The Cult pt. 4

Sitting on a sofa, breathing heavily and rapidly, Tadashi waited for a miracle.

If this were our world, we would be in a hospital, but apparently, the best doctors and healers in the city worked for the More Order. At their headquarters, we are waiting for news about Bourne and Rush — both in critical condition.

“Are you sure your cousin won't explode again in a rage? The team is worried he'll lose control,” asked a nurse.

“He... It wasn't him there... I don't know how to explain it. Please, help him too... I beg you,” said Tadashi.

“It's okay, please, I want you all to help young Bourne Zero too,” a clear voice came from the back, arriving through the front door of headquarters.

“Oracle... Of course, we'll do whatever you ask!”

We came face to face with a well-dressed man, wearing a well-tailored suit, perfumed, wearing gloves and shiny shoes, but not as shiny as the light coming from the bizarre pyramid he wore as a mask.

“You must be Rush’s master...”

“Yes, that's me. It would have been nice if she hadn't just talked about me, but also about my appearance. I see the surprise in your expression."

The pyramid completely blocked my vision, even that of my third eye. Seeing it was like looking at a rock or even a chair. There was nothing to indicate that there was a soul there.

“Yes, you're right. It's a bit... peculiar.”

“Wow... Peculiar. Yes, that's a word that defines me. Now let's get to work. After I'm done, I want to have a talk with you, Mr. Zero.”

He entered the room, leaving the door wide open so I could see what was going on.

“Aren't you coming in?” he asked, calling me to join him.

Both of them were covered in tubes and wires. It was a horrible sight to behold. I had always been oblivious to death, watching those humans fighting to survive in hospitals... and it never bothered me. Ants trying to cling to life, that's what I saw — but this time it was totally different.

That beautiful girl we knew, so lively and smiling, in that bed... like that. It was heartbreaking. On the other side, our somewhat distant cousin. I couldn't feel much for him, but I remembered our aunt looking for him . He was a difficult person, but still was our cousin. I could feel the suffering that his loss could cause other people.

Who would have thought, Shi-nii... death taking pity. That's a new one.

Yes… watching with my skeletal fingers crossed, I wished them the best of luck — that the mysterious man could do something

The Oracle went to Rush, placing his hand on her chest.

“Young Rush, I remember when I taught you how to use your mana. I won't let death take you. Receive back the gift of life...”

From his hand, I saw a flow of mana enter her body. Seeing magical energy emanate from that body, which apparently had no mana whatsoever, was a surprise.

It wasn't a healing spell or anything like that. His energy, pure white, entered her, spreading and strengthening her soul.

How is this possible?

Mana has a core signature — something like DNA. This signature prevented souls from completely merging. Only entities could do that...and with difficulty. It took me years and years to figure out how to merge my soul with a human's. And there was that man, doing it as if it were as easy as breathing.

I wondered what, in a world with so much magic, someone could do to make people adore him. Miracles? That couldn't be, since anyone with magic performed miracles all the time.

But when I saw that, I understood it. It was something beyond magical control... it was... indecipherable.

He strengthened Rush's soul. Her own soul, now with so much energy stored up, began a healing process, and in moments she was there, in perfect condition, sleeping.

“She will take a while to wake up. This type of healing demands a lot from the body. Now let's move on to the boy.” The calm and serene voice of the pyramid man was frightening, in contrast to that power.

Our cousin woke up for a moment, looking at the oracle:

“Y-you...” he tried to speak, but the oracle put his hand over his mouth, covering it, and began the treatment.

“Please don't speak, save your energy for healing.”

He did the same with our cousin, who tried to get up with his eyes open, only to fall asleep during the healing process.

“Unfortunately, this boy is beyond the healing power of his own soul. He will need more time... but don't worry, we will do everything we can to make him as good as new. Both physically... and mentally and spiritually.”

Speechless, I watched that man with his calm voice.

“Work given... work done. Now, Mr. Zero, shall we talk privately?”

— — —

Cookies, bread, butter, cheese, and grapes. A table full of appetizers stood before us. Sitting perfectly upright in his chair, the oracle had managed to start the conversation he so desired.

“Feel free to eat whatever you want. I'm not hungry, so it's all yours.”

“Are you sure? It would be a pleasure to see you without your mask.”

“Hohoho... Yes, it would. Several of my subordinates have seen me without it, but it's something I limit to those I trust. The marks of the years I've been leading this organization shine through in my face. An ugly sight for the unsuspecting eye.”

