Asura struggled to breathe as a wave of nausea washed throughout his body. The madness' embers burned hot behind the curtain of his consciousness, waiting for any signs of weakness to consume him again.

"What was that?" Asura thought as a fog slowly receded in his mind. The only thought that remained while he lost control was, "I must kill. I will purge the vile weeds that plague the garden."

The madness's hold on Asura's mind felt old in origin, something long forgotten and banished from his memories. A feeling that seemed to be lingering in the back of his consciousness for as long as he could remember.

Voices erupted in his head as they quietly shouted, sending waves of intense pain through his body.

"Kill them..."

"Kill them all.

"Do you think humans will not betray you? They only use you for their plans."

"Kill them."

"All of them."

"Slaughter them."

"Why spare them? Why show mercy now?"

"Do not be a fool. They will never accept you."

Lydia watched as Asura whipped his head around as if looking for something. His wide, wild eyes left a sinking feeling in her gut, and the ogre began to resemble a beast.

"Shut up! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

Asura seemed uninterested in Jormungandr and occupied with something the group couldn't perceive. Wain tried to reason with Asura, but the ogre lunged at him with his hands outstretched for his neck.

Lydia grabbed hold of the ogre and slammed him to the ground.

"Focus!"

Asura jerked his head forward to bite at Lydia's neck. His four arms tried to wrap around her body, but she had learned her lesson from their sparing sessions. Before he could get hold of her, Lydia raised her clenched fist and poured mana throughout it.

Wain desperately tried to stop Lydia, but Rose and Mel grabbed him.

"Wait! WAIT!"

Lydia slammed her fist down on Asura's chest, sending a massive lightning and kinetic force into the ogre's body. The ground caved underneath and shook from the explosive power.

"SNAP OUT OF IT! GET YOURSELF TOGETHER!"

Lydia shouted as Jormungandr slammed his jaws shut, preparing to unleash the devastating blast. Wain felt helpless due to not having holy mana; they needed a solution, but he could not provide one.

However, he knew a feasible way to find one. Searching his bag, he desperately searched every pocket, looking for a purple label. "Where.... is it.... no... FUCK!" Wain thought as his frustration grew with time.

Lydia tried to formulate a plan to kill the beast, but the intense mana surging from the snake's body caused a burning sensation throughout the priests' minds.

"Rose, protect everyone. I will get close and apply my blessing to try to get an Angel large enough to strike it down. I need you, Kane, and Mel to figure out a better backup plan for when this goes wrong. I'll try to buy us some time."

"Can't you interrupt him? Shoot his jaw with something big!"

Lydia looked down and stood over Asura, who looked over at Mel with a bewildered expression.

"What?"

Asura's sanity had returned.

Mel, still holding the rocket-propelled grenade launcher, braced the large gun against her shoulder. While aiming down the sights, she channeled as much mana into the round as she could, praying for a miracle.

"Judex Divinum strengthens those who follow the light. Through Hephestine, the dullest blades sharp!"

Lydia looked down at Asura once more, asking,

"We already know this isn't going to work?"

"Yes, but if you can push his jaw up into the sky, what the fuck is going to get hit?"

Asura kicked himself off the ground and looked up at the giant serpent looming above.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Never better."

Click. Mel shot the missile toward the underside of Jormungandr's jaws. Immediately after it left the launcher, it ignited in an amber holy fire that coated it completely. Blazing with all its glory, the rocket resembled a comet soaring through the sky toward its target.

"Please, God..."

Mel immediately began to create another round from her holy mana, but it would take time to finish. Asura realized the size of the bullet increased the time of creation; if it were a smaller gun, it would take seconds to create within the weapon, but the large explosive would only be created after a few seconds.

However, even losing a second cost them significantly in this situation.

Watching the rocket collide with Jormungandr's jaw, the vessel erupted into a large explosion that covered the entire underside in fire and smoke. Everyone held their breath momentarily as they witnessed the ball of fire expand. The possibility of it killing Jormungandr was nonexistent, but it might have harmed him enough...

