Nashi had no idea how long it took her and Elise to make it back to the others, but it felt like forever.
Eventually, the pair of them erupted from the woods back into their makeshift camp, the others looking up at them in surprise.
"What is it?" Simon asked, expression already hardening after seeing how panicked they looked.
"Someone," Nashi breathed weakly, gesturing back to the woods. "Looking for us. Magic like I've never felt before. She knew we were headed North. Trying to cut us off."
"Just one?" Simon asked.
"Yeah, but she had allies she was talking too," Elise said after catching her breath. "They know we're around here somewhere. We have to get North before they find us."
"How do we do that if they're patrolling so close to us?" Ultear asked. "They'll see us once we hit the shoreline if there this close to us."
"Did you get an idea of how close we are to the coast?" Simon asked them. Nashi shook her head.
"No," she replied. "But it must be close, Zomrus wouldn't have them walk around randomly."
"Which means we may have to fight them," Keita said quietly. "Great."
"Sure does sound great!" Nashi turned as Katsuchi said this, getting to his feet. "I was sick and tired of dancing around these fools anyway. Show me where this chick is, I'll deal with her."
"And give away where we are?" Tetsu asked, "Don't, Kat. Bad idea."
"Did I ask you?" Katsuchi asked, eyeing Tetsu irritably. Here it came. "No, so shush. The grown up is talking." Tetsu wisely did not speak back, but Nashi knew this was about to go badly.
"Sit your ass down," Elise snarled at the God Slayer. "We don't have time to joke around about this."
"Who said I'm joking?" Katsuchi asked. "This person can't be as strong as I am. I'll deal with them."
"Worst comes to worst we back you up," Rina said, gesturing to herself and Winter, who nodded along smugly. "These peons can stay back and hide if they want."
"What did you just call me?" Elise asked, her tone dangerously low. Oh boy.
"What, does the peon have a problem with her title?" Rina asked with a smirk. "I'm so worried. It's okay to admit your a coward and a follower, Elise. Not everyone can be as great as we are."
"Elise," Nashi whispered, tugging at the Iron Dragon's shirt. "Don't."
"Don't what?" Elise asked, "lay her out?" Rina laughed.
"As if you could lay a hand on me, shorty," She replied, waving her off. "Go and fetch me some dinner while we discuss how to solve our stalker problem. That's what you do best, isn't it? Serve others?"
The fragile peace had finally snapped.
Nashi's weak grip on Elise's shirt was not enough, as the girl launched herself at Rina with an angry roar. Rina seemed to be caught off guard as Elise slammed into her, driving her iron coated fists into her face. Nashi was too stunned to react before a massive explosion of lightning flung Elise backwards into a tree, breaking it in half as she hit the ground.
"Elise stop!" Nashi shouted as Elise got to her feet and wiped spit from her chin. "Now is not the time for-!"
"Shut up!" Elise replied angrily, "I'll kill her! I've had enough!"
"Aw, the weaklings ego is bruised!" Rina shouted with a manic laugh. "Show me what you've got, peon! Come and see what a God is made of!" Elise steeled herself and ran at Rina, who jumped forwards with lightning propelling her.
Nashi was prepared to look away before both girls froze in mid-air, hands outstretched to attack the other. Nashi looked over at Ultear, who had raised a hand to stop both in their tracks. The marks on her body glowed, signaling Arc of Time was active.
"Anyone else feel like acting out?" She demanded coldly, her tone telling everyone not to try her. No one spoke up, so Ultear sighed and separated the two frozen women and moved them apart. "Nashi," she said, "I'm going to free Elise first. Grab her. Simon, you too." Nashi nodded and positioned herself behind the frozen Elise, Simon with her. When Elise's time resumed she flew forwards, before she was pulled back by them and all three of them hit the dirt.
"What the-?!" Elise shouted. "Let go of me! I've had it!"
"Elise now is not the time!" Simon shouted, moving to lay over her and pin her to the ground. "Stop!" Elise kept struggling, but Nashi and Simon were too strong for her so she just flailed pathetically. Nashi caught a glimpse of Rina being moved towards Katsuchi and Winter, who watched warily.
"Any sudden moves from either of you, and you can join her in infinite time out," Ultear warned. "You can join her in her infinite frozen time if you so please." Neither God Slayer seemed keen to join Rina in her frozen hell, so they nodded along curtly. Ultear unfroze Rina, who was grabbed and restrained by the other two as she fought.
