The Everlasting

(Volume 5)

The Struggler

Chapter 1 We are who we are...

(Flashback)

We were on our way back home. Papa had to pay respect to mama’s father and so he took all of us with him.

I had fun today because I had met several kids the same age as me. One girl even taught that my black hair was beautiful. Mama told me she was my cousin. Her sister’s daughter she said. She was quite pretty.

We also got into a lot of trouble when we got lost in the nearby forest…I should have listened to papa and not have left with that blond boy, he is all but trouble.

“Mama, papa where are we going?” I said as I had no idea where papa was driving us too.

“Papa and mama need to do something for grandpa don’t worry it won’t take long” said papa.

“Okay” I said.

It was night time and it was heavily raining, the scenery that was passing us by was very strange to me.

Dark dead trees and an unpaved road with the occasional road bumps made this trip very unpleasant to me.

After a moment, papa nodded toward mama and they stopped the car.

Mama then said

“Dear Yumina it won’t take a lot of time please stay in the vehicle.”

Then they descended and headed toward a building that was almost in the middle of nowhere.

A few moments later a huge explosion erupted demolishing almost the entire building.

I opened the door of the car and ran toward the enflamed debris where mama and papa went.

Not even caring when my new clothes got dirtied with mud because my main concern was my parents. Only to be shocked at what I saw. Mama was laying on the ground immobile and unresponsive while papa was in front of her barely holding a wind barrier and shouting at whatever that was in front of him.

I couldn’t see it clearly but it had a flame like aura surrounding its body but what clearly showed was a red scepter that was hanging in midair between both my father and that thing.

The entity was short…almost as tall as me but its expressions were impossible to see behind that veil.

It then spoke in an evil and an ancient voice…the sound almost made me hurl.

“Where is the protector?! …you reek of their smell. My Overlord had ordered me to take its life. So speak now”

The red jewel on the top of the scepter shone with a black light and a shockwave soon followed that sent me who was way too far from the middle of the explosion flying.

I must have rolled quite a lot and probably lost consciousness for a bit. I however, still fought the urge to lay down and sought to see my mama so I gripped hard on the wet dirt then stood and proceeded forward despite my dizziness.

I felt a warm fluid running down my forehead but I paid it no mind, ‘I want to see mama!’

But when I got back to the clearing nothing was left…

Even the flames were put out. However after looking closer I saw a part of the blue dress that mama wore today laid under some rocks.

I went there only to see her bloody hand sticking out from under the ruble

Unbelieving and skeptical I spoke with a cracking voice

“M-mama…Mama”

No response I touched the hand to find it clod as ice.

The rain had stopped so some time must have passed when I lost consciousness. I went looking for papa he probably might be able to help mama. But what I found was a red stain on where he was before.

(End of the flashback)

Right now I am at the school’ nurse, I had fainted after Ainz Greetman told me about the true fate of Asura.

If it is true then he died a human…meaning that he was truly trying to explain his situation that time…it actually bugged me for a long time until I decided to ignore it because demons often lie.

It was not the fact that he died that shocked me…It was the fact that he only passed away today.

Meaning that he was with those people for more than a month…and if the rumors are true…what were they doing to him for all this time.

However, why do I not feel saddened? Why do I not feel guilty?

The door opened up before I could answer any of those questions.

And from it came Shiki the blond boy. He was a friend of Asura…I wonder how he would feel about me now that he knows that Asura died a human…would he hate me for causing his death?

“Hey.” He said

I said back “hey”

He had changed his pants but still kept the same jacket he wore this morning…I wonder why?

He had a nicely arranged bouquet of flowers and orchids on him and proceeded into placing it into a vase before he grabbed a seat and sat next to my bed.

“How are you doing?” he said

“Fine actually…”

He frowned then he said

“What do you think of what that man had said?”

I answered honestly and without hesitation

“Nothing at all…I do not really feel bad or anything which I find wired to be honest.”

He then said

“I think you are probably still under shock…I myself can’t even fully understand what is happening…for whatever it is worth I truly believe that you did nothing wrong. You only acted that way that time because you thought that He had turned so don’t worry about it…and that item might have been faulty…that man has no proof if Asura really did change back we all know that that is impossible…he might be just telling lies to profit from his death or whatever it is…don’t concern yourself with this…”

True, what Shiki is saying actually makes sense…he did change, he was possessed so how can someone that is possessed change back…and that day when he fought that demonic mage head on he also did the same…he probably was a devil lord all along…and all of this must have been but a ruse. He had the same weapon that I saw that day…the day that both my parents died. He was the cause, he had the same voice…this is probably the reason why I do not feel regret…it was ‘it’ that caused me all of my current pains…why should I bother to care for the faith of a filthy demon.

