Black: How did you know?
Fahd: Didn't you just save that man a little while ago? That means you know medicine, right?
Helena: Tell me, girl, are you a doctor?
Black: Yes, I'm a doctor.
Helena's expression shifted from anger to eagerness.
Helena: Can you help us? There are many patients in critical condition. They need medical assistance. Please.
Black looked at their faces and realized she couldn't refuse their request. She was a doctor, and it was her duty.
Black: Where are they?
Joy appeared on their faces, and Helena rushed to grab her hand, almost flying with happiness.
Black knew it was the right decision, but she hoped she could return before Jack found out what had happened to her today—because when he did, this day would be far from ordinary.
They took her to a house in the center of the city.
Fahd knocked on the door.
Knock knock knock
Fahd: Grandma, open up, it's me, Fahd!
An old woman opened the door and let them in.
Old Woman: What brings you here?
Black looked at the old woman. She was probably in her late fifties, but age hadn't hidden her beauty. She had short blonde hair, beautiful green eyes, and was very elegant.
Helena: We found your white bird and came to return it.
That was the password—if a stranger showed up with them, it meant things were safe and the person was trustworthy.
The woman looked at Black, evaluating her, and asked:
Old Woman: Are you new here?
Black (confused): Why does everyone ask us that?
Old Woman: Because only newcomers agree to come with them—unaware of the consequences of their actions.
Helena: Grandma...
Old Woman: Quiet, both of you! You brought this girl here without telling her the consequences. You didn't tell her she would be killed if she helped us!
Fahd was about to speak, but Black interrupted him.
Black (smiling): So that's the consequence? Don't worry—I just want to see what I can help with.
Grandma: Aren't you afraid of what might happen?
Black: Being killed isn't something I fear. If I feared death, you wouldn't see me here.
The old woman saw truth and courage in her eyes. She wasn't unaware of the consequences, nor was she a spy sent by the king.
She told her to follow them, and the three of them went after her. But Black was surprised when they entered the kitchen—and her surprise grew even more when the old woman moved the table, and then Fahd shifted a part of the kitchen, revealing a cellar underneath. They descended.
She found the place huge—they had apparently built trenches beneath their homes. She saw many patients in pain, and it seemed the illness had ravaged most of them.
She felt overwhelming anger and couldn't control it. Her chest was rising and falling heavily…
Forgetting something very important… Forgetting that Jack's energy chip was inside her heart—and it had started to glow.
At Jack and Black's house
We see Jack asleep—but he suddenly opened his eyes.
At the grandmother's house
Black ran toward the patients, but the grandmother held her back.
Grandma (worried): Be careful—it's a plague, you might catch it.
Black: Don't worry about me, Grandma. I'll be fine.
Two doctors were helping the wounded. One of them approached the grandmother after seeing Black helping.
Doctor: Grandma, who is this girl you brought? We need an experienced doctor, not a student or an amateur.
Fahd (intervening): She's not an amateur at all, Max. On the contrary, she's a good doctor. I saw her treat someone who had passed out in front of the pharmacy today.
Then he turned to the grandma and continued:
Fahd: She also knows how to fight. Did you hear what happened last night at Uncle Gabriel's restaurant?
Grandma: Yes, two mad people appeared and attacked and killed the king's soldiers.
Max: If only we had people like them in our ranks—they could've helped us protect the empire from the tyrant king and the criminal gangs.
Fahd: She's one of those mad people. And today, she hit one of the gang members. The other guy was even stronger—he's the one who killed the soldiers last night. But it looks like they're preparing for something.
Grandma: What do you mean?
Fahd: I'm not sure. From what I understood from what they said last night, they're preparing for something big. They seemed anxious. That's why they don't want to get involved in anything else right now.
Grandma: Then don't ask too much of them. We all have our own battles to fight, and it wouldn't be fair to drag them into another problem.
Black was examining the patients and taking blood samples when Dr. Heather noticed her and walked over.
