Stormglass struggles to get herself back up so I rush to her side. I had figured considering her heavy golden armor that she wouldn’t be so light. Must be some kind of enchantment on her armor.

“It would seem the battle is over, for now.”

“Y-Yeah…”

Stormglass was right. It was over but really only for the time being. It did not end with the Demon Apostles death so it’s hard to say for how long things will be “over.” For all we knew he could end up coming back tomorrow or the next week. Still, we should celebrate any victory no matter how small.

Once Stormglass was back on her feet she surveyed the ruined buildings around us causing her to move forward towards them. As she walked she soon found herself stumbling and nearly collapsing back down onto the ground.

“Stormglass, what are you doing?”

“I-I need to see if the citizens are okay. My job isn’t over yet.”

This woman really didn’t know when to quit. She’s clearly in no condition to remain on her feet yet she continued on despite herself. Though, no matter how strong her chivalry as a knight was, her condition as a wounded one was stronger as she struggled with every step.

“Stormglass! You need to rest. I’m sure the other Knights and soldiers are working hard to help everyone.”

“I… I know… but I can’t help but feel…”

“That you’re at fault?”

Stormglass fell silent as I had hit the nail on the head. I’m sure she realizes that much of this was out of her control yet her pride won’t allow herself to accept such things. Before the battle she was nearly incapacitated which, I believe, in her eyes led to more needless deaths. And then you have the battle with Demiurge himself, causing who knows how much collateral damage.

No doubt people were injured. Possibly even killed. Sure, there was the possibility that the commotion drove innocent civilians away but as of right now we couldn’t know.

“We… no, you did the best you could. If you push yourself too far there won’t be anyone to protect the people of this city.”

I wasn’t ready to share in the victory, not quite yet. I don’t think she’d say it but part of all of this is my fault. I probably could’ve settled things faster with the cultists and most if not all of the collateral damage caused in the fight with Demiurge was on me. She really did the best that she could.

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Suddenly, while thinking of such things a realization dawned on me as I found myself surveying the surroundings in a panic.

“Marie? Where’s Marie?!”

In all of the commotion I’d completely forgotten about her! Oh god, I could only hope she got to somewhere safe. I couldn’t live with myself if she ended up getting caught in our fight and ended up hurt or worse.

“Marie? Your female companion? She was the one that found me and pointed me towards this direction. I told her to find a safe place to hide. I’m unsure of where she is now.”

Oh thank god! Well, that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s still safe. While I would find it hard to believe she wouldn’t follow those orders I could also see her trying to come back to help me. I hope she made the right decision.

If she did end up going to a safe place there was only one place I could think of. The inn we were staying at. I’m sure she’d also want to check on her brother’s condition. Oh god, let her brother be okay! That girl can only take so much.

Just as I’m contemplating leaving this wounded knight behind to find Marie soon enough soldiers begin gathering in the clearing as one calls out.

“Commander Stormglass!”

Stormglass looks at me and lightly pushes me forward.

“Go. See if she’s okay. We’ll handle it from here.”

We? Oi, let the soldiers handle things and take a break for once! I want to say these things but I know it’s no use arguing with her so I simply nod my head and run down the street towards the inn.

I make my way past the confused crowds of people. Past the bodies on the cobblestone roads. Past the soldiers trying to make sense of the chaos.

I make my way inside the inn. Past the patrons, both alive and dead.

I run up the stairs.

Down the hallway I reach the door.

I thrust it open with all my might.

I see a girl.

Tears are falling down her face like before.

Don’t tell me…

I inch closer expecting the worse but her brother, though still in her arms, is very much alive. His breathing was shallow but there was no doubt he had survived. The tears dripping from the girl’s face were not ones of sadness but ones of relief and happiness.

She turned to me, with a smile that could cause even my non-existent heart to sway. She gently laid her brother onto the bed and slowly walked towards me before embracing my bony body. Her tears continued as she sniffled.

“I… I’m so glad you’re okay. I-I was so scared. I’m sorry I left you I…”

If I had a proper face I’m sure it’d be smiling right now. Even she knew that there was nothing she could do, she didn’t take any risky moves. This was good.

“It’s okay. You made the right choice.”

I held her in my arms as I thought about what the future held for us. Though, I couldn’t say for sure what laid ahead for us. Still, so many questions about the events tonight were left unanswered.

What was that book the cult leader was using? Who exactly is Demiurge and when will he return? No to mention… just who exactly was this “Lord of Blood?”

So many mysteries, but for now we could only be thankful things were truly over for the time being.

After Marie calmed herself down we found help for Joseph as the moon hung heavy in the sky.