Jojo felt himself restrain by something as his blow was about to strike the officer. No, his body no longer responded, frozen in that grotesque position, unable to do anything but watch his opponent collapse to the ground.
_ Fortunately, you seem to be mentally tired too, otherwise I wouldn't have the time to stop you.
An almost nonchalant voice reached him, coming from his left, which forced Jojo to pivot his orbits to see who had prevented him from finishing his fight. A man in a black uniform approached him nonchalantly, his right palm open and extended towards him as the rune inscribed on it shimmered with a dark blue reflection, generating sembou waves towards him. Jojo looked down at his body and saw that circles runes and symbols of the same blue color surrounded and restricted him.
_ Sorry, that's my technique, the man in black said, bypassing Jojo and stepping over the officer's body without a second thought to look at him more closely. His complexion was very pale despite the darkness of his skin, and enormous dark circles weighed down his drooping eyes. His physique was frail, almost fragile, one would have thought that a simple gust of wind would have been enough to make him fly away. Yet, Jojo felt more in danger facing him than in front of the officer who was at his feet.
_ I must not interfere in a Rag but I also cannot let a state soldier be assassinated before my eyes, the man explained with a slightly annoyed air. It's annoying, but I'm going to have to put you out of commission. Go to sleep, Sinon Mbambalu.
Jojo immediately felt plunged into the darkness of his subconscious, into a dark space where he sank into the void. Panic seized him as his external senses numbed and disappeared. The sensation of pain and burning, his hearing, his sight, and his smell. Everything disappeared.
His heart began to beat, he tried to struggle but he had no more strength. It was getting darker and darker.
Am I… going to die?
The question was the only thing left in his mind.
I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die…
I… am… going… to… die…
He would have thought that repeating it over and over would make him fight harder. But, as he sank into his subconscious, he couldn't help but feel a hint of relief, telling himself that this was where it all end. A part of him exulted; he just wished he knew why. There was just so much he still didn't know, and so much he would never know…
The last thing he saw before letting himself disappear was the sensation that something was moving in reverse in the dark waters around him, as if to reach the surface in his place…
-------
_ Lindiane!
The shout immediately made Jeanne react, as she quickly rose from her chair.
_ What the, Captain Ndour began before being silenced by the violent hot breath that knocked him backward. The tarpaulin tents swirled in all directions, threatening to collapse on their occupants who covered their faces. On the crowd's side, the breath made them fall backward as they tried to flee the scene. The reason for all this? A huge column of flames generated around a bronze, double-edged sword, forming in the young boy's hands stretched towards the heavens.
Damn it, I should have put a little more force into the barrier.
But that wasn't Jeanne's real regret. A single movement of her hand and the barrier strengthened, holding back the breath of the flames in the secluded area and sparing all the audience around without any major consequences. No, she regretted letting this man approach the boy under the pretext of "calming things down," because she felt that another spirit had taken over his own.
Damn Top, it always has to happen like this with you!
The young girl immediately activated Laafu Guudi (the wings of the night) and melted into the darkness to reappear between the Top in black uniform and the boy, the almost suffocating heat making her heavy braids swirl.
_ Those who dishonor a tiédos' fight deserve to suffer their just punishment, the boy yelled, bringing his hand down, dragging his sword and the column of flames with him towards the Top agent.
There was a huge shock that dug into the sand down to the earth, which cracked beneath them. For a moment, it was impossible for anyone to see anything, the sound of the impact and the flames surrounding the entire area were the only visible and audible things. Then, a force pushed all the dust from the center towards the peripheries of the barrier, revealing Jeanne, clean as a whistle, holding the sword, or rather the greatsword, as it was about her size, with her left hand. The blast had formed a crater of earth around them with the circumference of almost the entire area, the sand in it agglomerating into huge piles on the sides of the rectangular barrier.
The young girl's gaze was annoyed and irritated as she looked down at the kid.
_ Spirit, your place is not among the living.
Her voice was cold and devoid of any humor.
The child's expression was marked by shock before a strained smile spread across his lips.
_ By Linguère Ngoné Latyr Fall, did my senses deceive me? he muttered in a solemn tone, the author of our curse, in flesh and blood. Am I to conclude that you succeeded in your perfidy?
_ He didn't succeed at all, never associate me with him again, Jeanne spat with disgust.
The boy, or rather the being possessing him at the moment, tilted his head, confused.
_ If so, why are we having this pleasant discussion together?
_ I have nothing to say to you, get out before I chase you away myself.
Jeanne wanted to prevent him from saying too much.
