Violet-haired siblings.
A violet orb.
Gender shift.
Replacement.
Death.
Devouring.
All the clues tangled together in Nangong Shiyu’s mind like a knotted ball of yarn—impossible to cut, impossible to unravel. Yet leaving it ignored sent a gnawing unease twisting through his chest.
The more uneasy he felt, the less he wanted to think. The less he thought, the more the unease grew.
"Lotali," Nangong Shiyu flapped his wings, putting distance between them. "I have a request. Let’s call a temporary truce. Just for now."
"W...hy?"
The silver-haired girl narrowed her eyes, distrust thick in her gaze.
"There’s something vital I must confirm," Nangong Shiyu swallowed hard. "It concerns my... family’s lives. Please."
"What are you doing?" Xia Zixin’s irritated voice cut through his mind. "I’ve told you before, little brother—I forbid you from knowing this."
"These are extraordinary circumstances, Xia Zixin."
Nangong Shiyu kept his eyes locked on Lotali, still poised for battle. "Whether you like it or not, I *will* uncover the truth."
Since their first meeting, Xia Zixin had revealed almost nothing about herself. To him, her very existence as the previous Thunder God made no sense—she claimed Lotali had seized the throne while she was vulnerable. Losing the title likely meant losing the Thunder God’s Mystic Pearl.
And the consequence of a Thunder God losing their Demonic Orb? She’d told him from the start:
Death.
So why did Xia Zixin stand before him now?
She’d never explained.
If she refused to speak, he’d force the truth from another source.
"Hmm... acceptable." Lotali lowered her weapon, granting the truce. "But... after this... we *must*... continue our duel..."
"Understood."
Such terms were manageable.
"Thank you."
Ignoring Xia Zixin’s furious mental scolding, Nangong Shiyu sheathed his greatsword and summoned the group’s title.
"Balancers."
If anyone knew the secrets of the gods’ errand-runners, it would be them.
"Come to me."
A flash of light erupted on the concrete campus grounds. A man in a sharp suit and sunglasses materialized.
Just one Balancer.
But for Nangong Shiyu, one was enough.
"Balancer, I have questions."
"Ask freely, Thunder God. We shall answer what we may."
"Wait!" A stream of light particles burst from Nangong Shiyu’s body, coalescing into a human form floating beside him.
Xia Zixin had manifested.
Her face was pale—whether from tension, fear, or something else, he couldn’t tell.
"Balancers!" Her voice rang with authority. "By my command as the 232nd Thunder God—return! Answer *none* of his questions!"
"At once... Your will be done."
*No.*
Nangong Shiyu’s gut rebelled against this.
He couldn’t let the Balancer vanish.
"STOP!"
He roared with all his might at the suited figure:
"I command you as the 233rd Thunder God—ignore the 232nd’s order! Obey *me*!"
His authority *had* to surpass hers. His command should override hers.
That’s what he believed.
The sunglasses-clad man froze. After a pause, his voice turned robotic:
"Authority assessment complete. The 233rd Thunder God’s clearance remains subordinate to the 232nd’s. Until full assimilation of the 232nd is achieved, her commands take precedence. We apologize for the inconvenience."
"...!"
The unexpected verdict stole Nangong Shiyu’s voice. He watched helplessly as the Balancer dissolved into white light. He didn’t even muster the strength to cry "Wait" again.
He knew it would be futile.
"Shiyu."
Xia Zixin slowly turned her head. Her eyelids snapped open. She glared daggers at him. Violet irises burned with fury and reproach. An overwhelming pressure crashed over him like a towering tidal wave, drowning his defiance.
"Be a good boy," she whispered, her smile chilling. "Naughty children... aren’t loved by big sisters like me."
His body trembled uncontrollably in midair. He tried to look away, but her gaze pinned him like a magnet. Goosebumps prickled his skin. Breathing turned shallow and strained, as if trapped at high altitude—gasping brought no relief from the suffocating sickness.
Nangong Shiyu felt wretched.
Utterly, unbearably wretched.
Wretched enough to crave the release of his own blade ending it all.
But...
But...
He remembered the Balancer’s words: *until the 232nd is fully assimilated by you.*
Assimilation.
The 232nd Thunder God—Xia Zixin—would become part of him. Part of the 233rd.
Which meant... Xia Zixin would—
*Die.*
The scene fused with his nightmare from the night before. He recalled the violet-haired boy’s scream. His self-loathing. His despair as guilt consumed him, choosing to live on *in place* of the violet-haired girl.
Just like now.
If he did nothing, he’d soon be screaming *why did I kill Xia Zixin?*
So...
So...
Nangong Shiyu gritted his teeth. Fists clenched. He channeled his magic inward, suppressing the Demonic Orb within.
Instantly, Xia Zixin’s crushing pressure weakened. The breath-stealing weight vanished.
"Shiyu, you—"
"I’m sorry, Xia Zixin. I can’t let you be assimilated..."
*—because... to me... you’re the last family I have left.*
"Lotali."
He turned to the Fiend hovering patiently nearby, waiting for the spectacle to end.
"W...hat is it?"
"Help me. Please."
