Chapter 22: A New Begining

Zack

“Know your place, Atlusian” Those words haunted Zack during the three days he had spent recuperating within Sanctuary. The face of The Dark Slayer. He couldn’t forget it. At that moment he had the chance to end his eight-year long quest…and he wasted it. That was all that he could think, that he wasted the one and maybe only opportunity he would ever get for vengeance. He groaned and screamed in frustration, almost as if he was possessed. He was interrupted by a knock. His breath hitched and he turned his head to the wooden door as he lay in the recovery bed. The door opened and the familiar red cloak caught his eye and Zack groaned as he entered.

“Leave! I don’t want to deal with you!” He yelled pathetically across the recovery room. Yami leaned against the wall next to the door.

“Still feeling sorry for yerself?” He said smugly. Zack only turned to face the ceiling again as he groaned.

“What do you want?” Zack said in an exhausted manner.

“Cheers for asking,” He said with a smile as his face relaxed “Thought I was gonnae have to ask myself.” He pushed off the wall and sat in the bed across from Zack. The dim candlelight was the only thing that lit the two of them. “Well, as you can see, the princess, or uhh Maya as she’s asked to be called is no here”

“And?” Zack interjected snidely

“And…if you can shut yer mooth I can finish. She’s up and aboot nue. Looking fine and dandy thanks tae you.” Zack said nothing and only glanced at Yami as he spoke “The lassy asked when yer up an aboot if you can come an gee her a wee visit. Said she wanted tae gee you some thanks.” Yami stood up and patted the banister of the bed he sat in. “Just when yer feeling up to it mate. No need to keep a lady waiting” Yami made his way to the door but stopped and turned back to face Zack. “And Zack.” He pointed to Zack before speaking again “Nae mare winging aboot that Dark Slayer business. Yer only daying yerself harm.” with that, he opened the door and let in the natural light that illuminated the room, before closing it once more and returning the recovery room to how it once was. Zack sat there in his bed for ten more minutes, thinking about nothing, he was too upset to think about anything. Zack then breathed in and exhaled as deeply as he could before rising from his bed. His body was covered in scars after the battle with Gideon. Small ones that ran across his body from his neck to his feet. He dressed himself in a grey tunic and and black trousers with some brown sandals. His armor was unusable now. The leather had begun to fall apart and the metal armor had shattered completely. Thankfully, he still held his red scarf next to him on the dresser table. Though it did not escape damage and became torn and threaded, though, it was still usable. Zack dragged himself to the door and left the quiet recovery room. He winced at the bright sun and shaded his eye from the sun until it adjusted. The Sanctuary looked the same as the last time he was there. People of many kinds casually worked as the day passed by. Zack slowly walked through the Sanctuary and passed tradesmen and men and women enjoying the day. He wasn't able to bring himself to smile despite the environment around him, it just… wouldn't happen no matter how hard he tried. As he approached the Sleepy Phoenix, he spotted Maya up on the small balcony of the pub. She sat alone, sipping from a teacup rather than a jar or tankard. Zack was still surprised to see women mingle in a pub with men. It was a very rare sight within Atlus but it looked as if Yami was serious about making a world equal for everyone. Not just when it came to the magicless. As he entered, he was greeted by Jamie. A smile came across the bartender's face as he spotted Zack.

“Ahh Zack it is good to see you!” Zack didn't say anything and instead nodded toward him with an empty look in his eye. “Sorry, I see I have caught you at a bad time…I did happen to hear what happened to you from Yami” Zack cut him off before he could say anymore.

“It's fine,” Zack said curtly

“Can I get you anything at least?” He asked cautiously. Zack only shook his head.

“I’m just here to see the princess,” he told Jamie

“Ah, yes the princess. The only one I've ever heard of to drink tea within a pub and not only that but to bring her own tea as well” He laughed to himself “Ah yes she is definitely a royal” He noticed himself rambling and caught himself by clearing his throat “Anyhow, I Shant keep you longer, on you go” He said with a smile before returning back to the bar. Zack ascended up to the second floor, passing by a couple of people chatting on the way. He then reached the balcony, he slowly entered through the empty doorway to find Maya sitting there. She looked almost completely different from how he had seen her before. Her face was cleaned to show her feline markings across her face. Her white hair was cut in a fashionable bob cut to accent her face, with her Ketan ear sticking out of the top acutely. She wore a dress like nothing he had ever seen. It was a tight black dress that flowed below the waist. It hung only at her shoulders and revealed her collarbone with white feathers that hung from the top hem of the dress. Zack blushed slightly upon seeing her. Even he couldn't deny her beauty, though, she was a Ketan princess so that was expected he supposed. Maya caught him in the corner of her eye, she placed her tea back on the table and turned to face Zack.

“Ah hello, by chance is your name Zack?” Her feline eyes were hard for Zack to tear his eye away from. Ketan eyes were always a little strange to him but her eyes were so striking, they were almost like a bright opal.

“Uhh yes that’s me,” Zack said as he broke away from his thoughts. The princess perked up and smiled towards him.

