Hello, fellow readers. September has arrived, and I have returned with a new chapter. Grab some tissues, snacks, and drinks, and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Killer Instinct nor Carrie at this time.
The full shade of darkness shrouded Jago until specks of light seeped into his eyes. Lines of trees surrounded him, covered in fog, even as he sat up and checked his surroundings.
Where am I? He headed north until he arrived at a meadow. Mist obscured the region, but Jago kept moving until a blossomed tree revealed itself. A log sat in front of the tree, showing a view of this strange foggy realm. "What is this place?"
"Don't worry, you're safe," a voice said.
Jago jumped at the unexpected voice. He shifted to his battle stance, listening until a man with wise yet weary eyes emerged. He sported an attire comprising a digital military camouflage pattern. "Who are you?"
"You should know," the man said. "Orchid had told you about me."
Jago furrowed his brows until he spotted the man's tape on the outfit: Jacob. He stepped back, swallowing hard as a heaviness crept in his stomach. "Father?"
Jacob smiled, his sepia eyes lighting upon meeting one of his two children. "The spirit world isn't what I expect to have our first meeting."
"Spirit world? Does this mean—"
"Calm yourself. You're not alive nor dead, as though something is keeping you grounded. Why don't you sit next to me?"
"I rather stand."
"Suit yourself."
Jago mentally kicked himself before he sat beside his father on the log. "My…my legs were becoming stiff."
Jacob chuckled. "You and Orchid have my stubbornness; it must be a family trait. You must have questions, I assume."
"How did you and my mother meet?"
"I met her when I accepted the mission to rescue aid workers taken in Pakistan. The terrorists demanded a ransom and promised to kill them if the nations did not obey. After careful planning, we completed the mission by killing the rebels and saving the hostages. Once we brought them to base, the doctors assessed their treatment; only your mother received the rebels' worst. I visited her during my downtime, and I grew fond of her. The doctors mentioned my presence helped her cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other emotional scars."
"So, you weren't there once I was born."
"No, and I regretted it, but I sensed that I would have a son. You can call it a parent's intuition."
"Is my mother here?"
"Not to my knowledge. That reminds me of when I've been trying to find you and your mother. The last clue I had was that you vanished into the Himalayas."
"She placed me at a shrine in the Himalayas, and the monks adopted me. Although they're a family in my eyes, meeting Orchid changed my perception. Since then, I wanted to find my mother."
"I see. To think your mother would leave you at a temple unless…she told me she had to go somewhere because the same rebels sent her threatening mail. An assumption I had, but if they learned she was pregnant, they'll kill her first and turn you into one of their soldiers. Your mother was the only person keeping me going. You can do much if you're a lone wolf, but having someone precious in your life strengthens you."
"Still, you risked your career by going AWOL when you learned of Orchid's abilities."
"Maybe, but if Ultratech or the government received word of Orchid's powers, they'd use her as a weapon. I couldn't let it happen. From what I understand, you're doing the same for Carrie."
Jago jerked his head towards his father with scrunched brows. "How do you—"
"I might be dead, but it doesn't mean I'm keeping track of the events in the mortal world. Do you plan to adopt Carrie?"
"I…haven't considered it. Why?"
"Carrie has endured more hell than anyone, and no matter how many times someone brings her down, she stands back on her two feet. Her father is in this realm. I scolded him for being a drunk and deserting his family."
Red flags rose inside Jago's mind. Carrie mentioned her mother many times, but never her father. "I guess a few parents forsake a family for selfish reasons. Not that it applies to you, father…"
"I did my best, but it still works out."
The fog receded as the meadow showed itself, and the sky opened, showing brilliance beams of light. A fiery twister landed but did not burn the grass and shaped into a flaming bird. The creature approached the large blossomed tree, gazing at the two men.
"It appears you still have something to do," Jacob said.
"You can come with me, father. We…we could be a family again," Jago said.
"I learned that death is never the end; it's the beginning. My time has ended but starts with you and Orchid. Fear not, though: we will be together, but I'll watch over you, Orchid, and Carrie until then."
Jago figured it was impossible. He hugged his father as a single tear rolled from his left eye. "I…I love you, father."
