Chapter 38

Come and Get Me

Stepping into the muddy ground, we pull our hoods tight only to find how little it does to protect us against the rain. Although our eyes are protected, it hardly matters because I can’t see ten strides in front of me.

“How far are we going?” teacher asked upon reaching Berwen’s borders.

“Just up that hill,” Anlong said, pointing up the incline as he leads us past the back gate of some farmer’s barn, leading outside the village’s fences.

We continue with a trek uphill, occasionally looking back to make sure no one is following us. After a short while, a small clearing comes into view.

Standing in the middle are several connected tents, large enough to make shelter for about twenty people. There’s already people present, evident from the shadows cast from the lanterns inside.

Anlong leads us in the tents, and as soon as we enter, the loud rain is quickly drowned by the silent stares of the people inside, tracing to us, and then to teacher.

“…Elder Inzhi?” one of the men called out. “You’re in this as well?”

“Yes, but… I don’t exactly know what ‘this’ is.”

“No one here knows the exact plan yet,” another man joined, “but it sure is a relief to see a trustworthy face here.”

I quietly slip away as they start to crowd around her. I wouldn’t want anyone to recognize me.

Looking around, my eyes meet with another on a familiar face. His gaze lingered over me for a while, probably curious if I’m really who he thinks I am. Before I could get away, though…

“Aren’t you supposed to be dead?”

…Karyat.

Ah, well, I suppose I could use some company.

Yeah. This is a secret, but... I'm actually a dead girl walking, I wink at him. Seeing him giving no apparent response, I continue, I was Douzhen’s beloved student. He simply didn’t have the heart.

“...I see. He needed you alive to convince your teacher.”

You're wrong. It’s ‘my’ help that he needs.

He eyes widen, fire brewing behind them. “Your help doesn’t amount to the risk you'd bring. You shouldn’t be here.”

Oh… I tilt my head,

you’re still not over that?

“You tried to kill us.”

But I didn’t in the end.

“Because Douzhen stopped you. He should’ve put an end to you right then.”

Is that what ‘you’ would’ve done?

He only keeps glaring at me as a reply, so I let him glare at my back because he’s not being a very good company.

Despite the hole he’s boring into my back, I somehow know he won’t tell on me. He already surmised his own argument on why I should stay alive without my help, so let’s just leave it at that.

I was looking around again to see if there’s anyone else I know when Douzhen walks into the tent. Following behind him is that one elder who-shall-not-be-named.

Because I don't remember his name.

“Fay, there you are,” teacher said, suddenly grabbing my arm from behind. “Keep your hood down. That man really wants you dead,”

Him?

“Elder Hanre. He’s the one who proposed you executed, Douzhen said so.”

“I apologize for the wait,” Douzhen started as he looks over us. “First off, is everyone here?”

With a few silent nods, he continues, “We thank you all for being here despite knowing the risks. We’re going directly against the final decision of the council and therefore can be branded as conspirators just by being here. I trust everyone here can keep their discretion as to what their whereabouts are during this time. We’ll make this brief as possible.”

He looks towards the elder beside him. “Elder Hanre, if you may?”

The man called Hanre steps forward. Excluding teacher, he would be the youngest among the elders, and would’ve looked like it if he ever decided to trim that overgrown bush covering his entire jaw. He sweeps his gaze around us, pausing momentarily on either me or teacher before clearing his throat.

“The vale is in a crisis. It is my regret to inform you that we, the elders, decided that the best course of action is to sit and wait for help. Three out of the seven elders were against it, but alas, here we are—the people with the courage to fight, with those three elders among them.”

Oh… he included teacher among the three elders.

In reality, the vote was actually two against four because teacher lost her right for a voice in the Hall of Elders.

Elder Hanre sits on the carpeted ground, motioning the others to make themselves comfortable as well.

“I will now explain the plan.”

◊ ◊ ◊

Earlier, Douzhen said that they’ll “make this as brief as possible,”. As it turns out, that “brief as possible” stretched on to hours.

The plan itself is rather straightforward.

The battle force will be split into two; the larger diversion team to lure out the beasts, and the hunter team that will infiltrate the demon’s territory and kill it. Meanwhile the non-battle force will be handling the infrastructure needed, such us securing a supply and communication line between the two teams. Every part is thought out to the specifics… except for one big hole.

“Elder, about the diversion team, how many beasts are they expecting?”

