' Sarron '
The figure of a white serpent emerged from Ramiel's sleeve. Its reptilian eyes gazed with anticipation at the man's indifferent face.
Based on the earlier conversation between Avi and Ramiel, he had anticipated what was in the mind of his bond. In a way, he was looking forward to the upcoming events.
' Stay and take care of Caera. '
The snake's muzzle tilted gently. It couldn't believe what it was hearing. He was prepared for an epic battle to the last drop of blood, with the winner taking the whole pot.
And what had Ramiel done?
Deprived him of that opportunity by spurning his outstretched hand, or in this particular case, his tail.
Scarlet liquid boiled with rage in Sarron's body. Blood rushed into the reptile's brain at an alarming rate. A little more, and the rising pressure would burst his head.
' SS ' (NO!)
Ramiel gently stroked the top of the little snake's head with his fingertip. Despite Sarron's overwhelming anger, he squatted closer to give the man better access to the small caress.
' Sarron, listen ... '
Ramiel couldn't finish. A penetrating hiss inside his mind interrupted him mid-sentence.
" SSS... " (Don't finish, because it won't change anything anyway. You are my bond, and I am yours. If you're going to fight, it's only with me...)
Ramiel sighed heavily in thought. Slowly, everyone's stubborn attitude began to irritate him.
'Why is it that only Seraphine has enough oil in her head to understand our position and think optimally,' Ramiel kept it to himself, although he really wanted to say it.
' You don't understand, you're like... to me. '
' You are the one who doesn't understand Sarron! You will only be a burden to me. You are too weak. What is the point of dying and not even knowing what killed you? '
' ... '
Ramiel's words opened the snake's eyes to the brutal reality. The honest truth presented by the man hurt a hell of a lot, hitting a sensitive spot.
Sarron remained silent, trying to swallow the bitterness of defeat. His once volcanic will to fight had cooled to an icy wasteland.
Sometimes, you have to act like the last prick to save those close to you. If Ramiel could have acted differently, he certainly would have.
Hurting the feelings of beings a person cares about isn't one of the most pleasant activities in the world. It will always reflect a corresponding burden on someone, even if it is done for a good cause.
Unfortunately, he didn't have the means or the opportunity to do what he wanted. Despite the approval of the Goddesses of Fate and Fortune, life had plans for him.
Ramiel lifted the snake's chin so that their gazes aligned. Seeing the reptile's eyes tinged with a hint of gloom, he felt like mere trash.
Sometimes, one must do what is necessary. - He thought.
' Sarron, take care of Caera. Don't let her be left alone. She... She needs you more than I do... '
The lump in Ramiel's throat grew to astronomical proportions. Even communicating simple thoughts became a problem.
In response, he received a look dripping with regret. However, that didn't stop him from dragging it on.
' I know what I'm going to say will be selfish... but when you feel our bond breaking, make a new pact with Caera... If it's her... there should be no problem. ' (I know it looks strange for now, but further on everything will become clear. Not necessarily in this chapter.)
A wave of hatred hit Ramiel with the force of a raging storm in the middle of the sea.
Sarron could endure a lot, but not that much. Ramiel had overreacted, and he knew it very well.
The snake took one last look at the man's seemingly indifferent face before diving into the shadows.
I fucked up...
Ramiel had forgotten a small but extremely important fact. Although Sarron was a monster, he was born only a few months ago.
Yes, the process of growing up was different among monsters than among humans, but Sarron is still a child. Maybe a tad more emotionally mature than a teenager, but still a child.
The germ of guilt was born inside Ramiel's tormented soul.
" Getting a grip on himself... "
Taking deep breaths, he cleared his mind of unnecessary thoughts.
For a brief moment, Ramiel's gaze shifted to the unconscious Caera lying in the distance. Then he turned his back to her.
When he made sure she was out of danger, he moved forward.
His quiet steps echoed in the pristine silence, like a church bell heralding a seemingly important event.
He slowly headed toward the northern wall of the forest.
One could sense the suffocating pressure in the surrounding atmosphere that kept the unruly monsters on a short leash. Ironically, they behaved like obedient dogs that would jump into the fire at their owner's command without the slightest objection.
' Azazel '
A high-pitched voice tinged with a hint of madness and excitement echoed in Ramiel's head.
' 'Kid, at this rate, you won't last long. '
Ramiel snorted.
' Tsk... as if you ever cared about my safety. '
An image of three identical faces bent in a sneer appeared in his mind.
' Nah... You hurt my feelings, kid... Pf hahaha. ' The mysterious figure burst into hysterical laughter.
' You and feelings? Good joke. '
Ramiel was more than happy to carry on a pleasant chat indefinitely, but the furious roar of the monster released from its fetters effectively thwarted his plans.
WWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU !
Reflexively, Seraphine stopped, taking a defensive stance. A shudder ran down her back, and numerous droplets of liquid resembling human sweat appeared on the surface of her bones. Her jaw quivered involuntarily, grinding rows of snow-white teeth together.
She was seized by fear in its purest form. The cause wasn't the sound but the destructive power it carried with it. It affected not only the physical body but also affected the soul.
With - what is he fighting against ???????????
Seraphine couldn't hide her shock. She, who had mastered the art of necromancy to perfection, felt her soul writhing restlessly. She didn't mention the dozens of slaves who hid in the farthest recesses of the eternal prison.
In the rotten blue flames, a man's relaxed back was reflected. It seemed as if the shrill scream had not made the slightest impression on him.
Seraphine couldn't help herself. Curiosity was rolling her from the inside like the worst plague. Giving in to temptation, she glanced deep into Ramiel's soul.
