IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM

In the dark room in the warehouse where Irene and Emelia are held captives, Emelia was struggling to free herself but she wasn't able to do anything useful so she sighed and stopped.

"I can't believe it, no way Jaxith is dead, he's always cautious, maybe he's trying to put fear in us, but why didn't he kill me?", Thought Emelia while remembering John as he was dropping the dagger and walking away just after he knew she was pregnant.

"Something was strange about him, he was afraid from something, or was that regret?", Thought Emelia for several moments as she kept questioning herself a bunch of unanswerable questions until some cough sounds were created behind her.

Emelia turned to find that Irene was coughing, is she waking up!?

"Irene, Irene, wake up!", Whispered Emelia in a low voice but still heard closely.

"Irene! Are you okay? Please say something.", Whispered Emelia, she was afraid that Irene maybe sick of something, Irene raised her head and started looking around before trying to move to find that she is chained to the metal pillar behind her, she started panicking!

"Irene, calm down, look over here.", Whispered Emelia to get Irene's attention who listened to her before calmly looking at her.

"Emelia?", Said Irene in fear.

"Yes that's me, lower your voice, we don't want anyone to hear us.", Whispered Emelia.

"Ok, ok, sorry, where are we? Why are we chained like this?", Whispered Irene in fear, she's still in shock as she waked up to find herself in a completely different place.

"I really don't know, and about the chains, we're captives, that's why they've tied us like this, there was even a piece of cloth over my mouth before someone removed it, you didn't have one which means they weren't expecting you to wake up soon.", Whispered Emelia.

"So why did he remove it from you? Aren't they afraid that you can scream and expose them?", Whispered Irene.

"Maybe we're away from the village, and also I'm even afraid to try it after what happened.", Whispered Emelia.

"You sound intense, did someone hurt you?", Whispered Irene.

"No, but he was going to kill me, I don't know what stopped him, he removed the cloth over my mouth and asked me few questions before he decided that I'm of no use so he was going to kill me just before stopping and getting out, he even forgot to put the cloth back but I think that's because he didn't care too much.", Whispered Emelia.

"It's fine that he left you unharmed, but why suddenly change his mind?", Whispered Irene.

"I don't know, when he knew that I'm pregnant he stopped.", Whispered Emelia.

"Maybe not all the bad guys are corrupted to the heart, wait! Did you say you're pregnant?", Whispered Irene while looking surprised at Emelia.

"Yes, I was going to surprise you and Jaxith but I decided to postpone it until I finish what he wanted from me and help him with you first.", Whispered Emelia.

"Jax? JAX!", Said Irene in a higher voice.

"Irene! Lower your voice.", Whispered Emelia.

"No no no, he was in pain.", Said Irene in fear.

"Calm down, what happened?", Whispered Emelia.

"We were eating at the inn before Jaxith started feeling sharp pain and he fell on the floor, I tried to run to ask Miller for help but Jaxith grasped my leg and asked me to run, Miller entered the room and that's when I realized that Miller was the one that poisoned him.", Said Irene in anger, Emelia couldn't believe what she's hearing.

"I tried to run but started feeling lightheaded and fell too, and that's the last thing I remember, your father betrayed us, Jaxith trusted him more than anyone, and HE'S DEAD BECAUSE OF ME, JUST AS I WARNED HIM.", Said Irene in anger as her voice started getting higher, Emelia sensed that her tone was changing, she doesn't want her to lose control while Jaxith isn't around, she's too dangerous.

"Jaxith is alive, calm down please.", Whispered Emelia, she know she's lying or at least she's not sure, but after hearing Irene maybe John is telling the truth, yet she can't let Irene lose hope and control, she must deal with her in the right way, she's afraid and alone.

"What makes you say that?", Said Irene with a little hope in her eyes while looking at Emelia.

"I overheard the men outside talking about still not finding Jaxith.", Whispered Emelia.

"Are you sure of this!", Said Irene in hope, her demeanor completely changed after hearing that Jaxith is alive.

"Of course, just lower your voice and calm down.", Whispered Emelia.

"Actually it makes sense now, they must have kidnapped me to force father to poison Jaxith and drug you, but knowing how my father respects Jaxith he must have given Jaxith something different than the poison just to trick them.", Whispered Emelia, she's making up all of this but still she wants to believe it, she can't imagine Miller betraying Jaxith.

"You actually make sense, Miller really loves Jaxith, but you didn't see him Emelia, I've not seen him like this before, it sounded too real, as a poison tearing his insides.", Whispered Irene in fear.

