Zigh massaged his temples, his mind racing after hearing Lian's explanation regarding Nox and Ron.
How is this possible? Zigh thought, a cold knot forming in his stomach. I'm the sole heir of my father's line. He doesn't even have any other relatives.
He shook his head. There's no way Father would do something like that... right?
Lian watched him with a faint, amused smile as Zigh paced back and forth like a caged animal. Finally, Zigh stopped and fixed Lian with a piercing stare.
"You're not lying to me, are you?"
"If you don't believe me, you're free to prove it yourself."
Zigh took a deep breath, memories of official records flashing through his mind. "Lian, where are you actually from?"
"Oh? So you've realized I'm not from Echo?"
Zigh sat on the edge of the bed, right next to Lian.
"It wasn't hard to figure out. Your data doesn't exist in the national civil registry."
"So that's what you were doing while I was unconscious."
Zigh gripped the bedsheets, his knuckles turning white.
"Actually... I've been suspicious since that incident at the overpass—the one you partially destroyed."
Lian let out a soft chuckle.
"What's so funny?"
"It's not funny, really. I just remembered what happened there."
"And what was that?"
Outer knelt before Lian. "Lian..."
Lian's expression softened, a thin smile playing on his lips.
"I simply gave the Champion a choice. Either I jump, or Echo vanishes."
Zigh gasped, bolting to his feet. "You actually said that? You're serious?"
"Of course."
Zigh swallowed hard, the weight of Lian's words sinking in.
"Who is this Champion you're talking about? And what did he say?"
Lian tilted his head. "You ask so many questions. You're quite the chatterbox, aren't you?"
"Lian, I'm your bodyguard now. I need to know who your inner circle is."
"Nox said... neither."
Zigh froze. So Nox is the world boxing champion... and he was the one who could calm Lian down at the bridge?
Lian let out a long yawn. "You think too much."
"Why did you listen to him? Why did you choose not to do either?"
Lian closed his eyes for a moment.
"I punched his chin until he hit the concrete."
Zigh gawped. "Don't tell me he asked you to hit him?"
Lian clapped his hands playfully.
"Impressive. You guessed it."
Zigh stared at him. I am never, ever going to say hit me to this man.
"Anyway, you still haven't answered me. Where are you from?"
Lian stretched his legs out across the bed. "Outer says I was banished from Ipsix, but as far as I remember, I lived in Syntax."
"Ipsix? Syntax?" Zigh murmured.
"Zigh, I'm getting sleepy. Turn off the main light, will you?"
Zigh forced a smile, though a vein throbbed near his temple. "Right. You need your rest."
He walked to the switch and flicked it off, leaving the room in a soft glow. He stepped out into the living room and collapsed onto the sofa, leaning his head back.
"What a heavy day..."
He closed his eyes. Would he really have jumped? But why?
Zigh stared at the ceiling. If he isn't from Echo, then Nox and Ron could be from Ipsix or Syntax too. This is spiraling out of control.
He exhaled slowly.
"Tomorrow is going to be packed. The game center, Miss Edelweiss's house, and then visiting Nox and Ron at the hospital."
He ran a hand through his hair. Does Father know about any of this? Should I report it to him?
Zigh stood up, went to the kitchen for a glass of water, and drained it in one go. "Forget it. I need sleep."
Returning to the room, he turned off the remaining lights and lay down on the rug. Oleander, Elfinder, and the rest of the Eosviles... I'll settle the score with all of them, one by one, he thought as sleep finally claimed him.
***
Beside the bed, Outer watched over Lian.
"Can't sleep, Lian?"
"Outer... what do you think of Zigh?"
Outer glanced briefly at the sleeping man on the floor. "That Eosvile hurt you."
"Yes, you're right. But he's also taking care of me, isn't he?"
"He has other motives."
"I feel it too, Outer."
"Lian..."
"Don't worry." Lian's eyelids grew heavy.
"Outer will always be by Lian's side," the black creature whispered as the night bled into morning.
