41 Brotherhood's Methods

The whole ground of the Pink Swan shook as the many customers and girls started panicking. Fire was starting to spread from the front door and smoke billowed up in mass volume making it harder to breath.

Annalise screamed out towards Jack who was rolling into a standing position from the blast.

"That's not Shark, Shark died last night!"

Jack did not have time to acknowledge Annalise's words however, he quickly rolled away from another attack form the now transforming Shark. Moving back Jack shot out and air bullet grazing Shark making him bleed slightly in the shoulder.

Seeing that Shark who had fully turned back into Specter was a good distance away Jack Ran and hopped behind the bar next to Annalise.

"I need you to go and get Celine, she lives in Miss Sharlet's estate-"

But before Jack could finish speaking a loud bang resounded and he felt a searing pain in his left hand. Splitters of wood and burst from the bar piercing his hand. Giving Annalise a shove towards the backroom Jack quickly rolled out of the way of a second explosion.

Narrowly escaping the blast Jack got onto his feet to look at Specter. Specter was carrying several small pouches no bigger than a snap dragon. But unlike the harmless spark and pop of a snap dragon this pouches released an explosion of deadly measures.

Jack thought quickly and moved inward towards Specter, since he couldn't throw them at close range it was better to fight there where they had an even battle ground. As soon as Specter threw another pouch Jack blinked within a few feet of him and threw a jab to cover his sight.

Moving quickly Jack tried to punch from the side hoping to monopolize Specters brief blindside, but Specter dodged deftly and threw his own punch. Jack just barely blocked the punch before backing away slightly.

The two men circled each other within the fiery room of the Pink Swan, neither one of them wanting to show a weakness. Specter then swiftly pulled out a knife and lunged forward in an attempt to stab Jack's abdomen.

"HAHAHA I really have to thank you Jack honestly! If it weren't for you they never would've approached me!"

Side stepping the stab Jack cast fire form his hand to burn Specters wrist. Specter quickly faced the blade towards Jack's hand stopping him.

"They?"

"Hehehehe, the Brotherhood of the Labyrinth you idiot!"

Hearing this Jack faltered slightly within the exchange of rapid blows causing him to get a gash on his chin. Wincing slightly Jack blinked behind Specter and shot a kick towards his kidney, but Specter moved with the blow and reduced the impact. But was met with a fist to the solar plexus as Jack had once again blinked to intervene with Specter trajectory.

"You shouldn't of said that, no I have no fear of killing you."

Jack was inwardly panting from all the inhaled smoke and rapid usage of his Mana and Aura but outwardly remained unaffected.

Specter scoffed at Jack's words quickly resuming the rapid exchange of blows. But with a sudden blink and air bullet from Jack Specter gained a hole in his left leg. Growling in agony Specter lurched for Jack's throat at startling speed, but was met with a foot on his throat plummeting downward towards the floor.

In the last moment before he hit the floor Specter stabbed his dagger into Jack's leg removing it from his throat and preventing his air pipe from being crushed. Jack gritted his teeth and blinked away to pull the dagger out.

It may cause more blood loss but in a fast paced fight like this it was wiser to take the weapon for the short term advantage. Biting his sleeve he removed the dagger and quickly blinked once more in front of Specter.

Resuming the fight it went on in a similar fashion fore maybe 15 seconds, but now that Jack had the weapon he quickly gained the advantage. With a leg sweep Specter fell hard onto the floor, seeing his opportunity Jack raised his dagger in order to stab Specter.

"I would ask for last words, but you don't deserve any."

But before Jack could swing down with the dagger he suddenly felt a chill down his back and moved to the side. Unfortunately he was not fast enough as the sound of a gun went off and a bullet shot deep into his right shoulder. If he hadn't of moved it would've gone straight through his heart.

Nearly losing consciousness from the pain Jack attempted to finish Specter off; however, Specter seeing his opportunity quickly rolled away and kicked towards Jack. Jack dodged the kick but lost his opportunity to kill Specter. Without a second to waste he quickly blinked towards where he heard the gun shot from, and came face to face with Daniel Hildegard.

