Zaine Part 3

I watched Sunshine until she disappeared into the distance, her faint glow vanishing among the shadows. Now, it was just Zaine and me—alone. I turned to where she lay, the blanket slipping slightly from her shoulders. Her purple hair gleamed faintly. It's ironic that Zaine and I have talked so much in that world of darkness, so I know her well. At least the Zaine without memory, but seeing her in front of me feels strange. Seeing her now, **** and real, stirred something unfamiliar in me—a mix of protectiveness, awe, and nervousness.

I decided to prepare some food. Moving as quietly as possible, I searched through my magic bag and pulled out some dried meat, bread, and a small pot. I set about heating some water to soften the bread and make a simple soup. Cooking in this broken place felt surreal. Seeing all the ruins around me, I find it difficult to believe I am standing in what was once the most mythical and influential city in history. I wonder what this city looked like back then. The soft sound of water bubbling seemed to wake Zaine. She stirred under the blanket, her violet eyes fluttering open. For a moment, she looked disoriented, her gaze darting around as though unsure of where she was. Then, her eyes settled on me.

"Good morning," I greeted her, my voice awkwardly cheerful.

"Morning?" Zaine replied, her voice husky from sleep.

"Yeah, it is hard to notice because of the ominous black clouds covering the crater and the flashes of lightning that denied even the faintest glimpse of sunlight, but it's already morning," My lips curved into a faint smile, "Soon, you will be able to see the sun again."

Zaine pushed herself up, her movements slow and deliberate, and the blanket slipped from her shoulders, "Where is Sunshine?"

"Sunshine went to look for our companions Namy and Usofra. Soon, she will return with an escape plan."

"Will the little fairy be okay?" Zaine asked.

"Y-Yeah, even though it doesn't seem like it, Sunshine is quite capable and someone you can depend on," I replied, shrugging, trying to seem casual, "I imagine you're hungry. Soon, the food will be ready."

She nodded, briefly lingering on the small fire and the bubbling pot, "Thank you, Darx."

"It's nothing," I mumbled, focusing intently on stirring the pot to avoid her piercing gaze. Why was I so nervous? This wasn't like talking to her in my dreams.

Zaine moved closer to the fire, wrapping the blanket around herself. Her movements were graceful, even in her weakened state, and her presence filled the space between us in a way I couldn't quite explain, "What's on the menu?" She asked, her tone lighter now, almost teasing.

"Uh, soup," I said, "It's simple, but it'll warm you up. I didn't prepare myself with more food, so we will have to ration for a few days."

She chuckled softly, "Simple is fine. After what I've been through, even the idea of a warm meal feels like an extravagance."

I ladled the soup into two small bowls and handed one to her. Our fingers brushed briefly, and the contact sent a jolt up my arm.

Zaine didn't seem to notice my awkwardness. She took a tentative sip of the soup, her eyes closing as she savored the warmth, "It's good," She said with a serene smile.

We ate silently for a while; the only sounds were the faint crackle of the fire and the occasional whistle of the wind through the ruins. I stole glances at her, watching how her pale fingers curled around the bowl and how her eyes reflected the flames. She looked fragile, yet she certainly looked much better than she had the day before.

"Darx," Zaine said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Yes?" I asked, my voice a little too eager.

She set her bowl down, her expression thoughtful, "What will happen from now on? What are we going to do?"

It seems like a reasonably simple question; however, at the same time, it is very complicated. I am not even sure about what will happen from now on.

"For now, we have to wait for Sunshine's return. The main thing will be to leave this place and hide for a while. We need to find a safe place to start researching how to recover your memory." I replied.

Zaine tilted her head, studying me with intensity, "You are really kind. I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. You could have stayed in your home living a normal life if it weren't my fault."

