image [https://i.ibb.co/b5jb7tr/5-men-cloaked-men-silver-linings-on-cloak-wearing-mask-with-slits-wielding-a-dark-rod-standing.png]

"Kill Lilith the "Chaos Witch."

Samael swiftly unsheathed his knife and positioned himself in front of Lilith, shielding her from the cloaked individuals.

"Who are you people?!" He spat with clear hostility. These guys just barged in out of nowhere and stated that they were here to kill Lilith. How can he stay calm?

His eyes darted back and forth as he racked his brain. To be frank, the boy had no plan whatsoever. This small talk was an attempt to buy time so he could formulate an escape route.

He knew for a fact that these men were probably far stronger than the slave traders he fought. Their presence alone is enough to restrict his movements.

Damn it! Think, Samael! Think! Cold sweat drenched his back as his options narrowed down.

"Stay back!" He warned them. Yet their steps were absolute and firm. Each resolute and purposeful.

There were six men, adorned with dark cloaks and masks. Five of them had three slits while the sixth bore 5. In their hands nested an onyx black rod that emitted a dark miasma along with the pungent stench of rot and death.

Fuck! There was no opening. They circled the two and moved in unison. It was as if they'd already planned everything from the start.

Samael felt Lilith tremble under his touch. When he glanced over his shoulder, he saw Lilith look at the men, eyes wide in fear. Samael sighed as he lowered his gaze. He understood what he had to do.

The boy gritted his teeth as he yanked the girl over. The men abruptly halted their advance as they watched the boy with amusement.

"You want her, right? I'll give her to you— If you promise my safety." He bargained.

Lilith jerked her head towards the boy, a sharp piercing pain seizing her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she made sense of Samael's actions. He was giving her to the bad guys. But she didn't struggle. These men were after her to begin with. If it weren't for her, they wouldn't be in this situation.

The cloaked men looked at each other, nodding in unison as the man wielding the scarlet mask spoke. "We will honor this trade. Hand over the girl, and your safety is guaranteed."

His lips curled to a smirk as he dragged the girl forward. The cloaked assassins simply waited in place as the boy inched closer, eventually standing eye to eye with them.

"Can I at least say my goodbyes?" He asked. The man stood unmoving before giving a stiff nod. Samael inched his face close to Lilith and muttered.

"Do you remember the second rule...?" Lilith flinched as she laid eyes on the boy. There he wore the loveliest smile she has ever seen in her life.

"My wish is, please, survive..." Samael pleaded.

Tears streamed down the girl's cheeks as she understood that Samael didn't forsake her. He was sacrificing himself for her.

"Here..." Samael said.

The leader of the group raised his hand and slowly reached out for the girl.

"You want her? Then go get her!" He roared as he threw one of his daggers forward.

The man quickly withdrew his hands, deflecting the dagger with a simple flick of his wrist.

Samael swiftly pushed Lilith away, jumping in front of her and acting as a blockade.

Lilith sent her hand forward, trying to reach the boy. She cannot accept this! He was so close, yet so far.

Samael opened his mouth and roared desperately. "RUN—"

Multiple black rods pierced his body in a blur, cutting his words short. Blood spewed out his mouth, but he gripped their weapon tight. His lips quivered, forming into a small gentle smile. He opened his mouth and muttered. "I'm sorry..."

Lilith's eyes widened, her visage pale as she laid her gaze on Samael's loving smile. His voice echoing deep in her mind, playing like a broken recorder.

"With this, our promise is sealed"

"In a scenario where I can't protect you anymore, can you promise me that you will grant me my one wish?"

"My wish is, please, survive..."

"RUN—"

She grasped her head tight. Tears staining her cheeks as she bolted away.

Samael watched as Lilith's figure gradually vanished from his sight. Without hesitation, he snatched a small pouch from his waist. Inside was a very toxic plant that, once crushed, would release a mist of poison.

The cloaked assassins shot their gaze towards the running girl. They gripped their onyx rods as they tried to yank it out.

"Not so fast!" Samael roared in haste, swiftly shutting his palm tight, crushing the plant in his hand.

Green mist flew out like a tsunami, engulfing everything in the nearest 5 meters, easily forming a poison cloud.

