"Whoa…" I watch as the scenery in front of my eyes just flashes by at extreme speeds, becoming a beautiful blur of a multitude of colors. So this is what being on a train is like…
"So adorable~!" Aponia swoons as she pulls me into a tight hug, making me squeak and flush up, my own arms instinctively wrapping around her mid section as my face rests between her large breasts while she stares down at me with a slightly flushed face and large grin. "I could eat you up!" The way she licks her lips sends a shudder down my spine, so I instantly push away from her and lean against the window while covering my chest.
Yet she merely chuckles and starts slowly approaching me while wiggling her fingers.
I can only puff up my cheeks in mock anger as she cuddles up into my sides while squishing her cheek against mine.
It has already been a week since Aponia moved in to live with me and be my teammate, and it's been a very nice week so far. Aside from the sheer amount of teasing she dishes out on a daily basis.
She has helped me train my danger sense to a good enough level, though for some reason I didn't gain a Skill from doing so. Perhaps because if I focus on training it constantly it might become a bit of a cheat?
I have improved quite a bit in other departments too, mostly in my Law of Earth, Mana Stars and Mana Core. Plus Mana Circulation and Mana Burst have gone up quite a few levels, especially since now I can handle most of the backlash from Mana Burst.
[Mana Burst] (16/?)
[Mana Circulation] (12/?)
Ataraxia
Level – 34
Fighting Class – Mortal
Sacred Gear – "The Mind Of God" Ars
Powers:
Artifact Creation – Rank F
Law Mastery (Initial):
Law of Fire – Rank E
Law of Water – Rank E
Law of Earth – Rank D
Law of Wind – Rank E
Personal Abilities:
Mana Core – Rank E
Weapon Mastery – Rank D
I managed to improve my Mana Core, pretty much doubling it in size and making my Mana a lot more dense and pure than before. So much so that all of my Spells, even though they didn't Level Up, have gotten a lot stronger.
I doubt I'll be able to improve it again even if I meditate in the Mana rich zone in the forest, mostly because I nearly sucked it dry to improve my Mana Core and create another eight Mana Stars.
Right now I have one in each hand and elbow, and one in each foot and knee, with the ninth one being in my abdomen. The next ones will be in my shoulders, then around the stomach.
Aponia also told me that I can constantly improve and expand my Mana Stars using my own Mana, which does take a while, but it's still very good. Though I've only managed to improve them just once so far. It'll take a lot more to improve them again.
As for my Law of Earth, the improvement was mostly accidental, but not unwelcome.
I was mostly experimenting how to improve it through meditation, so I tried to send my Mana into the ground below, then pull it back.
Only to pull it back together with a great deal of dense and rough Mana, which for some reason flooded my mind with images of canyons, hills, rock slides and other similar things.
I could only repeat that process another two times before I was left drained of Mana, and very mentally exhausted too. I'll have to brace myself next time, but at least now I now that meditating in said element helps me rank my Laws up incredibly fast.
And then, my Artifact Creation ability.
It drains my Mana a lot, but it's just so incredibly useful and powerful. Plus it was funny when I left Aponia shocked and gaping when the first weapon I created with it was a weaker version of the Longinus, which I ended up calling Neo-Longinus.
It's not just 'Creation', I can also modify my already created Artifacts, so I added the power of Holy Fire to it, and then made it so that it can turn into a cross necklace for me to wear when not in use since Aponia insisted I do not carry it around.
I have also recently created a storage item akin to Spatial Storage, though it's far too small currently to even store anything as I'll need to work a lot more on it to expand the storage.
I also want to create something for Aponia. A bow, to be exact, since that's what she uses. I want that to be a surprise for her though.
"You know…" I speak up after she finally breaks the tight hug once she had enough of 'Ataraxia Energy'. Whatever that is. "You never told me what our mission is." I point out, then blink when she flinches softly, her smile dropping instantly before she sighs deeply.