_ Respect for monarchs is no longer, I see, the entity said with a regretful smile. I intended to punish the one who interfered in the finality of a fight between warriors. But I had no intention of taking this body, far from it.
His last sentence was bitter. Jeanne understood what that meant, but everything had to come in due time, because his desire was hers too, even if she only sought her personal gain. The spirit turned to look at the Top agent, who had ended up on the sand, sitting on his buttocks and his face covered in dust.
_ The child's consciousness survived against his will. But I would advise you to avoid trying to crush his identity in the future, because I will no longer take over. And even empty, the purpose of this body cannot be stopped.
A most enigmatic threat. Without adding anything else, the child once again raised the greatsword above his head and pivoted it, making it disappear in a ray of flames.
_ Farewell.
And just like that, the boy's body collapsed, like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Jeanne just had time to catch him before gently placing him on the ground to inspect his injuries, ignoring his nudity.
His right hand was nothing but a mass of exposed flesh, probably due to the invocation of the greatsword. His shoulder had been put back to normal, but it had still been dislocated during the duel. The rest of his body was covered with slight burns and more or less serious scratches, especially on the soles of his feet due to all his movements.
Pff, his body would have broken at any moment if he had continued.
Seeing someone treasure his own life so badly annoyed Jeanne, but she knew that was what she was looking for. So she snapped her fingers, dissipating the barrier and spatial distortion by pushing the sand forward to prevent it from falling back on the stunned spectators. Jeanne left them two or three seconds of shocked silence before shouting towards the head table, which was in disarray.
_ El Hadji, Mr. Ndour, you have work to do, get moving!
Healing spells were very far from her many skills.
The captains immediately rose from their seats, probably relieved to be able to do something, and headed towards them, the Loucar captain leading them with an alarmed look. Only the Ngallan captain went the other way, probably relieved to be free from this ceremony.
By the time they arrived, Jeanne turned to the Top coldly.
_ No thanks you for saving your ass?
The Top agent sketched a weary smile. He didn't seem at all shaken by what had just happened.
_ Who would have thought that my mind control would have such a negative effect? Forgive me, esteemed Paddaan, I only wanted to put him to sleep.
_ Oh, I believe you, I just have the impression that you wanted to put him to sleep forever. Easier to study a specimen like that, isn't it?
Jeanne's tone was deliberately accusatory, but the Top didn't seem to care. He stood up, dusted himself off to remove some of it, and headed in the opposite direction of the captains who were coming towards them, climbing the sand crater.
_ I must report the events to the General Staff and the General of the Tops, he declared to both Jeanne and the captains after reaching the summit. I doubt this matter is over; after all, many things have been done and said.
It was a thinly veiled threat about the consequences of that day on them. Jeanne knew that her conversation with the spirit would come up again, and she inwardly thanked heaven that so little had come out of it. All the captains stopped to watch the Top leave, all except Captain Ndour who immediately knelt towards the injured man. The Ndimbelane captain, followed by his second lieutenant and another Loucar, rushed towards Officer Nabil, who was breathing faintly.
_ Oh my God… My God, my God! chanted the Loucar captain, examining the boy.
_ He's not dead, Bachir, he's far from it, Jeanne said apathetically.
_ I know, but his wounds… No… wait…
Bachir leaned over, lifting him to get a closer look at his right arm.
_ … His wounds are regenerating!
_ What? said Captain Gueye, who was coordinating his troops towards the crowd and gesturing to the Loucars who were bringing two stretchers with them.
Jeanne looked too. Indeed, the depth of the burns had slightly decreased over time. The young girl was impressed, as much by the boy's rapid healing as by the Loucar's ability to notice it so quickly.
_ Si we can conclude that he will at least survive, Captain Gueye said, approaching. Behind him, four Loucars carried their stretcher two by two to take the child and the officer.
_ Yes, but he must be taken to the hospital urgently. We don't know how long his regeneration abilities will last, Bachir declared, letting his subordinates take the child. And on your side, Lieutenant Diop, how is Officer Camara?
The Loucar lieutenant groaned.
_ My healing spell has consolidated the cracked ribs, but he will have to stay in the hospital for a while.
_ I see, El Hadj said, crossing his arms, I'll take care of the crowd to prevent the rumor from spreading too far. It's better that this matter doesn't reach the general public. I'll leave you the management of the wounded, Bachir. Jeanne, if I may ask you…
_ Wait a minute!
The Ndimbelane captain's voice was heard. He stood up after letting the Loucars take his subordinate and walked furiously towards Captain Gueye, who didn't flinch.
_ You may leave, captain, this matter is my responsibility.
_ Oh no, not again, Jeanne muttered with a sigh.
