A Devil's Sins

A barren wasteland, vast in size and currently where a large scale battle took place between the Guilds forces and the Bandit Coalition. The sounds of clashing steal and war cries filled the air, the collective sounds .being able to be heard even a great distance away. Guild Faction mercenaries engaged their enemies giving it their all in a clash of swords both large and small, Pikes, Axes, Bows and many more diverse weaponry. Many brave and courageous mercenaries stepped into and fell in this battle, giving their hearts and strength for varying reasons. Some for the thrill of battle, others for the sake of the people at risk, yet most for money, power, and glory. Beginning the mission with high hopes, their seemingly simple task quickly fell to ruin, the enemy setting up multiple ambushes on the allied forces. The Bandit Coalition's forces were formed of individual bandits, thieves, and murders, some even belonging to larger bandit groups and former mercenaries blacklisted by the Master Guild.

At the center of the large scale clash, one particular mercenary weaved his enemies strikes confidently before attempting to thrusting his blade through the bandits c.h.e.s.t. Seeing the opening he needed the mercenary lunged forward, only his strike to come up short stop, his foot being stuck, something preventing him from moving forward. With a distraught expression on his face he quickly looked down to his stuck foot only to be mortified by what he saw. Beginning a yell of terror, seeing a decaying hand protruding from the ground and having a powerful grip on his foot. Sadly the mercenaries cries were quickly silenced as his opponent cleaved his neck with his large axe, splattering a mass of blood onto the ground and everyone nearby. The bandit grinned excitedly and confident claiming his kill but his smile immediately warped his expression to a horrific pain. Looking down, multiple green clawed hands rose through the grounds surface, several already having his leg in their grasps, literally clawing at his body tearing flesh. More and more were dragged to the ground, having their flesh bitten and torn by the large amount of goblins attacking any living being they saw with their makeshift knives and daggers.On the sides of the battle forces of the Goblin kind engaged the humans in a pincer attack. The common smaller goblins weaving between humans legs, finding a target to pierce with their frail wooden spears. Towering greatly over the humans in and easily an outweighing mass were trow goblins clutching large blunt weapons in hand, each swing crushing the skulls and bones of their victims proving even heavy armor futile.

A older man watched horrifically as the sudden goblin attack took everyone off their guard, seeing his allies being crushed one after another by a trow goblin. Enough was enough, seeing the creature had turned its back to him, the young mercenary steeled himself and charged for the large demon with his two-handed large sword in hand. Unseen to the n.a.k.e.d eye of both lifeforms on the battlefield, a dark mist was siphoned from their corpses merging into the air. Traveling north beyond enemy forces, making way revealing the dark halls of a massive ruins of a castle.

Inside the Castle Catacombs...

Inside the dark catacombs, the goblin shaman stood at a broken balcony's edge overseeing the twelve cloaked men standing forming a circle. Those present could be heard chanting an indistinguishable language, a circle formed of the indistinguishable language circling a symbolic formula in its center at their feet. A dark and ominous energy would continue to be drawn into the circles center focal point. Focusing to a point of a single man sitting there, the energy flowing into his body. At the room's center over one hundred chained humans and demi-humans stood chained around their neck, wrists, and ankles. All visually having been deprived of food and necessities for an extraordinary amount of time.

"This ritual was all from her knowledge. It took decades for her to materialize and be born into this world through a host. This first we summoned. This one will be the end of humanity. Since the first time I came across these humans, their society held a page of inscription, for generations none could read or understand its contents until I arrived. Once a clueless goblin I became a much smarter greater demon after those many generations for this moment."

The goblin Shaman said extended his hand out towards the cultist at the center of the seal. The black mist filled the room and spread through the air, being inhaled by each of the enslaved sacrifices, the air becoming quickly like toxin to their lungs. Leading the crowd to fearfully pull back, individually starting to have difficulty breathing before clenching at their bodies in pain. Many fell to the floor in crippling pain, gasping desperately for air.

"??? ?????? ????!!"

