(Part 8)

"Doesn't this way feels kind of too comfortable to be climbing the hilltop?" Azazel asked slightly confused to see himself strolling leisurely. "Right… It gives me creeps as well." shuddered Ezekiel. "Xavier." Poseidon called as Xavier turned around. "Help me a little bit. Would you?" he asked politely. "I think Ezekiel is tired since he's been helping me around since morning." Xavier nodded walking backwards.

Ezekiel leaving Poseidon to Xavier walked forward to assist Feng. "Are you feeling alright?" Xavier questioned. "I am… no need to worry." Poseidon replied. Xavier helped him up. "You know it's a personal thing if I tell you but, sometimes it feels as if I am a burden on everyone…" Poseidon told dismayed. Xavier gazed at him silent. A smile escaping his lips. "Why is that so?" he asked, "Just because you are a little weak or ill doesn't mean that you should feel so self-depreciating."

"I know that… however, I can't stop this thought from reoccurring in my mind again and again. Since, last night especially. Even if I am getting a good rehabilitation and treatment from the base. I still feel as if I am missing something in me. And, the more I try to find what it is… the more I get lost. Confusing myself even more than the last time." Poseidon said.

"Seeing how Helios becomes worried like a child every time he sees me like that. I can't help but wonder what kind of a vice-captain I am to him and even to my own teammates? To think I can't even share my friends burden. I feel so useless."

"But you aren't giving up right?" Xavier asked instantly. Poseidon turned at him surprised. "Even if you feel like you are a burden, even if you can't do anything on your own and even if you feel as if you are a good for nothing. You still aren't giving up right?" he continued to ask. "Then that's it. That is all that matters. And believe me, you will be fine. Your disease will be cured." Xavier exclaimed. Poseidon blinked his eyes for as moment suddenly chuckling, "Haha, I'm glad… I'm really glad I talked to you."

"Huh? Why is that?" Xavier asked puzzled. "You won't know. But, ever since I met you and played against you. Even though we had no result against each other back at the inter academy nationals. I had a certain feeling that we are quite similar to each other. You might not like my words. However, I just felt that way. Don't take my words to heart." Poseidon told.

"If you are talking about similarity, then I think we both are a little useless Vice-captains. I really don't mind your words at all." Xavier replied, "But still… it feels great to have someone who really cares for you. I don't know how to express it in words… but, a weird kind of joy is felt. It might only be like for me since, I was a little bit awkward in terms of making friends despite being popular all around."

Poseidon smiled. "You… feel lonely don't you?" he asked. Xavier stared at him confused and silent at the same time however he still smiled, "I would be considered a liar if I said I wasn't however, not anymore. Seeing you all like this every day has opened a whole new door for me to enter. And, I don't regret it at all."

Poseidon taking a deep breath replied, "Say, after I get a little better and you regain your charisma once again. Let's have a match. Okay?" Xavier nodded at him smiling, "It will be my pleasure." Suddenly, Ezekiel turned around waving his hand, "Vice- captain! Xavier! I guess we are at the top!!" he beamed. "Huh? So early?" asked Poseidon surprised. Xavier nodded. "Yahoo! We reached to the top first!!" claimed Feng.

"So cool! We are here even before Captain Kenzo came! I won for the first time!!" Azazel exclaimed happily. "Say! Say! From which side will captain come from?" he asked Xavier. "Hm… from the west and in no time." Xavier responded. "Hey… since we are here shall I unlock the cabin to save time?" asked Ezekiel. "Good thinking. Go on." Poseidon sat down taking a deep breath. "Let's help Ezekiel, Feng." Xavier said Feng followed.

"Look! Is that the top?" Heber pointed towards the top of the hill which looked visible. "Haha!! Finally!! The fact that I will be first is undeniably joyful!!" laughed Kenzo rushing up ahead in front of everyone. "Don't be so sure of yourself." Gabriel rolled his eyes jumping ahead. "Yeah, don't go ahead of yourself, you fake king." taunted Ryan running beside him. "Tch! You both!!" Kenzo clicked his tongue annoyed running even faster.

"Sigh~ I don't even feel like racing anymore…" Cassiel uttered speechless. "Me neither…" Seraph agreed, slowing down too. Helios smiled slowing down as well. "Here I go to the top!!" claimed Adam. "No way in hell!! This king will reach the top!!" claimed Kenzo. "Shut up! You are too loud. You self-proclaiming king." taunted Ryan. "You brat!!" Kenzo gritted, "Let me reach the top! Then you'll see what I'll do to you. You rascal!!"

And with that vigor the boys climbed towards the mountain top. "HAHA!! I am first!!" Kenzo uttered in utmost delight. "Tch!" Ryan clicked his tongue kicking the rock. "Ah~ never mess with the king as I say…" Kenzo acted out mightily as the others stared at him in disbelief. "I say, nobody can change this behavior of him at all." Seraph exhaled in defeat. "Sera! Sera! I wanted to be first!!" cried Adam getting angry before him, "That stupid king came first!!" "Geez… no need to be upset. You will be first next time. Look, even Ryan didn't come first." Seraph consoled patting his head.

Adam grasping a look at annoyed Ryan smiled. "Yeah! You are right! Even Ryan didn't come first! We will both be first next time!" he nodded happily jumping up and down. Heber gazed at them wordless "Such a simpleton…" "Looks like we are right on time." Cassiel eyed Helios. "That's great." Helios replied. Suddenly eyeing the cabin, Gabriel pointed out, "Hey, why is the cabin open?" The boys looking at each other went forward to take a look.

Poseidon who was standing before the cabin hearing the boys footsteps turned around. "Ah! You're all here. Really, you made us wait long." he beamed. The boys including Kenzo, Ryan, Seraph, Cassiel and Heber stared with their mouths a gape. "Where… the hell did you all come from?" Kenzo asked baffled. "What do you mean your highness? We have been waiting here for you all since last fifteen minutes?" Feng told coming out of the cabin bringing the boxes. "So… you were here before us?" Cassiel asked stunned.

"Of course." Poseidon smiled. Suddenly Kenzo fell onto the ground in lost. "No way…? You were here before us? That means… I wasn't first again?!" he uttered in disbelief. "Ah! Captain! Heber! You both are here. You made us wait too long. Look, we even bought 16 boxes outside." Azazel waved going towards them.

"You… as well?" asked Kenzo as his soul left him. "Are you alright?" asked Helios going towards Poseidon. "Yes, I am. Really, to think you would be so clever." Poseidon remarked. "Haha… it's nothing. I just asked for a favor from Xavier." Helios replied.

"Where is Brother Xavier?" asked Ryan heading inside the cabin. "Oh! He is downstairs in the basement below." replied Feng, "Haiz, it has become a problem. Brother Xavier has become much smarter since before." "It was Xavier again,that little rascal, to play with this king!" gritted Kenzo vexed. "Now, now rather than wasting time. I think we should really hurry up. Your esteemed highness." Seraph patted his back, walking inside the cabin. "Adam will help as well!!" Adam followed gleaming.

"Tch! I know I don't like him. But the fact that he is a genius is something I can't decline." Gabriel clicked his tongue. Heber rolled his eyes, "Who does he even like to begin with?" "Come on, your highness. Won't you go a take a look? Xavier is already inside the cabin with others." Helios asked.

Kenzo getting up walked towards the cabin, "Right! You don't need to tell me. I am going in myself." "Really… it feels as if his pride is on the line." Seraph added.