AN: Manage to get this chapter done, despite sleeping the week away due to my chronic fatigue XD Hope you enjoy reading~

Chapter 13:

The injuries that Samuel sustained weren't life threatening and not nearly as bad as everyone had feared he would receive when he was left alone in Void's presence. No broken bones or internal injuries that needed constant healing, thankfully.

Just an abundance of aches and bruises.

A miracle, really.

But it wasn't what Void did (or rather, didn't do) to him that bothered Samuel. It was what he said to him. He couldn't stop thinking about his words. How he told him to hurry up and get an Overload, how the war was for his sister's sake, and how 'he' said 'it' would work.

Nothing he said made sense. What kind of Overload could Samuel possibly possess? He wasn't even an Overlord. How could a Netherverse wide war benefit his sister? And who could possibly be cunning and strong enough to work WITH Void?

Most troubling of all, was his theory about Alma Ice Sculpture and Lieze…true?

Samuel rolled over in bed in mild frustration. And because the ache in his back was starting to become uncomfortable. He instinctively opened his eyes and peered through the darkness of the bedroom toward Killia's bed. Only to find it empty and he lifted his head up off the pillow.

Where did he go? Headed out for a late-night snack, perhaps?

A movement from the corner of his eye caused Samuel to tense and the weight on his bed suddenly shifted. He turned his head to the side and found himself staring into a pair of eyes and a familiar face.

K-Killia?

No, wait, he wasn't Killia. His dark, sharp eyes gave him away immediately.

He was Killidia.

Samuel wasn't all that surprised, to be honest. "I thought you'd return," he said as he rolled over onto his back.

Killidia planted his hands on either side of Samuel's shoulders as he crawled over him, his legs on either side of his hips. Entrapping him to the bed. Yet, the stance wasn't a domineering, power stance. Nothing like what Void had done. There was a sense of possessiveness, true. But what was most dominate about him was his protectiveness.

"That weakling left you in that bastard's presence again," he murmured bitterly.

Again? That was the second time he had encountered Void. Did Killia, or rather Killidia, hold resentment toward himself (or again, rather against Killia) that he had supposedly 'pulled' him into danger?

Curious.

"That wasn't something anyone could have predicted or controlled," Samuel replied, attempting to pacify the protective tyrant.

"He could have killed you."

The…thought did cross his mind. But to hear Killidia say it. Tyrant Overlord Killidia. Supposedly strongest overlord.

He…could have died.

And Killia…

Killia…

What would he have done?

"You would have appeared, wouldn't you?" Samuel asked. "At the very last second? Just before Void touched me?"

Killidia's hands curled into fists. "…Yes."

"I see…"

He would have reverted back to Tyrant Overlord Killidia. Out of desperation. Out of revenge.

Not again. He couldn't let Killia go through that pain again.

Samuel slowly reached up with his hands to touch either side of Killia's face, gently brushing aside his hair. "I didn't want to die. Not by Void's hands. Because…because it would have hurt you, Killia."

"Why?"

…Why?

Samuel opened his mouth in an attempt to reply, but he couldn't think of what to say. Why what? Why didn't he want to die? That didn't sound right. Why he did want to hurt him? Why he didn't want to hurt Killia? Was that what Killidia was asking?

He didn't have the chance to question him when Killidia suddenly flopped down on top of him, much like he did before. However, instead of being a dead weight, he had the decency to roll over onto his side so not to put any pressure or strain on Samuel's light injuries.

He kept his arms around Samuel, however.

And he was also asleep.

Samuel rolled over onto his side and gazed upon Killia's sleeping face. "So, he really doesn't want to fight. He's protective," he whispered, brushing aside a strand of his hair.

He didn't have the strength to move Killia back to his own bed. He probably should muster up the strength to do so as it would be awkward in the morning. Yet, it was also comfortable. The bed wasn't very big, yet there appeared to be enough room for the both of them.

Idly, he twirled a strand of Killia's hair around his finger. Everything he did was for Killia's sake, wasn't it? Was that what Killidia was asking?

Why?

Well, Killia had saved his life back on Blood Parch. Allowed him to follow him when he had nowhere else to go. Gave him purpose when he had none. It was only logical, only right that he showed him loyalty in return, wasn't it?