One of the cloaked assassin managed to pluck his rod out. He cranked the weapon back, launching it and impaling the boy's hands towards the ground.

Samael clenched his jaws, burying the urge to scream in pain.

The cloaked assassins tried to escape, but to no avail.

Four of the assassins gripped their necks as they gasped for air. They produced horrid sounds as foam started to seep out of the slits of their masks.

The four men's bodies warped in multiple directions, their bones weaving in unnatural ways before their muscles enlarged and imploded, turning into a bloody mess of flesh and organs. However, not all were affected.

The leader of the group managed to react in time. He casted a thin wind barrier that kept the poison cloud at bay.

His hand visibly shook, not from the effects of the flower but from the infernal anger consuming him. He was deceived by a child. He temporarily let his guard down just because he was a kid. Now half of his men are dead.

The scarlet-masked individual swung his arm horizontally, and a chaotic surge of wind blew the mist away.

He kicked the ground hard, his figure turning into a blur as he appeared beside Samael.

"Huh..?" Before Samael could react, a foot landed on his face, slamming him down the ground. Huge chunks of stone flew in the sky as a small shockwave dispersed in the surrounding.

Samael's consciousness started to dim as he helplessly watched the men chase after Lilith. A lone tear fell descended from his eyes as he silently pleaded.

Please, let me borrow that strength one more time.

Using that "power," he might just be able to buy Lilith a bit more time.

Even for a second...! His thoughts echoed as he is once again swallowed by the darkness.

The men closed the distance with ease. The surviving assassin grabbed Lilith by the hair, tugging it tight, raising her from the ground.

Lilith's face contorted in pain, her screams reverberated as she flailed around. Until her eyes landed on Samael, and her world came to a halt.

Samael lay motionless on the ground. His body, impaled by multiple black rods.

Lilith felt an unexplainable feeling in her chest. Her body trembled as she reminisced the happy moments she had with the boy. Now, she won't be able to see him again. That future was taken from her. Stolen from her.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

His voice rang in her head. Repeating the same words he uttered to her.

"I'm sorry..."

Her face quivered, a single tear sliding off her cheeks, fading into the unknown.

no..no..NO! NO! NO!

I won't forgive them... They will pay for this...!

The wind stirred and the smell of decay and destruction permeated the air. Specks of orange matter seeped out of Lilith's skin, dancing along in the sky.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!!!

The man prompted to return when a pulse of orange energy rammed him, sending him flying. His body breezed past the scarlet masked assassin as it continued to plow down dozens of trees before his mangled corpse came to a halt.

He was dead.

The scarlet masked assassin felt his hair stood on ends. He shot a quick glance and what he saw was a complete monstrosity. A giant tornado of orange matter wreaked havoc as it made its way to him. Trampling everything on its path.

"So it is true! The chaos witch, she who wields the power of chaos itself!" The scarlet masked assassin spoke, his tone heavy and grave.

The leader crouched and gathered wind energy on his feet, propelling himself forward. He used his element to form a path, decreasing the air resistance and easily breaking the sound barrier.

Multiple sonic booms resonated in the air as the cloaked man flew in an arc, avoiding the chaos tornado with no effort. Within a few seconds, he managed to appear behind the frenzied girl. In his palm nested a black collar with gems imbedded on its dark surface. With one swift motion, he strapped it around Lilith's neck.

CLICK!

The chaos tornado pulsed, its energy dispersed, gathering in a sphere before fading away in a small explosion.

Lilith's body went limp, falling down the ground with a soft thud.

The assassin panted as another onyx rod materialized in his hands. He raised the weapon high in the air, intending to finish the job— a black silhouette collided with him, throwing him a few steps back.

"Who dares?!" Setting his sight forward, his eyes widened. Samael stood there in a protective position. Behind him was the unconscious Lilith. However, his eyes held no clarity. It was like an animal protecting its cub. But that wasn't what surprised the man. What really amazed him was the fact that Samael could still stand after being impaled by six corrosion rods. Not just the normal ones, but rods infused with demon poison.

"You mutilated your hands?" He concluded. Samael growled in response, his tone filled with malice.

The man narrowed his eyes. "Admirable will. Unfortunately, you chose the wrong side," the man spoke, his figure turning into a blur.

