What is Justice?

by Goofy ahh writer

The last Great Quest was a fiasco. Zeus and Hera were ruined and exiled from the dungeon city of Orario, also know as the labyrinth city. Luke Adria, an elf outcast; shunned by his own race, lost everything that fateful day. Now he must decide his path forward, while living amongst the only family he had left.

8. The Sound Of Despair - Act One

A/N: Disclaimer: This chapter contains graphic depiction of violence and gore. Read it a your own discretion.

Kept you waiting huh?

Well, back to you again with another chapter. The original draft has passed the 30k words mark, so I've decided to split it in two parts.

Beware, this chapter addresses heavy topics (which makes it even more so with what happened in Israel recently).

This chapter will show why this period was called the Dark Age of Orario.

Hope you guys enjoy it.

.

---

A deafening chain of explosions rang out in a syntonic sequence across the streets, consuming everything within the blast range. Thick, black smoke rose high up in the air, obscuring the clear blue sky from view.

The sounds and flames of the explosions could be heard and seen from miles away in the city.

People screamed and fled without a clear direction, desperately going in the opposite location of the unfolding chaos. Citizens stumbled and pushed each other, stomping on the ones unfortunate enough to fall amongst the panicked crowds in the streets.

A pair of yellowish green eyes shone with glee at such chaotic sight.

"Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! Keep going! Raze this city to the ground! Spare no one!" The vicious voice screamed from the top of a half destroyed building.

"Show these people the true meaning of despair!"

The deranged laughter that came out of it only grew in volume as Evilus cultists descended upon the innocent bystanders. Desperate pleas and horrified screams were swiftly silenced without mercy.

A few Isolated adventurers tried to stop the massacre, only to be mercilessly put down as well, unable to properly respond to the overwhelming surprise attack in the confusion that ensued.

Blood flowed through Orario's streets today.

This was a scene that repeated itself throughout the whole hour since the first drop of blood was spilled with the planted explosives.

The owner of the voice was none other than one of Evilus executives.

Olivas Act—Infamously known as Vendetta.

One of high ups of the malefic organization now stood in delight, proudly boasting about the damage and destruction his goons brought to the city's district since their raid started.

" Tch… Olivas, you bastard. You sure started it off with a bang…Oi! We aren't gonna lose to those shitheads! Don't let them get ahead of us and spoil all the fun!" A new voice spoke up, stepping up to his side.

Valletta Grede.

A woman whose mere sight brought fear into her enemies and, sometimes, allies hearts likewise.

Given the title of Arachnia by her fellow Evilus members, the scantily clad cultist pointed her cursed sword at the Evilus followers slaughtering civilians and adventurers alike in the streets below.

A bloodthirsty glint flashed through her eyes. Excitement was oozing out of her form.

"Scoff … Like we'll ever lose to them…Let those fools have some fun as well, Valletta. You know better than anyone that we can effortlessly surpass them in kill scores whenever we want." Olivas eyes remained glued to the ongoing bloodbath, savoring every second of it as he responded to his companion.

"Ah! More for me then!" The portion of the damaged ceiling she stood on collapsed, crumbling under her level 5 strength as the psychotic woman kicked herself off it, going right into the fray.

"Good grief, can't hold yourself back can you Arachnia?" Vendetta followed suit, destroying the rest of the ceiling with the leap that sent him straight towards the ongoing battle in the streets.

Her target: A dozen adventurers trying to rescue the innocent bystanders from an ambush her subordinates had planted.

"Everyone, head towards the East Main, you'll be safer there! We'll hold them off right here!" An adventurer screamed at the top of his lungs, his scream coming out hoarse with how raspy his throat had become from trying to be heard over the ongoing mayhem.

Another adventurer and he were doing their utmost to guide the civilians to safety and away from the battle as their comrades tried to hold off Evilus' advance alongside them.

"Reinforcements will arrive soon! Our group is on the other side, just keep going that way! Soon either Loki Familia or Freya Familia will come to our—"

Swish

The companion at his side was cut off abruptly mid warning. The first adventurer whipped his head in his direction.

"Hannes!—"

The last thing he saw was the upper torso of his comrade separated from the rest of his body, his face was being washed with his comrade's blood.

He wasn't even able to see the murderer dip her sword towards him, slashing him from the shoulder down to the hip, cleaving him in two in a brutal manner.

"Hahahaha—Pathetic!" Valletta clacked in joy, eyeing the terrified crowd, whose desperation reached new heights as the few adventurers protecting them were either slain or being engaged by her goons.

Finding no more nearby threats to have her fun, her eyes fell upon the weakest prey.

The citizens.

A sadistic smile crept his way to her lips.

"I'll give you weaklings a 5 seconds headstart." Her subordinates gathered at her flanks, enjoying the scene just as much as she was.

"One."

"Two."

The people scrambled away from the cultist, desperately trying to save their lives as they ran down the street. The crave for blood and despair rose in her heart at such sight as the seconds ticked bye.

"... Five." Valletta dashed towards the group of civilians.

She struck the helpless populace in cold blood, caring not for anyone at the end of her sword. Be it men, women or even children.

She didn't spare one soul.

Her minions followed the initiative, viciously massacring the poor souls without a second thought. They were powerless to stop them - doomed to die without fighting back.

It was a slaughterhouse.

One that Valletta rejoiced every second of.

Corpses filled the cobblestone paths, caking it with their spilled blood as it painted the streets red. Evilus members killed off any leftover wounded or victim playing dead without remorse or excitation - much to the contrary, they enjoyed it wholeheartedly.

Arachnia laughed sterically, stepping in the body of one of her victims.

"Get out here, Fiiinnnnn! We're gonna have a fuuun party today, too!" The cultists kept advancing in the street paths, striking down anyone in their way.

Valletta awaited with barely contained elation for the inevitable arrival of her despised archenemy, Braver.

Her strategic objectives for this onslaught were well underway to be accomplished with resounding success, granting her the freedom to please herself with merely seeking to confront the prideful captain of Loki Familia.

Being tasked with destroying any Familia in this district that opposed them, stealing or destroying all the supplies and valuables they could get their hands on - specifically from a certain merchant corporation that supported the Guild and their efforts against them.

They were taking leaps and bounds towards reaching the goals for the attack till now.

The defenders were ill prepared for the surprise offensive. Outnumbered, overwhelmed and lacking any prior preparation - they didn't stand a chance against the assault.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Olivas walked up to her, his sword dripping with the life force of his victims.

"Absolutely! Soon these vermin will learn what true horror and despair feels like." The woman cracked her neck from side to side, a sinister grin that almost stretched from ear to ear appeared on her face.

"Things will get even better when that know-it-all, smart-ass shows up. I'll love to see his face when he fails yet again."

"You better hope he gets here soon. At this rate, we'll be done before he even shows his face." Olivas pointed out, getting an annoyed click of tongue from the woman.

"Oh, how fate can be cruel. Making one suffer from success….Hihi– hahahaha ha!" Valletta wiped a tear from her eye, gaining a mischievous smile on her face.

"—No, he'll get here. I know the bastard, he's stubborn and foolish to a fault when trying to catch us. I just have to be patient…" Her eyes skimmed towards a pile of crates in an alley entrance to her right.

Her smile grew even more sinister.

"—and entertain myself in the meantime!"

Faster than any normal person could hope to follow, she was upon the crates, kicking them with enough force to turn the pile of wooden crates into a shower of splinters.

Two figures who were cowering behind it as cover, were launched away from their concealment with the strength of the blow.

The bigger one shielded the small one as they rolled further inside the hard, cobblestone alleyway. Once they came to a halt, a high pitched wail resonated in the enclosed alley.

A toddler's cry.

"Well, well, well… Look what we have here. A pair of fresh meats to join the slaughter. "

Arachnia walked without a hint of hurry in her step. Her purple eyes gleamed in sadistic pleasure as she stared down at a young woman, cradling a defenseless baby in her arms.

The mother was frozen on the spot, unable to move under the intense murder intent the Evilus executive exhaled. Her entire body shook like she was experiencing the worstest of blizzards.

Regaining the last bit of courage inside her, she opened her mouth, struggling to get words out of her throat as her lips trembled uncontrollably. All while her baby continued to cry without stop, only making its mother fall more into despair.

"Ple-please…. Ha-have m-mercy." The young mother barely managed to croak in between sovs, almost as if she was running out of breath with how weak her voice sounded.

Valetta stopped only a few steps away from the mother and son on the ground.

"Really? Mercy?... Ha… Hihihihi… HAHAHAHAHA!" The only amber of hope the mother had of being spared was blown away with the indifferent, hysterical laughter Valletta made once she heard her plea.

"p-please–"

"Shut up." The young woman complied immediately, her eyes looking frantically at Valletta's sharp ones.

"Why would I spare some useless whore who can even defend herself, nor her child?" The manic stepped forwards. The mother tried to crawl away, still holding her wailing baby in her grasp.

"Do me a favor, would you? Can you make sure to scream as loud as you can once I cut you and the brat open?"

She lifted her sword.

The mother turned on her back. A futile last ditch effort to protect her child from harm's way. She held the toddler close to her chest, giving it a last warm embrace as death was upon them.

