Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio – March 12nd, 2019 – Cloudy Day
Children's laughter mingled with the cheerful music of the merry-go-round, a symphony of joy that filled the air. Families and friends were immersed in a myriad of activities, creating memories under the bright sun. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as police sirens pierced the air and squad cars descended upon the park. The presence of law enforcement sent a ripple of unease through the crowd and officers began to usher people out with urgency.
Amidst the growing tension, a woman's scream shattered the calm. A grotesque creature, an amalgamation of lion and bear, appeared before her. With a swift swipe of its paw, her life was immediately extinguished.
As the park descended into chaos, a luxurious car rolled to a stop at the gates. A pair of feet, clad in shiny shoes, emerged with an aura of authority. Jack, a man of industry and wealth, approached the entrance. His left hand reached out, pushing the gate open with ease.
Inside, the park had become a hunting ground for more of the monstrous beasts. A young girl, no older than a preschooler, clutched her teddy bear, eyes wide with terror. One of the creatures lunged at her, but before it could strike, Jack's "Hydraulic Squashed" materialized, crushing the beast and splattering the area with it's remains...
One of Jack's many extraordinary inventions, the Hydraulic Squasher is a machine that operates similarly to a hydraulic press. It's capable of smashing with a force of two hundred thousand psi. Not only that, it's also equipped with Jack's teleportation devices, allowing this machine to materialize out of nowhere. Amazing.[1]
...Jack swiftly shielded the girl's eyes, whispering reassurances. Her parents, relieved, embraced their daughter and bowed to thank Jack before fleeing to safety. Jack faced the new threat head-on, three more demon beasts advanced, but with a few clicks on his telewatch, he sealed their fate. Explosives appeared on the creatures, detonating and ended there, their rampage.
Tired of the carnage, Jack signaled for his car. His driver driving quickly, dispatched another beast with the vehicle before pulling up beside Jack, compliments were exchanged and they departed.
The car sped through the streets, the distant screams fading behind. Inside, the driver kept glancing at the rearview mirror, his hands gripping the wheel tightly.
"Sir," he muttered, hesitant, "what about the other demon beasts? You could've saved them all. Now, many more people there might die."
Jack remained silent, staring out of the window at the ongoing chaos.
Finally, he spoke, his tone calm, detached. "I didn't come here to play hero. I came to find an ultrahuman or more. There's a deal I need to complete." He exhaled, watching the chaos unfold. "Besides, people have to learn to fend for themselves. If they rely too much on someone saving them, they'll only find fault in that person later–blame them for not doing enough. I won't be the one they turn against when things don't go as they want."
The driver said nothing, his expression tense. But after a moment, he gave a slow nod, accepting the grim logic of Jack's words.
Jack leaned back. "That aside, I need to reach The Bookstore. Speed up."
The driver frowned. "The Bookstore? That's a weird name for a store."
Jack smirked but didn't answer.
As they accelerated, the road ahead was a clear opposite to the destruction behind them.
______________________________________________
Jack arrived at The Bookstore. The place was vast, its dim lighting casting long shadows between towering shelves of neatly arranged books, creating a quiet reverence.
Pushing open the already ajar door, Jack stepped inside with an air of confidence–like he owned the place. His gaze flicked across the room before landing on the secretary, who barely spared him a glance, her expression indifferent.
"My name's Jack," he announced smoothly. "I'd like to speak with the owner–Helen, I believe."
The secretary barely looked up. "Come back later, she's unavail–"
Her words faltered as her eyes fully took him in. Recognition dawned like a rising storm, her face draining of color.
The realization hit.
Jack. The only trillionaire in the world. The richest man on the planet.
Her voice trembled. "Oh... m-my g-goodness, am I standing in front of the founder of Jack's Conglomerate?"
Jack smiled, his expression effortlessly charming. "Yes, you are. Now, may I speak with Helen?"
The secretary stumbled over her words, scrambling to pick up the phone. "Yes, of course, sir. Just a moment."
---
A very beautiful woman, Helen, sat in her office, immersed in work when the phone beside her rang.
She picked up.
The voice on the other end was shaky. "Helen... you need to come out. Jack is here. "That" Jack."
Helen straightened. "Oh, absolutely. Let him in."
She set the phone down, inhaled sharply, and reached for the small mirror inside her drawer, giving herself a final once-over before replacing it.
A knock.
Helen steadied herself. "Come in."
