No matter the outcome, I had to confirm with my own two eyes.

Each step I became nervous, uncertain, yet certain of a fate that I didn't want to admit was true.

It's quite funny how that strands of fate makes it seem so convenient for themselves, but at the expense of others.

There I saw the town I lived in. The very first one I had laid eyes upon exiting the life in the forests.

There was a peaceful tune as I walked slowly, pulling the reins of my horse. It was like a tribute being given by nature to those that perished here. Orange, dried leaves from old withered trees slowly falling from branches, tossed around by the wind.

A thin black smoke rose from the rubble of the town, devoid of any signs of life. The walls were broken down, the houses and buildings were toppled to the ground, and bodies of people littered the path leading towards the capital. They were unarmed, but mercilessly killed by disgusting means.

Some of their bodies were ravaged, bloodied, gored by spears, it was horrible. I was amazed at my own ability to swallow this kind of reality while ignoring the horrid stench of death, decay, and blood all around me. It didn't seem to matter whether they were children or not, their bodies could be found scattered everywhere.

Why can't I react to any of this? I felt no emotion welling up. Have I known that this wound eventually happen?

The wolf cub looked up at me and whimpered. Maybe it felt my own feelings as it lowered its head near me.

"Don't worry."

That was all I could say as I patted its head and continued into the town. It's strange that I thought a wolf would be more savage and ferocious, yet the weakness it is showing me defies that thinking. I don't know why it trusts me so much, but I'm just happy for the company. I didn't much care whether it understood my words or not. I just had the strange urge to speak to it normally just like I would to a normal person.

Inside were the bodies of soldiers and demons. With the way the bodies were positioned, it looked like the demons had broken into the town's walls from the inside.

The silence was awfully deafening, yet the rustling of the wind and the sound of the breeze blowing kept me from spacing out. The sights were just so familiar that I could see it before it was reduced to rubble and ruin.

Just then, I got to a street leading up to a park, and a small way from it was a house where I made a promise to meet someone again. The second floor of the house crumbled while the first floor stood strong, on the verge of collapsing.

"Fiona... Erica, are you two safe?"

I muttered their names as I reminisced back.

But just before the silence took over again, I heard a quiet sobbing, one that didn't call for help, but one the felt like it mourned the loss of someone. And it came from inside, no doubt about it.

Quickly but cautiously, I crouched under the collapsed beam covering half of the entrance, avoiding any loose flooring that might crumble under my step.

The inside of the house, though collapsed, looked to be left untouched by any demons as there were not a single sign of them inside. The furnishings were ruined as if a storm had barged in. Dust was everywhere, and a strong liquid smell oozed through the house as the air was cramped in.

Then I could hear the sobbing more clearly, it led to a kitchen where the top floor bore down on the body of someone, and a window was nearby, shedding light upon the sobbing child who looked at the expressionless but solemn face of her mother, who, under the terrible weight of the debris, had perished in a tragic way.

I struggled to say her name without startling her, reluctant to see her safe, but alarmed that something might happen to the house if I don't get her out of here right away.

Upon creeping up next to her, I placed a finger in front of my lips and gave away smile.

"Come, let's get you out of here. Remember me?"

But she sobbed and held her arms out towards me, her crying getting louder.

"Mama! Mama!"

She kept calling out to her loudly and reaching her small arms out, but she didn't respond to her.

Feeling a sense of a melancholic nostalgia, I held her and embraced her tightly, patting her head as I made my way out of the house as cautiously as I could.

"It'll be alright, I'm here now. Everything will be alright."

I told her repeatedly, but it only made her bury her face on my chest and tightly grip onto me.

I'm sorry I couldn't do anything. I was sincerely sorry. I wish I could have been here earlier, if I was, then I could have saved her.

But the worst was yet to come. I was waiting for it, but I didn't want to find it deep inside. It felt like just a bit more could push me off the edge. I could only hold out for so long, but all this was so overwhelming that I didn't have the time to mourn. If it was for the best or worst is something I'll have to answer after this.

Once Erica had calmed down, she immediately fell asleep. If this had indeed happened a few nights before, then she had been there, awake and in that pitiful position for those days. What a horrible memory to keep.

I held her carefully as I continued into the very heart of the town, being careful not to wake her.

