Chapter 48: Rooftop Reckoning (Finale)
Both fighters moved at once—Jake and Kram, fists clenched, eyes burning. The rooftop echoed with the sound of flesh hitting flesh.
CRACK!
Jake's punch collided with Kram's cheek just as Kram's fist slammed into Jake's jaw. The world seemed to freeze for a moment. Then—
Kram flew backward, crashing to the ground with a dull thud.
Jake remained standing.
Barely.
Blood dripped from his lip, his body trembling. His eyes were open… but dull. Breath shallow. He swayed slightly, as if the wind alone might topple him.
Across the rooftop, Kram groaned and looked up. His face was bruised, eyes wide in disbelief—and fear.
"No… no no no—" he whimpered, crawling back. "I—I give up, okay? I'm sorry! Don't kill me! Please, Jake… please—don't hurt me…"
Tears welled in Kram's eyes as he stared at Jake, who loomed over him like a silent ghost. Kram's voice cracked. He was terrified. Desperate.
Jake said nothing.
He didn't move.
He just stood—quiet, unshaken. A final image of defiance. But behind his unblinking stare… something was off.
Just then, the rooftop door slammed open.
"JAKE!!" Alya's voice rang out, panicked.
Alex rushed to Kram, grabbing his collar and yanking him away before he could crawl any closer to Jake. "Don't even touch him," Alex growled.
Alya ran straight to Jake. "Jake! Jake, are you okay?!"
But Jake didn't answer.
He just stood there.
Still.
Silent.
Unmoving.
Alya reached out—and Jake collapsed forward, falling straight into her arms.
"Jake!?" she cried, holding him tightly. "He fainted… he—he was standing even after he passed out..."
Alex looked over, his jaw clenched, eyes wide in a mix of shock and pride. "He stayed standing just to protect her… even when his body gave out."
The wind passed gently over the rooftop.
Jake , beaten, bruised, and unconscious… had still won.