For years, I have chased my destiny, a destiny in which I desire for revenge. Revenge on avenging my brother, my people, and the town I grew up in: All taken by the hands of the Sin of Envy. Before she was given the title and transformed into the being everyone remembered, feared! I thought she was a genuine person. A person who loved and cherished nature, an absolutely gorgeous woman in her early twenties. Never would I have imagined that I was becoming friends with the most dangerous being to exist in our world. The day she took away everything from me, and spoke to me as to why she did it embarked on my hatred for her. I… will never forgive her.

After that, she disappeared for a while, that was until the year 2000. On new year's day, it was discovered that she had given birth to a baby girl. But, it brought many questions as to how she managed to do it? In Witch culture, woman whom are titled Witches' aren’t allowed to birth or bear children. They weren’t allowed to, given the circumstances of being a Witch. So they found ways around it by having relationships with normal women, only to use them as cattle to give birth to new future clan members. But if you’re born a woman, then you’re automatically revoked of your birthing rights and they cast a spell for you to never bear any for your their own safety.

Yet she beat these odds, and carried that child, and once she was born, it ignited a hunt from the most powerful people alive: The Exorcists that were under the great William H. Christ's wing. With four virtues by his side, one being his closest partner and supposed lover, they went to seek this new unnatural being that was born. Once they found her, they robbed her of Abyzou’s hands, and faded out of existence. She went crazy, berserk, searching for her daughter, screaming for her return. When she finally found her, they already took her life, but in the most painless way possible, and on that day, birthed the last Sin: Envy.

She cried, screamed, and begged for her life to be returned. Questioning them, their morals on why they would take away something she wanted so badly, more than anything in the world. They gave her a straightforward answer, and said that she was unnatural, and had to be sent back to the afterlife where God can send her to an actual birthing mother to be considered natural. Abyzou exploded, screaming her envy towards the women who can naturally give birth to children and questioning why she wasn’t allowed to have the same privilege as them. The world then saw the holder of Envy being born, and she did the unthinkable: Once she was transformed, she became one with the universe, and tried to rewrite our very reality towards her liking.

I saw all these events happen, unfold before my eyes, watching from the sidelines without getting involved in the world's end. I even saw the fight that concluded her story, and without the help of William, his supposed lover managed to convince the other Exorcist’s to return the soul of her daughter, and to give her back into her clutch. After much hesitation, discussion, they agreed and gave her back her precious form of life. I saw her go from an all powerful being revert back to the woman we all come to hate. She thanked that woman, and vowed to never transform again, so long as they don’t touch her child. But to this day, no one has any idea as to how she was able to have a child: Yet today, I stand beside this young girl, protecting her, for now… until I can enact my revenge on her damned mother.

Linnea’s eyes glinted as she stared down the blue robed man. The robed man chuckled as he and Linnea waited to see who would strike first. She kept her focus on him, and placed her finger on the trigger of her gun.

“You’re no slouch if you can deflect my attack like that. What are you, lady?”

Linnea squinted her eyes. “That’s for me to know, but as of now, Witch, you’re day—is numbered!”

“My my, we have a feisty one. Not to worry, I know how to deal with blonde bitches like you.”

He stepped forward, and slowly put his arms out to the sides, eerily leaning his head forward.

“Now be a good gal, and let me take Abyzou back to where she belongs.”

Linnea’s palm ignited, and a ball of mana appeared. “As if I’ll allow you to do that, you cultist freak!”

He growled with a smile, and his lust for battle drooled out his mouth.

“Then… prepare to—die!”

He lunged forward at her, and Linnea shot out the mana ball. Despite him going beyond the speed of sound, her ball of mana stretched out to catch him like a volleyball hitting a net. He fell face first, and she leaped into the air.

“I call for the guardian of the watch tower of the east, aid me in binding my enemy in a fury of white, hear me!”

Sarah loudly gasped in hearing her chant. “Wait?! She’s-she’s also a witch too?!”

The blue robed man squirmed in his net, and a cloud of white appeared above Linnea. She hugged herself, and a hail of mana balls came raining down on the man. Impact upon impact made small explosions, shaking the earth. Jack picked Sarah up off her feet, and took her away from the dangerous environment. Sarah kept her eyes on Linnea, both in shock and awe.

The blue robed man emerged from the sea of explosions, getting in Linnea’s face with a giant creepy smile. She faded out, and he did too. Sarah could keep up with what they were doing. Jack stopped, turned to see the battle. He could barely see what was happening. Luckily he can see shockwaves of their colliding punches in the air. Loud explosions went off in the air, shockwaves shot down to the earth. Linnea flew around from the tallest building of the town with her a fist reeled back. The robed man came flying towards it, and their fists collided, sending more shockwaves around, and denting the earth below. The two struggled to push each other's fists, sending bolts of plasma down to the ground from their force.

“Heheh, you’re pretty good for a girl!” he said, seeming not worried in the slightest.

“You’re a pretty sexist man, aren’t you, stupid Witchy American!”

“Ahaha! And you yourself aren’t one when you just used an ancient spell only those closest to Abyzou’s lore book know?!”

The two were sent flying back from the force of their second collision. Linnea used this opportunity to use her gun, and take shots. He casually dodge the bullets, and Linnea did this to buy some time.

“Hail to the guardian’s of the sky, bestow a sea of light down upon my enemy, hear me.”

