chapter 8

Chapter 08:

Nathaniel's Point of View

As I trailed Zhui, my location status revealed I was in Galica—a town under Eskapa's protection, claimed by Sei herself as a prize for her role as a Columbus. Of the five towns she governed, this one served as her de facto kingdom, though modest in size. It was her first conquest, nestled close to her former lands, now seized by another warlord.

I pressed on, following Zhui wherever she led, though seeing her so clearly felt surreal, as if I were a stalker shadowing my own creation. Yet, the danger loomed large—if she discovered me, especially since she didn't know me, the consequences could be dire.

From what I knew, Zhui trusted no one but herself and XXV, a mistrust forged by their harsh lives. Recalling their story, events hadn't unfolded as Zhui had planned for XXV.

(Nathaniel's Memory of a Scene from His Comic)

After XXV escaped and completed the Crimson Game, he stumbled into Lorencia, a sprawling kingdom under Eskapa's care and an open city where anyone not on the criminal list—regardless of race or origin—could enter freely. Overwhelmed with joy, it was his first time in a town teeming with people.

Despite his uncertainty about what awaited him, XXV brimmed with optimism, eager to start a new life and train as a warrior. As he wandered, a woman approached, her voice soft. "Such a pure presence," she murmured.

She reached out to speak with him, but XXV, ever vigilant from his Crimson Game trauma, sensed her intent and leapt back. It was here, in Lorencia, that he'd meet the woman who would alter his fate.

His heightened awareness—born of fear and survival—kicked in. He drew his sword, crimson flames igniting along its edge. Thanks to the experiments he'd endured, he could discern presences, recognizing her as a Hagen, a being wielding white magic and positive energy.

The Hagen woman recoiled, panic flashing in her eyes. "W-wait, calm down!" she pleaded.

Before him stood a woman with short brown hair, clad in a standard Eskapa soldier uniform, her demeanor disarming. This was no ordinary figure—she was Magdalena Cross, the revered leader of Eskapa.

"I'm here to soothe the fear and doubt filling your heart," she said gently.

As a savior, she often sought out those she deemed worthy of help, and XXV's tattered clothes and wounds signaled his need. Yet, his distrust of others made him wary, keeping Magdalena at bay.

"Stay back! Don't come closer unless you want to get hurt!" he shouted, brandishing his blade.

"Okay, okay, I'll stay here," she replied, raising her hands in peace, stepping back to show no ill intent.

With a warm smile, she checked on him, asking about his origins given his injuries. "I just want to know where you came from," she said softly.

As a Hagen, Magdalena could sense dark energy—fear, doubt, deception—radiating from him. "I feel the intense fear and confusion in your heart, casting shadows over everything," she added, her voice a soothing balm.

Hagens could purify such darkness, and she sensed the goodness beneath XXV's terror. Magdalena would guide him to light, setting him on a hero's path.

XXV fell silent, drawn in by her presence, a purity that disarmed even him. As she stepped closer, he offered no resistance. "Do you believe in fate?" she asked.

"I'm Magdalena Cross. If you have no place to stay, you can come with me for now," she offered.

XXV's earlier bravado melted under her radiant smile. Conflicted, he stepped back, his innate kindness clashing with his caution. Yet, Zhui's warning echoed—trust no one but her. Acting on instinct, he leapt away, gripping his sword threateningly.

"Your words are too suspicious, woman!" he barked, his tone a shield against perceived deceit.

His hostility didn't faze Magdalena, a being of immense power. Amused by his innocence, she noted he didn't recognize her—a warlord commanding ten million soldiers, ruling ten nations and thousands of towns, hailed as Endoryo's ninth strongest entity.

"Your innocence is amusing. Do you know who I am?" she chuckled. "With a snap, I could put you to sleep right here," she boasted playfully.

She expected XXV to hesitate upon learning her status, intrigued by how beings reacted to her games. "Even if you don't know me, you should feel the vast gap in our presence," she teased.

But Magdalena misjudged him. His naivety blinded him to the fame of others; to him, everyone was a potential threat. "I don't care who you are!" he yelled, lunging at her.

Caught off guard, Magdalena couldn't evade. "Wait!!" she cried.

XXV halted mid-strike, the blade inches from her head, his own fear mirroring hers as sweat beaded on his brow. "You're incredible—so aggressive," she said, shaken. "I thought you'd actually hurt me," she added, half-laughing.

