Bella and Jack stood still, staring at each other. Bella's maniacal smile stretched across her face, while Jack's remained unreadable, void of emotion.
"Who might you be?" Bella finally asked, her voice cutting through the tension.
Jack bowed—whether in genuine respect or mockery, Bella couldn't tell. "Forgive my manners," he said smoothly. "My name's Jack. Jack Planner."
Bella's eyes narrowed. That name—it stirred something in her memory, elusive but familiar. With a hint of disbelief, she spoke. "The owner of Jack's Burger? Where I work?" Her gaze flickered over him. "You look good, no doubt."
Jack offered her a thumbs-up in response and walked into the building.
Bella eyed him suspiciously. "Well, why are you here? You're a journalist..." She gestured toward Helen, who lay unconscious on the floor. "...or do you know her?"
Jack's expression remained neutral, but his words were laced with something close to admiration. "Yeah, one of the most—nah, the most—powerful person I ever knew." He tilted his head slightly. "Before you knocked her out, that is. You've taken that title in my mind now. Probably the strongest person and Italian currently. I need you to join my team."
Bella scoffed. "A very terrible way to bring forth a proposal. Also, I won't. I just want to see my sister." She paused, her voice turning bitter. "Plus, we are no longer Italians now that it's gone. We're refugees."
Jack remained unfazed. "Worry not. I will get Italy back. And about your sister—Julia—she's under my care. Don't ask how I knew she was your sister; you both worked in my company."
Bella's posture stiffened, anger flashing in her eyes. "Where's my sister now?!"
Jack noted the shift in her demeanor but did not react. "You really do have a bad temper."
Bella's rage intensified. "Mister Jack, where is Julia?!"
Jack sighed, still eerily calm. "I won't tell you till you're calm. The more you delay, the more this gets boring. Besides, Helen over there needs urgent treatment."
As the words left his lips, a yellowium blade slowly protruded from Bella's palm, showing a deadly intent. But before she could act, Jack continued speaking.
"Hooooo, mummy's about to whoop me," he said sarcastically, a smirk playing at his lips. "I'm so scared."
Bella bent slightly, coiling like a spring, ready to leap at him. But at that moment, Jack spoke into his telewatch.
"Sarg."
The telewatch flashed twice, Bella was for a moment confused by Jack's actions. Before she could react, two equal parts of a single steel coffin appeared out of nowhere and closed around her, forming a tight enclosure. Bella tried to use her yellowium blade to cut through the coffin, but a sudden gas emitted inside, forcing her into a deep sleep.
Jack stepped forward, surveying the aftermath of his handiwork. He smiled "Easy peasy, that sleeping gas is enough to put ten thousand people into a deep slumber."
He turned his attention to Helen, who had regained consciousness but was still visibly injured.
"Why do you keep slipping into German here and there?" Helen asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Jack smirked. "Just started learning German on Duolingo. But I'm so busy, it's messing with my learning."
Helen didn't respond immediately. Instead, she created a golf-sized green ball of energy, pressing it against her wounds. The healing process was swift yet imperfect. Once finished, she let out a slow breath and looked up at the steel coffin standing ominously before them.
"You're not releasing her?" Helen asked, glancing at Jack.
Jack crossed his arms. "I mean, she beat down a being that even Dakhel is terrified of. That's amazing. We need her on the team. Her injured sister is also within my reach—I'll try to convince them both."
Helen shook her head slightly, a trace of amusement flickering across her face. "You really have a way of doing things."
Before she could say more, the coffin suddenly disappeared, leaving Helen momentarily stunned.
"Where did that go?" she demanded.
In the distance, police sirens pierced the air, growing louder with each second. Jack tightened his grip around Helen's waist with a single arm.
"It went to where we're going—my place. Let's go."
Helen nodded and summoned her ultrapower, lifting both herself and Jack into the sky just as police, military trucks, and ambulances swarmed the area below.
They landed softly on the compound of his villa, separating awkwardly after the prolonged embrace during their flight.
"Jack, hold on," Helen said, halting him before they proceeded further.
"What's it, Helen?" Jack replied, glancing at her.
"I thought you told me you were going to be in Mexico today. Didn't you go?"
