14 The Mark of the Spider Part One

As Jack stood in the streets of Belmont city, the figure he was intensely staring down emerged from the darkness. It was an older, taller man, with dark hair that carried two silver streaks. He wore a torn maroon colored cape, with matching coats tails from under his ghastly looking armor plates at his waist. Upon his legs were baggy striped pants, that tucked into silver plated grieves, which matched the pauldron on his chest. His sharp red eyes were focusing on the angel of death.

Without any given warning, the taller man had phased in front of Jack, towering over him as he slightly tilted his head. Jack was taken off guard, about to take a step back, when his throat was grabbed, and he was slammed hard into the wall; making him flinch.

A soft chuckle was heard, as the man grinned to Jack in an eerie, maniacal manner. "I'm amazed that the Templar haven't killed your sorry ass yet. Here I thought you'd be dead by now." The creepy man leaned forward, his fingers pressing into Jack's jaw, as he eyed the younger male closely.

"Jehxal..." Jack winced faintly from his grasp, as his body was pressed harder into the wall of Zetto's pets.

The man known as Jehxal, smirked in response. "Look at you cowering, you're still the same little runt... How many years has it been? Seventeen? Did you really think a measly little haircut was going to fool me? Ahahahahaha.... I know your scent better than that, little brother..."

"..." Jack sneered, taking offense to the hair remark.

"This brings back a lot of memories, doesn't it? The way I killed our parents, for fearing their own children.. Hahaha.... I can break your neck, just like I broke our mother's."

He grabbed Jehxal's wrist, trying to get the taller man to release him. "Take your hand off me." He demanded, sternly.

"You're still sore over that wretch? She's dead, Jackyn. Mother's not coming back. So. How about, 'no'? I'm having too much fun. Hahaha..." A sly expression poised on Jehxal's face, as his free hand cupped his ear to listen."Do you hear that, little Jackyn? The Templar are coming.... Hahah... OooOooOoh lucky me. I can pin the death of those meat sacks I butchered on you. Just like before. Remember? Think about it!" Laughed his raspy toned older brother.

Jack half blinked in hesitation, his rage flooding his body. However, his mind was swept back to the past. Seventeen years ago, when Jack was little more than a child... There was fire nearby, that had caught onto a building late at night. It was cold, as some rain was falling down to the cobblestone streets.

A glimpse of a female mangled corpse laying on the streets panned into view, their blood leaking from the several exit wounds covering her body; and pouring through the cracks of the road. The neck was broken, and her body was deliberately cut down the middle, even through their broken skeleton. A teen-aged Jehxal shoved Jack back hard to the ground, letting the younger boy skid along the gravel to his back.

Jehxal stepped over to Jack, whom was still laying on the ground. He proceeded to kick him in the ribs, forcing Jack to cry out in pain.

"YOU MANGY LITTLE WEAKLING!? HOW DARE YOU GET IN MY WAY!" Jehxal yelled, as he kicked so hard, that Jack was rammed back into the festering corpse.

"Stop it... Why... Why did you have to kill her!?.... Mother..."Jack slightly glanced to the corpse or his mother, crying for her. Tears were escaping Jack's eyes, as he tried to breath, shaking in pain and terror of the older boy. Jehxal spat to the side, cooling down a little, as he circled Jack.

"Pitiful. Nothing but a wittle scaredy-Jack, crying over his mommy. Ooh boo-boo. It's no wonder our sister made me take you with me. She just can't bare the sight of a pathetic cry baby. You never did listen to us, always taking that woman's side. Know what, a brat like you doesn't deserve our help. Why bother sharing food with the likes of you, a weakling who doesn't even know how to hunt for himself. You always did rely on mother, but now she's gone. You're all alone, and It's not my responsibility to look out for you. I wouldn't give a shit if you croaked. You're just a filthy little vermin, who doesn't deserve anything. Maybe we should get it over with already, and end your pointless life. You can die with the mother you love so much. Not like anyone gives a damn about a street urchin like you, not anymore. You just lost the only person who gave a shit about you, you're just wasting space anyway. Always have been, always will be." Jehxal scoffed in a mocking manner, leering down to the injured little boy, who was squinting up at him, through a trail of blood that was dripping from his mouth and forehead.

