Zora stands there in front of me. Like a merchant inspecting a product. "Man, you really are banged up."
He sits on a bed across from mine. Back slouched, elbows on knees, and that smile. A smile of a man who's been through hell and has grown used to it. The only ones I've seen with such a smile were Ren and myself when I fought him.
"Why are you here?"
"I've come to see the berserker himself. You've become quite famous on this ship."
"Well, you've found him." My hand still grips Rela's axe. The weight is familiar. Not my claymore, but it would do.
He's not just here to see me. He's here for something else. Something bigger.
Zora's expression shifts from curiosity to amusement. He smiles again, his full teeth on display. Sharp fangs and dirty, almost broken teeth. Not perfectly lined up or anything.
"I'm here to propose an alliance between our factions. To take out Rowan, the Eighty, and to dominate the ship."
"No thanks."
His body stiffens instantly. His smile immediately drops into a frown.
"What do you mean, no thanks? My faction with your faction will dominate the ship and you say no? Others would have said yes immediately."
"Well, I'm different from those others. I'm tired of the politics, and when I'm done with the Eighty, I don't want any other conflict that'll give me a headache."
"A headache? We're on a ship that allows murder, for crying out loud. We lost half of the rookies from the battle royale already. Others are making alliances and factions, but you want to sit back and watch the carnage like some duke watching a war?!"
I look Zora straight in the eye. My face is serious, yet my body says otherwise. If I piss him off, I'm done for. Unless Dominio arrives. And knowing Dominio's speed...
He should be here now.
A different but familiar voice comes from outside the medic room.
Dominio.
"Zain, I came back. They ran out of brea—"
Dominio stands in the doorway, holding two wooden plates. Frozen at the sight of Zora in the room.
"What's the mercenary doing here?"
Zora turns to Dominio, his earlier disappointment shifting to amusement once more. "You must be Dominio? The rogue."
Dominio places the plates on the counter near the entrance. He pulls out his daggers and drops into his stance.
"What do you want with Zain?" His voice is serious. I've barely seen him so serious.
Zora slides his arm around my shoulder. "I just want to talk to your friend about something. About the exam. About the Eighty."
I twist my body and punch his face, but his hand catches mine. My fist is inches from his.
"Now, now. Let's not fight. I just want to talk."
I blink. Dominio is gone.
Then—
A whisper of movement. He's behind Zora, his dagger pressed against Zora's arm, but it's not even drawing blood. Green Lumin around Zora glows faintly.
Dominio's eyes widen in shock. His gaze darts from Zora to the blade.
What is that? Dominio's daggers made Rela—a tank—bleed. But how is it not cutting Zora? Is that a unique skill or a technique?
Zora moves his arm from mine to grab Dominio, but he dodges just in time.
He gets up and spreads his arms, stretching. Ready for a fight. "You want to fight, rogue boy?"
Dominio returns to his stance, both daggers coated in Lumin. I jump up and place a hand on Zora's shoulder.
"Don't fight."
Zora turns to me. "And what will you do about it? You're injured and your Lumin seems low. Your rogue friend can't bea—"
A slash. Blood sprays from Zora's nape. His body launches against the wall.
Dominio attacked him already?!
Dominio lands and looks at me. "Zain, run. Call Rela. I feel like she's the only one who can go blow for blow with him."
Zora gets up almost instantly and walks toward Dominio, looking down at him.
Dominio is probably 5'9", but Zora is on a whole different level. Taller than me by at least an inch and broader. He's a wall of a man.
"You really think you can beat me, rogue?"
"I can't beat you. But I know I can hurt you."
I step between them, pushing them both away.
"Stop fighting, you two!" I roar.
"I've had enough violence. So both of you, stop fighting this instant!"
Both men lower their stances and step back.
"Zora, I don't want this alliance, and I'm not in the mood for all of this. Leave. Now."
Zora turns to leave. At the doorway, he looks back and smiles. "If you change your mind or need help... just call the mercenary."
He leaves and closes the door behind him.
I turn to Dominio and sit down. "Thanks, Dominio. But just... don't immediately resort to violence."
"Alexandria hasn't told you about him yet? That monster of a man."
"What do you mean, monster?"
"He's a mercenary, Zain. I'm surprised the Association allows these guys to become adventurers. He's a member of a private army known for their vile actions. Killing, looting, pillaging... and other crimes I don't want to utter."
My eyes widen. No wonder he has that smile. We have a walking war criminal on this ship. How did the Association let men like him onboard?
Dominio calms down and sits on the same bed Zora sat on. "Alexandria told me that when Rowan's rogues went after her, he popped out of nowhere and killed them without a second thought. Luckily, she ran to the medic room where she saw you with Rela."
So Alexandria came across him and survived. If a man like him wanted an alliance with me... why? What did the Eighty do to make him want an alliance?
Dominio sighs. "Let's just ignore him for now and eat. You're hungry."
My stomach growls loudly. "Yeah. I haven't eaten in a while."
Dominio gets up and hands me the plates.
At least this is my calm. Just eating food with someone I'm coming to see as a friend.
I should enjoy this peace while it lasts.