Another boss fight? Already?

 - I see. So, Jiangzui is gone.

Sitting on one of her subordinates who is honored to be her chair, Maruxiang hears what the party knows so far in silence.

- What about Guandou? - she asks seriously, her usual playfulness gone.

Pietra checks the threads that symbolize her bonds with others. There is one missing, a rash answer to his fate.

- I… I’m afraid he is gone. I’m sorry - Pietra states, being as polite as she can.

- Our condolences, Miss - Nicholas adds.

He is sitting on the floor having his wounds treated by Xien, who is using a paper talisman to cure him.

- Why does he get healing magic treatment, and I need to be covered in sweat? - Kai complains.

- My talismans only work on physical injuries. Your case is way more severe than his.

- So was the mental damage.

- My foolish brothers… - Maruxiang sighs.

For a moment, her eyes became windows to another time, her mind lost in nostalgic moments from her past. A time when things weren’t so complicated, and her biggest joy was to hear her brothers compliment her for the silliest things.

- Lady Maruxiang. You said my master knew this would happen to Fesolgu. How? - bringing her back to reality, Xien questions.

- It was a long time ago. One where you all were yet to be born. Wu suddenly came to us, to the royal family. I never saw him so disturbed, almost desperate. I remember him claiming that someone trustworthy warned him. Warned about the demise of Fesolgu - her tone is solemn, regretful.

- Who was it? Sorry to insist on this now. I need to know.

- We never gave him the chance to say it. Demons were gone. He had no proof to sustain his words. Guandou thought he just couldn’t accept that the exorcist’s duty was over. Jiangzui’s opinion was that a peaceful world was taking away the sanity of someone who only knew war. And I… I shoved right in his face that he was trying to deceive us into giving him funds to grow in power. The only one who chose to hear him was Father, but I don’t know what became of it.

- That is why we need to go to the palace - Kai mentions.

- And you will have my full support on it. However, my forces may not be in condition to face much more of those creatures, and the road to our objective will be infested with them.

- No problem. I have a solution - he confidently claims, glancing at Jiangzui's spirit unsuccessfully trying to take a bottle of expensive wine from Maruxiang’s table.

- Hmm? What is it? - Jiangzui notices Kai looking at him.

- Please, tell me you know a safe way to the palace. I don’t want to look like a fool again - he leans towards him and whispers, covering his mouth.

- Yeah, there is a network of underground tunnels we can use.

- Nice.

- I can only remember the way when I’m drunk, though.

- No.

- C’mon, just one sip.

- No.

- Aww…

- Lirika, are you coming?

The sound of roof tiles cracking echoes from above. Still lying there, she responds.

- Urgh… Give me just one more minute.

–—//–—

Guided by Jiangzui, Kai leads everyone to the palace through tunnels created by imperial family spies.

- That rascal. To think he had a secret passage to my house all along - Maruxiang speaks in anger.

- What a sore loser. Hey, wanna see her do a funny reaction? I can tell you her nickname when she was five - her brother’s spirit smirks, amused.

- I felt a shiver when you said that. You aren’t trying to get me killed to test if getting rid of me will join you with your wife, right? - Kai stares at him, suspicious.

- You are smarter than you look - he chuckles.

- I’m gonna give you to Rafika.

- Kai, how do you know about these tunnels, and how do you know the way? - Pietra asks, curious.

- Uh… Jiangzui told me about it beforehand.

- That was a good lie. Why bother with one, though? Aren’t you guys friends?

- They have enough things to worry about. I can handle it.

- Really? I would be insane by now if I were you.

- I’m kinda used to dealing with my own demons. You and the noisy inventor are a piece of cake.

- I’ve heard that! - the decrepit figure of Isaac shouts, trying to spook Kai by suddenly appearing from the ceiling.

He let out a shriek and jumped. Jiangzui can’t contain an honest laugh.

- Begone!

The rest of the group, following a bit behind, observes him.

- Does he always do that? Whispers and gesticulates alone, I mean - Xien questions, worried.

- He’s been through a lot. Don’t judge him - Nicholas replies casually.

- Oh… I see. Lady Maruxiang, why did you leave your men behind?

