Grandmother: Are you her friend?
Jack: Yes.
Grandmother: Since when have you been here, and why are you only appearing now?
Jack: First, because I respected what you said—each of us has our own battle to fight, so I stayed quiet until she finished her mission. Second, because she wouldn't have come with me and left those patients behind. Now she's done her part, and whatever happens next is your concern, not ours.
Grandmother (shocked): So you've been here all this time?
Black: But Jack, they need help. There are so many patients.
Jack sighed, took a deep breath, and looked at the grandmother.
Jack: Then good luck with your mission, and I hope you don't involve her again.
Jack stood up, facing the grandmother directly.
Jack (in a clear threat): And if you dare involve her again, I will bring this city down on your heads.
Everyone looked at him angrily.
Black looked at him with reproach for what he said.
Helena: But you have a responsibility for the power you possess. You must help others.
Jack (coldly): This is your city. If you're waiting for a hero to come save you—know this: heroes don't exist.
He provoked them again, for the second time.
Fahd: …..
Grandmother: Enough.
Max: But—
Grandmother (interrupting): Fahd, if Jack asked you to join his battle right now, in the midst of your own war—would you accept? And you, Helena, would you? Would any of you?
Fahd and Helena were shocked by the question and remained silent, unable to answer.
Grandmother: See? You don't have an answer. Let me answer for you: no, you wouldn't. You already have your own problems and wouldn't get involved in someone else's.
She turned to Jack and continued:
Grandmother: I apologize to you. And thank you for allowing her to help us. I don't dare ask anything more from you or her. I'll try to repay you if I can.
Jack: No need.
Grandmother: Black, don't be angry with your friend. He's just worried about you.
Black glared at Jack, but responded to her grandmother:
Black: Okay, Grandma.
Jack placed his hand on Black's shoulder, and they disappeared, leaving no room for discussion.
---
Grandmother: What will you do now?
Determination filled their faces.
Fahd (firmly): I'll go.
Max: It's fine—even if they don't come, we won't rely on them. We never did, and we won't start now.
Heather: You realize this means rebelling against the emperor?
Fahd: Then this is the time. We should've taken that step a long time ago.
Helena (angrily): I'm with you, Fahd. We waited for strangers to come, and now they accuse us of cowardice.
The grandmother looked at them, then at the spot where Jack and Black vanished.
Grandmother (to herself): Boy... did you do this on purpose, or not?
---
At Jack and Black's home
They returned home. She pulled her arm away from his. He expected her to scold him or get angry—but she didn't even look at him. She just went to her room and slammed the door so hard that the house shook.
Now he knew she wasn't just angry—she was furious.
He took the groceries he bought and started preparing lunch: pasta in white sauce, crispy chicken drumsticks, and some fries. Her absolute favorite meal. It had never failed to earn her forgiveness—only when he made it.
---
Later
Jack finished cooking, set the table, and went to call her.
He knocked—no answer.
Jack: Black, come on, I made your favorite dish!
Black: I'm not hungry.
Jack: Come on, Bee, I made pasta and chicken just for you.
Black was struggling. She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday except breakfast with Gara and Jack. She'd fought yesterday and today, worked hard to prepare medicine and check on patients.
Jack used his wind power to waft the smell of food into her room.
Black (angrily): No, Bee… resist the smell of pasta and… and… crunchy… chi-cken…
Jack was standing outside and laughed, hearing her talk to herself.
Jack (whispering): 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
Then stepped away from the door.
Black emerged, grabbed her plate, and went back into her room to eat.
Jack: Black, are you going to let me eat alone?
He made a convincingly sad face.
Black (to herself): No, Bee. Take a stand about what he did today!
But all her plans crumbled when he said:
Jack: Fine, I just won't eat then.
She sat at the table.
Black: Jack, sit down and eat your food.
He smiled internally and sat down to eat.
Jack: Alright.
Meanwhile, Black was thinking about the grandmother's words as she watched him eat. Was it fair to ask more of him, knowing what he'd been through, the severity of his upcoming battle, the danger surrounding him, and the pressure he carried to protect her? Did she really have the right to drag him into another war?
He looked at her, seeing her lost in thought, not eating. He knew she was torn inside. Despite everything they'd faced, Black's nature hadn't changed. She was still ready to help everyone—even knowing no one would help her.
Jack (to himself): My innocent angel… I need to teach you some important lessons. But for now, I'll pull you out of this state.
Jack (teasing): Black, can I have one of your drumsticks?
Black leapt away with her plate.
Black: Jack, don't joke—leave my chicken alone!
He laughed.
Jack: You're so stingy, Bee!
Black: And you—look, you've eaten two plates already. Do you think I'll give you a piece?
Jack got up and pretended to attack her to steal a piece. She ran to her room. She didn't have time to close the door, so she braced it with her body. They pushed against each other, laughing. Meanwhile, she devoured her food quickly. Then opened the door with her mouth still full.
Jack fell over laughing at the sight of her.
She had been mad at him, but seeing herself in the mirror made her laugh too. Her face was messy from eating and pushing the door, and her mouth was overstuffed.
He brought her a napkin, sat beside her, and wiped her face.
Jack (laughing): Still hungry? There's more in the kitchen.
Black (grumbling): Then why did you come for my chicken?
Jack (laughing): It looked tastier than mine. Wait—what's this? You left one piece on your plate?
Black: That... was for you.
Jack: Was?
Black: I thought you might still be hungry… and because you're a trickster.
She ate it.
