Chapter 15

"Take them to safety. I got this." Said Isaac as he glared at Tiffany.

"Can you move, Scarlet?" Violet asked.

"(Sniffs) I can." Scarlet replied.

"Violet, get Jasper. Scarlet go with her. I got Isaac's back." Said Marcus.

"Right." Said Violet.

She helped Scarlet up and dashed to Jasper, picking him up. Marcus placed his hand on Scarlet's right shoulder, giving a assure and comfortable look that everything will be taken care of. The others left as Marcus stood with his arms crossed, while Isaac stood a couple of yards away from Tiffany. He was putting on brass knuckles, while Marcus looked like he was uncomfortable.

"There's a reason why Isaac is our group leader. Other than that other time, I've never seen him this pissed off before." Marcus thought to himself.

"Isaac Atwood. Or should I say—" Said Tiffany.

"I'm going to stop you there. Did Rick send you?" Isaac asked.

"Yes, but I came here for personal reasons as well. But Rick wanted to make sure that your little group isn't safe from us. We will kill each and everyone one of you! You got that? I was meant to kill him, but I'd like to see Rick's face after I've killed you." Said Tiffany with a crazy look.

"I see. Well, tell this to Rick. You hurt my team…I'm coming for your ass. And I will make you fucking regret the moment you hurt Jasper." Said Isaac.

Isaac rushed towards Tiffany as she was ready for him, until his pupils became smaller. She immediately felt a heavy presences weigh her down, until Isaac rammed his fist into her face and continued to repeatedly punch her on the face. They were all consecutive hits as each one kept getting heavier and stronger, until he dropped his brass knuckles to the ground and drew out his dual pistols. He then fired his entire magazine on Tiffany as all his bullet pierced through her. Isaac's guns were soon empty, while Tiffany fell on her knees as she was shocked and heavily wounded. Her blood was pouring out of her body and it was hard for her to breath, while Isaac pulled out something from his back pouch. He then crouched down close to her face as he looked at her with pure rage.

"There's one thing I value the most in this world. And how dare you have the damn audacity to attack my team. You'll be the first example for your little group. I will not show mercy to any of you who try to hurt my team." Said Isaac.

He then shoved something in her mouth as he walked away with a remote detonator. Tiffany had a horrified look as Isaac pressed down on the button. An explosion went off as everything near her blew away. Marcus didn't know how to react but was amazed by what happened.

"Was that explosion a bit too big?" Marcus asked.

"I wanted it to be big." Said Isaac.

But they then heard chuckling as they looked at the smoke that clouded the area. They then saw Tiffany regenerating back, but her body was made up of ectoplasm ooze that shaped her back to her normal self.

"Few have ever been able to hurt me like that. But this is actually a first. For some reason, I felt those hits. Since I'm made up of this goo. But you are something special, aren't you?" Said Tiffany.

"I was trained by the best." Said Isaac as he aimed his right pistol at her.

"I see…" Said Tiffany.

But on her neck was the same tattoo Rick and Adriana had as a portal appeared next to her. Isaac and Marcus tried stopping her, but she fell into the portal as she was gone.

"Damn it!" Said Isaac.

"She used a magic portal. These guys are prepared, I'll give them that." Said Marcus.

More hunters arrived at the scene as they approached Isaac and Marcus.

"We're going to need you guys to back away from the scene." Said a hunter.

"No need for that. Isaac Atwood, hunter and student at Salem academy." Said Isaac.

"Did you see what happened?" The hunter asked.

"Yeah, I'll give you the details. Marcus, head back to the others." Said Isaac.

"Right, boss." Said Marcus.

Marcus bolted off, while Isaac stayed behind. But we see Violet placing Jasper on a bench as he was bleeding too much. Scarlet tried moving her hand, but her wound got the best of her as she couldn't lift her left arm.

"I need both of my hands for this. But he needs to be treated immediately!" Said Scarlet.

"I know. He's blood is really delicious looking." Said Violet.

"Violet!" Scarlet shouted.

"Sorry, I can't help myself. What the hell!? Isn't there something we can do?" Violet responded in frustration.

"I can be of some assistance." Said Merlin as he approached.

"Holy, hell! Where did you come from!?" Violet responded.

"Magic. How much blood as he lost?" Merlin asked as he quickly pulled down his sleeves.

"Too much." Said Scarlet.

Merlin then held his right hand at Jasper's wound as his hand glowed. His blood stopped coming out of his body as Merlin made his blood flow through his veins. He then held out his left hand out to the blood on the ground as it floated close to Merlin. It formed into an orb of blood as Merlin cleaned the blood with his magic. He then made the orb of blood flow through Jasper's veins again, while healing his open arteries, cut up muscle and skin.