The question hung between them, making Jack pause. He tapped his forehead and smiled.
"Well, I came back immediately. I use—no, I invented—the technology of teleportation. So, it didn't take more than a second for me to get here from Mexico."
Helen stared at him, baffled. "Does that big brain of yours have a limit?"
Jack's security approached, escorting them toward the grand entrance of his villa.
Helen shot him another glance. "Do you ever even rest?"
Jack smirked. "I can't answer that."
The guards led them to a door with a bold inscription at the top: *Work Office*. One of them stepped back, allowing Jack to type in his entry code. At the same time, he reached out and covered Helen's eyes with his other hand.
She chuckled. "You could have just asked me to look away. I don't argue."
The door beeped and swung open, revealing a vast, industrial workplace that left Helen speechless. It wasn't just an office as shown by the sign board; it was a high-tech factory,filled with bots and display cases containing various pieces of equipments. They descended a ladder into the heart of the workspace.
Jack led Helen through the towering expanse of his industrial lab, the hum of machinery filling the air with a rhythmic precision. He gestured widely, a smug grin playing on his lips.
"Welcome to my 'Work Office,'" he announced. "Not to brag, but I spent almost half a trillion dollars on all the machines here. Most of them are based on my father's inventions—his genius made sure these wonderful things didn't cost even more."
Helen's gaze swept across the sleek, cutting-edge workspace, absorbing the sheer scale and sophistication of Jack's operation. The flickering glow of holographic displays danced across her face as she marveled at the technology surrounding her.
"This place is incredible," she murmured.
Jack led her to a central workstation, a polished platform bathed in a soft blue glow. His fingers skimmed across a console, and instantly, a holographic coffin shimmered into existence.
"This is where the Sarg appeared," he said.
As the translucent casket opened, Helen stepped forward and lifted Bella's unconscious body from within. She carried her to a nearby table, where—without warning—steel cuffs snapped into place, securing Bella's motionless form. Jack stood beside her, his eyes fixed on Bella's face, studying her with a quiet intensity.
"A single person, taking in something capable of making over ten thousand people fall asleep," he murmured. "I hope she makes it."
Helen shifted uneasily, glancing from Jack to Bella. "That's amazing," she said hesitantly. "But… you seemed very ready for her, almost like you had encountered her before."
Jack's expression darkened slightly. "There are some ultrahumans out there who are extra dangerous to humanity," he admitted. "I have to be prepared."
The hum of the machines softened, as if sensing the shift in atmosphere. Both Jack and Helen sank into the chairs beside Bella, the weight of unspoken thoughts settling between them.
______________________________________________
An Underground Fighting Club, Chen Village, China.
The atmosphere was electric , with the audience roaring in anticipation. In the center of the fight cage, two ultrahumans stood motionless, their eyes locked in a silent battle before the real one could begin.
Annazard was poised, her muscles taut with barely restrained power, yet the flicker of irritation in her gaze betrayed a distraction as the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers.
"Tonight, it's gonna be hot!" the announcer bellowed, his voice weaving through the charged atmosphere. "For the first round, we have two skillful ultrahumans. Introducing first–Annazard! Undefeated, though she has only fought two matches!"
A ripple of excitement coursed through the crowd, some whispering about her reputation, others skeptical about her lack of experience. Annazard shot a quick glance at the announcer, annoyance flashing across her face before determination replaced it.
"And her opponent," the announcer continued, his voice rising. "An undefeated champion, even after twelve matches–a former member of the Demon Eradication Agency–the man himself! Brain Factor!"
The crowd erupted into a frenzy, their voices blending into rhythmic chants. "B-Factor! B-Factor! B-Factor!" The air was thick with admiration and allegiance, and Brain Factor soaked it in with a confident smirk, his gaze flickering toward Annazard. For a moment, hesitation flickered in her stance, but she quickly masked it.
The announcer lifted his arms, gesturing for the crowd to prepare. "Now, everyone, place your bets so the match can begin!"
The audience obeyed, fingers tapping rapidly on the small betting devices attached to their seats, eager to place their wagers. The majority leaned in favor of Brain Factor, though a few saw potential in the unknown force that was Annazard.
