Red eyes that glowed like the crimson moon, this was the trait they all shared.
The sky was clear, with patches of clouds in the distance. A calm serenity on the ocean surface, except for the ripples that rocked ever so slightly. Beneath their feet, a school of fish swam mindlessly, unaware of the growing tension above.
Cain was the first to speak, pointing his sword at Jaxon, who was held by a young woman.
"Jessicah, you have something that belongs to me — give," he said, his voice smooth.
Jessicah nervously looked at Jaxon. His breath was low and faint; each gulp painted a picture of the sharp pain in his lungs. Fresh wounds on his chest and thighs, blood seeping out, which soaked her hands as she pressed them down. It wasn't bad; his heart was spared, he would recover, but slowly.
Cain, on the other hand, looked like a mangled corpse. Skin on his face, and the body was ripped and torn. She could see his jaw and fingers twisting back to place, as flesh stitched back on his bones.
"What's going on?" she asked.
Cain studied her. Her appearance had changed. Her brown hair was now shorter, buggy genes, a crop top, a few piercings and bracelets. Her face, however, still carried the innocence he recalled.
"This doesn't concern you," Cain said, his face hardening.
His cold, sinister tone, raspy from his healing throat, prompted a flinch from her. She subconsciously held Jaxon tighter.
"Jos," the subtle voice of one of the two gentlemen who accompanied Jessicah spoke.
His long, silver-white hair tied back, and formal black suit and overcoat stood out. His face was inscrutable, and his tone carried weight.
"Little Brother," he continued, "this doesn't seem like a scrap between brothers. Do you intend to kill each other?"
Cain frowned and turned fully to him. His sword hung lazily in his hand.
"As I said, Joshua, it doesn't concern you."
"Whatever the reason, I cannot let you have your way."
Cain sighed heavily. His grip on his sword tightened. His eyes briefly scanned the last of the person behind them, Julius. Blond hair, long pointed ears, and an obvious disinterest in their conversation, his dull eyes wandering in the distance.
"I'll be blunt," Cain said, turning back to Joshua, "I am willing to kill anyone who stands between him and me."
"What do you mean by that?" Jessicah asked, her brows furrowed, "Can't we solve this amicably?"
"Amicable?" asked Cain, "This is me being amicable."
"Let's talk about it then, brother, please," she added.
"No! I'm done talking, I don't want to negotiate, I don't want a sitting, I want him handed to me."
"You are being stubborn," Jessicah shot back, " How do you expect us to hand over our brother, knowing you intend to kill him. You haven't even told us why."
"Why?" Cain asked, and paused for a second too long, "I'm simply settling a vendetta."
"A vendetta? How barbaric," Joshua cut in, his face turning slightly ", It's uncouth and unbecoming. Is your vendetta worth all this? You talk like the monkeys of this realm. Childish and stupid."
"Say what you want, Big Brother, it makes no difference to me," said Cain.
"So you intend to fight us for him?" asked Joshua.
Cain stared defiantly at him and asked.
"Do you intend to stop me?"
"You said you are willing to kill for your convictions," Joshua continued, stepping forward "Are you willing to die for them as well?"
Cain chuckled as he shook his head. His chest shook, first slowly, then paces as his soft laugh turned cold and hysterical. Jessicah watched with wide eyes, a mixture of surprise and worry engulfing her, contrary to Joshua, who never flinched.
"You think you can kill me?" asked Cain, "You think you can stop me? You have no idea how wrong you are."
Raising his blade, "Well, COME ON THEN! Right here, right now! Stop me, I dare you!" Cain said.
A cold pressure full of killing intent was palpable in the air, and the fish beneath them scattered in different directions. Jessicah stumbled back, and Julias whose gaze had been elsewhere, was drawn. Only Joshua remained unchanged.
"Jos, stop it," Jessicah shouted, "I'm asking as your sister. Don't do this, I don't like it when you fight."
Cain sighed and exhaled deeply. His eyes met his reflection, bloodshot, angry, then turned back to Joshua, then Jessicah. Calmer now. The sword in his hand vanished, and his fist eased.
"If you stand in my way again, we kill each other, that is my verdict."
Cain turned, a magic circle, curved in the air. About to walk in when...
Julius spoke, "Luck and chance are good and real, but in the endless...?"
His soft voice caught their attention. He stared blankly at Cain. Cain paused, drawing the curiosity of the other two, and glanced back, a soft smile curving on his lips.
"...the game is good and fair."
He said that and vanished in the circle. Julius' face reverted to its usual bored persona.
