Zak was in complete and utter shock about what had just played out before him. He hadn't even realized he was holding his breath until his chest felt like it was going to collapse. When Zak did breathe again, it was rapid—in no time, he was on the verge of hyperventilating. His hands felt shaky. A wave of cold washed over him.
"J-Jason?" Zak's voice faltered. His lip quivered a little. He had to stop himself from trembling. He shook the other boy a little. "It's not funny, dude. Get up!"
When Jason didn't respond to Zak, Akachi told him, "There's nothing you can do."
"But... b-but.." Zak trailed off. He sniffled. "Why did he do t-that?"
"Do you know what Xuviphas is?" Akachi asked.
"No," Zak simply said.
"Xuviphas was a realm created by Irzinog Waqas during the time of the Kozgamek War... it was made to hold their young sibling, Xisuthros, for their so called 'treacherous' actions," Akachi took a breath. "It can only be opened by a sacrifice..."
"If it holds this Xisuthros, then why the fuck did he open it?" Zak questioned. "Sounds like terrible plan... well, unless he plans to end the world." He shook his head.
"I'm not so sure," Akachi began as he shifted his weight onto his other leg. "Recently, I've been looking into what Xisuthros did...and I don't know if they're as evil as people say they are." He breathed. "But, ummm, I'm Akachi Kariuki."
Zak stood. "Zak Kuraczech."
"You're one Jasoslav's new friends I take it? I'm one of his friends too," Akachi told Zak.
"What do you mean 'Jasoslav'? His name is Jason Sklair," Zak insisted, trying to ignore Jason's body evaporating into blue fire beside him.
Akachi laughed a little. "No, no. His real name is Jasoslav Sklairov. He probably told you the name he did so you'd trust him more."
"Trust him more?" Zak queried.
"Well, Jasoslav's kind of a big name in the paranormal community. He stopped his own father–Perseus–from destroying the world," Akachi said. He huffed a little. "He also is known by Yakim Markov... His alias as a monster hunter."
"He was a monster hunter?" Zak exclaimed.
"Yep," Akachi said. He looked like he was deep in thought before he said to Zak, "Ever been to Moscow, Zakary?"
─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─
Zak couldn't believe his eyes when Akachi had taken him to Moscow rather swiftly. "Oh my-" He began as he trailed Akachi, in awe.
"Come along, Zakary." Akachi insisted, "We don't have time to doddle."
"Where are we going?" Zak asked as he rushed over to Akachi.
"To meet friends," Akachi simply told him.
Zak groaned. "More friends?"
"Yes, smart-ass. More friends." Akachi had headed into a building that looked like it hadn't been entered in decades.
Zak hesitated before following him.
"I still think my girlfriend is better than yours," said a young woman with dark skin and wearing flannel.
A blonde girl with a heavy Russian accent–in a leather jacket, quickly said to the other woman, "You shut up, before I kiss you on the lips, Seth!" She added quickly, "Just kidding. I'm in a very committed relationship."
"What do we doing?" Zak inquired.
Akachi clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth before inhaling. "Waiting."
The two sat in silence as more time past before loud shouts sounded through the bar.
A brunette girl had punched a bearded man before being thrown to the wall.
The blonde girl had gotten into an argument with a guy before swinging at him, which the man didn't take very kindly too.
Seth and the Burmese girl who stood beside her sat, observing and watching, quietly.
The man the blonde had pissed off had slammed her down on a table, choking her.
The blonde's eyes drifted upward and she choked out, "A-Akachi? Is that you?"
"You know her?" Zak questioned, as the blonde kicked the man off her, sending him flying ten feet.
She rolled off the table and was joined by the brunette who had nearly killed the man who had she had been fighting.
Seth and her friend joined too. Seth sighed. "Leave it to you guys to start a bar fight."
"Akachi, it's been a long time," the blonde said.
Akachi nodded. "That it has."
"Jasoslav opened Xuviphas, I take it?" Seth queried.
Akachi nodded yet again. "Yes. He did."
"Excuse me. Akachi, who are these people?" Zak questioned.
First Akachi gestured to Seth. "This is my half sister, Sethunya Ouko." Then he gestured to the Burmese girl. "That's her girlfriend, Tess Thiri." Akachi tilted his head in the brunette's direction. "This is Zorthrin Isaeva."
The blonde spoke up. "And I'm Bohdana Romanova... Jasoslav's cousin."
YOU ARE READING
Project Dead
Paranormal"We were unstoppable... unbeatable, but yet, we were tore apart like junk mail." _____ The Paranormal Squad, founded by the Lord of Hell's very own nephew, Damien, was feared by all. But now? They've been dismantled by a couple of rebel creatures. ...