Captain Ndour, who was letting Lieutenant Diop cast his healing spell on the child, furtively raised his head before refocusing on the child with an exasperated sigh.
_ … Are you going to continue acting like a child for a long time? the Thiongane captain asked coldly.
_ You know very well that your juri…
_ That my jurisdiction stops within the danger zones, yes I know, Captain Gueye cut in. But this particular situation goes far beyond a simple public disturbance. And you have sufficiently demonstrated your incompetence in managing your chain of command.
_ How dare you…
_ You whipped a child, stimulated the anger of the masses, and were unable to stop one of your own soldiers when he accepted a deadly combat ritual with another child, El Hadj quoted with a smile, counting on his fingers. Oh, and should I add the fact that your officer lost miserably to the said kid, in front of all Keur Massar just after your speeches about protecting the country? I think no Ndimbelane will be able to handle the results of what just happened. If you don't want to lose all credibility in the eyes of the whole country with this news, it's better to let the Thionganes calm things down. We may be hated, but here and now, we are much more appreciated than you.
As El Hadj spoke, Captain Touré's face seemed to swell with anger and fury. The effect, with his smooth, swollen jaw, was almost comical, and Jeanne didn't hesitate to laugh a little.
Captain Touré regained some composure before attacking again.
_ I completely understand your point of view, he replied, trying to smile, which made him look like a zombie with a twisted mouth. But it's not up to you to decide whether or not I am unfit for this situation.
_ I have that authority, dumbass, Jeanne snapped angrily, already getting fed up. You've done your share of bullshit for now. Let the adults work and go to the corner think about the amount of garbage you've managed to produce in one day.
The Ndimbelane captain looked like someone who had been slapped. For a few seconds, he seemed to struggle with two or three stinging retorts, but eventually slightly raised his head, sighing heavily.
_ I understand, he said in a choked voice, I leave the situation to your care, Paddaan. Second Lieutenant Ndao, we're going home, he said, looking at his subordinate who looked exhausted, we have a lot to settle. As for you…
He turned to look at the rest of the captains on the scene.
_ We will surely meet again in military court.
Captain Ndour climbed up the crater, leaving his words hanging in the air. They all knew that an event of this magnitude would inevitably be settled in this way. The perspective didn't really please Jeanne, who found it annoying, but it was also an opportunity for her to turn this situation to her advantage.
_ El Hadj, she said, getting up from the sand, addressing the Thiongane captain, we need to talk now.
_ Wait, Paddaan, Captain Ndour interrupted, also getting up, letting his lieutenant continue to treat the child, first of all, we must…
_ LET ME PASS!...
An angry and childish voice was heard. On the other side, where the Thionganes were trying to calm the elements of the crowd, two of them could be seen trying to control a thin, short kid who was wrestling with so much force that the soldier seemed to have a hard time containing him.
_ What did you do to my brother, damn it? Fuck, let me go, let me see him!
_ Oh my, oh my, Jeanne muttered, observing this new scene, it never ends.
_ I'll take care of that, Captain Gueye muttered, starting to move.
_ No, I'll take care of it, Jeanne interrupted, he must be about my age, it will be easier to reason with him. Just wait for me so we can talk calmly.
El Hadj narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly suspicious because it was rare to see Jeanne so invested in something. But, as usual with the young girl, he simply nodded and let her do as she pleased.
_ Wait, Paddaan, the Loucar captain began again, holding her by the collar – behind, the brother's yells were becoming more and more thunderous – aren't you hurt? That last blow seemed really formidable.
_ Oh, I'm fine, Jeanne retorted, pulling away, look, my hand is…
It was at that precise moment that she felt it, perhaps because she had paid a little attention to it. A slight sense of tingle, an almost imperceptible discomfort on her left palm. And when she turned it over to look for the cause, she saw it. There, in the deadly pale skin of her right palm, a faint black trace surrounded by red stood out, barely the size of a grain of rice.
_ What's wrong, Paddaan, are you hurt? asked the Loucar captain, alarmed to see her contemplating her hand like that. Is everything… alright?
He had hesitated to utter those last words, as if disturbed by what he was seeing. Jeanne understood that she must have a terrifying expression, and so decided to wear her neutral mask.
_ It's nothing, I'm fine, Jeanne reassured the Loucar, who didn't seem convinced at all, I'll resolve the situation as quickly as possible and I'll be back.
The Paddaan turned away and began to climb the crater towards the source of the tumult. She could have gone with Laafu Guudi, but she wanted a few seconds to calm down.
It had been a very long time since she had felt so excited by someone… or something. This kid was an anomaly in every way.
And she was determined to do everything to make him her property.