Chapter Text
Surprisingly, it didn’t take long for the toxins to wear off. Zanka could start moving again after only thirty minutes. Felt like shit, yes, but he could trudge himself back to… his house. Even though he was kicked out, surely someone will be willing to let him in after seeing the state he’s in, right?
If Kyouka were home, she’ll probably let him back in. As much as Zanka loathes how overbearing she can be, she does still care for him.
If Goka was home, he won’t. Unless Kyouka tells him to, he won’t.
If all else fails, he also literally got attacked by a raider who definitely stole something confidential. So, they’ll have to let him in either way, lest they don’t get the information.
Zanka clutched his staff. This thing, he vowed to make it into a Jinki, but how does someone do that? He’s heard of people who awakened a Jinki within days of discovering their item, and many who took years. So, how?
It’s best not to dwell on that now; Zanka has to focus on being allowed back home. He’ll figure out how to become a giver later.
The mansion looked the same as it always had. Right in the center of Kamuatari, and practically a palace compared to the average home.
A few guards were posted at the front, who immediately blocked Zanka from entering. Figures. His father is still mad at him. “Is ma sister home?”
They don’t answer. He’s not even going to bother asking about his brother.
“I was attacked by a raider just now and barely got away with my life. Don’t cha think she needs to hear about this? A raider. Inside Kamuatari District—is this not a cause for alarm?” He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Seeing the youngest of the family bruised and bleeding didn’t scare them, but a raider being here apparently did. As soon as he mentioned Jabber, they immediately contacted someone and quickly let Zanka inside.
He was escorted to a conference room, one where Kyouka was already pacing back and forth. When he was inside, he sat down.
His sister rushed up to him. She assessed his injuries and tried to keep a cool, plain expression. But Zanka was her baby brother—he could tell she was fighting back to sweat down bullets.
“I’m fine, Kyouka, the worst he did was give me a cut,” Zanka said as he swatted her hand away.
She huffed, taking the hint. “Do ya know what he took?”
Zanka shook his head. “Didn’t get a chance ta ask… father tried ta banish me and when I was… leavin’ I ran into him. He recognized I was a Hell-Guard and immediately started fightin’ me. His Jinki’s able ta paralyze anyone in one scratch and well, before I knew it…” he trailed off, trusting Kyouka to understand where he was going. As well as conveniently leaving out the fact that he was also about to commit suicide and that Jabber stopped him.
Kyouka muttered something into her choker, something to do with an investigation into whatever the raiders stole. She then turned her attention back to Zanka. “Did’ya get any other information out of him?”
“He said his name was Jabber Wonger,” Zanka answered. He also gave her a description of his appearance, including what his jinki looked like.
A few minutes later, they received a file on criminal givers to see if he was already on the radar. Sure enough, he was. He had a… colorful description from reports of raiders they’ve arrested before.
When the raiders’ new leader took power, Jabber quickly became a member of the frontline. A sadomasochist who loved the thrill of battle, especially against other givers. Ruthless to those he deemed weak, mainly against non-givers he fought. From reports, if he ever spared a non-giver, it was because he believed they could become a giver.
Zanka could feel Kyouka eyeing the staff he carried. It doesn’t take a genius to tell that Zanka was deeply attached to the damn thing.
“I know what yer gonna say—I… I know.”
Kyouka is a squad captain. Part of the very face of Hell-Guard. She won’t take lightly to the idea of Zanka becoming a giver. But that only made him grip his staff harder.
She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “Zanka, what are ya thinkin’? A giver in the Nijiku family? Yer father’s practically disowned ya already—how could ya let yourself disappoint everyone further?”
He gaped at that. Stared directly into her eyes, deep into her eyes. His sister makes his blood boil. For so long, he’s looked up to her. Tried his best to ignore the infantilizing refusal to let him grow on his own. It’s his fault that he’s a disappointment?
Especially with eyes like hers?
Zanka stood up, “I think yer forgettin’ I’m my own person, Kyouka. I’ll still be a Hell-Guard like the family wants me to be, but I’ll do it in my own right. Jabber Wonger has his eyes on me, and I will take him down with this stick everyone hates SO much. You. Can’t. Stop. Me,” those last words were spoken as if he wanted to sink poison into that woman’s veins.
Before she could bark anything back, Zanka stormed out. He made his declaration loud and clear. Then he came across his room and hid in it.
