Chapter Text
All the brightness in the world disappeared in an instant.
Watching in slow motion as Enjin's body, the person he loved and cherished most in the world, fell and hit the cold ground, staining it with water.
He could no longer think clearly.
How? How dare they? How dare they hurt Enjin?
He turned to look with barely contained anger at the person he considered a teammate and gripped his Lovely Assistaff tightly. He could feel the power flowing into his weapon, but he didn't transform it, even though it was very tempting to do so now that everyone was distracted.
It didn't matter if that girl had used her jinki to manipulate Delmo or if he had been conspiring with her to lure them into her trap. He would make him regret even thinking about shooting Enjin in the back, and he was going to kill him.
Rudo's voice sounded distant, but he managed to catch a few words that brought him back to his senses. He couldn't think like that; they were cleaners, not murderers. Enjin wouldn't be proud if he found out what he would do if he let his feelings and thoughts get the better of him.
“I'm disappointed in you, Zanka.”
Just thinking about ever hearing those words makes him panic and want to vomit.
"Communication is essential for a normal conversation, you know? And if Amo is the only one talking, it won't bring us any closer together. Humans love to talk about themselves... So if everyone talks about themselves, we could have fun! You're my long-awaited visitors.“ She rambles on for a while with a smile on her face as she explains her point, only to change her expression to one of displeasure when she sees the blond man. ”Well, excluding the party poopers."
Enough.
"Okay, I get it. Only the voices of those who play along with the topic you choose and those who don't play along and ruin your mood will reach you, right? Well, then my voice should reach you, you disgusting thing." He said irritably as he walked towards his friend's body while transforming his cane into his jinki, bending down and placing his left hand on his back to begin stroking him. “Everything will be fine, Enjin, trust me, just wait a little longer,” he thought, looking away from the girl to look at him with concern.
He could hear Riyo calling him, but it didn't matter. Now the plan was to finish off that brat and knock her out, then take Enjin back to headquarters so Eishia could heal him.
Yes, that sounded better. Enjin would approve of that plan and congratulate him once he was safe and sound.
“This weird conversation is over, idiot; I don't know what kind of trick you used, but how dare you do this to Enjin. I don't care if we're talking about heaven or anything else, if you're hostile, I'll just crush you,” he said seriously, glaring with hatred once his eyes were back on Amo.
He could feel the tension in the air and the stares of his companions on him and his every move, but his gaze remained on his enemy as she looked down and trembled, bringing her hands up to her face.
“Why? Why are you saying such ugly things? Even though Amo hasn't done anything,” her voice breaking with every word that came out of her mouth, thick tears rolling down her cheeks as she sobbed and tried to compose herself. “Bad... You're so bad... Amo is really... Really... Hurt.”
He quickly grabbed Enjin by the waist and carried him, moving them swiftly to one side as he watched Delmon's fist strike hard where they had been standing, destroying the floor with the force of the impact. He frowned and clenched his jaw tightly, standing over the blond boy to protect him in case Delmon came back to attack them.
He wanted to hurt him again... he's not sure he can forgive that, even if Enjin asks him to.
“What the hell do you think you're doing?!” he exclaimed angrily, squeezing his jinki tighter, ready to launch an attack at the slightest approach. “We're allies, Delm-”
“Good job, good job! A newcomer, but already using that jinki like a pro. All your hard work at the academy is paying off, Zanka!”
His voice trails off before he can continue speaking when he hears those words, and he feels his cheeks flush slightly. He slowly turns his head to the right and opens his eyes when he sees his friend standing where Amo had been, looking at him proudly with a huge smile as he applauds, just as he did when they were searching the northern district for aberrant beasts to kill.
No... It couldn't be, Enjin, his Enjin was hurt because of that woman and Delmon; besides, no matter how much he wanted to, it was impossible that Enjin could have congratulated him on the state he was in. He looked down, and where he had placed Enjin with great care, there was now only snow everywhere.
It didn't make sense. They were in a desert. When the hell did it start snowing out of nowhere?
“Are you okay, Zanka?” Gris asked worriedly, walking beside him, followed by Follo and Tomme, the latter taking her backpack off her shoulder to pull out a cushion.
“Yes, I'm fine,” he replied after a few seconds, sitting up and standing behind Tamsy, closing his eyes tightly and sighing. “Get a grip, Zanka, it's a damn illusion created by that woman to manipulate you,” he thought, annoyed.
"That jinki is from Delmon's past, born from his desire to ‘make plants grow.’ If water hits you, you'll grow just like its name says; it can manipulate the water contained in an object, absorb water like a sponge, and swell up like a balloon. Now... What do you think would happen if you absorbed that much water? You'd explode,“ Tamsy explained with a frown, turning to look at Zanka, who was staring at him in confusion. ”It's likely that Enjin was hit by that plea from behind."
“With all the noise he makes... How could he attack Enjin without him noticing?” he asked, watching as Tomme carefully lifted the head of the Akuta squad leader and placed it on top of the cushion.
“The mouthpiece changes depending on its use. He changed it to a silent mouthpiece, but he hadn't used it on people... No doubt that woman...”
“Zanka is the best giver in handling jinki among all the janitors.”
