A/N: Hello, my fellow readers! I am back once again with the brand-new chapter. I don't think I should delay it with my speaking, so sit back and enjoy.
Disclaimer: Killer Instinct belongs to Mircosoft and Rare. Carrie belongs to Stephen King.
Jago sat crossed-legged on his bed, meditating. With Orchid's friends moving to the GCF HQ, General Wilson provided quarters. The room comprised a twin-sized bed, an oak-smooth desk, and a lamp. Two slide-in curtains concealed the window, blocking most of the sunlight. A computer desk with drawers remained bare.
Jago remained in his position until his closed eyes switched to despair. Visions invaded his mind, exposing ruined cities and humanity destroyed. The image then shifted to the Tiger Shrine at night. Bluish-white fire lingering in the torches instead of regular flames. A dark being sat in front of the bell, calling for him.
Jago snapped his eyes open, regaining his composure. The first vision…I'm aware of what will happen if Gargos claims victory. The second one, though, what does it mean?
He departed from his quarters and headed to the leisure room. The news continued the coverage of the interdimensional threat. The corruption around the planet was increasing than depleting. Bluish-black portals kept popping in numbers, with the occasional red gateways. Jago glimpsed at the opening door as though he sensed a presence.
"It's all right. I don't bite."
"The hell? How does he know we're here?" George whispered. Jago smirked, though hidden behind his mask. Eventually, George and Sue stepped inside the room. "It's getting bad out there, isn't it?"
"Yes, unfortunately. Each time we close one gateway, two more fill in the gap. It'll be a matter of time before Gargos enters our world."
"I don't even wanna think about it."
"Same here." Sue wrapped her around her swollen stomach.
Jago studied the mother-to-be briefly. "You're worried about your child, aren't you?"
Sue nodded. "More than anything. She's the only thing keeping Tommy's memories alive with me."
"You have my condolences. Carrie told me some things about Prom—your boyfriend in particular. I'm sure he would've been a good father. Can I ask you and George something? Thunder, Eagle, and Orchid found posters with Carrie's picture smeared with 'Burns in Hell.' Why?"
George and Sue glanced at each other before the former spoke. "I wouldn't say she has done nothing wrong. No one liked her because of her mom. In every town, village, or city, there's always that one nut. Margaret was our town's nut and religious too. If she takes one look at you, for example, she goes on a ranting spree. Rumors also spread about them—horrible ones."
"What kind of rumors?"
"Well, there is one about Carrie claiming how the world would burn in Hell."
Jago raised an eyebrow. "Did she say that?"
"That's still under debate. Things would be different if Margaret didn't homeschool Carrie. Not that we have anything against it."
"Carrie never mentioned that. What prompted her to go to a public school?"
"Neighbors complained of yelling and screaming at the house. So much that the state pulled the plug," Sue said. "The officials threatened to take Carrie away if Margaret didn't comply. Not that it made any difference."
Jago couldn't imagine that grim reality, but something concerned him. What happened that convinced the state to stop Margaret's teachings? Before he could ask more questions, the T.V. blasted with the current news. The screen showed a portal hovering over the Himalayas. He narrowed his eyes, reflecting on the vision involving the Tiger Shrine.
"Are you okay, sir?" Sue asked.
"Yes, I…I must go." Jago headed out but stopped beside the door. "If my sister or Carrie asks for me, tell them I'm needed for a mission."
"Um, yeah, sure," Sue said, and with that, Jago left.
The Forbidden Archive was quiet, apart from the sand slipping through the cracks. A bright blue light gleamed as Kan-Ra viewed the world from a portal he created.
The corruption increases with each day, drawing closer to Gargos's arrival. I have mentioned to the Alliance a weapon that could defeat him. The sorcerer grabbed a scroll lying on the table. He unfurled it, scanning the contents. There has been one that challenged Gargos long ago but then split into parts. If I'm to create this weapon, I will need help.
Suddenly, a roaring hexagonal gateway appeared in his lair. Kan-Ra prepared himself until Jago emerged. Well, this is unexpected. "Jago, what a surprise. You're one of the few that hardly comes here. To what I owe you for this visit?"
