UNIFIED W

Chapter 31: The Maze Of Truth, part 10

The moment they were close to the top of the maze, both Kai and Vin slowed down.

When they reached the top, they were immediately blinded by the sunlight, and everything turned blurry. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust to the light outside.

The arena at the top was deserted when they turned to look around.

"There it is, Kai. The sword. Looks like we arrived first."

Kai looked at the sword and saw that almost the entire blade was stuck inside the tower at the center of the arena, with only the handle visible.

"How am I supposed to get that sword out of the tower? It looks impossible."

"It's impossible for almost everyone else in this world. Only a few are chosen to wield Ancestors' Rage, and you're one of them."

"How do you know that, Vin?"

"I can sense something special about you, kid."

"I hope you're right... or we've just walked into our funeral."

Kai and Vin both ran straight for the sword, but as they moved, Vin felt something was off.

The arena was still empty, and no one had followed them.

'How come we didn't see anyone on our way here?'

He looked up at the floating glass room where the king and his family had been during the explosion, but now it was empty, and the clan leaders were nowhere to be seen.

'The king is up to something big. I hope Kai can pull that sword out, or...'

A sudden blast erupted behind them. Half the arena shattered in a cloud of dust and debris.

Void emerged from the debris, holding Zeru by the neck. Blood dripped from Zeru's mouth as he coughed violently.

Void pushed Zeru aside before raging through the arena. The walls buckled and the ground cracked with every step he took. He moved like a wild beast, consumed by fury.

Vin's voice cracked through the chaos.

"Kai, you with me? Kai, answer me!"

Kai blinked and looked toward Vin, who was now yelling at him.

"This is not the time to freeze up, Kai! You need to get up there and grab that sword so we can get the hell out of here!"

Kai clenched his jaw and blinked hard, forcing the panic down.

"I'll handle the psycho... you need to move... Kai? KAI!"

Tears filled Kai's eyes as he raised his hand, pointing directly at Zeru.

"Z... Ze... Zeru needs my help. I have to help him."

Vin grabbed Kai's shoulder with a sudden, harsh grip. His jaw clenched as frustration cracked his voice.

"Listen to me, Kai. Forget him for now. I'm sure someone's already on their way to help him, but if we waste this chance... we'll both die here."

"But....."

"This is what's best at the mo..."

Suddenly, Kai rushed off in the opposite direction toward Zeru.

"KAI... STOOOOOP!"

"I'm sorry, Vin. But I have to help him."

Vin rushed after Kai, shouting for him to stop, but before he could reach him, Void landed between them and struck without hesitation.

Vin crashed into the wall, the punch knocking the air from his lungs. He struggled to breathe as Void approached with slow, relentless steps.

***

Kai ran faster and faster, never looking back at Vin or checking how he was doing.

His only thought was Zeru.

'What happened to Zeru?'

'How did he end up like that?'

'Why would someone want to hurt you that badly?'

'Should I ask him what happened that day?'

As Kai got closer, the questions in his head grew louder.

He finally reached Zeru, and from where he stood, he could see just how bad it was.

Zeru's body was broken. His skin had turned nearly purple from head to toe.

'That color... it looks bad. Zeru must have been poisoned.'

'I have to do something before he dies.'

Kai reached out with his bandaged left arm to help him up.

Zeru opened his eyes and looked straight into Kai's.

Everything else stopped.

No sound. No movement. Just them.

"K... Ka... Kai... how can you still be alive?"

The words hit Kai deep in his chest, like something inside him shattered.

"We haven't spoken in over a year... and that's the first thing you say to me?"

Zeru's gaze locked on Kai, completely still.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Zeru's lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.

"Was it you who pushed me off the sphere... on our way to Waena Island?"

Zeru didn't answer. He turned away. He couldn't look at him.

"Agh... I see. Vin was right about you."

Kai looked away, hiding the pain in his eyes.

"For over a year... I waited for the day you'd tell me what happened in Von City was an accident."

"Can I ask you something, Zeru?"

"What?"

"Why did you do it?"

"Why, you ask? Because of what they did to my family."

"I hate every single member of the Wind Clan. I will never forgive them... or you."

A sad smile slowly spread over Kai's face.

"I see. So everything we went through... meant nothing to you?"

Zeru looked him in the eyes and smiled, cold and hateful.

"As far as I'm concerned, wind powers make you Wind Clan. Don't talk to me about the past. And what I did in Von City? I don't regret it."

"I see... So all of it. The friendship, the bond, the brotherhood we built. None of it matters now because of my power?"

"It all came to an end in that arena in Von City."

For a moment, there was only silence.

Kai slowly unwrapped the bandage on his left arm.

The chain marks across his skin were deep, permanent.

He raised the arm and showed Zeru.

"This is what you did to me, and it'll always remind me that today's friend can be tomorrow's enemy."

Kai turned his back.

Step by step, he walked toward Ancestors' Rage at the top of the tower.

As Kai was walking toward the tower and Void rampaged, Vin tried to fight him off inside the dust cloud. Finally, Hawk reached the top of the maze and wasn't looking pleased.