CHAPTER 7 : The Pact Of The Tribes Marks

The cave, covered with the wooden-like doors Roy made, felt warmer and brighter. Roy's high-spirited nature and positive energy made the dark space feel lively and enjoyable in the presence of Lumina, Zen, and Mei.

Lumina spoke up excitedly, "I have an idea! What if I write our names here on this stone? It will be our first memory together!"

Roy smiled, just as excited. "That's wonderful! I agree with you!"

Mei, however, responded coldly, "It's risky. It's like revealing our identities to the enemy."

Zen, completely uninterested, denied it outright. "No. I refuse to put my legendary name alongside yours!"

Annoyed, Mei turned her head away. "A black-haired bastard full of himself!" She then mocked him by making air quotes. "No need for your 'legendary' name."

Roy sighed, frustrated. "Seeing you both agree on the same thing while arguing about it is what annoys me the most." Then, looking at Lumina reassuringly, he added, "Do it, Lumina! I like your idea! You're the best!" He gave her a thumbs-up.

Lumina blushed, embarrassed. "No need to compliment me like that," she mumbled under her breath. Then, in a more reassuring voice, "I was going to do it without their consent anyway. Don't worry! I'll use my mark's power to hide the names from strangers."

With a smile, she started writing.

Mei, watching coldly, commented, "You seem to be enjoying yourself, Princess."

Lumina turned to her with a dramatic expression. "How can you say that?! You stole the man I wanted to be my husband, and I'm still trying to be friendly! I can't even move my leg properly!"

Zen, lying on his back, closed his eyes, completely ignoring her.

Roy, meanwhile, had started carving a knife out of wood.

Mei sighed, tired. "Please stop already."

Lumina adjusted her hair, feeling embarrassed. "Well, ignoring me is a bit mean, but it's okay! I missed being dramatic."

Then, with a sudden serious tone, she asked, "Mei, when will I be able to move my leg?"

Mei answered reassuringly, "Tomorrow. We just need to apply some willow bark to ease the pain."

Lumina groaned in frustration. "Can't you use your mark and heal me right away?"

Mei crossed her arms, looking confused. "You said I can only use it on my tribe members."

Lumina rolled her eyes. "You're right." Then, as if remembering something important, her eyes lit up. "Wait! How could I forget? There's a way!"

Mei frowned. "What way?"

Excited, Lumina pointed her finger as she explained. "It's called the 'Tribal Pact.' It's used by famous, strong tribes as a sign of truce! Every member of a tribe places a drop of their blood in a circle, but they don't step beyond it. If someone with a healing mark is within the circle, they can heal everyone who contributed, even if they don't share the same mark! The only condition is that there must be at least two people participating."

Mei hesitated, uneasy. "But I've never used my mark before... what if I fail?"

Roy placed a hand on her shoulder and reassured her, "I'm sure you can do it! I believe in you."

Lumina turned to Zen, who was still pretending to sleep. "So, Mister Zen, will you help us?"

Zen coldly refused. "No. I won't. I don't want to get involved."

Roy stood up, looking at him with determination. "Why? What's your reason? Your injuries could be healed, even if just a little! I thought you believed in us and trusted us, like I did with you!"

Lumina's eyes widened in realization. "Wait! It won't work if we don't trust each other! This is a pact of confidence—it only lasts for one hour!"

Zen scoffed. "See? In matters of trust, even that scary girl doesn't trust me."

Roy groaned. "You're annoying sometimes, Zen. If she didn't trust you, she wouldn't have let me go alone with you!"

Mei, annoyed, snapped, "Why are you speaking for me? And who said I trust this bastard? But I do have a rule—if someone stabs me in the back, they die."

Lumina grinned. "I agree with that rule! It's perfect!"

Roy, just as determined, nodded. "I agree too." He looked at Zen.

Zen, now annoyed and shocked, exclaimed, "Why do I suddenly feel like a criminal?! Stop looking at me like that! I don't have a mark! I don't belong to any tribe, so I can't participate!" He crossed his arms before sighing. "But fine. I agree with your rule too."

Lumina smirked. "No need for a tribal mark. You just have to help us make it work! We all have our parents' blood running through our veins!"

Zen rolled his eyes. "I swear, I feel troubled every time I'm with you."

Roy, Mei, and Lumina all responded in unison, "We feel the same!"

Mei took a deep breath, tightened her fists, and declared, "Fine. Let's start."

Lumina drew the circle and placed a drop of her blood inside, followed by Roy and Zen.