"Believe me Irene, you know by now that Jaxith isn't an easy prey, I thought the same when he killed a couple of bears but what about killing a strong demon or a rare beast as the Onohly, you witnessed a stronger side of him that we weren't lucky enough to witness.", Whispered Emelia, Irene listened to her before looking at the ground in worry.

"Those must be the same men who sent that assassin after you, right?", Whispered Emelia.

"Mostly yes.", Whispered Irene in worry, Emelia felt how she was still afraid and worried.

"Hey, you're still worried and I understand this but we need to think of our possibilities here.", Whispered Emelia.

"I'm not worried about that.", Said Irene while still looking at the ground.

"Then what Irene?", Whispered Emelia.

"You won't understand it.", Said Irene, Emelia thought about what Irene said, she is still worried about Jaxith.

"You're still worried about him.", Said Emelia.

"Forget it, Emelia.", Said Irene seriously.

"You can't hide it.", Said Emelia.

"It's more complicated than you think.", Said Irene looking at Emelia.

"No complications in looking up to an elder brother, Irene.", Said Emelia calmly with a smile, Irene looked at her in surprise before looking at the ground again.

"It was obvious from the moment I saw you hugging him the night you lost control, but I didn't know you care that much, he's more than a simple random person who's helping from your perspective, he even cares about you, don't be afraid that it's a one sided emotions.", Said Emelia in a comforting manner.

"That's the problem, I don't know why he's doing it, he's literally sacrificing everything just to help me, I told him to leave me or even end my miserable life twice but he insists on helping me, I'm confused Emelia and I don't know why I suddenly became afraid every time that he might get hurt because of me.", Said Irene sadly, she was barely holding up.

"That's normal in your case, no confusion at all, you had friends of your age, you had a person who you look up to as a parent but you didn't get the chance to have a caring elder brother that will do anything to keep you safe, someone who accepts you just as you're and even help you to deal with your demonic side better, that's why you easily become attached to him, especially after saving you from death and from a demon, I know this feeling too.", Said Emelia calmly, Irene started looking back to Emelia.

"I know you're still embarrassed to talk about that so I'll tell you something funny, when Jaxith saved me from those bears seven years ago I was still a young teen girl that her emotions can get ahold of her easily, so I know it sounds embarrassing but yeah I looked to him as my prince for a year or two.", Said Emelia while smiling, she was looking directly in Irene's eyes.

"No way! You loved that idiot?!", Said Irene while looking surprised.

"Yeah, although I discovered it wasn't love, it was some sort of admiration for your savior, I tried dressing good when he used to visit us but he didn't even notice.", Said Emelia while smiling.

"Yeah, that's typical Jaxith.", Said Irene while smiling.

"After some time, I started understanding my feelings right then I met Troy and soon after I understood the difference between admiration and love, in your case he saved you from a demon not bears, so it's completely normal for you to look up to him like that, I know the type of charm that Jaxith implies on the people around him, although he's not much of a social person but still there's something special about him, that's why we respect him, and that's why you think of him as the brother you long lasted to meet.", Said Emelia calmly.

"So I'm not weird or selfish to think like that?", Asked Irene in worry.

"Absolutely no, I'll tell you something that I don't think he told you about, you remind Jaxith of someone precious to him, that's why he wants to help you even more than you think.", Said Emelia.

"That's strange, he didn't tell me that.", Said Irene.

"Jaxith isn't the best talkative person around, but yeah he really told me that, I'm not making this up.", Said Emelia calmly, Irene looked back at the ground and smiled.

"You know what? I started to really like you, Emelia, you're right about it, I look at Jax as my brother, even in my nightmare I called him brother, I didn't tell him that because he might think that I'm a weird one.", Said Irene.

"He knows, and you're not weird, sometimes we get attached to someone and consider him a part from the family just because we feel how close he's to us, stop blaming yourself about everything, he told me about that part in you and you should really stop it, accept that after what happened there's people that still care about you.", Said Emelia while smiling, Irene looked at her with a wide smile.

"Thank you, Emelia, you're a good person, I see why Jax trusts you and Miller.", Said Irene while smiling at Emelia.

"Don't mention it.", Said Emelia, Irene looked at the ground again.

"I hope he's fine, I really won't be able to forgive myself if he was hurt.", Whispered Irene.

"I think we should think about our situation now better, waiting for Jaxith isn't our best option, he doesn't know where we are now.", Whispered Emelia.

