"Sir, every time I've killed a beast, I've felt this weird energy seep into me. Maybe if we kill enough... we evolve?"
The Great Messiah Ate nodded solemnly. Looking at Zaire, he smiled appreciatively.
"You have a good head on your shoulders, Ser. And to have noticed that, you've killed a considerable number of beasts, haven't you?"
Zaire gave a curt bow.
"Yes, sir. Very perceptive of you!"
Messiah continued nodding.
"We've sent two of our strongest associates out on a quest... like scouts. Their main objective is to find a separate route into Teal City. But they also have a secondary objective—to kill enough beasts. One hundred, at least."
"That's... considerable."
"Indeed. But if that's the price of power... I say, so be it."
Messiah is a sound guy, huh.
Zaire shot Messiah an acknowledging smile. Only part of it was feigned.
Messiah suddenly clapped his hands and lightly tapped his head.
"Ah! I've bored you long enough. It's time for you two to freshen up. Ser Zaire, Ser Bright is outside. He'll lead you to your quarters. Madame Nala, make yourself at home!"
Zaire froze.
Should he intervene?
Should he say something?
But before he could do a thing, Nala answered,
"Sure, Sir Messiah."
"Umm... Nala, I had something important to talk to you about. If you don't mind, can I speak with you privately for a minute?"
That was all Zaire could manage.
*****
"Yo, Nala... you cool?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I mean, I don't know. You seemed really... how to say it... overly appreciative of that guy?"
"Who? Messiah?"
"Yeah."
"I mean, he gives off positive, warm energy. And I don't know how to explain it, but talking to him, I feel this... this sense of normalcy."
Zaire looked at the girl who hadn't slept a wink.
Poor girl was traumatized. Zaire knew that bad news about his family would be enough to break him apart.
What should he do?
Let her go? Maybe that feeling was natural?
Hell nah, fuck that. That conversation was anything but natural.
"Hey, Nala."
"Yeah?"
"Do you trust me?"
"... Yeah?"
"Trust me when I say this... I believe people can be supernatural. You saw my magic bullet, right?"
"... Yeah. But what do you mean?"
"Exactly what you think."
"And that is..."
"Messiah is some creepy old fucker."
"... No, no—"
"No, listen. Do what you want, yeah. But if you trust me, even a little bit, be wary."
"No, I don't think—"
Zaire firmly held Nala's shoulders.
Looking deep into her eyes, he advised,
"I don't want to come off as crass or hurtful, but you lost your whole family. Nala, your whole family. You were devastated moments ago. Then you meet him, and suddenly everything is sunshine and rainbows. If that's not fucking weird, I don't know what is."
Nala gazed back.
Her eyes were a tad clearer.
She tried to control herself, but tears welled up anyway.
"You're right... I, I can't..."
"Hey, it's okay. It's a new world. A fucking insane one at that. Forget adapting—even understanding it will take time."
"Yeah, but if what you said is true, I feel violated. I feel... disgusted. We should absolutely share this with the others and—I don't know—punish Messiah!"
"I don't know how his shit works, but if a few minutes was enough for him to win you over, I don't even want to imagine the amount of brainwashing the others went through."
"..."
"Survivors will be hurt. Guards will be down. Oh, this world might just be a playground for Messiah."
"It's so... ugh... revolting."
"Yep. Guard up. And don't say anything, yeah? I'll try to talk to Bright for a bit."
"Mmhm. I'll go tell Messiah that I'll share your house or whatever."
"...Very cool. But remember: guard up, and act your ass off."
"Mm."
*****
Nala really did make her thoughts clear to Messiah. Well, in a respectful manner. With a conflicted expression, she said,
"Sir Messiah, I... I have to stay with Zaire. Umm, he... he... it's a very private reason."
Lord Messiah's face dried up. He contemplated for a while. Zoned out.
When color returned to his eyes, he smiled,
"Why, of course, Madam. Feel free! My earlier advice was merely a suggestion."
Bright Driver then dutifully led Nala and Zaire to a house nearby.
It was simple—completely overshadowed by the villa beside it, yet enough. A kitchen, two bedrooms, a living room, and two bathrooms. More than enough for two people in an apocalypse. And hopefully, God willing, it was temporary.
"So, how did you two survive?"
"I don't know, really. I mean, I used to fight, and I'm not a total empty head."
"Well, the corpse in your trunk really shows your intelligence."
"Don't. It's my friend."
"He's rotting, you know. Bury him. You're just desecrating his dead body."
For the first time, Zaire considered his decision to carry Ari's corpse a bit more deeply.
Palms on his face, he massaged his temples.
"Ugh, I don't know, man. I want his parents to see him."
"You do you, Zaire. I just don't think his parents would want to see their son in such a gruesome state."
"I'll think about it tonight. Thanks for the thought, though, man."
Bright then looked toward Nala.
His eyes repeated his prior question.
So, how did you two survive?
Nala shook her head politely.
"No. I don't want to get into it."
HONK. HONK. HONK. HONK. HONK—
Loud honks blared repeatedly through Brew Lane. Zaire and Nala's house tour was interrupted.
Everyone in the lane had to come out. People didn't have much to do, and most had an idea who it was.
"Zaire, Nala—follow me. It's probably Jeff and Siobhan!"
"The ones assigned to... evolve?"
"Yeah!"
By the time Bright, Zaire, and Nala got outside, Messiah was already there. So were the other ten survivors.
Everyone's face held either hope or dread.
Siobhan stepped out of the Wrangler.
Her eyes bored into Messiah.
Then, turning to everyone, she loudly exclaimed,
"WE CAN EVOLVE. BUT SO CAN... THEY!"