Soldier Boy and Angel Girls: Sulfurite Terror

by Dalubhasa69420

I rewrote some stuff, and I'm too lazy to change everything here so I'm just turning this into the dark timeline fic. this site sucks to work on. read my stuff on ao3, same title and username.

1. Puppet On Strings, As He's Always Been

Soldier Boy and Angel Girls: Sulfurite Terror

Levi P.O.V

Damn it all! Damn it all to the Sulfur Pits! Screaming and crying like the little shit that I am... that's the only thing I've been doing, the only thing I could possibly do... even now.

I screamed and shrieked, cried and whimpered. Both hands gripping my bayonet, plunging it through the red haired Oldegarian womans malformed still breathing abomination of a corpse.

I stabbed and stabbed with absolute desperation, hoping that I could at least end her misery. Free her from whatever she's suffering.

That damn clown in the dream... he said there would be consequences to not participating in this sick so called festival, and the woman... in front of me...

She transformed. Her flesh and bones breaking apart and stretching, turning her to a barely recognizable elephant headed freak.

I hadn't even known her for a whole day, but... she was a good person. A good adult that I could trust. Why... why is it that the good adults are always being taken away?!

[You absorbed the Caressing Soul]

Huh? What was that? What did that mean?

The elephant abomination the woman transformed to let out an ear piercing shriek as I pulled my bayonet from its flesh, blood splattering and pieces of flesh remaining on the blade.

One of its monstrously powerful arms swinging to me so fast that-

I'm swatted away, chest aching as my heart started pumping whilst I tried to catch my breath. Still, I'm whimpering and crying pathetically as I stared at the abomination slowly getting up to its feet.

Damn it. I rushed to push myself up just as the elephant thing turned to face me, tripping down before I forced myself up when it started going to me.

Turning to face the thing as I unstrapped my rifle, attaching the bayonet and aiming, the image of the red haired mechanic lady flashes in my mind. Offering a helping hand and a kindly smile as the withdrawal crippled me, offering a syringe with a worried face as she softly held me.

Like the little shit I still am after all these years, I'm crying and whimpering. Hands and feet trembling as the monster got closer with each heavy thud of its feet echoing throughout the tunnel.

Closer... closer...

I did the only thing I knew what to do, the only thing I could have done.

I ran.

I turned my back on the woman who treated me with kindness, and ran. I ran away like the weakling that I was, leaving the woman to her fate... just as I did for my squad. My crying and screaming echoing around the tunnels, forming a rhythm that matched needlessly well with the creatures footsteps.

I ran... and ran... and ran...

Until I was out of there, until I was out of the tunnel, until... I reached... a safe place. A safe place... where I could hide, collapsing down on the ground as I tucked myself in my arms.

Heart pounding, sinking feeling deep inside me, head feeling like it's about to explode, crying as I forced myself to quiet my whimpers.

Eyelids heavy, slowly shutting close.

I need... some rest.

/

"The Tower... you must reach the tower." Said the green feathered clown bastard in a monotonous yet hasty voice.

Everytime I've slept since the dream in the train, and nightmare of that janitor hacking off my legs, Per'kele has appeared. Here at the top of the tower in Temple District with the Moon God Rher watching us from above.

The moon with four eyes and a mouth in the form of craters watches down from the stars

.

What could anyone do against such a thing.

But that doesn't matter to me.

[Gun Proficiency] [Marksmanship]

I immediately aimed at Per'kele and pulled the trigger, but only dry clicks came. Damn it, I could've sworn it still had bullets.

"Hmm? Is something the matter?"

Ignoring the queer bastard Per'kele, I attached my bayonet to my rifle. Screaming out with everything I had up till this point, hands gripping my rifle as I ran and thrusted through the clown bastard.

"Fufufu. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I am no contestant." He said with a very much amused giggle, my bayonet phasing through him without any harm.

This fucker... he gets to have us crawl through the mud and through whatever remained of Prehevil with everyone and everything trying to kill us, and he gets to laugh his ass off watching comfortably here...

Why?!

I roared, repeatedly trying desperately to stab Per'kele with my bayonet, buy everytime it just phases through him.

Why?! Why? Why? Why? Why... why is it that the people always making me suffer never get what they deserve?!

"My, oh my. The rage, the hatred in your eyes, your heart... you truly wish to hack me apart, yes?" His damn giggling, his damn smirk, those eyes filled with sick amusement. Everything about Per'kele is revolting. "Heehee. I like you, boy. Levi Jordan, was it?" That fucking name?!

"Don't call me that!" I screamed out like a spoiled child.

Damn it, that's all I'm going to be... aren't I? Just a damn kid with nothing to show for his absolute shit of a worthless life.

"I see, apologies. Having such a father, I pity you." He's saying such words, but everything else? He's fucking enjoying it. All the depraved things going on in Prehevil, what the townspeople are doing to eachother, what happened to the red haired woman...

"I, however, did mean it when I said I liked you." I cringe and wince at Per'kele's words, taking some steps backwards away from the jester. "You want to kill me, yes?"

Hearing that, I instinctively took a quick breath. I forget everything, and I focused on Per'kele entirely. Why does he-

"Say that as if I meant it? Because I do." This piece of shit... he can read minds! Gods damn it. With every little thing I learn about the otherworldly, the less possible it feels that I could even scratch him. "Oh I promise. Where there is a will, there is a way."

"Specifically, a way for even you, lonesome pitiful boy, to slay me." Somehow, Per'kele's smirk stretched even more as he spoke. Gleeful voice teasing me at the very last syllable of his words, a hand turning back to point a finger st himself.

"H-how can I trust you? Y-you could just... do to me... what you did to that woman?" I'm stuttering. I can't even get my words out right, even with how much I want to tear the clown bastard apart.

"And when have I ever lied? I told the truth when we first met, nothing but the truth with the questions you asked."

"Even then... you could just lie." I don't want to talk. Every word I hear from him, every word I say to him...

"True, I still could. However, I would not be qualified to be the enforcer of the Termina festival if I did." Knowing absolutely nothing about the otherworldly, I... I only have his word for it. "In fact. I will have you know, and this is a secret between you and me since I am so fond of you now, that I am a part of the festival despite not being a participant." ...

... Tsk.

"Then... how do I kill you?" Having to rely on the bastard adding to my suffering, the bastard who took away that kind mechanic lady's life, I feel like I want to just throw my guts up.

"Good question. Again, a secret between you and I. I told the other contestants that they merely need to reach the tower."

"Let me guess... there's more."

"True. The way to open the tower however, to reach me, is to kill the other contestants. Preferably at the second days end, no more. Only then will you have the chance to kill me." Even though he isn't laughing or giggling, I could feel the amusement, the joy he's feeling telling me all of that. "I stated those two objectives as if they were separate to the others when in fact, those are one and the same." That's not exactly a lie, but... not exactly telling the truth either.

He wants me to kill the other people, but for what? For what reason is it that I need to kill the other people to reach him?

Whatever the reason... I don't care. That... should be easy. I've dealt with countless Bremens, all more dangerous than the other people in the train will ever be combined, all these years.

"Per'kele... just you wait. I will tear you limb from limb." If he wants unadulterated savagery, I'll give him that. I'll show him what I can do, I'll wipe that grin off of his hideous face.

"Fufufu. That last thought of yours truly hurt me, nonetheless however, I wholeheartedly wait for your arrival proper. Good luck now."

/

In front of Billy Vuy restaurant, just at the entrance of Prehevil, I watched as the bulky curly haired man bashed the Bremen officers head open with his bare hands. The oriental man in a suit at the side watching on in shock at the sight, as I am.

Damn it... I wasted a bullet for nothing. I couldn't aim right with my weakened body and hit the Bremen Officer in the shoulder, giving the bulky curly haired man a chance to charge in.

That filthy Bremen... was supposed to be my kill! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Why is it that things never go well for me?!

"Young man... are the Bremens truly sickening... for you to hold such hate?" Huh? That was... the tourist from Edo, all the way from the far east. He's looking at me with pity and worry, as if I were the weakest thing around. "Nonetheless, I offer you my gratitude for saving our-"

[Marksmanship]

Quickly aiming my rifle at the man, I pulled the trigger at point blank.

Bang!

A red mist, his blood and flesh, splatters behind him staining the wall behind him as the oriental man falls limp on the ground.

Immediate death. Just how I like it.

[You absorbed the Latent Soul]

Quickly aiming at the other man as I worked the bolt action mechanism, I-

Bang!

Shot him on the right thigh as he tried to charge me, forcing a yell of pain and a whimper from him as he falls to one knee. Blood leaking from his thigh, his pants gradually turning wet and red.

"Kid... what is wrong with you? We... you... you don't have to do this! We can talked this out!" The curly haired man screamed, begging as he looked up at me with pitiful eyes. He's shaking, hands trying to hold his injured leg and stop the bleeding.

