A/N: Hello, fellow readers. I'm back with a new chapter for the year. This is divergent from an old chapter I'm planning to rewrite. On that note, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. That said, grab some food, relax, and happy reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Killer Instinct or Carrie. They belong to their respective owners.

"Goddammit!" TJ smacked his head on the table. He lost another game of Backgammon to Jago in their shared hut. Nikita, Pedro, Pemba, and Carrie watched the match unfold with amusement. Despite his loss, they chuckled at the boxer's dramatic defeat.

Reggie, the guinea pig, scurried around the room, unfazed by the commotion. He nibbled at a stray piece of lettuce that dropped from the table.

"You shouldn't use the Lord's name in vain," Carrie said.

"Sorry. My fault." TJ scratched his head. "I don't understand what happened. I was certain I had Ninja-Boy's ass right where I had him. How the fuck did he slip past me?"

Jago grinned. "Since you were more focused on defending than attacking, I saw an opening and took advantage of your distraction."

"What?! You sneaky bastard! I can't believe you read me like that!"

"What's happening here?" Orchid entered the hut after running some errands.

"Jago beat TJ in backgammon again," Carrie said.

Orchid shook her head. "Good grief, TJ. You've been the heavyweight boxing champion for twenty years, but can't beat a humble monk in a board game?"

"Hey, it's not as easy as it looks!" the boxer protested. "Throw me in a ring, and I'll show you who's boss, but board games are a different beast. This Backgammon shit - it's like poker, chess, and checkers had a threesome!"

"Okay, that's an image I didn't need. How about I try? Also, not to brag, but I excel at two of the games you mentioned."

"Be…my…guest." Once TJ offered Orchid his seat, Jago reset the board, and the siblings played.

Orchid studied the board, tracing potential moves. She opted for a balanced approach, advancing her pieces while maintaining a solid defense.

Not fazed by Orchid's impressive play, Jago changed his approach. Instead of focusing on the offense, he employed a more flexible strategy, mixing offensive and defensive techniques.

"Who wants to wager?" TJ asked. "I'll bet twenty bucks on Orchid. She's got the brains and skills to outsmart him."

"I'll take that bet," Pedro said. "I'll even raise the stakes. Whoever loses the wager must do cardio training with Maya tomorrow."

"You mean that two thousand feet training run?" TJ asked as Pedro nodded. "Damn, that's brutal! Alright. You're on."

Nikita rolled her eyes. "I swear, you men and your bets."

Carrie and Pemba shook their heads, amused by the room's competitive spirit.

The game between Orchid and Jago became intense, with both players making strategic moves. The audience watched throughout the match, unsure who would prevail in this battle of wills.

Jago's brow furrowed, revealing the only hint of distress the monk had shown. While he examined the board, Orchid seized the chance to press him. She moved her piece into position, creating a sturdy blockade.

"Nice, but can you control the entire board, or are you making me react?" Jago then shifted his piece, revealing a gap in her defense.

Despite the tension, Orchid didn't falter. "Every opening is an opportunity. Whether in games or real life, it's about being one step ahead."

"Or two," the monk countered. Time blurred as the game continued, each player vying for control. With every move, the stakes grew, and neither sibling would concede victory. Then, Jago moved forward with a piece that could secure his win or put him in peril.

Once Orchid assessed the board, a sharp intake of breath slipped into her teeth. "Well played, brother."

Pedro laughed, clapping TJ on the back. "Looks like I'll have some company on that run tomorrow!"

The boxer groaned, rubbing his temples. "God fucking dammit."

"Okay, enough with the high-tension wagers," Nikita said. "It was only a friendly match. Anyway, that was enjoyable gameplay for you and Jago, boss. I haven't seen Backgammon played at a high level since ever."

"Thanks," Orchid said. "I haven't encountered something so challenging in quite a while."

Jago nodded. "As such, you're a worthy opponent, sister. I never expected you to try something as complex as Backgammon."

Carrie rubbed her eyes and yawned. "All this excitement has left me exhausted."

Pemba nodded in agreement, stifling a yawn of her own.

"You two rest well," Jago said. "We'll continue with training tomorrow."

"I'm about to hit the hay, too," Nikita said as Carrie and Pemba dispersed. "Goodnight." Soon after, she followed suit.

Pedro beckoned TJ with a grin. "Come, my friend. Let me show you some stretching techniques to prepare yourself."

The boxer sighed but accepted the invitation. While leaving, he muttered "Shit" under his breath, lamenting his decision to take Pedro's wager.

"How about we play another round, but this time, make it casual?" Orchid asked.