Jacob returned the embrace. "I love you too, son. Now, don't let that demon enslave the Earth. Oh, and if Orchid is wondering what led to my death, despite ARIA's words…" He whispered in his son's ear, leaving the monk speechless. "Tell her that when you see her and don't forget that I love and miss her."
"I will." Jago shifted his attention to the fiery bird. "I'm ready."
The firebird screeched as it covered Jago with its body, emitting intense beams of light.
The burden of living struck Jago as the air filled his body, and any pain vanished. His vision blurred but adjusted enough to paint a picture of an old chamber and something red grasping him until it loosened its grip. Pemba, in her Qilin form, rested her head on him as though drained of energy. He glanced at the small golden item resembling a bird on his chest. Jago examined it; the warm sensation still flowed, although the aura faded.
Slowly, he sat up and nudged the Biànxíng Zhe. "Pemba, wake up."
Pemba opened her eyes. "Jago, you're back. Hey, Kim, he's back! That relic worked!"
Relic? Jago studied the birdlike item until Kim's voice grabbed his attention.
"How are you?" she asked.
"More than okay. What happened?"
"That portal snatched you after you pushed Pemba. You were near death, but I saved you," Kim said until Yeo emerged from her body, giving her a snorting scold. "However, I had help, so I can't take full credit."
Jago combed his fingers through his hair. "Yes, I remember now. It dropped me in the Astral Plane, where Gargos reigned. I figured that if I could stop him, it would end the invasion."
"Are you...crazy? He could've killed you," Pemba said.
Jago noted Pemba's exhaustion. "Are you okay?"
"I only need to rest."
"She used her spirit to keep yours grounded until we found you help," Yeo said.
Jago recalled his time in the spirit world, where his father mentioned something keeping him from crossing the other side. "Pemba, thank you, and you too, Kim. Where are we?"
"Glad you're back to the land of the living." Kan-Ra arrived in the chamber.
"Kan-Ra. What's going on here?"
"I have brought you and your friends to my lair to escape the Shadow Lord's wrath. You were foolish yet bold to fight Gargos. You'll need my help."
"What do you want?"
Kan-Ra opened his hand, revealing the small orbs Kim had given to him. "According to Ms. Wu, they came from the Shadow Lord's minions once defeated. If you could bring more, I could summon a weapon to aid you. I'll send you and Ms. Wu to two distinct parts of the world." He assembled two sand tornadoes around Jago and Kim before they vanished.
"Where did you send them?" Pemba asked.
"On a bargain mission. I would send you, but your ability to keeping Jago's spirit grounded had weakened you. By the time your strength returns, they'll be back with the orbs."
"How fitting." Hurry back.
Stars glittered in the darkened sky below the snowy Alps, with human-made lights from several villages gleaming in the foothills. A sand twister erupted in a forest, revealing Jago.
"Great. I cheated death thanks to my friends, and Kan-Ra sends me on a bargain mission."
Faint screams echoed in the forest. Jago followed the cries until he approached a town, consumed in flames. Among a crowd of people rushing for safety, Jago sensed an evil presence, leading him to a mother with two children fleeing. One child tripped to the ground, and when the mother went back, a green fireball stopped her.
In the warrior-monk's form, with a smoky green haze surrounding its body, a figure approached them, unsheathing its sword to slay the family.
Jago chucked a fireball at the hazy imposter before it delivered the fatal blow. He raced towards the family and urged them to go. Once the mother and her children scampered to safety, he focused his attention on the copy.
"Brother, you came," the phony spoke in a distorted voice.
"Spare me that bull. I sense no soul from you."
"What do you mean? Am I not you?"
Jago growled and charged at the imposter. The creature threw a fireball, but Jago evaded and attacked until the fraud blocked an open-palm strike and threw him.
The hazy creature hurled a fireball as Jago fired his own, canceling each other. Using the smoke as his advantage, Jago charged through and attacked the being until it leaped and kicked him. The figure unsheathed its sword, ready to slash its enemy until Jago blocked with his own. The two blades struck each other, sparks flying from the metal until they locked.
"Why do you oppose me? We are the same!" the imposter said.
"Only one problem: you're empty." Jago shoved the sword off the being's hands and slammed a fireball, setting the creature on fire. The imposter screamed until it plopped to the ground and faded. Once the flames died, small glowing orbs appeared unscathed.
"Well done." Kan-Ra appeared as he used his magic to lift the orbs.
