“So there’s nothing you can do?”
Zeke faced the tall Silya Hext and inquired with a worried expression. He glanced at the small tent behind him, feeling guilty about entering and seeing Arbert’s current condition.
The spawn of the Blood God had grown from a middle-aged man to an elderly barely capable of moving. His skin had wrinkled and his bones became fragile.
Were it not for the Witches’ help and the recovery potions in their possession, Arbert’s body would have crumbled due to over-exerting himself.
“With the resources currently available to us, there’s no way to treat whatever is ailing him.”
She approached Zeke and patted his shoulder apologetically, “Zeke, you and I both know he’s not a normal human. The fact that he’s aging fast means he’s one of the failed ‘experiments’ of the Blood Dawn Society. I’m truly sorry.”
“But…”
“I know you want to help him, but there’s really no alternative. Yes, there are special kinds of monsters from which you can harvest potent healing materials, but you won’t find them here.”
“...”
The black-haired youth lowered his head and let out a sigh of helplessness. For the past couple of days, Sulong had been in a depressed state, taking care of the dying Arbert day and night.
With his current state, Arbert wasn’t fit enough to move, much less get into the van and return home.
“I…”
“Instead of looking for the impossible, I suggest you let him spend his final days in comfort and happiness.”
“Yes… thank you.”
Commander Hext added a few words before bidding farewell to Zeke. She was going to return to the capital to report on what happened and receive appropriate punishment.
…
Late at night, Sulong went to take a breath of fresh air only to be startled by Jennifer.
The Witch commander was standing outside of the tent, seemingly waiting for him.
“Do you have a minute to talk? It won’t take long.”
The bald man meekly nodded once and quietly followed the Witch to a secluded spot.
“First, I’m sorry for your son. I’ve been briefed about your special relationship, but that doesn’t make your familial bond any weaker. You took him under your wing and raised him, albeit for a short amount of time.”
“With all due respect, I don’t need consoling words. I’m no stranger to the loss of people, family or not.”
“I didn’t say you are. I called you here to warn you about something… or more specifically, someone.”
Sulong scoffed at her words and returned, “Let me guess… Zeke? Why can’t people just leave him alone? It’s not like he’s hurt you.”
“I’m not particularly antagonistic towards him or his nature. But, I thought it better to disclose a couple of details to you. Seeing as you are his friend and also an adult, I have a higher chance of talking sense into you.”
Sulong sighed and crossed his arms, already displeased with how she was portraying things in a negative light.
“Zeke-no… the System he’s using, the thing that made you obtain an ability, it’s highly dangerous. Now, I’m sure you figured out a couple of things on your own already, but it has to be said. From this point onwards, things will only get worse.”
“So what’s your point?”
“I’ve read Zeke’s files and I know about his circumstances. As his follower and friend, you must understand that, if you continue down this road, expect to lose even more people close to you.”
Sulong glared at the short woman, snorting coldly as he talked back, “So?”
Jennifer frowned, clearly not expecting him to give such a response or appear so unperturbed.
“When we left the Sunken Metropolis, we were all warned that we might die or even worse. The System? Death? Do you think we haven’t thought about that? Or perhaps do you think we’re doing this for fun? I was offered an opportunity and I took it. If I or Jack die here, then we’ll die knowing we tried our best instead of rotting in a run-down office. Please don’t presume to know me or Zeke just because you’ve read a report or two.”
“Sooner or later, people will learn of Zeke Orland and his connection with the System. Just look how my people reacted to Jonathan, who’s just aiming to get his hands on a System. If they can’t reach Zeke, it’s only natural they’ll target you. They will use you for their own benefit.”
“I’m still failing to get your point, commander Jennifer. You think I’ll snitch or betray? Or that I’m afraid?”
“It’s the other way around, actually. To keep you safe, Zeke might be the one abandoning you. He’s just a kid and to be confronted with one loss after the other will change his perspective. It’s for that reason that System holders are wont to wander alone.”
“...”
This time, Sulong didn’t respond. He clenched his teeth and kept piercingly staring at the solemn Witch.
…
“Zeke, it’s time to go back. Your brother is worried about you and he cannot protect you when you’re so far away.”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Katrina stood next to the silent youth and muttered those words while sneaking glances at him.
“I’m assuming he knows about the System? Hah! I expected nothing less from Ed. It’s so like him to overly worry and resort to extreme measures.”
After a short about of silence, Katrina turned her body and looked straight at him.
“What do you hope to achieve by going after the Ascetic Blasphemers? Is this because of what they did to you?”
“I’m taking back what’s rightfully mine.”
“Oh really?” There was a hint of mockery and sarcasm in her retort.
Katrina has had enough of his unruliness, but what bothered her the most was that she couldn’t read him at all. He was wearing an inscrutable mask, one that no one was able to peek through.
“To tell you the truth, Miss Katrina, if I didn’t get the System, I wouldn’t have done all of this. But now that I can fight and protect myself, no one has the right to stop me. I’ll get what I want and find out the whole truth.”
“At what cost?”
“Pfftt!” He chuckled and shrugged nonchalantly, “There’s no cost I’m not willing to play. If you were in my shoes, you would have done the same.”
“You’re wrong. I’m content with serving my country and obeying my superior.”
“That’s because you admire Ed and want to pay him back. Tell me, then, what if he’s labeled as a criminal? Who would you side with?”