As the black smoke thinned, a purple light became slightly visible on the other side. Rose's eyes went wide as she realized... Jormungandr was perfectly fine, and the blast did nothing. Jormungandr remained unmoved.

Lydia screamed at the top of her lungs,

"PUT A WALL ASH!"

Lydia's mind raced at the thought of the blast being sent directly down upon them. There wasn't a Paladin around who could create a shield strong enough to withstand such a blow. However, Ash had proven better at creating defensive structures than many in past encounters...

"JUDEX DIVINUM IS MY PROTECTOR AND SHIELD. THROUGH MAZRIEL, THE WALLS OF HEAVEN WILL NOT FALL!"

As the wall began forming, Lydia, Rose, and Kane poured mana into Ash. Each understood the chances of killing him were high because the mana was forcibly shoved into his body, far exceeding the limits he could handle.

However, it was a gamble on which they would have to bet their lives. Ash's body began to be strained by the mana, but he did not tell them to stop. Instead, he held on for as long as he could. Even if a filthy ogre were included amongst them, he would lay down his life so the rest could live.

Cracks began to form on Ash's body as the holy mana began to devour him from the inside. A burning sensation began to spread through his limbs. A large golden wall erupted in front of the group, angled enough to shield them from above and divert the force.

Asura watched as layer upon layer of mana reinforced the wall, desperately trying to ensure their safety. As each layer folded over the other, instead of security, dread filled their hearts.

Asura turned to look at the humans beside him, finding that none of them had any confidence in their chances of living through this.

Jormungadr's jaws shot open as the pressure reached its climax. Unleashing a beam of fire from within, the fire viciously hurtled down onto the wall in the blink of an eye. Pouring forth like a sea of flames, it spilled around the sides, turning everything it touched into ash.

However, the wall stood firmly... for now at least. As Ash struggled to maintain consciousness, the wall began to crack as the intensity increased. The rising temperature made it even more difficult as the group started to sweat profusely. It felt like they were being baked in an oven.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Asura noticed the cracks in the wall grew more profound and longer as Ash's body deteriorated. The golden cracks across his body were also spreading. It became evident they were growing brighter along his arms and face as the mana flowed into his body.

Lydia and Rose tried to reinforce it with their own walls, but they had already begun to crumble as they formed. It was all up to Ash...

Grabbing a car behind them, Asura pulled the large metal vehicle in front of the wall, bracing his back against it. Although Asura knew he would most likely live through the fire, the humans were different.

"Shit... what do we do... Fuck! I don't have a weapon... where can I get one? I can't... fuck!"

Lydia grabbed the vehicle, followed by Rose. They channeled mana into the metal, shouting another incantation.

"Judex Divinum provides us strength when we stand against evil! Through Hephestine is the armor of Judex Divinum given!"

The vehicle became enchanted as the incantation finished, and the mana swirled within, strengthening the structure.

"Hopefully, that will hold against the fire!"

"It's a car! Of course, it isn't going to hold! Figure out another plan!"

Asura shouted as the three pressed their backs to the metal. Asura watched as Ash fell to his knees. Doubling over, he clutched his gut as he profusely vomited blood that began pooling in his stomach.

Next to Ash, Mel pressed her hand against his chest, healing him as much as she could with her mana. Instead of pouring it into Ash, she moved it along his skin. Any entry of mana could kill him in a heartbeat.

Wain was behind the two and coughing just as much as Ash was. His complexion was just as horrendous, too. He had dry lips and sunken eyes, and he violently shook as if he were cold.

"WAIN! ARE YOU OKAY?!"

Asura shouted as the violent storm of fire raged on behind him. The sudden lurch of the vehicle made him curse. He realized the wall had fallen... all that was left between them and death was a metal car.