The man precisely aimed his rod at the head of the boy—but Samael drifted his head away. The rod brushed past his cheeks, leaving a shallow cut.

"Impossible!" The assassins hands shook in disbelief. A little boy in such a sorry state managed to dodge his attack with such speed. This wasn't even funny; this was ridiculous.

"!!!" The man bought his corrosion rods forward, forming a shield as a foot slammed on his weapon, generating a small shockwave that pushed him back.

He calmly maintained his balance and sent a barrage of piercing attacks. Sure, the boy can move, but can he dodge all of these?

"Perish!" The assassin roared.

Samael's muscles screamed in agony as he weaved to dodge the attacks. Unfortunately, his attempts were futile.

In a blink of an eye, his body got littered with holes. He flew back, forming a dust cloud. But even that was not enough.

The assassin loomed closer to Lilith. When his senses warned him of danger.

Samael released a demonic growl as he crouched on all fours. His muscles bulged before he pounced with great speed, shattering his arms and legs.

The man whipped his arm back, wind energy forming in the center of his palm. He propelled his hand forward, forming a wind screen.

When Samael crashed into it, the shield retracted before catapulting him away.

Samael's body was thrown back, smashing against the ground thrice before coming to a halt.

The man couldn't help but wonder. He has never seen anyone move like that. Although it was comparable to the "berserk" skill of the beast kin. There were a few major difference.

Berserk made the beast's kin stronger, but not this much. Plus, their peculiar skill doesn't eliminate the users pain receptors, they become stronger, but just enough that they don't break. Samael literally shattered his bones and pulverised them just to try to land a hit. And he's still roaring to go!

Samael released a spine tingling roar, his hands dug deep on the earth in an attempt to approach Lilith.

The man straightened his fingers and arms, forming a makeshift blade.

[wind cutter] He muttered.

A green, transparent aura covered his arms. He took a stance as he whipped his arm repeatedly. Each slash formed thin slices of wind sharp enough to cut steel. All of them were headed for the boy.

The wind blades flew fast, humming as it travelled in the air, before descending in an ear shattering explosion.

The man relaxed his tense shoulder, releasing a deep breath.

"It's over—"

A feeling of unease struck him followed by a bone chilling weight that pressed him. His hair stood on ends as cold sweat drenched his back.

From the dust, a different figure came out. Her raven black hair fluttered in a wild but alluring manner. Her body worthy of envy from other women.

image [https://i.ibb.co/BKKSN81/woman-art-mature-beautiful-long-black-wavy-hair-bangs-red-eyes-elegant-majestic-8k-fancy.png]

Her pitch-black horns that traced to the side of her head and a black tail that swiveled seductively. She somewhat resembled Lilith.

The moment the assassins gaze landed on the woman, he deployed dozens of [wind lances] catapulting them with all his strength. Yet none of them reached their target.

With a simple flick of her fingers, dozens of black fireballs sparked out of thin air, intercepting the wind lances in a dark explosion.

The red-masked individual felt a shiver run down his spine. One of his strongest skills was dispelled just like that. This was bullshit!

The man stomped the ground hard and flew at supersonic speed. Their mission has failed. Now that "she's" here, there is no more chance in hell that they can kill Lilith. Retreating was his best option.

Unfortunately, the mysterious woman didn't think so.

"You dare lay a hand on my cute granddaughter..? You must be seeking death." A voice spoke behind his ears.

The man looked beside him in horror, only to be baffled at the spectacle.

The woman ran at astonishing speed, catching up to the assassin with utter ease. She wasn't even breaking a sweat!

The man pushed his index and middle finger, releasing [wind bullets] in a frenzy. But the woman simply swatted them away like they were childish toys.

The assassin flinched in disbelief. "What the fuc—"

A foot appeared out of nowhere, and slammed itself on his head. A loud crack reverberated, his body thrown around like a used rag. A spider web forming under him.

He groaned in pain as he tried to stand up, only to be stomped down.

"You fools and your games are going too far." The woman brought her foot down again, stirring and forming a dust cloud.

"Should I go and pay a visit to the ministry?" She threatened, her voice becoming distorted by the minute. Oh, she's going to enjoy torturing this bastard.

