A/N: Hello, I am back once again with another chapter. I may go through a Chapter Four situation with this one, but I hope not, so enjoy.
Update: a small expansion has been added in regards to this chapter.
Disclaimer: *Putting up a sign that says I do not own Killer Instinct nor Carrie.*
Two weeks have passed since Carrie's stay at the hospital. Upon her release, Jago had received a list of medications for the girl. One doctor had called the Kyichu Hotel manager to give them a place to stay.
On one beautiful morning, Carrie awoke. She checked the cot on the floor where Jago slept, only to find it empty. Where was he? Before going into panic mode, she found a note sitting on the wood drawer. Once she grabbed it, Carrie unfolded the letter and read.
'Stepped out to do errands. I will be back soon.
-Jago'
Relaxed, Carrie shifted towards the nearby window. The sun's light reflected off the glass, spilling into the room. Part of her wanted to stay in bed. However, a funky odor hit her nose as her face blanched.
Oh God, I haven't had a bath in a while.
Slowly sitting up, Carrie yawned, stretching out her arms. While rubbing her eyes, she arose and headed to the washroom.
Inside were two ceramic sinks on a desk. A bathtub sat against the wall with fresh rolled-up towels. On the desk, Carrie found a picture depicting a man on a boat surrounded by the ocean. Studying the canvas, she imagined herself as that person, facing the waves.
Shuddering, Carrie turned away from the picture and switched the faucet on. As water filled the tub, she adorned the edge with a washcloth and soap from the desk. Once the water reached halfway, Carrie shut off the valve and removed her clothing. She put her foot in to test the temperature. Contented, she slipped into the tub.
Carrie relished the moment as she washed. With a quick splash to her face, she wiped her eyes. When she opened them, Carrie froze while staring into her reflection. The water was a crimson red.
Carrie leapt out of the tub with a startled yell, checking her body. There's no blood on me. Is it my period again? Carrie checked the water as she approached the tub. The crimson coloring was gone. But... I thought... She pinched the bridge of her nose. It's all in your head.
With the moment ruined, Carrie unplugged the drain and grabbed a towel. While drying herself, she glanced at a mirror when she jumped back.
Margaret stared back from the glass, her eyes cold and lifeless. "What are you still doing with him? He's a sinner!"
Carrie stepped back. "No, Mama, Jago saved me!"
"He's not saving you. He's trying to infect you with his sin. First comes the blood, then the boys-"
"Stop it-"
"He'll take you, little girl, the same way your father took me!"
"STOP!" Carrie clamped her hands over her ears, screaming as the mirror cracked.
The girl trembled as she crumbled to the floor. She wanted to end these nightmares, to this perpetual torment. A soft door knock reached her ears while she lay on the floor, wearing only a towel.
"Carrie?" Jago called from the other side. "Carrie, are you alright in there?"
"...Help..." Carrie said in a tiny voice.
The door opened as Jago approached her. "What happened?"
Carrie sniffled. "...I didn't mean... the mirror..."
While the frightened girl sobbed, Jago shifted towards the cracked mirror. His eyes narrowed as he traced his fingers on the cracks.
What on earth happened? Has Omen returned to harass Carrie? The monk didn't sense any presence, let alone that evil shade. Carrie might've lived a hard life from the pieces he had gathered. However, he couldn't get a proper sense of what had happened.
Suicide was off the table since there were no cuts on Carrie. However, she might have some unknown mental disorder. The condition of the washroom puzzled him. Aside from the mirror, everything was intact.
Hearing a whimper, the monk's eyes softened as the tiny girl shivered. He'll question her later. He had to get her out.
Jago grabbed a housecoat hanging on the door. He kneeled and held it out. "Here."
Upon seeing the housecoat, Carrie glanced down at her form. Her face turning red, she grabbed the robe and covered herself.
As he got up, Jago bowed his head. "I'll let myself out so you can get dressed." As he closed the door behind him, the monk reflected on this situation. What am I dealing with here?
