It was morning in Gate, Harry and Buern had taking shifts in watching Josec throughout the night in hopes that he would regain consciousness but Josec remained unconscious. Harry was still sleeping when Buern walked into the room.
"Harry, has Josec shown any signs of recovery? "Buern asked.
"No, he hasn't moved a muscle" Harry said with a yawn.
"That's not good. He's got to at least be able to eat and drink water", Buern said worriedly. At that moment their stomachs began to grumble.
"Man I'm hungry. I was in a rush yesterday and I forgot to buy dinner," Harry said regretfully.
"One night without food won't do us much harm,"
Buern tried to be optimistic.
"I wish that were true but because of our kidnap, we didn't eat yesterday afternoon as well" Harry said.
"Let's pay our dues for tonight and add today's feeding expenses", Harry suggested.
"I'll try to find work at that restaurant the innkeeper told us about", Buern said.
"I'll try to get some new clothes for Josec. His clothes are so badly torn, I'm sure he's feeling cold", Harry said.
"Okay, let's get some breakfast", Buern said.
After paying their dues and feeding expenses, the innkeeper ordered his wife to serve them breakfast. After eating, they went upstairs to try and feed Josec but he was so limp that he could neither eat nor drink.
"This is bad. It's the first time I've felt like I don't know what to do." Buern said sadly.
"You know, there's much more to life than just following orders. I think Josec taught that to both of us", Harry said.
"Yes, I'm leaving to get that job. Take good care of Josec", Buern said as she left.
"Whoa! What a change. It's just too good to be true", Harry said with a laugh. "Isn't that right, Jo?"
Buern walked around Gate. It was a well-developed village and she really admired it. It was one of the few villages on the continent of Oblivion (known by the other continents as the continent of Iron) that had not completely surrendered their freedom to Innovain. Buern had to ask for directions a few times before she finally found the restaurant. It was a big restaurant. It made Buern wonder whether everything in Gate was so extravagant.
Buern walked confidently into the restaurant. The owner of the restaurant seemed worried.
"Excuse me sir," Buern called but he didn't seem to hear her. "Excuse me sir! Are you the owner of this restaurant?" She asked with a loud voice.
The owner turned to look at her.
"I have a very serious problem right now. I'm ruined! Ruined I tell you," he said hysterically.
"Tell me about it, maybe I can help" Buern suggested.
"Not unless you're a good cook who is in need of a job. I need an immediate replacement for one of my best cooks who has recently fallen ill. She hasn't been to work for almost a week and I'm losing a lot of good customers. Do you still think you can help me?" the owner asked.
"Well…I wouldn't say I'm an excellent cook but if you're willing to give me a chance, I'll do my best. That is a promise" Buern said confidently.
"And just how much do you expect to be paid each day?" the owner asked.
"Fifty gold coins and food enough for three people is all I ask for in return" Buern said.
"What a strange request. I expected you to ask for more. Well what do I have to lose anyway? You're hired" the owner declared.
"Thank you very much, I'll start as soon as I get to know the cooks" Buern said gratefully.
The owner of the restaurant showed Buern to the kitchen. To her surprise, Cecily was busy cooking with some of her mates.
"Hey guys! What a surprise! Do you work here?" Buern asked.
"These kids are lifesavers. I had a lot of vacant posts in my restaurant yesterday but they all volunteered to be replacements" the owner said.
"How convenient. I don't understand why you had so many vacancies" Buern said suspiciously.
"I don't want to get you kids into trouble so it's better you know nothing about it for now" the owner said.
"Could it be that you've been receiving threats?" Buern asked.
"How did you know?" the owner asked.
"I took a wild guess. Whatever the problem is, we'll never stop working" Cecily promised.
"Thank you. For kids, you are much more dedicated than my cowardly former cooks" the owner said.
After he had left, Buern asked Cecily to teach her how to cook. That took quite a while since Cecily had to introduce Buern to the cooking utensils. After a while, Buern began to get the hang of it. She found it fun to be cooking with her mates.
"You know…lately, it seems as though you've changed a lot" Cecily said suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Buern asked.
"I never thought you cared for anyone or anything, yet here you are cooking happily" Cecily said.
Buern thought deeply about her words.
"But I like you better this way" Cecily quickly added.
Harry meanwhile was in a clothes shop. He searched around for nice clothes for Josec.
"Knowing Josec, I'd better buy something less flashy and more comfortable" Harry thought as he walked to the shop assistant.
"This is what I want" Harry said as he placed the clothes he had bought on the counter.
"These together cost one hundred gold coins" the shop assistant said.
"Drat! They're so damn expensive!" Harry complained.
"Is there a problem?" the shop assistant asked.
"No, I'll take them" Harry said as he picked the clothes up and rushed back to the inn.