"None of that," I hastened to correct her, "You and I are not only fugitives in this territory. I also committed a serious crime in human territory that had nothing to do with you, which led me to have to escape," I paused for a few seconds, remembering the night I found Syvis in bed with Kase and everything that happened afterward, "In my destiny, there was never a quiet life. But more than that, I..." I hesitated, unsure how to put it into words, "I wanted to help you. I couldn't just leave you there. After everything we talked about... after everything you endured... I couldn't just ignore that. Besides, now more than ever, I am interested in knowing who I really am, and only you can help me with that."

Zaine's gaze softened, "You're a strange one, Darx," She said, a small smile tugging at her lips, "Most people wouldn't risk everything for someone they've never even met."

"You're not just 'someone,' Zaine," I blurted out before I could stop myself. "You're... important to me."

Her smile faded, replaced by something deeper, more profound, "Thank you... For keeping your promise. For coming for me."

I looked away, suddenly self-conscious, "I-It's not a big deal," I muttered, though the warmth spreading through me betrayed my words.

We sat in silence for a while after that, the air between us charged with unspoken emotions.

Finally, Zaine broke the silence with a soft laugh, "You're blushing, Darx."

"I'm not!" I protested, though my face felt like it was on fire.

She chuckled again, the sound light and musical, "You're adorable when you're flustered."

I groaned, "Can we just eat in peace?"

Zaine's laughter echoed through the ruins, a sound that felt like a small victory against the gloom surrounding us. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to smile—a genuine, unguarded smile.

As the day unfolded, Zaine and I wandered through the desolate ruins. The oppressive silence of the ancient city was broken only by the distant growl of thunder, a mournful echo that seemed to lament the city's lost grandeur. Zaine walked beside me, her eyes scanning the area with curiosity and something deeper—something closer to discomfort. She paused to touch the worn edge of a shattered column, her fingertips lingering as if it might reveal its secrets to her.

"What was this place like?" She asked softly, "Before all of… this."

I took a deep breath, searching for the right words, "From what I know, it was the ancient capital of the humans called Zrephia. A city of unmatched magic and innovation. It is said all the greatest magicians of the time gathered here to investigate and learn more about magic," I gestured to the ruins around us, "Even in these times, some of the things made in this city are still very valuable and incredible, and people now call them relics."

Zaine frowned slightly, her hand dropping from the column, "It sounds incredible," She said, her gaze drifting to the horizon, "And yet… I can't remember any of it. I should, shouldn't I? If I was alive back then, if I walked these streets…" Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head, "Why does hearing the city name make me feel… so sad?"

Her words tugged at me. According to Dagrol, Zaine was alive during the time when this city was still standing. Who knows what kind of history Zaine would have with this city...

"It's okay," I said gently, "Once you recover your memory, you will be able to know all the answers.

Zaine gave me a small, bittersweet smile, "Maybe," She murmured, though she didn't seem convinced, "What else do you know about this place? Why was this place left in this state?"

I hesitated, debating how much more I should say, "The city's downfall wasn't just tragic—it was catastrophic. Hundreds of years ago, Zrephia fell to ruin because of the Princess of Calamity. It is believed that the Princess of this city, who was incredibly powerful, went crazy and destroyed the city when the demon army attacked the city after she betrayed the Demon King, and… well, the city and the people paid the price."

Zaine stiffened slightly at the mention of the Princess of Calamity, her expression unreadable, "The Princess…" She said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I feel like I should know her, too. Like she's there, just at the edge of my mind."

I swallowed hard, recalling what Dagrol had said about Zaine being with the Princess when the city was destroyed. The thought gnawed at me, but I pushed it aside. I had to believe in Zaine. She wasn't the kind of person who would aid in the destruction of an entire city. I wanted to tell her the truth—to explain what I knew and why she might feel that sadness and the threads tying her to this place. But now wasn't the time. Zaine needed to recover, and learning the whole truth about Zrephia and her brother could be too much for her to handle in her current state.

"You don't have to **** yourself to remember now," I said firmly, trying to reassure her, "And when you're ready—when you're feeling stronger—I'll tell you everything I know."

Zaine looked at me, her purple eyes softening though the sadness lingered, "Thank you, Darx," She said, "For now, I'll just… try to feel what this place might have been. Maybe it'll come back to me on its own."

