Steel clashed with steel, and his moves had a certain ferocity in it that made it impossible to overcome with my current abilities. Needless to say, I didn't give up. Instead, I tried to overpower him with my own array of techniques, twisting and moving around to find a vulnerable spot to strike through, then break through continuously with that.

He parried and deflected every attack I threw at him, his limbs and eyes coordinated almost perfectly from how I looked at it. He wasn't that tall compared to me, but his speed was impeccable. He would deflect my attack, and leave me with a fatal opening, leading to my defeat for the tenth time.

I stumbled and fell to the ground exhausted. My hands were numb and beating, and I don't think I had enough strength to wield my sword for a while.

"I never doubted you for a second. You're really something else," I said, staying flat on the ground. "I think I can go for another one, just let me rest for a bit."

"I think you're trying too hard. Why not take a long break and try again later? We still, have a bit of ways to go until we reach our destination," Gino said, relaxing under the shade of a tree, feeling the fresh waft of the air around him, gently fluttering his long, dark hair.

"I can't waste this opportunity. You could say that I have a feeling, or rather, know for a fact that I'll be needing it. If I want to save anyone, then I need to do anything that I can, no matter how hard it might be."

"I admire your heroic spirit, but know that you're human, and you have your limits. There's no use forcing anything unless the situation calls for it. And in this day and age, I don't think there a need to risk anything at all. It's all about staying safe and alive."

"It is for me. I may sound foolish to you, but it's what I've decided," I said confidently, looking at the sky with a tense expression.

"What is your story exactly? What drives you to think like that. I doubt it's something frivolous, but I can't jump to facts yet, so tell me, what is this all about?" he stared intently at me, and on the corner of my eyes, I saw Alexandre looking my way as well.

"Well, you see. I lost my parents, both of them, a week or so from today. At that time, I knew a little to nothing about the world out here. Deep in isolation from the rest, I didn't know what to feel with others. But that one fateful night, a revenant took their lives. I couldn't get back in time to save them, but in the end, I took down the demon. That was when I had made up my mind to never allow anything like that to ever happen again. I'll give up everything, including my life if necessary, to not allow the past to repeat no matter what. I know I'll succeed if I work hard enough."

"Empty words. No resolve whatsoever. I've seen your abilities. I can't say I'm impressed. People who say that they will give up their lives to protect those they care about are the greatest cowards, and clearly they know nothing about the true dangers out there. They choose to abandon this world when it's convenient for them. Instead of trying to survive, they choose death and glory. You have something to prove, and that's what I see in you right now, but you can't make that much of a difference if you don't take it seriously. Words mean nothing when it comes from the mouth of a dog without a bite. All I've heard from you are your empty words of boasting, but nothing to back them up whatsoever. The people I most despise are the ones who speak arrogantly confident, but lose their lives in the end," Alexandre howled with contempt. His voice didn't match at all with his outer image, but his message was clear. It shook me, but why? Is he telling the truth? I have no time to dwell on the fact that I heard his voice for the first time, but instead my thoughts are focused back on my own words.

Gino looked intrigued at Alexandre, raising a brow as he stood silent.

I have to prove him wrong. I know that it's easier said than done, I've been there. But even though. "I don't know why you don't believe me, but no matter what you say, I'll stick by what I say. And you're right about me not being that strong, but I won't let something like that stop me."

"Is that an obligation, or something to make you feel better and superior?"

"It's something that I decided with the consequences in mind."

"So you would gladly throw your life for a single person if the danger arises?" she stared at me intimidatingly, like sharp daggers pointed at my eyes and throat.

"... I would, without a doubt. I'll protect everyone that I can," I stared back at her intently, challenging her gaze to prove my conviction.

"Now, now. There's no need to quarrel. You both are still young and have your own views of the matter, so let's just leave that aside for now and settle it later. For the time being, we have somewhere we need to be," Gino interrupted, standing in the middle.

