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.

Another Update: This chapter will be split into two parts due to a large word count.

Disclaimer: *Putting up a sign that says I do not own Killer Instinct nor Carrie.*

Two weeks went by since Carrie's stay at the hospital. Upon her release, Jago received a list of medications for her. One doctor had called the Kyichu Hotel manager to give them a place to stay. Also, she promised the monk she would never lie to him again.

Carrie awoke one beautiful morning. She checked the cot on the floor where Jago slept, only to find it empty. Before going into panic mode, Carrie discovered a note on the wood drawer. Once she grabbed it, she unfolded the letter and read.

'Stepped out to do errands. I will be back soon.

-Jago.'

Relaxed, Carrie shifted towards the nearby window. Sunlight 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, when was the last time I had a bath?

Sitting up, Carrie yawned, stretching out her arms. Rubbing her eyes, she arose and headed to the bathroom. Fresh towels hung on the railings above two ceramic sinks. A bathtub sat against the wall with a shower hose. When Carrie entered, she found a picture of a man in a tiny boat.

While staring at the portrait, she imagined herself facing the waves. Shaken from her thoughts, Carrie turned away from the picture. As she approached the tub, she switched the faucet on.

Water filled the tub while she adorned the edge with a washcloth and soap. At 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, she froze while staring into her reflection. The water was a crimson red.

In a startled yell, she leaped out of the tub and examined herself. Is it my period again? She inspected the water as she approached the tub. The crimson coloring had vanished. But… I thought…. She pinched the bridge of her nose. It's all in your head.

The moment ruined, Carrie unplugged the drain and grabbed a towel. While drying herself, she glanced at a mirror when she jumped back.

Her mother stared back from the glass, her eyes cold and empty. "What are you still doing with him? He's a sinner!"

"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, like your father did to me!"

"STOP!" Carrie clamped her hands over her ears as the mirror cracked. She trembled as she slumped to the floor. When will these nightmares end? Curled in a fetal position with a towel covering her, she sobbed. A knock on the door reached her ears as she raised her head.

"Carrie?" Jago called from the other side. "Carrie, are you alright in there?"

"…Help…" she said in a tiny voice.

Jago opened the door but first checked to ensure she was covered. "What happened?"

"…I didn't mean… the mirror…."

While the frightened girl sobbed, Jago shifted towards the mirror. His eyes narrowed as he traced his fingers on the cracks.

What happened here? Has Omen returned to harass Carrie? The monk didn't sense any presence, let alone that evil shade. Did she lash out? Was she hallucinating? Carrie may have lived a brutal life based on the pieces he had gathered. What happened, however, was unknown to him.

Suicide was off the table since there were no cuts on Carrie. Given the cracked glass, she might have an unknown mental disorder. The condition of the washroom also puzzled him. Aside from the mirror, everything was intact.

Jago's eyes softened as the whimpering girl shivered. He grabbed a housecoat hanging on the door and held it out. "Here."

After spotting the housecoat, Carrie glanced down at her form. Her face turning red, she grabbed the robe and covered herself.

Jago arose and bowed his head. "I'll let myself out so you can get dressed." He closed the door behind him, reflecting on the situation. What am I dealing with here?

After informing the staff of the incident, they left the hotel. A brief stroll around town brought them to a palace with a fountain in the center. Colorful plants decorated the area, bringing it to life. Carrie and Jago spent the day exploring the castle's gardens to calm their minds.The setting sun gave the place a sparkling appearance. Clouds drifted in the sky, shimmering in gold. Most tourists had already left, while others stayed to enjoy romantic times.

Carrie and Jago gazed at the sky from a lake surrounded by two temples. Their eyes became lost in the colorful hues of their surroundings. For a long time, they fell silent until the monk spoke first. "How are you doing?"

Carrie sighed, shrugging. "Okay, I guess."

The monk's brows drew closer. "Is something troubling you? I sense you're uneasy."

