Path of the Extra

Chapter 164: Iryndra [2]

For a moment, Azrielʼs mind froze, unable to process the absurdity of the words that had just come out of the small girlʼs mouth.

That smile—fragile yet weighed down with sadness—made something in him twist. His expression shifted, cycling through confusion, bewilderment, and finally, disbelief.

ʼI must have really lost my mind...ʼ

Yet no matter how irrational it seemed, Azriel couldnʼt turn his back on this girl—a Heptarch.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he forced his emotions under control. His voice came out soft but firm.

”What makes you think youʼre going to die?”

Iryndra looked up, her eyes shimmering, the flickering firelight reflected within them like fragile glass about to shatter. For a second, Azriel almost found himself captivated by those eyes. Almost.

She spoke in a low, trembling voice, each word tinged with an aching vulnerability.

”Because… Iʼm not strong enough. I havenʼt been as useful as they wanted me to be. The person I call my father... heʼs only keeping me around to watch me. I think…”

Her voice faltered, and her small frame seemed to shrink in on itself. Azriel leaned forward slightly, unable to tear his eyes away.

”I think theyʼre starting to reconsider my place as a Heptarch. And if that happens…”

Her expression darkened, the shadow of despair settling over her like a heavy blanket.

”Theyʼll use me. Like a slave. Just like before I joined them. And with a weak body like mine…” She paused, trembling as her small hands curled into trembling fists.

”If I overuse my [Unique Skill] or my affinity, Iʼll…”

Her words broke off, but the meaning lingered heavily in the silence.

Azriel felt his gaze soften as he looked at her, this small, trembling child.

She wasnʼt a Heptarch in his eyes anymore. Not a symbol of power or fear.

And suddenly, he understood.

ʼOh… I see.ʼ

She was just a child.

A pitiful, broken child.

Unconsciously, Azriel reached out. His hand hovered above her head, frozen mid-air. A war played out in his mind, memories clashing with the present.

ʼAm I… pitiful too?ʼ

His lips pressed into a thin line as his own question cut deep.

ʼI was.ʼ

He clenched his jaw.

ʼBut... not anymore.ʼ

Alone—that had been his life for so long. But not now.

Not anymore.

Even though he was still trapped in this nightmare, still lost in a hell he couldnʼt escape, he had people waiting for him.

People who cared.

Who loved him.

Who worried for him, cherished him, and longed to see him return.

Family.

He had a family.

The thought stirred something in Azrielʼs chest, an ache that spread and cracked something deep inside him. A splintered fragment he hadnʼt even realized was there dissolved into dust.

And with it came understanding.

Azriel exhaled shakily, closing his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, clearer than before.

Then he looked at Iryndra.

She was staring down at her hands, her shoulders trembling as she fought to hold back tears.

Azriel couldnʼt help but smile—a small, gentle thing.

ʼHow selfish of me,ʼ he thought, ʼto focus on myself when this girl is trying so hard not to cry in front of me.ʼ

He didnʼt know what she had endured, but it must have been unbearable.

She wasnʼt strong; she wasnʼt powerful. She was fragile. A child forced to wear the mask of a Heptarch, clinging desperately to someone—anyone—she could speak to.

Maybe she didnʼt even know what comfort felt like.

And yet, she had come to him.

Azriel stood, catching her attention. Her head snapped up, and those dull, tear-glazed eyes met his. She flinched slightly, unsure, her small frame tense.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Azriel crouched in front of her, bringing himself to her eye level as she sat curled on the wooden chair.

ʼShe scared me at first,ʼ he thought, ʼbeing a Heptarch and all. But now… I donʼt care what she is, or what sheʼs worth, or how powerful she might be.ʼ

He gave her a kind smile, his voice soft and warm, like a quiet ember in the cold.

”Iryndra… can I become your family?”

*****

”Eh...?”

A soft, confused sound slipped from Iryndraʼs lips as she stared at the boy in front of her. Her expression was a mixture of bewilderment and disbelief.

Her golden eyes began to tremble.

ʼWhat... what did he just say?ʼ

Family?

