We go back to the moment where the soldier rushed forward toward the demon. The moment replayed from the soldier's perspective.
His sword came down once the monster in front of him was in reach, his arms trembled with doubt. Could he even scratch this monster that had taken his friend's head with such ease? It didn't matter to him—all he wanted was revenge.
But before he could even strike him, someone slammed into him from the side—someone who clearly understood the difference in strength between a man and that crimson-eyed monster
Both of them landed against a wall, with the man who may have saved his life covering him from the impact.
The man's speed was something inhuman, but that wasn't his concern. As he opened his eyes, a strange scorching sensation made his eyes immediately direct themselves to his missing arm.
It happened too fast for his mind to catch up. Then the pain arrived. Blood began gushing out as he grabbed it in agony.
«Soldier» AAHH!
He screamed as soon as his body realized it. How? When? How could someone cut a man's arm covered in armor with his bare hand!?
The man who tried desperately to save him immediately tended to his wounds.
«Ruem» Shit, he got you. Show me your arm!
Ruem's eyes gazed at the demon, then at the soldier. Ruem's hand reached for his missing limb while the soldier shook uncontrollably. The more he tried to hold the soldier still, the more he moved.
«Ruem» Hold still, I'm trying to help you out!
«Soldier» My arm! He cut my arm off!
The soldier looked at his missing arm once more. In that instance, Ruem grabbed what remained of that arm and immediately used the same trick he used on Pathos.
His hand started to glow once more, and before the soldier could even notice, Ruem's hand was already touching the cut.
«Ruem» It's going to hurt like hell, so hang on to this!
Ruem gave his other arm to the soldier, signaling him to grab it and use it to endure the torture.
The soldier watched as more blood continued to pour down his arm. He decided to trust this stranger and bit down on Ruem's arm.
«Ruem» AH!
That wasn't what Ruem meant when he gave his arm to him. He'd meant for a grip, not a bite. But it didn't matter now—Ruem had to act quickly before the soldier could lose too much blood.
«Ruem» That's not what I meant, but fine—that works too.
Ruem didn't wait. He began sealing the wound.
It felt like a scorching piece of metal was being placed on the soldier's arm, and the burning only grew greater, but it had to be this way. They trained soldiers for wounds, for blood—but nothing had prepared him for this. Besides, he was just some random guard of the city—he'd never expected himself to be fighting someone of this caliber.
The soldier continued to bite down on Ruem's arm while he grunted in pain. Each agonizing second felt like hell for both of them.
The other soldier—the one who had hesitated—rushed forward. ready to offer some help.
«Soldier 2» Italo!
The clank of his armor became louder as he approached the two. He bent down, arms open, wanting to help his friend in any kind of way.
«Soldier 2» What can I do!?
«Ruem» Hold him down. I'm trying to close his wounds, but he keeps moving!
The second soldier rushed to Italo's shoulders, holding them against the wall while he tossed and turned with each second that passed.
«Soldier 2» Resist, Italo! It's almost over!
Italo looked at his limb as Ruem burned the skin so that it would meld together and close the open cut. It was a drastic measure, but it was necessary. Yet the scorching pain was too much for him, and his consciousness faded.
«Soldier 2» Italo! Italo!
He shook his friend's unconscious body until Ruem shouted.
«Ruem» There, it's done! I didn't heal it—I only closed his wound so I wouldn't make him move it too much.
Ruem looked at the second soldier and demanded something from him.
«Ruem» Grab him and go find help!
«Soldier 2» What about you!?
«Ruem» It doesn't matter. Go now!
The second soldier slung Italo's shoulder around his neck as he forcefully pushed both his hands into Italo's armor, lifting him up. In that instance, Ruem rose to his feet as he stood there watching the demon carefully, almost concerned.
«???» Thee… thee art different from those folk. That, in thy core—what's that?
Ruem tilted his head to the side, not understanding a single word that came from his mouth.
«Ruem» Thee? Huh?
He turned his ear toward him and cupped his hand around it so he could hear more clearly.
«Ruem» What the hell are you saying? I can't understand a single word!
The demon began to walk toward Ruem once he turned his attention to him. The two soldiers made a run for it while Ruem was left behind to fight.