Lumina, serious: "Now, do it, Mei. Say, 'With my blood and my mark, I want to heal every person that participated in this pact.'"

Mei focused, following Lumina's instructions, and added a drop of her blood. A strange light appeared, and suddenly, all of them collapsed at the same time. Mei's mark continued to glow before slowly fading back to its original state.

Ten minutes later, Roy woke up, touching his head. "What happened?" He tried to remember, then noticed his body felt lighter.

He looked around and saw all of them still unconscious. His eyes widened in alarm. "Lumina! Zen! Mei!"

Zen opened his eyes, groaning. "I feel like I was struck by lightning… Please lower your voice." He sat up, blinking. "But… I don't feel injured anymore."

Lumina stirred, rubbing her eyes. "What happened? My leg—" She moved it carefully. "It feels light!" Then realization hit her. "Did it work?"

Roy immediately turned to Mei, worry clear on his face. "Mei! Wake up!"

Lumina hurried over, checking her. "She's okay." Her expression turned serious. "I think our blood mixing caused this. She couldn't bear the burden of all our injuries at once."

Roy frowned. "But I thought nothing would happen to her!"

Lumina lowered her gaze, guilt evident. "I'm sorry… I didn't think of the consequences. I assumed it would be fine since we all have strong bodies."

Just then, Mei's eyes fluttered open. "What… happened to me?"

Roy immediately crouched beside her. "Mei! How do you feel?"

Mei tried to sit up, and Roy helped her.

Before she could say anything, Lumina suddenly jumped at her, hugging her tightly and crying. "I'm sorry! I forgot about the consequences—I was only thinking about healing myself quickly! I'm so happy you're okay!"

Mei, tired and surprised by Lumina's reaction, sighed. "I'm fine… but can you move away now?"

Lumina quickly released her. "Sorry!"

Mei glanced around. "Did it work?"

Zen rolled his eyes. "Yeah. And now I have to be grateful to you. Annoying."

Roy smiled softly. "I'm just glad you're okay. Yes, it worked perfectly. We're all healed. Just rest a bit more." He suddenly stood up. "Do you want some honey and cocoa mixture? It'll give you energy!"

Mei smiled slightly. "Calm down, Roy. I'm fine. My exhaustion is already fading."

Zen, in his usual careless tone, scoffed. "At least you didn't burden us for much longer."

Mei rolled her eyes.

Lumina, lost in thought, muttered, "I guess books weren't enough… I once read about a man who knows everything about this system, about marks… but no one has ever reached him before."

Zen's eyes flickered with interest. "You mean the Yukai Village?" His voice turned skeptical. "No one has ever survived getting there."

Lumina nodded. "Yes. My tribe members who went never came back. Have you been there?"

Zen shrugged. "Not exactly. I never met the man because an old lady stopped me."

Roy tilted his head. "An old lady?"

Mei, thinking, murmured, "If reaching this man is nearly impossible, he might be the one with the answers we need. I don't mind heading there."

Zen leaned against the cave wall. "Not sure if it's worth it. That old lady told me to go alone… but I don't even remember why I changed my mind."

Roy grinned. "Then let's go and meet this mysterious man!"

Mei held up a hand, cutting him off. "Wait. Before anything, we need to choose a proper route. That place is far from here."

Lumina nodded. "Yes. We'll need a boat to get there."

Roy smirked. "I can make a boat big enough for the four of us!"

Mei crossed her arms. "But not here."

Zen let out a tired sigh. "I guess everyone feels it… This place is way too safe. That's not normal. Which means we have to leave."

Roy, his tone serious, nodded. "I get what you're saying. Since we're all healed, we should move before sunrise."

He looked at them all, firm in his decision. "None of us slept enough. We should rest before leaving. I'll guard the outside."

Mei frowned. "I'm fine. I don't need sleep."

Lumina, in a serious voice, added, "I'm fine too. You two did most of the work, and I was just sitting here. Zen and I will stay outside. You two should rest."

Zen rolled his eyes. "I'm already outside."

Roy narrowed his eyes. "Why on your own?"

Before Roy could react, Zen moved fast, striking him at the neck. Roy lost consciousness instantly.

Mei, annoyed, snapped, "Why did you do that?!"

Zen, his tone flat, replied, "This idiot hasn't rested. He kept carving those wooden torches, lighting the fire, and preparing food. He needs sleep. And you should rest too, or do I have to make you?"

