“Are you satisfied?”
“I am...”
“Hm.”
“...Will you demand my soul or something now?”
“Heh, you think I’m a demon?”
“Are you?”
“No. But you’re not far off.”
“Then, what is it that you want?”
“Just one simple thing."
"What is it?"
"I want you to keep my existence a secret.”
“...That’s it?”
“Mhm.”
“Why?”
“You do not need to know.”
“Why not?”
“All you need to know is that I can give you what you so desire… granted you keep my one rule.”
“..."
"Do we have a deal?"
"...Alright, fine. I’ll keep your secret. For that power...”
“So long as you hold true to your oath, I shall lend you my strength. Perhaps more.”
“More? What are you talking about…?”
“Surely you don't believe that was everything I had to offer? Your power earlier was nothing, it barely scratches the surface. Those who are capable of wielding my ability are destined to one day soar heights you never even dreamed possible. Such is the fate of those who are chosen by Eternity.”
“Eternity..?”
“That’s what I named my ability. Still, right now you’re nothing more than an empty vessel. Its growth, you see, all depends on the wielder’s innate thirst for power. Yes! This ability does not suit those who are foolishly content with mediocrity. Only the immensely greedy can realize its full potential!”
“The greedy...?”
“Indeed. Right now, I cannot truly sense any such greed or hunger within you. But I know that soon, you will…”
“I highly doubt it.”
“Soon, whether you like it or not, you will be forced to seek it. Because we’re the same.”
“It seems observation isn't one of your strong points. We’re nothing alike. I’m not some violent, bloodthirsty freak, like you.”
“You just can't see it yet, heh heh heh heh…”
“...Come to think of it, I haven’t even asked your name yet, have I?”
“I no longer have a name. I am nothing more than a frenzied beast who once haunted these lands.”
“Hm. That’s not bad. I’ll call you Frenzy from now on.”
“Do as you like. I look forward to watching you struggle…”
**
Jenyx’s eyes shot open to the white, worn-out ceiling of his room. It seemed that he had fallen asleep after the match and somehow managed to get home. His confusion as to how he got home from the institution was immediately cleared up as soon as he glanced at his beside. A woman with flowing, crimson hair, laid asleep on her arms near the foot of the bed. The hushed, rhythmic breathing of the still-asleep Rose reminded Jenyx of how they napped together in their childhood after playing all day.
“Mmhn?”
Rose’s eyes slowly opened as Nyx brushed her hair aside to see her face.
“Morning.”
“You’re awake!”
Rose jumped out of her seat upon seeing Nyx. It was the first time she hugged him in years. Though he would’ve liked to reciprocate it, they were both adults now, or at least, nearly adults. Still, he neither returned her hug nor pushed her away. It was quite a pleasant surprise. As she embraced him, he noticed her body trembling and her subdued whimpering.
“W-why are you crying?”
“Because you finally woke up!”
“Huh?”
“You’ve been asleep for nearly a day! We found you collapsed on the floor in the corridors! You had such a terrible fever when we got to you too…”
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(“Oh! That’s right, I…”)
The last thing he could remember was leaving the stage after having won the match. As he was walking, his entire body was suddenly stricken with terrible pain and an intense heat. Though he tried his hardest to stay awake, the pain proved too much for him. Everything around him soon turned dark. Having gone through a similar situation before, he had an idea as to what it was that caused it. Still, he didn’t expect to wake up nearly a day after the event. Jenyx peeked at the half-opened curtain in his bedroom. The orange light that shone weakly through the window frames signified the approaching night as the sun rested on the horizon.
“I’m sorry for worrying you. I’m fine now.”
“It’s ok…”
Jenyx’s hands gently patted Rose’s back as he heard her sniffle behind him. It was no time to be feeling conscious. She was simply that worried over her friend who hadn’t woken up even after a day had passed. Having such thoughts was disrespectful to her concern. Just as he was about to hug her back, he heard a click behind him as the door gradually opened, revealing a man wearing a yellow apron along and a tray of sandwiches.
“Oh! Maya, Meri, he’s awake!”