"Fine, what do you suggest?", Asked Irene carefully.

"Try moving your chains hard, maybe your strength is getting stronger so you could break it and free yourself.", Said Emelia.

"I'll try.", Said Irene while moving the chains.

Outside the room in John's office, John was sitting on his chair and shaking his legs from the tension while looking at the dagger in his hand.

"Please, I'm pregnant, stop it.", Remembered John, the moment when Emelia told him about her pregnancy he couldn't do it, it stirred the worst memory and brought it back his mind, the night when he thought he was going to be a powerful dark caster but instead he lost everything.

While John was deep in his thoughts, he didn't recognize that Edward had entered the room and was standing before him.

"John.", Said Edward to get his attention, John looked up to finally recognize Edward.

"What's the matter?", Asked Edward.

"Nothing.", Said John while looking back at the dagger, Edward can easily realize that John isn't well.

"Did you kill her?", Asked Edward, John remained silent for a moment before nodding negatively.

"No.", Said John, he was still looking at the dagger.

"I thought that you wanted to do it.", Said Edward, John remained silent.

"John, listen, we can't let her go, we need to get the hybrid back to lord Blamore without anyone behind us, we're not ready for dealing with someone like Adam Aravos, he's getting closer and if he knew about what is happening now he will find us before we get away.", Said Edward seriously, John was still silent and didn't even look at Edward.

"Fine, I'll tell one of the guards to get rid of her.", Said Edward before turning to leave.

"Stop.", Said John, Edward stopped then turned to John again.

"John, what's going on?", Asked Edward while leaning on the office and looking at John who was still avoiding to look.

"Forget about the lady, I'll deal with her later.", Said John, Edward wasn't understanding why he was acting strange like that but he started recognizing his face expressions, it reminded Edward of John the day where he was coated in blood and Alphonse was in rage with him.

"John, I know you well, what happened inside that room?", Asked Edward, John thought about it while Edward was waiting for an answer.

"She's pregnant.", Said John while touching the dagger's blade, Edward's eyes widened in surprise before getting a chair and putting it beside John then he calmly sat on it.

"She reminds you of Cristina, right?", Said Edward calmly, John did nothing but nodding.

"I know that you haven't overcome that night yet, but it wasn't your fault John, you didn't know.", Said Edward.

"It was no one's fault except me, Edward.", Said John in regret, Edward looked at him before throwing his arm around John's back while gently pulling him in a comforting manner.

"Things happen, I don't want to talk much about it because I know how much does it hurt you but you know that I'm with you, I know that your love and respect for your father made you do it and now you regret that moment but, son, you didn't know she was pregnant, I know you wouldn't have done it.", Said Edward calmly, John listened to him.

"You need to make your choice though, Shisk is about to get back and after it we need to leave.", Said Edward.

"I can't let her get killed, at least not while she's pregnant, she's very good at alchemy and I'm sure that she will be of a great help to us, I can persuade father to let her alive.", Said John.

"You know that after lord Blamore is done with the girl everything will change, people like her won't be alive, only the true believers like us will evolve and serve the true God.", Said Edward.

"I know, just put it aside for now Edward.", Said John, he was still looking down.

"As you wish, it's your plan after all.", Said Edward.

"Thank you, Edward, I really don't know what I would have been like without you.", Said John while finally looking at Edward.

"It's okay, you were always like a son to me.", Said Edward while smiling and patting over John's back.

"Did you find anything about the hunter?", Asked John.

"Yeah, and if your talk about him being a Legnican is right then I guess getting rid of him was a great job, there's a great link between the negative abyss and Legnica.", Said Edward, John listened to him before raising his hand to stop him.

"Listen!", Said John while pointing to the room where Emelia and Irene are in.

"What?", Asked Edward.

"Call a guard and follow me.", Said John while taking a potion from a drawer in his office then walking fast towards the door of the room before opening it.

Irene was trying to break the chains behind her and actually they started getting loose!

When John opened the door both Emelia and Irene gasped from the sudden entrance, John walked towards Irene before Edward came inside with a guard.

"What's the problem, John? Wait, how is she awake?", Asked Edward in surprise.

"That's why I came in, looks like she is developing faster than expected.", Said John while kneeling before Irene and looking at her face.

"Get away from her please.", Said Emelia in fear, John ignored her and stretched his hand towards Irene who immediately looked angry.

"Get your defiled hand away from me or I'll cut it off.", Said Irene while grinding her teeth angrily.

