Chapter 31: Pride
「 Zanno 」
"What happened to my Gear?"
「 Lady Hybris 」
"Close your eyes and feel it, Zanno."
As Zanno closed his eyes, he focused his senses on the energy around him. He could still feel the remnants of the Gear's power coursing through his body, but something seemed different. It was as if the power had transformed, becoming more refined and concentrated.
「 Zanno 」
"I can still sense the power, Lady Hybris. It feels different, more focused."
「 Lady Hybris 」
"Indeed, Zanno."
"This power is yours and yours alone."
"You are the only one who deserves it."
"What you once relied upon externally has now become internalized."
"One with you."
Zanno's curiosity peaked, and he opened his eyes, gazing at Lady Hybris with expectation.
「 Zanno 」
"Are you saying that the power of the Gear has become a part of me?"
Lady Hybris nodded, a hint of approval in her expression.
「 Lady Hybris 」
"Precisely, Zanno."
"Through your unwavering determination and the guidance of our connection, the power of the Gear has merged with your own essence."
"It has become an intrinsic part of who you are."
Zanno's eyes widened, a mix of awe and excitement filling him.
「 Zanno 」
"So, I no longer need the physical Gear to access its power?"
「 Lady Hybris 」
"That is correct, Zanno."
"The power now resides within you."
"The Gear served as a catalyst, a bridge between the external and internal."
"But now, you have embraced that power, and it flows through your veins."
Sergeant Lysara chimed in, her voice filled with admiration.
「 Sergeant Lysara 」
"This is an extraordinary achievement, Zanno."
"You have transcended the limitations of conventional means and tapped into your true potential."
"The power you now possess is boundless."
Zanno's face lit up with a mix of gratitude and determination.
「 Zanno 」
"Finally!"
"The power..."
"I can feel it."
"I am one with it."
"Nothing can ever stand in my way again!"
"Ever!"
Zanno's expression shifted, a dark and twisted grin spreading across his face. His eyes glowed with an unsettling intensity as he reveled in his newfound power.
"Yes!"
"This power is mine!"
"I am unstoppable!"
"None can pose a threat to me now!"
「 Lady Hybris (malignant) 」
"Good... Zanno."
"Goooooood..."
"Unleash what is within your heart."
"Let it go."
"Let it all go."
"Hahaha..."
Sergeant Lysara stepped forward cautiously, concern etched on her face.
「 Sergeant Lysara 」
"Zanno, stay true to who you are."
"Do not succumb to the darkness within."
"You have the potential for greatness, but it must be tempered with wisdom and compassion."
But Zanno paid no heed to their words of caution. His laughter echoed through the room, a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines.
「 Zanno 」
"Wisdom and compassion?"
"Fools!"
"Tell that to the zak'nagi!"
"Power is all that matters!"
"I will crush them!"
"Every single one of them"
"With this power, I am invincible!"
「 Sergeant Lysara (concern) 」
"Zanno, listen to me!"
"This is not the path you should follow."
"True power lies in mastery over oneself, not in domination over others."
Sergeant Lysara's voice was filled with determination as she stepped forward, her hand reaching out towards Zanno.
"Zanno, remember who you are!"
"You are more than this darkness."
"You have the strength to overcome it!"
"Remember those who are around you."
"Remember your Dad, your Mom!"
Zanno paused for a moment, his expression flickering as a hint of inner struggle fought against the overwhelming arrogance and thirst for power. Gradually, his laughter subsided, and his face contorted with conflicting emotions.
「 Zanno 」
"I... I can feel it."
"The darkness..."
"It's consuming me."
Lady Hybris stepped closer, her voice filled with hope.
「 Sergeant Lysara 」
"Zanno, remember the purpose for which you sought this power."
"It was to protect, to bring justice, not to dominate."
"Embrace that purpose and find balance within yourself."
Zanno closed his eyes, struggling to regain control over the dark forces that threatened to consume him. Slowly, he took a deep breath, centering himself and channeling his inner strength.
「 Lady Hybris 」
"Oh, shut it, woman!"
"You have no say in this..."
Lady Hybris shot one of her tailfeathers at Sergeant Lysara. Zanno's eyes flew open, and in a split second, he intercepted Lady Hybris' attack, catching the tailfeather mid-air with his newfound power. The room fell silent as Zanno's gaze met Lady Hybris', determination burning in his eyes.
「 Zanno 」
"No more!"
"I will not let darkness control me."
"I choose my own path!"
With a surge of willpower, Zanno released the tailfeather and turned his back on Lady Hybris, severing the connection that had once bound them.
「 Zanno 」
"Sergeant Lysara, you were right."
"Power without control is meaningless."
"I will not let this darkness consume me."
"I will find balance and wield my power responsibly."