As we rode, Alexandre's pace exceeded ours, leaving Gino and I a few ways back. "Gino, can I ask why he suddenly said that? I don't think it's a good time for me to ask him directly, so I was thinking if you knew. To tell you the truth, I don't like how we got off the wrong foot there. The first time he spoke, it was about a dispute. I want to right that if possible," I paced with Gino.

"Oh? Where di this suddenly come from? No matter. Your intentions are good, so it is possible to make things right. As for Alexandre, I don't know if I should tell you, but I'll give you the vague details. Just give him some time to cool down, and eventually you'll get your chance," he patted me on the back, giving a reassuring smile.

"He lost someone, kind of like you. He lost someone dear to him who promised that he will protect him will all his heart and soul, and to stay alive as his only parental figure. But in the end, he was slain by the very enemy of humanity, demons, and humans. He wasn't able to keep him promise of returning to him with his life, so he took it to heart, and ever since, he developed a grudge to those would-be heroes who flaunt their abilities when they don't have it, or can't even fend for themselves. Or rather, he just doesn't want seeing people die because of their recklessness. It reminds him of those events. That is as much as I can tell you... Please don't hold it against him. I know what happened, and I sympathize with him. Your words might have just set off something inside him that he couldn't control," his face turned slightly grim, but once I noticed, he shifted back to his normal demeanor.

"... Then I'll try to ask him. I can't say that I fully understand him from what you've said, but the only way for me to feel his pain is to ask, and share it with him. Maybe it's my fault to that I constantly motivate myself that I can do everything so long as I believe I can do it."

"That's just fine. It's a charm of yours that I find quite amusing and lovely. And if you successfully charm Alexandre with your resolve, then who knows. You might even be treated to a small surprise," he had a sly smile that hid some kind of a secret, but one that could not be read so easily.

"Wait- what do you mean by that?" but instead, he sped up, making me give chase so that I don't lose them in the process.

There spired a pillar of smoke on the horizon. It was midday, but the atmosphere felt dreaded.

"I don't like the looks of this. I can only guess what's happening over there," Gino voiced his concerns, looking at the pillar with no such change in his expression, keeping calm and confident as always. "So, what do two think we should do?" he asked, eagerly waiting for a response.

"There's no need to argue about it," I said, heading towards the source with a sinking feeling in my gut. There's nothing to prove here, but I have something to do, something I myself had decided.

"Hey! There's no need to rush! -" yelled out Gino, who pursued me along with Alexandre, who made no effort to speak nor change his demeanor.

"Whatever's wrong there, we have to stick together. Who knows what caused this. The safest way to deal with certain problems are to work through them together. And I thought that you might just do as you had done, rather I expected it after your little scene," he grinned deviously.

We arrived to a scene of carnage and flames. Men, women, and children were running in scattered directions, shrieking and yelling for help as they were being pursued by demons varying from small, to giant ones.

The town walls were cracked and broken on one side, while a part of it still stood barely. The giant-sized demons could be seen assaulting it with their massive arms or clubs made of tree trunks, battering stone to rubble. The small ones terrorized the others, chasing those that were feeble and scared.

Bodies of both demons and humans littered the grounds and outskirts as a battle was still underway. The side of the humans wavered with clear despair and terror, they fell one by one.

Unmounting, I charged towards one of the escaping townspeople being chased by a a few demons. A young man who limped with a desperate look on his face, fearing for his life and not daring to turn around.

With my momentum built up, I unsheathed my sword and sliced at the demons, then following through with a series of slashes, fortunately killing them all in the confusion.

"Are you alright?" I said, turning my attention to the young man who stumbled on the ground, blood smeared on his face.

"Ah - Stay away from me, please!" he cried out, covering his eyes. I shook his shoulders waking him from his nightmare. His eyes widened in surprise, and he seemed to regain his composure, even by a little bit.

"I-I don't know. It all happened so suddenly! I tried to get out as fast as I could, but there's so many of them! They're all being massacred on the inside!" he stood up and continued running away from the burning town.

"Well, what's your plan?" Gino questioned as he came close by, casting bolts of light that blasted demons far away.