“...”
“Don’t misunderstand. Once Arbert peacefully passes away, I will be going back with you. However, I’d like you to stop spying on me. I’ve got information that will get the Department off my back.”
“You’re strong, Zeke, but don’t let your newfound abilities get to your head. There are people who can kill you with ease. My role is to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
“That won’t happen.”
“It will, if you keep being so reckless.”
With an expressionless face, Zeke looked at her and repeated, “That won’t happen. I can’t die.”
“What?” The bespectacled woman was momentarily confused as she heard his resolute voice, which was brimming with certainty. It was as if he was absolutely confident that he will not die.
“I may only have gotten the System recently, but I have a few guesses on why I was chosen. I need it as much as it needs me. It will not let me die.”
“That’s ludicrous. The System cannot interfere directly, you know that alrea-” She suddenly stopped talking as if realizing something.
“Did you do something? Were you given a special ability?”
Zeke walked a couple of steps away and sat down on a lonely bench while softly laughing.
“Miss Katrina, as my brother’s most trusted confident, surely you’re eligible to know sensitive information about me. How about an equivalent exchange?”
“W-what? I’m not following you…”
“There’s no need to pretend. At least to some extent, you know the circumstances regarding my birth and why the Ascetic Blasphemeres went after my heart. Tell me what you know and I’ll reveal to you why I can’t die. However, if you agree, I want you to keep everything to yourself. Not even Edward must know.”
“...”
Hearing nothing but silence as an answer, Zeke shook his head in disappointment.
“Fine. Keep your shadowy stalking. Just know that, when I have the necessary strength, I will be stopping your unsolicited assistance. I require no guardian nor help.”
******
“Why are you keeping me here? I know that Zeke is here!”
Amelia has been locked inside one of the tents. She threw a tantrum every time Freya came to deliver food or some news.
The order came directly from Jennifer, who didn’t want Amelia and Zeke to meet. She said that the former might want to rekindle the fragmented friendship and that might hinder her training.
“Sorry, Amelia. Jenny seems adamant about this.”
“Ugh… can you tell me what happened? Why is he here? E-emm… is he looking for me?”
“He doesn’t even know you’re here.” Replied Freya as she sat next to the girl and caressed her long raven-black hair.
“From the way you had described him, I thought he’d be friendlier, hehehe…”
“Once you get to know him, Zeke is a genuinely caring person.”
Freya giggled and gave a light hug to the tearful Amelia.
“People change, Amelia. Maybe being taken by Jonathan was a blessing rather than a curse.”
“Why?”
“All I can tell you is that things are about to get nasty. Like… very nasty. Your friend is in the middle of it all.”
…
“This is as good of a place as any. Let us start?”
Jennifer pulled her sleeve as she faced the perplexed youth standing a couple of paces away.
Almost all the Witches in the outpost were forming a huge circle around their commander and the youth.
Sulong and Jack were tending to Arbert, and Amelia was still locked up.
“You’ve got the System, do you not? I want to see what a brat like you is capable of.”
“And why is that relevant to anything happening now? Furthermore, why must I prove my capabilities to you, huh?!”
Seeing his stubborn and rude nature, Jennifer snorted as she changed her stance and grinned, “If you’re not attacking, then I shall!”
Her figure turned blurry, and by the next second, she was in front of him.
Out of reflex to defend himself, Zeke used ‘Sreyzhanian Arts’ to move his body and blocked her seemingly slow punch.
However, even though he successfully blocked the attack, his body was still pushed to the back. His blackened left arm, especially, felt number and unresponsive due to the brute force behind Jennifer’s attack.
Slightly irritated by the woman’s taunting expression, electricity burst from Zeke’s body, which turned into thin air as he teleported in front of the witch.
He raised his leg and used the voltage-imbued ‘One-star Side-kick’. Much to his surprise, however, his rapidly-moving leg was easily caught by Jennifer, who spun around while swinging his body like a ragdoll.
Although he managed to safely land on the ground, she was already upon him, her leg striking his body and smashing him back into the dirt.
The harmless fight against Jennifer was totally one-sided. She had only made use of her physical prowess, but that was enough to subject Zeke to the most humiliating beat-down of his own life.
“This is pathetic. My student doesn’t have the System yet she could do much better than you.”
“You wretched wit-”
“Huh?” She pulled him to his feet by his collar then smacked the back of his head, almost making him fall head-first into the ground, “What was that? Were you going to say something?”
“I said you’re a wretched witch!”
Even though he was beaten black and blue, Zeke didn’t seem to care. He gnashed his teeth and cursed at the provocative Jennnifer.
“All talk, no bite. As someone with an attitude no less nasty than yours, I can tell you that you’re a wimp who can’t do shit with what he has.”
“Bite me!”
“I will.” She swiftly moved her leg and kicked his chest before mounting him and delivering a torrent of slaps at his face.
By the end of it, the witches were cheering for their leader. They were enjoying this brief moment of respite and entertainment, especially after what happened a few days ago.
Once she was done ‘educating’ him, Jennifer waved her hand and walked away.
“I don’t know who’s more stubborn, him and you. It’s a rare sight for someone to talk back to you this much.” Commented Freya as she covered her mouth and giggled.
She followed her gloomy friend all the way to her personal tent, in which the latter slumped on her chair while sighing.