Fuck, he’s so angry at everything right now. His family, Hell-Guard, Jabber, Hyo—all of it. His body feels like it’s on fire from the leftover venom. Dread quietly pooled in his gut. What if they kick him out again? Not just tell him to leave, but grab him and drag him out themselves?
He clicked his tongue. Whatever, he’s still hunting down Jabber, regardless. He just needs to take a deep breath and let the day end.
Walking over to his bed, Zanka crawled on top of it and crossed his legs. The staff laid across his body. It kept him steady. He closed his eyes as he meditated and thought to himself. How does one awaken a Jinki? This beautiful stick has become all he ever is. It defines him now.
Zanka wants to use it. Needs to use it to its fullest potential.
He won’t be scared. Won’t be ashamed of it. If anyone judges him for what he loves, it’s their problem, not his.
The heaviness in his body left him eventually. Once it did, he opened his eyes and looked at what had become his world.
It caused him to smile. All his anger is gone. The shame of earlier washed away.
She’s lovely.
The next morning, his family didn’t say anything to him, didn’t mention or apologize for his suicide attempt. His father glared at him, his banishment seemingly over. Goka ignored him. His mother was already at work. And Kyouka kept glancing between him and her food.
So she didn’t say anything about him becoming a giver. Good, she doesn’t want to let him go. Zanka’s fine with becoming a giver—scratch that, he did. But the idea of him publicly being one still worries him. He wants to show his Jinki off; when she’s activated, she’s just the prettiest staff ever. However, that has to wait. He needs to train with her, get used to her, learn her—love her.
There was some time in between breakfast and patrols. So he trained in his room, not daring to go outside. Someone could see his jinki, and that can’t happen. Especially at home.
She’s beautiful. Tall, sheen and metal. The prongs had dangerous spikes decorating the curve until it tapered into a blue, flame-like blade on either side. Blue accented the staff all around. His name was partially hidden at the curve, covered by ropes surrounding it and the studded base holding it all together.
Her movement was elegant too. There was no doubt in Zanka’s mind that she’s heavy to most people. But to him, she was as light-weight as a feather. Cuts through the air with precision.
Everyone thought lowly of her. Even Zanka himself. But now he knows she isn’t. Once upon a time, he wondered why people would become obsessive over objects. He understands now. And he’s embracing it. It’s as if his obsession had been turned up to eleven. He can’t help it; he chose this. And is happy with it.
It’s easy to fantasize how she would look fighting against others. The ringing that would fill the room as metal tastes metal. How she bashes against others.
Against Jabber. How his red blood would look against the staff’s blue—the smile that would creep up on Zanka’s face—
Okay, now. What the hell is Zanka thinking? He doesn’t enjoy hurting people. Fighting is enjoyable, yes, but there’s nothing fun about hurting people.
Whatever, shake the thought off, and go on patrol. Zanka’s assigned to a more mid-ranking squad today. He may have been second best, but only first place gets to instantly be top rank. It made him bite his lip in frustration. Then he took a deep breath because it’s just fine. He’ll prove everyone wrong one day.
Kamuatari is held under lock and key after yesterday. Circled by every Hell-Guard and their mother, but Zanka’s squad is going to some random town to wander around in. He just sat in the back of the car. Silent, like everyone else. Serious no-fun-allowed Hell-Guard business at the helm.
If only he could use his jinki.
Apparently wish granted because one moment he was dozing off, the next the car fell into a sinkhole. Everyone was jostled by it. What did the driver not pay attention?
One of the other patrol members voiced that concern, and the driver was completely offended.
“You were in the front passenger seat! You saw what I saw—empty roads!” he shouted out.
While everyone was arguing and acting like children, Zanka stepped out of the car to investigate. They were trapped in what seemed to be some underground building. One that was most likely buried by trash after the Sphere moseyed on by, however long ago.
He tapped his staff against the floor to test its stability. It was, but Zanka felt something strange. Like… there was something else there.
The senior member stepped out to give an order. “Everyone, split into pairs. Survey the surrounding area and look for an exit—our chokers don’t work underground.”
Someone from the same class as him got stuck with Zanka. The girl who copied Hyo’s appearance. What’s her name again? Hibiki? Right, it’s Hibiki. When she first started imitating Hyo, Zanka thought that she truly fit the meaning of it. Everyone dispersed once assigned.
The dark halls unnerved him a little. It was clean and dirty at the same time, like someone took half-hazard care of it recently. Striking against how long this place was likely buried for.
