Chapter 3

Soon after his trip to the astral plane, jake came back to reality, to wake up to another day at his own house.

“ugh.. why am I sweating all over? and was I dreaming?” jake said as he gets up

He was now in his own room, early in the morning, as if he has forgotten about everything that had happened.

"Gotta wash off my sweat first." Jake said as he gets ready to get a bath

After he got a bath, jake instinctively remembers what ares has told him, which gave him an idea to practice his martial arts at the roof. There at the roof, he practices for the day, where jake practices with his reflexes, techniques, and his strength. Then at night, hes brought again towards the astral plane.

"Uhh.. where am i?" Jake

"You are in the astral plane boy, welcome back." Death said, which surprised jake

Jake and death was at the entry way to the astral plane, which has a cave at the back while a cliff at the front.

"Whoa! Who are you?! And why am i here?!" Jake said backing away.

"I guess it cant be helped." Death

As death said that, he draws near towards jake as he also backs away.

"Dont worry, i wont harm you." Death said as jake was cornered with nowhere else to go.

There, death put his finger on jakes forehead and made him remember everything that has happened.

"Hahh.. death, why would you erase my memories of this place anyways?" Jake said as he stood up

"Dont argue with it, since it will also save your life in the near future." Death

"Oh, ok then." Jake

"Well, lets go, you are already a bit late for your lessons." Death said as he about face

"So, do we walk towards there?" Jake said following death

"Absolutely no. You still remember how to channel your energy right?" Death

"Yes." Jake said as they reached the edge of the cliff again at the entrance

"So, lets go." Death said as he flew from the edge

"A-alright then." Jake said as he began to channel the energy inside him so that he can fly

"Now thats my boy. Lets go." Death said before they flew towards heaven

They now flew towards heaven, towards the war room, where ares and thor are waiting.

"Your late jake!" Ares said shoutingas they walk towards them inside the arena

"Haha, let your anger go somewhere else ares. Hes still just a boy, and with his situation now, its only--" thor

Ares cuts him off, "yeah, yeah. I know. How can i even have my spartan teaching if hes late one the very first day?"

Both of them were stretching themselves as they ready for the training.

"There is still time for in training right? You could just be spartan by then." Thor

"Hahh.." ares said before he looks at jake with a smile

"Please go easy on him, hes still human." Death said as jake had the shivers from ares looking at him

"Yes, we know. But soon, he will be sparring equally with us." Thor said with a smile

"Looking forward to that day boy." Ares

"O-ok." Jake said as he fist bump with ares

"And i see you have taken ares advice to heart." Thor

"Yes, i trained myself." Jake said with a smile

"Thats good. You will soon come to surpass our expectations then." Ares

"Its never good to set too high of an expectation ares." Death

"Thats alright, my expectations arent that high anyways." Thor said as ares sighs

"Anyways, lets begin the training." Ares said standing up

With that, they begin training jake for as long as death permits them to train him, all before jake wakes up to another day and forgetting his memories of his time there. This also goes on for a couple of days, where jake will visit the astral plane during his sleep while he forgets his memories during the day.

"Hahh.. im at it again, and im a really busy guy." Death said while he is still on his way towards the entrance. "If only those humans would stop giving jake a near death experience every time, my life wouldnt have been very busy to start with."

Then as death came, mike was already there to guard jake from anyone else willing to corrupt him.

"Glad your here." Mike said to death

"You could have done all this yourself, you have all the time in the world right?" Death

"This was all your idea, so you should be the one to see it through." Mike said with a gesture

"Hahh.. fine. Then you could have at least helped me with bringing him up to speed." Death said as he points to jake who was hiding behind mike

"Thats fair enough." Mike said before he also made jake remember everything

"Hahh.. guys, you should really stop making me forget every time." Jake said, after he remembers everything again and stops hiding behind mike

"That wont do jake, since we also have to hide you as best as we can. And were not actually making you forget, we are just sealing away your memories of your time here." Mike

"I understand and all, but its really a pain right?" Jake

"Its a pain, but someone has to do it, or no one else will." Death

"Hahh.. fine. So, what do we do today?" Jake said as he flies

Both death and mike looked at each other and made a gesture (oh well), before also flying with jake towards heaven

"Today, you will be learning knowledge and wisdom from both athena and loki." Mike

"Ok, but whats the use of learning when i have to forget in the morning?" Jake

"Everything happens for a purpose in time, you will see. Dont be too hasty." Death

"What i dont really like is what my parents always tells me." Jake

"And what is that?" Mike

"When they always say the word: in gods time. It somehow ticks me off." Jake

"Haha! your quite the impatient one huh." Death

"Well, warriors are sometimes like that, so its understandable." Mike

"Nevertheless, you should learn what you can while your here. We will only seal your memories, not make you forget them." Death

"Were here." Mike

With that, jake learns more common sense, wisdom, and knowledge from athena and loki, all before repeating the process again day by day. But with jakes presence in heaven day after day, something was now amiss.

"Uhh.. where am i?" Jake said as he is stranded right beside the cave

without anyone to greet him, all he did was just stay right beside the cave, Until hermes showed.

"Oh jake! Your here already." Hermes said as he arrived

Hermes was now like a ball of light when he greeted jake.

"Uhh.. who are you and what--" jake

Hermes interrupted, "oh yeah, i forgot." He said before he brought jake up to soeed again by unsealing his memories

Hermes transforms back to his human form momentarily to unseal the memories.