"That was supposed to be my kill." Those were the only words I had.

"Huh? But... the w-war, the war is over. Right?!" It's rare... this situation for me. Back in the orphanage, I was always afraid of adults, they were always stomping down on me. "Even then, I'm not a damn Bremen! So please, just..." So seeing an adult begging me for mercy, seeing adults in the frontline, be they enemies or friendly fear me...

It's... it's...

Bang!

Another shot, through the bulky mans head, and he's dead.

[You absorbed the Tainted Soul]

What do all of these messages mean?

That's a problem for later. I still have a mission. The Bremen Lieutenants...

I couldn't help but let out a chuckle as I walked towards his miserable corpse, bending down, and taking his pistol along with his extra 9mm magazines.

The Eastern Union officers I fought alongside with took all of the Lugrs as trophies, Lugrs from Bremen officers that I killed. Those bastards.

But... hehe, I couldn't help but let out a little giggle. This might perhaps be the one good thing happening for me, finally receiving something that I was long supposed to already have with all the Bremens I've killed.

Something, a gift, that I earned for myself. Looks like the Gods are throwing me a bone, even if it's just this once. I thought to myself, still with a smile forcing itself on my mouth as I giggled.

My old squad would be foaming on their mouths in jealousy!

/

[You absorbed the Suffocating Soul]

The man in the mayors mansion was easy pickings, he was in a daze just walking around the place. Didn't even have to use a bullet, a quick bayonet charge from behind straight through his neck was enough.

How he even reached this far with all of the rabid villagers, it must be a miracle of some sort. If only Alll-Mer afforded me such miracles... or any God for that matter. I know they just threw me a bone earlier, but they could do more.

Now, on the way to-

Bang! Bang!

Hmm. Turning my head towards the source of the gunshots, gunshots from Bremen Lugrs, as crows soared up the sky fleeing from fright. I sighed, turning to that direction with my rifle at the ready as I cautiously walked.

I walked past the dilapidated houses, the corpse of the malformed villager, the dead horse, the dead Bremen soldier, and into a house between the source of the gunfire and I.

"Just... what the hell is going on?" I heard a woman groaning out as she breathed heavily, the sound of her fiddling with her pistol echoes in my head. "This place... doesn't make a damn sense!" Turning to peak at the houses entrance, I see a blonde woman trying to insert a magazine into her pistol.

The corpses of two malformed villagers beneath the feet of the blonde woman with a brown jacket, one holding a sickle and the other holding a shitty looking rifle.

I could tell... that woman is a Bremen. I could tell with her accent and appearance. Or at least I think. I've only seen and heard Bremens speaking when we took over that one town their army practically abandoned.

What happened to that towns people, I don't think anyone will care at this point.

I could kill her now. While she's not looking, while she's too panicked trying to unjam her pistol. Only good Bremen is a dead Bremen, as we always said.

With a breath to relax myself, I swiftly brought my rifle up and aimed at her. Lining her up the sights as I-

Don't do it.

Huh? What was... that voice in my head?

Thus isn't you, Levi.

I heard the mechanic lady's faint voice in my mind. Of course I'm going insane. In this place, in the frontlines, who wouldn't?

Don't let Per'kele control you. You're better than this, I know-

Bang!

[You absorbed the Endless Soul]

One more bullet, one less person off the list. The Blonde Bremen woman falls limp down the ground, blood gushing and squirting from the other side of her face.

That's more 9mm magazines for me.

/

Walking past the ruined streets, I take in the sights of the barricades blocking off parts of the city. Blockades preventing anyone from advancing deeper into the city from the west, where the Bremens would've come from once they came.

Seriously, who in their right mind committed to barricading, let alone devoting their lives to fighting for and defending this shithole of a backwater city.

No one, literally no one that's lived here maybe aside from the leaders, that being the government or the church would've given a damn. They can't even use the excuse that they had nowhere else to go...

...

That's right. I could've gone anywhere else but for some reason... I took the train straight back to this place...

If I wasn't here, then... then I wouldn't have been dead weight to the red haired woman, she wouldn't have had to waste time with me. She wouldn't have had to transform to an abomination.

Perhaps... I never should've deserted. At least in the army, even if it wasn't much, I still had food, shelter, and ammunition. Even if I was going to die, I... I...

Fuck me. It was worst and worst from the very start, wasn't it?

Bang!

I shot at the malformed man with a rifle on top of a truck. He limps down with a loud thud on the truck, his crude rifle, just a rusty pipe from what I can see, breaks apart upon impact with the tiled ground.

That should've attracted the three armed police things, but that's not a problem I can't run away fr- no, not run away. Just relocate.

I halt, hearing some rapid panicked footsteps from the building in my side. It's the bookstore.

Suddenly, the door is slammed open revealing a girl wearing a buttoned shirt and grey hair tied into pigtails. She has piercings in her mouths side.

She's breathing heavily, eyes wide open in caution as she looks at me.

Wait a minute, I... I recognize this girl...

"Marina Domek?" The princess of Prehevil, child of Father Domek the bastard who put boys like me in the orphanage... the bastard who left us to Father Hugo's whims.

"Oh? You know me? Wait a minute... aren't you one of the orphans?!" She gasped out in shock and surprise. "What brings you here? No, that doesn't matter. Where... were you going?"

She's one of the contestants, isn't she? She doesn't seem to have anything that could hurt me. Hell, she doesn't even have any caution against me now that she's fixated on me being one of the orphans.

But her being high up in the church... I can't trust her fully. If the otherworldly is a real thing, if the Gods are real, then... no doubt the church would know... is that why Prehevil kept using the crucifixion crosses as intended in this day and age?

"To the Cathedral." Perhaps... she knows how to use magic, perhaps... she knows of a way to learn it. That would be useful for me.

"I see. Can I... can I come with you?" Entitled bitch. Of course she would be ordering me around. But I nod nonetheless as she smiles. "I'm also going there, I just stopped by here. You're... Levi, right?" I wonder how she knows of me. Maybe she was friends with one of the orphans, maybe it's something else.

She seems gullible. I guess I'm letting her live until I, in the off chance, learn magic or she outlives her usefulness.

/

"S-stupid girl! The letter... was supposed to be... the end. You shouldn't have... come back." Father Domek angrily coughed out as he lays on the ground, blood gushing from several stabs in his stomach as he glares at Marina who looks on with wide eyes. "And you... Jordans son?" Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! That fucking name!

"Should've... stayed at the army... you had purpose... unlike your useless father." He spat out with a glare, his breathing seemingly slowing... slowing to a halt. "Stupid kids... being stupid..." With that, his breathing stopped.

Bastard. He knows nothing of the frontlines, but... damn it. He's the one who put so many kids like me in that situation, yet he's acting like he did me a favor.

Marina Domek sheds a single tear, but nonetheless still grits her teeth and glares at her fathers corpse as it... melts into the ground.

"Let's... let's just move." Marina said, wiping that year with her sleeve as she stomps her way to somewhere as I follow. "What he said to you... I'm sorry."

"I don't mind. Not like I could do anything about it." I said as we walked deeper into the Cathedral, past a confessional box and turning to face an iron cage door. "By the way, I'm Levi." Not like it'll do much, but I still gave my name out of reflex.

"Son of Jordan, So Levi Jordan?"

[Intimidation]

"Don't call me that." I scowled out, feelings of hatred and resentment from deep within myself surfacing as I glared at her.

"R-right! Sorry about t-that!" Marina yelped out as she took a step back, expression that of fear and worry. "Anyways, just... give me a moment." She said as she composed herself, clearing her throat as she faces the iron door again and pulled out...

A pair of rotted dismembered hands from her pockets... what the fu- no, it's probably going to be magic... or she's just insane like her father.

Marina keeps her eyes closed, focusing as she held the pair of dismembered hands until... she lets go... and it's staying in the air.

So this... is magic? This is a little underwhelming.

"Hmm? Most people would freak out seeing this kind of stuff."

[Diplomacy]

"I've seen insane stuff in the frontlines, the dream with Per'kele, and the fact that I'm a Prehevil native isn't helping." I'm... being a little too talkative than usual.

"Yeah. I guess... that makes sense." Marina said as she lets out a chuckle, one paired with a bitter look on her face as she makes a gesture with her arm. "Of course this wouldn't be anything surprising in Prehevil."

The floating dismembered hands floats through the cage door, then going towards the lever as they held and pulled it activating the mechanism to open the cage door up.

Well, underwhelming as those hands are, they're really useful in a lot of ways once I think about it.

And so, we descend down the stairs after going through the now open doorway.

As we reached the last step, we took a right turn to see... some sort of circle with a symbol drawn in chalk in the middle. It's three circles overlapping eachother.

Marina halts in her steps, looking down and focusing on the circle.

"A ritual circle with Rhers sigil." That's it! I can ask about it now, now that she trusts me enough to turn her back to me.

"Can you tell me about it?"