At the same time, she used her other hand to shoot a stream of blue mana. He caught it like rope, and tried reeling her in. She kept a straight face as he was pulling her in. He cackled like an idiot and he quickly felt the surge of mana forming above him. He brought his gaze to the sky, and bolts of barbed lightning came down on him. Strike after strike made him laugh as he’s ingulfed in a flash of exploding light. Linnea quickly flew to the other two, and grabbed Jack’s arm.

“Now’s our chance, let's go!” Linnea shouted.

“Aright!” Jack replied with Sarah in his arms.

The blue robed man wiped the air to blow off the smoke screen. “Oh no you don’t heheh!”

He put his arms forward, and a huge ball of mana was forming. It spiraled and had the appearance of a lava ball.

“With this, I’m sure you won’t even survive!”

Below him, Mandy opened her coat, and with a shorty pump action shotgun wrapped around her tiny arm with string, she pulled it out, pumped it, and took aim at him.

“I bestow this weapon with the might of my mana, synergize with the buckshot and invoke my enemy in a barrage of hellish pellets.”

The barrel of the shotgun glowed purple, and she pressed on the trigger. A barrage of streamed pellets went at the robed man. He quickly took notice of the stream of mana coming his way. They made contact with him and his attack, engulfing the sky in a huge fiery explosion. The sky turned grey, and it rained ash from the magnifying explosion.

Mandy quickly flew off, and put away her shotgun. “You owe me, Linnea.” she said as she vanished.

Linnea turned her head back to where the explosion came from, and smiled.

“God I love her, thank you, my friend!”

The three quickly vanished from the distance, and the robe man again blew away the cloud of smoke around him. Despite being caught off guard, ambushed, he still felt glad and happy about this encounter. He crushed one of his fists, and chuckled.

“They won’t get too far from me. For now, they can enjoy their small freedom.”

He flew back down, and stretched. He cracked his back and whirled his arms.

“Because after I’m done informing the rest, I’m coming back to get you, our beloved God, Abyzou…” Then he pointed in their direction, “...and finish you off, traitor.”

A gust of wind blew him away like dust, and he was gone. The town was left in shambles, the devastation killed dozens of civilian's and got the attention of the military who were making their way to the area.

Linnea and the other two kept running, and she knew they had to fly away. But, in doing so will reveal their location. She suppressed her mana and kept running.

“Where are we heading?!” Jack shouted.

“Far away from here and any form of civilization. It’s our only chance of escaping from that freak or any others!”

Sarah didn’t say anything. She couldn't believe that this was happening and wondered what’s actually going on. This is the second time she’s been referred to as this Abyzou, and it’s starting to question her own existence. She leaned against Jack’s chest, and deeply frowned as the two continued on their run.

Jack reached into his pocket and dialed for Anna. It rang for a little until she picked up, sounding worried.

“You guys okay?”

Anna was just outside the town, watching the military quickly making their way into town and closing it off.

“Yeah! What just happened?! You guys alright?!”

“Yeah, we’re fine. I-I think it was a terrorist attack.”

“I can’t believe it… it’s like watching a real life 9/11 scenario from the documentary's come to life.”

To keep this more of a secret, Linnea got Jack’s phone, and jumped into the conversation.

“Hey, Anna is it? I need you and your friend to get as far away from towns or cities if possible! Rumour's have it that there might be more attacks, and it indeed is terroristic.”

“Oh, Jack’s friend. Sure, I got it, but how do you know?”

“Because I’m actually with the government. That’s why I’m here.”

Jack nods, “nice cover up.”

She also replied with a nod.

“That makes sense given your outfit. Alright, you guys take care, and please watch after Jack and Sarah Ms. Linnea.”

“Will do, bye bye.”

Linnea hung up for Jack and handed him back the phone. Jack put his phone away and as they made their way out the town district, Linnea paused. She pointed to a parked car in a parked spot near a vacant building.

“Come on, in my rental.” she said while hurrying into it.

“Alright…” Jack followed and once they reached the sedan, she opened the rear passenger seat for him.

He placed Sarah in first and sat next to her. She closed the door and hopped into the driver seat. She turned the car on and they were on their way, driving fast outside the limits of the town. A black Tahoe emerged from the corner of the building, watching the car drive away and disappear from the distance. It then drove off into where the action was at, and disappeared once it turned the corner.

Sarah watched the side and leaned towards it. Jack wondered if she was okay, and grabbed her attention by grabbing her shoulder.

“You alright, Sarah?”

Sarah briefly turned to him, and moved her shoulder and turned her whole body sideways to look out the windshield. Jack moaned and knew she wasn’t fine.

“Yeah…” she replied, her tone very soft and weak.

She wiped the dried blood from her mouth, and sniffled. Linnea can sense the saddened aura coming out her pours. She looked at the rear view mirror and can see that this wasn’t Abyzou or a clone, but a depressed girl who’s questioning something deeper in her mind. Linnea frowned too, and felt bad for her, but she remembered the promise she gave to the mighty Archard. His voice reminded her of it again, which made her smack her teeth.

“I’m starting to think he wants to do more than just harm Abyzou…” she muttered.

Jack was worried for Sarah, and wanted to grab her. Sadly, the young man knew it’s best to leave her be and not interrupt in whatever thinking she’s going through.

“If you need anything, Sarah, just let me know.”

Jack lay back, and brought his gaze to the rear view mirror.

“So, Linnea… care to explain what the hells going on? And who you really are?”

Linnea briefly looked over her shoulder without saying a word.

