CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: HELP

The rest of the day inside the half-renovated building was spent in conversation, but it felt more like talking in circles.

Zin and Jace reviewed the incident from every possible angle, how the portal looked, how fast the two figures moved, what kind of energy was detected, and whether anything matched known records.

Nothing made sense.

Jace had even asked Zin to cross-check every known metahuman database online, both legal and underground.

A few speedsters popped up, mostly small-time vigilantes or underground racers, but none moved like the ones he saw. Not even close.

This was something else, something new, or maybe something old that had been hiding.

And that only pissed him off more.

If the blue streak hadn’t pushed him out of the way, he would’ve died. No question about it.

His own eyes had barely followed the movement, and even now, the details blurred in his mind like a dream melting away at sunrise.

He clenched his fist at the thought.

That wasn’t acceptable.

He needed to be stronger.

But how?

Sure, mastering the kinetic burst ability was the obvious answer, and training it was something he was already doing, but that wasn’t enough.

If what Zin said was true, if his body could evolve and adapt based on the abilities of others... then he needed more. More energy. More powers. More control.

And the only way to do that was by sleeping with metahuman women.

The problem? They weren’t walking around with neon signs on their heads.

Most people didn’t even admit to being metas, especially not in public. It was a risk. Powers got you on government watchlists.

They got you recruited or eliminated. Most powered people preferred to stay hidden, and if they did reveal themselves, it was either because they were backed by power... or desperate.

Jace leaned on the windowsill, watching the quiet street below.

He wasn’t ready to start playing hero like Eva.

But he was done being powerless.

As the sun dipped beneath the skyline, casting shadows over the narrow streets, Jace paddled through the final stretch toward his apartment.

His mind hadn’t quieted since the portal incident. Every time he blinked, he saw the blurs. Red and blue.

One trying to kill him. The other... saving him? None of it made sense. And worst of all, he didn’t feel prepared for whatever came next.

He slowed near the curb, letting the silence settle, then spoke without looking up.

"I’m going to need you to teach me how to fight."

[ I can upload information, fighting styles, combat theory, muscle memory simulations. But reading or downloading isn’t the same as doing. You need someone to apply pressure, someone who can correct you in real time. Practical teaching is the only way you’ll learn to survive what’s coming. ]

Jace nodded slowly. "So I need a partner."

[ Yes. And not just anyone. Someone skilled enough to keep up with you. Someone who won’t hold back. ]

He was quiet for a second. Then he exhaled with slight reluctance. "Eva, then..."

[ You think she’ll agree after your last conversation? After you dismissed the idea of becoming this city’s protector? ]

"I didn’t dismiss it. I just didn’t see the point." His tone was low but honest. "But now... after what we saw, what I might’ve caused... it’s different. If I’m the reason those things came to Earth, then I need to be part of the reason they don’t destroy it."

Soon enough, Jace got home.

He kicked the door closed behind him and slipped off his shoes, the day’s weight still sitting on his shoulders.

The apartment was quiet except for the soft buzz of the television.

Serai was on the couch, curled up with her knees pulled in, remote in hand.

Her illusion still held, and Eva’s borrowed hoodie hanging loosely off one shoulder.

But the way she sat, alert and still, reminded him she wasn’t human underneath.

She looked up when he entered, eyes brightening faintly as if acknowledging his return. Jace gave a small nod.

"Hey," he said, dropping his bag by the table. "How was your day?"

Serai opened her mouth, tried to form something.

A few garbled syllables escaped, clunky and broken, before her expression tightened in frustration.

Her throat clicked as she tried again, only for the words to trip over themselves.

Finally, she gave up and fell back into her own tongue.

The alien words were smoother, more melodic. Still unfamiliar, but natural, her real voice.

Zin translated immediately.[ She says your female friend, the one in the green jacket, visited today. Helped her find food. Taught her how to use the kitchen. She left soon after. ]

Jace blinked, slightly caught off guard. "Eva?"

[ Yes. ]

He paused near the counter, processing that. "She actually helped?"

[ It surprised Serai too. But yes. She was kind. ]

Jace crossed his arms, leaning against the kitchen entry. "She didn’t want Serai here in the first place. Thought she was a liability."

[ Perhaps she changed her mind. Or perhaps she just saw someone who needed help. ]

Jace glanced over at Serai. She was back to watching the TV, though her ears twitched slightly, still listening.

He noticed her grip tightening around the blanket draped over her legs, like she was trying to stay composed despite not being able to join the conversation properly.

He exhaled through his nose and looked away. "That’s... good. I didn’t expect that from her."

[ Humans are inconsistent. But so are you. ]

Jace ignored the last comment.

Jace stood up from the counter and rolled his shoulders.

"Where’s Eva?" he asked.

Serai tilted her head, then lifted a finger and pointed to the hallway. Zin translated without prompting. [ She’s in your bedroom. ]

Jace gave a small nod. He made his way down the hall and stopped at the door. His knuckles tapped twice.

"Come in," Eva’s voice called from inside.

He hesitated. This was his place, his room. And now he was knocking before entering. That was new. He shook his head and turned the handle.

The door creaked open. Eva stood near the window, phone pressed to her ear, her jacket draped on the bed. She didn’t even look at him, too focused on the conversation.

"What do you mean your insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by monsters?"

Jace leaned against the frame, arms folded.

Her tone wasn’t angry, but it had bite. Frustrated but composed, the way only Eva could manage.

He figured she was still dealing with the aftermath of the attack. Her car had been parked nearby.

From what he remembered, it took a nasty hit during the fight, or explosion, whatever you wanted to call it.

She paced once, stopping near the bed.

"Well, yeah, I get it’s ’technically a natural disaster’ or whatever bullshit clause you’re going to pull, but the thing was 8 feet tall and had no face. I don’t think that falls under ’storm damage.’"

Jace stayed quiet, letting her vent. Her voice lowered slightly as she stepped toward the window again, phone still pressed tight.

Outside, the city lights flickered, and below them, half the block still looked like it had been shelled.

Honestly, a lot of people got hit that day. Cars, shops, buildings, all torn through like paper. And no one was going to get compensated for it.