Consequences of a deserved victory

- How long do you think they are going to keep this up? - Kai asks, bored.

Guson and Tobias are still engaged in an extremely fast-paced fight after several minutes have passed.

- Until you let me fireball them - Lirika replies, annoyed.

- Please, don’t.

Suddenly, the scenery began to freeze around them, and the air grew unbearably cold, deepened by a sense of sorrow and loneliness as a familiar figure walked past the duo.

- Tien?! You made it! - Kai stands up, excited.

Just as he was about to run over and express his joy at seeing Tien alive, he was stopped by Nicholas.

- Not now - he speaks solemnly, holding his friend by the shoulder.

- You even managed to get his arm back. Impressive - Lirika points out.

- He lost something way more important.

- Icy… - Asai let out a sad sound.

- What do you mean? What happened? - Kai asks, concerned.

- To make sure I could heal his body, Xien sacrificed himself. I can explain better later, but for now, I recommend we don’t get in his way.

- It can’t be…

The exorcist’s arms emanate a bright, blue aura. Despite feeling hollow, he never felt so strong. Lacking any morals at the moment, he locks his eyes on the intense battle and clenches his fists together.

- It looks like he is about to do a powerful and dangerous move. He saw us here by his side, right? - Kai whispers to the others.

- Be gone! - he screams out of his lungs, hammering his hands on the ground.

The whole floor gets quickly covered in a thick layer of ice, trapping those in its way.

- Maybe not… - Kai states, unable to move his legs.

- Say it for yourself - Lirika claims, sitting on the roof of one of the buildings nearby.

- How did you get up there?

- Magic.

- Understandable. Now help us.

- Us?

Lirika’s words make Kai inspect his surroundings. Asai was able to create one of her “bubbles” right in time to shield herself and Nicholas from the advancing ice. He is the only one of the party who got trapped.

- I’ll rephrase it. Help me.

- Beg - she rests her face on the back of her hand.

- Never.

Multiple diamond-shaped pillars grow from the surface, incessantly spawning in the direction of whoever got caught by Tien’s first attack as if hunting them down to provide a merciless end.

- Kyah! Stop messing around and save me already! - he screams desperately.

- Strange. I thought you would be into this sort of roleplay - she speaks calmly.

- What makes you think that?!

- Pretty much everything about you so far.

- Fair enough. That is not the case, though! Save me at once!

- Very well.

She gesticulates her hand to cast two small magic circles that spit fire around his frozen feet. Then, as he was about to be hit by the incoming pillars, she cast another spell that pulled him towards her with intense force. Lirika catches him mid-air and tosses Kai by her side.

- Urgh… Thanks…

- That's one less I owe you. Not that I’m counting - she smirks, satisfied.

At the other side of the field, Guson and Tobias, too focused on their fight, got imprisoned. The General was able to cut his way out and flee using his lighting abilities, but the corrupter, now weak against Tien’s exorcist arts thanks to his demonic nature, couldn’t move and was impaled by many pillars at once. The same happens to the motionless beast.

- Kind of you to make it easier for me to annihilate your existence - Tien declares, visibly taken by rage.

No answer. Tien goes to him and confirms it. Tobias is dead.

- Done.

- Fool. Don't let your guard down! His technique allows him to come back from the dead! - Guson shouts, alerting him.

- He was exorcized. He can’t-

His phrase was interrupted by Tobias abruptly breaking free and trying to strike his chest with his demonic arm. Tien shielded himself with an ice wall just in time to block his attack.

- Didn’t I kill you already?

- Let me show you how wrong you are in that statement.

Tien proceeds to beat Tobias like a punching bag. To the corrupter’s surprise, he cannot fight him back. For a demon, especially an imperfect one, facing a powerful exorcist head-on is a death sentence, no matter how strong you are.

Being infected by the disease he helped spread when he revived the demon race is proving to be his ultimate karma.

Tobias manages to land a single kick on Tien that gives him enough space to flee to the abomination’s side.

- Okay, I admit that I may be in trouble - he says, panting.

- Accept your defeat at once, and I promise to be merciful in your execution - the knight proclaims with authority.