As she shifted in discomfort, she considered her words. "I can't help thinking about the night when that… thing attacked us. Mama told me about demons, but I never thought I'd see one."

Jago folded his arms. "Omen is a dangerous being. One of many."

"He said awful things to me. Horrible things." Her eyes focused on the dark water. "Mama taught me to never trust a demon's words, but I can't help wondering…."

"About what?"

"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, his expression troubled. He drew a deep breath and let out a weary sigh, closing his eyes.

"It was," he said as Carrie stared, her heart racing.

A sharp pain erupted as the voice returned, mimicking her mother.

"See, little girl, he is a sinner! He had made a deal with the Devil and sold his soul to him!"

Carrie pushed the voice away. No, I should let Jago explain himself.

The monk stared at his reflection in the water. "When I was a child, I had trouble interacting with others."

"You did?" Carrie's brow wrinkled. "Um, no offense, but you don't look like someone who would."

Jago let out a dry chuckle. "I am a different person from the child I was. I wasn't in touch with others while growing up. The few interactions I had with other kids were angry encounters.

"Often, I got beaten up, but most of the time, they ignored me. I was that odd quiet kid who kept to himself. I didn't mind the solitude, though. It allowed me to think, meditate, and focus on my studies.

"One day, I was alone inside the Tiger Shrine after being roughed up by some children. While there, a voice greeted me."

Nine-year-old Jago was sitting in the corner of the Tiger Shrine, sniffling.

"Hush, little one. Don't cry," a voice said.Startled, the boy surveyed his surroundings. "Who's there? Jigme, is that you?""No, little one, I'm not Jigme.""Who are you?""You're standing in front of me.""Huh? What-who…?" Jago peered around until he spotted the tiger statue greeting him. "You're… the Tiger Spirit?"

A light chuckle erupted from the statue. "Indeed, my child."

Kneeling, the boy bowed his head and pressed his palms together.

"My, my, such politeness! Please, stand."

As instructed, Jago stood before the statue.

"What is your name, my child?"

The boy sniffed while wiping his nose. "Ja… Jago."

"Jago," the spirit repeated, although the statue didn't express emotions. "A good name. Why were you crying?"

"Some kids were being mean. They said I'll never succeed, and I don't belong here."

The statue fell silent for a moment. "Well, those kids are wrong. You're destined to become the greatest monk within the Order. However, to attain enlightenment, you must overcome one obstacle. First, you must study. Every scroll, every lesson, no matter how unimportant it might appear. The Heavens do not reward failure or indolence."

"What does 'indolence' mean?"

"Being lazy."

"Oh. What if I fail?"

"Then you try again. The only thing preventing you from ascending is yourself, my child. You might stumble, falter or fail, but fear not. You're not alone. While I acknowledge every effort you make, I can make things easier for you. How far are you willing to commit?"

Jago lowered his head as if reflecting on this question. With conviction in his heart, he gazed at the statue. "I want to be the greatest monk there is, Tiger-Lha."

"Do you swear to be a faithful servant to the Tiger Spirit from hereon? Will you commit to upholding the rules, values, and authority? Do you swear to fight for peace and enlightenment?"

"I do, Tiger-Lha. I will do anything that you and the Heavens ask of me."

The spirit let out a deep, hearty laugh. "Very well then."

The statue's eyes gleamed. A burning sensation spread throughout the boy's body before he had time to react. Jago almost let out a strangled cry from the pain until it faded.

He collapsed on his knees, panting. "What happened to me?"

"I've granted you a gift, my child," the Tiger Spirit said. "My small contribution to your studies. Use it well. Do not flaunt your power, nor give in to arrogance."

Jago checked his arms for any signs, but so far, nothing. He pressed his hands together, bowing his head. "Thank you, Tiger-Lha. I promise I'll be worthy of you and this Order."

The statue grunted in approval. "Knowledge is a gift. If you have trouble understanding something, ask your teachers. Never forget that, Jago. One more thing. You can talk to me about anything that troubles you. My shrine will always be open to you."

