The collar hit the floor with a dull clunk.
Ruin gasped—sharp, raw—like air had returned to him for the first time in weeks.
Jack stepped back, letting him breathe.
Ruin's lips were pale and cracked. His throat moved like he was trying to remember how to swallow. His neck was red where the metal had bitten into skin, and his jaw trembled from the sudden freedom.
He touched his own face like it wasn't real.
Jack stayed quiet for a few moments, giving him space. But the silence stretched—thick, uncertain.
So Jack sat back on the bed and finally asked, gently, "You okay?"
Ruin didn't answer at first. Just kept rubbing at his neck like he was making sure the pain was actually gone.
"I'm not gonna make you talk," Jack said. "But I figured… maybe you want to."
Still nothing.
Jack leaned forward, elbows on knees. "I've been where you are. First time I saw this place, I couldn't sleep for two nights. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. I tried to punch a wall and ended up hurting myself worse."
A faint breath left Ruin's chest. Almost a laugh. Almost.
Jack smiled faintly. "So. You ever talk? Even a little?"
Ruin slowly looked at him… and gave the faintest nod.
Jack's brow rose, surprised. "Yeah?"
Another nod.
Jack relaxed a little. "Alright. That's something."
He paused, then added, "Earlier… you showed me a picture. That was your sister, right?"
Ruin tensed. His fingers curled in.
"You don't have to tell me," Jack said quickly. "But… I just want to understand."
Ruin sat in silence for a long time, his expression blank—like he was replaying something behind his eyes.
Then, in a voice so dry and small it barely existed:
"She didn't run."
Jack's head tilted slightly. Listening.
Ruin's voice cracked as he continued.
"When they came for me… she didn't scream. She didn't beg. She just… stepped in front of me."
Jack went still.
"She held out her arms like she could block the bullets with her body. Like she thought that'd be enough." Ruin's voice trembled. "She said, 'You're not taking my little brother.'"
Jack's chest felt tight.
"One of them told her to move. She didn't. She didn't even flinch."
A pause.
"Then they shot her. In the head."
The silence that followed was heavy. Like the air itself didn't know what to do with that kind of truth.
Jack's eyes dropped to the floor.
"I tried to hold her up," Ruin whispered. "But she just… collapsed. And I couldn't even scream. I was too shocked. Too small. Too… nothing."
Jack swallowed hard, his own fists clenched.
"They dragged me away while I was still trying to grab her hand. She was still warm."
He didn't cry. He didn't have to. The way his voice broke said enough.
"I don't know if she got buried. I don't know if anyone even moved her body. I just… remember the blood on my shoes."
Jack sat still for a long moment.
Then he said quietly, "That's not something you forget."
Ruin didn't reply.
Jack looked at him again. "You were ten?"
Ruin nodded.
Jack exhaled. "They don't care how old we are. Not really. Just what we can be turned into."
"I was supposed to be the quiet one," Ruin said bitterly. "The one that hid behind her. She played guitar, I just listened. Now she's gone… and I'm here. Like a shadow."
"You're more than that," Jack said.
Ruin shook his head. "Not without her."
Jack didn't argue.
But he leaned forward and said, "She stood in front of you because she believed you were worth protecting. Not because you were weak… but because you mattered."
Ruin looked at him.
"She gave everything for you," Jack continued. "You don't owe it to her to be the same kid you were back then. You owe it to her to keep going. To survive. Even if it's hard."
Ruin's throat moved, like he was trying not to cry. His voice came out cracked:
"…She would've liked you."
Jack smiled—soft, tired. "She had good taste, then."
For the first time, Ruin let out something close to a real laugh.
It was small. Broken. But real.
Jack leaned back, folding his arms behind his head.
"You remember any of the songs she played?"
Ruin blinked. Then nodded slowly.
"One day," Jack said. "When you're ready… sing me one."
Ruin looked away. But this time, not to hide.
He was thinking about it.
