Chapter 75

Somewhere in Japan... The Veil's Hideout

The dimly lit room was heavy with silence, the air thick with tension. Around a circular table sat shadowed figures, their faces obscured but their presence unmistakably foreboding.

The leader, a tall figure with an aura of authority, leaned forward, his fingers steepled in thought. His voice cut through the silence like a blade. "So… the plan is set to be executed today. Are we ready?"

A man to his right shifted uncomfortably. "We have three magic circles active in densely populated areas."

The leader's gaze darkened. "Three?" he repeated, his tone sharp. "We planned for ten."

The man hesitated, his voice tinged with unease. "Yes, but... many of our operatives have been taken out. Another organization is interfering with our efforts."

He slid a small disk-like device across the table. As it reached the center, a hologram flickered to life, casting an ominous glow on the table's surface.

The footage displayed a hooded operative standing near a glowing magic circle. He muttered, "The job's done." Suddenly, green vines shot from the darkness, wrapping around his limbs and silencing him. The recording device he held dropped, capturing his muffled gasps as he was pulled into the shadows.

A woman stepped into view, clad in a cleaner's uniform. She erased the magic circle with methodical precision before crushing the recording device underfoot. The feed cut off.

The leader's lips curled into a smirk, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Interesting. Someone is meddling with our plans."

"How did they gather so much information?" a woman asked, her frustration evident.

The leader waved dismissively. "It doesn't matter. Three circles will suffice to create the distraction we need."

He glanced at his watch, the seconds ticking away. "Begin the operation... now."

Everyone rose in unison, their voices firm and resolute. "Understood. We use the distraction to hunt down the Xavier family. Anything for humanity!"

The leader's smirk widened. "Anything for humanity."

---

Meanwhile, on a Rooftop

The night sky stretched endlessly above, stars twinkling in quiet serenity. Zoth stood at the edge of the rooftop, his figure silhouetted against the moonlight. He leaned on the railing, his golden eyes reflecting the vastness of the heavens.

The stillness of the night was broken by a soft voice. "Mister Zoth?"

Zoth turned to see Maria Woods stepping onto the rooftop, her expression a mixture of curiosity and calm.

"Miss Woods," he greeted, a faint smile gracing his lips. "You're awake?"

Maria approached, stretching her arms as she sighed. "I'm a night owl. Usually, I'm busy with work, but tonight... I'm completely free."

She leaned on the railing beside him, her gaze shifting to the stars above.

"But I didn't know Mister Zoth was a night owl too," she teased lightly.

Zoth chuckled softly. "I'm not. I just don't sleep."

Maria tilted her head, puzzled. "You don't sleep? Ever?"

Zoth's expression grew distant. "No. My goddess cast a spell on me. I haven't slept in years."

Maria's brows furrowed. "That's... awful. Why would she do that to you?"

Zoth shook his head, a faint smile lingering. "She didn't want to. I begged her to do it. For days, I pleaded until she finally relented."

"Why would you want that?"

Zoth's gaze returned to the stars. "So I could always be ready when she needs me. So I could hear her voice anytime she called."

"You're a psycho!" Maria declared, laughing softly.

Zoth chuckled in response, his voice carrying a light-hearted tone. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

A brief silence fell between them, but it was not uncomfortable. Maria's expression shifted slightly, her face turning contemplative as she broke the quiet. "Zoth... can you tell me who your goddess is?"

Zoth's smile faltered ever so slightly, his golden eyes dimming with the weight of the question. "No... unfortunately, I can't," he replied, his voice calm but firm.

Maria tilted her head, her curiosity unwavering. "Would you... hurt me if I knew your goddess's true identity?"

Zoth turned to her, startled. "Hurt you? No! Why would I ever do that? Though... you'd still have to keep it a secret." His tone was reassuring, but a hint of seriousness lingered in his words.

Maria pressed on. "And what if I accidentally spilled it out?"

For a moment, Zoth stared at her, his gaze unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled and turned back to lean on the edge of the rooftop, his eyes scanning the streets below.

"You know," he began, his voice softer, "you remind me of myself when I first served my goddess."

Maria stayed quiet, sensing the weight of his words.

"Before I met her, I worked for... someone terrible. Someone who betrayed me in the end. I thought my life was over, but she—my goddess—offered me a second chance." His voice grew distant, heavy with memory. "I was cautious, terrified even. I constantly questioned if she'd punish me for the smallest mistake. Would she hurt me if I broke something? Would I suffer if I didn't meet her expectations?"

He smiled faintly, though the memory seemed bittersweet. "And one day... I found out."

Maria's curiosity was piqued, her eyes fixed on him as he continued.

"She was preparing for an important event—a gathering of influential figures. I was tasked with bringing her a glass of water. Simple, right? But I tripped, and the glass spilled all over her pristine dress." Zoth paused, his hands gripping the edge of the railing as if grounding himself in the present.

"I fell face-first, and it hurt. Back then, I wasn't as strong as I am now. The guards immediately raised their weapons, ready to punish me. I thought... that was it. That I'd be executed on the spot."

Maria's breath hitched, her fingers tightening on the railing.

"But she..." Zoth's voice softened, a hint of awe creeping in. "She rushed to me. Not to reprimand me, not to punish me—but to help me. Her expression was full of concern, and she healed my injuries without hesitation."

He mimicked her words, his tone tender and nostalgic. "'Are you okay?' she asked, her hands trembling. Even then, her first thought was about my well-being. She didn't care about the dress or the event. She cared about me."

Zoth's gaze lifted to the stars. "That was the day I realized who she truly was. The kindest person I'd ever met, someone willing to place the lives of others above her own."

Maria's expression was unreadable, her mind reeling from the story.

"So," Zoth concluded, his voice steady, "to answer your question, no. My goddess wouldn't harm you, even if you revealed her secret. She might be upset—it's not wise to expose her—but she'd never try to get rid of you."

Maria blinked, her astonishment evident. After a pause, she finally asked, "And you, Zoth? Leaving your goddess's opinion aside... would you try to hurt me?"

Zoth glanced at her, the corners of his mouth twitching into a faint smile. "Hmm... good question. The followers of my goddess aren't as kind as her, but me?" He chuckled lightly, staring at his hands. "I honestly don't know."

He exhaled deeply, his tone turning reflective. "She always told me to protect others, said it would help me discover who I truly am. And here I am, talking to someone I can genuinely call a friend." He paused, his gaze softening. "Though, it feels... different. Talking to you, Maria, eases something in me. It's like you hold a special place in this world, at least for me."

Maria's heart skipped a beat, her chest tightening as his words settled over her. She hesitated, then said softly, "Well... we could be more than friends."

Zoth froze, his golden eyes wide. "Huh?"

Maria smiled mischievously, stepping closer. "What? Has your goddess forbidden it or something?"

Zoth's face turned crimson as he stammered, "N-No... but—"

Maria interrupted, her voice playful yet sincere. "It's now or never, Zoth."

Her words seemed to strike a chord. Zoth's expression shifted, his hesitation melting away as he leaned in closer, his gaze locked on hers.

Maria tilted her head slightly, leaning in as well.

Under the moonlight, their silhouettes drew nearer, and the night embraced a moment of vulnerability and connection between two hearts.