I was probably lost in my world thinking of all of this and Shiki must have felt awkward because his expression had changed a bit, he even began to fumble…he must also think that I am cold hearted because I said that I felt nothing at the death of Asura.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. I was told by the principal that whatever the real reasons are you will still be considered as to have helped the country a great deal. That person used death magic. So no matter what, he was going to be executed anyway. You only hastened his destiny and furthermore if your actions are to be penalized the council’s judgment will be shaken and the people’s trust will be lost, and this may cause further harm to the country so we must keep this a secret no matter the real results. You should not tell anyone of this…the council will still be doing an investigation over this but the results will not be changed no matter what.”

I asked him

“How come you know all of this?”

He said

“I am the next head to the clan…it is my job to know.”

He then stood up and got closer to the door and said

“I must leave now I need to deal with some stuff…I’ll see you later at school. Get well soon.”

He then left leaving me all alone in the nurse office.

I rested for two days before I was fully recovered…it is quite laughable to have to rest this long just from a pressure attack. That man was frighteningly strong.

I wore my uniform and went outside, I still had to wear a small neck choker in order to hide the burn marks that that man left on my neck. I attended class as usual but I had noticed that I somehow became the center of attention in this school.

Everyone was eyeing me wherever I went but too afraid to speak their minds…let them be.

Walking back to my dorm room I was contacted by a holographic image of the secretary of the principal.

“Yuna Korima-san would you please head to the principal’s office. She wishes to have a word with you.”

I had asked the school board to use my regular name as it was more familiar to me…my old name only brings sad memories.

I answered with “Okay” and headed straight toward the main building.

Like always her office was well organized but she was a mess. Her red and long hair was not well organized and she had black bags under her eyes. Signe of lack of sleep. There was also two men inside the room with her

One almost six foot tall with a really scary look wearing light blue baggy trousers with a sky blue jacket and nothing under it making his scarred chest show. His hair was arranged in a ponytail that made it look puffier and bigger than it should.

He however had a really long katana that made the air itself shimmer from its mere contact.

The other man was of the same height, wore formal clothes all brown in color and had a well-trimmed moustache and a stern expression that made me feel not wanting to cross him.

 The principal rubbed the bridge of her nose and said

“These are the masters Ousay, and Kansaki they are here for the same reason you are…”

“What would that reason be” I asked.

“Master Greetman has managed to locate Osfor. He wishes for all of us to see the footage he had discovered.”

Footage? Of what

Then the teacher snapped her finger making a small crystal on her desk project images of a small room where that man and Osfor sensei were present.

Osfor was sitting on a chair with clear disgust appearing on him while that man had the very embodiment of fury showing on his face.

“You are all here I presume” Greetman said.

Then he turned to Osfor and said

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Play it.”

Osfor responded

“Do they really need to see this?”

“I SAID PLAY IT!!!” shouted Greetman making me flinch from his sudden outbreak

Then Osfor sensei hit a button on the dashboard in front of him making a screen that was off minutes ago begin to play a footage I would never forget.

(Few days earlier)

(Elsewhere)

‘Damn little girl…to have the nerve to not admit her wronging against my disciple I should have killed her that moment…if it was not for Kazehara I would have certainly lost it…’  I said to myself.

I had just left the school where I sent Asura to learn magic…he was a magnificent student, far surpassing myself when I was his age and even managed to learn all of my skills in far less of a time that it took me

I always knew that he was special, but fate is a cruel mistress, he was cursed to death and was used as a lab rat. An orphan I was told, but no one deserves such a treatment. It was by mere luck that I managed to find him that day.

I remember that day like if it was yesterday.

(Flashback)

He was exuding dark energy and probably was in a fight against someone. His body was unable to handle the immense demonic energies that were swirling around him. Even I thought that he was corrupted yet I was amazed to see that eye of his shine in that manner. A golden color that made the very energies of the world around obey him. The demonic energy was subdued without me even touching him. Yet I knew that if I do nothing he might fall for it if it resurfaces again.

