Andreas Pov (Gore warning)

A massive explosion erupted where the arrow has struck, blinding and throwing debris everywhere. Luckily, the Mamono surrounding the area either blocked with their respective limbs and weapons or fled behind cover.

I let out a sigh and faced a battered Sasha. Her breathing is laboured and fingers bent in unnatural position. I knelt down and placed a hand on her abdomen. I focused, allowing my magic to flow into her. Her wounds started to close, bruises disappear, and bones mending.

As soon as I finished, she stirred and opened her eyes slowly. Her vision still glazed but a couple of blinks she can now properly see me.

Sasha: Andreas? W-where?

I placed a finger on her mouth, silencing her further from speaking.

Andreas: Shh, save your strength Sasha. We're only on top of a house far from where you were held.

She calmed down. However, her calmness soon disappeared as soon as it appeared as worry filled her features.

Sasha: The kids! Where are they?! Are they safe?!.

I frowned, giving Sasha the needed answer for her questions.

Andreas: I have no idea of their whereabouts. But I do feel that they are safe.

Her worry still remained but silently nodded and hugged me closer.

Andreas: We need to leave, I don't know if the Mamono has found my location or one of the two survived the attack.

I tried to lift her up, but she tightened her grasp on my shoulder. She looked up to face me and her face is one of apology. I sighed, knowing full well that she cannot turn back on her deal with the Mamono.

Andreas: Very well, I'll find the children and the Mamono children. I'll have to ask them if they want to join me or stay with you. But, I'd be honest with you. I'd rather have then stay with you, knowing full well you'll be one of the Mamono.

Her eyes widened, but nonetheless accepted.

Sasha: I'm sorry Andreas... I hope you could forgive me.

I shook my head.

Andreas: I already did long before Sasha. Shall I bring you to Druella? From what I've observed, she seems to be of high status when the other Mamono bowed before her.

She hesitated, but nodded anyways. I lifted her and carried her princess style, causing a light blush to form on her cheeks.

Sasha: So... How do we go down?

I smiled at her. She tilted her head slightly in confusion and panicked when we both started to sink. She didn't notice how my shadow grew in size, big enough for us to fit in. As our heads slowly descended through the stone roof, she striped to keep hers up my shadow as if she were drowning.

The feeling of wind rushing past our faces is what I could describe how it feels to travel using my shadow. It ended quickly as we appeared on the streets below, with a panicked and surprised Sasha still on my arms.

Sasha: Wha- How?

I smiled softly.

Andreas: Shh, this is a secret between us ok?

She nods meekly and we slowly traverse the broken kingdom. We passed broken and still burning buildings, yet there was almost little to no people except those who were enjoying themselves with their newfound partners on the streets or in alleyways.

A few still single Mamono observed yet didn't make a move on me, probably because they recognize Sasha. Though I do feel something within Sasha changing. Ever since I tried this world's magic, I can somehow feel the mana of others. Supposedly, Sasha's mana should feel divine with a mortal spice added in it, but now. Her's feel darker, though subtle, I can feel it slowly spreading.

We continued our way back to the battlefield where I sensed most of the Mamono are currently occupying. Alongside each unique signature, I sense a much more powerful one within their ranks.

Finally arriving, our presence wasn't ignored as every single Mamono stared at our arriving forms. The crowd slowly made way for us, wary of me as they've witnessed what I am capable of. We reached the center, where rubble of the previous scuffle still lay smoking and crumbling. There stood the most powerful Mamono I've met.

Druella: Sasha, it seems that it wouldn't be necessary to chase you down.

I placed the now recovered Sasha on the road, she stood up only to wobble slightly as the fatigue still clung onto her bones.

Sasha: It wouldn't be wise of me to do so anyway. I made a deal and I swore to go through with it until finished.

Druella nodded at her honestly. Her eyes then wandered on my form and her eyes shone with mischief.

Druella: And you doesn't seem to be concerned of the Mamono surrounding you.

Andreas: I doubt that they would try something funny... Not after what I did to his place.

Druella seemed to take a step back from my answer, she is also wary yet she is much more able to hide it well.

Druella: While I agree, it would be rude to not join Sasha. She seems to have taken quite a liking towards you.

I crossed my arms.

Andreas: Yes, I am well aware of her attraction towards me.

Sasha couldn't help but blush and tried to keep herself from looking at me, though clearly she's holding back... That darkness within her has already spread halfway through her.