To think that they would dare plan an ambush on HER territory and hurt HER granddaughter. They must have grown a pair of balls.

"Do you think the ministry will fall to the likes of you, demon?!" The man spat with a crazed look on his face.

The woman slammed her foot down in exasperation. "Silence, scum"

The assassin whipped his arm back, wind energy flowing from his hand, forming a whip.

The woman hopped back, dodging the attack without any effort. The assassin pulled out an object, glancing at it momentarily before slamming it on his chest.

The assassin fell on his knees, as he released an ear shattering roar.

"ARGHHHH!!!" A golden light swam out of his body. Bringing with it a blinding light.

The woman had to step back and maintain her distance. Even someone of her level can get wounded by this level of divine magic.

The man's body shriveled up, his bones clinging tightly to his skin.

Is he using his life force to sustain magic at this level? As expected of a level 5 fanatic. She clicked her tongue and clapped her hands together. Multiple silhouettes slithered from the shadows awaiting her orders.

"Get my granddaughter and go home." She commanded, her tone ice cold. The shadows nodded in unison, their figures merging with the shadows.

The woman's eyes wandered leisurely, landing upon the battered boy. Even now, Samael was still growling and full of fighting spirit.

Is this berserk? The woman ran her eyes on Samael.

No, this is a skill he developed... How interesting, She thought. Sadly, its effects are devastating. She gently touched the swollen chest of the kid and watched as her finger sank.

Shattered limbs and splintered ribs. His body is also corroding; how can someone take this much damage and survive? She wondered.

"I suppose I do owe you one." She muttered. She pointed her palm to the boy, and spoke.

[Infernal Regeneration]

Dark flames sparked from her palm, slithering towards Samael's wounds, burning them away, or at least she thought.

Hmm? She halted her skill, her eyes narrowed as she observed the black pulsing veins under his skin.

I'm afraid it's too late. She concluded. She managed to somewhat heal the damage done in his body, but the corrosion was stopping her magic from healing the boy fully.

Simply put, Samael was not long for this world.

Her brows furrowed, she has never seen such symptoms in all her life. Just what kind of weapon did this? This was a wound beyond her capabilities.

The woman shot a glance at the onyx rod. Her thoughts consumed with worry. With a snap of her fingers, the rod vanished into thin air.

A strong wave of divine magic swept the grass and trees. Wreaking havoc to everything unfortunate enough to come near it.

"Feel the wrath of Taranius!" The man roared.

[Heavens judgment! Divine annihilator]!!!

An enormous golden beam morphed into a towering sword, descending upon the earth, promising destruction to its foe.

The woman glanced at the boy one last time, before turning into a blur.

The divine weapon whipped down, consuming everything in the nearest one kilometre into a radiant burst of golden light, leaving nothing in its wake.

***

DRIP... DRIP... DRIP...

Samael's eyes quivered as he opened them. His jaw clenched as he winced at the aching pain coursing through his body.

He carefully leaned back. His eyes narrowed down as it adjusted in the cold abyssal darkness.

A wall? He wondered. He scanned his surroundings, and his eyebrows furrowed.

It appears he was inside a cave. High stone walls surrounded him, and in front were tunnels leading into the unknown.

What happened...? He couldn't help but ask himself.

Then it struck him.

Memories of what transpired earlier flooded his head. The confrontation with the masked assailants, Lilith's escape and the agonizing pain of the rods embedded in his body.

He froze, and his eyes jolted open.

"LILITH! NO!" He roared. He rose to his feet, but the burning pain seizing him made his knees buckle. He gasped for air, his heart galloping fiercely. Calm down... breathe... breathe... He told himself.

Gradually, he reined over his composure. Panicking was never going to help him. He can only hope for the best and help himself first.

Samael inspected his body and was left baffled to see no wounds. He clearly remembered how the rods penetrated his skin, crushing his bones and leaving him incapacitated. Did Lilith heal him when he was unconscious? No, that wouldn't make sense.

The only evidence left of the events earlier were these dark squiggly veins nesting on his skin, precisely where his previous wounds occupied.

They would occasionally send a wave of dull ache and discomfort, but not too much that he can't handle.

Samael sighed. Luck wasn't really his forte huh. Still, there was a far bigger problem here...

"Where am I?"