A/N: Hello, I am back once again with a new chapter. It is also the first fight scene that I did, so hopefully, I did well. Anyway, enjoy it.
Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Killer Instinct or Carrie.
Grey clouds rolled across the sky, shading the Lhasa valley. As Carrie and Jago trekked on the kora, thunder rumbled. The monk's eye twitched as he studied the clouds.
"Is everything okay?" Carrie asked.
The monk squinted towards the blanketed sky, a soft rumble in his throat. "We should find shelter. A storm is coming."
They jogged on the trail as the rain sprinkled on them. Spotting a cave to the left, Carrie and Jago ducked inside. Now sheltered, the two watched the sprinkles turn into a torrent. The rumbling increased until the heavens roared, streaks of light blazing. Carrie jumped and covered her ears from the loud noise, whimpering. Jago led her away from the entrance, and they sat on the ground against the wall.
"You must not like storms," the monk remarked.
The girl shivered. "I imagine it's God out there, unleashing His wrath on the world."
"Yes, Vajrapani can be frightening in his works."
"Who?"
"Vajrapani is a bodhisattva that protects Buddha. As the Master of Unfathomable Mysteries, he upholds truth."
"Is he… an important figure in Buddhism?"
"Yes, he is. A storm arrived while training with my brothers when I was a boy. While darting for safety, something hot struck me and knocked me unconscious. When I awoke, I was in a hospital wing with bandages around my head. The nurse had informed me that a lightning bolt grazed me."
Carrie gasped as she covered her mouth and nose with her hands. "No!"
"It's true."
"Where did it strike you?"
Jago pointed towards the back of his head. "There. Though fortunate to have survived, the experience had affected me. To this day, I have lingering headaches. Most would go away on their own."
"I'm sorry to hear about that."
"Don't be. To be honest, I'm grateful for the experience."
"Really? Why?"
"Because it provided me with insight towards the path of enlightenment." Jago stared out into the rain as lightning flickered and thunder cracked. "After the incident, I was afraid to go outside. The Abbot told me it was a sign from Vajrapani. He mentioned that anyone who survived a lightning strike meant you were in his favor. My survival was proof that Vajrapani was protecting me.
"One day, while training and debating in the courtyard, another storm came. While my brothers fled for safety, I stayed back. The sky was pitch black, with bolts surging as the storm descended. My brothers were pleading for me to take cover, but I remained. I can still feel the thunder rumble through me. Though the lightning snapped through a chain, it never hit me."
Carrie observed the monk staring ahead as if lost in his memories. "What happened then?"
Stirred from his trip down memory lane, Jago shrugged. "Nothing. When it had ended, I headed to the temple. Since then, I train under any harsh weather, but not severe ones."
"Aren't you worried you might become ill from doing that?"
"I was aware of the risks, but it strengthened me. It was painful, but I'm grateful to Vajrapani for his strength and protection."
While shifting to a more comfortable position, Carrie recoiled. A rough part of the wall rubbed against the stab wound. She reached behind her back to massage it.
Jago narrowed his eyes. "You keep rubbing that spot on your back. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah." Carrie yawned and moved closer to him, much to his surprise. "What was it like inside the Tiger Shrine? It must've been peaceful."
"As peaceful as it gets. Every day, the echoes of the monks praying flowed through the halls. Any migrants wanting to escape from oppression were welcome. I miss those days."
They remained inside the cave, watching as lightning flickered across the sky. As time passed, Carrie's eyes fluttered, her eyelids growing heavier.
Jago blinked as Carrie slumped onto his lap, uncertain what to do. After a moment, the monk's eyes crinkled from the outer corners. He removed his outer zhen robe, creating a makeshift pillow. He cushioned her head while removing her from his lap. After that, Jago began his meditation to pass the time.
Night claimed the world as the storm stopped, its veil covering the valley. The clouds parted, revealing the glowing moon. The monk continued his meditation inside the cave when a groan reached his ears.
He opened his left eye, observing Carrie getting up. "Are you alright?"
"I need to use the bathroom. I won't go far."
The girl left the cave, wandering until she found a site lined with shrubs and rocks. She squatted and did her business when a fiery streak erupted inside her. As Carrie keeled over, something warm moved between her legs.
