Chapter 155: Rising Tension.

With a clenched face and fists, Kai stepped forward threateningly.

Kai:

Very well. You want to play the righteous, the moralizing heroes?

Then I will eliminate you. Simply.

Sakolomé, motionless, stood tall like a pillar. No fear in his gaze.

Sakolomé (calmly):

And then?

Do you really think that after killing me… you will become a Deviant?

A sharp silence. Kai did not answer. He kept advancing. His aura flickered like an unstable flame.

Suddenly — a voice burst out. Sharp.

Ysolongue (shouting):

Enough!!!

Time seemed suspended.

Kai stopped. Sakolomé looked up at her. Salomé, on the other side of the shield, opened her eyes wide.

With a fluid gesture, Ysolongue stretched out her hand toward Kai. In a second, Kai's blazing aura vanished. As if sucked into nothingness.

Kai (shocked):

What…?

Even his anger… seemed to have been torn from him. He staggered for a moment, drained of tension.

Ysolongue lowered the shield. Salomé regained her freedom and ran to Sakolomé.

Ysolongue slowly approached them. Her gaze was serious but calm.

She stopped near Sakolomé, then slightly bowed her head.

Ysolongue:

Thank you, Sako…

You didn't just protect my memory.

You protected me.

Sakolomé nodded softly.

She turned to Kai. Her gaze was not aggressive, but a coldness had crept in.

Ysolongue:

Tell me, Kai…

Did you really think that if you killed Sakolomé, I would make you a Deviant?

Kai, growling, avoided her gaze. But he muttered bitterly:

Kai:

We had a deal.

I bring back the elixir of memory… and you make me a Deviant.

You said it yourself.

A silence hung in the air.

Ysolongue:

And I thought you were my friend…

She stepped forward. Her voice trembled slightly — not with anger, but disappointment.

Ysolongue:

You stood by my side longer than anyone.

But today, you accept that I might erase my memory to make you evolve.

As if my consciousness was worth less than your ambition.

She shook her head.

Ysolongue:

You used me. And your selfishness… disgusts me.

Kai gritted his teeth. He stepped back, crossed his arms, his gaze dark.

Kai:

It's easy for you to say.

You are already a great mythical being.

But for us… for those below, it's almost impossible.

Without your help, becoming a Deviant… is a miracle.

Ysolongue:

Then forge that miracle.

You know it's possible. Difficult, yes. But not impossible.

Kai (dryly):

Not alone.

With a being like you, one can plant a seed of meta-concept in us.

And that seed can grow… and transform us.

Ysolongue:

Not at that price.

Not anymore, Kai.

She turned her back on him.

A long silence followed. Then…

Sakolomé stepped forward. He looked at Kai… then at Ysolongue.

Sakolomé:

Ysolongue…

She turned, a little surprised by the tone of his voice.

Sakolomé:

What if you gave him… one last chance?

Kai and Ysolongue looked at him, surprised.

Kai:

What…?

Ysolongue:

You want me to give him another opportunity after what he just did?

Sakolomé:

Not like that. Not for free.

He took a deep breath.

Sakolomé:

Make him a conditional promise.

If he helps me bring back your missing brothers, then you can reconsider your decision.

Not validate it. Just consider it again.

A silence settled.

Sakolomé (looking at Kai):

You wanted a path. Here is one.

Kai clenched his fists, then… fixed Sakolomé with a wary eye. He hesitated.

But for the first time… he did not seem driven by rage. Rather by an internalized pain.

Kai stood frozen, arms crossed, jaw clenched. Sakolomé's proposal hung in the air like a challenge… or an outstretched hand.

Kai (coldly):

I don't need your charity…

Even less to prove my worth to someone like you.

Ysolongue stared at him, silent.

Salomé narrowed her eyes, wary.

But Sakolomé remained calm, arms relaxed, no animosity in his voice.

Sakolomé:

You say that…

But in reality, you know very well that you agree.

Kai (dryly):

What? You want to play fortune teller now? You don't know me.

Sakolomé:

No, I don't know you entirely.

But I listened to you. I heard your rage. Your humiliation. Your need to prove you exist… other than as a failure.

And behind all that, I sensed something else. Something you poorly hide.

A part of you… that wants to repair, not just to avenge.

Kai looked away, fists trembling slightly.

Sakolomé stepped closer.

Sakolomé:

You wanted to become a Deviant to regain your honor.

But that's not how you will do it.

So… put that anger elsewhere.

Help me find Ysolongue's brothers.

Show that you can act not for your ego, but for someone else. Just once.

The silence fell again, heavy. Kai remained stiff, eyes lost in the void. His gaze revealed the conflict: wounded pride versus the truth he cannot ignore.

Finally, after a long moment… he slowly relaxed his arms. A sigh escaped him, almost involuntary.

Kai (low, hoarse voice):

Tch…

You talk too much, Sakolomé, is that it?

He turned his head slightly, not daring to meet Ysolongue's gaze.

Kai:

But I guess…

I can help. A little.

Sakolomé gave a slight smile, without triumph. Just simple peace.

Sakolomé:

That's all I wanted to hear.

Ysolongue, silent until then, stepped forward.

Her gaze slowly slid from Kai to Sakolomé, then back to the former companion she had long considered a friend.

Her voice was soft… but firm, sharp as a thread of light:

Ysolongue:

I didn't want it to come to this, Kai.

You know, at first… I was truly happy you stayed with me.

You made me laugh, sometimes. You chased away my nightmares.

I believed you were here for me… not to become a Deviant. Well, I won't hide from you that I knew all that…

A slight tremor passed through her fingers, quickly controlled. Salomé, in the background, lowered her eyes.

Ysolongue:

But today… I'm no longer sure what you really were to me.

Was it friendship… or just patient and absurd interest?

You wanted to erase me, Kai. Erase my memories.

Not those of a goddess, not those of a myth.

Mine.

She approached slowly. Kai said nothing. He listened. He endured.

Ysolongue (calmer, almost sad):

But… if Sakolomé still believes in you, then I will try too. One last time.

She stopped right in front of him.

Ysolongue:

Help me find my brothers. Help me bring them back.

Not for me. Not for the status of Deviant.

But to repair what you have become. To become again what you might really have been, in my eyes.

Kai lowered his eyes. No words came from his mouth.

Ysolongue then turned to Sakolomé, a small peaceful smile on her lips:

Ysolongue:

Thank you… Sako. You protected me again.

But above all… you protected what was left of him.