The dreams are getting worse. Each time leaves him more and more exhausted in a way he can’t seem to fix. Cleansing doesn’t help. Being with Ilista only seems to exasperate it. Orion certainly doesn’t understand regardless of whether he’s trying to or not.
His mind feels like it’s a wreck and there’s nothing he can do. Not while he’s sitting under Orion’s thumb, unable to do what he wants. And what he wants is to feel better, to feel whole again. Something made worse by the fact that the desire to go home is shattered.
If someone were to notice, which is unlikely, and ask, even more unlikely, all he can say is he’s a mess. It feels like the longer he’s here, the worse it gets. The greater the pain in his chest that makes him feel like he’s suffocating under the weight of the unknown and the forgotten.
It doesn’t help that he’s been sent back to his room once more. Lashing out gets him nowhere. He’s not a child, yet he’s treated like one. It’s not his fault that things don’t go the way they should sometimes. This isn’t something he’s used to doing.
Still…
He can hear it in his head. All of those reassuring words; gentle laughs; and the warm kindness laced throughout it all. All the things he wishes he had right now feel so foggy and far away. It’s hard not to dwell on it.
Drawing his legs up, Zye lets the sheet kick away while resting his forehead against his knees. At least, until he falls over with a huff. Hair musses against the bedding as he lies there. “It really is as bad as a hospital,” he mumbles aloud.
There, lying on his side, he doesn’t see the door open or hear the faintest of footfalls. The presence is missed until Orion speaks up.
“If there’s something I can get you, you only have to say the word.
Zye rubs his chin over his knees as he gives Orion his gaze. The latter is moving around, approaching the bed with trepidation. Zye huffs at him, “You can’t or you’d have already done it.”
“I promise to find a way to restore your memories in time.”
Shoving himself up, Zye throws his legs over the edge of the bed. “You don’t get it because this is your home. But it’s a prison to me. Why bring me here? Other people could have done this job.”
“I told you before, you asked—”
“Why? Anyone that’s dying is going to say that! You find one person that’s happy to die that has things to live for and I’ll kiss your ass.”
There’s a glint in Orion’s eyes that Zye misses as he sweeps his gaze down to his own feet. Orion leans on his hand, wishing Zye would look back at him if anything, as fingers sink into the blanket.
“You have a special soul. One that would have been offered this chance regardless. I saw the potential and decided to expedite things.”
“Feels like you’re feeding me bullshit.”
“I’d rather not lie and say it’s because I like you.”
Zye snaps his gaze back to Orion so fast he almost cricks his neck. Later he might know that Orion is just being honest— they weren’t friends, to begin with. Not that it stops his fuse from burning down faster than ever.
“Just get the hell out until I have something to do.”
Orion doesn’t move. The quiet and stern tone catches him off guard. The fact that Orion is showing no signs of movement has Zye getting more frustrated.
“I said leave.”
“You don’t understand, Zye, and you need to try. Mortal creatures are emotional and irrational. Not everyone gets a second chance like this, shouldn’t you be happy?”
Standing there, he glares at those green eyes. It’s such an unmoving and guarded gaze that he can’t even try to read this man. There’s also the anger that bubbles up under his skin until he can’t help it.
An emotion he detests with all his being. He’s so pissed off that he’s close to seeing red. Turning away, he moves around the bed and heads straight for the door with clenched fists.
“Where are you going?”
“As far away from your ass as possible.” Zye stops at the door. “And for the record, fuck you. Why should I be happy? To be alive and alone? Thanks. My worst nightmare.”
Zye wants nothing more than to slam the door. Something he resists doing and simply leaves it open. He marches himself straight to the cleansing area to start. Going to see Ilista won’t help. It’ll only make the feelings worse— make it more apparent how much he hates all of this and to be here.
Should he just smile and say thank you, instead? Get along with everyone and accept this new lifestyle like it’s the greatest thing ever.
