Fade to Death

Chapter 18: Encounters

Where am I? Never knew this cave was so big... Kira thought as he made his way through the underground tunnels of the cave. 

"What makes you think I'll find her here anyways?" Kira seemed to ask himself. However, in his mind, Hakyuu responded:  There's only one Aura in this area that feels different from the rest --besides yours-- and it's coming from this direction. 

Wait! Suddenly, the dark and gloomy caves turned into the Amuleto's conscience in the blink of an eye. In front of Kira were Yuuki, Killer and Jonah, Yuuki being the owner of the previous voice. 

"You won't stop, now won't you?" Kira mumbled, annoyed.

"Do you really want to tip the balance here? Hakyuu will take over, but he'll kill you slowly, like a parasite." Yuuki warned.

"Don't care." he mumbled ignorantly.

"But this could kill--"

"Yuuki, can't you see him?! He won't listen to reason! Hell, the only reason I'm here is because of the consequences." Killer interrupted, turning to Kira:

"If you die, we do too. And I still have a good two thousand years left in me."  He took a step forward, baring his claws at him.

"And Jonah? What do you think?" Kira chuckled.

"Frankly, I don't want to be here; How could I stop you? But, for the sake of yourself and the others, I can't let you do this." Jonah replied. Yuuki and Jonah followed Killer, taking an offensive stance. 

"I'm don't have time for this. Hakyuu! Take care of 'em." Kira waved his hand and disappeare into the vortex behind him. Meanwhile, Hakyuu appeared in front of the others, bearing less markings than before. 

"Hehe, we met again, Yuuki." he smirked.

"So that's Hakyuu?" Jonah asked.

"No, it's his pet monkey-- YES, IT'S HAKYUU, WHO ELSE COULD IT BE?!?!" Killer stated sarcastically. 

"And... we're screwed." Yuuki mumbled.

They fought Hakyuu with all of their might, but he was too strong for them. In a matter of minutes, the three of them were tied up in chains, most especially Killer.

"Now, then: Who shall I torture first? Any takers?" Hakyuu grinned viciously. Killer spat at him and chuckled:

"Go ahead: I'm wide open!" 

In a millisecond, blood splattered. But all they saw was the lighting-quick glint of the blade.

Meanwhile, Kira made his way closer to the special Aura. The tunnel suddenly opened up to a carvern.  He looked up to the ceiling, about ten stories high. 

"Who's there?!" a voiced echoed through the tall room. Kira looked surprised for a moment.

"It can't be... Janice!!" he called.

"Kira?!?! Is that you?! I'm over here!" 

He turned around and there she was, about ten feet away. She had a simple white dress on, her long hair dragging behind her like a wedding veil train. He ran towards her, his face slowly turning into a smile. 

"Kira, it's really you..." she hugged him, tears running down her cheeks.

"I can't believe that I found you." he smiled.

"Someone stabs us and, next thing I know, I wake up here. I thought that I had dreamt it, and that Nani was still, well, with us. But your reaction changes everything. What happened?" she asked. Kira told her everything, Marsha and Kiki included, except the part about Killer and the others, especially lying about Hakyuu.

“So... What do we do now?”she asked. 

“Jay. I have to go kill her, without you.” he said, picking up his bag. 

“But--”

“It’s too dangerous,” he looked her in the eye. 

“This’ll be all you need I’m leaving you at a hospital. Check in and ask for Dr. Lawrence” he handed her a piece  of paper that read: Keep her safe and hidden.  No matter what happens, DON’T FORGET THE PACT.  ~R.I.P.  J. Lawrence.

Meanwhile, Kiki and Mika made their way towards Kira, tracking device in hand. 

“I know she said that she had something to do, but what could be more important to her?” Kiki asked herself. 

“It’s Marsha, she knows what she’s doing. Just leave it to her.” Mika tried to comfort her.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyways, which way do we go now?"

"It says left."

At that instantanious moment, something seemed to pass right next to Kiki and Mika. All they saw was a millisecond of the shadow passing over them. Afterwards, Mika stared into the tracking device to find the little red dot moving quickly into the opposite direction. 

"Was that-- NO. It can't be." 

"Yeah. Unless you have a vehicle that can move at the speed of light, WE ARE--"

"SSSSHHHHHH! I hear something." Kiki interrupted.

"Yeah, way to ruin the moment. Why'd you have to bleep me?!"

"OH, STOP WHINNING! WHO GIVES A--"

"'SSSSHHHHHH! I hear something.'" he mocked Kiki. She growled at him and he looked away, a little afraid. 

"ANYWAYS, What do we do now?"

"Wait, He's heading for the hospital Marsha's at." Mika informed.

"That little wise ass knew where he was going all along. Oh, she's gonna be hearin' this for a lo-o-o-o-o-ong time."

"You can bicker later, we have to find a way to get there quickly."

"Maybe Marsha put something useful in my bag." Kiki rumaged through her backpack. She chuckled a little, taking out an odd looking pistol and a tiny orb. A note attached to the orb read: Your aura bullets should power this thing up. I think you know what to do? ~Marsha

Kiki started snickering wickedly, positioning the orb on the floor and pointing the gun at it. She shot three rounds and with that the orb flung open like a pod and grew twenty times its original size. 

"Hell yeah!!" Mika shouted.

"Well? Get in the car! Err, I mean-- You know what I mean!"

Meanwhile, on Marsha's end:

"There's a young woman in the lobby requesting your help." a nurse informed her.

So, Janice's here... she thought to herself, making her way towards the lobby to greet her. 

"Here." Janice said, handing her the note. 

"As to be expected. Come with me." she mumbled.

"So, how's he going to find Jay?" Marsha asked as they ran through the long corridors.

"Dunno. He just up and left. We are we going?"

"Underground."

Soon enough, they reached the end of a hall. Marsha ran through the wall, pulling Janice along with her. 

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Yeah, I am SOO SORRY for the wait. But it's finally here! YAY! Anyways, I promise that the next chapter will finally be interesting. Janice is back, and the mystery of Jay will be uncovered.  See?! U made me tell u that. ;( Oh well, I still have that amazing surprise awaiting you guys. Let's just hop you don't figure it out until next time. PS: Remember to please vote. PLEASE. And feel free to leave comments, they really brighten up my boring summer days. ;) (I haven't proofread this so sorry for any mistakes). ~ValePeace