He blinked and suddenly his hands were covering hid face, realizing that he was inside a vehicle from the movement and the sound of the tires against the asphalt. He slowly raised his head, seeing Enjin smiling his typical know-it-all smile, while his tone of voice conveyed satisfaction and pride.
“You'll learn a lot from him.”
Did Enjin just recognize me... Did Enjin just recognize me?
“Riyo, in front of you!” Gris shouted desperately, watching as the girl turned around only to find the barrel of that gun pointing straight at her head.
“Wow! That big guy's gun is amazing! But please don't destroy Amo's house, okay? Because if you do, you'll have to help me with the repairs!” Amo exclaimed, a little annoyed at the sight of the large hole now in her tower, not caring that Riyo had dodged the shot in time. "See? It's scary, right? Not knowing who is an ally and who is not. I told you, didn't I? If everyone had talked to Amo, we would have had fun! Talking about love... It's the first step to peace!"
He inhales and exhales, lowering his gaze to look at his weapon. He doesn't understand what's going on, he feels lost, but happy, it's so strange and exciting at the same time.
Receiving all that praise from Enjin... It's like a dream come true.
“No... You didn't... You... You threw it! You threw it right in front of my eyes!” Rudo shouted angrily, pointing his finger at Amo, who smiled amusedly.
“Rudo is next, just like Delmon. What we feel is not betrayal. You are seeing something else with this woman's ability.”
“Seeing something else? What are you talking about? Amo isn't showing you anything... All I'm doing is giving off a scent.”
“How's it going? That suit definitely suits you, Zanka! August really outdid himself this time,” exclaimed Enjin, whistling to emphasize his point, unaware that every compliment that came out of his mouth only made Zanka's cheeks blush even more. “You look like royalty, which you are, by the way. It was a nice touch to add that long collar to your jacket! It makes you look impressive.”
His cheeks hurt from all the effort he was making to avoid showing a huge smile. He felt like dying; he had never been so happy in his life. If Enjin continued to praise him, the whole serious and disinterested facade he had created would vanish.
“Well, now as leader of Akuta, I, Enjin, formally welcome you to the cleaners, or more precisely, to my team. I'm sure you'll do a great job.”
“I swear I won't disappoint you! I'll give my all, even my life, to do everything perfectly!” he exclaimed firmly, bowing deeply to show how much respect he had for the person in front of him.
"Hey, hey, there's no need to go to such extremes. While our mission is to clean the streets of those aberrant beasts, never go that far,“ he said seriously, approaching the rookie, who looked at him confused once he stood up straight again. ”I know we have the slogan of giving our lives, but it's okay to be weak or to fail sometimes. No one will blame you for that. You're worth much more than just that cut." He explained, placing his hand on the other's shoulder, frowning slightly when he realized that Zanka hadn't understood, so he began to think about how he could get his message across. “What I mean is that I care about your life, so stay alive so we can continue to create happy moments together alongside the team, okay, Zan-Zan?”
Did he hear correctly? Enjin, the great and incredible Enjin, wants to create moments together? Does he appreciate his company? That was the final straw that broke his mask; a big smile crept onto his face, briefly disconcerting the experienced cleaner, although it was quickly replaced by laughter, removing his hand from his shoulder and now running it through his dull blond hair, which was starting to get messy.
“Yes!”
“The ‘memories’ made with that person aren't just happy ones, are they? I wonder what would happen if someone held a grudge against that person... Ah! You'd end up dead. Well, we'll subdue you before that happens.” He said, walking beside Zanka, unaware that he had a distant look in his eyes and had been silent for a while.
“You fool, you idiot, you never listen, you pest,” said Amo angrily, clenching her teeth tightly as she watched Tamsy approach her. “I already told you! The motivation is... happy times.”
“... Z-Zanka...”
His heart immediately sinks and his whole body freezes at the sight before him. The precious umbrella that Enjin carries everywhere lies destroyed, and there are bloodstains everywhere thanks to the multiple cuts on his body, more precisely on his chest, where there are three deep claw marks.
His voice is barely audible and there is almost no life in those eyes, but he struggles to stay awake just to see him... As if he knew that he was the only one who could help him.
“It's a nice view, don't you think, Mr. Bad Attitude?”
Jabber's voice creeps into his ears and he turns to his right, watching him walk slowly, undoubtedly enjoying the moment—enjoying hurting Enjin—as he approaches the blond again, playing with his claws. With anger, he digs his nails into his jinki, making his fingers bleed, when he looks back and sees the big smile on his face.
He's exhausted, it is clear that Enjin gave his all to stop him, but even so, it was not enough.
That damn sadist—
“It was so much fun! You should have seen us in action! I see why no one messes with you guys, with a leader like that even I would be afraid!” He sings happily, completely blinded by excitement. “Can you believe he broke my nose, teeth, and an arm? Ah... He reminded me so much of the boss!”
A slight cough brings his full attention back to Enjin. More blood pours from his mouth, and his body seems to tremble from all the neurotoxins flooding his system. He tries in vain to cover the cuts on his chest with his hand to stop the bleeding.
“Z-Zan... Zan...”
He's going to kill him.
“Save me.”