Valletta swung her weapon downwards, aiming right in the woman's chest with a swift thrust.

As the sword came down upon her next prey, Valletta glanced upwards in a flash as her instincts screamed at her.

Clank

Metal struck metal.

Sword met sword.

A new foe arrived, coming right above her head.

Valletta barred her teeth in anger at the one that dared interrupt her play time. A pair of rubbelite and azure eyes glared furiously deep inside her own.

"You fucking killjoy!"

The Evilus commander used her free hand, throwing a jab aimed at the attacker's temple. Her eyes widened in surprise once she only managed to graze his cheek and tear off a few strands of his onix hair.

The way he moved his body, swaying his head away from the blow, it was almost like he knew it was coming.

Valletta didn't have the time to spare pondering about that, as her foe made his move. He let his blade slide on the surface of her own, plating his foot on the ground and lowering his figure.

The woman predicted his next actions, meeting the slash aimed at her legs with her sword. The aggressor used the small momentum he gathered, scraping his boots along the pavement as he became parallel to the alley. His empty hand barreled at her ribs in the form of a haymaker.

She moved her arm to intercept and divert the predictable blow, yet, once again he surprised her.

His punch stopped halfway, his fist opening wide as he pointed the palm of his hand at her.

"Shinra Tensei."

Arachnia felt an immense pressure kiss her skin for a moment. The next, she was sent hauling across the alley, exiting it all together as she crashed into a house on the other side of the street.

"Valletta!" Olivas screamed once he saw the woman flying from the alley she previously entered. He didn't hesitate to reach that same alleyway.

Just as he showed himself at the entrance, a figure clad in black struck him. The man hastily parried the attack, his feet skidding a couple of feet back with force behind the blow.

An enraged elf glared at him with a murderous glint in his mismatched eyes.

In a swift movement, the cloaked elf pulled something from underneath his robe. His arm moved fast, making an arc with his black sword that would reach under the man's guard.

Olivas managed to block it.

Olivas's eyes caught the shine of a blade in his left hand, coming at him from above.

Olivas disengaged, jumping back to flee from the knife's reach and gain some distance from his opponent. He wasn't fast enough, with the attackers managing to leave a gash on his exposed chest.

Before he even set foot on the ground again, he saw something on the corner of his vision.

"Agaris Alvesynth!"

Just as Olivas turned his head, a flaming adventurer was already upon him. He swung his sword, turning his body alongside it to face the new threat.

Before their weapons clashed, the ablaze girl opened her mouth.

"Arvelia."

A torrent of flames erupted from her sword, caughting him completely off guard. The blazing inferno engulfed the man. The intense fire not only burned his flesh, but also made him share the same fate as his companion, as he was sent crashing through a building's wall.

Rubble buried his body, making him hiss in pain with the burn wounds that covered his whole form.

Gritting his teeth in anger and frustration, Olivas slowly stood up.

His vision was fussy from the attack, with the poorly illuminated interior combined with the cloud of dust that arose, only made it harder to see.

Taking a few moments more to get his bearings straight, he looked for his sword who he lost in the aftermath.

Not finding it, Olivas began to rummage through the pile of debris that previously covered him. After removing a wooden plank, the silver blade of his sword shone with the only light that entered through the hole he'd created.

He took it with a smirk, eager to give those who attacked him a justified payback.

Without wasting more time, he headed towards the gaping hole in the wall. Stepping into the evening light, Olivas eyes widened as he saw someone matching Valletta blow to blow in a fierce match in the streets.

With a quick scan around the place, he found who had struck him.

The girl covered in flames who seemed to not affect her in any way stood there, her guard raised and looking straight at him with sharp, emerald eyes.

Besides her, two more girls were present. A whore in a kimono and a blond elfess.

The blonde elfess with a mask that hid her lower face stood beside the flaming one, distracted and with holes in her guard as she was looking and speaking with her.

A grin split his face.

'The perfect prey.'

Olivas dashed towards the unsuspecting elf, aiming to cut her down before her companion could react.

'You'll regret hitting me, you skimpy whore!'

Olivas saw the elfess's blue eyes look his way, just as he was upon her. The wide-eyed look she gave him made him glee in delight.

'This is your punishment for standing against us!'

He swung his sword, savoring the despair coming from her as his weapon drew closer.

'Die!'

.

---

(Fifty minutes earlier)

The great walls that protected the Dungeon City from outside dangers stood rigid as it always has been for millenia.

The massive structure barred any monster or ill intentioned foe from trying to climb the massive height until its peak or breaking through its nearly indestructible stone.

That was the common sense about the walls that were hundreds of meters long. The other, obscure purpose was known only by a select group of people.

That role being to keep the beasts from breaking free from their massive cage.

Not only the monster with a magic crystal in their chest, but those capable of rational thought as well.

Most people don't ponder enough about why the walls are so high and broad. Resistant and sturdy enough to sustain damage that would break any other structure. Indeed it helped protect Orario from warmongering countries like Rakia and The Empire, plus any infiltrator that might try to enter unnoticed.

Yet, one of the reasons it was built was to keep the monsters inside Orario in case the imaginable happened and they broke free from their shackles, flooding the streets without opposition.

But… It wasn't only meant to maintain that kind of monster contained.

No.

It also served to preserve the status quo and keep the adventurers in check - especially the first class powerhouses residing here. Not only preventing outside familias from tampering with the children of the ones that resided within the walls, but also to maintain those same familias under close surveillance by the Guild.

That's why it was difficult, and quite rare, for any Familia to go beyond the city's limits after they settled in. More so if you were one of the more renowned ones.

Orario held many secrets from the public eye, some of which Luke was well aware of.

Zeus and Hera were very vocal about the shady, undercover business that happened behind all that lively first impression The Center of The World presented itself with - even if that image was shattered since Evilus' arose.

They still withheld many things they knew about Orario, the Dungeon and other Familias from within these walls.

That much he guaranteed.

Sometimes, they would let some bit of information he shouldn't know slip, and would drop the subject all together, resisting any attempts to elaborate further

No matter how much he insisted, they never spoke a word about it afterwards.

He never held that against them.

How could he?

They always cared for him since he was but a snot nosed brat, so naturally he placed his whole confidence on their judgment. They always wanted the best for him after all.

But, he was getting out of track already…

'Damn, longing sometimes really lets my head wander in circles back to my family, far away from here.'

Luke thought, looking up at the sparse clouds above as he walked step by step.

Strategic and political functions aside, the great walls had a rather annoying downside to the ones that lived inside them.

While the thick walls prevented uninvited guests from entering Orario's perimeter and those "monsters" from getting out, it also difficulted the circulation of wind past it.

This fact very quickly turned the hot weather of August into real dog days.

Under the scolding sun, the pair of righteous justice warriors calmly strolled by the furthest parts of the East Main Street.

"Really, why does it have to be so hot!? Huuuuuuurgh…" The scarlet haired, level 2 captain of the Astraea Familia, groaned at the sultry heat.

She kept pulling at the hem of her shirt and waving with her hand to cool herself.

"It's better than the bone chilling snow storms up north. Getting a little bit of tan and melanin won't hurt." The fresh level 4 elf responded in a relaxed manner.

He held his hands behind his head as he walked, lifting his dark cloak in the process.

"Seriously, how can you wear that thing!? Aren't you melting inside this black robe? I don't want to carry you if you have a heat stroke or something."

"I don't really mind to be honest. Can't really say if it's just me or all elves are like this, but… normally I'm not that bothered by weather that would be bothersome for the regular folk.

"Ahhhh–I wish I were an elf then! This heatwave is unbearable." Alise pouted, waving and tugging on her shirt's collar with even more intensity.

"Don't fret, captain. I've got a solution for your troubles." Luke tilted his head towards her, a bright smirk present on his lips. "Ice cream and cold drinks are on me after we're done patrolling."

"Really!? Oh man, you're the best!" Alise flung both of her arms around his neck, pulling his head towards her chest without an ounce of shame.

"O-Oi! S-Stop that!" Luke tried to pry her arms off him.

His face rubbed against her warmth, hard chest-plate. Once he actually put in the effort, he easily freed himself from her clutches.

"Yare, yare daze…" The elf caressed the side of his cheek, which gained a reddish color due to being pressed against the hard surface.

" At least do it without that thing…" He mumbled under his breath without thinking.

"~ Ara, Ara... I can take it off if you want." the red-headed said in a teasing tone, bending over slightly at him as they walked.

He gave her an unimpressed look, her teasing not phasing him in the slightest.

"I'm not a pervert myself and don't condone that type of thing… But anything is better than that."

Luke responded, still clutching his cheek as the small bruise subdued almost to nothing.

"I'll keep that in mind next time, don't worry!" Alise punched his arm playfully.

A mischievous glint passed through the elf's mismatched eyes.

"Hey, isn't that Soria!?" Luke pointed out suddenly, surprising her as she swerved her head from side to side.

"Who!? Where?" His captain looked frantically at the direction he indicated with keen eyes.

"You fell for it, you fool!"

In a swift and precise move, the fresh level 4 poked her sides with both of his index fingers.