"What was that thing?"
"A Mimic—lesser servants of Gargos. They changed into their opponents and wreaked havoc. We must return to the archives."
"But the villagers—"
"Will be fine. The Alliance will send someone to guide them to safety." Kan-Ra summoned a sand twister as it enveloped them.
At Kan-Ra's lair, Pemba's chest rose and fell until the whooshing of a sand whirlwind awoke her. She glanced over her shoulder. Kan-Ra returned with Jago. "That was fast."
"How are you doing?" Jago inquired.
"Better. Kan-Ra suggested a spell that restores my strength, but I told him no. I still don't trust him."
"Nor do I expect you to. I must check on Ms. Wu, so I'll be back." Kan-Ra dispelled into wisps of sand.
"That sorcerer is a piece of work."
"At least he's assisting for now." Jago sat next to Pemba, using the time to rest. "Gargos is aware of Carrie's presence."
"Did he mention what plans he had for Carrie with the prophecy of his Heir?"
"No, and the worst part is that he has telekinesis."
The exploding sand grasped their attention as Kan-Ra returned with Kim.
"Ha, that fight was too easy," Kim boasted. "Okay, Kan, we have your orbs, so what's your plan? What are they, anyway?"
"They're called Astral Gems. With them, I could summon vast treasures."
"I'm not too sure. Last time you tried to summon something, Gargos used that opportunity to create more portals to let his minions loose," Pemba said.
"A mistake which I won't repeat." Kan-Ra lifted the orbs and mixed them with his magic.
A bright light shone inside the temple, forcing Jago, Kim, and Pemba to cover their eyes. It grew intense for a while until a strange creature appeared, resembling a ram's head with impressive horns, and emitted a green aura, bleating.
"What is that?" Pemba asked.
"A Guardian." Yeo emerged from Kim. "They came from the same plane as Gargos but escaped."
"The Ram Guardian will be helpful to you in future battles. Whenever you bring Astral Gems in your spare time, I can summon stronger versions, but today will do. I sense trouble brewing into the world. I'll be here if you need my help." Kan-Ra encased the group in a giant ball of sand, and with his magic, dissolved it.
The dome of sand reformed itself on top of a building in New York City, unveiling the group before whisking away in the wind.
Kim rubbed her eyes to remove the sandy particles. "Kan-Ra should warn us before using these sand teleporters."
"He wasn't kidding about trouble brewing. I sensed Mimics, there." Jago pointed at the Ultratech tower. "We should head there."
Pemba changed into her dragon form. Once Jago and Kim hopped on her back, she spread her wings and ascended. As they moved closer to the Ultratech tower, they spotted ARIA and Cinder battling an army of Mimic Fulgore units on the roof. Many Fulgore and Stalker units came to help, but the Mimics kept coming. They sneaked through the clouds until Pemba unleashed a stream of fire towards the Mimics. The sneak attack stopped the battle, though briefly.
"Hell yeah!" Cinder said until a Mimic Fulgore thrust its plasma claws towards him. Cinder dodged and shot two blasts of fire towards the creature, resuming the battle.
Several Mimics focused their attention on Pemba and fired green laser beams. Pemba swerved as her friends held on, diving before she ascended. Once the gang reached the roof again, the Mimic Fulgore units were ready to fire their lasers. "Those lasers will be a pain. We need to keep them off us."
The Ram Guardian nudged Jago as though it wanted to join the fight. Once the monk gave permission, the floating ram head charged towards the Mimics. Its eyes gleamed as the aura surrounding it deepened, forming a body of its own. It rammed the Mimics, stopping them from firing their lasers.
"Want to join the fun, Yeo?" Kim asked.
"I'm ready."
Kim aimed the nunchaku toward several Mimics, where Yeo emerged into a more massive dragon, barreling toward the shadowy figures.
The battle ended with the Alliance's favor as patches of smoke lingered and bodies of destroyed Fulgore and Stalker units littered the ground. An ample number of Astral Gems scattered, remaining unscathed from the battle.
Cinder picked up an Astral Gem. "Ooh, what are they?"
"No time to explain." ARIA hooked a few wires from herself to the central computer. She hacked into the satellite and did a thorough scan to destroy any viruses and repair inner workings. After she finished, ARIA detached herself from the central computer. "I am pleased with the efforts you have made here today. With so many forces working together, humanity might survive. As a token of good faith, I will offer one of my agents to join with you."