"I'm going to try and break through. I need to get inside the town and help those still struggling. Please help out the soldiers still fighting here. I think there's still a chance for them to defeat the enemy," I said, staring at the numerous hordes of demons trying to get inside the shattered gates of the town. They didn’t seem to care as they continued marching in.

"Ridiculous. You must know that there's no way you can get in there unscathed. Have you even though about what you're going to do if and when you get inside?" he argued, placing his attention on me and the approaching demons, incinerating them.

"I have thought it through. There might still be a chance to drive them out from the inside."

"And what makes you think that these men can still manage to compose themselves after this massacre?"

"Because I know you're capable of doing that," I said confidently.

"Fine, if you don't make it out, then don't blame it on me," he said, preparing to cast a powerful spell, one which took up his time to cast. The demons them took notice of him amidst the light, charging him on his sides.

I covered the right, but he was open the left. His face didn't waver for some reason, but that was because Alexandre was there to stop their advance, cutting them down like they were nothing. I finished mine with a bit of difficulty, narrowly wounding me.

He then released it towards the hordes of demons parading towards the gates, blasting a hole in their dense numbers. Many became disoriented at the sudden blast, giving me the chance I needed to pass them.

"Go! We'll try to whittle down their numbers here and make it to you. Try and hold out for as long as you can!"

I nodded and started to run for the gates, ignoring the crowd nearly surrounding me with their yellow glowing eyes of terror.

The carnage inside was worse than what was happening outside. Many tried outrunning their pursuers, but the demon's agile legs allowed them to feast.

Houses were either burnt or destroyed, leaving a mess on the streets, littered by bodies of both humans and demons. Many wearing armor could be seen engaging in a fight with dozens, outnumbering them two to one.

Every turn of a street or district, more and more of them appeared, often forcing me to fight them all before I could continue. There were less and less soldiers the further into the town I got.

As I ran, I encountered a fleeing woman clutching a crying infant dressed in a sheet in her arms. She tried to outrun the hungry looking demon with two horns on its head and sharp fangs and claws as its weapons, but her long skirt made it impossible for her to outrun it.

I dashed, filled with a certain amount of adrenaline that gave me a boost in speed. My movements felt frantic and unfocused, but one thing was clear, I was going to defeat this demon.

It pounced on her, but just in time, I was able to swat it away with my blade. The demon seemed to know how to back away as it started staring at me intently, as if waiting for its golden opportunity to pounce once more.

The demon almost clawed at my eyes, but I managed to use my positioning to my advantage. I swung and missed several times, but finally I got the better of it as the demon retreated and didn't notice a wall being there to stop him. I drove my sword into the beast, pulling it back with a slicing motion, making sure that it would stay down.

Several men appeared from the shadows, carrying worn weapons and arms, covered in blood. "What are you doing here, kid?! It's too dangerous! We have to get you out of here, come on!" he urged, pulling my arm.

I yanked myself from his grip, trying to get their attention. "Don't worry about me, worry about getting her out of here first! I'm used to this, so I can hold my own."

"Stop playing around! This is no time to be playing hero. It's too dangerous to be here since there's a strong demon on the loose at the center of the town! Now come with me!" he tried once more, but once more did I resist.

It was then that a few demons emerged from the corners of the streets, attracted to the sound of our voices. The men formed a shield around the woman carrying an infant, pointing their weapons at the demons who grinned hungrily at them.

One found its way to me, but its confidence led to it having more than one opening which I exploited to my advantage.

I dashed, raising my sword for an overhead slash, but it took a leap back just like I anticipated. And with another step forward, I drew my sword upwards at the horrid looking demon, cutting its torso vertically. With a last precaution, I drove my sword into its heart, sealing its fate permanently.

I then went in and defeated the demons that were preoccupied with the soldiers, making it easy for me to cut them down without casualties.

The soldiers then looked at me in amazement, but stood there silent. "I'll try and find more survivors. Let her get out of here while the way is cleared. But tell me, just what took this town over?" I asked.

