[scikaiju]

The wooded path they walked on was perfectly peaceful, particularly with the sounds of a nearby brook in the back ground. While Carter was bombarded by memories of growing up here next to him Jules took everything in. “It's lovely out here,” she commented. She stopped seeing a rope tied to a tree that wasn't that far off. “I never took you for the swinging from the tree type.” He stopped and quickly located it and snorted a bit. He remembered that particular tree being bigger for some reason, then he started back down the path. “A little far from the house, isn't?”, Jules asked as she rejoined him.

“I put it there,” he told her. “Father thought that sort of thing was frivolous and not necessary to my training. I'm pretty sure he knew about it. As you saw I didn't really do that good a job at hiding it.”

“Maybe he wasn't as against it you thought he was,” she offered. Saying nothing in response she added, “I mean he had plenty of time to take it down since then.” still he said nothing, mainly because he never really considered that. “So,” she said breaking the short silence, “you and you dad haven't spoken since you took up being Rook?”

“No,” he answered softly.

“Have you tried?”

“Of course I tried,” he snapped at her. “I've haven't heard a word from him. Not one. Not even if he's coming to the wedding.”

Xypher choose then to speak up, “Carter calm down. You don't have to take it out on Jules.”

“I'm not,” he began. Then he looked up at Jules and immediately felt like a jackass. “Sorry,” he told her, “It's just.”

“It's a sore spot,” she said for him.”I get it, I really do. So I'm not going to kick your ass for it this time. But next time,” she pointed a finger at him before breaking out in a small smile they walked the path a bit more before she said, “I have to admit, I never thought you could get that upset about anything. Yes there was that whole thing with Morgan and his family.” His anger flared briefly, but not at her this time. Just the idea all four lives was cut short like that, especially the kids. He could see the anger rise in her too a bit seeing her former teacher was the culprit.

Getting herself out of that particular mood she told, “If nothing else I get to meet my future in-laws. I hope you appreciate that I'm fighting the urge to ask if you think'll like me.”

“They're going to love you,” he told her anyway. And since they were on the topic of the wedding, “Are you're parents planning on coming.”

“Mom is,” she said. “Dad's not sure he can get away in time, Having a regular job ever since they stepped away from things is really taking up his time.” He nodded, knowing that occasionally a Makai Priest would retire from the order after a certain age. But while officially they're supposed to cut all ties once they entered the outside world some connection were still kept.

“Carter!”, a new voice called out. Both of them looked up to see an older woman with light brown hair further up the path waving at them. Once he waved back she jogged toward them. “Come here, she said once she was close enough to engulf him in a big ol' hug that he returned. She held him at arms length after she stepped back, “Let me get a good look at you. Yup. You're a full fledged Knight all right.” A finger started examing his cheek, the one that took the whip hit the night before, “And about as careful as one too it seems.” Turning toward Jules she went, “And is this who I think it is?”

“Mom.” he said, “this is Jules.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you,” Jules told her, extending a hand. Instead she was pulled into another big hug. And Jules was finding it a little hard to breath at the moment from the look of it. Carter tried to get his mother to realize this.

When she finally let go she said, “So you're the one trying to make an honest man out of my boy.”

“I'm going to try Mrs. Greystone,” she said in jest. His mother gave her a smile realizing it. Taking both their hands she led them to the house which was now in view. Carter mind went into overdrive as memories of growing up flashed through his mind. The single story house didn't look like it changed a bit since he had been gone,

“Now let's stop it with this whole 'Mrs. Greystone' nonsense dear. You make me sound like a grandmother and I'm not ready to be one of those just yet, you hear me Carter. If you don't feel comfortable calling me 'mom', at least call me Judith.”

:Ah.. alright Judith,” Jules said in response. She looked over at Carter when she let go of their hands .and walked forward toward the house.

“Paul!”. She yelled, “Paul! They're here!” from behind the house came an older gentleman, who Carter obviously got his hair color from not to mention some of his looks. Behind him came another male, based on his dress Carter could tell he was another Makai Knight, maybe still a trainee based on his clothing and how young he looked, maybe a couple of years young than he and Jules. But mainly from how far he stayed behind his father, Carter remembered having to do the same back when he was training under him.

Trying not to show the trepidation he was feeling Carter walked forward to his Father. The two of then just stared at each other for a moment before Carter reluctantly put out a hand and said, “Father.” The other man looked at the offered hand then at him.

“Carter,” he said without taking his hand then walked to his wife and past her leaving Carter fighting to keep his disapointment from show. Turning to follow he saw his mother and Jules looking at him, both knew him well enough to see it. Jules mouthed the word “wow” while his mother shook her head.

“Uh.. hi,” the other man, who stayed behind, said. “I'm Marcus,” he offered a tentative hand of his own. Looking to see where his father went Carter took the offered hand. Which caused a great wave of relief to wash over him, seeing how he visibly relaxed. Continuing he said, “I've been training under you father for the past few months. I guess I been chosen to take over for him as a Makai Knight.”

“Good to meet you Marcus,” Carter said. But he was confused about something, “You're still in training?”

“You look old enough to be a full fledged Knight to me,” Jules added. He started looking embarrassed about his situation. In all honesty Carter might have been too if he was in his shoes

“It's Paul dear,” his mother cut in, and again Marcus looked a bit relieved. “But he's bring stubborn and saying he's not ready to take it yet.”

Looking at Marcus he asked, “The sword?” the other man nodded, and now he understood. Although Jules seemed a bit confused by what he was talking about. He would have to remember to explain it to her later.

“I keep thinking there's a trick to it but he says there isn't one,” Marcus went on.

“That's because there isn't a trick,” his father said sharply coming up behind the group. Jules and Marcus jumped a little. Being used to this particular habit Carter and his mother barely reacted outside of looking at him. “It's just a sword like any other. And you didn't introduced me to her.”