- Obvious, Water Boy. They are not needed. I entrusted them with the mission to hold the line at the temple and rescue civilians.

- I never took you for a good person.

- Don’t be easily deceived. I am not. What is the point of becoming Empress when there are no people to worship you? Besides, a person who loves their leader is very obedient, especially when they owe their life to you.

The underground passage ended in a sealed door that only opened when it detected the presence of Maruxiang.

- Tobias is here - Pietra declares, serving as a warning for them to be cautious.

- Never too late to call for back up - Kai suggests.

- Good. I’ll grant him a very painful death for messing with Ecino’s Empire heart - Maruxiang barely hides her wrath.

- Will you protect him this time? - Xien speaks sarcastically.

- You remember? - Pietra asks, surprised.

- My brother and I may share the same body, but we are two different souls. Aware of what happens even when not in control.

- Xien, sorry. We-

- Don’t give me excuses. I’m playing cool for Tien’s sake, who grew a liking for you. This will be your chance to make amends.

After crossing it, they found themselves in a grand courtyard, surrounded by buildings and walls topped with sloping roofs made of glazed ceramic tiles. The covered walkways, partially destroyed by battle, were adorned with the bodies of warriors and monsters, while the gardens were littered with broken weapons stuck into the ground. An artificial stream, made to exhale harmony and peace, now flows with red water. A ruined place that displays only death.

Demons could be seen flying overhead, but none dared to land in the courtyard. At the center, the devil lay with his usual charismatic smile, a familiar figure stained with blood.

- Oh, hey guys - Tobias greets the party.

Behind him, an abomination as tall as a three-story house rests, sitting still. It has a humanoid body protected by a golden, adorned lamellar armor, and a helmet that hides an unrecognizable face, disfigured by the crackles of its corruption. Shiny gemstones poke out of his exposed flesh, each portraying an expression of despair or anguish. A gigantic spear is embedded in his back.

- It can’t be… Father? - Maruxiang falls to her knees in disbelief.

- What are you doing?! - Nicholas exclaims.

- I’m feeding the corpses of the fallen to this big guy and infused in him the blessing of the goddess Isoris to see if he grows stronger. I’m trying to create something that can give me a challenge! - his answer is infuriatingly casual.

- This damn fool! That thing is going to become an unkillable semi-god if we don’t stop him! - Lirika alerts.

- Tobias, you need to come to an end! Look what we’ve done to the city! - Pietra tries to reason with him.

He sighs, annoyed.

- That again? Why are you so worried about all these NPCs? New ones will spawn anyway. Just have fun.

- What do you even mean by that?!

- Urgh, your goddess didn’t explain anything to you? Friends, this world is our playground! A place created for our entertainment, for us to do as we please! For what other reason would goddesses summon us in such a peaceful world with overpowered abilities?

The original trio freezes momentarily. Despite his sick reasoning, if Giovanni was telling the truth, he was not entirely wrong.

- What is he talking about? Are you with him on this?! - Tien questions the trio.

- We're not cut from the same cloth - Kai promptly replies.

- Can’t you see how crazy he is? Why are you even listening to him? - Pietra points out.

Tobias continues.

Do you understand now? That’s why I used the blessing I received to revive the extinct demon race. No big deal, right?

- Is it just me, or what he says is, somehow, getting more absurd with each new sentence? - Kai looks at the others.

- Whatever, this ends now - Pietra holds the thread connecting Tobias and Kai.

When she cuts it, Tobias does not fall unconscious.

- Huh?! How did you-

She is interrupted by the abrupt sound of someone hitting the floor.

Kai does.

- Tsk, tsk, tsk. Do you really think the same trick would work against me again? Even though I don’t know what happened, I remember being knocked out instantly, and it was not cool, so I used the blessings of my goddess to keep my mind protected at all times - he gesticulates with his finger and grins.

- Dammit!

With a swift movement, he easily disarms her with his katana. The sword flew from her hand, spinning through the air before its tip plunged into the ground.

Pietra was about to question how he moved so fast, however, as she looks back to him, she sees that his weapon is ridiculously long, way longer than its sheath.

- I hold back against corrupters for Isoris, but I won’t if you guys want a piece of me. By the way, was that dude lying unconscious there all along?

