King

CHAPTER XVII

The next morning came and I saw Al talking to Zyn while they were in the garden. I wanted to go towards them but I decided not to. They’re already slowly opening up to me and I don’t want them to take back the trust they have in me. I went to the kitchen and prepared my food. I was happily eating when they came in.

“Good morning,” I greeted when I saw them.

“Good morning,” Al greeted back and went to prepare his food.

“G-Good morning,” Zyn greeted and averted my gaze.

I released a sigh because I know that this was because of what happened last night.

“So, Al, what do we do now?” I asked while watching him prepare his food.

“We’ll go back to the lab I guess,” He answered and sat in front of me. “Aside from that, something has been bothering me,” He said.

“Did you by any chance figure something out about what your familiar meant by my awakening,” He asked and I shook my head.

“She told me that it was a matter between the both of you,” I said and he nodded before he started eating again.

“By the way, Al, did you feel anything when you saw her?” I asked. I think that in this search of our intuition is important. Just like when I was able to know who she was based on the feeling on the carving.

“She did seem familiar. I also felt my chest hurt when I saw her.” He answered with a confused expression on his face.

“Now that I remember it, my head started to hurt when I saw you for the first time,” I said making him look at me.

“Is that the reason why you went berserk?” Al asked and I nodded as an answer.

“Do you believe in reincarnations?” I asked when we were enveloped in silence.

“No,” He answered immediately. I nodded because it was an answer I expected from someone like him. I took a breath because it seems like this will take some time for me to explain. “You could be a reincarnation,” I said.

Al started to laugh at what I said, “What kind of stupidity is that?” He asked after laughing at what I said.

“Al, listen to me,” I said seriously because he seems like he’s convinced that reincarnation can never happen.

“Do you believe in that?” Al asked while looking at me with a smile on his face.

“I do,” I said seriously.

Al’s smile faded when he saw how serious I was. “Okay, convince me that this reincarnation thing can happen.” He said and crossed his arms.

“Look, when I first saw you, my head started to hurt because you seemed so familiar.” I started and he scoffed before rolling his eyes at me.

“That’s seriously your opening statement?” He asked while looking at me like he was belittling me.

“Al, let her finish,” Zyn said making Al scoff before saying, “You can continue,”

I mouthed a, “Thank you,” to Zyn but he just lowered his gaze. I took a deep breath because it seems like I need to talk to him after talking with Al.

“As I was saying, I think my head hurt because the seal was triggered. The seal was probably restricting me from remembering you.” I explained and he nodded.

“Go on,” He said so I did.

“You also felt like your chest hurt when you saw my familiar. She also looked familiar to you, that can’t be a coincidence. Tell me, how many female fox demons have you seen?” I asked while looking at his eyes.

“None, but she could look like someone around here. Even if it’s not a fox demon,” He said and I nodded because he was right.

“Okay, that’s an acceptable argument. But can you explain the pain in your chest when you saw her. If it was a pain in your chest then you probably felt something,” I said and waited for him to answer. He was silent for about a full minute so I raised my eyebrow at him. “What did you feel?” I asked when it felt like he wasn’t going to say anything.

“I felt sad and mad at the same time. I don’t know, the feeling was so different but I was sure that I felt a mix of emotions,” He answered and I nodded.

“Do you really think that all of these are just coincidences? I mean, I woke up and my head started to hurt because I saw your face. You felt a mix of emotions when you saw my familiar. She also seemed familiar to you. If you’re saying that the part where she looks familiar can’t be a sign of a reincarnation then explain to me why you felt a mix of emotions when you saw a stranger who only looked familiar?” I asked which made him furrow his eyebrows.

“I don’t know what to say to that but I’m still having difficulties believing in reincarnations.” He answered and I nodded. “I’m a scientist, Elle, I grew up with science so I can’t believe anything without evidence,”

“I know that but what about us? We’re mythical beings but you believe in us,” I said and he gave me a small smile.