Josec was still unconscious when he got back.
Meanwhile, in the restaurant, a few customers had arrived. Cecily urged Buern to take their orders. Buern didn't want to because she felt that she still did not know how to talk to people properly.
"You'll do fine" Cecily encouraged.
Buern sighed and walked to the customers.
"Welcome…uh…people? What will your orders be?" Buern greeted nervously.
"She needs to work on her greetings" Cecily said to the others who were watching closely while pretending to be working seriously.
"What's cooking? Smells delicious" One customer said.
"That? Oh that's just prep work. I was working on my cooking" Buern said.
"That's just prep work?! Then you must be a really good cook!" The other customer praised.
"No, this is just my first time." Buern said.
"We'll have what's cooking" the customer said.
"Okay just give me a sec" Buern said as she walked to the others.
"They want…"
"We know. It does smell delicious doesn't it?" Julian said.
"Yeah, but the problem is that we don't even know how it tastes" Buern said nervously.
"Just give them what they want, I'm sure it will be great" Alan assured them.
So they served the chicken flavoured noodles with chicken sauce they had prepared to the customers. The customers inhaled deeply and then they took their chopsticks and tasted the noodles.
"How does it taste?" Buern asked eagerly.
The customers had frowns on their faces.
"It's not so great" One customer said.
"I thought so" Buern sighed in disappointment.
"We're just kidding! That's the best thing we've ever tasted!" The same customer exclaimed.
"Really?!" Buern and Cecily exclaimed.
"It's so simple and yet so skilfully complex at the same time. It's got just the right temperature, right texture, taste and they all harmonize well. How much does one serving cost?" the other customer asked.
"About eighty gold coins" Cecily quickly said.
"It's that cheap?! Cool! Then I guess we can have the time of our lives! Right buddy?!" the first customer said excitedly.
"Of course!" the other customer said and Buern and Cecily left to prepare another serving.
By the time they were done, the customers were waiting anxiously. When they tasted the second serving, they almost cried.
"It keeps getting better and better!" they exclaimed.
By the time they left, the two customers had eaten five bowls each and Buern and the others had earned eight hundred gold coins.
Before long, more customers came in and the restaurant was full.
Harry was still looking after Josec. He had just finished changing Josec's clothes when Buern rushed in and handed some bundled food to him.
"How is Josec?" she asked.
"Still unconscious," Harry answered.
"Oh no! Harry, I need to rush back. I'll try to be back early" Buern said sadly.
"Don't worry, Josec has been in tougher situations" Harry tried to make her feel better.
"Really?" Buern asked.
"He's gone through much worse than this so you get back to work. He'll be fine" Harry assured her.
When she returned to the restaurant, it was as though there was a big party going on. The customers were singing and celebrating joyfully. The celebration went on till evening. By then, Buern and co had earned a hundred thousand gold coins. The owner entered the restaurant and was surprised to see so many customers.
"Whoa, what's going on?" he asked Cecily.
"Well, the customers seem to be in love with a new recipe Buern helped us cook" Cecily replied.
"How much did you earn today?" the owner asked.
"A hundred thousand gold coins! Can you believe it?!" Cecily exclaimed excitedly.
"That much?!" the owner exclaimed in disbelief.
Buern walked towards them.
"Good evening sir" she greeted.
"Good evening Buern. I want to thank you so much for saving my business" the owner said.
"No, I didn't do it alone. Cecily and the others helped me out. I too have to thank you for giving me the chance to prove myself. I also wish to ask for permission to leave early. There is someone I need to take care of. It's a matter of life and death" Buern requested.
"I can't possibly refuse you. You've done more than enough. Here is your wage for today" the owner said as he handed Buern ten-thousand gold coins.
"S-Sir! This is too much. Our agreement was fifty gold coins" Buern argued.
"I did not think you could help me then and you deserve this. Cecily and the other four will be paid the same wages" the owner said.
"Thank you sir" Buern accepted the money gratefully.
Then she packed some food in take away containers and left for the inn.
When she arrived, Josec was still unconscious. Harry was fast asleep.
"No, this can't be" Buern said as she placed the food on the ground and sat beside Josec's bed.
She placed her hand on his forehead. Josec's body temperature was rapidly dropping.
"No! Harry wake up! J-Josec is…Josec is dying!" Buern called hysterically.
Harry sprang from the floor.
"WHAT?!" he roared.
"What do we do Harry?" Buern asked almost on the verge of tears.
"Stay here! I'll get Alan!" Harry said.
"Alan is at Silver Gate Restaurant where I work" Buern informed him.
"I'll be right back!" Harry said as he ran out.
He leapt from the top of the stairs to the ground and rushed out of the inn.
