Chapter Text
Zodyl was spending his day by trying to figure out what he wants in life.
He wants to take down the sphere, but he is sure he can not do it alone. Zodyl also wants to know information, so he is eavesdropping dropping in the town where the hell guard training place is.
He’s been walking for a whole day. Zodyls feet are pretty sore. That’s when he notices a well. He can sit on the ledge to rest for a bit.
Zodyl lets out a quiet sigh as he sits on the ledge.
That’s when he hears mumbling
He looks down the well and sees someone that looks a few years younger than him, holding a weird stick . The kid also looks like a Nijiku.
Zodyl couldn’t care less about the child, but if the person is a Nijiku, maybe he will get information. With how the kid is holding the stick, he definitely has potential to be a giver. Zodyl heard givers aren’t good in the hell guard.
That’s the only reason why Zodyl spoke to the kid
“Did you fall in there?” Zodyl calmly says as he looks away from the well
“no… I put myself in here. Three days ago. I’m such a piece of shit. The shittest shit ever! I chose this stupid stick… Im such a waste” The kid’s voice is so weak. Zodyl feels some pity
“But you’re still holding the stick?” Zodyl calmly points out
The kid seems to notice that the man is right.
He is still holding the stick.
“Look, I couldn’t care less if you die in that well. However, you are still clinging to life. If you aren’t that willing, then you must go on with your shitty life. You clearly have potential.” Zodyl states that as if its a fact.
Something churns in the kids chest.
Zodyl sighs
“I’m heading off. You can stay there and deny yourself as much as you want, but you have a choice. Do what you will with that choice.”
Zodyl stands up and continues on his walk.
After a few minutes, he hears running behind him.
Zodyl pauses and turns around. His eyes widen as he sees the kid that was in the well fall to his knees infront of Zodyl.
The kid bows and says through sobs
“Thank you so much, sir! I’m eternally greatful for you! I owe you my entire life!”
Zodyl stares at the kid. Honestly, Zodyl is a little annoyed about someone bowing over something like that.
“Stand up.”
The kid does as he is told . The kid is wiping tears away from his own face.
“What is your name?” Zodyl calmly questions. It does seem more like demand to the kid.
“Zanka Nijiku.”
“Zanka, never bow to anyone, ever again.”
Zanka stares at Zodyl with wide eyes. It’s like Zodyl just said something life changing.
Zodyl feels the corners of his mouth slightly rise
“Would you like to join me in the pursuit of a life goal?” Zodyl asks
Zanka quickly agrees with joy
“I would love to!”
☆
Zanka followed Zodyl everywhere. Whatever Zodyl told him to do, he gladly listened. Zodyl also gave Zanka the freedom to do whatever as he pleases. That led to Zanka enjoying getting into fights while he is away from Zodyl.
A year or so later, Zodyl brought Zanka into a group called the Raiders. Zodyl had became the boss of the group, so Zanka gladly followed.
Zanka had trouble getting along with the others. Well, he mostly didn’t get along with the front line he was apart of. Cthoni is calm, but Zanka just didn’t like her vibes. Momoa is probably the best (despite her only being recruited into the frontlines a month ago), but she is usually doing her own thing just as Zanka is. That kind of leads Zanka to expect she had a similar way of meeting Zodyl. Fu is fun to boss around, but it is super annoying how he can’t do anything without being told to do it.
Then there was Jabber. Jabber was the most annoying person EVER. However, Jabber also likes to fight. He also loves getting his ass beat by Zanka. Zanka likes that trait of Jabbers, but it sucks in battle because Jabber always goes out of his way to get injuries; meaning Zanka can’t fight opponents as well due to having to make sure Jabber doesn’t get to pain happy.
Jabber is super smart, but doesn’t know when to stop fighting for his own good.
Zodyl has recently gotten ear of a live Sphereite in the Cleaners Organization.
Zodyl of course decides the best idea is to let Zanka and Jabber handle it. Zodyl says they are the best at it. Zanka gets a crazy confidence boost from that.
So, as him and Jabber head out to search for the sphereite, Jabber has to mention how happy Zanka is as they walk to where the Sphereite and some cleaners should be heading. After all, there are decoy raiders that should be trying to distract them.
“Zan-Zan, did bosses words really make you not a shithead for once?” Jabber says in a teasing tone
Now that ruined Zanka’s mood.
However, Zanka knows Jabber just wants some form of pain. Jabber is smart to recognize what pisses Zanka off. So, Zanka recognizes that fact, and doesn’t give Jabber the satisfaction.
“I’m just happy to serve Boss”
Jabber gives Zanka the most unamused look.
Jabber knows Zanka is full of bullshit with that simple answer.
“Really?” Jabber boredly muses. He’s upset Zanka didn’t hit him.
“Yes, really.” Zanka says with a practiced tone
“You’re no fun, Zan-Zan”
Zanka shrugs at Jabbers comment
Jabber of course continues to talk about random things as they head to the location.
When they finally reach it, Zanka uses his Lovely Assistaff to feel vibrations in the ground.
Zanka groans at how far the fighting is taking place
“It’s quite literally on the other side of this building, Jabber.” Zanka says as he moves his staff back to his side.
Jabber has a shit eating grin. What the fuck is he thinking about?
“Race ya there!” Jabber says as he takes off
“Oh, you are so dead!” Zanka says as he chases after his teammate.
They made a deal long ago about races; If Zanka loses the race, Jabber gets the first hit on an opponent. Of course it’s the same thing but revered if its the other way around.
They made the agreement because they both love fighting. Of course that deal exists as one is a sadist and the other is a masochist.
They ran into a man with an umbrella fighting the decoy Raiders (who are disposable to Zodyl). Of course they fought the guy and knocked him out. They took turns hitting the guy as well. Zanka sadly loses the continued race, and the two are out of breath as they reach the people at the exit; exactly where Jabber guessed the tiny group of cleaners would be.
Jabber is talking about something that Zanka tunes out until Jabber looks at a kid.
Jabber lists the exact attributes of the Sphereite, counting each attribute. The two both freeze. Jabber hops on the wall to attack, and a stupid supporter cleaner gets in the way. Jabber simply stabs the guy with one of his claws.
The sphereite kid looks pissed. That’s when some thingy forms behind the kid. Zanka assumes thats the kids vital instrument.
The kid says some stupid shit, and Zanka looks over at Jabber. Zanka lets out a tired sigh when he sees Jabbers stupid smile.
This is going to be a long fight.
☆
The fight ends when it was just getting good. They almost had the Sphereite, and more Cleaners shown up.
It only ended because Cthoni grabbed Zanka and Jabber in a tight hug like position. She says it’s time.
Jabber whines to Cthoni that they can’t leave without the sphereite.
Zanka has to add in his two cents as well
“Yeah, Boss will be pissed.”
Cthoni simply replies with
“Boss had a great big smile.”
That made both Zanka and Jabber freeze and look at eachother.
That’s of course when they say their goodbye. They only stop for a minute when the Sphereite says that it isn’t over. Jabber notices the kids gloves has the same symbol as Zodyls coat. Zanka always likes when Jabber notices something that had no big importance until its pointed out. It gives Zanka a thrill of sorts.
Then the three raiders head into the manhole portal.
The Cleaners just stare in shock.