“That’s because here you are talking to me. You’re living proof that mythical beings exist,” He answered which made me bite my bottom lip.

“I’m sorry, Elle, but I can’t just believe this, now if you’ll excuse me then I’ll leave,” He said. I wanted to talk more but I understand how hard it must be for him to accept that reality.

“What about you Zyn? Do you think that reincarnation doesn’t exist?” I asked while looking at Zyn.

He looked at me for a second and looked down at his food, “I do. Ever since I became a progenitor I became more open to things that can exist in life.” He answered and smiled at me.

“Elle,” he said and took a deep breath. “I don’t know what happened last night but I’m sorry,” He apologized while looking straight into my eyes.

“If you don’t know what happened last night then why are you apologizing?” I asked while looking at him.

“I had blood stains on my shirt when I woke up. I also saw dried blood on my chin.” He answered.

“Then how’d you know it was me?”

“Because I remember the way I felt after drinking your blood.”

“What did it feel like?”

“I felt like I got stronger. I felt so light that it seems like I can jump up to the sky. My powers also felt stronger but most of all, the feeling of going out of control wasn’t strong. After drinking your blood it feels like I can control the progenitor side of me.” He answered with a smile on his face.

I can tell that the feeling of being able to his progenitor side made him feel happy because he didn’t have to worry about losing control.

“Let me be your blood companion then,” I said making his eyes grow wide.

“I can’t do that,” He said while looking at me with a surprised expression.

“Why? You said you were able to control your progenitor side when you drunk my blood so why not allow me to be your blood companion?” I asked while looking at him with a serious expression, “Or do you have some else?”

“No, it’s not that, I just don’t feel comfortable drinking people’s blood,” He answered but I knew that there was more to that.

“I don’t know what made you feel uncomfortable drinking blood but drinking animal blood wouldn’t help you in any way. It’s just feels like a placebo medicine if you will.” I said.

“I still want you to be my blood companion,” He said adamantly.

I took a deep breath and said, “You need to drink blood, Al. If my blood can help you control your progenitor side then I’m willing to be one.”

“It’s fine if I can’t control it ss long as I don’t have to drink blood then that’s fine.” He said through gritted teeth.

“So, you would rather lose control and harm the people around you than to sacrifice drinking blood so you can control your progenitor side, is that it?” I asked even though I know that it’s not the case.

“It’s not that,” He said and I could see how conflicted he looked. Even though I didn’t like seeing him like that I had to push him to make me his blood companion.

“Then let me be your blood companion. I know it must be hard for you to have the need to drink blood for you to be able to control your progenitor side but there’s no other choice. After retrieving my memories I’m sure that you need a blood companion especially since you’re an artificial progenitor.” I explained while looking at him. He avoided his gaze and I saw how his jaw clenched at what he heard.

“A progenitor has a familiar inside of him and it only awakens when a contract between the progenitor’s first blood companion and the progenitor himself is created. Since, you’re an artificial progenitor you need to tame your progenitor side before you can release the familiar within you.” I explained and I saw tears fall from his eyes.

It hurts me to see him like this but he needed to know what it means to be a progenitor even if he is just someone who is artificial.

“My first blood companion is dead,” He said and wiped his tears away. “I killed my first blood companion, Elle, do you know how f*****g hard that is?” He asked while looking at me with a pained expression.

I shook my head because I honestly don’t know how that feels and I will never know because I’m a witch not a progenitor.

“I don’t,” I answered and he scoffed.

“It hurts, Elle, it hurts so f*****g bad. My first blood companion was the first person to ever show me kindness after my parents died and I just killed her.” He said. I felt my heart hurt when I heard that his first companion was a girl.

“I don’t want to end up killing you too, Elle, that’s why I don’t want you to be my blood companion because who knows what, might happen. I might get drunk from drinking your blood and end up killing you.” He said making me press my lips together.