“Ah, that’s such delightful news, Please, sit down.” She patted the seat next to her. Zack strode over and placed himself in the seat, he sat not fully comfortable with himself. As he seated himself, she quickly leaned over and took his hand into both of her own. Zack was caught by surprise and looked down to her hands, then back to her face.

“From the bottom of my heart Zack. I thank you dearly, you released me from years of torment, released me from slavery. For that, I am eternally grateful.” Her eyes showed sincere gratitude. So much that it became uncomfortable for Zack.

“It’s fine, it was…just a coincidence I ended up saving you,” He said dismissively trying to shove off the compliment.

“That’s not what I recalled from Yami, he told me you were originally tasked to assassinate me.” Damnit Yami, do you ever keep your mouth shut? Zack thought to himself. “Though, perhaps that wouldn't have been such a bad way to end that nightmare. But instead, you chose to save me of your own accord.” Zack wasn’t sure how to respond, He wasn't sure why he saved her. Whether it was a selfless act or not. His head was such a mess that day. “Zack, whether you want to believe it or not, you are a hero.” Zack only scoffed at what he heard

“I’m no hero. I’m a man who threw this mask on my face and failed to accomplish one simple goal” Zack said as he looked down and into his lap. Maya took a sip from her teacup during the silence.

“Well, you are to me, Zack. It doesn't matter how that mask got on your face. I still believe there is a good person beneath it.” It was hard for Zack to accept those words. It felt like they just bounced off of him. He decided to divert the conversation back to Maya.

“How long have you been awake for?” He asked her quietly.

“Just a few days, a little a while after you had left actually. Jane took such good care of me.” She chuckled to herself as she covered her mouth with her slender hand. “You wouldn’t believe it but she can be quite chatty once you get to know her, she can be a little apprehensive around others due to how she looks you see,”

“I never got that impression from her when I was recovering…I’m sorry you were used like that” Maya cocked an eyebrow towards him

“Hmm, what do you mean?” She asked

“I’m sorry how you were used in the Ashian army, that couldn't have been easy”

“No, it wasn't,” She said somberly “If I'm being completely honest it was an unimaginable hell.” She stared off recalling the memories from her past.

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“It’s common knowledge across the kingdoms how potent my mana is but none know that my body can't actually handle it. It hurt so much to cast anything…and yet I was forced to day in and day out. It was either that or be used as the Ashian’s plaything.” Zack wasn’t sure how to answer, she wasn't going into much detail but he could line the dots as to what she was making out to him. “I resent my father and more importantly, Gheptiza for treating me as such. Still, there is no use dwelling on that now. I have been saved and I am free.”

“Do you not intend to get revenge?” he asked confused

“I do, but there is no use thinking about it now and letting it consume my life. I’m free now and I would like to enjoy the freedom I have now without those thoughts weighing me down” She offered the teacup to Zack “Would you care to try some?” she said with a small smile.

“What is it?” Zack asked

“Tea.”

“I've…never tried it” he admitted

“Well…would you like to?” she asked raising an eyebrow

“...No, I prefer ales”

“You might like this more though…you never know until you try it” She suggested optimistically.

“I said no!” he snapped coldly

“Oh…well that's okay.” She said as she then took another sip. The two sat in silence before Zack broke it off.

“How do you do it?” He said looking into his lap.

“Do what?

“How do you…go on in life, when you've been treated like nothing but a tool? When there are people you need to kill. How are still able to smile through all of it Maya?” He asked as if desperate for an answer. She sat quietly for a moment and seriousness solemn grew in her face. She leaned forward and gave an answer.

“I won't pretend like it doesn't hurt every day Zack. but I know that if I am dismayed every day, that would only be feeding into what my enemies want. Not to mention, you only have one life. Spending it miserable and mulling over the past is not worth it.” Zack sat quiet and let her words feed into him. His face became more somber as what she said sank in. He had spent the last eight years miserable, Zack knew was miserable, ever since the beginning. However, why stop at two years, he had gone that long so he may as well finish what he started, no, it was his duty to finish it…but that soon became eight years but even then, as the misery grew, it didn't disway him…even when it should have. The two sat in silence once again before Zack spoke up.

“Eight years of killing…eight years…without the slightest bit of hope.” He said as his voice began to shake and crack. Maya only sat there and looked at him as he spoke. “Matthew was the only thing that pushed me forward…I swore that I would avenge his death. That I would see his murderer come to justice…That I would kill The Dark Slayer” He said as he turned his gaze up to the sky that looked over the balcony. He held his hand out and closed it into a fist, shaking it with anger as he began to tremble. “That was the only meaning I could find in my life.” He said to himself as tears began to form in his eyes “And I got that chance, the chance to avenge him and be done with this all, but I just threw it away! Due to my own weakness! If that was the best I could do to avenge Matthew after all of these years…Then why the hell am I still breathing?!” Tears began to roll down his face and he sobbed uncontrollably as his bottled-up feelings towards the eight years began to spill open. He covered his face with his forearm as he began to cry and grit his teeth in anger. Maya only sat there with a look of sympathy and pity on her face as she tried to find the right words.