Jack entered, and for the briefest moment, his unwavering composure faltered.
She was beautiful. Unlike anyone he had ever seen.
Helen caught the flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"You alright?" she asked, amused.
Jack, still taken aback, blurted, "You are so beautiful. Wow."
Helen hesitated, not knowing whether to be flattered or unsettled. "Thank you... but I wasn't expecting, of all days, for one of the richest men in the world to—"
Jack cut in, a smirk playing on his lips. "Come here alone? You should already know why I'm here, though. I mean, since you're a telepath."
Helen stiffened. Her expression changed. "How do you know that? And why can't I read your mind?"
Jack leaned against the desk casually. "For the first, I've known about you for nearly two decades–long before you inherited this bookstore. As for the second, I have brain chips that block any telepathic interference."
Helen's demeanor hardened. This man was strange—too calculated, too familiar with details about her life she never expected anyone to know.
Her tone sharpened. "Mister Jack, I don't chat with stalkers. I'm not even famous, yet you know so much about me. I have to ask you to leave."
Jack shrugged, unbothered. "You haven't even offered me a seat yet."
Helen's frustration flared. "Mister Jack."
Without another word, Jack pulled a contact card from his pocket and placed it on the desk. Helen didn't reach for it.
Their gazes locked for several long seconds–his steady, unshaken; hers full of wariness.
Jack took a step back. "Eleven AM tomorrow, come to my school–Jack's School of Music. There's a performance I'd love for you to attend."
He turned to leave, but paused for a final remark. "Have a memorable day... oh, I'm sure you will."
Helen watched him go, her unease growing. She walked to the window, watching his vehicle speed away, leaving her to wonder about the significance of their encounter.
______________________________________________
The Next Day, Jack's School of Music.
-11:15 am.
The Soprano soloist's voice filled the grand hall, her notes soaring and dipping with practiced precision. Helen sat among the audience, her eyes fixed on the stage, her mind partially distracted by the anticipation of what was to come.
As the performance continued, the heavy wooden doors at the back of the hall swung open. Jack entered, followed by a couple of security guards. His presence commanded attention and the audience turned to admire his charisma. Jack walked with purpose, his eyes scanning the rows until they landed on Helen, he made his way to her directly, his steps confident and measured. Helen felt a knot tighten in her stomach, she knew it was Jack without even looking up. She couldn't bring herself to look at him.
Helen sat in the grand hall, her voice barely above a whisper. "Well, I accepted your invitation, Mister Jack."
Jack slid into the empty chair beside her, his expression unreadable.
"As you should," he replied smoothly. "Still, I doubt you came here willingly. Curiosity dragged you here–just as it did me. Normally, I don't attend these performances. They're great, sure, but I have more important things to do."
Helen's gaze flickered, a mix of apprehension and intrigue settling in her eyes. "So, what is it you obviously want to discuss? I know you didn't bring me here just to enjoy a performance."
Jack smirked. "I know why tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of these so-called demon beasts are on Earth." His voice dropped slightly. "It's because of you, Helen."
The soprano's voice soared through the hall, a wave of intensity pressing against them. Helen stiffened, her skin turning pale, dread clawing at her chest.
Jack leaned in. "Don't get schockiert just yet. I'll tell you how I found out. I'm no mind reader."
Helen's voice was tight. "How did you find out?"
Jack suddenly stood, his expression shifting into feigned astonishment.
"Uhnnn! You're the cause of all this destruction? Tell me how–now!"
The soprano soloist's voice cut off abruptly. The audience turned, their attention locked on Jack.
Jack didn't flinch. He masked his outburst with a casual smile, gesturing for the soloist to continue. The music resumed, the ambiance returning to normal. Slowly, he sat back down, his piercing gaze never leaving Helen.
Helen lowered her voice. "So, you didn't even know. I guess I said too much." She exhaled shakily. "I probably would've realized you were being tricky if I could read your mind."
Jack's jaw tightened. "You stayed silent all this time, while an uncountable number of people lost their lives, their homes reduced to rubble. Now, Helen–give me a very good reason."
Helen's vision gradually became blur. The soprano's voice faded into silence.
Then, Jack noticed something unsettling. The entire hall had gone still. Every audience member. Every performer. Every musician.
Frozen.
Like statues.
Jack narrowed his eyes. "Helen… is this your doing?"
