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A month passed by, and the weather continued to grow colder. It made the work at hand many times more difficult, but the amount they accomplished was astonishing. Jack knew he could count on Ace and Tenny but he didn't expect such results. Ace told them that he would handle building repairs if he could get a few workers. Noa volunteered because he didn't feel like he suited much other roles and he could keep an eye on the person he was supposed to protect. It didn't take long for the walls that surrounded the kingdom to be torn down and used with other materials to create hundreds of more houses. With most of the labour work done, Ace then went on to helping design other projects that they would need when they figured out their careers. This one took much more time as he had to wait on request and study as much as he could.

It pained to admit it, but everything else was a by-product of Quinn's ideals and organisation. He kept it a secret that the kingdom had been taken over, but once the article William had written was out, the kingdom had already changed quite a bit. He was able to get authorisation of a ledger system and an official from a nearby village to start them off. They used the Mystic Soil from inside the castle to create fields and covered areas that flourished with crops. He barely had time to be around everyone, but Jack was kind of glad it was that way. Any time Jack had business with him, there would be a weight on his chest.

Tana took advantage of the crops and taught a cooking class in the castle. The castle became the most useful venue for everything. School and other activities were always held in there since it had more than enough room for everyone in the kingdom. Dorms were there for students and workers still, but it was by choice now. Tana was overall the star of the show. Jack had no doubt it would be tough to convince everyone to let her go when the time comes. On the dark side of her story, she grew very addicted to playing cards. It was hard to get her away from a table once her work was done.

Luna bounced between Ace, Tana and Stella, assisting them when they needed anything once it didn't involve interacting with others. Jack was sure that food had to be present according to who she was helping but that was just a theory. Stella really enjoyed herself serving as a general teacher and combat teacher. Wall was happy to have her around at first, but Jack had gotten word that she gotten a bit power hungry, but he had a feeling that the students' days would reflect on however her training day with Ace went.

William helped Quinn most of the time, and also assisted with teaching. His connections were said to have proven useful, but Jack kept busy on his own to have seen all the logistics. He did notice that William was able to get others skilled in different professions to come lend a hand teaching. Jack was wherever he was needed and taught smithing and other metal work as a trade. He was hoping that they would be able to make it an export eventually. That would have made him proud, but it would take a fair amount of time until then.

Jack knew that they would have to leave eventually, but the day seemed further and further away. They were useful here and they were getting their training done. Ace didn't seem to have a complaint about the idea once everyone was happy. He did want them to see more of the world, but he said they have a lot more time.

Today was a sun filled day, but the weather still had Jack wishing that he was teaching or anywhere inside next to a fire, however the students wanted to improve their movement and Jack decided to use the rooftops like his training days. The children were in class with William for now, so Jack, Stella and Noa were going to practice their track so they didn't embarrass themselves in front of the kids.

"The smart thing to do would be to shovel this snow off the roofs before we start." Jack laughed hopelessly. He didn't want to say it, but he had to take a chance.

"You scared Jacky Jack? Huh, does a little snow scare you," Noa started. Jack sighed.

"I was just saying, it is better safe than sorry. Especially for the kids."

"You are right." Stella announced while stretching her limbs. "But we aren't the kids, so we will clean it after our race."

"Fine. We can work with that."

"No Wind Walking," Noa called out.

"No way. You know you will win with just Mana Strengthening, besides you just suck for not being able to learn it yet." Jack stuck his tongue out at his friend.

"Fine," Noa pouted. "Ready, set, go!"

The green haired swordsman dashed off before anyone was set. Jack laughed as Stella cursed the wind and took off. She called green to her hand and dashed after him. Jack's laugh turned into a grin. A straight course to the end of the kingdom, ha, they had no chance. He could wait a couple more seconds to give them a chance. Now.

Jack dashed after them with green in his palms. He had gotten used to the technique of transferring mana to his legs in times to aid in changing directions or any other assistive movements, without needing to use wind mimics as a brake. He took a large leap using Mana Strenghtening and called as much green as he could before landing. This was borderline class 2, as he zoomed past the other two competitors that were neck and neck.

"Ha I figured you would do that," Noa said as he called a green orb to his hand before throwing it behind Jack. The orb scattered the snow in all directions as green crescents crashed into Jack's legs. His feet were ahead of his body when he crashed into the next roof with his shoulder before bouncing continuously to the stone street below. Noa went to his aid immediately, while Stella stayed just above on the track, to ensure it wasn't a trick to get ahead. She looked off to the distance and sighed before going to meet the other two.

