Jin rose to his feet. However, the victory was short-lived. Four new Agents appeared, their eyes fixed on Jin.
Jon's timely intervention saved Jin from certain doom. An ancient spell summoned Jin back to Jon's realm, sparing him from the Agents' wrath.
As Jin materialized beside Jon, he saw the concern etched on the ancient man's face.
"Your strength is growing, Jin," Jon said, "but the Agents will not stop. You must rest and prepare for the battles ahead."
Jin nodded, his mind still reeling from Boro's sacrifice. The weight of his friend's words and the responsibility to carry on their shared mission fueled his determination.
As Jin and Jon finished their conversation, a shimmering portal materialized within their safehouse. The air rippled with energy, and a faint hum filled the space. Two figures emerged from the swirling vortex.
First, Rex stepped out, his tall, lean frame exuding confidence. His piercing blue eyes scanned the area, his sharp jawline set in a resolute expression. Rex's black leather jacket was torn and scarred, revealing glimpses of his augmented cybernetic limbs beneath.
Behind Rex, Aria stumbled out of the portal, her striking emerald eyes and raven-black hair captivating. Her delicate features belied an inner strength.
"Mission accomplished,"
Rex announced, his deep voice devoid of emotion.
Jin's eyes narrowed, concern etched on his face.
"Rex, what happened? You look like you've been through hell."
Rex shrugged, his expression unchanging. "Just a few minor setbacks, while you were out for months I've been working."
Aria's gaze darted between Jin, Jon, and Rex, confusion etched on her face.
"Where...where am I? Who are you people?"
Jon's expression turned warm.
"You're safe now, Aria. This is Jin, and I'm Jon. We're...friends."
Aria's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean 'safe'? What's going on? One minute I was home, and the next...this."
Rex's gaze softened – a rare sight.
"You were in danger, Aria. I extracted you from the New World."
Aria's brow furrowed.
"The New World? What's that? I don't understand."
Jin's curiosity piqued. "You don't know about the simulated reality?"
Scene: The Shadow Council Chamber
The darkness within the chamber seemed to writhe and twist, like living shadows. Six figures, their faces and bodies obscured by the darkness, sat around a circular table. The air was heavy with anticipation and frustration.
Four Agents, their faces hidden behind black visors, stood before the council, their heads bowed in unison.
"Report," a low, gravelly voice commanded from the shadows.
The lead Agent stepped forward, his voice trembling. "We apologize, Council. We arrived late. Jin had already escaped."
A pause, followed by an eruption of anger.
"Laziness!" one of the shadowy figures spat. "Incompetence!"
Another figure leaned forward, its voice dripping with venom. "You were tasked with eliminating a single target. How did you fail?"
The Agents exchanged nervous glances.
"One thing, Council," another Agent ventured. "Jin seems to be gathering other...breakouts. And he's using Spatial Magic."
A figure in the shadows raised an eyebrow, its presence seeming to grow larger.
"Rare magic, indeed," the Agent continued. "Only a select few among our top officials possess it."
The chamber fell silent, as if the very air had been sucked out.
Suddenly, one of the Agents spoke up, his voice laced with suspicion. "Could there be a traitor among us, Council?"
Before he could continue, a shadowy figure raised a single finger, its tip gleaming with an otherworldly light. An unseen energy burst forth, striking the Agent's head with precision.
The Agent's head exploded in a shower of blood and gore, his body crumpling to the floor.
The remaining Agents flinched, terror etched on their faces.
"Enough," the gravelly voice growled. "We will not tolerate dissent."
The lead Agent swallowed hard. "Yes, Council."
A figure in the shadows leaned forward, its voice low and menacing. "Summon...[name redacted]. We require specialized expertise."
The lead Agent nodded hastily. "Immediately, Council."
As the Agents retreated, the chamber's darkness seemed to deepen, the shadows twisting into malevolent grins.
The Shadow Council's patience had worn thin. Jin's existence would soon become a distant memory.
The scene faded into darkness, the Shadow Council's sinister presence lingering.
Aria shook her head. "Simulated reality? What are you talking about?"
Jon's expression turned serious. "We have a lot to explain, Aria. But first, let's get you settled and comfortable."
Aria's eyes flashed with determination. "No, tell me now. What's going on? Why was I in danger?"
Rex leaned against the wall, his eyes never leaving Aria's face. "You have unique abilities, Aria. Abilities that make you valuable to certain...organizations."
Aria's gaze locked onto Rex. "What abilities?"
Jon intervened. "We'll explain everything, Aria. But for now, know that you're among friends."
Aria's expression remained skeptical, but a glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes.
Scene: The Safehouse
Rex offered Aria a glass of hot whiskey, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Here, it'll calm your nerves."
Aria hesitated, but Rex encouraged her to take a sip. She did, and immediately spat it out, her face scrunched in distaste.
Rex burst into laughter. "Not your thing, huh?"
Jon intervened, his voice firm but gentle. "Rex, stop messing with her. She's been through enough."
Rex chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender.
Jon turned a chair around and straddled it, his eyes locked onto Aria's. "Let's start from the beginning."
Jin rested his back against the wall, his left hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
"Aria, you're not alone," Jon began. "Jin, here, was once like you. Living in the New World, unaware of the truth."
A flashback flickered to life in Jin's mind: his life in the New World, ordinary and unremarkable. No family, no connections.
Jon's voice drew Aria back to the present.
"Jin is special, just like you. There are others out there, unknown to us yet."
Aria's eyes widened as Jon continued. "The world you know is a womb, nurturing your souls for a sole purpose. But the Real World...Aria, it's dead."
Jon's words hung in the air like a challenge.
"The government, everything about that place you came from, is fake. But real in your head. Except for the people living there. They're real."
Aria's gaze searched for answers.
Jon's hand touched her forehead, releasing a wave of energy.
"I can show you what the real world looks like, Aria, if you let me."
In Aria's mind, a visual representation unfolded: an old world, ravaged by war. Buildings lay in ruins, dead bodies scattered, fire and smoke still burning.
Aria's eyes snapped open, fear etched on her face.
Jon's voice whispered in her mind.
"100 years ago, there was a war that destroyed everything...both living and non-living."
Aria's breath caught, her mind reeling.
Jon's hand withdrew, concern etched on his face.
"Too much?"
Aria nodded, still shaken.
Jon's expression softened.
"Not everyone can face the reality of things. But you get the concept now, Aria?"
Aria's voice trembled. "Y-yes."
Jin's gaze never left Aria's face, his expression a mix of understanding and empathy.
Rex's eyes narrowed, his mind already racing with strategies.
The safehouse fell silent, each member lost in their own thoughts.
Aria's eyes lingered on Jin, seeking reassurance. "What's going to happen to me?"
Jon's expression turned resolute. "We'll protect you, Aria. You're one of us now."
Rex pushed off the wall, his movements fluid. "Time to get you settled in. We have a lot of work ahead."
Jin sheathed his sword, his gaze never leaving Aria's face. "You're safe here."
Aria's nod was almost imperceptible.
Jon stood, his chair scraping against the floor. "Rex, show Aria to her quarters. Jin, let's discuss our next move."
As Rex led Aria away, Jon's voice dropped to a whisper. "Jin, the Shadow Council won't stop until they capture You. We need a plan."
Jin's jaw clenched. "I know but I will protect everyone still ."
Jon's eyes narrowed. "I know you will. But we need more than just protection. We need a strategy to take down the Shadow Council, Come i have something for you "
The scene fades to black, the tension between Jin and Jon palpable.