She nodded, but her voice was strained. "Yes… but I can barely see when I do it." She exhaled shakily. "I should tell you… there was a man I employed at my bookstore. His name was Ablitos. We fell in love. Back then, I didn't know he was a fallen angel–banished from Heaven."
Jack's brows lifted. "Heaven. As in actual Heaven?"
Helen nodded.
Jack leaned forward, listening intently.
"He was exiled because his ideology of reshaping the world into a place without sin wasn't accepted. After his fall, he created his own world–on another planet. He gathered an army… fallen angels, demons. But his once-loyal comrade, Dakhel, grew greedy. He wanted Ablitos' power for himself."
Helen's voice trembled. "Ablitos refused to kill. So, he fled–to Earth. Dakhel, determined to take his abilities, even conspired with my stepmother… orchestrated an accident for me, knowing Ablitos would save me–regardless of the consequences."
Jack's eyes darkened. "What consequences?"
Helen hesitated. "When Ablitos saved me… he lost control of his consciousness. He's only fully aware when I'm in grave danger."
Jack sat back, processing the weight of her words. "I see. So, he's inside you right now." His voice was measured, careful. "I'm still piecing together the purpose behind the demon beasts' invasion."
Helen sighed. "I think Dakhel is forcing my hand–trying to make me surrender Ablitos' power to him. I refused."
Jack's expression hardened. "If you do, he'll use that power to dominate Earth. That means challenging the Most High."
The silence between them thickened.
Helen already knew the truth.
Jack had just said it out loud.
Jack leaned forward in his seat, his voice edged with determination. "I assume Dakhel is a coward," he muttered, his fingers tapping thoughtfully against his knee. "I have an idea to take him down."
Helen exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Relief, however fleeting, settled in her chest. "How do we do that?" she asked, her tone mixed with skepticism. "He is an extraterrestrial being, probably unreachable until he comes to Earth himself."
Jack's lips curled into a smirk. "He will come to Earth," he said with certainty. "I'm sure of that. But first, we need to form a team–seventeen ultrahumans, including you and me. We'll select the strongest from fifteen different countries and unite under a single plan to take Dakhel down. If we eliminate the leader, the soldiers will surrender."
Helen nodded, already running through potential candidates in her mind. "Okay," she agreed. "I will do my best to locate very good ultrahumans and bring them to you."
Jack's smirk deepened. "Now," he said, shifting his posture to relax. "Unfreeze the people. Let's enjoy the performance–I'm a lover of music, by the way."
Helen closed her eyes, harnessing her telepathic abilities. A moment later, her vision cleared, and the hall came alive once more. The soprano recital resumed as if nothing had ever disrupted it, the audience entirely unaware of the temporary pause in time.
Jack crossed his legs, settling into his seat, but his gaze lingered on Helen beside him.
The performance drew to a close, and applause thundered through the hall. As expected, the crowd surged forward, eager to get autographs from Jack, the celebrity among them. He watched as Helen slipped away from the gathering, walking out of the hall.
With an amused smile, Jack returned his attention to his admirers, pen in hand, ready to entertain them–at least for tonight.
______________________________________________
Plaza Mijares, Blvd Antonio Mijares, Mexico
- 8:02am
The plaza was as silent as a graveyard, until a five-snakeheaded demon beast standing firm on its four legs, screeched at a man dressed as a cowboy, seated upon a horse. The man, with a calm yet fierce demeanor, unleashed a lasso filled with metal thorns at the beast, thing its five snakeheads together. Brown-colored liquid spilled everywhere as he pulled the lasso tight, severing the heads. The beast fell on its back–dead.
This man is Gonzalo Lucas, a Mexican, alias Horseman, as registered under the URC (Ultrahumans Registry Center). Disowned by his parents after they discovered his extraordinary powers, he grew up to become a soldier in the Mexican army, and fought in the Cristero war. He resigned to conceal his identity as an ultrahuman. Now, he works for the government again, this time, in the Demon Eradication Agency, to support his private refugee camp.[2]
Suddenly, another similar beast leaped out of a nearby building towards Horseman's back. Just then, a soundwave blast pushed the beast away, decapitating it. Horseman, momentarily stunned by the blast, turned to see a man who hands were vibrating so fast they were almost invisible. The vibration slowed to a halt.