"Looks like they shovelled the streets early today. I am glad they are being productive." Jack grunted as he sat up and began to dust his clothes.

"I am sorry, I just thought it would have...no I kind of pictured it doing exactly that." Noa laughed.

"You will be sorry when Ace makes you patch the roof instead of training today." Stella laughed at the face he made when he realised it.

"We shouldn't have taught you mimics." Jack shook his head.

"No! Don't say that. I love using them and trying cool stuff. I never thought I would get the chance to learn them properly. My brother is going to be so jealous. Also, you guys learn a lot from me too."

"Yea, I am grateful for your swordplay. I feel like I learned a few fundamentals I was missing." A heart-warming smile on Jack's face made Noa tinge red.

"I noticed how many of his techniques are efficient sword strikes. Learning it gives me new ideas with my ice swords. If only I could get a Tiger for my weapons."

"Tiger is only for the best, and I am no doubtedly the bestest best, but I can't see my sword style being fully incorporated into the hummingbird style."

"I think I am working on it. I have some ideas, especially with your first step."

"Did I hear something about a hummingbird." A large man appeared behind Noa. His voice grizzly and his looks matched. "Show me who this hummingbird is."

***

"I am telling you. Mr. Raymond really likes Misses Cho." Tana swung her feet while sitting on the table Ace was working on. "They were talking about it in class this morning. Apparently, they had a thing when they were teenagers, but Mr. Raymond ended up leaving and, on his travels, he married and brought her back here. Mrs. Cho got married in that time, but both of their spouses didn't make it through the ice storm. That is heart breaking but that was way in the past, and I think that he is making a move."

"There is no way. He is just way too mean to her. I can't see it," Ace said as he flipped through a book looking at drawings. He glanced again while nailing two pieces of wood together.

"I think Tana is right. People get weird when they are older. Besides isn't that what this thing you are building is for," Tenny said.

"I don't think so. Mr. Raymond begged me to build it, saying that it would lift the spirit in the town. He said it could be a village trademark, and I got to build it." Ace smiled proudly.

"But, what is it?" Tenny rolled his eyes.

"No need to be so sassy. It is a giant pattern staircase flower box from the fairy tale about the princess that took over a kingdom. The one where she planted all the Irises."

"I know the story, and I heard it just happens to be Mrs. Cho's favourite story. She used to sneak to Vel's for them." Tana had her fingers in her chin like she was solving the mystery of the century.

Ace gasped and looked down at the work he completed. "Monument my ass. He has me building a love letter."

"Some might say, that is even better." Tana giggled.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but I was wondering if I could talk to you, Ace. It is an interesting name you have there." A man wearing an off-white dog mask said while leaning against the wall opposite the trio. The mask looked porous, and the rest of him was cloaked in black clothing and a fur hood pinned to his mask.

"Ace...I didn't notice when he got there. That never happened before." Tenny noticed Ace's eyes sharpen.

"Not as interesting as that mask you have there. You are imitating quite a figure, isn't that a crime."

"I don't think so. If more people imitated me then catching my opponents by surprise would be a lot easier." The mask man walked close to them but there was no movement from the trio. "I don't know what that thing is on your face, but it exactly like the drawing. The name. The rings. The look. I can't believe this is happening. This isn't supposed to be possible...It is such an honour."

"The honour is mine, but I hate to tell you that you are mistaken. A figure as prominent as you shouldn't know about little old me. I am just a lumberjack from a remote village."

"It's okay. You can tell me. It was in the book...but it was such a throwaway line. All of the Dogs read your story. It is the first part of the book."

"Ace?" Tana shakily whispered.

"Don't worry Kyouko. He is definitely confused. I am sorry sir, especially if you are who you are then I hate to disappoint you. I am just a lumberjack from a remote village." Ace's tone turned cold at his last line. A forceful delivery in an attempt to be left alone.

"You really think you can fool me. I guess you would think that because you don't know who I am. I can prove it to you. The reason I even came to look for you was because of that remote village. That remote village where someone carelessly traded a Class Zero fire spell. Meteor shower. It is extremely rare, but I do know that there exist a couple more divine gems with that spell. The problem is that a few months ago, a captain said he received a Caelstin ring that contained a class one wind movement spell, from a man named Ace. The same rings that you used to carry as a soldier."

