Once we arrived at Nijo castle I fell a chill running down my spine
The energy in the air was filled with an overwhelming malice powerful enough to make my knees bend
It took me a few seconds to understand what was going on when I laid eyes on Liliana who had an outstreched fist glowing with aura at a figure in front of her
"Tachan!" - I yelled his name
But that face, that crimson red aura, the eye sitting atop his forehead...
The fox girl was right...
Whatever that is, it's not Tachan!
Swallowing the fear that seemed to grip my entire body I ran over to Liliana
"What is this? What happened to Tachan?! What did they do to him?!"
I scream and pull on her silvery dress
"That's... not Tatseyo"
It's all she answers
What does that even mean?! I already know that!
I stare at the thing that looks like Tachan and it's eyes land on me, all three of them, I suddenly feel that cold feeling return through my entire body and step back, an overwhelming urge to get away from it
{This... how could I possibly ask for a better reception party?}
The thing possessing Tachan says with a broad smile and I swallow my fear in order to shout at it
"W-who are you?!"
The thing stretches Tachan's arms out, grinning as if it was waiting for this question
{I AM THE CRIMSON KING! Creator of Espers, benevolent deity who granted your species it's greatest gift! Rejoice, oh espers! For your true leader has finally returned! You may not understand who I am, but by the end of this, you'll see that what I bring is good news, for you all shall inherit this earth!}
W-what?
I take a step back at this
Creator of espers? God? What?
Lady Tatsumaki and Kageyama-san take a step forward and I can barely make out the things they are saying, but I'm snapped back when the thing possessing Tachan raises his arms and pushes both of them down
"Lady Tatsumaki! Kageyama-san!"
I scream, creating a ball of fire on my hands and aiming it towards him
But...
I can't...
My fire doesn't leave me to go towards my target! Why?!
I see a dark shadow whisp by in front of me
Liliana jumped right towards Tatsumaki and Kageyama-san straight in front of the possessed Tachan
"Let Tatseyo go!"
Her golden aura glows brighter and the possessed Tachan steps back, Tatsumaki and Kageyama-san manage to stand up
Kageyama-san looks confused at her
"Thank you... devil girl" - He says with a frown
Lady Tatsumaki cleans up her dress
"And who would you be?"
She glances back at them
"Liliana Caim, I'm a... friend of Tatseyo, I..."
She looks in the direction of the creature
"I know we just met, but I promise I'll do everything I can to get your son back"
The couple looks between each other, frowning
{Hahahaha! That's impressive! There's very few devils in the world capable of such power! Congratulations!}
Liliana just scoffs
"I'll do much more than that if you don't let Tatseyo go"
The thing possessing Tachan just smiles more at the threat
{You promise?}
It says with a disgusting smile
Lady Tatsumaki opens her mouth for a moment, it looks like she wants to protest, but she immediately closes it before nodding
"...Fine, I guess we have no choice, but if you do something to Tatseyo I'm ending you"
Liliana nods, there seems to be a smile on her face.
"It'd be an honor to be terminated by the Tornado of Terror, though I think this is a bad time to ask for an autograph"
She jokes, Lady Tatsumaki gives her a side eye, likely not expecting to be called by her alias
"How do you-"
She begins to say but then shakes her head
"Whatever, just don't get in our way! Also, can you..."
Lady Tatsumaki leans in and whispers something to Liliana, who after listening, has a determined look on her face
"Yes, I can do it"
The possessed Tatseyo looks at them with a big grin on it's face
{A team huddle? Really? You do realize I can read minds correct?}
He taps it's forehead, where the ominous red eye sits
{Trying to tackle each of my body parts with magic and demonic power isn't going to work, you are not strong enough}
"It seems like you're forgetting something"
Another voice calls out as something at enormous speed flies towards the creature, who avoids it just by tilting it's head
The small monkey youkai jumps next to the possessed Tatseyo
"They aren't here alone"
"Damn right!
The giant girl with wild white hair strikes from the other side, vines and swords spring from nowhere, entangling him and blocking his vision
BLAM
The punch connects with a ressounding blow
At the same time, the staff of the monkey strikes at Tachan, and then a blast of magic, fire, spears of light and even... is that a rocket?