As I arrived, I saw a young man who looked to be about my age, kicking stones and lazily walking about.

He didn't seem to notice my presence so I hid myself behind a still standing building, glancing cautiously at him to make sure whether he would pose a threat or not.

The young man wore a long dark cloak, and an unused hood that exposed his brown hair. He had a fair complexion and a bored face.

But just as I had secured my silence, a mouse ran under my horse, startling him and forced a sound that surely echoed through the desolate town.

"Shhh!"

I tried to calm him down, but it was too late. When I looked back he wasn't there anymore. Not a single trace of him anywhere.

I was in an unfavorable position, holding a child in my own arm, and a sword in the other, well, it stood sheathed but ready to be used when needed.

The sky above me was suddenly covered by a figure from overhead, a size too big for a anything I know roaming the sky. But the figure became larger as it descended and broke the ground it landed on, waking Erica and startling my companions. He spun and fluttered his brown cloak, clearing the dust and smoke around him till he was positioned a few inches from me.

I immediately drew my sword and pointed it at him, seeing the face of the same man whom I recognized just a few seconds ago.

He had a sharp, terrifying gaze that exhumed a serious confidence and the feeling of strength to show just that.

His palm was facing me; his arm, which had strange markings of a trail of tattoos on it, possessed a current of energy that flowed along him. I felt an amazing amount of energy slowly building up to his palm, and I became petrified, unable to say or do anything, not even move a muscle.

"Who are you?"

He spoke coldly and menacingly. He had a killing intent that was the source of my petrification. This was an inhuman being who had just leapt and landed from a few stories above me, creating a small impact on the ground. There was an uncanny strength at play here. The way I am now and how I was occupied, I had no chance of beating him in combat.

"Hey! Answer me. Are you deaf?! I'll warn you already. Tell me you're a demon, and only the worse is to come. The truth, now."

He demanded, the energy built up on his palm was bursting, and all that was needed was to allow it to come forth and ravage anything in its path. Was he a mage just like Gino? No, he's far stronger than him, I can feel it for some reason. This is no normal power.

But of course, there was only one true answer to his question.

"I'm not a demon. I don't look like one, don't I?"

He narrowed his eyes in suspicion, looking at me as if he didn't believe what I had said. He looked at Erica, whom kept crying as she looked at the young man, intimidated and terrified, while the wolf was growling and snarling at him as well.

"That's not really convincing anyone."

"Fine, then think about this. Why would I be staying around here if I knew that I would gain nothing? If I were a demon, I don't think I'd have any reason to stay here, won't I?"

"I've met wandering demons as well. They go where they please and don't give a damn not unless their king orders them to. They don't need reasons, even when they have the power to have common sense and rational thought."

I've got nothing else to convince him with. Just how do I prove my innocence before I'm wrongfully accused of being something I'm not. Revealing my true identity is just a last resort, so I have to think of something else.

He closed his eyes and kept silent for a moment. Then his eyes focused on me, his pupils turning a color of green, as if it were a serpent's, sharp and able to see through a facade.

"Now that you say it, you don't really look like one, nor do I sense anything from you. Sorry, these days there are some demons whom you can't tell apart whether they're demons or humans. They're starting to slowly resemble humans more and more. But anyway, what are you doing here then? No normal person should be around here in this place."

His attitude became a bit more relaxed, as if he had taken a giant leap from being cautious and wary to being calm and easygoing. He was strange, no doubt about it. But I was glad to have him being calm around me than hostile.

"I was searching for someone. That's why I came here."

"I see. Well, found that person yet?"

"Well, I wouldn't be here if I did, but no."

I sheathed my sword and lowered my guard.

I tried to let Erica sleep peacefully once more as things had finally calmed down; I had done the same with the wolf, patting his head.

"You've got quite the companions here. Mind telling me why you've brought them here?"

"It's... a long story. We've just met, but you wouldn't mind hearing me out? I've got so much on my mind."

"I don't care one bit. You seem like a good guy, and that's enough for me. I'm sorry for being too rash there. I almost did something I would've regret. Sis always tells me to hold back, but I guess I still have a long way to go. So, go ahead, tell me about it."