Tears fell from the child's eyes as he kneeled and bowed. "T-Thank you, Tiger-Lha." After wiping his eyes, Jago turned around, leaving the Tiger Shrine.

Jago stared into space, recalling the day he met his old 'friend.' "Since then, I visited the shrine and spoke to the Tiger Spirit. I did everything the Tiger Spirit asked of me without question. I was attentive in my studies and listened to what the teachers said.

"My social interactions improved as my self-confidence grew. Through the Tiger Spirit's guidance, I was moving up, reaching the rank of Gelong."

Carrie was speechless. Words couldn't express the level of respect she had for the masked man. "Um, what's a Gelong?"

"Gelong is a title meaning 'senior monk.' Most monks would attain their Gelong status by their thirties, if not older." A proud gleam shimmered in Jago's eyes. "I was twenty-three when I received the title."

Her mouth dropped. "What? That's so young!"

Jago chuckled. "Indeed. I was the youngest in my Order to attain Gelong status. Because of that, the High Abbot took me in as his star pupil. He taught me certain martial arts techniques and ki channeling."

Carrie tilted her head. "What is ki?"

"Ki is the life force energy inherent in everything. Skilled martial artists and masters can use this energy to enhance certain abilities." Jago held his hands together, producing a small fiery orb.

Carrie gasped while taking a half-step back from him. "Y-you're a… a sorcerer?"

"No. I'm a ki user. Besides, we don't practice any black arts. Every being on Earth possesses ki, including you. For my Order, we use it for healing and warding off evil spirits." After snuffing the fire sphere, Jago shifted in discomfort. "When I channeled my ki, the coloration was different. A person's ki would have no color or be orange, flame-like. Mine had been green."

"Green? What did that mean?"

"No one in the Order knew. I was considered an anomaly. Still, it didn't deter the High Abbot from taking me on as his pupil. I would meet with the Tiger Spirit in my downtime. We talked about many things, from stories to singing songs. However, everything was about to change."

"What do you mean? What happened?"

Jago sighed, closing his eyes. "It was after I attained Gelong status. While meditating, a fellow monk attacked me, a man named Akar. Something had driven him mad. He uttered names or words that sounded strange, repeating himself. 'Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn! Ph'nglui mglw'nfah Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!' It freaked me out."

Carrie stared with widened eyes as though affected by the words. "What did you do?"

"I did the only thing I could: I killed him in self-defense." The monk winced at the memory of his fellow brother. "While justified in my actions, Akar's death weighed on me. As penance, I isolated myself from everyone and resided in a mountain cave as a hermit. I fasted and meditated for days, turning my thoughts inward. Every day, I kept thinking about what could have driven Akar mad. What I could've done to save him."

In deep silence, Jago studied his rippled reflection in the water. "One day, the Tiger Spirit visited me, offering me kindness and solace. He then informed me of the real danger. Akar's death, he revealed, was a part of something broader. Sinister forces were abounding, and he traced the source of its evil. He had wanted me to take part in a tournament called 'Killer Instinct.'"

"Killer Instinct?" Though not familiar with the name, Carrie was intrigued.

"Yes. It was a martial arts program run by a corporation called Ultratech. The Tiger Spirit had sensed a terrible evil there. This evil was so intense that I couldn't rely on my abilities. He wanted to impart more of his power to me. 'Of course, it is your choice, my child,' he had said. 'This journey and mission will be fraught with danger. There's a chance that you may either die or become mad like Akar. Take your time to think it over. You can't turn back once you decide.'

"In the end, I accepted his offer. If I could purge this evil, I would have served my Order. I would have served Heaven. I had faith in the Tiger Spirit and never doubted his wisdom or words." Jago trembled as he recalled the sensation.

Carrie shifted in discomfort. "W-what was it like, having that power?"

Jago blinked as if startled by the question. "Words… can't describe such a thing. I had to use all my willpower to prevent myself from succumbing to madness. My training, meditation, and rest helped me to adapt. I joined the tournament soon after to purge whatever evil it contained.

