Chapter 5: A Dreadful Alliance
As the Spell-Breaker threw off his cloak, everyone could finally get a good look at him. The Spell-Breaker wore a rather odd costume that looked like Black Panther, Shadow Wind (from Legends of Chima) and the Arkham Knight (from Batman: Arkham knight).
*That is the simplest way to describe the costume.
The Spell-Breaker's costume was mostly dark colors like black, grey, and dark blue. But it had some green and red on it was well. He had thick gloves with sharp claws. A large utility belt which contained a lot of gadgets. Two gun holsters. Heavily armored on the knees and shoulders and chest area. Large metal spikes on his arms. Bone armoring on some areas. The most interesting part was the mask. The mask consisted of a helmet like structure that went around the whole face. There was a visor like object covering the face, with 2 glowing red eyes. Where the ears would have been, were two large animal horns, similar to Elias, but more... thorny, if you will.
"What do you want, Spell-Breaker?" Elias asked angrily as he pulled out his wand.
"I want Chise to DIE!" the Spell-Breaker said.
"(Cough, cough) You can't kill her! (cough, hack, cough) You know Chise's immortal, don't you!?" Ruth asked as he started coughing up blood.
"(Laugh) Of course I know that she's immortal! Now, why don't you shut the fuck up before I shove a big chocolate bar down your throat!" The Spell-Breaker threatened.
Ruth attempted to growl but he coughed up more blood instead.
"See, here's the thing about Chise's immortality, I have a way to permanently disable it. Once I do that, Chise, you're a sitting duck." The Spell-Breaker said.
"How do you know!?" Elias asked.
"Quite simple, I had a friend tell me the answer." The Spell-Breaker said.
"Why do you want to kill me!? What did I ever do to you!? I've never even heard about you." Chise said.
"What did you ever do to me? (Chuckle) More than you know, bitch. You have brought so much pain and suffering into my life! And for that, you will die! Now, I know what you're thinking; you're thinking, 'Well Mr. Spell-Breaker if you want me dead so badly, why don't you just kill me?' The answer is quite simple. I want you to suffer for a little first, then you die. It was nice to finally talk to you, I hope you enjoyed it too, because the next time we meet, you're going to feel so much pain and the cold embrace of death." The Spell-Breaker said as he pulled something out of his pocket.
The Spell-Breaker threw a small ball-like object on the ground in front of him. Suddenly smoke blasted from the device, causing everyone to lose sight of the Spell-Breaker. As soon as the smoke cleared, the Spell-Breaker was gone.
"Damn it! (Cough, hack) He got away!" Ruth gasped.
"Silky, take Ruth inside and tend to his wounds, Chise, come with me. We need to have a talk with our friend in the well." Elias said as he started angrily walking over to the well where Joseph was staying at.
"Elias? Where are you-?! Elias, no!" Chise cried as she ran in front of Elias.
Elias stopped and looked down at Chise with a stern look.
"There is no way that Joseph is responsible for this. He would never do something like this." Chise said.
"I know, I do not believe Joseph is the Spell-Breaker, but if there is anyone that could possibly know how to get rid of Cartaphilus's immortality, it's Joseph." Elias said as he moved around Chise.
"I understand, but you have to control yourself. Don't let you anger get in the way." Chise said.
"I will do my best. Come on, we have no time to lose." Elias said.
Elias was quick to throw open the entrance to the well and he stomped his way down towards where Joseph was sleeping, Chise following close behind him. The moment Chise and Elias made it to Joseph, they were shocked to see Joseph was in a bloody mess.
"Oh, my god, Joseph!" Chise cried.
"What in the world happened here?" Elias asked.
"(Gasp, wheeze) Chise? Elias? (cough) Help me, please." Joseph called out weakly.
"Joseph, what happened?" Chise asked as she tried to help him sit up.
"Well, you see, that guy-(hack!)" Joseph was cut off as Elias grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall.
"Elias! What are you doing!? Put him down!" Chise called as she grabbed at Elias's robe.
"YOU GAVE THAT MONSTER THE SPELL TO DISABLE CHISE'S IMMORTALITY! DIDN'T YOU!?" Elias roared.
"(Chocking) No, Elias, p-please, you've got to listen to me (hack)." Joseph gasped.