There's no way. Not when everything is wrong. To the point where he knows if he had just a few more pieces to the puzzle, he could maybe figure it out. Maybe even decide what to do next.
Instead, he plops down at the edge of the pool. A bare foot kicks into the water. He watches as the large ripples slowly turn to small ones and then to still water.
He can calm down and play nice— bide his time as he should. If only it wasn’t the most frustrating thing. A reason why anything slow and stealth related in the media he consumed he hated. Never could he tolerate the pace and agony of not getting to the point— getting to the heart of the matter.
It’s why running to the next thing was always so easy. Running to what he thought was right even when it could hurt more in the end and leave him with so many regrets. Kass’s words ring through his mind. It reminds him that he’s being emotional and childish.
But shouldn’t he be allowed to be now and then?
“Zye?”
A groan slips from his lips before he can stop it, “Now what?”
Orion strides closer. “I apologize for my behavior. I know…I know this must be difficult and I haven’t acknowledged that.”
“Whatever, it’s fine.”
“If you’d like, I can show you a different place when we train next. Maybe a change of scenery will be nice.”
He doesn’t know why that makes him sad. He does know he doesn’t want to talk to this man any longer today— tonight— whatever it is.
“Fine, sure, knock yourself out.”
“Then you’ll get some rest?”
Zye sighs, “Only if you leave me alone until then.”
Orion steps back, putting distance between them already. “Of course. If you need me, I should be close by or ask the Mark to reach me.”
He’s almost gone and Zye waits patiently. Up until those boots stop just before the threshold.
“And when we do we could talk. Maybe tell me more about yourself. Perhaps it’ll trigger some memories for you.”
He glares at the water until Orion is about to walk out. “ You can’t get involved with us because of the rules. But you did with me.”
“No, I simply brought you here sooner than—”
“So you all know everything that’s wrong in all these worlds you go to and it doesn’t bother you?”
That seems to give Orion pause. A tense moment before he turns back to Zye to meet the heated gaze. He knows exactly what Zye is referring to. It’s no different than the disease Zye had— something so trivial to someone like himself.
“We aren’t all-powerful. Everything is a give and a take. Balance. Karma. Destiny. You people call it many things, but it’s all the same. If I were to have gone to you as a human and offered to heal you, I’d have had to give up my life for it. No soul is greater than the other. Even mine.”
Zye scoffs at that and lets the other leg plop into the water. “Got it. No fairy tales.”
Orion nods and steps away, leaving Zye alone with his thoughts. It’s not that he doesn’t understand. He just hates it. Suffering is everywhere and yet he sits here, bitching to himself.
He knows he has it made well more than others. Especially considering the fact that he’s not actually dead.
Palms drag up over his face as he slowly falls back. Lying on the tile, he’s able to gaze up at the visage of the moon framed in the ceiling. The light is gentle and comforting.
At the same time, it feels cold.
Something he’s too used to feeling.
Eyes closed and fingers drumming against the tile, he doesn’t hear the footsteps until they stop beside his head. A blanket drapes over him, making him open his eyes. “What?” he starts, until he sees Orion. “What’s that for?”
“I wasn’t sure how long you’d be out here. I thought you could use it.”
“I’m not…thank you.”
What he doesn’t expect is for Orion to sit down with his legs bent beneath him. How he can stand the way the tile feels against his knees, Zye will never know. The fact that he’s sitting, however, is where he’s unsure.
There really is so much he wants to ask.
“How long have you been doing this?”
Orion looks down at him. “There’s no measure of time I can give you. A long while.”
“And you enjoy it?”
“So to speak. It’s all I’ve known and I take it seriously. If I don’t, people could get hurt.”
Sitting up, Zye brings his feet up out of the water and under the blanket. “You care a lot, huh?”
“It’s a never-ending job. One that’s worth it if others can live and not be burdened by forces beyond their control.”
“So, no vacation days?”
Orion raises a brow at that.
“You know, time off. Some days where you just don’t go out and work your ass off. Do we have those?”