"Exactly as I heard, you're a fierce young one, but you don't know how valuable you're, your left eye is a bit different than your right one, something is changing in you lately, right?", Said John calmly while pulling his hand back, Irene doesn't know how he knows about that.

"I guess if I asked you you won't tell me anything.", Said Irene.

"It won't matter either way, lord Blamore will deal with you and you won't need to even know about this.", Said John.

"Sorry to ruin your plans, noble boy, but Jaxith will be here any moment and all of you will be a** kicked.", Said Irene with a smirk.

"Irene stop.", Said Emelia seriously.

"The hunter? Will that gave me a good idea.", Said John while smiling.

"The hunter is dead hybrid.", Said John while standing up and walking backwards while still looking at Irene.

"Stop manipulating the girl.", Said Emelia in fear, Irene was shocked.

"Y-you are lying, he's s-still alive.", Said Irene in fear, her sound went lower.

"Irene, don't listen to him.", Said Emelia.

"Bring me the sword." Said John, the guard immediately went out to bring Jaxith's sword then handed it to John.

"Whose sword is this?", Asked John while smiling.

"That's the black titan! How did you get it?", Asked Irene in fear.

"From his dead body of course, you saw him groaning from pain, the poison he took causes internal decaying, it's one of those rare poisons that doesn't have an antidote until now, there was no way he could have survived it, lord Blamore warned him that we'll get what we want and protecting you means nothing and he will die, he brought it to himself, and I bet you're blaming yourself now, right?", Said John while smiling, Irene couldn't believe what she has just heard, tears started accumulating in her eyes and she looked down, John kneeled but without getting closer to Irene, he was looking at her face and noticed something, her left eye started tearing blood!

"So you care that much about Jaxith, doesn't you?", Said John sarcastically, Irene suddenly started pulling herself towards John but the chains were holding her, except that they were even getting weaker, her left eye was glowing red including her blue eye pupil, there were small veins around her left eye which was in black color and putting more pressure on her eye!

"DON'T SAY HIS NAME ON YOUR FILTHY TONGUE, I'LL BREAK THOSE F****IN CHAINS THEN I'LL RIP YOUR HEAD OF YOUR BODY, DO YOU HEAR ME COWARD? I'LL F****IN KILL YOU AND ALL OF THOSE BASTARTDS.", Screamed Irene and all the rooms started trembling from her voice and the red vapour started appearing behind her from her hands and melting some chains!

Emelia was afraid from Irene as she wasn't even able to recognize her.

"Hold her head and open her mouth.", Said John, the guard immediately did this and John quickly poured the potion inside Irene's mouth, she was trying to resist and after John was finished and before the guard removes his hand she bite him!

"Leave my hand you b****.", Said the guard before punching Irene's face hard to make her leave his hand and immediately she removed her mouth and started bleeding from the harsh punch.

"Stop this madness! Don't you see how much pain she's suffering? She's a young girl for the gods' sake, are you sick bastards?!", Said Emelia in anger.

"Looks like you need to know your place too.", Said the guard while walking towards Emelia.

"Guard, out, you're dismissed for now, don't hit anyone again, just replace the hybrid chains, clear?", Said John seriously as he stopped the guard from hitting Emelia.

"As you wish, Mr. John.", Said the guard before moving out while holding his fingers.

Irene strangely started getting calmer and couldn't even look well as she felt lightheaded, she rest her head back.

"I'm sorry, Jaxith, I'm just a curse for everyone around me, forgive me.", Said Irene while crying, she was closing her eyes but she's somehow conscious.

"What was that?", Asked Edward.

"I was testing her to make sure about her demonic side and as expected, her demonic side is getting stronger by time, the sedative should have kept her unconscious for a long time but her dark energy is getting more powerful as you've witnessed, I've given here another sedative but with that rate we won't be able to control her dark energy through the journey, we need a stronger dark energy sedative.", Said John curiously.

"What journey?", Asked Emelia.

"You'll see soon.", Said John while turning to leave, Irene wasn't looking good as it looks like she's sleeping but in the same time she's conscious and feeling what's happening around.

When John and Edward we're going to leave they suddenly found Shisk at the front of the door panting.

"What's the problem, Shisk? Why are you in a hurry? Did you finish what, Mr. John asked you to do?", Asked Edward as Shisk was looking very afraid.

"The hunter.", Said Shisk while looking at them in fear, Emelia noticed them.

"What about him? Did he still have external effects?", Asked John.

"No, he's alive!", Said Shisk in fear, John and Edward was shocked and immediately felt fear across their bodies!