Chapter 109: IS THIS EVEN YOUR REAL BODY?

While Klaus admired the grotesque scene before him, his intrigued smile made Freya roll her eyes.

Turning her attention away from her brother, she focused on Leah and Jacob, who were diligently examining the remains for any trace of the culprit or a lead.

After a thorough search lasting 15 minutes, the two shapeshifters returned to Freya with their findings.

"It seems like they were hunted down by a wild beast, judging by the condition of the bodies,"

Jacob began, his sharp eyes narrowing as he recounted what he'd observed.

The group paused their activities, listening carefully as Jacob continued.

"But... the teeth marks. They're unnervingly even, almost unnaturally so. And the bite force—it's incredibly strong. Strong enough to crush a skull in one clean bite."

Leah nodded, her expression grim as she added,

"The bite pattern doesn't match anything I've seen in the wild. Whatever this thing is, it's confident—too confident. Look at this scene. It didn't just attack people; it went after a police vehicle on a busy highway and wiped everyone out."

Hearing their observations, Elijah folded his arms and frowned, speaking more to himself than anyone else.

"If it's capable of this, it must know how to evade Jojo's senses... either through cunning or some sort of protection."

Freya sighed, nodding at Elijah's comment.

"This Creeper isn't just dangerous—it's clever. It's deliberately staying one step ahead of us."

With no further useful clues to glean from the site, Freya ordered the team to clean up any traces of their presence to avoid raising suspicion.

Once satisfied, they left the brutal scene behind and continued on their journey toward the downed hotel where Jojo awaited.

As they drove, the eerie silence among the group was broken only by the low hum of the car engines.

Each member was lost in their thoughts, knowing that whatever they were dealing with wasn't just a monster—it was something far more sinister.

Half an Hour Later...

Inside the downed hotel, Jojo sat calmly, observing David and Dana.

Dana diligently attended to David's injuries with the first aid kit found in the hotel.

Jojo didn't intervene, as he was awaiting Freya and her team, knowing they could heal David properly and modify his memories to avoid any complications later.

Meanwhile, Jezelle was seated with Darry and Trish, recounting her strange connection to the Creeper and how she knew it was targeting them.

"____"

"____"

When Jezelle revealed that she possessed the ability to see the future, the siblings froze, stunned by her admission.

"You mean... you can see the future?"

Darry stammered, his voice carrying both disbelief and unease.

Jezelle nodded solemnly.

Her expression was serious but patient, as though she had been questioned about this many times before.

"Sister... don't tell me you believe her?"

Darry asked, turning to Trish with a skeptical look that practically screamed, This is insane.

Jojo, who had been sipping from a can of Coke he'd grabbed from a vending machine, couldn't resist chiming in. With a teasing grin, he quipped,

"Didn't she believe your crazy claim about decades-old corpses being perfectly preserved in some creepy church basement?"

Darry opened his mouth to retort but quickly shut it, unable to counter the point.

Jezelle sighed, her shoulders sagging as if the weight of her visions pressed down on her.

"Believe it or not, kid, I can see the future—not clearly, but I catch vague glimpses. It's never a complete picture, but it's enough to know what's coming. And let me tell you... all my efforts to change what I've seen have failed. Nothing I've done has altered what's to come."

Her voice grew heavy with emotion, and dark circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion.

"Your ending... it's not good, kid. It's not what anyone would want to hear. But then... I saw him in a vision."

She gestured vaguely toward Jojo.

"And in that version, you're safe. For the first time, there's hope."

The room grew quiet as her words sank in.

Darry's skeptical gaze faltered, replaced by a mixture of fear and hope.

Trish, on the other hand, leaned forward, her expression determined.

"Then we stick with Jojo,"

Trish said firmly, her tone brooking no argument.

Jojo raised an eyebrow, amused by her conviction but impressed by her resolve.

He glanced at Jezelle, his teasing demeanor giving way to a more serious expression.

"Well, I'm not one to leave people hanging. If there's a way to keep these two safe, I'll make sure it happens."

For the first time in a while, Jezelle managed a faint smile, though it was tinged with sadness.

"I hope so. I truly do."

The tension in the air was palpable, and even the faint hum of the hotel lights seemed ominous.

Outside, the sound of a car engine approached.

Jojo stood, sensing the arrival of Freya and her team.

"Looks like the cavalry's here,"

he said, his voice breaking the silence.

"Let's hope we're ready for what's coming next."

Jezelle's lifeless eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope when Jojo mentioned his team.

For the first time, she felt there might be answers to the question that had haunted her ever since her powers awakened.

Jojo chuckled softly, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"What? What do you mean… failed? We can change the vision you saw, right?"

Darry's voice trembled, his wide eyes betraying his panic.

His hands were clammy, and he gulped audibly, trying to process Jezelle's words.

