I Guard The Book That Slays Gods

Every soul had its price; the trick was knowing what tender they accepted. Raiden had proven this theory on his fellow soldiers, studying their weaknesses until he could buy their absolute devotion.

Nico's price had been laughably easy to determine. Raiden needed information; Nico needed water. The exchange was as straightforward as it was pathetic.

That minor exchange had brought him something unexpected—a child whose adoration and loyalty went far beyond what Raiden had anticipated.

By mid-afternoon, the desert had become a furnace. Raiden and Nico moved sluggishly across the burning sands, their dragging footsteps the only sound as they made their slow progress toward the city on the horizon.

"Purple Land isn't a city or a town. No one truly stays there… " Nico turned toward Raiden as he spoke, catching the moment when Raiden's practiced smile started to shed its artificial edges.

"The king wants to make it some tourist spot," Nico shrugged. "But really, it's just stalls and trinkets."

It was plain that Nico expected no response from Raiden, but something in his soft, ongoing chatter betrayed the truth: he found genuine pleasure in speaking to Raiden's silent presence.

"We're going to Ham City. They sell plenty of clothes, and the prices aren't bad."

Nico declared this with obvious pride before picking up his pace, moving ahead with newfound confidence. Raiden followed, his eyes never leaving the child's diminutive form as disjointed thoughts flickered through his consciousness.

Could following Nico constitute a purpose in itself? Perhaps these things demanded time, a gradual building toward something greater.

That he was capable of constructing these thoughts at all marked a breakthrough, despite his inability to steer them toward any meaningful conclusion.

Their trek continued regardless, Raiden's shirtless form glistening with perspiration while the merciless sun branded his skin. Before long, the towering city walls emerged from the heat haze ahead.

"Come on, Hero." The words came as Nico tugged Raiden toward the gateway, its iron barrier partially ajar.

Twin sentries flanked the opening, encased in full black plate armor that defied all logic in the scorching temperature.

However, just as they reached the entrance, one of the armored figures moved toward them, bringing their advance to an abrupt halt.

Through their helmet visors, the knights' gazes burned intensely as they fixed on Raiden's bare chest, focusing unmistakably on the chain tattoo that bound his torso. Following a tense moment of silence, one of them spoke.

"Why the hell is he shirtless?" The tone was deep and demanding.

Their wariness made sense—rumors spoke of the Black Raven, a figure who had supposedly slaughtered an entire settlement. While Raiden was certainly the man they feared, the atrocities attributed to him remained nothing more than myth.

"We're from Smiling Sanctum," Nico hurried his words and gave Raiden a vibrant stare. "Rats chewed through all his clothes."

Every head turned toward Nico, even Raiden's through his mental haze. The boy's words carried a certainty and poise that defied his age and the speed of his response.

What chilled Raiden most was knowing he would have believed it completely—if not for already knowing the facts—because his trained eyes detected not the slightest emotional tell or hesitation in the child.

Even after Nico's explanation, the knights continued to scrutinize Raiden with wary eyes before eventually waving them through into the city.

Upon entering, an icy breeze immediately enveloped them, sending shivers across Raiden's sweat-slicked skin as the moisture evaporated and left him feeling exposed and raw.

Life thrived throughout the city, where buildings stood in perfect symmetrical formation, organized into four quarters that created a cube-like layout.

Every structure shared the same architectural design—matching balconies, identical windows. At the heart of it all rose a massive central tower.

What made this place unique from Raiden's previous destinations was the people themselves, dressed in vibrant, refined garments with no turbans in sight.

Nico's grin grew broader as he beckoned for Raiden to lean down to his level, and something about the boy's manner felt like an irresistible compulsion.

He gestured toward the tower at the center. "This city is run partly by the kingdom and partly by the Ham Church… that's why wealth flows here."

Once again, Nico claimed Raiden's hand and began expertly maneuvering through the crowded streets, the towering moon dragon allowing himself to be led by this small, determined child.

"We must tread carefully… corrupt crest bearers are everywhere." Nico yelled through the loud crowd.

Though Raiden couldn't make sense of what Nico was saying, his focus never shifted from the child.

Over the next several hours, they wandered from one shop to another, Nico's bright eyes taking in everything—the people around them and each storefront as he chose their next destination.

To onlookers, they looked like destitute beggars despite the money clearly visible in Nico's grasp. Shop after shop, they found themselves either fleeing hastily or being forcibly ejected by the owners.

The treatment was particularly disgraceful given that Raiden was high-born nobility—his family held a position second only to royalty itself—yet here he was, being cast out like a common vagrant.

Yet with every shop they left behind, Nico dissolved into loud laughter. Raiden started out confused, but before he realized what was happening, he was laughing uncontrollably, tears streaming freely.

Excitement coursed through him, awakening his senses as if he were truly alive for the first time. Though he wished the moment could last eternally, they discovered two perfect sets of clothes in a secluded alley.

"I thought he'd have better luck, but, hey… this is where the homeless usually buy clothes." Nico said, watching Raiden put on his black shirt.

"Hurry up and leave. It's late, and I'm shutting this place down." The shop owner announced as he wiped his glasses.

Nico's eyes widened in an instant as he reached for Raiden's hand and began dragging him out of the shop. "It's getting late… we should head back before anything happens."

Raiden's joyful demeanor clouded over, yet he found himself following anyway. They emerged from the alley as moonlight began to claim the sky. But the moment they reached Main Street, Nico stopped dead, and Raiden mirrored his action.

Raiden observed Nico's eyes widening in fear even as he attempted to protect him. Yet he felt strangely calm as he slowly turned to see what had captured Nico's terrified gaze.

A man in tattered clothing stood before them, radiating unstable gray energy that pulsed erratically. His head jerked frantically left and right, his eyes rolling back to show only white. Clearly, he'd lost all control.

Raiden seized Nico, who continued attempting to protect him, and moved him to safety behind his back.

"What are you doing?" Nico asked with his tone etched with concern. "Can you kill him?"

Raiden instinctively gave him a firm nod while keeping his eyes locked on the berserker's movements.

Nico's eyes sparkled instantly. "Then aim for his heart." He said hopefully.

Raiden gave another nod and started advancing with measured steps toward their enemy. But before he could close the distance, the berserker rushed him blindly, flailing his arms without purpose.

But Raiden avoided the wild swings effortlessly, and before the man could even gasp, Raiden's hand burst through his chest. Grey gore splattered them as he savagely pulled the heart free.

But before the corpse could fall, Raiden's danger sense flared to life, ice flooding his veins as he detected something stirring inside the body. His pulse hammered with sudden terror.

He spun around to see four corrupt crest bearers encircling Nico. His eyes went wide as he reached out, and at last, words broke through his silence.

"Don't touch him!" He yelled.