She clearly doesn't like whatever our mission is, especially when she first received the letter. She was so angry…
"I have half a mind to just go and finish it myself…" I narrow my eyes and turn to fully face her, making her chuckle softly before she breathes in and straightens her back. "It's an extermination mission."
"Fallen Angel extermination, to be exact."
I reel back in pure horror at her words.
What?
But… Why?
Why would the church ever issue such missions?!
"D-Did they do anything wrong?" I ask, or nearly beg. This needs to have- no, it must have a good reason for us to resort to killing. "Did they assault people? O-Or do some other bad thin-" I stop when Aponia cups my cheek, making me realize that I was starting to hyperventilate, so I take in a shaky breath to calm down before looking back into her clear eyes.
"They are occupying a house in the city after kicking the previous residents out." But that's… why extermination then?! "I know what you are thinking… but, we can't spare them. I'm sorry." I could only grit my teeth in suppressed anger at that.
Is this the will of God? Is this what he wants me to do?
"Is… Are all missions passed down by the church… Are they all made by God?" A complicated look appears on her face, but she soon shakes her head and sighs softly.
"No. God has never given a mission to the church. These missions… They are all issued by the popes at the Vatican." I gulp, then breathe in to control my rising anger as I clench my habit tightly. "But… You know what will happen if we don't do these missions, don't you?" Insubordination. Expulsion from the church. Exiled. A horribly cruel fate for the very devoted ones like me.
So all I can do is just… kill those they want us to kill? Is this truly what the church will have me do?
We work and pray to God… so is this truly what the church wishes to do and be?
"Dear…" Ataraxia warmly cups my cheek and pulls me into a gentle and warm hug. "The church isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Don't see their actions as the actions of God. Only view the good things that way, okay?" I nod softly into her chest as she strokes her fingers through my hair. "Just be strong. Maybe one day, just maybe, you'll grow up and distance yourself from them." She smiles warmly down at me, that conflicted look on her face still visible. "After all, one doesn't need the church to keep their faith, do they?"
She's right. As long as I believe in God… As long as I keep my faith and ask for forgiveness… I just hope He does forgive me for the things I must do.
The train ride soon came to an end and we got off at our stop, then made our way towards the Hotel Aponia rented for the both of us.
"We'll go through with it tomorrow morning, then spend the rest of the day around town to distract ourselves, okay?" I nod as Aponia gently holds my hand while guiding me down the street, my eyes trailing from person to person.
Is it wrong that I am starting to question the priests and fellow nuns of the church?
Is even the church black and white? Is… is there corruption in our ranks? Spies? Priests and Popes who are merely using their positions to enjoy the benefits?
How much of the history of the church that I know is all but a bunch of drivel?
The crusades… Are they truly about humans uniting to fight and push the Devils out of the human world? They said that it ended with victory, but is it truly like that?
Devils still walk among us… Did God spare them after he felled Lucifer for a specific reason, or just out of mercy?
How many lies have I been fed my whole life? Did Sister Griselda also lie to me?
Did they contact me again once I became strong enough for ulterior motives?
All of this… It just hurts so much.
I breathe in and gaze at Aponia. She is the first friend that has stayed with me for so long, and I guess that I'm growing attached, so much so that it's easy to ignore her revealing state of dress now.
It still makes my cheeks burn though.
I am a follower of God, but not a blind foolish follower. God is known for his mercy and benevolence, for his warmth and kindness, and that is what I wish to be and spread with my actions.
There is nothing warm and kind in extermination. In killing. It's just… cruel. One is excused when it's for a just cause, like saving someone, or self defense, but just… for taking over a house?
I shake those thoughts away and look around once more, and swiftly notice how people just don't seem to pay attention to Aponia's alluring beauty and revealing state of dress.
Some type of illusion spell perhaps.
The walk to the hotel is slow and quiet, but it helped me calm down my conflicting emotions and… slightly come to terms with it.
Perhaps one day I'll grow strong enough to change the church and try to make it better. Or I'll just leave it. Who knows.
As long as God is with me, all will be fine.
(Aponia)
"...Are you sure about that?" The voice on the other side of the phone quivered slightly as her eyes strayed to the bathroom door, where Ataraxia just left to take a warm shower.