After notifying the staff of the mirror, they departed from the hotel. The brief stroll around town brought them to a park with a fountain in the center. Colors from the setting sun gave the place a sparkling quality.
Carrie and Jago stared out at the horizon as they arrived at a lake. Their eyes were lost in the colorful hues.
"How are you?" Jago asked.
Sighing, the girl shrugged. "Okay, I guess."
"Is something troubling you? I sense you're at unease."
Carrie fidgeted, debating over what to tell him. "I can't help thinking about the night when that... thing attacked us." She sensed Jago's form tensing. "Mama told me about there being demons, but I never thought that I'd see one."
Jago folded his arms, nodding sympathetically. "Omen is a dangerous being. One of many."
"He said awful things to me." Carrie stared into the dark water. "Horrible things. Mama taught me to never trust a demon's words, but I can't help wondering..."
"About what?"
The young girl swallowed. "He... he said that... that you were a follower of his master's. I still refuse to believe it, but is it true?"
The air became still as Jago was silent. Another beat and he remained still, looking troubled.
Closing his eyes, Jago drew a deep breath and let out a deep, weary sigh. His shoulders sagged in resignation.
"It was," he said as Carrie stared, her heart racing. While shifting towards the lake, Jago stared at his reflection in the water. "Long ago, I endured a sparring match at the Tiger Shrine. At that time, an evil spirit possessed my opponent. He attacked me with murderous intent, and I killed him. I became a hermit to atone for this sin, retreating to a mountain cave. While turning my thoughts inward, a deity called the Tiger Spirit visited me.
"It told me to destroy a corporation called Ultratech. They were hosting a fighting tournament. I accepted the mission, despite not knowing why it was necessary. Before leaving, the Tiger Spirit infused me with tremendous power. I was a fierce competitor, but an unnerving chill grew within me. In one match, I was against a powerful fighter named Orchid. The Tiger Spirit wanted me to kill her, but I refused."
"Why did this Tiger Spirit want you to murder her?" Carrie asked.
"I asked myself that same question. After the tournament, I returned to the temple, only to find it abandoned. I mused on the growing anger until I learned the truth too late. The Tiger Spirit was an illusion, a tool created by Gargos. As a result, I wrecked the temple and endured a crisis of faith. I sought strong opponents to purge the evil within me, but it didn't work. Omen possessed me, forcing me to feed energy to Gargos, murdering..." Jago paused as tears threatened to leave him.
Carrie gripped his hand with her own, sensing what Jago endured.
He calmed himself to continue. "I mustered enough strength and freed myself from the corruption, but Omen escaped. I vowed to destroy that demon. Even then, the memories of those innocent lives haunt me."
Still holding onto Jago's hand, Carrie viewed the setting sun. The story reminded her of the destruction she unleashed in Chamberlain. "The aura that surrounded you at the fight... was it from Gargos?"
"Somewhat, but mixed with the energy drawn from my soul," Jago said. "I worry this power might corrupt me again, forcing me to train harder."
"You must've suffered so much, but you were a victim. Gargos may have taken away your faith, but they can't take away your heart."
Jago stared at his reflection in the water, musing on Carrie's words. Then, the image shifted to a man with pale-blue skin and gleaming eyes. Though rattled, Jago reminded himself that he was not that monster. "Are you ready to go?"
Carrie nodded, and they headed to the Kyichu Hotel. They stayed in Lhasa for three more days until they traveled to the Tiger Shrine.
The sun rose, casting its light on the land of snow. Jago told Carrie to fetch water from the lake at the mountain's base. She grabbed a shoulder yoke with two wooden buckets. She crossed the bridge and approached a path leading to the basin.
Carrie scanned her surroundings before she summoned her powers, floating to the lake. While untying the buckets, she spotted strange rocks climbing towards the shrine. Carrie found it odd, but at closer inspection, her eyes widened. The "climbing rocks" was a creature!