Then she went to the kitchen for another plate.
Black: Jack, tell me your secret—why does it always taste better than last time?
Jack: I'm not telling.
Black glared at him like a child.
Black: You annoying jerk—you've never told me how you make it!
Jack: Just eat it. No need to ask.
Black: Why? Why? Why won't you tell me?
He flicked her forehead.
Jack: Because it's my secret.
Jack (to himself): And if you knew, how would I use it to win you back next time?
Black got busy eating—because it really was delicious. Jack watched her, content that he had pulled her out of her thoughts.
---
Later, in their training hall (a big empty room they turned into their own space), the air was intense and the sparring fierce.
Jack tried to punch her hard, but she ducked and moved swiftly to knock him down. He jumped away just in time.
Black: Bring the city down, huh?
Jack summoned earth spikes and launched them at her.
Jack: Isn't it enough I didn't punish you for what you did this morning?
Black countered with water arrows that shattered the rocks.
Black: Punish me for what? For helping them?
They went back to hand-to-hand combat. She threw a punch—he grabbed her hand, twisted it behind her back, and locked her.
Jack: Help yourself first.
She pushed herself up, flipped onto his shoulders, and placed a water blade at his neck.
Black: I can help myself—and others, too.
Jack: Really?
He knocked her hand away and threw her to the ground, pulling out a hidden knife, holding it to her neck.
Jack: Be careful. You never know when things will change and helping others makes you fail to protect yourself.
He tightened his grip. She tried to break free but couldn't.
Jack: They need to move on their own, Black. Heroes won't always show up to save others. You know this better than anyone.
He spoke seriously:
Jack: When our families were killed, no heroes came. Did you forget? If we can't help and save ourselves, no one will come save us.
Black looked at him in shock.
Jack: If you go help them every time, they'll never break free. Remember that.
She thought about his words and realized he was right. Then she understood…
Black: You don't have a problem helping them.
She smiled:
Black: You want them to take the first step themselves. Jaaack—you made them mad on purpose to make them act!
He let go of her.
Jack: Training's over.
He stepped away so she could get up and left the training hall. Black rubbed her wrist where he held her tightly. She felt happy inside—Jack was already helping them. She was wrong to be mad.
Black: So that's it, Jack—you're playing behind my back.
She added mischievously:
Black: Fine. But I have to convince you to help them just a little more. Even if the fire has ignited in their hearts, they still can't move alone. They need one final push.
She made a sad face and stepped out. As soon as Jack saw her, he choked on his water.
Jack: cough cough Black… I know that look!
She got close, using her cat eyes.
Jack: Black…
Black (pleading): Can we help them just this once?
Jack: Bla—
Black (interrupting): Just this once. We won't interfere again. Just this time—to help deliver the medicine. Please, Jack. After that, it's up to them—it's their responsibility.
His heart softened seeing the sadness in her eyes. He knew she was using his own tactic against him—she knew he could never stand to see her sad. He'd burn the world for her smile.
She felt she was close to getting his agreement, so she added:
Black: Please agree. The master said we have three days before the organization finds us—so we still have time to prepare for them.
Jack (sighing): But just this once?
Black: Yes. I promise I won't ask for anything else about this.
Jack (sighs): Fine… let's get ready.
Black jumped happily, overjoyed.
Black: Thank you, best cousin in the whole world!
He grabbed her ears.
Black: Ow ow ow—my ears, Jack! That hurts!
Jack (warning): But you have to stay close to me. I swear, Black—if you wander off or get even a scratch, I'll burn everything down and drag you back here even if I have to force you. Got it?
Black (in pain): Okaaay, okaaaay!
When he let go, she smiled blankly and twirled around like a happy child.
Jack clapped a hand to his face, smiling:
Jack: Aaah… God give me patience.
Then went to prepare for the mission.
---
At Gabriel's Restaurant
Gabriel (shocked): What? You want to attack the factory?
Fahd (determined): Yes.
Gabriel: Fahd, do you really want to do this? And you, Helena?
Helena (sadly): I know what you mean, Uncle Gabriel. You mean our families were killed years ago by that evil gang—"Alice."
Fahd: Our parents sacrificed themselves and chose to die for us.
He continued angrily:
Fahd: Now it's time to show them they didn't die for cowards. That we can carry on—and rise for revolution and justice.
Everyone felt the fire ignite in their hearts. They couldn't hold back the flames inside anymore.
Gabriel looked into their eyes, saw their determination and strength.
Gabriel: Alright… then let's do it. I'll try to gather as many men as I can.
Fahd: We'll come with you.
Gabriel firmly: "No. You two, go back to Grandma's house and wait for me there—or wait for further instructions from me."
It was an order that left no room for discussion.
Helena: "Understood."
Fahd: "Alright."
Gabriel called out to the customers.
Gabriel: "To all our valued customers, we apologize, but we are about to close the restaurant."
Then he turned to the staff with instructions.
Gabriel: "Refund the customers and also give them appropriate compensation for what happened. And within one hour, close the restaurant."
Staff: "Yes, sir."
He quickly grabbed his coat and headed out.
Fahd and Helena followed him, but each took a different path.
---
They both got ready and headed out.
They left early, as Gabriel didn't know much about them. It was better to get to know them and teach them something before the battle.
They were on their way to Grandma's house, but they found that the city had become filled with many gang members.
They hid behind one of the buildings, looking in shock at the drastic increase in the number of gang members and soldiers in the city.
Black, in shock: "What's going on here?"
To be continued...