14 The Mark of the Spider Part One (1/2)

Chapter 14: The Mark of the Spider (Part One)

As Jack stood in the streets of Belmont city, the figure he was intensely staring down emerged from the darkness. It was an older, taller man, with dark hair that carried two silver streaks. He wore a torn maroon colored cape, with matching coats tails from under his ghastly looking armor plates at his waist. Upon his legs were baggy striped pants, that tucked into silver plated grieves, which matched the pauldron on his chest. His sharp red eyes were focusing on the angel of death.

Without any given warning, the taller man had phased in front of Jack, towering over him as he slightly tilted his head. Jack was taken off guard, about to take a step back, when his throat was grabbed, and he was slammed hard into the wall; making him flinch.

A soft chuckle was heard, as the man grinned to Jack in an eerie, maniacal manner. ”I'm amazed that the Templar haven't killed your sorry ass yet. Here I thought you'd be dead by now.” The creepy man leaned forward, his fingers pressing into Jack's jaw, as he eyed the younger male closely.

”Jehxal...” Jack winced faintly from his grasp, as his body was pressed harder into the wall of Zetto's pets.

The man known as Jehxal, smirked in response. ”Look at you cowering, you're still the same little runt... How many years has it been? Seventeen? Did you really think a measly little haircut was going to fool me? Ahahahahaha.... I know your scent better than that, little brother...”

”...” Jack sneered, taking offense to the hair remark.

”This brings back a lot of memories, doesn't it? The way I killed our parents, for fearing their own children.. Hahaha.... I can break your neck, just like I broke our mother's.”

He grabbed Jehxal's wrist, trying to get the taller man to release him. ”Take your hand off me.” He demanded, sternly.

”You're still sore over that wretch? She's dead, Jackyn. Mother's not coming back. So. How about, 'no'? I'm having too much fun. Hahaha...” A sly expression poised on Jehxal's face, as his free hand cupped his ear to listen.”Do you hear that, little Jackyn? The Templar are coming.... Hahah... OooOooOoh lucky me. I can pin the death of those meat sacks Ibutchered on you. Just like before. Remember? Think about it!” Laughed his raspy toned older brother.

Jack half blinked in hesitation, his rage flooding his body. However, his mind was swept back to the past. Seventeen years ago, when Jack was little more than a child... There was fire nearby, that had caught onto a building late at night. It was cold, as some rain was falling down to the cobblestone streets.

A glimpse of a female mangled corpse laying on the streets panned into view, their blood leaking from the several exit wounds covering her body; and pouring through the cracks of the road. The neck was broken, and her body was deliberately cut down the middle, even through their broken skeleton. A teen-aged Jehxal shoved Jack back hard to the ground, letting the younger boy skid along the gravel to his back.

Jehxal stepped over to Jack, whom was still laying on the ground. He proceeded to kick him in the ribs, forcing Jack to cry out in pain.

”YOU MANGY LITTLE WEAKLING!? HOW DARE YOU GET IN MY WAY!” Jehxal yelled, as he kicked so hard, that Jack was rammed back into the festering corpse.

”Stop it... Why... Why did you have to kill her!?.... Mother...”Jack slightly glanced to the corpse or his mother, crying for her. Tears were escaping Jack's eyes, as he tried to breath, shaking in pain and terror of the older boy. Jehxal spat to the side, cooling down a little, as he circled Jack.

”Pitiful. Nothing but a wittle scaredy-Jack, crying over his mommy. Ooh boo-boo. It's no wonder our sister made me take you with me. She just can't bare the sight of a pathetic cry baby. You never did listen to us, always taking that woman's side. Know what, a brat like you doesn't deserve our help. Why bother sharing food with the likes of you, a weakling who doesn't even know how to hunt for himself. You always did rely on mother, but now she's gone. You're all alone, and It's not my responsibility to look out for you. I wouldn't give a shit if you croaked. You're just a filthy little vermin, who doesn't deserve anything. Maybe we should get it over with already, and end your pointless life. You can die with the mother you love so much. Not like anyone gives a damn about a street urchin like you, not anymore. You just lost the only person who gave a shit about you, you're just wasting space anyway. Always have been, always will be.” Jehxal scoffed in a mocking manner, leering down to the injured little boy, who was squinting up at him, through a trail of blood that was dripping from his mouth and forehead.

”I heard the screaming from this direction!” Called a female voice from the distance.

”Be swift! The chase is on! The culprit must be near!” Another female voice called.

Jehxal's eyes narrowed, as they panned to the sounds of voices. ”Lousy, good for nothing Templar... They always spoil my fun.” His eyes darted back to Jack, before the older boy kicked once more into his ribs. ”Maybe there is a use for you yet, Jackyn. You can even be reunited with mother. Two birds, one stone. Ahaha... Must be my lucky day. ” Jehxal smirked, rushing off, before shadow stepping into darkness.

”Jeh...xal... urgh....” Jack groaned, trying to get to his feet. His brother however was no where to be seen. He weakly reached for his mother's body, not wanting to part from her. ”... Mother....” He whimpered.

”Commander, I found something! There's a lot of blood.” A Templar called.