“Come on now, we’re all friends here. So lets cut the shit, and get on with what the actual fucks happening?”

Linnea grinned, and moaned. “A determined young man, I like that. Okay, I’ll tell you once we get out of any city limits. For now, just relax and keep your friend from feeling lonely.”

Jack grunted, and relaxed his arms. “Hmph, relax… when haven’t I heard of that being told to me. Whatever…”

***

Just downtown, as the rest of the military have driven out to the source of the explosions, it only left just a small group of them to keep an eye out for anything abnormal in the city. Making her way into mid downtown where some civilians have felt that it’s safe enough to go back to work, Samantha was striding, her sun hat tilted down, covering her mysterious face: She’s on her way to a nice eatery she likes to cater herself to when she feels stressed. Nobody around her can see, notice her, she blended well hiding amongst the small crowded street. Despite her elegant gothic sundress that would stand out, she was completely invisible. This was possible since no one can see her with the spell she casted herself to. To peoples eyes, all they saw was a fragile forties business woman.

Her heels clicked against the concrete, chipping away from each click clack that represented her hidden anger. Everything around her was black and white, slowed down, her anger soared, and she’s finding something or someone to release it. She arrived at the nice diner, a fancy one, and walked right in without saying or looking at anyone. Not even the hostess couldn’t get a chance to introduce her to the establishment. All they saw was a miserable business woman walking in with an upside down smile on her face. Samantha took a seat, another waiter walked up to the table and politely asked what she wanted to drink. Samantha only pointed at a picture of black coffee, and bowed her head. The waiter smugned her grin, and awkwardly backed away to get her coffee. Samantha thought in silence, wondering, trying to understand what’s actually going on.

Her husband's words echoed into her wicked mind, reminding her how much of a horrible woman she is. His hatred towards her engulfed the anger in her, the irrational violence he does to her, but having her mock him that led him to do it. It’s been awhile since she’s had other thoughts besides her daughter and the secret she has hiding from everyone. Other thoughts came into mind, such as the world she once crumbled, the people out to hunt her down, and the other man vowed to enact his vengeance towards her. She clutched her head, and her breathing slowed. Again, Leon’s voice echoed, but this time, it was of his younger self, before they were ever together.

Samantha was walking down a hall, her outfit fitting for her taste in goth. Her black plaid skirt, her black turtleneck, and high black knee socks with her black boots. With her timid look, an innocent school girl walk, she saw that tall shy guy who spoke to no one standing at the edge near a window, looking out. The building for Witch clan was full of enthusiastic individuals, and creeps lusting for power. Yet in this building full of thousands, there was this single shy guy who made every guy crap their pants from his intimidating aura, and knitted brows that got her attention. She was the pinnacle of beauty, but in her quest of finding the one for her, and her ultimate goal, he was the one who fit it most after certain interactions.

Her boots echoed down, and he heard her coming his way. He turned to her, and saw her coming his way. With the sunlight shining through the windows, with each ray hitting her pale skin made her shin like a dark Angel. The bangs cover half her face with her long raven hair, slumping over her shoulders, the tall guy couldn’t help but turn away from the coming personification of beauty.

Once Samantha stood next to him, she leaned against the window, and looked up at the shy guy. “So, Leon, what did you say to me last night?”

Her soothing, pampering voice, it was so gentle and relaxing Leon thought he was going to faint. He groaned and turned to her, and deepened his frown at her.

“That you were… were…”

Samantha placed her hands behind her back, and got closer to him.

“Come on, say it, big tough guy.”

Her teasing nature made him growl, it boiled his blood yet he can’t help but find her personality rather relaxing. It taxed his uncontrollable anger, enough to dim the fire to the flame. Ever since they became friends, over the span of their friendship, he had developed feelings for her, and last night, he slipped words out his mouth. Hearing those words made her heart race for the first time, and made her express the most genuine cute smile she’s ever shown to anyone.

He crushed one fist, and shut his eyes. “The most important thing to me…”

Again, her heart raced, her eyes sparkled, she blushed and a gorgeous smile appeared on her face. Remembering that day, hearing those words again made her heart ache, and fuel more of this swelling anger. Samantha mildly rose her head, and her brows were knitted.

“Am I really… as heartless as he says I am?”

She placed her hands on the table, and the waiter brought her her coffee.

“Enjoy, hope things get better in your life ma'am.”

The waiter walks away, and Samantha turns to the steaming cup of joe, staring right into the blackness.

“My soul is as black as the coffee burning in front of my wretched eyes…” she murmured.

She weakly picked up the cup, and rubbed her head. She gently blew the steam and sighed.

“What’s come of me? Am I really as revolting as people say I am? Wait a minute, listen to what I’m saying. My emotions are actually functioning again. What a development.”

She took a sip, and grinned.

“Stale…”

As the rest of the people inside were enjoying their food and conversations, two men kicked open the front doors, and aimed guns at everyone. Everyone panicked, and raised their hands as they scanned the room with their weapons.

“Nobody fucking move!” one robber said, his outfit all blacked out.

His accomplice was also wearing the same but with a hoodie.

“Now everyone be good and bring out ya wallets! That way no one gets hurt!”

Everyone did as they were commanded, except for Samantha who kept drinking her coffee. She didn’t notice the commotion nor did they acknowledge her existence. As the two walked around the eatery and confiscated people's assets, eventually, one happened to come across the depressed looking business woman.

“Yo, bitch! Give up yo wallet!” he shouted with his gun raised.