“You’re important to me, Elle. I feel like if I accidentally kill you because I allowed you to be my blood companion then I’d lose my mind. You and Al are the only ones I have left.” He said while looking straight at me.

“I won’t die, Zyn. I have no clue about what happened back in the past but I can be your blood companion. I did it once and I’m sure that I can still be one.” I said and held his hand.

“I can be your first blood companion,” I said while looking straight at him.

His eyebrows furrowed and I can see the confusion on his face, “What do you mean first blood companion? My first blood companion is dead,” He said while looking straight at me.

“Since your first blood companion is already dead I am now your first blood companion by default.” I answered and he shook his head.

I saw how his reaction turned into pure terror. He was probably traumatized by what happened back in the past for him to react like this.

“No, I don’t want that even more,” He said and took his hand away from mine.

He was starting to hyperventilate so I had to grab his shoulders and stop him from panicking. “Zyn, stop panicking,” I said because I didn’t know what to do.

“I don’t want you to-“ He started but he was already hyperventilating so he couldn’t continue what he was saying.

I covered his mouth with my hand because I didn’t know what to do. After a few seconds of having my hands on his mouth he started to slowly breath calmly.

“God, Zyn, don’t scare me like that,” I said and sat on the chair beside him.

“I’m sorry,” He apologized and looked at my hand that was covered by his saliva.

“I’ll get some tissues. I’m sorry,” He said and stood up.

He sat beside me and wiped his saliva from my hands, “Zyn, I know that you don’t want a first blood companion because of something that happened before but I’m different from your first blood companion. I’m a dark witch and I have half of my memories now. I can remember spells that can protect me. Remember when you told me that you didn’t want to kill me the first time we met? I fought you back then and I won. I’ve knocked you out more than once after you lost control over your progenitor side. So, trust me when I say that I can be your first blood companion.” I said.

He looked like he was considering the option so I decided to speak more, “We can train how you can control your progenitor side. We can start with you drinking a tiny bit of my blood and whenever you start to lose control I’ll knock you out. Just let me be your blood companion.” I said and he released a sigh.

“You know, I sometimes hate how convincing you can be,” He said and stood up to throw the tissue he used.

He also brought out two glasses and filled it with water before walking towards me. I thanked him for the drink and waited for him to sit down so he can continue whatever he was saying.

“I’ll let you be my first blood companion under one condition,” He said and I nodded. “I am listening,” I said.

“Kill me if I put you and Al in danger. If I lose control and you have no choice but to kill me do it. Kill me without any second thoughts,” He said.

The way he said it didn’t settle well with me. It made me feel like he thinks of his life as something that can be easily thrown away. “Why would you give me that condition?” I asked because I wanted to know why before I agree.

“I don’t think I can bear the idea that I killed the both of you,” He answered and I nodded so even though I didn’t like the condition I still agreed.

“Okay, as long as you promise me that you will drink my blood at least three times a day.” I said and he nodded.

“Do we have a deal?” I asked and held my hand out.

“We have a deal,” He answered and shook my hand.

After our talk, Zyn and I decided to go outside and meet with the villagers to chat. We’ve been talking to the villagers for at least an hour when Al arrived and joined us. I didn’t think that I’d see a different side of them while we were here.

Al chatted with the village’s doctors while Zyn played with the children. I on the other hand chatted with the teenagers. It was fun staying in this village but Al told us that we needed to leave tomorrow.

“Too bad we can’t stay here longer,” Zyn said while we pack our things.

“I know,” Al agreed which surprised me.

“What’s with that expression?” He asked with an offended expression.

I shook my head and smiled at him, “I just couldn’t believe the fact that you admitted something like that,” I said honestly.

“Well, I am human too. I need to unwind sometimes and staying here felt like a healing,” He answered and I nodded.

He was right. Because of the way Al acts most of the time I would sometimes forget that he’s human too and he needs to relax sometimes.

