As the last flicker of light faded from Cassy's vision, a surge of ethereal energy erupted in the room. He felt a powerful wave crash into him, throwing him backward against the wall.
Gasping for air, stars swirled in his vision, blurring the edges of reality.
Clutching his neck, he winced at the raw, burning sensation beneath his fingers, as if something sinister had marked him for a darker fate.
Suddenly the sound of footsteps running up the stairway echoed. Struggling to turn his head he briefly caught sight of Captain standing there.
I've never been so happy to see this man in my life.
A figure appeared in the doorway, Captain, eyes blazing with fury. Relief flooded through Cassy. Thank God. A moment later, and I'd be dead.
The Captain barreled through the door, ethereal shields crackling around him. He collided with the masked man, the impact reverberating like thunder, shaking the very air around them.
Without hesitation, the Captain swung his cane, the wooden tip striking the man across the face with a satisfying crack.
The mask shattered, clattering to the ground, revealing bloodied lips that twisted into a grimace of pain.
Cassy watched, heart pounding, as the Captain raised his hand, fingers dancing as if conducting an unseen orchestra. A shimmer enveloped the masked man, and the air constricted, forming invisible walls that held him captive.
"You're surely taking the piss! It's Jack! He betrayed us!"
The Captain's fist remained clenched as if holding a detonator, his voice a low growl, simmering with barely restrained emotion. "Why did you do it, Jack?"
Jack writhed against the ethereal bindings, frustration etched on his features. A glint of defiance sparked in his eyes, even as he struggled for breath.
Finally managing to turn his head, Jack spat out, "You don't know? Caspian has a regalia, the Ring of Souls. Who wouldn't kill for that?"
"You're a fool, Jack." The Captain's voice sharpened, slicing through the tension. "Those regalias demand as much as they give. What about your mother? Your sister? How will they survive without you?"
His voice wavered, the steel replaced by a hint of desperation. "We took you in. We fed you, housed you, cared for your family. We were like family…" The hurt lingered in his tone, like a knife twisting in a wound.
Cassy steadied himself, drawing his revolver with deliberate care. Each step toward Jack felt heavy, as if the weight of betrayal hung thick in the air.
A sickening disgust churned in his stomach as he aimed the barrel directly at Jack's head.
The Captain cast a brief, pained look at Cassy before turning back to Jack. "We can still make this right… Did you take it? Tell me, did you eat their seed?"
Cassy ripped off his mask, bile rising in his throat. For someone who'd grown up cold and alone, he couldn't fathom betraying someone who'd cared for him like a father. It was sickening.
Jack swallowed hard, the tremor in his voice betraying his bravado. "I… I took it. Sleeping Forest no longer accepts recruits who don't consume the Demon Seed. Just shoot me; don't let them take me to the Island of Solace. I'd rather die than go to that cursed place."
Cassy's grip tightened on the revolver, his heart racing. The Island of Solace, the church's prison, where madness awaited those locked away. He clenched his jaw, the gun steady in his hand.
The Captain's expression darkened, but something flickered in his eyes. "How long has it been? You're not turning already, are you? Maybe we can ask the Deacon for a blessing bestowal."
Jack scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping him. "Don't be ridiculous. You know they'd never grant that. It's been two years since I took it. It's too late for me."
The Captain opened his mouth, then closed it again, frustration etched into his features as he grappled with unspoken words.
"Do you want to see your family? I can do that much for you, at least."
"No… it's better they don't know." Jack's voice trembled, his shoulders slumping as he met the Captain's gaze. "Tell them… tell them I died fighting the bad guys."
The Captain nodded toward Cassy and stepped outside, shoulders heavy with a burden unshared.
Cassy moved closer, revolver aimed squarely at Jack. "Any last words?"
Jack closed his eyes, resignation flooding his features.
A slight smirk danced on his lips, tinged with bitterness.
"Just one thing Caspian, she's still out there. Purity I mean."
Cassy raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued despite the situation. "What's her path? She's a woman, right?"
"Step 8 Priest: Judicer. Aye, she is…that's all. Get it over with."
Jack's expression softened, an unexpected vulnerability shining through as he closed his eyes, accepting his fate.
With a deafening crack, the revolver fired, shattering the silence. Cassy stood frozen, watching the blood seep onto the floor, blooming like macabre roses.
He stared, heart pounding in his chest. Anger clawed at him, yet he couldn't bring himself to fault Jack. Everyone has their circumstances; greed is a heavy sin to bear.
Instead of rage, somber resignation filled him. It was all such a messy affair; there had been no winners, only losers.
The pieces began to fit unnervingly well. Maple was right; if it wasn't Bella, who else could it have been?
Jack had returned from the fight pits unscathed, and Cassy's mind raced with memories that twisted into conclusions he dreaded.
When the Jester attacked, Bella had been incapacitated by Jack's lightning bolt. So how had she slipped away? Jack must have let her go. That's why he was unharmed; he must have returned in time to witness me conjuring an ice javelin with the regalia!
This was why Sleeping Forest had pursued Cassy so relentlessly. Jack had played a part in Bella's escape. The realization burned in Cassy's gut; he had let himself be deceived by Jack's facade.
No more. He couldn't afford to overlook the signs again. That misjudgment had nearly cost him his life. If not for the Captain, he'd be dead.
Still… I can't make the same mistake again. Was Jack really the Hunter? I'll send a post to Bella to confirm it come morning. It's been too long since I've had a good night's sleep…