He was gasping for air unable to walk properly and just fell in front of me. He was crying repeating the words ‘sorry I didn’t mean to hurt anyone’ again and again… a scepter was beside him. What a strange item to be exuding such energies… I tried to pick it up but it stung me from its mere touch. Then it began to reshape itself it transformed into a scimitar with a dragon maw shaped handle.

‘The devourer’ this item was an existence that once threatened this very world…it was told in legends that its owner was able to fight on par with Alsa. A mighty wielder of this blade the legends told it was forged from the blood and soul of an ancient devil that had split itself in two and placed half his power in this cursed item…where did this come from? Did the ones responsible for this facility used it on these kids? Too many questions to ask and too little time….this kid however seem to have a link to this blade.

Death magic is premating the air, it was used here…and it is coming from the kid in fact.

Black rings began to appear on his hands and tattoos of death began to spread across his arms.

This is a death curse. For it to be used on this kid…there is but one way to save him.

I picked up the blade and despite its refusal and massive amounts of pain that it began to cause me I held it tighter and went toward the kid.

He whimpered and cried while hugging his knees tightly….he must have seen things that no one his age should.

“Kid” I said

He kept whimpering but he must have heard me

I added, “You are cursed, and will die if not treated. There is a way to help you but it is not pleasant. Tell me do you wish for me to help you?”

He looked at me with bloodshot eyes ‘the golden color of his right had disappeared.’

“I…killed someone…I don’t deserve to live” He said however his expressions convoyed that was not convinced of such a thing. A glint of hope still exist in his eyes.

“Then atone for your sins and don’t take the easy way out, fight through it and with time you will learn how to forgive yourself.”

I presented him with the blade and said.

“Do not fear this blade. It may be the cause of your unhappiness but with me it will be your salvation.”

“How” the kid said

“By becoming stronger, and fighting for what you believe is right, and helping others you will see the world from another view, fight back and rise because no matter how hard a predicament may seem trying gives you a chance, whilst surrender is no chance at all”

Then I added

“You are dying from a curse that was placed on you, however if you let me bond you to this blade you may have a chance”

“What should I do?” said the kid

“Give me your hand”

Demons are stubborn creatures they refuse to die and would rather leave a portion of their power in an item in hopes for someone to grant them another chance at life, this is exactly what is happening here

I do not know of the origin of the demon that once owned this item but what I do know that it is strong

And if he is as strong as I think he is then a devil-lord he should be.

Devil lords are known for their ability to control death magic. So if the contract is initiated he might be granted a chance to live. Let’s just try.

I used my spiritual energy in order to initiate a contact I linked both the hand of the kid and the sword using it.

“What do you want human?” the thing inside the blade said as I felt the connection to it almost instantly.

“I wish to use your power to save this kids life.” I answered and the blade seemed to lessen the pain caused to me.

“Why should I agree to this?”

“Because if you don’t I will throw this blade in an active volcano and with it all chances of your revival will be naught…”

“YOU DARE THREATEN ME!!” the blade vibrated from his shout and more pain surged through my arm. Yet it calmed after I said the next words.

“Easy now. Listen this kid is dying and without your help he won’t stand a chance. Make a contract with him grant him at least a couple decades of life then you can do whatever you wish to him”

‘Not that I would let you take his body once the contract is established’

“Hmm interesting…I’ve waited thousands of years what is another few decades…I did manage to possess him for a short period of time. But his body is too weak to handle my strength…I would have better chances with him grown. However the curse had advanced a lot…and he has a special gift…good, good. I can handle this however he will grow unable to control his own mana... he will always need mine for sustenance”

“It is not a problem, I can handle that”

“Good, then let us begin.” That was…easy…

Once he said that all pain I felt left me and the blade began to reach for the kid

He instinctively reached back and grabbed the blade.

Once he did the growing tattoos that now managed to reach to his shoulder began to shrink and wither all the way back to his wrists. The curse had stopped working and the kid seemed to look much better.

I asked the kid.

“What is your name?”

He said “Asura…”

“Do you have a family name?” I said

“No”

“Then who was it that named you?”

“I don’t know…I only know that my name is Asura”

Hmm

“Then I shale give you a family name. From now on you are Asura Shirogami, meaning the white god… the one who brings salvation”

(End of flashback)

I should be passing the borders of Alsa by now. Quietus won’t be long to reach. I should find Osfor and have him explain to me what happened. Damn bastard took Asura’s wellbeing for granted he should not have let his guard off of him. But for those who were responsible for his death a fate worse than his is what awaits them.

