Green Valor

Jacks surrender

Jack pushed forward, every step fueled by the determination to see this through to the end. The battlefield around him was slowly shifting in favor of Cordero's forces—Archers' flags were being torn down, the tide turning at last.
But Jack knew this victory would be hollow unless he could find a way to confront Archer himself. The war wouldn't truly be over until its source was eradicated.
As he continued, his eye caught something fluttering in the wind. An old, worn poster, its edges frayed and yellowed with age, drifted across the battlefield.
He reached out and caught it, recognizing the image immediately—it was a wanted poster, his own face glaring back at him with the words "Wanted: Dead or Alive" printed in bold letters beneath. It was a relic from the time when he was on the run, hunted for taking down Archer's terrorist organization.
A plan began to form in Jack's mind. It was risky—insane, even—but it was the only way to get close to Archer. He would turn himself in, use the bounty on his head to infiltrate Archer's stronghold.
With grim resolve, Jack allowed himself to be captured, raising both his hands knowing it was the only way to end this once and for all.
As Archer's soldiers dragged him away, his comrades looked on in shock and disbelief. They couldn't understand why he would surrender after everything they had fought for.
Some shouted at him, calling him a traitor, while others simply stared, confusion and betrayal etched on their faces. But Jack remained resolute, steeling himself for what was to come.
The journey to Archer's headquarters was grueling. The soldiers treated him roughly, shoving him into a transport vehicle and binding his hands tightly behind his back.
The ride was long and tense, the air thick with anticipation. Jack kept his eyes forward, mentally preparing himself for the confrontation ahead.
When they finally arrived, Jack was unceremoniously dragged out of the vehicle and marched through the massive, fortress-like headquarters.
The place was eerily quiet, the walls lined with cold steel and concrete. It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the battlefield outside.
Jack was brought to a spacious room, dimly lit and nearly empty, save for a large desk at the far end. Behind it sat Archer, the man who had orchestrated so much death and destruction. He was tall, with black hair that framed his cold, sunken eyes.
The aura around him was one of quiet menace, and as Jack was pushed to his knees before the desk, he could feel the weight of Archer's gaze bearing down on him.
But it wasn't just Archer that caught Jack's attention. Beside the desk, chained to the floor like a beaten animal, was a fierce-looking pitiful creature.
Its eyes were wild and full of pain, its body battered and bruised. Jack realized with a sickening lurch that this was one of the countless victims of Archer's experiments—perhaps even a human, twisted and broken beyond recognition.
Archer leaned back in his chair, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he regarded Jack. The silence in the room was oppressive, broken only by the labored breathing of the chained creature beside the desk.
"Well, if it isn't general Cordero's 'prized solider'" Archer finally spoke, his voice low and chilling. "Look who decided to come crawling back. The great Jack Evergreen, surrendering himself like a lamb to the slaughter. Tell me, Jack, what brings you to my doorstep? Are you here to beg for mercy?"
Jack swallowed hard, pushing down the fear that threatened to consume him. This was it—the moment he had been preparing for. He had to stay strong, had to find a way to negotiate, even in the face of this monster.
"No," Jack replied, his voice steady despite the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. "I'm not here to beg. I'm here to talk."
Archer's smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Talk? About what, exactly? The terms of your surrender? Or perhaps you're here to offer me something in exchange for your miserable life?"
Jack took a deep breath, trying to keep his nerves in check. He couldn't afford to show weakness now. "I want to negotiate an end to this war. We both know that continuing this fight will only lead to more death, more suffering. But it doesn't have to be that way. We can find a way to end this, to stop the bloodshed."
For a moment, Archer simply stared at him, as if considering his words. Then, with a sudden, cruel laugh, he stood up, towering over Jack. "You think you can just waltz in here and make demands? You're nothing, Evergreen. A washed-up soldier clinging to the hope that you can somehow make a difference. But you can't. You're just a pawn, like all the others."
Jack's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't back down. "Maybe I am a pawn," he admitted, his voice low but firm. "But even a pawn can change the game. I'm offering you a chance to end this without any more bloodshed. You know as well as I do that this war won't end with a clear victory. It'll end with both sides in ruins."