Buern held Josec's hand.
"Wake up Josec. Come on! You can do it!" Buern urged.
Josec remained unconscious.
"You once told me that having a multitude of friends is like having infinite strength! Prove that now Josec or were your words just empty lies?!" Buern burst into tears.
Josec remained unconscious still.
"You can't die without knowing…how I feel about you" Buern said sadly.
Then, she began to sing:
"It's kinda hard to understand
It's harder trying to believe
Hours ago you took my hand
And in a second you want to leave
I want to believe I'm one of the strongest
But I can't help but doubt it
It's just impossible living with everyone else
Cos yet still it doesn't seem to fit"
Buern sang. Her voice was trembling as she sang and her tears were flowing so much that she had to shut her eyes. She didn't notice Josec's eyelids twitching.
"I remember saying I hate goodbyes
Especially when I'm the one to let it out
I would be telling the biggest of lies
If I said I could turn fate roundabout
All I need now is my lucky star
Which I know by chance won't be so far
And if you ever think of leaving bear in mind
You aren't leaving alone
I'm waiting for your call
And I can't understand if you're no more
I can't be left in this cold world
Without you by my side
If I could change this whole scene
I'd put me in your place."
Buern continued to sing. Josec opened his eyes and watched her. She seemed so distressed and desperate.
"Wow, I never knew you were such a great singer" Josec said weakly. Buern opened her eyes and suddenly stopped singing.
Josec was staring at her with a smile on his face.
"Josec! You're awake!" Buern exclaimed in joy and hugged Josec reflexively.
"I'm alright Buern…B..?!!! Wait a minute! I can't move my body! I…I can't move!" Josec exclaimed hysterically.
Buern sat up.
"Why can't I move?!" Josec screamed.
"Don't you remember what happened?" Buern asked.
Josec recalled Innovain's limit break.
"We're only alive because your mother…" Buern suddenly realized her mistake and stopped herself.
"My mother?! What happened to my mother?! Where am I?!" Josec screamed hysterically.
"Calm down Josec" Buern was saying when Harry suddenly came in with Alan.
"Josec? Buddy! You're awake!" Harry exclaimed joyfully.
"Harry…unnhh! Why can't I move?! And what happened to my mother!" Josec yelled.
Harry glared at Buern angrily.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to let it out. It just sorta slipped" Buern apologized.
Harry sighed.
Alan rushed to Josec's side and stretched his hands over him and closed his eyes. He began to examine Josec's body with his mind.
"Hmm, this is strange. I don't see anything wrong with Josec. All his bones are fine. His nerves and muscles seem a little lax but there's not much damage. But…I sense a disturbance within his spirit, almost as though a curse has been placed on him" Alan said.
"That must be the effect of Innovain's limit-break" Buern said sadly.
"Will it wear off?" Harry asked.
"Hey! Tell me what happened to my mom!" Josec demanded.
"Are you sure you want to know what happened to her?" Harry asked grimly.
"Quit stalling and tell me already!" Josec roared.
"Eat something first" Buern suggested as she removed some food from a polythene bag.
She opened it and sat beside Josec.
"Will you be able to eat on your own?" she asked.
Josec looked at his arms and struggled to move them but they wouldn't budge.
"I can't move anything from my neck down" Josec said worriedly.
"Then let Harry and I be your arms and feet for the mean time okay?" Buern said with a gentle smile.
Josec stared at her and nodded slowly.
"Okay, let me help you up" Buern offered as she lifted Josec to a sitting position and positioned him against the wall.
Then she fetched some of the food with a spoon and raised it to Josec's lips.
"Open wide" Buern ordered.
Josec felt shy and reluctant but he obeyed her. She put the food into his mouth and he began to chew.
"How is the food?" Buern asked.
"It's the best thing I've ever tasted next to my mother's cooking" Josec admitted.
"I made it myself" Buern confessed.
"You…cook?!" Josec exclaimed in shock.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" Buern seemed offended.
"Nothing, I just didn't imagine you to be the cooking type" Josec said.
"I guess most of the time I kinda look intimidating" Buern admitted.
"Very intimidating" Josec added with a laugh.
Buern smiled.
"It's good to see you laughing again. Don't ever lose your smile. Promise me that Josec" Buern pleaded.
Josec remained silent.
"Here, eat" Buern urged Josec on as she fed him till he could eat no more.
"Now tell me about my mother" Josec pleaded.
"Well…how do I say this…she saved our lives and… and sacrificed herself to allow us to escape. We don't know if she's still alive or dead" Harry said honestly.
Josec looked horrified.
"No…way" Josec muttered as tears began to stream down his face.
He hung his head in sorrow.
"I need to be alone for a while" he said sadly.
