Mari's fear was palpable, and who could blame her? A girl her age would naturally be terrified in such a situation. One moment, she was peacefully with her mother, strolling together under the night sky. The next moment, she awoke to find herself in the midst of chaos, the man entrusted to protect their town now lying beside her, battered and wounded. The room around her was unfamiliar, and a strange circle enclosed her, with people surrounding her in what felt like an ominous atmosphere.
Xain knelt beside her, offering comfort as Mari clutched the unconscious Lennix's hand in fear. While she recognized Xain, there was a noticeable difference in him this time—kinder, less intimidating, and seemingly less angry. Even with this reassurance, fear lingered in Mari's eyes. "Don't worry, Mari. Lennix will be fine; he's strong," Xain assured her, stealing a quick glance at Lennix's unconscious form. *I really hope you can pull through this,* Xain thought, concerned.
When Mari questioned, her voice trembling, "Who are you?" Xain met her gaze with a reassuring smile. "I'm Xain, Mari—the younger brother of Cain." Wiping away a few tears, Mari hesitated before asking, "Where's my mommy?" Xain grappled with how to respond, aiming to shield her from the painful truth. Before he could craft a comforting lie, "I'm here, Mari!" Karin interjected from behind Xain with a sense of urgency in her voice—feigned urgency, of course.
*Crap!* Xain thought as Mari's gaze shifted behind him. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw her mother tied up with some sort of chain. Two figures, a woman in a maid's uniform and a shadowy figure resembling a knight, stood nearby. Alongside them lay the pretty lady Mari had met earlier today. As Mari focused on her mother, she noticed the bruises on her body and face.
"Mommy!" Mari's cry pierced the air, and in her desperation, she attempted to push past Xain. He instinctively grabbed her, preventing her from getting closer. "Don't, Mari, she's not—" Xain tried to explain, but Mari, consumed by distress, fought against his grip. Her tearful plea resonated, "Please let go! Let me g-go to m-y mommy!" Her voice choked with emotion, tears streaming down her face.
Xain knew he couldn't let Mari near Karin, uncertain of what she might do. Despite Mari's cries and struggles, he held firm, keeping her away from her mother. "Let her go! Let my daughter go, you monster!" Karin's false yells only added more fuel to the fire that was Mari's emotions. Xain, resolute, hoisted Mari over his shoulder and picked up Lennix with the other, recognizing the urgency of getting them to safety, particularly given Eirisse's current demeanor.
Eirisse glared at Ercale, who looked down at her like she was trash, unfazed by her anger. "What's the matter? Can't do anything without this?" He taunted, mocking her by shaking the artifact in his hand. Eirisse, on the verge of launching an attack, held back, realizing, *It's still linked to me! As long as he doesn't decipher how to control the artifact, I can manipulate it from a distance.* A fleeting smile crossed her face as she prepared to use the artifact against Ercale while he held it, but that smile vanished when Ercale revealed, "Did you genuinely believe I don't know how to use this?" A soft blue light emanated from his palm, and with a smirk, he taunted, "You think far too highly of yourself, tick," as the artifact began to float above his shoulder.
Eirisse gazed at Ercale in disbelief, her hand trembling as she questioned, "Ho-how did you, how? Just how? That's mine; it was given to me, so how?" Her voice carried a sense of brokenness as Ercale nonchalantly wielded the artifact. "How doesn't matter, as I won't use it against you," Ercale replied, as Eirisse's eyes turned lifeless, much like herself.
"Why... why won't you use it? Why?" Eirisse's broken plea echoed, prompting a sadistic smile to appear on Ercale's face. *Ah, the joy of tormenting the weak, a familiar pleasure.* he thought, reveling in the psychological torment he inflicted. In response to Eirisse's question, he callously stated, "Why would I use something as powerful as this on someone as weak as you?" Ercale's words sent Eirisse into a state of stillness, unmoving and seemingly lifeless as she gazed at the ground. *Did I break her so easily?* Ercale wondered, a hint of surprise in his thoughts. Meanwhile, the black knight observed, confusion evident in his eyes. *Who's the real monster here?* he contemplated.
However, duty called, and the black knight approached the motionless Eirisse. Despite his close proximity, she remained utterly still. The black knight shrugged, lifting his greatsword above his head before bringing it down.
As the greatsword descended, intended for Eirisse's execution, aiming to end the chaos, it abruptly slammed into the ground. As Eirisse vanished, time seemed to slow for Ercale and the black knight. They were left in bewilderment, witnessing Eirisse's movements at speeds beyond their expectations. *What the hell?* Ercale questioned, baffled not only by her speed but also by her target. *Why is she?* The black knight wondered.
As Eirisse accelerated towards the unconscious Almer. *Is she planning to heal him?* Ercale speculated, yet the reality was far different. Eirisse seized Almer by the neck and sank her fangs into him, consuming his blood in an almost primal manner. Finally, their bodies caught up with their perception. Prompting Ercale to unleash a lightning bolt towards Eirisse. Simultaneously, the black knight extended his arms, summoning shadows that mimicked his form to shield everyone nearby. All eyes turned to witness Eirisse feeding on her own thrall.
As the crackling lightning from Ercale surged toward Eirisse, her eyes snapped in its direction. Reacting with eerie speed, she hurled the lifeless form of her thrall directly into the path of the bolt. The collision sent sparks flying, stopping the lightning's advance and shielding Eirisse from harm. Unfazed, Ercale poised for another strike.
Turning to face him, Eirisse tilted her head in a manic manner, her words dripping with ominous intent, "If I can't evolve by feeding on one girl, then I'll do so by consuming this entire town." She nonchalantly wiped the blood of her thrall from her mouth.