This other man is Henry Robert, an American, alias Soundwaver, as registered by the URC. He was a victim of the 'Secret Soundwavers Experiment' in 1999, which he singlehandedly ended, rescuing his fellow victims. Now, he works for the Demon Eradication Agency to support the other members of the Soundwaver Family.[3]
He turned to Soundwaver, nodding in appreciation. "Thank you for the rescue."
Soundwaver smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah, but bringing a lasso to a monster fight? That's silly."
Horseman's expression stiffened. "Silly? What do you take me for?"
Before the tension could build, another voice cut in.
"He's right." Jack stood there with a relaxed posture, one hand tucked into his pocket.
Horseman furrowed his brow. "Who are you?"
Soundwaver tilted his head, scrutinizing him. "He kinda looks familiar. Who're you?"
The man smiled, unfazed by their skepticism. "Relax, I'm also a demon eradicator. In fact, I've helped kill more beasts than the both of you combined."
Horseman remained unimpressed, but Soundwaver's curiosity sparked. He examined the man again, trying to place his face.
"You look familiar now that I'm getting a longer look," Soundwaver admitted.
The stranger's smile widened. "Of course, I do. I'm Jack–the trillionaire strategist."
Soundwaver's jaw nearly dropped, while Horseman merely blinked, still trying to connect the name to any relevant memory.
"You're definitely not humble, introducing yourself that way," Soundwaver muttered.
Jack chuckled. "Hopefully, when you reach this level, you still remain humble. No offense."
Soundwaver exhaled sharply but didn't argue. "So, why are you here? Last I checked, you're mostly in the United States."
Jack's gaze turned sharper, his voice dropping slightly. "Do you know why African wild dogs have a far higher successful hunting rate than leopards?"
Horseman and Soundwaver exchanged glances, both pondering the question. But before they could answer, the ground trembled.
A two-legged demon beast resembling a wolf charged at them, snarling as it tore through the debris. Without hesitation, Horseman flicked his wrist, launching his lasso with practiced ease. The rope twisted through the air, catching the beast's legs and yanking it skyward.
Jack's fingers danced over the holographic interface of his telewatch, inputting rapid coordinates. Minibombs materialized mid-air, latching onto the demon's body before detonating. Though the explosion wasn't enough to finish the creature off, it sent it into a helpless freefall.
As the beast plummeted, Soundwaver thrust his hands together, unleashing a powerful soundblast. The shockwave sent the monster crashing against the nearby building, its remains splattered across the wall.
Jack straightened his posture, casually dusting off his jacket. "–It's because African wild dogs work in groups," he finished, as if the battle had been merely an intermission. His expression turned serious. "I want to create a team of very powerful ultrahumans. It's not an organization–I'm just seeking ultrahumans willing to unite with me to take down the head of these demon beasts. To take down their master."
Jack had expected the question but was still disappointed when it came.
"What's the pay? That'll determine if I join," Horseman asked, his voice steady.
Jack met his gaze, standing firm as he declared, "Sixty million dollars after the mission is completed. Five hundred thousand dollars per month from the moment you agree to join."
Horseman's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing with thoughts of how the money could transform his struggling refugee camp. Soundwaver remained skeptical, narrowing his eyes as he turned to Jack.
"How do we know you're not making a deceit?" he asked, suspicion thick in his tone. "I mean, in this era, you could be a shapeshifter pretending to be Jack."
Jack rolled his eyes and with a few clicks on his telewatch, looked at the two men. "What're your Forcas Bank tags? I assume you use that since it's currently the most popular bank now."
Soundwaver and Horseman hesitated but eventually called out their Bank tags. Almost instantly, Horseman's phone buzzed with a notification–half a million dollars credited to his account. Overwhelmed with joy, he let out a scream, hugging Jack before quickly regaining his composure.
Jack turned to Soundwaver, smirking. "What about you, sound guy?"
Soundwaver crossed his arms. "Well, I don't know yet. My phone isn't with me. Who carries a phone to a battleground?"
Horseman sighed in frustration. "Don't go through the corners. Talk to me directly!"
Jack chuckled as Horseman, still buzzing with excitement, turned back to him. "Hey, I'm resigning from the Demon Eradication Agency. Their monthly pay isn't even up to three percent of yours. How do I join your team?"
Jack pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Horseman. A helicopter approached and landed nearby, its rotors stirring the dust around them.
Jack glanced at Soundwaver. "That's my lift. Also, are you interested, sound guy?"