Samantha ignored his words, and continued sipping.

“Yo! You deaf bitch or what?! Give up yo goddamn wallet or else!”

He still got nothing from the woman, and it grew his impatience. It led to him to ground his teeth and before placing his hand on her shoulder, his partner whistled at him for his attention.

“Ey! What’s taking so long?!” he shouted.

He pointed his gun at the woman, “This bitch ain’t giving up her shit! She might be deaf or something!”

“Whatever man, just hurry up before the feds show up.”

“Aight…” he said, reaching towards the woman's small shoulder. “Now don’t move or you’re gonna be in a heap of hurt, bitch.”

Once his big hand got on her shoulder, the woman paused, and eerily placed down the cup in a slow manner. The way she gently set it made him feel nervous.

“A-Aight, give up yo money, bitch!”

The woman slowly raised her head, and mildly looked over her shoulder.

“You know, it’s rather rude to interrupt my thoughts.” she gently said.

“Bitch! I don’t give two shits about—!”

“Heh, I see. Maybe if I showed who I really am then you might listen.”

“Huh?! What the fuck is you talking about?!”

The woman lightly giggled, and fully turned her body. “I wonder… if you’re ready to feast your eyes upon my beauty, foolish man.”

“What in the hell…?”

Everyone in the establishment grew silent, concerned for the woman despite her confident sounding tone. His partner ran to his side, and wondered what’s going on.

“Ey man, I thought I told you too—”

“A lot of people are about to die… and I wonder how I’ll react to it.” she said.

Her tone had changed into a much gentle and softer one. It made the two men’s skin crawl. She quickly shook her head, and placed her hands on her hair, shaking it, revealing her true identity that faded in. They saw the black sun hat, her wonderous gothic sundress, and her pale skin. This made them aim their guns and panic. Samantha got up from her seat, and slowly grabbed her hat, and carefully took it off. She revealed her glorious sea of black hair, and everyone around gasped in awe, but striking fear in their bodies. She had her eyes closed, and once they had opened, revealing their platinum nature, everyone began to deteriorate and melt. The robbers gasped as they were falling apart, their limbs crashing to the floor, and heads bouncing upon impact. Everyone around her, their bodies had either melted into a pool of flesh or crumbled.

Samantha moaned with amusement and put her hat back on. “I guess that answers my question.”

Her face grew still and she took a deep breath.

“I need to find something to release my anger, otherwise, I’ll turn this world into dust if I can’t.”

Samantha walked away, and made her way out the door. Before anyone else could witness her identity, she snapped her fingers and took back the appearance of the business woman. She walked away from the scene as if nothing happened, leaving a once filled spot now with the remnants of loved ones blood and guts. As she casually stride away from the scene, someone else was running towards that same way where she once came out. They sensed her once she had opened her eyes. A familiar man with a red hoodie came rushing in the diner and the sight he saw made his jaw drop.

“No… no!” he shouted.

He slowly walked more into the diner, seeing every pile of melted bones, crushed too, guts, pools of blood on stools, chairs, on the floor: It left him shocked.

“Who… who did this?” he said, observing the pool of corpses.

He went to where two bodies were once standing. There he saw two guns, and wondered what really happened here.

“That awful surge of mana came from this location.”

The hooded man revealed himself to be Archard. He scanned the place with his golden eyes, trying to see if he could find anything to see as to who did this. He went to the guns, and scanned them and saw finger prints on them.

“I wonder.”

Archard reached down, grabbing both weapons. He licked the gun handles and from there, he can see the perpetrators point of view. There he saw the beginning of the robbery, the middle of them robbing civilians, to the climax where they confronted the business woman. There he saw how much trouble she was giving them, and once they were side by side, she stood up, and revealed herself to be…

“Aby…zou…” he mumbled.

He collapsed to his knees, and dropped the guns. They crashed and slid away as his eyes were humongous and trembling. His hands were out, shaking and Archard suddenly let out a broken chuckle. His body bounced from him fighting it, and he eventually let it out with a barrage of relieved cackles. He sprung up, and grabbed his head, laughing away his relief.

“She’s here! She was really here! And I missed her!”

Afterwards, a dozen cultists slithered in from the corners of the establishment. They were about to attack, but once they saw who was standing, they tried to scam, but Archard’s eyes quickly blinked, and all of them were eradicated in the blink of an eye. Only one was left, and he tried to run away, but Archard already had him in his grasp.

“No! No… leave me be, you monster!” the cultist shouted.

Archard broke his arm, and then grabbed his throat. He gagged for air, and didn’t even bother to fight since he knew his life was in death’s hands.

“You freaks do respond rather quickly when you sense her presence, don’t ya?”

“Wh-what do you want?!”

Archard chuckled, “what the rest of you miserable low lifers want…”

Archard eased his maniacal face in the hooded cultists shadowed out face. He gasped and Archard loved feeling and hearing his fear.

“I want Aby—zou in my clutch. So I can take her life, and go back to being the man I once was.”

Archard’s eyes glowed with fire, and the man can see heat building around them. The reflection off his eyes, and his wicked grin made him scream, and Archard let out a maniacal laugh. The man screamed and Archard’s wicked laughter echoed out into the city streets. A flash of light erupted out from the building, and the people that were once dead, were brought back to life. Everyone was behaving what they were doing beforehand: Drinking, eating, and enjoying their lives as they should.