“You walked off before I could,” Carter shot back. Paul didn't look impressed by it, or shocked for that matter, he just looked his son over once. “Any way, this is Jules, my fiance,” Jules held out a hand that his father apparently completely ignored, making her to take a couple of steps back. Which raised Carter's ire a bit. Apparently sensing it his mother stepped between them. Finally his father took the offered hand for a quick shake and let go.

Then out of the blue, “And I'm Xypher. You could say I'm Carter's original partner.”

Paul took a good look at the pin on the left side of his coat, “Saddled with one of those things I see.” He turned away, heading back to the house, “Watchdogs sent you here for a reason, let's see why.” His mother looked at Jules apologetically before heading back herself.

“Bad enough someone called me a do-dad, now someone else is calling me a thing,” Xypher complained as he, Jules and Marcus followed them.

***
Back at the loft the male was walking the wooden rail like a tight rope. He whined, “How much longer. I want to meet sonny boy before he gets too boring to entertain me.

Below having moved to a old sofa the woman read the cards in front of her, “Soon Sean, soon. They do need to find us first. They have to learn about the old 'us' before then.”

“He better not take too long Lucille,” he said. Then he stopped and looked down at her,“Hold it a tick. 'They'? He's not alone?”

Slowly shaking her head she told him, “No. Not only is Marcus coming along for the ride but he has a Makai Priest for a partner.” she read something else in the cards that she didn't share with him. This Priest was more than just a partner to the Knight. This bit of information made her want to end this person and partnership personally.

***
At some point since he left his parents, more than likely his mother, had installed a swing bench on the front porch of the house. She and Marcus, who was carrying his father's sword for him, currently occupied the bench while Jules took an old stool to sit on. Carter, who was trying to figure out why the sight of Marcus holding that sword was bothering him, stood by her as they all looked across the porch at his father. “What did the Watchdogs tell you exactly?” Short and to the point just like he remembered.

So Carter kept his response short as well, “Only that details on the Horrors would be here, nothing else.” Not that he had much more than that to begin with.

Paul readjusted his stance a bit as he crossed his arms and lowered his head and grunted, “Cryptic bastards as always.” Then he added, “I don't see why they had to send for you.” Jules sucked in a breath as Carter entire body stiffened up a bit.

“Paul,” his mother quickly snapped at him. He looked up at them like he didn't know he said anything wrong.

Jules turned in her seat so she was looking at her and Marcus. “So do either of you have any idea why we were sent here first?”

Looking right at Paul, almost daring him to stop her, she said. “About two nights ago, Paul and Marcus caught word of these two Horrors and went to investigate. They came back in worse shape than they left, particularly your father. But that's something I've seen before, so I wasn't that concerned at first.”

Jules leaned in a bit closer, “So what happened that night?”

“I knew them,” Marcus spoke up. Paul shot him a look Carter didn't recognize on him before. “Or I used to,” he corrected himself. “They were students at the same training school that I went to.”

“Do these two have a name?”, Carter asked.

He nodded, “Sean Lastings and Lucille Trevor. Sean was my best friend. Lucille, she could have been somebody special, she … was special. I mean it just never worked out.”

Curious at his wording Jules went, “Define special.”

He was reluctant to answer but Judith urged him on, “Go ahead dear, tell them what you told me. They need to know.”

He took in a deep breath before saying, “She was a Makai Guide, or she tried to be any way.”

“Whoa,” Jules said suddenly, “There's some of those still around?” Not familiar with this term Carter looked at her for clarification. She obliged but she was still stunned at this bit of news. “Essentially they're a Makai Priest who can read the fates. But for some reason it became a lost art.”

“It's pretty much an dead art based on what I understood,” Judith chimed in. “The order didn't see any reason to keep it around based on my findings.”

Marcus went on, “She never really planed on being one to begin with. She discovered she had a gift for it by accident, after messing around with an old deck of cards she found one day. She claimed she saw something as a joke and it came true. We were a little freaked out at the time but we convinced ourselves it was just a coincidence. Then it happen again and again. The teachers there were encouraging her to develop this particular gift up until she started revealing some secrets they didn't want known. Then they forced her to stop it and took away the cards.”

“What happened then?”, Jules asked.

“Sean and me found the deck they took and secretly gave it back to her,” he answered. “We helped her practice when everyone was supposed to be a sleep. She got pretty good at it, but she had a limit to her abilities.”

Carter spoke up, “What sort of limit are we talking about?”

“It's hard to explain, at least that's what she always said. “The further in the future she tried to look the more variables that came into play that could change it. So she only looked a day or two ahead at most.”

“Imagine what she could do if they didn't try to stop her,” Jules commented. “Any idea what happened to her after you guys left the school?”

“We kept in touch off and on,” he answered. “Last I spoke to her she was in it deep with a Makai Knight she met, they were even talking about a marriage ceremony at some point.” She and Carter silently exchanged looks but said nothing, but both were worried about how this particular tale was going to end. Marcus added, “Then I got word that it ended messily. She caught him cheating on her with another Makai Priest. He apparently even struck her when she confronted him about it.”

“And there it started,” Jules muttered to herself. Carter understood what she meant, the moment darkness entered her heart and left her open to a being possessed by a Horror.

“What about Sean?”, Carter asked him. “Did you hear anything about him after you all left.”

“No,” he said dropping his head a bit. “He cut off all contact with everybody he knew after he got kicked out of the school. He was caught selling artifacts on the black market and fighting those outside of the Order for money. He was really angry when they did. I figured that was the cause of his eventual fall.”

“That wold be my guess too,” Carter told him. His father nodded in agreement, He was going to say something else when he took a good look at the sword in the other man's hands, finally understanding what was bothering him. He grabbed it before Marcus could react. He examed it, even pulling it out of it's sheath a bit. Something was wrong here. Looking at his father he went, “Where's your sword?”

