Welcome back to another chapter of Albion's New 'Hero'! Please enjoy ~

Disclaimer: I do not own Fable or any of its characters, Lionhead Studios does. I do however own Jet and her family.

Chapter 23: Death

His embrace was crushing for Jet, yes, but she loved it. After her vision she seemed to have regained the love she had for her brother. In a meager attempt, she tried to hug him back only to tap his sides in affection. Shade finally released her and held her at arm's length by those tiny shoulders.

"Are you alright? You looked pretty torn up. Has mom taken care of you? How is she? Mighty Skorm, I'm so curious but…" he held her tight again, one arm around her back and the other on her head, "I've been worried about you the most." Jet, mildly confused at his reaction, muffled out an incoherent answer to which Shade pushed her out again apologizing.

"Mom is fine, heartbroken mostly now that I'm gone. And me…I'm not sure. I think I'll be fine though." Shade looked at her with dark eyes which probably had come from years of training under Ruler himself. Jet nodded to ease his worry which loosened his grip.

"Very well," his voice deep and melodious, "please excuse me Master for a point of weakness." Jack of Blades waved his hand.

"I expected no less, but rather more." The siblings looked to one another in confusion only to dismiss it by James, who was huddled on the ground in abysmal disarray.

"You cannot be my son, he died years ago after that monster," pointing to Jack of Blades, "took him away." The blade which Shad had been holding the whole time found its broadside to the man's cheek. Two lines appeared on James' face as blood began to trickle out. Jet turned to their father.

"James, you have lost. As I grow under Jack of Blades command, I find more and more of myself in dreams. What I am to become, I do not know. But we are reunited as fate had intended and for you to die today." Sudden wisdom had overcome her and she felt mildly lightheaded. James watched his daughter with anger and despair.

"You are to die here today for your traitorous actions not only against the Ruler of all of Albion, but against your wife and children. The consequences of your actions have led you here wilted and alone. Now your wife will suffer more for her heart still stays with you and you shall depart to the afterlife. Suffer forever more."

Jet's eyesight came back as the blackness faded away, still lightheaded and even more so now than before, while leaning on a wall for support. Shade seemed to be glaring at Jack and who knows for what reason while Jack of Blades gave the final command.

The deep feeling of emptiness washed over James when the blade of his son glimmered above him while his daughter didn't bother a glance. Jet cringed as the sound of the blade ripped through his skin and trudged through bone. A thud came shortly after.

After the thud of James' head, Jet turned to find a rather putrid sight. She swallowed hard as to keep her bile down and chills ravaged her body. Heat from her back right sent her on alert.

"Look well my jewel for this is not the end of what you are to see. Death will come and you will grow used to seeing it," she could feel his mask tease her ear, "perhaps even crave it." She shivered lightly glaring back at him only to receive his hard golden orbs. Nothing more was said as Ruler began back to the mansion and Jet turned to her brother.

"Is this what you have been doing all these years?" The girl cringed as Shade effortlessly and carelessly tossed the lifeless body into a pile of rotting flesh. Muscle and bone were some of the more common sights within that pile making Jet extremely sqeemish.

Once done with that Shade turned and came up to her gazing into her green orbs much like Jack does. Fierce and strong without waver, it was impressive. Suddenly he brought her into a tight hug, nearly crushing Jet and gently spoke to her.

"Yes, and training. Jack will have you training as well, more on Mana than swordsmanship. I remember your accidental discovery that night…" She nodded and pushed him away. Jet noticed his reluctance on letting her go and the odd look on his face, which disappeared in a flash.

Jet turned and began her path back to the mansion Shade in tow. Their walk was quiet and she felt uneasy. Quickly brushing it off Jet focused on getting back. Her brother's voice scared Jet and she turned to him.

"Has he marked you?" The teenager desperately clung to any composure she had and fought back a blush with of course failure. Her only response was a glare and turning her back to him. "So he has…" Jet shook her head and ignored him for the remainder of the trip.

Passing back into the gray rock and finally creaking on wood, Jet set about to hers and Jack's room. Upon entering the room she found it empty aside from the furniture. The books in the corner on the desk caught her eye as she relaxed into the chair. Jet pulled the cover open and read along the introduction, fearful and mystified.

"The History of Albion, volume one." Jet looked back to her brother hovering over her shoulder skimming over the page she was on. "Be careful Jet, Jack may not want you going through his stuff." She rolled her eyes retorting how the girl already knew. Shade caught the sarcasm and backed off, watching quietly.

As she progressed through the pages, vivid flashes of imagination gave life to the stories told in the book. From violent crashes of the ocean to calm breezes of the mountains she could see everything. Even the voices of the people of eons passed whispered in her ear.

Jet witnessed the cruelty of the Court as a Jack of Blades then only had to raise his hand while utter destruction followed suit. Her body cried for release from this terror only to find that no matter what she did Jet was stuck. Life continued on for centuries until the first heroes came along and took away Jack's beloved Court.

He went away into hiding while the citizens of Albion continued with their lives. The king who killed most of the court had children and began the line of heroes. Her visions stopped there where the beginning of the common era.

It gave her goosebumps, the way she was able to experience these things. She knew that these flashbacks the girl was having had to do with backed up mana resting deep within. Every minute Jet felt it pounding in her blood screaming for release. After eighteen years of little to no use, it was making itself known.

"And what have we learned so far?" Jet flinched and turned around to the red hooded leader. She felt so miniscule under his gaze. The young woman took a quick breath as she made a risky move.

"I understand more about you and the court." Jack of Blades made a quick glance to Shade who took his leave. "What are you exactly?" His golden orbs glowed with mild excitement.

"I've told you before, I and my siblings are more like the gods that you should worship. We did not create this world but we were born to rule it."

Jet kept her gaze locked with his in an attempt to challenge him. He knew what she was doing only to give her a chuckle. Angered she turned away and closed the book. Her fingers grazed over the leather bound book, its age was something to behold.

A heavy weight bore on her chest Jet noticed. Jack didn't seem angry about what she had done but rather…pleased? His stoic persona rather frustrated her and it continued to do so now.

"Why…are my brother and I here?" His silence consumed her, made shivers, and left Jet in utter fear. She had a feeling where this was going. "You're trying to recreate the court…aren't you?"