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Chapter 41: The Hero And His Swordsman
Zayn’s brain short-circuited.
Wait.
Wait.
Was this really happening?
He barely had time to process it before she was on him again — but this time, she wasn’t holding back.
She pushed him down, her fingers tangling in his hair, her soft curves pressing against him, and the —
Her lips crashed against his.
Zayn’s mind went blank.
’Holy —’
Elisse was kissing him.
Not just a soft, hesitant kiss. Not just a fleeting touch of lips.
A real, deep, burning kiss.
Like she was afraid that if she stopped, he’d disappear again.
Like she was trying to make up for every second they’d wasted dancing around this.
Like she didn’t want there to be a tomorrow — only this moment, right now.
Zayn barely had time to react before his body took over for him.
His hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer, feeling the way her breath shuddered against him. He could feel the way her heart was racing just as fast as his.
The taste of her was intoxicating — sweet and warm and just a little desperate.
Zayn’s fingers trailed up, tilting her face just enough to deepen the kiss.
He didn’t know when he became a good kisser too, instincts? Whatever these were, they could continue!
Elisse moaned softly against his lips, and something inside Zayn snapped.
He flipped their positions in one fluid motion, pinning her this time.
Elisse let out a small gasp, her eyes fluttering open for a second before he claimed her lips again.
This time, it was his turn to take control.
...
Zayn adjusted his robes as he stepped out of the room, rolling his shoulders.
His body still ached, though the worst of his wounds had been healed.
What he needed now — besides rest — was a fresh set of clothes.
His robes were torn and barely hanging onto him, and after tonight’s battle, it was clear that his armor was in no shape to take another fight.
He’d need to get new gear tomorrow.
As he walked down the dimly lit hall, he rested a hand on his cheek, wincing slightly. The sting hadn’t completely faded.
Elisse had slapped him.
It wasn’t that hard, but it was enough to jolt him back to reality.
Even if she was his now, there were still some boundaries that needed time to cross. He sighed, rubbing the sore spot.
"Well, that’s what I get for copying what I saw in hentai," he muttered to himself.
Still, he didn’t regret what had happened.
Elisse had been beautiful, vulnerable, and passionate. And the way she kissed him — he shook his head, snapping himself out of the memory before he got too lost in it.
For now, he had other things to focus on.
He made his way toward Tobias’s room. As he lifted his hand to knock —
"Come in," Tobias’s voice called from inside.
Zayn frowned.
’I didn’t even knock yet...’
That was strange. Tobias had a lot of tricks up his sleeve, but clairvoyance wasn’t one of them. At least not yet.
Regardless, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The sight that greeted him made his stomach twist.
Tobias sat hunched over his desk, his usual composed demeanor nowhere to be found. His glasses were off, discarded on the wooden surface, half-covered by crumpled tissues.
The dark circles under his eyes looked even worse under the dim candlelight. His usually neat hair was disheveled, and his hands trembled slightly as he rested them on the desk.
This wasn’t the Tobias he was used to seeing.
Zayn’s expression softened.
The ’Hero’ looked like he was breaking.
Tobias stood abruptly and bowed.
"I’m sorry," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "For putting you in that situation. For not being able to stop it before you almost — "
Zayn clicked his tongue and stepped forward, pressing a firm hand onto Tobias’s shoulder.
"Oi," he said. "Don’t do that."
Tobias flinched slightly, his fingers tightening into fists.
"You almost died," he said. His voice was sharp.
Zayn squeezed his shoulder. "But I didn’t die."
Tobias looked at him, crimson eyes meeting tired blue ones.
"I’m still here," Zayn said. "And you’re acting like I’ve already kicked the bucket."
Tobias opened his mouth, then closed it. He looked away.
Zayn sighed.
He understood why Tobias was like this.
The guy carried more weight on his shoulders than anyone should. He was one of the Heroes, the one who was supposed to protect, to lead, to win.
And yet, he had been powerless to stop what happened to Zayn.
That had to sting.
After a moment, Tobias exhaled slowly, then reached into his inventory.
"I don’t expect this to make up for what happened," he said. "But these are yours."
Three glowing orbs materialized in his hands.
Zayn’s brows lifted slightly.
The monster cores.
"These came from the ones we killed two days ago," Tobias said. "You deserve them."
Zayn took the orbs, rolling them in his palm.
He glanced back up at Tobias. "You’re really giving me all three?"
Tobias nodded.
Zayn grinned. "Damn, I could sell all these and make a damn good haul."
Tobias let out a small, tired chuckle. "You’re already too reckless. I wouldn’t be surprised if you did that."
Zayn laughed, shoving one of the cores into his pocket. "You got me there."
For a moment, there was silence between them.
Then, Tobias spoke again, his voice quieter.
"...I meant what I said, you know."
Zayn tilted his head. "About?"
Tobias hesitated. Then —
"I was scared I’d lose you."
The words weren’t dramatic. They weren’t exaggerated. But they were real.
Zayn felt something tighten in his chest.
He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Tobias, if you keep talking like this, I’m gonna start thinking you like me."
Tobias rolled his eyes. "Idiot."
Zayn smirked. "Seriously, though. I’m not going anywhere. You’ll have to try harder than that to get rid of me."
Tobias sighed, but the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.
"...Good."
Zayn gave his shoulder one last squeeze before stepping back.
"I’ll see you tomorrow," he said, heading toward the door.
As he reached for the handle, Tobias spoke one last time.
"...Thank you."
Zayn paused for a second, then simply raised a hand in a lazy wave.
"No problem, Bro."
And with that, he left.