"That was written down somewhere? This feels kind of creepy. Tenny, what do I do? No one is supposed to know me." Tana felt her heart skip a beat. The strongest warrior in the empire knows Ace. He was looking for Ace.

"I don't think it is a problem if he knows. Is he an enemy from before? That could be the only issue," Tenny answered.

"Oh no. I am no enemy at all. I couldn't be, unless you try and kill the emperor." The Dog laughed loudly by himself. "I am sorry, I am a bit awkward right now. I can't stop my heart from wanting to jump out of my chest."

Ace walked over to the wall where The Dog appeared from. He leaned on it an placed a cigarette in his mouth. "I'm sorry Kyouko. A lot of memories jumped in my head, ha, this is a day I never would have predicted. Right partner?"

"Yea it sure beats me, but if it's your friend, and he came all this way to find you, then we can't be rude." Tenny smiled.

"Who are you? How can I help you?" Ace asked.

"You wouldn't know me, but you might recognise this." He rolled up his sleeves, and Ace's eyes widened. A black slab fitted onto gauntlets were wrapped around both forearms. A dark blade coated the outside and took shape similar to a mounted sword. "They are passed down."

"They are passed down. Like as family?" Ace locked eyes with the mask.

"No, teacher and student."

"Right hand to the emperor. I did tell him to protect the throne, ha, he really took that seriously."

"Ace...what is that? What is going on?" Tana gripped Tenny. There was nothing wrong, but she didn't like this conversation at all. Ace had a past they all didn't know about, but it was a past filled with pain, regret, and now someone is here to meet him.

"Those are Mystical Weapons or Tools, I guess. That one is made of dragon scale, and they can be used with mana to give people Mystical Magic, but they are extremely rare. Someone I knew had them, a friend."

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"Like Vel's grave?" Tana looked to Tenny. "Can people make weapons from that? Is it that dangerous?"

"No, when a creature dies, its life force begins to seep away with its body. Taking a piece of it wouldn't result in anything fancier than really good fertiliser, but there was a spell a very long time ago, when creatures and humans were much closer, that allowed creatures to share their gifts with humans. The idea was that there wouldn't be drought. They could create fires for warmth. Shape the earth from homes. Protect from fierce storms. The condition is that it has to be taken from the creature when it is alive. It really is a complicated situation, but most things with Mystical Creature magic is."

"He is the right hand to the emperor. He would have something like that, but why does Ace know it. Why aren't they telling me what is going on?"

"Why are you here...do you have a name?" Ace asked.

"I have given up that name long ago, so I can have the honour of being called Dog. Just like your name, Ace. It's just like that, but I do admit it sounds weird, so those that know me call me Nine, for Canine." Nine laughed to himself again. "Oh, this is so great...I can't believe this is really happening. I am here to take you back. It can be like the stories, where I can be the shield to the emperor, and you can be the sword. I will stay by his side and fulfil my duty while you can be you. Come back. Think of what we could accomplish with you back. The sword, or imagine, oh, imagine if you were to rule. That would be fantastic, although you would have to beat me to grab the throne but there is no doubt that you can do it. Then I would get to be your right hand. What do you say? Come back."

Tana gripped Tenny much tighter. This is too much. This is too fast. Tenny stared at his friend piecing together the information.

"Did Emperor Orpheus send you?" Tenny questioned. "Ace we can go to the south continent if we need to. I am here with you."

"No no, you can't do that. I wouldn't forgive myself if I drove you out of the empire. The emperor doesn't know about you, only I do. I assumed that there was a reason that you didn't make your way back yourself."

"Don't worry Tenny, this isn't that bad, and I am going to guess you will keep me a secret. I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am not a warrior anymore. I just want to live a peaceful life."

A sigh released behind the mask. "I thought it might be that way. I waited for almost 7 years when I first saw the ring. I thought you might come home, but you didn't. I guessed you might have been living a quiet life as a cook, and I wouldn't have mind, I could even say you deserve it, but then you came out."

Nine walked and looked at Tana. His eyes weren't visible, but staring into the black sockets made her feel like her spine crawled out of her body. He turned his back to all of them as he walked a bit down the street. He faced them again with is feet planted wide, almost as if he was trying to block the entire street with his body.

"I am not a tactician, and I know that might disappoint you, but I did come up with this idea. See, I don't want you to leave the empire, but I didn't expect you to give up fighting. I don't think that can be true, not someone like you, so I am guessing you just have to get back in it. The thing is...your friends overthrew a kingdom. A kingdom in the empire. Ors thinks that it could be Arthur and the revolutionaries, but I know you would never get involved with them. That isn't like you. I am the only know that knows you, and I know how your loyalty works. I believe I wasted enough time for it to work."

