A dark vortex with screaming souls gradually appeared in the chaparral and released Nick. He was helpless and barely breathing, forcing himself to realize what was in his own testimony.

A soft, tranquil voice allowed him to lend his ears.

"What is wrong with thee, Nick? Art thou alright?"

"What... have I..." doubted Nick.

"Thou hast never done wrong, Nick. Thou art fighting for the innocent people."

"But I... I am evil..."

"No, Nick. Thou art not evil. Thou hast done anything good to thyself, and to others."

"What good?"

A radiant wisp of light shone on him and whirled around him. Nick forced himself to stick to the shadows and scurry away from the light.

"Nick... thou hast done things good to anyone. Even a small effort canth be a big help to the people."

"Forgive me... I have sinned against thee..." Nick was saddened.

"Nick, I had seen the light inside thy heart. I know thou hast done countless sins to Me and to the other people, but all I need is forgiveness and faith in Me. Thou art walking a step closer to the good and right path. For that, I forgive you. But, I have a mission for thee. Face thy own kind and slay the demons that haunt thee."

The radiant wisp of light faded; but Nick, who was blinded, was still emotionally unstable. He was forced to remember his killings, his demonic metamorphosis, and his loyalty to the Devil. Voices clashed inside his mind and soul, which forced him to choose either to slay his fellow demon-kind, or to stay loyal to Satan and his Infernal Legion.

"Caedite eos!" from the voices of the demons.

"Miserere!" from the voices of the souls in agony.

"I still have my doubts..." Nick said to himself.

In the desolate plains before the break of dawn, Maria appeared through a flash of radiant light and met an angel standing behind her. The angel spread his glowing white wings which allowed her to turn to him.

"Maria."

The tranquilly soothing voice of the angel allowed Maria to turn slowly to him. It was actually Gabriel showing up.

"The townsfolk shall be wary of Satan's machinations, because human beings may be tempted to do anything evil, be it by force or by choice. Satan is capable of turning anyone against the Lord, but this can be avoided by their awareness and faith in Him." spoke the archangel.

"I agree on thee. What can we do for the people to come back to our Master?" asked Maria.

"Like us, demons are always present in every place; even in the minds, hearts, and souls of the people. To effectively face and deal with these inner demons needs mindfulness, acceptance, optimism, and resilience."

"I understand, brother."

"I know that human beings are under struggle with demons inside them. Facing these demons will help them change for the better."

"The Prince of Darkness shall know what we say. He is constantly under struggle with the demons inside him and around him. He claimeth to be evil, but I know that he canth change."

"Dost thou mean the demi-fiend thou facest?"

"Yes, brother. I want him not to be part of the Devil's machinations, but I encourage him to be in allegiance to the Lord."

"If it is according to thy choice, then we will be glad that thou wilt follow it."

Maria nodded in response to Gabriel's words, and the archangel disappeared by a ray of light from above.

"Nick shall be warned of this!" Maria said to herself and hastily ran away.

Still in the dark chaparral while the sun was not yet rising, Nick sat quietly until somebody tapped his back.

"Nick... lend me thy ear..." said the angelic voice.

"I will be open." replied Nick.

"Wilt thou face and deal thy demons inside thy head and around thee?"

"It seemeth that I am confused of what I have done..."

"I know that thou art confused. That is why I will be here for thee, encouraging thee to be enlightened by me."

"Maria... art thou here?"

"I am... and there is something thou wilt need to know more."

"What would it be?"

"Thou art in a constant struggle against demons. Not only the demons hast thou seen either on earth or in Hell, but also the demons inside thee."

"I know. But I have my own mentality to defend as well. Even the priests will judge me. Nothing is sacred to me."

"Thou hast found difficulties to redeem thyself, but I assure thee, the Lord will save thee from thy sins. I will tell them that thou art deserving in Heaven. I promise, we will do our best to break thy evil heritage."

In the dark forests of Caldeum, numerous men in black robes appeared, carrying daggers and wore various heads or skulls depending on their ranks - apprentices, disciples, elites, and masters.

First, the apprentices wore skulls of goats without horns. Second, the disciples wore goat skulls as well, this time with horns. Third, the elites wore skulls of rams. And lastly, their master wore a deer skull. Their master wielded a staff fashioned with a ram skull on top and three human skulls dangling around it.

These men were following a dark cult, as seen when some of them carried candles in solemn rituals.

"Welcome to the Cult of the Khazra." announced the master.

The cultists clapped in response.

"Now that we gather together in this event, each of ye has a quest to fulfill, for the glorification of our lord."

"What is our quest, master?" said a cultist.

"Prepare the slaughter of goats, rams, and deer. The sacrifices will begin six days from now. There is a feast that a lot of visitors will come. They will be subjected to our initiation!"

"Yes, master!" The cultists agreed on him.

Also found in the woods came a living shadowy being, overseeing the cult of Khazra.

"Well done, my trusted worshipers. Make the people believe in thee, and they will follow me. My plan worked perfectly, thanks to thee and thy fellow cultists."

The shadow disintegrated in black smoke and faded away, while the cultists were about to invade the lands, finding subjects for initiation rites.