Kai didn't know if he could trust Rakha or not to tell him about the plan.
However, right now, he needed helping hands.
And Rakha is a straightforward man, not a cunning one, from how he couldn't help but show what was inside his mind. Loathing Kai for being a Lesser Angel and also showing blatant disdain towards Matilda made that obvious about him.
Perhaps due to his straightforwardness, he could sense the snake in Matilda.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Despite Rakha's previous hostility, Kai couldn't doubt his hatred and anger towards Matilda and Team Coeus. Conspiring to have him killed as Matilda did is worse than being a stain in his eyes, like Kai was in his view.
If Kai remembers it right, Rakha was the one who got attacked first.
Matilda must've viewed him as the most dangerous in Team Crius other than herself.
Kai told Rakha about his plan to steal Team Coeus' mana ores in order to strengthen them further to be able to pose a threat to the remaining two teams. He also said that the moment was right as Team Coeus was aiming to finish Team Hyperion soon, and then take their time to complete the rite requirements.
All was laid bare.
And the more Kai talked, the more winning seemed plausible.
"I've been hiding and recuperating near Team Coeus' mine. I overheard them talking about a crate almost being full," Rakha's eyes glistened with clarity. Now, with the information from Kai, he knew what this crate was. "Must be the mana ores you're talking about."
Kai's eyes sparkled at his words.
That means there's really a last batch of mana ores going to be transported soon.
"So, are you in?" Kai finally asked.
"Yeah, why not?" Rakha shrugged. Defeating Team Coeus and Matilda sounded sweeter than surrendering to them. "But I prefer to stay in my own place. I'm sure you and Abigail would also appreciate that."
Kai didn't refuse that suggestion.
He, too, doesn't want to be anywhere near Rakha.
Besides, having two bases would be better, as if one were taken down, the other would still be available.
"Locate the students who were transporting the crate," Kai instructed, ignoring the annoyance on Rakha's face at his commanding tone. "I will be keeping an eye on Team Coeus. Inform us if you find anything."'
"Did you know the crocodile-infested pond nearby?"
"I've seen it."
"Be near that pond. I'll be there when I find the crate."
Rakha and the other student, Mathias, are now a part of the team again.
Against a common enemy, they set aside their differences and made an alliance. It sounded weird—since they came from the same team, but considering the circumstances, this was the best they could settle for.
On the way back, Abigail was silent.
She looked troubled from how she was sweating slightly and fidgeting with her fingers.
"Are you okay?" Kai asked, assuming that she was in a state of shock.
"Huh?" Abigail looked at him, and then blinked when she realized he was talking to her. "Ah, no. It's nothing to worry about. I was still processing what happened. I'm… I'm sorry. I made trouble for you this early in the morning."
"What were you doing anyway?" Kai raised a brow. "You were supposed to be keeping eyes for us, but you went out instead? I told you we're close to Team Coeus. It's a good thing that you encountered only Rakha…"
Had Abigail encountered anyone from Team Coeus, then she'd be in trouble.
Lion is vicious, and her timidness is food for him to use.
"I was thinking of getting more clean water. Stocking up before we make our move."
"And where are your things?"
"My things?" Abigail tilted her head a little, confused.
"Yes, your things," Kai frowned at her slowness. "You said you're getting clean water."
"Oh, right! I think Rakha took it from me."
"You think?"
"I mean, he took it from me," She corrected. "His team is in a worse situation than ours."
Abigail was speaking oddly, but Kai assumed her thoughts were still scattered.
After all, Rakha had a knife on her.
And knowing how timid Abigail was, she must be traumatized by it.
"Since when did you become that powerful?" The question slipped out before she could stop it. His display of strength earlier replayed in her mind. His strength. Speed. Awareness. None of it made sense. "I thought your imprint was only Nigh-phantom."
Having more than one imprint isn't impossible.
But it's odd for him to awaken more imprints when he didn't achieve any breakthrough.
Every Supernal embodies their Patron God. Each time a Supernal grows, the Patron God may be pleased—and reward them accordingly. But Kai hadn't achieved anything. Which made it seem odd for him to have a second Legacy Imprint.
"I've got to keep a few tricks up my sleeves," Kai lied. "I feel safer keeping a few secrets."
"I'm really surprised," Abigail muttered softly. "You should've told me…"
Both of them arrived back at their hideout right on time, as Dorian had only woken up.
He yawned, stretched, and then rubbed his eyes before blinking at the sight of Kai and Abigail walking in together. "The hell?" He looked at them questioningly. "You two come back at the same time from somewhere? Where did you guys go?"
A lazy grin spread across his face. "Sex?"