"YOU PUT HER LIFE AT RISK!" Elias roared.
"Elias, let him go!" Chise said much louder.
"Chise, please do not interfere. I knew we should've killed you... Cartaphilus." Elias snarled as he brought his face closer to Joseph.
"(Chocking) Cartaphilus is gone." Joseph said.
"No, he's not. He's only dormant in you." Elias said.
"(Chocking) No, seriously, Cartaphilus is not in me anymore. He left... (wheeze) he left with the Spell-Breaker." Joseph said.
"What?" Elias asked.
"Let me go, and I'll tell you what happened... p-please." Joseph begged.
Elias gently put Joseph down, only to forcefully place him in front of Chise.
"Chise, can you use your enhanced senses to see if Cartaphilus is inside him or not?" Elias asked.
"Sure, let me see." Chise said as she held her hand in front of Joseph's face. "I don't sense Cartaphilus's presence in him. Only Joseph." Chise said.
"Very well, tell us what happened." Elias said.
"Of course, just give me a minute." Joseph said as he tried to regain his breathe. "Okay, here's what happened: It happened last night, in the middle of the night; I was sleeping peacefully when I heard the well door open. I thought it was Chise so I called out for her. I got no response, and then I saw 2 glowing red eyes and 2 large horns, so I assumed it was Elias. But, it wasn't. It was some person in a very weird costume of some sort. It was that Spell-Breaker guy. He told me that he wanted me to give him the spell that would disable the immortality Chise has. I refused. I swore to you, Chise, that I admitted defeat and wouldn't try to do anything. He tortured me for a bit and then he used some sort of spell to wake up Cartaphilus. I tried to fight him but he was too strong. Cartaphilus gave the Spell-Breaker guy the spell and then the guy used some sort of spell that literally separated me and Cartaphilus. The next thing I knew, Cartaphilus and the Spell-Breaker started to gang up on me. They beat me and attacked me and then they just left me to die." Joseph explained in a rushed but still understandable way.
"Why didn't you come to us for help?" Chise asked.
"I was afraid. I thought that if I left the well, Elias would kill me. I swore I would stay in the well, I couldn't break my promise." Joseph said.
"Do you have any way to prove this to us?" Elias asked, just wanting to be extra sure.
"Oh, yes, yes. Ch-Chise, you went into my mind and saw my memories a few times right?" Joseph asked desperately.
"Yes, I did." Chise replied.
"Yeah, that's right. P-Please, do it now, search my memories, see that I am telling the truth." Joseph begged as he fell on his knees in front of Chise.
"Okay, just hold still. It's going to be okay, Joseph. I promise." Chise said as she placed her hand on Joseph's forehead. Chise closed her eyes and began to search his memories until she found the ones of the previous night. Chise then found herself inside the well where Joseph was sleeping in.
FLASHBACK (JOSEPH'S MEMORY)
*Creaking wood sound
*Door opening and slamming shut
Huh? What? Who could be bothering me at this time of the night? Joseph thought to himself as he woke up.
*Footsteps approaching
"Chise? Is that you? Look, I don't appreciate you bothering me in my sleep? Can you at least respect that?" Joseph asked in an annoyed tone.
Joseph was more annoyed as the footsteps got closer and closer. Joseph flipped over, expecting to see Chise, but instead he saw a dark figure with 2 glowing red eyes and 2 large horns.
"(Scoffs) Oh, well Elias, what can I help you with?" Joseph asked.
The figure walked towards Joseph and then turned on the light that was in the well. When the light was turned on, instead of Elias standing above Joseph, it was some person that Joseph had never seen before.
"Woah, w-who are you?" Joseph asked.
"I am The Spell-Breaker and I am your savior." The Spell-Breaker said.
"What is THAT supposed to mean?" Joseph asked.
"(Chuckle) Doesn't matter. You gave Chise Hatori your immortality right?" the Spell-Breaker asked.
"How do you know about that?" Joseph asked.
"Just answer my question." the Spell-Breaker said.
"Fine, yes I gave her my immortality. Why do you care?" Joseph asked.
"If you gave Chise your immortality, I'm assuming you know how to disable it?" The Spell-Breaker asked.