The one who finally asked about it is Karyat.

“A few hundreds, at most.”

“A few hundreds? If we want to reach the demon, drawing out a mere hundred beasts can’t be enough. There’s thousands of them out there.”

“That’s because most of the demon’s spawns will be somewhere else,” Douzhen cut in.

“…That’s right. And that’s what the signal parameter is for, which is to start the plan at the exact moment when the demon’s defenses are the weakest,” Hanre further explained.

Everyone starts looking at each other, unsure about what the elder is talking about.

“Elder, my ‘watcher’ team is responsible for this signal, but what is it, exactly?” someone else asked.

There’s a hint of resignation in Hanre‘s eyes, yet his voice is determined as he explains everything.

Within the isolation of the vale, an elder’s figure is the only source of both of wisdom and leadership, accumulated throughout their years of service to the three courts. Only the mightiest drachtals and the wisest augurs are chosen, thus it should be a rare occurrence to see one of the vale’s denizens talk back to one of these esteemed elders.

“Demon! You’re the demon’s advocate!”

“You fucking snake-tongue!”

“Filthy coward. You’d rather sacrifice others than risk your own life…”

Here we are, openly throwing insults at one of those esteemed elders, as if competing to see who has the best slurs. It was a natural outcome. The signal parameter he integrated into the plan, the ingenuity, and the inhumanity of it… not anyone could’ve come up with it. Not anyone could bear that burden. It should be expected that he’d be answered with such a glorious reply, and judging from his reaction, he did see it coming.

Under all that flame, Hanre stays his gaze forward, silent and unflinching, patiently waiting for whatever comes next.

“…And you, Brother Douzhen? You’re fine with this?” Karyat switched his target.

“Regretfully, yes. This plan… as hard as it is to accept, it’s the vale’s best chance of survival.”

Karyat’s grits his teeth upon hearing that, his hands clawing themselves in frustration. The same vexation can be seen on basically everyone else, everyone but Hanre himself, who now turns his attention to teacher.

“…Inzhi, elder or not, your voice may be the one that matters the most. I’m afraid this plan won’t go well without your help.”

“Eh?” teacher exclaimed.

Hanre, you fucking bastard.

Just as I’m about to stand, teacher pushes my shoulder down with one hand to keep me hidden in the crowd. She briefly glances at me, ordering me with her eyes, - don’t you fucking dare -.

“I… know better than most that sometimes, sacrifices are the only way we can achieve something,” she replied, answering Hanre‘s eyes. “I’m with my mentor on this one. Inaction would be the worst action to take against a demon. We must take the initiative.”

With her words, the crowd’s rage is somewhat doused, only to be replaced by an equally constricting silence.

“Even you, Inzhi?” Karyat said.

Not only him, others seem to be dejected as well seeing their favorite elder agreeing to the plan.

“Very well,” Hanre clears his throat, “for those of you that still have questions, raise your hands. I will address all of your doubts to the best that I can.”

◊ ◊ ◊

Pretty much everyone had their hands raised.

In the end, the meeting was cut short as only so much time can pass with two elders missing without raising suspicions. Most of the attendants were still upset long after Hanre left the tent. Some of them, I think, even directed that enmity towards teacher. It was nothing more than them stealing glances at her and then cursing in silence, but it was more than enough.

I practically dragged her out of that place.

The walk downhill felt much faster than the climb. I followed teacher with my head hung, my eyes fixed on her unperturbed steps while I try to figure out what’s on her mind. Before I could, however, we’re already back at the village hall.

“Fay," she called out as we walked through the foyer. “The elders should be gone by now. If you want, you can sleep in my room.”

Where will you sleep?

“Where else?” she shrugged.

You want us to sleep together?

“Look, I just don’t want you to end up at the stables.”

…Okay. You go on ahead. I still have something I need to do.

“Fay,” she grabs onto my hand. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

I─I’m not.

“Where are you going, then?”

Teacher, I’m just…

“I won’t let your hand go before you promise, Fay. Tell me what is it you need to─”

Teacher, I need to pee.

“…Oh, err…”

She finally lets me go after that.

Geez, even though she promised not to keep a leash on me anymore. I suppose people can’t change that easily. Although frankly, as annoying as it is, I find this part of her rather endearing in way.

...Well, just a bit.

As darkness falls, so does it blanket the corridors. The storm has long covered the stars, leaving only the candles hanging by the doors to help me find my way.