She brushed her fingers to the source, but her eyes bulged once brought to her face. Blood specks flooded her mind with memories, from her bullies to the Prayer Closet. Carrie clamped her hands over her ears and screamed. Once she stopped, the memories of her horrific past ceased. However, the pain inside her stomach lingered. She arose and headed back to the cave.
While taking deep breaths, Carrie staggered as the spasms blazed inside her until she stopped. She grabbed hold of a tree in support. Oh, it hurts!
"Aww, what's wrong?" a voice spoke in a low, nasally, and distorted tone from the wind.
Carrie squinted through the shadows, trying to find the source. "Who… who is there?"
"Poor little thing, alone and having your period. Are you lost?"
The girl hardened her eyes as she straightened herself, intent on not showing weakness. "No. I was returning to my friend."
"A friend, you say? How nice! Why don't I stay with you until your friend arrives? I can heal you from your pain."
Carrie couldn't help but feel on edge. Nothing about this… presence consoled her. "Who are you?"
The mystery voice gasped. "Oh, how rude of me! Allow me to introduce myself."
The ground distorted into a swirling pattern until a black portal surfaced. Something pulled itself from the ground with slender black arms and glowing fingers.
Carrie stumbled back as black wafts of clouds constructed a humanoid shape. A voltaic current painted its innards, heart, and veins.
The creature faced her while stretching out a pair of twenty-foot-long nebulous wings. Despite the flickering of its inner current, the being had no face. The entity touched its "face" as if sensing something was wrong. Its shoulders sagged as it reached back into the portal.
It pulled out a face resembling a broken statue of a demonic being. As the creature attached it, tiny tendrils edged their way around it. Once locked in, the stone eyes and mouth lit eerily like a jack-o'-lantern.
"Hmm. You must be Carrie. An honor to meet you," it greeted with a mocking bow.
Carrie trembled. It's a demon, the kind Mama warned me about! Goosebumps prickled her flesh as the air became cold. Her knees wobbled beneath her, and her legs threatened to give out. Any pain attacking her vanished, replaced by intense fear. "Who… what are you?"
"I am Omen, the Herald of the one true God." The entity cackled. "I've been around the world, preparing for my master's return."
The girl's eyes almost bulged from her face. "No, no! The Devil cannot take this world!"
"Oh, you humans are so small-minded. That pitiful and clumsy word doesn't capture all that he is. For your information, little one, I do not serve the 'Devil.' My god is older than whatever sort of pitiful myth you worship or fear."
"…What do you want?"
"Ahh, direct and to the point! I like that. Tell me, little one, did Jago tell you about us?"
"What do you mean?"
"Jago was my god's favorite until… he defected from us."
Carrie shook her head while Omen mimicked her. "What? N-no! T-That-that's not true!"
"N-no! That's not true!" he repeated in a high-pitched voice, swooning before chuckling. "I can't believe that coward left out key details. Oh, well. Since I require a new vessel, I've considered going after Jago's friends. Then, I heard about you."
Carrie straightened herself with trembling legs, shuffling back with each step, ready to run. "You… want me."
Omen chuckled with a hint of malice, sending chills down her spine. "Smart girl. The damage you have wrought to your home… oh, how exquisite! It makes Jago's look like child's play! That alone tells me you would make for a powerful host."
"I-I refuse to house Satan's disciples in my body! I'm one of God's children, not his!"
"A child of God? You?" Omen sneered behind the glowing stone mask. "Poor, stupid little girl-thing. Your God had forsaken you ages ago. He abandoned you when you destroyed your home. Can you hear their screams?" He turned his head. "They're calling for you, Carrie White! Even your mother is calling. Listen."
"You filthy little whore! I should've strangled you at birth!"
Her mother's voice brought the girl to her knees, trembling and pale. Soon, the speeches of the students and teachers that had died echoed around her. Each of them called out for help, her life, or revenge.
As she brought her hands to her ears, Carrie arose and sprinted. She needed to escape from the angry voices and the demon.
"They're calling for you, Carrie White!" Omen hollered and cackled. "You can run and hide, but they will always be with you! All the people that you have murdered! They're calling for you!"
The menstrual cramps dulled as Carrie's lungs spasmed with air, and her heart pounded. Every hair stood on its end as the skin on her face pulled tightly. Carrie ducked behind a cluster of stones, catching her breath.
He can't find me here. He can't— Carrie stiffened as a hot breath spread on the back of her neck. She closed her eyes and pressed her hands together.