The shaman yelled out in an unintelligible language that immediately triggered a reaction in the victims of the mist, their pain and screams reaching epitome of their pain tolerance as a black liquid poured from their eyes, ears, and lips. The black liquid dripped from their bodies, once the person ceased living, the black blood made its own way dashing into the center cultists body sitting in the circle. His body beginning to shake and convulse on his knees. Muscle mass steadily increasing in size, the skin stretching its limits as his size physically grew. Expanding until it was stretched beyond it limits causing the skin and muscle tearing in a bloody mess surrounding him. Through the gaps of torn skin and flesh, a dark entity could be seen as if being born inside of the human cultist. An large splatter of flesh and blood covered those around him as the dark entity's form visually could not be contained by the humans flesh.

"So the one hundred thirty-five souls were enough for it to make a temporary connection to this side, but it appears the physical body was far too weak for its body to have a catalyst. This is fine, I've already made preparations, soon all of those dying will provide enough souls for it to over power such barriers."

30 Minutes Prior To Battle...

Aisellia and Elanor could be seen being led by Shingen back in the direction of Orion.

"Hey...do you think they'll be alright?"

Aisellia asked the two hunters. Elanor looked over to her side, seeing the extremely concerned expression Aisellia's face held while thinking about the safety of her friend and their ally.

"The captain said she had a bad feeling which doesn't normally mean anything bad, she's quite powerful. She's actually already becoming a legend in the guild and have taken down plenty of demons on her own." Elanor began to say.

"She must have seen how useless I was even against a goblin. I'm just a medic of the guild medical corps but even that must have been shameful to see, no wonder with a new mercenary and myself she saw it better for Shingen to lead us back to safety."

Elanor attempted to raise Aisellia spirits but it did little. Leading Elanor to sigh at the revelation of how bad her goblin fright must have looked to someone of her captain's position.

"Normally she could handle things alone? Hmm, but she seemed pretty earnest to take Miyaura with her. Despite her confidence in her abilities for assistance, isn't that odd?" Aisellia questioned the hunters once again.

"It really is....At the moments notice she had Shingen take us back instead of Miyaura."

Elanor responded. A short silence remained between them for a few seconds. Aisellia's eyes wondered towards Shingen, seeing him clutching his fist with great intensity. Nudging Elanor to witness it for herself before Shingen's voice broke the silence on his own.

"It seems I've underestimated Miyaura, The captain knows for sure her skill must greatly exceed mine. I'm still too weak to make a difference."

"Huh? Please elaborate." Elanor said. Both the young man's fists were clenched tightly, attempting to avoiding looking at the two girls as he spoke again.

"It's just confusing. I train every day yet after watching Miyaura fight once, she deemed Miyaura's fighting alone was more capable."

"Miyaura is a Demi-Human, I've seen you take quite a bit of damage in our days but she's possibly has incredible endurance." Elanor answered in response to Shingen.

"Aisellia..." Shingen began to say. "If you don't mind...How high would you gauge Miyaura's abilities seeing what I and the other mercenaries could do. Please I need your honest opinion. I must know just how far I am."

"Shingen...honestly it's not endurance alone that's impressive. She already had great potential but she was trained by a friend and our ally Karna. She's been taught how to use that power to fight. With even holding back, she has substantially greater endurance, stamina, speed, and strength than a normal person."

"What?" Elanor questioned. While a sudden expression of shock overcame Shingen.

"Someone as strong like the captain...potential can be gauged by her eyes but her heightened sense for energy. Hm. You would think it impossible. But I've heard of a man like that, A Demi-Human who discovered how to use their power. Capable of frightening skill and power."

Shingen said, looking over his shoulder at the girls.

"He was a opponent of my master once, I've been told he was powerful and intelligent being. My master was the first one of his kind to become Grand Knight. Before he took me in, he was once a greatly known Demon Slayer. When they started dying out, he became a knight and used his great power to protect. Any being considered powerful is a threat to truly be feared."

The ongoing battle...

