Chapter 15

(Abigail’s POV)

With the sudden quake I, Abigail Mekkins along with a high class-like lady Anastasia Douva, including the security personnel, got separated with two people who ventured inside this cave.

“We should try looking for a way to go down!”

The one who suggested that is of course, the very worried Anastasia. But I do know why she’s so worried though, after all the man he likes fell into a hole. But just like her, I’m worried to. I was the one that who made them fall in the first place.

“Don’t worry Ms. Douva, some of my men are recovering so we can continue our search for Prf. Dorrel and besides, Chilton is with him so he’ll be fine.”

I don’t think having this Chilton guy with him will help much. I mean, he just turned 25 golems into crumbles within minutes.

The big man named Rusty ordered some of his men to help the injured to head to the exit, while Rusty and 3 of his subordinates remained to continue their search.

But I don’t think the security that’s headed to the entrance will find any trouble on the way since James took care of all of the golems on the upper floor.

So without having to worry about them, the ones left here will be look for a way down.

But then again, why go for all the trouble if you could just go down this hole? I mean it’s just right there.

“Can’t we just go down this way?”

As I point at the hole.

“That is easier, but all the tools we can use are left at the surface.”

Tools? Oh right, James told us to hold on to these things.

I look at Anastasia when I remembered that both of us are carrying medium sized bags and it looks like she gets it.

“Kyaaaaa!!!”

*Slap!*

Huh? What was that? Did I just hear a scream coming from the hole? Moreover, it came from a woman. I kind of doubt

that James would scream like a girl, so who owns that shout?

“Just now, that scream came from Chilton.”

Oh, so that’s why. That scream came from that Chilton guy…

“Chilton’s a girl!?”

“Chilton is a woman!?”

I wasn’t the only one that got surprised, even Anastasia is shock.

I thought Chilton was a guy because the way she’s dressed. But I guess that security vest made her looks bulky, so I just assumed that “she” was a “he”.

“I can guess why you girls are surprised. Chilton is really stiff when it comes to rules, so she isn’t the type to leave even one single equipment regulation.”

That explains why she wears all of those things.

“Oh right, Anastasia, the bags.”

I almost forgot about the tools in the bags.

We both handed the bags to Rusty; he then opened them and gave us a smile.

“This is great; we have the entire tool we need to go down.”

“Does that mean we no longer need to go look for a way down, Mr. Rusty?”

“That’s right Ms. Douva, we can just get this tools to go down the same way they fell. Now you will be able to see your

boyfriend sooner.”

“Fueh!? B—boyfriend, no way! we’re still not even…no, maybe I can think of us that way…y—yes! I want to see my

boyfriend!”

………yup, that’s a girl in full love mode. I swear if she keeps doing that I might start seeing a pink aura gushing out of her…

“Kya~”

Too late, there it is.

About half an hour has passed and we are now at the lower floor. We used spelunking equipment to get down. It’s impressive they had those things on their bags.

All of us we’re surprised to see how the inner floor sculpted, the might have a lot of cracks but most of the area has this smooth texture.

As an alchemist, I wanted to stay and study them, but looking for Prof. Douf and the others is more important.

Together with Rusty and his subordinates, Anastasia and I walk deeper in.

We eventually start to hear sounds, so we all walked faster and follow where it’s coming from.

At the end of the path we followed, we found a big dome and in the middle of that dome are Prof. Douf and a young woman who I guess must be the female vice-captain Chilton.

Usually we start running towards Mr. Douf, but what made us stop on our tracks are the amazing numbers of golem rubbles surrounding them.

But most of all, what made us feel the freezing embrace of death itself is from the very same man who I thought I knew.

Everything about him is different, how he stands, how he speaks, even the atmosphere around him is distorted.

I’ve already seen him fight and what I thought was he was amazing. But what I see now is different; he’s not fighting to

protect anyone, calling this a massacre is an understatement.

Because what we see now is not a man that’s fighting against golems, but a merciless god showing it power and rage.

In a single swing he completely destroys hard bodied golems, his speed doesn’t slow down nor does he stop to make a different stance for a new attack.

Every step he makes 4 or 6 golems crumbles down to the ground no matter what size they are.

As a student of alchemy, I should know that golems are nothing more than just clay or stone embodied with magic.

They feel nothing, but then why? Why do they shake? Why do they step back? Why do they feel fear?

“Stop running!!! I’ll kill you here and now, before you do anything else!!!”

What is he saying? Damn it, I’m too scared to even listen to him. I can’t event stop my body from shaking.

His usual green jade eyes has a malevolent gleam to it, that just by looking makes it hard for me to breath. But even the trained security is affected by it.

“James?”

But the most effected to this is Anastasia. The man she loves must look very different to her now.

“We…we have to stop him. James looks…he looks like he’s scared about something.”

Moriarty is scared? We’re the ones that scared here…

“Not again, I won’t let you do take anyone from me again! Not you. Not my mother, not even the gods themselves!”

But when I calm down a little, I start to see what Anastasia is saying.

I do still feel the fear of seeing him like this, but I also see him scared of something.

