The Solitary Hunter

[Black Philip]

The air was thick and moist, wet from the recently fallen rainstorm that had just overtaken the city streets in a torrent just an hour before. A shadowy, solitary figure slid along the pavement, feeling the heat rise from the vents of the city's gutters. He wore a black, long cashmere coat the tied in a bow along the black. It was buttoned up to it's owner's throat, strictly for affect as it's owner was not sensitive to either heat or cold. The face was a visage of a young man, almost a boy. His grey eyes looked almost black on the dimly lit street. His pale skin was the only thing that seemed to really separate him from the darkness. He moved silently and deliberately towards his goal, or maybe more actually stated, his prey. The solitary hunter had been after his prey for quite sometime and it would only be a few minutes before he pounced.

Bodies, human bodies, had begun to turn up in the metropolis and at first the district's government had attributed it to an untrained or unregulated fledgling. It was thought of as a mistake that could be tempered. However, as time passed it became more and more clear that these attacks were from some far more sinister culprit. The brutality of the neck trauma was not concordant with that of an overzealous baby vampire. It was the work of someone who was far more professional and far older. It was too clean. It was too unintentionally cruel. As there was no sherif to investigate, the district leader himself had sworn to his citizens to lead the investigation himself. The city ward had been notified, but since none of the attacks had happened in other districts it had been decided that this was metropolis business. Jake McCloud didn't need Conner, the leader of the Ward, taking over what he thought off as his investigation.

Jake felt a responsibility for the humans who'd perished, and wanted to bring the culprit in himself. He felt like he owed it to them. Not that any of the fallen were really Jake's to care about, none had been pets or donors or even supernaturally wise, but Jake knew that vampires and fae and even some demons relied on humans for subsistence and survival, and therefore they were parts of the supernatural community none the less. Kindred could not live without kind. With that understanding Jake had set out night after night to search for the mysterious killer. He'd started by examining the victims, the scenes and the clues. He'd almost disappeared from public view as he grew closer and closer to the truth. Finally he'd found his mark and the identity of that person had troubled Jake more than even the crimes he'd committed. Jake had first caught his trail when examining a fresh kill. it was the same style of bite and trauma as all the others but Jake could for the first time sense the attackers aura. It was dark, the energy from it dripping with a combination of cruelty and apathy. Jake put his own energy into learning the pattern, the feelings, the essence of the attacker's being.    Once he felt confident he had it, he began searching the streets for it, psychically sniffing it out like a blood hound. With each murder he grew a little closer to his mark.

That is what led him to being on this particular street on this particular night. He was close. He could sense his adversary. He was only a few blocks away, and he wasn't moving. Jake walked closer and closer, not quite knowing what he would be up against. He hoped his own aura would remain hidden, as he had cloaked it, but if he was detected Jake hoped the killer was of an age and skill level that he could handle. If he was too old, Jake would be forced to flee. He knew it would be smarter to go to Conner or Lisa-Joe and request backup but then he'd loose the trail and Jake didn't want another dead body come twilight. He crept closer and closer. He was anxious and did his best to keep his aura masked. It made him move slower than he could have, but not being detected was half the plan. He was armed of course, with his trademark sword and a pair of pistols strapped to the inside of his coat. Bullets would be useless so they would likley stay where they were. Only the blade would be used, that and Jake's own psychic power.

Jake came to an alleyway flanked by two large prewar brownstones with gothic architecture and dim city street lamps. The outside was bright but the alley was dark as night. Even with Jake's superior vision he could not penetrate it. It almost seemed too dark, supernaturally dark. Jake looked and found the block deserted. It was just him and the attacker and a third weak signature trapped in the alley. Jake drew the blade and headed into the darkness not knowing what exactly awaited him. The aura of the assailant was strong but not ancient. He did his best to stay invisible to the supernatural eye and the physical one. His only hope was that the killer didn't know he was so close. Otherwise all would be lost.         

[Idrial]

The downpour that had been cast over the city hadn't come at a better time, he had lured a homeless woman with promises of drugs, food and a place to stay out of the rain. At first she was hesitant but Mitchelletto 's charismatic voice was what had won her over eventually. He was wearing a black leather jacket that was zipped up to conceal the two Busse combat knives on his hips, underneath his jacket was a black T-shirt. There was also a small pocket pistol that rested on his back, normally he would be in the Brazilian Quarter but things had gotten boring for him lately over there. He decided to spice things up for the night. 