Just as I’m about to go back after taking care of business, I notice a presence inside the main hall, the place where I did some… ahem, inexcusable mischief towards the elderly.

According to teacher, the elders should have already moved to a more secure location, while the original tenants have long been evacuated to acquisition. There shouldn’t be anyone else left aside from a few guards and the people from the gathering earlier.

I try to sneak a peek at the figure, thinking that I would play a little prank if it turns out to be Anlong.

……

It’s not Anlong.

Standing alone in the darkness, Hanre traces his gaze over the empty table as if the map of the vale is still there. His mouth moves slightly, whispering inaudible spells to himself.

Elder Hanre, I walk out of the darkness to greet him.

“…You?” his eyes widened in surprise. “How come you’re here?”

Save the act, elder. I know you saw me back there.

Back in the gathering, he clearly noticed knew who I am.

“You know that I’m behind your execution order, yet you openly approach me. So, I ask you again; how come you’re here?”

Exactly. How come I’m ‘still’ here? Why are you letting me live?

“…Douzhen and Inzhi went as far as to hide you. I dare imagine what they’d do if I actually killed you. But you didn’t come out just to ask me that, did you?”

You’re right. I came here to warn you.

“Warn me?”

If you even think of using my teacher as your scapegoat, I will burn you. And I promise you, Douzhen won’t be around to stop me this time.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

You said in front of everyone that her involvement is crucial to the plan. You gave her a chance to stop your plan.

‘She could’ve stopped it.’ That’s what people would think if it all goes wrong.

“I see where you’re coming from,” he sighed, breaking his gaze as he continues in a mellow voice, “I understand now why Inzhi chose you as her apprentice. True, you may be sharp, but what you said couldn’t have been further from the truth. It was never my intention to put Inzhi in a difficult position. Quite the opposite, really. I intended to establish the importance of her role, even if she no longer has her seat as an elder.”

So you let her sanction the sacrifice the people of the vale, just like she did at Panear? I wonder how people would see her then?

“In the first place, the only people who knew what happened are the ones who were there, and then some select few. And even if the incident got out, why would anyone care? Why would they hold a grudge over some people from the south that they barely knew? Inzhi had done a great deal for the vale. Her friends far outnumber her enemies.”

“Some people from the south”… except if this plan of yours is to work, it won’t be just a few hundred people, wouldn’t it?

“…No. But the blame won’t be on her head. I’ll make sure of that.”

You say that, but you don’t even seem to realize the biggest flaw in your plan.

His eyes flicker with interest, returning his gaze to me. “And that is…?”

You can’t make people agree that easily, especially if it involves putting their friends and families in danger. It’s very likely that the someone will tell the elders about the gathering, and once they know─

“Oh, they will. I’m depending on that.”

…And you’re okay with it? With the other elders knowing about your plan? You’re okay with them persecuting you for not warning them about the coming attack?

“I have warned them. They simply decided to stand their ground against it.”

I thought you were recruiting people? If they knew about the attack, they’d have everyone defend Acquisition and leave you no pawns to use for your plan.

“Darling," he chuckled, "I already have enough people for that. Capable people. People that I trust, including your teacher.”

Then you could’ve just talk to her personally. Why even bother set up that gathering…

…Ah.

…the signal?

A listless smile forms on his face. “The signal.”

…This guy. As I thought, he’s just like that person. Only a certain kind of people can be this ruthless.

By letting the elders know, it would let them prepare against the oncoming attack. While it may seem like the proper thing to do, Hanre’s motives is that the longer acquisition holds against the horde, the more time would be bought for his plan to work. By the time they realize the severity of the attack, they would have no other choice but to cooperate with him.

They’d have no choice but to signal their own doom.

“…How many?”

Eh?

“How many demons have you faced before?”

With Lyrfanas, it would be nine.

…Just one.

“’Just one’ would give you more insight on the matter of demons than any of the elders. Now that you know the entirety of my plan, do you think it would work?”

Oh, so now you ask me.

“I could always use a different perspective.”

Well, here’s my “perspective”. You based this plan from how the demon acted in one battle. You based it from only one day of war. How can you expect it to work?

“It’s exactly as you said. One day. One battle, one day of war. That’s all it took for us to lose everything south of Panear. How much would be lost by the time a proper strategy is made?”

…He has a point.