A shower of attacks flies down at Tachan, what are you all doing?! It's still Tachan in there!
But it doesn't matter, Tachan's body doesn't even flinch even after the combined strike of all the forces present
{GAHAHAHAHAHA! Good, Good! Keep trying, I like it when they struggle!}
He speaks in a boastful manner, his body completely unscathed
I see several members of our non-esper forces try and fly in his direction, but they pull back when Issei screams
"Stop! This guy has a curse that can cause permanent injuries! Not even Phoenix Tears will bring you back!"
"He's holding back against the espers, but if you're not he'll definitely kill you!"
I feel like an icicle was shot down my back when I look in his direction
Beaten and bruised, he looks like he's in death's door, so that's what Kunou meant when she said he saved her, he must have taken the brunt of the damage.
That's why Sun Wukong couldn't heal her
An overwhelming curse...
The thing smiles with Tachan's face as he sees everyone else but the espers pull back at the declaration
{Hahahaha! Wise decision! This power can send even you mightiest soldiers towards a one way trip to oblivion, do not interrupt my reunion with my new children if you don't wish to be reduced to nothing!}
"H-huh? What?"
I hear Issei talking to someone, but when I look in his direction there's no one talking to him
Has he finally gone insane?
The thing possessing Tachan then looks in his direction, as if he can also hear whatever Issei is hearing
{Kahahahaha, surprised? Messenger of the mother goddess, as you may have noticed, this power is not my own}
A cloud of dark energy gathers around Tachan's fingertips
...Cursed energy
{In fact, this curse is an ability of the very vessel I'm currently possessing, isn't it fantastic?!}
W-what?
My legs wobble and I step for a moment
"Tachan's skill... is a curse?"
No, it can't be.
{To finally have unleashed this power, this child has a lot of potential, I'll put it to good use}
"You're lying! My son would never have a curse technique!"
Lady Tatsumaki blurts out before I can and the possessed Tachan simply smiles towards her
{It is unfortunate you won't get a chance to ask him, this vessel is quite comfortable, maybe I'll keep him around untill I can restore myself}
"Shut up!"
Lady Tatsumaki raises her hands and an enormous telekinetic pressure is exerted to the point a huge crater is created beneath the creature
And the possessed Tachan slightly lowers his head
{Haha...hahaha! You scream and yet reward me like this?}
He raises his head, unbothered
{Seeing how much my children have grow only makes my heart grow founder, kahahaha!}
He laughs and I see that Liliana's peerage concerns grow
"S-shit! Liliana-sama, this guy is bad! What we are we going to do?"
Diz asks her and Liliana bites her lip
"Mayumi..." - She looks at her blue haired assistant, but she shakes her head
"I can't get into his mind to rescue Tatseyo, I've tried, his defenses are too strong"
Liliana looks angry at him, Lady Tatsumaki is having none of it
"Give my son back!"
She clutches her hand and I see Tachan's body twist in a strange manner
{Gwahaha! This power! I'm so glad my children have grown this powerful, but!}
A crimson aura coats his body and he breaks free
{Not enough!}
Lady Tatsumaki and Kageyama-san also jump in the air, Azazel, Leviathan and Sun Wukong also follow behind far behind them, likely wary of the curse
"I still don't get it, but god or not you're causing trouble so you must be punished "
The Maou claims in a cutesy tone while she conjures a magic circle that creates a blizzard around Tachan's body
In a few instants he's entire encased in ice! Impressive, even Maribel-sensei doesn't have that level of power
{HAHAHAHA! Ridiculous!}
CRASH
The ice case breaks appart immediately by this thing's power, so even a Maou is no match?!
{Don't get in my way!}
He points towards Serafall but Lady Tatsumaki immediately attacks, sending him hurling through the air
"I am your opponent here!"
She shouts
"Leave Tatseyo alone!"