Those idiots of the church just had to give such a vicious mission to someone as kind and as sweet as her. It shook her to the core!
Just what is going to happen once she learns that God is dead?
"Yes sir. She created the Longinus. A lot weaker than the real thing… but it's still the Longinus." To be honest, she's scared. She doesn't grow attached easily… but Ataraxia is just special. Adorable, kind and warm, it's a deadly combo for her.
And now she is revealing that she is indeed God's reincarnation. Or she is somehow connected to him through Ars. It's still unknown to her, just some speculation.
If this ever gets out, then… then it'll be war. The other Pantheons won't allow for a second God of the Bible to rise, nor will the Devils, be they the Old Satans or New Satans.
"The elements of Creation, the Longinus… I'm sure once Ars manifests itself she'll also be able to control Sacred Gears." That's… a horrifying thought. No Sacred Gear wielder will be able to stand against her in the future. "How's she handling this?"
She hums and glances back towards the bathroom while chewing her lower lip. "I do not know. Sometimes I can read her like an open book, other times it's basically impossible." She sighs softly, fingers coming up to rub at her temple.
"Hm. It doesn't matter, just stay by her side." She nods even though Azazel couldn't see her do it. She knows very well that he cares deeply about Ataraxia, having been charmed by her when she was but a child. He's now trying to put up the cool big brother act, but fails horribly.
Her brows furrow together. "What about the mission?" Exterminating Fallen Angels… She doesn't care about that, but Ataraxia… that's going to take a toll on her.
Azazel sighs softly from the other side. "Go through with it. They aren't members of Grigori, just strays." That's a bit better. "And if those morons of the church wish to push her away, then I'm all for it. I can protect her better if she is by my side." That's very true, but she just wished it didn't come at the cost of her faith, and through pain.
"I understand." She sighs softly. "When shall I call you next?" She doubted that Kokabiel would actually suspect something and try to trace Azazel's calls, but it's best not to risk it.
"In a week." Azazel hums out. "Do take care, and look after her." She smiles softly at that as the call ends, making her release a sigh and lean her head back so to stare up at the ceiling.
The surge of the Maddening, the dozens of Walls of Mist appearing all over the place, Kokabiel recruiting Fallen Angels for a possible attack against Azazel.
And Ataraxia with her insane growth.
Things will surely get chaotic very soon.
She shook her head and stood up, then walked to the bathroom door and stepped in without a care, receiving an adorable surprised squeak from Ataraxia, stark naked and within the hot shower.
"E-Eh!? Aponia!?" A fierce blush spread across her face as she threw off all of her clothing, leaving herself fully naked in front of the panicked eyes of the younger girl, who swiftly covered her eyes with one hand while her arm wrapped around her large bust to cover it.
"Something wrong dear?" She purrs as she steps into the shower right behind her. "Come on, let me wash your back." She holds back her laughter when Ataraxia squeaks again, shivering once her soapy hands land on her shoulders.
No words come out of the young nun's mouth as Aponia rubs the soap up and down her back, her mouth stretched in a small but warm smile.
"It'll be alright." Aponia reassures the girl, placing a gentle and loving kiss on her shoulder. "I'll be there with you." Ataraxia hums softly, her ears still red as she throws a glance back, making Aponia swoon at how adorable she looks.
"Now, how about you wash me?" Aponia purrs, then blinks when she finds herself staring at a cloud of smoke in the shape of Ataraxia.
The door of the bathroom slams shut.
"Meanie." She pouts, then giggles to herself. She loves teasing that girl so much!
Even though she ended up sleeping on the couch for an hour before Ataraxia felt bad and allowed her on the bed.
XxX
"Is everything ready?" I ask Aponia once she approaches me with a small smile on her face.
She nods once, then turns her head to stare down the street and towards the house with our targets. Between three to five Fallen Angels in total, maybe more.
"The boundary is up." Aponia hums softly, then gives my hand a comforting squeeze. "Will you be alright?" I smile, take a deep breath, then nod.
