Chapter 5: A God Among Us

The warehouse lights buzzed softly, their flicker casting fragmented shadows on the walls. Jack and Emma stood opposite each other, batons in hand. Jack lunged first, aiming a quick swing at her side, but Emma blocked with ease. She twisted, using the momentum to sweep at his legs.

Jack jumped back, barely dodging the blow, and countered with a high kick. Emma ducked under it, smirking as she pivoted into a defensive stance.

"Better," she said, her breath steady despite the intensity of the session. "You're finally starting to think ahead."

Jack wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest heaving. "Thinking ahead is fine, but I'm still too slow to keep up with you."

Emma shrugged, tossing him a towel from a nearby crate. "Speed will come with time. You've already made more progress than I expected."

Jack caught the towel, a faint smile tugging at his lips. A month ago, I was just running. Now, I'm fighting back. He couldn't deny it—being with the Wardens had changed him. But a nagging thought crept into his mind. Why hasn't the Houndstooth come for me? They were relentless before.

"Jack?" Emma called, breaking through his thoughts.

He blinked and looked at her. "Yeah?"

"Where's your head at?"

"Nowhere," he said, shaking his head.

Emma folded her arms, her gaze sharp. "If you're going to keep spacing out, maybe it's time we did something more productive." She smirked. "Like figuring out your affinity."

Jack perked up at that, wiping his face with the towel. "Right. Magic. The whole reason I'm here."

Emma cocked an eyebrow. "Took you long enough to remember."

Jack's apartment was small but comfortable, a quiet haven within the chaos of Kings Road. As he stepped inside, he couldn't help but compare it to his old place. The thought brought a pang of guilt. Mrs. Harrison.

He hadn't visited her in over a month. She'd been his anchor when life was at its worst, and now he'd all but vanished. Shaking his head, he resolved to check on her.

After a quick shower, Jack was about to head out when a knock interrupted him.

"Jack!" Ola's cheerful voice boomed from the other side.

Jack groaned. He opened the door to find Ola, his ever-enthusiastic "best friend," grinning from ear to ear.

"What are you up to, mate?" Ola asked, already stepping inside.

"Heading out," Jack said curtly.

"Perfect! I'll drive," Ola declared, ignoring Jack's tone.

"I don't need a ride."

"Nonsense! Let's go." Ola clapped him on the back and bolted down the stairs.

Jack sighed, grabbing his coat. There's no stopping him, is there?

The familiar streets leading to Jack's old apartment filled him with nostalgia. As he stepped inside, memories flooded back—the warmth of Mrs. Harrison's kindness, the quiet sanctuary she provided when the world felt unbearable.

"Hello?" he called softly.

Mrs. Harrison appeared from the kitchen, a basket of laundry in her hands. When her eyes landed on Jack, she gasped, dropping the basket.

"Jack!" she cried, rushing to embrace him. "Where have you been? I was so worried!"

"I've been… busy," he said, smiling faintly as she inspected his face.

"Busy? And you didn't think to visit?"

"I'm sorry," he said, guilt clear in his voice.

Her expression softened. "It's okay. I'm just glad you're alright." She stepped back, glancing at the door. "Well, since you're here, why don't you escort me while I run my errands?"

"Maybe next time," Jack said. "Someone's waiting for me outside."

"A friend?" Her face lit up. "You made a friend? That's wonderful! Let me meet them!"

Before Jack could protest, she dragged him outside.

Ola was leaning against his car, his cheerful demeanor vanishing the moment he saw Mrs. Harrison. His smile faltered, replaced by a wary, calculating look.

"Hello," Mrs. Harrison said warmly, extending a hand. "You must be Jack's friend. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Ola said, his tone uncharacteristically subdued.

Jack frowned, sensing the shift in mood. "What's wrong?"

Ola glanced at him, then back at Mrs. Harrison. "Jack, we need to leave. Now."

"What? Why?"

"We just… got a call from the office," Ola said hastily. He opened the car door. "Come on."

Jack hesitated but turned to Mrs. Harrison. "I'll come back soon. I promise."

She smiled, waving as they drove off.

The silence in the car was suffocating. Jack finally broke it. "What's going on, Ola?"

Ola tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "That woman… Mrs. Harrison. She's strong. Dangerous."

Jack's stomach sank. "What are you talking about?"

"She's a fallen god," Ola said flatly.

Jack's mind reeled. Mrs. Harrison? A god? That can't be right.

When they returned to the warehouse, Ola dragged Jack inside, his usual cheer replaced by a grim determination.

"Emma!" Ola called out.

Emma looked up from her sparring partner, her brow furrowing at Ola's tone. "What's going on?"

"Mrs. Harrison," Ola said bluntly. "She's a fallen god, ain't she?"

Emma's expression froze, confirming Jack's worst fears.

Jack's voice wavered. "You knew?"

Emma sighed, gesturing for Ola to leave them. Once alone, she turned to Jack.

"Yes, Jack. She's a fallen god."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jack demanded, his voice rising.

"Because I didn't want you to panic."

Jack stepped back, shaking his head. "You've been lying to me this whole time. How am I supposed to trust you now?"

Emma hesitated, then spoke softly. "Because I know what it's like to live with secrets."

Jack froze, his anger replaced by confusion. "What?"

Emma closed her eyes, a faint golden glow radiating from her body. When she opened them again, they shimmered with an otherworldly light. "I'm a fallen god too."

Jack staggered back, his mind spinning. "You… You're one of them?"

"I'm not like the others," Emma said quickly. "I chose to protect this world, not destroy it. That's why I joined the Wardens. That's why I'm helping you."

Jack stared at her, betrayal and fear etched across his face. "So everything—everything you've told me—it's all been a lie?"

"No," Emma said firmly. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to see me as a threat. I've been trying to protect you, Jack."

His breathing quickened as paranoia set in. Fallen gods. Houndstooth. Lies. I'm surrounded by danger.

Before he could say another word, his vision went dark, a sharp jolt knocking him unconscious.

Jack awoke in his apartment, his head pounding. Ola sat nearby, his usual grin replaced by a somber expression.

"You knocked me out?" Jack groaned.

"You were spiraling," Ola said. "And right now, you need clarity, not fear."

"You knew about her?"

"Yes i did, every warden knows about her. We  protect her because she does us.."

Jack buried his face in his hands. "Emma… Why didn't she just tell me?"

"Because she's scared too," Ola said softly. "You're not the only one trying to survive in this mess."

Jack's chest tightened, the weight of the truth suffocating him.