Subtitle – Countdown
Zero – Three …
My ears started ringing with screams. The Rule had fled instantly. I tried to protect my eyes from the sharp, harsh wind. I raised my arms to shield them.
Zero – Two …
The screams grew even louder. I could feel the cold, icy water rising up to my knees. With each wave I was pushed back another inch. I forced my legs harder and harder to resist the waves.
Zero – One …
The sounds had become unbearable. The wind and waves kept growing stronger. My eyes and ears started to bleed. I shut my eyes tightly.
Zero – And it's over !
Suddenly all disasters stopped. I knew for sure something was wrong!I opened my eyes — Zero was using the first sword I had ever given him to kill me.
I smiled involuntarily. At least he hadn't forgotten.Just when I was ready to start again, the talisman engraved on me shattered all at once.
Odasaku – You can't be serious !
The only thing that came to my mind at that moment was war.Just like back then — he was turning his back on me, threatening his enemy with his spear. His crimson hair gave the battlefield a unique atmosphere. The green cloth he tied to keep his hair from falling into his face "was a contradiction for him." His green eyes shone at his opponent as if he were dancing with death.
Atheron – It was obvious you'd get yourself into trouble ! ARE YOU A MAD DOG OR WHAT ! WHY DO YOU PICK FIGHTS WITH EVERYONE !
He slightly turned his head and threw me the medicine he took from his pocket.
Atheron – Here, take it and make yourself useful. Otherwise your skills will rust completely.
I started chuckling involuntarily. I threw the pills into my mouth and quickly stood up.Confidently, I activated my heritage and took my extremely long sword in hand.
Odasaku – Do you always have to be like this ? Can a person never change ? You were like this then, and now too …
Atheron pointed his spear at Zero.
Atheron – And who are you !
Zero – I am an end — and a beginning.
Zero raised his hands as if surrendering and snapped his fingers.
Zero – "I don't want any of you."
Atheron pressed his spear to Zero's neck. From Zero's neck flowed a wine-red blood.
I quickly pushed Atheron away.
Odasaku – MOVE !
Atheron realized the warning bells a little too late and stepped behind me.
I raised my hands. Tried to focus, held my breath. Closed my eyes and covered our surroundings with sand.
Zero – You can't escape just by hiding behind him !
The blood began to explode and decay. With even the slightest touch of it, I was sure we would also decay.
When all the blood disappeared, the sand started to scatter as well. Atheron touched my shoulder.
Odasaku – What is it, huh !
There was a flame in Atheron's eyes. He opened his mouth and said a single sentence.
Atheron – Are … you getting older ?
His voice clearly carried both anger and worry. The moment he said it, I froze for a short while. He looked at my hair involuntarily. It was long …
I quickly took a step back.
Odasaku – I can explain ! Calm down for now, Atheron. This man on purpose …
Before I could finish my sentence, Zero attacked me. My foot "caught on something," and I stumbled.
Atheron quickly hurled his spear at Zero. Zero dodged swiftly to avoid being pierced.
Atheron walked slowly toward me.
Atheron – If you can't explain properly — ODASAKU !
I raised my hands and stepped beside Atheron.
Zero – Did you really think I'd fall for such a cheap trick ?
Atheron and Odasaku – HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ! GUESS SO !
I put on my gloves and pulled them tight.
Odasaku – Then let's begin !
Atheron hurled his spear at Zero. When Zero dodged to the right, I swung my sword there. While Zero was busy with me, Atheron retrieved his spear. I quickly jumped back.
Atheron shaped his hand like a gun, closed one eye, and …
Atheron – Boom.
A massive explosion shattered the area. I dispersed my sword and built a wall to protect myself.
After a while, the blast subsided.
Odasaku – ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME !
Atheron – I don't know. It's not my fault you happened to be there. Actually, being First Battalion Commander isn't such a good rank anyway …
Odasaku – And being Second Battalion Commander isn't enough for you, glutton !
When the smoke completely cleared, Zero was covered in blood.
Zero – HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ! YOU TWO !
Odasaku and Atheron – Yes, the two of us !
I started running toward Zero. Formed my sword and attacked without letting him breathe.
Since he was injured, he couldn't dodge well. He slowly raised his arm.
I quickly retreated. I used my finger like a trigger and attacked him with "the shards from the hourglass."