The demon could’ve broken through the ridge if it didn’t pull back its forces, so why? Why would it give up that chance, just because of an alpha’s dying roar? If my guess is correct, then…

…It will work, I answered, turning my back to leave.

Just not in the way you think it would.

“I see,” he whispered, “then that’s good enough.”

I walk back to where teacher is, but not before hearing him whisper behind me, "Good luck, demon hunter."

--- --- ---

“You took your time,” was thrown at my face as soon as I walked in.

Oh, sorry, were you waiting for me?

“I was on guard. You know, just in case something burned up.”

Hah. Don’t worry, I’m too tired to even try.

I take off my dripping wet coat and footwear, then take my place beside her on the bed.

…Well this is comfy.

“Would you rather sleep on the floor?”

No, this is fine, I turn towards her.

Due to how small the bed is, our bodies are almost touching under the blanket, with nothing but the darkness and the sound of rain to distract us from that closeness. If it was before, this distance would’ve been awkward, but now, there’s only a comfortable warmth.

Teacher.

“Hmm?”

Do you remember that promise you made?

She clumsily withdrew her eyes from mine. “Uhh…”

You forgot.

“O─Of course not, but uhm… I know I promised you three months, but I didn’t know you couldn’t write back then, so… no, in the first place, I should’ve─”

Not that one.

“Eh?”

…Teacher, after this is over, can you tell me more about you?

“About me?”

Yes. Everything about you. Your whole story.

Her eyes widen as she remembers her words from back then.

‘Someday, I’ll tell you my whole story and on that day, you will tell me yours as well.’

“…Yeah,” she smiled. “I’ll do that.”

◊ ◊ ◊

I had a dream.

It wasn’t the usual visits to the past. This time, it was… different.

After teacher had gone to sleep, I found myself staring at the dark ceiling above us and there, hidden in the darkness, a pair of deep red eyes answered my gaze.

「 Where are you going, brat? 」

Back. I’m coming back. I promise.

「 You promise? 」 he laughed, 「 Like you did last time, before you betrayed us? 」

I couldn’t answer. Still couldn’t. He tilted his head at me.

「 Liar. 」

Then he disappeared into the darkness, only to be replaced by another pair of eyes. A pair of glowing ambers.

「 Little lass, hath thou found what thou art looking for? 」

No, I… I’m working on it.

「 Why art thou looking for it? 」

To save you.

“Just them?” the voice came from beside me. In teacher’s place was a luphaen laying down on her side. Her lips curved into a bewitching smile, whispering to me, “They’re not the only ones you left behind.”

I had to leave.

“Why? We had everything. You, and me…” her hand reached out to caress my cheek.

I reached out as well, and just then...

“Fay…”

It was teacher’s voice that finally woke me up.

When I came to, a dim light is already pouring from the window. I look beside me to see teacher still sleeping, her figure hidden under the blanket.

She called my name earlier. Was she sleep-talking?

Then I hear a soft whimper, as if someone is silently crying. At first, I thought it’s me, but I realize now that it’s the person beside me.

Teacher…

I start caressing her head, which seems to ease her because the tears stop… or so I thought.

“…What are you doing?” she asked, her eyes wide open.

Ah, uh…

She narrows her eyes at me, demanding an answer but suddenly realizing something. Her hand moves to her own face, feeling the wetness beneath her eyes.

“Was I…”

Yeah.

She can only look down in embarrassment at my answer. Thankfully, that moment didn’t last long because a soft knock sounds from the door.

I promptly jump over and slightly open the door. Anlong’s face is what’s behind it, his mouth breaking into a stifled smile upon seeing my face.

“It’s time.”

--- --- ---

“Is everyone set?” Douzhen asked as he looks over the faces of everyone present once again.

Besides me and teacher, there’s Karyat, Anlong, and four other people that I’ve never met before. Out of those four, one is an augur, and the other three is a drachtal, judging from the color of their robes.

The people here, if it’s according to Hanre’s plan, should be the vale’s quickest and strongest. After all, we’re the hunter team, the demon hunters with a mission to, as you can guess, hunt a demon. So… why is Anlong here?

“We’re all ready,” Karyat answered for all of us.

“Then all that’s left is to wait for the second signal. This is your last chance to do what you need to do, but don’t stray too far. The signal may come at any time.”

He basically leaves us to our own devices after that.