"(Scoffs) Of course, I do. Why do you need to know this? You thinking of gaining my immortality?" Joseph asked.
"Actually, no. I want to return it to you." The Spell-Breaker said.
"What? Why would you do that?" Joseph asked.
"So, we can work together. You see, I want to end Chise's life, and with your help, we can make her suffer. What do you say?" The Spell-Breaker asked.
"Tempting, but I refuse." Joseph said as he turned away from the Spell-Breaker.
"Why would you refuse this offer? Don't you want her dead too?" The Spell-Breaker asked.
"I don't know, but I do know this; I promised that I wouldn't cause them harm anymore. Also, Chise was one of the only people to ever care about me or show me true kindness. So, no, I won't help you." Joseph said.
The Spell-Breaker said nothing as he quickly walked in front of Joseph and broke two of his fingers at the same time.
"AAAAGGH!" Joseph cried.
"Tell. Me. The. Spell." The Spell-Breaker said.
"Never! AAAGGH!" Joseph cried as the Spell-Breaker all of the fingers on Joseph's right hand.
"What else do I need to break before you tell me the spell?" The Spell-Breaker asked.
"(Grunt) You can break as much as you like. There's nothing you can do that hasn't already been done to me." Joseph said as he gave the Spell-Breaker a serious look.
"Hmph, Well, if JOSEPH won't cooperate with me, maybe CARTAPHILUS will." The Spell-Breaker said.
"What?" Joseph asked. Before Joseph could say or do anything else, The Spell-Breaker put his hand on Joseph's head and started reciting some sort of chant. "St-Stop!" Joseph cried as he tried to resist whatever was happening but the chant somehow was paralyzing him.
"Watashi no kotoba, tamashi o uchigawa kara kiitekudasai, nemuri kara samero! Watashi no koe o kiite, mata ikite kudasai!" the Spell-Breaker said.
*Translation: Listen to my words and the soul from inside, wake up from sleep! Listen to my voice and live again!
"NO! You. Will. Not. Wake. Him. Up!" Joseph cried as he could feel Cartaphilus wake up from within him.
"(Chuckle) I already have." The Spell-Breaker said as he finished the spell.
"Nooo! Chis, help m-! … Ugh! Where am I?" Joseph (Cartaphilus) asked.
"Welcome back, Cartaphilus. I'll get right to the point. What are your thoughts about Chise Hatori?" The Spell-Breaker asked.
"I hate her! Sure, Joseph my respect her, but I don't." Joseph (Cartaphilus) said.
"Good, then you won't mind if you tell me the spell that will disable your immortality from Chise?" The Spell-Breaker asked.
"(Chuckle) I'm more than happy to give you the spell. I will give you the spell that will allow you to temporally hold the immortality until you decide to transfer it back to me." Joseph (Cartaphilus) said.
"Very well." The Spell-Breaker said.
"Anata no uchi ni aru chikara, watashi wa sore o watashi ni utsushimasu! Anata wa katsute kono chikara o motte imashitaga, ima wa watashi no monodesu!" Joseph (Cartaphilus) recited.
*Translation: The power within you, I transfer it to me! You used to have this power, but now it's mine!
"Noted." The Spell-Breaker said.
"Now, this is the spell that will allow you to transfer my immortality back to me." Joseph (Cartaphilus) said.
"Let's hear it." The Spell-Breaker said.
"Watashi no naka no chikara, watashi wa anata ni sore o utsushimasu! Chikara wa anata no mono ni narimashita!" Joseph (Cartaphilus) recited.
*Translation: Power in me, I transfer it to you! Power is yours!
"Very well, let's go." The Spell-Breaker said.
"Wait a minute, is there anything you can do about Joseph? I'm concerned he may try to prevent me from doing what I want." Joseph (Cartaphilus) asked.
"As a matter of fact, there IS something I can do for you." The Spell-Breaker said as he extended his hand towards Joseph (Cartaphilus). "2Tsu no kokoro ga 1tsu ni narimasu! Ima, 1tsu no kokoro ga 2tsu ni narimasu! Hanarete watashitoisshoni hataraite kudasai!" The Spell-Breaker recited as magic energy flowed into Joseph (Cartaphilus).