"Uhh.. hermes, why were you like a ball?" Jake

"Believe me, this was the fastest way to get to you. Anyways, we need you now!" Hermes said as he pulls jake

"Why? Whats the problem?" Jake said as they walk towards the cliff

"This is happening." Hermes said as he lets jake see the the scene of a war going on between angels and demons in the air

"Uhh.. what is really happening hermes, please tell me." Jake said as hermes lets go of his hand

"I dont know why and how it started, but the demons just suddenly attacked us." Hermes

"Hahh.." jake said with a facepalm

"We need your powers on the battlefield now." Hermes points to the war going on

As hermes and jake were chatting, the demons spotted them and flies towards them.

"Whoa! They are coming here!" Hermes said before he transforms into a ball again and fled

With a large inhale, jake then shouted "stop" with lighting all over the place, but still couldnt stop their advances.

"Damn it!" Jake said as he readies himself for battle

With jakes eyes lighting up, and his whole body also glowing due to the lightning flowing through him, he combatted all the demons that came towarrs him through close combat. With each demon about to land a blow at him, he counters with a lightning punch, kick, throw, blast, or explosion.

"Damn it! This has no end to it!" Jake said to himself as he still battles against demons

as impatient as he could be, he fled from the horde of demons and into the war going on in the air by using lightning speed. Then gradually, he was able to thin the number of demons coming to fight against the angels by his lightning attacks, before proceeding to heaven where the fight is fierce.

"How can i help?" Jake said as he descended with his lightning strikes

Jake was talking towards athena and demeter which was fighting a horde of demons

"Thats good, you have helped much jake!" Demeter

Demeter was with her bow and arrow while athena was with her sword and shield.

"Not yet im afraid." Lilith said as she and astaroth appeared

"You girls have to face us now." Astaroth said as they both prepare for battle

"Go now to mike! He knows what you should do." Athena said as they both prepare for battle too

"Ok, i will now leave this area to your hands." Jake said as he flies towards the war room, where it was sealed and guarded by demons.

"So this is probably why they werent there." Jake said as he drops himself at the center of the demon horde guarding the war room

With him dropping, he also let out a lightning explosion all over a large area, before he runs towards the sealed war room while combatting other demons. And as jake was about to make it to the chained door to the war room, jake was confronted with other demons, so he picked up a demon trident and threw it straight towards the seal. as the attack went straight through the horde of demons, also damaging all demons in its range, it was able to strike the seal and break it. With the seal broken, ares, thor, and michael was able to go through the door to help jake.

"Your late again!" Ares said as he strikes demons with his fire swords

"Like i said, dont blame him! The hero always arrives late right?" Thor said as he strikes demons with his hammer

"Anyways, what else should i do mike?" Jake said as he was still battling against demons

"Go to heavens palace! Hyawei will surely need you there!" Mike said as he strikes demons with his sword

"Got it!" Jake said before he lets out a lightning explosion and flies towards the heavens palace

After a few seconds, he arrived at the heavens palace where it was overrun by demons. Then jake let out lightning strikes all over the the palace, striking the demons, before he enters the palace.

"What the heck?!" Jake said as he saw a scene he couldnt believe

As the other gods were stuck in hardened mud, zeus and odin were up against satan and beelzebub, while hyawei was against lucifer up at the middle of the palace.

"Jake, please take care of hyawei! We will take care of these two." Zeus said as he strikes satan with lightning

"Yes, leave these small fry to us!" Odin said as he strikes with an energy beam

"Small fry you say?!" Beelzebub said as he resists the energy beam and satan resisting te lightning

"Alright then, i leave it to you." Jake said before he flies towards hyawei

"Jake! Glad your here! But you shouldnt have also come!" Hyawei said as they battle it out through pure strength

"Yeah, hes right. And im going to beat you guys up for good this time." Lucifer

"Hahh.. just how did this happen anyways?" Jake

"This happened only because they were the only ones who get to have you!" Lucifer said as they released each other only to nag at one another

"Its because he stands for a good cause, and that makes him one of the food guys!" Hyawei

"Cant you see? In this new world, he doesnt need that all good attitude of a good guy or hero, what he needs right now is power! And more of it!" Lucifer

"No, strength isnt always the answer to everything lucifer. Dont you see that he already has enough strength to take out a whole continent?" Hyawei

"I know that, but you guys insisted on just training him with all your good ways." Lucifer

"Dont you see that great threats are coming his way? And the future is not so bright anymore?" Hyawei

"Hahh.. wait, what?! Tell me more!" Jake

"There are some things that you are only on a know it after basis jake, since the future wont come true if you will spoil it. Dont you always want never to be spoiled from any movies you like?" Hyawei

"No, but--" jake

Lucifer cuts him off, "jake is right. He has the right to know, so that he can better prepare. Even we devils dont want that future to happen!"

"Just what is that future that you speak of anyways hyawei?!" Jake said before deaths scythe came swinging towards the ceiling of the palace

"Its not yet time for you to know jake, but lucifer is also right. Which is why i will say this now to you, a prophecy if you will, that Chaos will reign on earth." Death said as he flies beside jake

"Right? So if you will make a deal with us right now jake, we will put an end to that chaos for you." Lucifer

"No! The devils cant be trusted!" Hyawei

"You still say that even if this would also include our demise?" Lucifer

"Enough! Jake will decide on his own. And once he does, we will all respect his decision on the matter as he respects all of us." Death said as he commands his scythe to come back to him

"Oh, so the decision is now upon me? What do i do that makes me special anyways?" Jake

"You will know in the near future my boy, once you are ready." Death said before he sealed jakes memories again. "This time, jake wont be able to visit the astral plane, even under anyones recommendations, got that?"