***

Night has dawned, outside of city limits, driving near an empty highway overpass close to some woods, Linnea, Sarah, and Jack were still on the run. Throughout the drive, no one said anything, and Jack did his best to keep Sarah in a good mood. Earlier he tried poking her, but she didn’t react to being touched. He’s been worried, and rightfully so. She has zero idea as to what’s going on while everyone else has a clue to what’s happening. He wants to tell her, but he promised both her mother and father to not reveal anything to her. Jack wondered if they’ll tell her themselves or at this rate, it’ll just tell itself one way or another.

The car began to slow down, and Linnea saw the gas needle on empty.

“Shit, we’re out of gas.”

Jack pulled out his gun, “well, time to go on foot then. Stop the car, we’ll start the walk.”

She let the car juice out until it went dead. She put it in park, and everyone got out, shutting the doors behind them. Jack took the lead, and the two girls followed.

“I’ve been through this road a couple of times with Eric. So if we keep walking straight, we should close in my old area.”

Sarah had her arms tightly crossed, “which?”

Jack took a breath, “my original home.”

“Oh… sorry for asking.”

“Nah, you’re fine.”

Linnea can’t believe she’s walking beside the daughter of the woman who she wants to kill. Right now, there’s nothing more than she wanted then to knock the girl out, abduct her and take her into question. With that, she’ll not only fulfil the promise she made with Archard, but it’ll lead them straight to a decade's end search. Yet, seeing her this sad and vulnerable, despite her hatred towards her mother, she understood what the girl’s going through. She used to be like her when she was her age. Finding out your true identity, lost in a big world of the unknown, it felt relatable.

Linnea wanted to tap Sarah’s tiny shoulder, but Sarah moved further away.

“I… I rather you not touch me, Ms. Linnea.”

Linnea dropped her hand, “right. I’m sorry.”

Jack’s scanning everything as they walked. Crickets chirping, an owl letting out a deep hoot, every sound made by nature and the ambience made him glance at every corner, keeping an eye out for anything inconspicuous. With his attention in line, Sarah wanted to use this chance to ask more of who Linnea is.

“Say, Ms. Linnea.”

“Yes?”

“Wha-what are you, really? Because back there, I heard you chant something only my mother has taught me, but in the literature she read out loud to me. That is until I actually used those same chants against my first foe.”

Linnea tapped her chin. “Well, it’s a bit complicated…”

“Yeah, I’d like to know too, Linnea.” Jack said, taking a pause, turning over to her. “What are you?”

Everyone had stopped, and Linnea placed her hands on her hips, letting out a sigh.

“Alright, alright, there’s no use in hiding anymore. I’ll tell you.”

Sarah went to stand beside Jack to watch her speak.

“Please, we have to know. If you want us to trust you, then you’ll tell us who and what you really are. My friends, if they hung out just a little longer… I’m sure they would’ve been killed by your out of control fighting.”

“Alright alright, settle now. I’ll tell it to you as understandingly as I can put it.”

She pulled out her necklace with three different pendants on them. Jack and Sarah saw one for Christianity, the other being Witchcraft, and the last one they couldn’t make out of.

“I’m neither a Witch nor an Esper, but I am a sorcer. I don’t side with any, only for myself because my thirst for research and the supernatural intrigues above all.”

She grabbed the unknown pendant that had a crescent moon and a three layer triangle around the middle.

“This is proof of my sorcery.”

Sarah walked up to her and grabbed it. Thankfully there wasn’t any reaction to it when she touched it.

“That’s actually really cool. But what’s your main purpose besides research?”

Linnea watched as Sarah curiously rotated, observing the pendant. Her innocence shined and her curious nature made her irresistible for her to be hugged. Linnea fought hard to not touch her and still felt optimistic of what she is.

“What else? Research! I love to travel, explore what the world hides! It’s all so fascinating and an experience like no other.”

Sarah let go and her eyes quivered with excitement. “Oh! Is that why you were able to learn both ends of the spectrum? The culture of Witchcraft and the religion of Christian faith?”

“Of course! Though it was rather difficult getting in the culture of Witches'. You see, I think they’re misrepresented.”

“You read my mind! That’s what I think as well!”

“And what makes me think of this is all due to the bad apples in the bunch. But the worst culprits of all are the two Witch cult groups that worship the greatest Witch who lives today, Malificus!”

“Who’s the other?”

Linnea grew serious, and knit her brows. Jack quickly jumped in and covered Sarah’s mouth, shaking his head to Linnea. She caught on to what he was doing and let out a sigh.

“That… I don’t know too much myself. That’s why I’m here and that’s my main mission. In finding the second one that’s causing so much ruckus to others and giving you guys a bad name, grr!”

Sarah was muffled out, and fought against Jack’s grasp. Jack blew out a relieved breath and let go.

“Why’d you do that? You dummy.” she said, turning to Jack’s suspicious grin.

“I uh… it was just another way to make you, uh… smile?”

Sarah shook her head. “That is no way of making a girl smile, Jack. Actually, it’s the complete opposite.”

“Oh… sorry.”

Sarah grinned. “You’re so stupid, but thanks for making me smile again.”

“And it took for you to call me stupid to make you grin? Tch… women.”

The two girls laughed and all three thought it was best to keep moving. As they kept it moving, Sarah wanted to ask more about Linnea’s knowledge of sorcery.

“Say, those attacks, what are they? And how come I can’t sense you sometimes?”

Linnea brought out a smug grin. “Hehe, well, it all comes down to all my observations and experiences of learning book by book.”