His gaze flicked to Lumina. "And Princess Lumina—your mark was consuming your energy. I bet you've been using it this whole time to protect this place."

Lumina's eyes widened. "You noticed? I didn't want to show it… but I'm fine."

Mei sighed, taking a deep breath. "Fine. You're right. I never thought I'd say this, but… thank you for being considerate. You shocked me."

Zen smirked. "Pfft. Like I care." He walked out of the cave, standing near the wooden door.

Mei watched him go, then turned to Lumina, whispering, "Is he really that powerful?"

Lumina smiled. "You mean Zen? Why do you think I chose him? I've never seen his full power, but everyone says 'Kuroi Zen'—the black-haired Zen—spreads fear. He hides it well, though."

Mei shrugged. "I think you're right. He's been hiding it all this time."

Lumina's voice softened. "Lower your guard a little. Even if an enemy comes, you should rest."

Mei met Lumina's gaze, serious. "We need you, so don't push yourself too hard."

Lumina looked at her, surprised. "Fine… But only if you help me kidnap Zen and take him to my kingdom as my husband."

Mei smirked. "Is that so? Don't worry. He's still afraid of my two knives."

Lumina chuckled, her voice warm. "I'll deactivate the barrier… but I have a bad feeling, so stay vigilant." She hesitated before adding, "I'm glad I have a woman friend like you."

Mei stiffened. "Did you just say… 'friend'?"

Before she could respond, Lumina's head suddenly fell onto her shoulder. She had exhausted herself from keeping the protective barrier active.

Mei stared for a moment before sighing with a small smile. "Fine. If you say 'friend'… then we are."

She carefully adjusted Lumina's position, letting her sleep properly before they left.

Mei couldn't sleep. The smell of fire, which she had always hated, bothered her. She decided to go outside.

Zen was lying down, staring at the sky.

Mei, fixating her gaze on him, frowned. "Is that what you call guarding?"

Zen, noticing her presence, smirked. "What's wrong? Have you missed me?"

Mei rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Haha, so much!"

Zen shuddered dramatically. "Please stop! You sounded just like that golden-haired princess."

Still gazing at the sky, he added, "Don't tell me you need my help to fall asleep?"

Mei rolled her eyes again and sat down near him. "This is annoying! I just wanted to breathe some fresh air. I couldn't stand the smell of burned wood inside."

Zen adjusted himself and sat up. Mei instinctively moved away. "What are you doing?"

Zen kept his eyes on the sky. "I think Lumina lowered her barrier. You still can't tolerate fire, huh?"

Mei, irritated, huffed. "Just hearing that from you makes me frustrated!"

Zen leaned closer, whispering near her ear, "So you came to keep me company, right?"

Mei's face turned red. Without hesitation, she shoved Zen into the water. "You perverted black-haired bastard! How dare you!"

Zen, drenched and shivering, glared at her. "It's cold, you know!"

Mei crossed her arms and turned away. "You deserved it!"

Zen climbed out of the water and sat beside her again, rolling his eyes. "Fine. I won't bother you. You're no fun at all… just like your brother said."

Mei sighed. "Both of them are sleeping, but I couldn't. I felt uneasy since she lowered the barrier."

Deep in thought, she continued, "Roy has always been like that since our childhood—fun, full of life, always optimistic. He only sees the good in things. But I've always been the opposite. Even now, if you ask him, he might even consider you a brother."

Mei smiled brightly as she spoke about Roy, then turned to Zen with the same warm expression. "Right? That's why you couldn't hold a grudge against him."

Zen, momentarily stunned, murmured, "Showing such a beautiful smile while talking about your brother… it's rare. It makes me realize you are a woman."

Mei frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Zen averted his gaze. "I mean, being grumpy all the time will turn you into an old lady."

Mei huffed, primping her hair. "Thinking I was actually nice to someone like you, even for a few seconds… makes me regret it. Just like our first meeting."

Zen suddenly burst into laughter. "I'm sorry, but that was funny!"

Mei frowned deeper, but then, to Zen's surprise, she shrugged and let out a small chuckle. "Even Lumina is like Roy. I guess I'm the only fun killer here."

Just as she finished speaking, both of them felt something.

Mei instantly grabbed her knives.

A mysterious man's voice echoed in the night.

"Well, well… Kuroi Zen is on a date, huh? Have you missed me?"

A knife flew toward him, nearly scratching his ear. The man dodged with ease and grinned.

"Wow! What a beautiful shot," he mused, clearly enjoying the situation.