Anger.

For the first time in a long time, it swelled up within Oasis. This woman… was no good. She was nothing but evil. The fact that she could use all of these people and have them do things against their will.

There was no greater evil than that. He wasn’t going to let her keep Terios away any longer. Not while he could still do something about it.

“Terios doesn’t want anything to do with you. You’re bad news for him.”

This was said clearly, but also with a defiant tone. He stared at the Witch with cold eyes. Anthony was a kind soul, but this woman here didn’t deserve any from him. Not with how much she has done.

“Oh really? I suppose you think that makes you better. You’re supposed to be his saving grace? Somehow I highly doubt that.”

Oasis didn’t say anything. Instead, he just stood there and shook his head, disagreeing with the Witch.

“From what the reports say about you, you have innocent people kidnap other people for your nefarious crimes. I don’t know the reason, but it’s fucked up.”

“Almost as fucked up as having Terios go back to the place that he so desperately ran away from~.” She said in a playful manner.

She soon turned her attention towards Terios and called out to him sweetly.

“Terios, what do you want to do? Do you wish to return to Vin-Sync? Or would you rather stay with somebody who’s looking out for your well-being?” As she asked she smiled.

Terios stared at her with lifeless hues before he turned his focus back to the other genome. He was getting really tired of being put in situations like these. However, Oasis also gave him a smile. Yet, this one was different. It felt warm. It felt real.

“You can decide what you want, Teri. This is your choice to make. But, one thing is certain. I’m not going to stand here and let her manipulate you, or anyone else again!”

His aura sparked up with passion. The vibrant yellow spread from his body. This would be his last stand. He could barely move in his current condition. He didn’t even know if this would be enough to take her down.

He rushed off, moving like a speeding bullet. Terios and Abigail couldn’t keep up. They blinked and Anthony was right in front of the Witch, his fist of justice clenched as he prepared to deliver a freedom punch towards her face.

However… before his fist landed. All of his aura faded. He had run out of Either and was now defenseless.

His fist didn’t even move Abigail and instead, she merely laughed as it made contact with her. Oasis knew he was fucked. Terios knew he was fucked. Worst of all Abigail knew he was fucked.

“Poor boy. You fought so hard, yet in the end, it doesn’t even matter.” She said with a slight giggle.

Her hand moved to grab a hold of his arm and soon the deathly hollow sound of his bones being fractured was heard. The pain was excruciating and Oasis couldn’t help but scream out loud. He soon fell to his knees as he struggled to break free.

There was no running from Oasis. Without any form of Either to protect him he was like a regular human going against a demon. Situations like those didn’t end well for the humans.

“Does that hurt?” She questioned.

Oasis didn’t say anything he just continued to growl out in pain as he continued to struggle against her grasp. His other fist continued to pound against her side, but it had the same amount of force as a gnat.

“Hehehe… no that doesn’t hurt.”

Her grip tightened. Feeling angered that someone in his state was belittling her. Things like this angered her to no end. Her eyes were filled with disdain. She wanted to hurt him in the worst way possible. She wanted to crush his spirit.

She delivered a quick jab to his gut. His arm instinctively going to hold the pained area. This wasn’t a normal strike it was enveloped with her blue aura. To Anthony, it was like he was being hit by a barbell.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

He nearly vomited from the impact. But, she wasn’t going to let him get off easy. She followed up by giving him an axe handled directly to the side of his face. This caused a disgusting sound as their skin made contact.

He was immediately sent colliding to the ground. To add insult to injury she slammed her foot against the back of his skull. The force was nasty as his head started to bleed. She could kill him at this very moment.

What was stopping her? Who could stop her at this point? Nobody. No one. She was the one in control.

“I can cave in your skull at any moment. BUT! I am merciful. I’ll let you live if you agree to become my dog. Terios does need a playmate~.”

Anthony was silent for a moment because he knew what this meant for him. There was no way he was beating her. He was as good as dead. He had fought hard for a good ending, but it looks like he wasn’t strong enough.

There was no way he was going to give in to this woman. He’d hate himself too much if he did. He’d rather die. She was insane in his eyes.

“Not even in Hell, lady. You’re crazy!”

Hearing this Abigail seemed less than pleased. She felt even more insulted. The fact that he wasn’t going to go out of his way to become her dog was a disgrace. She managed to get Terios to bend so easily to her will.

