Monsters & Demons
Rated M
Genre: Drama & Adventure
Summary:
When Tori arrived at Hollywood Arts, she knew things wouldn't be the same. Little did she know that she and her friends would find themselves wound into more than teenage drama. Jade thought all she had to worry about was her status being threatened. Does Trina finally have a true friend? A trio of newcomers shows up, bringing along more than the gang bargained for. Homework and plays don't sound so bad anymore.
A/N:
I'm going to level with you all, I've been dealing with intense anxiety and depression tag-teaming me for the last couple of weeks now as it may show in this chapter. I won't say that it's horrible, but I do feel I could've done better.
Sadly, by the time I realized the necessary changes needed, it was too late to incorporate them into the chapter. Thankfully, I can now shift them into the next one so there's little worry about the story as a whole. I'll be focusing on storyboarding the remaining chapters of this arc and hopefully getting into more slice-of-life themes afterward.
I deeply apologize for the delay and I thank you all for the love and support of this story.
Chapter 29: Bloody Fangs
Within a hidden room, Jibola watched the monitors with a careful gaze. The visual of Liam carrying his lover made the man sick, forcing him to turn in his seat. Whether he liked it or not, the outcome was set in stone. His daughter couldn't take her eyes off of the screen, her anger burning fiercely at the realization of her failure.
Beck's failure...
Your toy has fallen, Ahrya..." she tensed at the chilling tone of her father's voice. "Now, the descendants of Aganju & Revna have reunited after centuries apart. What do you have to say for yourself?"
She said nothing.
What more could she say about the result that lay before them? Beck was defeated, lying prone as the couple assessed his unconscious form. The parasitic spirit was no longer in him, only remnants left behind. Now, all that remained was her estranged 'brother', that judas, Travis.
With fists clenched, she took a deep breath to steady herself.
"There is no excuse for what happened, father," she announced curtly. "My servant was incapable of handling this simple task and yet, I take responsibility for his failure. Dwelling on this mishap is pointless and I'd rather turn our focus onto the plan ahead."
Jibola raised a brow, intrigued by the sudden shift in development.
"Oh? What do you have in mind?"
"We still have Tori Vega in our custody. If we act now, we can use her to our advantage and reclaim Travis to our side. The match will still happen and your dream will still be attainable."
Stroking his greying beard, Jibola rose from his seat, stepping closer to his daughter. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he leaned in and kissed her forehead before turning to leave the room.
"Do what you must, child. I do not doubt that you will rise to the challenge and destroy all who oppose our rule."
"Understood, father!" she averted her gaze, letting this rare moment of affection wash over her before bowing respectfully to the older man. "But, what will you do? Are you leaving again?"
Jibola didn't say a word.
His mind was elsewhere, concentrating on the mysterious force that permeated the cursed halls. His heightened hearing ignored the wails of souls long passed away, their cries for an end to their suffering meaning nothing to him. He could feel their fingertips grazing his shoulders only to fade away with every step he took. The wayward souls' curse paled compared to that of the living.
My apologies, daughter. he chuckled bitterly. But, I take matters into my own hands.
Around the corner, he was met with the angered glare of a young woman. With gun drawn, he recognized her immediately, and yet, Jibola wasn't taken aback. Her amber eyes blazed with a fury the likes rivaled hell itself.
"Where is she?"
Sensing the aura of hatred radiating from the individual across from him, a twisted grin twitched on the man's lips.
"You reek of bloodlust and vengeance, boy..."
The dimly lit halls of the mental hospital haunted Jade to her core. From the random buzz of the fluorescent light above to the creepy shadows that concealed many of the worn-down rooms that surrounded them. Given what she'd gone through, Jade's queasiness from the malicious atmosphere was justifiable.
Her only comfort now was the presence of her savior, Liam.
Despite his weariness, his steps never faltered as they trudged through the labyrinth-like corridors. Mind full of 'what ifs' and possible outcomes of what could be happening, the goth started to chew her lip lightly in hopes of keeping herself anchored in reality, only succeeding in adding physical pain to the mental and emotional.
"I wonder where the others are..." she whispered, unknowingly tickling his ear.
"I wish I knew. When I left to find you, they were planning on searching this floor for you and Tori."
"Then where are we going exactly?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," he quipped, earning a pinch for his troubles. "Ow! Sorry... Geez!"