***
Zigh's alarm blared at 4:30 AM. He killed it instantly, stretched his stiff limbs, and headed to the kitchen for water. I'm seeing Nox and Ron today, he reminded himself.
He grabbed the first-aid kit. Ugh... I should probably get my nose checked at the clinic too.
Zigh applied some ointment to the bruise.
What should we have for breakfast? Maybe I should take Lian for a morning walk?
He shook his head.
"No, he's still recovering."
Zigh walked back into the bedroom to find Lian already sitting up. "You're awake."
Lian looked at him in silence.
"Are you in pain?" Zigh asked.
He shook his head.
"Well... what do you want to eat?"
"I have no appetite."
"I see. How about a trip to the morning market? There are plenty of snacks there. Interested?"
"I..." Lian hesitated.
Zigh sat on the edge of the bed. "Lian... are you still worried about my nose?"
He remained silent.
Zigh sighed softly. "If you're that worried, why don't you accompany me to the clinic?"
Lian gave a small nod.
"Alright, it's a deal."
Zigh stood up and grabbed two sets of clothes. "Get changed."
He handed Lian an outfit. "I'll shower first. Wait for me in the living room."
In the bathroom, Zigh caught his reflection in the mirror. The bruise on his nose was prominent. So this is what's bothering him, he thought with a small, unexpected laugh. Not bad.
Meanwhile, Lian walked into the living room.
"Outer, was I too much?"
"That Eosvile asked for it, Lian."
"But..."
"Lian held back. That was more than enough."
"Zigh's nose... it's blue now."
"Lian's hand is red because of him."
Lian stopped, then sat on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
"Lian, don't overthink it."
"Outer..."
A few minutes later, Zigh emerged. "Sorry I took so long. Your turn."
"Okay." Lian walked past him without a glance.
Zigh sat on the sofa, watching him go. He seems really hit by this... all he had to do was apologize, he thought.
Suddenly, his eyes widened. Wait... is that why he said apologizing is so easy?
He leaned back, a small smile forming.
When Lian finished, he approached him.
"Zigh, I'm ready."
"We really need to buy you some new clothes," Zigh noted, looking him over.
"Why?"
"Nothing. Let's go to the clinic."
Accompanied by the invisible Outer, they headed to the garage. "Wait here, Lian. I'll go open the gate."
Zigh hurried to the gate, only to stop dead. A black car was parked right in front of his driveway. A middle-aged man stepped out, his expression cold and imposing.
"Why are you bringing a stranger into a military prison?" the man demanded.
Zigh's heart plummeted. "Father..."
"You're nothing but an embarrassment!"
Zigh looked down, his voice trembling. "I..."
"You've been a burden since the day you were born."
Zigh bit his lip, his body shaking, his fists clenched tight.
From the garage, Lian watched the exchange from a distance. "Who visits someone this early in the morning?" he murmured.
"Lian wants to go over there?" Outer asked.
"No, I don't want to intrude."
Zigh's father caught a glimpse of Lian's silhouette. "Is it that man?"
Zigh looked back instinctively as his father pushed past him, storming toward the house.
"Father, wait!"
"Shut up!"
Zigh flinched, frozen in place.
"Father, please, let me explain!"
His father didn't turn back.
Outer watched the man approach with narrowing eyes. "Lian, the old man is coming this way."
"I see him."
Zigh's father stopped exactly three paces in front of Lian.
"Father... it's early. Let's talk inside," Zigh pleaded, catching up.
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the quiet morning air. "How dare you defy me!"
Zigh stood still, his cheek burning red.
Lian's eyes widened, a spark of fury igniting within him. "How dare he..." he whispered.
He took a step forward, his voice cold as ice. "Who do you think you are, laying a hand on my bodyguard?"
Zigh's father turned to him, his glare lethal. He reached out and grabbed Lian by the collar of his shirt. "Bodyguard? Who are you?"
Zigh grabbed his father's arm. "Please, Father, stop!"
Suddenly, Outer dissolved into a thick, dark mist that began to envelop the house.
"Take your filthy hands off my clothes, old man."
To be continued...