“You can slack as you wish,” replies Orion as he stands. “I cannot. The cycle and the balance are the most important things. We fight, cleanse, heal, rest, and start again.”
Zye flounders in an effort to follow, nearly dropping the blanket in the water at that. He steps around Orion with a grin, hating how his wet feet slide on the tiles. “Maybe you’d be more friendly if you took a day to relax. That’s why you have everyone else here, right?”
“I don’t need anyone to do my job for me.”
Spinning around, Zye holds the bunched-up blanket behind him as he walks backward. “A little bit of a control freak aren’t you?”
It garners some reaction from the light flush that appears at the corners of Orion’s eyes. He marches around Zye, the latter turning to follow after him. All the while making sure he doesn’t slip until his feet hit the rug.
“I simply have a way I do things. I’m fine. A way that you’ll learn about soon. It shouldn’t be much longer and you can join me on missions.” He gestures back to Zye’s room. “Now get some sleep. And…if you’d like to change any colors or things about the room, just let the Mark know.”
Zye continues to his door while he watches Orion’s back. The man is moving for his bed and peeling the gloves off his hands. He tries not to linger for long. Only to open his door and glance back, “Thanks.”
It’s all he gives— all he can give at the moment.
The fact that Orion came back to talk, not to lecture, means a lot. Maybe he’s not as much of a robot overlord as Zye thinks he is. For now anyways.
His fingers squeeze into the plush material that he carries to the bed. It’s a start. Perhaps a start to quelling the turmoil that continues to surge through his heart.
One step in the right direction.
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36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB4OCk638F
One training session down, Zye is more than eager to take a seat on the soft grass. Most of which they’ve kicked up or ground down from the sparring. Not that anything feels like it’s helping. Sometimes it feels like he’d be better at slamming his head against a wall.
The hilt of his sword doesn’t touch the ground before it vanishes. Zye leans back on his hands with his legs crossed before him. Standing, Ilista smiles down at him.
“You’re doing well.”
“Am not. It’s irritating. Why can’t I get it?”
“It’s fine. As long as you can hold your own, anyone with you won’t mind opening the portals.”
“That’s another thing! This stupid sword…I don’t care for weapons.”
“Well, you have one, should probably get used to it.” Ilista lets out a hearty laugh at the glare he gives her. “Relax. The power forms a weapon perfect for you and only you.”
“Perfect my ass.”
“No, no. The perfect ass here is mine.”
“Sh— Look, okay, it is but that’s not my point.”
“Ah ha! I knew you were looking. Not that I can blame you.”
“I wasn’t…I mean…” Zye cuts his eyes to the side with a blush dusting over his cheeks. “At least, maybe chill a bit when you meet Xerxes. Might scare him with your tits out like that.”
Ilista winks at him, bending over slightly to accent them. "Jealous?”
“Shut up…” he mumbles as he stands up. It’s an effort to both get away and stretch his muscles. Not to mention flexing his hand in hopes of getting the sword to come back out— which it doesn’t.
Ilista paces around him, watching and adjusting his form as she goes. Her hand pushes at his back— stand a little straight. The blunt end of her spear nudges his feet closer together. All the while, she’s thinking.
“So, what’s he like?”
“He’s a bit skittish. Very quiet and observant. A really smart kid. Kind, too.”
“Dummy, I mean what does he like?”
“Oh, uh, he was big into games and drawing. I’m not sure what he’d be into now.”
Ilista stops pacing once she ends up in front of Zye with the spear clutched in both hands. “Hm, I guess that’s true. I’ll find out then. Don’t you worry a bit, I got this under control.”
“Ready to go again?”
“Convinced you’ll master it this time?”
“No. But if I can get it to appear when I want then two is better than one.”
Ilista smirks at that and hops back a few steps. “Not always, but go ahead.”
She’s not the type of teacher to approach him. She waits patiently for him to call his sword into his hand and then for the blade to shimmer into reality. He rushes at her once he’s sure it won’t disappear— which he’s still not when he does.
