Snippet #2483236

Jarrod questioned Jena about why he should set Malaficus free and she laughed in a tone so wicked that it felt like the blood in his veins had froze. After she finished laughing her eyes began to glow a bright white and the entire bar around Jarrod began to shimmer and shift. Jarrod was no longer standing in the bar and Jena quickly explained that they were in a place called Katash. Jena's voice was filled with hatred when she spoke the word. Then a scene played out in front of Jarrod as he watched a man wearing a dark green robe approach what looked like some kind of summoning circle. Jarrod never fully understood or trusted magic of any kind and he soon found himself loathing his idea to come to Blackrock in the first place. Despite Jarrod being unfamiliar with the situation he was in he stood silently and watched like he was trying to piece together a puzzle and understand the big picture. Jarrod watched as the robed man summoned Malaficus and Jena explained that the man's name was Karzam. Karzam was a court mage that was responsible for Malaficus's imprisonment and Jarrod could see that just mentioning the mans name infuriated Jena to no end.

Jarrod crossed his arms as he watched and he quickly figured out that there must have been some kind of war going on and that Karzam desired help from Malaficus to win the war. Malaficus told Karzam that there was a price to be paid that was equal to the help Karzam had requested. Jarrod had no doubts about where that would lead as the price was undoubtedly going to be more than Karzam was willing to pay. Instead of doing the smart thing and walking away Karzam took out some kind of amulet and attempted to force Malaficus to do his bidding. Jarrod was far from surprised when two shadowy figures appeared behind Karzam and impaled him. As Karzam fell to the ground he managed to bind Malaficus to the tower they were in before the life faded from his eyes. Jena then explained that the amulet was unable to compel Malaficus to obey, but it was able to force spirit rules upon him and that he had been imprisoned for over six thousand years.

"God your old.....that said I hope I look that young when I'm your age", Jarrod said with a smile.

Jena then moved towards the balcony as Malaficus screamed in pure rage. Jarrod followed Jena to the balcony as she pointed downward and told him to take a look. Jarrod was no stranger to death and had seen more than his fair share of deplorable acts, but he watched stunned as he watched the entire city being drowned in sand. Jarrod looked over at Jena with a mix between shock and disgust for what Malaficus had done. She had a tear in her eye as she said she destroyed this world on that day. She then told him that her lord was displeased for what Malaficus had done and that he took away his powers as well as bound his soul to Blackrock. A living being had to break the necklace of their own free will in order to release him.

"Pfft well I would feel bad for you if you hadn't destroyed an entire world! Now I'm thinking you deserve every second that your bound to this rock! ", Jarrod said angrily.

The world around Jarrod began to shimmer and shift again as the vision faded back into the bar. Jena the explained that she believed she had suffered for her crimes and asked if six thousand years wasn't enough.

Jarrod glared at the woman and said," Well you killed billions of people so the way I see it maybe you should spend a few billion years stuck to this rock".

Jarrod could understand why Malaficus was angry, but he could see no justification for wiping out an entire planet. Jena then proceeded to tell him that she had manipulated, seduced, made deals, and even begged in order to be released, but everyone that agreed to help Malaficus ended up trying to enslave him. She then proceeded to state that Jarrod seemed different from the others and that he showed compassion in his actions. She talked of how he treated ARI like a person instead of a tool. Jarrod looked over at the flying drone with a smile as Jarrod knew that at least in this Jena was not lying. ARI was far more than a robotic tool to Jarrod instead the AI had become his best friend the only person he trusted completely. Jarrod turned his attention back to Jena as she continued by saying that she thought he could resist the temptation to enslave and succeed where so many others had failed. She then added that Malaficus still had the ability to wipe out Blackrock and would do so if Jarrod didn't free Malaficus. Jarrod had to admit that Jena was a master manipulator as she was using his greatest weakness against him....His conscience.

"I.....I guess I don't really have a choice then do I? Fine, but if I'm helping you I'm setting a few ground rules! One....from here on out no more lying Jena if I catch you in another lie I walk. Two.....no more frolicking about in my mind without my permission....If you do then you can rot for another six thousand years. And three.....Once your free you will spare the people of this world and other world's cause if I bring about the end of the universe my boot will find your ass in the world of spirits", Jarrod said giving Jena a slight smile.

"Would it not be a good course of action to make financial gain one of your conditions Jarrod", ARI said.

"That a girl ARI!", Jarrod said smiling at the drone before turning back to Jena.

"Yes and I do expect compensation for this......double my usual rates since your having me play around with spirits and magic.....those are my conditions you can either except them or.....you can wipe out the entire planet and count grains of sand for another six thousand years....your choice Jena.....err Malaficus.....err whoever you are", Jarrod said as he sat back down in the chair and awaited her answer.