Alex stood before the weathered facade of the old eight-story apartment building, clutching the worn postcard Ruth Everheart had given him-the only clue to his forgotten past.


    The faded letters read, "813."


    Climbing the creaking stairs to the eighth floor, he found the door marked with the same number. He knocked firmly but received no response.


    Just then, the door of the neighboring unit, 812, creaked open. An elderly man peered out, his eyes clouded with


    age.


    "No one''s lived there in years," he rasped. "ce has been empty as long as I can remember."


    "Thank you," Alex replied, offering a polite nod.


    As the old man shuffled away, Alex turned back to the door. Taking a deep breath, he carefully picked the lock and slipped inside.


    Dust motes danced in the slivers of sunlight piercing through the drawn curtains. The air was thick, heavy with neglect.


    Alex moved cautiously through the dimly lit rooms, his footsteps echoing softly on the worn wooden floors.


    In the bedroom, he stopped short.


    Lying on a dpidated bed was a man-gaunt, pale, and barely clinging to life. His shallow breaths were barely perceptible, as though he were in hibernation.


    Alex''s heart tightened. "Hang on," he whispered, rushing to the man''s side.


    He retrieved a small vial from his pocket-a life-restoring elixir he had crafted himself.


    Gently, he administered a dose, watching as the liquid was absorbed.


    cing his hand on the man''s forehead, Alex closed his eyes, channeling his own energy to stabilize him.


    As their energies intertwined, he sensed the depth of the man''s injuries.


    This was no ordinary individual; the immense power within him was almost extinguished, like a fading ember.


    "A legendary warrior," Alex thought, awed by the realization. The man''s abilities surpassed anything he''d encountered before.


    Hours passed as Alex worked tirelessly to mend the stranger''s fractured life force.


    Finally, he felt a faint but steady pulse of energy. The man was stable, but his recovery would require rare and costly resources-herbs and elixirs not easily obtained.


    Alex pulled out his phone and made a call to the Kingswell''s people.


    "I need immediate assistance at this location," he instructed. "There''s someone here who needs specialized care. Bring everything necessary."


    As he ended the call, his phone buzzed again. "Hello?"


    "Alex! It''s Rudyard!" came the urgent voice of one of the children from the orphanage. "Josephine''s been arrested! They took her away, and we''re scared!" Chapter 78


    Alex''s grip tightened on the phone. "Tell me everything," he said calmly, masking his rising concern. As Rudyard exined the situation, Alex''s mind raced.


    "Stay together and keep the doors locked," he instructed. “I handle this."


    Without wasting a moment, he dialed another number. "Ju, arrange for a helicopter to pick me up immediately.


    11


    "It''s on its way," Julia confirmed.


    Within twenty minutes, the rhythmic thump of Helicopter des echoed above the apartment building. Alex boarded swiftly, his thoughts focused entirely on Josephine


    Uponnding near the mining town, a vehicle awaited him. He drove straight to the local police station.


    Inside, Josephine at alone in a stark interrogation room, the harsh fluorescent light casting deep shadows under her eyes. Across from her, a stern-faced officer leaned back in his chair, a smug expression on his face.


    "We have a report that you assaulted Mr. Carlo," he began, tapping a pen against a notepad. Josephine met his gaze steadily. "He tried to rape me," she replied firmly. "I was defending myself.”


    The officer''s eyes narrowed. "That''s not what I asked. Did you strike him, yes or no?"


    Frustration red within her. "You''re ignoring the fact that he was the aggressor!"


    He mmed his hand on the table. "Watch your tone. Mr. Carlo is a respected man in this town. His family''s influence runs deep. Do you really think anyone will side with you over him?"


    She felt a knot tighten in her stomach but refused to look away. "I know what''s right."


    He sneered. "Rights? Let''s discuss those."


    Reaching into a folder, he produced a small baggie containing a suspicious white substance, cing it deliberately on the table.


    "We found this in your home. Care to exin why you''re in possession of illegal drugs?"


    Her eyes widened in disbelief. “That''s not mine! You nted that!"


    He shrugged nonchntly. "Possession is a serious offense. You''re looking at significant jail time."


    Understanding dawned on her- a setup meant to intimidate and control her. "What do you want?" she asked quietly.


    The officer leaned forward, his gaze cold. "Mr. Carlo is willing to drop all charges- under certain condi


    "What conditions?"


    IF


    He smiled thinly. "He''d like you to reconsider his proposal. Agree to meet with him privately for one night, and this all goes away. Refuse, and we''ll proceed with the charges-three-year minimum jail time."


    Josephine''s hands clenched into fists under the table. "You''re asking me topromise myself to avoid false charges?"


    "Think carefully," he replied, his voice dripping with feigned concern. "One meeting, and you walk free. Otherwise, prepare to spend a long time behind bars."