Stiffening up a bit he told him, “It's in your hands.”

“No it's not,” he stated plainly. “It been altered to look like it but it's not the one I grew up around. What happened to it?”

“I told you he'd notice,” Judith mumbled a little too loud.

“Sean took it,” Marcus said over Paul's souring expression. “When we confronted them they locked us in some sort of tarot card like environment and pretty much batted us around. After a bit he stopped and said we weren't worth the trouble to even eat. Paul still went at him but Sean knocked him away and walked off with the sword.”

“Enough!”, Paul barked at him and walked away, obviously embarrassed over this being revealed. Carter watched him go before motioning for Jules to follow him to the other side of the porch.

Just loud enough for him to hear she said, “You want me to contact K-Byte?”

“The first chance you get,” he said. “If Sean got kicked out of the Order then he had to start having some sort of trail he can track down.” Stepping away he spoke to Marcus, “Come with me,” he said.

“Where?”, he asked getting up.

“I figured we could spar for a bit,” he said. “I want to see how good the man they picked to take over for my father is.” Carter realized how ironic that statement was considering how he was chosen to become the current Rook. Marcus seemed to accept this and followed him off the porch and to the practice yard. “Besides if you impress me, maybe I'll teach you.”

“Teach me what?”, he asked.

Carter looked around for his father before saying, “The trick to using the sword. Your going to need to know it once we get it back.” Marcus looked at him in disbelief.

***
Standing alone in the living room Jules looked at the silver orb in her hand. A voice came from it saying, “I'll get right on that Jules.”

Satisfied with the response Jules said, again making sure she wasn't being overheard, “Thanks K-Byte. Me and Carter will be over later to see what you found.” The orb flashed briefly indicating the hacker ended the communication link. Pocketing the orb she went to the room Carter's mother went into. It felt weird sneaking around like this but her and Carter both agreed that the fewer people who knew about the hacker the safer he would be. He was lucky someone a little more open minded had found him when he got caught. And while she considered him a friend at this point, he's also been more than helpful since the Watchdogs told Carter about him. Mainly letting them know about potential Horror activity when he found rumors online. Or helping them find locations like that club from last night.

Entering the side room Jules was surprised that it was empty. She was sure this was the door she entered. “Judith?”, she called out.”

“Out here dear,” came the response. It still took a bit of searching to find another door that lead to the outside. Jules walked onto another porch of sorts that wasn't visible from the front of the house. Judith was sitting in a rocking chair looking out at something. Following her gaze she saw Carter and Marcus sparing with wooden training swords. “Have a seat,” she said motioning to the chair next to her. She did so as the older woman continued,” I had Paul build this for me before Carter was born. Just so I could make sure any child we had was going to be alright during the training he was going to put him through. But they do seem to go out of there way to get themselves hurt though, don't they?”, she said with a bit of a grin, and tapping her cheek. Indicating the mark Carter currently had.

“I thought you were going to blame me for it for a moment there,” Jules told her.

She took her hand and patted it, “Jules dear, not only did I marry a Knight, my father and brother were ones too. I learned a long time ago that the word 'careful' isn't in there vocabulary.” Letting go she added, “Not often enough anyway. So blaming you didn't enter my mind. That's a lie, it briefly crossed it the moment I saw it. But then I remembered that he's a Knight.There's been times Paul pretty much came crawling through the door he was in such bad shape.” Leaning back into her chair she sighed, “You'll learn what I'm talking about soon enough I suppose, especially when you become a mother.” Then her mood changed again as she looked at her with a smirk, “But not too soon now.”

She smiled back, “I understand Judith.”

She nodded as she rocked back and forth. Then she said, “I have to be honest with you dear, I did do some checking on you after I found out you and Carter became engaged.” Jules wasn't exactly sure where this was heading so she waited for her to continue. Didn't mean she wasn't worried about what she might have heard. “You're trained to fight Horrors,” she said after a bit. “Believe it or not I'm glad that you are. It means he's not out there by himself every night now.”

“I try to hold my own,” she told her. “It's not easy some times.”

“I'm sure,” Judith said. “Actually part of me is a little jealous. Makai Priest weren't usually trained to fight when I was growing up. We were taught to support the Knights, not fight with them. There were days I wished I was able to fight outside of self defense. Particularly on the nights Paul barely made it home.” She left that hanging in the air for a bit.

“Look at me,” she then said, “talking about my wants when I should be getting to know you better. So how did you met Carter?”

“My old mentor introduced us,” she answered her. “They were meeting up about a small assignment he was just given by the Watchdogs. I just happen to be there.”

“And this was after Carter was given the Rook mantle?”, she asked.

“Yes, he had it for about a year I want to say. But he was definitely Rook at that point.” She gestured toward the two sparing Knights, “In fact this the first time I've ever seen Carter use a single sword in any sort of situation.” Judith seemed to understand this. And Jules knew what she wanted to ask but wasn't sure how to bring it up without causing an issue with her future mother-in-law. Figuring it was best to come right out and ask it than beating around the bush.she was still cautious as she asked, “What did you and Paul think of Carter being chosen to replace another Makai Knight.”

“Why do you ask?”, Judith said looking at her.

“Because Carter seems to think his Father is upset with him for it. And they way he was acting toward him earlier it's hard to disagree with him.”

Judith sighed again, “I wish I could too. Paul practically had to push him to accept. So I have no idea what happened to cause this rift between them.” Jules relaxed a bit just finding out she saw it as well. “Part of me wants to say it's just Paul being Paul but after earlier I have no idea. I guess that means we have to bang their heads together until they work it out,” she said with a mischievous grin that Jules shared.