Each swing is parried away. The least she does is take a step back or to the side. It helps encourage him to actually attack her. Running in from the side or trying to get in a back attack are all things he tries. Ilista is always surprised by how quickly he moves.
Knocking him back to where the heels of his shoes dig up grass in the process, Ilista gives a hum. “Maybe you have a speed attribute. That would be why you might not feel like you’re hitting hard. Next time we’ll focus on training your eye for weak spots.”
“Like you have weak spots,” he grumbles.
It’s frustrating. A never-ending fight to make it listen to him and also not let her knock him down. Sprinting at her again, Zye ducks under the swing of her spear. Ilista keeps her momentum and spins around, blocking the slash he delivers.
His free hand clenches but when it does, it does so around something.
Ilista watches as a duplicate sword appears. The only thing she does notice is that they seem to be connected by a translucent ribbon. It emerges from the orb at the bottom of the hilt on each and glows with the same color as the blade.
“Not bad. But it doesn’t change anything.”
Zye doesn’t bother answering. The sword curves up toward her from the ground. He knows he won’t get a solid hit in— part of him doesn’t put the strength. That’s why it’s no surprise when she pushes back on one sword to slam the other end of her spear against the second.
As quickly as he’s discovered it, the second weapon is sent spiraling away. It lands on the ground a distance away. Zye doesn’t bother going after it. He simply stands up and allows the other sword to evaporate when he finds the tip of her spear pointed at him.
“Well done. You’ve made progress on figuring out your skills.”
They both turn to see Orion stepping out of a portal. Zye glances over at him. “No thanks to you,” he playfully jabs with a smirk.
Orion doesn’t let the remark phase him whatsoever. He nods toward Ilista as he gets closer. “Go on, that’ll be enough for today.” While she leaves, Orion tries to not let his eyes linger longer than to give an amused huff. “I didn’t realize you knew how to ask my Mark to do your hair.”
Zye drags a hand over his nape, feeling a bit self-conscious now that it’s brought up. He simply wanted something new— something to show that he’s trying. New hair, new clothes, and a new life. Gone are the bangs and shaggy strands. Instead, he’s had it cut short, close to the head underneath, with the top strands long enough to go past his ears.
Except he has all of the longer hair swept to the right to show off the undercut. Not only that but it keeps the hair out of his face save for the few strands that dare to dip down. He’s always wanted to cut it, just never had the time.
“Figured it’d be easier than tying it back.”
Orion nods, “A good idea. Ilista should take that advice. One day hers will get her in trouble.”
“Why though? Does it look like shit? I should have asked Ilista how to even—”
“N-no it looks good.” Orion clears his throat. “You’re getting better. I’d say it’s about time you can start joining me on missions where I won’t have to worry about you.”
“Thanks.” He glances at Orion. “What kind of missions?”
“Our role is to find and cleanse Nether. Together we’ll work on lower-level goals until you can join me on higher ones.”
“And we cleanse after each one, right?”
Orion nods. “Yes, it’s to keep our souls safe from how the Nether can taint you. Now, would you like to continue training or return?”
“You want me to choose?”
“I believe you’re ready. Ilista has sung your praises recently, after all. I know it’s only been a short time, but you’ve made progress considering you didn’t go through the slow initiation process like the rest.”
He’s caught off guard. There’s no way he thinks he’s good enough, but Orion does. It only makes it worse when Orion flashes a smile up at him. One that he can’t determine if it’s a real one or the plastic ones he’s had up until now.
“Then let’s head back.”
Orion summons up a portal and steps toward it. Another skill that Zye knows he should have. Even so, he’s to go on missions with Orion now? Surely it can’t be that easy. Zye watches Orion’s back and finds himself surprised when Orion turns back to him, wondering why he hasn’t followed.
“You’re not worried I’ll fail?”
“No. You’re not a liability. If I didn’t think you could hold your own, I wouldn’t put you in the field. Besides, I’m used to carrying most of the load. I do work with Aster frequently.”