As we continued our walk, I couldn't shake the lingering questions. What had truly happened on the day Zrephia fell? And how was Zaine connected to it all? For now, those answers would have to wait.

Our exploration of Zrephia's ruins led us deeper, where the crumbled remnants of buildings gave way to a more open area. Vines draped across its edges, and the once ornate carvings on the stone were now weathered, their details eroded by time.

Zaine stopped beside me, brushing a strand of purple hair from her face as her gaze fell on the structure, "This place feels different," She said softly.

"It does," I agreed, stepping closer to inspect it. The faint outline of a square structure especially caught my attention since it looked like a big rectangular basin. The idea sparked a thought, and I turned to Zaine.

"I just realized—you might like a bath. You know, after being trapped in that place for so long, it would feel good to relax for a while." I said, glancing at her with a small smile.

Zaine blinked, clearly surprised by the suggestion, "It certainly sounds good, but I doubt it is possible in this place."

"We can use that structure there," I said, pointing to the rectangular structure on the floor that looked like the perfect basin, "I can clean it using my water magic. Then, I can fill it with water and heat it so you have a perfect bath."

Then, to my relief, her lips curled into a faint smile, "That sounds… nice, actually. Are you sure it's okay?"

"Of course," I said, rolling up my sleeves, "Let me take care of it."

Zaine stepped back, watching curiously as I approached the rectangular structure. Summoning my water magic, I held out my hands, letting the familiar cool energy flow through me. A stream of water surged into the air, clear and pristine, as I directed it into the improvised basin. It filled quickly, and I couldn't help but feel a little proud of how clear and inviting it looked. Once the basin was full, I focused again, this time summoning a different kind of magic. I guided heat into the water, watching as small wisps of steam began to rise. I am incredibly good at freezing water and using ice magic in combat, but I am also capable of heating water, although with incredible difficulty. This is something that is not useful to me in combat but is undoubtedly great for situations like this. The chill of the ruins gave way to a comforting warmth that filled the air around us.

"There," I said, stepping back to admire my handiwork, "A makeshift tub. I hope it's up to your standards, Lady Zaine."

Zaine chuckled softly, a rare sound that warmed me more than the steam rising from the water, "It's perfect."

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a little bashful under her gaze, "I'll, uh, give you some privacy. Take your time."

As I turned to leave, she called after me, "Wait, Darx."

I paused, looking over my shoulder.

"I mean it," She said, her tone more serious now, "Don't go too far, okay."

Her words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I just stood there, "O-Okay, I'll stay behind that wall." I said, pointing to what was left of a wall."

I walked a short distance away, finding a spot beneath the shade of a crumbling archway; I sat down and leaned against the cool stone. The sound of water rippling and the occasional splash reached my ears, a soothing background to the quiet atmosphere of the ruins. I tried not to imagine her too much—tried being the keyword. The thought of Zaine, serene and relaxed in the water, kept creeping into my mind no matter how hard I pushed it away. It wasn't like I was trying to be improper, but… well, I'm a guy, and Zaine is stunning. Enough said.

As time passed, I found myself growing restless. Part of me wanted to check on her to ensure she was okay, but I didn't want to intrude. Instead, I picked up a small stone and began idly tossing it between my hands, trying to keep my mind occupied.

"Darx?"

Her voice startled me, and I scrambled to my feet, tossing the stone aside. Zaine stood a few feet away, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders. She had wrapped herself in her cloak, the fabric clinging to her slightly from the moisture. Her cheeks were flushed, likely from the warmth of the bath, and her eyes sparkled with something softer than their usual intensity.

"You're done already?" I asked, hoping my voice didn't betray the way my heart had suddenly picked up speed.

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips, "It was perfect. I feel so much better now."

Zaine tilted her head, studying me with an expression I couldn't quite read. Then, to my surprise, she reached out and brushed a hand against my arm.

"Let's go back," She said softly.

