"Zion, what do you think of Shana?" Erica asked as the two of them lay on the bed to take an afternoon nap. "I think she’s a loyal and kind person," Thirteen replied. "Anything else?" Erica inquired. "She’s innocent, but not gullible." "Anything else?" "Why are you asking me this question?" "I’m just curious, you know?" Erica pulled Zion into her embrace and hugged him tighter. She didn’t know if the teenage boy would accept Shana’s feelings, but nothing would change unless the Saintess opened up. "You’re acting really suspicious right now, Erica," Thirteen said. "I don’t want to hear that from a scheming brat like you," Erica replied. "But I know that despite appearances, you care for people very much. You just don’t show it in the open." Thirteen didn’t reply right away and instead closed his eyes, allowing Erica to hold him tightly. A few minutes later, the teenage boy spoke his mind. "Erica, I’m not a good person," Thirteen replied. "I know," Erica answered. "I won’t hesitate to make sacrifices to achieve my goal." "I know that too. But I, Sherry, and your family will never be part of those sacrifices." "Are you fine with me sacrificing others like a cold-blooded killer?" "No." "And you still want me as your fiance?" "Yes." "Did anyone tell you that you’re a very greedy person?" "It takes one to know one," Erica said. "You’re also greedy, Zion. Greedier than I am. So, remember this. Since you’re already greedy, go all the way. Take everything you want, and I will always be there to support you." A minute of silence passed before Erica felt the teenage boy’s hands wrap around her body. "Erica, I don’t want to have any weaknesses," Thirteen stated. "But you’re being so pushy." "Don’t worry." Erica planted a kiss on Zion’s head. "I won’t become one of your weaknesses. I will become strong—become the strongest Sorceress in the world. Instead of becoming your weakness, I will be your strength. "I’m sure your family feels the same as I do. This goes for Sherry… and Shana as well. We all want to become your strength, not the shackles that bind you." Thirteen pulled back and looked at Erica’s face. "Can you fight against Fate?" Thirteen asked. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖 "Have you been fighting against Fate all this time?" Erica, who wanted to know more about Zion, asked. "Yes," Thirteen answered. "My purpose in life is to defeat Fate." The teenage boy always kept his deepest and darkest secrets inside his heart, not letting anyone know his worries and concerns. But right now, Erica could tell that he was opening up to her, so she decided to answer his determination with her own. "I don’t know if I can fight against Fate," Erica answered honestly. "But it sounds like an interesting goal in life. Since you’re already planning to fight it, then I’d join your team. What do you say?" Continue your adventure with freewebnovel "You’re so stupid, Erica," Thirteen replied before cupping her face. "You’ve been part of the Cannon Fodder Team since you were born. You can’t jump off this ship even if you try." "And why would I jump off of the Zion Ship?" Erica also cupped the teenage boy’s face. "This ship is the winning ship. I’m not getting off even if you kick me out." "You’re hopeless." Zion sighed before pressing his lips over Erica’s own lips, taking the latter by surprise. "Six out of ten," Erica said after the teenage boy pulled back from the kiss. "I’ll give you one additional point if you kiss me again." "Don’t get ahead of yourself," Thirteen replied. "You look like you want to be kissed, so I kissed you." "Sure. Whatever you say, Mr. Iceberg." Erica moved closer to peck Zion’s lips twice before hugging him again. Thirteen closed his eyes and thought about Erica’s words. He didn’t lie earlier when he said that he didn’t want to create any weakness. After seeing all of his Hosts suffer because their loved ones were used as hostages against them, Thirteen was afraid that he would end up on the same path as them. Erica was a cannon fodder. This was why he was very close to her. He wanted her to break free from the chains that bound her in this lifetime, allowing her to live her life to the fullest. But Zion also knew that Erica was slowly but surely worming her way into his heart. The teenage boy even thought of pushing her away and ending their engagement. But if he were to do that, it would mean that he would be forsaking one of the people who trusted and loved him with all of their heart. If he couldn’t even save one cannon fodder, how could he possibly save them all? Thirteen was a very confident person. He believed that he could handle almost any situation as long as he put his mind to it. However, there were still things outside his control. Some of them were his family, Erica, and Sherry. They were his Achilles heel. The people that he was duty-bound to protect. This was why he was desperately doing his best to compensate for his restrictions, creating schemes, projects, and weapons that would give him an edge despite the limitations that were placed on him. And even though he didn’t intend for it to happen, someone else was trying to tie their string of fate to his fingers, forcing him to make another difficult choice. "What do you think about Shana?" Thirteen asked. Due to the Saintess acting suspiciously earlier, the teenage boy decided to ask Tiona to spill the beans. At first, Tiona resisted and tried to change the topic. However, she soon lost against Thirteen’s persistence, and soon, he understood the reason why she was acting that way. "In the past, I hated her," Erica replied honestly. "The person I love had eyes only for her. No matter how much I tried to make myself look pretty and learn about the things he liked, I never succeeded in making him look at me and only me." "That’s because he is blind," Thirteen commented, which made Erica giggle. "Love is blind," Erica said softly. "That’s just how people are when they fall in love with someone. Love also comes in many forms. Since I am not an expert on love, I will not explain it to you. "But I already experienced it myself, so I could tell that Shana is also experiencing the same feelings right now. And I want to help her. Not all first loves have to end in heartbreak, you know?" Thirteen remained silent because he understood what Erica was trying to say. Erica, who knew how smart her fiance was, no longer continued the topic and simply held him close. She had already done her best. It was now up for Shana to do the rest. While the two were taking a nap together, Pica and Pico were having a secret meeting with Shana, away from the prying eyes and ears of everyone in the Mobile Fortress. The two Pocopocos who liked gossip, as well as drama, were going all out to tell the Saintess a few methods and words of encouragement that would help her get what she wanted.