Planetary Ascension

Jin woke up with a frown, his dreams had been plagued with worry and staring at the cold, grey granite walls of his shelter room only increased his frustration 

He could deal with giving up hunting because he wanted to explore and adventure, but was it really the right choice? Not to grow stronger? For now, there wasn't much difference between someone who hunted and did not. His armor, though decent, probably couldn't stop a single bullet but still, what if people became strong enough they no longer feared guns… or the law, would his family remain safe? 

He needed some air.

Pushing himself out of bed, he exited the room stepping into the hallway, where the grandeur of the colosseum greeted him. The plaza below, once empty save for a few wanderers, now buzzed with over a hundred people. The most he'd seen since the first day.

He felt as if an invisible weight was piling on him. 

In the distance, Jin spotted William and Gerome walking together. A group of five surrounded them and William was excitedly talking to them. They were muscular, athletic looking dudes who seemed like they could take a punch. 

'Are those the people William is going to form a team with? How did he even gather them, it's been like a day'. 

Then it hit Jin 'It's probably money'. 

Still Jin was impressed by the efficiency, and the guys looked capable, so William would probably be fine… if he didn't encounter that Feline monstrosity. 

Jin's hands curled into fists as he watched them leave the shelter, into the expanse.They were out there getting stronger, moving forward. 

Jin wanted to follow them. A part knew he should. He wanted to grow. But then his brother's voice echoed in his mind.

Jin exhaled slowly, turning around he walked back into his room. A moment later, he returned to Earth.

Gaining consciousness it was still dark outside, worry still wrecked his mind as Jin looked at his brother sleeping peacefully. 'How long will that last?' 

​​Outside, he heard the crunch of tires on gravel and the grind of an old engine. Headlights flared briefly through the window. It was the Toyota. Sarah was leaving for her bakery shift. Jin felt a pang of worry 'Will she be safe out there'.

He knitted his brows, he knew his thoughts were spiralling out of control. Quietly getting up, sure not to disturb Lukas, he couldn't enter the Ascendant realm yet so he still needed his sleep. 

'You just need to think positive Jin, everyone will be safe, the government will protect its citizens'

Walking to the living room Jin spotted Olivia on the couch scrolling away on her phone. Plopping down beside her, she finally noticed him and said casually, "You hear about David Baywood? Apparently his case got tossed. Kind of wild to think a murderer's out there living amongst us."

Jin groaned, rubbing his face.

Olivia glanced at him, one brow raised, then shrugged and went back to scrolling. 

'Happy thoughts Jin, Happy thoughts' 

—-- 

The rest of the day went by alright. Jin managed to distract himself, watching a few shows with Olivia, and researching the other world with Lukas. Most of the things he already knew or didnt matter, although one detail caught his eye: according to an article, beast armaments could be transferred between people. Surprisingly, the process was said to be relatively simple.

Eventually Sarah returned from work and soon it was time to head to L'Ecrin Gastronomique, everyone put on their most fancy clothes, which weren't very chic but would do. 

"It's supposed to rain today, so we should bring umbrella's",Olivia announced as they prepared to head out. 

Jin looked outside, clear sky's. But as a precaution they still brought two with them. 

Olivia was exactly on the money, because as they arrived at the restaurant and parked their car, it started to drizzle.

 Jin hopped out first, popped the trunk, and retrieved the umbrellas, catching a few drops on his shirt. He passed one to Olivia, who immediately huddled beneath it with Lukas. Sarah stood beside Jin as they made their way up the cobblestone path. 

The restaurant looked more like a manor house than a place to eat. Entering through two ornate double doors they were met with a velvet draped hallway, dim chandeliers bringing a soft glow to the place, and the soft clinking of glasses being heard in the background. 

A sharply dressed host in a tailored black vest stood behind an oak podium. He welcomed them with a sophisticated smile, took their umbrellas, and checked their reservation. After which they were promptly escorted to their tables. Their table was relatively exclusive with the only other people nearby being, a couple that was dining.

Sitting down Sarah said, "This place is amazing,"eyes wide with wonder as she smoothed out her thrift store blouse, trying not to look out of place. 

Lukas was looking around energetically. "Are we gonna get that fog stuff on our food?" 

"It's called liquid nitrogen, and… maybe we will," Olivia muttered as their waiter appeared, he was tall and elegant, with grey streaked hair and a phenomenal moustache. "Bonsoir, I'll be taking care of you this evening. Please, make yourselves comfortable." He placed menus in front of them

Jin smiled faintly, as he looked at the others. "Order whatever you want," he said, pretending not to flinch when he saw the prices. "We're here to celebrate".

Sarah reached over and patted his hand gently. "It's enough that we're all together."

Jin felt himself beginning to relax. His worries of the day disappearing. Here there was just food, soft jazz, and family. 

"What're you guys getting?" Sarah asked.

Lukas squinted as he was mouthing the words slowly. "Foie… gras… is that like grass? They eat grass here? You know what I'm getting that!" 

Jin choked on his water.

Olivia looked up. "It's duck liver, dumbass."

Jin was still coughing, but Olivia smirked and went back to her menu. "Can't believe you almost ordered organ meat thinking it was salad."

"Aww, I'm not eating that" Lukas muttered looking disgusted. "This Escargot sounds fancy." 

Jin's eyes grew wide, a shiver crawled up his spine, "Not allowed!" 

"Wha, Why?" 

