Missy and Arc maintained a constant vigil at the hospital throughout the night, their eyes never straying far from Jezel's sleeping form. The stark white walls and antiseptic smell of the hospital room created an unsettling atmosphere, a stark reminder of the chaos they had narrowly escaped. Missy found herself consumed with worry, her gaze constantly flicking between the steady rise and fall of Jezel's chest and the various monitors surrounding her bed.

The following day brought a wave of relief as Jezel was discharged with strict instructions for rest and recuperation. Missy insisted on accompanying Arc and Jezel home, her protective instincts in full force. As they carefully settled Jezel onto the plush couch in their living room, Missy felt a palpable sense of relief wash over her, the tension in her shoulders finally easing.

"I can't thank you enough, Missy," Arc said, his voice thick with emotion and gratitude. "We owe you so much. I don't even want to think about what might have happened without your help."

Missy offered a soft, reassuring smile. "There's no need for thanks. I'm just incredibly relieved that she's okay. Please, don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything at all. I mean it."

After ensuring they were comfortably settled, Missy reluctantly took her leave and made her way back to Aspen's shop. Upon arrival, she found the place eerily quiet and empty. With Aspen nowhere in sight, Missy decided to make herself useful, diving back into the task of working on the recalled orders while she waited for her friend's return.

The hours ticked by slowly, and as the sun began to dip low in the sky, Aspen finally walked through the door. She looking weary, her eyes lighting up with relief at the sight of Missy. "Oh, Missy, you're back," she said, a tired smile gracing her features.

"How's Jezel doing?" Aspen inquired as she set down her heavy bag with a soft thud.

"She's resting at home now, with Arc keeping a close eye on her," Missy replied, her curiosity piqued. "Where have you been all this time?"

Aspen's expression grew serious as she took a deep breath. "I went to see my parents," she explained, her tone grave. "I needed to find out what was being done in response to the recent attack. The situation is... complicated."

Missy listened intently, hanging on every word as Aspen continued. "My parents informed me that some research has been conducted on Razuroc. Apparently, centuries ago, a Behemoth by that name conquered the entire continent. His reign was one of terror. It took an immense sacrifice and a united effort to finally seal him away, ending his brutal rule."

Aspen let out a heavy sigh, her fingers massaging her temples as if to ward off an impending headache. "The last thing we need right now is an ancient evil being unleashed while we're still grappling with the aftermath of the earthquake. It's like adding fuel to an already raging fire."

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Their conversation gradually shifted to other topics as the evening wore on. Aspen's eyes lit up with a spark as she mentioned, "I was volunteered by my parents to join a committee that's organizing relief efforts. We could really use more volunteers. Would you be interested in lending a hand tomorrow?"

Missy's eyes widened with interest, a smile spreading across her face. "Absolutely! I'd love to help out in any way I can. I'm really curious to see what kind of work they'll have us doing."

As noon came and went, Missy found herself missing the familiar routine of assisting at the food truck. Arc had informed her earlier that he would be staying home to care for Jezel, which meant the truck would remain closed for the day. The absence of her friends and the break in her newfound routine left Missy feeling somewhat restless and out of sorts as the day progressed.

As evening approached, Missy decided to pay a visit to Jezel and Arc, hoping to check on their well-being. As she neared their home, the sound of raised voices caught her attention. An argument was clearly in progress.

"I don't care what you say, Arc! I'm not going to be cooped up at home!" Jezel's voice rang out, filled with defiance and frustration.

"Jezel, be reasonable! You're still recovering, and I won't have you endangering your health by working in the truck!" Arc shot back, his tone a mixture of concern and exasperation.

Missy's knock on the door abruptly silenced the heated exchange. The door swung open to reveal Jezel, whose face instantly brightened at the sight of her friend. "Missy!" she exclaimed joyfully, reaching out to pull her inside.

A jolt of discomfort shot through Missy at the unexpected contact, and she instinctively withdrew her arm, taking a step back. If Jezel noticed, she gave no indication, her excitement apparently overriding any awareness of Missy's reaction. "You know what? It's fine if I don't work in the truck. I'll just hang out with Missy instead. What are your plans for tomorrow?"

"I'm actually going to be volunteering with Aspen," Missy replied, her eyes darting to Arc, who was clearly unhappy with the turn of events.

Jezel's eyes sparkled with interest. "That sounds fascinating. Maybe I'll tag along and help out too."

Arc's frown deepened, his brow furrowing with concern. "Jezel, you need to rest and recover. This isn't the time for gallivanting around the city."

Jezel rolled her eyes dramatically. "Come on, Arc. I can rest while helping out. Besides, getting out of the house will do me good. I'm going stir-crazy in here!"

Missy hesitated, unsure if she should intervene in the siblings' disagreement. After a moment's consideration, she offered a compromise. "How about this: we'll see how you're feeling tomorrow morning, Jezel. If you're up to it, you can come along. But you have to promise to take it easy and not overexert yourself. Deal?"

Jezel nodded eagerly, clearly satisfied with the proposal. "It's a deal. I promise to be on my best behavior."

Arc still looked worried, but he let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, fine. But I'm warning you, Jezel. If you start feeling worse or pushing yourself too hard, you're coming straight home. No arguments."

"Agreed," Jezel replied with a triumphant smile, already looking forward to the next day's adventure.