By the time they were far from the battlefield, Italo drifted back into consciousness. His ears rang and his vision felt hazed, but without even looking, he knew who had dragged him away from that battlefield.
«Italo» Cato…?
His voice was weak, and so was his body. The armor around him made it harder to walk or move— even breathing felt like a great task.
«Cato» Italo, you're awake! Thank God…Are you able to stand?
Cato's pace slowed down as he waited for an answer from Italo, their armor clacked against one another.
«Italo» Who in tarnation is that guy?
Italo's senses could tell that whatever had chopped his arm clean off wasn't just a normal human with the inhuman strength of the Prometeo, nor could it have been a hidden dagger. It was too easy for a human, too uncanny.
«Italo» He killed Michael with a single blow! He didn't even have a chance to defend himself.
He screamed for his dead friend as he bit down on his lips. Cato forced Italo down beside a collapsed stall, ripping away buckles and plates as screams echoed past them.
«Cato» I know, but right now we can't do anything for him. He is dead. Come on, let's get you out of that armor.
Cato gently laid Italo against a wall, removing each piece of armor carefully so as not to damage the skin. At the same time, Italo gazed again at his missing arm. The wound was closed, yet something wandered in his mind.
«Italo» That guy that helped me… isn't he the criminal who's responsible for stealing a lot of things?
«Cato» Yeah, I noticed that too. I tried not to bring it up to him in case he'd change his mind. I don't know what his plan is, honestly, but he gave us enough time to escape, so I'm grateful for that.
As he removed the torso, Italo grunted as he felt the impact from when he got slammed against a wall, to which Cato quickly apologized.
«Italo» Ugh!
«Cato» Shit, sorry.
While in pain, Italo looked at the sky to see the barrier getting more and more melted by the purple flame. For some reason, the barrier looked like glass, yet it burned like a piece of paper. Maybe it was better this way. If the barrier was as consistent as glass, it would have probably covered Serras in those purple flames.
«Italo» The barrier… It's getting consumed!
Cato turned to look, and his eyes shook for a second. A monster inside the city was already a problem, but the barrier getting consumed was a bigger issue.
«Cato» Ssshittt…
Cato's pace quickened once he saw the condition of the barrier, now removing each armor piece with haste.
«Cato» We need to go and inform the Queen. We can't let the barrier get completely consumed.
Cato looked around, searching for someone that could potentially help them. But as he did, the panic that was created when that monster tore one of his comrade's heads off shut him down. Nobody was there to help them, everyone was too busy fleeing for their lives.
«Cato» HEY! WE NEED HELP OVER HERE!
But none of them dared to help. The sounds of footsteps and screams blended into a stampede, like a herd of buffaloes fleeing a fire. afraid that they might be left behind by the pack.
Once more, he screamed for help.
«Cato» I NEED SOMEONE TO DELIVER A MESSAGE TO THE QUEEN!
No one, however, even thought of helping. Cato grunted in anger as he understood that nobody was going to help them out. But while he was too busy removing the remaining pieces of armor, someone approached them and asked a simple question.
«???» What the hell is happening?!
As soon as Cato turned to explain, he noticed a boy who looked like he had just turned eighteen.
Cato rushed to explain.
«Cato» There is a man who has managed to kill one of our comrades, the very same who has caused this chaos.
Italo gazed into the boy's brown eyes while Cato continued to talk to him.
«Cato» I need yo—
Before he could finish, the boy asked.
«???» Where?
The sudden question startled Cato, but he replied nonetheless, thinking he was just asking so that he could give a clear position of where this monster was.
«Cato» Close to the plaza. It's in between the butcher's shop and the fishmonger. Listen, I need you to send a message directly to the Queen or find someone who can.
The boy, however, looked away from Cato's sight. He wasn't even listening to his desperate ramble, and Italo noticed it. At that moment, Italo understood the boy's true intention and decided to call him out.
«Italo» You're thinking of going there. Am I wrong?
Cato gazed back and forth from Italo, then back to the boy. Italo was weak, but even with his poor sight, he was able to tell the boy's thoughts, while Cato couldn't. The boy didn't answer, he simply replied with a nod.
Cato answered in pure confusion.
«Cato» Are you mad? It's too risky for you to go there!
The boy opened his mouth to reply, his voice calm and precise and spoke with a certain pride.