I must do this. Not for the church, but for God. And for the people that were kicked out of their home.
I reach up and grab my cross necklace, then pull it off, allowing it to turn back into the glowing and steaming hot Neo-Longinus.
"Let's go then." I harden my eyes and finally walk forward, activating Mana Circulation as I do so, my Mana Stars thrumming with power beneath my skin as Neo-Longinus hisses, warping the air around it with it's heat.
I reach for the door with my Telekinesis once we approach it, then yank it open and raise Neo-Longinus, blocking a spear of light that would have shattered the door to reach us. A surprise attack I saw coming from a mile away. I'd rather not damage the house too much.
I'm also glad that Aponia taught me how stray Fallen Angels fight.
The spear of light shatters on impact against Neo-Longinus, which thrums with power as I lift my gaze to stare at the shocked male Fallen Angel standing at the entrance to the living room, eyes wide and right arm outstretched.
I flick my hand upward and launch Neo-Longinus with shocking force, using Spear Throw and Telekinesis to reinforce it to a higher level.
The Artifact whistles through the year and instantly skewers through the shocked Fallen Angel, leaving behind a gaping hole in his chest.
"May God forgive you." I whisper to myself, recalling Neo-Longinus back into my hand before stepping forward and walking through the doorway with Aponia right behind me.
"Haris!" A female voice screams, making my heart ache as I step into the nearly destroyed living room filled with junk and a horrible stench. "You fucking bi-" I tune her out as my eyes land on a cooling corpse laying beneath some junk, mostly beer bottles and other plastic stuff.
A cross, priest robes. A church emissary.
And from Aponia's shocked look, she didn't know about someone coming here before us.
I raise Neo-Longinus and block the swing from the screaming Fallen Angel, the blazing blade of my blade easily cleaving through her glowing pink sword, then through the rest of her body, splitting her in half from shoulder to hip.
I don't even blink as her blood and guts spill everywhere.
My eyes narrow into a furious glare as I flick Neo-Longinus once more, using Telekinesis to hurl it through the ceiling and on the second floor. I can feel three more Fallen Angels hiding upstairs through my Telekinesis, but I skewer through them with ease by controlling Neo-Longinus.
An easy way to deal with them, but it appears that using Telekinesis on things I cannot see costs quite a lot of Mana. I just went past half of my reserves.
"Sorry, I got mad…" I apologize to Aponia, who blinks out of her surprise, then gives me a warm smile and gives my cheek a quick squeeze before she steps towards the corpse of the priest.
"He is probably from the local church. Way past the Rigor Mortis stage, must've been a casualty from way before the church received a request of help." I see, so I couldn't have done anything to help. That's not really comforting, but I can understand.
Aponia sighs as she straightens herself, then turns back towards me. "How are you feeling?" She asks softly, and I glance down and step out of the growing pool of blood from the skewered Fallen Angel before turning Neo-Longinus back into my cross necklace.
"At first I felt sad, but then I saw the corpse." I frown softly and gaze into her bright eyes. "Is it wrong to not feel anything now?" She blinks, then simply chuckles softly and bring me into a warm and tight hug that automatically makes me smile.
"Of course not. You simply gained a reason to do what must be done." She hums softly as she gives me a tight squeeze, then pulls back and grasps my hand with hers. "Come now, let's leave the rest to the clean-up crew." I nod and walk out of the house with Aponia, the boundary surrounding the area soon falling and dispersing, giving the signal to the clean-up crew to move in while we leave the area.
"How do you like being in a city?" My partner asks as people soon come into view once we turn a corner, making me scrunch up my nose.
"I prefer small villages. And my home in the woods." She laughs softly at my words. I'm just not used to seeing so many people, and the place is just so loud.
"Well, I can agree to that." She hums softly while giving my hand a soft squeeze. "Then let's go grab some sweets before going back home, shall we? We should be able to make it back before midnight." I hum and tilt my head, then just shrug. Might as well grab a bite to eat and taste these sweets.
