Gifts

"But I have never blamed you. This is a gift from Zarathos before her death, but it is also a shackle on your nature."

"Zarathos and you are alike, born without freedom or a will of your own."

"The difference is that Zarathos was forced by that old scoundrel Mephisto, and you are bound by the memories she left behind."

"Little Bone, you are yourself, not Zarathos. You have your own nature, don't suppress it."

"I hope that when I finish my seclusion, I can see a Little Bone who can joke around with me without restraint, not someone who treats my will as their own path."

"Do you understand?"

Little Bone raised her head upon hearing that Zane didn't blame her. However, the Hellfire on her body became even dimmer, and the flames flickered unsteadily.

Having lived a simple life of merely obeying Zane's orders, she was now just as lost about the future as Bastis. Still, she nervously responded to Zane's question immediately.

"I understand, Master!"

"Do you really understand?" Zane asked again.

Little Bone bowed her head in shame. Seeing this, Zane stepped forward and embraced her.

"Master, you shouldn't do this, you are..." Little Bone became flustered as Zane hugged her, trying her best to contain the Hellfire on her body, fearing it might harm him.

"I am your family!" Zane interrupted her. "Don't be afraid. I know breaking free from that shackle is difficult, but I believe you can do it."

"In a way, both you and Bastis were born from my hands, and the first person you saw was me. You are my children! You have equal status, and you are unique. Don't feel inferior or restrained around me."

For some reason, after hearing Zane's words, Little Bone, who had been flustered, suddenly calmed down. She trembled as she used her bony hands to hug Zane.

Seeing this, Zane smiled with genuine warmth. He didn't notice the changes occurring within Little Bone as she hugged him. The deep blue Hellfire that enveloped her suddenly flickered with a trace of golden light.

"Now, let me give you a gift. I can't rest easy sending you out like this."

Zane extended his consciousness into the [Realm of Dead], transferring the faith power of ten million followers through himself to Little Bone. From that moment on, the faith power of those ten million followers would no longer flow into Zane's soul but directly to Little Bone.

Unlike Bastis, who had the potential to become a deity, this was the only way to enhance Little Bone's power. Zane then gently released her from his embrace. Instantly, the Hellfire on Little Bone's body flared up violently as if doused in gasoline. The raging Hellfire continuously tempered her bones, gradually giving them a crystalline, almost glass-like sheen.

After a long while, Little Bone finally controlled her surging power. Zane then turned his attention to Rocket and Groot, who were both restless.

"I don't need your nagging."

When Zane's gaze shifted to him, Rocket instinctively turned his head away, trying to appear indifferent.

"Yes, yes, our little monster doesn't need my worry," Zane teased.

Rocket, being called a little monster, surprisingly didn't show any discontent. Perhaps only Zane and his friends could rightfully call him that.

"Rocket!"

"Yeah, what is it? Just say it," Rocket responded, still not looking at Zane, though his eyes betrayed a deep sense of unwillingness and sorrow.

He had just found a place where he and Groot were treated as equals, free from discrimination. Yet, separation came so quickly.

"You are the one I trust the most among us."

"Born and raised in the dark side of the universe, you don't need me, a novice in the universe, to tell you how to live."

"You've lived a life too repressed, always on guard against those around you, always isolating your heart from the outside world. This has become your way of life, even here."

Reflecting on Zane's words, Rocket silently recalled his past and his life since joining Zane. Indeed, Zane was right. Even on the absolutely safe Ark, Rocket still slept with a gun in hand, waking at the slightest disturbance.

"Isn't it exhausting?" Zane said, ruffling Rocket's furry head.

For some reason, Rocket didn't hide his vulnerability this time, his small head barely nodding.

"Yeah..."

"So, I have a task for you," Zane said with a bright smile.

"What?" Rocket finally turned to face Zane.

"Live recklessly for once. Go and eliminate everyone who has despised or harmed you."

"Don't worry about their status or power. I'll provide you with the best ship and weapons. Just go and have fun!"

"This time, you don't need to live cautiously anymore!"

With a bloodthirsty smile, Zane handed Rocket his beloved weapon. Holding the gun, Rocket felt a surge of unfamiliar emotion, then broke into an unprecedented smile, embracing the gun as if it was his new life.

"Alright!"

Hearing Rocket's spirited response, Zane ruffled his fur again, then turned to Groot.

"Groot!"

"I am Groot..."

Unlike Rocket, Groot's sadness was written all over his face. He didn't want to leave either.

"You are the most innocent and happiest among us."

"I have nothing much to say to you. If there's anything, it's to ask you to continue being who you are."

"Before I leave, I have a gift for you too."

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