Chapter 14: True Threat


    ‘Crap, this isn’t good…’


    ‘This isn’t right. It’s not over yet.’


    ‘Hehehe…’


    ‘Traitors should die.’


    ‘No!’ I shouted within my head, ‘Are you kidding me?’


    ‘Hahaha! Kill! Kill! Kill!’


    ‘What a fool! Hahaha! Blind as usual.’


    ‘Wait. Stop! Get out of my head!’


    ‘Slice his head off!’


    ‘Damn firefly!’


    ‘Thank goodness!’


    ‘He’s doing something!’


    ‘That’s right, my dear. It’s time to end this game of charades.’


    ‘Oh, ho? My dear, did you think you were getting closer to escaping? You’re like a fish trapped in a pond. You can swim all you want, but you’ll never escape from me.’


    ‘Foolish light can’t see. Kekeke. Now’s your chance to kill him, my dear.’


    ‘How cute. My dear Sophie is trying to defy me. Shall I give you a hand? Or will you lend me your body?’


    ‘It’s useless… There’s nothing I can do but watch now… Sorry Gratus. You’re on your own.’


    ‘That’s right!’


    ‘Heh heh heh, first decapitate and then cut him to pieces one by one until the fool regrets betraying us.’


    ‘Betraying us?’


    ‘That’s right. He betrayed us. All you need to do is chop off his legs with your sword, and you’ll be one step closer to keeping Amber safe from his light. Ke-ke-ke…’


    ‘Amber?’


    ‘Yes, don’t you remember? Gratus is the one who trapped you both in the abyss.’


    ‘That’s right. Gratus is the cause of the instability. He is the one who trapped us!’


    ‘Ugh! I hate this light!’


    ‘The joy!’


    ‘Great, now the nuisance has opened her mouth.’


    ‘This isn’t good.’ I thought to myself, ‘Something is controlling Sophie’s body and my light isn’t a good match against her.’


    ‘Think. What can I do? A simple Adustum would never penetrate Sophie’s armor, let alone affect the monster controlling her. It’s like she’s… corrupted?’


    ‘Just like a lost soul’ I thought.


    ‘Gratus!’


    ‘Invasus!’


    ‘Huh? Shit! What?!’


    ‘Hu-hu-hu… Who’s like a fish trapped in a pond now?’


    ‘Invasus!’


    Hm~ So is that how you invaded my consciousness? Pretty desperate don’t you think? Trying to take advantage of a girl, especially one like me.’


    ‘What did you do?’


    ‘My name is Sophie Lattierre, the dark knight who treads through darkness. I welcome you to my domain. Just as darkness swallows light, I swallow darkness. Escape is futile.’


    ‘Hey, come on. We’re on the same side, remember? Gratus is our enemy.’


    ‘No, you idiot. We’re not on the same side.’


    ‘What are you saying?! We… You—!’


    ‘Oops, no time to chat. Heh heh heh… It’s too late now…’


    ‘Firefly.’


    ‘Cura Rexi, if you would please.’


    ‘What do you want? My domain does not welcome light.’


    ‘And for what you did to my master, I do not welcome your kind either. I’m here to rid you of your… uninvited guest.’


    ‘You mean my captive?’


    ‘…’


    ‘Okay, got it. Consider it repayment for almost killing Gratus.’


    ‘… Thank you.’


    ‘What are you going to do with me?’


    ‘What do you think? Damn, I think she’s more annoying than you. I feel a bit sorry for you, but oh well, not all things end well, I guess. See ya!’


    ‘Shit, where am I?’


    ‘Hello, Kyrie.’


    ‘Oh, meeting with me personally?’ I smiled and bowed, ‘And to what do I own this pleasure?’


    ‘It’s time to say goodbye.’


    ‘And how do are you going to do that? I’m an eternal as well.’


    ‘I remember as much… But now that I’ve entered into your domain, you’ll do well as a sacrifice for my master.’


    ‘You wouldn’t!’ I shouted while dashing towards her and pinning her down.


    ‘You’re all messed up!’


    ‘What good is a sword if it fears being sacrificed?’


    ‘You got it all wrong! I’m not your real enemy! Kyrie is still—’ but that was the end.


    ‘I guess darkness can be good once in a while, eh?’


    ‘Cura?’


    ‘Cura! Where are you?’


    ‘Gratus.’


    ‘Cura! Is that you?’


    ‘Soon, this realm will collapse. I was wrong. Kyrie was not the one who erased your memories. It was Turbavi… But I feel like Kyrie was using him somehow.’


    ‘Forget them! Are you going to be all right?’


    ‘Don’t worry about me. I used Sacrificum to heal your wounds, but since I didn’t have a body to sacrifice, I sacrificed Turbavi. Now, he will wander the endless abyss forever…’


    ‘What about you?’


    ‘I… am not an eternal. I will perish… until the next time… though I will not remember…’


    ‘Wait! Cura! What do you mean by next time?’


    ‘I’m glad… I… could talk… to you… again…’


    ‘What’s wrong with my eyes? This much light should be nothing…’