Kageyama-san has closed the distance with blinding speed and strikes the creature with a blast from his aura, but the creature deftly blocks it
{Hahahaha! Powerful indeed! It is a great pleasure to fight against such formidable examplars of my empire! But alas, I have nothing to gain from this, as I said, I have come here to perform a cleansing...}
He strechs his hands
{And that's what I'm gonna do}
In an instant the creature disappears and reappears right in front of Lady Tatsumaki and Kageyama-san
DOOOM
Two enormous rays of crimson light are shot in the direction of both of them, an omnious blast of power that makes the very sky tremble
Lady Tatsumak and Kageyama-san raise their hands to block the attack
"Tachan!"
I scream, unable to contain my emotion as I watch helpless while Kageyama-san and Lady Tatsumaki hold back the power of this absolute monster possessing Tachan
"I-I can't... hold it back anymore!" - Lady Tatsumaki says, I see tricklets of red liquid start to fall from the sky
T-they are being hurt! The curse!
Lady Tatsumaki and Kageyama-san look that are about to lose untill a shower of golden attacks joins their combined efforts and pushes possessed Tachan back
The creature turns it's eyes to the person coated in a golden aura
Liliana Caim, floating in the sky alongside the two
{Hahaha... honestly, for a devil you are a very annoying existence. Just what in the world are you?}
The creature speaks with an interested expression, Lady Tatsumaki and Kageyama-san also look at her with confused expressions
Liliana scoffs
"Like I said, if you don't know, how the hell am I supposed to?"
The thing smiles
{So I see, you are an interesting creature...}
Liliana looks at Tatsumaki and Kageyama-san
Bloodied, they can't heal because of the curse...
"I'm sorry, Tatsumaki-dono, Kageyama-dono... because of me things have scalated this far..."
Kageyama-san gives her a concerned look
"What are you talking about? Was any of this your fault?"
She shakes her head
"It's because I've been holding back that things have scalated so far"
Liliana starts taking out for her other bracelet
All the other members of her peerage stare at her in shock
"Liliana-sama! What are you-"
Mayumi screams but Liliana answers promptly
"Mayumi, Diz, Galard, Manaki, get everyone to take cover"
Then removes her rings
At each piece removed her aura seems to grow even stronger, and the thing possessing Tachan notices
{Oho? Hahahaha! Devils surely have grown these past millenia!}
"Kageyama-dono, Tatsumaki-dono, please I need you to trust me to handle this situation"
They both look at her surprised
"No way! What are you even asking?!"
Lady Tatsumaki exclamates
Liliana sighs
"I guess I have no choice..."
And finally, Liliana whispers something and removes her necklace
And a crazy powerful aura spreads across the entire field!
This power!
Kageyama-san and Lady Tatsumaki stare at her, as incredulous as I am
"This is-"
"Impossible" - She says
Before anyone can get a word in, Mayumi and the rest of Liliana's peerage is swooping towards us
"EVERYBODY STAND BACK!"
Diz yells at the top of her lungs
"There are no safe zones! Everyone who can erect a barrier should raise one!"
Galard warns as he and Manaki and Mayumi prepare to raise a barrier along with some of the supernatural creatures
"Ayumu! What are you doing?!"
I hear Mayumi scream and realize I've been standing idle staring at Liliana all this time
She reaches out and we teleport next to the others as the barrier is erected around us
"What's the need for the barrier anyway?" - Napoleon asks with a frowning expression, looking more nervous than curious
"I also don't understand. Hey Mayumi, this is new for me as well, but what can Liliana do against that thing? Don't tell me she's some sort of god and hasn't told me after all these years?"
The girl with delicate features shakes her head, her eyes don't look back at Azazel, instead focusing on Liliana, who glows like a mighty sun with her golden aura.
"No, Liliana-sama is... a singular existence, we don't know exactly how she came to be... even she doesn't know. But one thing we know: Her power is the real deal, even if she may not be strong enough to defeat that god, if there is one person who can bring Tatseyo back, it's her"
Mayumi then bites her lip for a moment
"But... we can't interfere"
I stare at her confused
"Why not? She's going to take him alone? That's suicide!"
