A week had passed since Zyler fell into a coma. We stayed in the village in the meantime, helping the locals rebuild their homes. Tigalban had gone to the kingdom to report what had happened here. Since then, there hadn't been any more demon attacks.
One morning, after helping out in the garden, I went to check on Zyler. When I opened the door, I saw him sitting on the bed, gazing out the window.
"Zyler?!" I shouted, rushing over and hugging him tightly.
"Master?" he said, blinking in confusion.
I pulled away quickly. "Does anything hurt?"
"No, nothing hurts," he replied, rubbing his eyes.
I handed him a glass of water. "Do you remember anything?"
He drank slowly, then sat in silence for a moment.
"All I remember is the demon was about to stomp on me... before everything went black," he said, placing his palms on his forehead.
So he doesn't remember how he killed the demon...
"Is that all?" I asked.
"That's all," he confirmed, setting the cup down.
Suddenly, a loud thud came from behind. I turned to see Mayumi standing in the doorway, hands over her mouth, eyes brimming with tears.
She ran across the room and hugged Zyler tightly.
Zyler turned red but returned the embrace.
"I'm fine, Mayumi," he said, patting her back.
She wouldn't stop crying—until I heard another pair of footsteps. I turned to see Aquarius enter, carrying a basket of tomatoes.
"What are you doing here?" I asked flatly.
"Geez, you're talking like I'm not a god or something," he said, stepping into the house.
"Oh, excuse me, my lord," I said sarcastically.
He chuckled, his gaze drifting toward Zyler and Mayumi.
"I guess the brat survived," he said with a grin.
Zyler glared at him. Aquarius only smiled wider.
"Look, our kids love each other," he teased, walking toward me.
I ignored him. Then he placed a hand on my shoulder and stared at Zyler.
Zyler's glare intensified.
Aquarius leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Megabite."
Right as Mayumi let go of Zyler, he launched himself at Aquarius.
"Let go of my master, you big weirdo!" he shouted, punching Aquarius on the shoulder.
"Looks like the brat got his energy back," Aquarius laughed, grabbing Zyler's face and holding him at arm's length.
"How dare you—!" Zyler yelled, flailing.
Mayumi joined in, lightly punching Aquarius.
"Oh come on, you too?" Aquarius said, shielding himself with his arm.
I couldn't help but laugh. I was just glad Zyler was okay.
He had awakened his demon powers... and I was getting closer to the end.
Later, after Aquarius left, Zyler finally got some rest. I sat beside him, gently stroking his hair.
Then I noticed the door was open.
I stepped outside and found Mayumi sitting under the meteor-lit sky. I joined her in silence.
"I'm glad Zyler is okay," she whispered.
I glanced at her, then back up. "You shouldn't worry about Zyler," I said, pulling an air thread from the night. "He's a strong kid."
I shaped the thread into small, dancing figures. Mayumi watched, eyes full of wonder.
"It's beautiful," she said, letting the tiny dancers twirl on her hand.
"How about I teach you how to use celestial thread—right now?" I asked, standing and offering her my hand.
She nodded and took it.
"Stand here," I said, pointing.
She obeyed.
"Close your eyes."
She did.
"Listen to everything around you. Clear your mind," I said, walking in slow circles around her.
"When your mind is clear, raise your hand to the sky."
"Think of a specific deity. If one comes to mind, say their name silently."
"Then, feel the air. Listen for the stars and the moon to sing. When you feel warmth in your fingertips and hear a soft hum—like a harp string—you've found it. Gently weave your mana toward it. Like casting a net into still water. Don't force it."
Slowly, she pulled a thread—shimmering silver, gold, and starlight blue.
"Now anchor it with another element."
She tried, but lost control. The thread vanished. She collapsed to her knees, panting.
"You did it!" I said proudly, ruffling her hair.
Suddenly, someone clapped behind us.
I turned to see Pisces, Aquarius, and Leo standing nearby.
"You've really grown, Mayumi," Pisces said as she floated toward us, placing a gentle hand on Mayumi's head.
"It's not fair, she said Pisces' name instead of mine," Aquarius pouted.
"Shush, brother. Big sister is talking," Leo said, smacking his arm.
Mayumi looked up and hugged Pisces.
"I did it," she whispered, tired.
"You did. And I'm proud of you," Pisces replied.
Then, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.
"Thanks for guiding our Mayumi," Aquarius said, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"Thank you," Leo echoed beside me.
"You should say thank you to Diwaon," Pisces added.
Mayumi turned and hugged me.
"Thank you," she mumbled into my jacket.
"You're welcome," I said softly.
She drifted to sleep in my arms.
"It's time for us to go," Pisces said, brushing Mayumi's head before floating away.
"Big sister, can I stay?" Aquarius asked.
"Do as you wish. What about you, Leo?" she said.
"I'll come with you, big sister," Leo replied.
"Thank you again," Pisces said, then vanished.
"I can carry her," Aquarius offered.
"No. I've got her," I said, lifting Mayumi and walking toward the house.
At the door, Zyler appeared, holding a glass of water and rubbing his eyes.
"Hello, big weirdo," he muttered sleepily.
"Even half-awake, he's still a brat," Aquarius smirked.
I laid Mayumi gently on the bed and turned to Aquarius, who was already pestering Zyler.
"Zyler, you need more rest," I said.
"Okay," Zyler mumbled and shuffled to bed.
Aquarius walked over. "Come on, I was about to make him admit he's a weakling."
"Why is it important for Mayumi to learn how to weave celestial threads?" I asked.
He thought for a moment. "Because she's destined to be a god."
"A god?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Yeah. Big sister said she's going to be the thirteenth of the Twelve."
