Cody stopped in front of a house, he was holding a piece of paper with an address on it. Illia had given it to him, telling him to take his time.

Cody sighed as he prepared himself, he then headed inside. It was abandoned and there was no evidence of anyone having lived here for a long time. Cody brushed a finger over a table as he passed and frowned at the thick dust. There were spider webs in the corners. It didn't take him long to find the stairs to the basement so he headed down quickly.

Cody stepped off the basement stairs and into the empty dark basement. He frowned as he began to look around, his hopes were falling. There wasn't anything here that he could see, he was using his sword like a light and raising it up.

He searched the entire basement before coming to the final conclusion that there wasn't anything here. He turned to leave, a great feeling of frustration and disappointment reared it's head as he started up the stairs. But he was forced to pause as a chilling scream reached his ears, it was faint and coming from below him.

Cody headed back into the basement, pushing more light into his sword he began to search the direction he Heard the scream come from. He reached the back wall and gazed intently at the wall, he realized that he could see a trace of someone recently touching this wall. He also touched it. Tracing his hands across it he soon found a button and pressed it, with a loud grating sound the door receded and Cody was greeted by a staircase. He dashed forward and peered over the edge, his eyes landed on Aiko, just as she was being tossed into the pit of Bodies.

Cody gritted his teeth and leaped, fuck the stairs, he ripped his sword out and swung downwards.

Clang

Cody, felt resistance as he slammed into Illia's dagger, she smiled and grabbed his arm. She then flipped him over and slammed him into the ground. "Welcome to the party!" She exclaimed happily, she actually took a stance while facing him.

"Thanks, I got the invitation, so the least I could do was show up right?" Cody joked in response, he showed her the address she wrote as he got to his feet and reset his stance.

"Start the ritual boys! We've collected enough. I'll play with our hero till then alright!" Illia exclaimed and the Knights leaped to action, Cody could only grit his teeth as he watched them slit Amethyst's wrists and begin draining her blood. The platform they were on had a magic circle carved into it and the blood poured into it to fill that carving.

Without saying anything more Illia and Cody leaped at each other.

Bang, clang, clang, screech

A collection of sounds accompanied their blurring shapes as they crossed blades, Garth watched with a burst of hope. They were on a level that surpassed him, but it was beautiful to watch them fight. There's no way the hero will lose! He believed that completely.

Cody frowned internally as he experienced her repeated strikes, she's stronger than me, by a lot. Cody grunted as he barely blocked a strike and the rapid clashes came to a standstill. They were locked in a block, Cody took a hand off his sword, frowning at his trembling wrist.

He began to attempt a cast but Illia wouldn't let him, she forced his sword to the side and spun.

Bang

Cody's head went white at the explosion of pain, then he hit the ground. She had smashed her foot into his temple, everything was blurry. Cody forced himself to his feet as red trickled into his vision. His head was bleeding.

Cody lifted his sword and swung, white light blasted out of his sword and blinded his opponent. Illia frowned and closed her eyes while backstepping. Cody took another step forward and managed to cut down her side drawing blood. The light faded like a flashbang and she instantly counter attacked. Cody blocked the first attack, but the second came from her other hand, she was now dual wielding knives. Cody felt pain tear down his arm as he leaped back, chanting an incantation as he did.

Illia gave Chase, a few throwing knives came his way and disrupted his incantations again. She re-entered attack range and before he could react she stabbed him in the chest, grabbed his sword arm and redirected his strike. There was a look of pure surprise as he fell backwards and hit the dirt. Coughing and choking as he couldn't breath.

Garth watched in terror as the Hero went from keeping up, to being on the back foot, to being defeated in mere moments. As Cody landed on the ground, a hole in his chest Garth felt his world shattering. He realized in this moment that there was no one who could stop this.

The Magic circle surrounding Amethyst began to shine as the three knights took up three different spots and began to chant an incantation. The blood took the shape of the circle and then began to rise, upwards it settled just below the crystal and began to glow.

