"Save me! Please! Someone!" A loud low pitched scream came from nearby.

Hoshi was able to pinpoint the exact location of the scream and made haste towards it.

"Stay away from me you monster!" A middle aged man with silver hair and beard cried for help as a lesser demon forwarded towards him with a bloodthirsty leer.

He was cowering inside a destroyed house surrounded by stains of blood and spoiled food. Even the rain wasn't able to suppress the smell of fresh corpses of all the fresh victims including women and children. The cadavers had open claw wounds with murky blood and bowels oozing out, mixing with the transparent rainwater scattered on the bricked path.

"(What should I do? I have already used up a massive amount of aura and relying on it anymore could cause me to collapse right in between these demons)" Hoshi devised.

"You killed my wife and children while they were eating! Please let me bury them properly before you kill me as well!" the man hysterically requested.

"(I can't leave him alone, even if it means risking my life!)"

Hoshi interjected by leaping on the demon's back and impaling it's scalp with another generated sword.

The demon roared and as soon as Hoshi retracted his sword the massive spray of blood caused it to fall on the ground and ultimately turn into dark ashes.

"Thank you! I will never forget this!" The man showed his gratitude.

"Looks like the demon's aren't after corpses. Leave your family for now and head for the large store south of here. They have a bunker where you can hide," advised Hoshi.

"I can't just leave them! What if those monsters devour them!?"

"Don't worry I will not let them near them," assured Hoshi as he peaked inside the destroyed house and noticed the corpses of the man's family which included a boy and girl of very young age and a slender woman with long black hair. The woman was holding the two children and it seemed she had taken the hit first.

"Why? Why would you help me? Aren't you an outsider?" the man questioned.

"So what? It's always innocents who get caught up in these nonsensical attacks. Helping them is the least I can do. Being an outsider has nothing to do with it," answered Hoshi, sharply.

"Thank you, my views on you changed." The man bowed before leaving.

"(That's right, he was one of the people that criticised me before)," Hoshi reflected before falling down to his knees as black smoke originated from his body.

"(Damn it, I am so fatigued that even standing up feels difficult)." wheezed Hoshi.

Four more demons suddenly showed up at his location. Three were scouting the area from above the structures while one was facing him head on with its claws ready to immobilize him.

"C...co..me.. w...i..th." the demon on the front struggled with speech but delivered its message.

"I refuse! I will not give in that easily, I have to keep all the promises I made!" Hoshi ignored his fatigue and pushed himself up while aura proliferated around him.

"(But wait... These demons are people too. People who were forced to transform by someone. I can't just kill them can I?)" Hoshi suddenly realised and dissipated the aura around him.

"(That's right. I can't, they must have families too....)"

More screams and uncanny roars suddenly penetrated Hoshi's mind which he ignored for a moment. It was only when the memories of his planet, the sight of the recent child he saved and the smell of the deceased family behind him invaded his mind and nose, he made his decision.

"(Damn it, I have no other choice. These people are too far gone. I have to prioritise the ones that are still have a lucid mind!)"

His eyes again glowed a shade of red as he stepped forward to immediately zip close to the demon up front and landed a devastating punch that completely passed his arm through its chest. The demon fell back and faded away. This attack however took everything out of him as he instantly collapsed to the ground with heavy smoke exiting his still body.

The three demons from above all jumped down and proceeded to move towards the downed fighter.

"(I messed up, I allowed haste take the better of me). Stay back! I am not done yet!" Hoshi loudly conveyed but his body refused to move a muscle.

The demons lashed out on him in an attempt to capture him. Hoshi closed his eyes for a few seconds only to find the back of a muscular man in brown armor.

"Sir Hirishima!" called out Hoshi.

"Not just me," Hirishima said while he slashed the demon's head straight off cleanly with a longsword.

Subaru came out from the shadows and used his bow to launch a steel arrow in such a way that decimated the other two demon's skulls. All three fell and turned into ashes at the same time.

"These demons are more frail than those guards back at the forest," commented Hirishima.

"I wonder why. Even though they look way more menacing," added Subaru.

"You two defeated them like they were nothing!" Hoshi slowly got up from the ground.