"We got that, but when will we expect a decision from him?" Lucifer

"As much as i hate it, i agree with lucifer." Hyawei

"I will take care of that. After all, hes one of the chosen." death said before jake fainted

They were then back to the present.

"And after that, i woke up in the middle of the night all sweating. Hahh.. should have known." Jake

"So, what will be your decision then?" Death

"Your all powerful gods arent you? Cant you just--" jake

Death cuts him off, "decide for you? Cant. You have your own free will. Besides, your decision will affect all other futures, so better choose wisely."

"Like what? I have been out of the loop all this time you know." Jake

"You already heard the prophecy right? Chaos will reign on earth once more, whether we like it or not. What you want to do with your powers is now up to you, but what will you decide now in order to move to the desired future is also up to you." Death

"So chaos is inevitable? Is that what you want to say?" Jake

"As long as there are those which are ignorant enough, there will be chaos." Death

"Hahh.. fine. If there will be chaos in the world, i will let it be. But if it will affect my family, then i will use my strength to bring order to that chaos." Jake

"But in order to bring order to chaos, you must be separated by your family, would that be alright with you?" Death

"Yes, i think im old enough to be independent. Though would i still have the opportunity to come back to them?" Jake

"Depends on you. The future is filled with infinite possibilities." Death said with a gesture

"If thats so, why is chaos inevitable?" Jake

"Sometimes, there are things your better off not knowing. So that you wont become an ignorant yourself." Death

"But isnt ignorance bliss? So why?" Jake

"A paradox right? As ignorance is bliss, there are also things your better off not knowing, specially when it requires sacrifice." Death

"Hmm.. you are right. Then i choose to act to bring order to chaos, as best as i can." Jake said with glowing eyes

"Thats my boy. Now go, towards reality, and wield that power of yours for the good of all." Death said before the scene fades to the distance

When jake woke up, it was now night time, and he is on his room.

"Just how did i get here? More importantly, are they safe?" Jake said before he walks down the stairs

The stairs is connected with the kitchen, as the store is connected with the kitchen.

"Jake! Oh thank god your ok!" Emma said as she hugs jake from her seat

"Son, we have to talk. What did happen back there?" Jacob said as he was sitting on the table along with a guest

"Dad, who is that?" Jake said as he was standing in between jacob and emma

"I am major jeremiah espin, the chief of police here in panaon." Espin said as he saulted. "I would like to talk with you on something jake, as you should also explain everything to us."

"Its quite a long story, would you still want to hear?" Jake said as he was offered a seat beside emma

"Yes, and i will record it if possible." Espin

"Yeah, you may. But for whom is that?" Jake

"This is to report to president dutuer about the situation, where he finds charcoaled US troops by the streets." Espin

"Oh, that. Alright then, i give you permission to record it." Jake

"Even if we dont want to?" Jacob said to jake

"Yes, since we also have no other choice on the matter right sir?" Jake

"Yes, i must record our conversation with or without your consent." Espin said as he holds his phone to record mode

"Hahh.. fine then. Jake, better explain to us what is happening." Jacob

"The truth is, i dont know yet what is really happening, but from my experience, hyawei gave me a prophecy. That chaos is be brought upon earth soon." Jake

"What the heck are you saying?" Jacob

"Stop, hes telling the truth. Let him finish his story." Espin

Jake then told about his story and his visit to the astral plane to meet with the gods.

"If you ask me, i would have you go to the doctor once more jake." Jacob

"No, if his story holds truth, he should be able to show us proof right?" Espin

"Hahh.. so thats where your going. Mom, can you provide me a lightbulb?" Jake

"Sure son, no problem." Emma said before she stood up to find a lightbulb

"What will you do with the lightbulb jake?" Espin

"You want proof right? You will see soon. Actions speak louder than words after all. And why is the store closed?" Jake

"I closed it son, just so we could see to you and talk with sir espin on what might be going on." Jacob

"Oh, ok then." Jake

Emma then found a spare lightbulb at the store, before she hands it over to jake

"Now, for safety reasons, i have chosen a lightbulb to demonstrate my own powers, if i might have any." Jake said as he held unto the lightbulb

"As i saw you before, you were flying and eyes glowing, why is that son?" Jacob

"Questions one at a time please." Jake said before the lightbulb lights up

With the bulb lighting up, they were all surprised.

"I know now, your power is electricity! Which is why you could fly!" Espin

"Nope, the correct answer is lightning. Which is why i said for safety reasons." Jake

"Oh, i get it." Espin

"Just how can he fly sir? He doesnt have wings to carry him." Jacob

"Its called electromagnetism dad. as we all carry a certain electromagnetic waves around us, you could say that i can manipulate all kinds of electricity." Jake said as he turns off the light from the bulb

"I see. So thats how you could fly, with electromagnetism." Jacob said as espin agrees

"I have to call the president right now." Espin said as he dials in his phone

"So jake, what does this make you now? A superhero?" Emma said as she sat down again

"No mom, im not a superhero. But after things will turn out, i might become one." Jake

"Will you leave us jake?" Jacob said sadly

"Probably. Just so that i can protect you guys." Jake

"But you dont need to protect us, this city is already safe with espin on it." Jacob

