Ruby and Odeen set off into the forest to find downed branches to make a fire for their camp. Ruby's stomach began to growl and rumble relentlessly, catching Odeen's full attention. "You must be starved. We'll try to catch something from that stream post haste."
Ruby began to chuckle sweetly, bundling the branches she'd foraged for under her arm. "It's fine, Odeen. I'm a little hungry, but I don't think that I'm starving. Honestly, I'm more concerned about Safire. We should get some food into her."
Odeen grunted, approaching Ruby to take her stack. "I am not concerned about Safire. She's a strong, arguably too independent, young woman. You, however, might possess those qualities, but you're in a new environment and you've been put under intense stress."
"I'm fine, Odeen. Please stop stressing over every little thing. It's bad enough that a deity attached himself to me and now follows my every movement." She gestured behind them, Nexus staying just far back enough to assume he was hidden. Up until Ruby acknowledged his existence. "I don't need you ripping your hair out at the roots, worrying about me."
Odeen grunted in annoyance as Nexus approached. "Why do you have to linger around like a bad smell? Ruby is perfectly safe with me. Do you not think I am a suitable protector? She doesn't need you hovering."
Nexus scoffed, turning his attention away to show his disinterest. "You may pose a threat to the mortals you encounter, but if you were to attempt protecting Ruby from one of mine, you'd end up dead before you could even realise it."
Odeen clenched his fists, stomping toward Nexus with aggression. Ruby let out an exasperated sigh, stepping between them to quell the anger. "Both of you, knock it off. Nexus, there is no need to be rude to Odeen; he's trying his best. Odeen, you can't beat up the deity that is trying to help unless he betrays us."
Nexus and Odeen continued their heated glares at one another before Nexus finally stepped away, brushing his hair back. "You shouldn't be so far away from Safire, anyway. It'd make you too easy to pick off. Here, I brought this from your world. I thought – you might be hungry."
Ruby perked up when Nexus rustled through his cloak, pulling out a gas station sandwich, holding it out toward her. Ruby snorted, having to cover her mouth to hide the amusement. "Oh, Nexus... I appreciate that, but give it to Safire. I can hold out."
Nexus's face hardened, thrusting the sandwich closer to Ruby. "I did not get this for Safire; I acquired it for you. Safire has Genis to take care of her. You need to eat and regain your strength. If you must, you can share with... the meathead."
Odeen began to grind his teeth as Ruy took the meal, passing it from one hand to the other quietly. "You 'acquired' this? Is that deity talk for you stole it? Five-finger deity discount, huh?"
Nexus flushed, shooting his heated gaze away. "Well, what do you propose I do when nobody can see me, and I don't have the currency to pay for it? Just eat the food. Just so you know, I didn't plan this. This whole soul bond thing was never my idea. I didn't think it was possible to synchronise with a mortal's soul anymore, let alone doing it unconsciously."
Ruby unwrapped the sandwich, parting the halves to hand one to the sceptical Odeen. "Right. Well, I didn't ask for this either, so let's just agree to see this through to the end, and work out the rest afterwards. Safire and I might be able to wish that we weren't tethered anymore."
Nexus's expression fell into shock, shoulders beginning to slump. "You would want that? I didn't realise being tied to me would be something so terrible-" He furrowed his brows the moment the words left his mouth. "I genuinely have no idea why that upset me. Perhaps breaking this bond will be beneficial."
Ruby chuckled, taking a bite with a sly smirk. "No duh, it's got to be this whole mortal union thing. But it's cute watching you pout and get needy for my approval. Bet it makes you itchy in the worst ways. I had an idea about how we could use this 'you can't hit me' thing to our advantage." Nexus raised a curious brow.
Back at the river, Jasher had gone back to where Safire's dress was ripped from her to salvage the pieces of her torn fabric, using it to create a makeshift fishing line. "Alright, Genis. Whenever you're ready."
Genis conjured a hook, attaching it to the line with a professional knot. "This is actually the humane way. If this hook pierces anything with a soul, their death follows swiftly. For something as small as a fish, it'll be a quick and painless death. Nexy sure created something special, didn't he? Don't let that prick you."
Jasher furrowed his brows, coiling the dress scraps up, pushing his arm through to hold it over his shoulder. "Nexus created the weapons that destroy souls? Yeah, he's really one of the good guys."
Genis chuckled, brushing his black cloak down. "While he's misguided, he is one of the good guys. Serina has warped that mindset of his, but I believe he'll surpass us all. I created the platforms in the Inbetween, and Serina created every star, nebula, galaxy within to light the two worlds. And Nexus... created the weapons, which was impressive enough, but when I disturbed the portals, he created a new ability. Those blue chains of his to hold them in place. It was unheard of to have two separate powers. And how he uses the melodies of the universe to travel? He's really something."
Jasher winced, feeling the guilt creep in. "You really love your brother, don't you? How are you going to handle the day Safire and I claim our revenge on Rufus? I'm not letting go of that vengeance. I will spill his blood."