She followed him down the streets like a dog, her blonde hair was matted and those large green eye's looked at Mitchelletto with a certain trust, he couldn't believe how easy this was going to be for him. Woman were nothing but weak and stupid, this one especially and a small smile appeared on his cruel lips. He kept walking while leading her down the dark deserted area of the city streets, he could smell the nervousness wafting off the woman's skin. Before she had the chance to come to her senses and run off Mitchelletto stopped, pulling out a vial of cocaine. He scooped out a small amount with his fingernail on his pinky finger, he covered his head from the rain he inhaled deeply. He then offered it to the woman who hastily grabbed it out of his hands, she took a large whiff of the stuff and the nervousness that had begun to show had now faded.

After traveling a few more blocks down the dark alley way he attacked her, he first casted Silence of Death. No sound would escape this area, grabbing her by the arm he flung her against one of the buildings that lined the back alley. She only had a moment to scream before Mitchelletto grabbed her by her face and smashed her against the wall again. She was crying and pleading for him to stop, he licked his lips as the woman tried to scream again but it was short lived as he punched her in the stomach, fracturing her two bottom ribs into her lungs. She clawed his face as she gasped for breath, blood pouring out of her mouth. She tried to try get away but it was no use, he sank his fangs into her neck with brutality and started drain the woman. Slowly her body went limp, the clawing of his face ceased as her arms fell down beside her body. She was done, her heart beat was no longer ticking yet he still sucked every last drop of her blood. Her signature of life had been demolished from her body.

The rain started to cease it's downpour, Mitchelletto's jacket was covered in the woman's blood but it had been washed off by the rain. He threw her body in a dumpster like the trash she was, he giggled at his actions and continued along his way. He sauntered down further into the dark alley not really paying attention to anything else, after all the coke had started to mess with his head. He loved the high that coke gave him as it made him feel invincible to anyone or anything. Not giving a care in the world he started to hum to himself,  he had such a wicked grin on his face and he was proud of what he did. Another woman gone from this earth and many more were to die by his hands. For some reason that made him hot in the pants, he grabbed his cock and gave it a rub. Now he would have to find a man to fuck and chuck, but that would have to wait.

He stopped in the dark alley way, he thought he had heard something and turned around to peer into the darkness. His eye's glowered at the vampire that had been trying to follow him, he decided to play it smart and bluff his way of not noticing. "Nothing there, must be hearing things." He turned around with a shrug and kept walking down the alley, he was aware someone was here. Mitchelletto then used Gemini's Mirror, allowing him to become invisible while a fake image of him continued to act normally which was walking down the alleyway. This would put whoever was following him off guard if they decided to strike at him.

Whoever it was he or she wasn't here by mistake and even if he or she was two kills in one night, that would be splendid for him and the rain had totally stopped as of now. Mitchelletto was now aware of the vampire that was following him, he couldn't detect an aura from the unknown vampire. No matter that didn't phase him one bit, Mitchelletto let his own aura grown to show the other vampire Mitchelletto was not someone to be messed with even on a good day. Mitchelletto's aura would show that he practiced blood sorcery, something that he couldn't hide even if he wanted too. He kept waiting and watching from the sidelines, waiting for the unknown vampire to strike his fake image. Mitchelletto would be ready.   

[Black Philip]

Jake walked down the alley with trepidation. He was thankful that he didn't have a pulse, for if he did he was sure it would be as loud as a car alarm. He was anxious, the only visible sign being a slight narrowing of the eyes. Thankfully, they adjusted to the darkness and he saw his prey, the killer. He stood causally as if he was waiting for him. It would be simple. Jake could easily take his opponent from behind. Even if he was older he would have to be significantly so in order to react in time. Jake decided he would run him through. The blade's supernatural poison, which only seemed to affect vampires and similar beings, would subdue the monster so that Jake could bring him in for questioning. Sure he would be scarred for life, but the Anarch didn't see this beast's life going on much longer anyway. It was easy, and just as Jake was about to rush forward he realized that it was too easy. He leaped back a few feet, and held his blade in a more defensive position. How he was being fooled Jake did not know, but a vampire of this one's age could  not be caught so unaware by anyone except a Nosferatu. He was being played. Then he sensed it. Blood magic was in the air. He'd learned to know that feeling well from his time with Conner, but this was different. It wasn't his friend's simple fire or water craft, simple although Jake always thought extremely effective. This was darker, more primal. 