"Thunder cross tickling attack!" he exclaimed, stroking and tickling her ribs with his fingers in rapid succession.

"Y-You i-idiot. S-Stop!" Alise demanded, barely holding her laughter at his shenanigans. Her futile attempts to pry him off were unsuccessful, letting her at his mercy.

Unfortunately for her, forgiveness was something he felt like giving today.

The elf kept poking her sides, making her lose her breath with laughter and trying to get away.

"Giggle... I-I can't breathe." The girl managed to croak between giggles and laughs after more than a minute of humorous torture.

Luke stopped his 'attack', satisfied with the payback for the usual antics of his captain. Alise gasped for air, her cheeks red as a tomato. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, taking off all weight behind the furious glare directed at her subordinate.

"What? You asked for it. I've lost count of how many times you've pulled something like this with everyone… especially Lion and me."

Luke met her glare with an unimpressed look.

Her angered face lasted for a brief moment more, dissolving into a saggy posture and a long sigh in the next one.

"Alright, fair enough…We're even now though!" Alise's energetic nature came back in full force as she pointed a finger towards him.

"Ok, ok… Just got to see who'll be the one to score one more. Wait a second… Lion never one upped you before, hasn't she?"

Alise shook her head, grinning brightly as she looked up as they continued on their patrol.

"Nope! Not—even—once."

"Really… that girl takes herself too seriously for her own good sometimes. I'll see if I can get through her and show how to fight back against you."

"That's no fun! Lion looks so cute when she's embarrassed, so don't take that from me. Also, I'm sure Ardee would be mad at you as well."

The flaming haired adventurer crossed her arms under her chest-plate, giving him an exaggerated annoyed expression.

"Sure, sure, you do you and I do mine. I'll mold her into something you'll learn to fear. I'm going to create a weapon to surpass your shenanigans, just you wait!"

He proclaimed, thrusting his fist high into the air.

"I'd like to see you try! Lion stays true to herself no matter what. Good luck trying to change her."

Luke's enthusiasm died down at her truthful remark.

[...Fair enough.] His boisterous attitude vanished, his relaxed posture came back again as he walked with his hands behind his head.

"There comes those strange elven words. You didn't badmouth me, did you!?"

"Oh, I would never. How could I do something like that to such a beautiful damsel. My heart trembles with your lack of faith in my person, Alise."

Luke placed a hand on his heart, the other one resting on his forehead as he arched his head back with a hurtful expression.

He dropped the act, glancing at his companion with a cheeky smirk, who returned it with a grin of her own.

"Hey, when are we doing your level up celebration?"

"Hm?"

Luke glanced inquisitively at her.

"Like, you just leveled up. We need to celebrate this new feat of yours as well. No one becomes a level 4 every other day!"

"I literally reached a level up yesterday. I didn't even had time to practice my enchantment with the new barriers I've broken. Of course that didn't pass through my head."

He really hadn't.

Deus Tonitrui effectiveness relied on continuous training and getting your mind and bow connections accustomed to each level the enchantment could tap in.

He could safely use up to two levels above his current one with the spell. Beyond that it became impractical as the strain of his mind pool and his body as a whole was catastrophic.

After each level up, the problem of having to link his body and mind to the newest second level he could reach arose - this case being using the power of a fresh level 6.

Only time, patience and training could remedy that.

Till then, the new effective peak of the spell wouldn't be as potent as it could be in the fight, given the disconnect between how fast his mind could think of a movement and how fast his body could execute it.

"Well then, time to start thinking about it! Once we are off for the day, we'll hold up a meeting after dinner."

Alise poked his shoulder, giving him a stern look.

"Also, you're forbidden to stand near twenty feet of the kitchen when the day comes! You're not cooking, and that's the end of it."

"Oh my. Didn't know you hated my dishes so much… my pride as the familia's chef is in shambles!"

"Don't make such drama, you know what I meant. We'll go to eat outside. You can't do the heavy lifting in your party."

"Sure, sure… speaking of which. I might just know the perfect place for it."

Alise swerved her head towards him.

"Really?"

Luke held a small smile on his lips as he looked up at the sky. He could already see Mia's eyes sparkle in greed at his next suggestion.

"Sure do. The prices aren't that abusive and the employees are interesting, so to say. I'm sure you'll like it."

"Nice, nice. It's your celebration after all. You get the final say on the matter."

"Aye, captain."

...

A comfortable silence fell between the two as they were nearing the end of the main street, since the two of them were almost done with their current patrol route.

Things were being suspiciously tranquil and still around Orario. Despite looking for any suspicious activities for the past days, they only caught measly low life muggers and robbers.

Nothing about Evilus.

No even a hint.

The quietness between the pair didn't last too long, once the onyx haired elf shattered it after a couple of minutes.

"Things have been awfully quiet these past days."

The elf said, stealing a glance at his captain, who was currently looking at the citizens going by their day in the streets.

"I've noticed. Evilus' attacks have all but stopped since last week."

A serious, troubled expression formed itself on the usual carefree features of the just adventurer.

"They are planning something big."

The elf nodded at her line of thought.

"Most certainly… we need to keep our eyes peeled…. oooor—perhaps they gave up on their wrong doings and set their lives straight?"

Alise rolled her eyes at his unfunny jest.

"Like it would be that easy–"

BOOM

A loud, booming sound filled their ears

Soon a faint shockwave followed that sent the wind in the opposite direction it was naturally heading to.

Their hairs were gently caressed by the hot breeze as locks of hair flowed freely once they immediately faced the source of the deafening noise.

People all around them froze in their spots, no one uttering a single word as the building up tension was palpable in the air. All looked with surprise, followed by a looming dread with each passing moment.

The people then began to hurriedly head inside their homes or quickly bolted out of there as panic grew by the second.

All while a certain elf smacked himself mentally.

'I fucking jinxed it…'

Without hesitation or needing to say anything, the two patrollers were on the move. The pair soared into the air with a single leap, safely landing in the high ground of the block's rooftops. Getting a better view of what was happening, the duo clenched their fists in unison at the horrendous sight.

The heart of the East District was in flames.

Just then, a chain of explosions rang out amidst the already ablaze buildings, razing entire blocks to the ground.

"We need to get there, now!" his captain commanded, readying herself to jump along the rooftops.

"Roger that!"

Before she launched away, her comrade scooped her into his arms, catching her completely off guard.

"W-What are you doing!?" Alise asked frantically, wearing a puzzled look on her face as he held her in a bridal carry.

"I can get there faster. Hold on tight!" Luke squatted, calculating his path straight towards the unfolding chaos.

"Deus Tonitrui." an intense array of lightning enveloped his form as soon as these words left his lips. Alise instinctively flinched when the bolts of electricity appeared all around him, but she soon relaxed once it didn't affect her in any way whatsoever.

"... Here we go." He leapt, crossing two streets with a single jump, all while Alise let out a girly squeak as he began running faster than she could ever hope to - even with her own enchantment spell.

The girl clung to him with all her might as he rushed through the rooftops like a flash of lightning cutting through the clouds in a thunderstorm. Luke didn't hold back, using all the speed of a fresh level 5 his magic granted him to get there as soon as possible.

'There's people counting on us. We can't let them down!'

The elf thought with his mind filled with determination.

They would put a stop to these monster's plans, that much he guaranteed.

.

---

.

'This is bad…'

He knew things already went south the moment he heard the indistinguishable, booming sound of an explosion on the other side of the district he was patrolling alongside his easygoing captain.

The sole male of Astraea Familia heard, saw and felt the aftershock of more explosions as he barreled towards the area struck by them.

More than likely heading straight to the culprits.

Evilus.

People flooded the streets below as he blitzed through the roofs while carrying his friend. Despair and panic were the rule as they fled in the opposite way of the ongoing Evilus assault in the commercial district.

Getting closer and closer to the epicenter, they came across the thick of the conflict.

A few outnumbered adventurers bravely stood against the cultists in an attempt to buy time for the civilians to vacate the area around the street. They seemed to be on their last legs as the zealots surrounded them in a corner.

Luckily for them, help had arrived.

Luke landed in between the Evilus soldiers and the struggling, wounded adventurers. Alise quickly jumped off his grasp, drawing her sword in the same movement. Luke did the same, pulling the black sword of his father from its scabbard.

"Who are… Wait– Astraea Familia!?" One of the adventurers seemed to recognize the two of them, gaining a relieved smile on his face as the strongest members of the band of order and justice enforcers came to their aid.

The pair kept their eyes on the enemy, with Luke only giving a thumbs up with his free hand towards the half a dozen allies at his back.

"Don't worry guys, we've got this from now on!"

"You're not alone in this fight. This charming captain got your backs!"

They proclaimed with utmost confidence, slaying the hopelessness that made its way into the defenders' hearts and sparking a light of hope in them.

" Tsk… As if you'll live to see another day. Die you arrogant bastards!" A robed cultist dashed at the elf's side, swinging his sword aiming at his neck. Luke glanced at the attacker, seeing his amateurish, predictable move from miles away.

'Too slow.'