“Hmm, if I recall, sorcerers can do more than use magic. They can also speak with spirits, correct?”

Linnea nodded to Sarah’s knowledge. “Very good! You’re indeed, correct! I actually know a couple, even certain legends people like to talk about.”

Jack heard that and quickly thought of one. “How about the jersey devil?”

Sarah also thought of one. “The legend of the crying woman in Mexico who drowned her children and herself?”

Linnea wiggled her finger. “Tsk, tsk. Those happen to be troubling spirits who like to tease people and love the attention and status given to them.”

“So, what you’re saying is that they’re attention whores?” Sarah said.

Linnea gave her a thumbs up. “You’re on a roll, Sarah.”

“Thanks… say, when you were using chants, you also managed to do attacks without saying one. When and how did you learn that?”

“Interested, are we?”

“Duh, I mean, granted I can also do some mana attacks without using a chant but they’re very minor ones. If I want to use my most powerful attacks, I need to say and use a chant.”

Linnea grabbed her chin, and smiled. “So, you want me to tell you how to use your most powerful attacks without saying a long draggin run on sentence?”

Sarah jumped in front of Linnea, nodding repeatedly. “Please! That way I can prove to my father that I’m not some damsel in distress.”

The two girls stopped walking while Jack kept on. Linnea’s eyes mildly shook as she looked at Sarah.

“Your father… who is he? Is he also a magic user?”

“To be honest, I’m not too sure, myself. But my father is an Esper, and one who doesn’t like to rely on his mana according to him. God he’s so cool.”

Linnea smiled more, and remembered what type of guy her father is.

“Tell me more about him: His appearance, his personality, name?”

Sarah grinned while blushing. “My father, where do I start? He’s a very quiet, shy man, but very powerful. He’s the toughest man I know, and also, very mysterious. His name's Leon.”

Linnea can recall a time when she and Leon, along with Malificus, and some other Witches were hanging around another building. Across, they could see Leon, alone, watching out from the window. With a straight face, but one that told the world he did not want to be disturbed, his close friend Malificus shouted at him to join them. He heard him, and when he did arrive, Linnea got up to his face, burning with curiosity.

“Leon! You have to teach me how to combine Mana and my fists! I wanna learn how to fight with these little hands of mine.”

Leon only stared at her, and gently pushed her away. “Easy now, blonde wonder.”

“Blonde wonder?! Oh you see, if I knew how to fight with my hands and legs, I bet I can take you on!”

Malificus threw air punches, “yeah, Leon, show us how to fight with the manos man! Come on!”

Everyone around them gave him cheerful stares and puppy dog eyes to convince him. Then, they felt the presence of a particular woman approaching them. They all turned, and saw Abyzou coming towards them, and when they set their eyes back to Leon, they could see him, flabbergasted? Embarrassed? Even nervous? It all made them curious as to why he behaves this way towards her. Once she arrived, making the group around her go quiet, she gently placed her hand on Leon’s chest, and he quietly gasped.

“Good afternoon, Leon.” she said in a soothing pampering tone.

This made the other men jealous, angry, the women envious, but to Linnea, it made her smile knowing that someone like her can tame the beast. Although this was one of the few good memories she has of this awful woman stored in her vengeful mind. Sarah wondered why Linnea was spacing out, and snapped her fingers to bring her back to reality.

“Oops, my bad. Didn’t mean to go dead there, I was just recalling some memories.”

“It’s okay, we got all night. Oh crap, Jack.”

Sarah turned around and saw him half way down the road.

“The nerve. We better quickly catch him before he leaves us in the dust, Linnea.”

“Right, let's move on.”

The two girls powerwalked to Jack, meanwhile he’s still scouting their surroundings as he walks the dark quiet road. Luckily the street lamps provided enough light for him to have him see where he’s going. Feeling relaxed and sure that the coast was clear, Jack used this moment to bask in his surroundings of peace. He turned to the right and saw the two girls a little far out.

“Looks like they’re getting along. That’s good.”

Seeing them walk side by side, it reminded him of the times before all these shenanigans happened or when he and Angela used to take long walks to ease their minds. Remembering those times brought a cloud over his head, and made him frown. After the events of Dr. Cato and his awful partner, Mathew, Angela had changed into a completely different person. But, given this new altered timeline, she’s behaving the way she did before he found them. Jack wiggled his lips, tapped his thigh as those nice memories flooded his mind. It almost made him want to shed a tear, but wondered why he was thinking this way out of the bloom.

“Jesus… do I miss the times before Dr. Cato found us. Now look where I’m at, involved in something far larger than life.”

Jack turned round, his eyes set back straight at the empty freeway in front of him. The barely lit street lamps far ahead made him think of his bleak journey. Will there be more light? Or is darkness always going to lurk around every corner. Jack took a step forward, and a sound beside him inside the forest made him turn his head for a moment.

“What was that? Sounded like a branch breaking.”

Jack took another step forward, and when his eyes set back on the road, they grew big. That blue robed man was standing a foot away from Jack, and the giant smug grin on his face told Jack how satisfied he was to find him. His teeth showing, rubbing against the bottom of his lip, he slowly raised one hand and pointed it at Jack.

“Found ya, teheheh!”

Jack quickly pulled out his gun, and aimed it at him. “How… how did you?!”

“Don’t you worry about how I found you, boy! What matters most is you handing over our God!”

He laughed and vanished. Jack panicked and ran back to the other two. The two girls saw Jack coming their way with his gun pulled out, and immediately, they caught on to what’s happening.

