chapter 15

Chapter 10:

Continuation of the Clash Between Eskapa and Zhui

Nathaniel's outburst seized Nyabu's attention, halting her relentless kicks, though it only stoked her fury further. "You're still here, you pest!" she snarled. "I'm losing patience, and I'm serious about ending you. Stop meddling and leave!" she roared, her voice thick with rage.

Undeterred, Nathaniel reiterated that they couldn't harm a being innocent under Eskapa's laws, promising to depart if they let Zhui go. But Nyabu dismissed his plea, stepping toward him. "It doesn't matter if she's innocent—once a Soul Eater, always a Soul Eater, no matter how 'good' they pretend to be," she declared.

"Wait—are you saying you'll kill her just for her lineage?" Nathaniel pressed, incredulity lacing his tone.

Nyabu offered no reply, closing the distance with a cold stare. "Isn't that unfair?" he added. "No matter how you look at it, that's unjust."

As she reached him, her hand clamped onto his shoulder. "True, it's not fair," she admitted, her voice low. "But it must be done." She confessed her intent stemmed from a belief it served the greater good, even if it breached Eskapa's rules.

Nathaniel wouldn't let it slide, challenging her with Eskapa's laws on apprehension and judgment. His persistence irritated Nyabu, her temper flaring as he interrupted her resolve. Without warning, she kneed him in the stomach, dropping him to his knees, writhing in pain and helpless.

At that moment, Nyabu scoffed, "I don't need advice from someone like you on what's right. I'm preventing a tragedy a Soul Eater could unleash." She warned him against obstructing their duty, threatening imprisonment for aiding a labeled plague.

As this unfolded, Zhui stirred, slowly rising. "What happened?" she murmured. "I can't believe I blacked out from that attack," she whispered to herself.

Aware of her peril, she knew time was critical—capture could mean death. Ignoring her aching body, she moved, but before she could fully stand, Toto descended from above. His heavy stomp crashed behind her, pinning her to the street, the impact etching her form into the pavement.

Her energy waned, her body growing frail and sluggish. Unrelenting, Toto seized her head with his massive hand, lifting her to secure her.

"My energy's too low to strengthen my defenses," she thought desperately.

Nyabu glanced at Toto, cautioning, "Don't hold her too long—a Soul Eater might try to devour your soul."

Nathaniel, undaunted, insisted Zhui wouldn't do that, though his words fell on deaf ears. "That's what fuels their power—how can you be sure she won't?" Nyabu countered.

Soul consumption was how Soul Eaters gained energy for battle, fueling Nyabu's disbelief in Zhui's restraint. "I know her better than anyone, so I know she can't do that," Nathaniel shot back.

Nyabu sighed, exasperated by his defiance, seeing it as a waste of time. As Toto hurled Zhui near Nathaniel, she skidded across the ground. Nyabu reiterated, "Your opinion doesn't matter, nor does her kindness. We're determined to eliminate every Soul Eater in Endoryo."

Silenced, Nathaniel watched Zhui sprawled on the pavement, realizing his words wouldn't sway them. As a mere human, he understood their hatred for Soul Eaters had roots, yet he believed Zhui was unfairly entangled in her kin's sins, fueling his desire to help. "Suwi's body is weakening—I doubt she can escape now," he muttered.

With no aid from XXV, who was elsewhere, he resolved to appeal to Nyabu's Eskapa duty. "Zhui must face proper procedure—only Sei can sentence her to death under the law for accused criminals," he argued, threatening to report any misconduct to Eskapa's superiors.

This enraged Nyabu further. Grabbing his collar, she growled, "You're testing my patience, you worm!" Energy crackled in her hands, her claws lengthening as she threatened to slash his throat.

Before she could strike, a firm hand gripped her arm. "Please, Nyabu, don't do this to him," Ataparag pleaded.

"Leader," Nyabu acknowledged, her tension easing as Ataparag shook his head, calming her. "We can't harm a civilian," he insisted, urging her to release Nathaniel and avoid escalating the issue. Nyabu resisted.

"I've been trying to get rid of him, but he keeps protecting that plague!" she protested.

Ataparag grasped the situation and Nyabu's reasoning, yet saw merit in Nathaniel's point about judging only those on the wanted list. "Please, Nyabu, let him go," he coaxed gently.

"But, Team Leader…" she grumbled.

Their gaze locked, and though reluctant, Nyabu released Nathaniel in frustration. "This guy's too suspicious—maybe he's a Soul Eater agent with sinister plans for our town," she argued, advocating preemptive action to avert tragedy, believing one Soul Eater's death outweighed hundreds of potential victims.

"I understand, Nyabu," Ataparag replied. "But if we're wrong, we could kill an innocent."

"Innocent? She's a Soul Eater—our enemy!" Nyabu snapped.

"Nyabu, please," Ataparag implored softly, almost begging.

Disbelieving Ataparag's intent to spare Zhui, Nyabu insisted, "Don't tell me you buy this fool's words? No Soul Eater can resist consuming a soul when starved."

"I know their nature, but we're not the ones to decide her fate," Ataparag countered.

As they debated, Nathaniel interjected, reiterating Zhui's restraint. Nyabu's irritation peaked, her leader's stance against her fueling her anger toward him. "Shut up!" she yelled, kicking him down, rendering him unconscious.

Ataparag gasped, panicking. "What have you done?"

Nyabu shrugged dismissively. "Don't worry—he's just asleep," she said flippantly.

She ordered Toto to carry Zhui and Nathaniel for investigation, brushing off Ataparag's scolding as he swatted her arm. "I told you not to hurt civilians—I'll take the blame for this!" he chided.

"Don't worry, he's fine!" she retorted, striding away to escape further reprimands.

"Nyabu, come on!" Ataparag called after her.