Oh no, I have to reach Jago!
Jago chanted a prayer when he sensed a disturbance. He scanned the shrine until something whacked him. As he recovered, he discovered what struck him: a stone golem. Vines and bushes surrounded its body with some features in rusted bronze.
Without warning, the golem tucked itself and bowled towards Jago. Quickly, he dodged the creature and chucked a fireball. The golem flicked the fiery sphere and removed a large rock from its body. It crushed the rock into smaller pieces and hurled them towards Jago. While he evaded the stones, the golem produced a wall to surround themselves. The wall caught Jago off guard until the golem punched him into a pillar.
Jago recovered enough to spot the golem lifting its foot. Once he slid away, he assailed the golem and slammed a fireball in its center. The barrier cracked, syncing with the golem's fall.
The wall... it will crumble by defeating this creature. Jago attacked, but the golem slapped him, the force resembling a truck. The golem slammed the ground, sending a wave of rocks towards its opponent. He dodged most of the stones, but a few pelted him, leaving cuts on his body. After storing stones into its body, the golem moved for a punch.
Jago slid under the golem and attacked, but it slapped him and swung a punch. He grabbed its arm and threw the creature to the ground. The temple rattled as the barrier surrounding the fighters fell to pieces. Jago withdrew as the golem gripped its head. That's strange. Is this creature in pain?
Still, he didn't lower his guard as the golem charged towards him. Jago slid under the golem again and launched a flying roundhouse kick from behind. With the golem off-balance, he carried out his assault. Then, lacing his fist with gold energy, he unleashed his rising uppercut. His fist struck the golem's chin as both arose in the air.
Jago landed with grace while the temple quaked again from the golem's landing. He approached the golem with caution, adrenaline rushing through his bloodstream. He spotted a black device on its brow until something grabbed him.
The golem awoke, molded a rock club, and struck Jago. He crashed into the wall and the floor but arose on all fours.
"Please, let me help you." Jago winced as he grabbed his side. The golem rolled into a ball and barreled towards the monk. He braced himself for the impact, but it never came. As he opened his eyes, a quick gasp escaped him. The golem stopped but still kept spinning. He sensed a surge of power and tracked it, leading him to the entrance.
Carrie focused on the golem with both arms extended. The unseen energy seeped into the temple, lifting several items. As she moved in front of Jago, she unraveled the golem while raising it.
"YOU WILL NOT HURT HIM!" Carrie shoved at the unseeable force, and the golem went flying. As the danger passed, she dropped her arms, along with the items. Exhausted, Carrie shifted her attention towards a shocked Jago. She swayed and fell before explaining herself, but Jago caught her.
Not forgetting about her condition, he placed two fingers against her neck. A faint pulse throbbed beneath them. Thank Buddha. She's alive. Jago scanned the temple, which was more damaged than before. He shifted his attention to the unconscious Carrie and carried her away. That power... Carrie, what are you?
Workers performed long hours at the Ultratech Science Department in New York. A radio played Counting Stars to pass the time. A scientist was on a computer when beeps echoed, showing the world with ripples.
"Hey, Carol, come over here," he said as Professor Grady arrived. "The sensors found psychic intensity from the Himalayas."
"What's the data on this one?" Professor Grady asked. Her colleague typed on the keyboard, and another screen showed fitful wavy rows. She headed to her desk and returned with a folder. "Remember when ARIA sent a team to study the psychic strength in Maine? An energy spike lingered at the ruins and the school." Professor Grady opened her folder and pulled several pieces of paper. One of them contained a series of fitful wavy lines. "Do you spot something familiar?"
Her associate studied the wavy lines between the paper and the screen. "Oh, my God...you don't...?"
"Yes. Carrie White is alive."
"Are you serious?" Cinder clamored after the scientists reported their findings to ARIA.
"Is it the same pattern from Maine?" ARIA queried.
"The readings don't lie. We're trying to find Carrie's location in Tibet," Professor Grady said.