“If no one will help me then I’ll do it on my own!”

“Wait! Ms. Douva it’s too dangerous!”

But even though Rusty grabbed her arm, he wasn’t able to stop her. Ether Anastasia slipped through his grip or Rusty is

still shaken in the atmosphere.

(James’ POV)

I need to kill him before he takes anyone from me. But this rat just keeps calling for more of his men.

But even so, if he thinks he’ll be able to stop me with this, he’s completely wrong.

I’ll tear his limbs right off of his torso; I’ll pierce him with this pickaxe and hang him…

“Ja…ple…st…yo…shou…n’t…d…thi…”

Huh? Who said that? Why is this person charging at me? Damn it! I don’t know why but I can’t see clearly.

But if this person is going to attack me, then I’ll kill him first.

“Golems, deffe… me!”

Shit! That guy is about to runaway, I need to stop him. His legs I need to break his legs first. I’ll deal with this person

who’s charging at me later.

This man keeps bringing out golems to shield him. So the quickest way for me to get to him is to use his men’s shoulders as platforms to reach him.

It didn’t give a second to get in front of him and I gave him a straight kick on his knees.

*Crack!*

“GUHAAAAAA!!!”

That’s it, squirm, cry, beg for you pathetic life you disgusting sewer rat. You can even pray for god, but even he won’t save you.

“No wai…I don…want to die!!!”

“You might say that, but once you do gain that power, you’ll start killing people, a lot of people. But if that was plan to begin with, then you should already know the first rule and that’s “Kill or be killed”.”

With this, the people I care about will be safe.

“Ghuoo…”

I wasn’t able to notice this person coming so I got tackle from my right side.

But what surprises me more is this person’s strength. I’m pinned down and I can’t even move my body.

“Ple…se James, wake…p…thi…isn…like you.”

James? Did this guy just call me by name? How does he…no, how does she know me?

“James? can yo…hear me?”

Why does her voice sound familiar to me? No…it must be a trick of some kind.

“Let go of grhh…me!”

“Not until you come back to your senses.”

Wait…I think I remember that voice…

“You have got to remember me, it’s me Ana, I requested for you to call me that.”

Ana? Where did I hear that name? Wait…Anastasia? That’s right; I remember that name, especially that flower field

atmosphere whenever she talks! And here I thought I got used to it.

“If my name is not going to wake you then I’ll have to use something you would never suspect!”

Huh? What is she saying? I’m alright now.

“Wait, I’m fine now An—mph!?”

“Chup—mmh…*smack*…mmm…chu.”

Ehh!? Why are you kissing me!? How in the world did it come to this!?

“Mmmp…puha—no wait—chup…Ana I’m—mmph!?.”

Was that her tongue just now!? Whoa! Never mind, it is her tongue and it’s inside my mouth right now.

I know I should be turned on right now, with all the kissing. But there is one thing more important to me this very moment.

And that is air.

Some people call kissing “Sucking face”, but if she keeps this up, I won’t have air left for my lungs. I want to free myself, but Ana is just too strong.

“Um…Anastasia? I think you can stop now.”

Yay! My saviors Abigail is here! Please help me quick! I’m literally seeing a whit light here and that’s saying a lot since I’m inside a cave!

“Mmmmm…puhaa…is he alright now? James, are you alright?”

“Yeah, just a little out winded.”

“Good to see you back with us Moriarty.”

“Hey there Mr. Douf, sorry you had to see that.”

“It’s alright, but what happened to you back there? Do you remember what happened?”

“To tell you the truth, I rather forget about it.”

Maybe because of Ana’…umm…display earlier, they are able to regain their composure, though I still notice the security

have their fingers on the rifle’s trigger. I can’t really blame them for it.

I slowly stood up, while still having Ana hug me from the side and look at my surroundings.

The number of golems increased but most of them have turned into rubles.

*Sigh* thank god that no one got hurt.

“Hey guys, where did the guy in the hood go?”

Huh? Now that I Abigail mentioned it, where did Hikens go?

*Grrrrrrr…*

More shaking? Don’t tell me there’s another cave in?

“You stinking lowly brat! I’ll make you regret attacking me!”

We weren’t able to notice, But Hikens is already on the other side of the dome, took out a vile and ran deeper inside.

“This is bad, we need to stop him. If not he’ll…

*THUD!!!*

Wow, what in the world was that? That wasn’t an earth quake at all!

Not only does the shaking getting stronger but pieces of the dome’s ceiling is falling.

“We need to get out of here, fast!”

Just like what Rusty said, we need to get out of here or we’ll be buried alive!

“But what about the guy in the hood!?”

I somewhat understand why Abigail is angry at him for kidnapping her mentor, but we don’t really have time for him.

We thought the falling ceiling is a problem but the remaining golems started to charge at us. So I grabbed Ana and Abigail by their hand and ran to the upper floor.

Whatever Hikens is doing in there it’s destroying the entire cave! We need to move faster if we want to reach the entrance, I can do it but leaving these guys isn’t really an option for me to choose.

We had a few run-ins with golems, but those are the normal ones, so Rusty’s subordinates we’re able to take care of them.