The man shook his head sideways, answering me after he ordered the woman, who looked at me and said the words 'thank you' with her lips, to be escorted by his men away from the burning ruins of the town. "I don't know why you're trying to save lives instead of saving yourself, but I commend you. We don't know what exactly the demon is, but it's strong enough to burn everything when it crashed right in the middle of town. It's too dangerous to come close to it, but we were able to wound it even for a bit."

"Then that means we have a chance to finish it and break the chain of command!"

"No. We had a chance. Now everyone's either burnt, dead, or trying to escape, so we don't have anyone that can help us. There's so many casualties that I'm amazed that we managed to escort some of the townspeople out of here. The best thing we can do now is retreat and wait for the army to arrive."

"I'll keep looking around. I'm sure that there might still be some left here, and I'm going to find them."

"Whatever you say, kid. It's your funeral. Don't say I didn't warn you... But good luck," he said, running in the same direction as the other soldiers.

No matter where I searched, none could be found anymore. Instead I would find bodies bathed with fresh blood, and much to my disappointment I knew that I didn't make it in time.

But there was still something for me to do. A task of mine which has been etched into my mind. To purge every demon in existence for the sake of humanity. With that in mind, I made my way through to the so-called center of the town, trying to avoid as much confrontation as much as possible with any demon that I might come across.

A thought lingered in me about the demon that I was recklessly trying to defeat. It was said to have the power to submerge this town into a chaos of flames. All around me flames cackled and seared into a pillar of smoke to the sky. It crashed into the center of town, creating terror among all around it. Just how strong would it be then?

I would know myself as I arrived to the very center of it all, a place where a burning crater of rubble and stone was embedded on the ground. No life could be seen wandering the area, but in the middle was a tall, muscular being with long, curly silver hair, wearing what looked to be a loose, frilled blouse fit for a jester, and dark leggings where a minimal amount of armor could be seen protecting the lower part of his body.

Its eyes opened abruptly, as if disturbed from its slumber, revealing a gold colored, greedy gaze, one that seemed to make fun of the ordeal happening around him. He produced a wide, malicious grin coupled with a sprightly laugh. He was spry in his movements, emphasizing his length and slim build.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" he said, glancing at me from his side, his eyes glowing through the impending darkness that is the night. "I didn't think anyone survived my initial arrival, or maybe... you came from the outside," his smile became wider.

"I wonder what amount of courage brought you here. It truly is amazing that someone still had the audacity to come and challenge me. No, no. Don't think of it as a bad thing. I actually wanted something to alleviate my boredom. I hope that's what you came here to do. After all, now that you're here, it's either you win, or I win, or you entertain me enough that I spare you."

"So you're the demon that set fire to the town and commanded the demons to kill the innocents?"

"Set fire to the town, yes. Kill the innocents? What innocents. As far as I can see, there are no innocents in this town. No are there in this world. Everyone is born with a sin that made them impure. They all eventually follow the same path into carnage, terror, then death. It's nothing new to me. I'd say what I did was very lawful."

"I can't let you keep doing this. I will put a stop to you and this massacre!" I announced, holding my sword tightly with an iron grip.

He began to smirk, then laugh uncontrollably. "I can't believe what I'm seeing. Maybe it's because I'm not use to it. I don't mind of course, but it truly gets to me how pathetic you humans are thinking that you're superior to us demons in the first place, even having the guts to challenge me alone! No matter! Let us play! I've longed for someone to satisfy me!" he said, narrowing his eyes at me, as if he could see and feel my muscles quivering with an ounce of fear. "Don't worry, I'll... try, and go easy on you."

I was unsure whether this was right to do alone.

"Reeady or not!" he said in a playful manner, disappearing from my sights with a snap of a finger.

I looked around me, unable to find him until I could see the reflection of a purple flickering light from above me. A massive ball made of a purple fire was being channeled, and the jester in charge of it stood sideways, as if that was how gravity should be.

I ran and started finding something for cover before his attack could land. It felt dangerous and ominous for some reason. Like if I were to stop, it would turn out to be a fatal end for me.

But nothing, there was nothing to hide in. Before I could think of turning, I was blasted forward by the explosion from behind me, knocking me down to the ground, face down.