She shakes her head, still not looking at me
"No... approaching Liliana-sama in this state... that's real suicide"
She raises her index finger towards Liliana
"Watch it and you'll see why"
All eyes within the barrier stare at the dark skinned devil being flanked by Tachan's parents while staring down at the monster possessing him.
The creature looks surprised for a moment, it's wide eyes focusing on her
And then it finally gives a wide smile before it speaks a single sentence
{You... are you a child of the Caim family?}
Liliana eyes widen and then she immediately frowns, her features oozing an overwhelming anger
"How do you know that?"
The creature's smile broadens even more, it looks like it's mouth will leave the confines of Tachan's face if the smile grows any larger.
{Kukuku, to think I'd meet you right after waking up... How long have you been around child? Are there others like you?} - The creature asks
Liliana narrows her eyes
"I... No, there is no else like me, I assure you"
The creature cackles again
{I see... so my creation actually bore fruit, my one and only...}
He puts his hands forward, almost if he's preparing to hug Liliana
{My Esper Devil}
...
I feel my brain freeze for a moment after the thing possessing Tachan says this
"His... what?"
"Liliana is... she's..."
The words struggle to leave my mouth, as if refusing to accept reality
"An esper"
Mayumi states, the air turns heavy inside the barrier
"She... never told me that..."
Azazel says, an inredulous tone to his voice
Liliana clutches her fist
"So you know? You have something to do with this, don't you?"
She asks enraged
"W-wait a minute, that's impossible! All espers are humans!"
Lady Tatsumaki exclaims loudly
But Kageyama-san has a pondering expression on his face
"I alwas wondered... if evil spirits are capable of using esper abilities and humans don't lose their psychic powers when they turn into monsters then there was always the chance of..."
"Ehh? But they all had to be humans first! This doesn't make any sense!"
His wife interrupts him and he stops for a moment
"Indeed, although I think I've heard of mutants and other creatures who also had esper powers..."
Tatsumaki looks confused for a moment and her expression grows more irritated
"What does that mean?!"
{Kahahahahah!}
The thing laughs
Liliana frowns
"Are... you telling me you were the one who created me?"
She asks, visibly shaking in anger
The creature smiles, unfazed by her reaction
{I created all espers on this planet, since you are one of them naturally you are one of my children as well, that's obvious}
Her eyes narrowed her fists curled, Liliana continues her questioning
"...How? My parents never..."
She asks, seemingly in a lost for words and the thing laughs again
{Hahaha! If you want so desperately to find out I guess you only have one choice then}
He snaps Tachan's fingers and a portal opens up
{Change of plans, you are coming with me!}
The thing declares loudly, causing Tachan's parents to look over towards Liliana, who does not seem even slightly amused
"Not ever going to happen, give me Tatseyo back!"
The thing smiles
{I think you misunderstood, I am not asking.}
It says, stretching his hands towards Liliana... but nothing happens
{Uhhh? So you are immune to being held too? That's interesting... Unfortunate, I didn't want to hurt you}
It's crimson aura flashes and a burst of explosive energy stretches towards
Liliana closes her eyes and moves her arms in a fluid motion against the incoming attack, the energy being deflected immediately
Everyone's eyes widen
"H-how?"
That was an enormous ammount of energy, to simply deflect it like that...
Kageyama-san nods immediately after watching this
"If you believe you can handle it, then we'll let you"
Lady Tatsumaki looks at him with wide eyes and crossed arms
"Ehhh?! When did we agree to that? Isn't there someone you forgot to ask?"
Kageyama-san looks at his wife and raises his bloodied hands from trying to stop that things attacks
"Dear, are we really in a position to question her?"
He then points with his eyes towards her own hands, covered in bruises from the same thing
Lady Tatsumaki puts her hands behind her waist, her face flushed red
"T-t-this... fine! But I'm not backing out! If you think I'm hiding behind a barrier while someone rescues my son for me you are out of your mind!"
At the approval from Kageyama-san, Liliana raises her hand towards the possessed Tachan
"I'll finish this as fast as I can, Kageyama-san, Tatsumaki-san."