And again, Abigail’s inferior stamina made her fall to her knees.

“Forget gym class, I’ll apply for a membership in an athletic center once we get out here.”

…are the things she said as I carry her on my back.

We continue our desperate running and finally see the entrance. Rusty’s subordinates must have kept the entrance open for us.

This is good, as long as we keep this pace, we’ll be able to get out of here in no ti—

“ROAAAAAAR!!!”

The sudden roar made the ground shake so our footing got messed up, making most of us trip.

*CRACK!!!*

And due to the vibrations of that roar. The cave-in has gotten even faster.

“Move it people! Come on!”

Rusty helps his men up while Mr. Douf did the same. Ana in the other hand is able to get out along with Chilton. I’m the

last one along with Abigail who is on my back.

Eventually Mr. Douf and the other are able to get out while I’m just right behind them.

“ROAAAAAAAR!!!”

I was running straight to the exit but because of that 2nd roar I was blocked by a fallen stalagmite and had to run go sideways.

But I was too late, not only stalagmites fell to the ground but the ceiling itself. But before the entrance got blocked, someone dove in.

“James!? Ms. Abigail!? Are you alright!?”

It was the woman who gave out the image of a fairy; Ana boldly dove in the cave.

“Wha…what in the world are you thinking!? Why did you dive in here!?”

I have every right to get mad at her, but…

“I will not lose sight of you again James! Do you have any idea how scared I was when you disappeared back at the faculty building!? I will not experience that again!”

“Ok, I’m sorry.”

Man, once a woman starts screaming at you, you won’t be able to talk back.

While Ana continue to scold me, I put Abigail down because she said so herself that she doesn’t want any part of this.

After a long scolding from Ana, we looked for an opening but to our misfortune, we couldn’t find any openings.

“*Sigh* looks like will be her for a while.”

I wanted to agree with Abigail, but I don’t think we have the luxury to wait for help.

“We won’t have time for that Abigail. The cave-in isn’t over yet, if we stay here any longer we’ll be buried and not to mention our limited air.”

“What!? Then what should we do!?”

She’s right, we need to do something. Damn it, if only I have “Them”, I’ll be able to get us out of here.

“Can’t you use your super strength or something?”

“Huh? Since when do I have super strength? I can control my muscles and bones well, but that doesn’t mean I can lift a car.”

I’m no super hero.

“Umm… I know of a way to help us get out of here.”

Ana raised her hand reluctantly while Abigail and I ponder.

As long as we have an idea, I’ll take that chance then choke and die in here.

“But before that, can you make me a promise James?”

“Huh? What’s this all about?”

“Promise me that you won’t hate me after this, or at least don’t say it to me in person.”

“I doubt that I would ever hate you Ana, but what’s that got to do with your plan?”

“I’m really happy to hear that from you. Now please give me some room.”

Abigail and I look at each other puzzled as we walk way as requested.

Seriously, just what is Ana planning on doing?

Ana then closed her eyes while breathing in a rhythm and started to say a chant of some sort.

“My body is steel and so as my blood. I, Anastasia Douva call for the inheritance of the Fallen that flows within. Grant me the power to crush my enemy!!!”

As Ana’s chant end, her body covered in light, flashed.

A strong force pushed us back but Abigail and I grab hold on each other and I covered her from the incoming stones flying over to us.

*CRASH!!!*

When we heard the crushing sound, we found the ceiling of the cave has a very big gaping hole.

But the place where Ana is supposedly standing isn’t there anymore. The one that is standing in her place, which even surpasses the height of the cave’s ceiling, is a giant that stands about 40 or 45 feet.

Thought it’s a giant, one could easily see it’s a woman, it kind of look like she’s wearing a leotard so you could see her slender body.

Her skin has a pale pink and white color.

She has long shining silver hair and what seem to look like a masquerade mask that goes around her head that makes it look like a halo. Under that mask is a glittering light-violet colored eyes.

“S—so, what do you think?”

She didn’t open her mouth, but is we still heard her voice echoing inside our heads.

As she says those words, she tries to cover her body with her hands in an embarrassed manner.

I was a little confused at first, but that fairy like voice can only belong to one person I know.

Of course I’ll answer her honestly, whether she is a giant or not, my thought to her will still be the same. Just like when we first met, she will remain…

“Beautiful.”

“…………Kya! James, thank you!”

Whoa! Be careful! Where still down here you know!

“Hey, Moriarty?”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Is it wrong for me to think she’s adorable even though she a giant?”

“I think its fine; I feel the same way to actually.”

I want her to stop stomping her feet though, she might accidentally step on us.

But this explains why Ana has that amazing strength.

Anastasia Douva is one of those powerful giants that are told in the bible, giants that have the blood of angels flowing inside them.

The great and powerful giants that are named “Nephilim”.

But even so, Ana will always remain beautiful no matter what she is.

“James thinks I’m beautiful. Kyaa~ I’m so happy.”

*Stomp!* *Stomp!* *Stomp!*

But I really want her to stop moving so much though; neither of us wants to look like pre-chewed bubble gum.