Once the betting frenzy subsided, the announcer raised his microphone high and shouted over the mounting tension.
"Let the match begin!"
Annazard moved swiftly around attempting to hit Brain Factor, her claws heading first. Brain Factor, however, was a seasoned fighter, his experience evident in every calculated move as he dodged every attack from her.
Annazard stopped to take a breath and then launched a series of rapid strikes, but Brain Factor blocked each one with ease. He countered with a powerful psychic strike that sent Annazard staggering back. The crowd roared, their cheers echoing through the arena. One seemed to still have hope for already weakened Annazard, "Come on, Annazard!"
Annazard shook off the hit and refocused, her eyes narrowing with determination. "I have to change my strategy if I want to win" she thought to herself "But it's someone with different strategies that can change. I barely hone one, I guess I just have to improvise at least"
With a swift move, Annazard proceeded to strike at Brain Factor, when suddenly, a burst of psychic energy blast from him knocks Annazard out cold. Brain Factor pulled out a knife and cut off her head, blood splattered on his face. The audience was captivated, their eyes glued to the action in the cage. Brain Factor stood back up and raised his hand holding Annazard's detached head.
The announcer eyes were filled with lust for gore, he grabbed a microphone, "What an incredible and brutal finishing!" He started to drool "Annazard has been defeated, thereby making our first winner tonight, Brain Factor!!"
The audience roared in jubilation, chanting "B-Factor".
At the backstage, a young woman sat on a chair, the smoke from her cigar curling around her. Her hair, a striking shade of red, getting cut short by an elderly woman.
This young woman is Xin Yí, alias Caracal according to the URC. Once an elite assassin for the Chinese government, she resigned to pursue a personal vendetta against her father's killers. Now, she is the top student of Qin Liying, a revered Qi master, and her mentor.[1]
Caracal sat motionless as the scissors glided through her hair, each deliberate snip accompanied by the quiet hum of the television. Qin Liying, her mentor, stepmom, and the one wielding the scissors, kept her eyes locked on the screen.
"What round now?" Caracal asked, her voice steady, but her gaze dark with intent.
"The second round is still ongoing," Qin Liying replied, not looking away. "That guy seems tough."
Caracal's jaw tightened. The mission weighed heavily on her mind, far more than the match. "What about the list?" she pressed. "You promised you'd have it wrapped up tonight."
Qin Liying nodded, her expression unreadable. "Definitely. Four out of five are confirmed. Before the end of your fight tonight, I'll have the complete list."
Caracal frowned, the anticipation clawing at her. "Good. I can't wait to end their lives…all of them."
A sudden roar from the television shook the room. Both women turned their attention to the screen, where Brian Factor's second-round opponent;a bloodied, unconscious woman–was being carried off on a stretcher.
Qin Liying exhaled, then turned to Caracal. "Yí, go out there and make me proud as usual." She reached into her coat and pulled out a small, ornate box. "You might need this."
Caracal stood as she took the box and opened it with measured precision, revealing a set of throwing knives–each crafted with masterful detail, each engraved with symbols that whispered of countless battles won. She passed her cigar to Qin Liying, a silent exchange of trust and resolve.
"Thanks," she murmured. "Though my bare hands are enough."
Her eyes blazed, her purpose unshaken. She closed the box and returned it.
The roar of the crowd outside swelled, reaching its peak as the announcer's voice echoed through the arena speakers.
"And now," the announcer boomed, "the next opponent–the strongest Chinese ultrahuman of the twenty-first century! She has remained unbeaten, even after seventy-three matches. I assume you all know her–Caracal!"
A storm of voices rose in chaotic excitement as bets were placed on the two fighters. The crowd was divided–some drawn by sheer statistics, others swayed by conviction.
One voice rang out above the rest, a confident declaration from an eager onlooker. "It doesn't matter if she has won seventy-three matches straight, B-Factor is a man, and he will surely win!"
His words rippled through the crowd, influencing wagers to tilt in Brain Factor's favor. Yet, amidst the frenzy, the cunning spectator quietly placed his bet on Caracal, his eyes gleaming with calculated foresight.
The fight commenced. Brain Factor and Caracal stood motionless, locked in an unspoken battle of wills, each determined to dismantle the other. Tension thickened between them, the charged air amplifying the moment.
