Kaybol hugged his mistress, with a smile.

“Stay out of trouble, will you?” Auraiiya said with a smile.

Kaybol nodded with a grin.

“I'm only there for a week, Auraiiya-Sama.” He chuckled but tightened his hug. “Yuundonn-Sama and Yuundenn-Sama will keep me in check.”

It was hard to make departure, but Kaybol was a responsible cub. He also was friends with the Yuuns, and they insisted he’d come to visit at least 3 times a year.  Now he had a pretty good reason, too.

“Keep an eye on Zu-Nii while I'm off,” Kaybol recalled his conversation with Hilliya when he notified her he was going. “I can’t tell you exactly what’s going on, but he doesn’t want Auraiiya-Sama to know yet. I promise I’ll tell you everything I know when I come back.”

He felt his mistress’s hug tightening around him too. He knew she hated every time he was afar. She was with good terms with the Yuuns, but he was her cub.

Maintaining his smile, he released himself through her hug and bowed. She then bowed back, and he turned to the portal to bass though.

No worries about Zu-Niichan for now. Kaybol reminded himself. My role is to do some research.

#

Neva watched Zu as he went back and forth around the room, squinting his eyes at the book in his hand.

“So they call it ‘FirstWorld’, to my world.” He muttered to himself.

Neva shook her head ruefully. Sitting in her room and reviewing a bunch of history books in Vastoan and Nyxian was exhausting. She wasn’t a reading person.

She sighed, trying her best to conceal her frustration.

“Are you sure you are even a CrossWorlder?” she asked.

“Obviously.” Zu answered slowly. “That’s the only way it makes sense.”

Did he really give it so much thought already? Neva wondered.

“I mean,” Zu continued, “what else can it be? I have memories that clearly are not from here, and I appeared out of nowhere, as far as I can tell.”

Neva really didn’t want to challenge Zu, but..

“That doesn’t make sense either. All the CrossWorlders in these books,” She started, motioning towards the pile of books; “they are all about people reborn into this world. And…” she hesitated once more, “they all remembered their previous lives… Fully.”

Zu frowned, and closed the book.

“Look, Zu,” Neva tried to approach him calmly; “I know it’s upsetting to you, but.. I think you can’t actually return to the FirstWorld.”

“I just… I'm not looking to go back.” Zu shook his head. “I just want answers. I want to know what happened to me in the FirstWorld.”

“Then we can look up whatever we can,” she nodded firmly, and stood up to hold his hand. “I'm just asking you to dial down a little.”

Neva watched the boy taking a deep breath, and then exhaling slowly.

“I'm sorry.. I’ll try to move back from it a bit.” He muttered.

“Good enough for me.” Neva smiled, when a knock on the door distracted her.

“Ah!”  Ayalinn smirked as she opened the door. Ethlonq on her shoulder. “Seems you two are not too busy, and I gotta deal with a potion. I need another pair of hands.”

Neva stood quickly. “Sure thing, Boss!” she said with a smile.

“Can’t Ta'ala-San help you?” Zu asked from behind her.

“Ta'ala is outside today.” Ayalinn replied shortly. Then, her eyes lightened up.

“Oh, I see! How about you will come help me instead? Dear Neva-Chan can go feed the Poyuflé in the meantime~”

Zu frowned, making his I-am-not-getting-this-my-way-am-I face.

“Fine.” he said, making a face. “But I'm not tasting anything, no matter how crucial you make it to be. Just holding some materials for you.”

He stood up, and followed Ayalinn. She looked content.

She’s finally trying to be friendly with him. Neva thought in satisfaction.

Her left ear twitched twice.

#

“That’s Ethlonq by the way.” Ayalinn pointed at the Folleous on her shoulder, who was purring. She then removed him from her shoulder and handed him to the confused Zutenko.

“Um, why are you giving him to me?” Zu asked, and Ayalinn grinned her most charming smile.

“Because he likes you the most.” She replied easily.

Because he’s the most compatible to you~ answered her mind.

Sure, she had some guilt about her plan, but she wasn’t lying to him.

So far. That pesky guilt tried to annoy her from the back of her mind.

I know for a fact that is the best course of action. She reminded herself, hardening her resolve.

She did her research. The boy was in much more trouble that he knew. Her instincts told her that the Achlys Jewel’s leaving suddenly had something to do with it. did he know too? She didn’t really know. But by the time he returns… she can solve it.

They finally got in her lab, and she closed the door behind them.

“Thank you, for agreeing to help.” She said lightly, causing the boy to blush.

“W-Well, it was either that or staying alone.” He muttered, flustered.

Well, you have no idea how right you are, Ayalinn thought to herself with a grin. in all the wrong ways~

And then: He’s easily flustered, can’t take a complement. I might use it if it’ll stick.

