When Zeth regained consciousness, he was half-naked and tried to sit up from a lying position, attempting to understand what had happened and where he was. Everything was covered in dust, ashes, and blood. And Zeth remembered.
He remembered following the scouting unit, helping them, witnessing a powerful demon appear and kill everyone, including his mother, Stephany. Zeth himself had managed to kill the demon. Zeth sat on the ground for half an hour without moving, staring at the layer of ash and dust. His mother was probably now part of that dust. There was a great sadness, anger, and unhappiness within him, but his face remained emotionless.
Covered in blood, Zeth began walking towards N1. He wanted to see his sister, Malerva, and Ron. As he approached N1, he saw the sentinels on the towers, people waiting at the gate. Malerva and Ron were among those waiting. When they spotted Zeth from a distance, they became filled with excitement. However, as Zeth got closer, their faces turned grim, replacing the excitement with fear and concern.
When Zeth reached the gate, Malerva looked at him. He was covered in blood and scratches, and his eyes had a wild, empty gaze. His face seemed devoid of expression. Ron understood Zeth's state, but he still had to ask. What had happened? Where was the scouting unit? Where were Stephany and his sister? Why had he returned alone? Why was he covered in blood and wounds? Ron already knew the answers, but he was pretending not to. He had to ask.
Malerva was frozen in shock because of Zeth's appearance. Ron stepped forward and grasped Zeth's shoulders, looking into his eyes with a mix of pain and pleading. "Zeth, what happened? What happened?" he asked.
Zeth remained silent, not responding.
"ZETH, WHAT HAPPENED? TELL ME!" Ron pleaded, his voice filled with desperation.
"They're all dead," Zeth said in a lifeless tone.
Ron collapsed to the ground upon hearing this. It was what he had feared, but it was definitely not the answer he wanted to hear.
Malerva stood in place, trembling. "M-My mother? Zeth, where is our mother?" she asked.
Zeth stared back at Malerva with a vacant expression, tears streaming down his face. Inside, he was crying.
Malerva also fell to the ground, unable to bear the news.
"Our mother-" she began.
"Our mother is dead," Zeth said in a hollow voice.
"She's dead. They're all dead," Zeth continued, looking at the two people crying on the ground behind him.
"And where were you then, Zeth?" Ron asked.
"Where were you when my brother was being killed?"
"I was weak. But I killed the demon," Zeth said again in a lifeless tone.
Ron shouted, "WHAT'S THE POINT OF GETTING STRONGER AFTER EVERYONE IS DEAD, YOU SON OF A B*TCH? WHAT'S THE POINT OF SAVING YOURSELF AFTER EVERYONE IS DEAD? DIDN'T YOU FEEL AS VOCAL WHEN THEY WERE BEING KILLED BY THAT DEMON, YOU FU*KING DEM-" As Ron yelled, Malerva cast a spell to put him to sleep. She stood up and embraced Zeth, who was crying silently. The rain was falling, and Malerva cried without saying a word.
And then Zeth passed out.