ʼHim? Becoming my family...?ʼ

She replayed the words in her head, trying to make sense of them. Did she misunderstand?

No.

He was serious.

That smile, gentle and unwavering, and those eyes peeking through his tousled bangs… they looked at her with a kindness she didnʼt know how to respond to. She averted her gaze, unsure of where to look.

ʼWhy?ʼ

ʼIs he saying this out of guilt?ʼ

Even if he was, he didnʼt need to. She hadnʼt expected much—not even this. She didnʼt realize it herself, but she was simply tired. Exhausted.

All she wanted was to talk to someone. Anyone. Before it was too late.

Her time was limited. She knew that. One way or another, she would die.

It was almost as if the gods had decided she wasnʼt meant to live. She didnʼt hate them for it. But she didnʼt love them, either.

Iryndra had power others would envy, power that could make kings kneel. And yet her body, fragile and uncooperative, couldnʼt bear the weight of it. The number of times she had been exploited was beyond counting.

Her golden eyes grew colder, guarded now, as she studied the boy she had... kidnapped. That was what sheʼd done, wasnʼt it? Sheʼd dragged him into this mess because he was the only one who felt different.

Warm, even.

She couldnʼt explain it. Didnʼt understand it. But something about him felt familiar.

Suppressing the tremor in her voice, she spoke.

”You donʼt need to force yourself. Itʼs alright, mister. Iʼm just happy we could talk.”

Yet he didnʼt waver. His gaze remained steady, that same gentle smile on his face, making her brows furrow slightly.

”Who says Iʼm forcing myself?”

His voice was quiet, but firm.

”Besides… you want a real family, donʼt you? I already have one, so I canʼt speak for them, but I can promise you this—Iʼm willing to be your family. Just me.”

Her teeth bit into her inner cheek as he continued, his voice softening, turning a little sad.

”You must have felt alone. Cold. Lonely… afraid at night. Like the entire world was against you. Like it wasnʼt fair. I donʼt know everything youʼve been through, but Iʼve felt that way too. Some days, I still do.”

Her eyes trembled again at his words.

ʼYes... I feel it too. Every day...ʼ

Before she could respond, he leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting, lightening.

”So how about we make a deal?”

Her voice came out quieter than she intended.

”...A deal?”

He nodded. His smile was warm, unassuming, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

”I become your family, and you become mine. Whenever we feel lonely or sad, whenever we need someone, weʼll be there for each other. No matter what.”

She stared at him, trying to make sense of it.

There was no lie in his words. She could tell. Sheʼd always been able to tell when people were lying. But this boy… he was honest. Earnest in a way she didnʼt know how to deal with.

”I wonʼt force you,” he said softly. ”Itʼs your choice. Whatever you decide, Iʼll respect it.”

Silence stretched between them. Iryndra couldnʼt bring herself to look at him. Her gaze dropped to her lap, her lips trembling.

ʼCan I trust him?ʼ

ʼIs he just like the others?ʼ

ʼItʼs a lie, right? Heʼll use me. Hurt me. Like everyone else...ʼ

But then another thought crept in, quieter, fragile.

ʼWhat if itʼs not?ʼ

ʼWhat if… I could finally be happy?ʼ

ʼWhat if I could have someone to call family?ʼ

She realized something then.

What did she have to lose?

Death? That was already coming for her if she stayed in Neo Genesis.

Pain? She was already used to it.

But loneliness?

She couldnʼt bear it anymore.

ʼI… I donʼt want to be alone.ʼ

Her head lifted. Tears welled in her golden eyes as she met his gaze.

That smile of his…

It made her chest ache in ways she didnʼt understand.

Her voice trembled.

”I… I want to be your family.”

As the words left her lips, something warm rested on top of her head. Her eyes widened.

”Huh?”

She looked up, startled, and saw his hand gently patting her head. His rough touch felt… soft. Comforting.

He chuckled, his voice light.

”That wasnʼt so hard, was it? Well then, Iryndra… Iʼll do my best to be a worthy older brother for you.”

ʼOlder brother...ʼ

The words were unfamiliar. Foreign.

But they didnʼt feel bad.

Just like the warmth of his hand.

It was… nice.