Almost!

Oscar knew he could kill her! Throughout the night, he had grown to an unimaginable level.

But he never hit her. No matter how Oscar tried, she always slipped away. Each thrust, each swipe, and each trick and idea he had were useless.

It was always just almost.

All the pain and horror he had faced had made Oscar evolve at an incredible speed. He had learned to cover himself in his rage. His speed had grown. He learned to partly control his rampant feelings to face whatever that blackness outside had been.

Astra had helped him to understand how the damned assassin’s skill worked, and he had a developer a rudimentary skill to sense other sources of strong emotions in the dark.

Oscar had been sent here to deal with the apparent piece of corruption simply because he was the best option everyone had. He could withstand the radiation and destroy it to some level.

The trio of Inquisitors were… Oscar frowned. They were in dire straits. Still better than what was left of the Military personnel, but…

They needed a healer and time. Astra and the other two had borne the burden of protecting their lives against the alien force. Their prayers and hymns had given them hope where there had been none. And they had paid the price.

Now that they were back from wherever they had been, the Inquisitors had begun to receive the divine light again. They would recover, but not tonight.

So, yes. Oscar was the most capable fighter left to face what he thought was an intruder from another dimension. Astra hadn’t said what ‘It’ was, but he had his guesses fuelled by the books and shows he had read and watched.

And upon his arrival, Oscar saw the monstrosity already fighting his fated enemy. He had enjoyed the show, hoping for their mutual destruction, where he could sweep in and take both of their lives.

However, the more Oscar had seen, the more worried he got. The girl was much faster and stronger than he remembered her to be just a few hours ago. Even that barrier bitch was back on her feet, helping the killer.

Oscar inspected the shield-bearing woman with caution. She seemed weakened, but he didn't feel confident in taking her down quickly. The woman was currently glaring at him, but not comming closer.

Furthermore, he felt her very clearly. Her emotions were scalding to behold. They swayed one way, then another. Much like Oscar’s did. But they were contained somehow, and he didn’t understand it.

It made him cautious of her. It had been a lucky shot that Oscar had won previously. The woman’s shield was the only thing that had ever stopped his attacks. It worried him…

“Damit!” Oscar cursed. He had missed again. The hated girl was weaving through his attacks even without seeing him. She was like a scurrying rat beneath the floor.

The hesitant way with which the crowd supported the two killers drove Osacr even angrier. He glared at them, almost sending a rage-filled tentacle into the thick of the crowd.

They just didn’t get it. Nobody did. Oscar bit the inside of his cheek and let the pain wash away the endless anger. Even Astra didn’t get it. She tried, but she didn’t understand just how heavy the emotions he carried were.

Oscar had to let out his distress. He had to lash out at the obstacles. His very being moved by emotions, and they demanded revenge. He couldn’t still his overflowing state of mind.

Behind Oscar, another tentacle sprouted on his back and began bobbing up and down, aiming at the escaping killer. It stabbed forward. But, as expected, it was just a tiny bit too slow.

Oscar had to wonder if the Munny’s killer was doing it on purpose. She was evil enough to taunt him this way. The faint hope he felt each time he was about to hit her made his already tenuous state of mind falter even more.

If only he hit her… But it was a miss again.

Almost. Always just a moment too late.

“Shit!” Oscar felt another tentacle form. He swept through the web of the branch-like limbs, severing. They were only helping his enemies.

Oscar then severed the emotional link to the unborn tentacle, preventing the new weapon from being born. He already had too many - almost ten at this point.

With each new one, Oscar lost a bit more of his sanity. But perhaps… Perhaps that was an acceptable price. His bloodshot eyes watched the little rat jump back on the ruined roof, joining the shield girl.

To Oscar’s surprise, Munny’s killer grabbed the taller woman in a princess carry and jumped down the roof, vanishing in the alley. “What the fuck?” He rushed forward to keep his senses locked on his targets.

A moment later, he also jumped down. Oscar saw the duo enter one of the buildings and followed.

It was almost comical how the smaller girl carried the tall one. It certainly didn’t look comfortable. But…

Oscar used all his tentacles to brush away any and all obstacles, managing to gain on them. He pushed his hatred into one of them, making it larger and longer - then sent it flying forward.

It would land. Oscar was sure of it. With the burden in her hands, Munny’s killer would-

With just a slight sound of the shield’s reverberation, Oscar’s most powerful attack was defended against.

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The duo was propelled forward by the kinetic energy Oscar had put into the attack. He desperately chased after. The assassin exited the hose and…

Oscar watched them vanish into the rowdy crowd. He still could feel them - or at least the similarly burning hatred the assassin felt for him as he did for her.

But Oscar couldn’t attack like this… He crashed into the bodies, chasing after them. His tentacles rose in the air to avoid hurting the civilians. He still felt them…

Oscar couldn’t let them get away. Not again… For Munny’s sake, he would catch them…

—

“Was it wise to let him go alone?” Koldon pretended to be fine. He stood, his back straight, and overlooked the remaining people of the local temple helping the common folk.

And Astra was doing the same. The woman, insufferably beautiful even at this bleak moment, nodded. “The boy will be fine.” She spoke with confidence.

But Koldon could tell she was worried. It was only a question of what and who.

Was Astra worried Oscar would fail, or was she guarded against him and his Temple’s possible designs against the boy?