Running is much faster for me than taking a vehicle or a ride. Although using an aircraft would be even faster but I do not have the means or time to waste looking for one.

The boarders of Quietus were upon me and guards who were watching the great gates of Quietus were clearly surprised to see me running toward them with no intention to stop.

Using Unstoppable Decimation I broke through the stone gate as if it was nothing, and kept on charging forward.

Reaching further into the territory I noticed that several presences were approaching me, yet none was threatening enough to force me to halt and deal with them. I have only one objective to reach the Seldia sector where Osfor was held captive. Although I doubt that he is being held captive against his will as he could escape anytime even in a teleport blocked area…I believe that he had discovered something far more interesting that he chose to remain captive. And now he needs me to free him meaning that he cannot handle what he had discovered alone.

“Greetman…” said a voice in my head, a voice I knew too well.

“Huh, still alive Viktor.”

 “What business do you have here in Quietus?”

Huh serious as always.

I responded”

“You know me well enough to guess.”

“Sigh…if this is going to bother my lord in any way I will be forced to act.”

“Rest assured” I said “Burgas is the last one on my list. I need to deal with ‘them’ first”

“…”

He kept quiet and after a few moments all the presences that were following me disappeared.

He didn’t leave without saying one last thing

“Give them hell.”

‘Huh…I am planning on doing exactly that’

After a few minutes of high speed acceleration I began to slow down as I was approaching the next checkpoint.

I halted right before entering the checkpoint that was just a small gate carved into a great canyon right after it was Quietus.

Calming myself down and removing the acceleration buffs I relieved my body from the stress I was feeling. Mixing with the crowds was not that difficult once I relieve the oppressing presence that my body usually emits.

The guards were on alert as they must have gotten the information about me breaking down the gate, but luckily I met Viktor and knowing him…

“You may pass Sir Greetman.” Said one of the guards.

‘As expected’ I thought to myself. That shrewd man already eased my not so subtle infiltration.

Continuing on my way I reached the city in nearly no time, getting to the Seldia sector won’t take much longer but I need to make a diversion. If I am to break in to wherever Osfor is I will need to make a commotion somewhere else.

Quietus was divided into four main sectors. Seldia, Ruvil, Bamed, and Gita. Gita sector was the one that the competition was held at. Bamed is a sector for the commune and Ruvil is for the nobles. As for Seldia it was the one that handled most of the production, administrations, and management of the city.

So far I am at the Bamed sector and creating a commotion here wont garner much attention, however if I am to make noise in the Ruvil sector that is not that far from here, those who oversee this city will deem the noble more important and most of the attention will be focused on them.

Finishing my mental planning I moved to act.

It didn’t take much time for me to get into the Ruvil sector. Bribing the guards who were checking the ones who entered the sector was necessary as even Viktor won’t be that cooperative.

I always hated magic when I was young. And I still do but that never kept me from learning some tricks.

Placing a few delayed explosion spells was by no mean difficult especially in a place where everyone thought themselves to be safe.

Leaving the sector after I had done the deed and without getting more attention I headed directly where Osfor’s ‘scent’ was strongly permeating the air, it was coming from the largest building in the area.

Most buildings in the Seldia sector were official ones. Tall and made of cement and glace and tightly put together. Unlike the noble ones that were made with stylish design and didn’t care for space.

It should be about time for the explosions to occur. I am not that monster of a man to make them deadly and they were still positioned far from most residents.

 Seeing the hordes of men wearing black coming out of the large building is proof enough that the explosions had gone off.

I waited a few more minutes until most of the organization dogs left. Then began to do the thing I am best at.

Utter and complete destruction.

I used my strongest buffs and body reinforcement spells.

I was born with enormous amounts of spiritual energies, I was told that only one in a thousand year would have this same body structure. Therefore tiring out in a fight is almost impossible for me even while using all of my buffs at the same time. And this was what gave me my reputation. And I will be sure to deliver!

The waves of energies that were exuding outside my body were making the glass of the building bend to the pressure as I entered.

“OSFOR!!!!!” I shouted without regard to the breaking of any glass material that was near my position.

There were a couple of guards laying on the ground that must have fell unconscious due to my emitted pressure.

Although a lot of ‘dogs’ already left the building there are still quite a few in here.

Three men came in from the elevator that was in the middle of the reception hall. Quickly approaching I shoulder-smashed one of them into the back of the elevator rendering it inoperable.