"Simply put, if you draw a Gods sigil on a ritual circle you earn affinity with whichever Gods sigil you drew along with also being able to do a ritual for more favors." Marina explained as she slowly takes some steps towards the circle. "That's how the clergy and Yellow Mages learn magic. Earn affinity from the Gods, then use a Soul Stone and a Hexen to learn spells." She continued on as she knelt, a hand hovering over the ritual circle. That's it... that's probably everything I need.

But I have some more questions, so she's still living. I don't know what a Soul Stone or a Hexen is yet, and I don't know about the rituals for each Gods aside from Alll-Mer.

"Levi... can you come with me?" Marina said in a weak voice, looking up at me with fear and hope. "I... I know that my fathers hurt you and many more, but..." Damn it. Hearing, seeing her beg like that...

"Sure, us Prehevil natives got to stick together, right?" I said, with the best smile I could put on. Damn it, I'm supposed to kill her later... I can't be feeling this way.

Marina smiles, the hope in her expression overwhelming her fear as she reached a hand up to me. To which I took out of reflex, her hand touching the ground with the ritual circle.

Suddenly, my mind spins slightly as the environment changed suddenly.

What the hell is this place?! It looks like it's shaped like the Cathedrals inside, but it's wooden and... something, the walls from that one side looks like it's made from flesh. Pulsating flesh.

I can, and no doubt Marina, hear some deranged laughing from further inside. And so, we walked together. Her floating magical hands following after her as she readies her hands.

As I walked alongside her, I opened up my rifles bolt to see that it has two .303 bullets. Feeling up my pockets, I feel two .303 stripper clips on one pocket and the Bremen Lieutenants Lugr along with his and that womans extra magazines.

I'm ready, even my bayonet is already fixed on my rifles tip.

Taking a turn to a room, we see an unnaturally skinny girl with long black hair and a black dress uniform of some sort. She laughs and wails turning from side to side holding her head as she faces an... altar of flesh. I could recognize Father Domeks face within the flesh altar.

"Ah! Marina! I knew you'd come for me!" The deranged girl shouted in glee as she turned to face us, a wide desperate smile on her face. She knows-

"Sorry... I don't know you." Marina states plainly and coldly, glaring at the black haired girl who looks distraught at her words.

"Huh?! W-what do you mean?! It's me, Samarie!" The deranged girl, Samarie, yelled out with a desperate tone. Like her life depended on Marina knowing. "This world... I made it just for us! Here, no one will bother us, judge us for being ourselves!"

"Sorry. Still don't know you." Marina repeated herself. She may act calm and composed, but I could feel the hate in her eyes.

"Wha?! But... but..." Samarie looks absolutely distraught at her cold demeanor, eyes frantically moving around as she held her head. Then... the deranged girl turns her eyes and head... directly to me. "Who... who is that with you?"

"A Prehevil native like me. What about him?" Marina answered before I could speak up myself.

"No, no, no. Everything is ruined... it shouldn't have been like this." Samarie muttered to herself, and kept on muttering as she held herself with a desperate expression. "That's it. It must be because of him that you're acting so difficult." This girl... there's no reasoning with Samarie it seems.

"She's not normal, Levi!" I think that's obvious eno- "She can use magic!" Damn it!

Hearing that, I quickly aimed my rifle at the deranged girl in black.

Should I take the shot now or... should I wait for it? There's a chance that I could lose the little trust Marina has for me if I just shot her now, or maybe Samarie has some bullshit similar to what Per'kele had.

The oriental tourist, the boxer who stole my kill, the fancy looking man in the mayors mansion, the Bremen woman. I dealt with them myself but I may need Marina's help here. Damn it, I'm gonna get attached aren't I? Fucking hell, killing her's gonna be hard once I'm done with her.

"Huh?!" Samarie suddenly exclaimed in shock as she focused on me, some semblance of sanity returning to her eyes. Did she... snap out of it or something?

"You... you bastard! I won't let you hurt Marina!" What?! How did- no. She... she can read minds like Per'kele!

Fucking hell! Looks like I'm gonna have to kill them bo-

"Shut up! Shut the fuck up!" Marina suddenly yelled out, anger obvious in her tone and expression. "You come here and kill my father, act like we're supposed to be close, and now you're blaming all of that on Levi. Just who do you think you are?!" She shouted as she sniffles, some tears leaking down her eyes.

Huh? I look at Marina with wide eyes, not expecting her outburst and words. She doesn't believe Samarie... she doesn't know about mind reading?

Or... she's simply pretending so I wouldn't suspect, so I won't turn on her and help her out down Samarie?that she herself can read my mind?

"No! Marina, I can read minds! It's Rhers ble-"

"Shut your trap and go to hell!" Marina shouted out, swinging her arm towards Samarie as a shadow like wave shot out from it. Travelling rapidly across the ground towards Samarie.

Samarie looks on in fear, then in horror and pain as the shadow wave reached her. The flesh on her legs and arms, her clothes, parts of her face burns and scratches as Samarie screams out in pain.

So this is magic... such power, so little in scale compared to artillery yet so convenient...

"Even so! I... I will always love you! I won't let him hurt you!" Samarie yelled out as she forced her eyes open and arms to move, a hand aiming at me as she glares.

I don't need to think, it's obvious what she wants to do! As I heard an unnatural vacuum sound coming from somewhere, I threw myself away and down on the ground.

Boom!

A distorted explosion sound went off, a strange red and black mist being scattered around. Some of it landing on my uniform and burning parts of it.

[Marksmanship]

Quickly aiming as I panicked, I pulled the-

Bang!

Trigger, orange flash from the muzzle going through Samarie's arm shooting it off as it dangled on by a small piece of flesh. Blood gushing out as she screamed in pain, the shadow Marina summoned still burning her.

"No! Marina! He's... he's participating in the festival!" She continued to desperately scream out as she fell down on her front, many parts of her face burnt and scratched. Blood covers her eyes entirely, she can't see. "He's already killed four! You have to-!"

Bang!

I reflexively shot an execution shot just as I worked the bolt action. Samarie's head dropped down with a wet thud, right where my bullet hit.

[You absorbed the Radiating Soul]

Letting out a small sigh of relief, I felt myself calming down. I'm not letting anyone else steal my kill again.

Marina slowly walks towards Samarie's corpse, looking at it for a few moments before she moved past it and stared at the flesh altar.

"Levi... you didn't really kill four people, right?" Shit. Now that Samarie's out of the way, she's finally thinking. Now the dead deranged girls words are sinking in for her. "Even then... it wasn't murder, wasn't cold blooded... right?"

Is she asking that genuinely? Or is it rhetorical? My rifle should be out of bullets, but if I reload now... even if I reload as fast as I could, a flick of a hand is a hell of a lot faster with magic.

[Persuasion]

"Yeah. The thug looking guy tried to charge me. He tried to after I saved him from the Bremen Lieutenant." Not exactly a lie but not exactly the truth either. How I learned to lie in such a way this fast, I don't know. Maybe I'm just a fast learner. "Or maybe she was talking about my time in the army."

"Seriously? The Vatican newspapers said he fought an entire mafia group by himself." Damn it. She knows who that kill stealer is! "But yeah, you were a soldier so-"

[Gunslinger]

Pulling my looted Lugr out of my pockets, turning the safety off and aiming, I-

Bang!

Shot Marina straight at the head. Mid sentence, she stops as her body limps down on the ground.

[You absorbed the Changeling Soul]

I only knew her for an hour and a half, but I could tell she wasn't as bad as her father. Hell, she's actually really good. But in the end, I still had to do it.

At least she died somewhat in peace, knowing her fathers killer is dead and that I'm not a cold blooded murderer... or at least she didn't think of me as one.

Well, at the very least, she won't have to suffer what happened to the Oldegarian woman.

/

Damn it. I can't feel my strength, I can't bring it out. Crawling on the ground as my body feels like mush, sweat seemingly fusing my uniform to my body, I could barely swallow back what little food I've had forcing itself back up.

Now?! Now of all times in such an open place?! Ears ringing, water forcing itself out of my mouth and nose as I couldn't contain it any longer, I can't survey my surroundings.

If even one enemy saw me, then I'm-

My thoughts pause as I felt something hit me throwing me back, a kick from someone. I tried to aim, but the fat bastard in a fancy suit hit my rifle away with his pipe.

"Aren't you a mess?" The bastard asked in a mocking tone, accent closely similar to the kill stealer I killed. "Lick em." He said, bringing his fancy ass shoes closer to me.

"F-fuck off!" I shouted as I pulled out the Lugr and aimed

Bang!

I fired just as he swing his pipe, my bullet hitting something past him as my hand were paralyzed by the pipes attack. The Lugr drops from my hand.

"Didn't your ma' teach you manners?" Motherfucker. Just wait, I'll bash your fucking skull open. I'm gonna shove that pipe so far- "Don't look at me like that you ungrateful brat, can't you see I'm doing you a favor?"