"Let go of me!" Rina shouted, "I'm gonna kill her!"
"Not if I kill you first, battery bitch!" Elise roared from under Simon.
"I'm gonna rip your piercings out one by one!" Rina screamed as Katsuchi struggled to keep her down. "And shove them in new holes I make for you!"
"I'll skin your shitty tattoos and make a coat!" Elise shouted.
"I'll-!"
"SHUT UP!" Nashi jumped a little and turned to see Steph standing at the head of the group, fists clenched and eyes watery. "Just shut up, all of you! What are we doing?!"
Silence came over everyone.
"Is this how our journey ends?!" Steph screeched angrily. "Fighting and killing each other over perceived slights and bruised egos?! If so, then fuck, maybe Zomrus is right! We do need to be ruled!"
No one replied. Steph face contorted as she tried to hold her tears back.
"Damien is dead!" She shouted, "Drake is gone! Our family's could be dead! And what are we doing?! Fighting over nothing?! Deciding to ruin our plans out of boredom?! What are we even doing?! Answer me!"
No one had an answer. Even the God Slayer's had been silenced, all of them looking rather ashamed.
"...I-If this is as far as we can manage without ripping each other's throats out," Steph hissed, hiccupping through tears. "Then let's cut the bullshit and just go to Zomrus and submit. We won't win like this."
"Steph..." Rina said slowly. Looking over, Nashi saw that she looked rather pained. Even more, it looked as though Steph's outburst had cleared the fog of Ascension from her eyes, even if momentarily. She looked like herself again.
"...Let me go, Simon," Elise said curtly. "I'm done being a brat." Simon looked at Nashi for confirmation silently, and she nodded. They released her slowly, watching as she sat up, looking at her feet. Katsuchi and Winter did the same for Rina, who also sat up and avoided eye contact.
"...There," Ultear said, sighing. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"Yeah, just your average fight between friends," Tetsu muttered, looking alarmed from his seat on the ground. Simon took a deep breath and stood, looking out over everyone.
"We need rest," he said, taking command. "The road's been hard on all of us. We'll figure out what to do about the hunters once we have some food in our stomach's and sleep in our eyes."
"I'll go back to hunting," Elise muttered, getting up and turning her back on everyone.
"Take someone with you," Simon said.
"I can-"
"Elise."
"..." Nashi watched the Iron Dragon clench her fists, but released them eventually. "Fine," she relented, "Wanna come again, Nashi?"
"Yeah, sure," Nashi said, getting to her feet. Elise started to walk away again, and Nashi went to follow before Simon grabbed her shoulder.
"Keep an eye on her," he whispered to her, face serious. "We need to all be at our best for the morning." Nashi smiled weakly.
"Right," she said. "Our bests." She cast a glance towards Steph, who was slumped back up against a tree with Ultear speaking to her quietly. Sighing, she turned and jogged to catch up with Elise, relieved to once again feel the tense campsite being left behind.
"You could be so much more."
Apate gasped as her eyes shot open, sitting up in her bed in surprise. She grabbed at her chest in a panic, gripping the fabric of her shirt as she looked around for the source of the voice. She was alone in her room, no one around her. She kept eyeing her room, but no one popped out to say it was them speaking.
"Huh," she muttered to herself. "Must have just been a weird dream." Sparing a thought to wonder why she required sleep in the first place, Apate got out of bed and walked to her window, moving the curtain to look outside. Her view of the 10th District from the castle was a wonderful one, but the grey sky and lack of overall vibrancy really brought the mood down. That wasn't really the biggest concern she had right now, though. She actually had something she wanted to do today. Swiftly dressing herself in her black robe trimmed with gold and humming with magic, Apate swiftly left her room and then the castle, entering the 10th District from the front gate.
It seemed to be a bit early, so most people were still inside their homes sleeping. That was good, people wouldn't look at her so much. The few people wandering the streets who saw her either bowed or got out if her way, but she ignored them. She wasn't interested in watching people gawk at her right now. Thankfully, it seemed the followers she'd recovered where also still asleep, both their homes and the church they'd opened quiet. She didn't want to be fawned over either.
Soon enough, she made it to her destination. The Sabertooth "guild hall". She'd been thinking about doing this, but actually standing in the doorway considering it was another thing all together. However, after what she saw, she could not stop these thoughts that ate at her. Taking a deep breath, she entered the building. It too was mostly empty, save for a few patrons milling about. She scanned the room for a moment, relieved to see who she was looking for was here.