It wasn't like it brought him hardship to do so. He enjoyed spending time with Killia. Making curry together. Offering tips and training of new recruits. Discussing plans and tactics. Staying up late just talking in their secret spot on the hanging gangway over the main bridge.

Though he must admit he did get annoyed whenever Seraphina referred to Killia as hers, as if he was merely a possession to have at her command. It was obvious that she had feelings for him, but he could do so much better. Seriously.

Not like he was jealous or anything.

Wait.

Oh…

Oh no…

No, he couldn't.

He couldn't be in love with Killia!

… … … … …

Samuel's arms ached. And his back ached, too. He didn't get a good night's sleep. He had to muster up the strength and energy to move Killia back to his own bed after his, er, chat with Killidia. Killia wasn't heavy by any means. It was just his aching muscles protested every movement, and he was comfortable in his bed, with Killia sleeping next to him. With his arms draped over him. Casually. Comfortably. He definitely could have fallen asleep in his arms.

But he couldn't think being wrapped in his arms like that. Not after a certain…revelation.

Yeah, he spent the rest of the night trying to come to terms with the fact that he was in love with Killia. And, well, despite his shock, it was so obvious. Stupid to think otherwise, honestly.

Samuel was an idiot.

To be fair; it was easy to fall for the guy. Especially with how attentive and protective he was toward him. It was…inevitable, he supposed.

There was no chance he would return his feelings, however. No chance.

Not a chance…

Samuel shook his head. No, he had other things to think about than himself.

A magical spear had been sighted in Toto Bunny, as have Lost Army forces. It wasn't some lonesome little trap. It was the real deal. That Netherworld was under siege. Again. Worst of all, from reports, they appeared to be the undead forces.

That could be the cause of only one demon; Majorita.

Poor Usalia. Hadn't she suffered enough because of that deranged, violent little brat?

Samuel truly feared what Majorita had in stored for them next.

Axe in hand, Samuel idly rubbed his upper arm, annoyed by the bruises that encircled his bicep. They were only mildly painful. He had endured far worse injuries. It was what they symbolised that frustrated and uneased him the most.

They bothered Killia, too.

As they gathered by the portal, Killia turned to him. "Are you up for this?"

"I'm fine, Killia," Samuel returned with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry."

Killia arched a sceptical eyebrow. "…Are you sure? You look pale."

Always so observant and attentive to his wellbeing and needs. He sure made it easy to fall in love with him, didn't he?

"Samuel?"

"I'm fine. Really." Killia still didn't look convinced, so Samuel rolled his eyes playfully and gave Killia a light pat on the back as he headed toward the portal. "Oh, alright, how about a compromise? I'll stay on the backline with Christo and Seraphina. Will that put your mind at ease?"

That seemed to have worked. "It will help."

… … … … …

With each interaction, Samuel despised Majorita more and more.

And further and further they moved along Toto Bunny, Samuel felt his concern for his companions grow. Usalia was deep in self-hatred and fear. She unfairly blamed herself for what happened to her parents and her Netherworld. The poor thing carried so much guilt, sadness, and self-loathing.

Samuel just wanted to give her a hug and tell her how nothing was her fault and how much her parents loved and adored her. Seeing the demon he saw as a little sister in such pain was difficult.

Red Magnus was another concern. He wanted revenge against Majorita for what she did to his Netherworld, and what she did to Panchos and his other underlings. He was being respectful to Usalia at the moment, but Majorita was an expert agitator; she wouldn't hesitate to provoke Red Magnus into attacking her into a trap.

Then there was Killia who was trying to get through to Usalia about her self-loathing, taking her burdens as his own. Taking the burdens of another. Just like he usually did.

There was another that had his concern.

Samuel watched with a slight frown as Christo lingered back as he spoke into his phone, his back hunched and his posture secretive.

He had noticed that Christo had been acting strangely since they entered Toto Bunny. He looked preoccupied. There was definitely something troubling him. Samuel first thought it was the magical spear targeting Toto Bunny, Usalia's homeworld, and he was trying to assess which Netherworld could be next.

But it was something else. It had to be.

And Samuel's concern only deepened further when Christo re-joined the group, his face paler than usual.