A smirk flickered across Brain Factor's face. His tone was casual, almost amused as he murmured, "I have to kill three women tonight, really?" He chuckled, his confidence unshaken.
Caracal's eyes narrowed. "Hmmm, that's nonsense talk. Is this how all your matches have been?–only women you faced?"
Brain Factor's smirk deepened, aggravating Caracal, his arrogance sharp enough to draw blood without a single strike.
Caracal's fingers twitched as she took a step forward, her voice a low promise. "I'll humiliate you."
Brain Factor attempted to catch Caracal by surprise, placing his hands on his head to emit a psychic energy blast. Suddenly, Caracal seemed to teleport from his front, the wind from her movement blowing away Brain Factor's fake hair, exposing his bald head. The audience screamed in shock and disgust, some laughing. Brain Factor turned to look at Caracal, but she w already upon him, landing a punch on his chest that hurled him to the other corner of the cage.
Brain Factor struggled to his knees, blood gushing out his nostrils, his vision blurring. He managed to look up just as Caracal delivered a devastating kick to his forehead, his ears rang with tinnitus, rendering him deaf. Caracal stood over him, a deep frown on her face.
"I am fast, you know, probably an understatement" she looked down at him, "Now, stand up!" her voice exhibiting her brutality.
Brain Factor lay helplessly on the floor, unable to hear her. The audience watched, shocked by the humiliation of Brain Factor by Caracal.
Another voice rose from amongst the spectators."She is the one! Good I bet on her."
Brain Factor slowly stood up, his hearing gradually returning. He looked at Caracal with fear, his legs trembling. Caracal turned her back on him, raising her hands as the onlookers cheered.
Brain Factor couldn't accept the reality of what just happened. "How is this possible? She moved faster than my eyes could catch" he thought to himself. Caracal turned back to him as he weakly raised his hands to charge his power.
"Bastard!"
He attempted to strike her with a psychic energy blast, but nothing happened. He realized that his ultrapower was no more.
Brain Factor clutched his head, tears spilling down his cheeks as he gasped. "What did you do to me? My power... it's not working!"
Caracal shook her head, disgust flickering in her sharp gaze. With deliberate steps, she closed the distance between them, towering over his crumpled form.
"I told you before," she said, voice as cold as steel. "I'll humiliate you. Your crying actually embarrasses me."
Brain Factor's hands trembled as he tried to comprehend what had happened. "But how? How did you–"
Caracal's lips curled into a smirk as she cut him off. "Did you know that in life, you meet people with an affinity for qi or a negative qi? They tend to stress you to the core–physically, mentally, even spiritually. Some people have either, some have both. I am the latter."
She lifted her foot slightly, tapping it against the ground with calculated precision. "I adjusted a major part of the negative qi in my body to my feet and, by kicking your forehead, I deleted all your qi–all your mental whatever energy is gone. You're not even strong," she said, tilting her head slightly, studying him as if he were an insect. "I used only about one-tenth of my negative qi to take away all of your positive qi. Oh, I'm beginning to talk too much–that's not like me."
Brain Factor's expression twisted with fury. "I hate you! I hate you!! I hate you!!!"
Caracal observed his outrage with calm indifference, her voice smooth and unwavering. "Don't hate me. You'd still be sharing your emotions with me."
Brain Factor's breaths grew shallow as dizziness crept over him. This, he had not anticipated. His limbs weakened, and he dropped to his knees, his vision swimming. As he pressed his fingers against his closed eyes, he turned his face slightly toward the audience, desperation flickering in his movements.
Caracal sighed, shaking her head. "Oh, I honestly forgot–you should have been asleep already."
Immediately, Brain Factor dropped fast asleep. Caracal put on a frowning face as she went on to pull off Brain Factor's upper limbs. Some of the onlookers closed their eyes while some found excitement and glued their eyes to the stage. In the cage, Caracal raised her head which was holding Brain Factor's head; it had been decapitated. A short silence filled the air before the audience clapped in jubilation, some stood up in celebration despite their bet losses.