Jade groaned and rolled her eyes. She wasn't in the mood for humor at a time like this and yet... she also understood why Liam did it. She could feel it ever since they reunited and it was eating away at his soul. Throughout their childhood, she would pick up subtle signs of discourse in Liam, trivial as some of them were.
"Liam...?"
"You're not going to pinch me again are you?" he flinched.
"Can you put me down, please?"
Confusion made him halt his advancement, hesitation beginning to creep in. Liam would oblige, leaning forward so Jade could step down without injury. Oh, how she loved and hated being treated like a delicate flower sometimes. For her, vulnerability was never her forte in most cases, but something in her needed to do this.
As he turned around, Liam found himself staring at the azure eyes of his closest confidante. Her stare pierced into the depths of his soul, cracking whatever armor he had constructed. Her hands balled into fists along her sides, for she knew what he was doing. It'd been the same thing she'd done countless times when she was faced with hardships far beyond her ability to withstand.
Liam was frightened.
Normally the one to poke fun at such a display of frailty, Jade couldn't hold it against him either. Unlike her petty issues involving school plays, her position on the societal hierarchy, and wild field trips, his woes were on a level she had yet to comprehend. She'd read stories and discussed his ancestry and how they were considered demons compared to the other tribes.
Even when they mentioned past names, she felt a familiarity, unlike anything she'd experienced before; as if she'd heard those before. It was like he was saying goodbye.
Jade would not accept that.
"Don't think for a second I'm letting you off the hook, tiger. Am I clear?"
Liam sensed a more profound sorrow behind her stern tone, troubled by this as he rubbed his forehead. Leave it to Jade to figure things out already. Though her face would be unreadable to most, her true expression couldn't be hidden from him. No... She was hurting, a pain that no bruise or laceration could ever compare to.
It was the same expression she possessed on Halloween night.
Wrestling with his feelings, he took her hand into his own. She bit her lip, wondering if this was just his way of pacifying her. Expecting him to put on his trademark smile, she was surprised to find a deep-rooted heartache behind his emerald portals.
"Liam?"
"I'm..." he started, not knowing what he wanted to say.
"I don't want to hear a word about this mess!" she announced, eyes blazing with a challenging stare. "None of this was your fault and you shouldn't be carrying the weight of the world..."
"It's not that, Revna!" he spat before slamming a hand over his mouth.
That name again.
Jade didn't understand, but a warmth flowed steadily through her whenever he called her by that name. Despite the raging fire that poured out from his retort, Jade felt no venom from him. Seeing his brow contorted into a profound scowl, she cupped his cheeks pointing his conflicted gaze at her.
"Then what is it... Aganju?"
Now it was Liam's turn to let the name sink in.
"I... I was..." he groaned as frustration r up once more only to have it melt away when Jade traced her thumb along his features.
"Breathe, Liam."
He inhaled softly feeling the chaotic energy slowly aligning with the influx of natural order. His fear wouldn't be so easy to rid himself of, but it was manageable for now.
"Would you still love me if you knew what I was?"
"What are you saying?" Jade stared at him in confusion.
"How could you love a demon, Jade? You know the horrific things my ancestors did... What they want me to do..."
Rather than erupt in a passionate speech, Jade shifted her hands atop his. She smiled gently, ignoring the creepiness of their surroundings. Her focus was solely on her beloved Liam, taking in every detail of his features. Gone was the mask he'd put on as the protector, superseded by the scared little boy she'd met all those years ago. The boy she first encountered in a park was so timid, yet so kind.
His need to protect managed to break through those traits when he came to her aid against a small group of bullies. She remembered something important, an element that was lost to time until now.
"You don't have to be a savior, tiger." she smiled again, squeezing his hands lightly. "From the moment we first met to this very moment, you've tried to carry yourself like a knight in shining armor when that was never who you were. That's not who I fell for."
"It's not?" Liam leaned back, baffled.
"I always loved the darker side you showed me when you battled those boys. It wasn't Prince Charming who held my heart, it was the dark creature that you channeled when you stopped carrying the pressure of others on your shoulders. That side of you that many fear is the part that reminds me that soulmates do exist! It's why Beck and I would only last for so long before breaking up. You are a demon and I love that about you; I love EVERY. PART. OF. YOU."
Before Liam could respond to such a ludicrous declaration, he was stopped by her lips caressing his softly. A heavy moan rumbled from his core before he attempted to speak again. Jade would simply press her lips onto his once more, repeating every time Liam attempted to challenge her proclamation. After a few more attempts, he finally gave in, allowing her lips to ignite something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Was this truly acceptance?