"It's like putting a wounded mutt out of its misery. And besides, world would be a better place without the likes of you." He said with a small laugh, walking closer to me as he readily held his pipe with both hands.

He winds up, lifting the pipe up and preparing to swing down.

Damn it! Damn it! Gods damnit! I can't die here! Not like this! Not to this mobster bastard! Not after everything I've done!

Pushing myself away as I kicked his legs, he stumbled as I crawled away.

"Just stay still. It'll be less painful that way boy." As I heard the fat bastards footsteps rapidly coming closer, I desperately moved my arms more and faster.

Damn it! Not like this! Not like this! Not like this!

He grabs ahold of my leg, pulling me across the ground as I tried to kick his hand away.

"Just be still, don't make this any more painful for yourself you damn junkie." He said with a disgusting smirk, his pipe once again going up preparing for a swing.

Not like this! Not like this! Not like this! Damn it!

He swings down, body bending slightly as-

[Adrenaline Rush]

I felt a sudden rush of strength and energy coursing through my body.

[Bob And Weave]

Reflexively, I roll myself away from the swing. The pipe letting out a loud clang as it hit the ground.

"Little shit! Didn't I say to quit moving!" The mobster bastard shouted in rage as he looked at me. He straightens himself up, facing me as he prepared to swing once more.

Breathing erratically, I could feel strength I've never before felt in my body. I felt nimble as I pushed myself up, arms going up as I stood on my toes.

[Barehand Proficiency]

With a scream, I charge the fat bastard. I weaved past his swing, and I threw my entire weight on the punch I threw towards his face.

Splat!

I heard flesh and blood squelching, felt my fist numbing, as I felt parts of his face just cracking.

"Damn kid! You know who I a-"

Without letting him speak another word, I bashed my fist on his face again which throws him to the wall.

Without thinking, I ran up towards him and threw my fist, my fists as much and as hard as I could at his face. With each punch, more blood and pieces of flesh splattered around, coating my fists in it as his skull cracked and broke inwards.

[You absorbed the Decrepit Soul]

Even after I got the confirmation that he's dead, I continued on punching up the bastard until he had a face not even a mother could love.

/

"Splendid! Absolutely splendid! You culled more than half of the contestants in just the morning and afternoon!" Per'kele the bastard gleefully announced, eyes closed with his hands clasped.

I found a safe place to take a rest after I killed the mobster dude. I wanted to just rest but looks like the exhaustion got to me, I fell asleep.

"I was right about you, you have such a high potential! I was right to take interest in you!"

"I don't need to hear that, just... tell me something."

"Oh, but I very much have to! You're rare, someone who's doing as the festival instructs and succeeding." Per'kele giggles out, his joy seeming genuine with his tone. "But that aside, you wish to learn about Soul Stones and the Hexen, no?" To that, I could only nod.

"I can't be playing favorites now, however... you're the only one playing by the rules, so I guess I could make an exception."

And so, he explained to me everything I needed to learn about magic. How I can get Soul Stones or whatever it's called, how the Hexen works, how to earn the Gods blessings so I could actually learn magic.

Sawing off heads, selling it to someone called the Tainted One, a New God. Per'kele didn't elaborate, just said that I will know when I meet her. Attaining affinity worked like how Marina said, drawing the Gods sigils in ritual circles or performing acts like Per'kele is now saying.

Prayers or crucifying someone for Alll-Mer, blood or human sacrifice for Gro-goroth, jerking off for Sylvain, Rher and Vinushka is reliant on ritual circles, and the God of Fear and Hunger... just prayers. Simple prayers, no need for something convoluted as the other Gods rituals.

"What's... that? Whenever I killed one of them, I felt something in my mind." I asked, narrowing my eyes at Per'kele but nonetheless waiting and listening intently for what he's going to say.

"Ah, of course. You never asked. Put it simply, whenever you kill another contestant, their soul will be forfeit to you." Huh? That would mean... the mechanic lady's voice... it was real earlier? "In your last kill before coming back here, you used a skill and strength not yours. You felt it, didn't you?"

That explains an awful lot. I've never boxed before, I don't know anything about it. And I definitely wasn't talkative before, not until I met Marina after... killing that Bremen woman. And the way I bashed that mobsters skull open...

It's just like how the curly haired man bashed that Bremen Lieutenants skull open. I see... that's convenient. At least after all is said and done, I'll have some skills to use in the proper world.

Marina and Samarie knew magic and no doubt knew how to learn magic. Yes, I get it! The knowledge is in my head! That makes things easier! It's much more simpler than I thought!

"Fufufu, I see that you've figured the rest out by yourself. Well then, I'd love to chat more. However, you still have work to do and time... time is running out. You only have until midnight."

/

Bang!

And down goes Dr. Kefer. I can't believe he's still in business even with everything around. Motherfucker had the audacity to ask me my name, and then afterwards telling me to fuck off.

Me with the fucking gun and him who's a crippled old sack of bullshit, the fraud of superstition and otherworldly things.

Take the blue and green herbs, the amulets and whatnot he's selling along with whatever bullets he had for sale, and... hehehe. I can't help but let out a laugh, the Gods are finally blessing me with something worthwhile.

A whole crate of Soul Stones and fresh Syringes! Just when I learned how to gain magic, I get this early Christmas gift! I don't even have to labor cutting off heads or looking for the vendor to sell heads!

The rat amulet, according to the knowledge Marina and Samarie's souls know, will supernaturally increase my speed and agility. Hardened heart will keep me alive after a fatal blow-

After doing an inventory check, I tied a rope into the Soul Stone and Heroin crate and carried it with me like a bag.

As I passed the door with its ringing bells, I turned right back to where Father Hugo's house is. Rummaging through the place earlier, he had a Hexen table and a few ritual circles both for Old and Ascended Gods.

Conveniently enough, I only need one or two rituals for each of the Gods whose blessing and magic I want. One rub off session for Sylvain after drawing her sigil for her healing magic, two blood sacrifices for Gro-goroth after drawing the sigil as Samarie's knowledge says. For the God of Destructions blood magic.

I already have affinity for Alll-Mer. Or at least I should, otherwise those masses and sermons years ago would've been useless.

Hmm, what is that? In the distance, I see an Abysonnian dressed in all yellow robes sitting cross legged on the ground with his eyes closed.

According to Marina and Samarie's knowledge, this man is a Yellow Mage. In better terms, an absolute asshole who will blow people's limbs off for getting just a little close.

"I would advise against coming closer, boy." The Abysonnian stated with a rough accent, his eyes opening as he turned his head to look at me. "If you wish to keep your limbs that is."

[Diplomacy]

"If I said I wanted to become a Yellow Mage, will you let me through?" Not that I have any intentions of becoming one, but it would be convenient if I could match his magic before fighting him.

He looks at me with raised eyebrows, lips slightly curling up as he blinks and chuckles. "Our order has diminished, master. Would it be wise to turn away a youngling?" He spoke with amusement to something in his clothes.

He leaned his head lower, listening intently to something.

"Unfortunately, no. Not only are you blind in otherworldly matters, you are also just a little maggot, as my master says." Assholes, I can see why most of the people involved with the otherworldly would classify them as such. Or so the slight memories of Marina and Samarie I could access said.

"And unfortunately, my master is offended that you would think to even try applying. So now, I must eradicate you." He said, standing up from his filthy ass and dusting himself off.

[Marksmanship]

Dripping the crate, I aimed and-

Bang!

Shot him in the chest. He hunches with a shocked expression, hand letting go of his staff as he holds his chest. His vibrant yellow clothing getting wet and red as he gasps for air.

"That was... underwhelming. Even the deranged vatican girl gave me more trouble." Hehehe. This is the first time I could properly mock someone getting what they deserved, the last thing this dark skinned bastard will see before he dies and I own his soul will be me.

The Yellow struggles to move on the ground, one hand staying to cover his wound as he repeatedly taps his hand on the ground.

Damn it, he's doing something. Jumping back and further away expecting the red and black explosion Samarie tried using on me, I aim whilst focusing infront of me.

[You absorbed the Enlightened Soul]

I felt something in my mind as the Yellow Mage stops breathing and he remains limp on the ground.

That was... easy. Surprisingly easy. Looks like Per'kele is the only one with some sort of protection magic.

As I moved to pick up the crate, I heard a cacophony of squeaking coming. The sound getting louder and louder as the source of it got closer.

Dropping the rifle and pulling out my Lugr, I start scanning my surroundings. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting until-

Rats! An entire swarm of them appears from my back and my right side. They're charging me!

[Adrenaline Rush] [Fast Stance]

I start shooting at the swarm, killing a bunch with each single shot and somewhat thinning their numbers as they got closer.

Click!

Damnit! Jumping away from the swarm, I pulled out a magazine and inserted it just as I ejected the empty one.

