Chapter 16: Oberon / Axel!!

“These idiots attacked me and fist outta nowhere. They didn’t even set up a barrier. Someone almost got hurt by the blast.” Axel said, referring to Oberon.

“You guys bully us. We wanted revenge! We had no idea you had an Ark too.” Oberon argued.

“We literally just ask to borrow money and you do it. If you said no, I would have just walked away. Remember? You said no once and I just left it. Jeez. I admit I was intimidating you, but I didn’t expect you to drag AN INNOCENT PERSON INTO OUR FIGHT!!!” Axel said, furious.

“That…. you looked pissed off when I said no, though.” Oberon said, thinking about it.

“Did I do literally anything to you other than scare you into it? I wanted you to try and stand up for yourself. I got your money stashed away. All of it. If you stood up to me and had a little more courage I was gonna act scared and give it back….though, I admit having it all still would be a little suspicious. Either way, the reason I’m attacking you right now is not only in self-defense but I’m also super FUCKING PISSED!!” Axel said, engulfed in anger.

“Wait, what? Um…. why would you do that?” Oberon asked, confused.

“You. You helped me once, so I wanted to help you a little. A little. With an attitude like yours, neither of you would get anywhere in life, and it was an easy way to help. At least that was my plan. I admit me and fist aren’t exactly the smartest people around. I didn’t expect you to get an Ark and try to not only kill me and fist but hurt someone who has nothing to do with either of us. Do you know why I’m so injured? Even though I can make shields? I had to use my shield on another person. You nearly killed me! I’m only fine because I have a healing ability.” Axel said.

As proof, some of his wounds healed after a second or two.

“Hey, silver hair, could you let me go check and make sure that the girl he nearly fried is alright?” Axel asked, visibly worried.

Evan crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and scowled.

“I’m actually a little mad right now. So give me a second to ask this little idiot wizard some questions. Times frozen, so nothing can happen to her anyway." Evan told Axel.

Evan shifted his gaze towards Oberon.

"Oberon, right? First, you learned enough to know they're called Arks. That means you already have at least a little experience as a mage or at least knowledge of the magical side of the world. You should know the rules and laws that mages have to follow, right? Do you know what the punishment would have been if she had died?" Evan asked.

Oberon tried to speak but was immediately cut off and silenced.

"A very, very cruel death from yours truly. The only one that feels worse is someone disrespecting my lime." Evan growled.

"Axel, I can guarantee her safety. As a referee for the city, I get alerted if any law is broken. She's fine for now. You activated both the shield and the barrier just in time. I have to thank you for that.” Evan said, his scowl softening slightly.

“Well, there’s an issue there. The shield and explosion happened outside of the barrier, so it’s still happening. It hasn’t hit yet, but when it does, I’m not sure the shield can withstand that blast. It was made sloppy because I had almost no time to react.” Axel said, his voice clearly laced with anger.

Evan stopped for a second, realizing something.

“I see. You not only recognized that an attack was about to hit but noticed an innocent civilian and instantly tried to shield her. With the speed his fireballs fly, that’s some pretty good reaction speed if you ask me. Rather, considering the speed, it seems that you putting up the shield was a natural reflex for you. I take back calling you two idiots. How the hell were you raised? You literally took a fireball to the face just to protect someone.” Evan said, laughing.

“So is there anything you can do about the chick who's about to be roasted?” Axel worried.

“Yes, I can easily do something about it. I’m guessing the reason I wasn’t alerted was because you stopped time right before even the law preventing a mage from revealing magic to the general public went off. So she hasn’t even noticed it yet. We should be fine. And while I can’t punish you, technically, I’ll ask, did you see the girl when you fired the shot, Oberon? Or was it a coincidence? If it was on purpose...” Evan asked, expecting an unfortunate truth or a disgusting lie.

“It was a coincidence. Don’t hurt him. That’s my job.” Axel insisted.

“No. I did. I...did.” Oberon admitted.

“Dumbass!! What idiot admits to their mistake if someone's covering their ass?! I was trying not to get you punished by this guy. He’s a fucking monster! His strength is insane! If I’m correct, and this dude is a vampire, you are so FUCKED. Dead. I can’t do anything about it either. Silver hair, blood red, crimson eyes, pale skin, and a twin with the same features back over there. I think. I say twin because of a rumor that has to do with the vampire family house. Even among the master vampires, this dude's strength is monstrous.” Axel said, frustrated.

“Huh. So there are rumors surrounding us. Should I kill him or spare him?” Evan asked, grinning.

His fangs gleamed in the light, and the two could clearly see into his deep bloodred eyes. It felt like their souls were being crushed the longer they looked.

“What kind of sick question is that! Spare him! Obviously!” Axel said, breaking free of the hypnotic pull.

“Oho? Well, what if it was at the cost of your own life?” Evan asked, smiling.

“That….I can’t do that. There’s a bunch of people who depend on me. I’ve already made promises to them.” Axel said, frowning.

“What if I promised to take care of all of them? You can write them all down and I’ll take care of everyone. Every. Last. One.” Evan replied.

“Then yes. I would.” Axel said without hesitation.

“Hm. Alright, then.” Evan said.

He snapped his fingers.

Axel fell from where he was, caught off balance. He was able to move freely again. But his sword was still stuck in midair and wouldn't budge.

“Um. So you’re going to kill me?” Axel asked.

“If I say I am?” Evan responded.

“.....I’m not sure. I’ve never really thought about death. I have too much in my life to do that. I only spared time for Oberon because I felt that I owed him. He helped save one of the kids I help care for from getting run over.” Axel said, his mouth hardening as he thought.

“I never thought someone this pure could exist. No wonder the Arks shape is all fucked. If you don’t mind, I’m going to check your mana and your soul.” Evan said, inspecting Axel.

“What?” Axel asked.

“Well, if you attribute kindness to color, the whiter the purer, your soul is whiter than my goddamn hair,” Evan said.

“What the heck are you talking about?” Axel asked.

“See, Axel. Your soul is honestly never supposed to reach this level. This is literally unnatural. Your mana and soul got fucked up by something. What can do this isn’t exactly rare, but it doesn’t happen often. I can’t imagine how many people are indebted to you.” Evan said.

“Nobody.” Axel said.

Evan sighed.

“Yeah, okay. I expected that answer. So. I am not going to kill anyone if I don’t have to. Sorry for scaring you. I was just interested. Why do you act like a thug? You do look like one, but acting like one really doesn’t suit you. I’m surprised you can pull off being intimidating.” Evan said.

“First, thanks for sparing us, second, the intimidation came from me. Never from axel. He literally can’t do it.” Fist explained.

“Figured. And on that note, you seem like a good person too,” Evan said.

“No. I just follow axel. It’s easy. Very straightforward. And it makes me feel like I’m doing good. Oh, I also owe him my life, but I’m not exactly sure what that means.” Fist said, confusing himself with his attempt at understanding his own thoughts.

Evan looked around, counting who he has and hasn't talked with.

“Well. I think there’s only one person here that I don’t have an accurate understanding of." Evan said, seemingly annoyed.

"Kenya, who the hell are you? You aren’t a human.” Evan asked, his gaze shifting towards the staff in Oberon's hand.