He was considered a blight to his people. A demon created only to eliminate those deemed a threat. His mother trained him to be a tool for vengeance. His sister was the only one to see any hope in him and she was far away.
This was madness. This was outrageous.
And yet...
Jade's actions were resolved to prove him wrong. These weren't the calling card of Jade; bedlam and intensity. His mind tried to pinpoint the source of this expression but his mind felt a healing touch from her. No regrets. No remorse. She was willing to pour every ounce of her resolve into this one moment as she squeezed his hands harder.
She was pleading with him to be himself.
Break the shackles of others to be who he was truly able to be... That's what he gathered as she returned the favor. He would accept her invitation by embracing her force with equal vigor.
By the time they pulled away, it wasn't for oxygen. No... This time, Liam slowly opened his eyes to find the dark-haired girl in Viking garb. It was only for a few seconds before seeing the girl he knew so well again. The wonder in her eyes told him that she'd seen him differently as well.
"Jade, I... Thank you."
"No need for that," she chuckled, averting her gaze. "Just remember, I'm no saint either."
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Ayaba."
They both laughed softly before pressing their foreheads together, taking some time to steady themselves for what was to come. Neither spoke a word; they didn't have to. Their silence said more than words ever could. The heart of warriors and the souls of lovers.
"And scene!"
The peace between them instantly shattered as heels clicked on the dirty tiled floor. The intruder was none other than the source of their woes as of late. Her lips tugged with a wicked grin, prompting the couple to be on their guard.
"I must admit, you two have the role of a loving couple down pat. I almost believed that corny bullshit speech that Jade gave you. Did you rehearse that in your cell?"
Her teasing voice made Jade want to rush and maul her. Thankfully, Liam was able to stretch his arm, blocking any such attack from commencing. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the poisonous trickster.
"What are you doing here, Ahrya?" he growled. "I doubt you'd come all this way to get beaten up by Jade. Or maybe you finally decided to surrender?"
"Cute joke. But, I'm here to tell you that your match with big brother is about to begin."
"There's not going to be a match, bitch...!"
"Easy, Jade."
"But there will be," she retorted with a sinister giggle. "You see, father ran into your allies and they're on the roof waiting for your grand entrance. The monster vs the demon! What a blockbuster sales pitch, right?"
"We're not amused..."
"Hmph! You two are no fun!" she placed a hand on her hip. "Fine. Come with me if you want to know where miss goody-two-shoes is. Don't think about attacking me from behind either or else."
Liam groaned indignantly while holding the seething Jade in his arms. Ahrya bit her lip, feigning ecstasy, and motioned for the two to follow. Her mannerisms were odd as she swayed back and forth with each step, like a child. Occasionally, she'd hum the tune to "You think you know me" as she led the way to their destination. Jade's mind couldn't fathom why Liam would abide by the girl's demands but she remained tight-lipped as they wandered through several corridors.
A flight of stairs would lead them back to a basement area though unlike the path he'd traversed earlier.
"Where are you taking us?" Liam asked, finally sick of the eerie silence.
"The pathway to your final destiny..."
Such a reply didn't sit well with Jade as she shifted closer to Liam for fear of something crazy happening. Still, she said nothing as the scene around them began to shift. As if stepping through a rift in time, their eyes bore witness to the transforming walls around them. Gone were the dingy walls of the sanitarium. Before their eyes stood several cracked statues, each one foreign to Jade, but recognizable to Liam.
However, it was the massive door in front of them that truly intimidated them.
On either side both a stone carving of the sun and moon either side were shown, surrounded by a dragon that appeared to swallow the former while the other side had another devouring the crescent moon. There wouldn't be much time to drink in the rattling sight as the doors slowly creaked open. A blinding white light pierced the hallowed hall, leaving only its brilliance in their vision.
"There's nobody out there!" Jade protested only to receive a devilish giggle for her ignorance.
"This barrier also hides those inside its protection. It was set in place to deter humans who managed to summon this place. We have to pass through the barrier to see what's on the other side."
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"Is it any crazier than what we've gone through already?"
Still skeptical of the mysterious force, Jade watched as he stepped past the threshold without fear, vanishing without a trace. Ahyra watched her shocked foe with contempt but said nothing as the goth passed by, placing a hand on the ethereal portal.
"You could stay behind if you want," she broke the trance Jade was in, drawing her ire. "I'm sure the spirits of the cursed souls here would adore someone to keep them company. You wouldn't want to be a burden in your condition would you?"