Mercenaries and bandits clashed with each other and also against the goblin forces around them. Panic racing through their minds and hearts as they began fighting anyone and anything to survive the battle they were trapped in, being attacked from any direction they could possibly expect. A large shadow of a trow goblin towered over a small human group, his large shadow darkening the area enough, getting their attention. Unfortunately not quick enough to save one from the demon grabbing the bandits arm, crushing his bones audibly with its forceful grip. It raised the man into the air and repeatedly slamming his body onto the ground then using it to swing at and clear many mercenaries and bandits from around itself. Suddenly a spear would sly through the air at a incredible velocity, its bladed tip finding its way and piercing through the trow goblins head. The blade passed through the demon's head causing it to release the now mangled corpse and stumble on its large feet. From above, Leiliana descended, her feet vertical to each other as the gracefully landed on the pole arm, opposite side of its blade. The sudden drop in weight on one side cause the blade to tear upward breaking free forcefully from the beasts head while Leiliana and the pole-end moved downward with her landing. The spear rapidly rotated in the air as Leiliana landed, swiftly spinning in a circle and raising her hands to defend herself. Stopping her spin a bandit came charging at her swinging his sword in hand. In stance Leiliana dodged the blade allowing its thrusting strike pass just past her head, simultaneously her hands lifted, her right hand gripping onto the man's wrist pulling his forward off balance. Leiliana released his wrist and using the same hand to deliver a punch to the man's face immediately jerking his body completely backwards into a crowd. At different angles goblins leaped into the air aiming to catch Leiliana from several directions. Seeing the creature over her shoulder just as she knocked back the bandit, she raised her right hand to the air, catching her spear and performing a swift rotating swing of her weapon faster than the creatures or those around her could see, slicing the goblins in half.

(They're already slaughtering everyone on this side, crushing anyone their way. Me and Miyaura could sense the demon presence so we could read the pincer attack, Goblins are mixed in deep into our lines but I can still see the line of their forces. They're pushing towards the center from the sides instead of an all out attack!)

Leiliana began a dash towards the collective goblin forces.

"EVERY HUMAN!" She yelled loudly rushing towards the enemy lines and passed mercenaries in combat.

"Retreat before its too late!"

She yelled once again, swinging her spear around herself slicing goblins and saving those on her allied side from the demons attacks.

The east side of the battle...

Miyaura could be seen mid-air delivering a spinning kick to a trow goblins head, crucially dis-forming its skull resulting in a powerful killing blow knocking it off its feet and sideways a short distance away. Keeping the flow of motion as she touched down on the ground. Miyaura used her previous airborne attack to spin on her toes, turning to face what was behind her with her fist already pulled back to strike, delivering a powerful punch to a goblin attempting to attack her back once again delivering a killing blow on impact as its body was sent into the crowd of goblins and corpses filling the area. She appeared to dance on the battlefield, keeping her flow-motion of rotation once again seeing yet another that had leaped into the air and was descending from the air to attack. To the creatures surprise Miyaura quickly reached upward grabbing onto its wrists then pulling its body towards her at a downward angle, spinning to increase the power of the throw she twisted her torso soon followed by her lower body and viciously plunged the creature into the ground itself passed where she stood, sending its torso into the dirt beneath them ending its life.

'Graghaaauu!"

Miyaura could her the voice yell behind her before looking over her shoulder to see a large trow goblin, its arm already horizontally swinging with its massive club aiming to end Miyaura with a sinlge blow. Lightly jumping off of her toes she spun around lunging for the demons head while dodging its attack. Suddenly a smaller goblins came in between her and her target, quickly having Miyaura deliver a sudden sky bound kick to the goblins torso sending it soaring into the air. Still in mid-air, her eyes widened, catching sight of the large trow goblin attempting to catch her on a back swing after its initial miss. Just as the attack grew incredibly close she swung her elevated leg downward with enough force to cause her body to flip forward, just barely being missed by the over-sized club passing right under her head once she was upside down.

"Aaagh!"

Miyaura screamed with intensity as her body began returning up right from her flip. However she would use her momentum to deliver a powerful heel drop atop the demons head, shattering its skull and neck having its head sink into his body between its clavicle. The downward force of the attack made the creatures feet break through the ground and released a burst of wind outward to their surroundings. The wind pressure blowing away smaller goblins who stood nearby.

(I can barely see any people left on this side, they must've been slaughtered. I just have to not let any of these things reach the center of this battle.) Miyaura thought to herself as she continued to dodge, punch and kick the demons around her.

Close to the Abandoned Town...

The slashing from a single blade quickly cut apart several lesser demons, each with their varying monstrous appearances. Blood and bodies of these demons fell to the ground and the blade's wielder could be seen, it was Shingen although his expression was far from peaceful. His face holding an expression of deep aggression and focus. Slaying the demons around him, he quickly turned to face behind him while the opportunity presented itself.