" Ah... he... I understand... " A painful sigh escaped her empty throat. Suddenly, everything became clear to her. Without further ado, she set about evacuating what was left of the Legion of Death. It was the least she could do for him.
' Azazel motherfucker, stop bullshitting and do your job. '
' Ehhh... Kid, don't say I didn't warn you. '
The corners of Ramiel's mouth subtly lifted, and his eyes shone with an amethyst glow. Second by second, the mana reserves that scrubbed the floors grew until they reached their maximum limit.
Despite appearances, it didn't just end there. The excess mana materialized in the form of black smoke that surrounded the figure of a lone man standing alone.
Ramiel stood quietly, considering potential spells he could use. As he was engulfed in a chaotic sea of thoughts, characteristic particles of mana associated with the element of darkness caught his attention.
" How could someone spoil such a beautiful spell... "
His eyelids drooped, covering the amethyst irises emanating coolness.
Inhale, Exhale
Ramiel's chest rose and fell steadily, distributing air throughout each individual cell of his body.
He fully focused on the flow of the mana molecules around him. After several attempts, he was able to create a mental map of the paths along which the particles traveled. More than paths, they resembled currents of clashing air.
Taking the utmost care, he slowly mixed the mana from inside the body with that raging outside. The process seemed simple. All he had to do was adjust the amplitude and wavelength of the waves emitted by the mana particles.
Gotcha. - A brief thought flashed through Ramiel's mind like a flash of lightning.
He completed the first of two stages. Now, the most difficult part remained. Bend the particles to your will and shape the spell.
Seems simple, right? However, you couldn't be more wrong. It all depends on the scale and level of complexity of the spell. The one used by Ramiel exceeds his current capabilities.
Suddenly, as if by the touch of a magic wand, the man was surrounded by a flock of thousands of butterflies. Their wings, black as night, are covered with various patterns depicting intricate lines. They subtly change color every few seconds, gently highlighting the creatures' endearing beauty.
Butterflies danced merrily in the air, leaving behind particles of dust fading into the air.
Ramiel opened his eyes, looking at his creation with admiration. A familiar feeling of pride rippled through him from the inside. It took him less than ten seconds to cast the spell.
The difference between the spell cast by the Night Terror and the one by Ramiel was that it was like jumping from a burning airplane with a parachute versus without one.
First, somewhere along the way, the monster lost the original purpose of the Butterfly Dance. Creating them just for a chain reaction was a waste of mana and potential. The spell's capabilities were definitely beyond such a flimsy use.
Why create hundreds of small explosions when you can make one decent? As if that wasn't enough, after one, there will be thousands more left.
But, the most important part of the meticulous puzzle that escaped the dead monster is the implementation of various elements inside the tiny creatures.
This will produce a breathtaking effect, which Ramiel called the bloody paint of the canvas of war. Anyway, unbelievers will soon see for themselves the devastating power of the spell.
Ramiel overlooked obvious facts, such as moving the butterflies at will or detonating them at any time. To him, these were obvious things that were not worth bothering with.
Unexpectedly, a gusty gust of wind broke, carrying away the tiny leaves in the shape of a letter Y.
They were surrounded by a subtle glow that gave a false sense of security and beauty.
Ramiel remained unmoved, although the breathtaking spectacle could seduce even the most reluctant creature.
He wasn't fooled by the apparent sense of security, which, like an insidious snake, nestled inside his subconscious, waiting to bite painfully in a moment of weakness.
" Do you really think I'll get caught twice in the same trick? "
' Azazel '
' Kid, I know very well what to do. '
An abundant amount of pale blue mana gathered in Ramiel's right hand. Particles of uncontrolled energy entered the environment, forming something like an irregular spider web, just waiting for the leaves dancing in the air to fall into its snare, invisible to the naked eye.
Ramiel clenched his fist while crushing the invisible energy.
Crackle
Crackle
Crackle
In a split second, the spider's web metamorphosed into a bolt of lightning that crackled through the air.
The destructive element raged through the empty space, destroying the vicious leaves that stood in its way.
It literally burned them to ashes. In places, smoldering remnants could still be seen nimbly maneuvering between the pale blue rays of doom.
Ramiel watched with an indifferent face as the spell that was to be his undoing crumbled into a fine poppy.
His subconscious told him to rejoice at his small victory, but common sense told him that this was only the beginning of the real fun.
Once upon a time, a saying went down in the history of the universe. Like everything in this world, it hasn't succumbed to the inexorable influence of time, changing its form several times over thousands of years.
Despite the subtle changes it has undergone during oral transmission from grandfather to great-grandfather, the message has remained the same.
Don't call a sleeping deuce out of the woods.
Ironically, one specific memory was revived in Ramiel's mind.
He was a young boy of about five years old. He was sitting on the lap of a beautiful woman with snow-white hair, and his tiny fists clenched, showing the determination beating from him.
Amethyst eyes shone excitedly, looking forward to the promised reward.
Throughout the day, he helped like a brave boy, "Ceti," with small household chores. He defeated the dragon from under the sink by carrying out the stinky garbage. He chased the dust out of the cabinets and washed the dark coffee stains off the panels that his dad had left behind.
Of course, he didn't do it for free.
For her help, Ceti promised to tell him a legend passed down in her family from generation to generation. Normally, this role would have fallen to Ramiel's grandmother, but she had crossed the river Styx a year ago.
Therefore, the responsibility fell on Ceti's shoulders. She was very attached to the small family traditions and culture of her country. She believed that they were what made a person.
It was a beautiful dream that might one day come true...
After all, no one in the universe can predict what future the tangled threads of destiny will bring.