I wasn't dreaming or in the Path, roaming endlessly, without aim or reason. Was this hell? Was I condemned to drift through the stars alone?
A beautiful hymn played repeatedly, in an ancient and undecipherable language, much similar to the Ylla of The Yllahice. I didn't know how long it lasted but hearing it so much it became stuck in my mind; I could recite every verse without knowing its meaning at all.
I finally heard mumbling, and people screaming for me. Suddenly, I was brought back from that somber yet beautiful sea of stars. I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was Jiwan's lips approaching mine.
I grabbed his mouth with my left hand with no sort of delicacy to keep him away.
"Zen!" He had a nauseating, shy look, as if caught doing something very, very wrong.
"What are you doing, Jiwan? Did the Class Rep dump you or something?" I sighed. "These lips aren't for you, buddy. Give up."
Jiwan facepalmed.
"Maybe you should've said that earlier," the Class Rep laughed, "But the face you made…"
There hadn't been many opportunities to see my shocked face before, but this definitely was one of them. My eyes popped out so much I thought they would burst.
"You were screaming, then stopped breathing. It's not like I wanted to. You should thank me!" Jiwan shrugged.
"Suure. Anyway…" I sat and looked around, pretending that never happened, "Haze?"
Before Jiwan could answer, the Burly Dude entered my sight. He was shirtless, dressed in a few Yusisin spare rags, with rags also used as bandages on his chest and arm. The almost cut open arm got reattached. "I'm still alive. You did quite a number on me."
"Sorry. How did you…?" New Qi was truly miraculous, but to recover from those deep wounds so quickly would be almost impossible.
"Hehe," Yusisin smiled, pointing to Fira and the fruit.
"Fira," I smiled back.
Fira healing powers weren't amazing, but just enough to stop the bleeding and reattach the arm superficially, letting Haze live long enough to heal with New Qi. The Ipagettafira also boosted his Qi, contributing to the healing.
Of course, the fact he was up and about even faster than me was because he was such a monster to begin with.
"I'm glad you stopped me. I wasn't… myself," Haze's mind became much clearer after Mr. Albert died, "I saw everything, but I couldn't control my body."
"I know. Don't worry about it," but his face showed a lot of regret and worry. I looked around, "Sooyeon?"
Jiwan sighed, pointing to the person on the Yusisin cart, still unconscious. "She hasn't woken up. Fira couldn't help either."
I expected as much, "That's the normal reaction after [Mind Overwhelm]. Let's just hope there's no permanent damage."
I tried not to look too worried. Yet I knew it wasn't something normal people could withstand without consequences. As I dozed off, someone licked my face.
The Black Lab waved his tail like a whip.
"Big Brother…" Little Somi approached, with eyes full of worry and expectation, "My sister…"
I patted her head, "She will be fine. She is your sister, after all. You are fine, aren't you?! Did you eat a fruit?"
She smiled, nodding.
The Black Lab growled, vying for attention, and I patted her head too.
'Brother. Sorry. Escaped,' Shadow sounded apologetic in my mind.
'...' Blood shook his head as if saying 'I knew he couldn't do it alone.'
'It's okay. We will find him.' My eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
I looked at the Sanctuary. People hid behind the doors and windows with angry faces, gazing at me as if I was the Devil himself. If the others weren't there, what would they have done to me while I was unconscious?
"Zen. What now?" The Class Rep asked.
"To the Yusisin village. Then, Sonis City."
"Those people won't come with us," she whispered.
"I know. It's their choice," I shrugged.
"But…" The Class Rep raised her eyebrows.
"Yes. They will die," I told her the truth.
"!" Shock filled her face. She thought about saying something, but gave up and fell silent.
I got up, my whole body in pain.
"Hey, take it easy!" Jiwan shouted.
"I'm fine. This is nothing."
I lied. It hurt like hell. Overusing Qi and MaQi? Every vein in my body stretched to their limits. It strained my right arm the most. I could barely lift it. But I couldn't show any weakness to them. Because I was their leader. If I crumbled, they would all lose their spirits and the sight of what had to be done.
"Shouldn't you rest some more? We can go inside," Haze said.
I shook my head, "No. Time is important. We already lost too much searching for food. Now that we have it, the only safe place is near Sonis City. And we have to stop by their village on the way."
"I will convince people to leave," Haze got up, going inside.
I already knew it was pointless, but still had some things to take care of. The Yusisin offered to pull the cart, so that was taken care of. I guess they felt useless since they couldn't fight at all.
I chose Haru to scout ahead for now, while I would take a position in the middle, allowing me to react according to the situation. The Class Rep and Jiwan would be the rearguard.