(This is impossible! It HAS to be worse where Captain and Miyaura went. Orion isn't prepared for this! Aisellia said it when she spoke to the captain but I thought there was little chance it could be true.)

Hearing the gargling growls of goblins approaching him, Shingen quickly rotated, swinging his sword in a circle following his motion slashing those around him before he turned to yell.

"Come on! I've cleared a path!"

A short distance away Aisellia and Elanor could be seen running in Shingen's direction. They were surrounded by a small force yet still much greater than their own numbers yet Shingen had cut his way through a small amount of them, clearing the girls a path but they all knew it wouldn't stay clear for long. During their sprint however Elanor would stumble over a rock causing her to drop her shield held by her left hand as she began falling towards the ground. Quickly Aisellia reached out and took hold of Elanor's hand, pulling her up and forward to stay moving forward. Elanor flailed her limbs attempting to stop herself from falling, with Aisellia's help she managed to regain her balance and the two continued running. Unfortunately with their slip up, the path Shingen had made quickly started closing ahead of them. Goblins quickly closed off their path prompting them to come to a harsh stop. One of the goblins that blocked their way wasted no time lunging its small dagger towards the girls. Unleashing a frightful scream, Elanor lunged her sword forward, piercing through the creatures c.h.e.s.t but its small knife managed to cut her hand forcing the release of her weapon, retracting her hand in pain. Both girls watched the demons body fall to the ground but lacked the moment to catch their breaths for in their eyes they could see more rushing towards them.

"NO ELANOR!"

Shingen cried out, trapped in continuous battle by the demons relentless intent to kill them all. Unable to see them any longer Shingen slashed his way in their direction. His eyes widened as a loud sound entered his ears from where they were. One explosive crash after another entered his ears while he fought through what demons separated them.

(Somehow the goblins split off before the ambush sites and marching for Orion, If they didn't attack us, Orion would be in trouble with so much of its mercenary force gone!)

Once in view he stood shocked, seeing Elanor behind Aisellia, who stood with her gun drawn. One shot firing what looked to be a glowing bullet yet once it came into contact with their bodies it unleashed a small shock-wave of a small explosive force, blowing a large hole in their bodies with each shot.

"I'll cover you Elanor! We have to get to him! Hurry!"

Aisellia commanded a fearful Elanor. Steeling her heart Elanor sprinted to Shingen while he continued to cut down the few blocking her path from him. Cutting down the last demon between them, Shingen could see a tearful Elanor reach out for him. In the brief second of their revived hopes, that hope was quickly shattered.

"Huh?" Shingen said Stretching his arm towards Elanor but in that confused second, his vision blurry and seeing his partner move just beyond his reaching grasp having rapidly increasing distance between them. Aisellia made her way to catch up to Elanor, firing her gun rapidly at the demons, bullets firing from the barrels. Closing in behind them turning her head quickly to see Elanor reaching out for Shingen yet her own eyes widened, seeing behind the demon hunter a trowe goblin towering over him from behind already swinging its massive club horizontally at Shingen. Unfortunately before any words could be spoken the massive club crashed into Shingen side, the weapons size easily over his side. Carried by the demons sheer force swept Shingen from the ground into a sideways high velocity flight path. His body mowing down a large quantity of the goblins until his body rolled to a stop along the ground. Aisellia and Elanor both froze, the two being shook by what they had witnessed. Suddenly a goblin hand gripped tightly onto her long hair from behind and forcefuly yanked her backwards causing her to stumble backwards.

"S-sh-shi-Shin-Shin-"

Was all Elanor could muster to say as Aisellia snapped out of her disbelief from being pulled so hard, falling down to the ground yet quickly aiming and firing her weapon killing her attacker. A fearful look came to her as she quickly began scrambling to her feet towards Eleanor. Able to run once again the noble woman caught sight of the other woman standing, paralyzed by fear as she stared up into the eyes of the large goblin prompting Aisellia to instinctively begin firing at the many demons beginning to circle the motionless girl.

"F.u.c.k f.u.c.k f.u.c.k! They got so much closer!"

