The scene starts with Jack slowly opening his eyes, the sunlight streaming through the window and warming his bed. As he stirred, pain shot through his body, prompting a string of groans.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!" Jack winced.

Seraphina, standing nearby, leaned over with a small bottle of ointment in her hand. Her blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, matching Jack’s. She wore a simple light brown dress, and her expression was one of concern and suspicion.

"Hold still. I’m applying the medicine," Seraphina said, her tone firm but caring. "You know, your wounds healed pretty quickly—it’s only been an hour, and your bones were practically crushed. What’s really going on?" She leaned closer to Jack, narrowing her eyes inquisitively.

Jack blushed, flustered by her sudden proximity. Waving his hands defensively, he stammered, "N-Nothing! It’s just a perk of having Steller’s powers. I heal quickly, that’s all!"

Seraphina tilted her head, unconvinced but deciding not to press further. Instead, she changed the subject. "Do you want to become a doctor, Jack?"

"Me? Nah," Jack replied, scratching his head. "I know a bit about it, but it’s not really my thing."

Seraphina smiled faintly. "I do. Saving someone’s life feels like saving all of humanity."

Her words struck Jack like a chord, and his eyes widened slightly. "Saving all of humanity... That’s a noble reason," he murmured.

Seraphina’s expression softened, though a flicker of sadness passed through her eyes. "My mother used to say that to me when I was little. She was Greek, and my father was Egyptian. They met in Greece, but my mother fell ill soon after I was born. No doctor could save her. Her last words to me were that saving even one life could mean saving all of humanity. I became a doctor because of her."

Jack nodded solemnly. "You’re honoring her memory. That’s incredible."

Seraphina blushed slightly at the compliment, then stood up. "Well, I should go. Rest up, okay?" She smiled warmly before walking away.

As the door closed, Jack sighed and grabbed an apple from the plate beside him. But before he could take a bite, the curtain to his left flew open, and Ramon, Kasib, Kamil, Memnon, Yune, and Noya burst into the room. Khonsu limped in behind them, bandaged but grinning.

Jack flinched. "Whoa! Where did you guys come from?!"

Ramon crossed his arms, smirking. "Looks like someone’s making moves."

"What?! No! It’s not like that!" Jack waved his hands frantically.

"If you ever need advice on women, just ask your big bro, Noya!" Noya teased, puffing out his chest.

The others joined in, pointing at Noya and laughing. "Yeah, yeah, listen to the master!"

Yune, ever stoic, cut through the banter. "How are you feeling, Jack?"

Jack sighed, shaking his head. "Better, I guess. But I’m sorry I couldn’t win it for us."

"You did more than enough," Yune reassured him. "You fought well. I was impressed."

Memnon chimed in, "When I saw Steller’s face, I was reminded of fighting the Royal Nebu. Those bastards wouldn’t die no matter how many times I killed them."

"Still, Kairo’s power is unstoppable," Kamil added, frowning. "There’s no way to counter it."

"There is," Kasib interjected.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Everyone turned toward him. "How?" Noya asked.

"It’s the choice," Kasib explained. "Kairo’s genie works on equivalent exchange. Every choice comes with a price. When Kairo chose not to kill Jack, it wasn’t out of mercy—it was because the cost was too great. If the stakes are high enough, Kairo might hesitate. That hesitation is our opening."

"Hmm... I see what you’re saying," Kamil nodded thoughtfully. "But he’s still a major threat."

"You’re both right," Yune said. "This competition was never just about alliances. It’s about showcasing our strengths. They have Kairo’s genie, but we have Menes, the strongest dark energy user. Thanks to Jack and Khonsu, we’ve shown our technological edge with the car. And then there’s Steller. We just have to make sure everything works in our favor."

Khonsu, leaning against the wall, suddenly spoke up. "I’ve heard something troubling."

The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to him.

"Nehru, the vengeful flame, is back. He’s close to Thebes," Khonsu revealed grimly.

The group exchanged tense glances. "How do you know?" Yune asked.