Seeing that Daniel was now point the gun at him once more Jack shot an air bullet before blinking behind him and shoving him towards the bullet. Daniel took the full force of the air bullet which resulted in a loud crunching noise and him howling in pain. But because of Jack's fatigue and the extra fat of Daniels body, he did not die.

Not giving Jack a second to breath Specter burst forth brandishing a broken wine bottle. Jack pulled on Daniel collar putting him between him and Specter. This prompted Specter to change his course, but instead of relief Jack only felt fear as Specter had pulled out more pouches. Throwing Daniel towards the flames that now took up 2/3's of the pink swan Jack sprinted away from where he was standing.

Jack in his adrenaline fury managed to pick up a table and throw it towards Specter who easily dodged. Seeing which direction he was dodging in Jack blinked once again despite his body's protests. Jack aimed the dagger towards Specter's heart and this time pierced it, killing him instantly.

Not wanting to waste anymore time Jack turned to look at Hildegard and was met with another bullet, it clipped his ear tearing a red chunk form the top of it. But before Jack did anything Daniel was quickly surrounded by a purple magic circle that seemed to press him to the ground mercilessly.

Turning around Jack grinned with relief, as Celine was currently shimmering in purple light and seemed focused. Hearing a sickening scream and squish from behind him Jack winced but did not turn around to look at Daniel.

Before Jack could walk forward even 5 steps, a cold voice rang out from behind Celine.

"Stop right there or I'll kill her."

Turning around Jack's face paled as Killsman was holding a struggling Lizzie with a gun to her head. Killsman glowered at Jack and started speaking once he saw that he had both Jack and Celine's attention.

"Drop all your weapons and come stand right in front of me."

"Hehehehehe"

Killsman's brows furrowed as he heard a dark laughter rumble out from Jack.

"HEHEHEHEHE"

Jack's laughter slowly grew louder disturbing everyone present. Not liking the sound of Jack's laughter Killsman roared in anger, gripping Lizzie harder resulting in her yelping in pain.

"Stop right now if you don't want her to die!"

"Killsman, do you really have no feelings for your family?"

Jack had abruptly stopped his laughing and instead posed a question.

"No."

"Really? I somehow doubt that you could have 4 kids without felling anything."

"Just come here and stand in front of me, or else I'll shoot her."

Jack took a couple steps forward but looked completely calm. Stopping after a a bit Jack posed another question.

"You are threatening to kill her a lot. Why don't you do it right now? I'll tell you why your aren't doing it right now, because deep down somewhere in there you love your family."

Clearly becoming more and more distressed at Jack's actions Killsman shouted in hysteria.

"SHUT UP! WHAT DO YOU KNOW!"

In this brief outburst Killsman moved his gun away from Lizzie's head, seeing the opportunity he was waiting for Jack blinked next to Killsman and knocked the gun out of his hand. Then he swiftly knocked him out with his left elbow as the splinters in his hand were preventing him from making a fist anymore. Breathing raggedly Jack kneeled down in front of Lizzie and hugged her, patting her back lightly.

"It's all going to be okay."

Lizzie was obviously not in a good state of mind as she was sobbing continually, she grabbed onto Jack and hugged him tightly making him wince. Seeing this sight Celine came forward and hugged Lizzie to relieving Jack from the pain.

After a few minutes Lizzie had calmed down; standing wearily Jack trudged his way inside towards the now burnt body of Daniel. Against his presumptions Daniel was still alive, but his legs were mashed into the consistency of applesauce.

Standing over him Jack pointed the gun at his forehead. Before Jack pulled the trigger Daniel looked up towards Jack his life flashing before his eyes, they shone with startling clarity, but also with guilt, pain, and bitterness. His lips trembling he managed to croak out two words.

"Good job."

And with that he closed his eyes and never opened them again.

Jack shuffled out of the Pink Swan and saw that Annalise had arrived now also and was supporting the very tired Lizzie. Turning towards Celine Jack spoke up.

"Can you cast a spell that will broadcast something across Forgemire?"