Dr. Heather: Don't tire yourself. The medical labs are under the gangs' control, and the villains destroyed ours.
Black: But I don't need a lab.
Black (to herself): Sorry, Master… but I have to use my abilities to save these patients.
Black began using her abilities to analyze the samples, and everyone was stunned by what she was doing.
She manipulated the water with extreme skill, took out some additional elements from her bag, and mixed them with the water. Then she added the sample, and it seemed as if the water had turned into a tube with multiple stages that the sample passed through.
During the process, she focused intently, monitoring every change that occurred as the sample moved through the different stages, and she noted all her observations in a small notebook.
Dr. Max: How did you do that?!
Black: It's an old method that was used before labs existed, but it requires some energy and skill.
Grandma: Can you teach them, miss? So we can save more people and pass it on to others?
Black (smiling): Of course, I will.
Black, Dr. Max, and Heather worked together for over three hours, putting in great effort until they finally succeeded in creating a vaccine for the plague. They tested it, and in the first hour, it already began to reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Dr. Max (happily): We did it! Miss, you're truly a brilliant doctor. I'm sorry I doubted your abilities.
Black: No need to apologize, Dr. Max. What matters is that we succeeded.
(She continued seriously): To recover quickly, they need to take the medicine three times a day.
Heather: But the materials here aren't enough to produce enough medicine for all these patients.
Fahd: Then I'll attack the city's pharmaceutical facility today and bring you everything you need.
Grandma: No, Fahd. That's far too dangerous. Please don't do it.
Fahd: Don't worry—I'll run at full speed.
Helena: Fahd, I'll call the rest of the men so we can meet there.
Dr. Max: But this will have serious consequences for all the city's residents.
Heather: And there's no guarantee you'll succeed against Kruger's gang.
Black (interrupting): Then I'll go with you.
A voice suddenly came from behind her:
Voice: No, you won't.
Everyone jumped—who had appeared out of nowhere?
Jack had appeared, sitting on a large chair beside them, his presence overwhelming and intense.
Black didn't flinch—she knew that voice. But she did feel tense. This was exactly what she had hoped to avoid. She hadn't noticed the time and had been delayed in returning. Well… she had sensed his energy a while ago, but she thought it was just the energy from the chip and got immersed in her work, completely forgetting to return. But from the look on his face, it seemed he had been there for a long time.
Helena pulled out a knife to attack the stranger, but Fahd stopped her. The two doctors readied themselves to fight. But the grandma stayed calm. She noticed the calm in both Fahd and Black and quickly deduced that they knew him.
Grandma: Are you her friend?
Jack: Yes.
Grandma: How long have you been here, and why did you only reveal yourself now?
Jack: Because I respected what you said. Each of us has our own war to fight. So I stayed quiet until she finished her work. And because she would never have left with me and abandoned those patients. Now, her part is done. What happens next is your concern, not ours.
Grandma (shocked): So you've been here all that time?
Black: But Jack, they need help. There are so many sick people!
Jack sighed and took a deep breath, then looked at the grandma.
Jack: Then good luck with your mission. But I hope you won't drag her into this again.
(He continued, with a clear threat): And if you dare to do it again, I'll bring this city down on your heads.
Everyone looked at him angrily.
Black looked at him with disapproval for what he said.
Helena: But you already have a responsibility because of the power you possess. You should be helping others.
Grandma: That's enough. Don't ask for his help.
Fahd: But Grandma…
Grandma (interrupting): Fahd, if Jack asked you to join his battle right now, in the middle of your own struggle—would you accept? And you, Helena? Would you? Or any of you?
Fahd and Helena were stunned by the question and fell silent. They both thought about it, but neither could answer.
Grandma: See? You don't have an answer, do you? Let me answer for you: No, you wouldn't. You both already have your own problems and wouldn't get involved in someone else's.
(She then turned to Jack and continued)
Grandma: I apologize to you, and I thank you for allowing her to help us. I wouldn't dare ask anything more from you or her. I'll try to repay you both, if I can.