"It'l ruin your appetite" 

"But it sounds nice" 

"No" 

"Please" 

"No" 

"Pretty please" 

"Still no"

Defeated, Lukas slouched in his seat and moved on. Jin was not ready to face their species again, maybe never. 

Eventually, they decided on starters, tuna tartare, beef carpaccio, and a bread basket with truffle butter. For mains, Jin went with the Boeuf Bourguignon, Sarah chose the Confit de Canard, and Olivia, to everyone's surprise, ordered a massive T-bone steak.

"You know it's 24 ounces, right?" Sarah said, glancing at the menu.

"A girl's gotta eat," Olivia replied without blinking.

"Especially a pig like you, fatty," Lukas said with a laugh.

A gasp echoed behind them. Their waiter, mid step with a wine bottle, had a shocked face, before recovering with professional calm.

Sarah covered her face in embarrassment. 

The waiter returned, smiling faintly. "Shall I take your orders?"

Lukas ended up choosing Ratatouilli, everyone knew why, yet none bothered to explain he would only be getting vegetables. 

The food, when it came, was plated like artwork. Each little masterpiece's crafted by hand, Olivia had to snap a photo of them before they were allowed to eat. 

The dishes also tasted divine, or exquisite and sublime according to Lukas and Olivia.Whatever the case, everything was devoured. 

When it came to desserts, Lukas had his wish fulfilled. His dessert, a chocolate dome, when he cracked it open liquid nitrogen spilled out revealing small cakes and fruits.

By the end they were satiated. It had been a fun night, but then the bill arrived. When Jin received it his face froze, the family noticing his reaction were curious and he showed it to them causing all of them to have a horrified expression, even Lukas "D-did they put gold in our food or something? My main dish was just vegetables, Vegetables!". 

The waiter returned, smiling serenely. "Cash or card, sir?"

"C-card," Jin squeaked.

The payment machine was presented. Jin tapped his card with a trembling hand. If he weren't with his family, a tear would have streaked down his cheek. 

The final cost, 730$. With a 10% tip, 803$.

Jin didn't actually feel too bad though as he looked at the faces of his family. Tonight, it had been worth it. 

Exiting the venue they huddled under their umbrellas again, the rain had picked up along with the wind. In the distance lightning flashed ominously. 

Lukas was still complaining about the bill "Those prices were ridiculous, how can food be so expensive?" 

"Becasue people are dumb enough to pay for it", Olivia retorted. 

Jin could only nod in agreeance. Rain spattered against concrete as they had to walk through puddles. 

Through the downpour Jin heard a faint sound, turning his head he saw a narrow alley half shrouded in darkness, something there captured his eye. 

He moved, shoving the umbrella in his mothers hands before sprinting through the storm. 

"Jin?" Sarah called after him, but her voice faltered when she saw white armor begin to materialize over his body in gleaming layers, she gasped.

There in the alleyway he found a man in a black hoodie pressing a woman against the wall, tears were in her eyes as a short sword was pressed to her neck. 

Behind them a man lay face down, blood pooling below him, he didn't move. Jin recognized them from the restaurant, they were on a date. 

The man noticed Jin, but before he could register what happened a dagger flew through the rain and buried itself in his arm. The man screamed, dropping the sword, it clattered on the ground before disappearing. 

'A beast armament', Something in Jin cracked in, walking up to the figure, he screamed at Jin to stay away, his sword already summoned to his other hand. He swung, but Jin caught his wrist and twisted, the sword fell. Another cry of pain followed.

Jin slammed his helmeted head into the man's face. The impact sent the attacker collapsing to the ground, clutching his face in agony.

Jin knelt beside him, his white helmet now stained with blood.

"W-Why are you doing this?" the man whimpered.

Jin didn't answer. He drove his fist into the man's face. Blood splattered a sickening crunch echoed in his ears.

'If we'd left just a few minutes earlier, would this man have gone after my family instead?' 

He punched again, a muffled sound was heard.

'If I didn't have my beast armament, would he have killed Lukas? Olivia? Mom?' 

Another punch, more blood. 

'If I wasn't strong…' 

He raised his fist but stopped, it wasn't necessary anymore. 

'I know what I have to do' 

Standing up, rain dripped from his blood soaked armor. He turned to the woman, she shivered with fear as he stared at her. "You should call the cops", he then looked at her other half still unmoving in the rain, up close he saw there was a gash in his neck, "I'm sorry for your loss". 

Only then did she seem to register what had happened, she ran to her partner's corpse and cradled him in her arms as she cried. 

Jin turned around at the alley's edge, his family stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. He walked toward them, his armor disappearing as he let the full torrent of the rain drench him. 

Looking down, he addressed them "Mom. Lukas. Olivia." His voice was low but firm. "I'm going to hunt in the Ascendant Realm." 

A weight lifted off his chest. 

"I know you think it's dangerous," he continued, meeting each of their eyes in turn. "But I promise you, I will Not die and abandon you." 

He then said quietly, "This is the only way I can protect you". 

Sarah dropped her umbrella and hugged him, she was crying, "I know you've been worried about us son. Do what your heart tells you, j-just promise to be careful, okay". 

Lukas and Olivia joined the embrace, umbrellas discarded, tears welled in their eyes as well. 

"Be safe out there bro", Lukas said quietly.

"Don't do anything reckless," Olivia added, not quite looking at him. 

Jin pulled them all in close.

Then looked up at the storm, determination forming in his eyes as lightning streaked across the sky. 

'I'll survive. I'll grow strong'

'Strong enough to protect them'