In a moment the fanatic was upon him. In the next, he laid with his back on the hard cobblestone pavement with a brown boot pressing on his neck. The cultist struggled to breathe as the elf increased the pressure.

"You lot will regret this day…" Luke whispered, using an uncharacteristically dark undertone to his voice.

The unlucky foe didn't even see the stomp that stole his consciousness from him. A fellow member of the insane cult didn't have time to blink as the unconscious body hit him square in the chest, sending both sprawling down the street.

The new level 4 slowly lowered his leg from the powerful kick, eyeing the rest of his opponents with a cold gaze. Said enemies took an involuntary step back once he began to lift the sword at his side.

A sly smile crawled his way into Luke's lips as he savored the fearful posture and hesitating glimmer in their eyes.

Intimidation tactics worked like a charm to break their morale.

"Now then… shall we begin?

Swoosh

The group could barely see once he made his move almost as if he simply vanished before their very eyes. They finally caught up to him as two cultists were sent flying in opposite directions at the far end of the party.

In a swift attack too fast to dodge, he roamed above the heads of the isolated duo, spinning and twisting his body as he struck both right below the cheek with the soles of his boots.

A sickening crunch reached his pointy ears.

'Two down. Twelve more to go.'

Luke rapidly got a grasp of the foes' numbers and most likely strength as his eyes scanned over them in a blink. Deducting their strength and clear weaknesses based on how slow their movements were and the fragility he felt from their bodies from a single blow.

His conclusion made his lips curl up.

'This will be a walk in the park.'

The marauders scrambled, a part with full intent to fight him head on to the bitter end, while the other contemplated the idea of a 'tactical' retreat as they were swallowed by indecisiveness.

"Where's Lord Olivas!? We need– Argh!" One of the panicked cultists was struck from his side as he kept his whole attention on the assaulting adventurer.

The comrades near him turned hastily at the new attacker.

"Don't forget about me. He's not alone you know!"

Alise smirked at the surprised criminals.

She kicked her downed target at them. Even though they dodged the incoming body, the brief distraction was enough to let the captain close the gap, striking another cultist with a clean slash on his chest.

As the two adventurers descended upon them, fear spread through their ranks as one by one they were being mercilessly struck down.

The two adventurers who were still standing; the same ones cornered not even a moment ago alongside their injured comrades; joined the fray drawing inspiration from the two justice warriors.

"Sir! What do we do!?" A frightened cultist frantically questioned his superior, who immediately barked a resolute response.

"Keep on fighting! We owe our lives to Lord Thanatos and we will fulfill the– Guh!"

The leader was unable to finish his speech, as his mouth now kissed the wall ten feet where he stood not even a second ago. The subordinate couldn't even register what had happened once a knee struck right below his chin, sending him soaring through the air.

'That makes six. Halfway done.'

Luke thought, having quickly scoped the current tide of battle.

Alise was taking care of two at the rear. The remaining four barred their teeth behind their white veals, drowning their fears in hatred. In a last demonstration of courage – or more likely fanaticism - they dashed at the elf as one.

"... It's useless." Luke muttered, changing his posture and jumping at them in a single heartbeat.

The pitch-black sword's silver lining of the blade, shone in the sunlight that made it through the smoke. He passed right in the middle of the group like a hot knife cutting butter.

They were hopeless once they tried to react to his speed and agility as he cut them down faster than they could even fathom the idea of reacting.

Reaching the back of the cultists' squad, gushes of blood flew in the air as each foe fell once their feet touched the ground.

Luke took a peek over his shoulder, seeing his captain standing triumphant as the last two enemies were sprawled on the floor. The pair that joined the battle also came out on top, looking on incredulously at the scene.

More than likely overcomed by disbelief on how they managed to escape certain death and turn the tables against it.

Directing his gaze back to his cheerful friend, he gave her a satisfied thumbs up, one she returned in kind.

The elf flicked his sword, removing all the blood that stained the blade in a post battle move that was ingrained into his muscle memory.

The followers of the justice goddess then made their way to the band of adventurers, who just began to tend their wounded as the fighting ceased for the time being.

"Thanks for the help! You guys really saved our skin just now." A brown haired young man spoke to them as they got closer, a blond teenager worked alongside him as they applied first aid on their allies.

"Just watching over our own. So, gow are things looking over here?" Alise took the reins, letting her charisma and leadership flow.

" Sigh… Not good. Currently, only Hannes and I are in fighting condition. We also can't let the wounded be stranded in this war zone, and we've yet to get any word of reinforcements coming this way… ."

The adventurer looked downcast as the direness of the situation settled in.

Luke shared the sentiment as he looked not only at the injured and disheartened adventurers, but also at the destruction around them.

"... Do you have any information of a forward operating base being set up? Or evacuation centers?—Mister…" The man got out of his stupor with her further questioning.

"P-Palmer, and we do! The first responders were organizing a task force for a counter attack in the East Main Street security checkpoint as by procedure. They would make a base there!" He explained as he tried to focus on what matters now.

"Good, then we've got our next stop. We can't leave you guys like this, and going without a party blindly into danger is not a good call. Prepare the wounded, we'll carry them there. Once we're done, we'll head back right in!"

She took full command of the situation as Hannes and the leader Palmer quickly followed her instructions.

Luke got beside his captain.

"You can help them if you want. I'll keep watch."

He suggested, eyeing the dismembered adventurers having their stumps enveloped in bandages and grave wounds being treated with whatever potion they had at their disposal.

No more words needed to be spoken as she also looked at the sorry sight with a somber glint in her emerald eyes, promptly lending a helping hand at them right after.

In the meantime Luke diligently kept his word, observing the area and guaranteeing no harm came their way unnoticed. They readily prepared the retreat back to their lines to give the wounded the proper medical care they needed.

Being honest with himself, Luke knew he wanted nothing more than to continue searching for survivors. To find the bastards that were responsible for all this act of terrorism and put a foil in their schemes.

But no matter how much his sense of justice screamed at him that there were people in need–People he could help. His pragmatic side always kept that side in check.

He couldn't leave these adventurers who were barely standing on their own. They turn into easy prey for the foul cult.

He needed to prioritize those within his reach, those right in front of him.

The harsh reality of his limitations hit him across the face as he eyed the corpses of random bystanders, laying in the middle of the street.

'I'm not strong enough to save the day…'

He couldn't save everyone.

No one could.

Their job was reactionary by default. Whenever they couldn't prevent an incursion like this from happening, all they could do was keep the death toll to a minimum.

Saving anyone they could.

Killing or detaining any cultists they could.

In a way, they have already failed the common folk.

They failed as soon as Evilus struck.

"Sigh… Can't blame part of the populace for being so distrustful of us. Not when things get to this point…"

Luke mused out loud, scanning the eerie scenery caused by the marauders.

The minutes flew by as Luke delved inside his own dilemma.

Soon, the improvised party was ready for departure. Each one of the four had a casualty strapped to their backs to facilitate their movement in case of an unexpected encounter and maintain freedom of motion as they ran.

They moved as fast as they could while still being careful with the wounded allies on their backs.

Carefully making their way towards the main street at the border of the south eastern district, the group came upon the sight of their failure. Countless bodies, both from civilians and adventurers alike, who perished in the dishonest assault from the evil fanatics.

Unfortunate victims of the insane evil followers lay whole or torn to pieces in the onslaught that transpired across the streets and the once peaceful homes. The scene was seen everywhere throughout the pathways their eyes landed upon as they traversed the district.

Buildings were set on fire, contaminating the air with a black smoke. Ash and embers made it difficult to breathe. Dried blood stained the walls and flowed through the curbs near the deceased. Craters and scorches in the paved paths of the resulting explosives used by Evilus, and of the ongoing conflict between their fellow adventurers who opposed them with all their might.

Witnessing such barbaric scenes, they all drew the same conclusion.

This was no ordinary attack from Evilus…

No.

This was a full blown out assault in the entire district.

This entire part of the city became a literal war zone.

The group became more and more downtrodden with each step they took. Their eyes were overtaken by weariness at such destruction and the brutality of it all.

Yet… the worst was yet to come.

Luke's heart sank to his stomach once they came across a horrifying sight on their path once they stepped foot on one of the larger streets .

They've all heard about Evilus' demoralization tactics.

Stories about what they did to whatever poor soul unlucky enough to fall into their hands. The unspeakable things they had done civilians and adventurers alike, showcasing it for all to see.

The psychological effects it had on the populace's belief in the Guild and the security forces who faced the evil cult day and night, was a harsh truth they had to deal with constantly.

A macabre, sick and cruel act, capable of only being performed by inhuman beings. People – if they could even be considered that – no better than the monsters that crawled through the depths of the Dungeon.

Yet, their results were undeniable… even if it made Luke's skin crawl at the mere thought of it.

But… they never saw something quite like this before.

Once they came upon a crossway, they saw it. The true scope of what their enemy was capable of.

.

(Cue, Re : Zero The Frozen Bond OST-6. "Eerie")

.

Across the whole street on each side of it, numerous bodies were pinned to the walls. Their hands and feet being crucified by the weapons that punctured their limbs and kept them in place. Daggers, swords, spears, or any material sturdy enough to pierce the walls was used to hang the victims. Showcasing them like a collection of dolls owned by the most machiavellian demon in the tales of old.

