(Chapter unfolds:17" mission ")
From there, Ray headed towards the eastern valleys. It was as if some new duty had taken hold of him. After walking a considerable distance, Ray sat down by a stream. He couldn't trust his own hands.
He had killed his own mother. He didn't understand how he had been able to commit such a cruel act.
He stared at the clear water flowing in front of him. His eyes could not believe what they saw.
His eyes had now turned a deep blue, and he could see a blue shadow spreading around his reflection.
He slowly tried to touch this shadow, but Ray could not feel it.
The essence of the Zek had begun to spread inside Ray; he was completely transforming into a zek.
Getting up from there, Ray walked towards another destination.
At the end of the eastern valley lay a large mountain range and a forestThat forest was his goal.
Meanwhile, Master Shapta's instructions had been conveyed to the Nobaya, and the four of them were ready for their mission.
The Nobaya were busy packing necessary medicines and food supplies when a bird flew in and landed there. Something was written on a scroll attached to its neck. He opened and read it. The moment he saw what was written, the medicine bottle in the Nobaya's hand slipped, fell, and shattered.
Haru was standing just outside the room.
The Nobaya hurried out to where they were ready to leave.
"There is a small change," he said urgently.
They looked at him, unable to understand anything.
"Your mission is not one, but two. Therefore, you must split into two pairs."
"Great. It's not even certain we'll return from this one, and now another?"
"Sai, this is not a joke. The reason your powers suddenly manifested is that Shapta has begun his hunt. There are more of his slaves, and for this mission, you must go as two groups."
The Nobaya walked up to them.
"Jinso, Haru, you come with me. The other two will go to the eastern foothills to killRay."
Sai gasped in shock upon hearing this.
"Me, with him? I'd rather you just leave me here. Last time because of him, I lost my leg; next time, it will be my life. Nobas, no, I am not going with this lunatic."
"Sai, this is no time for jokes."
"Who's joking here? I'm serious, Nobaya. I am not going with this maniac," Sai finished firmly.
"I don't insist that you come with me. You can come only if you want, scaredy-cat."
Izuma snapped back.
"Izuma, Sai... I didn't ask if you could go. I said you will go. The other two will come with me," the Nobaya stated decisively.
"As if my word ever mattered anyway. If it did, I wouldn't have to go with this maniac now."
Sai stormed forward in anger.
"Izuma, don't worry about him. You must stand together in every situation. I am sure you will succeed," the Nobaya said.
Izuma followed Sai without saying a word.
Carrying the necessary supplies, the two of them walked towards the eastern foothills. Because he was paired with Izuma, Sai harbored a great deal of anger inside.
Sai walked furiously along the path, which was filled with stones, leading to the foothills. Izuma followed closely behind him.
Sai's leg still hurt slightly.
"I didn't think the first mission would be like this," Sai muttered angrily as he walked ahead.
"First, that Master, he's a lunatic. Second, this Nobaya, he's his puppet. Now Ray, a troublemaker even when he was normal, and now he's a zek. Wonderful, everything at once. And in the end, I'm stuck with this maniac to destroy him."
Hearing everything, Izuma walked along without saying a word. As they got closer to the foothills, he kept glancing at his sword, checking if there was any vibration or resonance coming from it.
"Why are you walking so calmly?" Sai turned around.
"Don't overact, I know you are scared too."
Izuma stopped halfway.
"Sai, if you are uncomfortable, I can take another path. You can also go your own way. Whoever finds him, let them fight, kill him, and return." Izuma offered his suggestion.
Hearing that, Sai was shocked.
"That's good. That's better."
He stopped to take a different path.
"Sai, but you must remember one thing. Ray is not an ordinary zek. He is influenced by something. Those who reach the Seek state through self-influence will be more powerful than other zek. Our power has just awakened, so be careful."
"Don't try to scare me with your talk. I know how to handle him."
Sai turned away from the path and walked in another direction.
"His lecture, ugh, get lost," Sai muttered to himself...