"Are you still in the business of summoning Guardians?"
"Always, but why a Guardian? Have the ones your friends gained been enough for you?"
"They've been helpful, but for this mission, it requires one in specific."
Kan-Ra rubbed his chin. "Well, things are getting treacherous out there, but beckoning Guardians isn't free."
Jago reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag. He tossed the sack to the sorcerer, who caught it. "I had to take a pit stop at the Night Guard base. Perhaps this should suffice."
Kan-Ra untied the bag, revealing Astral Gems. The sorcerer's lips curled in mirth. "Excellent. You came prepared."
Blue energy encircled around Kan-Ra's right hand as a book flipped its pages. The book floated from the platform and formed a gateway. Once Kan-Ra added the Astral Gems into the portal, the aura changed to gold. Its light increased as the sound of a tiger's roar echoed.
The portal dispersed, revealing a floating tiger skull with unique patterns. The head glanced upon the personnel—Jago, in particular. It floated towards him as though he was the one who did the summoning.
"I've waited so long to see you again." Its voice comprised a celestial tone.
Jago scrunched his brows. "Forgive me, but how is it you know me?"
"You probably don't remember, but we've met before as you slept."
"You're the creature in my dream when I was at a retreat to recover."
"I'm pleased that you remembered. I am Baekho."
"Baekho…a noteworthy name for a noble spirit."
"How intriguing. I never expect a Guardian to choose someone so soon," Kan-Ra said. "Why?"
"Nothing that concerns you," Jago said.
"Very well. Oh, before you go, take this." The sorcerer handed Jago a small vial with a red liquid. "It is called the Potion of Restore. With this mission you're about to endure, it might come in handy. I look forward to seeing you soon."
Jago pulled out the portal key from his other pocket. He pressed the button, and the hexagonal gateway emerged. Once he and Baekho stepped inside, the portal shrunk until it vanished.
Countless stars spread across the Himalayan sky, showing its beauty. Silence ruled the mountains until the faint roar of a portal boomed. Jago and Baekho stepped out as they arrived at the Tiger Shrine.
"What abilities do you have, Baekho?" he queried.
"I'm a defense breaker. Each time your opponent blocks, it charges my power. Once unleashed, you can break their defense, extending your assault."
"Sounds interesting. It could be useful, especially towards Mimics."
"They are a pain, those Mimics. I can't believe Gargos opened the main portal, starting his invasion. We had it sealed for a reason."
"Don't worry. Together, we'll send Gargos to the fiery pits of Hell for his treachery."
Jago and Baekho stepped inside the Tiger Shrine. Moonlight filtered through the temple, and bluish-white flames lingered on the torches. Despite its weakening state, the place still held potent memories.
"A foul presence is approaching," Baekho warned. "Can you sense it?"
"Nearby." Jago trailed his eyes towards the smaller bell, waiting. Swiftly, a black energy pillar seeped through the stone floor cracks. A dark being emerged with bluish-pale skin and chains around the torso.
The figure had his back facing the monk until he shifted. His eyes gleamed white, and his mask resembled a skeletal jaw.
"Shadow Jago," Baekho said. "Is this why you came here?"
"If I have any chance of defeating Gargos, then yes," Jago said.
Acknowledging the situation, Baekho split into streams of light. He then seeped into Jago's tattoos. "You now gained my ability, but tread carefully. He might possess the same moves as yours since Omen spent so much time in your body."
"I have been waiting for you, brother," Shadow Jago said. His voice emitted an evil tone.
"You're not my brother," Jago retorted. "Just a shadow and nothing more."
"I'm sure you tell that to yourself to numb the pain."
"You think you're alive, but you're not."
"I am alive, and I'm everything that you fear." Shadow Jago shifted to his combat stance.
Jago also moved to his fighting posture. "Deception is my only fear, but it won't happen again."
Shadow Jago teleported, launching a flying kick.