Ace's face looked panicked. Tana never saw that expression. Now her legs were really giving out, and a knot twisted in her stomach. He is worried.

"Tenny!" Ace called to his friend. Tenny looked at her, as she locked eyes with him. His eyes shifted to her hands that she forgot was there, gripped tightly around his body. Her grip slowly eased, but the instant her fingers let go, the creature was gone.

"Now now, don't get too hasty. It will ruin my plan." It didn't look like Nine had moved, but Tenny was dangling from his hand.

"Let me go! Who do you think you are?" Tenny growled.

"Just sit back." Nine raised his gauntlet as a dark rope wrapped around the Mystical Creature. The warrior tossed him back to Tana's arms. She grabbed the binds and tried to force it open, but it didn't budge. Tenny looked at her awkwardly like she wasn't supposed to try. "I was saying. You have made an enemy of the empire, and a general has been ordered to capture them. I want you to come back. I can get Ors to free them if you work for us."

"I told you that I am not a fighter. We will have to go to the South Continent now. You did force—" Ace said walking to Tenny but abruptly stopped.

"Ace!" Stella's voice rang from the distance. It was frantic, shaky, desperate and ripped a hole in Tana's chest.

"Looks like your time is up," Nine said. "What are you going to do?"

Ace vanished in front of her. As fast as her neck allowed, she twisted her head to the man in the mask, but he wasn't there either. Ace flew from the roof close by through the wall in an opposite street. He dashed out of the building like nothing happened, making a burst down the roadway. Tana couldn't follow his movements as well as she liked, but she was accustomed seeing them move in training. The image became clear again when Ace crashed to the ground with Nine pressing his knee into his back and holding one arm in the air.

"Stop this. Please. Please let me go."

"I just have to let him take them hostage, or you will get away from us."

Ace freed his arm by pulling the opponent off. Nine rolled across the floor but quickly stepped towards him again. Ace only got to his feet before fist scattered across his ribs. A palm pressed against his nose and crashed the back of his head into the ground. Ace dragged the hand off before rolling up. A knee flew towards his face, but Ace took a dash towards the end of the street. His feet slid while taking the corner, but it gave Nine enough time to cut off the start of the run by kicking him into a building.

Tana gripped onto Tenny. His binds were heavy, but she had to get to them. Her feet slapped into the ground with every step, but she felt like the street was never ending. They move so fast.

"Tana, I know you are trying your best, but we have to get there faster. Please, this could be bad."

"I know...I am sorry. I am sorry."

***

"I am sure I heard you say hummingbird, so why are you wasting my time." The man had an intimidating voice. Probably to most intimidating voice Jack ever heard. "Who is the hummingbird. Who is Jack Sidra! Turn yourself in!"

Noa turned to face him, but his eyes barely fell on the stomach of the monster. The man had a thick fiery beard that fell onto his chest. The top of his head contained a section of hair braided to reach his back, and the rest shaved to highlight the fierce green eyes. He wore no clothing or armour, but his gut stuck out over his waistline and held up a muscle heavy chest adorned with tattoos stretching to the elbows of each arm.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Noa jumped back a step and drew his sword. "You look strong, but slow, you are in over your head fire face."

"No! Don't fight Noa." Jack took a step forward, but his legs buckled. It was strange. Nothing happened yet, and they don't know this man, but Jack felt as if he was being repelled from him. Like the world was shifting slightly.

"I know boss, we don't kill. Don't worry, my blade is dulled. I am just going to whack him a bit."

Noa stepped to the side and drove his sword into the knee of the giant man. Noa flashed all around him hitting different spots with the blunt blade. That must be what it looks like when he fights, but the problem was the sword looked like it was bouncing off his skin. He barely budged with the sword strikes that Jack knew would send him flying into a wall. Is that Mana Strengthening? Can it make someone that durable?

"Run boss!" Noa screamed while falling from high above the man. Jack didn't realise when he took the leap, he was just lost in the composure of the man. The man raised his arm over his head before impact. Noa's sword snapped into another piece while he landed behind the monster.

"Ace!" Stella screamed into green. Her voice carried into the distance.

"You aimed for a deadly spot. You have some experience warrior, but a dull sword is nothing scary. I supposed I should take my turn now." The man talked without facing his striker. Everyone was frozen in fear but he flashed behind Noa. No green trail. He was significantly faster than their friend, and his fist was being brought down.