Each time Atheron swung his spear, a small-scale explosion occurred. That's what I call heritage !
Atheron – You're not nearly as scary as you look, huh ?
Zero kept his jaw clenched, desperately defending himself.
Atheron pulled aside to catch his breath.
Zero – Guess I should say 'I hope this works' …
Odasaku – DAMN IT ! ATHERON !
Zero's blood had spread everywhere. Just as he was about to cause it to decay, I surrounded him with sand. Atheron stepped in front of me.
Atheron – Don't die before the explosion, got it !
Odasaku – IF I SURVIVED THAT WAR, I CAN SURELY HANDLE THIS !
Atheron took aim and —
Atheron – Boooom !
Thanks to the huge blast, the decay didn't reach us, but I was violently thrown back. "I hit something" and quickly touched my head.When I brought my hand before my eyes, I saw a white liquid on it … I wiped my hand fast on the back of my coat. My head started spinning terribly. I felt my strength leaving my hand and gently lowered it to the ground.
Atheron – ODASAKU !
Odasaku – WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING !
Atheron's face twisted when he saw me.
Atheron – Damn …
I tried to stand up. I pointed my index finger at him.
Odasaku – YOU WANT MY POSITION, DON'T YOU !
I was sure my whole body was covered in wounds. I hope my blood isn't white …
The mist began to clear, and both of us quickly fixed our eyes there.
I merged the hourglass and looked through its empty side.
Odasaku – That much corruption is too much even for you !
Suddenly I froze in place. The noises grew louder. I stumbled backward. I could hear a muffled voice calling my name — Odasaku.
I grabbed my head and vomited blood. I fell to the ground. I looked at the color of the blood in my hand … It was white.
Odasaku – AAGHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !
The sounds grew even louder. My ears began bleeding.
With the last of my strength, I lifted my head.
Odasaku – So … THAT WAS YOUR GOAL FROM THE START, ZERO !
Zero placed his hand on his face.
Zero – Pfft … Yes !
Odasaku – You know killing me won't do any good, right ?
Zero – I know. That's why I drove you to the edge of madness.
My mind s t a r t e d p l a y i n g w i t h m e.The only thing I c o u l d h e a r w a s Z e r o' s l a u g h.
Atheron – ODASAKU DON'T !
A hand reached out to me, but it was too late. I closed my eyes and accepted it.
Apollon and Naiadler – MASTER !
I quickly opened my eyes and —
Odasaku – Atheron, I have one last request … Please stop me from hurting my students.
I smiled as wide as I could.
Atheron – IDIOT !
Zero – Return to me.
Sand surrounded Odasaku. Atheron turned to me with great hatred. Just as he was about to attack me, the sand dispersed.
Odasaku was no longer Odasaku. Atheron stepped back and grinned. His worry was obvious.
Atheron – You're joking, right, Odasaku …
Odasaku said nothing; instead, he started walking toward Atheron to attack.
Zero – Odasaku is now at Zero Point. There's no return — except killing him.
Atheron glared at me furiously. If he found an opening, he would kill me with his own hands.
Atheron – I'm sorry, Odasaku …
Atheron pointed the sharp edge of his spear toward Odasaku.
Rule Two – I can't allow that …
Atheron – FINALLY ! I KNEW IT !
Rule Two took Atheron along and escaped. The only thing left behind was a ripple in time.
I turned my head to look at Odasaku — but he was gone.
I brought my hand to my mouth.
Zero – Seriously … ?
All the pieces had fallen into place one by one. So Rule Two plays both sides …
From the blood around me, spider lilies began to bloom.The darkness was slightly brightened by the flowers.
I plucked one flower and brought it to my nose.
Zero – Apollon, it's your turn …
My head hurt terribly. I held it and looked up.
The moon was clearly visible. The chill was as heavy as a blade of steel.
Naiadler hadn't noticed me. I covered my mouth with my hand.
— No …
Naiadler was covered in blood, but it wasn't his own.His eyes were pitch-black; no trace of blue remained.With one hand he was holding up the old man. Naiadler had killed a human …
The old man was the one who had tried to take me to the sweets shop. His whole body was riddled with holes. He had been murdered brutally. I parted my lips in anxiety. Inside, I thought: PLEASE ! DON'T LET NAIADLER HAVE KILLED ANYONE !
— Naiadler …
End of Chapter