Chef in the Apocalypse

"There’s been a change of plans. Now that I’ve broken through to the Core Formation realm, I’m able to fly through the air for many hours at a time as long as I conserve my Qi."

Jayce’s voice rang out within the main building inside of Bastion. He was surrounded by at least 20 other figures, including his main party members.

There were also the supporters from various countries around the world, paying rapt attention to Jayce at the forefront. On the whiteboard next to him was a crude drawing of a map with magnetic markers placed in key locations.

The atmosphere was tense, yet there was a hint of excitement buried beneath.

Once Jayce had gone through the plan and answered a few questions from the Generals, he had a closing statement.

"We don’t know exactly how many enemies there are, nor do we know how strong they are. We are essentially going into this war blind." He moved his gaze around the room, meeting the eyes of his compatriots.

"However, we don’t have a choice in the matter. If we don’t deal with these traitors, all hell may break loose when the invasion happens a year later. I don’t think I need to tell you the importance of winning this battle."

Murmurs of agreement echoed in response, giving him enough confidence that everyone understood the stakes.

"That being said. Some of us may not return back home after this battle, so make sure all of your affairs are in order before we leave tomorrow. Those of you who are in charge of your turf, ensure that someone can take over and provide for your people if the worst happens."

"If you can’t find anyone, send your people here to Bastion. Dion and Kane will ensure that everyone is well fed and looked after in your stead." Jayce said, nodding towards the two men at the back of the room.

"Also, one other thing." He noted, waving his hands above the table in front of them.

3 amulets appeared upon the table, each giving off a mysterious air.

"What are those?" Colin was the first to speak up, looking at the items with some scrutiny.

"These are protective amulets. They have the capability to block two attacks from a Core Formation realm cultivator. It will activate immediately upon detecting a lethal attack."

Gasps and exclamations sounded out from the occupants in the room as they looked at the amulets with a newfound sense of awe and appreciation.

"Cloud, Victor. Two of these are for you, to give to whomever you please. As for the last one, my side will take it. Any objections?" Jayce said, his tone gave the feeling as if he would not take anything but no for an answer.

"Nope."

Victor was the first to answer, stepping forward and grabbing the amulet with little fanfare. He placed it in his pocket before moving back to his position.

Cloud also moved his large body and took his, leaving the final one remaining.

Jayce had been given 4 amulets in total, however he only showed 3. That was because he would of course give Lianna one of them, considering how much she meant to him.

"Colin. I’ll let you decide who gets the last one." He said, throwing the final amulet to the big man.

Colin was about to object, however Jayce planted the final nail in the coffin with his next words.

"I’ll leave it to you Vice-Leader."

The big man paused for a moment, before a dumb grin formed on his face. Being called Vice-Leader always seemed to make him giddy, making Jayce’s life a ton easier when delegating tasks.

"Jacks, put this on. Don’t even think about saying no because it’s an order." Colin winked at Jackie and placed the amulet over her head.

The people within the room began to file out promptly, seeing that the war meeting was now finished.

Jackie grabbed Amber by the hand, forcing her to stop in her tracks and look back with confusion. She led her towards one of the offices and closed the door, ensuring that there was no one who could see or hear them.

"I wanted to give you something." Jackie said after confirming the coast was clear. She reached up to the amulet and took it off, before placing it in Amber’s hands.

"W-What? No I can’t take this." Amber stammered, looking at her friend with shock.

Jackie merely shook her head, closing Amber’s hands tightly around the amulet.

"I have no use for this, it would merely be wasted on me. There is no way that Colin would let me get into harms way anyway. Whereas you..." She paused, trying to find the right words.

"You’re a bit of a risk taker. Plus Ben isn’t as strong as Colin... As long as you are close enough to him, the amulet should protect him also."

Amber remained silent, listening to the words from her friend. What she had said was true, she could not deny that. However, if something were to happen to Jackie after giving her the amulet, she would never be able to forgive herself.

But she eventually accepted after seeing the stubbornness on her good friends face.

"If you die, I’ll follow you to the afterlife and kill you again." She muttered, causing them both to break out into laughter.

***

[Present time]

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

Jackie screamed at the top of her lungs after seeing Ben selflessly throw Amber out of harms way. She couldn’t believe that the scene was happening in front of her.

When she first saw the rampaging Garu appear next to Ben, she had been terrified. However, seeing that Amber was within Ben’s arms, it at least meant that they would be protected by the amulets effects.

Yet with Amber now floating through the air towards her, there was at least 5 meters distance between the two. Her heart sunk and she could only look away as the loud booming sound of the hammer slamming into the ground rang out in her ears.

Jackie caught Amber, preventing her from landing hard on the ground and was about to retreat. However, she was pushed away by the same woman in her arms, forcing her to fall down on her rear by the unexpected strength.

After slamming the hammer down upon Ben, Garu did not even take another glance, continuing his rampage among the crowded battlefield.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Amber rushed over to Ben, her heart pounding in her chest wildly. Her face was flushed with anxiety as she ran back into the fray, her eyes never leaving the crater-like hole which was left from the impact.

"Please be okay. Please be okay" she muttered over and over like a mantra, feeling her vision blur from the tears which were threatening to pour down her face.

Due to the depth of the crater, she could not see what was inside from her distance. Therefore her heart felt as if it was in her throat as she ran towards the site manically.

Jackie could only watch on as Amber ran towards the spot where Ben had been flattened, feeling a bitter taste in her mouth. She reached out towards her, trying to tell her to stop, however the words would not come out no matter how much she tried.

’That idiot! Why did he have to be so chivalrous’ She cursed inwardly, feeling a huge sense of loss pierce her heart.

If only Garu’s attack had been a little faster, Ben might not have been able to react in time and still be alive.

If only he was a little more selfish...

If only he didn’t love Amber...

’What a fool...’

As these thoughts swirled in her head, Jackie shook her head. It wasn’t just Ben that was a fool... She instantly thought of another 2 men who would do the exact same thing as him if they were in the same situation.

Colin, Jayce. Those two wouldn’t hesitate to throw their women out of harms way in a flash. They were good men, real men. Which meant that no matter how tragic Ben’s death was, at least he died like a real man.

Jackie’s emotions were in turmoil, so much so that she did not even notice that Amber was heading back in her direction.

It wasn’t until she was a few feet in front of them that she finally realized, opening her mouth wide in shock. Any thoughts in her mind instantly disintegrated after seeing her friend.

Amber walked towards her with tears streaming down her face, yet instead of sadness, her face was filled with joy and relief. She was supporting an unconscious figure on her shoulder.

"B-Ben!?" Jackie could only say one word, seeing the man who was supposed to be turned into a meat patty from the earlier attack. She couldn’t believe her eyes as her gaze turned to Amber questioningly.

She gently placed down her man and smiled brightly at Jackie. "I slipped the amulet into his pocket before we joined the fight."

Jackie could only gawk at her friend, not knowing whether to call her a fool or a genius.