I stood up without delay, and he already had another ready to be cast. This time he released a flurry of what seemed to be cards, cascading towards me, making it hard to discern where they would come from.

I miserably tried slicing them with my blade, but its speed far outmatched mine. As a result, I felt a punishing lash of pain as the seemingly non-lethal cards wounded me on my legs and arms. the sensation felt similar to that of a blade.

This time he reappeared suddenly in front of me, still smiling, but holding his finger out at me. Instantaneously with a flash, I was knocked back to a far away wall of a ruined house. The air left my lungs, and the impact left me immobilized for the longest time.

"I expected nothing much from you, but it is exciting to play with you. Some don't even try to escape and end up being fodder. Now then, struggle and show me more and more excitement!" he basked in his own egotistical glory by extending his hands outwards, launching a flare from his fingers that split into numerous similar looking flares, all heading towards me.

Gripped by the fear of death, I scrambled to my legs, running as far away as I could from it, and towards the jester, holding my blade.

Managing to close to the distance between us, I sliced down, only to meet the air. His presence once again disappeared.

My neck was then strangled from behind, and I was taken up a few feet from the ground. The pressure was enough to break my neck with a bit more, but he held back, clearly amused, but not enough to stop him from yawning. "Is this really it? I admire that, you know? I never thought that you would plan to attack me again. This just keeps getting better and better! Too bad that you still have your bravery with you, otherwise I would've used your body as my own!"

"I don't think I got the chance to introduce myself. No matter how short our time may be here, I think it's important to know the one that took your life. You may call me Ka-Jhinn, a commander of the demon army, a lower Quas commander. Now, what might be your name -"

But just then, a silhouette emerged from the street and into the center where our battle was being held. I child appeared, weeping loudly with his fists covering his eyes. His clothes were in tatters, but it seems like he doesn't know where he was going.

"... Annoyance. You dare interrupt me, insect?" he said, having a drastic change in tone. He pointed his finger at the child with a deadpan face, firing a small flare.

Struggling to free myself from his grip, he tightened his further, preventing me from doing anything other than to stare at the impending death of an innocent.

However, before I could wallow in despair of my own failure, the child wasn't there any longer, nor was there any trace of blood from him.

A glint came from his armor. He kept the child safe behind him as his shield stood strong.

"And who is this, I wonder?" he pointed at Alexandre.

Without replying, he charged at him with an amazing speed, not at all encumbered by the weight of her armor.

I took this chance to twist my body and kick him on his side, forcing him to let go of me as I dropped to the ground near where my sword was.

As Alexandre came close for a cleave, the demon disappeared, reappearing behind him. But it seemed that Alexandre was one step ahead since he spun with his sword, forcing him to use his arm to defend himself.

His face of ecstasy and malice disappeared completely as he faced Alexandre, whose sword managed to wound the demon's arm.

I followed through with Alexandre, thrusting at the demon to his side, wounding him. The two of us moved around Ka-Jhinn, avoiding the powerful spells that he would throw, all the while trying to force him down.

The ordeal was tough as he had the high ground most of the time, but Alexandre compensated for that, catching the demon off guard every time he got the chance. Soon, the demon bled, his smirk wiped off his face. But the same could be said for us, but much worse. Alexandre's armor seemed to crack, and his shield was as well. Wounds covered most of my body due to flying rubble and constantly being unable to repel his powerful spells.

"This resilience is a thorn my side. You inferior being should simply lay down and die!"

"And let you trample us? Never!" I said, rushing him. He disappeared once more, reappearing behind me where Alexandre anticipated it to appear. I spun my body to slash with a twist, but Ka-Jhinn roared out, creating a powerful blast of wind that knocked us away from him, slamming us to the walls of the nearby ruined houses.

"Ah! annoying human! Silence!" he said, creating a sizable ball of fire from his hand, pointing it towards the still crying child, whom fell to the ground.

As he released it, Alexandre rushed to the child, using his shield and body to defend against it. An explosion created a cloud of smoke, showing Alexandre with his back turned, armored cracked and broken, revealing his bare back.