"You're still half asleep." Kai waved him off. "Go wash your face. You missed something."
For the rest of the day, Kai and Dorian take turns waiting near the crocodile-infested pond to wait for Rakha. Of course, while one was waiting, the other also tried finding the supposedly important crate.
Nothing happened that day, which is a good thing.
Other than the worry of Team Coeus being so near, it's rather peaceful.
Later that night, Kai was the first one to keep a lookout.
He decided to use that time to use Deep Slumber to meet with Noxian.
In his sleeping state, he's not unconscious or unaware.
That much he knew by now, so it doesn't matter if he used Deep Slumber.
Kai opened his eyes to the starry expanse once more.
But this time, something felt different—a pull, a thread connecting him somewhere specific. To Noxian's domain. Mastering the Perfect Slash Ending Fragment has done more than make him stronger.
It also had forged a mental link.
Kai could visit Noxian whenever he wanted without needing to search for his house.
"You smell like blood," Noxian muttered without raising his gaze.
"I have killed someone with the help of your fragment," Kai stopped at his lawn, eyes looking around as if searching for something. "But I need more than this. I need to become stronger. My enemy is strong."
"You want another fragment?" Noxian finally raised his gaze.
His glowing purple eyes stared at Kai from behind his helmet, seemingly amused.
"Yes."
"I apologize for being the bearer of bad news, but I can't give you another fragment."
"Why not?"
Noxian tilted his head a little and shifted his center of gravity. The purple shadow plume from his helmet brushed against his black steel chest plate. "Your mind is not ready." He tapped his temple. "Your mind is grounded, and that's good. But another fragment from me would break you.
"The night would devour you," He paused and straightened. "Besides, the fragment that you learned is the only one you can learn at your current state."
Kai considered this.
"You said a fragment from you would be too much," His eyes sharpened. "Then that means I could endure one from another Nightborn. Teach me how to find another Nightborn. I need this."
If he was going to go against Lion and Matilda, he needed more strength.
He already decided to progress in his rank, but another fragment would certainly help.
Even now, despite not experiencing an actual physical boost, he was far stronger than he was due to the Perfect Slash Ending Fragment. If he could get another one, perhaps that'd push him into the league of High Angels.
"Only hearing what you wanted," Noxian snorted at Kai's greed. "Yes, that's correct. And I can tell you how to find another Nightborn. But… I want compensation."
"Name it," Kai answered decisively. "If it's within my power, then I'll do it."
A smile caressed Noxian's face.
Kai didn't see it. He couldn't with the helmet on the way.
"I trust you'll honor your word. When the time comes, I'll tell you." Noxian nodded, then gestured toward beyond his own domain. "Walk through the endless. Follow the Draco constellation; it is safer that way. You will find another Nightborn. Might not be the one you need, but still something. If you don't, keep walking. Do not stop until you stand within the domain of another Nightborn."
"Safer…?" Kai's brows dipped into a frown.
"Nightborns are inhabitants of the House of Night," Noxian explained. His eyes became more serious before he said the next words, "And there are some who do not want to be known. Once the pain in your mind reached its peak, listen. You will hear whisperers. You'll have to trust your gut then, as even those who don't want to be known can call for you."
"And what if I stumbled across those who don't want to be known?" Kai asked.
He could guess what would happen, but he needed to ask.
Perhaps, there's a way to escape in that scenario.
But that was hopeful thinking.
"Then you perish," Noxian answered chillingly. "As simple as that."
Just the thought of perishing struck a chill down Kai's spine.
He still needed to be alive and took vengeance on that Demon man who found amusement in watching Bella sacrifice herself so that he could live. Before that day comes, he refused to die. No matter what.
"Leave," Noxian's voice snapped him back to reality. "I was taking a nap when you came."
"Nightborns can sleep?"
"And why do you think we can't sleep?"
"You know… With the House of Night and stuff," Kai gestured to the whole realm, but that earned him a glare from Noxian. "Alright, I'm going to shut up and leave now. Wish me luck to find the good guys."
Once he left Noxian's domain, he looked skyward.
He saw the Draco constellation shaped like a wyrm.
It was distant, but when Kai focused, it seemed to have gotten closer for him.
As Noxian instructed, he strictly followed the Draco constellation. He walked through the endless expanse that looked exactly the same wherever he looked. No landmark. Nothing to tell where he was other than the constellations above.
Kai even thought that perhaps there were really no directions in the House of Night.
An unknown amount of time passed.
At this point, Kai felt like he had been walking for days or maybe close to a week, but nothing seemed to change. He started to realize that when Noxian said to walk, he meant a very long walk.
Kai had truly underestimated how long it was going to take.