Unable to make it in time, Avner stood guard against the possible wave of attacks.

“I-I can move.”

“What the hell.”

“That’s not what’s important. We need to esca..”

Ivan and Questria noticed the pressure lifted.

Lighting crackled, Avner drew another arc in front.

Blurred, it looked like multiple swings had been drafted from a single motion.

The lasers were all eaten by the black sword. Trisha couldn’t help but be gobsmacked by the sight.

He, who nearly died last time. He, who was merely a fledgling.

Where did this strength come from?

From where did he receive such an integration?

The Rakshasa crossed both its arms and took the bombardment head on. Still charging, The Seraph leapt to the sky. Rings of light appeared before The Seraph. Laser rained upon The Rakshasa.

With the diversion, Avner tilted his head to look at the trio.

This pressure.

It was just like last time.

She didn’t understand what it was back then. He even called it bloodlust.

But..

“Go already.”

There’s no doubt that this was the same divine pressure released by The Seraphs.

Ivan tugged at Trisha.

“Let’s go.”

“How about you?” Questria asked.

“I have something to take care of,” Avner turned back to the tussle of the two higher beings.

“You seriously.. you’re going to your death!”

“She’s suffering.”

“Avner!”

Trisha’s message didn’t reach him. By the time the words left her mouth Avner had already disappeared, leaving a yellow trial that reached towards the sky.

Light sparkled around The Seraph that seemed to be defending against something. The Rakshasa pushed against the laser barrage and jumped from the ground, causing an intense tremor to spread.

Avner was strong without a doubt.

But to what degree? Being able to fight as equals against The Seraph?

They were witnessing the impossible.

“He gave us this chance so let's go.”

“But..”

“He’s buying us time.”

Though Ivan may not understand why that young demon did as he did, he prioritized their life above anything.

So he scooped her up into his arms and together with Questria, ran.

===

The happening of the war was ablur. Trisha watched as the scenery passed by. Explosions continued to shake the domain. Red light, gold light, orange light.

“Who is that guy? Trisha.”

“He’s a.. someone I had entered our fleet temporarily..”

“No different from A Rakshasa. Hey. Do you think he could be a fallen Seraph that somehow got converted into a demon.”

“Not the time for jokes Ivan. Consider Trisha’s feelings can’t you?”

“My bad. Trisha, are you alright?”

“I’m fine but he.. what if he dies?”

“Just turn him into a craft.”

Trisha shot a look at Ivan.

“Though I forgot everything about the war, my skills remained. I had to get used to it of course,” he followed up with a shrug.

“That’s..”

That’s possible.

“What now? The war is still going on. Do you want to leave The Boundary?”

They’ve come close to the edge.

“No.”

[“Does anyone know from where the second Rakshasa came from?”]

[“It’s small though. I’ve never seen a Rakshasa like that. It looks more like a Seraph to me. Two different gold lights.”]

[“It’s Avner.”]

The replies stopped there.

RRRAAAWWWWWWKWKKKKKHHHHHHH!!!

Yellow light flashed. The sound of what felt like flesh being torn echoed across the battlefield.

A red mass fell from the sky.

Turning gradually into particles of light.

“What the..”

“The Rakshasa died, it seems. Victory goes to you. We need to leave.”

“No.. not yet.”

It was very clear to everyone that The Rakshasa had died.

So then.

That other light..

“He’s seriously going head-to-head with a Seraph? He’s insane.”

Gold and orange weaved into one, creating webs of lighting that extended like infinite tree roots.

Trisha had dragged him into this situation.

And now he’s risking his life.

At any time the battle can turn.

Now that The Rakshasa is gone, The Seraph will aim for him. Yet.

Why exactly?

She’s suffering?

The Seraph?

What did he mean by that?

“As long as he’s still fighting. How can I, the admiral, leave so soon?”

“Trisha. Don’t be stubborn. If you die it’s over.”

“I have insurance. I can die once, but not for him.”

Even though she knows that there’ll be almost no effect in trying to give support to Avner as the battle was at such a scale that angels and demons were nothing but ants, her conscience didn’t allow her to just sit still.

He can’t die.

Not yet.

===

Black and white melted into one.

The pain of being seared in light burned into her mind.

Colours returned, smeared all across her vision.

Sentience came back to her as she fell forward on the table.

Cold sweat poured from her skin.

“Hahaha.. It would’ve been better if I killed myself.”

Trisha slammed her fist against the table.

The war had ended.

What felt like a second in reality, encompassed a war which lasted who knows how long.

And Trisha didn’t even manage to make it past the 6 hour mark before her life came to an end.

{CALCULATING RESULTS OF THE WAR…}

{Results have been archived}

{Check menu to view}

What was the result of it?

Trisha tapped the side of her glasses and initiated the AR interface.

Messages came pouring in the ALPINE group chat.

[“Too bad.”]

[“The demons won.”]

[“GG.”]

[“I can’t believe he took down The Seraph.”]

[“Trisha also died mid way didn’t she? How are you?”]

[“I’m alright. Lost a revival unit, but still here.”]

Trisha trembled. Even though she was afraid of the truth, she knew she needed to know.

[“How about Avner? What happened to him?”]

A bunch of stickers began pouring into the chat. Tirsha wasn’t able to glean anything information from that except that the situation turned out grim. Stickers that shrugged, stickers that shook their heads, stickers that showed crying.

{CORE DEFENSE FAILURE}

{THE DEMONS HAVE CAPTURED ZONE 21_ALSKA}

{WAR DURATION: 19 hours}

It was a short war.

{Trisha Handell: Terminated}

{Areais Cass: Survived}

{Dorry Lance: Terminated}

{Rieen Smith: Terminated}

{Priale Horan: Survived}

…

The results came one after another. The casualties were greater than the last time.

If not for the precautionary revival units given out to everyone, someone’s life could’ve..

{Avner Cross: Terminated}

===

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