"Josec…" Buern tried to comfort him.
"Please, I need to be alone" Josec stopped her.
Buern looked at Harry and they walked out. When they shut the door, Josec burst into tears.
"Forgive me dad, I failed you. I couldn't protect mom. What use am I? Why must I continue to live only to see my loved ones die? There is no purpose in my life any longer" Josec wept.
Unknown to him, Buern and Harry were listening through the door. Buern left and entered her room. She truly felt sorry for Josec but she felt angry too, angry with her father, herself and a little angry with Josec. Harry walked Alan home.
"Alan, do you think Josec will be fine?" Harry asked.
"It's a curse on his spirit so I'm not sure. But there is something strange about Josec. I did sense that Josec had enormous power within him but I couldn't sense an ounce of Joki within him. It's not like it was sucked up or is being concealed. It's more like it doesn't even exist within his body" Alan said.
"You're not the only one that noticed, Buern did too, and so did I when I first met him" Harry admitted.
"I can walk the rest of the way. See you later" Alan said as he walked away.
Harry returned to the inn. Josec remained silent so Harry decided he would stay in a different room till Josec got better.
The following day soon arrived. Buern and Harry came in to see Josec. He was still sitting in the position he was the previous night.
"Good morning Josec, how are you feeling?" Buern asked.
"I'm nothing but a failure. I can't protect anyone" Josec said hopelessly.
Harry ordered breakfast but Josec refused to eat.
"If you don't eat, you'll die" Buern said worriedly. "Fine, it will be better for everyone if I just ceased to exist" Josec said.
At this, Buern became so angry that it took every ounce of self-control not to slap Josec.
"Don't ever say a thing like that again! There are people who would be very hurt if you die! Have you forgotten Harry and I?! Alan! Cecily! And everyone that has put their faith in you?!" Buern yelled.
"They have put their faith in the wrong person" Josec said.
Buern was silenced by that statement.
"Sheesh Josec. You're always so hard on yourself. C'mon Jo, you're not alone" Harry said.
"I wish I were. Then I wouldn't be able to fail anyone" Josec said.
"I don't have time for this. I'm off to work!" Buern said angrily.
"Work? Why are you working?" Josec asked.
"To feed a cocky guy and a guy who thinks he's worthless" Buern said.
"Hey! Don't tell me you're reverting Vane!" Harry yelled.
"Wouldn't dream of it" Buern said with a cunning smile, and then she left.
"How low can you sink? Because of me…even Buern has to work" Josec said sadly.
"Then you should be happy. She is happy now because of you and we both know she has never been happy in her life" Harry said.
"At least one good thing has come out of anything I've ever done" Josec said.
"Jeez, for a phoenix you sure have more than just ruffled feathers. You have broken wings. If you keep this up, you'll never heal" Harry said.
"Broken wings…huh?" Josec said.
Meanwhile Buern had arrived at the restaurant.
"Welcome Miss Vane. Your colleagues are already waiting for you" the owner said.
"That's great" Buern said quite sadly as she walked into the kitchen.
Her friends greeted her with cheers, then, they noticed her sadness.
"What's wrong Buern?" Cecily asked.
"It's Josec. He's so depressed about not being able to protect his mother that he's lost his will to live" Buern said sadly.
"Are you talking of Fenix?" Cecily asked.
"Who else?" Buern said.
"Well you should understand. He's lost both of his parents. But more than anything, you should believe in him even when he loses faith in himself. Remember a phoenix becomes stronger only after its fall" Cecily said.
Her words amazed everyone.
"I guess you're right" Buern said with a smile.
"Let's get to work" Cecily said and they started to cook.
Meanwhile Josec lay in bed thinking.
"You know Josec? You didn't even show a shred of curiosity about Buern's work" Harry said.
"I know she's definitely working in a restaurant. Hey Harry, why don't you take me there?" Josec asked.
"First you must bathe and eat and get dressed and guess who'll be doing all that for you?" Harry asked.
"I dreaded the very thought. That was why I was afraid to ask" Josec muttered.
"Oh, I see. You'd very much prefer it if Buern bathed you is that it?" Harry teased.
"WHAT IN THIS LIFE WOULD GIVE YOU SUCH A CROOKED IDEA YOU IDIOT!!!" Josec yelled.
"Oooh touchy touchy, I must have tweaked a nerve which means I'm quite close to the truth" Harry teased.
"PSYCHORAGE ABILITY!" Josec began to yell.
"Whoa whoa! Okay I'll quit it. Sheesh, you're even prepared to Psychorage in your present state" Harry said.
After Harry had prepared Josec, he carried Josec on his back and they began to walk towards the restaurant. Josec felt uncomfortable being carried because he felt everyone was watching him. Soon they saw the restaurant.