As I aimed and shot at the swarm once more, I felt one reach my feet and bite. It bit hard, hard enough to make me wince and stop firing until I bent down to grab it, throwing it hard into a wall flattening its inside.

I shot and shot and shot, but... what's left of the swarm managed to reach me.

I screamed and wince with every bite I felt around my body, each new bleeding parts of my body feeling wet and warm as the blood flowed.

I screamed and flailed around trying to throw off the rats as they ran around my body and clothes, I tried slamming myself on a wall as hard as possible, aiming the parts with more rats to the wall successful killing or taking them off me.

With the remaining ones on me, I reached out and grabbed them by hand. Throwing each and every one of the little filthy shits hard into the wall with their bodies splatting red.

As for the last one I'm holding in my hand, I simply gripped. I tightened my grip as it's squealing got louder and louder. I felt it's body be compressing and its bones being mangled until-

Crack!

There, that's one little shit dead. Along with its entire worthless family.

/

[Blood Sacrifice]

[Blood Sacrifice]

[You have gained affinity with Gro-goroth]

[You have gained affinity with Gro-goroth]

I felt the message in my mind as I let myself bleed on the ritual circle where I drew the God of Destructions sigil.

Walking away from the circle, I grabbed on a bunch of blue herbs. Forcing it into my mouth as I chewed and swallowed, feeling my wounds closing shut as I felt the herbs reach my stomach.

Alright, onto the next agenda. Walking into the Sylvain sigil I drew on another circle, I zipped my coveralls down and reached for my-

[Masturbation]

[You have gained affinity with Sylvain]

And that's that.

Moving on. I walk to another part of the house, to the room with the Ascended God circle where I drew the God of Fear and Hungers sigil.

Once again, I stare at the Gods statue. The God born from a poor little girl in the depths of a dungeon.

And so, I prayed, doing my best to compose a prayer to the God.

[You have gained affinity with Fear and Hunger]

The statue then cracks.

That's done with, now... the Hexen.

/

"Kid... we're both allies, you know that, right?" Asked the eyepatched man with a purple vest looking up to me on his seat. My Lugr pointed straight down his head. "I was a soldier of Rondon, and you're from the E.U." that's surprising, genuinely.

"We never really felt Rondons support... even before you lot switched sides ." We were allies, up until they switched sides like the rats that they were.

"Yeah, but I was just a medic... what could I have done?" He said with a sigh as he brings his head down, holding it with both hands. "I don't mind you killing me, but... please, not yet."

"I'm not an idiot, and I'm certainly not gullible." I said, keeping my Lugr aimed at his head.

"I know! Please, just... you can kill me later." He said, looking back up with desperate watery eye. "I don't care if you kill me, I... I need to know something first."

"I missed the part where that's my problem." If our roles were reversed, he would do the same.

"Then... on the off chance, do you know... of this symbol?" He asked, pulling a folded piece of paper out of his breast pocket.

Looking at the symbol, an inverted cross with a triangle, the Yellow Mages memories surface in my mind.

"The Symbol of the Sulfur God, the God born from Alll-Mer's abandoned hate and imperfections." Interesting. Even to me, this is interesting.

"A God of hate... that's... that gives me more questions than answers. Elise, Von Dutch... what were they doing?" He whimpered out, a few tears leaking down his eye. He... he's grieving.

"Is that all? I don't know about those people, so you can just ask them on the other side."

Bang!

[You absorbed the Blank Soul]

The eyepatched mans body falls down the ground with a thud before he could let out another word.

/

This is... something completely unexpected. Down the street, I see a woman in a wheelchair. She looks around nervously as she rolls her wheels. She... she's really pretty, with short hair and glasses.

She's a contestant, isn't she? What the hell, Per'kele? That's just cruel, having someone who can't even walk be part of the killing festival.

"Someone?! Please! Hello?!" She nervously shouted out as she looked around, fear all that there is on her expression.

Sigh. She's going to get herself killed, but... she's dead anyways so...

Walking out of hiding, I jump down the stairs as I turned to face her.

"Oh?! Someone... is still here. Thank Gods!" She happily exclaimed with a smile, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

"Why did you come here? It's dangerous."

"Uhm... I can see that, but... I didn't have any choice. Marcoh and Tanaka haven't returned since morning and... I've been worried." Two names, one oriental. She's talking about the two I killed. "They're really strong, I can't imagine anything bad happening to them." I barely held my laughter hearing that.

"A-anyways, I'm Olivia Haas. It's nice to meet you." She happily introduced herself, rolling her chair towards me and offering a hand.

"I'm Levi. Just Levi." I said, taking and softly holding her hand. Even if I'm killing her, I don't want such a pitiful woman to feel any more horrible than she already must feel.

/

"So you're saying that... this place have always been like this?" Olivia asked in worry as she looks around while I push her wheelchair. "And you lived here... that's horrible." Hearing her pity and compassion reminds me of the mechanic lady. Damn it, I really don't want to kill her but...

"Eh, only thing I could do now is move on... at least after this so called festival."

"Yeah, nothing we can do about the past. No matter what we try." Olivia said in a saddened and bitter tone with her head down.

[Persuasion]

"Oh cheer up. Doesn't matter that you're on a wheelchair, you're still really pretty with your short hair and glasses." Those sequence of words I spoke... felt like cringe. But she looks happy at least.

"R-really now? Well... I'm g-glad you think that way." Olivia giggled out, turning to face me with a smile. "Levi... uhm... you're really cute too!" Sounds like she forced those words out of herself, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red as she shyly looked away.

I feel... my cheeks being flustered, heart slightly pounding at her words. Should I... should I continue on with my plan? Should I keep going for Per'kele? Should I... kill Olivia? She's so much like the red haired lady, I... I can't think about killing her.

No, no. I'm in too deep, I'm just... I'm just gonna have to make it painless for her. I've seen the consequences for not participating in this sick game, and I'm not about to let her suffer it. I'm not gonna let her suffer like that mechanic lady.

That's what she would've wanted, no one else suffering her fate.

I didn't feel much the same way with Marina, but... Olivia is in a way... just like me. She's miserable, definitely miserable even with how well she hides it. Except... she's trying to smile through the pain. Something that I haven't done much... or at all.

"Uhm... Levi... is there... a private place here somewhere?" Olivia shyly asked, an awkward smile on her face as she twiddles her fingers. "Just you and me... in a room... who knows what might happen?" Hearing her words... I felt my heartbeat running straight up.

What she's saying... I definitely can't say no to that. It... it would be great, I could die fighting Per'kele so... at least knowing what somewhat real love would feel, what lovemaking with someone other than a brothel worker feels like...

"I understand if you wouldn't want that... I'm a cri-"

She stops and yelps, startled as I began rushing to Father Hugo's home. There was a huge bed there, and the doors were sturdy so no one's coming through.

"L-Levi! I'm sorry if I-"

"That's fine, Olivia. I... I want it too." Gods, the fuzzy feeling on my cheeks and my heartbeat skyrocketing... I don't think anything else will top this high.

/

"Ah... Levi... that was... amazing." Olivia said with deep heavy breaths, as if she's out of air. She smiles, eyes filled with happiness, as she heaves under me. "Gods... I never thought... I'd ever experience this." She panted out.

Olivia is gorgeous, the fact that she's a cripple be damned. I can't take my eyes off of her bare body. I didn't even think about pulling out.

"Experience what?" Any men who didn't feel anything like I am now to Olivia is definitely an idiot.

"A... one night stand type of thing. Not like anyone's going to be approaching a cripple." She laughed out with a bitter smile, a flustered look on her face as she looks back at me.

"Then that means I'll have you to myself. Once we're... out of here that is." Damn it, I... I can't tell her that. Not when she looks ecstatic at my words.

"My aren't y-you a sweet talker?" She stutters out, fully flustered from my words. "That would be nice... having a man like you." Damn it, damn it, damn it... should I really go ahead with my plan? The more Olivia talks the more...

The more I just want to abandon that plan, to find a way to end the festival before it ends us. But such a thing... even if it existed, I wouldn't know about it.

Hell, not even the mages whose souls I've absorbed knows anything. Not Marina, not Samarie, not even the damn Yellow Mage.

I... I need to make it sudden, painless, quick enough before she could even have a chance to realize.

"Say, Olivia, what brought you here anyways?" I asked, pulling her from the beds center and into the edge where she sits herself.

"That? I came here for my twin sister." She explained just as I'm putting my clothes back on, tucking in my balls and zipping up the coverall uniform shut. "She... it's complicated."

[Persuasion]

"Go on, I'm listening." I said, reaching out for her clothes and helping her put it back on.

"She was a computer scientist for the Bremen government, under a project personally overseen by the Kaiser himself." What? That... that sounds insane, the fact that I, a low ranking soldier that deserted, would come across her is such a coincidence! "She did something they didn't like, and Chancellor Kaiser doesn't like traitors."