«???» I appreciate your concern. But I'm an exorcist.
For the first time since the chaos began, Italo's chest loosen.
Both Italo's and Cato's eyelids opened to their maximum. Those words alone brought a flicker of warmth—they were grateful, if only for a moment. Yet the exorcist in question was still just a boy.
«Italo» I understand that you have to fulfill your duties, but that thing is far more dangerous than the average hellish beast. He has sliced my arm off, ripped my comrades head with a punch.
The boy averted his eyes toward the soldier's arm and immediately questioned
«???» Is there another exorcist perhaps?
Italo turned his head to the side, not understanding the sudden question.
«Italo» Ah?
The boy pointed toward Italo's missing limb, questioning once more.
«???» Your wound. It was closed by an exorcist. Right?
Italo looked down at his arm while the boy commented once more.
«???» What a mess of an arm. He only managed to close the wound by burning your flesh with the Prometeo.
His words were harsh and covered with pride, as if saying he would have done a better job at it. Both Cato and Italo stayed quiet since they had no say in the matter.
«???» You're in competent hands now. The queen will be notified by the chaos ensuing, so I see no other need that stops me from fighting.
Just as the boy began to walk, Italo decided to stop him once more. He knew the figure in front of him was an exorcist, yet something in his heart urged him to give a final warning.
«Italo» Halt yourself, I tell you once again this isn't something to take lightly.
Both of them exchanged gazes as Italo spoke; his voice remained weak, but behind them, concern and fear made him doubt the trust he placed in other exorcists. A thought ran in his mind. "Look at me, a soldier whose duty is to protect those who can't fight for themself concerning himself for someone that has an even bigger duty than his."
Was it because that exorcist was just a boy? Or that whatever sliced his arm had posed a bigger threat than a simple beast? No, it was his own fear of that monster that made him doubt the exorcist in front of him.
«Italo» Excuse me for my concerns. Perhaps I'm simply doubting your skills out of fear. So do me a favor. Kill that thing.
The boy smirked as soon as Italo finished speaking. His tone became warmer as he spoke.
«???» That is a favor I can accept, once that matter is settled, I'll come find you. Ok?
Italo quickly nodded, and as soon as that exchange between the two ended, the boy started running towards where he was told, his pace was quick — clearly that of someone who had broken human limits. That alone was proof of his word as an exorcist.
Cato, whose face was covered by the helmet, gently grabbed the water that rested close on his belt and gave it to Italo.
«Cato» Here, drink something, you'll need time to recover.
Italo instinctively used his right arm to grab the flask, but he couldn't, his arm was no more, and with a quick sigh, he used his left hand to grab the flask.
Back to the present, Lightning tore the street apart as Pathos's rampage against the demon continued as he delivered bolt after bolt against his flesh.
Ruem, who had been filled with both enthusiasm and shock, began moving towards Pathos. It was a risky move, and he knew it, the electricity coursing through the air felt like a turret ready to strike anything that came too close.
«Ruem» Pathos! Control yourself if you continue to use that much Prometeo you'll die. We can still run!
He screamed as the bolts became louder, roaring after roaring his voice got covered by Pathos's power.
Pathos, on the other hand, was so blinded by his own resolve that he could not hear the words of his friend desperately reaching for him.
His plan didn't consist of him dying, he was only meant to buy enough time for "him" to arrive.
"Him" the figure he saw in his future, the figure that carried the name Simon.
Pathos was never capable of killing such a beast to begin with, but in that vision he foretold he had a chance. If he could hold this monster here for a couple of minutes, then he would win.
But what he failed to realize was that those visions didn't just warn him. They scared him. The overload of information mixed with Pathos's poor control over his own powers meant his emotions were practically in control over his output. And before he could even realize it, his eyesight began to haze.
«Pathos» Not yet. I need more time, I can't be done just yet.
His own voice began to tremble as each bolt took longer to summon.
«Pathos» I don't care. Take my eyes if this is what you want. But I'm not done.
The demon, who in between discharges tried to reach for Pathos, continued to get stopped by the enormous amount of electricity flowing in his body. The demon was unable to move or act; his body was completely under Pathos's control.