***
The garden carried the natural silence raveld by the chirping of birds and the soft buzzing of the bees. A fresh scent carried by the morning breeze swept through the curtains of the window. Jaxon shuddered.
Jessicah pulled the window shut calming the room and moved to sit beside him on the massive bed. Jaxon turned slowly, a sharp lingering pain on his chest and back prompting involuntary groans. His eyes settled to Joshua across the room.
"By the time I got there, it was a bloody mess," Jaxon said.
Joshua's eye's never left the floor. His finger tips mindlessly danced his his foot tapped the ground rhythmically. A brief silence festered among the trio. It was immediately broken when Joshua exhaled deeply and sat back on the Brazilian Rosewood chair.
"Is that it?" asked Joshua and added with a tone of sarcasm, "How useful."
"Sure," Jaxon replied rolling his eyes.
Jessicah's finger hovered over Jaxon a sharp flick landing on his skull. He groaned in protest but the pain gripped his tongue. All he could do was endure as a mischievous smile formed on her face.
"And Jericho?" asked Joshua.
"He left with Cain's body, he didn't say a thing." replied Jaxon.
Joshua sighed rubbing his eyes. "This is all my fault."
Jessicah, eyes filled with concern watched as Joshua lazily rose from his seat.
"It's not your fault Big Brother?" Jessicah protested.
"I always knew leaving you here was a mistake," said Joshua, " tomorrow, when your condition stabilizes, you will return home."
"No way,," Jaxon said ignoring the pulses of pain, "you can't fucking bench me."
"It's not a debate," Joshua said with finality, "go home, or I will make you."
"Damn it," Jaxon groaned pulling a blanket over his head, "this isn't fucking fair."
Joshua watched him momentarily then turned to Jessicah.
"Make sure he gets home," he said.
"Yes Big Brother."
Joshua turned the door and walked out.
***
"I'm aware he was not being up front with me, after all he did try to kill Cain too." thought Joshua, "I won't pry. I'll find Cain and Jericho, and settle this quickly."
"I don't get it," Joshua muttered under a heavy breath.
He turned to the halls momentarily catching the garden's grandeur. Mindlessly, he stared at the mowed lawn, water droplets sparkling in the morning sun.
"They have become so uncultured, I barely recognize them," he walked on, "it can't be helped."
A cross him a mild ruckus halted his pace. A young lady, blond hair, grey blazer suit and skirt and a tablet held desperately in her hands desperately tried to hold back someone.
The tall afro- American man walked brazenly ignoring the young lady. His grey t- shirt and black leather jacket strained to contain his muscles and his long dreadlocks hung over his shoulders.
"Of all the people to send, why him," Joshua thought
"Joshua Rueben," the man called, his accent deep with the Afro - American tone.
"Lord Joshua,..." the young lady frantically started, " I am afraid he wouldn't listen.
"It's ok, you can leave now, Miss Caroline" ordered Joshua.
She bowed and quickly walked off.
He turned to the man, and one thought crossed his mind.
"What's with that look Joshua, kinda figured you'd expect this,"
"I'm just surprised it's you, Lucas," replied Joshua.
"I bet you are. This doesn't change the Cain situation, just, happen."
"We are working on it," Joshua replied his voice low and tightened. A narrowed gaze on Lucas.
"Joshua, look buddy much as I enjoy your family's drama, we can't let another Url incident."
"Where are you going with this?"
"The Oder want's Jericho and Cain brought in, soon,"
"Clearly that's an exaggeration," Joshua protested, "You can't compare Cain to Url."
"Like Father like son," said Lucas.
"Fine." Joshua replied with a long sigh, "but I will do it my way."
A smile flashed Lucas' across face as if he had been waiting for that particular moment.
"How about you let me give a helping hand?"
"No!" replied Joshua.
Lucas laughed loudly and patted Joshua's back. He then leaned closer to Joshua's ear and whispered.
"You know Cain is not the problem. If your little brother manages to piss off the big bad Jericho, all of us lose. Keep that in mind as you clean your shit,"
He walked past Joshua, bumping his shoulder. Joshua looked ahead, folding a fist tightly, and he relaxed.
"Oh! and Josh," he called, turning to him.
"Word of advice, I know your kind doesn't have a concept of time, but hurry up. I'll keep them off for now. For old times sake."
"I appreciate that," Joshua said and walked on.
As he did, his mind began racing as he considered the gravity of the situation.
"Call Julius," he spoke addressing the young lady who had joined him, "and tell him to meet me in Japan."
"Consider it done, Lord Joshua."