"Get out, kid. This is my fight. If you get in my way, you'll die… No, we'll all die."
"Hmph, nonsense. With my help, we'll defeat him. I'll help you locate his heart so you can absorb it since I can't."
"But wha…."
« Shut up. I know you can hear my thoughts now, so listen. I found a way to locate his heart. Physically, you surpass me, but if he thinks I have no ability at all, he won't pay attention to me. Good luck. Whoever reaches his heart first gets to assimilate this monster. »
"Alright, Abel… if that's what you want, then help me. But if you die, it'll be your fault alone."
"Very well, humans. If that is your wish… let us fight to the death. To your deaths, I mean. Hehe."
Just as Abel had predicted, the Qephraï blasted Enette away and followed him instantly. Abel was far too slow to keep up with two monsters of that speed but that was exactly his plan. He needed to be forgotten, ignored, overlooked… so he could strike from behind.
He had already spoken with the Qephraï he assimilated earlier, learning the details of his strange power: a "wish" that could not harm a living body. This explained the grapes growing on the tree, and why the tree itself was shaped uniquely for him. It also explained why his trial wasn't a combat one he couldn't use his power in battle.
« I don't know how long Enette can hold out. I'm just chasing them, and the closer I get, the farther they go. But this situation works in my favor. Enette can't read my thoughts, so he doesn't know what my Qephraï ability is. And he's way too proud to ever let me win by absorbing this thing. He's giving everything he has. I can see it he's faster, sharper, dodging every strike… though I'm pretty sure the Qephraï isn't even fighting seriously. »
But from Enette's perspective, things were nothing like Abel imagined.
« Shit. I'm losing speed with every hit he lands. One more and I'll fall, and then he'll finish me I'll lose my Unit. That damned Abel thinks he's helping, but he's just running behind us like a lost dog. He's useless. Completely useless. Maybe he didn't expect the fight to go like this… And this Qephraï doesn't even look at him! I'm close enough to read its mind, but all it's been thinking is "kill him" over and over. Nothing about its heart. »
Every strike was perfectly placed. The Qephraï dominated the fight effortlessly. Enette was exhausted, unable to use his power without draining himself further. Meanwhile Abel hadn't landed a single hit he hadn't even gotten close.
He needed to change that.
« Hey, Qephraï… can I use your ability to slow them down? If I can't stay close, the plan won't work. »
« No, human. You must reach them on your own. Remember you can only use my power five times, and each use requires a full day before the next. Choose carefully. »
« Fine… then I'll wait for the right moment. »
Enette's fight was collapsing. He was barely reacting now moving purely on instinct.
« I… I can't… My body won't move. I can't fight anymore… »
Enette dropped his weapon and lifted a trembling hand toward the Qephraï.
"W-wait… I can't… can't fight anymore… Just finish me. I've already lost… we've already lost…"
The Qephraï froze. Enette froze.
A perfect opening.
« Qephraï… I want you to create a butterfly. One that seeks out a person's heart. Make it land on his. »
« Very well. Your wish aligns with my nature. »
A butterfly appeared beside Abel, darting forward faster than he could run. And thanks to the paused combat, it reached the Qephraï easily landing gently on its forehead.
Abel knew the heart's location.
"Good. I'll kill you now, human. And your teammate is waking up he's not part of my plan, but I don't care. If he charges me, I'll knock him out and crush you at the same time. Oh he fainted. I'll kill him first then."
The Qephraï raised its leg to crush Enette's skull.
Abel finally reached them but the Qephraï grabbed him by the throat by instinct.
"Oh? My apologies. I didn't mean to worry about you, but my body reacted on its own. At least you get front-row seats to watch your leader die, die, die huh? What ?!"
"You've already lost. Before I even attacked, I knew where your heart was. My blade is already inside it. You're the one dying. I'll be the one absorbing you."
The Qephraï blinked, stunned.
"Hahahaha! You're smarter than you look! Go on then assimilate me, assimilate me, me, me!"
Abel grabbed the Qephraï's arm and absorbed it.
He had defeated both Enette and the monster.
And now the Nochthon Qephraï became his main ability his second power, a rank 3.
He asked his Qephraï for another wish: a stretcher that made anything placed on it weightless. It appeared old and worn, but good enough.
"HEY!!! COME HELP ME CARRY ENETTE!!!"
Anaïs rushed over, lifting one end. Agathe supported Quentin, whose arm still lay on the ground near the bodies of the fallen Unit.
"Listen. We're heading to the nearest city. Enette is in terrible shape. Quentin too. His arm was cut cleanly but he's bleeding heavily. The city is ten minutes away if we hurry they'll survive. Quentin… won't get his arm back, though."
The Unit sprinted toward the city.
Later…
"Where am I…? Did the Qephraï kill me?"
"Hey, Enette. It's Abel. Can you see me?"
"Yeah… someone saved us, right? Good… god, I'm pathetic as a leader…"
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I'm dead when this gets out… I'll lose everything…"
"I'm the one who defeated the Qephraï."
"WHAT?! You… you actually did…? Can I ask"
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone you lost. And without you, I'd never have won. I filled out the mission report myself: said we fought together, that we won together, and that you let me absorb the Qephraï. I wrote that you fainted only on the way back."
"…Thank you… I'm sorry for misjudging you. It won't happen again. Next time, I'll be the one saving wait. You filled the report?! The troop is already here?!"
"Yes. The Tribune and some legionnaires arrived. Agathe and Anaïs are with Quentin he's really not well. He's quitting your Unit. He can't forgive you. He wasn't conscious during the fight, so don't worry, he won't reveal anything. The girls won't either. We talked on the way back. The Tribune is coming to see you he asked me to leave so you can't read my thoughts. Just tell them we came here to help another Unit, found them dead, and the Qephraï attacked us. Don't make a mistake. If they learn the real reason we were here, you'll be expelled."
Abel left the room.
Moments later, the Tribune and two legionnaires entered.
"Enette. Abel told us what happened. Can you confirm it?"
"Y-yes. We left Auréline for Vaille to support Marc Lotée's Unit. When we arrived… they were all dead. Slaughtered by a Nochthon Qephraï. I took the lead, but during the fight, Quentin lost his arm. Abel came to help me, and together we killed it. I allowed him to assimilate the Qephraï afterwards."
The Tribune stared directly into Enette's eyes.
"Very well. Your statements match Abel's. We return to Auréline shortly. You will be escorted. Rest while you can."
They left.
« Shit… what a mess. I acted like an idiot. Too proud, too blind. I should talk to Quentin… »
Despite the pain, Enette stood and limped through the halls, searching room after room until he found the right one. Everyone was inside even Abel.
"Hello, everyone… I wanted to see you."
Everyone's expression tightened except Abel. Quentin's gaze screamed hatred.
Enette stepped toward him.
"I'm here to apologize. I never should've dragged you all into this. Because of me, you lost your arm. I'm… truly sorry…"
"I refuse."
Enette froze.
"…What?"
"I refuse your apology. You acted irresponsibly. You only care about us after the damage is done. You knew the risks, and you took us beyond Auréline anyway. I'm leaving your Unit. No—I'm leaving the Silver Needle troop entirely. I can't even hold a sword. And that's your fault. I will never forgive you. Now leave my room."
Enette obeyed.
It was the first time anyone in his Unit had spoken to him like that.
He returned to his room. For three days, only Abel visited him.
And for the first time in his life… he understood something new.
LONELINESS.