"SHIT! EVERYONE GET OFF THE CAR!"

Rose was surprised by his demand.

"WHY? WE CAN HELP!"

Asura grabbed Lydia and Rose with two of his arms and threw them from the car toward the rest of the priests on the ground.

"GET THE FUCK OFF!"

He roared as the car radiated a bright red light throughout it. Lydia watched with wide eyes as the scene unfolded before her. Her heart stopped, and she held her breath momentarily as Asura gripped the melting car.

The ogre's skin began to melt as the temperature increased to an unimaginable degree.

"FAHHHHHHCKKK IT HURTSSS!!"

The sizzling noise and smell of burning flesh made Ash vomit again as it grew more putrid. The horrific sight sent shivers down Mel's spine. Asura began to be consumed by the metal as it folded around his flesh.

Rose was in awe as she watched Asura protect them from such a gruesome fate. "To think a monster would go this far to protect humans..."

Asura bit deep into his lip as he winced from the pain. His blood spilled into his mouth from the open wound. It was taking all his strength to remain standing as the intense pain of his flesh being consumed by the molten metal grew more intense.

Typically, fire was not a problem for Asura, but a war was waged within the car. The holy mana fought against Jormungandr's quotidian mana in an intense battle to dominate the other. It was increasing the temperature to an unfathomable level because of the war. It was a miracle the car was not a puddle yet.

After what felt like an eternity, the fire stopped.

Relief swept over Asura as the car's temperature began to decrease. He agonized in pain and roared to the others.

"GET ME OUT!"

He tried to pull himself out, but he was so deeply rooted within the folds of the metal that it twisted with his erratic movements. Lydia grasped his torso and pulled with all her strength, freeing him from the molten prison. Released from his confines, Asura panted, trying to catch his breath.

"Dude... that sucked...."

Lydia watched as what remained of the car fell to the ground. A thin puddle of metal rolled across the floor. If the fire had lasted any longer, the flames would all have consumed them.

Wain recovered enough to rise to his feet. Throwing himself at Asura, he clutched onto his arms. To Asura's surprise, Wain seemed to be at the same level of exhaustion as he was.

"I know... how to... win...."

Asura studied Wain's pale complexion. Somehow, Wain looked like he had experienced something far worse than the ogre was forced to endure.

"What happened?"

Wain shook his head, dismissing the question.

"No... time... Win... now..."

"How?"

"A cup."

"A cup?"

"Yes!... Cathedral... INSIDE... GO!"

Wain pointed at the base of the cathedral behind them.

"STILL A ROOM! FIND CUP! DRINK!"

Wain weakly tried to push Asura in the direction of the rubble. Due to the shock, he allowed himself to be so easily shoved, but the confusion from the conversation sent his mind wildly deciphering what he meant.

Before he could ask any more questions, a loud boom could be heard as Jormungandr's body crashed back onto the earth. The force of his heavy body slamming into the ground caused intense seismic waves to travel through the world.

Asura tried to help Wain, who had lost his footing due to the earthquake, but Wain violently fought him off.

"GO! NO TIME!"

Wain's raspy voice pleaded with Asura. Asura looked up as a large cloud of dust washed over them. He understood what Wain meant now.

After the blast, Jormungandr's head turned to the side. His eye moved sporadically as he searched through the cloud of dust for his prey. Asura took notice of the Apocalypse's behavior. This was his opportunity to get to wherever Wain desperately needed him to go. The ogre sprinted past the priests towards the cathedral with one focus in mind.

Confusion spread across the group as they watched the monster abandon them. Lydia shouted at the fleeing Ogre.

"WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!"

"A CUP!"

Upon reaching the cavity, Jormungandr entered through Asura and prepared himself. Carrying his momentum forward, Asura slightly bent his knees before leaping up onto the back of Jormungandr with all his might. Asura slammed down onto the snake's back and groaned as the air was knocked out of his lungs.