Just as she finished her own statement Aisellia could hear the fearful screams of Elanor, seeing goblins clawing at her skin and clothes to quickly and f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y pull her onto the ground.

"ELANOR!"

Aisellia screamed, placing her focus on the metal sight of her weapon, she pulled the trigger, able to kill a goblins attacking her but more only filled their space as they beat and stomped Elanor, using their nails to tear pieces of her uniform from her body. Elanor repeatedly screamed at the top at her lungs full capacity, attempting to kick and scream her way to freedom although her efforts were proving futile against the combined goblin strength holding her down. Aisellia continued to fire her weapon into the group but her sight was quickly blocked by the multitude of goblins intending to further separate them.

"Please No!"

Aisellia cried. Knowing they were closing in on herself she began rotating her body to shoot goblins running and leaping out her.

(Please don't let them die! I don't want to die!)

Aisellia could be seen acrobatically ducking and dodging leaping goblins, releasing a shots from her firearm, blowing them apart before they could touch ground once again. A result of her training with Angelia, not only teaching her how to shoot but also how to remain agile as well. A short distance away Shingen lied on the ground, his vision blurry but his body was able to still feel goblins stomping over his body on their way towards the girls.

(I've got...to hurry!)

Once the last pair of feet passed over his body, Shingen pressed his palms onto the ground. Attempting to stand yet he struggling to do so with his shaking arms. In the distance Elanor's screams entered his ears. Using sheer will power, Shingen yelled desperately, pushing his limits and forcing himself to his feet. Only half of the uniform was torn off from the attack, his body bruised and bloody in several places.

(I only have one shot, it's taboo for someone of my rank but I'll unleash it!)

In the distance. Elanor lied motionless being beat by the goblins, her body bruised, blood running down her face with eyes seeming devoid of life and will. Suddenly a tight grip around her ankle brought her from this state from the pain, screaming out once again soon finding herself being lifting into the air. A trow goblin bringing her close to its face. Staring the beast in the eyes panic greatly took over her, being face to face with a larger version of her trauma, evident by the tears that poured from her eyes. In a desperate attempt at freedom she swung her fist at its face prompting the trow goblin to laugh at her futile attempt to free herself.

"No no please no no please no!!"

Aisellia turned to see the giant creature, holding Elanor elevated above the crowd making her now easy to spot. Quickly she took aim at the large demon, however as she pulled the trigger a sharp pain coursed through her side. A goblin jamming a dagger into her side during her distraction as the shot was fired. The shot redirected from her aim being thrown off in the last instant yet the bullet still found a mark, striking the large demons shoulder and blowing it clean off causing it to drop Elanor with the arm that was formerly attached. Her vision became blurry, falling sideways onto her rear. Refocusing her vision she looked to where the pain was originated. Going into a state of shock seeing the jagged dagger protruding from her side and blood flowing onto her clothes.

"W-what? I-its my blood!"

She muttered with a fearful expression overtaking her face. She attempted to take hold of the dagger but even that sent an excruciating pain through her body. Just the simple touched forced a great amount of tears in her eyes and a unleashing a horrid and painful scream.

"Aaaah! I can't I can't! This pain! I can't take it!! Just what is this hell! I hate it here! Please I just want go home!"

She cried, her tearful screams mixed in with her sobbing.

(I just wanted to see the world! I just wanted to help people smile. No one can smile having to live like this. I'm just not strong like everyone else! You are all wrong i'm not special at all...I'm so scared...I'm scared!)

Elanor flopped to the ground now free from the demons grip. Yet the goblins made haste and grabbing onto her and began to excitedly tear remaining garments from her body piece by piece. This sent Elanor into a panicking frenzy, having a flashback of the time that traumatized her as a result of goblins originally.

"NO NO NO! NOT AGAIN! I CAN'T LIVE THROUGH IT AGAIN! PLEASE NO! STOP! I DON'T WANT OT BE A PLAYTHING! JUST SOMEBODY PLEASE KILL ME!"

Just at the end of her sentence, the large trow goblin stomped her body into the dirt, sinking its foot into the ground indentation left as a result.

Shingen he now stood, panting heavily, his body weak from the damage done to it. Still he stood using both hands to hold the weight of his sword, pointing the direction of the goblin horde. From the distance he could hear Elanor's cries, remembering everything she had went through and what the goblins were aiming to do now.

