PASSAGE 34: FORCED HARMONY

Alaric paced before Jake, who remained unfazed, a persistent grin plastered on his face and a sparkle of hope in his eyes. The Alchemist's optimism was starting to grate on Alaric's already frayed nerves.

"Alright, let's cut to the chase, Jake," Alaric finally snapped. "Why should I let you tag along? What exactly do I gain from having you around?"

Jake puffed out his chest, striking a heroic pose. "Companionship, of course!" he declared, his voice brimming with misplaced enthusiasm.

Both Alaric and Lumina, nestled within the Eye of Chronos, slumped in disappointment. Companionship? That was the best he could come up with?

"Look, Jake, I appreciate you keeping my secret about the masked figure in the rift," Alaric began, his voice laced with a weary sigh. "But what you are asking for is a serious business, not some playground frolic. You can't just expect me to take you along on a whim."

Before Alaric could finish his thought, Jake interjected, a newfound seriousness replacing his usual goofy grin. "Actually, Alaric," he said, his voice dropping to a low whisper, "I know where you can find the Vermin Claws."

Alaric's steps faltered, surprise jolting him out of his frustration. "The Vermin Claws?" he repeated, incredulous.

"That's right," Jake confirmed, his eyes gleaming with a newfound intensity. "Aren't you seeking revenge for Selena's death? To put an end to those bastards' reign of terror? Well, I know where their hideout is. I can lead you to them."

A wave of shock washed over Alaric. This bombshell revelation instantly shifted the power dynamic in the room. "What?! You know where they are?" he stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "If that's true, why haven't you informed the Hunter's Embassy?"

Jake's grin vanished, replaced by a grim expression. "Because," he said, his voice low and heavy, "no one in the embassy, not even the S-Tiers, has the strength needed to face those monsters. It wouldn't be a fight; it would be a slaughter. Sending regular Hunters would only be sending them to their deaths."

The weight of Jake's revelation slammed into Alaric. Even S-Tier Hunters, the pinnacle of human strength, were powerless against the Vermin Claws? Confusion and disbelief warred on his face. "What do you mean, not even S-Tier Hunters?" he stammered, voice barely above a whisper. "But... but then why are you telling me this? If they can't defeat them, of course I can't either!"

Jake, however, remained undeterred. He rose from the floor, a confident chuckle escaping his lips. "Let's just say it's a hunch, Alaric," he declared, meeting Alaric's gaze with unwavering conviction.

"A hunch?!" Alaric's voice cracked, the absurdity of the situation dawning on him.

"Here's the thing," Jake continued, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Remember a year ago, when the Hunter's Embassy evaluated you as Untouched? You know, because your body didn't possess any anima energy? Well, believe me, I wouldn't disagree with the embassy's assessment. They're the best in the business when it comes to these things. And trust me, my little wristwatch here," he gestured to a contraption on his arm, its face embedded with tiny, shimmering anima crystals, "can't detect a single trace of anima on you right now."

Alaric's brow furrowed. The wristwatch, an Alchemist's creation, served as a testament to Jake's expertise. If even that couldn't detect any anima, then...

"But," Jake continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "based on what I saw back in the rift… Well, let's just say I'm pretty sure you've been reawakened. And if my hunches hold any truth, you have the potential to become incredibly strong. Way stronger. All you need is experience – the kind you can get from tackling rifts that you were able to open."

"H-How in the world did you know all this?!" Alaric stammered, his voice laced with a tremor of fear and confusion. The weight of Jake's revelation pressed down on him, and the very foundation of his reality seemed to shift.

Jake, unfazed, puffed out his chest with an air of misplaced confidence. "Well, as you might've noticed," he chuckled, "bravery isn't exactly my forte. But when it comes to analyzing situations and people, well, let's just say I'm top of the class!"

A bead of sweat trickled down Alaric's temple. This whole situation was turning surreal. Here was Jake, the goofball who almost fell to his death moments ago, claiming to be some kind of prodigy when it came to strategy. Yet, the evidence, the details he provided, was undeniable.

"So, what do you say, Alaric?" Jake continued, extending a hand with a hopeful grin. "Let me join you on your adventures. You gain a top-notch strategist in your corner, and in exchange, I'll lead you straight to the Vermin Claws' hideout when you're strong enough."

Alaric stared at the proffered hand, his mind a whirlwind of doubt. Could he trust this self-proclaimed genius with his life, with Selena's memory? But the information about the Vermin Claws was undeniable. It ignited a new purpose within him, a burning desire to be strong enough, strong enough to avenge Selena and bring those monsters to justice.

Hesitantly, Alaric raised his own hand, meeting Jake's in a firm, yet hesitant handshake. This wasn't a bond forged in friendship, not yet. It was a pact, a fragile alliance built on desperation and a shared purpose. Only time would tell if they could overcome their differences and emerge as a force strong enough to face the darkness that awaited them