Sense of Danger, Reflex Action
A sudden wave of danger coursed through me, triggering an instinctive reaction. My swords swung reflexively, meeting something solid in mid-air. He attacked from afar, each movement accompanied by slashes or punches that seemed to manipulate the wind itself.
After a brief pause, he stopped walking and glared at me with blood-red eyes, radiating murderous intent. Yet, strangely, I felt no fear—only calm resolve.
His appearance was unsettlingly human-like, save for the large horns protruding from either side of his head, resembling those of a buffalo or mountain goat. Dressed casually in employee attire, complete with eyeglasses, he exuded an eerie aura cloaked in dark mist and flaming energy.
Suddenly, his voice thundered across the skies, laced with fury. "How dare you, mere human, interrupt me?!"
But just as quickly, his tone shifted to one of disbelief. "…Wait? You both are Goddesses? How can you sense our presence here?"
Fia's response was swift and thunderous. "You Demon, prepare to die now!" With that, she charged forward, swinging her scythe with lethal precision. Remia followed suit, brandishing her dual swords.
The Demon countered with his claws, but their strikes were unmatched. In an instant, both of his hands were severed. However, they regenerated almost immediately, confirming my suspicion—he possessed the ability to heal himself.
Despite his initial confidence, terror began to creep into his expression. This battle was clearly one-sided; he stood no chance against them.
Muttering under his breath, he said, "…Damn. I can't win if I fight Goddesses. Better I run." Before fleeing, he turned to me with a sinister smirk, planning one last attack.
He roared loudly, the sound piercing my ears with excruciating pain.
"…Dear! Focus…" Remia's voice cut through the agony, dulling the pain instantly. But the Demon was already upon me, attempting to stab me with his claws.
To my surprise, my movements felt effortless. My swords clashed with his claws as though guided by instinct. Seizing the opportunity, I delivered a powerful kick to his stomach, sending him stumbling backward.
With all my might, I swung my swords, releasing a surge of energy. Unlike his wind-based attacks, my strikes emitted freezing ice and searing flames, turning him to ashes in moments.
"No…!" His final scream echoed through the skies before fading into silence.
Restoration of Peace
The oppressive darkness lifted, revealing the forest bathed in soft sunlight. The mist dissipated, allowing rays of light to filter through the trees. Birds sang cheerfully, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh air. Our efforts had paid off—the forest was safe once more.
As I glanced at Fia, Remia's presence became visible beside her. She chuckled softly, signaling triumph.
However, my vision blurred unexpectedly. My head spun, and my body grew heavy. Despite my efforts to stay upright, my legs gave way, and I collapsed to my knees.
"Honey! What's wrong? Why are you falling?" Their worried voices faded as unconsciousness claimed me.
Between Dream and Reality
In the liminal space between dreams and reality, I overheard a conversation between Fia and Remia.
"I already told you, Remia," Fia's voice carried a hint of frustration. "Our husband isn't ready to wield those swords yet."
Remia defended her decision. "…But big sis, if we hadn't given him those swords, how could he have fought? You know he's only human now. Humans can't defeat Demons—not even him. I couldn't risk losing him."
Silence lingered for a moment before Fia continued. "I know, Remia. I know you love him as much as I do. But we can't force him to use such powerful weapons yet. At least let him start with ordinary swords. He passed out because the swords drained too much of his human energy. Now, we don't know when he'll wake up—one day, one week, or even a month."
"Don't cry, my lovely sister," Fia consoled Remia gently. "We did our best to protect him. He'll be fine. Cheer up—if he sees you crying, he'll be sad too."
"Thank you, big sis. Let's get some rest."
Their voices faded, leaving me alone in the void. I wanted to ask them what they meant, but my body refused to respond. Slowly, my consciousness slipped away once more.