What made this one so different?

“You don’t have to play the hero. You can still live a good life. I’m not the bad guy here. We can both get what we want.”

“What is it that you want? Why the hell are you doing this?”

“... It’ll all make sense once I succeed. Now stop being so stubborn and become my dog already!”

Anthony couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction. “I got too cocky. You can go ahead and kill me because there’s n-”

She slammed her foot against his back. The sheer force of it nearly knocked him unconscious. It was enough to cause saliva to secrete from his mouth. Afterward, he found himself blacking out for a bit.

I want to help him.

I hate seeing him like this and I don’t even know him.

Just a few moments ago I was trying to kill him.

Even now, it feels like something is holding me back.

It’s her.

I haven’t been right ever since I agreed to help her.

Her ability does something to our minds.

It’s manipulating my instincts to act to her benefit.

Does that mean…?

He slowly took a stand. Getting off his knees. His emotions were holding him back. That’s how she was manipulating him.

That’s how she held the others back as well.

She took advantage of Anna’s fear. She was a lost person who was tired of running. She had no one else to turn to and never dared say no to Abigail.

Lonzo was headstrong and stupid. He wanted to see some good in her. Maybe she faked those good parts to keep him hooked.

This might be the same thing she pulled with Johanna. She was just a little girl and didn’t even know any better. Losing her family probably caused trauma so deep she probably didn’t know how to think.

And lastly… Kimberly. He didn’t even know if that poor girl was alive. Abigail’s latest victim was because of him. Because he was weak. What made him this weak was because of his fear of death.

He was afraid of dying before…

He was going to use that against her for once.

“It doesn’t matter if you want to or not. Thanks to my ability… you will have no choice but to do whatever I want you to! There’s no other way to this.” Abigail giggled.

She must think she’s so damn cute.

She’s disgusting. She’s such a disgusting person that she needs to be taken out.

“That’s enough. I’m done with your bullshit.” Terios said as he started to approach the demon.

Abigail turned back to look at Terios. She was a bit shocked that he was talking to her in that tone of voice. It was such a distasteful tone. It was like he hated her with every fiber of his being.

“Don’t look at me like that… like I’m trash. It makes me sick!”

“That’s exactly what you are.”

Even though he was standing up to her… the truth of the matter.

“I won’t kill you. But, you know I will discipline you. I won’t stand to be talked to this way.”

She was now focused on him. She didn’t have the best attention span. Even with all of this Abigail was still very insecure and Terios knew this very well. He could feel it from her Either. Despite her being a demon it wasn’t flowing as intense as others.

One of her caliber should be a lot stronger. It’s why she relied so heavily on others to do her dirty work while she hid and watched from the sidelines. Knowing this he felt like he could…

She darted off towards him. Her speed wasn’t anywhere as impressive as Oasis and yet… still… Terios couldn’t keep up. He felt like his movement was being hindered. This is what led to him being hit with a stern kick.

The kick wasn’t anything special and yet it sent him flying back. His body suddenly felt so light. That’s right… it was making sense now.

He was just as worn down as the other genome. As much as he hated to admit it. This has been a long day. In fact, time seemed to slow down at this moment. Oddly enough he felt at peace.

As he landed on the ground, he tried to pick himself up. But, the demon was already there kicking him to force him onto his stomach.

She then slammed her foot against his back which caused him to bend back. She then delivered a stern kick against his side sending him flying back into the woods!

“Gaaaaaah!!”

It was painful… but he couldn’t really feel anything. He was merely yelling due to reflexes. As he tumbled against the lengthy grass he tried to stand to his feet.

He had more Either left. He could defend against her attacks and maybe he could launch a counterattack. But, he didn’t have much energy to spare. She soon lurked over him once more. Standing like an overbearing mother.

He held out his hand as he focused his aura on a singular point. He was just going to blow her as far away as possible. However… since he was in such a weakened state she was able to guard against this.

Her Either output surpassed his and because she could channel more she could pretty much ignore his attack.

Seeing his attack do nothing the boy couldn’t help but frown a bit. It made things much worse when she approached and caressed his face.

“I understand you’re confused. Someone tried to get into your head… I know you have a fragile mind.”

“...”

“I’ll let this slide. You know how forgiving I can be.”

“...”

“All you have to do is say that you’re sorry.”