Jade wanted nothing more than to strangle the girl who caused her suffering. Even worse, Ahrya knew it as evident by her Cheshire grin. However, the urge would fall flat while Jade steadied herself before stepping through herself.
Once inside, it was clear that the barrier was all that she said it was as two images appeared before her.
While the figure on the left was indeed Travis, flanked by a taller gentleman clad in a ceremonial robe, the other caused her heart to skip a beat.
Liam stood in ceremonial war attire, a grey open, hooded, tunic adorned with a sanguine scarf that shielded the lower half of his face. Below, he wore black pants that closed off below the knees. His hair was tied in a messy bun with only a few locs hung idly with small adornments that included red, yellow, light blue, dark blue, green, deep brown, and milky white.
Meanwhile, the oddly calm Travis was completely shirtless. Sporting only a necklace made up of massive beads, red, black, and silver, it was evident that his color scheme was far more conservative by comparison. His hair had grown a bit, wild and yet, still managed to appear decent on him. His bottoms were crimson, the color of blood.
Both stood upright, silent, and focused.
Only then did Jade realize what was about to occur. Sadly, she was too late to stop things from escalating. Her hands were grabbed immediately by Ahrya who quickly encased her wrists with webbing, making escape impossible.
"Ow! Let me go! Liam!"
"Haven't you caught on yet?" Anansi's offspring giggled. "Don't tell me you've forgotten the most important detail... Revna?"
Jade struggled against her bonds but eased her tension when she took in the sight of the boys once more.
Scars.
Weapons held tightly in hand.
Auras subtly flow like armor.
Then it hit her...
Their eyes!
Liam and Travis' eyes now flared with their true nature; the will of their past lives. As she watched helplessly, she finally took notice of her attire. A thick fur cloak. Armor and bracers. Black trousers.
What the hell?! Where did these clothes come from?
However, nothing compared to the visual of her world visibly morphing before her eyes. While she vaguely understood the reality of stepping through this "portal", she never imagined the extent of her actions would result in such a drastic shift. Her struggles ceased as she watched the looming overcast. The trees were barren, almost seeming ready to crumble yet sturdy enough to hold different individuals.
Tori.
Kataleya.
Celeste.
Cecilia.
Each one was bound by the same webbing that restrained her wrists. She could barely make out the grime that caked their features, a sign of futile resistance. Like the two boys, they too were outfitted in strange clothing from differing cultures.
"I see you've noticed our VIP guests, Miss West, or would you go by Revna in this realm? Regardless, my daughter will show you to your "seat". We can't have you missing the final act."
The distant rumblings of thunder made her ear twitch before she was shoved forward by her captor. Jade was helpless to fight back as she found herself restrained to one of the surprisingly strong trunks. No matter how violently she tugged at her bonds, there was no give to her bindings. Celeste looked on with a sorrowful smile, silently apologizing and begging her to conserve her energy.
"Spirits of the ancestors!" Jibola's voice echoed to the heavens with jubilee, merging seamlessly with the increasing rumblings. "Heed our poor sacrifices as we offer to you the blood of those forsaken by your decree! Two male children carrying the spirit of Aganju and Esu are the ones who earned the right to determine their fates. If you are pleased, then express it for this barren land!"
Heeding the patriarch's words, the sky began to release its approval. Wet drops kissed the once-parched grounds below it. The cracks welcomed this offering, slowly sealing themselves once they had their fill. And yet, neither Liam nor Travis so much as flinched under the chilly rain. Their eyes remained focused on one another, an unspoken war matching the violently lit sky above. Their spirits glowed with a sharpness that chaotically flowed around them.
"Why are you siding with them, Esu?"
"I have no choice, Aganju..." Travis snickered bitterly, cutting his gaze toward the man standing in between the captives. "And it appears that neither do you."
Liam followed his gaze. Seeing their loved ones in such a helpless state was infuriating, but he could not deny the truth of his opponent. He finally allowed himself to unleash the breath that'd been trapped in his chest, seemingly accepting the current outcome.
"Is there no other way, brother?" he drew his sword from his belt, the voice of his ancestor returning to the surface.
Travis said nothing but a sad grin, signaling the plight that befell them.
For them, the time for talking had long passed. Neither could escape the fate laid out before them by the puppetmaster, Jibola. His approving glower failed to show the truth of his agenda while the two took their stances. Celeste and Cecilia looked exhausted as they slumped into their bindings. Tori looked on helplessly while Jade and Kataleya tried fruitlessly to get loose.