And so, I did, telling him about how I found Erica, and how I met her and her mother in the first place. It was, painful, telling him the story while she was there in my arms, sleeping without a care in the world. But he listened with great intrigue and interest, making a pensive face once I got to the present.

"Man, I-I didn't know, sorry. You didn't even know the person that well, yet It feel really painful when you lose someone close to you. Damn! If we only got here sooner, then we could've made a difference."

I scratched his head, then clenched his fists, cursing under his breath.

"But what's with the wolf cub?"

"I saved him from some demons. So it sort of grew attached to me. I'm still not sure how it came to be, but I'm not bothered by it one bit," I said, looking at the cub.

"What or who are you anyway? What were you doing here?"

I asked him the same question.

He had spoken a lot, but it seems that there's more than meets the eye with him. There was something that pushed my curiosity as I looked at him and his unusual character.

"Huh? Me? The name's Aster... a half-breed. I'm from a small organization called Yolim, or the creator's left hand, just like how the Thaliseans are the right. The name's not official. It’s just something that we thought about."

"I've never heard of it, sorry."

"That's fine, it's better that way. Not a lot of people know us anyway, and it's because we're an independent group acting with our own agendas. A bit secretive, but it all boils down to one thing, stopping the demons and helping people as much as we can. They've rampaged through the land long enough. That's our main objective."

"I don't really see much of an organization with you."

"Well, yeah, that's why I'm still here, or part of it. They've gone off and chased the demon leader that attacked the town, and they left me in charge of waiting for the kingdom's reinforcements, just to make sure that this place doesn't get attacked a second time. But the thing is, they haven't come back yet, and I'm starting to get worried."

His emotions showed on his face; his unease and worry. He was an open book. An obliviously sincere person that took everything life threw at him head on. It radiated from him.

"But that's enough from me. I haven't gotten your name."

He stood up and extended his hand towards me with a small smile.

"Zachary, my name's Zachary."

"Alright Zachary, now that the formalities are over, let's search for that person you're looking for. I'll help you."

And so, we began to walk the barren streets in search for the man whom took me in when I was alone during that sudden night.

"You know, when we got here, there wasn't much left. But they were still fighting, that alone was surprising to see when they fought against hordes and hordes. It was like the one that led them had the iron will to die fighting no matter what the cost, a trait that not a lot of people have these days. It shook me, that determination. When we got here, they already lost, and the remaining were being routed, mercilessly killed by the demons. We could only subdue them and drive them away."

He was right, there were bodies lying around everywhere. There was not even anyone to pick up the corpses and put them to rest.

I would often catch him staring at me with a suspicious, stern expression, but he himself wouldn't notice it until he realized it.

"Is something wrong?"

I asked. There was something, a feeling of unrest in his eyes. There was something that he wanted answered, but he kept silent. Everything happening in his mind was beyond my comprehension.

But finally, there, the great Theodore Hark, lying in all his glory on the ground along with his allies near the very end of the collapsed gates, and around him were the many corpses of his slain enemies. He wore his armor, where a large cut was on his chest, and died holding his sword on his left. He had a solemnly calm face that made it painful to look at. I was torn, unable to find the right words to justify this. Why did this have to happen again? I asked myself. I couldn't save him like with my parents, and it's as painful to see, just like having relived that very moment.

I handed Erica to Aster and fell to my knees, resisted the tears from spilling forth. But my limits had been tested and have been surpassed. There was no way that I could stand silently and take this. I felt an empty void inside me as I took hold of his hand, cold and dry with blood. It fell limp upon my trembling hands as I tried to tightly grasp it.

My lip quivered, but no words came out, instead, droplets of tears fell to the ground near him.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen like this. I-I wanted to save you, but I couldn't get here on time. I'm so sorry. You know, I promised Louise that I'd save you no matter what. But, but I don't think I can face her anymore. I failed, I failed miserably. I let you, the man who took me in during my greatest time of need, die when I promised that I would save you if anything were to happen to you.'

'I'm sorry.'

I finally said my last words and moved away from him, taking a step back away from the others to look at the bright morning sky. A view that wasn't at all suited to this grim, sullen atmosphere.

I felt a warmth brushing against my leg and looked down to see the cub by my side. It has been diligently following me, not knowing why it has or should be. But right now, I'm grateful, yet pained.

Aster...