The announcer kept clapping until he grabbed his microphone. "I knew B-Factor wouldn't stand a chance." He looked at Caracal, "Well, our winner tonight is Caracal!!"
The audience hailed Caracal, chanting her alias. Qin Liying and her looked at each other with smiles –which of course, Caracal struggled to. She left the fight cage to the backstage, allowing for the cleaners to go clear the aftermath.
Backstage, the air buzzed with excitement as Caracal signed autographs for her adoring fans. Though signing, her mind was elsewhere, focused on the mission ahead. The crowd's cheers were a distant hum when her stepmom, who's also her mentor, Qin Liying, approached with a purposeful stride. Leaning in close, Qin whispered to Caracal, "It is finally here." Caracal was impressed, "Good, give it to me." she said as she ended the autographs.
Qin handed over the paper list to Caracal, her eyes filled with a mixed if determination and relief as she looked at it. The names and residence of the five targets were neatly printed, each one representing a crucial piece of the puzzle. She scanned the list quickly, her gaze settling on the first name: Chao Cheng.
"I will start from the fifth name, way up." Caracal looked at Qin. "Book us a flight, to Chicago."
With a decisive motion, she slammed the paper on the table in front of her, the sound echoing through the room. The fans continued to cheer, oblivious to the gravity of the moment. Caracal's heart pounded with anticipation as she prepared to embark on the most critical mission of her life. These aren't just ordinary people, they're the world's secret controllers –The Mighty Five.
______________________________________________
As the plane soared through the night sky, Caracal reviewed the details of her targets. Each one held a piece of information vital to uncovering a conspiracy that traced to world domination; a one government world. Caracal felt cringed, facing down as she laughed.
"So, this is the reason they did that."
Caracal looked down the window, seeing the glittering city lights in Chicago as the plane descended. She know the first target would be easy for her–Dr. Larry Harper, an intelligent yet ethically dubious geneticist living in a highly secured mansion, driven by his ambition to push the boundaries of human evolution.
Yeah, but Caracal shouldn't be underestimated. No amount of security would, and can stop an ultrahuman like her.[2]
______________________________________________
Back at Jack's "Work office", Bella slowly opened her eyes, finding herself cuffed to a steel bed. As she glanced to her left, she saw Jack sitted, watching her. She was spooked.
"Hey, you're awake, after several hours" said Jack with a pinch of excitement.
Bella became nervous, and confused. "Where am I? What's this place?", concerned too, she asked "And the woman I beat down, did you take her to get treatment?"
Jack gestured with his eyes towards Helen, who was sitting nearby. Helen woke up from her sleep, yawning and looked at Bella who was already staring at her, and shocked. She appeared completely healed from Bella's attacks on her.
Bella quickly questioned Helen, "How are you still alive? You look like I didn't stab you countless times not too long ago!"
Jack giggled at the manner in which the question was asked. "You aren't the only one capable of healing beyond normal." Helen smirked at her.
The feeling in Bella turned remorseful, she showed a sad face, her eyes down as she apologized "I'm sorry." she began to explain "The first attack was a reflex, an uncontrollable defense response to any psychic or telepathic move on me."
Helen raised her shoulders, expressing lack of concern "It's alright, that was nothing."
Jack chuckled, "For you, of course." He had to downgrade himself to pass a joke and still praise himself "If that happened to me, my next of kin would have been so glad."
Disappointedly, the joke failed. Bella ejected yellowium blades from her palms and effortlessly cut through the metallic cuffs binding her to the bed. Jack was very impressed. He exclaimed "Amazing!" He proceeded with two claps "You can feel atoms' arrangements, rearrange yours and cut through anything. Nice power you've got."
Bella couldn't care less, she stood up with a serious expression on her face. "That aside, where's my sister?" she asked.
The mood in the room soured immediately. Jack rose from his chair, meeting Bella's intense gaze. He answered her "Your sister is on her way from the hospital. She even agreed to work with me for this mission."
Bella's eyes narrowed in anger. "Agreed...mission...what mission?", she got pissed at even her own question. "You know what, let me just see her first."
Jack gestured with his hands to calm Bella. "Relax, she should soon be here."
Bella had to agree. "I will give you only an hour, or two, and if she's not back by then...you'll have questions to answer."
