Chapter 74

“Speaking of legendary D.E.D.” Henry started, taking advantage of the opening JJ had just given him. “Any idea how I would go about fusing with one?”

JJ laughed. It was a, ‘I can’t believe you asked such a stupid question’ style of laugh, and Henry didn’t appreciate it. The world was at stake for fucks sake.

“Dude,” JJ was still laughing. “You don’t fuse with legendaries.”

“But you just said Loki fused with one.” Henry protested. Literally, five seconds ago. “Do you have brain damage from your fight with your Gramps?”

JJ growled.

“Too soon?” Henry chuckled, and JJ’s frame loosened. They were best friends for a reason.

“Normal people don’t fuse with legendary D.E.D. As I already said, Loki is crazy.”

“What about your D.E.D.?” Henry asked. He’d recognized the name Horus from mythology. And if the strongest D.E.D. actually showed up in history as Gods and such, that likely meant Horus was Legendary, right?

“At one point in time, yeah, Horus was Legendary.” JJ’s voice was bitter. “However, his power was fragmented too many times. Now, he’s barley in the Ultra Rare tier strength wise. Every time he passed to a new user; his power was fragmented.”

“What do you mean?” Henry had been told fusing was permanent. But the Consumer had implied JJ had gotten Horus from his father. Henry had assumed that Horus had been a D.E.D. his father had been using but hadn’t been fused with.

“Demon Hunters form stronger bonds with D.E.D. than exorcists normally do. As such, we cultivate their powers, and grow along with them more. It also means, we usually understand them better, and know more of their secrets. One such secret, involves the ability to transfer a portion of a D.E.D.’s power into another. Doing so fragments the D.E.D., diminishing its overall power, but allows more people access to them.”

JJ let out a sigh. “Horus has been in my family for a long time. When my grandfather deemed my father ready, he fragmented his power with Horus, in order to allow my father to bond with the D.E.D. My father, did the same for me.” His voice broke. “He…weakened himself in transferring Horus to me, shortly before he died.”

“And so, by doing that, it keeps weakening the D.E.D.?” From what Loki said about Fenrir, that Legendary, while low tier, was still stupidly strong, and seemed to be getting stronger, not weaker.

“Our way weakens it initially, yeah. Depending on resonation tier levels, it is possible for the D.E.D. to grow more powerful, and even surpass its previous levels. Unfortunately, because of the rushed time period for my father, the version of Horus I got was severely weakened, and I’ve not had my bond with him long enough, to power him back up.”

“Before you ask,” JJ continued, “our way utilizes the fusion with the D.E.D. Meaning, you’ve got to have a powerful D.E.D. willing to undergo the fusion, and not overpower its recipient. Volatile D.E.D. such as Fenrir, who refuse to bow to anyone, cannot be forced into this practice. Which is why, as Loki stated, Fenrir continues to devour its users.”

“And yet, they still use Fenrir.” Henry grumbled.

“Dude, I’ve been telling you over and over. Exorcist’s suck. Your organization is corrupt, and most exorcists are complete garbage. Demon Hunter is where it’s at.” JJ laughed and slapped Henry on the back. “Still a chance for you to come over to the good side.”

Henry shook his head, shooting a grin to his masked friend. “You and I both know it’s not black and white anymore. It’s us, versus the world now.”

“Eh, same old same old.” JJ said with a chuckle. “Though, really wish the stakes weren’t so high. And ya know, the fact Loki just straight up said your mentor is shit and can’t be trusted. That’s got to suck.”

Henry sighed. “Yeah, he definitely gave me a lot to think about.” He shook his head again. “But, it’s way too late, and I’ve been through way to much to try and even think about those things.”

JJ nodded. “Dude right. Bummer we can’t just ditch this place, grab some hookah, chill out, and get some rest.”

“I know man. Really wish we could go already.” Henry said with a sigh. Really, this was all too much for him. He’d started out in this crazy world of Exorcists simply wanting to grow powerful his own way. Now, from the way Loki made it seem, he was going to be a key player in saving the world from ancient powers intent on devouring it. And if that wasn’t hard enough, the very organization that was supposed to be helping save the world, apparently was damning it. Henry had not signed up for this, and he needed a break.

“I mean, you work for her, I don’t. Will you cover for me, if I just up and leave?” JJ motioned towards the door. “Because really, I don’t feel like sitting around any longer. And what’s she going to do, hunt me down?”

The door opened immediately as he said those words, and Emelia walked into the room, a smile on her face. A single form followed her as she entered the room. “I wouldn’t hunt you down.” The director said sweetly, “though, I figure my friend her might. And not even as an exorcist, probably just because she’d enjoy it.”

“I have been feeling a bit restless.” The figure said, shooting a cool smile towards JJ. Icy winds flowed around the room, and Henry couldn’t help but feel his heart beat a little faster. She was here. Jewel was back.

Or, at least, she was moving about. Her body was covered in bandages, and the parts of skin that were visible showed frostbite like discoloration on her. She’d been nearly killed by Varkoth, and it showed. Even with the magic of the D.E.D., and all the resources available to the Exorcists, it was going to take her a while before she was able to fight anything.

“Oof, you’ve definitely looked better.” JJ said, mask still on. Henry immediately elbowed him in the gut, hard enough to make him double over and cough. “Worth it.” JJ sputtered out.

Jewel offered him an icy smile. “I never thought I’d see the day you actually stepped foot in here, Demon Hunter.”

JJ gasped, though it was hard to tell if it was sincere, or he was still recovering from Henry’s elbow.

“This disguise is shit.” JJ said a second later. “Seriously, might as well have been walking around in comfortable clothes if everyone was automatically going to know who I was.”

Emelia’s eyebrows rose at that statement. “Everyone?” She asked, her voice firm. “Please, elaborate. Because the only reason Jewel knows who you are, is because I told her, just before stepping in here. I assure you, I’ve told no one else.”

Henry and JJ glanced at each other, and that brief look, caused Emelia’s smile to fade, a frown crossing her face. “Who else have you two talked to? And please, don’t waste our already precious time.” Golden light flickered around her, illuminating the four of them for the briefest moment in the room. Henry, really just wanted to go home. Why’d JJ have to open his mouth?

“Loki visited us.” Henry said, without even hesitating. Loki had said the director could be trusted, as could Jewel.

“Ah,” Emelia’s frown faded, slightly, though her smile didn’t return. “Of course, he did.” Beside her, Jewel growled, her eyes flashing with anger. Whatever her problem was with Loki, the current situation, and her injuries, weren’t enough to quell her fury.

Emelia motioned towards the couch, signaling for everyone to take a seat. “Out with it, what’d Loki have to say to you two?” She paused as she settled herself comfortably onto the couch, “and please, tell me everything. It’s much easier to actually help when people aren’t trying to keep secrets from me.”

At Emelia’s side, Jewel winced as she sat on the couch, besides Jewel. Henry offered her a small, sympathetic smile, figuring she must be in a lot of pain, and turned towards Emelia. The sooner he told her what Loki had said, the sooner they could be done with this never-ending day.