Genis hit the shield with accurate precision. The impact rippled back around Ruby before culminating behind her, ripping forward and throwing every ounce of force back against Genis's fist. His eyes widened as the force threw him back with his force tenfold.
Ruby and Safire both shrieked in horror when the deity was thrown back, plummeting directly off the cliff. Ruby covered her mouth, her eyes welling with tears as she stepped back in horror. Safire collapsed to her knees, her breath trembling before sobs broke out between them. "Genis. I-I'm so sorry. I didn't know."
Nexus clicked his tongue, pushing Ruby's head down suddenly. "Don't sweat it; he's being an asshole. Are you finished scaring the mortals, or shall we assume you're dead for a moment longer?"
Ruby's head ripped up toward the falls to find Genis casting platforms to climb back up, grinning like a maniac. "Come on, Nexy. That was pretty fun, though! Can we do that again? I'll come at you with full force this time! I might get thrown into the river below if I can hit it right."
Nexus rolled his eyes, giving a cold scoff. "You might get blown into the next era if you do that. Ruby, the platforms that you saw in the Inbetween were designed and created by Genis. Every deity is born with a purpose. Create something never seen before and use it to help us. Genis's contribution was the platforms we use."
Genis snickered, leaping back onto the rocky banks. "No kidding. But I can't hold a candle to my baby brother! The only deity who single-handedly created two new types of magic. The blue chains that hold the dimensions in place, and the blades that destroy souls. Yep, my baby brother made them!"
Nexus growled, the creases in his nose hollowing from the sugary sweet compliment. "I am quite literally every deity's brother. Just because I was the lastborn in the millennia does not give you the right to call me baby brother. We're barely a million years apart in age."
Genis sneered tauntingly, approaching Nexus with open arms. "Aw, don't be like that, Nexy! You know you love your big brother! Bring it in, it's time for some brotherly affection; that might fix the scowl permanently etched into your features!"
Ruby chuckled in amusement when Nexus grabbed Genis's wrist, throwing him over his shoulder to body slam his brother into the ground. She sighed, shaking her head with the odd bond they had, moving to help Safire to her feet. "It's alright; he's fine."
Safire pulled her gloved arm away from Ruby to brush herself down, sniffling weakly. "I know. I can't believe he'd make us think that he died. I'm going to have words with that buffoon. Thank you for worrying about him, but he's my deity. Focus on your own."
Ruby tilted her head, left stunned when Safire stormed off to scold Genis alongside Nexus. Odeen approached Ruby's side, clearing his throat to gain her attention. "What's wrong with Safire? I've never seen her pull away from you like that before."
Ruby shook her head, running her hands through her hair with an exasperated sigh. "I'd like to say that I know, but I never truly understand what's happening inside her head. Maybe she's still suffering from the effects of her heatstroke. I won't take it personally; we've had a long trip so far, and it's only the beginning."
Odeen slung his arm around Ruby's shoulder, chuckling in amusement. "Well, she's having a rough time. I'm certain she'll be back to clinging to you in no time. For now, while your side is empty, won't you permit me to fill it?"
Ruby chuckled, brushing Odeen's hand from her shoulder. "What are you, a lovesick teenager? You don't have to always be by my side." Her conscience was stabbed by the pitiful look he wore soon after her words. "Unless – you want to be?"
Odeen lit up once more, nodding his head eagerly. Ruby felt her lips dare to curl up, a fluttering joy that she couldn't place began to well up inside her. "Hey, now. She was my friend first." Jasher chuckled, throwing his arm over her shoulder.
Nexus's head snapped back toward them like an owl, the sight uncanny and terrifying. He stared at Jasher as though he were a threat. Jasher, unaware of the death glare, continued, prodding Ruby's cheek. "If anybody's permitted to be by her side, it's me."
Nexus approached with thudding footsteps, tearing Jasher's arm from Ruby's shoulder, and throwing the knight to the ground. Ruby yelped before Nexus took hold of her, wrapping his arms around her body from behind to hold her to his chest. "Don't touch her."
Ruby's eyes widened as Jasher wiped down his hands; the fish that he'd caught now laid discarded across the banks. "What the hell, man?! You're so fucking weird, I was just making a joke!"
Nexus's hold held a dangerous urgency to it. So much so, Ruby's anger and confusion melted away into empathy. "Hey, it's alright. He's a friend, remember? Jasher's done some bad things, but he wouldn't betray us. You can let me go now."
Nexus furrowed his brows. He didn't even know why he was acting this way; all he knew was that he felt danger around Ruby and acted before thinking. His hold on her grew slightly tighter while he focused on his breathing. "Just a little longer."
Ruby sighed weakly, patting the back of Nexus's hand. "Alright. Just a little longer. Jasher, don't worry about Nexus. I'll keep him contained. Why don't you go prepare your catch, and we'll start the fire in a moment."