"And how does that lead you here?" I asked, just as she's clothing herself. Her clothes covering her head as she explained further.

This is... the only chance I can make it sudden and painless for her. While she's somewhat happy. Carefully and silently, I pull out my Lugr.

"Last evidence of her that I found said something about this town being important, and that she was here with a resistance group. And so, I fo-"

Bang!

A shot through the head whilst she couldn't perceive or even process what I was doing, just as her head went through her clothes neck hole.

[You absorbed the Shadowed Soul]

Damn it... I'm actually crying, eyes leaking tears like a broken pipe.

No time to whimper pathetically, it's only a few hours until midnight.

I still have one person to kill.

/

Infront of the tower with impaled corpses presented around it, I see an old mustached man with similar features to the mechanic lady staring down at me. His clothes torn and shredded in some parts, he wields... a bow and arrow? At this day and age?

"Lad, I know what you've been doing." The old man said with a rough voice, both in accent and tone, as he stares at me with anger and... disappointment? "It's scary you know? How such a young lad could become such a killer." He said with a disappointed sigh, aiming his bow and arrow at me and pulling the string back.

I could hear the squeaking of the bows wood from this far, even see how the bow itself is trembling from the pressure.

"What's it to you? What else was I supposed to do?" Now would be a good time to test the magic spells I've learned, as well as taking a syringe.

But it looks like I won't have the chance for the latter.

"Lad, you could've talked, conversed like proper civilized people!" He shouted out in anger and frustration, I could feel his disappointment both in his voice and eyes. "Lad, there's nothing for you in this path. Nothing that the jealous Moon God can offer."

[Killing Intent]

"I don't care about the Moon God or the festival, I just want to kill Per'kele." That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. "This Termina thing happens a lot, right?"

[Persuasion]

"If it ends with us... then no one else will ever suffer this so called festival, right?"

"Lad, that's not the case! If it was, then Termina would only be a thing of stories! If you kill the overseer, someone else will take his place!"

"How do you know?!" I shouted, aiming my rifle at him. How this old man knows so much, if he is telling a fact, can only be that he's a part of the system.

"Lad... just put your weapon down. You deserve more than this, more than being a mere killer." The old man said, face somewhat softening but still aiming his bow at me.

"How many times I've heard those words... how many times I hoped and let someone else decide my fate... never again." I said, dropping my rifle and Lugr down on the ground. I stare at the old man.

He seems confused, just as I want. Slowly, he looks between me and my guns on the ground. Slowly, he lowers his guard. Slowly, he unpulls his bowstring, taking the arrow off the bow.

"Good. That is good, lad." He said, almost in relief as he slowly walks towards me. "I can't say anything about the other people who've broken your trust, but I need you to trust me." Should I listen more? He seems to know a lot.

If he knew what was going to happen, if he knew about Termina, then he should've told the others. Out of all the people on the train, I've killed them or at know they're dead.

So this old man hasn't actually participated, yet he hasn't transformed into a malformed abomination yet. Bastard. He probably knows everything, yet he wasn't doing anything to help everyone. He should've done so the very moment we awoke from the first dream.

Raising my arm and pointing at him, he pauses in alert.

[Black Orb]

I felt my head splitting, as if it would explode open if I didn't let go of the otherworldly black sphere.

And so, I did.

The orb shot towards the old man, fast enough that he couldn't dodge in time and the magical orb pulverized his torso. A hole straight through as his organs and blood starts gushing out.

He looks up at me, eyes narrowed in fury as he grits his teeth. Then, he drops to the ground.

[You absorbed the Tormented Soul]

Now... now it's time for Per'kele. Grabbing my rifle and my Lugr, I pocket the latter as I pull out a syringe.

As I approach the tower doors, I insert the syringe needle into my inner arm, injecting in the brownish liquid as I began feeling it's strengthening effects.

/

"Now we fight as equals. Don't die too quickly now, otherwise this will all be wasted."

Those were Per'kele's last words before we started fighting.

It was a nightmare. Everything he threw at me was a nightmare. The countless knife like feathers, the offensive blood magics, even small pieces of the moon shooting down from the stars.

I couldn't even use the magics I've learned as he could simply reflect it.

But in the end... I got him. I crack into a wide grin, laughing as I took in the situation. Per'kele's limbs aren't exactly severed, but I still got the ligaments! He's as good as dead!

Of course, so am I but I won! I won and I carried out my words, that I would tear him limb from limb.

But still... I'm still fucked. We're both crippled and bleeding out.

And Per'kele... he's laughing. Laughing in joy, smiling in genuine happiness at me as he's huffing and puffing bleeding out. He's smiling... almost like a normal person, not like the alien smirk he's always had.

"Impressive! Truly so! You, Levi... you never truly left the battlefield, yes?" Bastard. Acting like he knows me. He doesn't, he doesn't know what the... frontline... is like. "After all, you did choose war over abuse in the Orphanage, yes?" Huh?

I tried to refute it, but... the blood loss... damn it. I'm falling... asleep.

"Instead of the Orphanage where the adults abused you and many others, you chose war. You followed those recruiters willingly, happily even, unlike your friends who were dragged." That's... not true. He doesn't know me. I need to... stay alive... at least... until he croakes and dies.

Then... I'll get the last laugh.

"You liked it, loved it in the battlefield! You excelled there, so much so that the adults you so much feared were instead the ones who feared you!" That's... no, no. I did... what I had to do... to survive.

"You loved the war, you loved killing. That's why you didn't desert sooner, only doing so after the hostilities ceased." That's...

I could do nothing but stare at Per'kele as he said those words, my eyes widening as I... realized something.

...

...

... Fucking hell.

He's right. Even if the other adults knew I would follow their orders, they feared each and every moment spent with me. They feared me, they even envied my skills.

They knew I could turn on them at any given moment, I also knew... I just didn't acknowledge it myself... I didn't do so, not because I feared the punishment, but because... I got off the idea that I was benevolent.

Or maybe I just didn't want to acknowledge it.

"That's why... you won Termina. That's why you're my equal. That's why... we're here now, both at the verge of death."

"Looks like... I'll be going first. I'll see you... on the other side, new recruit." Per'kele huffed out, then his body dropped into its front.

[Si-

I tried to grith my teeth, and instead felt half my teeth on the left side of my face isn't there. As I move my jaw, I could feel some of those knife like feathers moving in my skin and flesh.

[Lovi-

I tried to cast the healing spell, but I felt my mind break and split as I tried, even more blood gushing and squirting out from my nose and eyes.

He's dead... and I... I'm following him.

I could feel my eyes shutting, the world... going... dark.

Is she proud of me? The red haired mechanic lady?

No... definitely not. She would bash my head open. I'm a disappointment.

/

It burns! Everything burns! I could do nothing but once again scream and cry as I burn in this hell of blue flames.

That thing with a hammer for a head without any limbs, just a torso, with a hole in its face and a tongue sticking out...

I could feel an immeasurable unseen pressure from it. It's crushing, suffocating, head splitting.

Everything is burning. The open wounds around my body were cauterized shut, my skin and flesh being cooked until it sizzled and charred.

That thing in front of me... it's a God... the crushing, oppressive atmosphere... the otherworldly unseen weight crushing me... it's a God.

This is the Sulfur God...

Hate... coming from the pitiful scorched God, feeble and pathetic unlike his followers. I can feel absolute hate and malice radiating from that thing...

Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! I shouldn't be here! Why?! Why was I left here?! I did nothing wrong! I should've ascended with him, so why am I here?!

So much fury coming from that thing... I can feel what it wants, I can hear it speak even without a mouth, even when my eardrums ruptured from the explosion. His will and anger... it's starting to get into my head!

Yeah! That's right! I shouldn't have suffered the way I did...

My squad and I... back there... the only thing we had was suffering and death... yet there were many more other kids who couldn't have cared less...

I can't accept that... why? Why did we have to face so much hardships while they didn't have to?!

They ought to be thrown down here with us! They don't deserve the comfort in their lives! They haven't earned it!

That's right! I don't have to pretend any more, I don't have to hold back any more! I'll take whatever I want!

Be it pain or pleasure, It's all mi-

/

I don't know how, but... I managed to crawl up and out of that burning hell. Digging myself out of the soil after reaching the blue burning hells peak, I crawl out.

Heaving and panting, I kept pulling myself with my hands, crawling across the soil as it dirtied my uniform which is still somewhat intact.

Down there, my skin and flesh were completely charged but the very moment I got out... it healed back to normal.

But everything still hurts, still burns. I can barely move. I don't know where I'm crawling to, I just crawl, and crawl... and craw-

I stop, feeling my hands on a boot and an ankle. It's someone. Will this person kick my hand away, will they put me out of my misery? No, I don't want that! I don't want to burn again!

With whimpers coming from my mouth, tears from my eyes, I forced my head up to look at whose feet I'm touching.

It's... a girl with long blue hair, wearing pristine white clothes. She leans down to look at me, her eyes wide in fear and pity. She... she's real pretty.