The image they saw as they got closer, would haunt them in their dreams.

The victims were all viciously tortured, their forms mauled beyond recognition.

No one was spared. Men, women or children.

Elder or toddler.

No one.

… Not a single one.

Some had their eyes gouged out. Others the tongues laying at their feet, entrails hanging from their open belly's or arteries punctured as they were left to bleed to death, forming a river of blood beneath the victim.

A few were charred completely, their bodies becoming nothing more than a crisp husk of a human form… some even had their faces brutally degloved.

The putrid smell of blood, burned meat, feces, and piss, burned through their nostrils with each bated breath they took the longer they stared at the grotesque aftermath of Evilus' barbaric actions.

This scenery was straight out of one's worst nightmare.

Bile rose from everyone's stomachs at the hellish scene before their very eyes. Some let it all out, while a few swallowed it alongside the lump that tightened their throats.

"What the fuck is this, Palmer!? T-This is madness!…This is too much!" Hannes exclaimed to his friend and superior as he justifiably lost his composure completely .

"..."

Palmer didn't answer his question.

No one did.

No one could put into logic or reason what they were witnessing, not only because of their own shock and disbelief, but out of the sheer insanity of it all.

While everyone struggled to believe the sick display they were seeing, Luke stared at a certain body behind the group.

"Good lord– Hugh… bleeew!

The injured prum he carried on his back had his mouth filled with his morning breakfast, having it spill through his hand as he tried not to puke it out after witnessing the same thing he did.

The elf paid him no mind, completely lost inside his own mind.

The entire world outside was numb to him.

The only thing he heard was his own heavy breathing.

'What is this!?... T-This can't be real, right!?—Right!?'

What he was seeing was the harsh reality of Evilus' reign of terror, even if he wanted to reject it with all his being.

What Evilus truly was.

The only thing they brought.

He would carry the sight his mismatched eyes were seeing till the last of his days in this life.

A young girl, no older than six, stood across from him, completely disrobed. Her delicate skin littered with gashes and bruises all over. And her face… Oh, her face.

She didn't have one.

They removed every bit of her pristine, snow white skin from her skull, leaving it in the flesh.

Luke couldn't hold back his tears once he saw the blackish purple bruises at her restrained wrists. The clear signal of an intense, desperate struggle to break free of the poor girl.

A subtle, horrifying detail that almost broke him down to his very core.

'These animals kept her alive throughout the whole process…'

Luke's entire body tensed, an unbearable ringing noise grew louder and louder inside his head. He clenched his hands into fists with such force that his nails cut through his gloves and dug themselves into the palm of his hand.

Blood trickled down at his feet as his whole form shook uncontrollably.

His raging mind played tricks on him, making him see in this poor girl, those children he cared for so much in his life. Making him picture them in her place… going through all this suffering and savagery.

His little brother that luckily lived with his gods far away from here in the mountains up north.

The innocent, cheerful children of the orphanage he visited every week with Maryuu.

The stranded little prum from Soma Familia he lent a helpful hand two months ago… even if he never saw or heard from her again.

Luke's blood boiled just imagining such cruelty befalling on any of those pure souls.

The baring of his teeth in pure, blind anger at the ones responsible for such savagery could be heard by anyone close to him.

He tasted the rough, iron taste of the blood that leaked from his gums. His mind went haywire as he couldn't take his eyes off the little girl plastered on the wall.

Luke's breath spiked, inhaling and exhaling at an ever increasing pace without control.

'These innocent folk were just trying to live their lives in peace!'

'Why!?... Just, why?…'

'Why would these animals do something like this to people that did absolutely nothing against them!?'

'Why did they have the need to mercilessly kill everyone in their reach!?'

'Sparing no one!?'

'Not only the men… but the women and the children too.'

'Why would they!?'

'What do they gain with this!?'

'Why can't they put a stop to these insane bastards once and for all!?'

'Why are these monsters even alive!?'

WHY!?

''—ey, man. Are you okay—''

"—ten to me! You need to breath—"

"—on! Don't lose it out he—"

"—one! I need some help over—"

The prum's words of concern barely registered to him as he felt like his chest was being crushed by an invisible force.

His always kind soul was slowly being corrupted with the dark flames of anger, giving life to the embers of hatred to start growing in his heart. His mind was plagued with destructive, death filled thoughts, completely overwhelming any sense of morality as his eyes stared at the cruelty before him.

'They'll pay for that… they'll… PAY FOR THAT!—'

"-re you alright?... Luke!" A soft, tender voice managed to breached the overwhelming tinnitus that deafened him.

Luke's derailing mind was brought back to the real world as he felt something warm and soft clutch his fist.

"Luke…" His dead, empty gaze met the concerned emerald eyes of his friend.

He finally felt how out of breath he was as he gasped for air. Hunching over slightly while sucking in air, Luke managed to get his breathing under control again after a minute.

The bright, cheerful color Alise's eyes always presented to everyone was almost completely out.

Despite his distraught state, the elf saw the faintest pickle of vomit at the corner of her mouth. She also pointedly avoided looking at the sadistic cruelty they've done to the child, looking only at his pale, sweaty face.

She was as afflicted as everyone else was at this maddening display of what these scumbags were capable of, yet… she still reached out to him.

"Are you okay?" she asked with a low, somber tone that was unfitting of her, while giving his trembling hand a gentle squeeze.

'T-That's right… I still have people that rely on me.'

Even if what he'd seen had carved a deep scar inside him, he still had to keep moving forward.

There's still people out there in need of help.

There's still adventurers who need backup against the nefarious group.

There's still his friend right before him who needs him to overcome these perils ahead of them.

' ...There's still justice to be enacted.'

The elf thought, his mismatched eyes regaining some of their past glimmer.

The dark thoughts that almost crumbled his resolve and sanity were slowly being buried in the depths of his mind. The more he pried into his captain's eyes, the more he began to steadily regain control of himself.

Whether it was her intention or not, Alise had almost certainly saved him from falling into a spiral of madness, despair and hatred. Being the anchor that held whole and prevented him from being carried by the waves of despair and insanity.

'I can't get caught up on this no more… We still have a job to do–Put a stop to the bastards that did this!'

With newfound resolve, the elf cleared his mind as he took a long breath while closing his eyes.

His thoughts now forcibly becoming a blank sleet after regaining the focus solely on his duties at hand, he opened his pair of heterochromatic eyes again.

"...Yes, I'll live… Thank you." Luke stated in a plain tone.

As he muttered his gratitude for her care, he retributed the gesture as he clutched her hand into his. Luke gave her the best smile he could at the moment to show that everything was alright.

What came out was a pitiful, wobbly and shaky smile as he wiped his tears with his free hand.

She surely felt how he clung to her hand like a drowning man clung to anything so he didn't succumb to the darkness of the depths.

Alise didn't mind in the slightest, not only because she was helping her friend - but because she was getting her own reassurance and stability through their intertwined hands.

"Don't force yourself to smile. It doesn't suit you." She suggested, receiving a curt nod as he finished recomposing himself.

"... aye… captain." He managed to put a little bit of energy into his voice, receiving a pat on his shoulder.

"We'll… talk about this later. We have other priorities right now." Alise gestured towards the rest of the adventurers who began to move again, not wanting to spend any second longer in this horror street.

No more words were exchanged as Luke followed her lead, taking the front of the party again.

Luke felt something ruffle slightly against the back of his cloak as they marched on again.

He quickly glanced at it, just in time to see the adventurer he carried trying to discreetly wipe the vomit on his robe.

The prum rapidly pried his hand away, suddenly finding the houses at the corner of street the most interesting thing in the world.

The onyx haired elf simply returned his gaze upfront with a blank expression.

'I'll ignore this for now… I'm not in the right state of mind to deal with this nonsense.'

In one way or another, what these animals had done to these people was something they would never forget.

But on they marched. Doing their utmost to forget this traumatic event… for the time being at least.

They continued without delay through the ruined district, still finding no opposition as they were almost nearing the camp's most likely location.

Keeping their eyes peeled, they saw nothing but the visage of a dystopia.

Destruction.

Death.

The norm since everything started.

People being dragged from their homes, leaving trails of blood before they were executed at the curb.

Shops ransacked and pillaged.

The smell of burning flesh permeating through the air.

Bodies trapped under the rubble of crumbled buildings.

All of it only made Luke's hatred reach new heights at every innocent slayed by those filthy animals.

This sick visage would become true to all of Orario if they couldn't put a stop to the cult.

'They'll pay… They will pay!'

That much he would make sure of.

Being witness to yet more of Evilus' sick displays of cruelty, Luke's already dwindling empathy for its followers reached rock bottom as of today.

His eyes gained a dangerous glint as they passed through the carnage without uttering a word.

They didn't see a single living soul no matter where they passed or whether they looked. The next minutes were tense and grim as they strolled through the barren streets.

That is until, suddenly, they came face to face with another group as they rounded a corner.

The adventurers drew their swords in unison.

"Hey, hey! Friendly, friendly!" The one at the front of the unknown party screamed as he waved his hands in a placating manner.