Jezelle shrugged her shoulders and gestured toward Jojo.

"Well… that depends on him."

Darry turned his pale, trembling face toward Jojo, his legs threatening to give out from under him.

His thoughts raced chaotically as if searching for a lifeline.

Jojo, observing Darry's near breakdown, chuckled lightly, offering a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

"Don't worry, kid. Nothing will happen to you if you follow my instructions. And Mrs. Jezelle,"

he added, turning to the older woman,

"there's someone on my team with the same ability as yours—maybe even stronger. You might get some useful advice from her."

Jezelle's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

This was the first time she'd heard of anyone with powers similar to hers.

The prospect of meeting someone who could understand her burden piqued her curiosity.

Before she could respond, a sharp sound tore through the room.

Swish~

Shatter~ Shatter~

The deafening sound of glass shattering cut through their conversation.

Two shurikens spun through the air, glinting menacingly, aimed directly at Darry and David like harbingers of death.

"DOWN!"

Jojo's voice thundered as he yanked Darry down forcefully and flipped the heavy table in front of them, creating a makeshift barrier.

Thud~ Thud~ 

Years of training kicked in as David and Dana dove to the floor, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles.

The shurikens embedded themselves into the table, slicing cleanly through the dense wood as if it were butter.

Crash~

David let out a startled grunt as one shuriken struck the walkie-talkie on his shoulder.

The shattered device absorbed most of the impact, saving him from a fatal injury, though the force pinned him against a nearby pillar.

Sigh~

Jojo glanced over and exhaled in relief.

"Down! Stay down!"

he commanded firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

After confirming everyone's safety, he turned his sharp gaze toward Darry.

"Darry, listen to me. No matter what, do NOT make any impulsive decisions. You'll only make things worse."

Jezelle crouched in a corner beside the cops, her trembling hands clutching her coat.

Despite the terror of the moment, she was struck by Jojo's calm under pressure.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Trish demanded, her voice low but laced with urgency as she noticed Jojo preparing to leave.

"You're alone! Didn't you say the Creeper is strong? You can't fight it by yourself!"

Jojo turned, his expression unwavering but not unkind.

"And what? Leave everyone here vulnerable? That's not happening. The Creeper isn't just strong—it's calculating. If I stay, it'll tear through this place to get to all of you. My job is to keep it occupied and far away until Freya and the team get here."

Trish clenched her fists, her protective instincts kicking in.

"Then let us help—"

"No."

Jojo's voice was firm.

"Your best chance of survival is staying here, under cover, and following my instructions. I'll buy us time. Trust me."

As he stepped toward the shattered windows, the air seemed heavier, charged with an unseen tension.

The night outside was eerily quiet, as if the world itself were holding its breath.

Jojo glanced back at the room.

"Stay down. Stay safe. And Darry—don't. Do. Anything. Stupid."

And with that, Jojo slipped out into the night, his figure quickly swallowed by the darkness as he prepared to face the Creeper head-on.

Despite knowing Jojo for less than an hour, Jezelle couldn't help but feel worried seeing him so willing to risk his life for her and the others.

Chuckle~

Jojo caught her expression and let out a light chuckle.

"Don't worry... I'm not weaker."

Standing up, he strode forward confidently.

His bright blue eyes flickered before turning a ghostly white, a manifestation of his Analysis Eye, a supernatural ability he had gained after defeating the demon at the Pet Sematary.

This unique power allowed Jojo to perceive and analyze supernatural elements in people, objects, and places—though he still hadn't fully grasped the extent of its capabilities.

Activating the ability, Jojo scanned the area outside the hotel.

The surrounding space appeared in hues of gray, except for the vibrant outline of two shurikens embedded in the walls, glowing with intense colors.

His gaze locked onto the Creeper.

Oddly, unlike other living beings he had observed through the Analysis Eye, which appeared in radiant white, the Creeper was an ominous black—a shadowy, hollow shell.

The sight only reinforced Jojo's suspicion: the Creeper was no ordinary predator.

He turned back to the others and pointed to the shurikens.

"Take those. They're not just weapons—it seems they can hurt the Creeper. Use them to defend yourselves if it comes to that."

The others hesitated, but David and Dana quickly retrieved the shurikens.

Their hands trembled as they gripped the weapons, trying to steady themselves.

Outside the Hotel...

The Creeper's predatory grin widened as it stared at Jojo, displaying its rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth.

Drool dripped from its gaping maw, the creature salivating at the sight of a healthy, strong human standing before it.

Shriek~

The Creeper let out a deafening cry, a sound so chilling it sent waves of fear and panic through everyone inside the hotel.

Jezelle clutched her ears, trembling, while Darry and Trish stared wide-eyed at the monstrous figure outside.

"T-That's the demon!"

David stammered, pointing a shaky finger at the Creeper.