"No! I won't let you suffer through your fears ever again!!" He yelled angrily.

(Angelo are just demon hunting weapons but there are ancient Angelo called relics. Highly skilled demon slayer could summon great power by using their own life force to fuel the attack. I'm sorry captain...I'm sorry Master. I'll must save her with everything I got.)

Shingen took in a deep breath, during his exhale the chill on his breath could be seen, being cold enough to see his breath exiting his lips.

"Cyan Rose! RELEASE!"

On command a burst of air released from Shingen's body, instantly visually the air and ground around him, traveling across the ground underneath everyone's feet, erecting a large quantity of ice spikes as it traveled, piercing, freezing and mutilating individual and goblin groups almost instantly. Aisellia could only watch and look at her surroundings as the threat they were face came to a sudden end. The trow goblins body pierced from multiple angles giving it no chance of survival like it's much smaller underlings.

Shingen stood holding his blade, attempting to catch his breath. Half of his face and torso were covered by ice due to the attack he had used. With little strength left he could no longer hold his weapon up, letting his hands drop to his side while attempting to keep himself on his feet. Aisellia leaned on her un-injured side seeing the frozen and killed, her eyes focusing on the completely frozen trow goblin.

"I-I'm not the only one scared. Everyone's scared...and that's why they fight no matter what! AAAGHM!!"

Aisellia screamed ending her sentence in reaction to the pain of pulling the dagger from her side and raising to her feet. Keeping her eyes angrily on the large goblin. Angrily throwing the dagger at the demon, the blade piercing into its head causing the rest of its body to shatter.

(I must get to Elanor!!)

Aisellia held her hand over her injury to keep pressure on it as the ice spikes slowly crystallized into pieces, fading into the air above. With the ice spikes clearing her visual path she could see Shingen nearly directly ahead of the way he was facing, dragging a leg behind him staggering in his walking. Looking in the direction he was heading her eyes quickly began to tear up. Seeing the body of Elanor lying motionless in a foot shaped imprint on the ground. With haste Aisellia painfully staggered her way over to Elanor, making it there immediately after Shingen. Both quickly dropping to their knees by the female demon hunters side. Tears fell from the eyes of both Aisellia and Shingen, seeing her beaten body and broken bones. A crying Shingen took Elanor's hand into both of his.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I couldn't help you Elanor. I've failed to save you!"

Suddenly he opened his eyes, feeling a gentle hand place on his cheek. Although she couldn't move due to her broken bones, she was able to lift the only part of her not badly damaged. Her eyes shifting over and looking into Shingen's once she had placed his hand on her cheek.

"You...didn't...fail me. I...was high spirited and became..ugh...a mercenary.. Then my innocence was taken away by...those ugly things. I felt so dirty on the inside, like a filth you can't get rid of. I thought I could never be happy. But after you saved me...My...My life with you was a better life than I've had in my years."

Listening to Elanor's words Aisellia could no longer hold her urge sob behind her already heavily flowing tears. As she spoke, Elanor began shedding her own tears yet she smiled at Shingen through her pain.

"I really had fun...with you. You made me feel clean...like the bad things never happened and i'm glad I got to live and...share...it....with...you."

With her final words, her hand dropped to the ground leaving Shingen in a state of shock and tears.

"Elanor...AAAAAAAH!" Shingen's painful cries echoed in the air, easily overpowering the sounds of Aisellia's crying into her hands as he began slamming his fists on the ground.

Several Moments later...

Having moments to collect themselves Aisellia and Shingen sat near Elanor's body, having placed her cape over her body for respect. Aisellia could be seen wrapping a bandage around Shingen's arm, having one of her small bags next to her lying empty. From their appearances Aisellia had tended to their wounds.

"You're new to all this extreme violence but it seems you have experience in medicine..."

Shingen said breaking their long silence, catching Aisellia by surprise but she welcomed the conversation noticing they had been silent for a while.

"Yes, back home my family deals in various types of medical studies. I used to...visit the less fortunate areas and help at their clinics. So I've had practice."

"Hm. They are lucky to have you. I remember you mentioned you hired that guy to help you get home? What's the name of your city?"