He looked completely demoralized. It was as if his soul had been sucked out from his body, leaving him an empty husk without anything else to do in the world. Honestly, It made me feel terrible. But there was no anger, just sorrow. That in itself was strange and confusing since most of those we've met scorned us for being Half-breeds.

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They'd cast us out with just about anything they had, stones, pitchforks, words. They'd succeed. But we never took it to heart. We would go without a word; nor would we turn around to look at their terrified and disgusted faces. But I can't just feel anger at their presence.

You see, we were born just like everyone else, yet we were somehow different from the rest. That's what my sister told me. She understood something that I didn't when I was about seven years old, and she was about twelve. Yet she took care of me better than any adult could.

I never understood why we were hated by everyone. We helped them whenever they needed it, going as far as to kill demons for their sake, yet they shunned us and cast us away with scornful looks.

Right here was a person that didn't look at all angered by my presence, even when he knew that I'm a Half-breed.

I saw no need to hide it from anyone. Better for them to know than for them to find out later. Trusts are much harder to part with when you've built a strong bond with someone only to have it crumble at the mention of a single word. 'I'm a Half-breed.'

Those who would hear those words would immediately change their faces. It would contort with a snap of a finger and all would end right there.

We were born from a demon and human parent, and thus we have been given the blood of a demon. Half their strength was also given to us, yet even with that, Sis forbade violence against humans no matter what. It was a golden creed that she held firm until now. We didn't look that much different from an ordinary human, but we do have a longer lifespan. The only difference that stood out like a sore thumb at times was the marks that Half-breeds inherited from their parents. It was usually a symbol, but for us two, it was a tattoo on our arms. 

She was strong, my sister. Stronger than anything I can ever aspire to be. For whenever we were threatened by humans, she would protect me, and now, I would protect her. Yet it doesn't feel as different. I still feel plenty hopeless.

I asked her more than often why we have to defend ourselves against those trying to harm us. It was contradicting in every way imaginable. But she would tell me the same answer again and again... 'So that a future where we live in peace together is possible'.

In the years that preceded, she gathered all the Half-breeds that we could encounter in our travels and created a group dedicated to making our image better. That was the most important goal of all. To fight demons for humans and to show them that we are not to be feared.

But nothing has changed. Until now we are still spat upon just because we carry the blood of a demon. No matter how much we helped them live a second life, there was nothing gained. It didn't make us any different, but that's the way we were treated.

Looking at him more clearly, he's been through some tough times. His face showed that this wasn't the first time he felt this kind of sadness. He came back to a burnt down home and a deceased father figure. Though I never knew my parents since they passed away when I was born. HIs face showed a genuine pain and suffering. I began to ask myself the question that if I knew and lost my parents like this, would I feel sympathy for them, or scorn them for giving birth to us? It wasn't exactly the life we wished for, rather it was the only door open for us.

It made me suddenly relive a part of my past where I seemed to open my eyes to the harsh reality, the disgusting and sickening truth that we live in. No matter what kind of kindness we give, as long as we carry this curse, then we will continue to live like this until we wither away.

It was a few years ago... I still remember it as clear as day.

"Gilles! Subdue it! Even a few seconds are fine. We just need to wound it, otherwise we won't be able land a scratch on it!"

She commanded our movements precisely like she saw what we saw in her own eyes. She had that kind of ability, not because of the blood she inherited, but because she was a natural at leading people.

So, those whom she gathered grew to trust her almost immediately, believing that with leading us, there will be salvation.

"Tch, fine! But don't count on more than ten seconds. That's already stretching it! My golems can only handle so much."

He yelled out, peeking over the ruined pillar we used as a shield from the demonic overgrown salamander looming behind this shield of ours.

It breathed a corrosive but flammable breath; possessed a nearly gigantic body covered in hard scales, and had three heads, all breathing a lethal stream of fire that could incinerate us in an instant.

There were four of us, including me. Each of us possessed abilities of our own that was chosen to benefit the operation.

We needed to take this beast down or pacify it. It looked ridiculous, but in truth, this was a simple lower whelp who didn't know better. It attacked a nearby village in search for a meal. But of course, those that accepted our help didn't know about our identities.

"Aschya, try to keep its heads at bey in any way you can. A few seconds as well will suffice."