"That should do it for now. I used up all of his bodies stamina, which wasn't much. Make him drink this. I'll give him energy." Said Merlin.

"Thank you, Merlin. You have no idea how grateful I am." Said Scarlet.

"Yeah, thanks." Said Violet as she bowed.

"Anything form my favorite team. Watch over him. I need to find, Isaac." Said Merlin as he walked away as Marcus ran towards them.

"Thank you, again." Said Scarlet.

"Marcus, and Isaac?" Said Merlin.

"Talking to the hunters about what went down." Said Marcus.

"Thank you. Jasper is going to be fine if you're wondering." Said Merlin as he left.

"That's a relief." Said Marcus.

Marcus approached the other, while he saw Jasper and sighed. He looked at Scarlet as she was tearing up, while she was healing herself with her right hand. Violet approached Marcus as she sighed deeply from relief.

"This was close. Too close." Said Violet.

"I know. I have never seen Jasper injured before. Hell, I don't think he's ever bled since he gained his ghost powers." Said Marcus.

"Who the hell are these guys? Marcus, I'm worried. I feel like these guys were specifically made to fight us. Just think about. Isaac's twin brother. Adriana and stupid broken game mechanics of using magic. And this chick who can hurt Jasper. What's next? Dr. Frankenstein?" Violet responded.

"If you're right, I'll give you 5 bucks. But I know what you mean. This means we have to get better. We can't let this happen again." Said Marcus.

"I'm behind you on that." Said Violet.

"But are we even strong enough to handle these guys?" Marcus thought to himself.

We then see Isaac and Merlin walking together, pondering about Tiffany.

"She can't be a magic user. I can't sense magic, except for the portal she used. A smart way of escaping. She can't be a ghoul, spirit or anything supernatural or mythological. She must have been a scientific experiment gone wrong." Said Merlin.

"That must be it. She didn't look like a monster that I could recognize." Said Isaac.

"I'll take a look at this. Go back to your team and group up. I think it's time to tell your team about everything. And what your brother's team goal is." Said Merlin.

Isaac then headed back to the others as he saw them waiting for him, while Scarlet had Jasper's head on her lap.

"Is he alright?" Isaac asked.

"Merlin said he should be fine. I'm guess he'll be sleeping for a while." Said Violet.

"Good. We're heading back. Marcus call the others to group up at the lair." Said Isaac.

"Right." Said Marcus as he pulled out his phone.

Isaac approached Scarlet as she was sniffling and started to cry.

"I could've done more. I was so useless and he protected me. That caused him to get even more injured." Scarlet sobbed.

"Scarlet, listen to me. This isn't your fault and don't blame yourself. He did what we all would've done for each other. Now, I need you to pull yourself together. We need to head back. Can you do that?" Isaac asked.

"Of course." Scarlet replied as she nodded, while whipping her tears.

It would be later as they were at the lair as the whole gang was there. Jasper was on one of the couches, while Scarlet was close by him. Isaac just told everyone of the situation as some were either sitting or standing.

"At least he's well, am I right?" Said Franklin.

"Yeah, things are getting real. I'm starting to get worried." Said Garry.

"You okay?" Iris asked Scarlet as she placed her hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine, thank you." Said Scarlet as she smiled and touched Iris's hand.

"We need a plan for stuff like this. Today was a close call." Said Marcus.

"He's right. Is this why you called us, I?" Violet asked.

"It's part of why I called everyone here. Merlin has given me clearance to tell you all this classified information that not even high-ranking hunters know." Said Isaac.

"Is it a good idea to tell us, then?" Franklin asked, worried.

"And will we in grave danger if we know?" Garry asked.

"Yes, but because of this attack, it's the main reason I'm telling you this. So either way you guys are in danger." Said Isaac.

"Oh. Well, that's reassuring." Said Franklin.

"Do you know why I haven't been able to use Excalibur?" Isaac asked.

"Oh, yeah. I just noticed that." Said Garry.

"Why haven't you been able to?" Violet asked.

"Because of this." Said Isaac as she showed them his curse marks on his hands.

"Whoa!" Said Scarlet as she took a step back, frightened.

"I don't get it. Does it hate tattoos?" Garry asked.

"No…that's a curse mark. Only powerful dark magic casters can cast those kinds of spells. Spells that last for forever or when the one that is cursed, dies." Said Scarlet.

"Do you piss off an evil wizard or something?" Garry asked.

"This was done to me by Richard. Because of these marks, I'm unable to summon Excalibur. These marks…make me relive all traumatic moments of my life in an instant. If forces me to lose my will to fight and fell into deep state pure mixed negative emotions. And even if I can pass by all that, the mark puts a venom in my veins that make me numb, but also poisons me." Said Isaac.

