Echoes of Hate and Ashes

Shana entered the room where Koharu , Max, and I were. The air was heavy, and my heart felt like it was about to burst with anger.

" Fujimoto , calm down," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

I looked at her and felt my blood boil even more.

"You're another hypocrite. You knew all of this and only told me now to make me choose Max to be resurrected," I replied , gritting my teeth.

Shana lowered her eyes.

Koharu and Max's hypocrisy would go... but I realize now the mistake I made," Shana apologized.

— Hahahahahaha !!! — I started laughing. A bitter, stifled, almost sick laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" she asked , confused.

"We have two whores here... one without a kingdom and the other probably crippled... and, to top it all off, a coward who lost his own family." I looked at the three of them and replied with a cold laugh.

Koharu lowered her head, wounded. Max stood up, his fist clenched.

"I made a mistake, Fujimoto , but you don't need to talk to us like that!" Max shouted.

"Shut up! If I had my powers, I would have killed you right now!" I yelled .

I opened the bedroom door, determined to leave.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Shana called to me, but I didn't look back .

"I don't need to be in a shitty group like this. I'll get stronger on my own," I replied.

"I know you're furious, but any of us going out alone now is suicide. The world is becoming increasingly dangerous," she replied, her voice calmer.

"I'm going to Omeron . I'm going to meet Melissa and Grinn ," I replied .

But before I could take my first step, someone walked through the door.

Shana turned pale.

— Alisiya … — Shana said in surprise.

My sister was standing there, with that same cynical smile that always provoked an instinctive hatred in me.

"If you're thinking of going back to Omeron , little brother, know that I destroyed the entire city. And everyone who lived there," she said, in an almost playful tone.

My body went cold. Koharu , Shana , and Max were also speechless.

— Alisiya … — I murmured, in disbelief.

" Shana , can I ask you a favor?" she asked, as if nothing had happened.

Shana remained silent.

"Hey, Shana , I'm talking to you." Her tone grew colder.

"What do you want?" he replied . Shana , with suppressed anger.

"I need you to restore Hiroshi's body," he explained . Alisiya .

That took my breath away, we were all speechless.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Shana asked, incredulous.

Alisiya simply smiled.

"Come on, Shana . His body is on the sofa," she said . Alisiya .

I looked at Shana , and I could see the fear in her eyes.

"She knows that if she refuses, Alisiya will kill one of us."

"Okay... I'll do what you asked," she replied, her voice trembling.

"Don't do that, Shana !!!" he shouted . Koharu , desperate.

" Shana has no choice," Max said seriously.

Koharu lowered her head, crying silently.

Shana and Alisiya went downstairs. I followed, not understanding what else my sister was planning.

Hiroshi was lying on the sofa, with that same disgusting and arrogant look he always had.

"So it's you, the hot demon queen, who's going to heal me," he mocked.

Shana approached and, reluctantly, restored his body.

Alisiya smiled as if she had accomplished something great.

"Alright, Hiroshi. Now you can go out and have some fun," he said . Alisiya .

— (Why is she helping that worm?) — I thought , unable to hide my disgust.

Hiroshi stood up.

— In that case, I'm leaving. — And he went out the door, disappearing on the horizon.

"What are you planning on doing by helping trash like that?" Shana asked, angrily.

Alisiya didn't answer. She just looked at her with that provocative look.

"Don't tell me you're in love with him," I said.

— Wrong answer. — She smiled.

"Then why did you help him?" I asked.

"You have no idea…" he replied, and simply walked away.

As soon as she disappeared, my strength collapsed. I sat on the floor, covered my face with my hands, and cried.

Shana approached slowly.

— Get up. I already know where we're going. — he said . Shana .

I lifted my face, still wet with tears.

" Where to?" I asked.

"For the Mercenaries of Good group," Shana replied.

Grinn 's brother's group ?" I asked.

"Exactly. Let's wait for Koharu to get a little better and then we'll leave," he replied . Shana .

"Let's go without her," I replied without hesitation.

Shana looked at me with pity.

We can't leave Koharu behind. Backwards . — he said Shana .

Soon after, Koharu and Max came down the stairs.

"I'm well enough to go with you," Koharu said determinedly.

"Are you sure?" Max asked .

"Yes," he replied . Koharu .

Max turned to Shana .

"What do you think?" Max asked .

"The sooner we get there, the better," she replied, looking at Almira and Pinitra .

"And you, Fujimoto ?" Shana asked.

I sighed.

"Let's go," I said.

Koharu smiled slightly at Almira and Pinitra .

"Thank you for everything," Koharu thanked them both.

"You're welcome. The payment has already been made, so there's no reason to refuse help," Almira replied .

We left the city of Merebu and headed towards Kakarel . The journey was long and silent. No one exchanged a single word.

Hours later, we arrived in the city and found the building of the Mercenaries of Good Guild. Shana knocked on the door and one of the members came to answer.

"We want to join the guild. We know Himeno and Yuuki ," I said .

Yuuki appeared soon after and led us to the guild master, Aioze .

Yuuki 's best friend . I'm grateful for that," he said , looking us up and down.

Grinn 's brother ?" I asked , trying to contain the anger that still burned inside me.

— Yes, I am. Why? — he replied .

"Did you know that Grinn was killed... and that Omeron was destroyed?" I said.

Aioze nodded calmly.

"Yes, I know," Aioze said.

Without thinking, I lunged forward with a punch, but he disappeared and reappeared behind me, pressing a sword against my throat.

"It wasn't another kingdom that destroyed Omeron . You know very well who it was. Now tell me the name of the one who destroyed Omeron ." His gaze was sharp as a blade.

I swallowed hard.

— It was my sister, Fedorova. Alisiya . — I replied.

"Your sister is too powerful," he replied, lowering his sword.

I was surprised.

"Do you know about her?" I asked.

"I told Mr. Aioze ," said a voice behind me.

Himeno appeared, looking serious.

Aioze crossed his arms.

"You four are here because you have nowhere else to go, right? Do you want to stay with us?" Aioze asked.

"Yes," Shana replied .

"Then let's see what they're capable of. First, a team fight. Then, the four of them will fight against me," he said . Aioze .

He looked at Yuuki and Himeno .

"You two, help them with their training," he ordered . Aioze .

"All right," they replied in unison.

"Let's go to the training field," said Aioze .

He looked at one of the guild members.

" Sakori , take care of things here for a few hours," she ordered . Aioze .

— Understood. — he said Sakori .

We followed Aioze to the training field, an open area surrounded by tall trees.

"Shall we train here?" I asked .

Yuuki smiled.

— Yes. Any problem? — he asked. Yuuki .

"None. Just curious," I replied .

Aioze unsheathed his sword and observed us with a predatory gaze.

"Are you ready to begin?" he asked . Aioze .

"Yes!" we answered together.

And so, our new hell began .