This chapter's contents or the characters' opinions does not reflect the author's religious beliefs. Beware of atheistical contents that might not be appropriate for young readers.

This is nothing more but a fictional story. The contents are not reliable and shouldn't be, for as this is a fictional work only.

***

The cold wind blew harshly to her direction, making her hair sway in random ways. The hair strands that are covering her face revealed her blood-stained skin and usual cold set of gray eyes. She looked down at her lips even if she can't see the blood that is slowly dripping from the side of it. The copper tang of blood played on her tongue, making her taste its flavor.

"You're worse than I thought," Zai smirked as she listens to Ephraim's creepy laughter. "This is indeed an exquisite sight to see. I'm entertained."

"It's been a while since you last showed up, I thought you finally decided to die. I'm disappointed." Zai said as her eyes remains on the capital ahead.

"Oh c'mon, don't joke like that. Aren't you grateful that I didn't give you a wound for this special occasion?" Ephraim sarcastically said with a devilish grin on his face. "I at least deserve a 'thank you', right?"

Zai scoffed, "As if I'd say that--"

"Here."

Her cold eyes glanced sideways and saw her father handing a clean handkerchief to her. She just stared at him. Alexander stepped forward and softly grabbed her chin to face him. He wiped the blood off her lips himself. "You're talking to him now, I see.."

But Zai ignored the topic he's bringing up. "Dad," Alexander hummed when Zai called him. Still focusing on wiping off the rest of the blood on her face. Zai continued, "Will you leave?"

Alexander froze with her question. Barron just stared at them from afar. Giving them space for privacy, although he can clearly hear them with his keen hearing.

Instead of answering her question, Alexander fetched something from the pocket of his coat. He held it with his thumb and index finger, dangling it in front of the girl. Zai stared at the hair string. It doesn't have any special designs, isa lamang itong normal na pulang pang-ipit ng buhok. Tumingin siya sa mga mata ng lalaki habang nakataas ang gilid ng kaniyang mga labi. "That's your gift for my 18th year?"

"Just accept it and tie your hair," saad ng lalaki. Ngunit bahagya niyang itinagilid ang kaniyang ulo noong maalalang hindi nga pala nito maigalaw ang kabilang braso. Nagtungo siya sa likod nito at kaniyang hinawakan ang buhok ng babae.

Barron watched Alexander as he tie her hair up on his own. He's doing it with two hands habang ang pang-ipit ay nasa pagitan ng mga labi nito. He chuckled, "How cute is that? This is a first."

This is the first time he has seen Hevrions have affection towards each other. Hevrions are pretty much selfish beings, kahit sa kapamilya ay hindi ito masyadong malapit but these two are not the same as them.

Barron sadly smiled. If only they were born as humans too, they wouldn't suffer in this loneliness. They could've learn how to genuinely smile in happiness and have affection towards other beings. This blood is a curse.

"You haven't answered my question yet," Zai gave him a sideways glance after he finished fixing her hair, "Will you leave or not?"

Inilagay ni Alexander ang kaniyang mga kamay sa bulsa ng suot niyang labcoat, "I'm already dead, Zai. I might be alive now but I have to go back."

Zai clenched her hands, "Stay. I'm ordering you to stay alive."

Alexander glanced at her and saw that her eyes remained the same as she clench her hands tightly. He looked at the noisy capital again then put his hand on her head, "Zai, you know I can't do that."

"You can. You just don't want to stay," Alexander didn't gave her a glance. "Your death, even that is in your plan before, correct? You could've stayed alive but you decided to include your death in your plan," she smirked, "Even if you die, you won't meet Mom in heaven, y'know."

Alexander's eyes winced with what he heard. It's true. Even if he won't slay people in his lifetime as a Hevrion, he's still bound to go to the void, not in hell nor heaven. That's what it means to be born in a demon clan like their's. He just.. hoped.

Muling napuno ng katahimikan ang kanilang paligid. Ang tanging maririnig lamang na ingay ay ang malakas na sigaw ng mga tao sa kapitolyo at ang kanilang mga iyak. Palakas ito ng palakas habang nababalutan ang kapitolyo ng mga itim na buhangin na sumasabay lamang sa marahang pag-ihip ng hangin. It's about time.

Zai looked up to Alexander's face, "Don't worry," she turned her back to walk away, "I'll meet you in the void later. It's boring without a company, true?"

A small smile appeared on Alexander's lips as his eyes remain on the city, "Then I'll wait for your arrival."