***
After using the Rook sword for the past couple of years Carter had to admit it felt strange going back to a single sword. But he was trained from a young age with a single sword, so he got back into the rhythm of it fairly quickly. And he had to admit Marcus was pretty good himself, especially when he realized how rusty Carter was a first. He went in right away, trying to make sure Carter didn't have a chance to get use to it again.

This went on for a while and Carter silently approved at how quick Marcus was adapting his own strategy as it went alomg. While he could see his father's influence in his style there was bits that he wasn't familiar with, more than likely from whomever taught him originally. He was seeing the same in Carter he was sure. But Carter had learned to meld all he had learned to come up with something thast was his own and after a bit started using that to finally gain an advantage over Marcus, ending the duel by knocking his practice sword away then placing the edge of his at Marcus' neck. He yielded in defeat and Carter removed the weapon accepting the win. They both bowed to each other. “You're good,” he told him.

Knowing how his father was a bit stingy with the complements Carter wasn't shocked that he seemed more than a bit pleased at hearing it. “Thank you sir,” he responded pretty much automatically. With a raised eyebrow Carter walked over and put his practice sword down, then he picked up the sword his father tried to fool him with. Marcus perked up when he did so. “I'm surprised you said there was a trick to using it. Paul seems pretty insistent that there isn't.”

Grunting Carter told him, “That's because in his mind there isn't one.” Examining the handle he briefly wondered why he didn't see right away that this wasn't the family sword. “You either see how to use it or you don't. But he forgets that nobody else thinks like he does, not even his own son,” he added a bit darkly. Shaking that mood off he turned toward Marcus while drawing the blade. “Be honest, the first time you wielded the sword what did you notice?”

Marcus was reluctant to answer but he said, “That it felt like the balance was off some how, like it was heavier at the tip of the blade but that's not possible.”

“Well,” Carter started, “It feels like the balance is off because it is.” He held the sword in such a way that it was balancing on his thumb with a slight wobble. “My,” he took a second to think about it, Great, great grandfather had it done. We're not sure who he went to or how they did it but it's heavier at the tip of the blade by the time they were finished. Everybody assumes it was a Makai Priest but nobody can detect what was done, Mom couldn't even find a hint of a spell every time she tried.”

“So what's the trick?”, he asked. Carter heard the small bit of frustration in his voice, and having shared it growing up didn't want to call him on it.

“Again be honest,” he said instead. “You try to compensate for the weight, don't you?” Carter just looked at him, waiting. Eventually he nodded. “I made the same mistake. And I'm sure my father did too. But the trick is you have to use the added weight,” he started swinging the sword around to highlight his point. “I'm sure you watched him use it, how fluid he was in his motions, keeping the blade moving past where most of us are trained to stop it.” Continuously swinging the blade around in a circular path he went, “It's something so simple it never occurs to you until somebody points it out.”

Marcus seemingly understood what he was saying so Carter stopped what he was doing and handed him the sword. Taking it Marcus tried to swing it around like Carter had done. “When did he tell you how to properly use it?”

Crossing his arms he answered, “He didn't, I was going through the books in his den one time he was out and found my great grandfather's journals that he hidden away. He described how to use the sword in them in great detail, more than the basics I just told you.There's a hidden panel behind the jade horse in the den, it is still there isn't it?”

“It is, on the west wall,” Marcus told him.

Carter looked amused at this bit of news, “So he did move it after I left.”

“Carter!,” Jules called out. He looked over and saw her coming toward them. From where he was it looked important. Excusing himself he jogged toward her to meet in the middle. “K-Byte just got back in touch with me,” she said without prompting. “He thinks he found something, I told him we head over right away.”

He nodded, then looked over at Marcus and waved him over. “We might need him since he knows what to expect. We'll keep him away from K-Byte as best we can but anything he knows could help him refine his search.”

“All right but if he starts asking questions you're answering them,” Jules told him. Once he joined them Carter told him to follow them. Seeing his mother at her usual spot on the porch he waved at her as he passed. She waved back but didn't look happy, knowing they were going after the Horrors that defeated her husband.

***
Hanging upside down from the railing by wrapping his legs around one of the banisters Sean whined,”When?

Lucille flipped over one more card and studied it for a couple of long seconds. Then she started collecting the cards and rearranging them in a stack, “Soon.” Sean excirtdly clapped his hands before letting go of the banister. Flipping over before hitting the floor and landing on his feet. “Follow me,” she told him.

“Anywhere my lovely,” he told her as he readjusted his jacket before going out the door. “The stars should be absolutely gorgeous tonight.”

***
In the city Carter and Jules walked toward the knick knack shop that housed their Hacker friend. Marcus was keeping up behind them, although he would call out that they should be going to a different part of the city. But they ignored him which caused him to hurry in order to keep up. When the shop was in view, their companion finally shouted, “Hey! Hold it!” They both stopped and turned to face him, and he almost fell backwards it was so sudden.

To Carter she said, “Took him long enough.” He nodded and grunted in agreement.

Frustrated over the apparent test they put him under Marcus told them, “We found them in another part of the city. We should be headed there not doing,” he gestured in the general direction of the shop, “ whatever this is. Why are we even going this way?”

“And what are the odds they're still going to be where two Knights last saw them?”, Jules asked him. When it look like he didn't have an answer she continued. “We have a plan. You just have to trust us on this.”Not even waiting for him to respond they turned back toward the shop and continued toward it.It took a couple of seconds but Marcus eventually followed suit. At the door she said, “I thought we agreed that you were going to handle the questions.”

“Then don't jump in before I can respond,” Carter told her, although he did open the door for her.

Walking in Jules told him, “Now I'm sure I'm starting to rub off on you. I'm going to hate to see what you're going to be like after we're married.” Inside the familiar sight of the lone woman behind the counter reading a magazine greeted them. Smiling as she leaned on the counter Jules went, “Hi Cheryl.” she barely waved an acknowledgement. “Is he in the back? “

“Like always”, she said not looking up. “He said he was expecting the two of you. Oh and congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Jules told her. Then the two of them and Carter looked back at the door seeing that Marcus had finally decided to enter. While he took in the surroundings Jules turned back to the young woman. “I hate to ask but could you look after our friend here?”