"Liliana! How is she doing this?" - Azazel screams
Diz-san clicks her tongue
"It's due to her [skill], just shut your traps and you'll see"
The monster smiles as a flurry of aura attacks fly towards the creature
{This again?! Haven't you learned that this won't work!}
It teleports away, swiftly dodging the attack
Or so I thought!?
"W-what?!"
Somehow the aura attack disappeared as well and reached the creature
A bright glow envelops Tachan as Liliana's attack miraculously reaches it
"That's not going to work, that thing is too... strong?!"
I hear Issei say before he exclaims at the end as we see the state the possessed Tachan was left in
"H-he's bleeding?! How?"
Tachan's body is covered in bruises and burns, it's like the attack simply ignored all his defenses and just struck!
The Crimson King looks down at himself, his smile finally breaking as he stares at the wounds in Tachan's body
{This...}
And then, his smile returns
{Amazing! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Simply suberb! How did you even do this?}
Liliana smirks
"Tatseyo isn't the only with special skills, you can put him back together right? So it doesn't matter if I face you head on like this?"
Kageyama-san and Lady Tatsumaki also stare at the Crimson King wide eyed
"H-how did you? That was too easy..."
Lady Tatsumaki says
Over where we are staring at the fight the reactions were no different
"How is that even possible? What even is Liliana's [skill]?" - Azazel asks astonished
"That girl was able to injure him so easily, how?!"
Mayumi gulps down as she watches
"This is Liliana-sama's true power, which has been sealed away due to how dangerous it is..."
Liliana then addresses the esper couple again
"Tatsumaki-san, Kageyama-san, I can fight that thing, but my power is too unreliable, I can't guarantee your safety."
They both nod
"We understand, but we're not going anywhere, that's our son right there."
The silver haired devil just nods with a focused expression, while possessed Tatseyo cures his own wounds before going on the offensive.
{Interesting, give me some more then!}
He then disappears, but reappears in a... strange position
Instead of next to Liliana or even facing her, the creature appears behind her
{W-what?}
"I-it missed it's mark?" - I hear Azazel question
It then turns it's head around, eyes fixated on Liliana
{You... what a strange power indeed... What in the world are you doing?}
Liliana scoffs
"You can't tell? I thought you were the god of all espers?"
{Kahahaha! I like your style, it makes me want to take you away even more!}
It claws in the air, the burst of psychic energy causing a pressure that can be felt all the way from where we stand
{Then let's see what your limit is!}
Liliana swiftly moves her body and the attacks that flew in a speed I could barely keep up with just wooshed right past her!
The creature's eyes go wide, all three of them
{I... missed?}
"It missed?! How is she doing this?!" - Azazel grabs his own head, pulling his hair
Liliana raises herself for a counterattack and the thing smiles
{Undodgeable, undefendable... is it truly inevitable?}
The creature smiles, it's body twists and like clay popping out of a mold several other things that look like Tachan pop into existence
Liliana laughs
"That's your plan? Make me miss the attack with distraction? How can a god be reduced to this!"
A burst of golden aura leaves her body and strikes every single one of them
Untill none are left...
"W-what?"
I ask, incredulous
"Did she... win?"
"Whaaaat? Who the hell is Liliana Caim?! That's not a devil that's a monster!"
The obnoxious Jade Dragon screams it outloud
Our hopes are swiftly crushed when a laughter echoes once again
{As I suspected}
Tachan's possessed form shows up seemingly from nowhere
{Your attacks don't automaticaly lock in, if you don't know where they are, it won't work. That's a relieve, for a moment I thought I'd have to take your friends over there as hostages to make you follow me}
And for the first time I see Mayumi and the others look concerned
"That's not good..." - Manaki adjusts her glasses
"Everyone... brace yourselves"
Mayumi raises her hand
She raises her hands in front of her chest, as if getting herself ready for something
"W-What?" - I ask
"Liliana-sama's power has a price, if a balance is not met then..."
For a moment the earth shakes and I look around... dust and wind... nothing else
SWASH
A splash of red covers the ground a few feet away from me
"G-guhhh!"
A hulking mass of muscle in the shape of a man falls to the ground with a loud thud
"""Heracles!"""
The members of the Hero Faction scream, what the hell happened?!
