At the Hospital
Ava suddenly woke up.
She heard voices inside — but they didn't sound like doctors.
Her heart racing, she rushed into the room.
Ava looked over and froze — Carter, Jake, and Lia were sitting up in their beds, fully awake.
"Oh hi, Ava," Lia said, giving a small wave.
"What…?" Ava whispered, her eyes widening. "How are you all standing?"
Carter glanced at his hands, just as confused. "We don't know."
"We just opened our eyes and… we were fine," Jake added.
Ava straightened, trying to regain her composure. "You should rest. We need to be careful — NACHIO isn't going anywhere."
Carter shook his head. "No need. I feel better than I ever have."
Lia nodded. "Same here."
"Yeah… I feel completely fine too," Jake said, rolling his shoulders.
Carter swung his legs off the bed. "So what are we waiting for? Let's move."
"Then let's start planning," Jake replied, already thinking ahead.
Lia suddenly stood up. "You guys go ahead. I have something important to do."
Before anyone could stop her, she rushed out of the room.
Lia rushed out of the hospital, her steps still slightly unsteady but urgent.
Inside, Carter and the others finished the remaining paperwork. The quiet fluorescent lights of the hospital contrasted sharply with the chaos they had just been through. After everything was settled, they finally stepped outside together.
Without wasting time, all of them headed toward Jake's base.
As they walked, Carter turned toward Jake.
"Jake… there was something you wanted to tell me, right?" he asked.
Jake kept his eyes forward. "Yeah. I'll explain once we reach the base."
Carter studied him for a moment but said nothing more.
Meanwhile,
Lia had already arrived at Ron's house.
The sky above was calm, but her mind was anything but. She stood at the doorstep, took a breath, and pressed the bell.
A few seconds passed.
The door slowly opened.
Dream stood there.
For a brief moment, like two sisters simply meet, they greeted each other then they stayed silent, just an unspoken understanding. Then Dream stepped aside.
"Come in," she said softly.
They moved to the living room and sat across from each other. The atmosphere was peaceful, almost warm, contrasting with the tension outside.
Dream returned with Ines in her arms.
Lia's expression immediately softened. She gently took Ines, holding her close, smiling as the little girl reached for her. For a few minutes, Lia simply played with her — laughing quietly, brushing her tiny hair, and forgetting, if only for a moment, the battle ahead.
Finally, Dream broke the silence.
"So… Lia, what brings you here?"
Lia's smile faded slightly. She looked up, serious again.
"I need your help."
Dream straightened. "With what?"
Lia met her gaze directly.
"We are going to fight NACHIO."
Dream paused, then nodded slowly. "Alright… I'll try to make time."
Lia stood up.
"Then let's go to the base. We'll discuss the date and time there — and you'll know whether you can join or not."
Dream hesitated for a split second, then nodded.
Elsewhere,
Jake and the others reached a narrow, dimly lit alley.
The air felt heavier here.
On the cracked wall in front of them, bold, worn letters read:
DEAD END.
Jake stopped in front of it. His lips moved as he murmured something under his breath — a phrase only he knew.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, with a low rumble, a hidden door slid open in the wall.
Jake stepped inside first, followed by Carter and Ava.
The base revealed itself — sleek, hidden, and far more advanced than the abandoned alley suggested.
As soon as they entered, Aldrio greeted them with a warm but formal smile.
"Welcome back. Dinner is ready for everyone."
Before anyone could respond, space flickered — and in the next second, Lia and Dream appeared in front of Jake in a flash of light.
Dream held Ines protectively in her arms.
Jake welcomed them, and Ordered Aldrio to play with Ines.
Aldrio immediately stepped forward and gently took the little girl.
"Come, little one," he said softly.
Ines didn't cry or resist.
Jake gestured toward the dining area. "Let's talk over dinner."
One by one, everyone took their seats around the table.
The mood was serious, but the food brought a brief sense of normalcy.
As they ate, Aldrio leaned close to Jake and whispered in his ear.
"That gentleman… he's been sleeping for a while."
He subtly pointed toward a figure sitting against the wall, eyes closed, head slightly tilted — completely still.
It was DA.
Jake glanced at him briefly, then looked back at Aldrio.
"Let him be."
Unseen by everyone, Ron stood nearby — his Invisibility Skill active, silently observing everything.