"During my time in the program, I fought many opponents. Searching for the source wasn't easy, but I found… dark, strange, and horrible things. The tournament host saddened me the most. He was a German Baron afflicted with… a condition. The poor man."

Carrie tilted her head. "What was his condition?"

The monk waved his hand. "His story is for another time. In my attempt to purge this evil, I… I ended up becoming possessed. I saw myself do… horrible things, and… I was too powerless to stop it. While in that state, I encountered a vile creature named Eyedol."

Carrie furrowed her brows. "Eyedol?"

Jago shrugged. "That's what it called itself. Our battle was fierce, but I learned about dark, forbidden things during the fight. Things that lurked beyond the veil of reality. Eyedol was an Outer God who sought to escape imprisonment. One of two warlords sought to claim this world as their own ages ago. One thing led to another, and… the Tiger Spirit unveiled his proper form.

"The 'Tiger Spirit' was Eyedol's nemesis, Gargos. Upon Eyedol's defeat, the energies released freed him. Soon after, he… forced me to watch as he killed my entire Order with his power. He said it was a 'reward' for my efforts. Even today, I can still hear their screams and cries."

Carrie gasped. "You mean… you're the sole survivor of your Order?"

Jago clenched his fists and bowed his head. "Yes. Because of me, everyone in my Order died." His shoulders sagged, and his eyes closed. "Despite defeating Gargos and sealing him away, the damage had been done. Even worse, that demon… left a mark on me. A stain within my soul that I struggle to erase.

"Since then, I have been relearning everything from scratch. I had even created this uniform from the temple itself. My dedication, skill, and willpower brought me to where I am today. Even so, I'm struggling to conquer the darkness within me. I am afraid that monster might claim me again."

While Jago gazed toward the horizon, Carrie remained stunned. How was it possible for a person to have endured such trauma? In her mind, she recalled the carnage she had left in her hometown. Though their situations were different, they shared a similar path. They had to deal with betrayal and exclusion. Those closest to them have hurt them.

Yet somehow, Jago had proven to be more resilient. The way someone could move forward from tragedy amazed her.

Is it possible for me to…? No. I can't be forgiven, not after what I've done. She was unsure what to say to Jago, let alone comfort him. No words came out when she opened her mouth. After much effort, Carrie expressed her sympathy. "I'm… I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sorry for what happened to your Order."

As Jago watched the sunset, he closed his eyes in silence.

While brushing some hair behind her ear, Carrie regained control of her voice. "Do… do you mourn for them?"

Jago snapped his eyes open. "Hm?"

"Your fallen brethren. Do you still mourn for them?"

Crinkles formed around his eyes before he stared back at the sky. "In Tibetan tradition, it is forbidden to grieve."

Carrie blinked. "Huh? Why?"

"The departed would suffer more, leading them to have unfortunate rebirths. The nature of existence is based on suffering. Death is a natural part of the life cycle, leading to rebirth. Not that we are indifferent to someone's death. Our beliefs inform us about the importance of acknowledging death. Therefore, one can develop stronger compassion for others."

Carrie shifted towards her reflection in the water. She never viewed death that way. However, something else came to mind. "Is it… possible for someone to… redeem themselves?"

"Of course," Jago said. "Redemption is possible for everyone, regardless of their crimes."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Are you familiar with the story of Milarepa?"

"No, I'm not."

"I see." Jago glanced towards the horizon, the sun almost fading. "It's getting late, but I'll tell you about Milarepa some other time. Come."

Though her heart still troubled, Carrie followed Jago as they departed. They stayed in Lhasa for a few days before returning to the Tiger Shrine.

A/N: Wow. To say that Jago's tragic story is sad is an understatement. One couldn't imagine how lonely he must've been after that horrifying event. Well, he has Carrie now, so he won't be completely alone. Well, time to let my brain rest, so I'll see you later.