As soon as Vincent hits the ground, Ryan produces on the ground a small glass column shooting upward, giving Jeric a sharp uppercut that instantly knocks him out just beside Cristina’s body. Unsatisfied, Ryan encloses Jeric in a coffin-like glass prism. For a second, his mind urges him to squeeze Jeric into his doom, but he remembers that he has lost so much time, and he can’t afford losing twelve hours more. He checks his watch if his attack has just killed Jeric, and then lets out a sigh of relief. But before his eyes switch direction, Vincent’s name appears on the screen, giving him an indescribable chill. Next thing he knows, almost everyone is kneeling around Vincent, shocked and terrified. Ryan is stunned by the gruesome sight intensified by Joshua’s frantic screaming. 

    Meanwhile, several trees near one of the torches start moving as if roused from their deep sleep. Slowly, they bend and twist themselves, letting out crisp, cracking sounds until a dark, narrow trail emerges. This gets the attention of many, but their focus quickly shifts to Joshua’s anguish. 

Brain freeze. Migraine. A burning dart into the head. The pain brought by these monsters is nothing compared to the sudden torment that clutches Joshua’s head. He feels as though a large chunk of concrete were slammed right into his skull, distorting his vision and draining much of his energy.

“Kriz, do something!” Joshua pleads, his voice cracking in despair. “Please!”

Kriz gives Joshua a sorry look. She has already used her power to heal Ryan, and she knows that it’s too late for Vincent now.

    Teary-eyed, Joshua stands up, runs toward Jeric and beats the glass coffin. “BREAK THIS GLASS! BREAK IT, RYAN!”

    “I know what you feel,” Ryan says, approaching Joshua. “But—”

    “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT I FEEL!” Joshua faces Ryan, trembling in fury. “I said break your glass right now!”

    “You’ll kill him?”

    “JUST DO IT!” Joshua clenches his fists even tighter, his face now totally drenched in tears and sweat. 

    “What’s the point of killing him? And you’re not a murderer, young man. Pull yourself together. You’ll just end up losing twelve hours.”

    “I don’t care about losing twelve stupid hours!” Joshua catches his breath while glowering at Ryan like an irate wolf. “I won’t kill him. Now break your glass.”

    “No. Let’s just… go.”

    “Easy for you to say that.”

    “You don’t understand.”

    “Please.”

    “Jeric will be saving our lives today,” Joriz cuts in. 

    “What do you mean?” Shaira asks, confused. Tears start rolling down her cheeks. 

    “He will be the last in rank for this day,” Joriz answers. “If someone kills him, then all of us will soon fight against one another. But not if he’s alive. In that case, break the glass, Ryan.”

    “Why?”

    “You’ll see what I mean. Don’t worry. I don’t wanna see his face anymore, but I’m not a murderer. Trust me.”

    Ryan thinks for several seconds and then undoes his power. 

    Seeing his chance, Joshua rushes toward Jeric and gives him a sharp blow in his face. Before he can land another punch, Ryan grabs him away. 

    “LET ME GO!” Joshua screams. “I’m not done with that son of a b—”

    “STOP!” Ryan yells. “Just stop, okay?”

    “LET ME G—”

    Jennifer shoots Joshua with a red light orb, instantly freezing him. “Don’t worry. He will move after three minutes. Joriz, I think you want to say something.”

    “Yes,” Joriz says. He stands near Jeric and starts covering him with slime. “I will spare his head so he can breathe. He will stay here until the next day.”

    “That’s the plan? You think it’s enough to stop him?” Jennifer asks. 

    “Yes. I’m sure…. There. It’s done.”

    “What if he creates something that can help him escape?” Shaira asks. “He’s such a pain.”

    “I can see that you don’t trust my power.” Joriz covers Jeric’s eyes with slime. “There. Even if he wakes up, he won’t see a thing. Satisfied? You...