Prologue

Copper. That was the first thing he took note of as he was lead down the stairs. The scent of copper was subtle, but ever since he was summoned to this world it became a scent he would be the most familiar with.

‘No, no! This will not end well at all.’ Leo Salazar turned tentatively to look at the man behind him, “Hey… buddy. I think we got off on the wrong foot here. Why don’t we-”

“Quiet you! Keep moving.” The man didn’t have the patience for Leo’s offer and pushed him along.

Leo sighed as the chains of his handcuffs clattered from the sudden movement. “Look, I didn’t mean to find your little thieves base, I was just doing my request so let’s just let bygones be bygones and-”

“Enough!” The man having enough of the conversation and pushed Leo down the stairs letting him crash to the floor. “You Adventures tend to stay away from here unless you want to mess with our business. So let’s see what the boss wants.. too.”

Leo winced on the ground looking up at the man and then to the room they were now in. A large underground room packed with goods, no doubt stolen by these thieves, tables and chair indicated that this was most likely where the thieves hung about in their base and a couple of doors either leading to their “boss” or other areas. Although… that was what the room used to be. Any jovial thief that would have been drinking or talking were now slump over dead lying in their own blood. Some were still in their chairs, others seemed like they were heading to the back door but never made it. The “boss’” room was wide open to see that even in there, everyone was slain.

“What… what!?” The man in a panic ran to his boss’ room leaving Leo on the floor.

Leo let out a long sigh as he stood up, “Again? I thought we talked about this.” Soon his body began to glow.

ALEISTER’S STRENGTH

SNAP

The cuff that were restricting his movements shattered after he flexed breaking apart. He then reached for them to fully free his wrists and legs. “We did.” A soft voice devoid of emotions answered him. Leo turned to see a small girl no older than 8 staring blankly at him dressed in black with flowing crimson hair. “You said I can still kill bad guys.”

Leo pinched the bridge of his nose, “I know what I said, do you remember what else I told you.”

“Tch.” She clicked her tongue and turned away from his pointed gaze.

“Zentella.”

The little girl scowled before answering, “To not kill unless you asked for help.” She then pointed at the cuffs that were now on the floor, “They captured you, I had to stop them. They were very bad guys.”

Leo groaned, “We’ve been over this, it was a ruse. I was supposed to come in and pretend to be captured so I can see if our target was here,” He then looked around, “What if they had more guys and killed any of the prisoners?”

“Impossible, I killed all of them, I checked.” Despite puffing her chest the almost emotionless face of Zentella did not change.

“You…” Both Leo and Zentella turned around to the thief that had ran off to the bosses room, “You killed them! I’ll FUCKING KILL YOU!!” He charged at the two in his rage reading his curved sword.

Leo raised his hand and swung it down as a purple glow enveloped his fist.

ALICIA’S GRAVITY BIND

“GRAH!” The thief slammed into the ground and found it hard for him to move, “Damn… adventures.”

‘I guess I still over did it.’ Shaking his hand and seeing the thief was now unconscious he turned to the girl, “Alright, let’s go check on… what are you doing?”

“Up…” The girl kept her expressionless face but now had both hands stretched upwards towards him. When Leo did not answer her she began to claw at the air, “I’m tired. Up.”

Leo crossed his arms, “You do remember that this is still a request right? It’s not over yet.”

“Up.”

“Other people will probably need our help down there.” Leo bent down to tie up the still alive thief…. He check his pulse.

Thump…… Thump

Yeah, he was still alive.

“Up.”

Leo shook his head, ‘I spoil you too much.’ Looking around, Leo knew he would have to give her another reminder on when she could kill people… Not that he ever wanted her too. Still, she did have to face all these thieves alone. She might have had to pushed herself to remain unharmed like she promised him. “Fine… but what is the magic word we use?”

“..p…” She barely managed to squeak out looking away, but keeping her arms up.

“What was that Zen?” Leo cupped his ear leaning down to the girl.

“Please… up.”

“Alright.” He bent down allowing the little girl to climb on his back as she wrapped her arms around his neck, arms that not too long ago took the lives of so many in this same room.

“Could you do the thing… please.” She whispered

“Zen…” Leo stopped himself. It was a simple request, but he would have to stop really soon. It would only hurt her more. Yet, Leo still was going to do it, because she asked, ‘I truly spoil you too much.’

ZEKE’S STEALTH

Mana soon covered him like a warm blanket. To him nothing has changed other than the small pressure that always accompanies him whenever he used these otherworldly skills. However to the outside (if anyone was there to perceive) it would be like he and the small girl on his back vanished into thin air. Ensuring that Zen was secure he gingerly began to move about the room looking for anything useful; keys, ledgers, maybe even potions.

Zen seemingly fell asleep fast but was still holding on tight. No… it got a little tighter, “Daddy…”

Leo stopped and froze in the room for a bit. One beat… Two beats… Zen said nothing else, but the pain from that small whimper still hung in the air. She was a strong kid, too strong even, but at the end of the day she was still just a kid. Leo knew this. Leo wanted her to be only a kid, but life was never that simple. It took so much from her already which is why Leo had to be there for her. He didn’t want to replace her father, her real father, but he also didn’t like giving her this reminder. Yet, this was the only real comfort he felt was meaningful for her. The only real thing he could do for her.

“I’m really trying here man.” Leo whispered to himself, “I’m trying to save your world like you asked, but what exactly do you want me to do about this raising your daughter… Zeke?”