Frankly, Koldon had to report such a talent appearing in this God-forsaken kingdom. This might have been the Mad King’s secret weapon. Or…

Koldon didn’t dare to speculate for much longer lest Astra sensed something. He wasn’t sure how damaged her body was, but he had the energy to just stand and nothing more.

And Koldon’s comrade… He looked at the aged Inquisitor. Lenel would not survive past the end of the week. This marked another member of his Temple, who would leave his life in the hell of Tordgo.

They couldn’t afford an altercation with Astra and the local forces. Not now. Koldon had already sent a message asking for reinforcements but after this night…

A powerful shockwave washed over them from where the fighting continued. The Commander of the operation was burning his life to bring down the last remains of the rebellion and take down the shield surrounding Stilag.

Koldon prayed for the man. Astra and Lenel joined him. The Commander was a valiant, patriotic man. But he had seen too much, as had his soldiers. They were tainted and had to be cleansed.

“Reporting!”

Koldong turned to look at the young boy in a uniform. He was out of breath, dirty and had a bleeding scar on his forehead. Astra nodded, letting the boy continue.

The young soldier coughed, then spoke. “We found the place. We are trying to get through, but we need help. The longer this goes, the more people will die.” His voice was full of desperate pleas.

Perhaps the boy was a local. Koldon glanced at Astra, wondering what the woman would do.

“Lead the way.” She ordered immediately and only then looked at Koldon, sending a message.

“Yes. We must move now.” Koldon stepped forward, as did Lenel.

Around them, the desperate civilians began to beg and cry. In the presence of the holy, they did not have to fear the guards and criminals running rampant in the streets.

Koldon watched the tears and sadness, feeling his heart drop. He had trouble finding the words to calm these people.

It wasn’t the same for Astra. She spoke to them, telling them to stay here - on the temple grounds. She told them no criminal would dare to step on this land. She told them the Goddess’s mercy will reach them and protect them.

Then they left. Koldon let the boy lead them towards the site. It was one of the guard-made fortresses.

While walking, Koldon was constantly assaulted by the sights of human cruelty. Stilag had not been a pretty city, even at the best of times and now…

Now, Stilag was full of rape, slaughter, torture, desperation, blood and fighting. People were losing hope and, with it, their inhibitions against committing sins.

Koldon wanted to help. Not just once, his body jerked towards a distant heinous act he noticed. But he had to preserve his remaining strength. Even Astra simply gritted her teeth and marched on.

“Hurry.” Astra barked at the boy, startling him.

“I-” The young soldier’s eyes filled with tears. “I can’t go any faster.” He pulled his pants a bit higher, revealing a swollen ankle.

“Then I will carry you!” Astra growled.

Koldon sighed. “I will do it.” He volunteered. They did have to hurry, and it would be awkward for Astra to carry the young man with just one arm. “Come.”

With the boy in Koldon’s hands, they increased their pace. Soon, they found a hot spot of fighting.

Most people here were simple soldiers who knew nothing of magic. They tried to get inside what seemed to be a warehouse. They rammed the walls, used axes to chop the doors and climbed on top of the building to punch through the roof.

But thus far, they had no luck. Koldon and his comrades were led to what counted as the commanders of the operation - a duo of field officers barking out orders and arranging a set of the strongest soldiers they could find.

“They are our last hope.” One of the officers told Koldon. “Until you came. We didn’t hope for it, but here you are…” His spirits were uplifted by the three present Inquisitors. “I don’t know what happened… I can see Commander is barely lucid, but…”

“We cannot tell.” Koldon stopped the man. He scrutinised the few people in front of him. They were good soldiers. Strong and resolute. They would succeed even if they didn’t come. He glanced around, noticing many stray looks they were getting.

“People are watching,” Lenel interjected. “We do have some things to say. To you and your people.”

The officers hesitated but led them into a separate building. There, out of the eyes and ears, they spoke again. They explained how these were the last remaining decent fighters, how this was just one point of several. They had to destroy at least one for there to be a chance of escape.

This was the least defended one they could find. And here they would strike.

Koldon listened in silence. He glanced at Astra, who sighed and nodded.

Then, ice, lighting and invisible bolts of magic filled the room, slaughtering everyone but the three Inquisitors in it.

It was a short and dirty job. Koldon’s hand didn’t didn’t stop until all of the soldiers were dead. “May your brave souls rest in peace.” He muttered.

“I hate this.” Astra spat on the ground. “I fucking despise this.”

Koldon didn’t comment and grabbed Lenel to keep him standing. His friend was now barely conscious.

“But it should be fine now, no?” Astra continued.

“Yes.” Koldon nodded. “This way, we can wait for reinforcements from the Temple. The city has to be cleansed.”

“Right.” Astra walked out, and Koldon followed. “Just like Ocheon… Only. Do we have the time to wait?”

“Just like Ocheon…” Koldon repeated after Astra and then looked into her eyes. “What do you mean?”

The woman hung her head and then looked at the slowly dying man behind Koldon. “Lenel has enough strength to guard this place. As for us, we have to prepare. Atrocities are happening in the city, and we can help. And… Fulfill our duty.” Her voice grew quieter. “It is our responsibility.”

To that, Koldon had nothing to say. He nodded, then left his comrade to begin cleansing the sinful city.