Jullsariah’s voice boomed outside the room. The two were quickly separated as Rose went back to her seat, acting as if nothing had happened. Though it would have been more convincing had she gotten rid of the redness of her face.
“Big bro!”
Meri arrived at the room first, leaping towards Jenyx as soon as she had entered. Thinking that it might be dangerous, he caught her with a pillow to cushion the impact. Meri’s upper body hung above the pillow as Jenyx safely set her down on the bed. He had warned her countless times about jumping and running at people. However, it didn’t seem like she was going to change anyway and decided to forego the warning this time to instead hug his crying little sister.
“Uweeeeeh~ I thought you weren’t going to wake up anymore! Waaaaaaah!”
Jenyx gently embraced her as she cried her heart out on his shoulder.
“Morning, Nyx. You sure took your time with that beauty rest, hm?”
“Good morning, Mom. Sorry for worrying you guys.”
“It’s alright. It’s a mother’s job to be worried anyway. Just try not to make it a habit.”
“I’ll try.”
Maya and Jullsariah approached the bed together, setting the tray beside Jenyx. The enticing aroma of the grilled cheese sandwiches drifted to his nose. As much as he wanted to take a bite out of them, he couldn’t let go of Meri who was still clinging onto him like a leech. Fortunately, Maya sensed his intent and softly took Meri unto her arms, freeing Jenyx from the cuddly creature.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Now, will you tell us what happened?”
Jenyx paused as he was about to take a bite on the sandwich and met his parents’ expectant gazes. That’s right, he still hasn’t explained anything to them. He placed the sandwich back on the tray and leaned back on the bed frame.
“Right. I guess I should explain.”
Jenyx narrated the events of the past week from his perspective. For the sake of his young little sister, Jenyx made sure not to go into detail with regards to his experience in the institution and watered Brad’s actions down to being mean to him. The three other people in the room shared the same somber expression as they listened. They knew all too well just how much discrimination he faces everyday, especially Rose. Still, none of them could convince him to do otherwise, leaving them no choice but to simply keep a watchful eye on him via Rose.
“I never had the chance to ask you earlier. How did you persuade Brad to replace me in the match?”
“What? A match?”
“You fought in a match!?”
“Yes… I-- Hey whoa, wait!”
Jullsariah and Maya scrutinized his face for bruises and the like. Maya stroked his face and lifted his chin while Jullsariah pulled the blanket away, lifting his shirt, steadily scouring his entire body for injuries.
“I’m fine, I’m fine! Stop that!”
Jenyx gently swatted their hands away, pulling the blanket closer to him as he retreated to the bed frame. They were just concerned, he understood that, nevertheless, it was weird for one’s parents to search their child’s body like that. Especially when he has a friend over.
“Rose?”
“Oh- uh… yes?”
Rose’s fixed gaze on his torso shot up to meet his eyes. For some reason, she blankly stared at his body with her mouth agape. It was rare to see her with such an odd expression so it made him curious.
“Ah, are you hungry, Rose?”
It seems he had solved the mystery. She wasn’t looking at his body, so much as she was looking at the tray of sandwiches that his body obscured from view. That made much more sense to him. He took two sandwiches from the tray and handed one of them to her.
“Huh? Umm… yes! Thank you…”
Rose cast her eyes downward as she nibbled on the sandwich, hiding her face. He couldn’t remember her having any such eating habits but he decided not to dwell too much on it.
“Anyway, you didn’t tell them?”
“She wasn’t really in a ‘talking state’ when they brought you here. I have to say though, it was pretty nostalgic to see Rose blubbering like that.”
“P-please don’t tease me, aunty…”
Rose lowered her head even further while Maya cackled without a care.
“They?”
“Yup. There were two other people that helped bring you here, though they left just as quick.”
“I see…”
“So… Rose’s question?”
“Oh, that’s right. I showed him Dad’s crest and he became pretty cooperative.”
“Huh?”
“Sorry I took it without permission, Dad.”
Jenyx pulled the crumpled handkerchief that sat on his pocket for a day and laid it on the bed. The insignia was barely recognizable, but he was thankful it didn’t fall. After all, it would’ve been a much bigger problem had he dropped it, given how Brad and his father reacted when they saw the handkerchief.