Cody gasped as he reached into his bag and began to pull out a healing potion, he went to drink it when Illia flashed forward once more. She stabbed her knife into his hand and basically nailed it to the ground. The potion hit the ground and smashed the liquid splashing uselessly into the ground.

"Imagine getting the title of a hero killer, that sounds fun." Illia smiled as she lifted her knife to plunge into his head. Though as she did she paused, her eyes on the crystal. It was pulsating in a bright light and letting out ominous energy. The Bloody red magic circle turned golden and rained down splashing on the knights, screams rang out as the golden blood was like high powered acid. They died mere moments after the incantation was complete.

"Oh, well that's wonderful. The ritual has completed." Illia turned to look at Amethyst and the Carnage between her and the girl being tortured. A memory surfaced at that moment she let it wash over her. Relishing in the dying screams of those detestable men.

Maxwell stood before her, he was gazing at the moon with a smile. Such a handsome man. Devilishly so, though she wasn't taken by him, he was like a father to her.

"Master, you already placed me under that despicable man. I may be loyal but there's only so far I'm willing to go. This is my limit." Illia said defiantly, his new plan required the use of Lithian slaves as despair generators for the Awakening ritual of the demon in the crystal. Maxwell turned away from the moon and lifted her chin with his cold hand, he brushed the hair from her eyes. Giving her a warm smile.

"Dear you have no responsibility in this, you only need to protect the men I've picked to carry out the job. You're too beautiful for this dirty work, no need to stain your hands. Simply guard them and make sure the ritual isn't interrupted. After it's complete do whatever you want in that place, but bring me the demon." Maxwell explained he then turned away, "Your reward for suffering is the eventual war to come. The eradication of the Church of Gia will be the first step towards the final destruction of slavery across the world, You trust me Afterall right. The Promise I made you will be fulfilled."

Illia sighed while nodding, she then bowed to her master. "Fine, I will allow you to bend me a little bit further, but this is really my limit any further and I will find my own path away from you. Me and my brother don't need a place that cares not for our true needs and desires."

"Dear, you're my greatest disciple, your needs and desires are always on my mind." Maxwell assured her.

As the memory faded Illia dropped her knife and stepped over Cody. She then leaped forward, a beautiful smile on her face. "Finally I can let loose!" She exclaimed, she was at the platform in an instant. She ripped through Amethyst's bonds and then tossed the girl at Cody. The other Knights all got up from their posts around the room and began to approach her, they recognized her current behavior as odd.

"What's going on, Miss Lilly why?"

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"What, did you think I would really sit by and watch you have fun torturing my brethren?" She exclaimed. "The ritual has been completed and as compensation for protecting you I shall now release my frustrations." She leaped at them, the crystal above glowed while casting the area in a wash of red, gold, and deep purple colors.

Illia ripped and tore like a beast, blood splattered and poured on the platform as the crystal began to almost beat like a heart.

Screams filled the area as Cody pulled his last potion and used some to heal himself, he simply watched dumbfounded as the person who was just his enemy tore through the rest of his enemies like paper.

He finally got to his feet and approached Amethyst, he quickly poured the rest on her wounds, her breathing was faint but still there.

Amethyst's eyes flickered before opening and before he could say anything she pushed him away. She dashed over to where Aiko was, she pulled her from the pile and began to cry as she held her body close.

Thump, thump, thump

The steady thumping of a heartbeat, Amethyst leaped to her feet and dragged her unconscious friend over to Cody who was just standing with a confused and bewildered look on his face.

"Can you do anything about her. . . Her ears?" Amethyst asked, causing Cody to notice the missing ears. Her hair was caked in blood and there was torn and ripped flesh where her ears used to be.

"Ah, um I can't use healing magic." Cody trailed off as Amethyst looked expectantly at him. "That was my last potion." Potions were rare, requiring an alchemist to make them. To find them you'd have to shop somewhere closer to the main city of Kozak. He'd originally bought a few for his travels but didn't really expect to run out. I can count on one hand the amount of people I've met who can kick my ass like that.