”Look! That's got to be the killer!!” Another Templar exclaimed.

Jack's eyes grew shaken, as he was fumbling from the pain, but there was no way he could outrun the nearing Templar forces. A swarm of them arrived with haste, on mounted horseback, and some riding upon winged ones. The lady in command, leading the others was a tall woman, with a green bob that carried a pink streak on her bangs. She had face piercings, and wore light armor unlike the majority of the knights around her. She dismounted her Pegasus, her grieves quickly stepping over to Jack, as she gripped his shirt collar.

Jack tried to struggling, but he was far too weak after that beating. ”HEY! PUT ME DOWN!! YOU GOT IT ALL WRONG!” He cried out, as he tried to wiggle from her grasp, but to no avail. His tear stricken eyes were focused on the body of this mother.

”Countless innocent lives stolen by the likes of a child?... Disgraceful...” The lady commander scoffed, with furrowed brows. She glanced back to a few of the Templar behind her. ”You two. Restrain him.” She ordered.

”Ser.” The men acknowledged, as they approached. Each took one of Jack's arms, and forced his knees to the ground.

The boy lowered his head, shutting his eyes. He was gritting his fangs, but he wasn't strong enough to escape. Tears of fear streamed down his cheeks, he felt utterly defenseless.

The commander unsheathed her sword, gently placing it to the skin on the back of his neck. ”As commander of the Templar forces, I sentence you to death. You shall pay for your crimes in the after life. Any final words, young Amygdala?” She peered down to the boy, gripping her sword's hilt. ”I'll take your silence as a 'no'.”

His spirit was already broken at the loss of his mother. Jack could only tremble in terror, before seeing her raise the blade into the air, preparing to strike down. However, before the sword connected with his neck, another female Templar dismounted. It was none other than the Templar baroness, Astrid.

”Commander Margo. He is but a child.” Astrid spoke up.

The commander, halted, lowering her sword. ”What would you have me do, Astrid? He's butchered many of our people, he deserves to pay the price of taking a life. Child or not.”

”Isn't there a way we could reform him? The trials have worked well with other criminal candidates. If it fails, then he'll still suffer for his crimes.” Astrid suggested.

Margo thought for a moment. ”Most of them were not monsters like this boy... However, a beast who slaughters many, should suffer a bit more than average scum. Very well, you do know what's best.” She sheathed her blade. ”Place him into a magic proof cart, and we'll deliver him to our brethren.”

”Ser.” The two holding Jack nodded, dragging the scared child over to a Pegasus drawn cart, slamming him inside.

Jack gripped to the bars, as he weakly looked to the Commander. ”Let me go, dammit!... (Mother....)” His eyes still were locked on the body.

”We can judge him tomorrow, to see if he's even worthy. If not, he can suffer by other means.” Margo stated, not even acknowledging Jack's demand. ”Scouts, clean up that mess.” She said, getting back on her Pegasus.

”Aye, commander!” They saluted, before proceeding to the corpse. Jack could only watch, his body trembling.

”Pardon my speaking out, but I don't know about this. Do you really think it wise, ser?” A teen-aged Skyletra peered up to Astrid.

”You need not worry young squire. Everything shall fall into place, as it always has under the Grand Master's rule. Come along now.” Astrid replied, mounting onto her Pegasus.

Skyletra grimaced, as she begrudgingly obeyed her superior officer. The winged horses took off into the sky, with the cart that carried the young Dream weaver. The scene forwarded to after they arrived in Skyworld, and Jack was shoved into a cell. It was a dank little room, that seemed more like a cave with a drippy ceiling. The damp eyes of the young boy peered up to the Templar baroness from the other end of the bars.

”Listen boy. Your fate will be decided in the morning. If you want atonement, then you should get your rest. Only if you pass the trial will you have any chance to reclaim your freedom. You won't have any other opportunities, understand?” Astrid peered into the cell.

”...” Jack did not respond, but his eyes glanced to the approaching Templar Captain. Astrid turned to her see as well, before proceeding over.

”Astrid, you're far too kind to the young ones. Underneath that innocent looking exterior is a cold blooded killer. Even your squire thought this as careless.” Margo placed her hand to the other woman's shoulder.

”My dear Margo, I thought you agreed with my proposition of the child.” Astrid gave her a soft smile, as she cupped her lover's cheek. ”Either outcome, the boy is off the streets. So put your mind at ease, alright? The mind of a child is far easier to mend, than that of a grown adult.”

”This won't change a thing now though, not because of what he is, but what he's expected to do. The counsel decided upon it already. He'll be taken to the Pit first thing in the morning.” Margo replied.

”I see, so they already came to a decision. No trial? What a shame.” Astrid crossed her arms.

”It's out of our hands. Enough talk of work, my love. Let us enjoy each others company away from this bleak place. Keeping up a professional demeanor around you is rather bothersome.” Margo placed her arms around Astrid, looking into the other woman's eyes.

Astrid smiled, tucking a strand of Margo's hair behind her ear. ”Sorry, I always get too carried away with orders, my sweet. We can set work aside for the night.” She chuckled, kissing her lover.