Jake looked at his foe, still standing there so casual. "Whatever the game sorcerer," Jake began, "It wont work. I may look naive but trust me I'm not."

He looked side to side, waiting for a response. Thoughts raced through Jake's mind.

Does he have reinforcements I can't detect? How strong is his magic? Is he an ancient simply masking his power? Is he a master of mental disciplines?

Whether the killer's next response would be verbal, magical, or physical Jake didn't know.     

[Idrial]

Mitchelletto watched from the side lines as the vampire that had been following him walked right past his true body, going after the fake. His eye's gleamed as the vampire almost seemed to fall for it, but at the last second the little shit jumped back a few feet.

Darn it! He thought he would have some fresh little vampire to play with but obviously not tonight. Mitchelletto listened to the vampires courageous words and so far it appeared that he was alone. On the bright side he was young, maybe even stupid enough not to bring back up.  That made him pleased as the vampire still stared in the wrong direction. Mitchelletto was behind Jake about fifty feet when he made himself known, letting his fake image vanish. 

"Awe and here I thought I would have someone stupid." He was watching from the sidelines but now he leaned against one of the builds that lined the alley way, his demeanor was uncaring and calm. Besides, why waste the energy in striking at the young boy just yet. He then crossed his arms on his chest.   

"Why are you following me boy? You know it's not safe I've heard there is a mad man running loose in the city, Also heard he's quite powerful too." He grinned into Jake's back. He noticed the nice little bow, awe how cute! Unfortunately for Jake was in a very vulnerable position right now.

"Turn around boy. I won't hurt you." That part was true and only because Mitchelletto didn't see this Jake as a threat, big mistake. He hoped the boy would stay and chat he would hate to torture the boy. Actually that was a lie, he would love to cast misery onto him all night. Then throw him out into the sun, nothing but ash would remain. No one would ever know what happened to him.   

[Black Philip]

As the image of the killer faded into nothingness Jake suspected immediate attack from behind. He tossed his blade up and did a front handspring into a corkscrew, landing facing the opposite direction. He caught his blade and looked to see his opponent but instead only observed the alleyway in all it's darkness and dankness. He began to reach out with his mind, looking for the exact location of the vampire's aura. Jake often cursed how Auspex, the ability to see and read ones auras with the utmost clarity, was not a discipline of his clan. Still, there were other ways. However talented the magician, he could only hide from Jake for so long. He could tell now that physically he was outmatched, but not overwhelmingly so. The monster had maybe one or two hundred years on him. Jake took comfort in that. He'd overcome much worse odds.

Also, this beast was cocky. Jake could sense no fear or trepidation of any kind.  He sensed only calmness, playfulness and what could only be described as apathy. The killer truly didn't see him as a threat, a fact Jake thought he might exploit. A lack of humility could be a great weakness in a prospective foe.

"Don't get cute with me," Jake said. "I don't have the time for that kind of crap. If you're so powerful come out and face me like the vampire you boast to be."

Jake wasn't sure if mocking the monster was smart. The killer's calm attitude was probably the only thing that had kept Jake safe up to this point. Still things had to move forward and he knew his chances of taking his prey were almost nonexistent if he couldn't locate him. The vampire's condensing words and tone just did all the more to piss Jake off. His mind scanned. He grew closer by the second.   

[Idrial]

Mitchelletto rolled his eyes when the vampire made an attempt to taunt him in coming out of hiding, this one was becoming quite a bore. He was all too serious for Mitchelletto, no fun what so ever to try and bug. He watched as the young vampire scan the surroundings, trying to look as to where exactly Mitchelletto was located. He only shook his head at the poor dear, no easy reindeer games tonight and he was surely disappointed.

"Here I am my dear boy," he cooed as he revealed his location. "You look a little tense, would you like me to help you relieve some of that tension?" A maniacs laughter escaped his lips, he was still almost forty feet away from Jake now but totally visible to the naked eye.

"I really don't think you should be waving that sword at me. It's not polite to be threatening your Elders now, is it boy?" He asked with his mouth twisting itself into a hardened smile, still leaning on the building still not seeing Jake as a threat.       