- Die! - Tien, taking back the control of his body, uses his moment of distraction to gap close and uppercuts him with all his strength, partially freezing his jaw.

Tobias flies away, landing with his back. As he stands back up, blood is coming out of his mouth.

- Ha, that was a good-

Giving him no time to react, Maruxiang delivers a triple-slashing wind strike that hits Tobias’ face squarely, right in his left eye.

- ARGH!

They proceed to attack him together from opposite sides, ready to finish him.

Until.

A slash.

Tien’s right arm is cut off instantly.

A second slash.

Maruxiang lost her left leg without realizing.

Three quick steps to reposition. He thrust his katana forward.

Two hearts pierced at once.

- W-what…?

- Eh…?

- Hey, hey, hey, hey! I can’t let you beat me so easily! I have a reputation to maintain here! I’m the Tobias, you know?! The strongest corrupter! - he declares as a disturbing smile creeps on his face, his voice sharing a mix of anger, frustration, and excitement.

For the first time, they see a more perverse side of Tobias.

Kai wakes up

- Urgh… Did I miss something? Pietra, you need to warn me before doing this.

With his adversaries still impaled through his sword, Tobias checks his mouth: His jaw hurts a lot. Will heal. One lost tooth. A shame. Then, his eye: A deep cut. Gone. Will leave a cool scar at least. He pulls a bandage from his pocket and wraps his wound.

- That was a good fight. I’ll remember you two… Huh… How were your names again?

No answer. No movement. Dead already? He looks at the party, who shivers at his glance.

- Tien and Maruxiang… - Pietra barely speaks, intimidated.

- What about Xien? - Nicholas whispers.

- I don’t have the guts to explain it to him right now…

- Thanks! I could go for a round two if anyone is interested.

- What do you guys think? - Pietra murmurs.

- Can someone explain to me what the hell happened in the past two minutes?! - Kai is completely lost.

- I’ll pass - Lirika fakes indifference, knowing well they can’t win.

- We can’t leave things like this! We need to avenge them!

- Who is he?!

- You saw how fast he was. We are no match for him - Lirika replies coldly.

- Guys, please, he made a skewer out of our friends! - Kai is getting desperate for an explanation.

Pietra grits her teeth and looks away.

- Icy! - Asai says, angered, rolling up her sleeves.

- Wait. Not this time - Nicholas stops her.

When she sees his worried expression, she pouts and calms down.

- Okay, then. Anyway, what was I doing again? Oh, right.

Tobias swings his comically long katana. Maruxiang’s body flies towards the abomination that consumes her in no time

- No! Why?! - Kai confronts him.

- Even if you just arrived, I’m not explaining it again. If you want to stop me, come at me and fight - Tobias gazes at the party sharply.

They remain still.

He sighs, disappointed by the lack of a reaction. His attention goes back to the monster.

As Tobias did another swing with his weapon, he was tackled by Kai. Tien’s body flies in a different direction, and Nicholas runs to him.

- He’s still breathing!

- Pietra! Go to the palace! Now!

- Are you crazy?! I’m not leaving you two!

- Don’t worry! We will hold him until you come back!

- Buddy, this one is kind of a big deal. You may have doomed us all - Nicholas explains.

- Oh…

Tobias frees himself of Kai’s grasp and kicks him away.

- Now that’s what I like to see! You'd better last longer than your companions!

Lirika spams fire projectiles at him, covering Kai to fall back. Tobias defends each one, creating a smokescreen.

- Go. I’ll keep them safe - she says in a low, serious tone.

- Asai! - the little one appears to be promising the same.

- You better. I’m counting on you, girls.

Pietra grabs her swords and runs as fast as she can. Asai moves to Nicholas, and Lirika positions herself near Kai.

- Don’t you dare turn your back on me!

A double dash forward. A bold move, but no one was ready to punish him for it.

Pietra’s back is exposed. No one is covering her retreat.

A single slash is enough.

He swings his katana.

She is done for.

A single lightning strike.

Pietra reaches the palace safely, not looking back.

His attack was… Parried?

- I finally found the source of this mess. Mind if I join in?

A long, flawless red hair is blown gently by the wind.

- Guson! - the gang exclaimed in unison.

- Straberys! - one exception.