"What a fancy restaurant! Does Buern really work here?" Josec asked curiously.
"Yep! This is the place," Harry said as they entered the restaurant.
Cecily saw them first. Buern was working in the kitchen.
"Hey guys. Josec, I hope you're not feeling too bad about yourself" Cecily said worriedly.
"I have honestly felt better" Josec said nervously.
"You guys can sit down" Cecily said as she showed them to a table.
Harry sat Josec down carefully and shifted his chair so that they were close to each other. Cecily hurried to the kitchen. Buern was cooking busily. She was still worried about Josec when Cecily walked in.
"Buern! You won't guess who just came in!" Cecily said excitedly.
"Could it be Josec?!" Buern thought excitedly as she rushed out of the kitchen.
She saw Josec and Harry sitting together and smiled to herself.
Then she walked to them.
"Josec! What are you doing here?!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"Just thought I'd see where you work" Josec said with a smile.
"Are you hungry?" Buern asked.
"Not really. Harry made me eat before bringing me here" Josec said.
Buern glared at Harry.
"My bad! I forgot I was bringing him to a restaurant" Harry laughed nervously.
"But I haven't eaten for quite a while since I was out so I'm hungry enough to eat again" Josec said.
Buern smiled.
"Okay, I'll get you something to eat. Just wait right here" Buern said as she went into the kitchen.
"See? I told you, you make her happy" Harry said.
"At least I'm not a total loser" Josec said sadly.
"Jo, you've got to let this go. You tried your best. Innovain was just stronger" Harry said with the intention of making Josec feel better.
"Or maybe I'm just weaker. Now, I can't even move my body" Josec muttered with a depressed look.
"Cheer up Josec. If you don't you are only going to make Buern depressed as well" Harry advised.
As they sat talking, a group of suspicious men entered the restaurant.
"So Ryce refused to take our advice and close down his restaurant eh?" the leader of the men said.
"And I hear that he's hired a new cook whose recipes are so great that they make people cry" one of the men whispered to him.
"Hotaka! You haven't betrayed me and eaten here have you?!" the boss glared at the man who had just spoken.
"N-no boss!" Hotaka pleaded.
"Don't bother with this moron, you already know that he thinks with his intestines" the boss' right hand said.
"If you say so Killaman. After all you're the only one I can always count on" the boss said.
The others seemed offended by the boss' words so they began to grumble.
"Shut yer traps ya bloody nitwits or I'll stick my foot in 'em" the boss warned.
Buern came from the kitchen and served Josec and Harry.
"Here you go, enjoy" she said as she left to attend to the customers that had just arrived.
"Is she the one?" the boss asked Hotaka.
"Yep! That's her boss!" Hotaka said.
"Then let's go have a talk with her. What do you say boys?!" the boss said with an evil laugh.
His henchmen laughed evilly.
Buern who was unaware of their intentions approached them.
"Can I help you guys?" she asked politely.
"Yes, you seem like a wise young lady. See, this place is a little trashy. A girl like you…"
"Boss" Hotaka called.
"A very enterprising young girl like you shouldn't be working with a shitty man like Ryce. He's not a good man…"
"Boss" Hotaka called again.
"Shut up Hotaka! Can't you see I'm sweet-talking this young lady? Killaman, Bonsuman, kick the hell out of Hotaka" the boss ordered and kicks began to rain on Hotaka.
Buern watched them unconcerned.
"As I was saying, why don't you work in my restaurant instead? I'll pay you much better than Ryce, what do you say?" the boss questioned Buern.
"I say you're insane! Mr Ryce has been good to me. I won't betray him!" Buern yelled.
"Think it over, I'll wait two minutes for your answer" the boss said.
"Don't bother, my answer is no!" Buern yelled.
"Hey young lady, you are pulling quite a dangerous stunt by refusing the boss" Bonsuman warned.
"It's not nearly as dangerous as the stunt you're pulling by just being in my presence" Buern said.
"Okay, then I guess we'll do this the hard way then. Bonsuman! Killlaman! Roachman! Maggotman! Flyman! Kidnap this girl immediately and hell, we're doing it in broad daylight so don't even ask!" the boss ordered.
The henchmen charged on Buern. Buern made a fighting stance and beat them easily.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" Josec yelled.
"Oh, so you had friends. If I refuse, what will you do?" the boss mocked.
"I will make you leave!" Josec roared but he suddenly fell from the chair.
"Josec!" Buern and Harry called in concern.
Harry stood up and carried Josec.
"What?! HA! So you are even paralyzed. You sure have spirit. Killaman! Get that boy!" the boss ordered and they charged on Harry but Harry and Buern beat them without much effort.
"Weaklings like you shouldn't try to hurt others" Harry warned.
