The Value of Friendship

Berus wanted to hug Ki-Rai, if not for the little problem that she had no tangible form and his arms didn’t obey him in this moment.

I’m so happy you’re back, he said. I thought you were dead!

“After all I went through? Never!” She grinned at him. “I actually enjoy your company more when you’re not screaming, really.”

I’m glad to hear that. And I’m glad to have my friend back.

“Oh, stop it.” She blushed. “Also! Don’t distract me!”

She cleared her throat. “So, I don’t like this new mode. How about we try and set it back to how it was before, ehehe?”

You can do that?

“I can at least try. I think… I have found a way. I’m not a curse for nothing!”

Thank you! You’re the best, Ki-Rai.

“Remember those words, ehehe.”

His body was currently occupied walking up to Iuria again. He was exhausted. She, too, was exhausted. Only his body continued on.

I’ll put my whole trust in you, then, he thought. Not only in her as a person, but also in her skills with the system.

Iuria in front of him was gasping for air. Her whole body sustained small cuts and bruises, even though she was continually healing. But she was still standing, alive and fighting for her life. And she still looked at him with trust in her eyes, even though he had done nothing in this fight to earn it. As his body tried punching her again and again, she evaded his attacks, but then she stumbled. In the next moment, she laid on the stone floor, and apparently had problems to get up.

Berus towered over her.

I have to stay like this, he thought. Don’t move. Don’t do anything.

He willed his hand to stay at his side. His whole body hardened. He tried to remember the feeling from before he had received the order to hurt her. Back then, his body felt like immovable stone, and he tried to get that feeling back.

I should prolong her suffering, he tried to convince his body. I should wait right now to prolong it even further. That’s what the King would want.

Was it enough of a justification to convince his body? But it wasn’t the only thing he tried. His soul also tried to harden, as he tried to keep his arm in place. He told himself, no, his body, that this would be the final punch, and as such, he should prolong it as much as possible. His body mustn’t hit her already. Not enough time had passed.

Another part of his soul hoped for Ki-Rai to work her curse-magic, her system-breaking or restoring, to finally set in. He was standing there for what seemed like a long, long time, even if it was only a few seconds in reality. How much longer could he keep it that way?

The time was long. So long that even the king noticed.

“What are you doing? If she doesn’t join me, just end it. I’m bored.”

And with that, any weight his justifications had poofed. His body moved and everything set out to actually kill Iuria. With a sharp sound, his fist wooshed down on her. She barely managed to roll to the side. Everything was so much faster now. His fist stuck in the stone floor, and Berus’ soul did everything he could to keep it stuck there. In this moment, the best thing he could do was being incompetent. A heap of trash, scrap metal.

“I’m almost done!” Ki-Rai reported.

Can’t you hurry up?

“Don’t complain, ehehe. Just be happy I’m doing it.”

I’d like not to become a killer, you know?

“Then do something yourself!”

I’m doing all I can, he responded. It was nice to have a conversation with her again, but he really hoped she was almost done. His body had managed to pull his arm out of the floor and turned around to Iuria with deadly precision. She had used the time to get to her feet again. She still looked at him with hope in her eyes.

That’s not the right thing to do now, he wanted to scream at her. You really have to run!

But of course, she couldn’t hear him. His body would end it now. Still, he tried to fight it, to slow himself down as best as he could. His steps echoed dull through the throne room.

“Please…”
He didn’t know if it was him or her who said it. He could only trust in Ki-Rai, now. He didn’t want to take one more step. He focused on only that thought. Silence.

And then he stopped moving.

It was such a freeing feeling. As if he suddenly regained the control over his own body. And that was exactly what happened.

“Ehehehe… I did it!” Ki-Rai cheered.

You are fantastic, he thought. Great job!

Before him stood Iuria, wheezing. Her skin was coated in a fine layer of sweat that gathered on her forehead and clung to her short hair. She was alive.

“Didn’t you hear me, machine? You have to kill her.”

King Flavis didn’t sound bored anymore, but rather irritated.

But Berus stayed right where he eas. And he enjoyed this moment of triumph. He had done it. With Ki-Rai’s help, he not only regained control over his body, but he also didn’t kill Iuria in the process.

Once we’re done here we’re getting you a body yourself, he promised Ki-Rai in his thoughts.

“Hehe. I’m looking forward to that.”

But before that, he had to protect Iuria. She showed the same relief on her face that he felt himself.

“I knew it,” she choked out. “You did it!”

King Flavis sat up. “Hm? Machine, bend the knee.”

And Berus did nothing like that. He stood straight, and instead, readied his fist against the King. It felt wonderful.

King Flavis laughed at him with wide eyes. “Who would have thought it? Not even a system reboot is enough to get the flaws out of your system. Well then, you’re useless to me. General Gyria, you may do with it as you please. I don’t have any use for such a defect thing.”

“Wonderful! Oh, wonderful!” Gyira threw Mikkah to the side and slithered forward.

Berus barely had time to step before Iuria. This time, he would protect her.

Then, Gyria rained down her punches on him.