Until We Fly

Chapter 43: Human

-Jake-

As soon as I came out of the portal, I collapsed onto the ground, gripping my stomach tighter.
It had to be him, didn't it?

I'd lost so much blood. My hands were pale and shaking.

I had a feeling that I wasn't going to make it out of this alive.
But that didn't matter.

Ignoring the pain, I forced myself onto my knees and slowly onto my feet.
The rain was beating my face and the cold, harsh winds weren't exactly helping either.

Jūx was stood there, not too far in front of me, just staring down at the mess he'd caused.
If I was quiet, I could take him by surprise.

I stumbled forward, holding one arm out towards him.
I just had to touch him.
And I could help James.

I felt the small sparks flicker against my palm as I prepared to tempt our connection even further, as far as I ever could.

Merely the tip of my tallest finger grazed the back on his long cloak. The material felt thick, rough and uncared for.
Like it hadn't been washed in centuries.

The sparks flew wide and in only less than a second, we were both consumed into the darkness.

Jūx spun around, looking all over, frantic and confused.
"W-what the hell?! What are you doing?!"

I stood as well as I could, yet wavering as the lack of blood seemed to be affecting my conciseness.

"I...I told you I'd take you down, you freak...and I wasn't...joking..."

"Ha! Look at you! You didn't even TRY to help yourself! You do realise that a wound inflicted from your other half won't heal, right? Non of your Guardian crap will work on me!"

I panted as the pain grew worse.
Just being near him was having its effect on me.

"Of course I do. We're split, entirely equal. Remember? I'm a part of the darkness just as much as you are!"

"Aww...I can hear the pain in your voice...has little Jakey Wakey got a boo boo?"

"...why didn't you just kill me, there and then?"
I asked, my knees trembling.
I wasn't going to last much longer.

"Well, that just wouldn't be any fun, would it? I must say, watching you desperately cling on to the last parts of your life is MUCH more satisfying than just plain old killing you myself!"

"But you had...so, so many opportunities. So why keep me alive?"

"Oh brother dear, are you becoming light headed? You said it yourself. We, together create the Darkness. Half and half. Killing you would only limit my abilities."

Half and half.
To think, I was just another half to that damn monster.
I was almost wishing I would die faster, only to be rid of that burden.
But I couldn't.
Not yet.
I had to help James, I had to help everybody.
This was all I could do.
It wouldn't fix anything I'd done in the past. I was far too late for that.

But Jūx wasn't finished with me just yet.

Slowly, almost elegantly he stepped forwards.
Moving, inching closer towards me.

Though I stood still.
I didn't care what happened to me.
I didn't matter anymore.

Without the slightest hint or sound, he slashed me across the cheek with a single, sharp claw, knocking my face to the side.

I fell to my knees, panting harder as I felt blood dripping down my face and to my jawline, where it proceeded to drip to the ground.

Though I simply paused, looked back up at him and smiled.
"...that the best you got?"