His voice quivered, thick with fear.

None of them could muster words to respond.

They were frozen in a mixture of horror and disbelief, their eyes darting nervously between Jojo's back and the Creeper's menacing form.

The Creeper's dark, soulless eyes fixated entirely on Jojo.

Its tongue darted out, licking its inky black lips hungrily, as though savoring the thought of devouring him.

Jojo, unfazed by the creature's display, stepped forward.

The Creeper's grin faltered slightly, its instincts sensing something off about its "prey."

Then, without warning—

Puff~

Flames erupted around Jojo, engulfing him in an infernal blaze.

The others inside gasped in shock and fear, shielding their eyes from the sudden light.

The fire spiraled upward, consuming Jojo's figure, and when it subsided, he was no longer the man they had known.

Instead, standing in his place was the Ghost Rider, his fiery skull blazing in the darkness, chains clinking ominously as he moved.

Jojo's voice echoed, distorted and filled with rage.

"I HATE WHEN SOMEONE LOOKS AT ME LIKE THAT."

Growl~

The Ghost Rider's fiery gaze locked onto the Creeper, his skeletal form exuding an aura of pure dread.

For the first time in its long life, the Creeper faltered, taking an instinctive step back.

Though it was a creature of the supernatural, something about the Ghost Rider sent chills down its spine.

Jojo tilted his flaming skull curiously.

Even in his Ghost Rider form, he couldn't sense the Creeper's sins.

That lack of moral corruption puzzled him, forcing him to reconsider the nature of the being before him.

shriek~ 

The momentary shock faded, replaced by the Creeper's feral instincts.

It shrieked again, louder and more guttural than before.

Its jaw split open, revealing rows of fangs far larger and more menacing than its teeth.

The monstrous creature crouched low, its body coiled like a spring, ready to launch itself at Jojo.

The hotel windows rattled as the Creeper's shriek echoed through the night, an eerie challenge to the flaming specter before it.

The battle between two supernatural predators was about to begin.

As the Creeper launched itself at the Ghost Rider with feral intensity, its claws outstretched and teeth gleaming, the skeletal figure stood unflinching.

Thud~ 

In a fluid motion, the Ghost Rider delivered a devastating kick to the Creeper's chest, sending it flying backward like a ragdoll.

The impact created a shockwave that stirred up a cloud of dust and debris.

The Creeper slammed into the ground, lying motionless for a moment as silence blanketed the area.

The others watching from inside the hotel exchanged wide-eyed glances, their fear mingled with awe at the sight of Jojo's spectral form easily repelling the monstrous entity.

A few moments later, the Creeper stirred, slowly rising to its feet.

Its chest bore a deep, scorched boot print from the Ghost Rider's fiery kick.

The wound smoked and sizzled, a testament to the sheer power of the attack.

Yet, the Creeper's reaction was unnerving.

Despite the evident pain, the Creeper didn't waver.

It didn't clutch its chest or even acknowledge the injury.

Instead, its dark, soulless eyes fixated on the Ghost Rider with a singular, unrelenting focus.

Jojo tilted his flaming skull slightly, intrigued by the creature's indifference to its own suffering.

"IS THIS EVEN YOUR REAL BODY?"

The Ghost Rider's distorted voice cut through the tension, laced with curiosity and menace.

"____"

At those words, the Creeper froze. Its predatory demeanor shifted, and for the first time, its wide, unblinking eyes betrayed something it hadn't displayed in centuries: fear.

Its body trembled slightly as if it had been caught off guard, its earlier confidence replaced by uncertainty.

The Creeper emitted a guttural, low-pitched sound that reverberated through the air—a noise that seemed equal parts growl and unease.

GUGUGUGU~

The Ghost Rider's hollow sockets flared with bright flames as he took a step forward, his chains clinking ominously.

A dry, amused laugh echoed from his flaming skull.

"INTERESTING..."

Raising his flaming hand, the Ghost Rider curled one skeletal finger, motioning for the Creeper to come at him.

The taunting gesture spoke volumes, daring the Creeper to unleash everything it had.

The Creeper hesitated, a flicker of calculation in its gaze.

Jojo could sense it was holding back, its movements cautious as though weighing its options.

The Ghost Rider mused silently.

This thing... it's just a puppet. Its real body isn't here. That explains why it feels... incomplete. Limited.

Jojo's analysis only heightened his curiosity.

For centuries, the Creeper had terrorized and hunted without restraint, yet this was one of the rare times it was forced to face an adversary strong enough to provoke its full potential.

"COME ON THEN. SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT."

The Ghost Rider's challenge hung in the air like a thunderclap, the flames on his body roaring brighter as he prepared for the Creeper's response.

Inside the hotel, the others held their breath, watching as the two supernatural beings prepared for what promised to be an explosive confrontation.

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(Author's POV)

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