"Please, Spare me!" The bald man said in a meek voice.
But all he could see was Eric's silhouette obscured by his bright red eyes pulling his sword back and preparing to thrust it into his chest...
*CLANKK*
The moment his chest was about to be pierced by Eric, a loud metallic sound resounded in everyone's ears...
Separating Eric and the bald man a singular Silver Spear was standing triumphantly on the ground, firmly stopping Eric's thrust.
Eric backed away immediately and looked up a few meters away a young man could be seen standing on top of a black spear that was impaled heavily on the ground.
Right behind the black spear, a huge fissure was created.
"Sword Demon, long time no see. It looks like you are as healthy as always." The man was wearing a metallic gown as if iron were to be the thread used to make his clothes.
"Spectral Spear, it seems you are still the dog of those people... I'm truly sorry for you." Eric's face showed disgust, This man, whose name was Theodore, was one of the people sent to dispatch Eric and his friends in the past.
Their story was complicated but it was a story for another time...
Theodore landed gracefully beside his black spear and pulled it out of the ground, at that same moment the silver-colored spear that was impaled in the ground a few feet away from Eric started to float off the ground, mimicking Theodore's moves perfectly.
In a swift motion, Theodore attacked the open space in front of him, and the silver spear rapidly lunged forward aiming for Eric's shoulder.
Blocking with the body of his sword he managed to stop the spear's advance, but the blow was heavy.
Eric was pushed back, his feet sliding on the ground and slowly burying themselves.
After blocking the attack Eric proceeded to attack the spear itself. He needed to get some distance from that thing, or it would be a troublesome battle.
By hitting the shaft he managed to push the spear away from his body momentarily, and he used the opportunity to approach the enemy. The glint of the spear dwindled and the color darkened a bit.
It seems that the weapon was imbued with soul energy in order to be used remotely.
He needed to use his own energy efficiently, the moment he gets tired. Well... He is as good as dead.
He tried to approach Theodore but the moment he noticed this he backed away.
Theodore's spear was fast approaching from behind so Eric had no other choice but to address it.
His sword drew an arc and deflected the spear downwards, the moment the spear touched the ground a huge hole was created.
Theodore's attacks were fast and heavy, but ultimately still manageable to a certain degree.
Eric's purpose was to make time so his family could escape after all. After doing so for long enough he would try to escape himself, but with people like Theodore on his tail, Eric didn't have much hope...
After realizing this Eric was fired up. He was no longer going to run... He prepared to give these assholes something they would remember for all of their lives.
Suddenly Eric's green eyes started shining red once more, The veins on his body bulged and darkened his frame increased at least twice in size, and horns made out of shadows appeared on his head giving him a diabolical look...
Theodore gripped his black spear tightly, he knew things were about to get rough but he didn't flee. A choice he will grow to regret later on...
Eric disappeared from his spot, blending himself into the shadows he moved at vertiginous speeds almost giving Theodore no time to react.
Appearing right behind Theodore in an instant Eric's sword, which also increased in size moved swiftly and slashed horizontally almost cleaving Theodore in half.
Theodore managed to twist his body and placed his Spear between the attack and himself. Sparks flew in all directions and Theodore was sent flying to the side crashing back first against a tree that was a few hundred feet away...
Smoke started coming out of Eric's mouth and his shadowy horns flickered as if they were fire.
Theodore's spear was almost cut in half but there was no way it would be useful in battle.
Eric neared Theodore, who had blood dripping out of his mouth, instantly. But a bright light enveloped them both and a sizzling sound started ringing.
After a few seconds, the light faded and only Eric remained. He was back to his usual figure. On his knees. And a blank expression on his face...
Two other robbed figures appeared one of them had some ancient-looking cross on his hands and the other had a common-looking axe.
These two people unhurriedly closed in on the kneeling Eric.
The man with the axe started to raise it.
And then it went down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Pick Janette up and run south, I will buy you time.'
These words kept repeating themselves on Janette's head, again and again.
She was paralyzed.
'Run south?' 'Buy time?'
It can't be...
Janette saw her father leave their house hurriedly, although he was moving incredibly fast in her eyes everything was in slow-motion...
Erics back. Slowly getting smaller and smaller in her field of view, her vision gets blurry by the second.
Nana picked her up and started running away from their home only when her tears started hitting the floor did she realize what was going on...
"D- DAD!!!!"
A painful and agonizing scream echoed through the forest, sadly there wasn't a single soul that could answer to her anguish the way she wanted.
With a cold but caring smile.
But a voice still echoed in her mind.
"Goodbye, my dear..."