"Yeah. Its um...It's far North. Before I met them...honestly I've never stepped foot outside the safety pf my city. I was ignorant of how the world really works and how much pain is out here. Miyaura and Karna saved me, and opened my eyes to some things."

"Hm. Wherever your home is, if you lived so long it sounds like a really nice and safe place. I hope you get there. In many places in the world people where many can't be lucky..."

Shingen responded with a sorrow filled expression on his face, his eyes shifting over to Elanor as he spoke.

"I...I've learned that's true. But sometimes you get lucky, the chance to find people who you can create great memories with. The good times and fun you may find might surprise you. And you never know just how much pain you could ease from someone. I...I think that can be worth being proud of making that difference to someone who even though they may suffer, someone made the difference...for them. Everyone has their own personality and ways, even...experiences good and bad. Not everyone can be friends and sometimes personalities just don't match. So I think the fact someone is able to do that for someone specifically means more than words could really explain."

Hearing her words Shingen shifted his eyes over to Aisellia, seeing not only she had already finished bandaging him, but also the incredibly saddened look in her eyes. Looking to Elanor once more in the end.

"Sounds like you've been saved yourself. I think I understand why you and her are so close. She outdoes me physically but it looks like your wisdom surpasses my own...Thank you. Given what they're possibly fighting now, she's ready to risk herself for you to be safe. I'm sure that's why she went to greater dangers to keep you safe. It might be none of my business but are you sure about that guy?"

"Karna? He's just as protective of me as Miyaura. At first he protected us out of a deal."

Aisellia said before closing her eyes and thinking about their journey together so far.

"He has a disregard for personal space and a trouble maker. But...in his own way he's really grateful for us...just being us. Quite honestly I think he's enjoying life with us. Like I said sometimes even doing nothing for someone, can still mean the world to someone else. Being there when no one else would..."

"Hm. You sure it's just him? Sounds like you enjoy having him around other than someone only guarding you on your way home."

"Huh? I....guess it goes for all three of us."

"Looks that way. You're brilliant woman Aisellia. So much so a prodigy demon hunter like the captain praised your intellect and she doesn't even praise her subordinates for completing missions and jobs heh heh."

Shingen chuckled reminiscing on his memories with Elanor, reminiscing of her cheerful spirit and smile when they were together.

"I think you're right heh."

"I'm sure of it. I've been watching and learning from a few people. I want to live a life making fun and happy memories for myself and with others. If the day comes where I don't survive, I want to live on in the memories I was able to share with the very people in them. Until then it'll be hard but...if we're smart, help and protect each other it could be filled with so many emotions and memories we can only have because we're alive."

Aisellia slowly rose to her feet and dusted off her attire. She leaned forward slightly to extend a helping hand to Shingen. Looking up at her, his eyes widened slightly as he looked her, Shingen silently gazed in awe by her eyes and kindness, the evening sun shining behind her figure seeming to give her a gentle aura of light outlining. Tears began involuntarily flowing from Shingen's eyes yet he wore a smile happily as he took her hand and assistance, helping him to his feet.

"So let's survive and save as many as we can!"

"No Shingen, let's save everyone. Not just now but wherever our paths take us."

"Agreed. If we're going to save Orion though...it seems we've eliminated part of the assault group. Who knows if there were others."

"You're right, with the ones that ambushed everyone then these. Its too clever and they likely have most of them fighting where Miyaura went to. They had time to set up traps for us so if they wanted Orion, wouldn't it make more sense to surprise attack with the entire horde?"

"Orion isn't the largest city around but it's one of the most flourishing cities housing a Guild Hall. It walls, defenses, city guard and any possible number of mercenaries so they would certainly lose numbers."

"They have human AND goblin forces, one way or the other someones going to be casualties for the other. But wait, it's a cult behind this right?"

"Yes although it makes little sense as to why a cult would want a war and to kill tens of thousands of men, women, and children. Do you think the cult has conflicting leaders? After all I can't imagine a demon submitting to human commands much less communicate."

"If you're sure then..."

Aisellia looked down to her feet, focusing her thoughts, attempting to find a connection that could help them against their enemies.

(The majority public aren't knowledgeable of demons but Elanor said the demon hunters go through a long training course so they have to know something. I just can't reveal how much I know thanks to Remi. I'm sorry Shingen but we don't have time for you wonder what I know if they could be thought of as secrets to your Guild would put her at risk.)

