The Battle Of Krahen Nest - PT 02

Surrounded by demons on all sides, it was only a matter of time before the group would be smothered to death. Cerberus fired blazing fireballs to keep the demons at bay—and perhaps strike Cydonia amidst the chaos.

“I’ll stay in the shadows. If possible, try to find a way out of here.”

“But how are we supposed to do that?”

“That’s up to you. Good luck!” Reaper gave a cheeky little wave before vanishing into the darkness.

“I’ve got an idea. Cerberus!”

Cerberus stepped forward and crouched, lowering his massive body to give the kids access to his back.

“Come on, quick!” Arya leapt up, grabbing onto the beast’s thick fur and starting to climb.

The two boys quickly caught on to Arya’s plan and jumped onto Cerberus as well. With his natural agility, Peter was the first to reach the back of the creature’s neck, extending his arms to help Arya and Edward up.

“Hold on tight!”

The three clung to Cerberus’s fur like a lifeline as the three-headed hound rose to his feet. With a firm stance, Cerberus launched into a mighty leap, soaring above the horde of demons that had encircled the youths.

Cerberus began to run, the youngsters clinging to his back as the demon army gave chase. Despite his impressive speed, Cerberus’s bulky frame prevented him from truly outrunning the faster demons. He weaved through alleyways, trying to shake them, but more and more closed in from every direction.

“If we can’t go anywhere on the ground… then we go up!”

At Arya’s command, Cerberus pushed off the ground with his powerful legs and leapt toward a wall, using it as leverage to scale the side of a building. It was a brilliant move—rather than be cornered in a dead-end chase, reaching higher ground could offer them an advantage.

However, Arya’s strategy was something a seasoned demon like Cydonia could predict. She had followed the chase from above, leaping across rooftops. The moment she saw Cerberus suspended mid-air, his guard down, she recognized the perfect opportunity to strike.

In the middle of his jump, Cerberus was intercepted by Cydonia, who hurled herself toward him at incredible speed. Gathering all her strength into a single kick, she landed a brutal blow to his stomach, sending the summoned beast flying.

“Uwahhhhh!!”

The group were thrown through the air alongside Cerberus until Arya’s summon disintegrated into ashes, leaving them to fall in separate directions.

Peter crashed nearby, shattering the roof of a house. Arya was flung farther away, smashing through a window and landing on the second floor of a building. Edward was the only one to hit the street below, using his bone manipulation to cushion his fall.

Cydonia watched as the three were scattered—exactly what she needed. Her plan was simple: take them down one by one, exploiting their weaknesses. She chose to hunt Arya first, knowing the necromancer posed the greatest threat.

Just as she was about to leap from the rooftop, Cydonia felt her ankles suddenly tugged—and then her wrists. Thorny rose vines sprang from the shadows, entangling her limbs and halting her movement.

“Cydonia, right? This is the first time I’ve met a demon of your caliber...” Reaper emerged from the shadows on the far side of the roof. “I know this might sound strange, but would you mind to have a moment to talk?”

Cydonia was caught off guard by the unexpected request, her curiosity piqued.

“Talk? What, did that little bitch realize how weak you are and send you to beg for mercy?”

“Come on, no need to be so hostile. I’d just like to ask you a few questions.”

“Hm? What sort of questions would someone bearing Mors fragments want with me?”

“There are many things I’d like to understand.”

“You’re stalling for time, aren’t you? Know this—it’s pointless. Your friends won’t escape. Not even what you humans call a ‘miracle’ will save them from me.”

“Damn, that’s some enviable confidence. But no, I’m not stalling. I’m just trying to satisfy my own curiosity.”

“Curiosity? Hmph, you’re an interesting human. Fine—ask your questions, but make them quick.”

“Why do you want to wipe out humanity?”

“What a foolish question. Because that’s our purpose. We were born for this. Unlike you, we don’t waste time pondering the meaning of our existence—we simply follow our nature.”

“And what exactly is that purpose?”

“Simple. Eradicate humanity. This is a war, whether you realize it or not, and it won’t end until one side is completely purged.”

“If your kind is so intelligent, why keep fighting a war where you’re at a disadvantage? Is this all just revenge for Mendax?”

“Don’t you dare speak that name to me. It should never be uttered by filthy human lips.”

“You carry the power to turn a human into a demon, don’t you?”

“That’s right. Seems the little bitch already told you how my power works.”

“How is that even possible?”

“You’re a human. You should at least understand your own nature. Body and Soul are intrinsically linked. Corrupt the soul, and the body will respond—reshaping itself to reflect its new form.”

“So I was right in assuming you guys make use of spiritual energy too. If humans and demons share the same essence, then it’s not so far-fetched to think one could eventually become the other.”

"But it's not like anyone else could ever be on the same level as me.  This is what makes me special for Mendax."

"If a human can become a demon, then isn’t the opposite also possible? You don’t seem to be a different race... Why do you insist on taking a human form?"

"Because you humans fear anything that looks different from yourselves. The better the disguise, the easier it is to approach without drawing attention."

"Or maybe… deep down, you wish to become human? Are you simply envious?"