"I heard the screaming from this direction!" Called a female voice from the distance.

"Be swift! The chase is on! The culprit must be near!" Another female voice called.

Jehxal's eyes narrowed, as they panned to the sounds of voices. "Lousy, good for nothing Templar... They always spoil my fun." His eyes darted back to Jack, before the older boy kicked once more into his ribs. "Maybe there is a use for you yet, Jackyn. You can even be reunited with mother. Two birds, one stone. Ahaha... Must be my lucky day. " Jehxal smirked, rushing off, before shadow stepping into darkness.

"Jeh...xal... urgh...." Jack groaned, trying to get to his feet. His brother however was no where to be seen. He weakly reached for his mother's body, not wanting to part from her. "... Mother...." He whimpered.

"Commander, I found something! There's a lot of blood." A Templar called.

"Look! That's got to be the killer!!" Another Templar exclaimed.

Jack's eyes grew shaken, as he was fumbling from the pain, but there was no way he could outrun the nearing Templar forces. A swarm of them arrived with haste, on mounted horseback, and some riding upon winged ones. The lady in command, leading the others was a tall woman, with a green bob that carried a pink streak on her bangs. She had face piercings, and wore light armor unlike the majority of the knights around her. She dismounted her Pegasus, her grieves quickly stepping over to Jack, as she gripped his shirt collar.

Jack tried to struggling, but he was far too weak after that beating. "HEY! PUT ME DOWN!! YOU GOT IT ALL WRONG!" He cried out, as he tried to wiggle from her grasp, but to no avail. His tear stricken eyes were focused on the body of this mother.

"Countless innocent lives stolen by the likes of a child?... Disgraceful..." The lady commander scoffed, with furrowed brows. She glanced back to a few of the Templar behind her. "You two. Restrain him." She ordered.

"Ser." The men acknowledged, as they approached. Each took one of Jack's arms, and forced his knees to the ground.

The boy lowered his head, shutting his eyes. He was gritting his fangs, but he wasn't strong enough to escape. Tears of fear streamed down his cheeks, he felt utterly defenseless.

The commander unsheathed her sword, gently placing it to the skin on the back of his neck. "As commander of the Templar forces, I sentence you to death. You shall pay for your crimes in the after life. Any final words, young Amygdala?" She peered down to the boy, gripping her sword's hilt. "I'll take your silence as a 'no'."

His spirit was already broken at the loss of his mother. Jack could only tremble in terror, before seeing her raise the blade into the air, preparing to strike down. However, before the sword connected with his neck, another female Templar dismounted. It was none other than the Templar baroness, Astrid.

"Commander Margo. He is but a child." Astrid spoke up.

The commander, halted, lowering her sword. "What would you have me do, Astrid? He's butchered many of our people, he deserves to pay the price of taking a life. Child or not."

"Isn't there a way we could reform him? The trials have worked well with other criminal candidates. If it fails, then he'll still suffer for his crimes." Astrid suggested.

Margo thought for a moment. "Most of them were not monsters like this boy... However, a beast who slaughters many, should suffer a bit more than average scum. Very well, you do know what's best." She sheathed her blade. "Place him into a magic proof cart, and we'll deliver him to our brethren."

"Ser." The two holding Jack nodded, dragging the scared child over to a Pegasus drawn cart, slamming him inside.

Jack gripped to the bars, as he weakly looked to the Commander. "Let me go, dammit!... (Mother....)" His eyes still were locked on the body.

"We can judge him tomorrow, to see if he's even worthy. If not, he can suffer by other means." Margo stated, not even acknowledging Jack's demand. "Scouts, clean up that mess." She said, getting back on her Pegasus.