"Persistent, aren't you? You'll thank me for this. I will end your misery now so that you won't have to cope with the pain," Ka-Jhinn prepared another ball of flame. This time, I moved myself towards him nd stood before Alexandre, who shuddered and quivered.

"T-take the child and get out pf here while you still can. There's no way that we can win this. I'll try to hold him here for as long as I can," he said weakly, resisting the pain that came from the blast.

"You know that I won't do that. I'll stay true to my words. You'll live, I'll make sure of that," I said. "Now, stay here. I'll prove to you that my words aren't hollow. There's no way that I can say those things and end up losing. If I can't protect a friend, then what use am I trying to protect someone else?" I said, taking a deep breath.

I took Alexandre's shield and prepared to meet the fire ball head on, which he released, instantly colliding with me. The shield was partly shattered, and I was again sent back, this time with an even stronger amount of force behind it, almost enough to make me unconscious.

I shook my head as everything around me appeared to be blurry. looking around, is was unable to find him. There was no trace of his presence.

"Are you alright, Alexandre?" I asked, turning around to see him still crouched, but still. The child crept away from his grasp and came towards me, hiding behind my leg for some reason. He looked terrified.

Then he started to move slowly, like a marionette. "Yes, I'm fine," he said, this time, his voice sounded different, much higher.

He reached for his blade and quickly slashed at me.

I was unable to completely stop it, but I was able to parry it enough for no one to get hurt.

I took the child in my arm and retreated a safe distance away. "What are you doing? What's gotten into you?" I asked.

"Whatever do you mean by that?" he removed his helmet, revealing an oddly seductive but dangerous smile, short hair flowing down her shoulders. "It seemed that my hand slipped. But no matter. This body is enough to compensate for that. Her body is very agile and fit for fighting."

He rushed me, forcing me to fully commit to defending. "Why are you doing this?" I said, focusing on defending and finding out the reason for this.

"You don't recognize me, huh? Maybe this will refresh your memory," he broke through my defense and placed his palm on my chest, blasting my away with a powerful burst of wind.

Scrambling back to my feet, it started coming to me. But I didn't want to believe it.

"You seem to have the gist of it. Very well, I shall tell you. I have possessed her body when she became weak-hearted and foolish enough to defend this insect of a puny human. Soon she will become a revenant fit for my bidding. That is what she gets for succumbing to weakness," he smiled wide, lashing at me with a furious tenacity, making sparks with every clash.

She pushed me back with every slash and strike, and it seems that his fighting ability had just been amplified. Every move I took had to be though out, otherwise I would be caught in a terrible position. Not only did he have the skill to kill me with little effort, but he also had the ability to cast spells.

"What's wrong? Can't hurt your ally? Oh, how I pity the emotions of you humans. It has made you all weak. If you keep holding back, then you will die, and you inevitably will."

He disappeared, then fired a ball of fire from behind me, forcing me down to the ground. He then reappeared in front of me, holding his sword near my throat. "I have no more time to play with you. I have more things to deal with. Soon this entire land will belong to us demons. Die knowing that you have been graced a swift death by me, Ka-Jhinn of the demons," he raised his weapon, then just before he could plunge it deep into me, he was sent flying far from me with a bolt of lightning, one filled with a terrifying boom.

"I have heard everything. How disappointing to see you succumb to such a thing? I thought your resolve was stronger than this. Are you alright, Zachary?" said Gino, holding his hand out to Alexandre, prepared to fire another bolt without hesitation.

"Forgive me for getting here late. It seems that something terrible has happened. Most of the demons have already been taken care of, now this one is the only threat it seems, but it looks like he has possessed our companion."

I rose to my feet and stood beside Gino.

"Companion? It doesn't look like you have any regard for your friend's health," the demon said, smiling, but irritated.

But Gino ignored what the demon had said and spoke with Alexandre in mind.