She nodded diligently and prepared to cast multiple layers of spells. The burn wound on her leg immobilized her, yet her diligence fought that back splendidly.

"Aster, you will knock it down. Head to its side when Aschya distracts it, then on my signal, Gilles and I will hold it down. You know what you need to do."

"Alright, I understand."

My heart was pounding in a rhythmic beat, but I've been against worst. It was the adrenaline making its way up to my head. My hands shivered, and my legs trembled, but I braced myself and prepared to run as fast as I could.

"Now!"

And with that, Aschya let a dark mist resembling countless of tendrils ripple forth towards the salamander, constricting two of its heads, the middle quickly escaping its grasp and breathing fire upon it, incinerating the tendril.

With that, I dashed until it's sides were in plain view. At the same time, Gilles summoned a golem as large as the salamander and had it grab its tail, constricting its movements.

But, my sister, whom possessed the same abilities as I did, amazed us the most. She was unreadable. Exceptional in combat, always surpassing those whom challenged her formally. She could fight with a blade, a blunt weapon, or bare fisted. It didn't matter for she would win without a doubt. She had no need to rely on her power, so most of it were either her apparent skill itself and her own abilities she had honed over the years.

She sliced forth in a single motion, a single step created a Single trail that reflected the light gleaming on her sword. In a single step, she went from her position, to the salamander's front left limb, slicing at it. Then she took another step, taking her from there to the other front limb, forcing the beast to kneel forward. If one were to take a simple glance, they would say that she could teleport, but it was entirely her agility that made it work. I could see her, but vaguely.

It roared loudly, emitting a deafening roar that shook the insides of my body. But I steeled myself and ran at full speed, building up a current of energy to my fists.

As the seconds wound down, I had leapt and smashed my first right into its sides, then repeatedly delivering a flurry of blows each creating a powerful 'booming' sound that echoed everywhere. A current of energy flowed along my body, and with every blow, I sent a paralyzing amount of lighting into it.

But with that, the beast was slain. It fell to the ground, helpless. There we finished it off for good.

The exhaustion was apparent as we carried ourselves back to the village where we gave our aid to, but we were jovial at the thought of having succeeded in helping them and making our names better.

We arrived at the village, but the atmosphere was gloomy.

They we're waiting for us at the gates with torches and all sorts of farming equipment, both rusty and sharp. Their faces displayed that of terror and uncertainty. It was a is they saw a monster inside each and every one of us.

Sis took a step forward and told them the good news, however, they didn't seem happy at all. In fact, they looked displeased about something.

Immediately, an old man, escorted by two armed peasants, came forward and asked.

"Are you all Half-breeds?"

We didn't say a thing, but that silence affirmed their doubts. They started to move back slowly.

"See what I told you, chief? They're just using us! I bet that they lured the salamander here and tried to get some easy money from us!"

"Yeah! They're all demons! We should kill them all!"

Many agreed with the man that began the outbursts.

-I can see them, those damed mark! They really are Half-breeds!

-How terrifying! Demons, here at our village! Whatever will we do?

-We can't protect ourselves from them. The lord's forces aren't here.

-Did you see how they took down that demon? They're cursed beings! We should burn them at the stake!

The people crowding the gates began to give us shifty looks as they murmured with one another. You could hear the word 'Half-breed' being tossed around. Then they all started agreeing with their own notions.

"They're demons! You all saw them handle that thing! It only proves it!"

The women and children vacated the crowds and retreated further inside. Now the only one’s left were the men, all cautious as they glared at us.

"Chase them out of here, chief! They're demons! You know that they only want us killed."

"Yeah! Let's kill them before they kill us!"

"Let's call the lord of the town, he'll help us! We'll get a hefty price if we sell 'em these demons!"

They raised their makeshift weapons.

"Just go ahead and try, you ungrateful bastards!"

The villagers all took a step back and pointed their weapons towards us.

Gilles said aggressively, taking a step forward only to be stopped by my sister. Then followed a deafening silence.

"Don't stop me. This people blame us after we helped them, and I'm getting sick and tired of helping these damned people that only treat us like trash. I know how hard you've been trying, and I'm grateful for that, but I have to draw the line sometimes. If they only want to kill us after what we've done for them, then we'll beat them to it."

