Jack dashed toward Joshua, his movements swift and calculating. He opened with a standard roundhouse kick, his right leg slicing through the air but at the last moment, he shifted the arc into a Brazilian kick, aiming deceptively high toward Joshua's left shoulder.
Try and dodge this, Joshua, Jack thought, a smirk flickering on his lips.
But Joshua wasn't fooled.
He slipped the kick with ease and countered with a brutal right uppercut that cracked against Jack's jaw. The blow lifted Jack inches off the ground. As Jack floated mid-air, time seemed to slow. Joshua dropped his weight and leaned back, nearly parallel to the ground, winding up for a monstrous follow-up punch.
But then...
"JOSHUA, STOP!"
Merlin burst in between the two, throwing herself into the narrow gap before the blow could land.
Joshua froze, eyes still glowing bright green. Jack dropped to his knees, dazed and winded.
"Are you trying to kill him in front of his sister?!" Merlin snapped.
Joshua blinked, the green in his eyes beginning to fade as he followed Merlin's gaze. There, standing paralyzed with horror, was Sam, her eyes wide, lips trembling. Joshua's expression softened.
So that's Jack's sister... they do kind of look alike, he thought, heart slowing.
Jack, still catching his breath, raised his head. If she hadn't stopped him… that punch would've wrecked me.
From the sidelines, Crystal and Franciele cupped their hands and shouted, "BOOOOOOO!"
They tossed thumbs-down gestures in Merlin's direction.
She turned toward them with a cold glare. That was all it took.
"Yeah, whatever. It was a boring fight anyway," Crystal muttered, flustered.
"Let's go catch up inside," Franciele added as the two scurried off into the Witch's Den.
The others slowly gathered around, forming a loose circle. All except Jessica, who continued drinking alone at a table, visibly tipsy and scowling.
Joshua looked at Jack. "I was going to come save you… but I guess you and your sister escaped by yourselves."
Jack gave a weak laugh. "That sounds like you… So, you got this strong just to come rescue me?"
"Of course. You're my friend, after all." Joshua smiled warmly.
Jack's face crumpled with emotion. "You call me friend… even after everything I've done? I'm a monster, Joshua… I don't deserve..." His voice broke as tears welled up in his eyes.
Joshua walked over and pulled him into a hug.
"If I were in your shoes… I would've done the same. I forgive you, Jack."
Jack sobbed, his arms wrapping around Joshua as he cried into his shoulder. The scene was quiet, touching and it brought soft smiles to everyone watching. Except for Jessica, who took another long gulp of Amarula and grumbled inwardly.
Oh, now they're having a bro reunion… on our date, she thought with irritation.
A few minutes later, when things had calmed down, Joshua looked over at Sam.
"Oh, so she's the sister James was talking about, huh?" he teased, shooting James a wink.
James and Sam both blushed, stealing shy glances at each other.
"You know James?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, he's a trainee butler at the human noble kingdom."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "And… why do you call this witch your sister? Last I checked, you didn't have siblings."
Merlin folded her arms. "This witch has a name. It's Merlin, asshole."
Jack flinched. "No disrespect, Merlin." She's still scary…
Joshua chuckled. "After I ran away, I was taken in by her grandmother. We grew up together. Not by blood, but she's my sister."
Jack lowered his head. "I'm sorry for what happened back then, Merlin. And… thank you for taking care of him."
Merlin softened slightly. "I forgive you, Jack. But only because Joshua still calls you a friend." She tilted her head smugly.
Yep, Jack thought with a nervous laugh. Still scary.
Then Joshua nodded toward Jessica, who sat glaring at them from a distance. "Hey, Jack… your date doesn't look too happy. She kinda reminds me of someone…"
Everyone turned to look at her.
Jack scratched his head. "Oh, that's Jessica. But that's kinda your fault for interrupting our date." He smiled. "C'mon, I'll introduce you guys..."
But a piercing scream shattered the peace.
They spun around. A Beta werewolf held Sam tightly in his arms as she struggled, crying out. Another stood beside him, his twin in both appearance and cruelty.
Jack's expression dropped. "Logan. Morgan. My older cousins… identical twins."
Logan grinned. "Hey, Jack. Long time no see. The King's been looking for his whore."
Morgan stepped forward. "And for your head. We're taking both today."
Jack growled. "How did you find us?"
"Easy," Morgan sneered. "Our livestock tipped us off. You may leave now. That'll spare your family… for a month."
An elderly woman darted away, her face pale with guilt and fear.
James recognized her. That was the old woman who told me to stay safe. This is my fault.
Sam began to cry. James surged forward.
"Let her go!" he shouted, reaching for Sam.
But Logan smashed his free fist into James's face, sending him flying through the air and through a window into the Witch's Den.
"MY PRINCE!" Sam screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Logan smirked. "You shouldn't have done that, kid. Maybe if you hadn't..."
But he didn't finish.
Joshua was suddenly in front of him, green eyes blazing with fury. Without a word, he threw a monstrous straight right punch. Logan barely raised his arms in time to block but the sheer force sent him skidding backward, finally letting go of Sam, who fell to the ground, unconscious after hitting her head.
Morgan lunged at Joshua from behind, but Jack intercepted him with a sharp side kick to the ribs. Morgan grunted and staggered, glaring at Jack.
"Hey," Jack said coolly, his eyes glowing red. "None of that ganging-up shit."
Logan and Morgan's eyes lit up crimson as they fell into identical kickboxing stances. Joshua turned to stand beside Jack, green light burning in his eyes. He raised his fists.
Jack grinned, his own stance tightening. "Let's do this."
Two glowing warriors stood against two others.
Green and red versus red and red.
The real war had begun.