Staring at the person that had just come into view, Sky and Anna were speechless. They were just about to leave when they saw the person.
"Jake?" Sky said, unsure if the person was Jake or not. He did not remember Jake's body being as chiseled as it was now and Jake's hair had grown to reach the bridge of his nose, covering his eyes. He even had a little stubble growing on his face.
Putting his right palm on his face, Jake raised his hair and swept it backwards, revealing his eyes and his full face.
"What's up?" Jake asked as someone else walked to meet him from behind.
Coming to stand by Jake's side was Sasha. Her clothes were dirty and a little bit tattered. Her hair was very rough and had also grown longer, now reaching her shoulders.
"Why are you guys staring like that?" Jake asked.
"Oh no reason." Sky answered. "I mean, it's not like we're staring at two ghosts or anything."
"Ghosts?" Jake asked, confused.
"You guys were presumed to be dead." Anna said. "Since you guys couldn't be found and you guys were in uncharted territory, you were presumed to be dead."
"Well," Sky said, walking over to Jake and Sasha, "welcome back from the dead. In case you've forgotten, this is the land of the living."
"Very funny Sky." Jake said.
"Are you ready to go back to Veda?" Anna asked. "You have a lot to catch up on."
"You ready Sasha?" Jake asked.
"Let's go." Sasha replied.
Now heading back to one of the havens on planet Soran, Jake could see different fights going on between the humans and the Werts. They were staying on the edge of the path leading back to the haven so as to evade the ongoing fights that were happening.
Joining the fight would have been the most plausible thing to do, but Anna and Sky couldn't join the fight with Jake and Sasha by their side. They had been "dead" for a while so they needed to be brought to speed on the current state of the world.
From what Jake could see, it seemed like the Werts had set up a base on Soran and they were attacking while the humans defended themselves.
"When did the Werts start attacking fully?" Jake asked.
"Two days after you guys' failed expedition," Sky began explaining, "they began setting up bases on planets. They were able to set up bases on Soran, Zinor and Ryburn but have not been able to set up on Veda. They try but the soldiers keep stopping them."
"We were also able to create a haven on one of the planets the Werts took over." Anna said. "Planet Ephitos."
"Why are you dressed like that?" Jake asked Sky. "And what's with all the blades?"
"You just noticed it?" Sky replied. "I use the blades with my magic."
"What magic do you have?" Jake asked.
"You'll see." Sky replied.
Chuckling a little, Jake asked. "So why didn't you guys help in the war?"
"Duh! To look for you." Sky answered.
Watching Jake as he chatted with Sky, some things were going through Anna's head. 'This isn't the Jake of before. He's acting the same but the vibe he's giving off now is different from before.'
"You've really been staring at me Anna." Jake said. "Or am I still supposed to call you Miss Anna?"
"I was just doing some thinking." Anna replied.
"I have an idea." Jake said, smiling. "Why don't we bring down the base the Werts have here on Soran."
"What!" Anna shouted. "That's not possible. Not with the number of soldiers on this planet. And there are two Wert bases here on Soran."
"So what?" Jake asked, still smiling at the idea of bringing down the Wert bases.
"Do you even know the strength of the Werts in the bases?" Anna asked.
"No I don't." Jake said. "But Anna, you're very strong. I doubt if any Wert there can take you on."
"That's where you're wrong Jake." Sky said nonchalantly.
"Very wrong." Anna concurred. "Have you ever seen a five-tailed wert? Have you seen what it can do? If not for the intervention of a few Commanders, we could have lost the haven on Zinor because of the presence of two five-tailed werts."
"And I think I heard something about there being four five-tailed werts on Soran." Sky said.
"Let's get to the haven first, before we make any decisions." Sasha said, she had been listening to everything they had been saying and finally decided to speak.
Smiling, Jake had already made a decision in his head. 'No matter what they say, we are going to bring down one of those bases. I've gotten a lot stronger and it's time to see how I'll fare against people with strength, especially Anna.'
