After the incident,
Jair warped back to the tall building overlooking the city.
Wind brushed against him. The skyline glowed below.
He took a slow breath, letting some of the weight leave his chest. Not all of it. Just enough.
Then he spoke.
Jair: Your turn, huh?
A flame tore open behind him.
Jason stepped through.
Jason: Yeah. I am.
I'll see you on the other side.
He moved forward, toward the silence waiting for him.
Jair: You know… time's really surprising here.
Jason glanced sideways.
Jason: Yeah? What are you on?
Jair gave a small, knowing smile.
Jair: Don't worry. You'll find out.
Jason didn't press. He just nodded.
Then he opened another portal.
And stepped through.
The smell hit him first.
School.
Familiar. Stale. Heavy.
Like regret that never fully leaves your clothes.
He walked inside.
No one looked at him.
Not even a glance.
Jason's eyes narrowed.
He had expected whispers.
Murmurs about him disappearing.
Speculation.
Instead… they were whispering about something else.
As if no time had passed at all.
As if the skip never happened.
And then it sank in.
This wasn't after everything.
This was the day after.
The day after he finally snapped.
The day he drew the final line.
The day he took out his tormentors.
The day no one smiled when he lashed out.
That's why they were looking at him like that.
Not curious.
Careful.
The bullies were nowhere to be found.
They hadn't come to school.
Jason looked down.
Guilt began creeping in—slow, quiet, like a worm beneath skin.
But he straightened.
Not this time.
He wasn't going to let guilt ambush him again.
He started walking.
A hand yanked him back.
The punch connected.
Clean. Angry. Immediate.
It was Adrian.
The same Adrian he had put down "yesterday."
Adrian's voice shook with venom.
Adrian: You don't get to humiliate me in front of everyone and expect peace, you… you psycho.
Jason blinked once.
Then he smiled.
Not wide.
Not mocking.
Just… steady.
Jason: Yeah, Adrian. Maybe I am.
A psycho—for finally standing up for myself.
He stepped closer.
Jason: But that's not why I'm here.
This wasn't Jair's path.
Jason didn't carry doctrine.
He carried something rawer.
Clearer.
Adrian faltered.
He hadn't expected agreement.
It destabilized him.
Jason tilted his head slightly.
Jason: We're all flawed, Adrian.
If I'm a psycho… then what are you?
He didn't raise his voice.
He didn't flex power.
He just held the silence.
And this time—
Jason wasn't reacting.
He was choosing.
Adrian pressed on: Y'know the principal wants you, your ass is so cooked.
Jason chuckled: You think the principal is a problem....?
Adrian, with a puzzled expression: what do you mean..
Jason folds his arms, eyes narrowed: Don't worry, he's not gonna do anything much...
Adrian paused for a sec.
Then he spoke..
"Y'know what, i'mma deal with you myself"
His fist clenched ready to connect once more..
But Jason held it this time...the force from the punch echoed across space..
A ripple of shock and dread spread across the students watching...
His expression darkened, his flames could come out at any moment, anger threatening to boil out of him.
But a voice rang in his head, like an alarm that wakes his soul up from its slumber.
"You need to stay calm, you're here to convert them....not scare them"
Jason took deep, even breaths, then continued.
When Adrian threw the next punch..
He snapped his fingers, and a trail of flame, made their way into the very being of every student in the school..
It pushes Adrian back, like a stick used to discipline an animal.
A psychic link, born from his flames of relevance..
So everyone could here what he's saying simultaneously.
Jason clears his throat, them spoke...
"Listen, when have you ever been allowed to say what's really on your minds without any form of subtle correction"
His voice was more than a voice, it was like he was filling gaps in their unconscious..
Hitting deep truths no one dared to articulate.
A pause..
They look each other weirdly, didn't know what to say, how could they, this was foreign territory..
There's nothing but void.
Adrian: what...
Jason: You've been doing things you have no control of..
Following rules you can't clearly map...
You've been held captive, and you don't even know it.
Adrian: What are you even talking about, you've gone completely mad...but...I... what have you....
Jason cuts him off, "I have too.., everytime.
We all have a hidden cage, trapped inside our unconscious..
And it has been influencing us for as long as we were born"
The awkward glances became more prominent as they began to contemplate..
Some sneered, others couldn't unthink what he had let down.
One of them spoke up.
-oh yeah, and what do you know about us, what if not trying to harm us like yesterday... we're really scared of you right now"
"Yeah man, what's the point you're making"
"Stop with the corny stuff "
Jason: You shouldn't be scared of your own selves."
That, that hit them right in the core.
Jason notices it, but continued: "I was full of rage, and I was controlled by it, all because of everyone's conditioning....we don't know the difference between beliefs and identity..."
Adrian: "You don't know us"
Jason:"You don't either"
Jason chuckled, remembering their earlier words.
Jason: This would only be corny if I said… "You need to rise and break the system."
No laughter followed—just silence. He didn't bother.
Jason: No. You don't. It's all up to you… to make the decision.
One of the girls spoke, her voice trembling.
Jennifer: I…I don't know if I can…or even understand what you're saying, but… sob…what are you doing to me? It's like…whenever you speak, I…
Jason looked at her, warm and steady.
Jason: Don't worry, Jennifer. You're crying because you've compromised yourself for too long. Am I right?
The girls shifted uncomfortably.
One of the popular girls pushed forward, stepping up, defiance in her eyes.
Popular Girl: And why should we listen to you, huh? You don't know a damn thing about social circles, do you?
Jason: I know the space between them.
The girl hesitated, taken aback. His words carried a fire today, literally—warmth radiating from every syllable.
Adrian: Speaking therapist today, huh… but… you're right. I hate to admit it, but… you're right.
Jason: What I'm saying may seem laughable, but think… what shapes everything you do? Do you really think you're in control of it?
Fred, Jason's friend who had betrayed him, stepped forward, guilt written across his face.
Fred: Even if we agree… we can't do anything. I'm sorry I hurt you, but… this has to stop. Let it go.
Jason's eyes flickered, realizing Fred hadn't understood the lesson. He still thought he was gone.
Jason: I'm not doing this because I haven't let go. I'm doing this because I did… and I want you to do it too.
One of the smart ones, Jeffery, leaned forward.
Jeffery: Oh, I know what you are… you're a nihilist, no, an… absurdist… yeah. Welcome to peak.
Jason chuckled.
Jason: It's more than that. If life has no meaning, why are we still compromising?
Jeffery nodded, now showing respect.
Jason: Here's what I propose. That warmth you're feeling—that isn't my voice. That's your unused self, finally burning hot. Now… learn how to enlighten it. Whatever happens… it's your choice.
Adrian: I hate people like you…
Jason: You don't have to like me. hahaha
Some students hesitated. This was a massive decision. But they couldn't deny the warmth coursing through them.
Slowly, they stepped forward.
Jason smiled warmly...
But Adrian cut him off
"Don't think this means anything alright, you're still trash"
Jason replied.
"Alright" then shrugs.
At that point, Adrian couldn't press on anymore... The question hang on his head..
"What does this guy even know"