*Translation: Two hearts become one! Now there are two in one heart! Work away with me!
After the spell was finished, Joseph (Cartaphilus) yelled in agony as he felt like he was being ripped in half. He fell to the floor in pain and started violently shaking. He looked at his hand and he could literally see another hand start to phase out of him. After a few minutes of this, there was flash and suddenly Joseph's body exploded and from the explosion, Joseph and Cartaphilus were thrown across from each other and they were now two separate beings.
"(Evil laugh) YES! I'm finally... free!" Cartaphilus said as he raise his hands in the air.
"NO!" Joseph yelled as he attempted to use his magic to attack Cartaphilus, but nothing happened. "What? What happened to my powers?" Joseph asked.
"(Evil laugh) Your powers are all mine now Joseph." Cartaphilus said as he unleashed a painful blast of magic at Joseph.
"Ugh! I gave you peace! I trusted you! I HELPED you!" Joseph yelled.
"I DIDN'T NEED YOUR HELP! I JUST NEEDED YOUR BODY! Now... I have no need for it any longer. So, Joseph my friend, what do you say we have one last dance!" Cartaphilus said as he picked up Joseph by the throat and then punched him.
Cartaphilus then proceeded to beat up Joseph badly, punching him hard and kicking him while he was down.
"Hey, Spell man, why don't you help me beat up Little Joe here?" Cartaphilus asked.
"With pleasure." The Spell-Breaker said as he pulled out two knives and started to cut Joseph while Cartaphilus continued to beat him up.
After about five minutes of this abuse, The Spell-Breaker put his knives away and stopped Cartaphilus from hitting Joseph anymore.
"Hey! What are you doing!?" Cartaphilus asked.
"We've wasted enough time. Let's go before Beauty and the Beast sense something's wrong." The Spell-Breaker said.
"Ugh! Fine! So, what? Are we just going to let him live?" Cartaphilus asked as he kicked Joseph again.
"Just leave him to bleed out. It's not like anyone here cares for him. Except for Chise because she's such an angel or whatever. He'll serve as a warning. Now let's go." The Spell-Breaker said as he began to leave the well.
"Heh, heh, so long Joseph my friend. I'll see you in hell." Cartaphilus said as he left the well and slammed it shut.
"(Cough) Chise, help me... please." Joseph weakly said.
FLASHBACK END (JOSEPH'S MEMORY)
Chise gasped as she exited Joseph's memory and fell back into Elias.
"Chise, are you okay!?" Elias asked as he caught her.
"He's telling the truth Elias. Cartaphilus is free and he's working with the Spell-Breaker." Chise said.
"No... It can't be." Elias said.
"I'm so sorry! I tried to fight back! I really did." Joseph said.
"We know. So, what now, Elias?" Chise asked.
"I don't know, for now, we should check on Ruth." Elias said.
"Okay." Chise said.
"W-Wait! Let me come with you! Let me help." Joseph said.
"YOU!? Help us? You have no powers! You are just a normal human being! How could YOU possibly be of any aid to us?" Elias asked.
"I know, I know. But, please let me help, even if its like helping around the house or cooking or stuff like that. I'll do it, just please let me help. Let me make up for my mistakes." Joseph begged.
"You think you can make up for what you have done by doing house chores?" Elias asked.
"No, but it is a start, please!" Joseph begged.
"Chise? What do you think?" Elias asked.
"We should let him help us. Even if it is through small things. We should give him a chance." Chise said.
"(Sigh) Very well. But, don't expect any warm attention from me, Ruth, or Silky. Chise will most likely be the only person who will be nice to you in my house." Elias said sternly to Joseph.
"I understand." Joseph said.
"The only reason I am even allowing this is because Cartaphilus is not in you anymore. Come on, let's go." Elias said as he then used his magic to heal up Joseph's cuts and bruises.
"Oh, thank you." Joseph said.
"You're not welcome. I don't need you bleeding in my house." Elias said.
"Elias..." Chise said.
"Chise, no. I deserve this. Don't worry about me." Joseph said as he gave her a smile.
"Come now, let's go home." Elias said to Chise as he offered her his hand.
"Yeah." Chise responded as she held his hand.
The two began to make their way back home with Joseph following close behind.