Zye scoffs at that, “Figured he was a slacker.”
“Then prove you’re better than that.”
Moving to stand before the portal, he’s already putting one foot in when he smirks down at Orion. “I used to beat the shit out of punks all the time. Nether don’t stand a chance.”
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36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnEbZr5gFa
As promised, the next time Zye is to leave with Orion, Ilista will return to meet Xerxes. If all goes as planned, he should have some good news to return to. In the meantime, Zye has followed Orion to the first place they’ll be visiting.
It’s nowhere like he’s ever been. A desert is quite the opposite of a port city with the smell of the ocean on the wind. It’s a far cry from it as he finds himself in an empty village. Most of the wind and sand has worn away at the buildings if not buried already.
It doesn’t distract him for long. Zye knows his mission and he doesn’t dare want to show he can’t do it. Sightseeing can be left for another time. Sword in his hand, Zye runs it through the last mist-like Nether in the area.
The fact that they’re so easy helps bolster a bit of confidence. They don’t fight back against him very hard and the approval from Orion feels nice. Despite how much he wants to deny it. Having someone tell him he’s doing well or direct him to the next one is encouraging.
Near the heart of the once-thriving village is one like he saw on the beach. Although the various inky black thorns coming off of it reminds Zye more of a cactus than anything. Despite being large, it’s not very imposing when he realizes it can’t move.
Nevertheless, it’s still powerful with the wide swings of its arms. There are two short and two long, yet they all try to smack into Zye as he works around it. His speed allows him to pelt the body of the Nether with slashes— nothing substantial at first.
“Watch for the spines,” Orion calls out.
Zye hears him. It’s not that he doesn’t. He’s just determined and on a mission. One that proves successful when he hacks through one of the limbs of the cactus. It evaporates before it can hit the ground. All the while, Zye is moving to the next one while ducking beneath another swipe.
He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t feeling the adrenaline. It spurs him to dive forward to the next opening. One that he doesn’t realize is a trap.
The larger arm of the cactus is poised above him, preparing to send needles down at him. An attack he doesn’t see, however, Orion does.
Strings sling out and wrap around Zye’s middle. He yanks the taller man well out of the way of the needles that stab into the sand. It sprays up around the Nether as it turns, beady blue eyes searching for the one that ruined its attack.
Orion doesn’t finish it off. He’s stunned at his own actions. One glance over to him tells Zye what he needs to do. If Orion is zoning out, then he can find the center of the Nether and stab his sword as deep into it as he can. All he has to do is wait for the being to make for attacking Orion.
Concentrating hard, Zye summons the duplicate sword and sinks it into the creature after the first. The darkness suffocates the light of his swords. Regardless, the stabs are effective enough to have it beginning to dissipate no matter how it begins to thrash around.
Sand is sent flying in every direction as it flails in a desperate attempt to remain “alive”.
Zye hurries out of its range and over to Orion. He waves a hand in front of his face. “Hey, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Orion blinks, slowly coming back around. He’s irritated with himself. He didn’t need to save anyone. He could have simply cleansed the creature and avoided the attack altogether.
“Make one more round and meet me back here. Sense to see if you feel Nether. I’ll let you know if you’re right when you return.”
“Sure?”
Zye isn’t sure what there is to inspect. The only place that he thinks a Nether could be hiding out is a half-sunk building. A small home for a family that the first mist-like Nether came out of. Therefore, that’s where he goes to.
Coming close to it, he can feel something. There’s no door, only sand that goes further in from what he can see. The moonlight at his back, he can tell it does stop and meet the stone floor eventually. Yet there’s no sign of a Nether. Not like what he’s felt from his whole life until now.
An inkling wants him to go inside. To satiate that curiosity. Just as he’s about to, he hears Orion call out to him.
“Done?”
“Uh, yeah. It’s clear!”
Shrugging it off, Zye returns to where Orion is waiting. The man shoves the hood up over his head when the wind skirts through the area.
“Good job.”