“So, what did you need me for?” Zu finally asked, clearly trying to bring them back on track.

Ayalinn’s grin grew wide, as she pointed at the large cauldron at the center, the fire beneath is already up.

“My big project~” she said with a smile.

Zu looked at her with curiosity. He seemed to hope shell elaborate. But if she’ll elaborate further, she’ll have to lie. She didn’t want that, even though by this point she was willing to.

Zu started circling around the big metal pot. He could easily get in that.

“What is that thing made of?” he asked.

“The cauldron? Hecatium-Obsidian alloy.”

Zu stared at her in confusion.

“Hecatium is a Magyo-fluid metal. It works best if melted with Magyo-charged gemstones.”

“I know what alloy is.” Zu nodded slowly. “But I didn’t know it’s possible with gems.”

He then smiled, and Ayalinn saw exactly the reason she started this plan in the first place. She saw that curious spark in his eyes, and knew she can’t let his suffer resume anymore.

She smiled. It was her first genuine smile since they entered the room.

“Everything is possible if you are dead set on your goal, dear~” she grinned.

In response, Zu smiled back at her. Ayalinn hoped this smile will endure.

She opened the cover, to reveal the violet and pink swirling in the potion inside. It was not bubbling just yet, but already steaming. Meaning, they were just in time.

“that’s a lot.” Zu mumbled. “I thought you don’t sell potions on a commercial quantity.” He added.

Ayalinn chuckled, and put her hand on Zu’s shoulder. He didn’t try to escape, which was good for what she was about to do.

“Sometimes, you got to put a lot to make something much smaller.” She said with a smile. “But that something will, always be worth it~”

Without another word, she easily threw Zu and Ethlonq inside the big potion pot. She immediately put the cover back on, before she could see the look in the boy’s eyes. She knew she’ll find there betrayal, or worse. However, she knew what she’s doing.

“It’s for your own sake, sweetheart.” She whispered as she slid her fingers over the cover, activating the locking runes on it. “If the Kiadra won’t take this action for you, then I must. And for you, I will gladly do this ~”

#

“Let me out!” Zu banged on the walls of the cauldron. “Ayalinn! That’s not funny!”

It was hot. The fumes smelled sweet and made him dizzy. He was soaked by whatever this potion was, but it was melting his clothes.

Will I melt too? Zu thought, horrified.

She was actually going to eat him. After all the warning signs that he ignored for the friendship with Neva, and now her boss was gonna cook him.

Ethlonq the Folleous was there too though. He was soaked too but didn’t seem scared. He constantly tried to pull Zu further down into the liquid, like thinking that’s a game.

Or he’s in on it, whatever it is.

But Zu doubted the Folleous was that intelligent.

The steam made him feel more and more dizzy by the moment. His hoodie and beanie were already gone, and his exposed arms itched and tingled from the liquid’s touch. He became too tired. His body felt limp.

“Please, someone.. anyone.. help me.” Zu whimpered. The liquid started to bubble. It was getting hotter, and he was about to pass out. Auraiiya won’t save him. Not in time. Neither was Hilliya-

*BANG!*

Zu hit his head against the cauldron’s cover when it got turned on the side, and then the cover cracked, before being shattered and sucked outside. A moment after, Zu and the Folleous fell out of the big cauldron, alongside the pouring potion. Zu coughed, and tried to stand up. His vision was blurred.

Someone grabbed him by the arm and lifted him up.

“I’ll deal with you later.” He heard the voice of Auraiiya. She sounded calm, but with the same barely retrained anger she used for scolding. He tried to see her, but his eyes hurt.

Then it was dark and cold, then light again. They were in his room.

Zu could hear Auraiiya mutter to herself things in a mix of Nyxian and Vastoan, as she gently lowered him down to the floor. His hand felt a fluffy surface -a carpet.

He rubbed his eyes. The lights were strong, but he could just make their location: They were in his room, back at the castle. His shirt was more like half-liquified straps, and the rest of the clothes he got left were soaked. He then looked at his mistress; Auraiiya looked angry, she was shaking with anger. He never saw her like that before. Not even when she grounded him.

“Auraiiya-Sama…?” he asked weakly. Auraiiya seemed to finally notice him. She took a deep breath, then released his arm.

“Shower.” She said simply, and Zu cringed at her voice. It was too loud. Her expression was cold, almost emotionless, if it wasn’t for the underlying anger. “Then we will talk.”

Zu nodded and stood up slowly. He knew he shouldn’t argue with her at the moment.

As he turned to go to the bath, Auraiiya grabbed his shoulder again. She was tense.

“Wash it all off.” She emphasized. “All of it.”

Zu nodded again. He didn’t want any remnant of that potion left either, especially not if Auraiiya thinks so too.

