Until We Fly

Chapter 39: Mistakes

-Jake-

"I...I'm an idiot..."

"No Jake. You made the right choice."
Jūx grinned leaning over my shoulder and peering at me as I stared at puddles on the ground.

Holding back tears, I clenched my fists.
"No...why...why didn't I let him?! You're a monster! I should have let him kill you!"

"Oh, you're so torn, brother dear."
He chuckled, swerving around until he was stood in front of me.
"You still have that small, pointless hope that I can redeem myself? Still? After all these years, you think I'd just give up my progress now?!"

"...James's sister...all those other children...why? Why Danny, WHY?!"

"You know why. I'm only a few souls away from tearing a rift so powerful, all the worlds will break and become one. And when it does, I will rule that land. Everyone will be Darks, I will have so much energy, so much power! I could do whatever I want!"

"...you can't bring her back, you know..."

Jūx's head snapped towards me as the smile left his face.
"...what?"

"Mum. She's gone, Danny. No matter how much power you have, death is death. She's dead and she will always be that way."

"Ha! You really think THAT'S my goal?!"

"No. But I know you've thought about it. Even if you did bring her back, would you really want her to see you like this? How do you think she'll feel?"

He didn't reply.
Silently, I prayed that perhaps I was getting through to him.
Even slightly.
I had to bring him back, there had to be a way!

...oh, who was I kidding...

I looked up into the grey sky.
Nim...everyone...I'd just sent them away.
Was I being selfish?

And James's sister...the poor guy...

"At least I made her death quick...hey, Jūx?"

"What?"

"When you said to James that you were a good actor...what did you mean?"

The grin returned.
"Oh...on that subject...I may have...exaggerated a little when showing him those memories..."

"...what?"

"Well, I was trying to make him suffer. And watching his sister be slowly and painfully killed was the best thing for that."

"No...god damn it!"
I shouted.

"Calm down, Jake. Who cares? It's not like you're going back to them. You're on my side now."

I spun around, pulling out one of my swords.
"I will never be on your side, Jūx. Don't you dare get the wrong idea. I panicked and I made a huge mistake but I will not do that again! Not this time..."

"Come on, look at what happened. Face it, you're weak."

"No. I'm going back to the others. Back to James. I want to bring you back but...look at you. You're not...you anymore. There's no Danny left inside this monster. But he's with Mum now, I see that."

"You couldn't kill me. Look at you."

"No. But I will watch as James does. And when he does I will smile."
I put my sword away, turned and began to walk towards the trap door.

I didn't know if I could keep true to those words.
But looking back on all those poor kids I'd killed back then...I had to do it.
For them.
For all his lies.
For James, everyone.

For Danny.

But before I could reach the exit, something grabbed my legs, pulling me to the ground.
Flipping over, I saw him standing over me.
No smile, no grin, no pleasure.
Just...anger.

"Oh no, Jake...I'm not letting you leave that easily..."