EeDechi scooped up a handful of warm water and patted it onto Kilua's forehead. "What are you even thinking about at your age? If you're a seer, then I'm a magical girl."
"It's true," Kilua said, her small face pulling into a solemn frown. "I have an Innate Talent. I can see other people's potential."
She suddenly waved her arms twice, and her whole body rose slowly into the air, toes lightly brushing the water's surface. "Look, I can even fly!"
EeDechi studied the floating little girl and gave a calm shake of her head. "You've just got a bit of magical talent, that's all. I've seen plenty of brats like you—I've been through more fights than I can count."
Kilua's shoulders slumped. She dropped back into the oak barrel with a loud splash, sending water sloshing over the sides.
She poked her head out, gripping the rim with both hands, her face scrunched in frustration. "I really can see your potential, and I know exactly how to unlock your power."
"Unlock my power?" EeDechi's interest was piqued. "All right, tell me. What exactly do I need to do?"
"Since the dawn of the world, there has been a law hidden in the shadows, quietly ruling over all things. It is called Equivalent Exchange," little Kilua said mysteriously.
She paused to gather her thoughts, then went on. "Equivalent Exchange is just the simple way to say it. To gain something, you must first give something.
"My spiritual sense can see a valve sealing away your power. If you willingly offer something in exchange, that valve will open, and your endless potential will be released. I'm certain your strength is enough to make the entire world tremble!"
"Equivalent Exchange?" EeDechi realized she'd heard the term before. It was back in the Eight Greed Kings desert, when Antilene had explained the idea to her with that same sorrowful, resolute look on her face.
"But what exactly would I have to give up?" EeDechi asked, curiosity piqued. The little girl was talking in riddles, sure, but if she was telling the truth, it was worth a shot.
"That… you'll have to discover for yourself," Kilua said, the corners of her mouth curling into a sly little smile.
EeDechi hauled her out of the oak barrel in one smooth motion and shook the water off. "That's the same as saying nothing at all. I need something I can actually do, not this vague mystical nonsense."
She snatched up a white towel, wrapped Kilua in it, and gave her golden hair a quick ruffle. "Let's focus on finding your parents first. You can't just tag along with me forever, you know?"
Kilua nodded obediently and fell quiet. EeDechi slipped a fresh set of clothes on her, then took her out into town. They hit every clothing shop on the street and bought two hundred outfits that fit the girl perfectly.
EeDechi had never been any good at housework, and laundry was especially annoying.
Washing her own black clothes was bad enough. Adding a little girl to the mix? No thanks. Easier to just stock up and toss anything that got dirty.
The two of them walked side by side down the quiet main street. EeDechi smiled at Kilua. "How about I take you to the City Alliance? Sound good? Or would you rather look for your parents first?"
"I want to go!" Kilua nodded hard. "Don't worry about my parents. They probably died ages ago anyway."
"What a model daughter you are," EeDechi said, frowning.
Suddenly, both EeDechi and Kilua stopped dead in their tracks. A powerful surge of magic swept across the land.
With her exceptional magical talent, EeDechi sensed it right away.
Far in the distance, waves of magic power rose and fell like the slow, steady beat of an undying heart.
Kilua's eyes widened as she stared off into the distance and muttered, "The Slane Theocracy finally found a suitable candidate? What a crazy yet perfectly fitting plan."
EeDechi glanced at her in surprise. "Suitable candidate? Something big might be about to go down. Let's take a detour."
"No! We're going to check it out!" Kilua grabbed EeDechi's arm and yanked her hard in that direction. "Let's go see Equivalent Exchange!"
...
In the Slane Theocracy, inside an unremarkable small town, a sacred temple lay hidden a hundred meters underground.
Cold marble tiles covered the floor, etched with intricate magical circuits that spread across every inch. A low cylindrical altar stood at the center of the chamber, its surface glowing with dim, hidden light that outlined countless spell runes.
Rows of black-robed figures stood along both sides of the altar, their faces hidden deep in the shadows of their hoods.
One of them lifted her head. Her face was old and solemn—it was the Divine Commandant of the Windflower Scripture, a blind old woman. Beside her stood the Divine Commandant of the Clearwater Scripture, Daniel Christian, along with the Divine Commandant of the Black Scripture…
Every core member of the Slane Theocracy's most elite force, the Six Scriptures, was present.
They waited in silence… waiting to witness the legendary miracle that could save their nation.
At the center of the sanctuary, a girl with two-toned black-and-white hair lay on the cold altar with her eyes closed.
Her hair was a rare mix of black and white, and her clothes matched those same colors. Between the soft strands, two pairs of pointed ears peeked out.
Antilene—the Slane Theocracy's greatest fighting force, an unofficial member of the Black Scripture, and the strongest hybrid—now lay upon the altar.
"All for the Theocracy," she whispered to herself.
"All for the Theocracy," the figures below echoed in unison.
Antilene slowly opened her eyes. Her irises were black and white as well, symbols of darkness and light, the boundary between god and man, all contained within her clear gaze.
She reached into her inner clothing and drew out a short dagger, the blade still sheathed.
The weapon was exquisitely decorated, its surface covered in intricate ancient characters. The runes twisted like worms, giving off a mysterious, sinister aura.
This was the holy relic she had obtained after countless hardships during her expedition to the Eight Greed Kings desert.
Antilene's fingers trembled slightly as she drew the dagger.
The blade was not bright or gleaming. It was pitch black and cold, as though it could swallow every trace of darkness.
She gripped the hilt tightly, and memories from her hunt for the weapon rushed back.
The scorching, merciless desert. The trap-filled ancient ruins. The savage remnants who feasted on human flesh. Her comrades who had died heroic deaths…
And the sleek silver yacht named Ride the Wind and Break the Waves. The ever-optimistic EeDechi. The steady, reliable Barrett. The shifty-eyed Franco. The gentle, adorable cat Cheeko…
The past drifted through her mind like smoke—cruel scenes and warm ones blooming one after another in Antilene's heart.
A soft smile touched her lips. Then she slowly raised the dagger and pressed its tip firmly against her own heart.
Antilene was going to use this holy relic she had suffered so much to obtain in the Eight Greed Kings desert—to kill herself, offer her own life as a sacrifice, and resurrect the Slane Theocracy's guardian: the God of Death Surshana!
She had crossed endless miles of that desert and endured countless hardships for one purpose only: to find a sacred weapon that could kill her.
Every black-robed figure bowed their head. In that moment, Antilene upon the altar seemed more sacred than any god.
She slowly closed her eyes and whispered in a voice so faint it was almost inaudible: "If there is a next life, I wish to be an adventurer."
A faint smile lingered on her lips as she tightened her grip on the hilt and drove the blade straight into her heart.