"Okay ma." Jack responded in a sarcastic manner.
Bella took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and sat back down on the bed. Jack also sat down, while Helen, alreadys seated watched the tense exchange of looks between Bella and Jack. She rested her head on the chair and drifted back to sleep. Jack took out his phone and started pressing it randomly to avoid staring back, while Bella kept her eyes fixed on him.
It wasn't even up to an hour when Julia's taxi pulled up to the gates of Jack's villa. From within the taxi, she could perceive the scent of jasmine in the air and hear the sound of a fountain in the distance.
Julia stepped out of the taxi, her eyes wide as she looked around. The security team approached quickly, their faces stern. One of them started to pat her down, moving from shoulders to her arms. Julia felt more uncomfortable with each passing second. "Please be careful not to touch my hands. I'm an ultrahuman, you never know why I wear these gloves."
"Hey girl," the first security officer snapped, his tone unkind. "We're doing our jobs to keep Jack safe. But I get it–I won't touch your hands." Then, turning to his colleague, he added, "Hey Bob, tell boss she's here."
Bob tapped his earpiece. "Sir, she's here… okay, understood sir… yes sir."
He gave a curt nod to the first guard, who stepped back. The tension in Julia's shoulders eased slightly. She glanced around her, taking in the grandeur of the villa. Moonlight spilled over the walls, casting long shadows that danced across the elegant architecture.
"So, this is wealth."
As she walked towards the entrance, the big doors opened, showing a beautifully decorated foyer. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above and the marble floors shone under the lights. Julia felt a mix of awe and nervousness.
Jack, Bella and Helen came downstairs to meet Julia. Bella ran to hug her as soon as she saw her and in turn, Julia embraced Bella tightly. "Why did you agree to Jack's deal? Without even letting me know first." she whispered to Julia's ear.
Julia whispered back, "Five hundred thousand isn't peanut. I'd prefer you agreed too.
"You are right." Jack interjected, "I also told Bella before now. She's very capable, so many more people could be saved if she joined my team."
Julia turned to Jack, she was irritated. "Stop eavesdropping." She looked around the house, admiring its beauty. "Also, you haven't explained this whole mission thing in full."
"Huh!"
Bella was flabbergasted.
"And you agreed 'cause of the money? How are you sure that he would pay you that kind of huge amount?" she queried Julia.
"I already paid her." Jack concluded.
Bella raised her eyebrows, she just couldn't believe that. She looked at Julia with a face of confirmation.
"Yes. He already paid me the five hundred thousand, dollars by the way." Julia confirmed it to her.
Helen had to join in, "Well, last I checked, he's the world first trillionaire–there are only two. So, money isn't Jack's problem."
Jack's head was flying all over, totally flattered. "Komm schon, Helen. I'm so flattered." He locked in back, "Actually, I'm not, in used to it."
He glanced at his butler and immediately, the butler understood. "Please, if I'm not interrupting, could you all come to this side and have your seats?."
They all adhered and each sat in different sofas. Initially, Bella was on another sofa, but she moved to sit with Julia and they held hands. Helen looked at them, her vision blurred as she used her telepathy to read Julia's mind.
Julia's thought were as follows: I honestly just don't want to have a purpose in my life by myself, I want it with Bella. That five hundred thousand will be very helpful, but several times that, will change our lives forever. Also, I can–
Helen stopped using her telepathy, her vision restored. She looked at Jack, her face etched with worry.
She thought to herself. "Jack is using poverty as a weapon, or should I say using money to control these people. I know for sure, this won't end well.
Jack's butler entered the room, carrying a single cup of coffee, which he placed on the round table in front of Jack whose face twisted in anger. He grabbed the cup and hurled it across the room, the coffee splattering and the cup shattering on the floor. The butler recoiled, trembling as if struck by a sudden chill. Helen, Bella, and Julia stared in shock; no one had ever seen Jack lose his temper, especially over something so trivial.
Jack rudely scolded his butler. "There are three other people here are and you brought only one cup of coffee? That's very rude." He didn't give him a break, "You should know better, old man."
"Stop that!" Julia was pissed. She followed with calmness, "Please, that's enough. No one is above making mistakes. You should have just corrected him nicely instead of being so rude."
