A Moment of Peace (IV)

"Do you really have to go?"

"As I explained, I have no motivation to follow. That's why I was able to blindly believe Rowen about the tournament" she admitted sadly. "But thanks to you I can trust that I'll be able to discover a new one"

"I see. I was hoping you could stay with us"

"I need some time to be alone and meditate on what has happened"

"It's probably for the best. I know you'll be fine, you're the strongest person I've ever met after all. I hope we'll meet again someday"

Yes, if there is someone with the power to change the world, I definitely bet on her.

"Yes, I hope so too. Here"

She then stretched out her hand and handed me a piece of paper. When I looked at it in detail, I realized it was a bookmark.

"And this?"

"Consider it a good luck charm. When I'm ready I'll come back to you, I promise"

"Of course, we'll welcome you with open arms. Have a good trip Corneria, see you later"

I stretched my hand towards her to say goodbye, however, she came closer and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"See you later Asriel" she mentioned blushing and turning around. "Portal World | Warp on Mark"

Opening her book, she summoned a pillar of light. Within seconds, she disappeared from our sight.

I'm a little sad to see her go, she will be missed.

"..."

Suddenly I felt a presence looking at me and noticed it was Maria.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. It's nothing"

It sure doesn't look like it. For some reason she has an annoyed look on her face. Was she that upset that she left us? Perhaps she got angry because she's now the only woman in the group? Well, I am certain we will see each other again.

I took her gift and put it in my pocket for the time being.

There is only one topic left to discuss.

"What about you Zeke? Do you still want to fight for my katana?"

He was leaning against a wall a few meters away.

"No need"

He then stepped aside manifesting his weapon, placing it on his shoulders and walking towards the 2.

"And what was the reason for that decision?"

"As I told you, my scythe is the Object of judgment, which determines if the human I am facing is worthy"

"Worthy? Of what exactly?"

"To go on living"

"That's a bit... radical. And who determines that?"

"Who knows? It might be fate, a Holder, a god, I don't know" he said, closing his eyes.

"Right..."

If someone has the power to determine who deserves to live and who doesn't, I'd like to meet him. I've already met a few people who prove that if there is an omnipotent being who chooses that, he must have lousy judgment.

"Although of all the people I've tested this ability on before, you're the only one who has been approved, the only one who has responded that he must live on"

"Should I be proud of that?"

"That's why I want to see what you have. Maybe your foolish adventure of going around trying to restore the world to the way it was in the beginning, is not as taken from the fuses as anyone would think. Besides, having this little one to heal my wounds is truly a blessing. Doing it on my own all these years has been a real pain in the ass"

Zeke finished his speech by stowing his scythe inside him.

So you stuck around for Maria, huh? Her healing powers are quite the miracle to be thankful for, I won't deny it. I understand what you mean, this whole tournament I've been carrying the ailments of previous fights, I don't need to imagine a life where she's not by my side. Not only to heal me, but to keep me company.

I remember what she told me when she was trapped in that prison dimension. There were beings that seemed to act as guards, she called them golems of some sort. That's where she met Zeke and he went out of his way to protect her even though he didn't know her, and couldn't activate his Object.

Perhaps deep down he is kind, but is easily embarrassed and doesn't want to show it? Or perhaps it's that he sees something else in her? I don't blame him, she's so adorable that I have to restrain my urge to want to hug her or pet her head...

I should stop thinking of her as if she were a mascot.

"What about those other modes your weapon has? You haven't explained that yet"

"You don't miss anything, do you? You're quite observant. Yes, it possesses a second ability which allows me to alter its parameters"

"Alter its parameters? How so?"

"Attack, speed, defense, etc. Each of my techniques decreases some of these to increase others. Accel Force sacrifices strength for speed. Hollow Force prevents the blade from doing physical damage, and in return can launch ranged void attacks"

"Oh, that explains my battle against your clone just now"

"Don't call her that, she was just a cheap imitator"

"So, Vital Force lets you sacrifice mobility for defense?"

"I see you're a fast learner"

"And lastly, Critical Force. I assume it increases your damage?"

"Exactly. It's capable of taking my power to the maximum level, though only at the tip. While it can penetrate practically anything, the rest of the scythe is completely defenseless. High risk, high reward"

In short, it's a complex and highly useful weapon.

"Okay, back on topic, you say you want to join us on our journey, correct? In that case, what about your mission to gather the Objects?"

"I'm in no hurry with it. You already realized how complicated it is to find a Holder dimension, let alone another Seeker. In my years of travel, I've only encountered a couple, and this was the first time an Object of my enemy has accepted me as its new owner after killing it. I'd like to believe that it's somehow because of your influence"

"Right..."

"Another important reason is that you don't seek to reunite them. That means that if we meet with the opportunity, you won't object to me keeping it, right?"

"Well, not really. My katana and glove are enough for me"

"Perfect. What do you think? I see it as an excellent offer. You will not stand in the way of my goal, and I will help you with the fights to come. You saw that combat is my specialty"

I don't know if it gives me confidence that he's bragging about it himself.

"Tell me one thing, aren't you afraid that putting them together will result in the end of the universe?"

"Ha, I don't believe in that nonsense. Those tales are just to put fear in and keep cowards away. Anyway, I'm just looking for one in particular"

"One? Which one would that be?"

"I don't have to tell you about my personal life. Let's leave it there for the time being"

"..."

It would certainly be good for us to have one more member in the group, however I don't know if I can trust him blindly.

"Asriel"

"What is it Maria?"

"Can Zeke come with us? We could do with another companion, don't you think?" she asked grabbing me by the end of my clothes. Why does she remind me of a little dog begging for food? Don't reinforce my ideas of comparing you to an animal!

"... well, I guess I can count on you then. Welcome to the team"

"Sure, nice to meet you"

"Welcome~"

In any case, I'd rather have him as an ally than an enemy. He's already proven his worth, I'd like to think that he'll be of use to us.

And so we gained a new member in this adventure. The 3 of us proceeded to discuss our next destination.