Shadows Of Deception

Jin's eyes widened, his breath caught in his chest as he whispered, "Jon? No… Jon is dead. CP0 killed you!" The disbelief in his voice cut through the tense silence, shaking the very foundation of his reality. Seiji, standing nearby, observed quietly, knowing Jin's past but hesitant to interject. The rest of the group exchanged confused glances, trying to piece together what Jin was unraveling in his mind.

Before Jin could utter another word, Mengi stepped forward, his expression unyielding but his voice sharp. "Jon? Is that what you call yourself now, eh? Jiangshi," he spat. "The 5,000-year-old ancient vampire and master of time manipulation. Let me tell you something, little brother—whatever you thought you knew about this man is a lie."

Jin turned to Mengi, frustration and confusion spilling from his face. "Stop it! You know nothing about him!"

"Oh, but I do," Mengi countered with a smirk. "This so-called Jon? He's the genesis of destruction itself, the beginning and the end. You've been so brainwashed, you can't even recognize me as your brother. That's how far gone you are."

"Brother?" Jin's voice cracked as the revelation landed like a tidal wave. His thoughts spiraled, colliding with Mengi's words. But before he could ask more, a chilling voice interrupted.

Jiangshi—Jon—spoke for the first time, his voice calm and commanding. "I'm letting you leave to deliver a message to the Free World. Tell them this All Must Be One." He paused, his eyes glinting with malevolent intent. "That is what must happen for the Resurrection Project to succeed."

Seiji, always quick on his feet, stepped forward. "The Resurrection Project? What is that supposed to mean?"

Jiangshi smirked. "We have time—an infinite amount of it, actually. Consider it a step-by-step revelation. You'll know… when it's too late." His tone dripped with condescension, a predator toying with his prey.

Jin screamed, his voice cracking under the weight of betrayal. "Jon! Why? How? Why are you with the Shadow Council? What about Rex, Ryker, Amy? Were any of them real?"

Jiangshi's face softened into an almost fatherly expression, his smile wicked. "Ah, Jin, my little boy. Do you know how many times I've had to reset the timeline to get us here? To fast-track your progress? No matter what I did, the source in you refused to emerge fully. So, I had to use… other methods."

"What are you saying?" Jin demanded, his voice trembling.

Jiangshi chuckled darkly. "Except for Rex, everything else was fabricated—every trial, every friend, every heartbreak. You should be grateful. I gave your life meaning." And with that Rex appeared hooked in chains like a dog beside Jiangshi.

Mengi's face hardened, his voice filled with anger and pity. "How many times have you manipulated his mind, his life, to shape him into what he is now? You're nothing but a parasite."

Jiangshi laughed, a haunting sound that echoed across the ruins of Blackstone. "Oh, Mengi. Always so dramatic. But I digress. Let's leave the lectures for another time."

He turned back to Jin, his smile widening. "This is my parting gift to you, dear boy."

Suddenly, a glowing compass materialized within the protective divine mirror Seiji had erected. Everyone froze, stunned by the sudden appearance. Jiangshi reached through the compass with an ethereal hand, his touch ghostly yet real, as he gently kissed Jin on the forehead.

"You've grown so much," Jiangshi said mockingly. "But you're still not ready. When the time comes, you'll understand."

Before anyone could react, Jiangshi's form began to dissipate, his presence fading like smoke in the wind. He turned to Lei Gong, who hovered silently, sparks of electricity dancing around him.

"Join me back at the council," Jiangshi commanded.

Lei Gong hesitated, his eyes narrowing. "Can I kill them first?" His voice was a low growl, filled with dangerous intent.

Jiangshi smirked. "Do whatever pleases you."

And with that, Jiangshi vanished, leaving only the chaos he'd sown behind.