"Don't be foolish. Why would we ever lower ourselves to your level? Taking on a human form is nothing but a whim."

"I have only one last question… What exactly are you? What is a demon, really?"

"...Good question." The demon smiled with amusement. "'What is a demon, really?' you ask, but I have just as much right to ask that of you. ‘Demon’ is the name you humans gave us. It’s not something we chose ourselves."

"As expected… But you still haven’t answered what I truly want to know."

"Mors, the shinigami, created this world as a paradise for mankind
A sweet and joyful world where death came by his gentle hands
There was no pain, no suffering—just a peaceful sleep, forever.
Everything changed when Mendax laid her hands upon a foolish human's heart
She taught him of Sin, and from Sin, demons were born
They spread like plague across the land
And from then on, humans were doomed to fight for their own survival."

"That’s the poem Mag once told me—about the creation of this world."

"Tell me, bearer… have you ever really thought about it? 'From Sin, demons were born'—sure, that's how humans interpret it, but isn’t it something far simpler?
We are humanity’s sins, given form—manifested to punish the souls of the guilty."

"You mean… you’re just the embodiment of what humans consider sin? A concept brought to life?"

"I am Corruption. Interpret that as you will."

"But if that’s the case—"

"I’m done talking. You may die now."

All this time, Cydonia hadn’t just been enjoying the conversation—she was setting a trap for Reaper.

Several demons leapt in from all sides, and knowing he’d try to escape into his own shadow, two bestial demons broke through the roof beneath his feet, cutting off his route.

Cydonia freed herself from the rose branches and charged alongside the others, making it nearly impossible for Reaper to avoid being struck.

"I won’t let her steal your soul from me, no matter what."

Magdalena emerged from Reaper’s shadow. Knowing that simply pulling him down wouldn't be enough, she threw herself after him—vaulting over the backs of the demons and diving off the rooftop.

"Kyahhh!!"

As they fell, time seemed to slow for Reaper. The world spun while Magdalena's blood painted red arcs through the air.

One of the demons had sunk its jaws into her, leaving a deep gash across her back.

To stop them from hitting the ground, Magdalena opened a shadow portal beneath them, pulling both into the Black Parade.

Cydonia watched the pair escape. Though she had failed to eliminate the fragment bearer of Mors, she was satisfied. The damage inflicted would surely keep them off the battlefield for a while.

The Sin of Corruption turned her gaze toward Arya once more—ready to pursue her next target.

****

Meanwhile, on the horizon, a massive iron machine emerged, gliding along its tracks toward Krahen Nest.

Its engine was one of the most remarkable inventions by the famous mage Yoru Kageyama. It ran entirely on her magic. She had also designed and named the railway system—Floating Moonlight Express.

Inside the locomotive, the sound system crackled to life with an announcement from the conductor.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated and hold onto something. The locomotive is about to reach maximum speed. I'll now hand the microphone over to Mr. Yasuyuki, speaking on behalf of the Mercenary Guild."

"...*clears throat* Hmm… Hello, everyone. I ask that you all stay calm, but we’re facing an emergency. It seems that the city of Krahen Nest is under attack by demons."

Tension quickly spread through the train cars. Passengers exchanged worried glances, fearful for their loved ones—and for themselves, heading straight toward danger. Voices whispered, "I'm scared..." and "Are they going to be okay?"

"Please don't worry. We have mages ready to ensure your safety, so I ask that you remain calm and stay in your seats."

Among the murmurs, one old man's words managed to bring some peace to the crowd.

"Everything’s going to be fine, folks. Didn't you see that girl jump through the window?"

"The one who climbed on top of the train?!"

"Yeah, that one. I know her—she’s one of the strongest mages in the Guild. With her around, we’ll be safe."

The conviction in his voice helped ease the fear that had gripped the passengers.

Back in the cabin, the conductor chuckled at the young man beside him. "Well said, Mr. Yasuyuki!"

"Ah, don’t flatter me. I’m still too young to be called ‘mister,’" the boy said, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Times like this are when it really helps to have strong mages around."

"Strong mages..." Yasuyuki didn’t think those words applied to him. In his humble opinion, he still had a long way to go. But thinking of someone who truly was strong, he pulled a communicator from his pocket. "Miss Tsugumi, are you ready?"

"~Pffff… Tchhh… Yasuyuki… I'm ready."

"Miss Tsugumi… Please get off the roof."

"Ehhh, but the view’s way more exciting from up here. What I meant was—it gives me a clearer line of sight once we arrive."

"We’ll stick to the plan. I’ll stay behind to defend the station with the others. You’re in charge of taking care of the demons in the city." Yasuyuki let out a small sigh. "I hope I can be of help."

"What are you talking about, Yuki? You need to believe in yourself more! What I meant was—I trust you! Common! Fight!"

"Yeah... I’ll do my best." He shut off the communicator and muttered to the conductor, "You know, having Tsugumi around really help things to become easier."

"Miss Tsugumi is incredibly strong, isn’t she?"

"She’s not just strong..."

[MERCENARY GUILD — RANK #3 — TSUGUMI OHNUKI]

… The locomotive of the Floating Moonlight Express carried with it the hope needed to make a miracle happen.