Jack: There's no need.
Grandma: Black, don't be angry with your friend. He's just worried about you.
Black looked at Jack angrily but replied to the grandma:
Black: Yes, Grandma.
Fahd: We'll gather here at one in the morning. If either of you wants to come, we'll be waiting.
Jack looked at him coldly and didn't answer. Then he turned to Black, grabbed her arm, and disappeared with her from in front of them.
Grandma: Fahd…
Fahd: Grandma, I know what I'm doing might be selfish, but so many lives are at stake. And I know he'll come. Black wants to come, and it seems like he cares deeply for her. That's why I believe he'll come.
Grandma: Don't manipulate others' weaknesses, Fahd.
Then she fell silent, knowing she could no longer argue. They were like drowning people clinging to a straw.
At Jack and Black's house
Both of them returned home. Black pulled her arm away from Jack's hand.
He expected her to get angry and scold him, but she didn't even look at him. Instead, she walked straight to her room, slamming the door so hard the whole house shook.
He now knew she was furious. So, he grabbed the things she had bought while shopping and went to prepare lunch. He decided to make white sauce pasta, crispy chicken drumsticks, and some French fries—her absolute favorite meal, and one that had never failed to get her to forgive him, especially when he was the one who made it.
Some time later
Jack finished preparing the meal, plated everything, and went to call her.
He knocked on the door, but there was no response.
Jack: Black, come on out. I made your favorite meal.
Black: I'm not hungry.
Jack: Come on, Bee, I made pasta and chicken for you.
Black was fighting with herself. She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast yesterday with Gara and Jack. She fought yesterday, and today too, worked hard to prepare medicine and examine the patients.
He used his power to send a breeze carrying the smell of the food toward her room.
Black (angrily): No, Bee! Resist the smell of pasta and that... that crispy chicken!
Jack was standing outside, hearing her talk to herself. He laughed.
Jack (whispering): Five, four, three, two, one...
Then he stepped away from the door—only to find Black coming out, grabbing her plate, and heading back inside to eat.
Jack: Black, are you really going to let me eat alone?
He masterfully wore a look of disappointment.
Black (thinking): No, Bee, you have to take a stand about what he did today.
But all her plans crumbled when he said:
Jack: Alright then, I won't eat.
She sat down at the table.
Black: Jack, sit and eat your food.
He smiled inwardly and joined her.
Black, however, was deep in thought about what Grandma had said. She looked at Jack as he ate—was it really fair to ask him to fight another battle when she knew how brutal his own war was? The danger surrounding him? The pressure he was under—partly because of her? Could she really ask him to go through all that again for others? Did she even have the right?
He looked at her and saw that she wasn't eating—lost in thought, torn between two choices.
Despite everything they'd been through, nothing had changed Black's nature. She was still willing to help everyone, even knowing that no one would be willing to help her in return.
Jack (thinking): My innocent angel… I need to teach you a few important lessons, or one day you'll find yourself drowning in problems. But for now, let's bring you out of this mood.
Jack (teasing): Black, give me some of your drumsticks?
She jumped with her plate.
Black: Jack, don't joke! Leave my chickens alone!
He laughed.
Jack: You really are stingy, Bee.
Black: And you—look at you, you've already finished two plates! You think I'll give you one of mine?
Jack stood up and pretended to attack her for a piece.
She ran to her room. She didn't have time to close the door properly, so she leaned her body against it to keep it shut while Jack pushed gently from the other side—not really trying to get in. Meanwhile, she started eating her food quickly, almost finishing it, then opened the door, her mouth still full.
Jack burst into laughter at the sight. Black had been mad, but when she saw herself in the mirror, she laughed too. Her face was messy from eating and being pushed against the door, and her mouth was stuffed.
He got up, grabbed a napkin, sat beside her on the floor, and wiped her face.
Jack (laughing): Still hungry? There's more in the kitchen.
Black (grumbling): Then why did you go after my chicken?
Jack (laughing): Because yours looked tastier than mine. But wait—you left one on your plate?