Druella: My... Quite the will power you have to not be easily affected by our Demonic energy. Though, I am curious to why you ignored her advances.

I kept a straight face. Knowing full well they would try to pry deeper if I told her the truth.

Andreas: Simple, I am afraid to hurt her. That and I cannot return her feelings back.

Druella: Cannot? Or will not?

I ignored her.

Andreas: Though I do have to apologize for bringing such a tragedy within the walls of Lescatie... I have to apologize to the Royal family as someone who has a grudge on me sent his underlings to try and kill me.

Both Sasha and Druella both has confused reaction to what I told them.

Andreas: Well then, since they attempted to erase my existence. I must return the favor.

As I turned around however, a jet of flames burned my back, luckily I was still in front of Sasha. If I wasn't there, she and many other Mamono would've be burnt to a crisp.

Anorath: And where the hell do you think you're going?! I'm not done yet!

The flames ended and I turned around to face him. His body truly could've seen better days but in any case, he is alive and breathing. Bruised but still alive.

Anorath: Good thing I took that bitch's ring when we hunted you down! Without it I would've been deader than stone! HAHAHAH! Now I can finish what we started.

As he did his monologue, my eyes wandered on his hand. Where a couple of rings snugly fit on each finger, all but one however... Didn't make me feel happy at all.

He tried to summon more flames again but stopped when he suddenly couldn't feel anything more than his forearms.

He looked down to see both his hands weren't there anymore, what's left were bleeding stumps which he didn't recognize at first, but the pain caught up

Anorath: AHHHHHHH! YOU BASTARD! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY HANDS!?

A pool of blood slowly started to form under his foot as he tried to stop both stumps from bleeding.

The morning sky however turned dark, as clouds rolled in. Slowly, rain started to pelt the road, lighting cracked and thunder boomed.

A burst of magic came forth as not one but multiple Banshee's came to gather from the feeling of heavy loss they felt... I however, raised the bloodied hands above my head, to allow Anorath to see them.

I dropped the other but lowered the other, where a immaculate black steel ring is firmly gripping on a finger.

Anorath: YOU FUCKER! THOSE ARE MY HANDS! GIVE THEM BACK!

Andreas: Oh... You want them back? Sure... Why not?

I took off the ring, with great care I examined it and with my own ring heating up in confirmation... I lowered my hand where I kept the black steel ring. As anger and grief slowly overcame my senses, I pocketed the ring and instantly teleported right above Anorath.

I landed on his stomach with enough force for massive cracks to form under him that spread to cover almost the size of a grand fountain.

He got his wind knocked out of him, including his lunch and blood.

Andreas: You want your hands back?

I raised my arm, poised to use his own limb as a knuckleduster. Without hesitation, I immediately used a Strengthening ability to boost my punch. Which landed on his face, breaking not just his nose but his entire face.

Anorath: B-Bastard...

Another punch, this time using my left.  Another hit, then another, and another, and another... Until his face could no longer be recognized, not even his mother would be able to recognize such broken face.

But the man is still alive, his breathing heavy yet defiant.

I chuckled darkly.

Andreas: Let's see you recover from this.

I kicked him to the side, making his back face the darkened sky.

Without any warning or hesitation. I used an ability which turned my nails into blades, with tips as sharp as a needle. Using my most dominant hand, I plunged my hand on his lower back, piercing skin and flesh, yet avoided the spine.

With a tight clench. I snaked my fingers around his spine... And slowly pulled.

He screamed, much more so than before. But I intended to make this dirt suffer more. Slowly his spine started to creak, and soon enough. A snap was heard, making the watching audience not only flinch but puke out whatever they have eaten.

Even Druella couldn't keep it in.

With his spine snapped from the lower back, I raised it to slowly but surely break every single rib. One by one.

Each snap was accompanied by a scream. Skin, flesh and bone parted from the spine as the length stopped just before the head.

I can hear him mumbling mercy.

Andreas: Mercy? Let me ask you a question... Did you give mercy to your victims? No? Well then, have a taste of your medicine. Then again, I doubt the most advanced of magic could repair a sperated spine... And head.

With my piece spoken, his eyes widened enough to see the world around him spin and spin... Until it blacked out.

Well... I am somewhat back, I managed to take time to write at least this chapter for this book though updates will still be irregular as fuck... Anyways, I apologize to those who are squeamish. SOUL out!