Arriving at one entrance to the haven, Jake could see the walls which surrounded the haven had been made thicker since the last time he was here. They were now as thick as the shoulder length of three men joined together.
"Wow, what are they trying to protect? A rare diamond?" Jake asked.
"How about human lives?" Anna asked.
"Alright." Jake said. "I was only joking."
Putting her face in front of the facial scanner, different rays came out and scanned Anna's face before it turned green and the gate was opened for her to pass through.
Sky did the same thing and walked through the gate. Putting his face in front of the facial scanner, the rays came out and scanned Jake's face but after scanning, it turned red.
"What now?" Jake asked.
Seeing the gate open, Jake and Sasha entered the haven and saw Anna and Sky waiting for them.
"I spoke to someone." Anna said when Jake and Sasha were in earshot. "This way."
Moving through the haven with stares from people due to Jake and Sasha looking like hobos, they were headed to the building which was in the center of the haven and also the largest building in the haven.
The buildings were still in the form of domes and more people seemed to have moved to Soran, seeing as the place was now busier than before and more structures had been constructed. Soldiers were also at every corner of the haven. You would always see a soldier anywhere you looked.
Wounded people were coming into the haven while some soldiers were leaving to join the fight.
"Where are we going?" Sasha asked.
"I'm going to have a word with the two Commanders that are here on Soran." Anna answered.
"Great!" Jake said. "We'll come with you."
"No you won't." Anna said.
"Oh come on." Jake said. "This way we'll be able to know the exact strength of the wert bases. And knowing their strength means knowing how large of an army we'll need to bring them down."
"Yeah why don't you hold that thought and go take a shower first?" Sky said. "I don't know if you noticed, but you haven't had a proper bath in one month."
"Okay. Where are the showers?" Jake asked.
"Come with me." Sky said and Jake and Sasha followed him.
Taking Jake and Sasha to a hotel, Sky bought clothes for both of them then checked them into a room, paid for it with his credits and collected the key to the room before heading there.
"Looks like Dad still has the money." Jake said, seeing the grand room Sky had checked them into.
It had two bathrooms, two beds, some couches and a sort of dining area with food already on the table.
"Make yourself at home." Sky said and went to the dining area to eat.
Stepping into the bathrooms with the clothes Sky had bought for them, Jake and Sasha had a nice and long bath.
"She isn't out yet?" Jake asked Sky who was now lying on one of the beds.
"Nope."
Looking at Jake, he had shaved off the small stubble that had grown on his face, smoothened his hair but still left it to be as long as it was. The hair in front was covering his eyes like a kind of curtain dropping from the top of his head and he had used a band to pack the hair at the back, tying it up in a ponytail form.
"You're really gonna leave your hair like that?" Sky asked.
"Yeah." Jake replied then swept the hair back to the top of his head. "I kinda like it. Are we gonna go see the Commanders now or what?"
"That's not for me to decide." Sky said. "We'll wait till Anna gets back."
"And what if I don't feel like waiting?" Jake asked.
"That's your choice. How does that affect me?" Sky responded.
Stepping out of the second bathroom, Sasha had also freshened up and was now looking as beautiful as she was. She had left her brown shoulder-length hair the way it was and had applied only a little bit of makeup.
"Care for some food?" Jake asked Sasha from the table at the dining area. He was putting some food unto his plate while Sasha walked over to join him. "You look good."
"Thanks." Sasha replied as she sat down to eat.
"How will Anna know which room we're in?" Jake asked through a mouth full of food.
"I already messaged her the room number." Sky answered with his eyes closed.
Hearing someone knock on the door from outside the room, Jake got up from his chair. "Speak of the devil."
Opening the door, Jake saw Anna standing outside. "Anna!" he exclaimed, as if he hadn't seen her in ages. "Come in." he said and moved to the side to allow Anna to go in.
Still looking at Jake with uncertainty in her eyes, Anna stepped into the room. "I have news. Probably bad news."