Chapter 12 - Helmlock VS Jeru (2/2)

”Dear!” Marie was trying to go to Helmlock but she couldn't move, Lydis was in her arms, shaking in fear, her eyes tightly closed.

”Papa! I'm scared!” Lydis's small cry was barely audible against the ringing in Helmlock's ears. He couldn't block the noise out, all he could hear a high pitched whine. The minotaur was in front of Marie and Lydis. Helmlock tried to scream out 'No!' but his voice wouldn't work. He tried to move but something was keeping him there, confined to that one spot as his wife and daughter were slaughtered.

The Minotaur separated Marie from Lydis. Marie struggled but ultimately couldn't do anything. The minotaur grabbed her left arm and tore it from her body. Even her inaudible scream was painful for Helmlock to witness. She reached out towards him and he reached back but they would never touch as the minotaur ripped off her remining arm. Marie's arms fell to the floor. The minotaur started on her legs. Having lost the will to fight back Marie's eyes became unfocused and lifeless as the minotaur tore off her legs. Splattering next to her arms her legs twitched and kicked a bit before stopping. Marie's head rolled around as blood streamed out from her arms and legs. The minotaur grabbed her by the head and began bashing her into the floor left and right, cracking the stone path. Like a child with a new toy. Marie's blood soon covered the area around the minotaur. The minotaur dropped her body, seemingly bored with it now. The only thing that could identify her was her blond hair except the minotaur stopped and ripped her head from her body and tied it to his waist. Patting it as if to say that was how it should be done. It turned towards Lydis, it's eyes gleamed with new found joy.

Lydis tried to scramble away but she tripped on her feet. The minotaur smiled in glee, revealing a row of razor sharp teeth. Picking up her small body the minotaur grabbed one arm and twisted it. Slowly turning and turning her arm around and around. When it neared the limit the minotaur kept twisting it. Soon her arm popped out of it's socket and hung limply at Lydis's side. She screamed and, like her mother's scream, Helmlock was unable to hear anything besides the high pitched whine. Tears mixed with snot dripped down her face. The minotaur twisted her arm and eventually the skin rolled into tight twisted twirls and tore off. Lydis let our another inaudible scream. She thrashed and kicked trying to free herself. She looked at her father and said something but he couldn't hear her. The minotaur threw her arm into it's mouth and began chewing. Blood dripped from the corners of it's mouth as it bit into the side of Lydis. Organs spilled into the minotaur's mouth along with chunks of flesh. Lydis was no longer struggling, her eyes like her mothers. Lifeless and dull. The minotaur continued to chew on Lydis's body, slurping up the remaining intestines and livers. After finishing the minotaur popped off Lydis's head and tied it next to her mothers, satisfied.

Helmlock couldn't hear himself screaming, begging the minotaur to stop and kill him. To spare his wife and child. Tears mixed with blood streamed down his face. It was only when he tasted blood in his mouth did he realize that he had bitten through his lip. He smashed the ground in anguish. Regret building upon guilt. An overwhelming question tugged at his thoughts. Why had he become strong? Why had he worked so hard? What was the point in trying if things always end this way? His spirit and will had completely broken. His eyes turned dull until the minotaur appeared in front of him. In that instant all of his past fear disappeared and was replaced with an urge to kill and take revenge. Bloodlust shot out from Helmlock and he stood up ready to kill the minotaur or die trying.

Shaking his head Jeru clicked his tongue.

”Poor poor Helmlock. To think that this was all it took to break you.” Jeru sighed in disappointment. He snapped his fingers and an distortion appeared next to him. Walking through he left Helmlock and the minotaur.

Jeru opened his eyes. In front of him was Helmlock. Helmlock's eyes were closed, brows furrowed, and sweat dripped down from his chin. His mouth was tightly clenched, as if he was struggling against something.

”Whew. Although he's strong anybody would crumble when faced with your illusions.” From behind Jeru walked out the old man in white.

”Henry.” Jeru's voice was cold.

”Whoa whoa.” Henry held up his hands in defeat. ”Just saying. I'm complimenting your skills.” He had an awkward grin on. ”So? What're you going to do?” Henry studied Jeru's face for any kind of clue but that just irritated Jeru more.

”Get out of my face geezer.” Jeru pushed Henry away with the palm of his hand.

”Why so mean?” Henry maneuvered to the opposite side of Jeru.

”We were never close.” Jeru maintained his distance from Henry, looking at him like he was a bug.

”C'mon. Give a guy a break. We're comrades remember? The deal was you listen to me if I got you over here and boom. Look where you are!” Gesturing to the burning manor Henry grinned again. ”The abnormal prodigy Jeru Moon! A master ghost whose strength known no bounds!” With his arms raised Henry took a deep bow

”Bug off. Don't label me as you like.” Jeru slipped past Henry and moved towards Helmlock.

”Sheesh. Learn to loosen up.”

”And look where being 'loose' got you.” Jeru hinted at Henry's missing arm. Before Henry could retort in any way Jeru lifted his weapon off the ground and brought the blade close to Helmlock's neck.

”Hey, hey. We were supposed to bring him back alive, remember?” Henry tried to lower Jeru's blade but it wouldn't budge.

”Only, if, it was possible.” Jeru glared at Henry. Sighing Henry backed off and raised his hands in defeat.

”Do as you wish. Not my problem if you get punished.”

”I was never your 'problem'.”

”So cold.” Jeru raised the blade and swung. In an instant Hemlock's head was separated from his body. Slumping over the headless body fell forward, crashing into the ground. Helmlock's head rolled to it's side.

”Mission complete.” Jeru grabbed Helmlock's head and walked away.

”Sort of.” Henry shrugged and walked after Jeru.