Soundwaver exhaled. "When I get back to my house and check if the transaction went through, I'll come meet you. Drop an address."
Jack handed Soundwaver another slip of paper. Soundwaver took it, staring at Jack for a moment before speaking. "And don't call me sound guy. My alias is Soundwaver. My real name is Henry."
With that, he flew away, causing a loud bang as he disappeared into othe sky. Jack watched the trail of gas left in his wake, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Now, that's two of fifteen," he murmured to himself.
Jack and Horseman stood still for a moment before Horseman mounted his horse. Together, they gazed at the sky, contemplating the journey ahead.
______________________________________________
Helen drove through the bustling streets of the city, the soft melody of a love song playing through her car's speakers. As she approached the city center, she noticed an ongoing commotion near a collapsed building. The area was surrounded by a swarm of safety personnel, ambulances, and–most notably–a Demon Eradication Agent.
Curiosity and concern spurred Helen into action. She pulled into a nearby parking spot, stepping out of her car and weaving through the crowd until she reached one of the weary-looking responders.
"What's going on here?" she asked, her voice steady despite the growing unease in her chest.
The personnel exhaled deeply, fatigue clear in his posture. "Apparently, during the eradication of a demon beast by an ultrahuman, the creature was unintentionally hurled into this apartment complex, causing severe damage. Please, stay back–it's dangerous."
Helen's eyes widened. "Oh my… I hope there were survivors."
"Most were rescued by the ultrahuman's telekinesis. He acted quickly, but there's still one more person trapped–a woman we were told. The ultrahuman is completely exhausted now."
Just then, a deep groaning sound reverberated through the air. A large section of the debris shifted, stirring a collective gasp from the onlookers. From beneath the wreckage, a figure emerged–dust-covered, disoriented, yet remarkably alive. A young woman with striking blonde hair crawled out from the rubble, her movements slow but determined.
Helen's gaze sharpened. There was something different about her. Her aura shimmered, vibrant and brimming with potential energy, despite the ordeal she had just endured.
Drawn by instinct, Helen rushed forward, kneeling beside the young woman. "What's your name?" she asked gently.
The woman blinked, her expression hazy with dizziness. "Bella…" Her breath hitched. "Where's my sister?"
Helen hesitated. "I don't know what she looks like. Please, allow me to read your mind."
Bella wavered, her balance slipping slightly. "Okay, you can. No, wai–"
As Helen telepathically penetrated Bella's mind, Bella face went down as if unconscious. At that moment, the Ultrahuman who had rescued most of the tenants noticed Bella had lost her mind and tried to pull her away. However, she grabbed his hand, stood up and hurtled him into a nearby ambulance, causing it to explode and knock him out. Panic arose and the safety personnel all ran Helter skelter. Helen stopped reading Bella's mind, she realized Bella was no longer herself.
Bella's heart pounded as she backed away, struggling to get herself together. "You... shouldn't have read my mind... please... run!" she stammered.
Helen remained undeterred. She stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Bella, and held her close. "I understand," she whispered. "Sometimes, all we need is just a hug."
But something inside Bella snapped. Her control fractured, and before she could stop herself, a blade of yellowium protruded from her hand. In a swift motion, it plunged into Helen's chest. Blood pooled at the wound as Helen staggered backward, gasping, while Bella's voice–now sharp, almost unrecognizable–issued a warning.
"Remember this: Don't try to read Vermian's mind. Vermian doesn't like that."
Helen collapsed, her consciousness slipping as crimson stained the floor beneath her. Bella stood frozen,her senses had returned . She watched as the reality of the damage she'd just done. Then, panic took hold, and she fled, rushing toward the nearest high-rise. She climbed to its rooftop, breathless, and sat on the concrete. She buried her face in her hands.
"It's funny," she murmured, "how I don't even know why I deserve all this. Well, I guess I just committed my first–"
A sudden vibration beneath her made her pause. The rooftop quaked violently. Bella lifted her head, scanning her surroundings with growing unease. Then, without warning, the floor beneath her exploded. Through the debris, Helen emerged-her skin and eyes now a sinister shade of dark red, her form twisted into something monstrous. In her "She-Hell" state...
She-Hell state is the one Helen enters when she is in a deathly situation, granting Ablitos an almost full control of her senses. This increases her ability to a formidable one. The name "She-Hell" was labelled by Helen's mother.[4]
She lunged at Bella and seized her throat, lifting her effortlessly.