Turns out that they were quite delicious. I am sad that we couldn't grab more.
"Aponia…" I call her name as I stare at the floating and twisting ball of light between my open hands, the shaking of the train cart not disturbing my actions and thoughts at all. "Can I ask you something?" My partner and friend rose her delicate brow, then simply smiles warmly and sets her book aside, her hands coming to rest on her long creamy legs.
"Did…" I lick my suddenly dry lips and lift my gaze to meet hers. "Did the church contact me just because I became useful?" She flinches back at the question, making me smile sadly to myself.
"Why do you think so?" She asks gently, taking the seat beside me and leaning against my side as my Mana kept pouring into the twisting golden sphere.
"I thought about it after I killed those stray Fallen Angels." I hum softly. "They were… weak, very weak. That's probably why they were strays, isn't it?" She sighs softly through her nostrils, making my sad smile grow a bit. "The world is very cruel to the weak, isn't it?"
Her hand soon rests on my right wrist, then rises up to cross her fingers with mine and grasp my hand as I move the ball of light to my left hand, my eyes widening and cheeks burning as her warm lips rest on my cheek for a short and warm kiss.
"It has always been like this, and it will never change." She sighs softly. "Excluding the supernatural, how do you think Humanity as a whole managed to rule the earth?" I blink and tilt my head in confusion, then just shrug. "Not because they were the smartest, or the meanest around, but because they were the craziest and most murderous animals in the jungle."
"It's all about power. With power, you survive. Without? You are cattle." I gulp softly, my hands shaking slightly for a few seconds before I breathe out.
"So this peace is merely built on a mountain of corpses?" I ask, and she chuckles and shakes her head, making my eyes widen once more.
"What peace?" She sneers softly. "It's all but a game of chess now. Each race will now carefully just step on each others toes and simply keep up appearances, waiting for the others to make the first mistake." She raises her other hand, then snaps her fingers. "And then that 'Peace' will crumble down like a castle of glass."
I breathe in through my nostrils, then sigh softly and turn my gaze to the fleeting landscape outside the window.
I guess that's the perfect representation of the current state of Peace now. It can go by so fast and take all of us off-guard.
"One day…" I breathe in, then turn my sad smile towards her. "One day I hope I can change that and bring true peace to this chaotic world." She blinks, then chuckles softly and leans forward, resting another loving kiss on my cheek.
"Well now, I can't wait to see you achieve that." She playfully pokes my nose, her eyes all but shining with warmth. "Don't forget about this old lady when you become all-powerful though!"
I snort softly and shake my head, then lean against her. "I don't think I could ever forget about you." She swoons at my words, her cheeks flushing slightly as I give her a cheeky grin. I can play that game too! Hmph!
"Stop being so adorable." She laughs and flicks my nose, making me scrunch it up with a smile on my face. "So, what are you making now?"
I hum, my smile growing bigger as I raise the floating ball of light, letting it surge and grow in size in front of her wide eyes.
The light soon faded, showing a blackish golden bow with a string made out of platinum flames.
"I call this Vijaya, after the bow the Son of the Indian Sun God, Karna, used to wield in battle." I float it to her, and watch with a large smile as she gingerly took the warm glowing bow in her hands. "It shoots arrows of Holy Fire. Dozens of them to be exact. They will also follow their target." She gapes at me, and I flush and stare down at my lap nervously.
In order to improve in creating Artifacts I must create new ones, but I can't do that since my storage artifact is still too small.
But I can still create one like Neo-Longinus, which can turn into a necklace, then gift it to Aponia. It might not be super powerful, but it's still something.
Ataraxia
Level – 39
Fighting Class – Mortal
Sacred Gear – "The Mind Of God" Ars
Powers:
Artifact Creation – Rank E
Law Mastery (Initial):
Law of Fire – Rank E
Law of Water – Rank E
Law of Earth – Rank D
Law of Wind – Rank E
Personal Abilities:
Mana Core – Rank E
Weapon Mastery – Rank D
Plus it helped me Rank Up my Artifact Creation power. Now I should be able to strengthen my Artifacts even more, with a lower Mana cost. Hopefully.