"No need. The camera inside the Fulgore controller on Aganos will tell us. Continue your schedule as planned."
"Yes, ma'am." The video ended with a black screen.
"Okay, questions," Cinder said. "How did she arrive at Tibet?"
"That is inapt." ARIA pressed a button, and the screen came alive, showing a paused video. "This is the latest recording from the Fulgore controller." She replayed the fight until it showed Carrie arriving to save Jago. Cinder rolled on the floor, chortling. "What is so funny?"
"Look at Jago's face! He had the biggest WTF moment!" Cinder regained his composure. "But seriously, let me go to Tibet and retrieve the girl. If Jago has her, it'd be a matter of time before he brings her to Orchid."
ARIA assessed the plan in her cloud mind. "The risk is high. I'll send a few Stalker units and a drone to observe them. I'll also send the Fulgore units to help Aganos." Cinder folded his arms and pouted. "You'll have your chance. Until then, I have a task for you with a special reward."
The fiery effigy's eyes gleamed, and a smirk crept on his thin lips. "I'm listening."
Darkness loomed until Carrie roused. A tiger head glared from the ceiling. She yelped until she peeked at it again. Oh, a statue. She placed her hand over her heart while she surveyed her surroundings. The room resembled the shrine but smaller, with full walls and lit candles.
"You're awake." Jago sat cross-legged as a soft golden-yellow aura surrounded him. "A bowl of water is on your left, mixed with crushed herbs to treat headaches."
Carrie gripped her head when she found the dish holding the murky water. After a slight pause, she sipped it. "What happened?"
"I'd asked you the same thing. Carrie, we need to talk about what you did."
"Wha..." Carrie intoned until she remembered what had happened. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"You sent that golem flying. When leaving the hospital, you promised to never lie to me. Don't break it now."
Carrie swallowed hard. No point in hiding it now. "I have telekinesis... a 'Curse.'"
Jago opened his eyes, and the aura faded around him. So that's what it was. This also explains her voice inside my head when fighting Omen. "Why do you believe your powers are a curse?"
Carrie jerked her head towards the monk. How could Jago remain calm after what he saw? "Reasons I should never mention. The only knowledge I have with it is from books and my personal experience."
"Did your family learn that you have this power?"
"Mama did. It's inherited, passed from my grandmother. I kept it a secret because I didn't want you to think I was a... freak."
"Carrie, I don't judge others based on their abilities. I exposed my powers, and not once did you see me any different. I once had that mindset, believing my powers were a burden. Then, in time, I learned how to use that curse as my greatest strength." Jago positioned his hands as if he held something and closed his eyes. Gold streams of energy flowed through his palms until a fireball emerged.
Carrie moved closer, enchanted by the light. "Does it hurt?"
"If you allow it. If you contain your powers, it will bring more harm." Jago squeezed the fireball, pushing the flares. "The only way to control it is to embrace it." He eased his grip, returning the fireball to normal until he snuffed it. Tiny embers lingered until they faded. "I can help you control your powers if you want me to."
"What? Jago, I..." Carrie was speechless. Since learning about her powers, she had taught herself until Black Prom. Although she stopped the training, the control stayed, with the past still creeping.
Jago rested his hand on Carrie's shoulder, sensing her dilemma. "You don't have to decide today. Mull things over and inform me when you have your answer."
Jago was in his quarters, writing a journal as night fell.
July 31, 2013
'When the old man entrusted me to Carrie, I didn't understand his reason. Only when she revealed her secret did everything became clear. She believes her powers are a curse, but I beg to differ. After today, I understand why Omen had an interest in her. I cannot allow any evil to capture Carrie. The terror would be too great.'
A/N: Their bonds grow stronger from knowing each other's abilities. After Carrie's selfless act to save Jago, she has a chance to get training for her powers, but will the past prevent her from taking Jago's offer? Time to let my brain rest, so I'll see you later.