Berwen is pretty much abandoned by now. The diversion team has already departed to their starting positions on the first signal, so all that’s left now are the hunters and a handful of guards. Other than the village hall, which we’re currently using to shelter from the unending rain, all houses and buildings are closed down with the doors and windows bolted shut.

The villagers must be planning on returning here if they took the trouble to seal up their houses.

“Of course. On another note, look over there,” teacher points at a certain person sitting alone in the village hall’s porch.

What about him?

“He looks down.”

Uh-huh?

I can guess why.

“Go see if you can cheer him up,” she urged with a weird smile on her face.

How? He can’t even hear me.

And why should I do that in the first place?

“Trust me, you won't even need him to hear you. Just go.”

I… guess she has a point?

Having someone not at their best could bring down the rest, and since our target is a demon, the consequences of a failure is sure to be fatal for all of us. I understand that, but… what’s that wink for, teacher? You’re not misunderstanding something, are you? Oy, what about our moment together last night?

Resigning myself to teacher’s antics, I approach the crestfallen boy, who somehow still manages to look handsome even with those huge bags under his eyes.

Anlong, I greet him with a smile.

He languidly smiles back at me, “Hello, Fay.”

Something weighing your mind?

“...They’re fighting right now,” he said, and I don’t need to ask who he’s talking about. He stares at the distance, more asking himself than me, “Do you think Zethran is still there?”

He must be. Maybe Ranlan as well.

“The first signal this morning meant that the attack has begun. The people back there are all fighting for their lives and yet all we’re doing is wait. I know it’s for the greater good, but… what if we fail? What if the second signal never came? What if…”

Hey, I slap his shoulder, gaining his attention before raising a fist to him.

“Huh?”

Come on.

He awkwardly makes a fist of his own and bump it with mine. Keeping them in contact, I move my face in front of him so that our eyes meet.

One thing I learned from my thought transference is that both skin and eye contact can enhance it, making it so that even normal people can “feel” my thoughts, at least to an extent.

Remember how we beat Akulay?

“Uh… Fay?”

We did it, Anlong. Us four from jade. We’re the best the acquisition has to offer, and those two are at the top of jade. You don’t think mere beasts can take them down, do you?

He nods understandingly. “Those two are strong, is what you’re saying to me, right?”

Yeah.

“You’re right. I merely lack faith. Thank you…”

With my job done, I pull away my hand. Or try to, because Anlong already has my wrist in his grip before I could react.

“Fay, there’s no telling if we would survive this mission. This could be our last moments together.”

Huh?

“I’ve been meaning to tell you something, and now that we’re nearing the end, there’s no longer anything holding me back.”

A─Actually, I think this could wait…

“The truth is, I─”

“Heads up!” the augur yelled.

High in the skies above us, flocks of birds emerge from the distance. They converge unto one point and start circling around, forming a ring of wings that seems to get bigger and bigger until it finally disperses into every direction.

“That’s the signal!” teacher shouted.

Douzhen explosively broke out from the village hall’s doors, blaring out, “Let’s move!”

“Fay!” teacher runs up to the porch. “Can you keep up?”

Of course I ca─

Before I could finish, I’m already being carried. Guess who has me in his arms.

“Leave her to me,” he said.

Teacher briefly raises her eyebrow before letting out a little smile. “Take care of her, alright?”

“I will,” he turns his gaze to me, “until death do us part.”

I turn my face away and quietly thought,

How about until I let myself down?

She’s not saying anything, but I swear I can hear teacher laughing in her mind.

--- --- ---

The nine of us made our way through the stone-webs like the wind, leaping from rock to rock like pebbles on a water’s surface. The mist and rain are so thick, yet none of them showed any sign or fear of falling on the slippery surfaces. In fact, they all moved much faster than any jade could in a sunny day. Furthermore, Anlong who was carrying me was actually keeping up with their pace. Have I been underestimating him?

If everything goes along the plan, the diversion team should’ve encountered the enemy by now. Not only our time is limited from the survival of the diversion team, we’re also racing against the onslaught of the refugee camp at acquisition. To put it simply, the longer we take, the more people will die.

Hanre’s plan predicted the demon to be somewhere near where Akulay was slain, and that’s where we’ll start.

It didn’t take too long before we start climbing down the stone-webs. Since it was too dangerous to climb down while carrying a person, Anlong had to let me go so that I could climb down on my own. Even though I went as fast as I could, I still seemed slow everyone else.

Should I just let go and stop my fall with air cushions?

As I thought that, I found teacher glaring at me as if she read my mind.

