Jeremiah regrets summoning Zayn to his office once he arrived back at the Black Fawne headquarters, but here he is, with Prince Miuoi close in toll as he waited in his office, behind his desk with his hands folded as he awaited Zayn's arrival.
"You do not have to stay for this, Prince Miuoi." Jeremiah said, eyeing the man casually sitting crossed-legged on his desk. "I can relay this news myself."
"I can read you like a book, Jeremiah." Miuoi said, eyeing his friend with a soft smile. "It's fine, I also need to talk to Ms. Excalibur about a few things."
There's a soft knock on Jeremiah's door before Zayn comes in, slowly stepping inside the room and closing the door behind her. Jeremiah clears his throat, motioning to the set of black sofas near his desk for her to sit comfortably.
"Hello Captain!" Zayn bows. "And Your Highness."
"Greetings, Knight Zayn!" Miuoi said, "Please sit. We have a few things to discuss."
Zayn blinks, slowly nodding her head and awkwardly sliding on one of the soft sofas.
"We met with the temple today." Jeremiah said. "it was as long as it could be, but I'll keep it short. We must push the coronation for this week, ready you for the treaty re-singing, and we must request your help with Tila's broken barrier. But, on the bright side, we can squeeze in a party after the coronation to ease everyone's souls."
"That...doesn't sound like the best news." Zayn said. "Honestly, I'd be too nervous to celebrate anything before we journey, s-so I'd like to pass on that. T-this sounds like a lot--which is so okay, s-since well- a lot comes with being Excalibur's partner in crime--but I-I don't know if I'm ready-. I only just started training and I haven't even wielded Excalibur enough to know what to do with it a-and-I-what if I mess up, or make things worse or-."
"Zayn." Jeremiah said. "Breathe. It is alright."
Zayn nods her head, taking in a large breath before she slowly breathes out.
"I'd like to apologize." Jeremiah said. I believed I could buy more time to prepare you and give you a bit more freedom before anything occurred, but I was wrong. I deeply apologize."
Surprised, Miuoi stares at Jeremiah, watching the other man clench his folded hands tightly.
"No I-Captain has always been kind." Zayn said. "A-and we knew this would happen--well, maybe not the whole barrier part, b-but the other two, we knew. I appreciate Captain for trying to look out for me. Thank you, Captain."
"It was also kind of my fault..." Miuoi said. "A slip of the tongue caused the exposè, so if you blame anyone, I'm the first who deserves it, but we must solve this problem diligently, and Excalibur, as you may not know, holds purity magic, which is the best methodology to go against dark magic."
"I honestly don't know too much about Exi." Zayn said. "He's kind of just a voice in my head."
"Exi-voice in your head?" Miuoi asked. "Excalibur can do such things?"
"I can do much more." A voice said. The three persons in the room look around under the spot where Zayn's arm glows, a thick chain soaked in golden aura appeared before a form glows from on the other side of the chain. Once the glow dims and the dark silhouette disappears, a tall boy with long red hair and red eyes appears in white, holy garbs, sitting crossed leg on the floor. "Finally, this buffoon was able to feed me and now I have the energy to shift. Gods! Stupid humans!"
"Exi?!" Zayn shrieks, leaning against the arm of the sofa to peer down at the pouting boy. "I didn't know you can transform! Why didn't you say anything?!"
"I can transform." Excalibur said, rolling his eyes. "There, said something."
"My father would be delighted to see this." Miuoi said. "He, however, never told me Excalibur can take on a humanoid form."
"I'm often left hungry, that's why." Excalibur said. "Plus this human has raw magic that helps me to stay in a solid form. It is quite impressive."
Jeremiah raises an eyebrow at the comment, watching as Zayn points to herself.
"A very unique nisf, I must say." Excalibur continues. "Not too mad at that stupid man's choice."
"Can someone explain to me this purity magic stuff." Zayn said, pointing to Excalibur. "I feel like I keep hearing that word, and it sounds like a slur."
Miuoi scoffs, hiding his smile behind his pale hand.
"If it pleases you, I may explain." Miuoi said. "He mentioned that you are a nisf. You may not know, but nisf are God successors."
"Wait, what?" Zayn asked. "God's have successors? They aren't immortal or something?"
"Well no." Miuoi continues. "Well yes, and no. There are two ways for a God to cease. One is simply retirement--they give up their God rights, are stripped of their memory, and are cast into the human realm as a mortal, or they are killed by another God or deity. That's why they have nisf, which are the successors of each line of the Gods. It's...like a cycle, as you call it, but often Gods just retire. Since the God's "hearts" are their godly marks on their bodies, it's a bit cruel and pointed to murder another."
"S-so the big mark on my arm," Zayn said, pointing towards her right arm, "m-means that-."
"If my assumptions are correct," Miuoi said, meeting eyes with Excalibur. "Seemingly that Excalibur is the God of Creation's weapon, that means that you are the nisf of the King of Gods, Batalian.
Excalibur nods his head. "Seems accurate."
Zayn looks between the three men and swallows, feeling her palms sweat.
"I-I don't think I'm ready to be a hero." Zayn said. "N-nor a God, to be h-h-honest."
"Tighten up kid." Excalibur said. "You were chosen, now you have to deal with it."
"Excalibur is very peachy, it seems." Miuoi said. "Give her grace. She's young, Excalibur."
"Yeah, whatever, look--if you want to help with the barrier, you need to put a temporary barrier strong enough until you can find Aliashmiazazz and place the snake back. The only problem is, I can help create a barrier, but I can't be separated from the kid for long, and I'd need to be near it for it to be strong."
"That'll be a dilemma." Jeremiah said. "Zayn's coronation is at our door, and we must be ready to go over the treaty. It's been fifty years. It must be done, and you both must be there."
"Right, and I don't think the Gods are going to be happy to hear you lost Aliashmiazazz. It was a part of their deal for you humans during the treaty." Excalibur said. "It won't help your case."
"Is there any way we can infuse some of your magic into a device or something?" Miuoi asked, "Maybe if we made a temporary key..."
"It could work..." Excalibur said, thoughtful. "But keep in mind, it still won't be as powerful as the real thing, and it'll fend off minor attacks, but strong dark magic won't cut it for long."
"We'll take our chances, just until we get back from the treaty signage." Miuoi said. "We appreciate your help, Excalibur."
"Don't get me wrong," Excalibur said. "It will cost you later. I'll play nice for now."