"Nobaya...,"
Haru walked over to Nobaya, who was sitting alone, busy with some work.
"Nobaya..."
He sat down slowly beside Nobaya.
"Why did he create the Zeks?" Haru asked, breaking a small twig in his hand as he sat there.
"What is his intention behind making so many people victims of Shapta?"
Nobaya sat staring at the fire burning in front of them for a while.
"Vythrae..."
Nobaya looked at him. Haru looked back into Nobaya's eyes, completely puzzled.
"It's a soul, Haru. A soul that existed even before these elements were formed."
Haru sat there staring in wonder. Nobaya picked up Haru's sword.
"The powers you all are using originated from an ancient, supreme force. That is what is called Vythrae."
"What is the connection between Shapta and Vythrae? Why is he searching for it?"
"Shapta is just the name he is known by, Haru. The truth is, no one who has ever seen him is still alive. Shapta is a cruel soul that lives under the cover of darkness.
According to legends, Shapta suffers from a condition his soul is antithetical to the natural elements."
"Antithetical?"
"Yes... antithetical. And the power known as Vythrae is the only thing that can support such an opposing soul."
Haru sat lost in thought for a moment.
"So, he can only sustain himself in some way if he possesses Vythrae, right?"
Nobaya nodded.
Haru sat staring into the flickering flames. The things Nobaya had just revealed sparked a flood of doubts within him.
"So, where is this Vythrae located??" he asked with intense curiosity.
After taking a long, deep breath, Nobaya replied, "No one knows where it is or what form it takes. It is known only as a primal soul. But one thing is certain...
"Veshathra is one of the fragments of this Vythrae.
The reason he hunts Sepahans so relentlessly is to seize that power dwelling within you. Whenever a Sepahan falls, he pulls that strength into his dark world."
Haru looked down at the sword in his hand; he felt a faint, rhythmic pulse emanating from within it.
"That's why he creates the Zeks, isn't it??" Haru said softly. "Sucking the life out of humans and turning them into mere bodies without emotions."
"It is rare for Zeks to have thoughts of their own. Pain, hunger... they feel none of it. Their only hunger is for souls. Their sole purpose is to obey the commands of Shapta... and nothing more."