Attack and retaliation (1)

Jack was sleeping in on his day off from daily duties within the church. That was until he was awoken by knockings on the door, groggily getting up Jack stumbled his way over to the door and opened it a crack.

"Mmm?"

"Sorry to bother you on your day off, Jack but you have a visitor."

Jack who was in peril of falling asleep standing up just barely registered what the man had said.

"Who?"

"She says that her name is Celine."

Hearing that was like getting dowsed in a bucket of cold water. Jolting into full awareness Jack closed the door and quickly got dressed before swinging the door open wide and startling the man out side.

"I'm on my way."

Jack then turned and ran towards the waiting room within the church. Arriving at the room he opened the door calmly and sat down across from Celine, who was sitting politely at the table with refreshments provided.

Jack leaned back with a leisurely expression on his face and posed a question.

"Is this about your research or for a personal visit?"

Seeing that Jack didn't mention what her research was Celine caught on quickly and spoke.

"I have made a important development in my research as of yesterday, since you are such an avid supporter of my research I thought it would be good to keep you updated."

Hearing this Jack nodded before getting up form his seat and walking towards the door, turning around he motioned for Celine to follow him and stepped out. Celine albeit confused got up and followed Jack. Arriving in front of what she could only assume to be an office Jack turned to her.

"Wait outside I'll be back in a second."

With that Jack went in inside the office an soon returned with a built handsome middle aged man behind him.

The man turned to Celine and extend his hand.

"I am Cardinal Gregor, and I shall be presiding over the blessing today miss, I hope we can get along."

"Like wise."

Celine met his hand and gave a firm shake to him maintaining eye contact. Breaking the handshake the 3 walked down the hall way until the reached a certain point in the wall, where Gregor opened a hidden door and lead them down a dark corridor.

Arriving at what seemed to be a fountain the 3 stopped and turned to look at each other.

"Alright Celine what have you got?"

Celine looked towards Jack and spoke up.

"Well two major things, first they are a cult that worships an evil god called Luxuro. But more importantly they all have markings on them that identifies there ranking. Apparently they take the forms of serpents and has they go up the ranks they become more draconic in nature."

Hearing this Gregor put his hand up to his chin and stroked it in thought, while Jack simply nodded and looked at Celine.

"Do these tattoo's include a basilisk?"

Celine shook her head, "I don't know, but it would be safe to assume that yes, whoever you saw with that kind of tattoo would be a higher member of the brotherhood since basilisks are quite powerful."

Now it was Jack's turn to ponder on her words. Jack mulled over what he knew of Cassandra and of Killsman's reaction to her. The more he thought about it he began to feel concerned, he hadn't seen Killsman attend any masses, nor did her ever see more that just his face and hands making it very easy to hide a tattoo.

Not to mention Killsman was a man of little emotion, but on the night of the party he seemed concerned.

(Wait now that I'm thinking about it, Killsman was out of town when the killings went down. Nor did he look that concerned about Reginald's near death experience!)

Jack's eyes shook as he came to a realization, but before he could speak out Gregor chipped in.

"Did you say that they worshipped Luxuro?"

Celine simply nodded in affirmation. Seeing this Gregor's face darkened as he spoke out in a menacing tone.

"Luxuro is a demon of a labyrinth no weaker than the one of the demon king. Although the heroes of the past closed the demon kings labyrinth they couldn't find Luxuro's so it was gradually forgotten as he was not much of a threat. Although powerful his power did not lay in force or attack power but instead fear and manipulation."

Hearing this Jack spoke slowly.

"I might have an idea of who is a member of the brotherhood."

"Who?"

Celine and Gregor turned their heads in unison to face Jack.

"Killsman Cast, there are several things that lead to him being a member but I can't be sure, I'll need to check if he has a tattoo or not."

Listening to Jack's serious tone both Celine and Gregor paled, Killsman Cast was not just some ordinary person. There was a reason that he obtained the title of Duke, not only that but he held much public favor. If they were to expose him it would cause great chaos within Forgemire, so the fact that Jack was claiming the Killsman was a member weighed heavily on them.

Gregor turned to Jack and put his hand on Jack's shoulder, "Make sure that he is a member before taking any kind of action against him. We cannot afford to put such an important figure under a false claim."

"I know, I have a plan but I'll need a vacation, I'm out of days for this month."

Twitching his mouth slightly Gregor shook his head and released his grip on Jack's shoulder.

"Little punk. Don't worry about that you've done enough over time to have more than a week off anyways. Just make sure you keep me in the loop."

Jack nodded firmly, "Of course. Now, is there anything else or shall we leave?"

Celine shook her head, and started walking back towards the exit. following her lead Gregor turned and walked quietly, leaving Jack alone in the room.

"Hey wait at least give me a warning before you suddenly start walking away like that!"

=================

Lilian was laying on her bed stomach facing down, her feet were going up and down asymmetrically thumping against the bed. In her hands was a book that she had read many times but nevertheless she did not become tired of it.

Humming a merry tune Lilian wasn't actually focusing on the book but instead was thinking about her date with Jack from a few nights ago. She couldn't get the feeling of the fresh air, or the grass in between her toes and the quiet sounds of the forest at night, out of her head.

Continuing her thoughts she blushed and shook her head, closing the book she sat up and looked out the window longingly.

Suddenly she heard her door open from behind her, turning around she saw her Father walk in. Immediately curtsying she lowered her head and spoke.

"What bring you here father?"

Daniel looked down on Lilian who still had her head lowered and smirked. Putting his hand on her cheek, she flinched but stayed still, her slowly brushed her hair to the side behind her ear.

"There is going to be a lot of public commotion soon, and many people will be coming in to visit. I want you to remain obediently quiet until I say it is safe to make noise again."

Trembling slightly Lilian looked at her father, "I understand father."

"Good. An annoying thorn in my side will be disposed of, I wouldn't want him to hurt you in retaliation."

And with that Daniel left her room leaving Lilian's mind spinning. Daniel had not mentioned anything was bothering him as of late except for one thing, Jack Axter. Lilian dropped to her knees and tears formed at the side of her eyes. Gripping the necklace gifted to her by him she silently prayed.

(Please let Jack be okay, I don't know I'll do if he gets hurt.)

===============

It was late at night as Shark was taking a long swing from his whiskey at the Jovial Joint. Finishing his drink off he stood up and walked out of the bar where he started heading towards his home. But before he got very far he saw a familiar face, Jack.

"Shark I have a request to make of you."

Shark nodded and motioned for Jack to be quiet as he lead him to his house. Stepping inside shark lit a lantern and walked into the living room. Sitting comfortably in a plush chair Shark turned to Jack.

"What do you need me to do?"

Jack remained standing while looking at Shark before he slowly grinned cruelly and pulled out a dagger.

"Die."

Lurching forward quickly the dagger pierced Sharks throat not killing him instantly but letting in choke on his own blood pouring into his airway. As his eyes looked at Jack with despair Jack's face slowly transformed into that of Specters.

Seeing the recognition in Sharks face as he died Specter started laughing manically and staring at the ceiling.

"heheheHEHEHEHAHAHAHA!" Tears flowed out of is eyes as euphoria filled Specter to the brim.

"Good bye old man your death won't go in vain in fact it'll be very useful."

With that Specter picked up the lifeless body of Shark and walked out into the night disappearing without a trace.