Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 137: Pathetic~

Henry sighed, his gun still pressed against Jiu's head," Of course, all those acquaintances that joined us during the Yule Ball were aware that they had to keep my little 'fake death' in act. They told nobody that they came to see us that Winter."
Jiu frowned.
"They all just lay down and did your bidding? Even Dorian and Basil? Lady Gwendolyn? All of them?"
Henry glanced at Jiu, smirking, darkly," Of course they did. Especially those three. Jiu, when you become close with me, I find your deepest, darkest secrets. I bury them, pretending to be blissfully unaware. And when the time comes? I use them to my advantage. My closest companions? I only have interesting friends, I choose them wisely. And let me tell you something, Jiu, the least boring people..."
He leaned in close, his breath dancing over the ghost's ear, lightly.
"...they always have the darkest secrets."
Jiu clenched his teeth, glaring at the sickening man, as he pulled back and laughed; hysterically.
"This truly has been my favourite Christmas," Henry sighed, tracing Jiu's cheekbone with the nozzle of the pistol," I've had so much fun...I must thank you, Jiu. Whilst you've been infuriating, you've brought a little excitement to my life. And what good is a life without thrill?"

Henry stood up, and paced over to the altar, his expression dark.
"Keep sitting Jiu, or I'll make you lose your legs."
Jiu clenched his fists, but stayed sat at the pew; glaring at the lord. Henry leaned over his sister, his hand finding its way to her veil and gently taking it from her face to reveal her tear stained eyes, and blood soaked lips. He leaned low, to speak on her level, his voice hushed and gentle; yet there was an undercurrent of pure bitter resentment in his tone that made every muscle in Jiu's body twitch.
"Sweet, naive Leora; did you really think I'd let you live after everything you've done? This is your judgement day, and you've been found guilty."
He grabbed Leora's face, and twisted it around to face Jiu. His breath hitched, as it took every nerve in his body not to get up and fight Henry; for he did not want to risk Leora's slim chance for survival. Leora met his gaze, tears filling her eyes, as her brother forced her to lock gaze with the man she'd fallen in love with.
"Take a good look, Leora," Henry whispered, venomously," Look at him. He can't save you. He won't save you. Pathetic. He has no control. I have control!"
Jiu felt his fist tremble from the sheer nerve of Henry's words. The lord burst into manic laughter, tugging the blade from Leora's back out; causing the girl to cry out.

"NO!" Jiu yelled, standing up suddenly, his eyes wide.
Her slim chance for survival had only gotten even narrower; for now, the pace she was bleeding out, had only gotten worse.
Henry giggled, thrusting the dagger onto the marble floor, watching it stain crimson," Whoops~! Well, we won't be needing that anymore, will we?"
The wind grew stronger outside, and Jiu felt his gaze momentarily flicker to see it, pounding at the windows. The nearby candle flames trembled and wavered. There was a dark shadow that had cast over the church, and Jiu could feel it, pulsating through the very structure; like a beast, awakening from its long slumber. His gaze flickered back to Henry. Seeing Leora bleeding out faster, he grew desperate. With a roar, Jiu lunged and seized the dagger and charged for Henry. The lord hissed, attempting to fire two bullets at the general, but they missed. After all, Jack the Ripper was skilled with a blade, not a pistol. Jiu lunged for him, managing to slice his cheek slightly, but Henry fought back. He raised the pistol, and brought it down onto the general's head to weaken him. Compared to his strength in the Underworld, he felt utterly weak and drained in the living world. The general dropped the dagger, hearing it hit the marble; Henry snatched it in an instant, grinning wickedly.

"I must commend you for your bold attempt at stopping me, Jiu," Henry chuckled," But did you honestly think that would work? I am a God compared to you. You are nothing but a peasant in my glory. And that sister of mine? She is nothing but a embarrassme-"
"DON'T SAY IT!" Jiu screamed, something coming over him.
He wasn't quite sure why, but he couldn't bear to hear those words. It reminded him of something, something he'd known long ago. A dark, horrible memory; that brought him incredible suffering.
"She's...not..." He groaned, digging his nails into the lord's legs, as Henry glared down at his grovelling state," After all she did for you? After everything you used her for? She's not!"
Leora breathed weakly, and with every ounce of energy she had left in her fading body, she glanced at the general.
"Jiu..." She whispered, weakly.
The general glanced at her, gripping Henry's legs, his eyes burning with determination to not lose her," We're under a deal, remember? Give me an order, Leora! Let me get my strength back! Let me save you! PLEASE!"
Leora's breathing evened ever so slightly, as she recalled that conversation they had once before. That he could protect her, regain some semblance of his strength, if she commanded him.

"I-" Leora opened her mouth.
Jiu got ready, ready to save her, to hear her order him.
"...I won't."
Jiu's expression turned grave.
Leora's gaze softened," I'm sorry, but...I can't use you. I won't use you. I'm sorry, Jiu..."
Jiu felt tears fall down his face," Leora, no!"
"Aw, how sentimental," Henry cackled, looking down at Jiu, with a dark glint in his eyes," Bye-bye Jiu."
He raised the dagger high above his head ready to plunge it down. Jiu winced, shutting his eyes. But then...there was a clatter?