HPDBC Chapter 657 Time Train
Chapter 657 Time Train
Ty wiped a trail of water from his face, glaring up at Milo. Every muscle in his body ached, his clothes were soaked through, and exhaustion weighed him down like a boulder. "I don't need your trust," he muttered, his voice sharp but low. "Don't act like you did me a favor."
"Oh, you're welcome, sunshine," Milo shot back, a lopsided grin pulling at his mouth. "Real gratitude in those words. If Rui were here, I'm sure he'd be moved to tears."
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Before Ty could answer, a sudden commotion pulled his attention. Across the spa, two Black Bulls dragged a man—barely conscious and filthy—up the cracked tiled steps. Ty's heart lurched as he recognized him. It was the same man Ty had fought in the frozen tundra, the man whose hands he had severed.
"What the hell are you doing with him?" Ty asked, his voice hard.
One of the Bulls, a burly fighter with a scar running across his nose, tossed the man to the ground. He groaned as he hit the tiles, curled up like a discarded rag.
"What's it look like?" the scarred man replied, cracking his knuckles. "Cleaning up loose ends."
Ty pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the pain burning through his side. "Loose ends?"
"Yeah." Another Black Bull, a lanky woman with dirt-streaked skin, kicked at the man's shoulder with her boot. "This bastard got sucked into the portal with us. He doesn't deserve to breathe after what he tried to pull."
The man groaned again, his face pale and smeared with blood. Ty's fingers twitched at his sides. Without thinking, he stepped between the man and the others, his back straightening.
"Back off," Ty said.
"Back off?" Scar-Nose sneered, stepping forward. "Move out of the way, kid. You think he's defenseless just because he's got no hands? This bastard tried to kill you. Or did the ice freeze your damn brain?"
"I said back off!" Ty's voice rose, his fists clenching. The room went still for half a breath. The Black Bulls stared at him, their faces a mix of irritation and disbelief.
"Are you kidding me right now?" Lanky Woman scoffed, looking to Milo for backup. "This guy's got a death wish."
Milo tilted his head, his smirk fading slightly. "You're really defending him? Didn't he try to set you up to die?"
Ty's teeth ground together. "He was attacking me under different circumstances. I'm not saying he's innocent, but killing someone who can't fight back? That's not happening. Not while I'm standing here."
The tension thickened, the room silent but for the faint sound of dripping water. Scar-Nose let out a bark of laughter. "Oh, you're full of it. You think we're gonna feel sorry for this guy? You're clueless, demon. You just got here. You don't know anything about us."
"Exactly," Ty snapped, his glare cutting into the man. "I have no idea who you assholes even are. All I know is that you're the same group that killed Lt. Daemon, my mentor, since the moment I landed on this miserable planet. So tell me—why the hell would I help you?"
Before he could finish, the sound of a door creaking open cut through the room. The Black Bulls turned, their focus shifting as someone entered. Ty turned too, and his breath caught in his throat.
A woman stepped into the spa, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her fingers interlocked. Her long black hair framed her face, though a single strand of lighter color stood out, laced at the crown of her head. Her eyes were closed, as though she couldn't bear to look up.
Ty's chest tightened. "J... JJ?"
Her eyes opened slowly, filled with something Ty couldn't name—shame, worry, regret.
"What are you doing here?"
JJ didn't answer at first. Her gaze shifted past Ty, toward Milo, Osalf, and the others gathered around the crumpled man Ty had just saved. She let out a slow breath, then spoke softly, her voice quieter than he remembered.
"We need to talk."
"Talk?" Ty echoed, still stunned. He staggered a step forward, confusion and frustration bubbling inside him. "About what? What could you possibly have to say after all this?"
JJ's brow furrowed slightly, but she didn't respond to his hostility. Instead, she looked at Osalf. "Give us a moment."
Osalf's expression flickered with reluctance, but after a beat, he nodded. "You heard her. Out."
Milo threw up his hands in exasperation. "Oh, sure. She waltzes in and we're just supposed to clear out?"
Osalf gave him a single sharp glance. Milo grumbled under his breath, but he turned to leave, pulling the others with him.
The room emptied until it was just Ty and JJ. The distant echoes of footsteps faded, leaving only the faint drip of water from the cracked spa pipes.
Ty stood there, unmoving, staring at her. His fists were clenched at his sides, shaking with anger he couldn't suppress.
"What do you want?" he said finally, his voice low and dangerous.
JJ opened her mouth, hesitated, then took a step toward him. Her hands dropped to her sides, but she avoided his glare. "You don't understand what's happening here, Ty. You don't know what's at stake."
"Then why don't you explain it to me?" he shot back, his voice rising. "Because all I've seen so far is death. People dying left and right. People like Rui throwing themselves in front of the King just to give you maniacs a chance to escape."
JJ flinched at his words but held her ground. "It's not that simple."
"It's not simple?" Ty scoffed, shaking his head. "Then make it simple! What the hell is going on? Who are you people? Why do you care about me? Why are you trying to kill everyone who stands in your way?"