"Aye, commander!" They saluted, before proceeding to the corpse. Jack could only watch, his body trembling.

"Pardon my speaking out, but I don't know about this. Do you really think it wise, ser?" A teen-aged Skyletra peered up to Astrid.

"You need not worry young squire. Everything shall fall into place, as it always has under the Grand Master's rule. Come along now." Astrid replied, mounting onto her Pegasus.

Skyletra grimaced, as she begrudgingly obeyed her superior officer. The winged horses took off into the sky, with the cart that carried the young Dream weaver. The scene forwarded to after they arrived in Skyworld, and Jack was shoved into a cell. It was a dank little room, that seemed more like a cave with a drippy ceiling. The damp eyes of the young boy peered up to the Templar baroness from the other end of the bars.

"Listen boy. Your fate will be decided in the morning. If you want atonement, then you should get your rest. Only if you pass the trial will you have any chance to reclaim your freedom. You won't have any other opportunities, understand?" Astrid peered into the cell.

"..." Jack did not respond, but his eyes glanced to the approaching Templar Captain. Astrid turned to her see as well, before proceeding over.

"Astrid, you're far too kind to the young ones. Underneath that innocent looking exterior is a cold blooded killer. Even your squire thought this as careless." Margo placed her hand to the other woman's shoulder.

"My dear Margo, I thought you agreed with my proposition of the child." Astrid gave her a soft smile, as she cupped her lover's cheek. "Either outcome, the boy is off the streets. So put your mind at ease, alright? The mind of a child is far easier to mend, than that of a grown adult."

"This won't change a thing now though, not because of what he is, but what he's expected to do. The counsel decided upon it already. He'll be taken to the Pit first thing in the morning." Margo replied.

"I see, so they already came to a decision. No trial? What a shame." Astrid crossed her arms.

"It's out of our hands. Enough talk of work, my love. Let us enjoy each others company away from this bleak place. Keeping up a professional demeanor around you is rather bothersome." Margo placed her arms around Astrid, looking into the other woman's eyes.

Astrid smiled, tucking a strand of Margo's hair behind her ear. "Sorry, I always get too carried away with orders, my sweet. We can set work aside for the night." She chuckled, kissing her lover.

Jack had been eavesdropping, but turned away. "....." He wasn't sure what the Pit was, but he knew it couldn't be good. "(Why am I being punished for this? Haven't I suffered enough?.. Mother..... Why did you have to die?..)" He thought, tears escaping his blue eyes.

It seemed like hours passed before Jack had cried himself to sleep, onto the cold stone floor of the cell. Before he even realized it, dawn was breaking in through halls. The marching of armored Templar proceeded down the long corridors, before arriving to Jack's cell. The barred door slammed open, and Jack was abruptly awoken, as a bucket of water was poured upon him. He sat up in a panic, right as his shirt collar was clutched, and he was dragged out of the cell. "Time to wake up, boy." Margo stated, as she dropped him to the ground.

Jack seemed uncertain, shivering slightly from the cold. This caused Margo to raise a brow, before she snapped her finger. Immediately, one of the Templar soldiers grabbed him by his hair, lifting Jack up roughly. "OW!" He shouted, in pain.

"No time for slacking, kid. If you want to live, you won't resist what proceeds from here. You would already be six feet under if not for Astrid. Consider your fate a blessing. Now, take him to the Pit." Margo instructed.

The Templar did as their captain ordered, leading Jack through the halls. He was taken to a large barricaded gate, which a couple other Templar immediately began to remove the barricades. The gate was slowly opening, with light beaming in from the crack of the ajar door. Jack had to squint his eyes, due to the brightness of the sun. He was shoved forward, toppling to his hands and knees. The gate behind him was quickly pulled shut, right as he scrambled to his feet. He was facing the gates, before hearing a wave of commotion behind him.

The boy slowly turned around to notice his surroundings, it was a sand covered arena, with crowds of people in the stands, behind fenced walls. He was trembling now, his shaken eyes peering around frantically.