"Very well." Once Jago placed the pieces into their original positions, he and his sister started another game. "So what inspired you to play Backgammon?"

"During my time with the SWD, we often used games like Backgammon to sharpen our planning skills. How did you become a master at this game?"

"My master and I played after training at the Tiger Shrine. He taught me the basics, and I perfected my strategies over the years. However, I could never defeat him. Still, he was proud of my progress and said I would beat him one day. After returning from the Killer Instinct tournament, I hoped to fulfill that dream, but now…"

Orchid moved a piece on the board. "That Gargos creature fucked everything up. Have you taught Carrie this game?"

"Not yet, but I'm working on it. Carrie has shown interest in learning new skills."

"As long as she doesn't use her powers to cheat, she'll do fine." Orchid chuckled until she caught her brother's troubled expression. "Is something wrong?"

"It's these dreams I've been having for some time, and I don't know what they mean." Jago moved his piece. "They all involve Carrie or something connected to her."

"Is her Dream Projection ability running rampant again?"

"No. It was happening before then."

"Tell me your recent one."

"Well, like most dreams, it started in darkness. It was difficult for me to move, as if cramped into something. Once I summoned my ki to produce light, I found myself inside some enclosed space, like a closet. Around it were items tied to Christianity, but the aura was oppressive. Then, Carrie's voice reached my ears, calling for help."

"That sounds intense," Orchid said. "Do you think it's a random dream?"

"I doubt it," Jago said. "It was too vivid, almost like a suppressed memory she locked away. Anyway, the dream continues, and Carrie's cry for help grows. Once again, I tried to move, but the walls closed around me. Then, another voice emerges, saying, 'Pray for forgiveness.' Soon after, I spotted a woman clinging to the ceiling.

"She wore a white gown stained with blood. She stared at me with those soulless eyes. Then, she said to me, 'You exposed my child to sin. You will go to Hell now.' I guessed it was Carrie's mother, but something wasn't right. I couldn't explain it. Once she lunged toward me, I woke in a cold sweat, my heart pounding."

Orchid's mind raced, her thoughts swirling like a storm. Margaret White—Carrie's fanatical mother—had always cast a long, oppressive shadow over her daughter. Even in death, her malign influence endured. Why would this specter target Jago, who only sought to guide Carrie toward a better future? "This woman, did she hurt you?"

"No. The fear itself was enough."

"Hm. This woman might symbolize guilt or a warning in Carrie's life. Perhaps it embodies a part of her past or a fear she holds onto. I suspect it's related to Carrie's upbringing. Had she told you about her life before Tibet?"

"Only bits and pieces. Given Carrie's behavior, she might've lived in a household with a strict religion, but I never asked her about it. I didn't want to pry into something she wasn't ready to share. Plus, I sensed delving into her past might unearth some painful memories."

"That makes sense. The past is like a shadow. It follows us, even when we leave it behind. We can only confront it when we're ready. However, these dreams are a sign that Carrie must face whatever she holds back."

"Should I talk to her about it? Or would it complicate things for her?"

"It depends on how you approach it," Orchid said. "Like in Backgammon, you must make careful decisions, assessing the risks and potential results. If you choose to speak to her, do so gently. Offer her support rather than pressing for answers. It's about finding the right moment and ensuring she feels safe to open up."

"I understand. I'll wait for that moment and let Carrie know I'm here to listen whenever she's ready," Jago said. "She must know she's not alone. I hope she finds the courage to face her fears, and I'll help her."

"That's all you can do. Now, let's finish this game with my victory."

"Ha! We shall see."

Carrie tossed and turned throughout the night, haunted by eerie visions that refused to fade. Each time she closed her eyes, the skeletal creature from Hinmatoom's memories would emerge with its cutlass sword and strange shield. Unable to sleep, the girl glanced at Pemba, who was fast asleep. She stepped outside and headed to the stone wall.

Carrie perched herself on the cold, rough surface, gazing at the star-speckled sky. The night air was crisp, each breath visible in the moonlight, offering clarity amidst her dreams. While Carrie remained lost in thought, a rustle reached her ears. TJ emerged after a brief climb, unaware of the girl's presence. Once he sat, the boxer massaged his legs after a few hours of Pedro's stretching. When Carrie cleared her throat, TJ jumped, almost losing his balance on the wall.

"Oh, shit!" the boxer said, regaining his composure. "Didn't see you there. What are you doing up here so late?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Same here. I am not looking forward to Maya's cardio workout, but training is training. I've never seen the sky so full of stars. It's nothing like Chicago, where the lights drown them out. Here, you can see a galaxy's arm stretching across the sky. It's both humbling and daunting, don't you think?"