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen."
The shadow creature stared at his prey, then cackled as he approached her.
The girl recited the prayer again. "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name-"
"Look at you." Omen scoffed behind her. "How pathetic, believing that you're safe by praying to a corpse. You'd be better off praying to Spinal. At least that foolish skeleton could move."
Carrie kept reciting her prayer, now in a louder voice. "OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME! THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD! FORGIVE OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE TRESPASS AGAINST US! LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL! AMEN! OUR FATHER-"
Omen tackled her to the ground, knocking the wind out of her. Carrie wriggled and screamed as Omen wrapped his clawed hands around her neck.
"Go on, scream," Omen taunted. "No one will save you."
Carrie struggled from Omen's grip until a shout reached her ears.
"ENDOKUKEN!"
A bright flash slammed into the demon's body, knocking it off her.
Carrie gasped and coughed as she massaged her sore neck. She sat up enough to see Jago rushing towards her.
"Carrie!" He crouched beside her. "Are you alright?"
"Thank-thank you, Jago." The girl coughed and inhaled more air. "H-How did you find me?"
"I can sense auras around the environment. How are you?"
"Okay, for now."
"Find somewhere to hide. I'll handle Omen."
Carrie nodded and hurried away, leaving him alone with the demon.
"Jago! My, my, my!" Omen said as the monk faced him. "It's good to see you… Father."
Jago bristled at the word. "Do NOT call me that, demon. You're nothing to me."
"Aww, is that how you would greet your son? You know what? You're right. I should use the appropriate term since you're the one that birthed me. Isn't that right… Mother?"
Jago's hand tightened into a fist. "What are you doing here? Do you plan to corrupt an innocent as you had with me?"
"What if I was? What are you going to do? Offer prayers and burn incense?"
The monk growled and shifted to a combat stance. He raised his hands, exposing his open palms while curling his fingers.
Omen spread his legs in a horse stance as he angled himself. The demon's fingers curled like claws while his hands rested by their sides. "That's right, Father. Come forward: Gargos and the Outer Gods are watching. Pay tribute to the Tiger Spirit and honor them through combat. Let violence be our hymn to them!"
The demon dashed toward Jago with raised claws. White lines trailed behind him as he leaped with his wings outstretched.
The monk swung his kora vajra sword, parrying the slash. Before he followed it with the next attack, Omen vanished. Jago scanned his surroundings, trying to sense the demon. Pivoting on his heel, he dodged to the side as Omen lunged from the shadows.
As Jago whirled his sword, the tip dug onto Omen's side. The demon growled after staggering back in pain while his eyes gleamed brighter.
"You'll pay for that!" Omen charged again. Jago raised his weapon to deflect the attack, but the demon out-sped him. The entity slashed him, leaving four marks on his chest.
Jago staggered as searing, hot pain raced in his chest. He recoiled while putting his hand on where the creature struck. A dark chuckle reached him as Omen produced three electrical orbs.
When Omen threw the first sphere, Jago evaded as it destroyed a nearby tree. The explosion sent wood splinters around the battlefield. Though some pelted the monk, the shards were harmless as Omen tossed another orb.
"ENDOKUKEN!" Jago threw a fireball of his own. Both spheres collided and exploded, creating a dense smoke wall.
Jago leaped behind a rock to shield himself from the third orb while the smoke lingered. However, he barely had time to react as the sphere demolished the boulder. The power thrust him from his hiding spot, hitting the ground with a roll.
The monk checked the spot where the orb struck. Only a smoking crater remained from the attack. Had I stayed there, I would've ended up like that boulder.
Quickly, Jago evaded an incoming orb as Omen hurled more. While avoiding the spheres, he pivoted on his foot and flew. His kick struck Omen's face as the demon staggered, grunting in pain. With quick movements, he landed more hits on his hated enemy.
Omen blocked the monk's next strike and kicked his stomach. As Jago doubled over, the demon grabbed him by the throat and lifted him.
"My turn." Omen formed an electrical gateway beneath them. Then, a white column of energy shot upward like a laser.
Jago screamed in agony as the energy burned his skin until it ended. He fell unconscious from the pain.
Omen laughed while tossing the smoking form of his opponent aside. He shifted his attention to Carrie, who hid behind a tree, watching the fight. The creature chuckled as he raised his hand, offering a little wave.