"PLACE IN THOSE BETS FOLKS! THE NEXT MATCH UP IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! ENTERING THE ARENA, IS SOME FRESH BLOOD TO PIT! HOW WILL THIS PUNY MONSTER FAIR AGAINST THE MIGHT OF THE BEHEMOTH!? LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!" shouted a ginger haired amazonian announcer, that flew above the battle field with her angelic angel wings.

"Wait... What?!" Jack gasped, his eyes finally noticing the towering giant of a man across the sands.

His opponent was a very large, and muscular cyclops. A man with a mohawk, who was at least three times Jack's height. This warrior wore a great barbarian armor, and wielded a gigantic spiked club. If Jack wasn't scared before, he was certainly shaken now. He hadn't even realized the weapons lining the walls of the arena.

Without any given warning, the gigantic man came barreling his way. It wasn't long before his opponent was nearly on top of him. The club came wailing down, smashing hard into the wall as Jack leapt out of the line of attack. He tumbled to the ground, only to glance back uneasily. The club had gotten stuck in the wall, but the stone was crumbling slightly as the giant pried out the club.

With a snarl, the cyclops was on the pursuit once more. Jack scrambled to his feet, as the club came smashing down to the sand beside him. It has barely missed, but the giant wasn't done yet. He continued to chase after Jack, but the boy couldn't outrun this hulking giant. His ankle was swept out from under him, as he was whirled into the air. The cyclops had grabbed his leg, flailing the young boy's body around in his grasp.

Jack felt his body suddenly flung across the arena, crashing into one of the stone walls, that held up the protective fenced barricade. He tried to push himself off the ground, coughing up a bit of blood. One of his hands held his ribs, as he squinted anxiously over to the advancing one eyed man. The club came walloping down, but he rolled from the attack, nearly getting trampled on from the gigantic foot of the warrior.

He felt himself knocked back again, smashing into the wall that held rows of weapons. A small dagger fell from the wall, landing not far from his hand. Jack's eyes weakly peered to it with a fearful expression, as he reached his hand to the blade. He clutched it, peering back to his opponent. He could see the giant rushing his way once again, but as Jack rose to his feet, instead of fleeing the next assault; he rushed at the man before him.

Jack tried to slash when he drew near, but he felt his arm grabbed, and his body pulled into the air once again. The cyclops attempted to throw Jack, but the boy held on to the man's arm tightly, using his knife to keep his hold. The Behemoth was whirling around, trying to get Jack off, but the boy took his knife from the man's flesh, and was shakily ascending the giant's arm. Clutching onto the gear near the giant's shoulders, he managed to stay on, as the one eyed man tried to shake him off. He tried to stab the blade into the heart, as he held on from the giant's back, but the quick shifting made it near impossible.

The crowd seemed to be going wild, as he struggled to keep hold. At the top of the stands, Margo was watching the duel. Jack took notice of this, and was quickly flipped forward to the front of his opponent's body, from the sudden movement; and was just barely hanging from the giant's armor. He squirmed, as the massive hand reached his way, climbing up higher. His arm went over the giant's shoulder, as he uneasily plunged the blade into the cyclops' eye. The cyclops let out a loud bellowing cry, his large palms reaching for his face as his footing became clumsy. Jack's body was grabbed by one, but without much thought he flailed a bit, his boot kicking the knife into the large eye deeper.

Jack felt his body hit the sand, wincing a bit, but something was off, the audience grew silent. This provoked him to glanced back to the giant, in confusion. Right then the massive form crashed down to the sand, and jack just barely scrambled from behind flattened. He was breathing heavy as the blood was filling the ground around him, and the giant. The silence suddenly broke, as the crowd raged into cheers of excitement.

"WOW! WHAT AN UPSET! I CAN'T EVEN CONTAIN MYSELF RIGHT NOW! THE NEWCOMER DOWNED THE UNDEFEATED BEHEMOTH IN SINGLE COMBAT WITH A SOLITARY STRIKE! AFTER DODGING NEARLY EVERY BLOW, HE SWEPT IN LIKE AN ANGEL OF DEATH!!!" The announcer called out, as she landed to the battlefield.

