Killer Instinct: Carrie Unleashed

Chapter 9: Old Wounds

"Where am I?"

Jago pushed off the cold teal floor, scanning the silent, star-veiled void. A groan led him to Carrie, lying on the same surface. He nudged her awake.

She groaned as her eyes flickered. "Jago? Where are we?"

"Not sure." The monk pulled her up. "We have to leave."

Moments later, Carrie screamed, pointing behind them.

Jago froze, turning. A gargoyle-like creature stood, iron braces scraping on its wrists. From its eyes shone a menacing yellow glow, while its sharp-toothed, tusked mouth pulled into a sardonic grin. Foul, sulfurous heat rolled off it.

"Carrie, run!" the monk yelled as the monster grabbed him.

She ran until a portal tore from the ether. Several cackling Omens burst from the gateway, pouncing on her.

"Help me! Jago, help me!" Carrie cried as he fought the demon's grip.

Sneering, the creature brought Jago close to its face. Its icy contempt betrayed its tiger-like visage. "Hello. So glad to meet you."

"Can't say likewise, Gargos."

"Come now. I've set aside time for us."

"You can keep it, so let us leave."

Gargos scoffed. "As if I'd let that happen. I'm pleased you brought your friend."

"I swear if you hurt Carrie-!" Jago choked as the Shadow Lord tightened his hold.

"You are in no position to make threats, boy." Gargos paused, shifting glances between his captives, then expressed a faux moment of clarity. "Ah! You care for the girl, then?" He gestured to his minions. The Omens held Carrie down, the lead one wrapping its claws around her neck. "In that case, we should begin your next lesson. Now, witness the birth of my strongest fighter."

"NO!" Jago yelled.

Carrie's scream echoed as the Omen plunged its bare hand into her chest, ripping her soul from her body. Her form wavered in the void. After tossing the soul into the Abyss, the demon moved into Carrie's body. Carrie writhed on the ground, her eyes rolling upward. Spittle flew out of her mouth, and her skin turned blue. The Omens cackled until she stopped moving.

Her irises gleamed electric white when she opened them. Pushing herself off the floor, Carrie cackled a strange, double-layered laugh. A malevolent black aura enveloped her as electric wings sprouted from her back, filling the air with the tang of ozone.

Jago glared at Gargos, who laughed, averting his teary eyes from the horror. The iron grip on his throat crushed his windpipe. "You bastard, wh-what... what have you done to her?"

"Don't worry. Carrie's in safe hands with me. What about you, hmm? Will you join me? You and she can stay together."

"Like hell I will!"

"Ha, defiant until the end." Gargos wrapped around Jago's neck. "I almost feel... sorry for you. You were my favorite student. Well, almost. I still have your thanks for our freedom. Now, Jago, one task remains for the 'Tiger Spirit.'"

Out of thin air, another portal ripped open, revealing a gulf of madness, rife with impossible, shifting geometries and tentacular shadows. Jago trembled at what awaited him.

"Nyarlathotep, the Old Ones, and the Outer Gods require your presence. You will be their ideal toy. They will gorge on your sanity and tear your flesh. May your name, screams, and torture last for eternity," Gargos said.