"Are the combatants ready?"
Both nodded, each ready to risk it all for their respective causes. The howl of the wind intensified the rain, pelting the boys like wet needles that only motivated their resolve. Such willpower began to manifest as spectral weapons, stunning all in attendance. Jibola couldn't contain his glee as his sadistic grin threatened to split his face in two.
His gaze glowed a sickly amethyst as lifted his arms in triumph.
"BEGIN!"
Travis charged at him, ethereal claws swiping at his opponent with ill intentions. With all the strength he could muster, Liam leaped back far enough to avoid the attack but anything else was out of the question with his rival closing the gap between them in a flash. All he could do was lift his blade, feeling his strength directly.
As their game of cat-and-mouse continued, Jade found it difficult to follow the action as they looked to be teleporting. Brilliant lights flashed whenever they clashed. The sheer force boomed like thunder.
It was as if their actions were dictating the storm itself as each attack carried more conviction.
"Liam..."
"Worried that you didn't get to suck his face more, àgbere?"
"Fuck you, bishi!" Jade snarled, her outburst earning a backhand. She cared little for the temporary pain, spitting a glob of bile. "What is the point of having them fight like this? It's like you want them to kill each other!"
"She does, Jade..."
All eyes turned to the weary Tori who glared weakly.
"What are you talking about, Vega?" Jade sputtered, her chest beginning to ache as she regretted her earlier inquiry. Unfortunately, the carefree simper of their kidnapper was proof that Tori's words carried some weight. Knowing that this wasn't just a simple contest for supremacy but a death match was too much to believe. "You're joking right?"
"Nigba ti eje egun ba baje, ojo ori alantakun yoo gba awon orisa lo..."
Jade listened to the Yoruban chant uttered by Ahrya with disbelief. Celeste, Cecilia, and Kataleya couldn't deny the truth of such a hex, prompting the goth to let the words digest in her system.
When the blood of the cursed ones is spilled, the age of spiders will usurp the gods!
"That's what this was all about?!" she roared, eyes blazing with a newfound rage. Her bonds were breaking under her strength but she managed to restrain her anger; there was more to this story, and she was going to find out. Across from her, Tori's wrath was affording her the same outcome as she 'weakly' smiled at her frenemy.
"You wouldn't understand, child!" Jibola scoffed yet wouldn't bother sparing so much as a glance in their direction. However, while his eyes followed the battle, he felt no harm in sharing his thoughts. "For centuries, the Orisha's were deemed the pinnacle of the deities. Even the Egyptian gods honored Olorun and his kin. Meanwhile, the rest of us were to nothing more than mere folktales; stories to tickle the youth."
"Nominal envy..." Celeste groaned from her place.
"Call it what you will, but after Aganju and Esu conclude, Ahrya will eliminate the victor and there will be no one remaining to challenge my rule. The tribe of Anansi will officially claim the throne that should've been rightfully ours, to begin with."
"You're crazy..." Jade growled. "You can't have a claim if you're not welcomed by the other tribes. I know that and I've only been studying Liam's people for a few months."
"The other elders agreed to this arrangement long before any of you were born, brat. After the exile of Aganju's tribe and the departure of Esu, they gratefully accepted my tribe's warrior might in exchange for the empty throne. Sadly, it was beyond my ancestor's scope to realize that their shortsighted actions would impact plans for centuries after..."
"You needed the submission of all the Orisha tribes..."
"Yes."
Jade couldn't help but consider this only to end up with more questions than answers. If this was the case then why not turn his focus on the matriarchs? They were right there for him to torment and extract their compliance. Why did he need to have Liam and Travis fight to this extent?
"Why would you have them fight like this when we're all at your mercy?" Tori asked, eyes glimmering like the moon underneath the rainy canopy. Whatever was keeping her docile had worn off by now and she was not going to allow herself to be forcibly pacified again. "Are you just entertained by watching two boys fulfill your sick fantasy?!"
"Watch your mouth, bishi!" Ahrya roared, no longer able to stomach the disrespect. "You will show respect to the name of King Jibola!"
Ahrya lifted her hand to strike Tori but found her attempt thwarted when she was caught by her wrist. Her eyes grew wide as the Latina slowly pulled away from the tree she was bound to, cracking it with every motion. The air around them began to grow heavy as everyone, aside from Travis and Liam, shifted focus to her.
"It appears that You are the one in need of a lesson in respect!"