"Yeah. It makes you aware of how small we are but comforting."

"It puts things into perspective, right? Whatever we're dealing with, it's a tiny part of something bigger. I guess it's what motivates me."

Carrie paused, taking in the vastness above them. "What drove you to become a boxer?"

TJ leaned back, staring at the stars. "I guess it was a mix of things. My family and I lived in poverty and earned every penny we could muster. I needed an outlet for all my energy and emotions growing up. Plus, it's a way to prove to myself that I can overcome any challenge thrown my way.

"When I was twelve, I joined a city league ring fight, where some kid kicked my ass. He even taunted me about my lifestyle. Yeah, some kids bullied me for that fact. My pops told me: 'Life isn't about winning, son. It's about losing and still keeping on. That's called grit.' If only I'd listened to him then."

"What happened?" Carrie asked.

"Well, I started cheating. For a while, I won matches until the officials banned me. Much to my old man's disappointment, I often got into trouble.t. I tried joining the military, but that didn't work out. So, on my own, I moved to Chicago."

"Did you regret cheating?"

"Not at first. As a young and stubborn person, I didn't see the bigger picture. Over time, those victories mean nothing if I haven't earned them. When I arrived in Chicago, I wanted to start fresh. I found a job at a boxing gym but as a janitor."

Carrie fell silent until she laughed for the first time in her life. "I'm…I'm sorry, sir. I can't help but picture you as a custodian."

"Glad I made you laugh. Also, whenever someone calls me sir, I half-expect my pops to creep behind me. TJ will do. Plus, give custodians credit. They work harder than most people realize, and they keep everything on track behind the scenes. All that effort, plus my training, got me into the boxing league, and I won the Heavyweight Championship.

"I was living the good life, but my dumb ass started making stupid decisions, from using drugs to sleeping with women, although I was married. Once I lost the title to Ronnie Wilcox, everything fell apart. Ultratech then contacted me, saying they would get me back on top. I had nothing else to lose, so I thought, 'Fuck it.'"

"Is that where your scars came from?" Carrie asked, referring to the boxer's arms.

"Yeah, pretty much. The surgeons implanted cybernetic enhancements into my forearms, strengthening my punches. I got my title back within six months and kept it for twenty years. Then, the Killer Instinct event happened, where everything went to Hell. Somehow, Ultratech leaked information about my enhancements. As a result, I lost my title and got banned from boxing for life. As for the enhancements, I ripped them out - literally."

"What? Why would you do that? You could've died!"

"I know it was reckless," TJ admitted, "but those enhancements insult everything I once believed. Knowing how things ended now, I would've told Ultratech to kiss my ass. Then again, those Disavowed folks wouldn't have recruited me, so I suppose there's a silver lining in this."

"Maybe God guided you to Orchid and her faction to redeem yourself."

"You think so, eh? Man, I should remind myself to go to church someday. I don't remember why I left. I guess I got too caught up with fame. So, now that I've told you my life story, have you seen me on TV?"

"No. Mama and I didn't have a TV. She forbade anything she viewed as sinful."

TJ raised his eyebrows, digesting Carrie's revelation. "Wow, that's a different way to grow up. I can't blame her, though. Some shit can mess with your head. What about movies? Is there a theater you'd like to visit?"

"What's that?" Carrie asked, clueless.

"What? You've never heard of a movie theater, let alone visited one? What about a cell phone? Almost everyone has one."

"I've heard of cell phones, but I never had one. Mama thinks it's a sin."

"Your mom considers cell phones to be sinful? How did she keep you away from technology? I mean, it's everywhere these days. I expected Jago and Pemba - perhaps Maya - to live without technology. With you, though, that's wild! Um, are you and your mom Amish or something?"

"Amish? What is that?" Carrie asked.

TJ's jaw dropped, but he remained composed. "Alright, let me rephrase. What religion do you and your mama follow?"

"We're Christians. Why?"

"Just curious. Most Christians I know use technology like everyone. So, are you Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, or…?"

"I… don't know. What I do know is that my mother was… passionate about religion and goes overboard with sin."

TJ nodded, but alarm bells rang in his mind. Carrie's upbringing sounded more like a cult than a typical Christian household. However, he kept it to himself. "I see. I'd gladly show you around once this Ultratech thing blows over."

Carrie smiled. "Thanks. It would be nice to experience life outside Mama's rules for a change."

"Then, it's settled," TJ said. "Once everything calms down, we'll have a movie marathon and explore everything you've missed out on."

Carrie chuckled, excited about the upcoming adventures awaiting her beyond her past life.