“It’s ok, I have faith you won’t misuse it. Just tell me next time.”
“I will, thank you. So, after that, I challenged him to a Duello and… I won.”
“Eh?”
“Wha?”
Though he would never say it out loud, Jenyx enjoyed the shocked looks of his parents as he spoke. For years, their concern for him had only grown and for good reason. Just like Rose, he could tell that they didn’t believe him despite his insistence that he couldn’t feel pain from their abuse anymore. Though they did say otherwise in front of him, he knew better. That’s why, evenjust for a little bit, Jenyx hoped that his win would serve to alleviate some of their worries.
“But how?”
Rose, being the only person to have watched the match in the room, she wasn’t as baffled as his parents.
“Sorry, I… I have no idea.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“I don’t know how I beat him.”
Jenyx looked her in the eyes. Though it seemed like she wanted to keep asking, Rose swallowed the nonexistent words trapped in her mouth. He was thankful for her understanding. Still, as he thought, it wasn’t a pleasant feeling to be keeping a secret from those closest to him.
(“I’m sorry…”)
A promise is a promise. Unlike most of his dreams, Jenyx could clearly remember the conversation he had inside the darkness. If he wants to keep using his power, then he has no choice. Maintaining this little white lie in exchange for the flickering light that suddenly materialized in his despair was a deal he was ready to take. Of that, there was no doubt.
“Well, that’s the story. I’m actually still feeling a little tired right now, so… could you let me sleep a bit more?”
“Of course.”
They all answered one by one, except for Meri who threw a tantrum because she didn’t want to see Jenyx sleep any more than he already did. Maya and Jullsariah urged Jenyx to rest as much as he needed while they tried to appease Meri as they left.
“I’ll come visit you tomorrow again, ok?”
“You’re always welcome here.”
Rose smiled one last time and took a sandwich before she left the room, closing the door behind her. Once again, his room returned to its former peaceful and quiet state. Contrary to his earlier statement, however, Jenyx didn’t attempt to sleep. Instead, he stood up and left the bed. He could feel his body creak as he woke them up from dormancy. He closed his eyes and focused on his ears. Though the door was closed and they were downstairs, Jenyx could hear them as if they were beside him. From Meri’s continuous tantrum, to his father’s vain attempts at calming her, and even his mother bidding Rose to stay safe on her way home.
“Not bad, seems like you were able to keep it.”
The familiar voice that always comes from behind him finally made its presence known.
“I take promises very seriously. I hope you do as well.”
“Don’t worry, I will. It’s been a long time and I want to see this world they created with my own eyes. For that, I’ll need you alive.”
“Well, how reassuring.”
“Just remember, you’re merely borrowing my power. Cross me in any way and you can say goodbye to it.”
“Sounds like you need some reassurances as well, hm?”
“Hah, that’s real funny, kid. You need me more than I need you…”
“I guess it does look that way. Anything in particular you don’t want me to do?”
“Do you pray?”
“No. Not anymore.”
“Then, no, I don’t.”
“Great. Looking forward to working with you then, Frenzy.”
“Kukuku… we’ll see about that.”
As the supreme beings that supposedly molded the world and its inhabitants, virtually everyone revered them. Truth be told, however, Jenyx neither despised nor admired the Gods, even as a child. Still, he was at the very least thankful to them for letting him meet Rose and for his family. However, they had already forsaken him once. Never again will he ever leave his fate to them. Though he had reservations about working with someone who seemed to harbor a deep grudge against them, it was a gamble worth taking. He could worry about Frenzy’s intentions later, once he learns more about him. After all, it’s not like he could do any real harm, what with him simply being a disembodied voice in Jenyx’s mind. For now, he’ll simply take his time and discover this power called Eternity.
(“I can’t wait…”)
The unease and excitement for the future that clouded Jenyx’s heart was never in the least unwelcome. To him, it was a refreshing change of scenery. Something that he also vowed to never openly admit, yet was reflected by his smile and the tainted left eye.