The small group they met by chance seemed to be composed of six adventurers, judging by their looks, accompanied by a couple of civilians who held each other close as they stood at the center of the formation.

Luke and the others relaxed once they saw they weren't with Evilus.

"What are you doing? Where were you lot heading to? The rendezvous point is the other way." Alise questioned them, or more accurately, the scrawny chientrope at the front of the group.

"Really!? Oh man, we're more lost than a headless chicken once all hell broke loose. No one knew what was happening or where we were supposed to go." The stranger explained with a nervous laugh, his companions nodding along.

"We should tag along, shouldn't we? We also need to get these two civilians out of here." The chientrope added further, pointing to the elder couple with his thumb.

"That's a no-brainer, of course we should. The more the merrier… Things are out of our control as of now. Better stick up together as we go."

Alise stated the obvious, earning a grin from the adventurer before her.

"Good–that's nice, very nice…" The beast man said in a rather peculiar tone.

A strange look flashed on his face as soon as he turned towards his group. Something that Luke's attentive elven eyes caught on.

"Hold on for a second!" The elf called out to the man, who quickly turned towards him, surprised.

"Could you show us your familia emblem?" Luke's eyes were slit, getting sharper as the adventurer seemed to get nervous at his sudden request.

"W-What? Why though? We're on the same team." The other group's head figure argued as a seed of tension was planted between them.

"...Then there's no reason not to show it to us, right?" Luke's voice lacked any kind of hostility, yet he subtly moved his hand closer to the handguard of his sword hidden beneath his cloak.

"S-Sure, here it is!"

The man pulled out a brazon from the leather pouch at his belt, showing it for all to see.

"We are from the Eostre Familia! It's a small Familia so I don't blame you if you never heard about us. We got caught up on all this by accident as we were going towards the marketplace. We're just trying to help, I swear!" The chientrope explained, looking the elf in the eye.

He broke contact as the intense gaze didn't waver at his response - on the contrary, it almost cut through him with how sharp his eyes became.

"Oh, so that's it, huh?" Luke asked again, a question the man nodded resolutely in confirmation.

The dark haired elf calmly set the wounded prum he was carrying on his own feet, flashing him a look that meant only one thing.

Something was wrong.

The prum gave Luke a curt nod as he limped back towards the center of the group.

"I'm telling the truth, you have to trust us man. We already proved who we are."

Clink

The group's leader tensed as Luke's hand grasped the hilt of his sword as he faced him again.

"You want to hear something funny… The goddess Eostre left Orario two months ago after her whole Familia was wiped out in the Dungeon."

Luke's ice cold voice made the man take a step back, sputtering as he tried to come up with a convincing answer.

Alise changed her posture besides Luke, preparing for whatever would happen next as she placed her hand on her sword.

"W-What are you talking about!?" The chientrope indignation was clear on his face as he looked between the two.

"I was the one that recovered the only body of the party… The goddess herself sought out to me before she left the city, expressing her gratitude for granting her captain a proper burial." The elf's unnerving glare was almost cutting the man in half where he stood.

"You… are a liar."

Alise drew her sword, pointing at the man caught red handed in his deceit by her colleague.

"Who are you lot? Answer us truthfully!" She demanded with a harsh tone. The rest of the group raised their weapons as well after resting the wounded on the ground.

The fake Eostre follower stood in place with a confused face. A facade that slowly morphed into a mischievous smirk as he began laughing hysterically.

"Hihi hahahahahaha!—to think our cover was blown because we're unlucky enough to run specifically into the shithead that knew about those nobodies!"

His smirk broke into a maniacal grin, exposing his sharp canines as his gaze gained a frantic look.

"Now... Back to it–"

Swish

Before he could even make his first move towards the sword at his waist, his head was already severed from his body.

As his headless form fell to the ground, three of his crooked goons behind him were swiftly and brutally bisected as Luke spun on his heel right in between them dragging his sword in the same move, effortlessly slaughtering the trio without them even having the time to blink.

The remaining pair of scumbags rushed towards the elder couple who were cowering in fear and confusion about what was happening.

As one was about to grab into the old man, a black sword punctured his chest. The weapon struck right in the middle of his ribcage and precisely where his heart should be.

With the enormous momentum behind the sword Luke threw to take him down, his body soared forwards until it stopped at the wall of the entrance to an destroyed inn and pinning the, now deceased fake, to it in sequence.

Luke blitzed towards the last one remaining without missing a beat.

Yet, he wasn't quick enough.

The old lady fell into the outlaw's clutch. The bastard used her as a human shield, forcing the elf to halt his assault less than five feet from his target.

"Not so brave now, huh, jackass!"

The criminal scum pressed a dagger to the woman's exposed neck, drawing a thin line of blood that stained her worn, white dress.

The elder woman started crying in despair as she became stiff as a statue under the clear death threat.

"No, Julia! Let her go, you bastard!" Her spouse cried out as he moved to intervene.

"Stop it!… I'll handle this, sir."

Luke's words brought the worried sick husband to a stop, making him look between the adventurer and the cultist that was putting his wife's life in danger.

He gestured for him to back off and let him salvage the situation. Seemingly grasping the current hostage situation, the man calmed down and stepped back.

"Now, you asshole! Drop your weapon or the granny here is toast, your call!"

The crook barked his demand, digging the dagger deeper in her neck, drawing even more blood as the woman whimpered in fear.

"Fine… You win. Just… don't hurt her."

Luke's tone lacked any kind of emotion. Though, his eyes were piercing through the man's skull as he observed his every move.

He extended his left arm, letting go of the aqua colored sword of his mother as it fell towards the ground between him and the cultist.

The hostage taker relaxed his arm ever so slightly as the elf's sword neared the pavement. Luke's gaze became razor sharp once the man unconsciously removed the blade from the woman's throat.

'There!'

Luke dashed towards them, closing the gap in a single jump.

He had lowered his posture in his charge, grabbing the weapon before it touched the ground and bringing it up in a clean arc aimed at his enemy's arm that held the dagger. With a clean, precise cut, he avoided cutting the hostage by mere centimeters.

The cultist's arm went up in the air, still clutching his knife.

His pained scream was cut abruptly as a boot met his sternum, sending him tumbling down violently against the cobblestone path.

Still disoriented on the ground with the slump where his forearm and hand should be, a pool of blood gushed out of his wound like a geezer.

His breath came out ragged and hoarse. Bile and blood were mixed together as he vomited while trying to get up.

That same boot that struck him, now pinned him to the ground as it pressed down on his neck.

"Ha-hhavee mer— Hng." The fanatic tried to croak out his plea as the pressure on his throat intensified.

The man wore a terrified expression on his face.

"Where are the others? What is their goal here?... I won't ask twice."

Luke released the pressure from his throat.

"I-I don't know anything, I swear! They just told us to cause as much mayhem and confusion as we could– Gah."

"Then you are even more worthless than I thought."

Luke pressed down on the cultist's neck as he grabbed his ankle in a vain attempt to stop him.

On a normal day Luke would just knock him out, or even go as far as killing him if he left him no choice.

But now?

After all he'd witnessed?

The image of that poor girl pinned to the wall came to Luke's mind, making his eyes sharpen as he pried into the cultist's desperate ones.

'I will give them as much mercy as they gave those poor innocent they'd brutalized.'

"Plead for mercy in the afterlife…"

Creak

Crunch

The sickening sound of the man's neck being flattened echoed in the air.

Luke glanced at his companions at his rear.

Despite the gruesome kill, no one objected. Alise opened her mouth but no words came out, closing it while giving him a worried look.

Even if they berated him he wouldn't give them the time of the day.

Not in regards to Evilus… not anymore.

In the end, all members or Evilus associates brought this on themselves one way or another. Showing no qualms about killing them was more than justified… especially after what they've seen today.

Luke showed not an ounce of remorse for his actions, simply walking towards the hostage he'd saved.

"Are you okay ma'am?"

The woman's shocked state as she clutched the cut at her neck slowly washed off from her once she noticed him.

She looked at the elf's concerned gaze and his outstretched hand as she laid on the ground.

The old lady grasped the hand of her savior, as he lifted her up gently.

"Julia! Thank the heavens!!" Her husband came desperately at them, looking her all over.

"I-I'm fine, Lorris. There's no need to worry… thanks to this young man." The one called Julia, thanked Luke with a grateful smile on her lips.

"Let me see it."

Luke pulled out a potion vial from the pouch he carried in his waistband, urging her to show the wound to him.

Julia did as she was told, exposing the wound that was almost coagulated. Once he placed a few drops of the liquid over it, only the dried blood hinted that she had been injured, as the cut was gone without leaving a single trace.

"Thank you kind adventurer! We owe our lives to you, and your friends." The man called Lorris by his spouse, displayed his genuine gratitude in his face.

A grateful face that turned into one of confusion.

"But… why–why did they lie about their Familia and tried to attack you lot, and us as well? They said they were trying to help and guide us to safety!"

A frown crept his way Luke's face.

'Those snakes…'

Luke cursed at Evilus and their despicable methods. They shamelessly deceived, used and killed the innocents without batting an eye.