He’s surprised to hear it even still. To the point where it shows on his face and has Orion raising a brow. He just can’t help it. Maybe things are looking up. Perhaps giving up the ghost, to a degree, will help him in the long run. Stop running after a forgotten past… Instead, he’ll walk in the present.
After all, as long as those he loved are alright that’s all that matters.
“What?”
Zye shakes his head. “Nothing. Just surprised you said it. Thanks.”
“Don’t be. You did well and should know it.” Orion calls forth a portal. “Now, we have three more stops before you can take a break.”
Stepping through is easy. Especially when it means he can get out of the desert. The only hang-up is he wishes he would have checked that house further. Even if it would have meant curiosity could have killed the cat. Orion was there, surely he would have kept him safe.
If he had gone inside he might have noticed that there is indeed someone inside. In the shadows where the moon can’t reach, hiding on the other side of the carved-out window, is Jace.
The man heaves a sigh and leans his head back against the wall after watching Zye leave. Not just leave at that, but leave with Orion. The anger in the pit of his stomach is undeniable. Not to mention how tight his chest feels.
Hax’s warnings ring so clearly in his ears.
They’re the only things that kept him from running up to Zye. What if he collapsed again? Would it be too much to see Jace while he’s unstable? Or would Orion take the chance to get rid of them both at that rate?
It’s why he moves to the back of the room instead. The hatch leading into the depths of a basement takes a few tries to get up. Once he does, Jace begins down the stone steps. Fire bursts to life on his palm to serve as light guiding him down to where it plateaus.
A short hallway leads to a thick metal door with a man standing before it. He doesn’t look like anyone special— blue eyes, shaggy white hair, and a slender build beneath the barest of clothes. The strangest part about him is the skin that’s ashen and covered in glowing blue veins. The worst part is his eyes— black as night as if the pupils have covered it all.
The man knocks four times on the door. A warning that someone has arrived. He keeps his gaze on Jace. “Password.”
“Eclipse.”
“Very well,” he replies before beginning to open the door.
As he does, Jace tries to wait patiently. The door doesn’t creak, but it does slowly swing open. “Stay on guard. There have been patrols out there today.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jace enters the sole room that this basement leads to. He wonders to himself what it could have been used for at one time. Whatever it was, it’s certainly the opposite of what it’s being used for now considering the equipment stationed throughout the space.
The overwhelming presence of emotions, the pressure of the Nether’s presence, is palpable. There are metal gurneys along one wall while a desk and chairs sit at the other. The opposite of where Jace enters has but a single bookcase with books and tomes stacked along the shelves.
However, the part that concerns him the most is the holding cell in the middle of the room. It’s made of thick glass that he can only assume has been drenched in blessed water with how it drips down the sides. It makes sense it would be considering there’s a large Nether inside.
A rank two at that, a large beast with a snarling maw and oversized paws. He watches as the Star inside struggles to defeat it even while it’s weakened inside of the contraption.
Jace glances about and makes quick notes. One person inside the box. Three lie on the gurneys. Two are by the desk writing down observations. There’s the guard outside the door and lastly, the one standing next to the cube, the one administering it all.
Stopping beside him, Jace keeps his eyes flicking about the room. “Report.”
The man nods. “They’re taking well to it. We’ve had a few accidents but otherwise, everyone here is progressing well. They’re in the last stages and very devoted to the cause.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Sir?” the man asks, concern lacing through his voice. He stares up at Jace, watching as the man snuffs out the fire in his hand.
It’s the prelude— one the man doesn't see coming. Jace isn’t hiding his intent at all when he turns. The flames that lick up his arms are flung out at him via a punch. The man can’t defend himself fast enough.
Then again, most working down in these places have more defensive skills. They don’t stand a chance against him.
The man vanishes before he hits the ground. From the fire comes a small glowing orb; yellow and flickering. It touches the floor by the time he’s moving to the duo by the desks. They’re stunned and he takes them by surprise.
