When the light finally died down, I found myself…

Still standing.

Here I was, surrounded by a torrent of bright red, molten metal bits.

And…

"Haaah… haaah… haaah…"

I could see the camp, barricade, parts of the forest, now completely gone. Not to mention the dull glass that had been formed in places.

There wasn't even any fire to see. Everything was charred completely.

What the hell was that magic of her's...?

But to think that… something so destructive.. was diverted by something I thought up, on the spot.

It took me a moment to recover from the initial surprise.

But when I finally looked around, I saw that she wasn't here anymore.

The Devil fled!

SHE FLED!!!!

"YOU FUCKING WENCH!!!!!! YOU COWARDLY! FUCKING! WENCH!!!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

How could she…?

How could that wench, be so cowardly…

You're telling me… that the person who orchestrated my abuse… isn't even ready to feel the same thing done to herself…?!

That does it.

THAT. FUCKING. DOES IT.

I relaxed myself. But, my vision was just red. No. It never wasn't red, since our fight started.

But… this was different, I didn't have anywhere to take my rage out!

I needed to calm myself down, before I hurt myself!

BUT HOW?!

I took notice of the bodies that still moved.

That should work… right…?

I approached them, with chattering teeth, and my brows scrunched up together.

Then… I buried the molten balls into their bodies. Forcing them deeper and deeper down their skin.

They screamed. Altogether, like a chorus. But even through that, I hear the sizzling of their flesh.

"IT'S YOUR FAULT FOR BEING SO HARDY! BLAME YOUR COMMANDER, TOO! SHE'S THE REASON THAT YOU'RE ALL HERE!"

I was being erratic. I knew that. But I needed to get this rage out of the way.

I watched them crawl, plea, and cry.

"... Please…! Stop…!"

"Mercy…!"

"... Forgive us…!"

They begged me, and the Gods to spare them.

And seeing all that, a bright smile crept up on my face.

This was enough…

Not only have I displayed my objective superiority…

I've also proven that even when brought to my lowest, I was still far more dignified than them.

Why?

Objectively looking at them all, as they finally succumb to their wounds… how different was I, exactly…?

If things kept going the same route, I would've died in exactly as much agony as they did.

There was only one difference between me, and them.

I could retaliate and win.

They couldn't.

Not in a million years.

But, as the last of them grabbed my ankle, then promptly died, I finally calmed down, letting out a loud sigh.

No…

That's not correct.

I wouldn't have gotten this far without him...

"Hrrrngh..."

I noticed that the red had still not disappeared. The filter was weaker now. But…

That's still all I saw.

Why was I calm, then…?

I had no answer, expect the pounding of my heart, echoing in my ears!

What else can I possibly let my rage out on…?!

Stop it!

Stop it, already!

I don't have anything else to destroy!

STOP!!!

"Haah… haaah… Guila!?"

A voice came from the front of the barricade.

Raising my head, I saw him there. Panting heavily, with his arms on his knees, as he looked around the carnage that I had caused.

He looked afraid. I could see it in the way that he looked at me.

He ought to be…

"Why did you come here…?"

My pounding heartbeat, it got louder and louder, ordering me to walk forward. To my next target.

"Guila… are you okay…?"

"What do you think?!"

One, two, and three… f-. It took me three dragging steps, before I collapsed to my knees.

I don't know why, but…

I just didn't want to stand anymore…

Then, I saw metal pieces start raining from above. Some dropping onto my head or my shoulders

My Mana… it must be at it's limits.

Is this… what Mana sickness feels like…?

The ringing… the ringing in my ears… it hurts… so… so… much…

"Guila…!"

Though distant, I heard him yell.

Then, strong arms held me on either side, before I was promptly swept off my feet.

I didn't resist…

I might have kill him, if I did.

My eyelids... they felt so heavy. Every time I blinked… it felt like a minute had passed.

He brought me to a tent. Then, laid me down on a large sleeping bag.

It was hard… rough too. But… it was also the best surface that I've laid on, for the past month.

"Rest up."

I heard him say, before I felt his rough palm caress my forehead.

What is wrong with you…?

I wanted to ask him. But no words came out of my mouth.

Did you seriously run all the way back here, just for me...?

I just stared at him, hazily, into his dull blue lapiz eyes, that were the exact opposite of my own bright ruby reds.

It only lasted for a moment, before he broke away, grabbed a medicine bag from nearby and undid my messy work.

Under his careful touch, I twisted and turned, feeling hotter and hotter with every passing second.

I couldn't even begin to think of sleeping!

I wanted something…!

I needed to… to get it out of my system!

There must be some other way other than hurting him!

Weakly, with blurred vision, I tugged on his shirt.

"Anthony…"

It was a voice I never, ever thought, I was going to hear myself say. Especially not after what had just happened in the past few hours.

I was needy. Truly in need. It was no ploy. Nor did I have anything else in mind.

I just wanted him…

"No. Got to sleep."

He pulled my hand off and placed it on my chest, before going back to my wounds.

"I'm not taking advantage of you. You'll think more clearly in the morning."

I felt cheated.

Irritated.

Angry, even. But… hearing him say that…

I smiled.

"... thank you…"

All this month, I've been forced to understand that people would always take advantage of you, when you're weak.

Thank you…

For being different.

Even if you might just be lying…

Thank you.

With relief washing over me, I finally let go of my grip on consciousness.