"An informant told me. Nehru attacked a small Anubis base recently. It was filled with slaves and drugs, so it was bound to anger him. He’s on their trail now," Khonsu explained.

"If he’s avoiding the Anubis, he’ll likely take refuge near Thebes, where security is highest," Kamil deduced.

"Can we catch him?" Ramon asked optimistically.

Memnon sighed and flicked Ramon’s forehead. "Idiot. No one’s ever seen his face. He wears a black metal mask. Even if he stood next to us, we wouldn’t know."

The group fell silent, the weight of their circumstances sinking in. Yet, despite the uncertainty, they shared a rare moment of camaraderie, enjoying the peace in each other’s company.

Breaking the silence, Yune turned to Jack. "You’re from the future, right?"

"Yeah," Jack replied cautiously.

"What’s it like?" Yune asked, gazing out the window.

Jack leaned back, thinking. "Well, technology’s way ahead of anything here. We have smartphones to communicate instantly, cars that can reach Nubia in hours, and even vehicles that fly. We’ve explored space, seen the sun and other planets. But people? They’re the same—some good, some bad. I worked for someone I hate but can’t remember why, like he altered my memory. People like him aim for control, not just money. In their eyes, they’re trying to become gods."

"That’s... concerning," Kamil said, frowning. "Can we create some of this technology?"

"Not like in the future," Jack admitted. "But we could make something basic, like a device that alerts others if we’re in danger. Then we can improve it over time."

Yune’s eyes lit up. "That would be incredible for expeditions!"

Memnon chuckled. "That’s the most excited I’ve ever seen you, Yune."

Everyone laughed, the tension in the room easing.

"But," Jack added, "there’s one issue—we rely too much on Khonsu’s power. If we lose him, none of this technology will work."

Khonsu shrugged. "I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about me."

"Still," Kamil said thoughtfully, "we need to expand our energy sources. We can’t rely on one person forever. Leave it to me—I’ll figure something out."

In the room of the Nubian Army, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The shutters were drawn, allowing only narrow beams of light to illuminate the faces around the table. The Pharaoh sat at the head, flanked by his generals and advisors, all watching as Amon raised his voice.

"Kairo, you should not fight the next battle," Amon declared firmly.

Kairo's expression darkened as he leaned forward. "Why not?" he questioned, his tone sharp.

"Because you overstepped," Amon countered. "You didn't just defeat the allied kingdoms’ troops—you humiliated them. Our plan was simple: show strength, gain respect. But you went further, letting your hatred blind you. Commander Menes won’t take that lightly."

Drexel nodded in agreement. "From what I know of Menes, he doesn’t take insults lying down. He’s not just strong; he’s relentless. If he brings his full power to bear, even your genie’s warnings may come true."

Kairo crossed his arms defiantly, his chest puffed out. "I’m still fighting him," he announced, his determination unshaken.

Amon’s voice grew more urgent. "Why don’t you understand? I’m worried about you, Kairo. Menes is no ordinary opponent. Henu Safir was a force to be reckoned with, and even he fell to Menes. Not through sheer power, but by Menes activating his ability with nothing more than a word. And you, Kairo, you were the one who preached the philosophy of death’s inevitability. Are you truly prepared to face it now?"

Kairo’s fists clenched, his anger bubbling over. "Enough!" he snapped, standing abruptly. "You think I don’t know what death looks like? I’ve lived through it. I’ve watched it claim the innocent—those who should have lived long lives. And if you truly cared about me, then you—"

Kairo stopped mid-sentence, his voice breaking. He turned away, his hands trembling.

The Pharaoh, who had been silent, rose slowly from his seat. His presence demanded attention, and the room fell silent. "Let him fight," the Pharaoh said calmly, his voice resonating with authority.

"But, Your Majesty—" Amon began, only to be silenced by the Pharaoh’s raised hand.

"Sometimes, a man must fall to rise again," the Pharaoh continued. "To know his limits and surpass them, he must face failure head-on. Kairo has chosen his path. No one will interfere. Is that understood?"

Reluctantly, the room echoed with agreement. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Kairo stood still, his gaze fixed ahead.