"Though you cant always expect sir espin to be able to protect anyone, nothing is always certain." Jake

"We wont know that yet son, and why in the world would you even have powers in the first place?" Jacob

"Is it the US military, which you spoke as the one controlling you that time?" Emma

"Hate to interrupt, but i have got the president on the line wishing to personally talk to you jake." Espin

"Can you please put him on speaker, so that we can talk this out sir espin?" Emma

"No, he must take this call personally." Espin

"Can you do it sir? I wish for my parents to hear our conversation." Jake

"Alright then, will just ask permission first." Espin said, taking the phone again

"Im here, and im done with work as fast as i could." Joy said as she came down the stairs

"Oh, joy. You can take my seat if you want." Jake said as he stood up

"Ok." Joy said, taking jakes seat as he stands between his parents

"He says its ok to let you guys hear their conversation." Espin

"Ok, lets hear him." Jake said before espin hits the speaker mode

"Hello sir, this is major espin, you are now on loud speaker." Espin

"Yes, is jake there?" Dutuer

"Yes sir." Jake

"Good. Normally, i would only have jake answer the phone, since this will be a private matter. But as you are his parents, i will make an exception." Dutuer

"Thank you sir." Emma

"Sir, do you currently know what is happening to my son?" Jacob

"I am very sorry to inform you that i dont know what is currently happening, but seeing as the US made a move to either capture jake or eliminate him, there must be something that the americans want from him." Dutuer

"But our son has nothing that will benefit them--" jacob

Dutuer cuts him off, "but jake has powers, and that to them, is either a threat or something they take interest. Which is why im placing him under my watch." Dutuer

"What will happen to him?" Emma

"We will put him under a team of special people with either like abilities or like circumstances." Dutuer

"Sir, what is exactly happening with him?" Jacob

"That, we dont know. But what i do know is something is happening at the world stage--" dutuer

Jake cuts him off, "sir, kindly cut it with the secrets and tell us everything. Im sure my parents dont mind keeping a secret."

"Alright, if thats what you want. But do know that secrets come at a cost sometimes." Dutuer

"I know sir, which is why i want at least my parents to know what is really happening, with no strings attached." Jake

"The world as we know it, is divided into 3 forces. 2 of them goes way back ancient times, and the other goes back during medieval europe. One is called illuminati, the other walprugis, and the other are the nazis. Even during the world wars, the 3 forces have always been at each others necks and fighting, until the illuminati won during both world wars with just their brains and technology. Which is why they all held a truce, which bans all forms of magic and powers in the new world after ww2. I dont know why, but it might be that they are on the verge of war again." Dutuer

"I see, and how do you know all of this sir?" Jake

"Because philippines is with the magic faction. We participated the war only since the nazis want to use both science and magic to conquer the world." Dutuer

"So this is the real face of the world wars." Jacob

"Yes, and now that that the war might start again, we will need jake burns in the fight." Dutuer

"But he doesnt have to participate right? If he doesnt want to." Emma

"This isnt an option maam, your son has no other choice but to join us, or lose his protection." Dutuer said as sadness filled the room

"Tell him jake, how your powers came to you." Espin

"Alright, as im sure the americans might also be listening, i will now tell you guys again my story." Jake

Jake then tells his story again, how he was betrayed by his comrades, how the US used him as a guinie pig, and how he got his powers from thor.

"So thats how you got your powers." Dutuer

"Then you basically have a gift, given by thor." Espin

"I still dont understand bro, we are catholics, why didnt jesus see you?" Joy

"The gods said that jesus, mohammad, and buddha are so busy and devoted to their duties that they dont have time to make a visit. And since there are other gods, so he made them take care of me." Jake

"I see. And what else do you know?" Dutuer

"Thats all. Aside that hell, underworld, and heaven are all connected in some place called the astral plane, everything else was on how they trained me for this very moment." Jake

“wait bro, heaven and hell arent connected, much more that there is an underworld.” joy

“whatever the case, he has no other choice but to come under my protection.” dutuer

“hahh..” jacob and emma could only sigh and cry a bit

“mom, dad, brother is already big--” joy

Jacob cuts her off, “its not that joy, its that we might not ever see jake again that saddens us to no end.”

“he is already a big guy, so you guys should now really start making him be independent.” espin

“its not that, the doctor said that he has slight schizophremia.” emma

“the doctors doesnt know the dark history of the world maam, which is why im saying all this to you. I don’t care if you will see me as the bad guy, but I will need jake no matter what.” dutuer

“but--” emma

Jake cuts her off, “mom, dad, I have decided to be stronger just so that I can protect you all, so I will go. This isnt a fight that they have brought to us, its a war.”

