JACK

Fabio looked at his hands, his fingers curling into fists. The fight wasn't over. If anything, it was just beginning.

Together, they all started walking to Fabio's house to meet Mr. Reis.

The walk to Fabio's house was quiet. After everything they had been through,the battle against Ness, the infiltration of the jail, and the truth Asahi had finally started to reveal this should have been a moment of peace. But it wasn't.

Fabio led the way, his steps hesitant. Artur walked beside him, hands shoved into his pockets, while Luka, Nina, and Asahi followed a little behind.

"Asahi," Fabio finally said, breaking the silence. "My father isn't… the most welcoming person."

Asahi glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "I know."

Fabio sighed. "He's going to hate you."

Artur scoffed. "Yeah, well, he wouldn't be the first."

They reached a modest looking house, its stone walls covered in ivy, and the scent of fresh bread drifted from an open window. Fabio hesitated for just a second before knocking.

The door opened, revealing a tall, broad shouldered man with sharp eyes and graying hair. His face was lined with age, but his posture was rigid, controlled like a man who had seen too much and trusted too little.

His gaze swept over the group, lingering on Asahi for a fraction too long.

"Father," Fabio said with a forced smile. "Here we come."

His father's eyes flicked between them before landing back on Asahi. The tension was immediate.

"Asahi Rei," Fabio's father said coldly. "I know of you."

Asahi didn't flinch. "Then you also know I'm not your enemy."

A low hum of disapproval was the only response before Mr.Reis stepped aside, letting them in.

A MEAL OF SILENT WAR

The dining table was long, made of old oak, and set with plates of roasted meat, fresh bread, and steaming bowls of soup. The food smelled incredible, but the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension.

Mr.Reis ignored Asahi completely, directing polite questions at Luka, Artur, and Nina.

"How did my son do, Luka?"

"Who are you, Nina?"

His voice was measured, but his eyes kept darting back to Asahi, his jaw clenched tight.

Asahi remained silent, eating slowly, watching. He was used to this kind of treatment.

Finally, Mr.Reis could no longer contain himself. "Tell me, Asahi, what exactly is happening?"

Asahi explained everything politely.

The conversation shifted, but the hostility remained.

Just as they finished their meal, a knock echoed through the house. Mr.Reis frowned and stood up. "Excuse me."

A moment later, he returned with someone else,a man in his twenties, tall and rugged, his face lined with experience. He had short, messy dark hair and sharp green eyes that flicked immediately to Fabio.

"Jack," Fabio breathed.

Jack grinned. "Been a while, huh?"

"Who's this?" Luka asked.

"He came on investigation," Fabio answered. "Just like Nina."

Mr.Reis interrupted, Jack was disturbing me to arrange a meeting with Fabio from yesterday, so i brought him in.

Jack's eyes moved to Asahi, scanning him in an instant. His expression cooled."Have we met before? Who are you? "

"Asahi Rei."

Jack's jaw tensed for a fraction of second, " Oh, your house is full of crowd, Mr. Reis. "

Mr. Reis replied, " Does that matter you? "

Jack chuckled. "Nope."

Mr. Reis turned to Jack," You may continue your interrogation in that room" Mr. Reis shows the room with his hand.

Jack and Fabio headed into the room.

The room was small, dimly lit by a single hanging bulb that cast harsh shadows across the wooden walls. It smelled of dust and old books, an odd contrast to the tension that thickened the air. Fabio sat in a chair, hands resting on his lap, his breathing controlled but heavy. Across from him, Jack stood, arms crossed, studying him with piercing eyes.

A gun rested in Jack's hand, its barrel pointed slightly downward, but its presence was enough to make the air feel even heavier.

"Start talking, Fabio," Jack said, his voice low, controlled. "I want the truth. No games."

Fabio exhaled slowly, meeting Jack's gaze. "The truth about what?"

Jack tilted his head slightly, his fingers tapping the side of the gun. "Don't play dumb. You think I don't know what's been going on? A jail break, a battle outside the city, Ness showing up, and now you and your little group are running around like you're planning something big." He leaned forward. "Tell me everything. Or I'll make sure you don't leave this room."

Fabio's jaw tightened. The man standing in front of him wasn't just his was someone with a mission, and right now, Fabio was his target.

"Jack, listen... "

Jack suddenly raised the gun, pointing it directly at Fabio's forehead.

"You think this is a joke?" Jack snapped. "You think I won't pull the trigger?"

Fabio didn't flinch. His heart pounded, but his expression remained calm. "I know you, Jack. If you wanted to shoot me, you already would have."

Jack's grip on the gun tightened. "Don't test me."

Fabio leaned forward slightly. "You don't know the full story. Let me explain before you decide if I'm really your enemy."

Jack didn't lower the gun, but his eyes flickered with hesitation. "Talk."

Fabio took a deep breath. "It started when we found out about Asahu. He's not just some rogue threat, he was our ally. Something unnatural was happening in this world. We fought Ness outside the jail, but he wasn't actually Ness, he was a monster disguised as Ness. He was using magic, Jack. Dark magic."

Jack's expression hardened, but he didn't interrupt.

"Asahi, Luka, Nina, and Artur, they helped me survive. And now, we're trying to stop what's coming." Fabio's voice was steady. "You think I would betray the city? My own motherland? No, Jack. I'm trying to protect everything we care about."

Jack lowered the gun slightly but didn't put it away. "And what about Asahi? Your father hates him for a reason."

"Asahi isn't who you think he is," Fabio said firmly. "He's done things, yes. But he's not the monster people make him out to be. He saved my life. And if you actually listened instead of assuming the worst, you'd see it too."

Jack ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Damn it, Fabio. You're making this harder than it needs to be. Just surrender Fabio. "

- TO BE CONTINUED.