golem and launched two thrusting kicks once it uncurled itself. She continued her assault, ending with a flying kick. Kim readied herself for another attack, but the Mimic caught her and planted its massive fist into her stomach before sending her away. Kim coughed as she grabbed her stomach.

The Mimic Aganos stuffed chunks of rock onto itself as a makeshift armor and formed two walls, leaving little room to maneuver. The Mimic charged after Kim, but she swung her nunchucks, fighting back. After being pushed back, the Mimic swung its enormous arms, striking her with each blow and landed a fearsome punch, sending her flying towards a wall.

Kim was semi-conscious as the Mimic approached her and lifted its foot. Before she braced herself for impact, the foot stopped inches towards her. The Mimic froze in place as if something stopped the golem from landing the blow. Was it Hisako? She didn't see the warped outlines around the Mimic.

"By the Gods!" Tusk yelled. Quickly, Kim glanced behind and discovered what stopped the Mimic.

Carrie extended her arm as she focused on the golem. She first slammed the Mimic onto the ceiling and then the ground before she hurled it out of the grotto. The Mimic skipped along the water before it crashed. She slid off from a ruin she perched and jogged towards Kim. With her powers, she lifted Kim to her knees.

"Are you okay?" she inquired.

"Yeah. Thanks for the save, although I'm sure Hisako would've done what you did, minus the influence part," Kim said.

Tusk approached the women, now carrying his sword with the blade resting on his shoulder. His blue eyes stared at Carrie, mentally eating his words. "You carry the heart of a shieldmaiden, Kim, but your friend intrigued me. Carrie, right? What are you?"

Before Carrie answered, a splash erupted from the water, grabbing everyone's attention. The Mimic Aganos has recovered from its fling and roared.

"Stand back, both of you. I shall face this beast."

"Oh no, don't think I'll let you hog all the glory!" Kim said. "Care, head to a safer area."

Carrie returned to her perch.

"Hisako, ready to jump in?"

The Onryō grinned as she teleported beside the young warrior.

The Mimic Aganos charged towards its enemies, with waves crashing into the shore. Once the golem reached land, it hurled both its stony and metal arms. Kim, Tusk, and Hisako evaded, with the latter striking with her bladed pole.

Though it swatted the Onryō away, the Mimic couldn't escape Tusk's assault, slashing away with his arcane blade. The Mimic swung its stony fist towards the immortal swordsman, but Tusk dodged, letting Kim deal the finishing blow with a flaming flying kick.

The golem staggered before it crashed into the water. Before it attacked again, thin streams of water wrapped around the golem's limbs, raising it to the sky. While it struggled, it glanced down to discover Carrie controlling the water. She spread her arms slowly, which the water streams stretched the limbs.

Carrie formed a ball of water and changed it into a thick spike. She drove the spike into the Mimic's midsection. The Mimic roared as Carrie tore off the golem's limbs. As the Mimic fell into the sea, it dissolved into a sickly cloud, leaving nothing but rocks, the same with the legs and arms. Carrie released the water and the boulders, allowing them to drop. Waves billowed into the shores, leaving Astral Gems. Carrie stared at the trio, who watched the scene in stunned silence.

"Whoa…Care, I didn't think you had it in ya." Kim snapped her fingers. "Dammit! I should've recorded that so I can prove to Jago and the others that you can do missions."

Hisako patted Kim's shoulder. *"Kimu, shinpaishinaide. Hoshō shimasu."

"As would I, as you and your friend earned my respect," Tusk said. "I'm still curious about what Carrie is. Is she a wit—?"

"No!" Kim tackled the swordsman as she straddled on his chest, covering his mouth and nose.

"What are you doing?" Carrie queried.

"Don't worry, he's fine, which reminds me. Care, can you check my bag if we brought any healing relics? It's at the base of the stairs. Yeo can heal most of us, but I want to be sure we have items as a backup plan, though I can't speak for Hisako."

"Okay."

Once Carrie traveled to the stairs and out of earshot, Kim removed her hands from Tusk's mouth and nose, allowing him to breathe.

"What was that for?" the immortal said.

"Call it woman's intuition," Kim replied. "You can't say that…word in front of Carrie, lest you risk harm to yourself."

Tusk furrowed his brows as he sat up. Kim straddled off him. "I don't understand. You said it."

"No, I said 'which' with the w-h-i-c-h. You were about to say 'witch' like sorceress or enchantress. I already had one friend whose head busted against a tree trunk when he said that word out of reaction when he met her. He was lucky not to have a concussion, a cracked skull, or a brain hemorrhage."

"Would Carrie had done worse?"

"Possibly yes, especially after watching what she did now."

"You should heed Kim's advice," a voice said. The greatsword gleamed as it floated into Tusk's hands, with the runes pulsating. "The power inside Carrie is unlike anything I sensed before. If left unchecked or to someone with little experience, it could cause frightening effects."

"Whoa! Did that sword just talk?" Kim asked.

"Yes," Tusk said. "Not only that, but Warg-gram can also show me visions; one of them involves you, though I'm unsure what it means. As for that tip, thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

"So, does that mean you'll join me in the fight against Gargos?"

"Although you've earned my respect, victory against Gargos means nothing to me. Now, be gone, so I can continue with my quest."

"You cannot be serious! You're so selfish!"

"There might be truth in your words, but I never asked to become an immortal. Gargos has something that I want, and I must attain it. Goodbye for now."

As Tusk departed, Carrie returned, but not without the two glancing at each other before heading their separate ways. "Kim, all the medic stuff is there. Is Tusk not coming with us?"

Yeo detached himself from Kim. "I'm afraid not."

Kim scoffed while she crossed her arms and pouted. "Geez, what's his problem?"

"He seems sad," Carrie said.

"How so?"

"When he passed by me, I sensed something deep, like he's carrying a lot on his shoulders. You might say it's because of his role, but I don't know. I can't explain it."

"Well, whatever funk he's going through, he should get over it. He can't stay moody forever."

"We'll see him again, but there are more pressing matters," Yeo said. "We must head to the Tiger Shrine. While you were trying to convince Tusk to join us, a vision came to me. Jago and Orchid have been captured."

A/N: Well, the recruitment didn't go well, but as one says, if you don't succeed, try again. For now, the stakes have risen, and a rescue mission is underway. Time for my brain to rest, and I'll see you later.

*Translations from Japanese:

*(So do I)

*(She'll be fine. Carrie will get used to me eventually.)

*(The surprise attack from Shadow Jago came out of nowhere. The best thing I could do was seal Tusk and his weapon in an ice cave where he could recover.)

*(I sensed a Mimic. You must go inside that cave. Tusk is there.)

*(Watch your step!)

*(Do you need my help?)

*(Don't worry, Kim. I'll vouch for you.)