Jago blocked with his arm, grabbed his evil counterpart's ankle, and tossed him. As he prepared for his assault, Shadow Jago grabbed his arm and flung him. He planted his fist against the evil monk's chin and launched him in the air. Shadow Jago flipped back and fired multiple fireballs. Though Jago dodged most of them, the last two struck him. He started with his wind kick, but Shadow Jago blocked.
The evil monk landed a few blows before ending it with a sword uppercut.
As Jago crashed to the ground, Shadow Jago chucked a fast fireball. He evaded and launched his wind kick, hitting his dark counterpart. Both monks drew out their weapons and clashed. Sparks flew as metal clanged against each other in a dance of death.
Shadow Jago pulled back and teleported around his opponent. Jago could hardly keep up while his evil counterpart landed each attack. As the specter came down with his sword, Jago blocked it with his weapon. The evil monk pushed harder while Jago struggled in his position.
"Did you expect to defeat me?" Shadow Jago said. "Once you're dead, I'll kill your friends, your sister, and that girl you're caring for."
The last line struck a nerve as a hidden power erupted within Jago. He shoved his evil counterpart off him before he landed a fatal blow. Both monks arose, glaring at each other. A golden aura surrounded him; his eyes and tattoo gleamed the same color.
"Time to end this!" Jago declared.
"Yes, I agree!" Shadow Jago switched to another stance, producing an evil aura. He teleported towards his light counterpart, preparing to land a flying kick.
Jago blocked and proceeded with his attacks. The specter countered and followed it with several fireballs. While he recovered, strange black energy transferred to Shadow Jago.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Shadow Jago has tethered your Shadow Energy to him. It increases his power," Baekho said. "Only by striking him will the connection break."
Shadow Jago unleashed a wave of attacks and leaving a cut from his sword.
Jago chucked a fireball, breaking the tether. While he kept attacking, the evil monk kept blocking. Unaware, the blocks increased Baekho's power.
"Shatter if Shadow Jago blocks one more time," Baekho advised.
Jago launched another wind kick, which his evil counterpart blocked. He chucked a powerful fiery sphere, sending Shadow Jago towards a wall. He stopped for a moment, glancing at his left hand while processing what transpired.
So, this is Baekho's power. He shifted his attention towards his opponent, his hand clenching to a fist.
Shadow Jago peeled himself off the wall. With a roar, he chucked multiple energy spheres.
Jago responded by shooting his own, canceling each other. A smoke wall formed from the explosion, providing him cover to attack. Shadow Jago tried to block, but Baekho's power wouldn't allow it. He continued his assault and finished it with a sharp flying uppercut.
Jago landed on his feet while Shadow Jago slammed his back against the ground. The adrenaline simmered as his chest rose and fell with each breath. "Go back to your master of lies, shadow."
Shadow Jago regained consciousness, glaring at his light counterpart. "This isn't over." He summoned a portal of his own and vanished into it.
Jago collapsed to the ground on one knee while Baekho detached itself from him.
"Are you all right?" he expressed.
"I'll be fine, although this may not be the last time I'll face my shadow self again." As Jago sat, his hand pressed on a bulge from his right pocket. He reached inside and grabbed the vial Kan-Ra gave him.
Without warning, a hexagonal portal emerged, spewing out Orchid. She wasted no time rushing towards her brother and smacked him behind the head.
"Ow! Sister, what was that for?"
"How about running off without giving me a ten-second warning? Is that a new Guardian? What's that vial you're holding?"
"This is Baekho, and Kan-Ra gave me this Potion of Restore."
"This is not like you, brother. You hardly go to that sorcerer's place, even for help."
"Would you go there to seek his aid, despite not trusting him?"
"Touche. Are you ready to head back? I bet the scientists would love to examine the contents of that potion."
"Once I rest for a moment. Can you stay with me?"
"Ah, hell, why not?" Orchid sat next to her brother, unaware of a Mimic Sadira spying on them.
A/N: Jago may have overcome the biggest obstacle to finding peace, but this is one of the many steps as the battle against Gargos inches closer. Well, time for my brain to rest, and I'll see you later.