Archer's expression darkened, his smile fading. "You dare lecture me? You think you can manipulate me into giving up everything I've worked for?"
Jack met his gaze, unflinching. "I'm not trying to manipulate you. I'm trying to save lives—including yours. If you continue down this path, it'll destroy you too. But we can stop it. We can end this war and build something better."
For a long, tense moment, Archer said nothing. The room was filled with an almost unbearable silence, the air thick with the weight of their confrontation. Jack could feel his heart racing, but he refused to look away, refused to give Archer the satisfaction of seeing his fear.
Finally, Archer leaned in close, his face just inches from Jack's. "You're a fool, Evergreen," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "A naïve, idealistic fool. But you're also right about one thing—this war is far from over. And when it does end, it won't be on your terms. It'll be on mine."
Jack's blood ran cold as Archer straightened up, the cruel smile returning to his face. "Take him away," Archer ordered the soldiers, his voice cold and final. "Put him in the pit. Let him see what happens to those who dare challenge me."
Jack was hauled to his feet and dragged out of the room, his mind racing. He had tried to negotiate, but Archer wasn't interested in peace. This war would only end in bloodshed—unless Jack could find another way.
As he was thrown into a dark, damp cell, the sound of the door slamming shut behind him, he knew that the real fight had only just begun.
Jack, in the darkness of the cell, knew he had one last chance. He had to reach Archer, to get through to him in a way no one else could.
Summoning all his strength, he called out, his voice echoing in the damp, empty corridor, "Archer! I know who you are. I know you were once Cordero's prized soldier, just like me. But we've both been lied to—used."
His words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was only silence. Then, slowly, the door to the cell creaked open, and Archer stepped in, his cold eyes narrowing as he approached. "You think you know me?" Archer sneered, his voice low and dangerous. "You're nothing, Evergreen. You're a tool, just like all the others."
But Jack wasn't deterred. He pressed on, his voice gaining strength as he spoke. "I know what you went through. Cordero and his brothers—they've been lying to all of us.
They've been using us to further their own twisted plans. The terrorist organization you led, Fallere—it means 'to lie.' My father was its leader before you. He wanted revenge because Cordero betrayed him, betrayed all of us. Dr. Wormsly kidnapped people like my father for his experiments, for this 'perfect war.' You and I—we're products of their lies."
Archer's expression darkened as Jack continued. He stepped closer, grabbing Jack by the collar and lifting him off the ground.
"You think you're like me? You think you understand what I've been through?" Archer's voice was filled with venom, his grip tightening. "Cordero betrayed me. He took everything from me—my honor, my life. But I'm nothing like you, Evergreen. I don't follow orders. I don't trust anyone. I'm going to make him pay for what he did."
Jack struggled to breathe as Archer held him, but he forced the words out, his voice hoarse but determined. "You don't have to do this alone, Archer. My team—my friends—they found a cure for the ghouls. We can stop Cordero's plan, stop the 'perfect army project.' But we can't do it if we're fighting each other. You know what he's capable of. You know what he'll do if we don't stop him. We have to break the cycle. We have to end this together."
Archer's eyes flickered with something—hesitation, doubt. He stared at Jack, the intensity in his gaze unwavering. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then, slowly, Archer's grip on Jack's collar loosened, and he set him back on his feet.
"You really believe we can stop him?" Archer's voice was quieter now, almost reflective. "That we can end this war?"
Jack nodded, breathing heavily as he straightened up. "Yes. But only if we work together. This war doesn't have to destroy us. We can change the future. But we have to act now."
Archer's eyes bore into Jack's, searching for any sign of deceit. Finally, he stepped back, his expression unreadable. "Fine," he said, his voice cold but resigned. "We'll do it your way. But know this, Evergreen—if you betray me, if you try to cross me, I'll kill you myself."
Jack nodded again, knowing that Archer's threat was anything but empty. But there was no other choice.
This was the only way to stop Cordero, to end the madness that had consumed their world. As Archer turned and motioned for his guards to take Jack back to the battlefield, Jack knew that the stakes had never been higher.