As Zai walks to the side of the rooftop, she glanced at the chaotic city and an amused smile showed on her lips. Marahan siyang tumawa at siya'y tumalon na pababa.

"Mama!" isang batang babae ang kumapit sa palda ng kaniyang ina. The woman looked back at her and her glaring yellow eyes scared the girl.

"Get off me, brat!" the woman yelled and kicked her aside. Dahil do'n ay nagpagulong-gulong ang batang babae. The woman looked back to her target and she excitedly grin.

She pounced on the infected civilian, wrapping her legs around its neck then she stabbed its head with her bare hand. Her eyes are widen with excitement as she keeps on digging into its flesh. "Being alive is the best, isn't it!?" she yelled and laughed out loud.

She jumped off it and landed on the ground, taking a beasts stance. She then began to attack again.

The knights can't believe what they are seeing. In their eyes, showed terror. The civilians suddenly started acting weird. Their movements seems beastly and inhumane. They're terrifying. Killing with pleasure with their own bodies as their weapon.

"Ah!" one yellow-eyed civilian yelled when the Hellion suddenly broke his arm. Umusli ang buto nito habang hawak-hawak pa rin siya ng Hellion. But instead of crying in pain, the man grinned wider, "That hurts, bastard!" saad nito at biglang pinutol ang sariling baling braso upang makawala sa hawak nito. The other citizens who saw what he did got terrified.

The man just let out a loud laugh and landed a kick on the Hellion's side. He turned his body and landed another kick on its head with his other foot. He then spun his body like a ball. After taking all the momentum he needs, he hit the Hellion's head with his own. He grinned widely as his forehead bleed. "Oi! Oi! It's not over yet! Give me some more fun now!"

"Papa! Please stop!"

"Pakiusap, tama na!"

"Junel, tumigil ka na!"

"Ruben!"

It was hellish. Hellions are roaming around, killing anyone it sets its focus on without mercy. Ripping its prey's flesh like it's just a piece of cloth. Breaking their bones and separating its limb from the body like a chicken's leg. Splattering blood everywhere, drinking it even.

They thought that it couldn't get any worse but this happened. Their friends and families suddenly turned into something terrifying. Looking at them with unfamiliarity through their creepy yellow orbs. Grinning in excitement even if they lose their limb or two. They won't stop killing for their own pleasure.

That same scene went on for minutes that seemed like hours. Blood spilling on the cracked grounds, splattering on their face while they're wearing their horrified faces. They can hear evil laughter everywhere and the screeches of the monsters. Children's cries and babbles are accompanying those noises.

Chaos continued to exist. Broken facilities, burning houses, dead bodies, and deafening noises. It was traumatic. This was the most prosperous and proudest city of all and yet look at it now. Can you call this victory even if the main head of the enemy forces has been cut off? Of course not!

"What.." a boy clenched his teeth as he ball his hands into fists. On the verge of crying and yet his eyes showed intense hatred. ".. the hell is this?!"

The bright and happy city was gone. It can no longer be seen. Not even a speck. It is now nothing more but a hell that went to the surface.

"Hahaha! Sucker!" a man ripped the Hellion's head apart from its body then he kicked its body away. His arms are already broken and there's a huge hole in his stomach but he's still alive.

He looked around and saw no more targets. He frowned, "Ah damn it! They already got them all!" he looked at one child who's crying while looking at him. He devilishly grinned at her, showing his dark expression as he tilt his head, "Wanna see what hell is like?"

All people were startled when the yellow-eyed people suddenly fell on the ground. Sands came out of their mouths and the sands flew to the magic circle above. When all sands disappeared, the magic circle also vanished.

A crying little girl sniffed and sob as she stare at her mother's body. She took a step forward then another, approaching her slowly. Her trembling body won't stop shaking. As she stare at her mother, she became more scared. Mabilis niyang binitawan ang yakap-yakap na laruan at siya'y tumakbo na patungo rito, "Mama! Mama!"

She kneeled beside her and her tears fell on her mother's cheek. Her mother's body is a mess. There're wounds everywhere and even her neck is broken. She shook her body, waking her up. "Mama!" sniffing and sobbing as she holds her mother's lifeless body. "Don't leave me!"

Zera gasped and she covered her mouth as she look up at the pole. Mabilis niyang iniwas ang kaniyang tingin at ipinikit ang kaniyang mga mata. The others arrived as well and their eyes widen with the sight.