Finally putting down her magazine she eyed Marcus, and didn't look all that impressed with what she saw. “As long as he doesn't bother the other customers.”

“Thank you again,” Jules said as they headed toward the back. Carter stopped Marcus from following them, which made neither him or Cheryl too happy.

Near the back of he store Xypher spoke up, “What other customers? It's always just us in here.” Cart flicked him as they approached wall that was obscured from view from the front of the store. Activating the hidden trigger the wall swung open revealing a hidden hallway. Crossing the threshhold it closed automatically behind them as they walked deeper in.to the inner sanctum. There was a computer that seemed to be part of a massive device of a particular Makai Priest design.In front of it was the person they were looking for.

“Yo,” he said in greeting while not looking away from the screen in front of him.

“K-Byte,” Carter said as he stood by the man.

Next him Jules went, “What did you find?”

“Well for one there are more people with the names you provided than you'd think,” he told he. “But all is not lost, thanks to you telling me that he was kicked out of your order I thought ahead to the next question and found this.” Hitting a few keys on his keyboard he looked up to a screen on the wall, and some very basic information appeared on it. “This is the oldest Sean Lastings with the freshest information that I could find.”

“Freshest?”, Jules said for the two of them, “I don't understand.”

He leaned back in his chair, “I mean this particular individual technically didn't exist until some time last year. I don't know who set him up but this is under 'bare bones' as you can get.” Seeing their confusion he elaborated, “I mean there should be something else here besides what you're seeing, a social security number, a state issued I.D. number, pictures from his last birthday, something. Something more than this at any rate.”

Looking at what was on the screen Carter asked, “Does this mean you can locate him?”

K-byte hesitated in answering right away, “Yes and no, mostly no.” Carter looking at him sharply made him add, “I mean the most current information I can find is still a few months old.” Then Carter looked over a Jules, she read the question that was on his face and nodded, that was more than likely the timeframe he was possessed by the Horror. Oblivious to the silent conversation that was going on K-Byte went on, “But I called you in because I was able to get his last known address. Now I don't go hunting Horrors as regularly as the two of you but I'm just guessing here that the Horror would stick to what the unlucky person knew personally.”

“It's never that simple,” Carter told him plainly.

Jules quickly added, “It depends on the Horror.”

“Fair enough,” the hacker told them, if he was offended by Carter's bluntness he didn't show a sign of it. “Any way that's the best I can do on him. That Lucille chick? She was better at staying off the grid then Sean was. Digitally speaking she's a ghost.Sorry guys.” Then he jumped out of his chair, “Now for the original reason I wanted the two of you to stop by.” While he went to another table in the room Carter shot her a questioning look. Motioning that she would explain later they followed him. “Now while I'm sure my invite to the wedding got lost in the mail.”

“Well K-Byte,” she began, unsure how to say this without offending him.

Then he made a motion like he was waving it off, “I'm just messing with you guys.I fully understand that it would be a problem explaining why a non Makai Order guys is at a Makai wedding. But I did have Alex whip up a wedding gift for me. He rummaged around the table until he found what he was looking for. Extending a hand as he turned to face them again. In it was a pair of sphere's, that outside of four blue markings on each, looked exactly the the ones they already had.

Staring at them Carter went, “I think we already have a set of those.”

He started grinning, “Not like these you don't. Go ahead and try it.” They each took a sphere and studied them intently. Carter was the one to see what the Hacker was talking about. Gently rubbing his thumb over it e said, “Jules.” It flashed like the old ones did to indicate that it activated. A second later an arrow shape symbol started to float in the air.. After a second he realized that it was pointing toward her. Moving the sphere around the arrow stayed pointed at her.

K-Byte chimed in, “They'll still contact any other communication sphere like normal. But that little homing feature is unique to this particular set. The'll lock on to each other no matter how far apart they are. I got the idea after that first little adventure that got us together, seeing how it would have been useful then.”

“Thank you K-Byte,” Jules told him as she gave the hacker a quick hug.

“Yes thank you K-Byte,” Carter told. The hacker just grinned and nodded,seeing how this is about as touchy feely Carter got with anyone who wasn't Jules. “Can we get a copy of Lastings last address? It might be useful since the person with us might be able to confirm if it's any where near he saw him.”

“Sure thing, “ he said getting back into his chair. Hitting a switch he said, “Hey kiddo, I'm sending something to the printer, have Carter and Jules' friend out there look it over to see if he recognizes the address.”

After a moment Cheryl responded, “You got it big guy.”

“She likes to feel involved now that's she knows something's going on,” he explain afterwards. “Keeps her less nosy about what's going on back here. Now is there anything else I can look up for you two? Another person, maybe another kinky club to spice up the ol' love live life?” This time both of them looked at the hacker. He put his hands up and rolled his chair back a bit, “Went too far with the joke, got it.”

Jules just shook her head slightly, “We'll see you later K-Byte.” And he waved as they headed for the door.

***
Lasting's last known address was only a few blocks from where Marcus had run into them. So at the moment the Hacker's assumption was correct. Not that Carter would admit it to the man, Just out of personal pride as someone who actually hunted Horrors if nothing else. But Jules was right when she mentioned that the behavior depended on the Horror. And seeing how the Horror possessed a person who was kicked out of the order it may be using the knowledge he had as well.Nobody said it out loud but all three of them knew that made these particular Horrors even more dangerous than usual, and that was before you took into account one of them supposedly had the talent to become a Makai Guide. “How close are we to where you made contact with them?”, Carter asked Marcus.