“You’re still carrying that after graduating Zanka? That’s dangerous, you know,” Hibiki said. He side-eyed her.
The thought of insulting his Jinki made him silently snarl. But it’s kind of funny that she’s the one who says it. “Why get rid of it if I can take down most of my opponents, including you, with he—it?” He has to avoid properly addressing her in front of others. Lest he get ratted out. Hibiki bristled at the comeback. Serves her right.
“It’s just that we’re all concerned for you, Zanka!” she responded with a plastic smile. “We all know how life changed since Hyo came along. You included! I’m just worried that you might become obsessive.” Too late. “Besides, I heard what happened. What your father tried to do, if it became a Jinki, he might do even worse! You might get genuinely thrown out. It’s okay to replace the stick if you’re good at bo-staffs—whatever. But this is getting stressful…”
“Isn’t it kind of strange to be constantly breakin’ a weapon?” He’s just going to walk ahead of her now—damn, they’re all so annoying. “All of ya judged me for choosin’ a stick—it’s insultin’ that ya act like ya care now that we’ve graduated.”
“ZANKA—” he glared at her. They can barely see each other, but he hopes she can feel the seething hate he has for all of those fucking frauds like her and everyone else. “Nevermind… let’s just find an exit and request help.”
This is making him feel like shit. He would be fine with a boring day, but it’s annoying having to be alone with Hibiki. If it were one of the other Hell-Guards, they wouldn’t pester him.
If he just focuses on the scraping of his staff against the floor, he’ll calm down.
It’s time for his day to be made. There were footsteps behind them. The sound was soft; the people were trying to be sneaky. It also didn’t have the usual sound standard Hell-Guard footwear made. It reminded him of past encounters.
Raider encounters.
Zanka’s feeling a little cocky today. They were trying hard to stay hidden, but he’s worked just that much harder. He stopped in his tracks and called out to them, “You raiders always wear the same kind of shoes.” He turned around, spotting the purple lantern. “Guessing this sinkhole was your doing?”
The raider carried a drill. Most likely, they can manipulate terrain. They walked closer into view, a smug smile stretching across their face. Hibiki brandished her gun when Zanka called them out.
“Don’t feel let down by the trouble you found yourselves in, brats. It’s just an unfortunate stroke of luck you’re all down here with me,” they said. Then, they activated the drill with glowing eyes. The earth shook around them and the ceiling caved in.
Zanka barely had time to push Hibiki and himself away from the falling debris. He got up just fine, but she hit her head.
Oh?
Hibiki hit her head and fell unconscious.
That realization crept up his back with excitement. He’s alone. No Hell-Guard around to see him activate his Jinki. Oh, the raider has no idea who they picked a fight with.
Blue flames danced around him as he activated her. Weight shifting comfortably in his arms. “More like yer down here alone with me,” he mocked.
The raider’s nostrils flared as an unspoken conversation rang loud. Givers within Hell-Guard are rare. Raiders are used to fighting Hell-Guards, but the gnats that they are—aren’t used to fighting this kind of Hell-Guard. Poor little raider; stuck with Zanka fucking Nijiku.
A wall fell between the two. Zanka broke through it with ease. Damn, this staff is perfect. Anything the raider did, it was counteracted with ease. Didn’t even expect it.
He closed in on them. The raiders’ eyes shrunk into fear, Zankas own shrunk, but out of crazed euphoria. He knocked them down, straddled, and cuffed them.
Zanka sat on them for a little, debating what to do next. And relish his first victory with his Jinki.
“Hmm… question, have ya spoken to a Jabber Wonger before?” the raider nodded confusedly. He smiled. “Good! Let’s cut a deal then. I’ll let ya go if ya do these things for me: tell me where the exit is, and give a message to Jabber…”
He leaned in until their faces were inches apart. “I’ll make ya regret sparin’ me. I’ll make yer life a livin’ hell as I hunt cha down. Tear down every track ya leave when I’m not on my leash—and won’t stop until yer mangled body is in my hands.”
They told him where it was, so he took Hibiki, gathered the others, and left.
He was questioned on where the raider went, but he made up an easy excuse. A Jinki that allowed someone to manipulate terrain could easily run away. Zanka had to prioritize his injured teammate while looking for the exit after all!
When he got home, he crashed on his bed and giggled into his pillow. His lovely staff did an amazing job today.
Hm, maybe that’s what he’ll call her.
“I love you so much, Lovely Assistaff.”