XXV grimaced, surprised by her panic despite her earlier bravado. "She was so cocky, yet scared of getting hurt," he muttered.

He sheathed his sword, the crimson flames fading, and sighed, calming himself. Though his violence and boldness toward a superior like Magdalena might have deterred others, it only deepened her resolve to help. She believed the divine judged not by appearance but by the heart—and she saw goodness in XXV despite his roughness and fear.

In those days, XXV heeded only Zhui's words. "I don't want to hurt a woman, so get out of my sight!" he declared boldly.

Magdalena frowned at his bravado but tolerated it, unfazed. "I mean no harm—I won't hurt you. Please, just calm down," she soothed, scolding gently. "Do you realize your attack nearly cost you your life, child?" she added, her tone firm yet caring.

XXV's confusion was evident; he had no inkling of the consequences of striking a figure like Magdalena. Suddenly, a chilling presence loomed behind him, immobilizing him with its weight. "What kind of presence is this?" he whispered.

This moment in Lorencia would spark his journey, introducing him to warriors who'd train him into a hero. Magdalena's special care, delighted by his spirit, allowed him to pursue his dream of strength under the Weapons of God's guidance.

A year later, after rigorous training, XXV reunited with Zhui. During a battle where hounds hunted her, her life in peril, XXV arrived to save her. "No one harms Master Zhui!" he declared fiercely.

Zhui could scarcely believe the warrior before her, watching as he dispatched the hounds she couldn't defeat—a testament to achieving the impossible as she'd commanded. After rescuing her, XXV whisked her to a remote island, seeking peace away from war.

For months, they lived together, Zhui experiencing the care and love she'd long craved. XXV remained steadfast, vowing to protect his wife for life. Their love became their haven, valuing it over wealth or fame in Endoryo.

Yet, the world wasn't kind. The racial war intensified, fueled by rogue Soul Eaters' chaos. Their dream of a peaceful family grew complicated by XXV's oath to Magdalena—to be a hero until Endoryo found peace.

End of Point of view.

Present Day

I continued shadowing Zhui through the town, her figure never leaving my sight. She seemed unaware of my presence, which emboldened me. Slipping into an alley, I turned behind the marketplace, a quiet spot ideal for confronting a tail.

Unhesitating, I followed, but as I rounded a building, she vanished. Panic surged, and I darted into the alley. "She disappeared so fast," I muttered to myself.

Unbeknownst to me, Zhui perched above, clinging to a water pipe, waiting to ambush her pursuer. "I need to find that woman," I whispered, oblivious.

Zhui frowned, puzzled by a weak human stalking her—an unexpected twist. "A lowly being is following me?" she mused.

Dropping from the pipe, she descended toward me, aiming a kick at my back. Caught off guard, I crumpled to the ground, her foot pressing down hard. "Looks like a little rat picked the wrong prey," she sneered.

Pain shot through me as I writhed on the pavement. Under her weight, my hand ignited with violet flames, slowly forming a sword—the twin blade, Rabaikasyu.

Zhui's eyes narrowed, her foot grinding harder as she demanded, "If you want to live, tell me who ordered you to follow me!" Her tone was a lethal warning.

Ever cautious, she trusted no one, her life under constant threat—even from a seemingly harmless human. Her serpent's green tail coiled around my neck, tightening its grip.

I gasped, protesting, "There's no truth to this! I'm not following you with bad intent!"

But Zhui's sharp hearing caught my earlier mutter. "Don't lie to me—I heard what you said!" she shouted, her voice a blade of intimidation.

Knowing her abilities and temperament, I realized a misstep could be fatal. "Fine, yes, I was following you, but I mean no harm!" I admitted.

Still, her suspicion deepened, and she tightened the chokehold. "Let me go—I can't breathe!" I choked out.

"You'll lose your breath if you don't tell the truth," she hissed, pressing her sword to my throat. "What's your purpose, and who sent you?"

Her vigilance intensified; she couldn't fathom a normal human trailing a Soul Eater without reason. My life hung by a thread, caught in my own folly. "I need to think of a way out," I thought, cold sweat beading on my brow.

"She'll kill me if she dislikes my answer," I added silently, my heart pounding with dread.