"Sheesh, I'm shaking! I still have a trump card. He's the only member of our group whose name doesn't end with 'man'. He sounds small but he's really big and strong. SHOWBOY! GET IN HERE AND DEAL WITH THESE PESTS!" the boss called.
"Don't you dare order me!" a sinister voice answered and a very tall and wellbuilt man with an x-shaped scar running across his face entered the restaurant.
"This is Showboy, a.k.a Annihilator! Now you will regret for disobeying me!" the boss chuckled evilly.
"You want me to beat a couple of kids?" Showboy asked.
"No, I want you to cook pancakes. Are you mad?! How do you even dare to ask such a question?! Of course I want you to beat a couple of kids but do not hurt the girl too badly. She must retain her beauty" the boss said.
Buern and Harry stared at Showboy in horror. They could sense the intense Joki he was generating.
"Oh and I forgot to tell you kids one thing. Showboy is a Jo-lan fighter with the class of warrior. I know you know what this means. Good luck though, you will need it. Heh! Like I believe in luck!" the boss laughed.
Showboy began to display his aura.
Harry grinned as he placed Josec back on the chair.
"Vane?" he called.
"Let's do it!" Buern agreed.
Harry displayed his aura but Buern's aura wasn't showing.
"Vane? Why aren't you displaying your joki?!" Harry scolded Buern.
"I can't. My joki…I can't feel it!" Buern exclaimed in shock and dismay.
"WHAAAT?!" Harry exclaimed.
"Hmmph! Kids!" Showboy scoffed as he disappeared and suddenly appeared behind Harry.
"HARRY! WATCH OUT!" Buern screamed.
"Too slow!" Showboy said as he delivered a terrible lateral kick to Harry's side.
So terrible was the kick that, it knocked Harry through the wall of the restaurant and left him unconscious.
"HARRY!" Josec and Buern called out in worry.
Showboy appeared beside Josec and stared at him.
Josec glared at Showboy angrily.
"Do you hate me kid?" Showboy asked.
"No! Leave him alone!" Buern screamed as she charged to attack Showboy but Killaman and Bonsuman caught her in a tight lockhold.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Josec demanded.
"Sheesh! The girl says 'leave him alone,' the boy says 'leave her alone.' I say knock him down!" the boss mocked.
Showboy suddenly kicked the legs of the chair, breaking them in the process and causing Josec to fall to the ground.
"JOSEC!" Buern screamed.
Showboy walked to Josec and placed his foot on Josec's head.
"Hating alone means nothing. If you hate injustice, then you should try to make a difference with your own hands" Showboy said as he kicked Josec with such force that Josec crashed into a table causing it to fall on him.
"Leave him alone! I'll do what you want! Just stop hurting Josec!" Buern pleaded.
"Finally you've come to your senses. I knew you would wisen up" the boss said as he gestured to Showboy to leave Josec.
They then left the restaurant with Buern. Josec lay on the ground, disappointed and angry with himself for not being able to do anything.
Cecily and the others came out of the kitchen. They had remained there because they were frightened. But now, they came to help. They carried Josec and Harry back to the inn.
When Harry opened his eyes, he was back at the inn.
"What happened?" he asked.
"You were beaten by Mr Gorou's men. They've taken Buern hostage. They've been threatening Mr Ryce lately but since they heard that Mr Ryce's business was booming lately because of Buern's cooking, they decided to kidnap her. I think they want to force her to work in their restaurant, 'Eat and Die Royal Restaurant'" Cecily explained.
"Eat and Die?! They're insane!" Harry burst into laughter.
"It's not funny. You should have seen how they used me to toy with Buern's feelings. Damn!" Josec said angrily as he punched the pillow.
Harry stared at him in joy.
"Thinking about it just makes me mad!" Josec roared as he punched the wall.
"Hey Jo! You can move your hands!" Harry exclaimed.
Josec stared at his hands.
"You're right. I can move them" he said with no enthusiasm.
"You don't seem happy. Don't worry Jo, we'll rescue Buern" Harry assured Josec.
"We? I can't. I'm just useless. Anytime I try to help someone…I only succeed in hurting someone else. You go ahead Harry. I'm no good as a fighter. I don't deserve the name Fenix!" Josec said as he began to weep.
Josec's words made Harry angry.
"If this is how you choose to act, then you really don't deserve the name Fenix! C'mon Josec! You who have never trained as a Jo-lan warrior managed a full form Psychorage! You challenged Innovain, your father's murderer and you've always defended others! The Josec I know would never quit!" Harry lectured.
The Josec you know is me trying to be something I'm not" Josec said tearfully.
"You're not a failure Josec. You're the bravest boy I've ever known. Don't give up!" Cecily encouraged.
