Rooooooar!
A raging bellow accompanied Cesar's devastated cry. Flames blazed around the mad bull while the air exploded producing a deafening sound.
Then, a burning figure was blasted away from the center of the conflagration. Cesar's goat eyes shook from horror after realizing the identity of that figure.
"Sheila!"
Tears uncontrollably fell from Cesar's eyes while madly dashing towards the burning figure. He ignored his healing injuries despite the pain he felt and his blood spilling.
Yeshua followed him, and even before reaching her, the two Alterers saw the horrendous condition of Sheila.
Though it was gradually dying out, the flames still continued to burn Sheila. Her Sheep Alter Form was hard to discern as the wool covering her body was burned to ashes, and her skin was charred black. Her flesh was also sizzling and spurting blood.
Cesar staggered from shock and his goat face turned pallid. However, Cesar swallowed the agony he was feeling as he continued to run towards Sheila.
When Yeshua and Cesar reached the charred body of Sheila, the flame covering her was almost gone.
Cesar sat beside Sheila. His lips trembled trying to say something, but his voice was held back by the reality in front of him. He then reached his shaking hand to Sheila and carefully placed her head on his lap.
Just then, they realized that Sheila was completely unconscious. Though she was alive, her body was gradually returning to her human form.
That was not good since, in human form, the physical boost of the body of Alterers was weakened.
"Old goat…" Seeing the condition of Sheila, Yeshua wanted to tell Cesar that it was too late for her, but he could not continue what he was going to say after seeing the agonized face of Cesar.
However, Cesar was also aware of the obvious condition of Sheila.
"I know it's too late for her, boy. Even if she was able to remain conscious in her current condition, her injuries will endanger her mind to savageness."
Indeed, what Cesar said was true, but Yeshua also knew that with the injuries of Sheila, she would die even before turning into a feral.
Rooooooar!
While the two Alterers were tending to Sheila, a furious roar was heard again. Yeshua and Cesar looked at the savage bull-man Jason who was completely turned into a feral.
"This is a real Feral…," mumbled Yeshua as he felt the menacing strength of Jason. His eyes lacked his chronic playfulness while looking at the ferocious silhouette of the raging bull.
This was different from Grey. Grey did not completely turn into a feral, but the strength that Grey was able to use was almost two stages above his original strength.
By exhausting the energy of his soul and siphoning the fire energy from his energy core, the Feral Jason was almost as strong as Yeshua despite formerly being a Level 1 stage 2 Alterer.
"Boy, leave this place now. You don't have to risk your life by staying in this place." Cesar told Yeshua with a steady voice while looking at Jason.
Before, even though he felt guilty, Cesar wanted to ask Yeshua for help to stop Jason. Jason was beyond help, but at least, Cesar wanted to escape with Sheila at that time.
However, despair was eating Cesar's heart at this moment. He had nothing to care for anymore. So at least, Cesar did not want to risk the life of a young Alterer any longer.
Cesar's steady voice then weakened and became filled with hopelessness. His eyes that were gradually suffused with despairing loss looked at the raging bull listlessly.
"James is dead. Jason turned into a feral. He's also dead at this moment. Sheila is dying and nothing can change that. I… Just let me accompany my friends…"
What would it take for someone to give up hope? Pain. Agonizing pain. Pain that no one would understand unless they experienced it.
Yeshua knew that answer. That was why he could understand Cesar's decision. Yeshua remembered the days when he was also thinking of ending his life after he lost his mother.
Those days that Yeshua just stayed alone staring blankly and waiting for death to claim him. Every time he would sleep, he would pray that he would not wake up anymore. Every time he would wake up, he would say with dismay why he was still alive.
However, although Yeshua understood Cesar, he also could not accept his decision. At this point, he knew he was meddling too much in someone else's affair, but for Yeshua who experienced that same pain, seeing someone giving up on living reminded him of his weak self.
Yeshua could not help but say, "It's true that it's too late for your friends, but is it really alright for you to leave Jason like that, Cesar?" By saying that, Yeshua wanted Cesar to not just accept the current situation and give up.
The words of Yeshua shook Cesar. His listless eyes trembled as faint clarity returned into it.
Alterers who became ferals had different outcomes. If they turned into ferals in a city, then Alterers would kill them to stop them. For them, there was nothing that could save a feral.
However, if those like Jason who turned into a feral in the wild were left alone, they would continually mutate until they became a real spirit beast that was stronger, more ferocious, and more savage.
They were still alive, but their state was worse than being dead. Constantly tormented by their savageness, they would continue to madly indulge in their bestial desires.
Some ferals were even given a special bounty. Alterers would hunt them just to get the special rewards for killing them. They would be treated as beasts and would be forgotten as former humans.
Thinking of the fate that would befall his companion, Cesar's tears burst from his eyes like a surging river, but what else could he do? He could only lament the truth brought by this tragedy.
"Ugh… J-Jason…," a weak voice startled Cesar and Yeshua. The two Alterers looked at Sheila who was weakly opening her eyes. At this moment, she was already in her human form. Her bloody hazel eyes then feebly looked at Cesar.
"B-brother Cesar…J-Jason, h-he's alright, right?" Though she asked it, Sheila could hear the ferocious roaring resounding around them.
Tears mixed with blood were streaming without stop from Sheila's eyes. She knew it, but she was still hoping that the answer she would get would be different.
Cesar could not give her an answer. He did not want to tell her the truth, but he could not lie to her either. The two friends just cried while looking at each other.
After a while, Sheila looked weakly at Yeshua. She smiled faintly and feebly said, "U-um, I'm really sorry for what I did to you. I didn't know it's you. I was really desperate at that time, and my ability sensed your strength, so I thought you could save us."
Yeshua then remembered that Sheila's Alter Beast was a Cloud Sheep. This spirit beast was good at sensing danger. It also had skills for protection and escaping. It was no wonder that Sheila felt the strength of Yeshua.
Sheila continued, "I-I can still feel that you're very strong. I know that I'm going to ask something too much from you, but I can't accept what's happening to Jason."
With an imploring voice, Sheila begged Yeshua. "So, please! Help us free Jason from his suffering!"
"S-Sheila…," Cesar stared blankly at Sheila after hearing her, but a second later, Cesar bowed his goat head at Yeshua. If not for Sheila lying on his lap, Cesar would be groveling on the ground.
"Boy, I beg you! I'll do anything you tell me, so please! Help us, please!"
Tears glistened non-stop and blood flowed continuously as the begging of the two Alterers for their friend reached Yeshua's wolf ears.
Yeshua silently looked at the shivering goat-man and the dying woman. After a couple of seconds, he then turned back and faced the raging bull-man covered by the infernal conflagration.
Yeshua then spoke solemnly, "I really should not have meddled with your problems, but since I'm already here, I can't just turn my back, right?
"We are Alterers. We are fated to fight our madness, and for those who can't stop themselves, we are obliged to end their madness for them. That's what my father told me, so I'll end this madness now."
Sentiment. Moral obligation. Emotional satisfaction. Whatever the reason, Yeshua still chose to fight a battle he could choose not to.
Indeed, it was dumb, but since Yeshua had the capability to help, why would he hold back the unhappiness he was feeling caused by this tragic twist of fate.
Yeshua would end this madness himself.
Blue wind gathered around Yeshua while wind blades formed on his claws. With the speed unmatched in his stage and wolf claws glinting with ferocious sharpness, Yeshua charged at the blazing feral consumed by his savageness.