He looked around, turning several times as he thought it over, “We're a few streets away.” Then he looked around again, “I think, we didn't come this way, exactly.”

“Exactly, which way did you come in?”, Carter asked in return, trying hard to not make it sound like a demand. Just because he was getting frustrated didn't mean he could take it out on the Knight in training. And most of his frustration stemmed from the circumstances under which he met the man, and that was most definitely wasn't his fault.

“We came in from the south,” he answered.

“Well that helps a lot,” Xypher mumbled. Carter gave him a quick flick but said nothing when Marcus looked his way.

“I hate to say it,” Jules said to him, “but maybe we should have just headed to that address K-Byte gave us.” She looked back to see if Marcus was still following them. “It probably be a better starting point then where we're going.”

“K-byte said the information he had was a couple of months out of date,” Carter said. “Even if the Horror is using what Lastings knew about the area it's smart enough to realize that's were most people would start looking.”

“I like to point out,” Jules said, “That you didn't rule out completely that it wouldn't still be close by that location. And we're concentrating on Lastings and forgetting about Lucille,” Carter looked at her so she explained further, “She's possessed by a Horror too. They could be using what she knows of the area just as easily.”

Carter nodded then said, “It's possible. And more than likely what's happening. Which makes going to where Marcus and my father last saw them a good starting point.”

“Good to see you haven't lost all of your senses yet,” All three of them whipped around at the sound of the new voice. Behind them was his father Paul, holding a training sword. One made out of soul metal, but a training blade all the same. “Although you should have sensed me before now at least.”

“What are you doing here?”, Carter demanded as he stormed up to him before either Jules or Marcus could stop him.

Not looking all that impressed he said, “The same as you.”

Carter eyed him,” More like trying to get back your sword.” Here Marcus quickly moved to get between them and pushed Carter back a bit. He looked back to see Paul with an inscnsed look on his face. Enough of one that Jules quickly joined Marcus in trying to separate them. That still didn't stop Carter, “Tell me I'm wrong. You can't, can you?”

“Carter,” Jules muttered in a warning tone.

Xypher spoke up, “Carter I'm sensing a Horror!” Everybody stopped what they were doing and looked around, searching for any signs of it. Then the Pin added, “Two of them. Sort of, it's hard to tell.”

“Oh my,” they looked up to see Lastings standing on a balcony with Lucille sitting next to him, “Not exactly the happy family reunion I thought was going to happen.” He looked almost disappointed in this. “I discovered I have the taste for a happy family. They do have a particularly unique flavor to them. Wouldn't you agree my dear?” Lucille barely nodded as she started flipping over a set of card, one by one, which floated in the air after she let them go. “Maybe a day time talk show is in order, they are all the rage today. Almost makes me miss the simpler days of being in the order, almost,” he said with a wicked grin. “But you have to admit this modern world does have some wonders of it's own. All those delicious morsels just walking around all free range. Not that any of you would understand that particular insight,” he waved a dismissive hand at them. “Some things are lost on cattle after all.

Beside him Lucille kept flipping over and studying cards before one in her hand caught her attention. “Sean,” she held it up for him to look at. “The old one and the son. They both come for your latest trophy.” Carter felt his father stare at him after that revelation, but said nothing.

“Really now?”. Reaching behind his back he retrieved the sword in question. All of them below shocked that the Horror had no apparent problem holding it. “They want this back. Honestly I think it's broken some how. I did them a favor in taking it away from them. I mean I can barely use it so it has to be broken.Marcus,” he addressed the forth man in the group, “my old friend, didn't you tell them that I was was the best swordsman in our class? They seem stunned that I'm holding it properly.”

“My friend ceased to be the moment you took him over,” he said defiantly.

“Don't tell me you were jealous of my skills as well old friend,” he said looking disappointed again. “Well it does explain why you didn't argue all that much when the bitter old men expelled me because I was better than them. Hell I should have been the one teaching the classes and they knew it.”

“And all the artifacts you sold off and the fighting you did with the regular humans?”, Jules pointed out. She was forced back as a tarot card impaled itself in the street between her feet. She looked back up to see an intense looking Lucille staring right at her.

With another dismissive wave he said, “A trumped up charge they made up in order to get rid of me. Like I said I was the best one there so they made up an excuse to do so.”

“I doubt it,” Carter told him causing Sean to try to drill a hole in him by his eyes alone. Staring right back at him he held his ground. “It's been my experience that the best don't have to say they are. And those that do deep down realize that they're no where near as good as they think they are.”

“Have I mentioned I'm rubbing off on you,” Jules muttered.

“Nobody is disagreeing,” Xypher told her. “I'm only sensing these two.” With that Carter started to pull the staff from his coat.

Pulling another card Lucille said, “Now.” Smiling Sean stepped on top of the railing and dropped down to the street. Lucille dropped down as well landing next to him. Looking right at Jules she said, “Time to save you from inevitable heartache when he finds someone else.” If she was looking to get a rise out of Jules it failed as she held her ground, Madou brush drawn and at the ready. Marcus, on the other hand, ran right past them at a full run before anyone could stop him.

Sean let him get close enough in order to grab him by the neck and hoist them off the ground. As he tried to free himself Carter and his father both started to move to save him but stopped, not realizing both of them feared it would cause trouble for Marcus. Sean just tsked at the man in his grasp, “You think you would have learned after I spared the two of you last time. Are you in that much of a hurry to die old friend? What do you say my dear, shall we put your old ball and chain out of his misery?”

Taking another card she glanced at it before saying, “We were never a thing and it's not his time yet.” Not even looking up she threw it at Jules with a quick flick of her wrist. Seeing it coming at her she knocked it out of the way with her brush. Taking up a fighting stance got ready as Carter stood next to her.