But she simply shook her head sideways.

"Very well, we shall leave. If we start now, there won't be any way for us to turn back. It will not only affect us, but those others who strive for the same freedom. Let us not spoil their efforts for the expense of our emotions."

She said adamantly, turning away from them.

Gilles didn't say anything and simply bit his lip. He threw a cold glare at the villagers and turned away. He always had a soft spot for my sister, just can't say he loves her. But that's not the point right now.

Just as we followed her, a hail of stones assaulted us from above, coupled by the incessant shouting and cursing of the villagers and our weakened state, we were unable to do anything but cower and hope that none would hit us. But that was just wishful thinking.

This was not the first time it had happened. I can't even count the times this has already happened. I, along with the others, have been silently taking it, braving the sneers of these people just because we didn't want my sister to bear all these.

What happened next simply told me that it was enough. It felt like a rope snapped at that moment, and my sanity was unable to take this sitting down.

As we left the village, I was covering Aschya's head. Her arm rested around my shoulders so that I could support her, and that so she wouldn't strain the wound on her knee. But with the countless numbers of stones raining down upon us, she had gotten hit on the head, on her back, and on her wound. Despite me covering her the best I could, she let out a pained cry and fell weakly to the ground.

"Aschya!"

I immediately shielded her with my back and held her close. It didn't matter to me how much I got hit since I had a sturdy body, but her, she was frail, yet she joined us. The top of her head bled, and she was sweating profusely.

"Get out of here already, you disgusting demons!"

Their anger moved them to this extent, why? What did we ever do to deserve this except help you?

I tried to make my move as well, channeling a current of electricity towards the palms of my hands, creating a small quake beneath my feet. But the moment I took a side glance at my sister, she had a fierce glare that said 'don't do whatever you think you're going to do, otherwise I'll have to stop you myself'. It was a terrifying glance that shook me.

And so, to avoid the troublesome villagers, the others and I rushed out from there and went back to our place.

Are all humans this despicable? They're even more terrible than we are, yet they see themselves as normal. It was a ridiculous notion to live with, and it still has, with a bitter taste in my mouth.

We've continued helping people despite that, but after hearing of the atrocities and having that happen to us a few more times, many of those that we gathered left. they simply couldn't take the philosophy that my sister had stood firm with.

And so, a few of us were left. So few.

Those that disappeared went against her philosophy, 'repaying' the people for the hardships they were given using force in every aspect. It tarnished our reputation, if we had one in the first place.

It wasn't easy, building up who we are or should be today. But all that plummeted in one fell swoop, and their transgressions immediately fell on us.

We were to blame for the entirety of a massacre we had nothing to do with.

But all that aside, here we are still, helping people despite the hardships.

Yet, this person, having heard of me saying that I am a Half-breed, should have made him angry almost instantly for this atrocity the demons have done to his one and only parental figure. But he had not said anything for the past hour. He neither blamed me, who carried a demon's blood just like everyone else, nor did anything those villagers had done in the past. He simply stood in silence, lamenting the fact that he was gone.

But, I wanted to affirm something. I just had to know... why? I've been so used to the fact that we have been seen as the culprits almost every single time, so I suspect every person I meet of harboring bad intentions towards Half-breeds such as myself.

I want to know...

"Hey, tell me... Why aren't you putting the blame on me? You know what I am, yet I haven't heard anything from you. Your face does not display disgust nor terror. That means you aren't scared. So what is it. Aren't you angry at me since I carry a demon's blood?"

I know, it's stupid, it's an entirely stupid thing to want to know about, but if by chance this person is someone I can come to know without having the need to be scorned nor cast away, then I'm willing to find that out.

"Nothing here is your fault. You came here to try and save them, so why should I place the blame on you? If more, I am thankful that you tried."

His words left me speechless.

He forced a smile as he turned around.

Is he someone that I can trust, someone who doesn't fear us Half-breeds? someone who can sympathize with us.

Just then, the sound of hooves galloping and stomping on the ground shook the earth as they came closer, a stampede like movement. Dust trailed as they came in large numbers, well armed and disciplined above all else. They carried this kingdom's banner with such high esteem that it felt suffocating how they flaunt their strength. I had a terrible feeling from them.