"She wanted to help you," Helen growled, her voice grotesque, unearthly. "But you tried to kill her."
Bella clawed at Helen's grip, struggling for air. "You...can't...understand," she choked.
With the last of her strength, Bella sent a flurry of yellowium blades into the floor beneath them. The weakened structure crumbled, sending them both plummeting into the levels below. Amid the dust and wreckage, they stood–unyielding.
Helen, still in her monstrous form, watched Bella carefully. "While she was reading your mind, I noticed something," she said. "You couldn't kill certain people–people who hurt you."
Bella's breath hitched. She knew exactly what Helen meant.
"I don't know," Bella said softly. "What do you think?"
Helen's gaze remained steady. "You didn't kill them because you worried they had families expecting them. You didn't want them to suffer as you did."
Bella's chest tightened. The words scraped at the walls she had built around herself. Her lips curled into a hollow, humorless smile–then, suddenly, laughter burst from her, wild and unhinged. Helen stared at her, bewildered.
"That aside," Helen said carefully, "why did you let that thing inside you take full control?"
Bella exhaled, weary. "I didn't do it intentionally," she admitted. "I think it's an automatic defense against any telepathic attack. I lose my ability to think of anything but fighting. I go berserk."
Helen's expression darkened. "You're almost like Helen–the body I possess," she muttered. "But now\... I have to break my vow and fight a human."
Before Helen could make her move, Bella attacked first. With a burst of speed, she lunged and struck Helen's neck with a blade of yellowium. She expected resistance–but she hadn't expected what happened next.
Her blade shattered.
Bella's eyes widened in shock as Helen seized her wrist, tightening her grip.
"My skin is tougher than steel," Helen said. "Aren't you aware? This is no longer Helen."
Bella clenched her teeth in pain. "Is there some sort of energy covering you?" she gasped. "What are you made of?"
Helen's lips curved into a smirk. "Atoms," she said simply.
Bella groaned. "Let go of my hand."
Helen's grip tightened further. "You have the highest potential I've ever seen, but you don't even realize it," she mused. "You alone could annihilate every demon beast on Earth... but you are far from ready."
Helen began to deliver massive punches to Bella's face, yellow blood splattering everywhere, Bella's face swollen with each blow. Finally, Helen stopped and threw Bella into the rubble.
She walked towards Bella's body with a majestic stride, as if she had all the time in the world. Just as she held Bella's hand, the hand detached and Bella jumped a few feet's backwards. Helen looked in amazement as Bella's face began to heal ultrafast, her amputated hand regenerating. She dropped the hand Bella had cut off on the floor, the hand started to evaporate.
Helen narrowed her eyes at Bella, the weight of realization settling in. "You are even more than I thought," she murmured.
Bella waved off the compliment with an indifferent shrug. "Spare me the praises. You're made up of atoms too."
Helen tilted her head. "I mean, who isn't made up of that?"
"That's not what I meant." A devious smile curled Bella's lips before she sprang forward, swift as a shadow.
Helen saw her coming but didn't move–she underestimated Bella. In an instant, Bella's yellowium blade struck, piercing through Helen's lower back. The sensation was immediate and unbearable. Bella withdrew just as quickly, retreating a safe distance. Helen gasped as the pain flooded her senses, blood spilling from her lips. Her trembling hands found the wound, pressing against it in a futile attempt to stanch the bleeding.
"How's this possible?" Helen's voiced hoarsely.
Bella watched her with amusement, smiling as she explained, "I can rearrange the atoms of my yellowium, especially to cut through tough materials…like yours."
Helen, still in her "She-Hell" state, staggered forward before her knees finally gave out. She propped herself up with shaking arms, refusing to collapse entirely.
"What on Earth is Yellowium?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Bella folded her arms. "It's the name of the matter created when blood is mixed with the organism Vermian."
Helen let out a weak, almost bitter chuckle. "I see. Well, you're the winner in this round."
With that, she allowed herself to slump against the shattered wall, her breathing uneven. Bella watched as Helen's transformation faded, her form reverting back to normal. Without another word, Bella turned to leave.
But at the threshold, she stopped.
Jack stood there, hands in his pockets, his gaze steady. His expression gave nothing away as he stared at Bella.
_
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Coins and chaos facts: Bella's blonde hair is as a result of the absorption of the organism Vermian into her body.
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