He managed to get close to the top but hadn't crossed over to the other side. However, he did not have time to recover as Jormungandr continued to move. Crawling across Jormungandr's rocky body, Asura pulled himself up and over with his four arms.

After crossing over, exhaustion started to take hold. With little options left, Asura decided to let himself roll off onto the other side and tumbled onto the ground below. He managed to absorb some of the impacts in a slight roll, but the blow still brought him to his knees.

"I did it. Now what..."

Asura looked around for anything remaining from the cathedral... "Where would a cup be? A cafeteria? A kitchen? A room? A cup... why the hell is he looking for a cup?..." With little to go on, he didn't have time to go on this pointless mission for a cup... everyone would die without him.

"FUCK!"

He kicked a nearby rock in frustration. The rock shot through the cloud of dust, disappearing into the void. Suddenly, the thunk of wood being struck emerged from the depths. "Wood? Wait... a door?"

Asura ran toward the rock, finding a tall wooden door before him. "How was it still standing? In all this chaos, was a room still intact?" Asura grabbed onto the door handle and pulled with two of his arms. "Nothing... not even a budge. Is it locked?"

Asura thought as he clenched all four hands onto it. Asura tried desperately to rip the door off its hinges, but it remained unmoved. Infuriated, Asura was left with no other options.

Pulling two of his arms back, Asura turned his body and punched the wooden door. The large door shot into the room as it ripped from the hinges. Slamming into the back wall with a resounding thud, the door fell to the floor.

"If all else fails, use your head... or hand in this situation."

As Asura entered the room, it became clear that it was a type of weapons museum. Dozens of weapons were lined up in glass cases displayed in the center of the room.

"Sweet! This is what I need!... I can't use them, though..."

Asura approached a nearby case and pressed his hands on the glass. Inside was a weapon with a long hickory shaft and silverpoint. "A spear." Asura thought. Tapping his knuckles against the glass, Asura shattered the casing around it. Reaching in, he retrieved the weapon from its dusty display.

"They were liars! Aghhh!"

Asura dropped the weapon as his hand burst into golden flames. A severe pain shot through his hand and arm up to his heart.

"Okay... maybe no weapon. A cup it is... If I were a cup, where would I be?"

Walking around the cases, he became irritated as time passed, unable to find what he was looking for. Every second he wasted could mean the death of his friends.

"WHERE IS A CUP!"

In his frustration, Asura began punching the cases, causing them to explode into shards of glass. A white light caught his attention as he stomped across the scattered shattered glass. A glowing light shined within the reflective material on the floor below.

"The cup!"

He found the source of the reflection. It was sitting on a table in the corner of the room. Asura rushed up to it and clasped his hands around its rather bland exterior. "Was it just a copper cup?"

The white light was no longer present, and Asura questioned if it existed in the first place.

"It couldn't possibly be such a pathetic-looking cup, could it?"

However, a liquid was inside—dark red wine swirling around within. He began to put the cup down, but Asura realized he had little time to search for another.

"Ah screw it... bottoms up!"

Pouring the drink into his mouth, Asura's face twisted due to the taste.

"Blegh... I hate wine."

Asura waited for a moment to see if anything had happened.

"Okay... now what?"

Nothing... he felt normal. "What was the point of the cup?" He felt completely the same! Asura studied the cup, lifting it up into a small light produced by a crack in the wall. "What was it supposed to do?"

Asura became enraged as he stared at the pitiful copper chalice he held in his hand.

"THIS WAS POINTLESS!"

In a fit of rage, Asura tossed it across the room, and the chalice slammed into another display, crashing through the glass. Asura began to storm off, but his body collapsed as he took his first step.

Unable to control his body any longer, sudden convulsions erupted as he lay on the floor. "Is this it? Is this where I die? Alone..." Asura thought as his consciousness began to fade.

A single tear began streaming down his right cheek as he spoke his final words.

"Anything but alone..."