“What do we do after getting back in the lab?” Zynrick asked and Al shrugged.

“To be honest, I don’t know. The information we gathered here today is highly beneficial but the fact that the AMF has Elle’s familiar is bad news.” He answered.

“That’s true,” I agreed.

“Is there a way for us to get to the AMF?” I asked hoping that there is.

Thinking about the fact that the AMF has my familiars scares me. It kills me to not know what the AMF is doing to them.

“I don’t think there is a way but we’ll make a way if there aren’t any.” He said which made me smile.

“I like the thought of that,” I said.

“Let’s rest for now,” He said and proceeded to his room.

“Hey, Elle,” Zynrick called out and I looked up at him, “What is it?”

“About Al being a reincarnation is there another reason why you think that?” He asked and I bit my bottom lip.

I don’t know if I should tell him that I have a memory of someone who is completely similar to Al or if I should lie.

“Why are you asking?” I asked instead. I just wanted to know why. My answer to his question will depend on his.

“I don’t know. I just feel like there’s a greater reason why you think that he’s a reincarnation. I can see it in your face earlier.” He said before shrugging, “Or I don’t know. It might just be me overthinking,” He added and awkwardly smiled at me.

“You’re probably overthinking things,” I answered and continued to fix my things.

“Okay,” He answered and went to his room after telling me good night.

I sat on the sofa and thought about my answer. It didn’t feel good lying to Zyn but they’re also keeping things from me so I guess it’s fine.

The next day came and we said our good byes before teleporting back to the lab. Upon arriving Erin welcomed me with a hug.

“Is the deal with you hanging out with me still on?” She asked while looking at me with a hopeful expression.

I nodded and smiled at her, “Of course, it’s still on,” I answered without any second thoughts.

“What are you planning to do?” Al asked behind me so I turned towards him.

He had his eyebrows furrowed while looking at us, “We’re going to hang out tomorrow,” I answered but he raised his eyebrow at me.

“You should be training with Zyn tomorrow,” He said and I saw Zyn place his hand on top of Al’s shoulder.

“It’s fine, I can train on my own. Let them have their fun,” Zyn said and smiled at me.

Al glared at me and released a sigh, “Fine,” He said and walked away.

“Don’t mind his reaction. Just go on with whatever you have to do. Have fun,” He said and left me with Erin.

“What’s up with that?” I asked and Erin just smiled at me sadly.

“I think Al doesn’t like me,” She said sadly. I furrowed my eyebrows at what she said.

“What made you think that?” I asked because I don’t think Al doesn’t like her.

“He’s cold towards me,” She answered and I held her shoulder.

“That’s just how he is. Don’t overthink it,” I said and gave her a small smile.

“He’s not just cold. He also doesn’t trust me,” She said and looked at me.

“He does,” I said even though I don’t know if he does. “There’s no reason not to trust you,” I said.

“I think he doesn’t like me because I know the truth behind his relationship with Zyn. How he didn’t treat Zyn as a brother when Zyn was adopted.” She said.

Her statement made me recall the question I had in my head. If Al doesn’t treat Zyn as a brother then why are they so close? Something just isn’t adding up.

“I don’t think that’s the case,” I said not wanting to ask her the question.

I don’t fully trust her but I don’t see any reason to suspect her of anything. However, this strong feeling of not wanting to tell her anything is so strong that I can’t open up to her.

“Just forget the way Al acted. That’s just his personality,” I said hoping to distract her from the topic.

“I guess you’re right. You are closer to him anyway,” She said and smiled.

“I’m glad to hear that,” I said. “What are we going to do tomorrow anyway?” I asked and I saw her face brighten.

“I have a list of things I want to do with you tomorrow,” She said and brought out her phone.

I gulped because I’m sure that when she said there was a list. There really is one, and a long one at that.

“I can’t wait to spend the whole day tomorrow with you,” She said with excitement.

“Me too,” I lied.