Pending Death

Jix: Did Jack send you?

Ryan: Let's just say my father isn't exactly innocent in my arrival.

Jix: What do you want?

Ryan: Same as always, Jix. Seems like you picked the worst moment to run.

Jix: Why? Why do you always come back just to ruin my life?

Ryan (with a smirk): You've got it wrong, Jix. I never understood why you're so scared of me. After all... we're brother and sister.

Jix: I could never have a brother like you. Never, you hear me?

The disgust rose in her throat. Just the idea of sharing any kind of family bond with him made her sick.

Ryan: No blood ties, maybe. But we grew up in the same house, under the same roof… That's something, isn't it? Like that kid you took in, back in the day.

Jix (eyes widening): What did you do to my brother?

Ryan: Relax. I didn't touch a single hair on his head. But… how long are you going to keep lying to him? Don't you think he deserves to know the truth?

Jix: Never. He doesn't need to know that.

Ryan: Interesting... You never gave me anything. But him? You found him abandoned in an alley, and that was enough for you to spend twelve years protecting him.

FLASHBACK – 22 Years Earlier

Jix: Shit... If this keeps up, they'll find me. No way I'm going back to that house. Never.

She was only eleven, but her will was already forged like an adult's. She had run away from her adoptive parents, refusing to endure another day of their hell. Hungry, desperate, she had been wandering the slums for ten days—skin and bones, throat on fire.

Then, around a dark corner, a sound stopped her. A weak cry. She stepped forward, cautiously… and saw him.

A baby. Beautiful as an angel. Lying on the ground, dressed only in a dust-stained t-shirt that read: "World's Best Baby." His pink hair looked unreal—almost glowing in the dark.

Jix: A baby? What the hell is he doing here?

Her first instinct was cold.

Jix: With him, I could beg. No one says no to a baby.

But the second she picked him up, something cracked inside her. Her shell. That fragile little body, warm against her freezing skin, became her family. Her only family.

The happiness didn't last long. Her past always knew how to catch up.

BACK TO PRESENT

Jix: Are you finally going to tell me what you want?

Ryan: Same as always… Father needs you. That's why you're here, isn't it?

Jix: I'm done with your business.

Ryan: You don't have a choice, big sister. We know everything about you. You wouldn't want… certain truths to get out, would you?

Jix: I don't give a damn about your dirty secrets. Let the whole world know. I'm done caring.

Ryan: Really? Even him? Your little stray?

Jix: If you touch a single hair on his head, I swear I'll kill you. You and your fucking father.

Ryan stepped closer, slowly. The kind of slow that made your blood turn cold. He leaned in, whispering into her ear.

Ryan: Don't make promises you can't keep… Lizzie.

That name. Like a slap in the face. The fear surged back—twice as strong. She was shaking, but still managed to spit out:

Jix: Don't… ever… call me that again. Got it?

Ryan (smiling): As you wish. But you know what you have to do.

He vanished into the shadows, leaving Jix alone. Alone in a world collapsing around her—again.

Union Headquarters

Baguro: She failed. I knew it… You can't trust that woman with anything.

Nick: I warned you, sir. She let that man ignite a global riot. I'll take care of it.

Baguro: You'd better, Nick. Bring me her head.

Nick: Consider it done.

Nick—one of the Nine Pillars of the Union—was now on the hunt.

The Mad Hunter vs. the Revolutionary of Peace.

Meanwhile, in the Futurists' Camp – Jack Apollon's Domain

Malgar: Why are you still letting your son play his games?

Jack: Because he reminds me of myself—at his age.

Malgar: That's… concerning, Jack.

Jack (unbothered): Don't worry. Everything's in place. It's just a matter of time before the world crumbles.

To be continued...A meeting for my future...