"Rogue Cheney," She called, striding towards him. Her voice echoed around the empty hall, causing him to jump from his seat and kneel before her as she approached.
"Lady Apate!" he exclaimed as she reached him. "I-I didn't know you were coming here today."
"Neither did I," Apate answered truthfully. "Please stand, you're making me uncomfortable." She could tell her attitude had caught Rogue off guard, but he nodded and slowly got to his feet. Apate found it kinda funny that a man who was at least a whole head taller than her bowed to her in such a subservient manner.
"What was it you needed?" Rogue asked her curiously. Apate wondered that as well.
"I wonder," she mused under her breath. "I wanted to speak with you about the other day."
"The other day?" Rogue asked. "Do you mean when you brought Kagura and Nami to see me?"
"Yes, precisely that. Do you have time for that?"
"Do I get an option?" Apate just stared at her him, making him scoff. "I assumed not. Is this a private chat?"
"No," She replied, gesturing to the table he'd been sitting at. "Here is fine." Rogue nodded and gestured to the table himself, so she sat opposite him and waited as he settled in.
"What was it you wanted to ask?" He asked. Apate made a face and looked down at the table, considering her words carefully.
"I suppose I eavesdropped a little bit last time I was here," she said. "I heard your son is out there, outside Zomrus' control."
"Why do you want to know?" She looked up to see a chilling glare on Rogue's face, one that told her he was willing to fight if she was after his location.
"Relax," she said, "this isn't a business call, it's a social one."
"I doubt that."
Apate scoffed and looked away from him, wondering how much she should reveal to him.
"I met my own parents for basically the first time recently," she said, not looking directly at Rogue. "I...well, they weren't what I expected. But the point is that they have a kid out there too. My brother, Jason." Rogue watched her for a moment or two before relaxing a bit, leaning back in his seat.
"I heard of him," he replied. "Traitor from your little group."
"Yes," she agreed with a weak smile. "A traitor."
"What about him? I don't know where he is either."
"I didn't think that," she replied.
"So what are you after, then?" Frowning, Apate looked down at her own fingers, playing with them.
"...Let's say," she said weakly, "hypothetically, that your son betrayed his friends and came over to our side..."
"He wouldn't do that."
"I said hypothetically."
"Not possible, doesn't matter." Apate glared at Rogue as he shut her down, feeling her irritation rising.
"Let me speak or I swear to Zomrus I'll erase this entire block," she hissed under her breath. She felt a stab of guilt as Rogue's expression turned panicked, making him nod quietly. Now she felt bad, but she needed an answer. "Let's say, hypothetically, your son betrayed the others and came over to our side."
"Okay. What about it?" Rogue asked.
"...Would you still love him?" She asked, unable to meet his gaze. "Would he still be your son?"
"Of course he would be." Apate was shocked with the swiftness of his response, looking up at him in surprise.
"Really?" She asked. Rogue nodded.
"Of course," he replied. "I'd be disappointed beyond words, angry, sad...But he's my son. I love him all the same."
"Unconditionally?"
"Unconditionally."
"What if he...I dunno, murdered a bunch of kids?" Rogue raised an eyebrow at her.
"Well, if this is still within your hypothetical reality," he said, "I'd be mortified and furious. But yes, he'd still be my son. I'd still love him."
"How?"
"What do you mean, how?" Rogue leaned in towards her. "It's a parent's duty to love their child. Otherwise, why even bring them into this world if you weren't prepared to love them?"
Something about Rogue's words opened a door in her mind. A door with a lock so flimsy she could have kicked it down herself if she really tried, but hadn't. Because the answer behind it was terrifying. An answer no child ever wants to hear.
"What does this have to do with anything?" Rogue asked as blood roared in her ears. "You said you met your parents recently, so...Are you worried they don't love you?"
"I..." Apate didn't know what to say. The realization that her parents did not love her or Jason unconditionally was making her panic a little bit. It was there job, but they didn't. Why not? Was it her fault? Jason's? Why did they not love them?
"Lady Apate?" Rogue asked, looking curious. Apate knew the expression he saw was one of a frightened little girl, but she didn't care. She needed to get out of here.