Raising her head she looked into Shingen's eyes with a determined expression.

"Is it possible there is a demon with cognitive intelligence? A demon controlling demons sounds more plausible so assuming all of this is correct the cult could be working with a demon with intelligence."

"Yes it's certainly possible. I'll share this knowledge with you...I feel you'll continue to save everyone with more information. As a demons threat level increases they will become closer to a pure embodiment of chaos and destruction but there are some who grow in power and intelligence or just intellect alone. The more powerful a demon, the greater these factors become."

"Bandits, criminals, and ex mercs wouldn't be enough to take on a horde of demons which mean's they could have killed them at any time. They're waiting for something..."

"Waiting could mean planning and a demon couldn't be planning for anything good. What confuses me is that they're somehow cooperating but have yet to attack together. No...the demons wouldn't cooperate with humans only use them. Here we dealt with only goblins, in the ambush they specifically waited until one or the other group died."

"They were waiting, if they were only in the same area only cooperating...because they were told to! They are far from being clever enough. Goblins are brutal and savage monsters, much less plan a marching militia to march on Orion."

"I guess we can agree they're planning something."

"Planning...planning. With an ambush you plan and wait to do critical damage. They worked together only in the ambush so..."

Aisellia shockingly raised her head, looking into the distance the Guild forces had marched.

"Bigger quantity, bigger plans. They may be planning a bigger trap! Miyaura is over there! Leilliana felt threatened by the possibilities! Something bad is coming!"

"This just keeps getting worse! Tch! Alright, I saw a C Series motorbike in the ruined town, it wasn't in the best condition but I can try to get it to work. We need to get to captain and Miyaura as soon as possible-Ughn!"

Shingen said before falling to his knees in pain, coughing up blood on the ground beside him."You're way to injured to fight Shingen, if you go you might..."

"The price of a hunter to save humanity...is what I want to say-Hmgn!"

He said once again before holding himself in pain.

"In all honesty...I haven't felt this close to death in years...you're right. As I am now i'd be more in their way than I was before these injuries."

"It may be fine to push your body, but please don't push your mind or heart...I think you should go back to Orion and alert everyone. If the worst happens it would be best they are as prepared as they can get."

"Huh? So if I go back I hope you aren't planning on going to that battle."

"Of course! If it's that dangerous I need to help Miyaura, She needs me...and I need her. We might be able to do something."

"No no, If you go you'll-"

"There's no way i'd let Miyaura go through anything terrible alone ever again. Because she's been alone she's traumatized, hell I may be or everyone just might be. Just Please...trust me."She said smiling at Shingen, her enthusiasm causing him to smirk on his own.

"I guess even if I disagreed I couldn't do anything to physically stop you in this condition. I'll put all my faith into Miyaura, Captain, and you Aisellia. The bikes close so I'll get it running for you. I can't fight, but i can still carry Elanor home, she deserves a proper burial."

"Thank you, I think she deserves a extraordinary burial..."

"Mmm, you know how to ride one of those?"

"A little, we have something like these where i'm from."

5 Minutes Prior To Battle...

Aisellia could be seen riding a motorbike which by it's appearance had far better days and alot more paint. Her hands gripped the handle bars as she speed through a visibly empty wasteland on her way towards the massive battle. Aisellisa took a deep breathe as she began to visualize an event during her training with Angelia. The two weapon were seen standing at Angelia's firing range. Both women appearing shocked, with Aisellia's back pressed against Angelia. The older woman surprised enough to let her cigarette fall from her mouth.

"W-what was that?! That was no bullet!"

"That's the power channeled through the weapon. It looks like you have an impressively powerful spirit and will Aisellia. You're a special girl Aisellia, looks like destiny always works in humorous ways haha! This weapon can channel life force into a bullet that'll shred demons apart."

"W-hat about that though?!"

In front of the two women was a path of scorched earth.

"Like I said, you're not your average girl. Just avoid doing it, you'll feel better with rest but using that has critical drawbacks on your body. It is your life force. Its a weapon I actually prepared for Karna but I liked so I kept it instead. Be cautious with it. The fact you can use it other than like a regular gun makes you special, but it can be quite draining."