"H-how did it managed to pierce the barrier? Where the hell did it even come from?!"
Georg asks while they apply magic to the wounds on Heracle's body
Diz clicks her tongue
"The same way she managed to bypass that thing's defences, there's a reason Liliana-sama does not use her power outside of urgencies like... Just be glad the effect seems to be limited to this dimension and didn't spill into the outside world"
"What do you mean?! How does her power even work?!"
I'm tired of this mistery! Why don't they just explain what's going on?
They look between each other and them at everyone else present
"The subject of Liliana-sama's power is very sensitive, if you wish to know, then please ask her after this is done"
"What are you talking about?! You're really gonna make a mystery out of it now?!"
Jeanne's face is red as she barks at Liliana's peerage
"Part of why we cannot explain is because of your presence, please remember we are still enemies and you are terrorists."
Manaki explains in a matter of fact tone, Jeanne's mouth closes shut and she glares daggers at us before turning back to Heracles
"I understand the reasoning, but at least tell us what to expect"
Azazel asks and Mayumi raises a single finger to the sky
"There's nothing you can expect, the drawback of Liliana-sama's power... is calamity manifest"
I raise an eyebrow at this
"So what can we do?"
Mayumi glances in my direction and closes her eyes
"Hope it ends soon"
I gulp down at the cold remark that left her lips
The creature looks around and stares in our direction
{Kahahaha, so you are not so almighty after all are you?}
Liliana tries to muster a smile from behind her frown
"Bold words from someone who hasn't managed to even scratch me so far"
{And why would I want that? Like I said, you are coming with me.}
It the stretches Tachan's neck, pointing with it's head towards us
{Or should more of them suffer because of you?}
Liliana's face twists in anger for a moment
{It seems like you don't care a lot for the one who's been hit right here, but I imagine how long it'll take before one of your friends gets hit. It seems like you don't even have control over it, so I imagine it's a possibility that your power can affect the outside world as well?}
The dark devil does not answer, her face focused on the creature
{Huh, no dice, still can't read your thoughts to find out... well, how about I experiment a little then?}
The creature enveloped in crimson aura seems to be preparing another attack
And then, it's Liliana who starts laughing
"Hahahaha, I see..."
I feel a backlash hit me as Liliana's expression suddenly changes and she starts to sound gleeful
"You are right, I still have no control over this power, I may very well endanger everyone in here. But you said you didn't want to hurt espers, you realize that it could very well end up killing one of them?"
The creature shrugs
{Then don't force my hand, I want to kill none of my children but if that's the price for having you...}
The thing chuckles a little while glaring at Liliana like she's a trophy
{It's very much worth it}
"Hahaha...
Another laugh leaves Liliana's mouth, this time much less energetic
"I see, thanks I guess... it's good to be called special. Also, now I think I know what it'll take to stop you now."
Liliana raises a hand, her palm open
{Hoh, what's this? You really are a box full of surprises, got other tricks up your sleeve?}
Liliana gives a triumphant smile
"Just one"
And plunges her own open palm straight into her chest cavity!
Everyone stares wide eyed
{What the hell are you doing!} - The monster screams at her, it's voice sounding rough and ragged
"Liliana-sama!" - Mayumi and other others scream, but Liliana just lifts a hand
"So if I'm really that special it'd be a shame if I died, right? All that time and effort lost, you wouldn't want that, would you?"
She tilts the arm that it's plunged into her as if making a point
"Liliana-sama, please stop this!" - Mayumi begs but Liliana shakes her head, refusing to let go
{Y-you...} - The creature's face twitches, clear hatred in it's wide three eyes
{I can stop and heal you, I'll save you and then kill all of them!}
Liliana tries to chuckle, but gargles in her own blood before spitting it out and speaking
"Think you can do that faster than I can kill myself? Like you said..."
She manages to wink despite the pain stamped in her face
"I'm a box full of surprises."
She gives a smile through her gritted teeth
"Wanna take the gamble?"
The creature stands still for a moment, an expression of anger on Tachan's face
"Give me back Tatseyo and let everyone go, or I'll end myself right here and now!"