And that was enough.
Ruin looked away. But not out of fear this time. He was remembering her — the guitar, the songs, the warmth that had once made the world feel safe.
Jack watched him quietly, then sat up straighter.
Ruin didn't flinch as Jack reached out — just blinked, confused — until Jack gently placed his hand on top of Ruin's head.
The touch was warm. Careful.
Not controlling.
Not forceful.
Just… kind.
Jack ruffled his hair lightly, then rested his hand there, fingers curled gently in the messy strands.
"You don't have her anymore," Jack said quietly. "But you've got me now."
Ruin blinked, slowly turning his head to look at him.
Jack's voice softened, just a little more.
"I'll be your big brother."
Ruin stared at him. His lips parted like he wanted to speak — to say why or how or don't promise that — but no words came. Just a shiver, a breath, and something shining faintly in his eyes.
Jack gave his head one last soft pat before pulling his hand back.
"No one's gonna hurt you if I can help it," he said. "Not again."
Ruin lowered his gaze, hiding his face beneath his hair.
But this time, it wasn't to disappear.
It was to hold back tears.
He wiped them quickly with the sleeve of his too-long shirt.
Jack leaned back, resting against the wall again. "When we go into the next challenge… you stick close. You don't have to fight. Just stay behind me."
Ruin nodded slowly.
Then, after a pause, he whispered:
"…Okay."
A beat.
"…Big brother."
Jack's breath hitched for a moment, but he didn't say anything back.
He just smiled.
Jack's smile lingered for a moment, soft and real.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
Both of them flinched.
Jack sat up straighter, already tense again.
Ruin's shoulders hunched automatically, breath hitching.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Heavier this time. Slower. Like whoever was on the other side wanted to remind them who was in control.
Jack stood up and motioned for Ruin to stay back. He walked to the door and opened it—
And came face to face with General Vex.
His black military coat hung perfectly across his shoulders, decorated with red stripes and a silver rank pin. His expression, as always, was stone. But his eyes—sharp and cold—scanned the room like he already owned it.
Behind him stood two armed guards, both silent.
Jack didn't move. His jaw clenched.
The general looked past him, eyes briefly landing on Ruin—collarless now, his face finally visible.
"Good," Vex said. "Now that your team is full… the fun can begin."
Jack's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Vex smirked, just barely.
"You've been holding back, Jack. Playing nicely. Surviving. But that's over now."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"You're moving into Rank 2 battles. Starting today."
Ruin stiffened behind Jack.
Jack took half a step forward. "He's not ready—"
"He doesn't have to be," Vex said, voice like metal. "He just has to stand in the ring."
Jack's hand twitched. "Why now?"
"Because you've shown us enough potential," Vex replied. "You're alive. That makes you valuable. And if you're going to stay that way, you'd better earn it."
He paused, then added, "Get dressed. Ten minutes. You'll be escorted to Arena Four."
Then Vex turned, boots echoing sharply against the hallway floor.
"Oh, and Jack…" he added without looking back, "if he dies out there—don't blame us. He's your responsibility now."
The door slammed shut behind him.
The silence left behind was suffocating.
Jack stood still for a long moment, jaw locked, fists clenched.
Then he turned toward Ruin.
The boy was still standing in the same place, his hands trembling at his sides, eyes wide but not panicked — not yet. Just overwhelmed.
Jack stepped toward him slowly.
"We're gonna get through this," he said. "Together. You hear me?"
Ruin nodded, shaky but sure.
Jack turned and opened the metal locker near his bed, pulling out his arena suit — the airtight tracksuit with reinforced metal pads across the arms, legs, and chest. No helmet. Just enough to slow death down… maybe.
He tossed Ruin one of the spare undersuits.
"It's not much, but it'll keep you breathing."
Ruin caught it with shaky hands, then looked at Jack.
"…Will you protect me?" he asked quietly.
Jack locked eyes with him.
"With everything I have."