chapter 9

Chapter 09

: Nathaniel's Point of View

In an unforeseen twist, I found myself in the most perilous predicament yet, acutely aware that a single misstep could send Zhui's blade slicing through my skull. I couldn't afford a mistake—my reason for following her had to be convincing.

"No one ordered me. I just wanted to meet the wife of my dear friend," I stammered, my mind a chaotic swirl of fear, resorting to a lie as my only defense.

"Dear friend?" Zhui echoed, her tone laced with skepticism.

I doubled down, claiming XXV was my closest companion. But Zhui wasn't easily swayed, her sharp gaze accusing me of deceit. The serpent's tail tightened around my neck, desperation clawing at me to break free.

"Yes, and if you kill me, XXV will be furious with you!" I threatened, grasping at straws.

Her grip didn't loosen, her distrust unshaken. "Please, Zhui… I can't take this," I gasped, my vision blurring as consciousness faded. Just before I blacked out, she released me.

I collapsed, gulping air, writhing in pain on the ground as she lifted her foot from my back. After a moment, she demanded, "How do you know my name? Only my husband calls me that."

I thought I was doomed—her intent to kill had been no idle threat. As my senses steadied, frustration boiled over, and I shouted, "You nearly killed me! What about your promise to XXV?"

I reminded her of their vow on the island, where XXV—his heart tender toward humanity—begged her never to harm a human. Zhui's brow furrowed, confusion deepening. "Wait—how do you know about that promise?"

Her actions had crossed a line, fueling my outburst as I insisted I was XXV's friend. "Do I look like I'm lying?" I challenged.

She cut me off sharply. "Your appearance doesn't inspire trust," she retorted.

"What does a trustworthy person look like to you?" I pressed, though her doubts persisted, rooted in her paranoid vigilance toward all beings.

"Fair enough—you trust no one but yourself," I taunted. "That's why you have no friends except Serphia."

Her eyes flashed with anger, and she swung her sword at me, growling, "Should I slit your throat to silence you?"

Luck saved me as I dodged, calming her with, "You're too hot-headed!" As she lowered her blade, her smoldering glare suggested lingering malice.

She pressed again, "How do you know these things?" I reiterated my fabricated friendship with XXV, embellishing with tales of our long companionship, warning her we were like brothers—hoping it would shield me. Her silence hinted at contemplation, a golden opportunity for me.

"I could use what I know about them to get closer to her," I thought.

"If my husband told you so much, you should know I hate being followed," she snapped irritably.

She had a point, so I deflected, claiming I hadn't expected her attack, having heard only praise from XXV. I noted his belief she no longer harmed humans, contrasting her actions. "I never said I wouldn't hurt people—especially not someone secretly stalking me," she clarified.

True, my actions were questionable, justifying her response. Intimidation wouldn't work, so I sought a better excuse. "I'm sorry—I just want to be your friend," I said earnestly.

Zhui grimaced, eyeing me with disdain. "Friend? Do you know who I am?" she asked. "I'm a royal of the Soul Eater clan. Do you think someone like me befriends a human?"

Her arrogance shone through, boasting her lineage despite its faded glory—nearly a century since the Khan clan's fall, leaving her its sole survivor, clinging to royal pride.

"What's wrong with that? You married a human, didn't you?" I countered. "Connecting with people shouldn't be a big deal."

I meant no insult, just stating facts, but she bristled. Swinging her sword again, she attacked. I barely evaded, my back straining from the dodge. "What's your problem, woman? That was close!" I yelled.

"Stop dodging so I can finish you!" she retorted.

Her violence flared again, prompting me to challenge her vow to XXV. "Your aggression endangers more than just me," I warned.

She shook her head, resting her sword on her shoulder. "I'm not the one breaking promises. XXV can't uphold ours—especially his vow to stay by my side to the end."

Her patience with him had worn thin, especially learning he'd joined Eskapa, her mortal enemy. She felt they exploited him for their agenda, controlling Endoryo through religion. "As long as he obeys Eskapa, he's their pawn, unable to escape," she said.

I understood her view, shared by many in Endoryo, though Eskapa's aid to her and XXV was undeniable. "But XXV does this for your sake," I argued.

Her anger erupted. "I don't need Eskapa's protection—they've always been a threat to me!" she shouted, her voice cracking with disillusionment. She bowed her head, admitting years of trusting a promise she doubted XXV would keep.

Longing to avoid conflict, she felt the world mocked her efforts. "So, I've decided the only path to peace is eliminating my enemies. Follow me, and you risk your life," she warned.

Her dark energy surged, raising goosebumps on my skin. Helpless, I watched her walk away, her anger justified. Perhaps Zhui's faith in XXV's love waned, strained by his unfulfilled promises—understandable if he prioritized others over her.

Their trust would erode further if Zhui consumed a soul or killed Eskapa soldiers. Yet, she remained in her normal form—hope lingered to prevent that future.

Resolved, I decided to follow, running to catch her. "Wait, Zhui!" I called, clinging to the hope of reasoning with her. For now, shadowing and watching her journey was my only plan, though fear gnawed at me.

End of Point of view.

To ensure Nathaniel learned Zhui's intentions, he chose to trail her. Zhui, however, ignored him, growing irritated by his persistence. "Listen, just for a moment!" Nathaniel pleaded.

"Will this fool ever stop following me?" Zhui muttered inwardly.

Moments later, as they walked, Zhui sensed a powerful presence nearby. Distracted by Nathaniel, she missed the impending attack. "From above!" she realized too late.

A bull-man, Toto, crashed down, his punch slamming into the ground with explosive force. The impact hurled Nathaniel, sending him tumbling across the street. Amid the thick smoke, Zhui burst forth, sword drawn, bracing for battle.

"That was close—why didn't I sense him?" she whispered to herself.

Releasing her energy, violet flames erupted, serpentine scales flickering across her cheeks. Soon, her foe emerged from the smoke, readying another strike.

"Damn it, Eskapa soldiers again," she muttered.

Her body armored with scales, a natural shield, she prepared to counter. As Toto charged, she leapt upward to evade. Thinking herself safe mid-air, beyond his reach, she was wrong—Toto wasn't alone.

From a rooftop, the cat-eared Nyabu appeared. Her ring glowed, absorbing her cloak. "Battle mode," she intoned, energy enveloping her as she donned a mask.

Without delay, she leapt, shouting, "First Katsuki Technique: Iron Claw!"

Her speed rivaled a jet, but Zhui spotted her, parrying with her sword. The clash sent Zhui hurtling downward, dread gripping her. "She's strong," she thought. "I can't just block—I need to attack."

Violet flames swirled around her, coalescing along her blade. Before she could strike, Nyabu reappeared with blinding speed. "What? So fast—I have to block again," Zhui muttered.

Caught off guard, she couldn't dodge as Nyabu struck. "Fifth Katsuki Technique: Katsuki Kick!" The blow hit her stomach, softened by her scales, allowing her to stabilize by driving her sword into the ground.

She knew falling would leave her vulnerable. Before recovering, Toto surged again. "Battle mode!" he roared.

The rapid assault overwhelmed Zhui, and Toto's strike sent her crashing over a hundred meters, smashing through a building wall. The explosion echoed, a faint tremor rippling, the area now shrouded in smoke.