The other two looked stunned from the fact that their partner was eliminated in less time than they could even react. One placed his right arm forward trying to cast a spell only to have it grabbed by me and easily swinging his entire body into his friend. They made a good looking wall decoration.

Osfor’s smell is coming from below. The elevator is down so using the stairs to get down to him is the only and best option. As the ‘dogs’ can’t get fast enough to where he is without it.

Taking the stairs I went down however I still was met with resistance. Nothing a few punches to the face can’t handle. I cannot afford to use my swords at the moment they might crash the building down on us.

I could not keep track of how many lackeys I had to punch my way through in order to get to the third under floor. This is where Osfor’s smell is the strongest.

Opening a steel made door (breaking it into tiny pieces would be the less gentle term)

I found Osfor in the middle of the room grabbing a man wearing a lab coat with both hands placed on his temples. Searing flames were discharged from his palms into the man’s head. He was not trying to kill him…yet. As I have seen Osfor do this quite a few times before.

“TELL ME WHERE IT IS!!” said Osfor who I, personally, hardly ever saw him enraged

The man fumbled few words saying

“T-The next room to the right…locker 44…please release me…”

He won’t…

Osfor burnt down the face of that man into nothingness after getting that information.

Before I could say a word Osfor turned to me and said

“Follow me”

I was supposed to lash at him and now I am being ordered around…

I however still did.

The room to the right contained a few monitor screens and some lockers that had magical seals on them.

Going directly to locker 44 the seal on it was a safety lock that was supposed to explode the moment it was tampered with if the person did not have the correct formula to unlocking it. Probably destroying whatever it was locking with it.

However Osfor did not even care for such trivial mechanism and instead created a fireball and blew the entire locker sections.

Rummaging through the now scraps and rubble Osfor grabbed a staff.

Yes if it was that item it would be the only thing that would survive an explosion like that. It was his cane.

They must have took it from him and now he got it back…this is why he could not escape earlier.

Osfor turned back to face me with less sterner expressions.

“I need to show you something” he said “It is of the utmost importance”

“What would be more important to me than the death of my one and only disciple” I said in a not so subtle voice.

Osfor who looked dejected at the mentioning of my disciple truly did show regret.

“It is indeed a sad thing what happened to him…I received information about his death from one of the people who were overseeing this facility. Yet still…there is something that if we do not deal with now it might threaten the very existence of our race.”

“GET TO THE POINT!!”

“I luckily came into the possession of an agenda that was showcasing the future plans for the Organization. And making quick calculations I finally understood their objective. Their first attempt at Albion was to get my research on the Gore’s corruption and the method of recovery. Although it was incomplete I still managed to make a stabilizer that was able to suppress the corruption. This stabilizer is able to fight back the corruption. However this very item won’t work twice on the same person.”

“Didn’t I just say get to the point” I said

“I am getting to it please just listen. The organization is in fact not interested in the complete formula but have far more interest in the incomplete one. As with it and with the agenda that I have managed to obtain I understood their true motive…they wish to bring down the great barrier…”

“I still don’t get it…” I said

“Sigh… if they bring down the barrier that is protecting the countries an invasion of the demonic forces is inevitable.  Chaos and anarchy will fester and then they will come like a devil disguised in angel clothing offering the people the medicine that will cure their blight and then promises them with salvation.”

“Salvation?”

“Yes, in fact this plan was never going to be executed as too many variables are in place. The most apparent of them is, if the barrier goes down and the invasion commences, it will be like a punctured dam that will poor more and more Gores into the countries and humans will be certainly unable to stop the devils from getting in. However the organization managed to find an item that could give them a way around this…”

“Asura’s Eye.”

“Yes…Now they could break the barrier from anywhere and with the ability to close it at will they will have in fact tightened their grip on the four countries to do their biddings”

Enraged by the information I just received, and by the fact that Asura was killed for his eye I could only get more infuriated he was but a tool for them…they will know my wrath and this I vow to myself

‘I SHALL BE THEIR END!’

“I still have more bad news…”

“WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN THIS?” I shouted.

Osfor did not speak but just walked outside the room gesturing me to follow him.

A few corners and turns I found myself in another room that was containing files and huge monitors.

Its door was melted off and burnt skeletons of previously living humans occupied the entrance.

Osfor with no respect to the dead stepped on the crusty bones of the deceased and walked in. Then sat on a chair near the monitors playing a scene that made me re-swear my earlier vow, this time making their end to be very, very painful.