The urge to protect

Zakai sighed seeing the wolf cub alive, before stretching its ears and looking

"What were they after?" Veronica said, her eyes scanning the retreating troops "Surely they would of sent more troops if they were planning a real invasion."

"Indeed." Yuno nodded before his eyes turned into a squint

"Maybe it was to test our strength?" Zakai thought sighing

"Perhaps." Yuno thought

"Yuno, come on." Langris shouted, coming out of a portal "Peasants." he muttered under his breath

Zakai rolled his eyes, and turned towards Veronica "Come on."

Going back to the base of the crimson lions, Zakai went over

he had collected the heads of the general he slew and the plants to split it 3 way between him, veronica and yuno

Money didn't interest him, but it sure did to Veronica, who agreed

"Veronica, where do you spend your money?" Zakai asked leisurely while walking down the courtyard

"Well, I send it to home, where I have a sick mother, 3 brothers, my father ran away when I was born and an adopted sister." Veronica said, laughing "One hell of a workload, isn't it?"

Zakai nodded, before saying "You can have my money if you wish."

if he needed anything non-magical, he could create it with creation magic. what use is there for currency in his eyes?

Veronica sighed, before laughing "It's fine, they have enough money for a century for a normal peasent family." Zakai nodded

"Where did you come from, Zakai?" Veronica asked , her eyes darting over to the smiling boy "Im not sure who my parents are, but I was abandoned at birth by "Something"

Zakai didn't say human , since there was a strong chance that this fucking grimoire had something to do with it

the grimoire shook , before going silent again

"How long you been with nomu?" Zakai asked , watching as the dog came for belly stretches

"7 years , although he had been with me since i was born." Veronica stated

"Oh?" Zakai asked "How so?"

"in his previous life , he was a old dog that took care of my older siblings. when i was 4 , he died as a dog and i uh- somehow resurrected him with my shadow magic." Veronica muttered , before shrugging "Dont ask , i don't know how it works"

Zakai gave a laugh , before Veronia said something "Oh , did you hear about the new temporary captain of the crimson lions?" Veronica muttered , causing Zakai to look at her

"?"

"Apprently there nominating someone from the vermillon household." Veronica said , flexing her nails

"I see." Zakai said , before saying "Ill be going now."

he crawled to his dormitory and crawled into his bed , fenrir following and sitting on the bed , curling up

"What a hectic day." Zakai thought , falling asleep

----------------------

waking up , a servant knocked on the door, causing Zakai to get his clothes on and open the door

The maid passed him a note , before bowing and walking off

Zakai sighed while seeing the letter

it was from veronica , saying how she went out to get stronger due to feel weak

Zakai gave a shrug , before reading the second letter

it was a summon to a banquet to congrautle the defeat over the diamond kingdom

Zakai thought of the last time he went to a banquet and shook his head and sighed

"Ill go." Zakai thought.

his gameplan was to go to the banquet , than request time off to find Elysia , and find his younger sister

"A foolish decision." Dryad said through his mark "You'll never find it."

"Oh , i don't plan to ask you." Zakai said , ignoring the voice

"Oh?" The dryad said "Who are you going to ask?"

"The ones below." Zakai said , blocking out the voice

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zakai stood there examining the bodies of the bandits that he killed

how did he get here , killing people for his own need.

was he always that selfish?

"I Dont know what your doing , but for your sake , i wouldn't recommend doing it." The dryad said "You'll find yourself in pillar of hatred."

Zakai snickered "Tell me Dryad , how were you born?"

"I was a tree , one that could absorb mana and grow. the first generation of elfes came and worshipped me as there "World tree." The dryad said "There faith led to me becoming a senitinent being , and i swor to protect them and there kin"

"Did you ever feel the loving embrace of a mother? or the comradeship of a father?"

"The elfes were my children , and i was satisfied." The dryad said

"Well , I'm not , and i want answers."

He wasn't going to the people below , for answers. he was going to his own grimoire for answers

[Curse magic : Demon''s curse]" Zakai muttered , causing him to write a magic circle made out of blood around the bandits

the bandit leader apparently slaughtered a whole village , and eat some of the bodies of the deceased

"[Oh , grimoire of my soul , share upon the wisdom that i need to bind with my heart.]" Zakai chanted , causing his grimoire to consume the bodies as the aura enveloped Zakai

"Dont spire out of control. please. i did this for your sake." The dryad said to the boy " he tried , okay? stop the others."

the aura enveloped Zakai , rendering all senses useless.

Zakai wondered

is this something he wanted?

something deep down was screaming at him to turn away , to leave it alone and come back when he was stronger.

but.... he felt stubborn. an urge to find the reason , and use it to fuel his need to power. to become stronger, and to protect the ones he loves

Wait....what did he love?

Zakai fell silent what was the one thing he wanted to protect?

his parents? he never met them.

his sister? an urge of morbid curiosity

Veronica? just a friend

Yuno? could be a brother

what was he striving to protect?

his pride?

Zakai yearned for something....meaningful.

a pleasant sound filled his ears

"Brother!"

He turned around, looking towards the light

"Who.....are you?"