And that thing above her head... it's... I can't believe my eyes. It's a halo.

She's an angel! Did... did she come to take me to heaven? No, that couldn't be. Not after everything I've done.

"Shh. You're in my hands now, no need to cry or panic." She said in a comforting voice, bending to her knees and playing with my hair gently.

That... That's great.

/

"President! Where have you been?! Kivotos is close to collapsing!" Said another girl with a halo above her head wearing a similar uniform to the blue haired girl, President as she's called. "And... who is that?" The knife eared girl asked, looking at me with fear.

"Ah, meet Levi-kun, Rinny!" The blue haired girl cheerfully said, coming to my side and wrapping her arms around me as she presented me to her underling.

"A male... a human male?" Rinny as President called her muttered out, her glasses shining and hiding her eyes as she frowned. Her hands balling into fists as it shook. "You went away without a warning, endangering the whole of Kivotos, because you wanted to be with your boyfriend?!" She shouted in rage, expression morphing to express her fury. Weirdly enough, the knife eared girls cheeks are deep red.

"Rinny, you don't have to be so hurtful! Levi-kun here's gone through a lot." President said, fully ignoring her seething underlings outburst. "Besides, he's here to help us." Sigh. She did save me, so I have to make it worth it for her.

"... You aren't denying that he's your boyfriend?" Why the hell is that her top concern?!

"He's not! Well, he's cute but we only just met so... eh, we'll never know in the future." I think I got picked up by a fool.

But ignoring the two strange angel girls arguments, I took a look at everything. The surroundings, how clean and sleek everything is, the buildings I could see through the mostly glass exterior of the building I suddenly found myself in when the blue haired girl used her magic on me.

The two girls arguments abruptly end as we heard a loud ring. Looking at where it came from, I see... an elevator. It opens up revealing... more strange angel girls.

One with huge dark wings and a voluptuous body, one with purple hair, one with white hair and a small wing sticking out the side of her head, and one-

"Bremen." I muttered, looking at the knife eared girl with glasses holding a huge bag.

"You! President ! Where have you been?!" Shouted out the purple haired one dual wielding submachineguns in absolute fury, glaring and snarling at the blue haired girl. "In the time of your absence, delinquents and criminals have practically taken over the streets!" Fuck me, looks like I'm not done fighting just yet.

"Thousands of academies are in panic, and Millenniums wind generators already shut down a few days ago!" The purple haired girl screamed out in frustration.

"There has been rumors that a suspended student has escaped from the Federal Corre-" The Bremen medic spoke up but then halted as she turned her head to look at me, mouth gasping open as she then covered her mouth, the shine of her glasses covering her eyes.

Damn it. She probably recognizes my uniform. No doubt, she'll report me back to her officers. After all I've been through, I've circled back to dealing with the Bremens.

"There has been a 2000 percent increase in illegal distributions of tanks, helicopters, and other unknown weapons." The voluptuous winged girl explained in a distressed voice. 2000 percent? Thats got to be over reported, tanks? Bremen panzers were a nightmare to deal with. Helicopters? Just transportation aircraft, nothing to be worried about. Unknown weapons? That can range from a Lugr to a Howitzer so that's something to keep in mind.

"And on top of that, there has been a sharp increase in students being attacked on their way to and from school! At this point daily peaceful life in Kivotos will be a thing of the past!" The white haired girl with a wing on her head concluded. And so, the group of four girls looked on at President with hopeful but demanding eyes.

Except the Bremen medic. No doubt, she's waiting for a chance to-

"E-excuse me. May I t-treat you?" The Bremen medic stuttered out as she walked towards me and past the President, shine on her glasses disappearing and showing her... worried. She's worried about me, a Bremen of all people.

"Who is that? W-what happened to him?" I heard the purple haired asking aloud.

"Whoever he is, he isn't from here." Naturally you winged shit! You see anyone else looking like a fucking corpse?!

"I don't think he likes being stared at, Hasumi-san." The white haired girl said, looking at me with worry like everyone else is in the room.

"Rinny-chan, I just left for a few days. What happened?" What the hell? If the head of state being away in such a short time is enough to bring this place to its knees, then it's not going to last long.

"P-president! Please, d-don't call me that on the j-job! You need to be professional!" Rinny whined out as she glared at the President. "After you disappeared without notice, we lost control of the Sanctum Tower."

"I see, I see. Don't worry, I'm here now... and I brought along the cavalry." The blue haired girl said, turning to face me as she did. "Dear representatives of some of the most prestigious academies, and those who otherwise have too much time on their hands, I introduce to you Levi-kun!" She said my name aloud, an arm going up and gesturing towards me as the others looked at me.

"Hi..." I said and trailed off, bringing an arm up and giving a small wave to the group of girls. "I'm Levi... just Levi." No way I'm introducing myself with that deadbeat bastards name.

"Levi-kun will be the one leading the charge to the Sanctum Tower!" This girl... I just appeared out of nowhere to the other girls and she's suddenly putting them under my command. Does she not care that they can just mutiny or something?

"Uhm... not to be rude but I ask again, may I treat you?" The Bremen girl shyly muttered once more, raising her voice just a little as she looked at me in distress.

She... she doesn't really want to treat me, does she? Such a pretty Bremen girl... wouldn't even think about treating an enemy. That's right! She must be planning on poisoning me!

"I'm fine." I said to the Bremen girl.

"N-no you aren't!" The Bremen girl suddenly shouted with a glare. That's it, she's revealing her true self. Truly, the Bremens are all dedicated to killing their enemies. "Your burnt and charred all over your body! Even your face is burnt!" She shouted out, worry and concern is... it's all that I can feel in her tone.

"President , Levi cannot, should not be engaging in combat!" The Bremen girl shouted in fury at the blue haired girl, turning her back to me, her enemy. "He's far too hurt to do so!" Who does she think she is, my mother?!

"I d-don't... need you b-babying me, I'm... fine." I tried to raise my voice, but I could only stammer and stutter my words out.

"No you're not! Stay still!"

"Wha- get off me!"

"This is... nonnegotiable!" The Bremen girl shouted out as she, somehow, stopped me from struggling with her thin frail arms. "You're hurt, Levi-kun. As a medic, I cannot let you off, at least not after I treat you." The look she's giving me... she's not taking no for answer.

"Fine then." I grumbled out as I took a seat in a sofa.

She drops her bag, rummaging through it and pulling out bandages and some disinfectants.

Turning to me, she pours disinfectant into a clean white clothe as she walks towards me and-

I hiss feeling the burning sensation from the disinfectant around my forehead and face, mostly the side of my face as I felt the burn in the flesh through the skin.

"Just what happened to you?" She asked, pity and sorrow in her expression and tone as she pats the clothe under my chin and around my neck. "Is your whole body burnt?"

"Guess so."

"Then... uhm... could you unclothe yourself? Just the upper part." She asks shyly.

Letting out a sigh, I unzipped my uniform down to the waist level as I pulled my arms out of the sleeve and let the upper half of my uniform drop.

I could feel eyes, not just her but everybody in the room. Looking around, I could see that everyone is frozen staring at me up and down with their cheeks slightly red.

Hmm? I wonder why... oh... holy shit, I'm jacked!

"Huh? What's this symbol?" She asked, making me look down to see whatever she's talking about.

... It's the symbol of the Sulfur God, inverted cross and a triangle. That makes sense I suppose.

"A-anyways, I'm continuing the treatment." The Bremen medic said, washing and patting the clothe of disinfectant around my body as I felt the burning ache. She also washes my arms. "If you're whole body is burnt..." She trails off.

The Bremen girls cheeks turn a deeper shade of red as her eyes go down to... hehe.

"That's enough! We still have to bring peace and order back to Kivotos, yeah?" The President said after clearing her throat, a sly smile on her lips as her cheeks turned pink.

"But Levi-kun is-"

"Miss Hinomiya, if you want to go down to his privates then you can do so later!"

"That's not what I- fine then! At least let me bandage him!"

"Sure. I'll talk as you're doing that." And so, after her discussion with the President, the Bremen girl then starts wrapping bandages around my head... my whole head and by body.

"As I said, Levi will be needed in the Sanctum Tower as he's the one I assigned as its administrator." Whatever that means, the others aren't taking it well.

"President! You can't just give strangers such authority!" Rinny shouted out in exasperation towards President. Looks like the others are agreeing with her.

"By the way, Levi-kun, I am Hinomiya Chinatsu. It's nice to meet you." She introduced herself with such a sweet smile, tying the bandages around my body around eachother to keep them in place.

"Yeah... nice to meet you too." I guess. I've never met a nice Bremen.

"I can, I just did! Effective immediately, Levi-kun is in charge of Schale, a federal investigation club in which he's currently the only member." I... don't know... I don't know what I should do in this kind of job, whatever kind of job she's giving me.