Bella could feel her sister, Julia's agony. She aligned with her, "Yeah, Julia's right."
Jack turned to Helen, he was seeking her reaction. Helen remained speechless, though her jaws were dropped from Jack's unexpected outburst. That was when he decided to accept his fault. "Alright, I'm sorry, I really am, guys."
Julia was not moved by that plain apology. "You should apologize to him, not us." She protested.
Her eyes got teary as she began to have hurtful flashbacks about her and Bella, similar to what had just happened. She put herself together, stood up and walked over to the butler, kneeling to help him pick up the broken pieces. The butler looked at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"It's alright," Julia tried to comfort the butler. "It takes someone with high mental training to be this wealthy and remain humble."
Jack's butler wore a creepy smile, "We all act in our lives; we just don't take notes. You didn't take notes."
Julia frowned, troubled by the butler's cryptic words. The butler finished cleaning up and quietly left the room as she stood up and returned to her seat beside Bella, who noticed the worry etched on Julia's face.
Jack cleared his throat and stood up. "I needed to do better, I admit," he tried regaining his composure, "I shouldn't have let my anger get the best of me. And I sincerely apologize."
The tension in the room was palpable as everyone processed what had just happened. Bella decided to change that.
"So, 'this mission', what's it really about?"
Jack hadn't intended for this to be a discussion among all of them. He turned to Bella with quiet resolve. "I didn't plan to bring the three of you here for any discussion," he said. "I actually brought Julia to reunite her with you, Bella. But yes, we're going to defeat Dakhel."
The name struck both Bella and Julia like a foreign chord. Confusion flashed across their faces.
"Who is Dakhel?" Bella asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Helen opened her mouth. "Dakhel is the lead–"
But Jack cut in sharply. "Dakhel is the one controlling these beasts that have been wreaking havoc on humanity for nearly two decades."
Bella narrowed her eyes. "How did you learn that Dakhel is behind all this? Have you seen him in person?"
Jack stilled, aware of her calculated question. "She knows what she's doing," he thought. "asking such question."
"My dad told me," he said at last. "Before he died, he told me about Dakhel and why he sent his armies to Earth."
He glanced at Helen. Her eyes met his, and with them, he saw an unspoken but unmistakable guilt.
Bella pressed further. "Why did Dakhel kill your father?"
"Because," Jack answered quietly, "my dad was a member of the Ten Toes."
"The Ten Toes?" Bella echoed.
Julia shifted beside her, visibly exhausted by the barrage of questions.
Jack continued, "The Ten Toes was a group of ten ultrahumans. The strongest of their time. One of them unintentionally made contact with an extraterrestrial being; Dakhel. That being was drawn to our planet by the shock of such power. So Dakhel sent his demon armies to Earth, searching for something greater. He killed my father and eight others because they were, in his eyes, 'not worth it'."
Bella tilted her head. "What happened to the last member?"
Jack's frustration bubbled over. "I don't know, Bella. I–don't–know."
Julia stepped in, trying to anchor the conversation. "So, basically, Dakhel won't stop until he finds an ultrahuman whose power he deems worthy of taking…while endangering more lives in the process."
"Exactly," Jack nodded.
A storm brewed in Bella's gaze. "Then he should take mine. I might be worth it."
Julia turned to her, alarmed. "Shhh. If your power is taken, you die immediately. Or… have I become a burden to you?"
Bella's tone softened. "I didn't say that. You're not a burden to me. It might be the other way around. And for once, I could become someone with a purpose. Not just a wanderer."
Julia's voice broke with exasperation. "No, you just sound like someone desperate to become a hero with a legacy. Spare me that."
Bella got angry and grabbed Julia by her shirt. Julia removed the glove from her left hand, steak emitting from her palm. They both looked at each other, each stare burning with anger. Helen saw them but remained unbothered. Jack on the other hand, tried to settle the matter.
He gestured his hands,"Hey, now!". He was about to really laugh, barely composing himself. "Both of you should let go, we're all adults here. Bella, you're not sacrificing yourself to anyone."
Bella and Julia let go of each other. Jack smiled a little, seeing Julia put her glove back on.