- I don’t - the exorcist cracks his knuckles.

- Damn NPCs… If it wasn't for the other corrupters helping you…

- Tobias, please! If you surrender-

Nicholas is interrupted by Kai who is now by his side.

- I don’t think there is room for that anymore, man. He murdered the entire city.

- Oh, right. I almost forgot about that…

- Hehe… I am a bit disappointed that you chose to stand against me, but I can’t blame you. Playing the hero sounds cool, too. I remember when I arrived in this world. I was just like that. Saving the day, hunting treasures, putting smiles on people's faces…

- Then, why? What changed for you to become like this? - Nicholas questions him, not understanding how he could’ve changed so much.

- Well, that’s obvious, I… Wait, why was it again? I can’t… Urgh… When I think about it, my head hurts… - as if facing an internal battle, he groans and puts his hand on his head.

- Trying to play innocent at a time like this to save your neck is quite pathetic - Guson claims, annoyed.

- I’m not… Argh, forget it! Isoris, my Goddess! Hear my plea! With thy blessing of recreating life, allow me to be reborn as a new being by merging myself with this creature! - he pierces the Emperor’s corrupted body torso using his demonic arm, absorbing him using his divine gift.

Guson wastes no time and advances swiftly as Tien summons another wave of ice pillars to stop the unholy process that started before them. To their surprise, an entity appears behind Tobias in the form of a macabre shadow bearing a chilling grin. The figure easily intercepts the exorcist arts and tosses Guson aside, sending him flying against a wall.

For all who were present, many thoughts arose about the identity of the frightening being that had suddenly appeared. However, one thing was certain: it was not a Goddess. At least, not a kind one.

Tobias's rebirth was complete barely a minute later. Aided by his guardian of darkness, his soul plunged into the depths of impurity, and he was reborn as a new, perfect semi-god of corruption. His soft skin had been entirely replaced by draconic scales. Twisted claws now equipped his other arm and legs, and his single horn had grown larger. A pair of imposing wings erupted from his back. The only thing left of his old self was his cocky attitude.

- Well, well, well… Would you look at me now? I never felt so… Absolute. I wish I could say I’m feeling bad for you guys, but it seems I can’t feel empathy anymore.

- Could you, though…? - Kai murmurs so he can’t hear it.

- Quite ugly if you ask me - Tien does not feel intimidated whatsoever.

- Now, allow me to demonstrate how different our levels are.

By merely lifting his hand, everyone was forced to bow before Tobias by the immense pressure he caused.

- Hmm, that was a bit boring to be honest. What about this?

He takes control of Guson’s body and forces him to stab himself in the leg.

- Argh! You devil!

- No, not fun at all… Damn, what’s the point of being so powerful if I can’t enjoy the thrill of battle anymore?

- Tobias! I’ve returned to defeat you! - Pietra declares with confidence, lifting her sword.

- Nicholas, I think Pietra will die horribly - Kai states.

- Have some faith in her. She may not be aware of the circumstances, but I’m sure she has a plan.

Kai makes the sign of the cross.

- You know, part of me wishes you would take out of your pocket some amazing ability that can match my new self, although I highly doubt-

Pietra, without letting him finish, brings her sword down to the crimson thread connecting her and Tobias. The blade touches the thread, and the weapon begins to glow with a pink aura, revealing a hidden symbol on its hilt: an infinity sign. The loop is shaped like a fragmented, broken heart with its two halves not fully connecting, suggesting a broken cycle.

- Uuh… Use the bonds to deal a deadly blow!

Nothing happens. Everyone stares at her in silence.

- Hmm, maybe… Make him see rocks as his best friends!

Apparently, still nothing

- Don’t worry, guys. She is no threat - Tobias whispers to a bunch of tiny rocks near him.

- I really should’ve asked… Let me think for a second.

- See, Bob? You don’t need to be so cautious. Her powers can’t affect me.

He gave one a name.

- I know! Erase his memories!

Once again, only silence and disappointment.

- Pia, it’s okay. You tried. We are proud of you.

- Yeah. Let’s just hope that in this world, there is a heaven with cute female angels. And it better not be any femboy trash there.

- You should really cut down on the anime.