Her touch sent a jolt through me, and I glanced down at her hand before meeting her gaze, "S-Sure..."

Two more days passed in this way. Despite the uncertainty and my concern for Sunshine, I couldn't deny that I was enjoying being with Zaine. On her part, Zaine's condition improved very quickly, which surprised me.

The faint gray light of dawn of the third day crept through the cracks in the ruined walls, stirring me awake. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, groaning softly as I stretched out my stiff limbs. The stone floor wasn't exactly the most comfortable place to sleep, but we'd managed to make the ruins livable for the time being. My first thought, as always, was Zaine. I turned to where she usually slept—her spot carefully padded with layers of scavenged fabric and leaves—but her place was empty.

"Zaine?" I called, sitting up abruptly. My chest tightened as I scanned the room, finding no sign of her. Had she wandered off?"

I threw on my cloak and hurried out of our makeshift shelter, the cold morning air biting against my skin. As I stepped into the open, I froze.

I looked everywhere, but I didn't see her until I looked up.

Zaine hovered several feet above the ground, her hair flowing around her. A dark aura surrounded her, swirling like an ominous storm. It wasn't just any energy—it was demonic energy, radiating with an intensity I had never felt before, not even from myself.

"Zaine!" I called out.

She turned around, and her eyes locked onto mine. They were sharper, more focused, and carried a weight that sent a chill down my spine. The warmth I'd grown so used to seeing in her gaze was overshadowed by something more piercing, almost regal. As if in response to my voice, the aura around her flickered and then dissipated. She began to descend slowly, her bare feet touching the cracked stone with a grace that seemed almost unnatural.

I rushed forward, reaching out, but before I could, she took a step back, holding up a hand, "I'm fine, Darx," She said, her voice calm yet firm.

"Fine?" I repeated, still reeling from what I'd just seen, "Zaine, you were levitating! And that energy—it was—"

"Demonic," She finished, nodding, "I know. I could feel it, too."

She looked kind of different. Zaine still looked like herself, but there was something undeniably different about her. Her posture was straighter, her presence more commanding, and her gaze... it was as if she could see through me, peeling back layers I didn't even know I had.

"What's happening to you?" I asked.

Zaine looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if testing their strength, "I feel... stronger," She said, almost to herself, "It's as if something that was locked away has been set free. My body feels lighter, my mind clearer. And this power... it's mine. I can feel it coursing through me, like it's always been there, waiting."

I took a step closer, "So, you sure you okay? That was a powerful demonic energy you were radiating."

She met my gaze, her expression softening slightly, "Although I still haven't recovered my memory, I feel like a part of me is back. I feel like... myself again."

"I see, so no memory yet. Still, it is good that you are feeling better." I said.

Zaine shook her head, a shadow of frustration crossing her face, "No," She admitted, "But... I feel connected to this place, to the ruins. It's like they're whispering to me, reminding me of something I've lost. And this energy... it's a part of me. It always has been."

I stepped back, running a hand through my hair as I tried to process everything, "The demonic energy you're giving off—it's on a level I've never felt before. I guess it's not for nothing that you used to be the Demon Queen. Even with much of your power stolen, you still have an incredible amount of demonic energy. I can tell you are quite strong."

Zaine tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips, "That bothers you?"

I blinked, caught off guard by her teasing tone, "What? No, it's not that—I mean, it's impressive, but it's also... sudden. I just want to make sure you're okay. I guess In your current state, I suppose we will no longer have any problems leaving this place."

"I like that attitude," Zaine said with a smile that seemed...seductive?

"Do you want to practice a little?" Zaine continued, " I still remember how much you trained in that world of darkness. I want to see how strong you've gotten. Besides, it would be boring to be here doing nothing. And who knows... if you'll manage to surprise me, maybe I can give you a surprise."

Zaine is still the same; however, something really changed in Zaine. Is this her true personality? I like it.

"Okay. I also want to see how strong you are." I replied with confidence.

But more than anything, I'm curious to know what surprise she will give me.