[Black Philip]

The creature faded into view and with him came a better reading of his aura. He was no Tremere. He was of another clan. He was a member of the Sabbat. This made him all the more dangerous, as the Sabbat rarely worked alone. Since destroying there warehouse and killing there leader, Jake hadn't seen another member of the clan. However there was no mistaking. This assassin worked for them. He was an Assimite, a shadowy warrior. That's why his magic was so different then what Jake knew, because for all Jake's experience he'd rarely encountered this clan.

"You're not really what I'd call an elder," Jake taunted. "That sort of implies wisdom."

Jake didn't lower his defensive stance nor did he march forward. Instead he narrowed in on an unguarded mind. Jake knew a weakness of this clan was psychic power, and he planned to expose that weakness right along with it's owner's arrogance. Jake knew he'd have some defense against domination, but he could tell he was unprepared for a full on assault from a practiced and studied Ventrue. The blood blood was starting to see a way out of this that didn't involve force.
 

[Idrial]

Mitchelletto hardened smile turned into a snarl, he was starting to think he'd let this go on for to long. It was obvious Jake was here for him, he raised his right hand casting a small flame of Bale-fire. Illuminating the alley way with his twisted fire of bright purple and pulsing black, a reflection of having no soul. His aura shined with magical bloodlust and the unspeakable act of cannibalism. He licked his lips like the beast he was, no more fucking around he'd had enough.

He fired a ball of flame towards Jake with every intention of melting his sword leaving him somewhat defenseless. Little did he know of the swords power that Jake held in his hand, the extreme heat may cause Jake to drop it but that was undetermined. Mitchelletto aimed for his sword, that piece of shit weapon annoyed the fuck out of him.  He jumped backwards from his orginal spot to give himself distance between him and Jake. He unsheathed his blades and once again vanished from Jakes sight.

"Fool! You know nothing of me yet you stand." His voice enraged by this piss ant, "Leave now and I will let you live or die where you stand!" After this warning he would not hold back, he had only seen a portion of his abilities and he was happy to use them on this boy.

[Black Philip]

Jake's eyes widened with fear as a ball of fire headed directly for him. The alley was too narrow for a dodge or a roll, the building's roof too high for him to jump. He ended up gripping his blade with both hands at it's widest angle. He swung it like a baseball bat knocking the bulk of the supernatural fire into the surrounding wall. Jake's hands and the sleeves of his coat were singed and burned. His sword glowed red, superheated from the blast. He hollered in pain and looked at his palms to see, blistered and slightly melted flesh. It would heal, but it made holding onto his sword a chore, and made it much harder to concentrate on his foe. For the briefest of moments Jake considered walking away. He knew the murder's aura extremely well now. He could easily find him again, and next time with a whole troop of Brujah to back him up. In fact, walking away seemed like the only logical and intelligent choice. He was wounded. His opponent was older, possessed magic and an array of other skills including a stealth ability.

However, Jake was forced to choke on his greatest fault, pride. The Anarch Baron and District Leader would not be bested by an animal like this. The Ventrue thought himself superior to such garbage. He briefly thought of Scott, the district and his friends Conner and Bryant. Thoughts of Sam weren't even enough to dissuade him from his course of action.

Jake began to speak. His voice was slightly higher pitched than usual. The pain creeped it's way into presentation, and his words sounded both angry and slightly labored. "Do your worst asshole." Jake took a firmer grip of his blade and prepared for a close range fight. In the darkness the pulsating red metal brought a soft glow to Jake's face that would've looked pretty if not for the ugly, burnt hands.

Jake focused his mind on the emotions, feelings and presence of the Sabbat. It was not an untrained mind but it was certainly an unguarded one. Jake did not have time to hypothesize if this was because he didn't see Jake as a threat or if he was simply undisciplined in the art of psychic defense. Either way, Jake saw an opening and began to mount a telepathic assault. If the Sabbat attacked head on Jake would meet his attack with his sword, but Jake did not expect to win a physical fight. At the Sabbat's first sign of mental weakness Jake would attempt to dominate his mind, taking the fight to the mental plain.

[Idrial]

Mitchelletto started to laugh at Jakes feeble attempt to bat the fire ball with his sword, but the laugh was short lived.As Jake screamed in pain from the hot blade which somehow still stood untouched, he took a brief moment to examine this boy a little closer. Quickly identifying what disciplines Jake possessed,  Mitchelletto quickly realized this vampire was more of a threat than he thought.