- Lads… I believe it worked - Guson inspects the evolved corrupter who stares blankly at nothingness.

- And the scary thing that was with him? - Lirika asks.

- Gone.

- How convenient! - she takes the opportunity to promptly stab a few crystals into Tobias.

- Will this method end his life? - the General questions, curious.

- I’m not sure. Usually, it does.

- I don’t feel like I properly avenged my brother or the people of Fesolgu… - Tien grunts, depressed.

- You can still punch him a few more times to feel better - Kai suggests.

- Hmph, it’s worth a shot - he shrugs.

- Hey! Wait until my vessels extract his essence! I can’t waste the chance of collecting such an extraordinary sample!

As the ice created by the exorcist evaporates, localized snow falls at their location. Tiny particles also formed by this process wander in all directions, slowly purifying the city.

- Ah! Yay! - a wide smile breaks across Asai’s face as she bounces and twirls with delight at seeing snowflakes.

- We did it - Nicholas let out a humble smile as he watched her.

- Yeah. Still alive, somehow - Kai sighs.

- It’s a shame about the heirs. They didn’t seem like bad people. Even Maruxiang. I could picture all of them being good leaders…

- They left a great legacy that will inspire those who come after, young man. Fesolgu will survive.

- General - Nicholas greets him politely.

- Please, we fought a great evil together and lived to tell the story. There is no need for formalities. Besides, I owe your group an apology for what happened when we met.

- You sure do.

- Kai…

- He is right. As you just saw, the Corrupters live up to their reputation. However, what one of my knights did was unacceptable. In the name of Alcus Kingdom, I sincerely offer my deepest apologies - he bows.

- Accepted.

- Also, I was hoping you would be willing to share any information about them with me. Their public appearances started a few years ago, and all my encounters with them ended similarly to what happened here. Madness, lives lost, an immense power that spreads evil… You are the only exception. Exactly like the suspicious blond man in Vatogus explained after you surprised me with that low blow.

- Sorry about that…

Kai and Nicholas see no harm in sharing a bit of what they know with the knight, omitting details like their network and Suzuki’s portals. The General thanked them and took his leave, stating his kingdom needed to be informed of what happened as soon as possible and promising to speak highly of them in Alcus.

- Who was the blond guy he was talking about? - Kai asks, not being able to remember.

- Gadreas.

- Oh, right. Can’t believe he vouched for us.

- I guess we owe him one.

- We definitely don’t.

A few seconds of silence until Kai speaks again.

- You didn’t ask Guson about his subordinate.

- It doesn’t matter right now. We need to focus on finding Giovanni.

- I see.

- I hope that regardless of his fate, he is at peace.

Kai looks away, wondering if he will ever be able to tell his friend the whole truth.

- Oh, look! The people of Fesolgu came all the way here to thank their heroes! - Kai spots a big crowd slowly walking towards them.

- Huh? What are you talking about?

- Can’t you see? Look how many people are in the courtyard now! I bet they are here to meet the person who saved the city!

- Kai… There is no one here besides us.

- Eh…?

A chill ran down Kai’s spine as he understood the situation. He reluctantly gazes back at the people coming closer by the second. The souls of the damned. Hundreds of spirits. Maybe thousands. He got so scared at the sight that he almost lost his balance.

Before Nicholas could inquire his visibly shaken friend, he felt someone suddenly grab his arm, holding it tight while trembling.

- Nicholas… Kai… Is that you guys?

- Pia? What do you mean? Of course it's-

He notices something wrong with her eyes. Her pupils are blurred, as if…

- I-I can’t see anything…

- What?! How?!

- I'm not sure... I think I misused the sword's power in some way... I'm afraid...

- Don’t worry, we got you. Kai, help me here-

- SHUT UP! - he screams in despair.

Kai cried out and collapsed to the ground, clutching his head as if trying to keep his mind from tearing itself apart.

- I can’t… God… My head… Too many voices…

- What happened? Is Kai okay? Nicholas, what is going on? - Pietra begs for an answer, worried.

He helplessly watches in disbelief the sorrowful state of two of the people he cares about the most in his life. All he can do is wonder what he is going to do now.