"You know what?! Don't mind this stupid! Idiotic! Senseless coward! He's not going to do anything! Once I thought Buern did not deserve a guy like you, I was wrong. You don't deserve a girl like Buern. For the past few days, all she's done is care for you, stay by your side and shed tears for you. The biggest failure in life is not failing once, twice or even a hundred times. The biggest failure is refusing to try in the first place! You can feel sorry for yourself and I'll tell you something! I'm not going to rescue Buern for you! You can do that when you come back to your senses. If you come back to your senses! Useless wretch!" Harry insulted as he walked out of the room and banged the door.
Cecily and the others stood silently. They were shocked by Harry's words. Josec was sad and angry but he didn't move.
"He doesn't mean that" Cecily said.
"You're damn right I mean it! Oh and one more thing, I'm always glad whenever Somili whips your stinking butt!" Harry's voice sounded from the next room.
"SHUT UP!" Josec yelled back.
"We'll leave now" Cecily excused herself and left with the others.
Josec remained alone in his room, lost in thought.
"I'm no good to anyone. I've failed everyone I love. Dad, Mom, Harry…even the girl I love…Buern" Josec thought to himself as memories began to fill his mind.
He saw himself as a kid, sitting in the classroom with Harry.
Sir Bakaboy walked into the classroom with a young Buern.
"Can I get your attention class?" he called.
There was silence in the classroom.
"Good. From now on, this girl will join in our class activities. Her name is Buern Vane. Please be nice to her" Sir Bakaboy said.
"Honestly, I could care less if you were nice to me or not. Just don't get in my way or you'll be incinerated by me" Buern threatened indifferently.
"Wow! What a brilliant young girl. Only eight years old and she has such good vocabulary" Sir Bakaboy praised Buern.
"Don't compliment her Bakaboy! She just threatened to kill us!" Harry roared.
Buern walked towards them. Her gaze seemed to be fixed on Josec.
"Wow, she's so pretty" Josec said dreamily.
"Drop dead" Buern muttered emotionlessly as she walked past him.
Josec collapsed from shock.
As Josec recalled this, he began to laugh.
"What's so funny idiot?!" Harry yelled from his room.
"Harry, do you remember the time we first met Buern?" Josec asked.
She threatened to incinerate us. Now that I think of it, she always had this wicked sense of humour" Harry laughed.
There was silence from Josec's end.
"Josec?" Harry called.
"Mmmmmmnnnnnhhhhh!!!" the sound of a struggle was heard from Josec's end.
"Josec?" Harry called again.
"Move, you stupid leg!" Josec yelled.
"Josec? What are you doing?" Harry asked.
There was the sound of a heavy drop.
"Josec!" Harry called loudly.
Meanwhile, the kidnappers had tied Buern up. She had a few bruises on her face.
"You're really stubborn! Why do you prolong your pain? Just swear your allegiance to me and your pain will end" Mr Gorou said.
"I won't stay here for long! Josec will rescue me!" Buern declared.
"Josec? You mean the paralyzed brat? You are so wrong. He didn't look to me like he could save anybody" Mr Gorou laughed.
"You people sure have a death wish to have made Josec so angry. I tell you he won't be so happy when he gets here" Buern said with a confident smile.
"You really believe in this Josec don't you? Well we can fix that. I'll show you how sorry Josec is feeling for himself right now. Show her Bonsuman!" Mr Gorou ordered.
Bonsuman conjured a large mirror.
"Behold Josec!" Mr Gorou said as an image appeared in the mirror.
It was an image of Josec. He was crawling on the floor with a determined look on his face.
"Don't worry Buern. Just wait for me. I WILL SAVE YOU! I PROMISE!!!" Josec said with such will power that even the kidnappers began to tremble.
Josec crawled out of his room and reached the stairs.
"Josec don't" Buern whispered silently.
But Josec kept crawling and soon he was falling down the stairs. Buern shut her eyes and turned away till Josec reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Ouch ouch ouch! It hurts all over but I'm still alive" Josec said with a laugh.
Buern opened her eyes and stared at the image in the mirror. Her heart was racing and she felt like she was flying. It was a fascinating feeling but she didn't understand it.
Josec placed his palms on the ground.
"I'm also a Jo-lan fighter with the class of defender. It is my destiny to protect people" Josec said.
"Did you hear that joke? He said class of defender. That's the weakest class isn't it? Even if he gets here, he's finished!" Mr Gorou said and the others laughed.
Buern kept watching Josec. Now she was worried.
"If Josec had chosen the class of defender, he would be at a disadvantage" she thought.
"Phoenix, if you have chosen me to bring peace to this world…then once more…lend me your strength!" Josec roared.