Axen's body is hanging upside down on the pole like a blanket. Nakadilat pa ang mga mata nito and his blood is dripping, from his head and open mouth. His body has so many wounds, making his blood ooze out. His forearms are also gone, only leaving the upper part of it. It is a horrible sight to see.

Jebal's insides trembled as he take a step back while his widen and unfocused eyes remain on Axen's dead body, "Y-You're kidding right?" bigla itong napaupo sa sahig at kaniyang sinabunutan ang sariling buhok, "This is not happening.. this is not-- this is not true at all!"

Wein clenched his hands and jaw. Staring at his dead body, he felt helpless. He's a captain but why can't he do anything? He grabbed the badge of captaincy on his chest and he threw it aside. This badge.. is too heavy. He began to take some steps forward as he speaks with a low voice, "Let's get him down.."

"Ace," Vyann walked to Ace's body and he crouched down in front of him. Nakasandal ang katawan ng lalaki sa isang gusali habang ang walang buhay na mga mata nito ay bahagyang nakabukas. Blood is slowly dripping from his mouth and his left leg is missing. Vyann's eyes narrowed in sympathy as he covers his body with a white cloth. He put his hand on Ace's shoulder and he clenched his teeth. "We couldn't do anything."

Kleiv stood beside him with Layn and Christa who couldn't look at Ace at all. How can they look at a friend's corpse? He didn't die because of his own will, he died because they can't do anything. They were also at fault. Zai was right. Weaknesses can hold you down like a pathetic living creature.

The whole capital became silent. Only filled with silent cries and sobs. The loudest noises they can hear are the children's babbles and screams.

Miserable. That's not even close to describing how they are. It's far more worse. They did gain freedom but what is this? They're suppose to feel victorious but why are they the one who's suffering of a loss? It wasn't supposed to be like this right?! This isn't right at all!

Yan's eyes squinted in sympathy as he stare at all the crying people. The knights doesn't even know what to do in this situation.

Yan was about to walk to a crying girl but he stopped when the girl suddenly slammed her both balled hands on the ground. "Why did my mom have to die!?" she gritted her teeth, "She's innocent! Bring back my mom! Bring her back! Bring her back!" Yan was about to approached her but what she said next made him stop once more, "You're gods, are you not?!"

Yan immediately walked to her, "That's not--!"

Ngunit bigla silang napatigil noong makarinig sila ng isang mababa at saglit na tawa ng isang babae. Wein and the others immediately recognized her voice. They covered Axen's body with a white cloth before they looked back at the academy.

Three huge holographic screens suddenly hovered midair. Blocking their view of the palace. "Hmm.. Mallows inventions are quite convenient." she said and she let out a chuckle.

They stared at her. Nakaupo ito sa isang silya habang ang kaniyang mga siko ay nakatungkod sa lamesa. Her fingers are laxly intertwined underneath her chin. She's wearing a sly smile as her eyes showed no emotions. By the background, they already knew that she's in the headmaster's office.

Her eyes narrowed as her sly smile even gets bigger. She slowly tilted her head to the side and she spoke, "It feels horrible, isn't it? Being slaved for months, being hungry for days, praying every single night and yet this is what you get. You're all really pathetic." her chuckles reflected her mockery.

Her eyes then sharpened, "But have you experience how to be a slave for life?" the citizens remained silent while the slaves pursed their lips with what they heard. They clutch their clothes tightly and they lowered their heads.

"Ohh, look at those pathetic faces they're making. Isn't it also your fault that you're stuck on eating crumbs and leftovers? Don't play like some vulnerable victims here, scums. It's your own fault you didn't do anything, AT ALL," she smirked, "Your so-called gods won't be there to give you gold like some charity. Don't wait for them 'cause they don't give a single f*ck even if thousands of you die."

The people clenched their hands with her next words, "Isn't the scene before you the proof?" an amused smile formed on her lips, "Let me share some secrets with you. Arnock, you want these informations don't you? Die in happiness after this, could you?"

Arnock's eyes sharpened as he stare at the holographic screen from a roof of an establishment.

Zai continued, "First of all," her expression gradually turned back to its usual one, "Don't worship some gods just because you're expecting something in return. Your prayers are not some golds that can be exchanged for a wealthy lifestyle or miracles. For them, your prayers are nothing more but extra energies to live longer."

The side of her lips slightly lifted, "Do you also want to ask why they didn't give you a helping hand even though your kind was on the brink of extinction?"

Lahat ay nakatuon rito ang atensyon. They're not fond of her words but they want to hear. Why they didn't receive any help even though they've prayed every single night and day. They even endured hunger to offer their small amount of foods. They hoped, believed and trust yet they did not show mercy.