"I need to go," she said, hurriedly getting to her feet and fleeing the guild hall. She sped back towards the castle in alarm, trying to calm her heart as she did. No, surely they loved her and Jason. Rogue was just one guy, one Dad. He didn't speak for everyone.
She stopped as she reached the gate for the District, and turned her eyes to her right. The housing for the followers she had recovered was right there. More people were awake now, some milling about the housing.
She had to know.
She strode into the building without so much as a glance towards the followers who knelt to her, speeding down the halls towards her parents accommodations. She hadn't actually visited them yet since they got here, under the excuse she was busy. Now, though, she had a reason. She reached the door and knocked on it rapidly, waiting for an answer.
"Coming!" She heard her Mother saw from inside. Apate waited as patiently as she could, but her mind was racing far to fast for this to be a smooth wait. Finally, the door opened, revealing her Mother. The older woman looked surprised to see her, but smiled. "Apate!" She greeted. "It's quite an early visit, isn't it honey?"
Why doesn't she call me by the name she gave me?
"I know," Apate replied weakly. "I just had to ask you something. Is Dad awake?" Her Mother scoffed.
"No, your dear old Dad takes a while to lumber out of bed," she replied. "Did you need something?" Normally asking something like this required tact, but Apate did not want to phrase her question kindly. She just wanted to hear it.
"I just wanted to know," she said breathlessly. "You...You love me, right?"
"Of course I love you, silly," Her mother said instantly, making relief wash over her entire body. "What kind of question is that?"
"I..." Apate tried. "I dunno. It's just been so long since..."
Ask her again.
Apate grimaced as her better judgement echoed this sentiment in her mind. She swallowed hard and looked at her Mother again, searching her eyes.
"Do you love Jason?" She asked, "even though he betrayed us?"
"How could I love a son who betrayed every code I lived my life by?" Her Mother replied almost instantly. "Jason made a foolish mistake, and I do not consider him mine anymore. Thank goodness you didn't, though! One of my kids is sane."
Apate stared at her Mother, trying not to let the horror she felt seep into her expression. How could she say something like that right to her face? To not even attempt to hide it?
That means her love for me is conditional too. She only loves us because we did as we were told.
Was this the family she had fought so hard to create the perfect world for? Why did she even bother? Who cared about the perfect world if the people you made it for didn't even love you unconditionally?
Wait, no.
"I, uh," Apate said, backing up. "I have to go, Mom. I just got a message from Zomrus."
"Oh, okay sweetie!" Her mother called. "Do me proud!"
Shut up, bitch.
Apate did not say that, but she heard the sentiment vibrate around her body like the magic in her veins. She sped out of the housing and back towards the castle, giddily smiling to herself. She didn't need her parents, screw them both. Screw Jason too. She had the other Disciples, and she had Zomrus. They loved her, they were her family more than her parents or Jason were. She didn't need those people who loved her based on her performance. Rogue was right, bringing children into the world without loving them no matter what was horrific.
She couldn't have known it at the time, but the gaping maw that day left in her soul changed everything.
"Everyone, wake up! Now!" Nashi jumped to her feet before she was even fully awake, looking around warily as Simon's words echoed in her ears. It was still the middle of the night or early morning, judging from the darkness around her.
"Wha?" She asked, "what is it?"
"The God Slayer's are gone!" He roared. Nashi turned to him in shock as the others woke, seeing the fury on his face.
"What?" she asked weakly. Simon angrily gestured towards the far end of the camp, where the God Slayer's had been camped out. No one was there.
Oh no.
"Where did they go?!" she asked, "did they leave a message?!"
"What do you think?" Simon spat angrily. "I swear when I get my hands on then, I'll ring their fucking ne-!"
BOOM!
Nashi was thrown to the ground as an explosion of black flames lit up the night sky, coming from the North direction.
"Oh fuck," Elise said, out of breath.
"That's Kat's fire!" Tetsu shouted, "what is he doing?!"
"Dumb son of a bitch is leading the hunters right to him!" Simon shouted. "Fuck, fuck...FUCK! Everyone, one your feet, now! we have to get to the coastline and find Mother's base now, before the hunters find us and relay that information to Zomrus! UP, NOW!" Nashi stumbled in her delirium as she got to her feet, not fully awake yet. Within seconds she was sprinting through the underbrush, running North with the others. This was bad, really bad. If Zomrus found out where they were...
She didn't want to think about it.