Jasher stared at Nexus with a chilling glare as he returned to his feet, only breaking the threatening stare to collect the fish. Safire and Jasher walked to the riverbank to prepare for dinner while Ruby squirmed and struggled to turn, facing Nexus. "What was that for? He's an ally. You know that."
Odeen leaned in, curious about the reasoning, too. "Yeah, you had no issues with me touching Ruby, then Jasher came along, and you acted like a ruthless guard dog. What do you know that we don't?"
Nexus sighed, finally bringing himself to let Ruby go. "I think his previous betrayals had piled up for me. When his hand touched her, I felt an immediate sense of urgency to protect. I don't fully understand it myself."
Ruby let out a disgruntled noise, placing her hands on her hips. "Jasher and I are past that. You can't go around dictating who touches me and who doesn't. I know that this mortal union thing is new for both of us, but I think you should take some time for yourself; come back once you're feeling better."
Nexus seemed hesitant for a moment, but ultimately, he agreed. He slowly stepped away from Ruby before falling to the ground, vanishing entirely. Odeen watched with wide-eyed fascination. "I'll never get used to seeing him do that."
Ruby filled her lungs with air before letting it out harshly. "No kidding. It's not as fun when you're not expecting it. Regardless, I think for now, we should have Jasher and Nexus separated. Honestly, it seems as though only you, Genis and I don't mind him being around."
Vatic appeared behind Ruby, startling her once he spoke. "He's an enigma. That is why everyone is hesitant to open up to him." Ruby whipped around, staring at Vatic with wide, panicked eyes. "Yes, yes, I should wear a bell. I've been told."
"No kidding! I nearly had a heart attack! How long have you been behind us like that? Creepy, Vatic, creepy!" Odeen grinned, getting a sadistic amount of joy from Vatic's silent movements scaring someone else.
Vatic merely hummed, uninterested. "Well, shortly after Jasher left your side. Regardless, I think that Nexus and I have a lot in common. I was once a villain." Ruby's jaw fell slack. "Yes, it may be hard to believe, but I had my days of youth, too. That is why I can see past who he is now to his full potential. He will be a valuable asset to us."
Odeen moved to place his hand on Ruby's shoulder, smiling down at her warmly. "Vatic wasn't always my second-in-command. He was once the most feared black magician out there. He and my father partook in epic battles that changed the course of history more than once."
"I also nearly killed your father more than once. I still bear the scars to this day. To make a long and tedious story short, Osha and I were mortal enemies. Then, the effects of my magic use began to wear on me, and I became deathly ill. It was Osha himself who saved my life. My mortal enemy saved me."
Ruby's breathing stuttered in amazement as she leaned in, fully invested in the story. "Wow, so despite you guys being at one another's throats, you still set aside all of that because he saved you?"
Vatic cleared his throat, turning his head. "No, no. I attempted to betray him many times during my recovery under his watch. But he never gave up on me. The breaking point came when I was lying at death's door, and he asked, 'Why are you doing this?' I had no answer. I liked the power, I liked the fear. But I always felt empty. Osha gave me that fulfilment when he offered me a place amongst his men, a way to use my power without destruction. Black magic was outlawed entirely, yet he told me that he saw the potential of good in me. I never realised how good it felt to be wanted. Now, black magic is outlawed only to unregistered users like Safire. There are exceptions, and you're looking at one."
Ruby smiled weakly, bringing her hands toward her mouth to hide her excitement. "That's incredible. How did you survive? How did you beat the decay if you used black magic enough to nearly kill you?"
Vatic let out an amused chuckle, rolling up the sleeve of his cloak and pulling his glove off. The decay on his arm travelled under the fabric of his cloak, undoubtedly going much further. "Oh, Ruby. You don't beat the decay. Black magic, much like your gift, demands sacrifice. The only difference is that yours demands a gift, mine demands flesh."
Her brows furrowed, reaching her fingers out toward Vatic's arm. He pulled away fast, covering his arm once again. "Do not feel pity for me, young Otherworlder; I did this to myself. And now, I shall deal with the consequences until the glorious day that Osha and I are reunited once more. When I leave Odeen on this plane by himself to continue his father's legacy. But I'm stubborn, I won't go until he's married."
Vatic flashed an unsettling smile, sending Odeen back a step. "Seriously, will you ever let that go? I will find myself a suitable bride when the time is right. This is bordering on obsession now."
Vatic merely shook his head, holding his hands behind his back with a taunting hum. "Call it what you will, you will not get rid of me until I see a ring upon your ring finger. Only then will I pass on to the other side."
Odeen scoffed, averting his gaze. "That is more of a deterrent than you think. It's not like I want you to die. You're the last piece of Dad that I have left. He always said that you were his best friend, someone I could rely on in my times of need."
Vatic nodded his head in understanding, turning his back on Odeen to walk off quietly. "There will come a day when you look for me by your side, and I will not be there. When that day comes, you must accept that I have passed on. Rely on your wife. I have a feeling she's closer than you'd believe." Odeen and Ruby shared a glance before turning away from one another in embarrassment.
-End of chapter 28-