The walk back to the inn was quiet. Even though Ace said he didn't want any more apologies, he was definitely being considerate of how they were feeling. He just smoked his cigarette walking and taking in the sights. Jack could tell he wasn't angry, but he wasn't sure what they could talk about in the moment. The first words only came after Jack zoned in on the alleyway when they passed. Jack was very grateful Ace was his teacher. He wasn't sure what would have happened if he was alone in this.

Jack had already taken a nap, but he didn't realise how exhausted he was. The warm shower also helped with this regard. He just remembers thinking about doing better before drifting into slumber.

***

Jack woke up in a cold sweat. Blood? What was he dreaming about? The sharp pain coming from Jack's shoulder didn't help him keep any of the dream in his memory. The sun had just begun to rise. Billy must be up. Jack is excited to see him, but also extremely nervous. He brushes his teeth and changes into his normal clothes. He should grab his equipment in case Eclipse tries anything. Thank The Three that Ace brought his stuff along with the arm yesterday.

Jack knocks on Ace's door. No response. He must be in deep sleep. Jack continued down to the hall where he was greeted by Ace and Mrs. Doman, the inn keeper. They were in high spirits and seemed like they were talking for a while. Ace must have been here since Mrs. Doman came back from the vendors. He grabbed two apples as the inn keeper shooed him away with a chuckle.

"Billy probably freaked out when he woke up this morning. Like 'where did I last leave my arm?'" Ace burst out at his own morbid joke.

"You are a terrible person. I just hope he doesn't grow a moustache like that after getting your blood in him," Jack responds in between bites of his apple.

"You wish you could have a moustache like this," Ace said with a slight twirl of his lip creature. Jack was glad for the light-hearted banter, but his chest still felt heavy. Especially coming up to the alley.

His muscles were contracting. Walking became a chore for the next couple of steps, until his eyes widened, and body felt light. He unsheathed his blade. No time to hesitate. Strike first. Cut them down. Jack called green in his palm and launched forward at the cloaked figure sitting at the end of the alleyway. His left foot planted stopping him in the range he needed. He got him.

He felt the resistance at the end of the blade, but his eyes widened when he saw that it was plunged into his teacher's shoulder. Ace was crouched in front of the cloaked stranger, blade in his right shoulder and his left hand stopping the scythe Jack failed to notice. The blade was inches from his neck as they all were frozen in this scene for some slow seconds.

Ace used his right hand to wipe the blood splatter off the cloak's shoulder and takes out the apple from his pocket.

"You must be hungry. Can I get you something to eat?" Ace offers it to the small figure. It drops the scythe and snatches the fruit.

"Let's get you a proper meal." Ace extended his hand. The cloak takes the scythe blade attached to a small handle and puts it back in a sheath at its back. It takes Ace's hand and continues to munch on the apple. Jack's jaw was unhinged. He snapped his mouth close and grabbed onto Ace's shirt pushing him against the wall. The cloak still holding Ace's hand and the sound of chewing angered Jack even more.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Jack growled, staring into to the eyes of his teacher.

"Jack. He is just a kid." Ace calm. Jack loosens his grip a bit.

"Just a kid...you are right, but he should still be handed to the police. He is still a kil..."

"Jack!" Ace's snap made Jack release his shirt while taking a step back. His voice changed back to calm. "He is just a kid."

Jack followed the unbelievable sight to a restaurant where they sat at a table outside. Bees and butterflies gathered around them as the cloaked figure sat there as still as can be. Jack's eyes never leaving the mysterious boy. His teacher returned with the bowl of stew for Jack and the cloak. The food from the bowl disappeared a spoon at a time under the hood.

"You aren't eating?"

"I'm not hungry."

"You really shouldn't go on a hunger strike cause you are upset," Ace said, sliding Jack's stew to the cloak. "There is more when you finish."

This made Jack even more upset. Why is he doing this? This is a killer for Eclipse. He may have acted rashly but even as a child, he should be punished and taken away from this life.

"Jack, a life is a valuable thing. The Three say that we should explore our curiosity and not bring harm to another life in pursuit of it. I'm not a religious person, but what they say holds a lot of merit. The fact is we don't know everyone's past, and we don't know their future."

