Ball of Nothing - Chapter 38
Chapter 38
"Egui!"
The white light brightened for a little before returning to its normal state . "Oh, it is you again . "
Zero smiled . Even though the soul did not have a body, Zero knew that Egui was smiling . Lily looked at Zero and the soul in confusion . Normal humans couldn't communicate with souls so easily . Just who exactly was Zero? Then again, normal humans couldn't travel through the void so effortlessly either .
"Sorry about that back then . I didn't know that getting rid of the effect would separate your soul . I'm here to bring you back . "
Egui was silent for a while as he listened to Zero's explanation . The young boy started to feel nervous when Egui didn't respond immediately .
After a while, the soul sighed . "Young boy, thank you for doing so much for me . It's been way too long since I've felt at peace . I know what sentence awaits me back there . If you have some time, could you listen to my story?"
Zero nodded . He didn't know why but he felt the reluctance and heaviness of regret radiating from Egui's soul .
"When I was still human, I'd been a very greedy person . I was never satisfied with anything because I was born into a rich family . My parents had money and I could get anything I want without working for it . Despite this fortunate lifestyle, I'd always felt unhappy . There was always something lacking inside of me and no matter what I did, I still could not find it . I'd done many horrible things while I was alive trying to find that one thing I wanted . I'd use my parents' wealth and influence to threaten, bribe and blackmail others into doing horrible things so when I died, King Yama sentenced me to forever roam as a hungry ghost and erased my human name . I wouldn't be freed from my sins until I found what I was looking for . I'd thought it was food but I've been to many places and found that nothing could satisfy this hunger . This wasn't a simple hunger of the stomach, it was the hunger of my soul . "
Lily was beginning to nod off but after a stern reminder from Gaia, she jolted wide awake . The goddesses weren't too interested in Egui' story but they wanted to ensure that Zero was alright . After all, the increased length of time spent in the void meant higher risks of getting back . The connection between Gaia and Lily was still strong so there was nothing to worry about . . . yet .
"Hunger of your soul? Did you find out what it was that you wanted?"
Egui was silent for a while more . "Yes . . . I did, eventually . Unfortunately, I was unable to get it . "
That puzzled Zero . "Why not?"
"The thing I hungered for was to have a friend . I just wanted someone to accept me for who I was and allow me to walk by their side . I wanted to find someone I could trust with my existence and be by their side forever . Unfortunately, there hasn't been anyone so far . Many humans and living beings were selfish and the few who were selfless were often fools who died too early . Then I saw you – a complete stranger in the Mega Gourmet competition . Although young, you displayed great wisdom, kindness and strength . I couldn't help but get attracted to you . My hunger disappeared instantly after you helped to remove the weakness effect . "
Zero blushed . For some reason, hearing Egui say that he was attracted to him made Zero feel very shy . He didn't know that Egui thought of him as someone with great wisdom, kindness and strength . All Zero did, was be himself . Zero didn't have a very strong reason to help Egui either . He felt like helping the ghost and did just that .
Back at Ruban x Pointes, Isis and Freya were glaring daggers at Egui . Gaia could only sigh at her friends' embarrassing display of overprotectiveness . She looked at Sedna helplessly and her sister patted her shoulder in understanding .
"It could be worse with Zeus . "
Gaia nodded . Who knew what the crazy God would do if he knew? Gaia shuddered and returned her attention to Zero and Egui's conversation .
"Thank you for listening . Honestly, I wasn't expecting you to be so patient with me . I'm ready to return now . Before we leave, can I have your name?"
Zero held out his hand and carried the soul . "My name is Zero! I don't have friends yet but after we fix your soul, can we be friends?"
Egui's light brightened a lot and temporarily blinded Lily .
"It would be a great honour, Zero . "