"Egui!"
The white light brightened for a little before returning to its normal state. "Oh, it is you again."
Zero smiled. Even though the soul did not have a body, Zero knew that Egui was smiling. Lily looked at Zero and the soul in confusion. Normal humans couldn't communicate with souls so easily. Just who exactly was Zero? Then again, normal humans couldn't travel through the void so effortlessly either.
"Sorry about that back then. I didn't know that getting rid of the effect would separate your soul. I'm here to bring you back."
Egui was silent for a while as he listened to Zero's explanation. The young boy started to feel nervous when Egui didn't respond immediately.
After a while, the soul sighed. "Young boy, thank you for doing so much for me. It's been way too long since I've felt at peace. I know what sentence awaits me back there. If you have some time, could you listen to my story?"
Zero nodded. He didn't know why but he felt the reluctance and heaviness of regret radiating from Egui's soul.
"When I was still human, I'd been a very greedy person. I was never satisfied with anything because I was born into a rich family. My parents had money and I could get anything I want without working for it. Despite this fortunate lifestyle, I'd always felt unhappy. There was always something lacking inside of me and no matter what I did, I still could not find it. I'd done many horrible things while I was alive trying to find that one thing I wanted. I'd use my parents' wealth and influence to threaten, bribe and blackmail others into doing horrible things so when I died, King Yama sentenced me to forever roam as a hungry ghost and erased my human name. I wouldn't be freed from my sins until I found what I was looking for. I'd thought it was food but I've been to many places and found that nothing could satisfy this hunger. This wasn't a simple hunger of the stomach, it was the hunger of my soul."
Lily was beginning to nod off but after a stern reminder from Gaia, she jolted wide awake. The goddesses weren't too interested in Egui' story but they wanted to ensure that Zero was alright. After all, the increased length of time spent in the void meant higher risks of getting back. The connection between Gaia and Lily was still strong so there was nothing to worry about... yet.
"Hunger of your soul? Did you find out what it was that you wanted?"
Egui was silent for a while more. "Yes... I did, eventually. Unfortunately, I was unable to get it."
That puzzled Zero. "Why not?"
"The thing I hungered for was to have a friend. I just wanted someone to accept me for who I was and allow me to walk by their side. I wanted to find someone I could trust with my existence and be by their side forever. Unfortunately, there hasn't been anyone so far. Many humans and living beings were selfish and the few who were selfless were often fools who died too early. Then I saw you - a complete stranger in the Mega Gourmet competition. Although young, you displayed great wisdom, kindness and strength. I couldn't help but get attracted to you. My hunger disappeared instantly after you helped to remove the weakness effect."
Zero blushed. For some reason, hearing Egui say that he was attracted to him made Zero feel very shy. He didn't know that Egui thought of him as someone with great wisdom, kindness and strength. All Zero did, was be himself. Zero didn't have a very strong reason to help Egui either. He felt like helping the ghost and did just that.
Back at Ruban x Pointes, Isis and Freya were glaring daggers at Egui. Gaia could only sigh at her friends' embarrassing display of overprotectiveness. She looked at Sedna helplessly and her sister patted her shoulder in understanding.
"It could be worse with Zeus."
Gaia nodded. Who knew what the crazy God would do if he knew? Gaia shuddered and returned her attention to Zero and Egui's conversation.
"Thank you for listening. Honestly, I wasn't expecting you to be so patient with me. I'm ready to return now. Before we leave, can I have your name?"
Zero held out his hand and carried the soul. "My name is Zero! I don't have friends yet but after we fix your soul, can we be friends?"
Egui's light brightened a lot and temporarily blinded Lily.
"It would be a great honour, Zero."