im thinking about an au where jack was killed when mala mala jong smacked him into that wall
Wuya goes to tempt Rai, and when the reversing mirror is revealed, Rai steals it and leaves. Jack never shows up to fight. the monks notice, but don't think too much on it.
Wuya regains a body with Rai's help. The monks lose badly, barely managing to escape. The temple was overtaken by stone monsters before they could get there. it is Omi who suggests they try to shelter with Jack Spicer, that maybe they can negotiate for his help since he's not been visibly helping Wuya.
They get to Jack's house, and it's empty. abandoned. there are jackbots idling, other electronics left running. there's a dried puddle of blood on the floor, concerningly large. jack is missing. they're caught by Wuya's monsters shortly after
meanwhile, at Wuya's castle, someone lurches into the throne room, staggering, uncoordinated. Wuya stares as he approaches. Regret is so foreign to her she barely recognises it curling in her gut.
His skin an awful grey, black veins twisting across it. His chest too shallow, the ribcage collapsed in. He's covered in dried blood. His eyes are clouded white, dead. Still, he manages to glare at Wuya in furious misery, before his legs give out and he crumples at the foot of the stairs.
Wuya is by his side in an instant, catching the boy before his face smacks against the steps. He shudders, blinking rapidly like he's trying to fight back tears, though it's impossible for the dead to cry.
His voice, when he speaks, is a dry wheezing creak, so soft Wuya can barely hear it.
Well. Wuya can't fault him for that.