Cody sighed as he began to bandage her head. Aiko began to struggle as the her consciousness began to return. She even opened her eyes at some point during the process, gripping Amethyst desperately, though soon the fear faded from her eyes as they cleared up.

Finally, Cody sat down as he was done, he was exhausted. Amethyst leaned down, looking into Aiko's eyes and suddenly the mood turned a bit strange. Aiko opened her mouth to protest as if she knew what was coming but before she could, Amethyst kissed her. A passionate kiss on the lips that had Aiko squirming, a deep blush crawling up her cheek.

As Amethyst pulled away Aiko was left breathless, she snuck a glance at Cody who was frozen in shock then she glared at Amethyst who gave a hurt puppy look. She then sighed and leaned forward, giving the dejected girl a peck on the cheek.

"Sorry, I thought I lost you." Amethyst mumbled, feeling like she'd done something wrong, she looked towards Cody who finally collected himself.

"Lips are sealed, I didn't see anything." He replied seriously, his mind turning. Aiko nodded and stood up, Amethyst suddenly brightened and hopped up as well. The light show began to calm down and brought their attention back to the center. Where he realized the crystal was starting to melt and pour down around the platform. Illia had finished her slaughter and was looking up at the melting crystal with anticipation, Cody gazed up as well and that's when he saw what was inside it. Shit! a Demon, That's what they were after?

Cody frowned as he watched the melted liquid touch the corpses, the interaction reminded him of insects trapped in amber, it completely consumed them. We need to go, Amethyst carried Aiko as they left from the basement beneath the basement. Cody helped Garth to his feet as well and they all climbed the stairs. Cody looked back at Illia once more, the Demon fell from the crystal as he did. It was a young girl, and she had her eyes open staring at him. Illia caught her and handled her gently, the crystal continued to pour, filling the area beneath the raised platform in the center. He turned and left with the others.

As they stepped out onto the street they stopped in their tracks, a man was standing there, arms crossed.

"Hello there, have fun down there Hero?" A familiar voice revealed the presence of the Guild Master.

"Why are you here?" Cody asked warily.

"I caught that some of my adventurers had been kidnapped, then news of your departure reached me through Maria. I came to help, however seems you've mostly handled it. Hmm, bring Aiko to me I'll see what I can do about her ears." Andy explained with a smile.

~

Illia smiled as she caught the girl, she was in quite the good mood. I got to kill those people and listen to their wonderful screams, I also managed to release this child without sacrificing the two newest Lithians. I think this is a wonderful outcome. The best possible outcome. She was delighted as she waited for the crystal to resolidify, the platform no longer raised. The floor had turned to a red, gold, and purple Amber containing not bugs but countless corpses.

Illia stepped onto the crystal floor letting the girl in her arms down, She frowned while looking around.

"Who?" The demon girl asked while looking at Lilly with suspicion, she was wary even while she held the look of someone on the verge of falling asleep.

"My name is Lilly, no last name, I'm here to oversee you're release from the seal. I was told to tell you that I'm a direct subordinate of Maxwell, The bishop of Shadow." Lilly explained, their was also a wariness to her as she recognized the vast magic subconsciously leaking from this sleepy child.

"Oooh! Uncle Maxwell, Where is he, I would like to see him." The little girl let out a squeal of excitement before clinging to Lilly. "I shall call you Miss Lilly, hehe. My name is Belphegor, but you can call me Belphy I think it's cuter." She then lifted her arms. "Carry me, I'm tired and wanna sleep more." Lilly sighed and lifted Belphy up and began to walk towards the exit.