There was a blinding flash of light and a loud shriek and suddenly, a very powerful joki could be felt by everyone, so powerful that, it sent a shiver down their spines. When the light disappeared, Josec was standing with silver phoenix wings flowing from his back.
"AIIIIEEEE!!!" Mr Gorou suddenly screamed like a girl.
"These bandits had better not hurt Buern. If I find a single scratch on her, I swear I'll send them flying to the planet Jupiter!" Josec roared as he suddenly disappeared.
"Hotaka! Run like hell to my wife and ask her for makeup! We are going to conceal Buern's bruises!" Mr Gorou ordered.
"What for?" Hotaka asked.
"To kill you and bury your body without your head. YOU IDIOT! DO YOU WANT US TO DIE?!" Mr Gorou roared.
"You know it's useless. When Josec's in that state…he's faster than lightning. I give him at least one micro-second to show up" Buern said with a confident smile.
Suddenly, the door to Eat and Die Restaurant blew up and Josec stood in the doorway with his silver wings.
"Josec!" Buern called.
Josec walked into the restaurant.
"We'll stop him boss!" the kidnappers roared and charged to attack Josec.
Josec blinked his eyes and there was a sudden flash of light. All the henchmen lay defeated at Josec's feet.
"SH-SHOWBOY HELP!" Mr Gorou screamed and Showboy appeared.
Showboy smiled to see Josec.
"So you took my advice" he said.
"You know, you don't seem like a bad person to me but…" Josec said as he disappeared and reappeared in front of Showboy.
"You did use me to hurt Buern so I won't forgive you!" Josec said as he gave Showboy such an uppercut that he broke through the roof and fell outside.
Josec walked towards Mr Gorou and Buern.
"Did they hurt you Buern?" Josec asked.
"You are late Josec, I got beat badly" Buern complained.
Josec saw Buern's bruises.
"RRRAAAAARRRRRGGGHHH!!!" Josec roared in anger as he fully psychoraged.
Mr Gorou and his men stared at the gigantic phoenix in shock. Cecily and the others saw the phoenix from a distance.
"I see. The phoenix flies once again" Cecily said with a satisfied smile.
Harry watched from his window.
"Jeez! That Josec sure is an extremist" Harry laughed happily.
"You know! Before I got here, I swore to send you all flying to the planet Jupiter if I found a scratch on Buern but instead, I found bruises. You guys are lucky, I won't do that anymore" Josec said.
"R-Really?!" Mr Gorou said in relief.
"No, you guys were thoughtless enough to hurt a girl so I will send you to the afterlife!" Josec roared.
"Josec…don't. They are not worth it. Let's just get out of here" Buern said with a satisfied smile.
"But first they must promise to leave Mr Ryce and his business alone!" Josec roared.
"We will! We will!" Mr Gorou begged for mercy.
"Fine then, I will spare you. I will be watching you with my phoenix eye" Josec threatened.
"Do whatever you wish, we won't cause anymore trouble" Mr Gorou promised.
Josec turned back into himself.
"And for crying out loud, change the name of your restaurant. It's intimidating and it's scaring away your customers" Josec advised.
"Oh, I didn't know that" Mr Gorou said.
"It's the truth" Josec said as he untied Buern.
"Can you walk?" he asked.
"I think so" Buern said but she stumbled and would have fallen if Josec had not caught her.
"That's it, I'm carrying you before you hurt yourself" Josec said as he carried Buern on his back and walked out of the restaurant.
As they walked back to the inn, both Josec and Buern felt rather shy of each other.
"Josec" Buern called.
"Yes?" Josec answered.
"I saw what you did, dragging yourself on the floor and down the stairs to save me…thank you" Buern said.
"I'm sorry Buern" Josec apologized.
"Why are you apologizing?" Buern asked him.
"Lately, I've only caused you pain and suffering. I don't want you to shed any more tears for me" Josec said.
"But you've also made me really happy. I've never felt happier in my life than I feel with you" Buern confessed.
"Me too" Josec said.
Buern hugged him a little more tightly.
When they arrived at the inn, Harry was waiting for them.
"Now, isn't this a romantic picture?" Harry said with a sly laugh.
"SHUT UP HARRY!" Buern and Josec yelled together.
"Touchy touchy, it looks like I tweaked a nerve. That means…" Harry teased.
"Don't make me psychorage twice in a single day!" Josec threatened.
Cecily and the others soon arrived.
"Hey, you guys. Mr Ryce is organising a party for you so come to Silver Gate Restaurant immediately!" Cecily called.
So the three friends went to the party and had a good time. Buern resigned and handed the business to Cecily so that Mr Ryce's business would flourish.
After paying the innkeeper for the trouble and his patience and resting for one more day, they continued their journey to the port town of Wusihen.