As Liliana delivers this line, the angered expression on Tachan's face vanishes
And the thing laughs again
{HAHAHAHAHAHA! What a formidable woman! No wonder this vessel of mine is so infatuated with you! Truly I couldn't ask for a better devil to become my star child! HAHAHAHAHA!}
It's laughter echoes throughout the whole space and I shiver thinking of what else could be up it's sleeve
The creature closes it's eyes, all three of them, before speaking
{You win this one! I shall let this vessel's mind take over once again, all who still stand are allowed to live on...}
He then points to Liliana
{But mark my words, Esper Devil. Your power will be mine, one way or another}
The same creeping smile spreads across it's face
{I waited for ten thousand years, I can wait a little more}
The third eye on the creature's forehead disappears and Tachan's body falls limp to the ground
"Tachan!" - I scream, both me and Mayumi rushing towards him
"Liliana-sama, it's over, please let me heal you!" - Galard begs, but she shakes her head
"No!" - Everyone stands stiff at this
"Why not! He's gone, can't you see? Let Galard heal you!" - Diz insists but Liliana still shakes her head
"Tatseyo! This might be a trick! Let me talk to him, only then I'll stop!"
Everyone halts and looks astonished at this display of stubbornness
Liliana...
She...
She's in love with Tachan, isn't she?
She fought against this thing even though it could kill us and actually managed to hurt it while even all of us couldn't.
She's the Esper Devil
Whatever that means, she's strong.
Stronger than me
Stronger than I could ever be I'd bet
She threatned to kill herself to help Tachan and save all of us
"Huh... what?"
!
I look down and see Tachan has woken up
"Ayumu? Mayumi, what happened? Why are you hurt?!"
He stands up immediately and puts a hand on Mayumi's shoulder and another on my cheek and then scans the area untill his eyes finally land of the bleeding dark skinned devil
"Mom? Dad?"
He asks concerned when he notices they standing around with us
"So you did it Ayumu! Our plan wor-"
Tachan immediately freezes in the middle of his praises when he notices the downed figure being held by the other espers.
"Liliana!"
He jumps to his feet immediately and rushes towards her, flying off the ground
"What happened?! Who did this? Why aren't you helping her!?"
He shouts at Galard and Manaki who are standing by her side
"We are trying!"
"Liliana-sama refused help untill she confirmed you were back"
Tachan frowns, looking between everyone
"Back? What do you mean-"
His black eyes grow like two disks as if realization suddenly hit him and they finally rest on Liliana.
"I... did this... didn't I?"
I see his hands grap around Liliana, holding her as if she might break her
"Oh my god... what did I-"
Liliana pulls the hand out of her chest
"Liliana!" - Tachan screams as a burst of gore comes pouring out
"She'll be fine!" - Galard exclaims as he begins to heal her back, Tachan helps him by using his telekinesis close her wounds.
"Liliana, why did you do this?"
Tachan asks her and the dark skinned devil gives him a smile and puts a hand on his cheek
"Tatseyo..." - She says
"I'm so glad you are back"
This girl...
Tachan looks just as shocked as I am, refusing to release the grasp on Liliana.
We're alive because of her
They look good together...
I couldn't even fight for him
Liliana can do for Tachan things that I can't do. Things I can never do.
She's better than me
No...
She's better for him
The Esper Devil
Who are you, Liliana Caim?
Afterword: And there it is! Did anyone saw that coming?
Was Liliana always planned to be the Esper Devil? Well... no.
Being perfectly honest, at the very start of the story, when I was still sorting things out for the characters I had planned for Tatseyo to turn into the titular Esper Devil
But I've seem several readers express that they didn't want Tatseyo to turn into one and as I was thinking over different ideas for the story I thought that making Liliana the esper devil was a much better idea, as it would make sense for her character.
I hope you enjoyed the twist and that it wasn't too predictable, as for Liliana's [skill] does anyone dare to take a guess in what it could be?
Please support me if you can, any amount is welcome thank you in advance: donate . stripe . ((com)) / 9AQbKw4bv1jdago3cc
Thank you and I'll see you all next chapter.