“I can’t pretend to know how you feel Zack, the pain and anguish you have been through…The friends and family you have lost…I can’t place myself in your shoes. I lived my life with the same mentality you did too, when I was enslaved, I could only think about when I would get my chance, when I could finally kill those who had used me. It took me so long to realize that…maybe I wouldn't get my chance, maybe I would go to my deathbed without achieving what I had set out to do. It's a possibility I didn't want to think about, but I had to.” Zack lowered his arm and looked at Maya as she spoke. His right eye was red and still had tears that sat in the puffy duct. “And with the possibility of not achieving my goal…came the realization that I shouldn't spend the time I have on Elden angry and upset. Because if I did not achieve what I wanted then…I just wasted my life being miserable” The words she spoke hit Zack harder than any blow he had taken in his life. He stared at her with wide eyes and his mouth parted slightly. Maya took his hand into her own “I don't expect you to change overnight Zack, but please, don't torture yourself any longer. You might not be able to avenge your friend's death, but you can at least save yourself.” Zack sat there, unsure of what to say. Maya released her grip and stood up from her chair. Her long black dress flowed back down to her legs. “I plan to depart soon. To pursue that vengeance I spoke of and reclaim my throne, but…to also see the world…see the rest of Elden outside of the shackles of the Ashian army.” Maya regained her posture and looked down at Zack. “Thank you once again, Zack, I will forever be in your debt.” She began past Zack to leave through the doorway of the balcony.

“Wait!” Shouted Zack as he stood up and turned in a quick fashion. Maya stopped and turned back around to face him. “Let me go with you.” He said with a determined look. The last of his tears left his face.

“You wish to travel with me?” She asked. Zack nodded.

“I wish to help you pursue your vengeance towards the Ashian empire, as well as my own”

“You do?” She said stunned

“But there's more” he added as he paused for a moment. “I want to find that happiness you spoke of. The ability to find happiness even when all I have is the hatred for those I want to pursue…I…I want to be happy again, Maya.” Zack held his hand out to Maya. “So…will you let me accompany you on your travels?” She smiled, then took his hand with her own

“That would be wonderful Zack, I would be honored to travel with you, consider it my thanks for saving me.”

“So you've made your mind up have you?” Asked Thomas. Zack stood tall and nodded

“I have” he paused for a moment as if bringing himself to say something hard. “And…thank you for tracking Nalory…and helping me find The Dark Slayer,” He said with the same smoldering look on his face. Thomas folded his arms and smiled. As if glad that Zack had cheered up, even if it was just a little.

“Ah that’s alright,” He said awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head. “It’s a shame you won’t stick around, Yami was keen on you joining, but he’s keener on you finding what you want do” Thomas shifted awkwardly from side to side, then gave a laugh to break the tension “I’m terrible at goodbyes…you…take care…both of you,” he said bashfully, Maya smiled.

“Thank you, Thomas, we shall.” Both Zack and Maya began to leave Sanctuary.

“Oi, You lot!” the three of them heard shouted towards them. Both Zack and Maya turned to find Yami approaching them. He stood to Zack.

“Yami?” Zack said confused

“Aye, that's my name. Forget to gee you something when I was geeing my goodbyes.”

“Give me something?” Zack asked slightly interested.

“Aye, Think of it as a wee parting gift. It dosnae fit anywan here anyhoo.”

Minutes later Maya, Thomas, Yami, and Jane all stood at the exit saying their goodbyes while they could. They were interrupted however by the sound of a gentle clanking. They turned their heads to find Zack, he stopped in front of them in a brand new set of armour. A suit of armor that covered him from neck to toe, leaving his face still exposed, only covered by the black metal of the mask that covered the left of his face. The armor was composed of plates of black metal with sharp angles and protrusions running along it. The armor’s outward appearance was quite menacing on its own accord and seemed to coincidentally match the mask bonded to his face. The four of them looked at Zack with a mixture of admiration and awe. Zack stood in the set of armor proud, unable to hide his feelings that he liked the new armor.

“Wow!” Gleamed Jane as she saw him in the armor

“Is that the gift you mentioned Yami?” Asked Maya

“Aye, Cannae have him going aboot just wearing the rags we have sitting aboot.”

“Did you make this?” Asked Maya

“Nah, We found it in one of the forts we raided from Vholeria.” stated Thomas “Think it might have belonged to an old Elden war hero by the looks of it.” He took a closer look a the armor as Zack adjusted it. “Still I don't remember that red bit of cloth on it.”

“Oh, That was mine, I added it to the armor” Zack patted the red scarf he had added to the armor. His tattered and torn red scarf hung from his left shoulder plate, respective of where his mask was positioned. It wrapped around the pauldron and hung down his back slightly. The remaining cloth of the scarf came down to where his tricep would be, almost like it was tied around his arm.

“Suits you well mate,” Said Yami as he looked on at Zack.

“You do look quite dashing in that I must say” Admitted Maya “Are you really going to travel wearing that though?”

“It will be useful, it's not as heavy as it looks.”

“Well, shall we be going then?” Asked Maya with a smile.

“Yes, my lady” The two then set off to leave Sanctuary. They waved off the members of Sanctuary who saw them off and began their quest for vengeance, and for happiness. This is it Thought Zack to himself Your second chance.