“son, you cant just talk about war when you don’t know its horrors.” jacob

“yes, I know. But its my only choice. Besides, I can still visit you guys whenever I want right?” jake

“yes, though we would have to relocate your family to a new home at manila, where you guys will be safer.” dutuer

“why? Isnt panaon safe already with espin around?” jacob

“currently, you guys are made his only weakness, and mindanao is a hotspot for terrorist activity, So you guys must relocate.” espin said as they all understood

“please do understand, we are doing all this so that we can better protect you guys.” dutuer

“anyways, when will they relocate to manila?” jake

“after some paperwork for your protection program. Though I will have jake serve the army under a special team right away.” dutuer

“cant we just stay here? Close to jake?” emma

“like I said, its much safer in manila than in here. I cant fully guarantee you the protection you desire.” espin

“alright then, but where will he be stationed?” jacob

“in mindanao, against the communists.” dutuer

“can he also stay here while hes at mindanao?” emma

“emma, when hes at the front lines, he just cant stay here and go, he will always be late for work.” jacob

“oh, jake. Why does this happen to you and now?” emma said clinging to jake

“if you want to blame someone, blame the americans and those who betrayed me.” jake said as the lights were blinking a bit

“calm down jake, you nearly had me worried.” espin

“if only we hadnt made him go to cebu.” emma said crying, as joy was tending to her back

“whats the mission details sir?” jake
”don’t worry, I wont send you to just guard at the front lines. Your team will be ordered to go and collect more information about the terrorists. If they resist, you may terminate them.” dutuer

“so its a recon mission.” jacob

“yes. And since he has powers, he will be back home in no time.” espin

“i hope your right.” jacob said as emma was still crying
”if that is all, then I should be going now. I hope you guys can keep a secret.” dutuer said as he cuts the line.

“for now, I will guarantee your protection to the best of our abilities. As per the presidents instruction, jake is to join the team in southern mindanao by tomorrow.” espin

“alright. Do I need to pack up some stuff?” jake

“no, you will be given an army uniform by tomorrow as well, when you get to the base.” espin

“what I will regret about this is that I wont get to watch anymore anime for a while.” jake said sighing

“whats anime?” espin

“anyways, should you now be going sir?” jacob

“oh, alright then. i will make sure that you guys will have a good rest for now.” espin said as he stood up

“oh, and by the way, you can also tell the president that im willing to make a blood donation by tomorrow.” jake

“why is that?” espin

“lets just say that it will serve as a trap.” jake said with a smile

With that done, they were able to sleep soundly in their rooms that night.

The next day, jake had a blood donation at oroquieta city, before leaving to lanao del sur for his first mission.

"Sir, what will you do with the blood i gave?" Jake

They were still at the red cross center where jake is still pumping blood towards the plastic pack. Jake was lying down while espin was sitting besides him.

"Under instructions by the president, and from your strategy, im to send that blood sack to manila where its going to be under lock and key." Espin

"I see. Though i would expect philippines security to be not that much." Jake

"Yes, your maybe right. But its better to have security than none at all." Espin

"How about putting the blood sack to a bank like vault?" Jake

"The only thing that i can think of that has that much security or more as any bank is either in the federal reserve or in the central bank of the philippines. Why?" Espin

"Because some people, or the americans, might want a sample of my own blood, and they will do or pay anything to get it." Jake

"Why do you say that?" Espin

"Because as what i have heard from the gods, they also have others like me who are chosen by them, though finding them would be like finding a needle in a haystack." Jake

"So its better to find one when they are near you right?" Espin

"Yes. And they can be pretty convincing depending on what card they will play. Though i doubt they might have some against the philippines." Jake

"They might have, and its the extrajudicial killings being made here, i think. Though its just a theory." Espin

"Yes, i can see that they might use that for political purposes." Jake

"In any case, can i ask?" Espin

"Sure. What is it?" Jake

"Why did you take up your mantle?" Espin

"What mantle?" Jake

"Why did you become what you are? A person with powers. And why did you accept it?" Espin

"Lets say i was chosen among all the billions of people in the world. And i accept it cause i couldnt just stand around and let them make fun of me and turn me into their personal remote lab rat, i may be a also a person of science, but making fun of me for years really takes the cake." Jake

"I see. You are also mad at the americans right?" Espin

"Yes, im in rage at what they did to me and my sister, but as i couldnt do anything back then, i just bottled up all that rage." Jake

"But seeing as you can do something now, why dont you do anything?" Espin

"I may be able to light up a whole continent if i wanted to, with lightning storms and everything, but i choose not to. With great power comes with great responsibility and sacrifice." Jake

"And mostly those who have been a victim themselves know this saying and can almost perfectly execute them huh.. thats a good saying." Espin

"Well, i got that from a movie, though with a little bit additional of my own words." Jake

"Haha, we can really learn a lot from movies" espin said smiling

"Anyways, thanks for acompanying me here sir." Jake

"Well, your our top priority for now, so i couldnt just have anyone guard you like this." Espin

"Even though some military are also here?" Jake

"Yes. Its really just a matter of pride, no sweat about it." Espin

"Pride is nothing compared to doing the right thing, but at least some pride would sometimes do." Jake

"Yes, im well aware of that. And it looks like the you are maybe done." Espin said as he saw the sack being full before calling a nurse.

"Should i make more?" Jake

"No, about 2 sacks is enough. You might become a bit anemic after all that blood is gone." Espin

"Yes,thank you. Though im now kind of hungry." Jake said as his stomach grumbles

"I see. Wait here, i will go get something to eat." Espin

"Please make it a lot, since we still have a long way until lanao del sur." Jake said as espin agrees

With that in mind, espin grabs some food from the pantry and they ate together,before leaving for lanao del sur. On their way, they took a ferry towards lanao del norte before crossing to lanao del sur, which took them about maybe 5 hours of land trip. And along the way, espin drops himself off on the port of oroquieta, so he can go back to panaon by himself.

"Hahh.. finally arrived." Jake said as he stretches

After some hours of land trip, they finally arrived at the camp right at marawi city.

"So, where do i sign up?" Jake said smiling as they all finish unloading from the military truck

"Uhh.. you already signed the papers earlier right?" Said one of the soldiers

"Yeah, i know. Was just making your day." Jake said with a big smile

"Haha.. alright then. Lets go this way towards the commander."