"Was my release painful for you miss?" The little girl suddenly asked, Lilly didn't answer. "I can sense it in the way mana is fluctuating as it passes through you, you hate this place. do you want me to destroy it?" Once again Lilly said nothing as she carried the girl out from the basement. Though the girl continued to have her own thoughts and that night a loud explosion shook the town as an entire street was wiped from Aguris's map. The story the public learned was that a illegal operation was discovered and a group of city knights went to investigate. however the criminals set off a massive explosion and killed themselves and the knights.

~

Derek dropped down, landing in a crouch, he turned around and held his arms out. Serine dropped after him, he caught her, setting her down beside him.

"We're almost there." Derek whispered, they were headed to a town called Talik, on the way out of the country. Derek could see the torches from here, he took her hand once more and led her from the forest.

"Who's there?" The guard called out, he was standing at the front gate as Derek and Serine walked up.

"Hey, just some travelers, this town has an Inn yes." Derek spoke in a friendly tone.

"Of course, you think the city that sits on the border between the Kozak Empire and the Brotherhood of Blushai doesn't have an Inn. We have four, there are about a thousand people living here and constant traffic to and from the two countries."

"Wow, geez how often do you get asked about Inns?" Derek asked, ending the man's rant.

"Everyone who isn't a resident, and about half the residents." The guard replied, he sounded tired, Derek nodded, holding out his adventurer's card. The guard waved him inside.

Derek led the way into the city which was reasonably quiet, it was late so no one was out. "We'll get an Inn then head across the border tomorrow." Derek explained to Serine as they headed down a side alley, he actually knew where the Inn was, he was just trying to distract the guard with conversation.

The alleys were barely lit, magic lanterns hung occasionally on back doors, and certain homes and shops. Aside from the lights in the darkness that appeared from time to time, it was pitch black. Serine was gripping his hand tightly and sticking real close to him. She was likely scared, being in an unknown place with a stranger like this.

Derek paused as two men stepped from the shadows and blocked his path, he also sensed two more blocking him from behind.

"Crossing the border, in a hurry, with a slave." A voice spoke up behind him, "Why so rushed, with a slave, to reach a country where slavery is illegal?"

"That should be none of your business." Derek growled a warning, I can take these guys no problem, he thought. Suddenly something gripped his hand tightly and he remembered, Oh shit, maybe there is a problem. I don't know if I can beat these guys and protect her.

"Well, if that's a runaway slave, we'll be taking her here." The man from behind continued, Derek turned to face him. The man wore leather armor, he had spiky black hair and a scar that ran down his face. "If she's no runaway, why don't you just show us her papers and all will be good, we'll leave you be."

Derek sighed, he didn't have her papers, he pulled his knife and readied his stance.

"Thought so." They attacked with no warning, Derek pulled Serine behind him as he fended off a blade. He kicked the guy's legs and went to stab him in the gut, but the thug was yanked back by his buddy and another sword came swiping at him.

Derek blocked and continually tried to counter-attack but he was unable to move from the wall he'd put behind him. Serine was between him and the wall, Derek didn't dare chase after them in case they went after her while he was killing their comrade.

He realized he couldn't win, he couldn't damage them, their teamwork and his handi-cap worked too well against him. I'm not experienced in fighting against multiple enemies anyways, much less while protecting someone, He thought in annoyance as a sword sliced open his shoulder, he winced and was struck hard against the side of the head before a blade stabbed into his chest. He gasped, surprise lit his face. "Huh?" He spoke softly, before he could properly understand, a kick slammed into his stomach and threw him against the wall.

Derek hit the wall with a wet thud and slid down, It wasn't supposed to go this way, but I guess thanks to her I got to live a little longer as a free man. The pain burned into him, he could see her, crouched over him. She was talking and trying to say something to him, but he couldn't hear, there was a ringing noise and a deep blackness threatening to swallow him. He watched helplessly as one of the thugs grabbed her, lifting her easily, she was light being so young. She hit and struggled, he smashed the butt end of his sword into the side of her head and she went limp, head lolled to the side and he carried her away. He felt a weird desire to smile or even laugh as the darkness swallowed him like a hungry beast. I couldn't protect her in the end huh?