Carrie bolted a few feet when Omen landed on her.
"Now, where were we?" Omen whispered into her ear. Once again, the demon wrapped his hands around her neck.
The voices that surrounded Carrie earlier returned. Her vision blurred as the darkness consumed her from Omen's tightening grip. With the voices echoing louder, she wanted it to stop.
"HELP!" Carrie's cries echoed through Jago's mind.
The monk opened his eyes, groaning when he found Omen choking Carrie. Images flashed in his mind of the horrors Gargos had forced him to commit. The screams of his victims returned to haunt him. You may have stolen my innocence, demon. I won't let you do the same to this girl!
The monk closed his eyes while pushing himself up, chanting a Tibetan mantra. He recited the words until his eyes and body gleamed a brilliant gold. His tattoo markings shimmered as his injuries healed.
Jago arose and recited the Heart Sutra. With the chant filling the air, the sky darkened. Jago deepened his voice while advancing toward Omen and Carrie.
The demon recoiled as he raised his hands to block the light. However, the chant was the worst as he attempted to cover his ears. Omen spouted obscenities, shaking his head like a wild animal. Ignoring the creature, Jago kept chanting as the surrounding light brightened.
With an anguished cry, Omen created a portal, seeking to escape. "You filthy monk! You may have defeated me, but Gargos will come eventually. How long will you protect your friend when you learn of her sins? This isn't over, Father. We will meet again."
Once Omen departed, Jago finished his chant, and the air cleared. The golden light from him faded as everything returned to normal. Worried, he rushed towards the girl. "Carrie? Carrie? Are you alright?"
The girl groaned in response, her body shuddering.
While he examined her, he growled at the red handprints on Carrie's neck. His brows scrunched when he checked the spot where the demon fled. What had he meant by her sins? No matter. I can reflect on that later. Right now, I need to get help.
Jago hoisted Carrie on his back and jogged on a dirt trail. When he arrived at a forked road, he spotted two women hiking on the walkway. "Malā'īṁ māpha garnuhōs? Malā'ī timrō sahayōga cāhiyō. Kyārī dukhā'i ra hallā'um̐dai cha. (Excuse me? I need your help. Carrie is in pain and shaking)."*
The older woman gestured to a spot in the soft grass. "Usalā'ībhūmimā rākhnuhōs tāki hāmī unalā'ī jām̐cna sakchauṁ. (Place her on the ground so we can examine her)."*
Jago lowered the girl down as the woman placed her hand against Carrie's cheek.
*"Unī tātō mahasusa garchin. Choden, unakō nāḍī kastō cha? (She feels hot. Choden, how is her pulse)?" she asked her friend.
'Choden' pressed two fingers on Carrie's arm. *"Yō chiṭō cha. Kē tapā'īṅkō sāthīlā'ī kunai saṅkramita kaṭautī cha? (It's fast. Does your friend have any infected cuts)?"
*"Haina, yadyapi unī āphnō pīṭhamā ēka dāga ragirahēkā chan. (No, although she kept rubbing one spot on her back)," Jago said.
When Carrie weakly tapped his knee, she pointed towards her back. He gestured the spot to the women. Once they removed the two robes, the women gasped while Jago's eyes widened. A yellowish-green ring surrounded the ugly stab wound. Veins spread from the injury like plant roots.
*"Dhattērikā. Tapā'īkō sāthīlā'ī sēpṭisimiyā cha. Upacāra gari'ēna bhanē yō ghātaka huna sakcha. (Oh, no. Your friend has septicemia. It could be fatal if not treated)." Choden hoisted Carrie on her back. "Hāmī Chupzang Nunnery mā auṣadhi cha. Hāmī Abbess batā'una kē bhayō kē hunēcha. (We have medicine at the Chupzang Nunnery. We'll tell the Abbess what happened)."*
Jago pressed his hands together and bowed. As he followed the women, he paused when something triggered his senses. The monk shifted towards a trail behind him, narrowing his eyes. Once the nuns called to him, Jago glanced back before following them.
A silhouette scouted from the shadows, watching the four as they departed. "Foul sinners." The distorted voice crossed between a demon and a woman. "God will not spare them."
A/N: Well, that escalated quickly, and poor Carrie cannot catch a break. I'm going to let my brain rest, so I'll see you later.
Translations in Nepali