Genis's smile wavered before he cleared his throat. "Well, while I do adore my little brother, the youngest of us all, I also believe in an eye for an eye. He's being punished for fucking with mortal souls by being bound to Ruby for life. If you end his, he had it coming. Just let me have a little longer with him. That's all I ask."
Jasher sighed, pushing past Genis to begin descending the drop. "Then you'd better make every second of the remaining time with him count. Your brother's days are numbered, Genis. And he will fall."
Genis massaged his temples, moving to sit before Safire. "Well, he's not wrong. How are you handling all this? I mean, Ruby had the best life between the two of you, yet you're surprisingly not showing an ounce of jealousy."
Safire furrowed her brows, staring at Genis in shock. "What do you mean? I don't feel any jealousy toward Ruby. I'm grateful for her good life. At least one half of me led a happy and fulfilling life."
"Safire." Genis raised a quizzical brow. "Did you forget that you're my mortal union? I can feel what you're feeling. I know the pain you experience whenever you're around Ruby. I was just saying that I'm impressed that you've stuffed it down so well."
Safire was left opening and shutting her mouth, lost for words. Finally, she began to sputter out. "I didn't even realise that I was that jealous of Ruby. Perhaps I shoved my emotions aside for so long, I forgot how to feel them."
"Perhaps. But you shouldn't bury it down like that. It will come out in a toxic cloud, and you'll probably aim it at Ruby." Genis moved to take Safire's shoulder tenderly. "You can talk to me about it. You don't have to hold your feelings back when we're together. I feel what you do. It could also be the black magic you messed with, too. That can kill emotions fast."
Safire nodded her head knowingly, watching as Vatic emerged from the woods, rolling a large log in front of him. "Hey, Safire, Genis, give me a hand. I found this downed in the forest. I think we could make good use of this for firewood."
Genis held his hand out when Safire attempted to stand. "Remember my words, Safire. I don't want to watch you and Ruby drift apart because you said things you can't take back. I've got it, Vatic."
Genis approached the log, scooping it up into his arms to bring it to the centre of their little camp. "We actually might be able to use this for something to lean back on while we rest. Chopping it up seems like a bit of a waste. Anyway, I'm certain that's what Ruby, Odeen and Nexus went out for."
Safire nodded in agreement, getting up to inspect the log. "It would be useful to have, but we'll need more, or we'll need to find a longer downed tree. Unless someone was torturing the woods like a black magic bully."
Vatic smirked weakly, ruffling up Safire's hair. "I don't think that I'm the only one who partakes in such a sinful practice. But I will not deny or agree that the tree was already on its side when I found it. Despite your issues with Odeen, I missed you."
Safire giggled with joy, running her hands through her hair to straighten up the loose strands. "Yeah, I missed you, too, Vatic. You were always the kindest one to me in the castle."
Ruby and Odeen's voices began to come from the forest. Safire lit up with excitement before she felt slight confusion with the twinge of jealousy in her chest. Genis approached her from behind, placing his hand on her shoulder. "It's a good thing to acknowledge the pain. Don't let it fester. We'll talk tonight."
Ruby was the first to set foot out of the forest, wearing a proud grin while Odeen followed along behind her. "Ruby! This is an idiotic idea! I don't care if he can't hit you; that doesn't make you immune to being struck!"
Ruby waved her hand in dismissal. "Nexus will be able to protect me, I'm sure of it. Hey, guys! Who wants to hit me?" The stunned stillness washed through the entire group while Nexus slugged out of the forest, hanging his head in defeat.
Safire furrowed her brows, shaking her head. "Nobody wants to hit you. What an absurd thing to ask, Ruby. Why would you want anybody to hit you? Especially with everything that's going on right now! Are you out of your mind?"
Ruby merely grinned, throwing her arm around Nexus with a wild gleam. "It's alright, Safire! Nexus is going to attempt to hit me when someone else tries to, and we'll be able to see if we can use this bond to our advantage in combat situations!"
Genis grinned, stepping forward excitedly. "I'll hit you, then! If you're sure that I won't be able to break through the shield, then I'll be happy to take part in this experiment. But I warn you, I doubt I'll be able to stop by the time I'm past the shield."
Ruby rolled her eyes, stepping in front of Nexus. "You're surprisingly eager, Genis. Do you have something against me? If so, now is the time to take it out on me, I suppose. Give it your all, deity bitch."
Genis grinned, blinking in confusion. "I didn't have anything against you. I did have a lot of pent-up rage about my situation and circumstances, but now I genuinely want to hit you. That was mean."
Ruby and Genis shared a light-hearted chuckle before Genis prepared himself. Nexus sighed weakly, raising his fist above Ruby's head. Ruby prepared herself, clenching her jaw tightly. "Don't hold back, Genis. Let's make this a spectacle."
Genis smirked, taking off without warning to sprint toward Ruby, his fists at the ready. Nexus watched his every movement. Moments before Genis struck, Nexus brought his fist down onto Ruby, triggering the shield. Ruby closed her eyes, flinching back slightly when Genis struck.
-End of chapter 27-