As the guards exited the room, leaving Jack and Archer alone, the tension in the air was palpable. Jack wasted no time in explaining the plan. "Dr. Wormsly is dead," he began, watching Archer's reaction carefully.
"And now it's time to eliminate Yoshi, the second oldest brother. My friends, Quinn and Yuri, are already infiltrating tonight's social event. They're going to take him down, and I plan to sneak in and join them. After that, we'll move on Cordero."
Archer listened, his expression a mix of intrigue and amusement. "You're bold, I'll give you that," he said, a slight smirk forming on his lips. "But you're also reckless. You really think the three of you can take down Cordero and his entire operation? You'll need more help than that."
Jack frowned, realizing the truth in Archer's words but unwilling to back down. "We don't have much time. If we don't act now, everything we've fought for will be lost."
Archer nodded, his gaze sharp as he considered Jack's words. "You're right about one thing—the window of opportunity is small. But there's something you need to know. Firearms aren't allowed in Cordero's social events at his White House. You'll need another way to fight."
Before Jack could respond, Archer motioned for him to follow. They moved through a series of dimly lit corridors until they reached a heavy door.
Archer pushed it open, revealing a room filled with swords of all shapes and sizes. The walls were lined with gleaming blades, each meticulously maintained.
Archer's voice took on a different tone, one that hinted at memories long buried. "Cordero and I used to have an interest in swords. It was one of the few things we shared before he betrayed me. He has a room just like this one in his White House."
Archer walked over to a rack and picked up a katana, its blade catching the dim light as he tossed it to Jack. "If you're going to face Cordero, you'll need to be more than just brave. You'll need to be skilled. Prove to me that you can handle yourself with this."
Jack caught the katana awkwardly, its weight unfamiliar in his hands. He had always relied on firearms in combat, and the feel of cold steel in his grip was alien. Archer, sensing Jack's unease, took a stance, his own sword at the ready. "Show me what you've got, Evergreen."
The challenge was clear. Jack had no choice but to accept. He took a deep breath, gripping the katana tightly as he mirrored Archer's stance.
The two circled each other, the tension between them growing with each passing second. Then, without warning, Archer lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision.
Jack barely had time to react. He raised his katana just in time to block Archer's strike, the force of the blow sending a shockwave up his arms.
Archer didn't relent, pressing his advantage with a series of quick, powerful strikes. Jack fumbled, his movements clumsy compared to Archer's fluid grace.
"Is this all you've got?" Archer taunted, his voice calm even as he attacked with relentless speed. "Cordero will cut you down before you even get close."
Jack gritted his teeth, frustration mounting as he struggled to keep up. But with each clash of steel, something inside him began to shift.
He remembered his mother's words, her belief in his strength, and the way she had urged him to keep fighting. Drawing on that inner resolve, Jack began to focus, his movements becoming more deliberate, more controlled.
Archer noticed the change, a flicker of approval crossing his features as Jack started to anticipate his strikes.
Their duel intensified, the clang of their swords ringing out through the room. Sweat dripped down Jack's face, but he didn't falter. He parried Archer's blows, his confidence growing with each successful block.
Finally, Archer stepped back, lowering his sword as he regarded Jack with a nod of acknowledgment. "You've got potential, Evergreen," he said, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "But potential won't be enough against Cordero. You'll need to be faster, stronger, and smarter. Don't rely on brute force—use your mind, your instincts."
Jack, panting and drained, lowered his katana. "I'll do whatever it takes," he said, determination burning in his eyes.
Archer sheathed his sword, walking over to Jack and clasping a hand on his shoulder. "Then we have a deal. I'll work in the shadows, taking down Cordero's union from within. You and your friends handle the rest. But remember, Jack—Cordero is dangerous. He won't hesitate to kill you if you give him the chance."
Jack nodded, the weight of the task ahead settling heavily on his shoulders. "I won't let him."
Archer stepped back, giving Jack a final look before turning to leave the room. "Then prepare yourself. Tonight, we end this—one way or another."