In a dark place…
"Hmm??"
The figure raised his brow as he felt the demonic portal destabilizing.
Woong—!!!!
"What's happening?"
His voice had a hint of confusion as annoyance became apparent on his face.
Sensing the lacking supply of demonic power that fuels the demonic portal, the figure's eyes flashed with anger.
"I don't know what's happening but I won't let things go your way…"
Demonic power erupted from the figure as it struck the demonic portal, accelerating its destabilization.
Wooong—
Wooom—
BOOM!!!
The demonic portal spontaneously exploded as it became overloaded with demonic power.
"Ha…"
The figure let out a sigh as he looked at his bleeding index finger.
"You flies are lucky that the world's laws are rejecting my power…" The hatred in his eyes intensified.
"If not, then you won't even have the slightest chance of survival…"
***
BOOOOM—!!!!!!!
"Anna!"
Pope Hagios called out as they were flung away by the demonic portal's sudden explosion.
He waved his hand, a shield made up of golden light appearing before them afterwards.
Cough! Cough!!
The aftermath of the explosion caused the whole of Toran City to be covered in smoke as debris flew.
After a couple of minutes, two figures appeared from within the smoke.
An old man wearing a torn up white robe who was holding a beautiful and unconscious woman in his arms.
Pope Hagios's eyes flashed with worry as he lightly tapped Anna's face.
"Anna? Anna! Do you hear me!?"
Seeing no response, his eyes flashed with a hint of panic.
He then hurriedly touched her wrists and neck.
Feeling her weak pulse, his eyes were filled with relief.
"Thank goodness…"
Pope Hagios looked at a certain part of the moonless night sky, particularly where the demonic portal had been earlier.
After thinking for a moment, he carefully laid Anna on the ground.
"Though unlikely, I must make sure that there are no demons left in the vicinity." Pope Hagios spoke as he spread his arms.
'I can only cast a few more holy miracles…' He thought as he took a deep breath.
"Let this serve as the memorial for all the unfortunate souls that died because of the demons."
After a slight pause, a chat resounded in the surroundings..
[Beacon of Purification]
WOOOOOOONGGGGGGG!!!!!
A loud and relaxing sound was heard as a bright golden light fell from the sky and covered the whole of Toran City.
Contrary to the beacon of flames earlier from Regis, the beacon of light was much wider.
Its lights were so bright as it vanquished the darkness of the moonless night sky and the remaining demonic power in the surroundings.
Anyone in the city would believe that the sun had risen and it was already daytime.
***
"Arghhhhhhh!!!!"
Regis screamed and convulsed on the ground as he was hit by the bright golden light that came from the sky.
"What the fuck is this!?" He said through gritted teeth as he clutched the ground.
He felt the demonic power in his heart quivering as he felt like his soul was being shredded apart.
It was a miracle in itself that he still hadn't died.
Though considering his current situation, it was both a miracle and a curse.
The skin on his body could be seen being charred slowly as the demonic power he was emitting was being vanquished by the light.
The pain was so unbearable that he felt like he was about to go insane.
"T-This must be the w-work of a priest…!"
Regis said through gritted teeth as he absorbed all his demonic power back inside his heart.
Thinking that the light was only targeting his demonic power, he tried to hide it.
However, he soon realized his mistake.
"I should be fine no— ARGHHHHHHHH!!!!"
His action only stimulated the bright golden light further as it tried to dig in his body.
"F-Fuck! Just kill me!!"
Chaos prevailed in his mind as even his gift of Tranquility couldn't calm him down.
Fortunately, when a few hours passed by, Regis felt the pain in his soul gradually fading slowly but surely.
And finally, after a few more moments of suffering, he felt a special feeling.
Along with it, the pain that filled the crevices of his very being also disappeared.
Huff—
Huff—
Huff—
…
Regis kept taking heavy deep breaths as he laid on the ground, unmoving.
"T-Huff— T-Tha…nk Huff!! Good….ness Huff!!"
He tried his best to open his eyes and saw that he was still submerged in the light.
Although he couldn't quite speak clearly as of the moment, he thanked his Perfect Adaptation deep inside his heart.
However, extreme exhaustion assaulted his mind, body, and soul as he directly fell asleep.
***
A few hours later…
Regis groggily opened his eyes.
'Huh? Where am I?'
"Ow!"
He tried his best to sit up straight, clutching his head in the process.
The warm rays of sunlight bathed his body, bringing with it comfort that made it seem as if the events from last night didn't happen.
Regis looked around and saw the ruins that had become of Toran City.
Huff—
He took a deep breath as he tried to stand up with difficulty.
Tap— Tap—
Twit~ Twit~ Twit~
His footsteps seemed to be the only thing that echoed in his ears along with the joyful chirping of birds.
Regis almost couldn't believe the bright blue sky that greeted his sight.
He felt as if it had been an eternity since he last saw the sun, though it really had just been a night– a few hours to say so the least.
A tumultuous night that was filled with suffering.
"He… Hehe… Hahahaha!"
A giggle escaped from his lips which soon turned into a hearty laugh.
"Finally…!"
It was over.
Regis couldn't finish his words as he felt a lump in his throat.
Along with his hearty laugh, tears of relief slid down his cheek as he saw the sun and white clouds in the sky.
Thud—
Feeling the strength leaving his legs, he knelt on the ground.
"I…a-...am"
"...finally…."
"...free…!"
Relief. Joy. Freedom.
A myriad of emotions intertwined deep inside Regis's heart.
It had been too long….
…since he was able to freely cherish the warmth of sunlight without any worries.