A man wearing a more extravagant form of armor dismounted. A man well beyond his thirties with a wrinkled face, a stern disposition, and an unmovable resolution to him. He carried himself above all others as he strode down with a strict eloquence.

"What a disgrace. Look at what had happened here. It seems that Hark's negligence finally brought his standing down to a befitting level. As I suspected."

He raised his chin as he ridiculed the man Zachary sobbed for. They man now laying down, resting in peace.

"Adjutant! Make the necessary preparations to have these men buried at once. We will set up camp around this desolate and miserable town until the king sends a dispatch of more men. Have them be at ease while I assess everything."

A man about a few inches from his height saluted in response.

"Yes sir! It will be done with haste. But still, it's horrible, what happened to these people. Even the ones just outside of town. They were all hunted down."

The man looked sorrowful, displaying emotions that made him human.

"The kingdom's prospects and assets here have been destroyed. This will be a painful blow to the kingdom. This loss would have been avoided if they put someone else who was more worthy to the task at hand. The weakness if the lord governing this town led to this tragedy. There is no one else to blame but him. After all he was useless and obsolete from the beginning."

His words made my blood boil.

Though Zachary stood there, clearly listening, he simply stared blankly at the man, not saying anything. I couldn't take any more of it. They ridiculed a dead man instead of giving him peace. But I knew full well that 'people' like these existed. It was not unheard of, rather, I expected it to be like this having seen him stride too confidently for his own good.

"Hey! Think that you're going too far, geezer?"

He looked at me in a perplexed way. His soldiers all stood their guard, making sure that their presence was known by me.

"Excuse me? What did you just refer to me as? You insolent plebian!"

Haughty. It just gets worse from here, does it? But why, Zach. Why not fight for your old man's honor, his pride. Don't let this man ridicule him when clearly, there wasn't anything you could fault the man for. After all, he was here, and he stood his ground. He died will a great fulfillment and satisfaction of having been able to help people as much as he could, but 'people' like these walk on him like dirt.

"Didn't know you were deaf too. You're too narrow-minded to have seen it, but this man fought the the last man. He died with them, yet you shun him? You people really are disgusting."

"Who are you to dare and talk to me like that, you low life scum! Don't you know who I am?"

And came forward and glared at me, placing a hand on top of his sword's hilt, grinning maliciously.

"I don't think I'd want to know. You judged this man like he was nothing. Yet I've seen people like you, cowards, running with their tail between their legs when the situation becomes dire. This man stood his ground, yet you don't see his merits?"

"Merits?! If he were at the very least competent, then this should not have happened in the first place. A man of this kingdom is not as negligent as this failure of a lord. And what's more, he suffered the greatest disgrace a man from this kingdom could ever suffer. Be defeat by demons."

He drew his sword and let it idle.

"Your name, now. I won't let such transgressions go unpunished. Your insolence will cost you, be it your life, or someone else's. You dared talk down to the man of the great house of Kaelus. Your payment will be your life, and I, Maximillian of the great house of Kaelus, will be the one to punish you."

"My name won't be wasted on your deaf ears."

He eyed me intensely, looking over my clothes and found his answer. From the wide grin, I could tell what he was thinking at that point. It was devious, but obvious.

In an instant, he struck my face with the back of his hand; the sound of the slap echoed throughout the ruins. It didn't feel the strong at all, though he looked to be using most of his strength with that, it simply itched. My body wasn't that weak to be affected by paltry attacks such as that.

Though he struck me, I didn't take it to heart since it was better to have the malice directed to me rather than to Zachary and his old man. He had more than enough to deal with... But his face pisses me off. There was a grin that stuck out like a sore thumb. His confidence was the only thing obvious when looking at him, that and the haughty personality.

"Hmph, so a Half-breed dare talk down upon me..."

His men immediately drew their weapons and set their sights towards me, laughing as the man struck a blow to my cheek. I started to tense my muscles and prepare for the worst. Looking at them, I know I won't get out of here unscathed, but I'll take as much of them down.

'Sorry, Sis, but this is something that I have to do. I don't think I can get out of this one so easily.'

"Who is to say that you didn't commit this crime. After all, you and that fellow over there are the only ones present here. Suspiciously enough, there are no other culprits."

"I didn't. I helped in putting down the ones that attacked the place."