It was a Ventrue, the dick suckers of the Camarilla. It explained as to why he was still able to hold the blade in his hands and why Jake hadn't backed down so easily. Nasty fucking devils thinking they are the rightful rulers, they can go fuck themselves.

"So Ventrue," he dragged out. "You really want me to do my worst?" He snorted at Jake with pleasure, this boy was fucked.

"The Camarilla made the wrong choice sending you." He would die but not before he would wrecked havoc on Jake. Using Obfuscate he created a dangerous illusion, one that Jake could only see. Jakes personal nightmare appeared before his eyes, the trick was called Horrid Countenance and it was meant to stop the enemy in it's tracks before he made the decision to kill or keep the lad for experiments.

[Black Philip]

Jake didn't have time to correct the Sabbat as to his present affiliations, for the nightmare he'd summoned began to take shape. Jake feared little. He often contemplated why this was, and was left with several possibilities. Jake often mused that being almost three-hundred made one hard to impress, and in those near three-hundred years he'd seen the rise and fall of empires, demons more horrible than words could describe and witnessed mass genocide. He'd even been the cause of some of this turmoil, so he prepared himself for something earth shattering.

He'd seen this sort of trick before. Illusionists had tormented Jake in the past, and again his time with Conner had taught him to know the difference between reality and shade. The image was still difficult to see. It was Sam and Sophie, together on their respective knees. The hands of both were bound with a silverly, ghost like rope behind their backs. They were side by side, and both looked as if ready to cry. Jake's greatest fear was losing his family and being alone. A dark shadow began to approach the helpless manifestations, hooded and hulking. He held an axe comprised of the same silvery substance as the rope that bound his sire and child. He held the axe high. They both screamed to Jake for help. They begged him, implored him. They cried, and the wrists of both bled as they struggled to escape the ropes. Jake wanted to go to them even though he knew they were both illusions. He had a chance to save his sire, to not fail her a second time. Then there was Sam, his precious daughter. He could't let her die. He was supposed to protect her, give himself so she could live on. Despite these temptations Jake stayed in place and held his blade defensively. He closed his eyes and began to search for his assailant. It was time Jake brought a little offense to this party.

He heard a loud scream that made him open his eyes and watched the axe drop on Sophie's neck, turning her into ash. The dark figure raised it a second time over Sam. She begged and screamed and cried.

"Sam wouldn't act like that," Jake told the visage. "She would be stronger in the face of death. She is my daughter after all."

With that Jake closed his eyes again and this time when he heard the horrible scream he didn't even look. He knew the trick was over and he knew he'd found his mark. With the full force of his mind Jake struck at the Sabbat!

If you know I'm a Ventrue then you must know that once I'm in your head this fight will be over!

The message was sent directly. Jake wanted him to know that invisible or not, he'd found the son of a bitch, and that he could get directly into this mind with ease. Jake fortified his skin in case of counter attack and released all of the dread presence his blood would allow. A mortal would've screamed in terror if they'd seen Jake at just that moment. He was unsure what effect it would have on The Sabbat, but fear was a powerful motivator. It was Jake's turn to bring the pain. The Sabbat would have only seconds to react before Jake would dominate him so completely that he would have dancing like a puppet.     

[Idrial]

Mitchelletto could not see what Jake truly saw in the illusion, only that he stayed put for the moment. Edging his way closer to Jake with his eyes foolishly closed, he decided to keep the boy alive. Their discipline Fortitude was an amazing thing, few ever crossed his path anymore. That was until Jake spoke of a daughter and that truly peaked his interest, fuck this guy. If he had a daughter she would be young and easier to control. He would have to find this Sam and take her for himself or sell her off. Besides this Sam was a woman she deserved a life of torment, they all did.

As the image faded a voice rang loud and clear in his head and the feeling of dread overwhelmed him. He paniced with eyes wide for a moment. Then in a sort of frenzy he spat acidic blood towards Jakes face from twenty-five feet.  Mitchelletto was no longer hiding but heading towards Jake in a full charge, in a few seconds they would collide. Mitchelletto needed to act fast, he pretended to attack Jake head on but dodged to his right. Touching Jakes shoulder he proceeded to clot his blood using Quietus, making him extremely unstable and uncomfortable.