--

As Zu got out of the shower, the remnants of his clothes that he left outside the shower were gone. Instead, there were his pajamas. The lights were still too bright, but something was wrong. It was like the walls themselves were radiating light.

What in Nyx’s name did that potion did to me? He thought.

He stepped out to see Auraiiya awaiting him with a cup of hot cocoa ready. Hilliya was at the door, just leaving. She rewarded Zu with a worried glance, then left.

Auraiiya turned to look at Zu.

“Sit down.” She said sternly.

Zu didn’t move. He didn’t want to argue with her, but he wasn’t exactly dying to know what exactly he got himself into.

“Zutenko,” Auraiiya emphasized his name, “Come sit here.”

Zu’s body reluctantly moved at the command of his Namegiver’s will. He sat on his chair, facing Auraiiya. She handed him the mug. He took it, and drank.

It was too hot. He coughed. And tried to breath.

It was like his tongue was too sensitive.

Auraiiya sighed.

“Thank Nyx I arrived in time.” She murmured. She then turned to look at Zu. “Do you want me to blow on it for you?”

Zu shook his head. It wasn’t that hot, wouldn’t be in a moment anyway.

“What happened?” he asked instead.

Auraiiya clenched her fists, and Zu instantly regretted asking. But then Auraiiya took a deep breath again, and spoke:

“You almost got taken from me.” She said in a quiet voice.

“Taken?” Zu repeated in confusion, “What do you mean?”

Auraiiya sighed, getting her hand through her hair. “The potion in the cauldron, it contained Yedulloah fruits.”

She then saw Zu’s questioning look, and sighed again.

“It is the fruit of rebirth.” She elaborated.

Zu nodded slowly. It sounded familiar. It is how Kaybol looked like an 8-year-old despite being a lot more mature. These fruits were kind of eggs, to grow new bodies. That’s what Nyxians do to all their Vastoari pets.

He sipped from his cocoa again.

“I thought these are fruits that becomes eggs to souls.” he asked shakily, after a moment of hesitation. “She thought she’ll cook me into rebirth?”

“And make you her pet.” Auraiiya nodded. “Or more accurately, to make you her pet’s pet.”

“The Folleous.” Zu mumbled.

“Yes. She wanted to bond you to Ethlonq, and become your new owner.”

Zu stared at his mistress. None of it made any sense at all.

“Why?” he asked again.

Auraiiya looked at him oddly. She looked like she’s in pain- no, like she’s regretting something.

“Because she pitied you.”

Zu stared at her skeptically. That didn’t sound like Ayalinn at all. Auraiiya sighed.

“An uncontracted Vastoari,” she began. “Weak, emotionally fragile.”

Zu stared at her in silent. He knew these terms were true, but…

“That is how Ayalinn views you.” His mistress continued. “She may speak crudely to you, but she in fact sees you more as a wounded animal that needs a proper shelter.” Her voice sounded bitter by the end.

And she thinks I'm not. Zu interpreted.

“What will happen now?” he asked.

Auraiiya smiled, though it seemed a little forced.

“You, for now you must rest. As for the Demielven,,,”

Auraiiya paused, looking thoughtful again.

“She targeted my cub.” She said simply. “What happens next is your choice. If you will forgive her, I will too. If you will so desire, I will kill her.”

Zu shrunk, startled by this shift in tone. He didn’t know what was right at the moment, but he knew one thing clearly.

He shook his head. “No killing.”

Auraiiya nodded in understanding, and smiled. “I see.”

Zu continued to drink his hot cocoa, and organize his thoughts.

“Just… tell her it’s absolutely not okay.” He said, a little frustration in his voice. “And that I won’t accept this kind of stuff. I’ll never be hers.”

“I will.” His mistress nodded.

As she stood up to leave the room, she turned to him again. “Do you want me to bring you anything?”

Zu nodded.

“I feel weird.” He mumbled. “My senses are going crazy.”

 Auraiiya sighed again, and put her hand on his shoulder.

“It’s probably a side effect of the potion.” She speculated. “It should ware off soon.”

Zu didn’t know what else to say. He knew Auraiiya must go, but he didn’t want to be alone so quickly.

“Can you please bring Hilliya to be here too?” he asked instead.

“of course.” His mistress nodded. “I will tell her to come.”

As Auraiiya left, Zu blinked and rubbed his eyes repeatedly. The walls were still too bright.

After a few moments, He could make up shapes from these lights. He squinted. They looked familiar, like he saw then somewhere before. For a moment, he wondered if that was another of his FirstWorld memories. Then, he remembered Lakniyam’s journal. More accurately, his magic notes.

I can see runes.

Zu didn’t know what he should think of it after today.

Seriously, He wondered once again. what in Nyx’s name did that potion did to me?