He picked up an apple and threw it to me:

“But it's not me we should be talking about. I have to say, I heard that the fight you promoted was fantastic. I had mobilized my soldiers to help you, but you had already finished the fight before they even arrived. It was as impressive a show as the lights in the sky that came a few weeks ago.”

“Oh… yes, I heard about those lights in the sky. Your mana control must be impressive to pull something like that off.” I let the anger I felt slip into our words.

“Me? No, I didn't do that. The waters of politics sometimes get rough, requiring drastic measures — I just took credit for the work you did... DEATH ENTITY.”

Our green mana spread throughout the room.

An expression of hatred took over Zero's face.

We didn't respond.

“Your power is immense. Immense enough to attract the attention of the nobles. You may be powerful, but they have numbers that together outweigh your power.” The oracle stood up, pointing to the window. “Smoke, destruction, and a bunch of witnesses — a perfect opportunity for the nobles to send investigators to the city.”

“I-I...”

“You don't want people investigating the source of your power? Fortunately for you, the nobles are all paying attention to the rebellion that snowballed in a small town. Its leader, Peterleluya, has been causing enough trouble that a few explosions won't attract attention.”

Peterleleuya... rebellion... Does that ring a bell for you too, Shi-nii?

Oops... maybe that is our fault.

“Still, I did the job of covering up the events here. I can't let the city I command go to ruin…not now. Renner, the chief of the area we're in, was killed, a scandal being revealed. Who would have thought he was holding his own cousin captive in his house?”

Oops....again.

“A vacuum in political power has been created. I want to take it over.”

“And who said I wanna help you?”

“Boy...” the calm voice became sharp for a second. “Mr. Zero, let's not pretend anymore. I know that with your power you can take the sword. The 8 percent we're missing must be about 50 or 40 percent of the power you showed today.”

“And why would I help you?”

“Can't you see? Do you think it's a coincidence that your cousin attacked you? He was sent by the nobles, I could feel it just by touching him. They slaughtered his mind and spirit to turn him into a hunting dog. When we are close to so much power, they attack the head of our research? They will try again, and without the sword, I will not be able to protect our city.”

Speechless, we were confused. Tadashi's thoughts and ramblings mingled with my doubts and desires.

“Understand, at this point there are only two options: give up or double down. Either you're with me, or you're against me! And I'm not giving up... and neither is Rush. Every shot aimed at my head is one aimed at hers.”

Damn him. He used the girl as a shield...

We have to do something.

“I have one condition.”

Our voice filled the room.

“I want you to release Rush from all her obligations. You want my help, so you'll free her from your clutches. If you want to kill yourself fighting these nobles, fine, but she won't be part of it."

“Huh... Rush is very important to my operations, but if that's what you want, fine...”

“No. I don't trust you. I want a contract.”

Zero extended his hand, several magic rings appearing all over our arm — I had already gotten the hang of this magic contract business.

“The freedom of my favorite daughter for the weapon that will secure my future. You may not believe it, but for me this is a double victory.”

With a handshake, we sealed her future.

I took a bite of the apple and threw it back to the oracle.

"You can keep the rest."

Opening a window, raindrops entered the room.

“I'm not going to waste my time going through the front door. Thank you for saving them...”

Jumping through the night, we set off on our way.

Emerging from the darkness in the corner of the room, a mysterious voice appeared:

“Boss... You are a born liar. A true actor.”

Taking off his mask, she placed it on the table.

“There's nothing to be done. It's part of the job. Few people listen to the truths that come out of my mouth.”

With his face exposed, a hoarse voice took over the room:

“Let’s capture him. Stage an event to celebrate the sword’s conquest. I want — I said, e‑v‑e‑r‑y‑o‑n‑e — every single one of our supporters.

“Yes...”

No joy dwelled in our bodies. For Tadashi, pulling a sword from the stone was like a dream come true—a much-desired cliché. Zero, with his head lowered, merely bowed, leaning on the sword.

“We're really going to hand over the divine weapon to our antagonist... we really are weak,” said Tadashi.

“Sometimes there is strength in weakness...There is no better move” I replied, my skeletal form also holding the sword. It was a shameful act that we would do together.

Pulling the sword, a column of green mana rose to the skies.

His blade gradually slipped out of the stone. Slowly, the tip that had been there for so long would meet the sky. In one last movement, we...

The next day arrived.

Rush woke up. It was already afternoon. It seemed like she had slept for years. Her last memory was of Zero holding her in his arms.

“H-honey...”

He started to speak, but her breath was completely lost.

“The ExE sword?”

Resting on the bed, the sword waited for her to wake up..