"I don't want to hurt you, but I see no other way! If it all has to come to this, then I shall have no other choice. It is either you free yourself, or you succumb and allow me to finish you!" Gino beckoned, his hands crackling with a surge of lightning, ready to burst at his behest. Though he produced a staggering amount of power, there's no doubt that he is at his limit. Wounds covered his body, and his beautiful robe was tattered. He had his fair share of defeating demons along the way.

A blade is unsheathed with his reflection on it. An insane thirst for blood filled the air, suffocating all that were close enough to feel it.

"Gino, don't do it. I'll try and stop him... or her however I can. I don't understand what's happening, but this doesn't need to end like this. Once I do succeed, try and do something to get her back," I said, raising myself using my sword. My breathing was ragged, and my body felt a searing amount of pain all around, but it was not enough to make me give in.

"And if you don't?"

"I promise, I won't fail. I'll manage somehow. I just can't leave her like this."

"Saving those that you barely know? Gallantry and irrational thinking goes both ways. You don't need to do this for us. You can leave this to me and go. This isn't your problem anymore, it's mine, and our peoples’. I shall take full responsibility for what happens afterwards. Death matters little when it comes to the lives of many. That is what we have sworn."

"With me here, I'm afraid that it's not up to you. Both of you matter to me. You've traveled with me, even if it hasn't been that long. I will protect you with every fiber of my being. You probably don't see a lot of worth in me, but that won't stop me," I smiled wryly, laughing at the almost impossible challenge ahead of me. It seems that I'm already walking towards my death, but It doesn't matter if I can't save anyone.

Before I could start, more demons started pouring from the streets towards us.

"Well, I have another task then. I shall leave our companion's safety to you," he turned and began to face the demons with his power, leaving me to myself.

I walked towards her slowly, staring right back at her intimidating and menacing gaze, trying not to be unnerved by it. Her skill, it's impeccable for sure. Different from Sir Hark's, but definitely not to be overshadowed by his. But her strength seems to have been enhanced, far surpassing me.

I need you, more than ever. I don't care whether I'm found out or not. I need your power to save someone close and dear to me. By my pledge and words, I demand that you give me that power, even just a bit.

I heaved a breath of the thick, damp air, feeling a faint burning sensation on the back of my hand It was a faint glow, but a glow nonetheless. I could feel its power flowing through me like a river.

"So, are you prepared to finally lose your life? This has gone on long enough. Nothing you can do will defeat me," the demon boasted.

"I will banish you from this body you have taken advantage of. I swear on this mark that you will be erased from this plane for all eternity! Fear it, etch it into your mind."

I have some sort of control over it, but not enough that I would be content with. I will have to make do with this, then.

"What is this feeling?" he murmured with a face full of suspicion and fear. "What mark are you talking about? You?! Defeating me?! Foolish! I will show you!" he fired an immense ball of fire towards me, scorching the ground as it closed in.

With an agile step, I evaded it and continued to move around as the demon began barraging me with a series of arrows made of fire. My light body could no doubt evade it, but I have to finish this as fast as I can. There's no telling how long this power of mine can hold.

I leapt, descending right in front of him, close enough to deliver a swift strike at the sword he was holding to disarm him.

I was successful, but he teleported before I could begin purging the demon from within.

My senses were amplified, and I was able to spot him in the sky, not far from where I was.

He fired a powerful barrage of spells, arrayed with different kinds of variations, all lethal as it came crashing down and shattering the ground like a wave.

I was able to move back and jump high enough to catch him off guard. Unable to notice my presence from the smoke that had built up due to his own spells, I placed my hand on his chest and the mark began burning brighter.

"I decree that you, demon, are to be banished from this world. I carry the authority of the creator, the highest being that no one can defy. Feel the strength and power of the last of the forgotten race! Heavenward Javelin!" I cried out strongly, and we were enveloped in a sphere of light.

A pillar of light struck Alexandre's body from above, a pillar tall enough that it pierced the heavens and went beyond. A dark could of smoke could be seen exiting from her mouth, and soon, they parted, and so did the pillar, which faded into the dark.