“You're still too soft at heart Lucille,” with hardly any effort he tossed Marcus to the side. “I wanted sonny boy any way.” The rest of them scattered while Carter held his ground as Sean came at him. A sword suddenly in his hand he swung down at him. Barely avoiding the blow Carter fought back enough that he was able to fully draw the staff to block an attempt at his head. “Oh,” Sean said in mock surprise, “You think you have teeth as well like all the other wolves in the world.” Not saying a word Carter pulled on the staff revealing the hidden blades. Here Sean looked like he was caught off guard as Carter pressed the attack.

Close by Jules and Lucille fought. Obviously the latter wasn't trained to fight like Jules was. But she was holding her own having a similar dancing like style. And Jules had to deal with these larger than normal Tarot cards coming at her from different direction that she had to deal with. “He will find someone else,” she said during the card assault. “They all will, it's in their nature. He will break your heart.”

Jumping up to avoid a card coming at her legs, Jules spun over and kicked her legs out nailing the other woman in the head. Trying to ignore how good that felt Jules told her, “You don't know Carter.”

“Do you?”, she shot back as she cracked her neck before continuing her attack. “I saw it, he already hide something from you that you just learned about.” That caused Jules to pause. She did just found out about Mason. Lucille smiled seeing she hit the mark. “If he hid that from you after all this time, what else is he capable of?” The seed planted, that thought stopped her long enough foe Lucille to kick her back.

Both blades out Carter was holding his own against Sean. A fact that seemed to incense the Horror the longer it went on. He Jumped away as Carter tried to slash him with both swords. Crouched down he stared at the Makai Knight, who held his ground. “You realize it's taking you two swords to keep up with me,” he spat.

“And anyone as skilled as you claim to be doesn't need to make excuses,” Carter told him, twirling his blades around in his hands before getting a better grip on them.

“Another thing you noticed from my inferiors,” Sean snarled, rage on the edge of overtaking him.

“Careful Carter,” Xypher muttered, when he realized what he was doing. “He might not react like you think.”

“Not now Xypher,” he mumbled not taking his eyes off the other man. Carter knew full well how bad this tactic could backfire on him. But he had always hated those who bragged about their skills with a sword, even when he was younger, especially when he was younger. Before anything else could happen his father rushed past him, sword held high ready to attack. Carter had to do a double take to make sure he was seeing what he was seeing, “Dad?”

Sean easily countered that initial strike. His father kept on attacking but all of them were blocked or deflected. “This man taught you?”, Sean said to Carter as he easily deflected each strike. “You had to have learned under someone else. How else did you learn to duel wield?” Carter charged in not even hearing him anymore. There may be issues between them but this was his father rushing in to take on a Horror he had already lost to, trying to take him on with a glorified training sword. There was no way in hell he was going to let him face this Horror alone. “Oh is this the family reunion proper then?”, Sean taunted while they both tried to attack him

“Help you're woman,” his father snapped at Carter, frustration growing that the Horror was able to defend against both of them. “This bastard's mine.”

“Stop fighting against me,” Carter snapped back. Both of them were going for the same basic area when they tried to attack, effectively getting into each others way which was allowing Sean to fend both of them off. Sean suddenly grabbed Paul by the coat and threw him across the street. “Dad!”, Carter cried out before he was kicked in the chest and sent flying back.

“And I'm bored now,” Sean said as he stood there. Looking back between the two for a bit, he focused on Paul, “Marcus must have picked up this sudden streak of stubbornness from you old man. Maybe seeing what happens to those who spurn my generosity will curb that new streak.”

“No!”, Marcus shouted as he jumped on Sean's back and wrapped an arm around his neck. Sean tried to sling him off but Marcus held on tight. Probably because he knew his life depended on it. But it gave Carter the chance to get to his feet and connect the blades together and hold it over his head and spin it cutting a circle in the air above him. Lucielle was able to hold Jules off enough to see him do it and held out a hand. Several large Tarot cards quickly covered the circle interior, effectively blocking his armor from coming down.

“What?”, Carter looked up when it happened. Looking back down he saw Sean finally tore Marcus off of him, throwing him into Paul. Flexing the wrist holding the sword he turned into his horror form. Gaining two feet in height his form bulked up, skin almost red in color. Long horns adorned his gargoyle like head. Looking at the sword in his hand he tossed it over his shoulder with out a second thought. Holding out that same arm a long thing spike grew out, almost looking like a sword blade. He started toward his father and Marcus. Carter looked back up at the tarot cards obstructing the armor's portal briefly before running at the Horror. Behind him Lucille had dropped her human form as well in a cyclone of those very cards, now looking like a thin pale gargoyle herself with wings on her back. Every time Jules tried to hit her a tarot card would appear and block the intend strike.

Running up behind Sean he swung with one end of the double bladed staff, cutting him behind the knee. Dropping to a knee he swung with a back hand that Carter rolled under to dodge, getting to a knee he swung out with the staff again but was blocked by the Horror's sword spike. Taking a quick glance back at his father, who was just now stirring, Carter tried everything he could to force the Horror away from him, The horror started laughing as he held him off, “Where was this passion at the start of the fight?” He raised his arm up then swung it down forcing Carter to jump back to avoid the spike. “In fact where was this skill in the old man for that matter?” Retracting the blade he stood there, “Lucille please be a dear and dispose of these gnats for me.”

With a sudden strike that knock Jules back she said,” Of course Sean.” An even larger Tarot card came between her and Jules, but it was transparent enough that the Priest could see through it. “You'll thank me before I'll consume you.” With a wave of her hand another card appeared and it's edge was aimed at Carter. Jules started pounding on the card and shouted but her voice couldn't be heard. Before she could send it Paul rushed in and pushed his son out of the way. Cocking her head she sent it toward her apparently new target. Carter moved and swung his double bladed staff as he tried to get between the card and his father. He intercepted the card but the impact made him lose his grip on it as it flew in the air and stuck up right in the street. Cocking her head again Lucille motioned with her hands again to make more giant cards appear that she sent flying into the side of the building above them. Paul pushed Marcus out of the way as Carter tried to grab him before the rubble came down on them.