They then go towards the commanders office where jake will be briefed about the mission and his team.

"Sir! We bring you jake burns, reporting for duty!" Said the soldier accompanying jake

"Thank you. Now leave us." The commander said before the soldier salutes and walks away.

"Hello sir." Jake said with a salute

"Hahh.. Normally, i wouldnt let civilians go on any military mission. But since its the presidents orders, i will let you in the team. Im commander cruz bongkawel." He said as he shake hands with jake

"I think you already know me from the president. I would now like to know on the mission details please." Jake

"Come with me, i will let you meet with the team first before briefing you with the mission details." Cruz said as he stood up and jake agrees

They then go towards the soldiers quarters where his team is prepping up.

"Attention!" Cruz shouted to get their attention before the soldiers got into position

"Im now here to brief you with the mission. But first, let me introduce you to a civilian which will be accompanying you into that battlefield. Meet jake burns." Cruz said tpointing to jake

"Jake burns?!" Said 2 soldiers

"Oh, its the abog brothers. Why are you here?" Jake said as he shook hands with the older brother

"Bro, this is not worth--" mark

Ken cuts him off, "shut up little brother, your only here because of what they have done to him, and im here for you. Remember that." Ken said pointing to mark

"Formation please." Cruz said before they got back to formation. "I know that you may have some personal agenda with jake, but remember that hes at a league above you all, thats what i heard from the president anyways."

"Sir, if hes at a different league, then why is he here?" Mark

"Hes only here to help us with the mission, nothing more, nothing less." Cruz

"Tch!" Mark said being bitter at jake

"I know that you may be bitter about me mark, but its all their fault for--" jake

Mark cuts him off, "i know."

"Pride is nothing compared to doing the right thing. I only did what was right at the time, telling all the secrets i know." Jake

"Enough. Lets all start with the briefing." Cruz said before he goes and closed the door. "Your mission now is a recon mission. We received information that general delta from the communist army will be there and discussing the future operations of the army." He said while posting a map on the door.

"I see. So our mission is to gather the info from their meeting, and if they resist, we will have to retailiate right?" Jake

"Right. Your mission will take you to these parts of lumba-bayabao." Cruz said pointing at the map

"Sir, if its just a recon mission, why do we need jake burns?" Mark

"Thats because he has the power of lightning, and it can benefit us specially with the communist. We also have intel that the communist army uses talismans to ward against guns." Cruz

"Power of lightning? Thats ridiculous. And talismans? Those things doesnt work!" Mark

"Shut up mark, your embarrassing me." Ken

"Thats alright, for he will soon know what he will be facing." Cruz said with a smirk

"Indeed, ignorance is bliss." Jake

"Anyways, i will leave you in this barracks jake, better suit up for the mission." Cruz said before he goes back to his office

"Yes sir." They all said

Jake then walks towards a bed where a uniform of his size is waiting for him.

"Hey jake, what really happened to you?" Ken said as he walks towards him. "You and mark were such close friends before."

"Yeah, i also want to know. Im paul labangon by the way, the assigned leader" said one of them

"And im henry perks."

"And im sherwin tanke."

"You guys really wanna ask for my story?" Jake

"Yes, we are curious on why a civilian is also joining us." Paul

"Alright then, and i bet mark also want to hear this, since i bet other people in that company wont ever tell him what happened." Jake

"Its fine, i dont want to hear anything from you, aside from your apology!" Mark said at a dsitance while preparing

"Truly, ignorance is bliss." Jake said with a smirk

"Anyways, please tell us instead." Ken said after he rubs his temple

Jake then told them his story, a little bit if himself, from the event at work, until the present.

"Whoa.. i literally have no comment to that." Paul

"Yeah, who knew that you had been through all that." Ken said as the others were crying for a bit

"Yeah, a sad story right?" Jake said as they agree

"Anyways, he still has to prepare guys, lets also prepare ourselves." Paul said before they move away from jake

"Hahh.. i didnt get to hear their stories, but mine is much more heavier i bet." Jake said as he puts on the military uniform.

After their story telling and preparing, they then proceed towards a military truck where it will take them near the rebel base, somewhere at the mountains of lumba-bayabao. After they arrived, they all continued by foot towards the rebel base and maintaining their cover.

"You are with me alright jake, your the only civilian in this mission after all." Paul said as they do a strategy meeting while on the way

"I have watched some military movies sometimes, i know a bit about stealth." Jake said holding his handgun

Jake that time was only permitted to carry a handgun while the rest have heavy rifles, seeing as jake was a civilian.

"Movies wont help you out of this you know." Mark

"Yes, i know. Which is why im also sticking to paul for extra protection." Jake

Paul then orders to stop after a rebel soldier is near, and took cover.

"What should we do sir?" Sherwin

"Remember your training guys. We take him out before proceeding." Paul said as they agree

With pauls instructions, they all drew close before going for the kill without using their guns. After that, they moved forward and repeated the process again on those rebel soldiers guarding the way, until they reached the base hidden within the trees and invisible on the air. Paul then gives the signal for them to split up, mark and ken to the left, sherwin and henry to the right, while jake and paul goes at the center. Paul and jake then goes straight towards the commanders hut while they go and hide between the small huts, as the rebel camp was a small size camp.

