Chapter 707: All According to Plan? (1/2)
”Give her your amulet.”
”What? We would--”
”Because she's going to give me hers,” mentioned Jack, holding out his hand to Kylon. ”That way she'll get back to the chateau and then I'll have a way into the chateau after your amulet is disconnected.”
”Okay.” Kylon handed it over without question, feeling relieved to no longer carry the thing that represented her loyalty to Halmut.
Sighing, Jack gave Kylon one last, brief hug. ”Then that's settled… Don't worry, Auntie. Everything will work out in the end.”
As soon as Jack let her go, Perchet tapped on Kylon's skull. A pulse of sound passed through her head and targeted her hippocampus, barely damaging the brain. At the same time, Percent buffeted her brain and caused the left side of her head to ring until Kylon was on the verge of passing out.
Immediately, Kylon activated the amulet she was given and vanished from sight.
*****
”Hmmm…” 12-13 was doubtful of his situation, curious as to why the man before him wasn't who he had expected. ”Looking back, I don't recall you claiming to abandon Kylon as part of your plan. So how come you've abandoned your challenge of Glacier Keep to come here? Are you as manipulative as me, but with a false heart on display?”
”Maybe I just got bored and felt I wanted to visit my dad?” chuckled Jack, unable to move or act freely.
12-13 laughed as well, placing his hand over his face and sighing in disappointment. ”I thought you would be a challenge, Jack? I thought you were going to force me to abandon Halmut in the end? Why would you give up your lead when you were so close?”
As Jack remained speechless with a cheeky grin, 12-13 added, ”I already know about your second body, Jack. There's no use in hiding that from me.”
”Oh… Mind sharing how you figured it out?”
”Would that get you to cooperate?” asked 12-13. ”You're father's been quite uncooperative. I normally like that in a victim but I'm losing my patience as the necessity of my retreat becomes more and more likely. I know for a fact that you work with Daruun and have learned more than enough about the void. How about you come with me? I'm sure you'll be treated fairly and kindly, should you be cooperative.”
”And what would that entail?” asked Jack, playing along. ”What kind of pay does Jewel offer?”
”Good question… how about you tag along and find out.” Shrugging, 12-13 stepped closer to Jack and looked the hero squarely in the eyes. ”But if you can tell me about the nexus, then I wouldn't mind sharing the terms of your fair treatment right now…”
”Nexus? What's that?” Jack asked with a smile.
12-13 sighed, ”Come on… I'm sure you know by now… How could Daruun send you into Glacier Keep without telling you about that? Stop playing dumb, Jack.”
”If you're so sure I know about it, then why not just read my mind,” Jack questioned. ”Or is the mighty 12-13 unable to ready the mind of a weak one-star like me?”