He raised his hand and made a circular motion with it.

"Men, surround this vile cur. Lies have tainted my ears, and I will not have it. This demon will be presented to the court at Exaltier where 'it' will face charges concerning the attack of Lavis and the death of Theodore Hark!"

At his announcement, his men did surround me, covering every crevice that I might escape from.

I could use the full extent of my powers here, but there's too much of them to be able to finish off at one go. I'll... die here if I'm not careful.

"Didn't you hear me? I said I helped the place! - "

But he cut my sentence off, taking me by my neck, applying pressure to nearly suffocate me if I were a normal human being. But his rage showed by the apparent vein close to popping on his forehead.

"I have already dirtied my hands on you twice. There won't be a third. I'm warning you, demon. My hands aren't worth to be sullied on your disgusting face, yet here I am, delivering punishment where it is due."

I didn't move an inch since it wasn't worth it, but I was still thinking of some way to get out of this place unscathed. I don't know what will happen to Zach and the kid, but I have to put them into account as well. I can't drag them into this, hate me and my race or not.

"Don't you dare talk down on me, you damned scum on the face of this soil. You are lucky I am merciful today. If I were not, then you would have already been cut down by my blade. But, I won't spare you the time to sully my blade with your disgusting blood. After all, you and the rest of your kind are only imitations, low-lives that seek to be a part of humanity when in fact, they can't be, for they are disgusting vile creatures with no purpose but to pollute this world with their presence. You are all the same. Demons, the very scourge of this land that deserves to be purged, every last one of you- "

Before he could even continue with his vainglorious speech, I swatted away his hand that was restricting my neck with ease, taking the collar of his uniform protruding from his armor near his collar with both hands and headbutting him.

As expected of a noble lord, he became disoriented in one hit as I used enough force to knock him out. the only thing I was surprised with was that he still stood, though wobbling, he stood. This was fitting. If he wanted to insult us, then it was wrong to do it where I could hear you.

"Don't you dare talk down on us! We're worth much more than you narcissistic and egotistical bastards who flaunt their power at the expense of the lives of others!"

As he fell to the ground, unable to hold himself up, he irritatingly yelled out as to move the embarrassment away from him.

"What are you all staring at?! Apprehend this damned demon and chain him down! Cut him, slice his head off, I don't care! Just take it down!"

'Damn. There's no choice then!'.

But right before they could start cutting me down, a voice shattered their momentum, forcing their attentions away from me and towards... Zachary?

"Don't even think of harming him! Not one step further, otherwise, I might do something I will regret, and believe me, you will regret it too."

While still holding the little girl he rescued, he leveled his right hand with his chest and showed a weakly glimmering symbol of light. I could feel something rejuvenating just by staring at it; taking my full attention, as if I was being renewed. Though there was an inkling of pain as my eyes stared at it, there was no way to pry my attention from it.

There was a certain rage on his face as he cried out, and his eyes, they were terrifying, maybe much more terrifying than my sister's which was something I thought impossible, but here it is now.

I felt a chill on my spine at they were all mesmerized by the same thing. That mark, that symbol that I can't quite explain.

"What?!- What are you?"

The haughty noble named Maximillian questioned him, perplexed as he stared at Zachary.

The men unknowingly let their guards down. This was my golden chance to make a turnabout, but to my surprise, even I, who possessed a strong and limber body, could not move, yet it nothing felt out of the ordinary. There was nothing constricting me, it was as if my body forcefully didn't want to move itself, taking control over from me.

"I think I can answer that question. He is a mage, just like I am."

A voice called out from our side. There stood two figures who looked slightly messy. One wore a black and gold laced cloak, holding in front of him a layer of magic in the shape of a circle. Inscribed on it were various symbols and markings that I couldn't hope to make out. It was pointed right at us, and the energy that was gathered on it was immense, as equal to the level that a high-ranking demon would have. Or it might just be my imagination.

The other beside the man was an iron clad knight just a little bit shorter than the one beside him. He held a sword, standing silently and attentively.

"Now, I wonder what kind of trouble you have gotten into. This seems rather out of place, don't you think?"

He spoke with a strangely dangerous, composed eloquence, as if every word that came from his mouth could turn the tides and swoon opinions.

Just, who were they?