Uhm, maybe that’s a bad idea after all.

“Keep your eyes open. The demon should be around here,” Douzhen warned as soon as everyone is on the ground.

“There’s something over there, one uberlen in that direction,” teacher pointed at a certain location. “There’s a trail leading there branching away from the horde.”

“Alright. Split into the teams we talked about and approach the target. Make the enclosure as wide as you can, but stay within sight of the nearest team.”

We promptly follow Douzhen’s instructions and split into three groups. With me are, of course, teacher, and one other drachtal that I just met this morning. I think his name was Jurgen or something.

“Make sure to protect us okay, Jurfan?”

“Of course, Elder Inzhi.”

Oh, so it’s Jurfan. Thanks, teacher.

He introduced himself as the fastest of all drachtals, and his performance back on the stone-webs seemed to support that.

“Fay, you keep watch of the other teams.”

Aye, teach.

Incidentally, the team next to us is the one that has Anlong in it, and apparently, he’s tasked with watching my team. For some reason, these long-distance eye contacts are much more awkward than the ones we had when he was carrying me.

“What is that?” teacher said quietly as she signals us to stop.

Me doing my job, noticed that the other teams stopped as well. The reason for that is the object in a clearing right ahead. It looks like some kind of tree, or a rock formation. What really makes us puzzled, though, is the figure attached to it.

“That looks like… a person?” Jurfan said.

After making sure the area is clear, Douzhen gives us a bird-signal and we all come out of our hiding spots to approach it. After realizing what it is, I can feel everyone regretting ever coming near it.

“…Goddess…” Jurfan brought his hands to his mouth.

Everyone else has their voices stifled, their eyes wide open, staring unblinkingly at the “person” before their eyes. One person, possibly Anlong, drops to his knees. I can’t blame him. This is, truly… monstrous.

In front of us is a pile debris, wood and stone, stuffed together with unimaginable force to form a demented monument. Tied to that monument is a figure of a person... or something that used to be a person.

The limbs are all misshapen, bent and stretched in a way that shouldn’t be possible. The skin is burnt, mangled, pulled apart to reveal the flesh that had been scraped away, perhaps eaten by beasts or crows. Some parts have little more than bones.

On the head, the eyes and hair are missing, as well as most of the facial features a human should possess, leaving us no way to identify the corpse.

“…We should bury the body,” Karyat said.

“No, we don’t have the time,” Douzhen replied.

“Then we should at least cut it down. No one… no one deserves to end like this.”

Without taking too much time, the body is put down and we offer a silent prayer to it.

“May Thalvos grant you an easy passing, and may Athyra accept you at her side,” Karyat said, holding the sides of the head tenderly as he closes the nonexistent eyelids with his thumbs.

No one speaks a word after that. As they stand up to leave, I alone stay kneeling in front of the body. My hand covers the corpse’s, opening the closed fingers to recover what’s hidden inside.

“It couldn’t be her, right…?”

…Of course not,

I shake my head to the person behind me as I nimbly hide the necklace-shaped object inside my hand.

“I’m going ahead. I’m sorry, I can’t… I can’t stay here,” Anlong said as he finally goes away.

When no one is left but me, I lean closer to the face that no longer resembles a human, and then touch our foreheads together.

I’m sorry.

With my legs feeling like stone, I stand up and back away. As I run to catch up with the others, I take a glance at object I just retrieved;

a bright-red round ornament the size of a thumb, attached to a string.

--- --- ---

“Are you okay, Fay?” teacher asked. Her weak voice tells me that she’s in no place to ask that.

Yeah, I just… had to make sure of something.

“Make sure of what?”

It’s not Lyrfanas. I’m certain of it now.

She narrows her eyes at me. “How come?”

The Mother was cold and calculating. In contrast, this demon pulled out its forces from a winning battle when we killed Akulay, and then, that body…

It was a message.

“Eh?”

A message written out of anger. I can’t imagine Lyrfanas falling to wrath over a subordinate’s death. This demon is clearly different. It must’ve considered Akulay as a friend, or even family. It wanted us to know that.

…I remember this feeling.

The last time I felt this was such a long time ago. It’s not the anger that boils the blood, nor is it the rage that drives you mad.

It’s the anger that burned cold.

“Fay, what was the message?”

I meet teacher’s gaze, not even hiding the sickness in my eyes as I answer,

Come and get me.