I Guard The Book That Slays Gods

[Papa, I miss you,] Ash's voice echoed in Raiden's head from across the room. She bounded down from Noelle's shoulder and sprinted toward him.

[You look tired… are you okay?]

Raiden caught her in his arms and pulled her into a hug. "I should be asking you that, Ash," he muttered, stroking her fur.

"You can speak now, but it's like you're ignoring me."

Ash gave him a faint smile, enjoying the feel of Raiden's hands brushing against her scales. He placed her on his shoulder and turned to Noelle. The aether cigarette rested between her lips, her golden aura glowing beautifully around her as her short dark hair flickered behind her, hands tucked in her pockets.

"I'll leave you two to it." Zion's voice cut through from behind Raiden, and he turned to go.

Raiden gave him a firm nod as he watched him descend into the arena.

Ash, what happened? Noelle seems a little tired—Raiden projected to her.

[She will tell you, Papa.]

Raiden glanced at Ash resting on his shoulder and shook his head in disbelief. He'd hoped she would be more helpful, maybe even gossip a little.

"You look beat up," Noelle said as she drew closer to Raiden.

Raiden sneered. "I could say the same for you."

Noelle looked down at her black shirt before massaging her neck, her fingers tracing the choker tattoo around her throat. The ink was stark against her skin, made more prominent by her dark clothes.

"Why did you want to see me?"

Raiden narrowed his eyes as Noelle stood before him, violet eyes clashing with gold, both flickering intensely. "From the look of things, you should have done this earlier."

Noelle let out a deep sigh. "Have you been smoking the aether?"

Raiden shrugged. "Mostly no, but I was smoking a few minutes ago." He caught the tenderness in her violet eyes, her concern unmistakable. She did care.

Raiden rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought. Perhaps she believed everything was her fault.

Noelle narrowed her eyes a fraction. "You're talking trash about me in your head, aren't you?"

Raiden shook his head. "Trust me, I would've said it to your face."

Noelle smiled softly and walked past him to stare down at the arena field. Raiden followed, puzzled by her sudden shift.

"I'll be in a life-and-death fight tomorrow. Against the Justice Armada's vice captain."

Raiden blinked in surprise. "Can you take them? I mean, those people are monsters."

Noelle whirled on Raiden, eyes blazing with fury and disappointment. "What do you take me for? You think I can't win?"

Raiden recognized the determination in her gaze—whatever drove her ran deeper than he would ever know—but he couldn't shake his concerns.

He sighed and pulled his bandaged left arm from his pocket, gesturing in Noelle's direction.

"I fought someone called Bald two days ago," he smiled. "He was a nobody. Just let me handle this."

His expression darkened as he turned toward the arena. "I was outclassed, and when it became life and death, I had no doubt I was going to die."

He gave a slight shrug. "But I knew giving up wasn't an option." Turning to Noelle, he added, "Somehow, I killed him instead."

A faint smile crossed his face. "It doesn't really matter who's stronger or weaker. The question is: are you willing to kill yourself to win? When it comes down to it, could you break your own bones to bypass their defenses?" He paused. "How strong is your resolve?"

Noelle watched Raiden tilt his head back to stare at the sky. "I think you're too arrogant. You want to be the best, and you thrive on being the best."

Raiden turned back to Noelle and saw her calm demeanor had given way to irritation. "But that's the truth…"

"It doesn't matter if you are the best. I believe you just need enough strength to fight for what you want." He brushed his fingers through Noelle's hair with a gentle smile while her face twitched. "Will this bring you closer to your goal, or hold you back?"

"You could have easily said you don't believe I can win," she replied with clear annoyance.

Raiden shook his head in disapproval and turned back to the arena, slipping his hands into his pockets as he searched for the right words.

"I believe you can win. The vice captain might be strong, but I believe in you." Noelle stared at him, her cheeks flushing slightly, though her confusion was unmistakable.

"I want you to reconsider why you're going to fight. Is it for you, your mother, or a completely different goal?" He shrugged. "Once you understand that, then think about how much strength such motivation gives you. Is it something you could die for?"

His eyes flickered as he began to think about his own life and aspirations. Realization dawned on him, his heart sinking as his body shivered with creeping anxiety. Truthfully, he had no dreams of his own. He had lived his entire life to avenge his dead twin brother, Jobe. A cold sensation surged through him as he trembled, though he maintained a soft smile.

"I need to avenge my brother. That's all that matters, and that's all that will ever matter," he muttered under his breath.

"I can't tell you what I'm fighting for, but trust me, it's something I would die for." Noelle's voice cut through Raiden's daze as he turned to face her.

He let out a soft sigh. "Well, just don't die. I can't lose you yet."

Noelle's eyebrow shot up in surprise before she turned from Raiden to face the arena.

"By the way, I came to ask what our next move should be," he said with a big grin. "Unlike you, I've already been given the opportunity to join the ranks of the Chaos Armada."

"I will win," Noelle said, her voice cold and steady. "And when I do, we leave here as soon as possible."

"How?"

"We go on a joint mission to protect our territories and never return." She turned to leave, her gaze avoiding Raiden's as she stared at the ground. "Thanks for your words, and trust me, I won't lose."

Raiden smirked, watching her walk away. "You better not die on me."

She raised her hand in a thumbs-up without looking back.

[I think this is the most effective communication you've ever had with anyone, Papa.]

Raiden looked over his shoulder. "I don't know why, Ash, but it felt right." His hand moved to his chest. "But there's something else. Can you feel it too?"

Ash gave him a gentle nod. [You're becoming more human. You doubt yourself now.]

Raiden's expression grew dark. "It doesn't matter. I will go back to my world and avenge Jobe if it's the last thing I do."

Ash glanced at him for a moment, then let out a sigh and settled back.