“We got to go!” Jack shouted.

Sarah stepped forward, “What happened?!”

Linnea can sense what he was talking about. “He’s right, we have to leave, now!”

Jack was getting close, and the blue robed man bursted right in between, flying with his left foot forward. He dove his foot into the road between them. Upon impact, he shattered the ground, denting it, the road was in shambles, and shook the earth. Jack flew up, and landed bad on his back. The other two girls leaped away to avoid the small meteoric landing. Jack quickly got back up, and ran to the two. He had one hand placed on his back, and reaching the other two girls who were at the other side of the crater, he stood in front.

“Sarah, get the hell out of here!”

Sarah stood next to him, and stood her ground. “I’m not leaving—’

Jack gently pushed her, “I’m not kidding! You have to leave, there’s no other option.”

Linnea pulled out her gun too, “let's go, Sarah.”

“No! I’m not leaving you alone to die!”

Jack grinned. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Linnea got in between them, and grabbed Jack’s attention.

“I know what I’m about to ask is a little strange, but it’ll help out more in my aid towards you, young man.”

“O-okay?”

Linnea pointed at Sarah, “What is she to you, Jack?”

Jack’s eyes slowly gazed upon a concerned looking Sarah. His grin slowly transitioned to a smile, and he turned his attention back to the blue robed man who was coming out of the crater.

“At first, I thought it was due to the fact we both shared similar experiences with the supernatural… But the more I get to know her, the better I’m starting to understand that we share a lot more in common than I thought. She’s not only just a friend, but someone I can trust, and someone who understands me.”

Sarah gasped, and again her heart skipped a few beats. She grabbed his arm, and bumped her head against it.

“Shut up…”

Jack chuckled, “I promised your parents. Please go, right now, there’s nothing more important to me than you.”

Linnea can remember those exact words the day Leon confessed to Abyzou. It still kept the suspicion of her spirit in her daughter since some things are playing out the exact same way. For now, Linnea will play along in being an ally to see if she’ll betray him if things go the way she thinks it’ll play out. Sarah closed her eyes, and she can feel her face grow a little hot. Linnea tapped Sarah’s shoulder, which triggered another flashing memory of fire, destruction. Sarah grabbed her head, and nodded to Jack who’s attention stayed cemented on the villain.

“This doesn’t mean I’ll be back really shortly, you idiot.”

Linnea forcefully smiled watching the two dense people crack teasing jokes.

“Come now, I’ll figure out something to get that car running. Can’t risk using any mana for these freaks to detect us.”

Sarah nodded, and the two girls ran off. Jack’s left alone now with the blue robed man who menacingly came his way. Jack kept his gun aimed forward, and felt afraid. Mustering his fear, he ground his teeth, exploded his eyes, and began shooting. He dodged his bullets, and chuckled, being amused at Jack’s efforts of keeping his attention.

“Stop, it’s no use, kiddo. I’m much too powerful for a normy like you.”

Jack loaded up another mag, and took an enormous deep breath.

“I’m sick and tired of freaks like you.”

“Ohohoho!”

As he was growing closer to Jack, the young man put his gun away, and raised his fists instead.

“How amusing! You wanna fight me like a man? Now! All of a sudden? Damn, you sure are courageous my kiddo!”

Jack didn’t say a word. With his fists up, the cultist nearing, he rushed the young man. Jack threw the first punch, and he leaned to the side. Jack shot another, he dodged and mocked Jack by putting his hands behind his back.

“Oh, how cute! For an average person you sure do know how to throw some swings. Here, let me show you what it feels!”

He gave Jack a gut wrenching shot, leaving him still. Jack gagged, and with no other say, kept fighting back. The blue robed man punched his face, sending him flying a foot away. He popped immediately to Jack’s side to pay him another shot to his face. One to his jaw, another to his cheek, a couple to his abdomen, and a last brutal shot to the back of his head. Jack slams face first, and moans in pain.

“This is strange.” he calmly said as he watched Jack struggle to get back on his feet. “You’re still alive after enduring some lethal blows. Why is that?”

Jack grunted, and got on his fours, coughing out spit.

“For once… I’m starting to think it ain’t so bad.” he muttered.

He wasn’t pleased. He wanted to up the antsy and show Jack his fate.

“Enough playing around, now's the time to end this.”

Jack slowly got back on his feet, and grew a grin with his head hung.

“Whatever, so long as it buys them time. Then I’ll endure this beating.”

Jack brought up his head, and glared at the cultist. He spat, and told him to bring it with two fingers.

“Oh! The nerve of you! But I wonder…”

The blue robed man smiled and vanished. He popped behind Jack, chopped the back of his neck. He slams face first, the ground cracks. He kicks Jack’s side, sending him tumble weeding away. Instantly he appeared where Jack was rolling to. He caught him, whirled him around, and slammed the young man's back against his knee. He pummeled his face with powerful punches that would kill anyone. Jack’s face was being bruised, bloodied, and once he felt that was enough, the first signs of blood, he threw Jack into the air. He leaped into the air, and double axed the young man back to the earth.

The girls heard the impact, and Sarah can’t bear to stand hearing her friend being bullied. They had just arrived at the car, and Linnea scratched her head, thinking of a way to turn it on with a spell instead of mana.

“Is there one to even magically have gas be put on the tank! Ugh… I knew I should’ve read more texts from them.”

