The streets were filled with people. With the help of the black rat gang violence in the city had ceased any many had accepted the other race as part of their day-to-day and started to bond with one another. If notorious gangsters can do it why not average citizens too.

The economy of the capital was at an all-time high with the sale of the gravity stone and it showed in the lives of the citizens. Markets sold goods from all over the Aesis world with factories pumping out quality products with motivated craftsmen working in them.

The capital cities population also had finally recovered reaching around a hundred thousand people of both grey skins and humans alike. It also showed in the architecture of the houses that got a unique blend of the two races and cultures.

The city watch was reorganized with both grey skin and humans working in it with a strict policy on no corruption, though exceptions were given to the black rats.

It was a time of growth and prosperity to all.

~~

Liana was reading a book, with Gwon beside her. They were in the house alone with no one else present.

Liana had already learned how to speak and understand grey skin language. She was wise for her age and started to be less shy when she was with other people.

"Don't you ever grow bored reading these books?" Gwon said being tired of being stuck in the house all day.

"No. The difference is that I can read the text while you just watch the pictures," Liana said while turning a page.

"Pictures are by far more entertaining than some words."

"Or maybe you don't have any imagination…."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Gwon heard a window breaking from the other room. Liana still didn't realize it and was just reading her book.

He went outside of the room and saw a group of men dressed in black had broken into the house of Rufus. Gwon rushed into the room and closed the door quietly.

"We need to get going now," Gwon whispered to Liana.

"What are you talking about?"

Gwon started to open the window.

"Let's get going already. We don't have much time," Gwon said and reached out his hand.

The door then opened with one of the men appearing with a knife in his hand.

"So, it is true. A Jacob was still alive and was hiding here," the man said and looked at Liana while gripping firmly on a knife.

The man was reaching out his hand at Liana with her being frozen with fear. It was like that time when she was kidnapped when she was younger. Terror and fear gripped all over him making her almost unable to breathe.

The man then fell to the ground as Gwon kicked him while still retaining his grey skin form. He then grabbed the hand of Liana and jumped out of the window. Gwon jumped through the air and used his divine power to jump through the air even though he hadn't transformed yet.

He escaped with Liana far away and once they were on top of a building's roof he stopped.

"Who were they!?" Liana yelled.

"I don't know," Gwon said scratching his head.

"We should find Rufus. He can protect us."

"I can protect you too you know," Gwon said with his hands on his waist and nose high.

"I am not saying you can't, but last time you got hurt and I don't want that to happen to you," Liana said and took the hand of Gwon.

"It was just a scratch. I have gotten worse."

".....What kind of kid are you?"

~~

They started to navigate the streets of the capital. Gwon wanted to just run through the air looking for Rufus, but Liana feared it would garner too much attention.

"Why did you freeze like that?" Gwon asked while they were walking through the narrow streets with citizens of both races going on with their daily business.

"What do you mean?"

"Like you didn't fight back. What up with that?" Gwon said while holding the back of his head with his hands.

"I think it was a normal response. People are afraid and when they are afraid they stop moving. Become helpless. Feel alone and vulnerable."

Gwon was silent for a moment.

"I also felt like that. For a long time, I felt like that. But if I didn't do something I would have been the one in danger."

Liana didn't know Gwon's past, but she knew the current Gwon well.

"Tell me, how do you not freeze," Liana asked trying to change the subject.

"What do you mean?"

"Like how to fight back. Teach me," Liana asked with a big smile.

"Well the only advice I can give is the same advice I got from Pema. Always target between them."

"Between what?"

"Between the eyes for example but I think between the legs works better."