Fulgore and Riptor positioned themselves next to each other. Jago crossed his arms, musing until he pointed at Riptor. The cybernetic raptor glared at the monk as she approached them.
"You. Riptor did not forget this." She showed the stitched part where Jago slashed off her arm from their last meeting; she has a new limb with glowing claws.
"Consider it as an improvement," Jago said. Riptor narrowed her eyes and growled. "Anything we should know before we go?"
"Before their departure, I mentioned to your friends that Gargos is spreading his corruption, thinning the barrier between the worlds," ARIA said. "I suggest working with Kan-Ra to search for relics and Guardians, such as the one you have. Even though we cannot stop Gargos from invading Earth, we can prepare for his arrival."
Carrie sat at a flat zone on the same trail Maya and TJ used for their cardio workout at the City of Dawn. A soft rumble echoed in the cloud-covered sky, which was free of the mysterious portals for now.
"Care, what are you doing here?" TJ said between ragged breaths after the long climb. "You shouldn't wander on your own."
"Sorry, TJ, I needed peace of mind."
"Still waiting for Jago and Pemba to return?"
"Yeah. Do you feel that?"
"Now that you mentioned it, did the temperature increased?"
Small wavy lines simmered behind them until a portal appeared. Carrie and TJ steadied themselves, uncertain what could emerge from the void. Once Riptor arrived, TJ shifted to his fighting stance, keeping Carrie behind him. The portal lingered as Jago, Kim, Pemba in her human form, and the Ram Guardian emerged.
"Calm down, TJ. Riptor is with us, for now," Jago said.
"I still don't trust Ultratech one bit. Glad you're back, and you brought the kid."
"I'm twenty-one years old. TJ Combo, right?" Kim said. "Are you still in cahoots with Ultratech since they exposed those metal implants?"
"I met you a few seconds ago, and you're dissing me?"
Jago stepped in between them. "Enough of that. The two of you can sort this out after we stop Gargos."
"Jago!" Carrie hugged him.
He returned the embrace. "You're doing okay?"
"Still shaken, though. Is that a glowing ram head?"
"Don't worry, it's friendly."
The Ram Guardian scanned Carrie. As though it sensed deep sorrow, it nuzzled her.
"That Guardian is receiving much love. Who's the girl?" Kim said.
"This is Carrie," Jago said.
"Nice to meet you, Care." Kim extended her hand, but Carrie stared at it before she withdrew. "What's the matter?"
"She's shy, so don't take it as personal. Is everyone well, TJ?" Pemba said.
"They are, but Maya…well, I should show you." While TJ led them to the Night Guard base, Kim observed the damage from Ultratech's assault.
"Something powerful is emitting in the City of Dawn, even when you greeted Carrie. I believe she's telekinetic," Yeo said.
"She can move things with her mind?"
"Yes. It doesn't surprise me if Carrie sensed my presence."
"It could explain why she backed away. Pemba mentioned Carrie is shy, so with time, she'll be comfortable around us."
TJ led them to the dungeon, where the crew was on standby. They gathered around Maya, who covered her face with her hands, sobbing. Although the gang was happy that Jago and Pemba returned with Kim, it did not lift Maya's spirit.
"It…it can't be…it can't…" Maya spoke between sobs.
Jago, Pemba, and Kim glanced at each other before the former spoke. "What happened?"
"Ultratech technicians came and gave us the tablets with reports. Maya read the intel on the Coven and come see." Orchid handed a tablet to Jago. "Keep scrolling until I say stop." Jago scrolled on the portable computer until Orchid motioned him to stop. "Focus on the woman with black tresses tied back."
Jago scanned the members of the Coven until he found the woman Orchid described. She shared a vampire's features, but it was the woman's name that caught his attention. Etched beside the woman was the word, Mira.
A/N: Jago gets a second chance in life and returns to the mortal world. It's sad that he had never got the opportunity to meet his father, and even though Orchid had mentioned things, it's not the same as meeting in person whether in the living or the dead. Kim has joined the gang, got a new Guardian, and helped ARIA with Mimic problems. Now, more challenges are ahead, especially for Maya. Anyway, time for my brain to rest, so I'll see you later.