"What's wrong, Christo?" Samuel asked softly, purposely ensuring that he didn't gain the attention of the others. "You look worried. And it's not just about Toto Bunny, is it?"

"Oh, ah…" Christo unexpectedly stuttered over his words for a moment, seemingly trying to gather his wits. "I…I've just heard some troubling gossip. It appears that some demons have died under some horrific and mysterious circumstances."

Samuel furrowed his brow. "From the war?"

Christo shook his head and his expression turned grim. "No. If rumours are correct, their deaths had little to do with the war. They showed great, some say overwhelming powers, before dying in agonising ways and then turning into strange plant-like monsters. Monsters never seen before. They say it was as if they were burnt from the inside out. They also didn't even leave space dust behind."

Samuel's stomach clenched. "I-inside out?"

"I fear that the Lost Army is up to something else," Christo added grimly.

Samuel simply nodded his head as his mind reeled. Burned from the inside out. Dying agonising deaths before disappearing, leaving not even space dust, but strange plant-like monsters in their wake.

Showing overwhelming powers and strengths before their deaths…

It couldn't be…

"Samuel, we need to go."

Seedlings? But they were only found in…Nugatory. But…no, according to historical texts and-

"Samuel?"

Samuel jumped at the sound of Killia's voice. "O-oh! Sorry, coming!" he instinctively replied as he joined the others as they moved onto the next area.

Get it together, Samuel, he scolded himself. He was trying not to worry Killia, not make him even more stressed.

"Something wrong?" Killia asked him.

"It's nothing," Samuel insisted as he plastered a smile on his lips. "Just got lost in thought for a moment."

… … … … …

Majorita…

What an absolutely vile, disgusting creature she was. A child. She was just a child, and yet she not only brutally murdered innocent demons, willingly ripped families apart for a supposed future utopia, but she brandished those same demons in battle. And found such enjoyment and pleasure in doing so.

As abhorrent as Void Dark was, in Samuel's opinion; Majorita was worse.

Void knew what he was doing was wrong and vile. In Majorita's mind, she was doing the 'right' thing. She was doing it for the greater good.

A child was capable of such atrocities?

No, she wasn't a child anymore. She was a war general. A vile, heartless criminal who had committed atrocities across the Netherverse. She needed to be treated as such.

Thankfully, Usalia and Red Magnus were merciless in their attacks as they faced her in battle. Samuel and the others concentrated on the many zombies that Majorita summoned in battle. She, of course, tried to summon more in hopes of overwhelming them, but she arrogantly underestimated their power and strength, and she was the one who was promptly put on the back foot.

And promptly defeated.

He must admit, it was satisfying watching Usalia unleash her new Overload skill, Murmur of Rage, upon her. Using her once degrading curse against her.

With the zombies defeated, Samuel stood beside Killia as they lingered back, allowing Usalia and Red Magnus to bask in their well-earned victory.

At least now Usalia's parents and her people of Toto Bunny could rest in peace.

"Too slow."

In a matter of seconds, Majorita pushed herself to her feet and made a lunge for Red Magnus who was still in his victory pose.

Only for Usalia to throw herself between the two of them!

"Usalia!"

There was a flurry of movement, but Samuel was certain he saw a silver glint of something in Majorita's hand. A knife or something similar. And she had used it to stab Usalia in the side. An expression of surprise and then pain appeared on Usalia's face.

Then she hit the ground. And didn't move.

Samuel felt himself moved before he registered it in his head. He knelt by Usalia's side and instinctively rolled her onto her back and half cradled her on his lap as he inspected the wound. He immediately knew that she had been poisoned. Her lack of movement was clear indication of that.

So, he immediately used Espoir. But…

Nothing happened.

Majorita jumped back, her face dark with a twisted expression of satisfaction. "How do you like that? Feeling a little weak? The taste of this special venom…"

Red Magnus immediately stepped forward to place himself protectively between them and Majorita. "Y-you!" he spluttered angrily. "How pissed off do you want me to be?!"

Samuel ignored the rest of the taunting and rambling from Majorita. All he heard was that she had poisoned Usalia with a venom she had specially crafted herself, and in her oh-so humble opinion, there was no cure for it, even if they searched the entire Netherverse.

Majorita might claim that there was no cure for her venom, but that wasn't going to stop Samuel from trying to save Usalia's life!