"It's simple–They are part of Evilus. These bastards were using you as decoys to make their ruse more believable."

'And killing them afterwards…'

But he wouldn't say that out loud. They are already distraught as it is judging by the horrified gasps and the look of realization on their features as they grasped how close to the real threat they were.

The rest of the party closed in on the after a brief search on the bodies.

"We need to keep moving people. We're almost nearing the main street. The evacuation must be undergoing somewhere alongside it. You'll be safer there."

Alise reminded them as she stepped besides Luke. A bright, white-theethed smile was present on her lips as she looked at the older couple, calming them down with her cheerful nature.

"We understand… and thanks again. We really mean it. "

Both Alise and Luke nodded in acknowledgement as the civilians were placed amidst the group of adventurers.

"You're a scary fella you know that!?"

The prum that became Luke's 'battle budy' said, limping towards him wearing a pained face with each step he took on his wounded legs.

"Sigh... Only when I'm stressed enough."

Luke said, grabbing the hilt of his sword that embedded the cultists's corpse to the wall, effortlessly removing it in a single stroke.

The prum shuddered as Luke flicked the blood off from it before sheating the blade.

"Come on, hopp up. Unless you're feeling like walking…" He could see that Alise was doing the same with the adventurer she carried prior.

The prum waved his hands from side to side.

"Don't even joke about that, man! I'll be dead meat faster than you can cut those Evilus bastards, hehehe…"

Luke's living baggage laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his ashen blond hair. As the elf remained nonplussed at the attempt at jesting, the prum hurriedly climbed on Luke's back - with the elf lending a hand - before shutting his trap.

The party was on the move again.

…

...

...

"... What's your name?"

"Huh? Me?"

"No, the other guy I'm carrying… forget it."

"Rude…" Luke's ear twitched at the whispered rebuttal.

He gave the injured a pointed glance.

"S-Sorry!... uh, eh… my name's Arrascaeta, but everyone calls me Pec!"

"Hmm…"

The now named adventurer looked bashfully from side to side, avoiding Luke's face.

"...Sorry for… for cleaning myself on your robe. That was uncalled for."

Luke sighed.

"...No hard feelings. As long as you don't pull something like that, we're good… Pec."

The elf tilted his head at him, sporting a small, project of a smile on his face.

"... Name's Luke by the way."

"Pleasure to meet you man. You really saved our asses back then."

"Don't mention it… We're just doing our part. You guys are the real heroes here. Heading head first into danger like that. Outnumbered, facing overwhelming odds, that's really commendable… many adventurers wouldn't do that."

Luke genuinely praised the prum's party. Meaning every word he spoke.

Pec scratched his cheek sheepishly, his face gaining a slight blush at receiving such a compliment from a second-class adventurer.

"N-No! We're just caught in the middle of all of it. We didn't choose to stand against those guys because we wanted to…"

"Still… you did it anyway. You could have runned away at any moment."

"We'll… If you put it like that…"

The prum perked up, as an idea suddenly popped up in his head.

"Say, why don't we go on a little 'tour' around the Red Light District after we get out of this one? ~ I have some contacts there that will make you feel like you're in heaven."

The adventurer in Luke's back proposed in a sultry voice.

'Zeus and the ones that would unknowingly make him proud, a classic… A man's libido really is one hell of a drug.'

"Sorry, but I don't like that kind of 'fun'."

Arrascaeta sagged slightly as his idea was shot down.

"Figures… I'm surprised enough that you don't seem to mind touching other races beside your own. Gotta keep that pure elf attitude right?"

"Not exactly…"

"But hey, at least I can buy you a drink? You deserve more than one round on me… You at least drink, don't you?!"

Luke let out a chuckle, entertained by the antics of the adventurer he just got to know.

"Sure, why not? Never drank till now, but there is a first time for everything, isn't there?"

"Alright!" Pec pumped his fist into the air. "Just hit me and we're gonna have our drinking night after all this is done!"

"Sure, sure… Just don't think you'll get me hammered. You'll be wasting your time."

"Is that a dare I hear? I love a challenge!"

Luke may not admit it, but the previously quiet, reserved prum who now opened up and was talking more than his mouth could keep up with, was helping him.

The dark thoughts and the weight he felt on his mind were cast aside for the moment, replaced with a jovial, pleasant chat.

Everyone in the party watched the two in amusement. They barely talked not even a minute ago, and now were setting up a long night of drinking.

Alise in particular, watched the scene with relief in her beautiful features. The downcast, gloomy air around Luke was slowly dissipating.

He even started to smile again.

The juvenile conversation and a series of small talks filled the void in the group's morale, helping them forget for a moment the horrors all around them while they kept their guard up.

Soon enough they finally reached the East Main.

As expected, people were already massing there, coming from all the streets that were connected to the district which burned in flames.

The citizens were being picked apart from those who needed medical attention and those that were simply vacating the hot zone.

Numerous adventurers guaranteed the safety of the whole operation. Creating a sense of security not only for the desperate folk, but also for Luke and his companions as they finally could relax for the time being.

Without missing a beat, they headed towards the various medical tents hastily built in the street.

The party was greeted with the gritty sight of the victims of Evilus' unprovoked assault laying on sheets in the ground. The wounded varied from those with less urgent, minor injuries, to those that were receiving intense care as they were on the brink of death.

Grunts and painful cries filled the ambience all around them.

The wounded adventurers of Luke and Alise group passed through triage before being allocated accordingly. Julia and Lorris, the married couple that they saved previously, gave the party another piece of their gratitude before following the rolls of evacuees out of the district.

"Hey! Don't forget about our night out, got it!?"

Pec screamed from his improvised bedroll, pointing at Luke as he was about to leave the tent with Alise and the other two adventurers who were still in good shape.

A pointed, sharp glare from an overworked healer made the prum squeal, bumbling a meek apology for being so noisy.

"Don't worry pal, I won't. Take care of yourself till then, see ya." Luke gave him his back, waving goodbye with a hand over his shoulder as he left the tent, missing Arrascaeta's enthusiastic grin at the prospect of a drinking night.

Stepping outside, Luke was surprised to see Hannes and Palmer waiting for him. The determination in their forms was unmistakable.

"We'll head back alongside you!" Palmer's resolute tone was endearing, his voice clear and without a speck of hesitation.

Hannes, the younger one, nodded with vigor. "We are only low-class adventurers, but we aren't weak! We can still fight—We need to fight!"

The justice enforcers stood there with expressions that were a jumble of commendation and amusement.

Alise let out a weak, innocent laugh at their request. While Luke, shook his head from side to side in exasperation.

The pair of level 1s were shocked by what seemed to be a clear mocking of their display of courage.

"What are you laughing at!? We are still–"

"You guys are dumb or slow?" Luke deadpanned. "We aren't your parents or anything."

The elf's words made Hannes stop mid rant. Luke's plain tone only caused more indignation on the two.

Palmer opened his mouth to protest, but the scarlet-haired girl beat him to it.

"hehehe-ha… You guys don't need our permission! You are grown up, you can make your own decisions without someone holding your hands!"

The bumbling rage beneath the surface turned into confusion at the meaning of this.

"You can come if you want, but I advise against it."

Alise clarified.

"But we–"

"I know you aren't just pushovers, but think for a second— you'll only slow us down if it comes to it."

Luke's realistic point threw a cold bucket in the fire that burned inside them.

"However!—"

Alise spoke up, making them eye the pair again.

"—You'll have greater success as a team if you stick up with those closer to your level. Just like your previous party was. Perhaps if we are set up together in a large group, then I don't see a problem, on the contrary, you'll make a difference then! Otherwise, I don't recommend you tag along specifically with the two of us alone."

The two pondered Luke's words for a moment.

"That's… No, you are right. We would only get in the way and drag you guys down as you fought and had to keep an eye on us. Plus you bunch are a lot faster than we can keep up with."

The older one, Palmer, seemed to get what they meant since the beginning.

"Speaking of which…" Luke caught their attention, just as a squadron rushed down past the four.

As their eyes followed them, they saw where they were heading to with such a hurry.

A large armed detachment gathered to their right further down the center of the street, the group that ran past then following the flow. Only the backs of rows and rows of adventurers could be seen as they occupied the middle of the East Main.

"What's going on in there?" Hannes questioned.

"Most likely a task force being assembled to enter the fray. That's your chance to find a better team up – to all of us in fact."

Luke's captain explained to the rookie, taking a step forward in the direction of the mass of troops.

The other three trailed behind her without question. They followed the influx of new adventurers that arrived, taking a spot in the back of the enormous assembly of adventurers that had formed itself.

"Listen up!"

A loud, commanding feminine voice shouted over the whispering and small talk of the agglomeration.

"The enemy is hunkered up somewhere in the depths of the district. We don't know what their plan is nor their numbers and strength. We failed to see through their underlying schemes, and we are paying the price for our complacency."

The crowd was dead silent, listening to the speech with their wholehearted attention.

"However!–"

Luke had to admit it, this woman knew how to commend respect and show her authority. A certain woman that he recognized in a heartbeat, despite not being able to see her through the thick crowd.

