The Mind's Poison

The whole environment was quiet, and no one wanted to speak. Linhardt's hands were shaking as he held the glass full of water while focusing on what was about to happen.

No one wants to blink an eye because the battle between Kilian, a Zodiac Libra, and Aphra, a Zodiac Scorpio, is about to begin.

With a strong gust of wind, Aphra immediately began her first attack.

He threw a strong kick straight at Kilian. Kilian tried to defend himself, but they had a huge difference when it came to physical strength.

The moment Kilian lowered his guard, Aphra immediately took advantage of it, spinning in mid-air quickly to also use her right foot and rerelease a strong kick.

Kilian recoiled from the force of the kick's impact on him and almost fell out of the spell circle that Seth had made. What was Kilian planning? Why did he challenge Aphra to a physical fight? She's an assassin, so he probably doesn't have any chance of winning. Linhardt said and concerned about the fight.

We can't do anything but watch Linhardt. I am sure that my brother was planning on something, and I am confident that he will win this combat. Seth replied.

Even with some hesitation, Linhardt just let the fight continue and just watch what would happen.

Kilian immediately got up because he knew that Aphra would not stop attacking him.

Aphra bought sprinting towards him and took all chances while he was still trying to stand up; Kilian rolled to the left to accelerate his evasion. He barely avoided Aphra's kick again, but all her attacks were always followed by another attack.

Aphra formed her nails to be sharp and aimed to scratch at Kilian's face. He barely dodged it, but his shoulder was injured because of his attempt to evade the attack.

The piece of cloth around his shoulders was ripped off, and his body had a lot of scratches. Linhardt just noticed something in Kilian's movement. Many times he should have planned to counterattack attack even though there was a bit of chance for his strike, but he did not attack and seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to do something. Aphra attacked again and again, but Kilian did nothing but dodge and blocked her attacks. Even though his body feels fatigued already and he has many scars, he still does not give up the fight.

Kilian's whole body is almost completely disabled due to the wounds he sustained from Aphra's continuous attacks.

Aphra approached him and stepped on his face. Everyone watching the combat can see the anger on Aphra's face as she pours out all her anger on Kilian.

The pains you have suffered are not enough compared to what I feel! Shouted Aphra.

Kilian smiled and replied I finally caught you.

Huh? Aphra said as Kilian held her legs tightly.

No matter how much Aphra struggles to do, and even if she hurts Kilian again and again, he doesn't want to let her go.

Kilian's hand is slowly crawling on Aphra's legs, and it seems he wants to check on something.

Linhardt's face turned red again because of what he was seeing. Seth hit him and said. Why is your face so red there, Linhardt? Just watch the match and don't think about anything! I know the reason why you're having that reaction on your face!

After a while, while they were watching, Lucius suddenly spoke. This feeling is familiar. Everyone be careful that presence is from a Ziukai!

Although he couldn't see what was happening, he knew that aura was from a Ziukai since he fought with it while they were in the dungeon.

Kilian continued to cling to Aphra's leg, and when he touched her tattoo with the zodiac mark, he squeezed it very hard.

Aphra moaned loudly as she backed away because of what Kilian did. Linhardt, Seth, Juno, and Lucius were stunned by what they saw and heard. They didn't have any slightest idea that Kilian wanted to touch Aphra so badly.

What are you doing, Kilian? Get serious about the fight! Seth yelled at him.

Kilian looked at them angrily and shouted.

Hey! All of you! Don't be ridiculous! I know what you're thinking. I'm not that shallow type of person. I did that because I knew there was something unusual about her tattoo when I first saw it.

Now just wait and see what is about to happen.

They all focused on Aphra, and she seemed to be struggling. She feels strange in her body, and little by little, there is blood coming out of her zodiac tattoo.

The blood was slowly forming into a shape of an unknown creature. It has the head of a human, the body of a lion, and a tail of venomous spines similar to porcupine quills, while other depictions have it with the tail of a scorpion. And based on its aura, It is like what Lucius had predicted. It was a Ziukai with a different appearance.

This Ziukai had been controlling Aphra's body for a long time. Kilian noticed this the first time he tried to read Aphra's mind. He saw that there was a horrible monster blocking his ability, which is why he couldn't go any deeper, and all that he found was just Aphra's true appearance.

That is also why Kilian was silent for a long time as they continued their travel because he was reading his book to find ways how he could get the Ziukai out of Aphra's body.

He added that this is why he does not believe that this assassin is saddened about the death of his comrades because she does not have any mourning since they had died. Aphra showed them only anger from the beginning, and she also suspected that Aphra's colleagues whom she was killing were also one of the Ziukai.

The Ziukai screamed a loud and deafening howl, and it seemed to be furious and pissed because Kilian had forcibly removed him from Aphra's body by pressing hard on her tattoo. That was the only way he could force the Ziukai out because that was also the only gateway to get in.

Linhardt and Seth wanted to help Kilian, but they couldn't come inside because the spell circle with the agreement of Combat Nova was still in effect.

As long as no one accepts their defeat, they will not be able to get out of the spell circle, and neither will other people outside couldn't interfere with their situation. Juno tries to fire her arrows, but it also cannot penetrate inside the spell circle.

Kilian had no more strength to stand up because he had poured all his remaining strength into forcing Aphra's leg and removing the Ziukai inside.

He couldn't get up and escape anymore. At the same time, the Ziukai seemed to be eager to eat him alive.

The Ziukai hurriedly ran towards Kilian, but before it could move, its entire body seemed to be paralyzed and unable to move.

Linhardt wondered what had happened. and they saw that Kilian was smiling. Finally, she woke up. He said as he completely lay down and rested because he was so tired.

Thank you for helping me, Kilian; take a rest for a while, and let me finish this filthy creature. Said a woman's voice, and they all turned their gaze upon Aphra. Her nails were covered in poison and traces of Ziukai's blood.