"Are you alright Hoshi? Why are your sleeves and pants ripped like that?" concerned Hirishima.

"I don't remember much at all. I was fighting the king who turned into a demon and next thing I know I was with Sharon near the fountain," replied Hoshi, deranged with his encounter at the lake.

"Sharon? Is she here?" Hirishima swiftly asked.

"She is safe. I told her to hide inside a bunker south of here," assured Hoshi.

"Thank you for that Hoshi."

Hirishima's face displayed genuine gratitude showing how worried he was about her.

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"Where are the rest of the warriors?" inquired Hoshi.

"Well you see."

Subaru stepped forward and began explaining.

Back at the forest, some time ago,

"What is in your mind commander?" Subaru asked Erashi as he rose up.

"He's headed towards the marketplace! If we don't hurry, it will be a massacre!" stressed Hirishima.

"We know you suffered a great loss just now but we have to act before others share the same fate!" emphasized Kieri.

"Let him rest Kieri, let's go kill the King who now possesses a demonic core," suggested Subaru.

"Subaru's right, let's go," conceded Hirishima.

"You can't fight and ensure people's safety at the same time. I will be the one who will fight the demon," spoke Erashi, just as the two turned around.

"Alone? Don't you see how injured you are?" demurred Subaru.

"We got this. You need to take it easy," added Hirishima.

"I can't, please. It's the only way to keep the casualties to a minimum," Erashi replied, desperately.

"(I have never seen him this forlorn before)," Thought Kieri.

"His face wasn't fooling around when he said that, that's why we had to agree," Subaru dejected.

"After this he began laying out his plan." Hirishima began narrating.

"Hirishima and Subaru will take down any lesser demons or guards in the area while rescuing the boy and getting him to safety. The remaining warriors will lead any victim to safety far away from the battlefield. If there aren't any other demons then Hirishima and Subaru will join me in battle after getting the boy to safety. The warriors will be led by you, Kieri," disclosed Erashi to the elite warriors.

"Why me?" inquired Kieri.

"While I was dueling Tamura I noticed that the morale of the warriors was boosted by your speech earlier. That's why I want you to motivate them." Erashi placed his bandaged hand on Kieri's shoulder, displaying trust.

"Are you sure about this Erashi? Not to doubt your skill or strength but you're highly injured and this demon might be the strongest foe you may have faced till now," interjected Hirishima.

"That demon was injured as well, must've been that boy. You were right about his hidden power. He just might be able to free us from this threat after all."

"Understood, I trust you Erashi."

"Just don't die on us Commander."

"Yes I will never forgive you if you did!"

Hirishima, Kieri and Subaru bowed to the commander before beginning their preparations with haste.

Erashi smiled briefly before signaling everyone to begin their descent towards the marketplace.

"Listen warriors! We lost so many of our comrades today all because of these invading demons! Many of your friends and even family succumbed to them. Here is your chance to avenge them by neutralising the commander's vexatious mind from helping and saving other victims of this attack while he cut down that elite demon! I am not forcing you to join us. I understand if you want to withdraw but know this, if you do join someone will stay alive tomorrow and will warm the bodies of your comrades by their prayers!" Kieri loudly conveyed after imparting the commander's plan to the rest of the warriors.

"I am out!" Xiang loudly announced.

"May I ask why? Wasn't your entire plan's purpose was to kill the King?" questioned Kieri.

"Yeah but now I realise I was nothing but a naive child running after an impossible dream of vengeance. I don't want any part of this anymore, I'm done with that bastard," explained Xiang.

"Understood. You will be on your own from here on out," conversed Kieri.

"What else is new?"

Xiang removed the warrior's armor and threw his sword before he turned around and began walking away.

"(If he wants a shot at that old bastard so be it! I am done with all his bullshit. I can't defeat him even if I tried my best anyways. My mother takes priority as she always should've. I will find her, even if I have to scour the entirety of Pandara.)"

"So your Commander is fighting the king alone right now? Trust me that demon is the real deal," astonished Hoshi.

"I believe in Erashi, If there is someone crazy enough to pull this off it is him. Hoshi, you should return to that bunker you mentioned. You will be safe there," spoke Hirishima.