"That is why... I'm thankful for you dear representatives for volunteering your services, to assisting Levi-kun, or should I say... your Levi-Sensei." Another honorific which I have no idea what means.

/

Once again, I pull Yuuka down into cover as the enemies countless bullets whizzed past our heads. This is the fifth fucking time she's tried to get herself killed.

I got a quick introduction from the girls before they were placed under my command.

"Hey, what gives?!" Yuuka shouted out in frustration as she looked at me.

"Just let me deal with them." I said with a sigh loading a stripper clip into my rifle and pushing the bullets down into the receiver before pushing in the bolt and a bullet.

Somehow, I got to keep my rifle and Lugr even through hell.

"Levi-Sensei, had the GSC President not yet told you?" Hasumi, the voluptuous girl with wings who has so much fat on her breasts and thighs said, looking at me with doubt.

[Diplomacy]

"That you girls are stupid? No."

"Excuse me?!"

"Calm down, Hasumi-san. So, Levi-Sensei... what do we do?" Asked the white haired one, Suzumi.

"Once they're reloading, you and Yuuka will flank them while Hasumi and I will keep sniping. Aim for their weapons."

Once they nods their heads, we waited for the firing to cease.

Then moving out of cover, I-

[Marksmanship]

Using my middle finger to pull the trigger as I used my thumb and index finger for the bolt action mechanism.

Bang!

I fired into one helmeted enemies, my bullet impacting her neck as she drops with a yell.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Just like that, 4 more people are added to my kill list.

Suzumi rushes past me with Yuuka at the other aide of cover rushing towards the enemies flank.

[Gunslinger]

Bang!

Hasumi fires bringing one down as she works her rifles mechanism.

Aiming one handed, I fired the Luger into the enemy girls. The bullets hitting them and making them stumble but... not dropping. I'm not seeing any blood.

Yuuka and Suzumi reaches their flanks, spraying them with bullets as they dropped down.

It's our victory.

All the way towards the Sanctum tower as it's called, delinquents and sukebens as they were called fell to our guns.

/

Damn it... what the hell... Yuuka just got me killed.

She charged into the enemies firing line, which had machineguns and a tank. I rushed towards her, trying to stop her from killing herself but instead... it looks like I'm the one dying.

There's a hole in my guts, from a tank shell but... weirdly enough, it doesn't hurt.

Even as my entrails are falling off, blood leaking like a dam, I feel strong... stronger as ever as I start to feel absolute rage at the whores who tried to kill me. The enemies with the tank infront of me, looking on in terror.

"T-that guy! He doesn't have a halo!"

"H-hole! In his guts! And b-blood!"

"H-hey, we a-aren't murderers! We didn't m-mean it!"

Absolute... nonsense. These pieces of shit... I'll rip them apart!

Feeling unnatural strength in my body, even as it was dying, I charged the enemies. So fast and with such force that I was immediately by their side.

Slowly, with fear on their faces, they turned to look at me.

[Barehand Proficiency]

I could feel the boxers instincts, and a slight memory of an oriental martial art from the Edo man.

Lifting my leg up, I shot it into one of the enemies, launching her into a building as the walls cracked and she plopped down. Her halo disappearing.

Ratatatatat!

One screamed out as they sprayed me, countless bullets shredding through my torso as blood spurted and sprayed her comrades red.

Click! Click!

"Huh? G-go away... go away!" She screamed out in fear, to which I grabbed one of her comrades by her neck, and catapulted her into the one screaming like a banshee.

Up the air they went before plopping down the ground.

This strength... hehe, it's the only thing I have to thank the Sulfur God for.

And so, I dealt with the others. Punching or kicking them down, up the air, or to the side.

The tank trying to move away, aiming towards me as I ran around it.

Then I charged it, bashing my shoulder into it as it shook a lot, the screams and whimpers of the crew I could hear through the armor.

[Intimidation] [Killing Intent]

"You will burn in this tank! It will be your metal coffin!" I screamed out, feeling a bit of glee as I heard their cries.

Gripping the tracks, I pulled and pulled until I yanked a piece of it out.

[Combustion]

Feeling the headache, I focused the flames on the tank. I laughed, and laughed, and laughed as I heard the crews shrieking and wailing. They panicked and tried to punch and scratch their way out, the hatches have already been welded shut.

"Levi-kun! Levi-kun! That's enough!" I heard Chinatsu shouting, rushing towards me and then grabbing me with both arms. "That's enough! They... they'll die!"

"Yeah, that's the point." I don't know what she was expecting in combat, but it's obvio-"

"Stop it! Stop it now!" She shrieked with absolute desperation, eyes wide as plates as she shook and begged me.

"Levi-Sensei, please that's enough! They're delinquents, but they don't deserve to be executed!" Hasumi joined in on the shouting, just as desperate as Chinatsu's.

"Yeah! They haven't committed anything unforgivable! They don't kill!" Suzumi? Is she stupid? They had guns, they were shooting everything up, how would that not kill anyone?"

"Please... stop." Yuuka? Crying and whimpering, she rushes to hold me. "My fault... it's my fault... d-don't... don't kill them... it's my fault!" She cried out, snot leaking from her nose as she sniffled and cried.

... Goddamnit.

I do just as she begs, dissipating the Combustion as I approached the tank. Grabbing into a piece of the hot steel glowing orange, I yank it open revealing the enemy crew inside huffing and puffing as they look on in fear and terror.

"Levi-Sensei, just how... how..." Ignoring Chinatsu's stammering, I-

[Loving Whispers]

Sylvains light appeared, gathering around the hole in my guts and sealing it shut. Feeling my skin under the bandages also heal, I start pulling it all apart out of myself.

"I didn't need this in the first place."

"Levi-Sensei, that's... amazing! Was all of that... real magic?!" Chinatsu exclaims, eyes focusing on me. "And such strength... it's unbelievable!"

Suzumi and Hasumi were taking care of the prisoners, cuffing them and stuff while Yuuka's sulking in the side.

Meanwhile, Chinatsu here's inspecting my stomach like I'm some kind of labrat.

"Wow... it's completely healed. There's still some pieces of... you on the ground, so these must've come from out of nowhere." She said, eyeing where my wound would've been.

"Can you stop that?" I muttered out.

"Huh? Stop what?"

"Stop treating me like that!" I raised my voice, moving away from her as I held her off.

"But Levi-Sensei, I still need to know if you're all right!"

"I'm fine, I don't need to be babied." Chinatsu then puts on a pout and a glare, grabbing the arm I'm holding her off with.

"Levi-Sensei, as a medic it's my duty to take care of the injured... even if they don't want it so stop making this harder for yourself and let me do that!" Chinatsu raised her voice as she tried to force her way through my arm.

"What's with you?! Don't you need my permission?!"

"Not if you're in such a critical condition!" Seriously, what's with this Bremen girl... we're supposed to be enemies.

"Oh my? What have we here?" The President said in a teasing and amused voice, appearing out of nowhere with Rinny looking on tiredly behind her. "I never had a chance, Levi-kun really likes Miss Hinomiya, doesn't he?" This woman...

"I don't!"

"We're medic and patient! It's nothing like that!

"Hear that Rinny? It's like they came straight out of a romcom!" President sang out, making a dramatic gesture of some sort. Also, what the hell is a romcom?! "They might outwardly hate eachother, but deep down it's love at first sight."

"That's absurd!" I shouted out at her antics.

"Precisely! That's wholly unprofessional!"

"President... real people don't act like people would in a romance comedy." Rinny sighed out, tired of her bosses antics. Oh, so that's what romcom means.

/

After that, peace was back to this place and I changed into a new pair of clothes. My uniform had to get fixed because of the shell sized hole in the mid part.

I have my own office in this place, and President left me this rectangular device which calls itself A.R.O.N.A.

Sigh, she said that I'm also gonna be doing some paperwork and stuff, bureaucratic things.

But she did say my duty was to help the students, my students apparently as she hired me as a teacher of all things.

Folding the letter I was reading back into its envelope, a letter from one Okusora Ayane of Abydos Highschool, I pocket it as I shove A.R.O.N.A in between my waist and pants as I make my way out of Schale.

I've got a job to do.

/

A/N: SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKERS! GET TRAUMATIZED! GET TRAUMATIZED! GET TRAUMATIZED!

Though, I don't think the Blue Archive part of my dear readers aren't getting any trauma yet but I'm sure the Fungerers got a lot of trauma with the ending C.

I wanted for the dark timeline segments to be from main timeline Levi's POV and reveal the whole truth once in vol f but I didn't want to wait so I decided to write the dark timeline so the reveal will already be there and I don't have to write a flashback sequence.

I'm planning on doing just the important bits that would've made a difference as I would only be copypasting from the main chapters if I included it all. Hence why I kind of rushed it.

What's that kind of story called? Where the watchers/readers know what's going to happen but not the in story characters? That what I'm going for.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the double chapter.