Outside a slightly dilapidated church in the Sorbet Kingdom, a land forgotten by law and order, the air rippled.
A soft pop echoed through the empty courtyard.
Lloyd and the other three were suddenly teleported there. Ivan staggered, wobbling as he clutched his oversized head.
"What happened? My head feels like mush… Where are we?"
Kuma raised his gaze to the church, sorrow quietly settling into his expression.
"This is the Sorbet Kingdom, the country where I was born."
Ginny surveyed the surroundings with curiosity.
"So, we actually escaped. There's even a church here."
"Yes. This church belonged to my father. He used to serve as its pastor."
Ivan and Ginny fell quiet. They had heard Kuma's past and knew the memories this place stirred.
Just then, Lloyd let out a low, strained sound.
Kuma and the others quickly turned. Lloyd had one hand pressed against his forehead, brows knit tightly, sweat beading on his skin. For someone who stood unshakable in God Valley, he looked frighteningly unwell.
His performance there had earned him the absolute position of "big brother" in the hearts of the three. Even Ivan, the oldest among them, followed Ginny's lead and shouted in alarm.
"Lloyd! What's wrong!?"
The three rushed to his side. Ivan squatted down so Lloyd could rest on his shoulder, while Ginny placed a steadying hand on Lloyd's chest. Kuma extended his paw toward him, intending to use the power of the Paw-Paw Fruit to expel the pain.
But Lloyd lifted his hand sharply, stopping him. His voice was strained but unmistakably calm.
"You're not familiar enough with your ability. Don't use it recklessly. Even if you expelled the pain, with no one else around, it would still return to me."
"I can handle it. Let me help you," Kuma insisted, patting his chest earnestly.
But Lloyd shook his head. The truth was, this wasn't just physical pain. His mind felt as if it were shattering. Chaotic fragments of memory flickered in and out, too fast to grasp.
It had all begun the moment Saint Fingerland had spoken the name "Figarland."
Suddenly images surged forward:
A cold operating table.
A Celestial Dragon in ornate clothing staring down at him with hunger in his eyes.
An overwhelming rush of fear, rage, and confusion.
A tearing pain exploded in his mind.
Silver arcs of electricity burst from Lloyd's body, shooting down his arm and frying Ivan until smoke puffed from him.
Kuma jumped in shock, grabbing Ginny and Ivan before flashing away with the Paw-Paw Fruit.
Lloyd lifted his head slowly. His pupils were now blood-red, and a tide of darkness poured out from under him, rippling like a living shadow.
His voice was empty and cold, as if echoing from the depths of the underworld.
"He must die. Vengeance."
The darkness surged forward, rising into the shape of a massive maw that lunged at Kuma. But just as it was about to swallow him, Lloyd's body went slack. He collapsed.
The shadow froze, shuddered, and then retreated back into his body like a receding tide.
Kuma swallowed hard, wiping sweat from his forehead. When the darkness approached him, the connection to his ability had dulled, almost vanishing. If Lloyd hadn't fainted, they would all be gone.
He gently gathered Lloyd into his arms, Ginny dragging the unconscious Ivan as the three made their way inside the church.
Night fell.
Lloyd opened his eyes slowly, finding himself lying on a soft, oversized bed. When he tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness washed over him.
In the back of his mind, a hateful voice whispered.
"You are me. I am you. Avenge me."
But Lloyd's expression remained calm, almost eerily so.
"I understand. We are one. I'll repay everything."
The voice faded instantly, as though a presence had dissolved entirely from within him. Clarity washed over him. His senses sharpened. The layout of the entire church unfolded in his mind, including the presence of Ginny and Kuma nearby… and the strange object beside him.
"What is this mummy?"
Wrapped tightly like a human-sized rice dumpling was a bulky figure with a large head.
The mummy wiggled.
"It's me, Lloyd. Ivan. The Ivan you almost cooked alive. Hee… ha…"
"Oh."
Lloyd finally recalled the burst of electricity. He pressed a hand to his forehead, then helped Ivan sit up.
"Sorry, Ivan. My mind was a disaster at that moment. I didn't know what I was doing."
"It's fine. We escaped God Valley. A little frying is nothing. Hee… heeha…"
Ivan clearly wasn't bothered.
Still, Lloyd felt a faint sting of guilt. Without another word, he slipped off the bed and effortlessly hoisted Ivan onto his back.
Ivan's eyes bulged. Lloyd, who had barely been stronger than Ginny not long ago, lifted him as though he weighed nothing. It made no sense.
But Lloyd offered no explanation.
Carrying Ivan with casual ease, he strode into the living room.
Kuma, wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen holding a steaming bowl of fish soup. Ginny sat at the dining table, lost in thought, twirling a fork in her fingers.
Both froze when they saw Lloyd—Ivan on his back—walking in.
Kuma nearly dropped the bowl.
A gentle hum of gravitational force rippled from Lloyd's hand, catching the bowl in mid-air. He grasped it effortlessly.
He smiled faintly.
"Kuma, your cooking smells good. This soup is worth looking forward to."
_____
70-80 advanced chapters are waiting for you on my Patreon!
Use the code "ZPHYR07" to get 50% off your first month.
Visit: Patreon.com/Zphyr
If you enjoy my work, your support would mean so much.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas filled with joy and warmth ❤️🌲