Everything they touch alights into flames no different than themselves. Not even ashes are left behind by how hot he keeps the fire. Only the petite orbs settle to the ground before slowly, even they begin to fade.
The three lying down can’t get up fast enough. They’re running at him with their powers, the ones mixing with the Nether energy running through their body, trying to activate. But they’re weak and were recovering.
And the fire is something he can send out as a projectile, catching each of them in it. They’re of no concern to him as he turns to the glass structure. The man inside, having defeated the Nether, glares at him.
He’s bracing for a fight. Something Jace doesn’t plan on giving him. He allows the man, a Star from the looks of it, to shatter the glass with an attack. The large shield hides the man from Jace as glass falls to the ground like fresh snow.
A yell is the only warning Jace receives.
It’s not one he needs.
He lifts his arm, bracing it against the shield and stopping the man in his tracks. Fire dances over his skin and more so from where his palm presses to the metal shield. To the point where it begins to melt.
The man is horrified at the sight and tries to shove Jace away. The latter won’t let him. He grabs the top of the shield, yanks it down, and punches the man. Any normal Star wouldn’t have taken damage as badly as he does.
Any normal Star wouldn’t turn to dust from one of his weaker attacks.
By the time his back hits the glass, he’s already fading away to leave an orb behind. Jace glances at it and the others that are dissipating. He hates having to do it, but it’s the only way. It’s what he tells himself as the door opens and the guard is staring at him, slack-jawed.
“W-what? Why? You’re betraying us!”
Jace sighs at that. The arrogance of these poor souls is astounding. “No, the ones who did that are you all. This goes against what we stand for, remember?’
As he speaks, his feet are carrying him around the destroyed container and to the guard. Fists alight with fire once he gets closer. The man is backing up, fear curling through him.
“B-but Kerse said—”
“And if she’s not careful, she’ll be next.”
There’s no scream or an attempt to do anything other than defend himself. Once he’s gone, Jace reaches out to catch the orb. He tightens his fingers around it. He channels the tiniest bit of his energy into it, all in hopes that he and the others will have better luck next time.
“If it’s too good to be true, it usually is,” he mutters to himself. Turning around, he heads straight for the bookshelf. He can’t help himself and watches as each soul returns to the cycle. “All these souls they’ve corrupted…for nothing.”
A quick rifle through the bookshelf ends in taking everything of value and burning everything else until even ashes don’t exist. Once he has a stack of four or five books, he begins back through the door and up the stairs.
What he doesn’t expect when he steps into the fresh night air is for Hax to be waiting for him. Leaning against the building, Hax smiles as he comes out.
“Did it go smoothly?”
Jace holds out what he’s collected. “It’s all destroyed.”
“And those inside?”
“Cleansed and sent onward to rejoin the cycle.”
Hax shakes his head at the materials. “Keep them, I don’t need them. Think of it as a reward for being such a good boy.”
A statement that has Jace wanting to roll his eyes. Instead, he steps forward. He can’t stop his gaze from lingering on where he saw Zye leave from.
“I have a lead on the next location.”
“Shouldn’t we take out Soren? He’s the head of the snake.”
Hax laughs at that. “No, no. Let her enjoy her new friend while she can. He’s on borrowed time, but still slippery. We don’t want to walk into his trap. Agreed?”
Jace nods but says nothing.
“Good,” replies Hax with a smile. “Now, when you get to the next location there will be a Nether standing guard over it. Rank one to be exact. It’ll show you where the entrance to the hideout is. Ah, and please don’t cleanse them.”
“Why? Aren’t we—”
“Perhaps I’ll explain next time.”
“Hax, I’m tired of the games.”
Bare feet kick through the sand as he moves away. “Fine. I came into contact with this one and it proved to have a consciousness. For not being cleansed, yet, it does as I ask.”
“Is that so?”
“Oh, and that boy is on the move again. Keep an eye on Daichi if you see him. Should he get in your way, you know what to do.”
“Of course.”
ns 18.68.41.174da2