But suddenly someone gripped Pathos's shoulder, and before Pathos could even turn to see who that person was. A bolt shot out of the demon's body and directed itself toward that hand.
The bolt flung past Pathos's ear, and as his head turned to look.
Ruem body spun in the air with half of his face scorched.
The world tilted instead — sound stretched, distant and hollow, as if he were underwater. He wasn't even able to mutter a single word as he watched his friend's body fall into the ground twitching.
Those endless, relentless attacks stopped. His limbs refused to answer him. Unable to speak, unable to think, unable to even continue his intended plan. The lightning died mid-breath, leaving only a heavy numbness crawling through his arms.
His knees buckled the moment the lightning stopped.
But before him stood someone who didn't believe in sentimentality, someone who never could understand the word emotions. The demon, who was trapped now free, had his eyes directly pointed at Pathos's turned head.
«Pathos» Ru….em.
His tone was sorrowful as he watched Ruem's motionless body rest on the cold floor.
Before he could even start to cry a hand grabbed him by the neck and held him high in the air. His grip was strong and made breathing impossible, that same monster that was left powerless against Pathos's lightning had managed to grasp that chance he had to tip the scale.
«???» Thy determination is admirable, yet force without command is meaningless. Thee shall beareth the sin of treachery as I drageth thee to the darkest pits of hell.
His cold voice resonated on Pathos's head like a bell, the grip around his neck tightened to the point that any more force would snap it like a twig. His face became purple as he gargled for air. Both of his hands desperately scratched against the demon's arm.
It was agonizing. His fingers were about to completely dig into Pathos's flesh.
But just as Pathos's eyes began to roll back into themselves a loud Bang covered that silence of pain, something, something was coming, whistling his way through.
And just as that whistle became louder, Pathos's body began to fall as the grip on his neck became loose. The demon's arm had been torn off.
Pathos landed on the ground desperately coughing for air as his left hand touched his neck. He had arrived.
Just as Pathos's gaze rose to watch the demon's next move.
Bang.
Another one, this one however hitting the demon straight in his neck, removing the front. He didn't even grunt in pain, he only turned towards the direction of the attack only for another Bang to directly carve into his eyeball and spray his brain onto the air.
Whoever was attacking however, didn't stop.
Two more shots carved into what remained above the demon's neck. Until his head was reduced to nothing but a spraying fountain of blood and brain.
Pathos grinned as he watched the demon's body fall dead onto the ground, he felt at ease. Those eyes that terrified him were no more. After finally catching his breath, he mumbled under his breath.
«Pathos» I did it.
Pathos turned around towards the man who had saved his life knowing who it was.
Simon Shugo.
But before he could thank him or call out to him he turned around towards his friend's smoking figure. Ruem's body lay still while his skin bubbled and popped, and at that point Pathos could no longer hold himself anymore.
Each breath he took became quicker than the last, gasping with each inhale. He didn't even concern himself with his bitten shoulder, nor did he care about his broken hand. This isn't the outcome he needed, this wasn't the future he wanted.
Yet the truth remained.
Unlike previously, this wasn't a mere vision that he would fix.
This was his horrifying present. Filled with death and guilt.
The harsh reality that was displayed before him made his body reach out for Ruem unconsciously before eventually collapsing from fatigue. He had lost too much blood.
And once more he painted the street with his own blood.
Pathos's hand dug into the tiles of the street as he dragged himself closer to Ruem.
«Pathos» ….Ple….ase wak…e up…
His hand touched Ruem's shoes and with a push from his elbow. He was able to gaze into Ruem's eyes, blankly staring towards nothingness. One of his eyes melted onto his burned flesh combining together.
As a desperate attempt Pathos reached out to Ruem's face, to use the Prometeo's healing properties.
«Pathos» …A… glow in my han…d…
He tried visualizing what he saw Ruem do. Seconds passed without success he repeated himself once more.
«Pathos» … A glow in….my hand…
But silence followed, he wasn't trained for this, but what could he have done? Even with the future by his side, he couldn't save a life. Not a single one.
His eyes began to slowly close as his body gave in.
But before his consciousness could fade someone had come to their aid. And as Pathos's consciousness drowned, the rescuer spoke.
«???» That cloak... You are that kid!?
His eyes closed to rest, unable to find the strength to answer.