He reached to grab Jakes neck with the other hand, but when he tried to produce a flame and failed he left himself wide open. Jakes dread had made him think he was high and without being in an altered state of mind he could not produce his magic. In a split second decision he hid some coke bottles on his person not knowing if he would be captured or not.

[Black Philip]

Jake avoided the spit easily, now fully in his element. His eyes shimmered in the darkness, bright bobbles of psychic energy pulsating as he pressed deeper into Mitchelletto's mind - Jake had learned his name from being inside his head. Jake's blood returned to equilibrium as Mitchelletto's mind became more and more unstable. His own pain dissipated as he went deeper and deeper, chipping away at the locks on his brain. Jake began to plant thoughts, hoping for inception.

Stop moving. You can't move. It is painful to move. If you move you will die.

Jake knew if even one of these ideas reached conciseness than the fight would be over. Suddenly, there was a flash in Jake's own mind as he uncovered a deeply hidden thought in Mitchellettos's. He saw a fledgling in chains. He was sure of what he saw because Mitchelletto was sure. However, just as quick as the flash came it was gone, and Jake felt a push back. It wasn't anything he couldn't handle and in fact Jake hoped it would drain his untrained opponent. The Ventrue wanted to see more, but as long as his attacker pushed back Jake would not be able to go deeper. He placed more instructions.

You want to stop attacking me. You need to end this fight. If you don't the truth death will come to you.

Of course Jake knew in the end that Mitchelletto would have to die for his crimes, but he didn't need to let him know that. If Jake could he would plunge his blade into his opponent's sternum a few inches, not enough to kill him, but enough to paralyze him for the journey back to District Headquarters.

[Idrial]

Mitchelletto didn't stand paralyzed in fear nor did he feel defeated by this little shit, he pushed back on Jake's mental advances. Jake saw the fledgling in chains, nothing more. Little did Jake know he would be put to good use after he lost his humanity. He had been starving the lad for three days for an experiment, he wanted to put the lad in a permanent frenzy so far most of the attempts had failed and when he did succeed the subject died weeks later. So far this particular fledgeling showed promise. Using Mind Blank to protect his mind from any further probes from Jake, Obfuscate was more than just about hiding but it was hard to use with Jake invading his body.

As Mitchelletto tried to grasp the control back from Jake he noticed something, this was different then all the other shit heads that tried to chip away at his mind.  For one he was sure someone his age would still need eye contact and two, it was a feat that Jake had a large amount of mental control over Mitchelletto. No matter he could use Purification right now and be rid of this paralyzed effect that was cast onto him. Or, he could let Jake think he had won and infiltrate one his headquarters, maybe even get the chance to meet his little daughter Sam. He stood behind Jake mentally disable which crippled his physical advances, but his hand was still on Jake's neck. A low laugh rumbled in his throat, he decided to see where this road leads.

"Better hurry up and do what you have to do kitten," he then started to pull large amounts of blood from Jake's skin, technically he was feeding without the use of fangs. It was called Leech for a reason and if Jake didn't hurry and subdue him he would grow weak and the hold Jake had over Mitchelletto would be no more. Plus the clotting of his blood would make Jake unstable for a few days, it was a miracle that Jake held off from the effects of his blood clotting for this long. Mitchelletto had a hunch he wouldn't die here, he would be transported back somewhere before the Camarilla claimed him. Still under the assumption that Jake was part of the Camarilla the two would have a nasty surprise for each other, Jake the means to put him down for good and Mitchelletto was to unleash his own horror onto the city under the Sabbat's command. No fledgling or any young supernatural would be safe anymore.

[Black Philip]

Jake did not hesitate to make good on Mitchelletto's request. He plunged the blade into his chest about four to five inches. It's unique, sweet poison would begin to take effect almost immediately. He had never used the blade to simply pacify, and hoped that his opponent would only be paralyzed by it's power. Still, just to make sure he wasn't a threat, Jake pushed forward with his mental attack and planted another thought, hoping for inception to occur. He decided on repeating one word over and over again.

SLEEP!

A trance was a simple command for Domination, and it was that simple command that Jake had been teaching to Sam recently with varying degrees of success. It was the easiest command to push, enforce, and often it was the hardest to resist. Once Mitchelletto was fully incapacitated, either from the trance command or the poison, Jake would remove his sword. He felt weak, like his knees were going to give out at a moments notice. His blood was depleted and corrupted. Jake knew he had barley come out of this alive.