Linnea looked over her shoulder, and saw Sarah’s determined face. Her fists clenched, she slowly stepped backwards as more impacts and small explosions went off in the distance. Linnea shook her head to Sarah, but she had already made up her mind.

“I’m going back for him. Don’t try to stop me, Ms. Linnea.”

Linnea deeply sighed, but understood her feelings. “Alright, but leave the fighting to me, okay?”

Sarah gave her a powerful nod, and she ran first. Linnea ran with her and saw trees being flown in the air along with road debri.

“How is he not dead?” Linnea mumbled. “I wonder if he has something protecting him.

“We’re coming, Jack!” Sarah shouted as a stream of dirt shot up in the air.

Jack’s on the ground, beaten to a bloody pulp and still had a grin on his face, though only half. He lay in the rubble of dirt and road pavement as the blue robed man stood over him.

How… How can I use Mallory’s strength against him? Jack thought.

Sarah’s dad helped me to use it… but how do I do it?

He crossed his arms, tilted his head and watched the young man grin in silence.

“Still alive? This is very interesting. No matter, I’ll have my answer once I have you in my clutch.”

He slowly reached for Jack, grabbed his neck, and once he felt his flesh, he let go and gasped loudly.

“Im…Im-Impossible!”

Again, he went for Jack’s neck, and lifted him up like a ragdoll.

“You-You ingrid! How, how did you—manage?!”

Jack gagged for air, but lightly chuckled.

“Quit laughing at me, boy! Tell me, tell me how you were able to be blessed! Blessed blessed blessed blessed, blessed by-by—Abyzou!”

He violently shook his head, and dragged one of his hands across his face, leaving red marks across it.

“You were blessed, blessed by her before us—me! No fair, no fair fair fair! This is inconceivable, most fascinating yet envious of situations!”

He eased in on Jack’s bloody bruised face.

“How did you meet her? Tell me, young boy. I’m so envious of you, you can’t begin to imagine how it feels.”

Jack blinked erratically, and only chuckled. It made him crush his windpipe, having Jack gag more.

“Heheh, fine then. If you won’t tell me, then I guess perhaps killing you might bring her here.”

An ominous glow formed around him, one that reeked of anger, jealousy, and red.

He raised one hand, and a donut-like object formed. Small currents flowed around it, and it only grew more intense.

“With this attack… not only will you perish, but this entire domain will be flattened to zero.”

Jack’s grin faded and he looked away. The blue robed man grew an open mouth smile, and reeled back the attack.

“Die now!”

A bullet had struck his forehead, leaving a scuff. It made his attack fade out, and wipe the smile off his face.

“Oy oy… that wasn’t so nice.”

Then, a huge stream of blue struck him, and an explosion occurred. It sent Jack flying towards the two girls. Sarah caught him, but they both fell back. She quickly got back up, went to him, and raised half his body off the ground, lightly smacking his screwed up face.

“Oh my god, are you still alive?!” she asked.

Linnea put her hand down, “don’t worry. I held back enough for him to live and for the other freaks to not sense me.”

Jack opened an eye, and saw Sarah’s worried beautiful face. “You know, Sa-Sarah…”

She let out a sigh of relief. “What, Jack?”

He groaned loudly, and sat up himself as she gently let go. He turned to Sarah, and wiped his mouth.

“Your dad, though his ass whooping lasted less than a minute was a hundred times worse than what this fucker’s giving me.”

Sarah mildy shook her head, and smacked his arm. “You idiot…”

“Hey, love birds, get ready to move. I’ll hold him off as long as I can. This way, you can escape before I can make my own.”

“Ca-can you even beat him?” Jack said, carefully standing up to his feet with the assistance of Sarah.

Linnea rolled her eyes. “Of course I can, but it’s kinda prohibited to use so much mana in reality. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there are huge consequences of using them, as you’ve seen as of lately. That’s why, with most supernatural beings, we battle it out in dimensions.”

“But when you have freaks like him they don’t care about the rules and disobey the natural order.” Sarah said.

“Right again. Bravo Sarah, I’m sure you’ve been… taught well.”

The blue robed man creeped his way out of the smoke, and looked very annoyed. He rubbed his bald head and rolled his eyes many times, aggressively pointing his index finger in their direction.

“I’m sick and tired of being ambushed, you know that?!”

“And the world is tired of hearing your stupid antics and rumours being flown around!”

“Pretentious traiting bitch! I’ll have you eat your own words!”

“Then make me, bring it you fragile man.”

Jack grabbed his abdomen, and Sarah wanted to help. She carefully let go, and slowly began to raise one of her hands.

“No… Sarah.” Jack murmured.

Sarah gently put up her palm, and someone abruptly put it down with a finger. Sarah shockling gasped, looked to her side, and her eyes shined, growing big. Linnea also looked, and her eyes quivered as they laid eyes on…

“Father…?” Sarah said.

It’s Sarah’s father who stood before them. Jack also couldn’t believe it as he fell back to one knee. Leon’s face was as dead as it was serious. The blue robed man had his mouth open, and he looked terrified but amused at the same time.

“There’s no need for you to do that, Sarah,” Leon said.

He calmly walked forward, and stood in front lines, glaring at the cultist.

Linnea dropped her gun, and trembled. “Le-Le…”

“Long time no see, Linnea.”

Linnea nervously picked up her gun, and brushed her hair behind her ear.

“Mmm…” she replied.

“I outta thank you for protecting these two. But—”

He knitted his brows, and squinted his eyes.

“I think I should take this into my own hands, from now on.”