"–What we do know is that they are mercilessly slaughtering innocent citizens and isolated adventurers without hesitation!"

Luke took a long breath, as the images of the mangled corpses coming back to haunt him.

"To put a stop to it, we'll organize groups to search and destroy any Evilus force still roaming the streets!"

He felt a presence carefully tiptoeing right behind him. Just by the smell of her fragrance alone Luke knew exactly who it was.

'Does she really have to do this every time?... '

The magic swordsman thought, awaiting the inevitable, bothersome occurrence as he wasn't in the mood to resist.

"Ganesha Familia will take point until either Loki or Freya–"

"~ Guess who it is!" A hand obscured his vision in an instant.

Something grappled him from behind, making him lose focus on the woman's words. Luke didn't even flinch or falter despite a certain someone clinging to him.

The other two adventurers who tagged along were confused seeing the elf being unexpectedly tackled from the rear.

Alise only eyes the scene in amusement.

" Sigh… Now isn't the time, Ardee."

He removed the girl's hand from his eyes. She quickly scooped his neck instead, giving him a tight embrace.

"Why not? It's been so long since we last saw each other!" The girl with slate blue hair hugged him even more tightly in response.

Luke could feel something soft press against his back, much to his chagrin… and a speck of embarrassment as well.

"Yare, yare daze…"

He succumbed to his fate, letting her do her thing. He could admit it to himself, things like this helped him forget what he saw today…

After a couple of embarrassing moments, she finally let go of him.

"...You'll need to give that a good scrub now."

Luke stated plainly as he turned towards one of the first persons he met since he came back to Orario.

"Huh?..."

Ardee looked perplexed at him, until she looked down at her clothes. Dark red marks stained her garments, making her freeze for a second.

Luke shook his head at her usual, touchy shenanigans.

'Can't blame her… the Black Goliath cloak does exceptionally well when it comes to masking blood.'

He thought, pulling out a red napkin he'd tied to his thigh pouch-holster, and a canteen from the back of his waist belt.

"Next time be more careful, would you?"

A wet tissue landed him the baffled girl's hand. She looked up at her level 4 friend, seeing his sly smile.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you? You could have dodged any time you wanted, yet you let me dirty myself with this… you know I don't like it."

Ardee sent him a half hearted glare.

"Oh my, I would never."

The smile on his face betrayed his words completely.

"... Besides, you were the one to jump me, not the other way around."

Shakti's younger sister rolled her eyes as she began to clean herself. Luke paid her no mind, focusing on the girl's sister whose briefing still continued as she organized the formations that would head into battle.

A thought suddenly came down to him.

'She still doesn't know we are here…'

"The first group will be led by myself. The second one will be under Ilta's command. Hashana will take the third–"

"Ooooiiii!"

Luke's loud calling cut off Shakti mid-speech, almost making her stammer. As one, the crowd searched for the source of the call out, ultimately looking their way.

"You forgot about us, Ane-Chan!"

The gathering finally settled their eyes on him as he spoke. Ankusha became even more confused being called sister by someone else than her own little sister. The confusion lasted for a brief moment before it finally clicked.

A small, well hidden smile slowly formed itself on her pursued lips.

The sea of adventurers parted in two once she stepped forwards. Giving room for the captain of Ganesha Familia as she strolled towards the familiar voice.

The quintuple group was fully visible in the corridor that was formed. Almost more visible than the smirk in Luke's face as Ardee's older sister walked up to them.

"Long time no see, Ane-chan! Glad your familia's response was quick." The elf spoke as she stopped in front of them.

The woman shook her head at Luke's jesting.

"Really, at a time like this… you never lose that snarky attitude do you?"

Luke's gaze drifted to the sides, avoiding her own as a strange expression crossed his face.

"... Not always."

Before Shakti could delve deeper into what he meant by it, Alise spoke up.

"Hey there, Ankusha! This beautiful lady and her companions are ready to help!"

The red-headed stepped up, gesturing towards her friend and the other two adventurers that joined them. Hannes and Palmer looked nervous at the presence of Ganesha Familia captain.

Shakti noticed her sister behind the sole male of Astraea Familia, as she scrubbed a stubborn stain on her clothing.

"We just came from the East district… the situation is direr than it looks."

As Luke explained, Shakti noticed the blood on his black cloak, and with another glance at Ardee she seemed to get two plus two together.

"We'll head back in there. There's still people who need our help."

This was Alise's turn to take the lead, with a more serious demeanor around her form.

"I see… We'll need all the help we can get. I presume the rest of the girls are with you as well?"

Shakti assumed, searching for the remaining members of Astraea Familia.

"Unfortunately, no. We were all out on patrol and as far as we know, Luke and I were the first to respond. The rest of our familia is certainly heading this way or is already inside the district." Astraea's captain clarified, looking at the smoke rising in said district with a concerned face.

Ankusha nodded in understanding.

"Then we must act. Can I entrust you to lead a group inside the hot-zone? A level 2 and a level 3 will be a fine addition to the bulk of our forces."

"... Level 4"

Shakti blinked at Luke's deadpan response.

"What?..."

"I leveled up just yesterday. We didn't have time to make it official with the Guild."

"That's… good to hear. Now I'm sure you two will be up to the task."

The woman remarked, impressed that the elf she met not even 2 years ago already reached her level.

"Can I go with them!?"

Ardee spoke up, standing beside Luke, noticeably avoiding touching his bloodied robe.

Shakti shook her head resolutely.

"No, you'll stay close to me and my group. That's non negotiable."

Ardee sagged a little over her older sister's adamant response, but she didn't protest. She was still her captain after all.

"Yes, sister… Heek!"

Ardee squeaked in surprise once Luke placed his arm over her neck, bringing her closer to him.

"Don't fret Ardee…maybe next time we'll fight together."

The girl barely registered his words, too occupied with the idea of being soaked with blood by his cloak again. Once he let her go, she quickly looked herself up for any stain in her blue garments.

She saw none. What she did see was the reserved, smug look on her friend's face.

"You–"

"We need to get going. We're already forming the task forces to drive Evilus out."

Shakti's stern voice broke the soon to be banter between the two. Letting the playful act die down, they all followed the woman towards the center of the gathering.

The executives from Ganesha Familia could be seen assembling the groups they would lead into battle.

A new thought came to Luke's head.

"Still no word from either Loki or Freya?"

"No, and we can't wait for them to show up."

Shakti answered in a heartbeat as they walked.

Luke scoffed mentally at the ineffective response from the Big Two of Orario's familias.

'And they call themselves the protectors of this city… pathetic'

Luke thought, angered at their inefficiency in combating the Evilus threat. Hearing hurried footsteps to Alise's side, his glance was met with the enthusiastic duo they brought along.

"... Rejoice you two. Now you can come alongside us without a problem."

Alise caught what he meant as she looked at them as well.

"Yep! Just stick with the party and follow our guidance, and you'll do just fine."

Palmer and Hannes eyes shone with glee at the opportunity.

"We won't disappoint you!" The pair spoke as one, pumping fists with each other. Like and Alise eyed them in amusement.

'Really, these guys… They are way too excited to face almost certain death.'

The elf thought, a little bit concerned about the two level 1s in his party.

Without much delay, Shakti divided the large force into a more compact structure containing at least a level 2 or 3 leading each group.

Soon enough, Alise and Luke were presented with their own battlegroup - including the excited duo from earlier.

The fires of resolution burned inside the elf as he overlooked the thirty or so adventurers under his and Alise's care.

"Listen up people!"

Luke's captain's loud voice captivated the whole party's attention.

"We've got a difficult task ahead of us! Evilus is somewhere inside the East district - murdering, stealing and torturing indiscriminately! That's unacceptable!"

The commanding tone, the passion behind her words, the fire inside her was palpable as she continued the speech to those now under her command.

"We don't know how many there are. We don't know if any of Evilus higher ups is present in this despicable act of cruelty–However, what we do know is that it is up to us to put an end to it!"

Luke walked up besides his captain.

"Look alive people! Today Orario counts on you to protect its integrity, the safety of its inhabitants and the peace we've fought for so long."

"Today, we'll drive Evilus out of the district and remind them that the Dungeon City doesn't belong to them!"

The emerald eyed girl complemented, placing a hand on the weapon at her side.

Alise drew her sword, lifting it high and pointing at the blue sky partially overshadowed by the dark smoke caused by the fire that consumed the East district.

"So… are you with me or not!?"

Her scream was almost deafened under the symphony of weapons being drawn from their scabbards. A loud uproar echoed from the adventurers in front of her as her determination permeated through them.

The two defenders of justice grinned at the beautiful chorus.

'Now our counter strike begins. We'll make them pay for what they've done on this day!'

.

---

.

A/N: That finishes part one of the chapter.

The next one is ready to go, but I'm caught up with some problems that surged in my college's group project.

Expect part two in the next days. Hopefully in this very weekend.

In the next one the Dis Sisters will finally make their appearance.

I honestly think it will be their first depiction in fanfiction. Could be wrong though.

Feel free to share your thoughts. I always read your reviews, so starting with the next chapter I'll start responding them in my A/N.

Till next time! Stay safe people!