Jack looked stunned; he actually survived the duel... Time skipped forward a bit, as he was brought from the arena, being met by Margo. She looked down as him, and then to her men. "Give him the spider." She said, walking off from the boy.

Jack looked confused, and scared as he was dragged off by the Templar. He had been strapped face down to a table, by leather belts. He was topless, and struggling. "Let me go!" He demanded. However, a green haired reptilian man came up behind him, wearing a red garb over his nose and mouth. The man remained quiet, as he took out a branding stick, covered in bubbling hot ink. He pressed into Jack's right upper back, and let it burn for a minute. Jack could only scream, as it singed his flesh.

Without time to heal, Jack was then taken by the Templar to a different chamber. Inside was other prisoners. Some held in stocks, while others hung in cages from the ceiling, like steel coffins. There was a row of tiny cells that lined the back, with torture contraptions left around the rest of the chamber. Many eyes that watched him dragged in, seemed terrified. Jack was taken to a cell in the back, thrown in without warning. He could feel the pain of the tattoo on his back, but proceeded to the back of the cramped cell, to lean against the wall.

He caught notice of the other inmates from the other cells trying to keep distance from the bars of his. They appeared fear stricken of him, which made him uncomfortable. He tried to avoid any eye contact from them. Upon doing so, Jack noticed there was a boy about his age in the neighboring cell. This boy didn't really act like the others, in fact he seemed more concerned with trying to eat every crumb in the wooden bowl before him. He appeared weary, and nervous, but not of jack's presence like the rest.

The following day came, and many of the inmates were taken from their cells. Jack was confused what was going on, even when he was dragged from his cell. Everyone that was taken out, were lead to the arena, which didn't sit well with Jack. He was still sore from the branding the night before.

As they entered the field, Jack quickly took notice of Margo and Astrid near the top of the stands, watching the arena. Even Astrid's squire, Skyletra, was observing, but from another spot. The seats were filled with cheering onlookers, while the entered. The announcer was in the sky like before, looking to the crowd of Rhyme, Terra and Lupis. "TODAY'S SLAUGHTER FEST IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!! WE HAVE A SPECIAL SURPRISE FOR ALL YOU GORE LOVERS OUT THERE! AFTER YESTERDAY'S UNEXPECTED SHIFT IN VICTORIES, WE WANT TO PUT OUR FIGHTERS TO THE ULTIMATE TRIAL BY COMBAT! A COMPLETE, ALL OUT, BATTLE TO THE DEATH! WHO WILL RISE TO THE TOP?! WHO WILL CRUSH THE COMPETITION?! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!" She exclaimed in excitement, as many of the older warriors began to engage in combat.

Jack grew a bit uneasy, recalling the previous duel. Without delay, he rushed for the weapons, taking a set of knives. Blood shed was already commencing around him, as an opponent approached him. It was a rugged man, who seemed to have good experience in combat. The foe carried a maul, hammering it jack's direction. The boy somersaulted backwards, just barely dodging the blow. He was nervous, but he needed to get through this if he wanted to live. He couldn't let his mother's death go in vain, he needed to survive. Jack ducked from another swing, as he gritted his fangs. He quickly slashed at the man's abdomen, forcing his insides to fly from his body.

The corpse crashed to the ground, blood bathing the sand around it. Jack was panting as more engaged him. He continued to battle, growing more violent as they swarmed him. He could sense their fear flowing around them, and it was making him angry. He slammed one back into the ground, slashing off their hand. Blood curdling screams came from the various opponents he was forced to duel. Jack was breathing heavy, as he finally down the last one near him.

His eyes then shot to the others across the battle field. There he noticed that boy from before, being ganged up on by two fighters. Without warning, Jack was suddenly slammed across the sand, crashing beside the boy. The surprise attack came up from behind, to join the other two. The three remaining fighters were hulking sized brutes with definite experience to the arena.

