The Crimson King

III. Necromancer's Eye

Another weekday. Another day at work for Jake. Though he wasn't in much of a good mood. He barely spoke a few words with his boss. Only one of the workers got a few words out of him.
Something happened that he didn't want to talk about. But that wasn't going to stop his boss, almighty Ralph Isen. A retired Slayer with over a hundred slain Gods under his belt. That's why he waited for Jake to finish for the day and be on his way home. That was the moment Isen was waiting for. When Jake was expecting it the least.
"We need to talk little Russell."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Cut the attitude."
He grabbed Jake by the shoulder and turned him around. There was a sight to be seen. His usual hateful glare that was reserved only for Gods was staring Isen in the eye. Jake ripped Isen's hand from his shoulder and was about to walk away when he was stopped by the door turning into metal. He looked back at Isen who was grinning under his orange moustache.
"What's with the dead eyes kid? Just on Monday you were overjoyed."
"It's nothing old timer."
"Nothing wouldn't bring out that glare."
"It's none of your business."
"It is my business when the Slayer under my supervision looks like he is going to destroy the world."
Jake scoffed at those words and was about to try and kick the door down when Isen put a hand on his shoulder. It was something that always brought him back from his more chaotic episodes. That small fatherly gesture was all it took.
"It has something to do with the Order, doesn't it."
"Tch. Those bastards, as if dragging Sammy in wasn't enough."
"What?"
"They want Jen in the order. My little sister, a fourteen year old girl Isen!"
Isen just looked at Jake, sadness in his eyes and a hint of understanding. There was nothing he could do to help Jake, the Order often did things the way they want.

"It's the worshipers little Russell. They want her in the order."
"What do they get out if it?"
"They're a cult. They will do everything to get people to join their part of the Order."
"So they're Jehova's Witnesses."
Even though he was supposed to stay composed, that comment from Jake made him laugh. It was brief though, Isen cleared his throat and looked back at Jake.
"That uhh... that is some good humor little Russell, but we're supposed to be serious right now."
"I'm just being honest."
"Of course you are."
"What?"
"Forget it, we have more important things to discuss. But fret not, they cannot force her to join them. What we must talk about involves your little girlfriend."
They both walked over to the counter and Isen took out a file that had both Jake and Kate's names on it.
"She's not my girlfriend." 
"Girlfriend or not, this is important.", he handed Jake the file and when he opened it multiple pictures fell out. Majority of them was with them together, but more so focused on the background. In it a pale and transparent figure stared at them. Completely black eyes and an eerie feeling coming off from it. It was enough to make Jake jump when he noticed it.
Then he looked at the more recent photos, only days old. Some showed the figure closer to them than usual. And some with Kate reacting to Phantoms, something she shouldn't be able to do.
"W-what's all this?"
"The Order thinks she could've been born with the Necromancer's Eye. Only that could explain her reacting to Phantoms."
"I thought necromancers died out generations ago."
"We did some digging, she's a descendant of a necro."
Jake dropped the file and slid down the counter. He just couldn't believe it. A photo of Kate fell in front of him, she was smiling in it, unaware of the figure stalking her. Jake just looked at it, he was choking up, wanted to scream. He didn't know what to do, yet he wanted to do everything. Just to get her out of the situation she was in. But what made it even worse is that Kate didn't know anything about it. Nothing about her predecessors, the figure, nothing. She lived her life without a care in the world and Jake had to figure out how to help her without Kate realizing what's happening.

"You have to get it together."
"You don't get it old timer, you don't get what I'm feeling right now."
"I get it, I get it all too well."
"So what am I supposed to do know?"
Jake's tone was back to the cold and murderous one. He was no longer in a state of wondering, he was ready to act. If it's for Kate, he'll do anything.
"Keep her alive. No matter what."
"Then will you let me go?"
No more words were exchanged. The doors were back to normal and Jake ran out. He knew where Kate was going to school so the second his bike was unlocked, Jake took off in that direction. There was another storm brewing and Jake didn't like that one bit. He didn't know if another God was slain, but when that happens, Phantoms come out in hopes to feast.
As he went past small alleyways, Jake saw Phantoms crawl back in as they saw him. Just the sight of them was unsettling now.
Monsters with an unsettling number of eyes, crooked mouth and teeth and stick like limbs and large numbers of them as well. They were a sight straight out of a horror movie.