As Jericho lay unconscious, his mind was transported back in time to when he was just a young boy. He was in a dark alleyway, surrounded by tall buildings and the sounds of people shouting and fighting echoed around him. He could see himself being beaten mercilessly by a group of older boys. He was powerless, trying to protect himself with his arms, but the blows kept raining down upon him. Suddenly, the scene changed and he saw himself lying on the cold, hard ground, with no one around to help him. He felt the fear grip him, the same fear he had felt as a young boy. He tried to shake it off, but the fear persisted, drowning him in a sea of darkness. Suddenly, he jolted awake, drenched in sweat, his heart racing. He looked around, trying to orient himself, but everything was a blur. The nightmare had shaken him to his core.
Jericho's eyes fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the dim light of the room. He was lying in a bed with a crisp white sheet pulled up to his chin, a rough blanket covering his body. The sound of waves crashing against the shore and the scent of saltwater filled the air. He had been in and out of consciousness for days, and for a moment, he couldn't remember where he was or how he got there. Then, it all came back to him in a rush. The shoot-out in the port, the escape, and the secluded island.
He turned his head and saw Liz, his closest confidant, sitting on a chair next to the bed, watching him intently. She noticed he was awake and smiled. "Welcome back to the land of the living," she said, getting up to pour him a glass of water. "You've been out for a while."
Jericho took the glass from her and took a sip, grateful for the cool liquid. "Where are we?" he asked.
The sun was shining, reflecting off of Liz's long hair, making it appear as though she was glowing. Her skin, a shade of bronze, sparkled under the sunlight, drawing Jericho's attention to her stunning beauty.
Liz was wearing a swimsuit, which revealed her toned figure. She looked like a goddess, radiating a sense of peace and serenity.
"We're on a privately-owned island in the middle of the disputed South China Sea," Liz explained. "Tenshi found it while scouting the area. It's a safe place for us to recuperate and plan our next move."
As Jericho looked at her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the island they had found. It was like a paradise, untouched by the chaos and violence of the world they had left behind.
Despite the peaceful surroundings, Jericho knew that they couldn't let their guard down. They were still in the middle of a dangerous journey, and he knew that danger could be lurking around every corner. But for now, he was content to simply bask in the safety and peace of their newfound haven.
As he lay there, feeling the sun on his skin and the warmth of the island in his heart, he couldn't help but smile. This was a moment of respite, a moment to catch their breath and recover from the trials they had faced so far.
Jericho nodded, remembering Tenshi, the Japanese martial artist who had joined them on their escape. He was an excellent fighter and a valuable asset to the team. "How's Tenshi doing?"
"He's been mastering his martial arts, training every day on the beach," Liz said. "He's become a fearsome warrior, even more dangerous than before."
Jericho smiled, proud of their new ally. "That's good to hear." He sat up, wincing as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. "What happened to me?"
"You took a bullet during the shoot-out," Liz said, her face grim. "It was a close call, but I managed to get you out of there and onto the boat. I've been taking care of you ever since."
Jericho was touched by her loyalty. Liz had always been there for him, even when others had betrayed him. "Thank you, Liz," he said, taking her hand. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Liz squeezed his hand, smiling. "You don't have to thank me, Jericho. We're a team, remember?"
The sun shone down on her, illuminating her golden skin and highlighting the curves of her body. Her long hair cascaded down her back, like a waterfall of caramel, framing her face that radiated a serene beauty.
Her swimsuit perfectly hugged her hourglass figure, highlighting her defined waist and accentuating the roundness of her hips. Her chest was a work of art, with a perfect shape that was tantalizing and yet elegant.
Her grace and beauty bewitching all who laid eyes on her. She was a vision of femininity, a goddess among mere mortals. And for a moment, the world was a little more beautiful because she was in it.
They sat in silence for a moment, lost in thought. The island was a peaceful and serene place, a welcome respite from the chaos of the city. But they both knew that it was only temporary, and that their enemies would soon come looking for them.
"What's our next move?" Jericho asked, breaking the silence.
Liz leaned forward, her eyes serious. "We need to regroup and come up with a plan to take back the city. We can't let them win. We need to show them that we're not to be underestimated."
Liz's face was simply captivating, with features that seemed to have been crafted by a skilled artist. Her angelic face was framed by long, flowing locks of hair that shimmered like gold in the sunlight. Her eyes were deep set, with brown irises that sparkled like diamonds, and her dimples were so pronounced that they seemed to dance whenever she smiled. Despite her gentle appearance, however, Liz was a force to be reckoned with when trouble arose. Her expression could turn fierce in an instant, yet she remained as sweet and innocent as a dove when calm.
Jericho nodded, his determination growing. He may have been shot, but he was far from beaten. He was the Tondo Mafia Boss, and he would not go down without a fight.
"We'll make a plan, gather our allies, and take back what's rightfully ours," Jericho said, his voice resolute. "We'll show them that we're not to be messed with."