PROJECT: Demon Annihilation

15: Atonement

Ephraim

You must be kidding me!

Just seeing her face made me tear up!

You don't like what you are doing, do you?

Just like me, you also carry a heavy weight on your shoulders, right?

Is that why you don't know why you took the children? Because you are looking for something that can make you remember who you are?

Now, I know...

This might be the reason why Lady Carlisle always had the look of sadness whenever she kills a demon. It's because she knows that all of them suffers from pain and no one can soothe them aside from themselves. For Lady Carlisle, a demon is still a human. It's just that, they forgot that they were one.

"I'm sorry." A tear fell from my eye as I slowly pierce my sword. I can't look at her.

How can I see the face of someone I will kill?

"I'm sorry." Muling sabi ko saka itinarak ang espada. Nanghihina kong ipinatong ang noo ko sa espadang nakatarak.

I am losing my consciousness.

I was about to fall over when I sensed something strange in the surrounding.

Oh no!

This feeling...

The scent...

I couldn't pick it up!

A moment had passed but I still couldn't pick up the scent of ash that a demon releases when they were killed.

Did I miss...again???

Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan ay nakita ko na lamang ang sarili kong tumilapon sa kung saan. Naramdaman kong tumama ang likod ko sa puno ngunit hindi ako nakaramdam ng sakit.

My body feels so heavy.

The poison is now working making myself numb.

Dahan-dahang pumipikit ang mga mata ko habang tinatanaw ko ang mga paang papalapit sa'kin. Her footsteps make the ground shake. Malabong nakikita ko si Aquarius na nakatarak sa lupa.

No! I am already at my limit!

I won't stand a chance against her now that she's at her demon form!

I...

I can't lose here!

I still have a mission to fulfill! I can't ruin everyone's expectations! Lady Exia put her trust in me and I can't fail her!

Stand, Ephraim! You have fought the strongest person the world could give! There is no time for you to sulk in the ground like this!

I tried so hard to get back of my feet. Paulit-ulit akong huminga ng malalim and squeeze out all the magic I have left.

I need magic to call Aquarius. After that, I won't be able to give her magic for us to counter attack. All I have left is to use Aquarius' own magic and fight with my bladework alone. Though I hope it will be enough.

Earlier, I couldn't even land a blow even with my magic but now that I will face her without it, I must think of something to find her core. Since she don't mind me pointing my sword at her neck, it's fine to conclude that her core is in somewhere else.

"Just give it up already! Accept the fact that you will be my feast tonight!" Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya at itinuon lamang ang atensiyon sa pagkonekta kay Aquarius.