"Huh?" Both Ruin and Kimiko echoed in unison, their expressions reflecting their confusion over Zayd's sudden outburst.
"Um, Ruin, where did you find this crazy woman?" Kimiko whispered, her eyes wide as she studied Zayd in wonder
Ruin hesitated, then looked at Zayd, concern etched on his brow. "Uh, Zayd, what are you talking about?" He began to inch closer, wary of triggering another outburst from her.
As he reached Zayd, he found her kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down her face. He gently placed a hand on her back in a tentative attempt to comfort her. The moment his skin made contact, a familiar voice thundered in his mind, nearly causing him to jump out of his skin.
"Interesting, very interesting. Let me speak to this goddess," Ragnarok boomed within the confines of Ruin's mind. Before Ruin could process the command, a tendril of energy began to flow from his hand into Zayd's body.
Zayd suddenly jerked her head up, alarm flooding her features. Ruin quickly reassured her, "It's nothing to worry about." With his calm words, Zayd allowed the foreign energy to wash over her, and in an instant, the world around them transformed.
She found herself enveloped in an endless expanse of darkness, where an imposing presence stood before her—Ragnarok, the celestial being she had thought she would not see for millennia.
"What an honor it is to finally make your acquaintance, Goddess of Life, Zayd," Ragnarok boomed, his voice reverberating through the void.
"Ragnarok! But how?" Zayd exclaimed, her shock palpable as she stared at the formidable figure.
"You seem confused. What's the matter? Too stunned by my presence?" Ragnarok chuckled, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Of course I'm confused! Celestalon assured me you were locked away for eons! ," she retorted, her voice tinged with frustration.
Ragnarok's demeanor shifted, the air thickening with tension. "Enough of that. I didn't bring you here to discuss my situation or yours. I wanted to talk about that boy ."
Zayd narrowed her eyes, curiosity piqued. "You've noticed it too. There's something off about him, isn't there?"
"Well," she replied slowly, "I guess he's not exactly normal, but what's your point?"
"Don't you understand? It should be nearly impossible to contain me . Yet, this boy was able to do it. Think of all the great things he could accomplish in the future. Don't you want to be part of that?" Ragnarok pressed, his voice imbued with an urgency that sent a shiver down her spine.
"And if I refuse?" Zayd challenged, her resolve hardening.
Ragnarok's tone darkened. "If you run back to Celestalon now, with your bond broken , you'll be branded a traitor. Only he knows what fate awaits you."
"Before I answer, I have a question for you: Why are you so determined to help this boy?" Zayd asked, her gaze piercing into Ragnarok's.
"Hahaha! Why ask a question when you already know the answer?" he replied, laughter rolling like thunder around them.
"That's what I was afraid of. But I'm not a celestial anymore, so… fine. I agree," Zayd said, resignation slipping into her voice.
"It was nice doing business with you, goddess of life," Ragnarok said with a chuckle, the darkness around them thickening. "Or should I simply call you Zayd now?"
Before she could respond, the void swallowed her whole, darkness enveloping both her and Ruin, sealing their fates in an uncertain alliance.