"I refuse, I will help you slay these demons," Hoshi rejected.

"You are in no shape to fight! Don't be stubborn and go!" yelled Hirishima.

"These demons killed the majority of my people. I can't just sit around waiting! I must avenge them and fight till the end!" growled Hoshi.

"Alright." Hirishima walked towards Hoshi.

"Hirishima you can't be serious! He will be in grave danger around those demons!" disputed Subaru.

"It's alright, Subaru. Hoshi isn't coming with us," said Hirishima, smiling.

"Huh? You just said...."

Hirishima knocked Hoshi out and grabbed him before he finished his sentence.

"He said the bunker was south of here right?" asked Hirishima.

"Yes," replied Subaru, dumbfounded.

"Alright you go slay more demons, I will place him to safety before joining you." Hirishima hurried towards the south to find the bunker.

Meanwhile besides the fountain the king remained stationary at his position in wait for his pawns to present him Hoshi. Commander Erashi, heavily bandaged and scarred, trudged towards the elite demon while carrying a Zweihänder with the support of his right shoulder.

"You again? You may have defeated Pruflas but know this, I am not a weakling like him!" Honghui threatened.

Without uttering a single word Erashi made a large step towards the demon and swung his weapon vertically downwards directly at the demon's chest. Honghui raised his claws at the last second, cracking multiple of them. The weapon collided with the ground, shattering a few bricks.

"Damn you! (What is with this man? How can he pack this much strength at that state?)" Perplexed Honghui.

"Pruflas had a stronger vessel, he had my brother. That's why you are weaker!" condemned Erashi.

"Say that again! I'll kill you bastard!" fumed Honghui as he transferred some aura back in his body and attacked with his claws infused with it.

Erashi held his weapon up and backed it with his other hand. The collision pushed Erashi back as he sustained no additional injuries but his Zweihänder was heavily scraped.

Kieri and her coordinates tried their best to assist as many people who were tormented by the demons. They escorted them to safer areas while picking up the young and guiding the capable.

"Hirishima and Subaru are doing their job well but I am worried about the commander," mouthed Kieri as she encountered only a few demons on her way.

Erashi was still engaged in battle with the demon as it didn't use any aura induced attacks after that first one because it was clearly deficient of it. He failed to land a direct blow on the demon as of yet and gradually, blood resurged from his old wounds underneath the bandages.

"Even though we are enemies, I respect your strength and willpower. I can tell you would have been a serious threat in prime condition, even against my full power," complimented Honghui.

"Was it that orange haired boy that did that to your face?" queried Erashi.

"There is some serious strength hidden in that boy. Even the young master has taken an interest in him," replied Honghui.

"Young master?"

"Nothing that concerns you! Now die so that I can proceed with the plan!" The demon again charged up some aura and infused it in its next few claw attacks.

"(Looks like he has gotten more desperate to kill me. Good, it's only about time)." Erashi focused on dodging in an attempt to fatigue the demon out.

Hirishima found the exact bunker he was looking for and opened its gate. The people inside got alerted and yelled, "Who is it!?"

"I mean you all no harm. I am an elite warrior and have come here to place a drained out boy to safety," Hirishima spoke in a very calm voice.

"Hirishima?" Sharon stepped forward and removed her hood once again.

"Yes it is me, here." Hirishima placed Hoshi down right beside Sharon.

"What happened to him?" concerned Sharon.

"Don't worry he is just unconscious. Alright then, I am in a hurry so." Hirishima got up and prepared to immediately leave.

"Don't you dare! You lied to me! Do you have any idea how worried I was!?" shot Sharon as everyone among the crowd took notice.

"I... I know. I am sorry I messed up. But I am trying to make it right and help as many as I can. There are still more of those monsters out there. Please, if I don't slay them, many more innocents will be killed." Hirishima bowed in front of his wife and requested.

"Don't you think your polite side will win me over. When you will be back you will not hear the end of it." Sharon held Hirishima's head with her hands and raised it up.

"Yes miss."

On that note, Sharon released Hirishima before he ran his way out of the bunker.

End of chapter twenty-five.