REWRITE: Lets escape the reality

**Chapter 26:

Nathaniel's Point of View**

Despite my persistence and resolve, a shadow of unease lingered in Suwi, her doubts about my motives unrelenting. "I don't know what your real intentions are. You'll gain nothing from this," she murmured, her head bowed, voice heavy with suspicion.

"You see, I have no family here, no friends, nothing. Living alone feels so hollow, so I'm trying to build connections," I confessed, my words trembling with sincerity. "I want to be part of your life, Suwi. You've been alone longer than I have—will you let this rare chance slip away?"

She shook her head, sadness etched deep in her features. I couldn't fathom why she resisted my offer, especially when I knew it aligned with her long-held desire. What more could I do to convince her to accept me as a friend?

"Wait, aside from freeing you, is there something else I should do to earn your friendship?" I asked, searching for her face.

I knew she was serious about wanting freedom, but I wondered if her leaving would truly benefit her—especially with the looming moment when her Soul Eater hunger might awaken. She scoffed, doubting my worth. "What can I expect from someone like you? What can you offer that I'd value or benefit from?"

"Uh… well, I have nothing to give you. I just said I'm empty-handed in this place," I admitted, scratching my head.

"Tsk, useless," she snapped, her tone cutting.

Her scorn stung, yet I couldn't blame her—my words rang hollow without tangible aid. "You don't have to be so harsh. Sure, I can't offer much, but didn't I say I've seen the future? I know a lot about this world," I countered.

"Tsk, and how does that help me, except to pity me, you lowlife?" she retorted, her pride flaring.

Even now, she assumed my concern was pity, her dignity unyielding. Yet my feelings ran deeper—her fate felt like my responsibility to rewrite from the suffering I'd once penned. "I know the path you're on. With that knowledge, we can avoid the tragedies ahead," I insisted.

I warned her that Eskapa wouldn't relent, especially with Magdalena poised to order a purge of Soul Eaters. She bore no guilt for their crimes, yet Magdalena's war would target all her kind. Luckily, her abstinence from soul-eating spared her from the initial slaughter.

"So, while you can, promise me you won't consume any soul," I urged.

"Tsk, if you know so much, you'd know I can't avoid it," she shot back.

I quickly clarified my understanding—eating a soul binds it to a Soul Eater's essence, transferring not just life energy but the victim's abilities. Yet, if the soul's power overwhelms, its negative emotions, desires, and memories seep in, warping their personality and goals unnoticed.

"I know you don't want to, but it's not impossible—especially if your life's at stake," I pressed.

Suwi fell silent, the weight of my words sinking in. She knew resisting was futile and might resort to it to survive. "I'm convinced you know things, but you can't connect with me," she finally said.

"Huh? Why now?" I asked, startled.

She explained that, even if Eskapa spared her, other threats loomed. A weakling like me would die easily, dragging her down. I recalled her abandoning Xxv in the Dark Forest to shield him from enemies—perhaps this fear drove her reluctance.

I couldn't reveal my immunity to death, so I said, "Don't worry about my safety—I was born lucky, that's why I'm still alive."

"Who said I care? I mean you'd just be a burden, maybe even my death," she snapped. "I have my own ways to survive, so don't sacrifice yourself for me."

She sighed, weary of our exchange, my responses unending. "You're a strange one. Aren't you afraid of me? I could eat you, steal your foresight to dodge my tragedies," she challenged.

Her words gave me pause, and I scratched my head, realizing I hadn't considered that. Smiling, I replied, "I trust you won't—your principles go beyond the soul-eating condition. It's the Khan clan's law you uphold."

"For fifty years, you've honored that tradition despite hardship and temptation. That's why I admire you, Suwi," I added earnestly.

Unnoticed, tears welled in her eyes, startling her. She rubbed them, masking her emotion. "Don't think this means anything. My eyes just hurt," she muttered, deflecting.

I wanted her to feel cared for, to know her efforts were seen. I understood that longing—once alone myself, I'd craved recognition but struggled to trust. As she fought her tears, I waited silently for her to calm down.

"Enough, stop talking," she said, covering her face in shame. Suwi, a pillar of strength, hated showing weakness—yet here she wept before me.

I stepped closer, offering my hands in a gesture of truce. "Let's make a pact, Suwi. We'll be honest friends, rewriting our fates together," I proposed.

She stared at my hands, hesitation flickering. Trust didn't come easily, yet I sensed she didn't want to waste this moment. She reached out, then withdrew, shaking her head. "Fool, touching me could shatter your soul. You'd die instantly."

Her warning jolted me—I'd forgotten her spirit energy could drain the unprotected. Yet Koko's claim of my immunity lingered. Lacking proof, I stepped forward, grasping her chained hands without hesitation.

Her eyes widened, cheeks flushing as she gaped at my touch. I felt nothing—no drain, just normal contact. "Now, Suwi, can I be your friend?" I asked with a grin.

A minute passed as she stared at my hands, pondering how this was possible. "Impossible. How can you touch me?" she whispered.

"Uh… maybe because I'm special," I evaded.

She scrutinized the truth—my soul remained untouched, unaffected. Perhaps the divine book's power shielded me. "What if I hugged you to convince you fully?" I teased.

She yanked her hand back, threatening to kill me if I tried. Her doubt and curiosity persisted—she demanded my true identity. "Who are you? You're no ordinary human."

I longed to confess but held back, fearing complications. "That doesn't matter now. What counts is I'm here for you," I deflected.

She sighed, deep in thought, resigned to trust my words given her situation. "If you're really here for me, what's your plan? Will you help me escape?"

"Nah, I said I won't help you leave," I replied.

"Tsk, useless," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

Her haughty edge remained unchanged—her nature, it seemed. I shared my plan to join Eskapa's upcoming trials to gain their trust. She opposed it fiercely, citing Eskapa's role in her kingdom's fall and Magdalena's theft of Xxv, her dearest.

Sorrow laced her voice as she spoke of lost dreams. I pitied her, knowing Xxv's departure aimed to protect her, not abandon her. Yet she refused to see it, craving his sole attention.

"I know you've been let down, your trust broken, but let me prove myself," I pleaded. "I'm just human with limits—I can't protect you alone without help."

"Stop! I heard that from Xxv before he left me to serve them," she snapped.

I couldn't blame her bitterness, though she ignored Xxv's sacrifices. "I don't want to join Eskapa's chaos, but we need Sei—more than anyone, she's the only one we can trust."

"Huh? They're all the same," she scoffed.

I sighed at her stubbornness, then offered a bro fist. She stared, puzzled. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"It's a bro fist—showing loyalty and friendship by touching fists," I explained.

Unwilling to mimic me, I guided her hand to mine. "Bro fist—our sign of trust as friends," I said.

Blushing with embarrassment, she let me proceed, warning me not to touch her abruptly—perhaps unaccustomed or fearing my soul's drain. She shook her head, cheeks red, unsure of this ritual.

"If you can't trust them, trust me, Suwi. Just promise to stay here, avoid soul-eating, and I'll save you," I said with a smile.