Sergeant Lysara's expression softened, her voice filled with relief.
「 Sergeant Lysara 」
"Zanno, I knew you had it in you."
"Remember, true strength lies not only in the power we wield but in how we choose to use it."
"I will stand by your side, guiding you to the best of my abilities."
Zanno nodded, a sense of resolve washing over him.
「 Zanno 」
"Thank you, Sergeant Lysara."
"I am grateful for your guidance and support."
"I still have a long way to go..."
Lady Hybris watched in silence, her eyes narrowed with a mix of disappointment and intrigue. She realized that her attempts to manipulate Zanno had failed, and he had chosen a different path for himself.
「 Lady Hybris 」
"Very well, Zanno."
"The choice is yours to make."
"But remember, power always comes with a price."
"We shall see how you handle the consequences of your decisions."
With those cryptic words, Lady Hybris retreated into the shadows, leaving Zanno and Sergeant Lysara still perplexed by the incident.
Zanno took a deep breath, ready to embrace his power with responsibility and embark on a journey where he would strive to find the balance between strength and compassion.
「 Zanno 」
"I will not be defined by this darkness."
"I will harness this power for good, to protect those in need."
"I will find balance."
As Zanno made his resolution, the dark energy surrounding him began to diminish. Sergeant Lysara breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that there was hope for Zanno yet.
「 Olivia 」
"Looks like you handled that pretty well, my son."
「 Zanno 」
"MOM!"
Olivia materialized moments after Lady Hybris vanished. Zanno's eyes widened in astonishment as he saw his mother, Olivia, standing before him.
「 Zanno 」
"Mom, is it really you?"
"Where were you?"
"Who was Lady Hybris?"
"Please... I am so confused"
Olivia smiled warmly, her presence radiating love and reassurance.
「 Olivia 」
"Yes, my dear Zanno, it is me."
Tears welled up in Zanno's eyes as he rushed forward, embracing his mother tightly.
「 Zanno 」
"I was so scared, Mom."
"I thought I would never see you again."
Olivia gently caressed her son's cheek, her voice filled with tenderness.
「 Olivia 」
"I have always been with you, Zanno."
"I am proud of the person you have become."
"Although it pains me to say this, you have to face the tests on your own."
"I could never intervene in any way."
Sergeant Lysara stood nearby, her eyes shimmering with tears of joy.
「 Sergeant Lysara 」
"Zanno..."
"Is she your mother?"
Zanno nodded, acknowledging Sergeant Lysara with gratitude.
「 Olivia 」
"Sergeant Lysara, you have played a crucial role in shaping Zanno's path."
"I am grateful for your guidance and support."
Zanno released his mother from the embrace, a sense of determination burning in his eyes.
「 Zanno 」
"Mom, what do you mean by tests?"
「 Olivia 」
"A great ancient power lies dormant within Aena herself."
"You are being prepared by her to face the looming darkness that threatens to consume this world."
"These tests will challenge your resolve, your strength, and your ability to maintain balance."
"They will push you to your limits and force you to confront your inner demons."
Zanno's expression grew serious as he listened to his mother's words. He understood that this journey would not be easy, but he was determined to face whatever challenges awaited him.
「 Zanno (determined) 」
"I am ready, Mom..."
"I will embrace these tests and prove myself worthy of the power bestowed upon me."
"I will not let darkness prevail."
Sergeant Lysara nodded, her voice filled with determination.
「 Sergeant Lysara 」
"Zanno, remember that you are not alone in this."
"Others will stand by your side, facing these tests together."
"Trust in your own strength and the bonds you have formed."
Olivia smiled, her voice filled with pride and reassurance.
「 Olivia 」
"You have grown into a remarkable young man, Zanno."
"I have faith in you and the choices you will make. Remember, the true measure of power lies not in its magnitude but in the heart that wields it."
Zanno took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
「 Zanno 」
"I will always remember your words, Mom."
"I will wield this power with compassion and use it to protect those who cannot protect themselves."
"Together, we will face the darkness and emerge victorious."
「 Olivia 」
"I have no doubt, my son."
"Your heart is pure, and your intentions noble."
"With your strength and the people around you, you will make a difference in this world."
"Never forget, Zanno."
"No man is an island."
「 Zanno 」
"Yes, Mom, I understand."
"But... What really happened to my Gear?"
"It suddenly vanished into thin air."
「 Olivia 」
"You are wearing it still."
"Can't you feel it?"
Upon Olivia's request, Zanno's Gear materialized before him. It remained in the same condition as when he last summoned Lady Hybris. It seemed that his Gear responded not only to his magical energy but also to the summoning of his eidolon. By invoking Lady Hybris, his Gear could merge with the surrounding light, rendering it invisible.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Babazam
Babazam Edit: 20 Nov 23
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