The punch drove into the ground and caused Stella to lose balance. A green trail where Noa was, as he and Jack crashed a wall nearby.

"Jack!" Stella screamed before impact was made. She couldn't have imagined anything closer.

"Noa! Guys, stop. That is General Vidar! One of the 14." Wall screamed from the top of his lungs. The collection of citizens keeping their distance at his behest.

"Oh, someone finally recognised me. I was getting pretty pissed about it. That one even thought he could swing a sword at me."

Jack gripped his chest. One of the 14 generals is here. For them. This is the worst situation imaginable. What do they do? Where is Ace? Ace wouldn't fight. He would suggest they surrender. That is the only option.

"Boss, he got me." Jack turned to see Noa. He coughed after uttering the words softly. Blood coming out with the air. "That punch...it didn't...it barely touched me...I don't...even know if it did."

Noa's hands pressed against his ribs. His breath shallow and one eye open. Jack tore open his shirt to see above it looked almost caved in. A blue and red canvas where Noa's ribs were.

"We give up. Please, we can't fight you. Take us and leave the town please." Stella bowed before the General. Jack turned in shock. It was the right thing to do. Thank goodness she was here.

"Good someone with their head on. That one thought I was slow, ha, me slow. I do admit I am a bit clunky compared other generals, but to trash like you, I might as well be lightning."

"Please General Vidar. They are good people, and they are not enemies of the empire. The king and princess left on their own accord." Granny Cho began to talk. "Please let them go, they built us up. They have given us so much. Please General."

"Sorry, I am not in it for the politics. They attacked a king under the Empire of Sovalan. I also see that you guys have gathered the support of the people. That could cause problems. We don't like problems. I learned through a shit ton of battles the best way to crush this feeling of uprising. It involves a headless leader."

A loud crash came from behind them. Everyone turned to see a cloud of dust at the end of the street. Everyone except Jack. He was focused on man that was standing directly in front of him during the explosion. His smile crowned under the thick red hair on his lip caused Jack to clench his jaw. His hand raised in the air, and it shifted. The wall shifted. The ground shifted. It wasn't much but Jack felt like he was alone in the world with this monster, just drawn in. His chest was tightening, and felt a tremble go down his arm. He has to stop whatever the general was going to do. There was no hope of them moving now.

"Hummingbird, hummingbird, I bet you thought you could have been great."

Jack felt his body crash to the ground. A blinding green light swept him across the stone. His eyes adjusted quickly but the debris from the strike still obstructed his view. Jack crept forward a bit, slow and hindered, not from pain, but his body struggled to find the will to get closer. The dust falling to the ground, the silhouettes becoming detailed.

Jack sunk his fingers into the ground. He felt there was a lot of air escaping his mouth, a lot of voice, but he heard nothing. Was his mind always so loud, but he wasn't thinking about anything. Was his mind screaming? Why?

Vidar's hand went through the building. His fingers pointed like a spear, with blood binding the dust that coated them. He removed his hand from the building and began to raise it in the air. The arm was through Noa's stomach. The green hair swordsman now floating in the air was prised from the forearm and tossed to the side.

Before Noa could hit the ground, Nine had his hand pressed against the throat of Vidar, dragging him through some snow a few hundred feet away. A trail of dirt and stone cut through the snow where the humongous man passed. Stella rushed to catch the falling body, but she found herself wrapping around Ace instead as he gripped tightly onto their friend.

"Teach...I am just too good at my job right..." Noa strained his voice.

"Noa!" Stella gripped his hands. Jack dragging himself closer, his eyes blurred.

"Help! I need help!" Ace screamed. "I have to find a Mystic."

"Ace...I am sorry. This wasn't supposed to happen. This wasn't supposed to happen, I am sorry for what he has done. Just stay calm." Nine walked from the distance with his arms in front of him. Hesitance in his approach.

"Out of my way. I need to find something, a Phoenix, a Caladrius. Tenny, go ahead and look for one. Tenny where are you? Please Tenny! Move...please!" Ace stood up, Stella releasing his hand and unable to bring herself to her feet.

"Ace...I can't let you go. We won't be able to find you again if I let you go. You know I can't do it."

"Teach...I wish I could have trained more...I would have been your best student...boss would have been jealous...damn, I wish my brother could have seen...how...much...I...gr..." The light in his eyes faded, a cold blank stare locked in the direction his head was facing. No visible breath escaping his lips.