Zai leaned on the backrest of her seat as her elbow rest on the armrest, her cheek touching her knuckles. "Arnock, do you wonder why Avis died before the other gods?" her eyes showed a slight annoyance by mentioning the name, "It's because Avis never really liked staying in Heavian for too long. The more you stay in Heavian, the longer you live but Avis liked it more here in Archodonia, causing for her life span to shorten."

Her bored eyes stared at the screen, "Do you know what I mean?" she gave a lopsided grin, "The gods chose to ignore you because their lives matter most. The moment they step out of Heavian, they'll die. Want me to rephrase it?"

Her look seemed insulting and intimidating, "As long as they're alive, they can create another life. Y'all are nothing more but replaceable organisms. You have no value in this world at all," she mockingly laughed, "And yet you think that you have the control in everything? How big-headed can you all get? Don't get ahead of yourselves, third-rated scums. Know this, even if you all extinct, none of your names will be remembered."

The people's mental stability was already a mess but she just worsen it. The knights clenched their hands and their teeth as well. They can see how devastated all the citizens are. Losing hope while the whole nation is currently facing some troubles, that's the least thing they want. She also used dark magic on most of the citizens here, they died in the process and yet she shows no remorse at all. She's the worst.

Zai grinned, "My name is Zaivrin Hevrion, a demon who's serving as your hero. How does it feel?" her eyes narrowed when her sly smile got wider, "To be saved by a demon you despise? Feels pathetic, right? You are all below me. I gave you freedom but that's not for free." an evil smile appeared, "Thank you for doing business with me."

After saying those words, the holographic screen vanished. The capital became silent, to the point of deafening. Anger? That's not even close. Their eyes showed loathe as they clench their fists. The children's eyes reflected the same emotion as they grit their teeth.

Zai planted something. Not just on every man's mind and soul. She planted something dark in the next generation. Something that left a huge scar. In a young age, they all remembered her name. How can they forget that name?

Barron's eyes stared at the capital, "She has done something that none of us would do," a smile appeared on his face, "It seems that your daughter has been too affected by the people around her. Was her mother affectionate as well?"

Alexander answered, "Maybe she did got this side from her mother. I have no affection towards humans. I wouldn't care about them to this extent."

Barron put his hand on Alexander's shoulder, "I'll say this again," Barron smiled at him, "You raised her well."

Finlan's grip on his sword tightened, "General," Yan's shocked eyes slowly looked at his direction. Finlan gave him a sharp look that he can't suppress because of the boiling anger, "Your daughter just committed a huge crime. You're aware of the punishment, correct?"

Yan's eyes widen, "Wait--!" ngunit bago niya makumbinsi ang koronel ay may ilang mga kawal ang nagtungo sa kaniyang gilid at hinawakan siya. He was about to resist but they swept his feet off the ground and his chest landed on the ground, pinning him. He looked up to Finlan who's beginning to walk, "Teka! Please! Please let me handle this matter! She's my daughter, I can--"

"Any more words and you'll lose your position, General Yan. Consider your position, you can't defend a criminal even if she's a daughter of yours. One wrong word and that position will be--"

"I'll give up my position if I have to! Take my armors, my weapons, even my badge! You can take them all away, just let me handle this matter. Zai is the only person I have. Please don't take her away-- Finlan! Finlan! Wait!" Finlan ignored his pleading and he began to run to the academy. Kasama nito ang lahat ng mga kawal na kaniyang kasa-kasama kanina lamang.

Yan was about to resist but the knights that's pinning him down suddenly used their excelium. Biglang nabalutan ang kaniyang katawan ng kung anong malambot at mabigat na bagay at bigla na lamang itong tumigas na parang kristal. Yan couldn't move at all.

"Please! Please, let me go. She's my daughter, I can talk to her--"

"General, please don't make us lose our respect on you. You're not acting like yourself. That girl is not your biological daughter, you're not connected by blood at all. Don't put your position on risk for a stranger."

"She's no stranger. Zaivrin Haines is my daughter and I'll claim that even through my death. I won't disown my own child." Yan's eyes softened as he feels helpless.

The knights sighed, "General, we know that you've been longing for a family and we know how happy you are to finally find one but you have to consider your daughter's crime and the hundreds—no, thousands of lives that was lost because of what she did."

The knights showed a sad smile and Yan's eyes winced with what they said next, "We too.. lost our family without even seeing them."