"Thank you for being here ibrahim, with this new item, we are sure to have them under our heels." Delta

Jake and paul was now relying with their hearing while they hid at the back of the hut

"Yes general delta, it was also a pain to get." Ibrahim

"So general, what will be our new plan of attack?"

"Im still thinking.." delta

"What if we use these?"

"Absolutely not! It took a fortune just to get one of these!" Delta

"Yes, and you even have another one for safe keeping right?" Ibrahim

"Well, that one was passed down from leader to leader." Delta

"So why dont we use that one instead?"

"Like i said, its a no! We only use this stone to threaten the military into not finding us!" Delta

"But according to my spell book, what you have is the power stone for sirens." Ibrahim

"What?!" Delta

"Lets review, what are power stones in the first place?"

"Power stones are magical items to summon beasts of myth whenever and wherever we want." Ibrahim

"I see. But what we already have is siren, what does that mean?" Delta

"Have you heard of mermaids general?" Ibrahim

"Only in stories, yes. Why?" Delta

"This is a stone that actually summons them!" Ibrahim

"Whoa.. and what of this other stone?" Delta

"This other stone, which is why its costs a fortune, is--" ibrahim

They were then cut off by the sound of gun fire at the distance.

"What was that?!" Jake and paul silently said

"Damn it! Were having a meeting here!"

"Just how did they find this place?!" Delta

"You might now consider my idea general." Ibrahim

After that, they were now saying stuff jake and paul couldnt hear clearly

"Tch! Lets go back to them." Paul said as jake agrees

They took a peek but there was no way for them to just escape the camp and back to the team just in time.

"Damn it! Were stuck here." Paul said after they took a peek

"Should i use my super speed?" Jake

"You said you have--" paul

Jake cuts him off, "lightning speed, though i can carry one person at a time."

"Then lets go." Paul said with a tilt of the head

"But paul, i have a weight limit with me. Im not hercules that can carry everything your carrying." Jake

"Oh, alright then. I guess the rifle stays." Paul said regrettably as he places the rifle at the side. "So, how do we do this?"

"You promise you wont get angry at me?" Jake

"No i wont. Why?" Paul

On that note, jake then carries him in his arms, before he runs at a safe speed towards the others who were battling and pinned down at the side.

"Where are the others?" Paul said as they arrived on ken and marks position.

Jake was also huffing as they arrive on their position. Mark was also wounded at the leg with a graze.

"I dont know sir, we must have lost them." Ken said as they do cover fire

"Whatever they may be facing, they know our rendezvous point. We will just meet them there." Paul

"So, what now?" Jake

"We retreat back to the town of masiu, our rendezvous point." Paul

"Roger that." They all said as they do cover fire

"Jake, can you do that for everyone here?" Paul

"No, i can only do that one by one. And finding the others in this mountain would also be difficult." Jake

"What do you mean?" Ken

"Nothing, its something we cant use right now. So we have to manually retreat." Paul

"I will provide us cover, so we can get out of here!" Jake

With jakes power, he suddenly dropped lightning onto a tree creating the cover they need.

"Lets go!" Jake said as they now ran towards masiu while the rebels were distracted

"I guess we now know that your saying the truth jake." Ken said as they ran

"More running less talking!" Paul

They then ran with all they got, except jake, and got as far away as possible. Once they stopped, paul told the team on what they heard.

"Oh yeah, i think we also saw some of them going down the motor path using a motorcycle." Mark

"Oh no. Maybe they plan to release the mermaids there at lake lanao! We have got to hurry!" Paul

"Mark, where is the satellite phone?" Ken

"Here, glad that didnt fall." Mark said as he gives him the phone

"Good. Lets move while we go down. I will report to commander cruz about the information that we have." Paul said as he still remembering what number to dial

"Are you done now with first aid ken?" Jake

"Yes, but i think some matters require you immediately." Ken

"I agree. You should go back to marawi city first, we will catch up. We must prevent general delta from releasing the sirens." Paul said as jake agrees

"But will you guys be alright here?" Jake

"Dont worry. We can handle ourselves. Besides, we humans gotta stick to the plan." Paul

"Then what does that make me?" Jake said with a complicated look

"Nevermind, just go." Ken said as jake agrees

With that, jake then ran at lightning speeds towards the the highway, and back into marawi city.

"Commander, we have got trouble." Jake said as he normally enters into his office and huffing

"Slow down there, i already received word from paul. We might need a bit more to convince the mayors of towns around the lake to evacuate." Cruz

"Damn it! We really cant use memaids as an excuse huh." Jake

"In any case, you have to eat. You must be really hungry right?" Cruz said pointing towards the canteen

"Yes, mind if i do." Jake said as he normally ran towards the canteen to eat

Meanwhile, at the bridge south of masiu..

"General delta, i think here would be good." Driver 1

"Yes, here would be good indeed." Delta

"They dare foil our plans and discovered our base." Driver 2

"Maybe the people around the area gave them a tip?" Driver 1

"Anyways, what should we do next ibrahim?" Delta

"Just throw those 2 stones over the water please." Ibrahim

They then threw the 2 power stones at the water from their bag. The stones were like the size of regular stones, but with shine just like jewels.

"Alright, i will now chant, please give me space." Ibrahim

After giving him some bit of space, ibrahim then chants in ancient language, all before a fog came.

"What is this? Whats going on?!" Delta said as the fog only got thicker. "Ibrahim?!"

No matter how much he called upon ibrahim, no one answered him. Until they heared a siren at a distance. Entranced, they could only go towards the siren, only to have them fall towards the water from the bridge.