Black: That was… for you.
Jack:Was? Why was?
Black: I thought maybe you were still hungry. And also... because you're a sneaky jerk.
Then she stuffed it into her mouth and ate it.
She went to the kitchen to prepare another plate.
Black: Jack, tell me your secret recipe. Why does your food always taste better every time?
Jack: Nope, not telling you.
She looked at him with childlike grudge.
Black: You annoying jerk! You never tell me how you make it!
Jack: Just eat and don't ask.
Black: Why? Why? Why? Why won't you tell me?!
He tapped her forehead.
Jack: Because it's my secret method.
Black got busy eating again. The food really was delicious.
After a while…
In the training hall
(Which used to be a large empty room in the house that they had transformed into their private training space)
The atmosphere was intense, and the battle between them was fierce.
Jack tried to punch her hard, but she quickly ducked with great agility and tried to knock him down with her leg — yet he swiftly jumped away.
Black: "You're going to bring the whole city down on their heads, huh?"
Jack used the earth element to create several rocks and launched them at her with force.
Jack: "Isn't it enough that I haven't punished you yet for what you did this morning?"
Black immediately used the water element and created several strong arrows that shattered the rocks.
Black: "And what would you punish me for? Helping them?"
They moved back into hand-to-hand combat.
Black tried to punch him, but he grabbed her hand, twisted it behind her back, and held her in a firm grip.
Jack: "Help yourself first."
She lifted herself off the ground, jumped, landed on his shoulders, and placed a water blade at his neck.
Black: "I can help myself — and I can help others too."
Jack: "Really?!"
He hit her hand, knocking the blade away, then threw her to the ground and was now the one with a blade at her neck.
Jack: "You need to be careful. You never know when things might turn, and helping others ends up costing you even your own safety."
Black tried several times to break free but failed.
Jack: "And now, we're done."
He moved his hands off her, letting her get up, then turned and left the training hall.
Black: "I won't give up. Believe me, Jack, I'm going to convince you..."
She smirked mischievously.
"...And I'll use your own tricks."
She put on a sad expression and walked out.
The moment Jack saw her, he immediately knew what she was up to.
Jack: "Black..."
But she was looking at the clock and didn't answer, her face filled with worry and sorrow.
He gently shook her.
Jack: "Black..."
Black: "Jack, can we help them just this once?"
Jack: "Blac—"
She cut him off:
Black: "Jack, just this one time. We won't get involved again, but let's help them take the medicine so they can heal. Please, Jack. After that, what happens is their responsibility — not ours."
His heart softened seeing the sadness in her eyes. He knew she was using the same method he used earlier that morning to force him into agreeing — she knew how much he hated seeing her sad or burdened, and that he'd burn the whole world just to see her smile again.
Black felt she was getting closer to her goal.
Black (pleading): "Please say yes... Besides, Master said we have three days before the organization finds us — so we still have time to prepare."
Jack: "But just this one time?"
Black: "Yes, I promise. I'll never ask you for anything else related to this again. I swear."
Jack sighed:
Jack: "Alright… let's get ready."
Black jumped up happily, overjoyed.
Black: "Thank you, best cousin in the whole wide world!"
He grabbed her by the ears.
Black: "Ow ow ow ow! My ears, Jack! That hurts!"
Jack (warning): "But you have to stay by my side and not move an inch. 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 knock you unconscious. Got it?"
Black (in pain): "Okaaay, okaaay!"
Once he let go of her, Black smiled dorkily and kept hopping around all the way back to her room.
Jack placed his hand on his head
Jack (smirking ): "Ahhh... Lord, give me strength..."
Then he went to get ready for the mission.
They left early because Jack didn't know much about the others, and it was best to get to know them and teach them a few things before the battle.
They were on their way to the grandmother's house when they noticed the city had become crowded with gang members.
They hid behind one of the buildings, staring in shock at the massive increase in both gang members and soldiers all over the city.
Black: "What on earth is going on here?"
...