PROJECT: Demon Annihilation

16: Home

Ephraim

"Mother?! Where are you?!" I shouted while looking everywhere but I couldn't find her, I couldn't find my mom.

After all these years, the time has come for us to unite once again. Finally, I can be with her.

"Mother?!"

The sound of seawaves and the slightly salty breeze made me stop from looking. Making me think how things ended up this way.

Ahh! Now I realize...

I realized that I've become very greedy. All this time, I'm only thinking of myself. Making the word "saving" as an excuse to hurt myself.

I left my friends behind and abandoned my duty. How can I call myself a proud member of the Corps?

A member of the Tower, being killed by a demon who's not even part of the 12 Seals would tarnish the Corps' reputation.

Is this how weak humans are?

Is this a manifestation that humans don't stand a chance against powerful demons?

No!

There are tons of people out there who can win against them.

Those are the people who refuse to die and give in.

The people whom I can never hold a candle for.

The very same people I've always wanted to become.

That's right..

I am the only weak one.

My tears are falling as I saw everyone before my eyes. The very last moment I was with all of them. Even though Sir Thormund risked his own life to help me in this mission, I left him.

There is no doubt that we failed this mission, I failed this mission.

The fact that I was able to secure the children's safety from Estella won't guarantee that everything will be okay with the demons still ravaging all across the village.

Without Estella's command, Berserkers will do what their instincts tell them to do. If the children fled from the wrecked house and run towards the village, they'll face countless demons.

Bakit hindi ko muna inisip kung anong pwedeng mangyari pagkatapos? This was all because of my selfish act!

"Don't worry. Your comrade won't let that happen." I turned around instantly the moment I heard that familiar voice.

Sunod-sunod na nagsi-agusan ang mga luha ko nang muli kong makita ang mukha niya. Agad akong yumakap sa kaniya at doon ibinaon ang mukha kong basang-basa na ng mga luha.

"Mother!" I cried in so much joy and sadness. I never thought that I could feel this warmth again.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" I said, still crying.

"There is nothing you should be apologizing for, Ephraim. You did nothing wrong." Tuloy pa rin ang pag-iyak ko kahit pa hinahaplos niya ang buhok ko.

My mother is here. Right here and holding me in her arms.

"You died because of me. Because you had such an unfortunate child that you ended up killing yourself! It was all my fault! You shouldn't had me! I'm so sorry!"

"I should be the one saying sorry. You lived in terror and pain because of what I did. I never fulfilled my role as your mother and I've hurted you so much. I am sorry for being selfish. I left you all alone." Hindi pa rin maubos ang luha ko.