"You! No! I know that mark! No demon is foolish enough to forget! But how?! Why is it here? You and your race should have been extinct!" the demon desperately yelled out for an answer. "The bane of the demon race, the mark of the herald! How terrifying it is. I could feel my life force being burned away merely by staring at it. You deserve to be the enemy of the demons; you slave of the creator!"

"As long as you continue wreaking havoc and terror in this land, I will be there to cleanse you."

"Hahahaha! You fool! You, the eternal enemy of the demon race have shown yourself to the world with your damned light! You are not safe any longer! The demon king will search for you, leaving no stone unturned. He will take all whom you deem precious away from you, and watch as you wallow in eternal suffering! My death will signal the beginning of a war, a war waged against you and you alone, and the demons of the world!" he laughed maniacally as his original body began to take form once again, fully fading into the light.

"I won't let that happen! I will defeat the demon king before that will happen, do you hear me?!"

"Hahaha! There is no saving you or anyone around you! You will die at the hands of the demon king. I will be content watching you die from the afterlife!" he and his voice disappeared with a fading echo.

I caught Alexandre before she could fall to the ground, feeling the weight of her armor and body once the power of the mark disappeared.

It became calm all of a sudden. A much-appreciated tranquil silence filled the area around us. Her eyes seemed to twitch, then open, directly looking at me right away.

"The light, did that come from you?" she asked weakly.

"... It did."

"It was... warm, and beautiful. I felt at ease for some reason. It was comforting, reminding me of something of my past. What are you exactly?"

"I- No, rest. We'll talk about that soon. But for now, you need to rest. I have a lot to ask as well, but It isn't the best time right now. I'll hand you over to Gino, but I have to go. It's not safe with me anymore."

"Wait, I don't understand what you're saying, but let me say this first before I fall asleep," she looked at me a bit sternly, but he was indeed a she. There's no doubting that now that I have taken a better look at her face. However, her face seems oddly familiar, like I've seen her somewhere.

"Go on."

"I heard everything. I wasn't angry or upset with you. I wanted you to think about what you said clearly. I have heard so many say those things only to for it to bit them in the end. However, you still showed me that resolve. I-I concede. I believe that you can do it if you set your eyes on it."

"Thank you. I'm glad that you believe me. But now, it's time for us to part ways. I made a promise to never reveal this, but now that I had, there's no turning back. I'll be hunted, and so will those close to me. I don't want that. You've already been through so much today, seeing you and Gino being threatened like that pains me."

"I just started to understand you, even if by a little."

"And so have I"

"But there is no need for you to go. Why is it that you have to shoulder the burden by yourself?"

"So that no one else has to. I'm scared and terrified of being alone, but if it's the path that I have to walk in order to keep everyone safe, then so be it. I only ask that you and Gino keep this a secret from everyone else that you might meet. I'll reveal it all in time."

"No, listen to me, Zachary. You are not going anywhere. There is no need for you to go. Whatever may come, we will handle. And... I-I ah, need you for something," she said, avoiding my gaze, looking unsure.

"What for?"

"I-I don't know if you're really, that, but if you are, then that means... I have to -"

"Have to?"

"I think it's best if you rest, my dear. I wouldn't want you to leave as well, Zachary. I don't care either way whether you were the one that had done that, though you seem to be someone of great importance... no, that would be an understatement. But, you know that there's no need to do that alone," Gino intervened. "We are your friends, aren't we?"

"But it's dangerous -"

"I think we're more than capable of handling ourselves. With or without that power of yours, I'd say we are almost capable of defeating masses of those curs, maybe. So, sit and stay. We should move some place far before resting."

"... Thank you, Gino, Alexandre. I'll try my best in keeping you both safe."

I wanted to leave now, but the way they looked at me, brimming with confidence, simply made me cave in. I hadn't had the heart to reject them since what they said is the truth. They are more than capable of handling themselves, and they are my friends.

"Don't think too much about it. It's natural after all. Your secret is safe with us, isn't that right, Alexandria?" he gave a wink at Alexandre, whose eyes widened. It seems that there are more things that I have to learn about them than I thought.