"Let's handle these kids, and show the crowd what real fighters are like." The thickest one of them chuckled, devilishly.

"Aye. Why waste time with petty little lads? Let's torture them, always more fun to kill woman and babies anyway!" Another, that had and eye patch, spat to the side. he was gripping a chain of a mace.

"I wanna make them scream!" Another cackled, tapping a kusarigama to his shoulder.

Jack and the boy seemed uneasy, getting back to back. "Shit." Jack swore.

"They're planning to gang up on us... We're so screwed." The other boy bit his lip, fearfully.

"You wanna live? Then let's work together, and fuck these clowns up!!" Jack sneered, clenching his knives tightly.

The other boy was taken by surprise. "..." He thought for sure that the intimidation would have gotten to Jack too.

"Move!" Jack shouted, shoving the boy back, right as a maul came thrusting their direction.

The boy tumbled back into the sand, he was shocked, that Jack had saved his life just there. He saw the young angel of death taking on all three at once. There was a brief hesitation, but the boy quickly grabbed to a set of wave blades, that laid next to a nearby corpse. He then rushed the foes that Jack was engaging, but was struck back hard by the one with the maul. He tumbled, holding the infliction, as he looked up to the approaching man.

"DIE WORM!!" The man snapped, preparing to strike again.

However, right as the maul was about to come crashing down, jack had leapt to the man's back, using both knives with stab his chest, from around the back. The body dropped to the ground, and Jack took a glance to the other boy. The wind blew by Jack a bit, as his expression seemed much more serious. His eyes then turned to the remaining opponents, one with a mace and the other a kusarigama. The two opponents rushed Jack, knocking him back to the ground.

There was lots of blood around them by now, as he laid there, and Jack seemed to catch notice of it. He tried to channel his power, but the blood only slightly shifted. "(I need to learn how to use blood magic, like how the others do... If I don't, there's no way I'll survive long here. Relying on others is proving useless...)" He couldn't do it, shifting up from the ground. He stumbled slightly, seeing them preparing to attack the other boy. It was clear this kid couldn't fight very well.

The boy was fumbling with a sword, but the two engaging him easily knocked it from his grasp. Jack took the opportunity to come up behind one of them, jabbing the blade of his knife up through the man's back. A blow like this was an instant kill, rendering the corpse immobile like the others.

"Then there was one." Jack flared his fangs.

The man turned to jack, surprised by this. "You're a monster! THERE'S NO WAY YOU COULD KNOW HOW TO FIGHT THIS WELL! STAY BACK, YOU HEATHEN!!!" He shouted frantically at jack Now this man was scared, and it made Jack angry.

Jack rushed at the brute, roughly slashing his blade across the man's throat. Blood spayed out, but Jack wasn't done there. He took his blade, and thrusted into into the man's stomach, disemboweling him without any given warning. Some of the opponent's blood drops were now on jack's face, as he fiercely watched as the man died. The body struck the ground hard, the red ooze flowing like a river of blood.

Jack was breathing heavy, and his eyes darted to the announcer. "IS THAT ENOUGH FOR YOU!!?" He shouted, angrily.

The other boy was surprised how jack had no intention to fight him, but seemed relieved. The announcer however was taken off guard. Her jaw was dropped, and she was in complete awe, the audience didn't even murmur.

"If you're satisfied, then I'm done here." Jack turned walking for the gates. He was clearly angry.

The other boy seemed surprised as Jack passed by him, but only sat there.

"I-I GUESS THE BATTLE IS OVER! BY A COMPLETE UPSET, THE ANGEL OF DEATH ONCE AGAIN CLAIMS VICTORY! WITH MERCY, ONLY ONE SURVIVED AGAINST HIM! I THINK IT'S SAFE TO ASSUME EVERYONE WILL BE ANTICIPATING FUTURE DUELS OF OUR DEVASTATING NEWCOMER!" The announcer proclaimed, and the scene faded to black.