"You like it?" I ask shyly, and she looks between me and the bow with wide eyes and gaping mouth for a few seconds before her gaze grows serious.
And she tackles me into a tight vicious hug, my cheeks burning as she covers my face in kisses.
It took quite a bit to finally escape her hold, but her burning gaze never left my face, making me whimper softly.
"I am going to marry you." I squeak and cover my chest with my arms, but she simply snorts and looks down at my legs. I can only pout at that.
"U-Uhm… you can turn it into a necklace by pressing the button…" I stop my explanation when she finds said button on the glowing blackish golden surface. A flash of light erupts when she presses it, and soon enough she finds a golden cross necklace in her hand.
"Now we match?" I give a shy and nervous grin towards her.
Only to scream when she lunges towards me once more.
It takes a lot more effort to escape her this time.
I spend the rest of our ride hugging my knees to my chest and angrily pouting at her.
Once we get to our stop and exit the train station, we leave the city to find our hidden magical carriage, then take it to return back home.
"I forgot to ask, but is there some kind of reward for finishing our mission?" I ask Aponia as I draw my gaze away from the window, making her perk up and turn away from Vijaya.
"Of course, they pay us with money." She hums and taps her chin in thought. "The pay should be delivered to us within the next few days. What will you do with it?" I hum and lean my head back, then just shrug.
"I'll probably give it to Father Henry. More Holy Water might do us well in case anyone else contracts the Maddening." Little Mario has been getting better, but I'd rather not take any risks.
"Never change." Aponia smiles warmly at me, making me feel all warm and tingly inside before her gaze falls back down to Vijaya. "How long have you known Father Henry?"
I cross my legs and lean back against my seat as the carriage rattles. "Quite a few years." I hum out, running my fingers through my long hair with a soft smile. "It was a sudden replacement of the old priest after he fell sick. It was quite the shock for the whole village, but Father Henry easily conquered everyone with how warm and kind he is." Aponia blinks, then narrows her eyes slightly.
"A sudden replacement?" She raises a brow at me. "What did the old priest contract?" I hum and tilt my head, then just shrug.
"I don't remember. It was quite a few years ago." She hums and lifts her head, then just shakes her head and shrugs. "Oh, we're here!" I smile and lean forward as the carriage slows down, and Aponia stretches her back as she turns Vijaya back into it's necklace form.
The carriage slows to a stop beside the other magical carriages for the other nuns, or even for Father Henry, and I turn my head towards the distance church, the large full Moon shining brightly right behind it.
"I'll go inform Father Henry of our return." I tell Aponia, who tilts her head before nodding and giving me a warm smile.
"I'll get started on some dinner then. Make sure to be back soon, else I'll come get you myself." I laugh softly as she waves her fist at me. I blow a raspberry her way before starting my walk towards the church.
I hope he won't scold me for being reckless during the mission since he'll probably ask me about what happened.
"Father Henry!" I call out as I step into the church, then tilt my head and look around when I see no one around the dark interior. Weird, he's usually always here at night, observing the Moon through the windows.
He must've gone to sleep early then.
I hum, then shrug and turn around, leaving the church and starting my walk back towards my home. I can always talk to him tomorrow morning.
"Ataraxia?" I blink and come to a spot as I walk through the village, then turn my gaze towards one of the windows of a nearby house to stare a visibly pregnant woman gazing at me with confused eyes. "Is something wrong?" I blink in confusion at her question.
"No?" I tilt my head to the side. "Forgive me, I just came back. Has something happened while I was away?" I hope not, I'd hate myself if something happened and I wasn't here to help out.
"Well…" The woman frowns, hand on her belly. "I saw Father Henry go into the forest with one of the nuns just a few minutes ago." I blink, then narrow my eyes in confusion. Has something happened in the forest?
"Thank you for informing me." I bow towards the woman, then give her a warm smile. "I'll go check it out, please don't leave your home." She nods and gives me a warm smile of her own before closing the window and stepping away as I turn around to resume my walk towards the forest.