So they're adding a new deity...
"That's all she told us," Aquarius added.
"Is that so…"
"Oh! Right—before I forget," Aquarius said, fishing in his pocket. He handed me a silver rosebud.
"What's this for?"
"To loosen you up," he said with a mischievous grin.
Loosen me up?
"Alright, see you later, mon mignon," he added before disappearing.
"Mon mignon?" I repeated under my breath.
I placed the rosebud on the table and went to sleep.
In the morning, we packed our things and said goodbye to the villagers. Before we left, they gifted us fruits and vegetables for the road.
As we walked, the royal army passed by, likely headed to the village. Among them, I spotted Tigalban. We exchanged a silent nod.
Our next destination would be Lungsod ng Kaitaasan—one of the twelve most sacred places in the world. It's said to have peaks so high you could almost touch the heavens. The city houses ancient training grounds, filled with machines and weapons that help warriors ascend to godlike strength.
A perfect place for Zyler and Mayumi to grow stronger.
"Hey, you!" a raspy voice called out from behind.
I turned and saw a drunk man holding a rope. He staggered forward, yanking a young, skinny boy with fox ears and a tail. Ropes were tightly wrapped around the boy's neck and limbs.
"D-Do you need someone to cle-clean your house?" the man slurred, flashing a crooked smile. "Cheap labor!"
"Hey! What do you think you're doing to that kid?" I said, stepping toward him.
"Yeah, what are you? Mental?" Zyler snapped.
As I approached, the man raised a hand.
"Before y-you touch... you pay first," he sneered.
Grinding my teeth, I tossed a pouch of coins to the ground. He dropped the rope, and I quickly grabbed the boy's hand and ran. Zyler and Mayumi followed close behind.
We found shelter in the nearest temple and let the boy rest.
"What's your name?" I asked as I gently untied the rope around his neck.
He didn't respond.
"My name is Diwaon," I said softly. "These are Zyler and Mayumi."
He glanced at them but remained silent. Just as I untied the final knot, the boy collapsed. We spent half the day in that temple. Zyler and Mayumi went to gather herbs while I tended to the boy's injuries.
Eventually, he woke up.
I placed food and water beside him. His eyes were blank—lifeless.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, raising my hands to show I meant no harm.
He flinched, shielding his face with his arm.
He's been abused for a long time...
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you," I said, placing my hand gently on his forehead.
He relaxed a little, though his body still trembled.
"At least you're safe now," I murmured.
I stood and said, "I'll leave the food here if you get hungry."
Then I left to fetch a clean set of clothes. Thankfully, I'd packed extras for Zyler, and the boy seemed about the same size.
When I returned, he was sitting up, the plate empty and the cup drained. I knelt and handed him the clothes.
"Here. Put these on," I said.
He hesitated, then took them without a word.
"I'll be over there if you need anything," I said, turning away.
I stood at the doorway and looked outside. In the distance, I saw Zyler and Mayumi walking together, smiling.
Those two had really grown close.
Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and found Aquarius grinning at me.
"What do you want?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"You're so mean, mon mignon," he said, sniffing dramatically.
I rolled my eyes and went to check on the boy—he was fast asleep.
"Who's the kid?" Aquarius asked, leaning over. "Wait... don't tell me you gave birth without telling me."
"What the hell are you talking about?" I shot back. "We found him being sold off by some drunk."
"Who the hell sells people?" Aquarius said, his voice suddenly serious.
"I often forget that sometimes, people act more devilish than the demons we fight," I said, brushing the boy's hair.
He was quiet for a moment.
"What's the big weirdo doing here again?" Zyler's voice cut through the silence.
"Oh, it's the brat," Aquarius said, placing a hand on my shoulder.
Zyler glared.
"How are you, Mayumi?" Aquarius asked, turning toward her.
Mayumi gave a thumbs-up and walked to the next room with the herbs. Zyler followed her.
"Want some tea?" I offered.
"I'd love some."
Using the herbs, I brewed a pot and we all sat around the table. For a while, no one spoke. Only the sound of sipping filled the room.
"Master," Zyler finally said, breaking the silence, "why is the big weirdo here again?"
"Is it bad for me to check on your mother?" Aquarius replied with a sly grin.
"Master is not your wife," Zyler snapped, slamming his hands on the table.
"Zyler!" I scolded.
He crossed his arms and pouted.
"Oh no, is baby mad?" Aquarius teased.
Mayumi quietly giggled.
I sighed and continued sipping my tea. The rest of the afternoon passed with Aquarius teasing Zyler, and Zyler getting angrier by the minute. Aquarius seemed to enjoy every second of it.
Later that night, after the temple had gone quiet, Aquarius left. I checked the room where the boy had been sleeping—but the bed was empty.
I stepped outside and found him sitting alone on the steps, staring at the stars.
"Stargazing?" I asked, taking a seat beside him.
He didn't answer.
"What's your name?" I asked.
He looked up. "Why are you being nice to me?"
"Why?" I echoed.
He turned to me. His eyes still dull.
"Well... everyone deserves to be treated kindly," I said.
"But aren't you scared of me?" he asked. "I'm a monster. I could hurt you."
He bared his fangs.
"But... are you going to?" I asked calmly.
He blinked, startled by the question. He fell silent.
"Thank you," he finally whispered, burying his face in his arms. "For being nice."
"You're welcome," I said with a smile.
We sat together quietly until he fell asleep on my shoulder. I let him rest there, gently stroking his hair.
He reminded me of someone I used to know...
But I wouldn't dwell on the past.
I carried him inside and laid him gently on the bed. Then, I too drifted off to sleep.