"I get that. I rushed into it without thinking, I know that a kid should never get caught up in battle, but I stand by my thoughts on justice."

"I am not just talking about a child. I mean all life. Would you have forgiven yourself if you found out your enemy was fighting for Eclipse to save a family member, a loved one? What if Billy's ancestors killed this one's parents and he was taking revenge? What would make you different from them in that situation? What if your opponent decides to turn on Eclipse and gets them all arrested and later becomes a hero saving as much people as they could? We don't think of these things in battle, and we shouldn't, but all these things are tied to a life. Just as I said all those things, they could also become the worlds most feared killer. The point is there is no right or wrong in a battle. Just opposing wills, and I don't think we have the right to end someone's life over it. I am a hypocrite because I have taken way too many lives. I even plan to slay a dragon. That is another life that the world is probably going to lose. Killing for revenge, sport, malice, it all is a messy road that I rather you not travel on. Trust me."

Jack takes a deep breath and reflects on Ace's words. What really gave him the right to take someone else's life? He wanted to be a hero, but did that mean killing? No, he always wished he was strong enough to protect people. He didn't need to kill to protect people. He looked over at the cloak. Someday you can become a hero, and if not, then Jack can stop him. That is good enough for him.

"I'm sorry Ace. I just got lost. I understand what you are saying. You are right, you say you have killed, and I can't see myself taking your life. Life is complicated."

"Ha! Not taking my life? Explain this wound on my shoulder then, you meanie!" Ace pouted while gripping his wound.

"Why didn't you stop my blade. You could have, just as easy as you stopped his." Jack pointing to the cloak that started on the second bowl.

"I wanted to have matching scars with you," Ace mumbled like a shy person confessing their feelings.

"You are a dumbass."

"Yes, the biggest dumbass in the world," Tenny said arriving on the table.

"Tenny! I missed you! How come you are here?" Ace asked, scratching his friend's head.

"Monica went to see Billy, so she is with Stella. Stella can protect her. I came to check on you two losers. Who is this?"

"This is the cloak that almost killed Jack yesterday."

"Oh cool, he looks very hungry."

"Yea he was. I gave him the apple that I was bringing for you this morning."

"I'll kill him."

Jack laughed as the two wrestled. Tenny got quiet and calmed down. His eyes looked soft. Jack noticed he was staring at Ace's bandages on his left hand. It had red soaked through it. Was that from the stab? No, the bandages are on his left arm.

"You didn't get much sleep last night, did you?" Tenny talked in a tone Jack never heard from him.

"I'm okay. I promise." Jack sat there with a million questions. His eyebrow raised.

"What are you doing outside?" A strange voice yelled from behind him. A lean guy about Jack's age walked up to the table. His clothes were nice, but his dark wavy hair was scruffy. His arms covered in scars. "You know that—" he looked at the trio on the table, "Dad would be angry that you are outside at a time like this."

"Hungry," the cloak replied in a soft quiet voice.

"Sorry, it is my fault, I saw that he was hungry, and my ledger is pretty good for this week, so join us. I can get you a bowl too."

"No, that is fine. Thank you for looking after my sister. We have to be going now."

"Sister? This is a girl?" Jack replied. Well, he knew he shouldn't have assumed in the first place.

"Well let me just get something for you to carry the rest of food in. It shouldn't be wasted. It would just take a second." Ace jumped up, still holding Tenny, he heads inside.

"My name is Jack," he said, offering his hand. The boy looked around a bit before taking it.

"I'm Garret and this is my sister Ashe. We have to be on our way now."

"Ace will be back now."

"Tell him thanks, but we would be in big trouble." He grabbed Ashe's hand and took her away from the table. Ace arrived right after to sees them walking away. He waved goodbye to the pair before packing the food in a box.

"Ace, what are we going to do? We know he is with Eclipse. Who let's their younger sister join a mercenary group?"

"I'm not sure but Tenny is following them from the roof. Let's go meet Billy and Stella and get Dr. Hocho to patch me up. We are going to meet Eclipse today."