After a while, Haze came back with a downcast look, "Sorry. They won't go."
"It's not your fault. People can choose their own fate. We-"
"I'm staying, too."
I froze, slowly looking back at him, "You…"
But I closed my mouth after seeing in his eyes he had already decided.
"I… can't leave them. I will keep trying to convince them to go. And I will definitely meet you there."
Haze never wavered. It was pointless to change his mind. I took some Ipagettafira and gave it to them.
"It's not much, but it will help people survive and avoid starvation for a while. The fruit is powerful, only takes a bite."
Haze wanted to refuse. How could he accept something we risked our lives for so easily, even more when the people it would save wanted us dead?
But it would save lives, so he could only endure in silence, "Thanks. I will make sure they know this came from you."
"I don't care. I'm only doing this for you. You better make it, Mr. Burly Dude. You better," I smiled.
Haze also smiled, and we shook hands. He said his goodbyes to everyone. Jiwan wanted to convince him to go, but then looked thoughtful and stopped talking. The Class Rep wished him well. The little kid cried a bit, but then acted strong, sitting near her unconscious sister.
We finally left.
Looking behind my shoulder at the Sanctuary, I wondered how long it would still stay standing. It would have been better if Haze stayed unconscious. I wouldn't feel bad about dragging him with us.
However, with the interference from the Hidden Devil Cult, the history of this new world had already changed in ways I couldn't predict.
Why did they decide to grant someone like Mr. Albert power? Did it have something to do with Sooyeon and Haze?
In my past life, Haze, Sooyeon, and the Class Rep died. Jiwan hadn't gone there either, and I was unconscious most of the time. Any of these factors, or all of them combined, could have caused them to see potential for interfering. Just how much did I change everything?
We walked for a while, but Jiwan hadn't cheered up since talking to Haze. This was one of my greatest fears. He sometimes gazed at Sooyeon and Little Somi, and I knew why. I approached him. The Class Rep came as well.
"Zen?" Jiwan looked askance in low spirits.
I sighed, "You… you want to go after them, don't you? Your family."
"!" Jiwan opened his mouth in surprise.
"How long have I known you? Can't fool me, fool," I joked.
"I… can't take them out of my mind since I got this power. After I saw how determined Haze was... But how can I leave now? You're even hurt."
I laughed, "You don't need to worry about me, buddy. I would survive even if the Demon King himself appeared here."
"Zen…" Jiwan knew I was bluffing.
"If you want to go, just go knowing there's a high chance you will die. And an even bigger chance you will die horribly after gruesome torture," I said bluntly.
"But there is also a chance I can save them. Especially now with the Path!" He closed his fists.
I couldn't disagree with him on that point. The Jiwan from the past never opened the Path. He had no chance to survive the Ath'Taren from the beginning.
"That's true. I won't lie to you. That is why you don't need to worry about us. Shadow, Blood, and I, we are strong," I grinned, "You? kind of weak. So, worry about yourself first."
We smiled playfully, then turned serious.
"Zen. I will come back. I swear." he raised his fist.
"You better," I fist bumped him, "Shit. First Haze, now you? What am I going to do?"
Jiwan smiled, "Heh. I knew you would miss me more than you wanted to show."
"Of course. Someone has to pull the cart."
We laughed again. At that moment, the Class Rep walked to his side.
"!" This time I wasn't expecting it at all.
"You're coming?" Jiwan asked while trying to hide his delight, "I can't ask you that…"
She smiled, "Fool!"
And then turned around to me, "Thanks. For everything. I know Jiwan saved me first, but you saved everyone, many times. We only made it this far because of you."
"You pair of fools!" I lost my cool and looked away, "You will die!"
"People can choose their fate, right?" She smiled, "Besides, there's something I've been meaning to ask."
"?" I raised my eyebrow.
"I'll stay if you say my name," she teased me mischievously.
I blanked. I didn't expect a joke at this moment, neither a trick question like that, since I couldn't remember her name. I never cared about it, and only ever called her Class Rep!
"Seriously, you don't know that?" Jiwan facepalmed.
"It's Lia. Don't forget," she smiled beautifully, "We will meet again, Zen Adair. The three of us."
We all held our fists out. I gave them some supplies and a few more tips. They also said their goodbyes. After that, without more words, they left.
I stared at their backs, grinding my teeth. I tried everything I could to keep Jiwan next to me, to keep him alive. But I could never force him to stay. I thought I could force him, but…
People choose their own fates.
'Brother?' Shadow once again sounded in my dazed mind, bringing me back to reality.
I will not waver. I will not regret the Path I took. I will keep going.
And I will become humanity's greatest sword in this new, shitty world.
No matter what.