Jack picked up from his conversation. "I will continue. Before the invasion of this planet by those demon beasts, there were only a few known ultrahumans in the underworld. Though, it was later known that there were actually a couple thousand ultrahumans–some kept a secret by certain organizations."
"You are really beating around the bush, jack." Bella sounded a little bit irritated.
Jack glanced at her, and proceeded with his speech. "After the arrival of these beasts, over five thousand ultrahumans showed up, not just known in the underworld but also in the normal world. There are probably hundreds more, who have refused to register under the URC."
Bella temper sparked, she couldn't hold it in no more. "I still don't see any plan of yours here." she complained.
Helen and Julia nodded in agreement with Bella. They were tired of Jack's yapping.
Jack paced the gleaming marble floor of the drawing room, his voice calm but resolute. "Like I told Helen before," he began, locking eyes with the small group gathered before him, "I want to get fifteen ultrahumans from different countries to take down these monsters. Since the majority of ultrahumans are weak compared to the minority, I'll be selecting from the strongest each country has to offer." His gaze shifted to Bella seated at his right. "You, for example, are the strongest ultrahuman in Italy. My research confirmed it. I selected your sister too because I know you'll both be even stronger together."
He nodded at Helen. "I picked you because you were the strongest from the United Kingdom before it was overtaken by those demons. I've already selected two more–one from Mexico, and one from the United States."
Bella crossed her arms and frowned. "I hope you're not trying to push us to Dakhel so he can take our powers. Also, why aren't you registered under the Ultrahuman Registry Center? Aren't you an ultrahuman?"
Jack smirked faintly. "You ask a lot of questions, Bella. No, I'm not an ultrahuman. I just happen to be very intelligent–intelligent enough to edit my genes so I'm immune to mind-reading or mind control. And no," he added with a note of disdain, "I'm not a demon. Why would I be dumb enough to betray fellow humans to an extraterrestrial dämon?"
Bella gave a slow nod, absorbing the answer. Across the room, Helen stifled a yawn. "I'm tired already. I get the plan. But can you just send the rest via email? I'm really sleepy."
Jack's tone softened slightly. "You're the only tired one here. And it's because of you I'm even doing this."
Julia leaned forward. "So now you have five selected. How do you plan to get the other fifteen?"
A sarcastic grin spread across Jack's face. "Bella wasn't the one to ask this time. I've sent messages to the leaders of several countries. Whichever ones respond quickly and sufficiently will have their strongest ultrahumans selected. As for the master plan… I'll let you all know once we've assembled a complete set of powers. For now, just keep doing whatever you enjoy. But when you're called–arrive quickly."
Bella's lips curved into a small smile. "That sounds great."
Suddenly, Jack called out, "Old man!"
A butler appeared as though summoned by magic, holding a pen and pad. He handed them to Jack and stood by, awaiting orders.
"Hey Bella," Jack said, "I need you to write down your Forcas Bank tag. I'm guessing everyone uses that?"
Bella raised a brow. "Who doesn't use Forcas? Besides, you've got major shares in the bank–probably why you recommended it."
Jack handed her the notepad. She scribbled quickly, then returned it. He passed the book and pen to the butler, who bowed slightly and left the room.
"Before you leave this estate," Jack assured her, "the money will be transferred. This meeting is over. I'll send you all a memo when D-Day comes. You can leave now. Thanks a lot."
Bella and Julia exchanged a loaded glance, barely containing their glee. Bella's joy bubbled inside like champagne.
Outside the estate, the two women hugged, their laughter echoing down the cobbled path. Then, with a whoop, Bella swept Julia off the ground.
"No, no, no! Take it easy this time, Bella!" Julia squealed through laughter.
But Bella didn't listen. In a blink, she spun Julia onto her back and burst into motion. The sudden sonic boom knocked the cap off one of Jack's gate guards. Julia's laughter twisted into a delighted scream as Bella rocketed through the city, a blur of joy and velocity.
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Coins and chaos facts: Over a thousand and half years ago, the feelings of millions of humans on how to react to getting offended ranging from ignoring to hoping for karma created five entities. These entities were born as humans spreading their genes across different generations resulting in the thousands of ultrahumans today.
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