After jake ate, he came back to the commanders office.

"Jake! Glad your back!" Cruz said after jake opened the door

"Whats the news? Can i help with anything?" Jake

"As soon as you got here, i called one of the generals, and he said he can only permit the further fortification of checkpoints around highways." Cruz

"What?! That wont do any good with the upcoming--" jake

Jake was cut off by a soldier coming in and closing the door fast, "sir! There is smoke coming towards here!"

"What?!" They both said

They then looked at the window and it was really fogging.

"What the hell?!" Cruz said as he stood up

"Why is fog suddenly enveloping the city?" Jake

"Anyways, jake, i order you to check it out." Cruz

"Damn.. this is going to be big i bet." Jake

"Enough with the theories, just go!" Cruz

"Alright then." Jake said as he opened the door

With that, they also heard the siren, even though their camp is way above the waters of the lake.

"Can you hear that--" jake said

But when he turned around, cruz and the soldier were both entranced by the siren, except jake because of his powers.

"Gotta do this real quick then." Jake said as he flew up from the fog

It was now sunset when he got back to the base, and already night time when the fog had spread.

"I bet, this is no ordinary fog." Jake said before he flew towards what seems to be the locel port

As he let out some lightning towards the port, there he saw in flash, mermaids eating humans.

"Damn it! Its already begun!" Jake said before he flew towards outside the fog

And there, outside the fog, he called espin. Where traffic was thick and he called at the side of the road.

*ring*

"Sir espin, hello."

"Hello there jake, whats the problem?"

"Actually, i have quite the big problem over here."

"Why? Whats the problem?"

"Shall i explain it to you? Though im in a hurry. Can you get me the president?"

"Explain to me first."

"Alright then." Jake said before he explained what happened during the mission

"Whoa, now that takes the cake."

"Now can i get the president on the line?"

"Oh, sure. Let me send you his private number, but please dont do anything else with his private number alright? Aside from emergencies like this."

"Yes sir, i promise."

"Good, i will send the number to you by text as soon as possible." Espin said before he cuts the line

"Speaking of which, Time to text mom and dad." Jake said before texting them that hes alright

After a few minutes, jake was given the private number of the president, and his parents gave a reply.

“hello mr president, this is jake burns speaking”

“oh, jake. I heard, is it really bad?”

“yes sir, its really bad. As we speak, mermaids are eating humans by lake lanao.”

“mermaids? Really?!”
”yes sir. They were probably summoned here from another dimension or something with the use of these so called power stones.”

“what a power stone?”

“they are stones of power which can summon any sealed creature inside, thats what I understood from their conversation at the rebel camp.”

“i see. Maybe they have a source or something, that we can cut off?”

“i would have to basically see where the source would be, and on that note, I have a plan to take care of the mermaids.”

“so? Go execute it!”

“i would need your permission on this actually, since I would basically electrocute the whole lake.”

“what?! that would mean affecting--”

Jake cuts him off, “yes sir,cutting off the economy in the area, including killing some unfortunate people along the way.”

“damn it! Can I have my answer by tomorrow?”

“no sir, I will need an answer now. We don’t even know if the mermaids might make it to the sea through an unknown route underground!”

“ughh.. damn it! Give me a minute!”

“we don’t have a minute to lose sir!”

“argh!!”

Silence then came on the line

“sir, your decision while im still here.”

“cant you wait for any back up there?”

“no sir, soldiers will only get eaten by the mermaids.”

“what if we send choppers there?”

“choppers will do, but it isnt the solution.”

“why?!”

“There might be too many of them when they get here.”

“damn it! Alright then! Do your worst there!”

“thank you sir, your decision will surely save a lot more--”

Dutuer cuts him off, “enough with the flattery, just get the job done.”

“yes sir.” jake said before dutuer cuts the line

“now then, off I go.” jake said before he flies again

Then there at the center of the lake, jake summoned a lightning storm of unbelievable magnitudes around the lake, that struck many lightning all around the areas with fog. There at the center of the lake, he could hear all the cries of the mermaids as they are struck by lightning, and the cries of mermaids inside the lake being electrocuted.

“weird, the big boss would have arrived by now.” jake

But as he said that, a big mermaid then jumped upward and towards him.

“whoa!” jake said as the mermaid queen almost caught him by the leg

With that attack, jake was able to get a clear shot of the mermaid queen, and struck her with many lightning bolts. After that, the fog all cleared up and almost everyone on the surface was safe, and out of the control of the sirens. There at the surface of the water, where the mermaid queen lies, jake found a shining stone at her forehead.

“so this must be the power stone that was mentioned.” jake said

But as jake was about to get the stone from the forehead, a tentacle suddenly rises from below to get the mermaid queen. As jake noticed it in time, he got out of the way and flies just below the clouds where he is about to see something from the clearing skies above.

“oh boy, is that a kraken?!” jake said

With the mermaid queen in its grasp, the kraken ate her, which also made the kraken have at least 2 glowing power stones on its head. As the krakens size was very big, as big as marawi city, that it proved to be very difficult for him to take out.

“just great. Now I also have to defeat this monster?!” jake said as the kraken still tries to reach him but couldn’t

With that, jake swallowed up his comments and got on the job, of saving the place from the kraken. Jake then made a medium sized lighting storm and threw a big lightning bolt on the kraken. After a while, jake saw people on the port with their phones, recording everything.