Walking over to the staff Sean pulled it out before reverting to his human form. “Well that was a diversion,” he said as he examined his new trophy. “Interesting, I never knew a weapon like this even existed.” With a chuckle he added, “Next thing you know there'll be a Knight with an ax.” Looking over at Lucille he saw her stalk Jules, who still had some fight in her. “Not yet my dear,” he called out. “Let the sadness flavor her a bit more first. She looks a little bland otherwise.”

Studying her for a moment she eventually said, “Of course.” Then turned her back to her, but not before slamming the tarot card into the Priest. Keeping her Horror form she got close to Sean and scooped him up in her arms before flying off into the night sky. After a bit the Tarot card faded away letting Jules to run toward the pile of rubble that Marcus was trying to move piece by piece.

“Carter!”, she shouted as she got closer and started to help him. Various things ran through her head, most of them bad. But she saw thing, He was trying to pull his Father out of the way, she was sure of it.So where were they now? A thought hit her as she reached into her pocket and found the new sphere K-Byte had given them earlier. Hoping his didn't get crushed by all of this she rubbed it and said, “Carter.” It flashed like always but she didn't start hoping until the arrow appeared and pointed out his general direction. “Come on, you better be alive,” she muttered as she walked around the pile. Then she started walking on top of it until he pinpointed her location. “Over here!”, she shouted at Marcus, who dropped what he was doing and joined her. They both started moving chunks of rubble until they found them, with Carter trying to cover his father, fortunately this section was a bit more shallow compared to the rest of it. Didn't mean it still wasn't lethal by any means. She turned him over as carefully as she could and tried to find a pulse on him. “Don't be dead you idiot,” she told him. He groaned a bit in response. “I'm going to kill you for putting me through this,” but she smiled as she said it she was so happy.

“I'm..,” he said as he tried to move, then he grunted and reached for his leg. Jules was already there trying to move up his pant's leg. It was bloody,Obviously one of those chunks landed on it, but as far as she could tell nothing was broken. First things first, she helped him into a sitting position before returning her attention to an interior pocket of her coat. A quick search revealed the small metal vial she was looking for. Then she started looking into his pockets for the Madou lighter. “It's in this one,” he grunted while reaching into a pocket on the the other side of his coat and pulled it out.

“Fine,” she told him as she popped the top of the vial, “Then drink this.” He obliged downing the whole thing. Then he tried to position the lighter by his leg. She took it seeing he was having trouble doing so, “I got it.” The blue flame came to life as she flicked the igniter and brought it to his leg. The limb looked like it caught on fire quickly as she pulled the flame away from him. As it burned, he grunted a bit as the wounds started to magically mend themselves, with the flame disappearing once they did. He seemed to breath easier as he tested the leg before leaning on Jules to stand up. “What did I tell you about getting worn out before our wedding?

“Sorry,” was all he said. She could tell he meant it so she let it drop. Looking down at his chest he went, “Xypher?”

The pin coughed a couple of time, with dust flying out of his mouth. “I'm still here,” he answered. “But I'm not sure how.”

Looking at the other two Jules went, “How's Paul?”

“Dazed,” Marcus answered, but sounding relieved, “But he's alive.”

“Good,” Jules said as Carter stopped leaning on her and tried walking on his own. “Now I don't have to explain to my future mother-in-law why her husband and offspring didn't come back.” Carter started looking around then looked at her questioningly. Guessing he was wondering about his weapon she went, “He took it too.”

Carter apparently took it better than she thought he would, at least visibly. Just looking down for a moment before looking back up with a determined look. “Can my father be moved?” Before Marcus could answer Paul stood up and started walking away. Or at least that was his plan before he almost fell. Carter was right there to get under his arm and support him, which took the older man by surprise from the look of things. He helped him along as Marcus and Jules walked with them, both concerned the Greystone they were worried the most about was hurting worse than he was letting on. Eventually Carter said, “Mom's going to raise hell.” His father simply grunted and nodded in agreement.

***
“What do you me they're alive?', Sean demanded as he dropped down to the loft's main floor. Storming over to Lucille, who assumed her usual seat on the floor by the table, “You pretty much dropped a building on them. How can they possibly still be alive?” Lucille kept looking at her cards.

“They still breath, according to the cards,” she told him. “I thought you would have been happy that you'd get to play with the son one more time. You looked like you were enjoying yourself.” Her usual attitude infuriated him, but something about the slight smirk on her face set him off.

“You did it,” he accused her. “You made so that debris wouldn't kill them.” When she kept flipping her cards he grabbed her wrist to get her attention. “Didn't you!”

Now she looked up at him, but he was the one showing a bit of fear. Slowly she stood up and force-ably removed his hand from her by grabbing a finger and bending it back. “And I suggest you do not forget who needs who in this particular partnership. Or should I have left you in that hole in the wall bar so you could drink yourself to death because you lost your shot at Knighthood with no chance at revenge?”

“Sorry my dear,” he said, almost fearfully knowing how much damage she could do with the cards she could summon. “But even before they kicked me out I knew it was never wise to give a Knight another crack at you, even those as good as sonny boy. He's almost as good as me, almost,” he added a cocky grin returning as she finally let him go. He quickly left her alone, instead deciding to mess with his latest trophy. “Still never knew a weapon like this was around.” He tried to pull it apart but couldn't. “Why won't you come apart? It was in two parts before, wasn't Lucille?” He looked back in time to see he nod lazily as she returned to looking at her cards. Getting irritated again he kept trying to pull it apart, “Then how are you suppose to do it then?”

Smiling to herself she softly said, ”You'll get a chance to as ask him again.”