"Wow, he put a lot thought into that curse." Said Violet.

"He's not dumb, I'll give him that." Said Marcus.

"That's why I dedicated my whole life into training. If I can't use Excalibur, I'll push my body to its physical peak." Said Isaac.

"And it shows. Like a lot. You should wear more tight shirts, by the way." Said Violet.

"Now's not the time, Vi." Said Marcus.

"I know, sorry. But think about it." Said Violet.

"Rick has also been forming a team. He, The witch Adriana and the girl who did that to Jasper. He's forming a team that is meant to combat and kill all of you. And from the information on all of them, it seems that everyone in his team has a past relationship with you guys." Said Isaac.

"No way." Said Garry.

"Do you know who else is in the team?" Franklin asked.

"No. Just only those three so far. But we'll find out soon. Which leads to what I was talking about earlier of the classified information." Said Isaac.

"I thought we were talking about." Said Garry.

"Sorry, I guess I was misleading. The sword that Rick uses, Clarent. The sword that Mordred used to kill King Arthur. Arthon used it and merged it with…something." Said Isaac.

"Something?" Scarlet asked.

"My family, neither the hunters nor knights never found out what it was. All we know is that it hate everything and serves only one master. That's how Rick was able to use those black tendrils like things." Said Isaac.

"Sounds crazy and gross." Said Garry.

Suddenly, Isaac started to bleed from his nose, while Franklin pointed at his upper lips.

"Hey, you're bleeding." Said Franklin.

"Yeah, you got a little something…" Said Violet as she got close to Isaac.

She then wiped his blood away with her finger and the placed her finger into her mouth. Everyone looked at Violet disgustingly baffled, while Scarlet was looking away.

"Really?" Said Marcus.

"Hey! You guys rarely share. So no judging." Said Violet.

"There's a reason why." Said Marcus.

"It must have been from using my life force. The shock of my punches must have recoiled back to me." Isaac thought to himself.

"Are you okay?" Scarlet asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." Said Isaac.

"But why are they coming after us?" Jasper asked as he still lying down.

"Hey!" Said Garry.

"Jasper, how are you feeling?" Franklin asked.

"Like I was hit by train." Said Jasper.

"We're glad you're alright." Said Scarlet.

"Thanks." Said Jasper.

"Yeah, man, you had me worried back there." Said Garry.

"But you should be resting." Said Marcus.

"I know. But can you tell us, Isaac? Why after us? And what is there goal?" Jasper asked.

"They're probably after us for their own reasons. Or maybe they see us as a threat. I don't know. But their goal…it's to free Arthon, the last god." Said Isaac.

"Arthon?" Said Franklin.

"The last god…? That's final boss name if I never heard one." Said Garry.

"Don't tell me they want to do that." Said Violet.

"You know this Arthon?" Marcus asked.

"Yeah, this guy is literally one of the most powerful beings in the world. Like his title says, he is the last recorded god to ever live. Other have been demi-gods, but he is the last and only god to be alive. Well, to the worlds knowledge." Said Violet, nervous and a bit frightened.

"If he's a god, then that means he could take over this world with just his own power. What type of god is he?" Scarlet asked.

"Please be a non-combatant one." Said Garry.

"God of the destruction." Said Isaac.

"Yeah, he would be that." Said Marcus.

"He's been trapped in Jotunheim, in a prison specifically made for him. In the harshest environment and in a cell that is near impossible to escape. He has no guards, since the place the put him in, no living being can survive, unless said person had great luck." Said Isaac.

"So, no reason to worry. Right?" Said Garry.

"I really don't know. But from here on out, you guys. Be on guard. And our training is going to be more intense. If something like this happens again, I don't know what I'll do. So, no one leaves without someone by their side." Said Isaac.

"So, buddy system. Nice call." Said Violet.

"Things are going to get crazier. So, be prepared." Said Isaac.

Meanwhile, at the airport. Jennifer and a group of knights were going to escort someone as a plane with the knights symbol was on it. She stood by another knights, a Hispanic lady with semi-long hair, tan skin, glasses, green eyes and a mole near her lip. She also had a Spanish sword and whip at her waist. She was dressed in traditional Mexican dress, but with a light knight armor over it.

"Lisa, can I ask why high-ranking knights are here?" Jennifer asked.

"To give us the winning edge. Our superiors believe that hunters are taking too much time investigating. They told me that it was time for action and these knights will ensure that we get results." Said Lisa.

The plane had landed as the first person to walk out was gorgeous Japanese woman in a beautiful kimono. And behind her was a young lady who looked like her daughter as she was dressed casually, with jeans, regular t-shirt with a jacket on and carrying four swords on her back.

"Welcome, Lady Kiyomi Takahashi! And Yuko Tsukimi!" The knights greeted.