I truly hope nothing is wrong.
I step past the trees and into the foliage, then keep walking deeper and deeper while looking around, using a small flame to light my way.
And then I reach the edge of the Mana rich zone, and still no signs of Father Henry and my fellow nun.
Could they have left and I missed them? After all, it's easy to miss someone in such a dense forest.
I sigh softly, then stop and perk up.
I turn my head towards the depths of the forest, then snuff my floating flame and walk forward. I think I heard something, and I'd rather be sure instead of leaving.
It might be a beast, or a bird, or whatever, but it's best to be sure.
I just hope Aponia won't get mad at me for being-
A light. The light of… a lantern?
I blink, then smile and walk forward. I guess I caught up with Father Henry, I probably heard him and my fellow nun.
But why are they here? This is around the area where the Wall of Mist appeare-
"P-please…!" I come to a halt as I step pass a tree, my eyes falling to the exact clearing where the Wall of Mist used to be.
And the clearing was now filled with mangled corpses.
"Oh, be quiet dear…" My hands start to shake as I gaze upon the hunched over form of Father Henry, the lantern in his left hand lighting up his smiling bloodied visage as he brings down the large one handed ax in his right hand.
Right onto the skull of my fellow nun.
Blood splashed everywhere, and her shaky, mangled hand reaching towards him fell limply on the ground drenched with blood.
These corpses…
Black robes with golden crosses on them…
These are the corpses of all the other nuns residing within the church…
"Father Henry?" I call out in a shaky voice, startling him into dropping his lantern, which shatters on the ground and sets the grass, and even the blood, on fire.
"Oh me, oh my…" The elderly man turns towards me with a surprised look on his face, his eyes still closed as blood dripped down his face. "You just had to stumble upon this…" He sighs, using his now free hand to scratch at his chin. "And here I wanted to keep you alive."
I take a shaky step back, my fear slowly turning into fury as I clench my shaking hands into fists. "Who are you?" I spit out through gritted teeth, yet he seemingly ignores me.
"Well, I didn't want to leave you alive for a specific reason. Just to leave you to that dumb Devil brat who had my Fluffy killed." What? What in the Lords name is he even talkin-
The Mad Beast.
It had signs of being collared…
"The Mad Beast…" I whisper aloud. "It was your pet?" This is… This is ridiculous.
This has to be just a nightmare.
Yes, it has to be. I probably either fell asleep in the carriage, or on the train. Either of the two.
"Indeed it was! But alas, you went and killed it…" He sighs, and I flinch when he brings his ax back down, mangling the corpse of my fellow nun even more, the flames having now swallowed the whole clearing.
"You…" I nearly snarl as I grab my necklace and tear it off my neck. "I won't ask again. Who are you?" His eyes finally open to meet mine, and I reel back in horror as I stare into his collapsed pupils, the black of his irises pouring into the rest of his pupils.
And then his eyes spin in place. Just like the eyes of the man-beast I fought in the Wall of Mist.
"Oh me, oh my…" His form shimmers, his hunched over form straightening up instantly as his church robes change into a dark yellow outfit. "Allow me to reintroduce myself then, little one."
Father Henry disappears, and in front of me now stands a very tall man in dark yellow robes. His ax had now changed into a saw-like weapon, and a dark colored hat was now on his head.
The man bows, flapping his robes and crossing an arm in front of me. "I am the Old Hunter Henryk, from the Land Beyond the Mist." My eyes widen in horror as Neo-Longinus appears in my shaking hand.
But he merely grins, showing his yellow teeth as the flames rage around the clearing, casting an eerie light upon his crazed face.
"And one of the many sources of the Maddening that has struck this village."
I instantly saw red.
A.N. Dun Dun DUUUUUUUUUUUUN! Surprise mothafuckers! Tho someone actually ended up guessing who Father Henry was before the reveal. Tch.
Either way, hope y'all enjoy it!
A lot of thanks to my adorable and lovable P at re ons! P at re /SamuraiCheem