Ace dropped to his knees. Stella and Jack caught up, as they gripped the lifeless body. Tears fell from their eyes and mixed with the blood that was splattered across him. Ace calmly stood up with no expression visible on his face. A blank stare like the one Noa had no more strength to change. Stella reached for Ace's hand, but he was already just out of reach.

"Ace...don't do this." Nine stopped his walk, his body keeping his weight on his toes in preparation. "I can't let him die."

"Let me die? What is this, Pup? Who is this man, and why are we pretending to be on edge. I will take on anyone who stands against the empire, but if you want to live, then bow down now." Vidar tried to walk past the masked man but was stopped.

Tana made it to the body with tears already streaming down her face. Tenny's arms still tied but had disappointment in his eyes as he looked at the fallen friend. The creature rubbed the top of his head against Noa's chin. William and Luna ran past the stand off without hesitation, but a glimpse of his friend's cold stare caused his spine to twitch.

"Oh no. I just heard trouble and ran as quickly as I could." William gripped his own hair, while hovering. "No, no, no, no...no."

Luna hugged her sister, no tears from her eyes. The same expression as always, but a trembling grip as she passed her hand through her sister's hair. Death wasn't new to her but caring about it felt different. She felt her chest burn when looking at the expressions on their faces. People die, but she didn't know how to tell them that, she didn't know what she was feeling, but her knees didn't feel the best.

"You like to fight those weaker than you." Ace steps felt more solid than they ever been.

"I think Ace is going to do something," William mentioned when he stopped pacing and stared at the empire's strongest warrior walking cautiously to their friend.

"Ace, think about it, this is going to be a big battle, and he isn't a push over. In that time, I will kill those over there. Don't make me do that too, you need to stop now otherwise I am dragging all of them with me." Dark blades emitted from each gauntlet. "Innocent people around us will get caught up in this too."

"Ace! I am not saying this to save any of them, but are you sure you want to do this? You worked hard on keeping your promise." Tenny called from his position. Ace halted his walk, but his stare was still cold. Blank. Eyes looking past Nine.

Tana stood up and wiped away tears that came down just as fast. She ran towards Ace and gripped him from the back. Her arms wrapped around his waist. He fell to his knees and the weight dragged Tana down, as she caught herself with one knee on the ground, her arms still around him, and tears soaking into his clothing as her cheek pressed against his back.

"So you have given up. What a pitiful man. Arrest them!" Vidar called as men in ordinary clothing rushed towards all of them. Nine pointed towards Jack, Stella and finally Ace. The men understood to leave the others alone.

"What about the child. Meo and Maio said that she is a fighter too," a soldier questioned but was answered by a side-to-side shake of the mask.

"Leave them alone! You already done enough you monster! Where is Quinn? He should have something to say" Granny Cho tossed a handful of snow that scattered on the shoulder of the massive general. "Get out of here."

"He is visiting a village to organise our exports," Wall said. "I am not even sure what he could do."

"Someone needs to do something. These poor kids...someone has to stop them!"

A guard rushed at Cho, but Wall wrapped his body around her and took the blow knocking both of them down.

"Stay there before you all go down!" the guard shouted.

"Rest Assured Kofka! We have handled the rebels, and we will leave soldiers here until things calm down and an official from the empire can arrive." Vidar raised his arms in the air. His grizzled voice stretching far like a stampede. "Let's go."

Soldiers pulled Tana from Ace, leaving her sitting on the cold ground. "Ace what do we do?"

He just remained silent. Blank in his expression, but his gaze shifted to the ground now as they tied his hands behind his back. Jack and Stella were fitted with metal bindings as well, with their palms placed against each other, no room to separate them, no room for mimics to form. They were dragged to their feet and pulled past Tana.

"What do we do Jack? What do I do?" Tana called as they passed. William coming to meet her on the ground.

"Send Noa off please. Please, and take care of yourself." Jack faced forward with tears running down his face. Stella's expression matched; it was just the mentor that walked like a husk. There must be a battle raging in his head, Stella imagined. A battle to stop a battle from out here. What was going to happen now? What really just happened?

Jack's screaming in his head calmed down. He was fighting with his own mind. He knew his mentor's thoughts on revenge. He knew that taking another life is not the answer to the pit he was feeling in his stomach, but he really wished he could forget about the line. He wanted Ace to crush that man. His stomach sank more. What was going to happen now? Who would they be after this? Why did it have to be Noa?