Even Demons Creep Within the Church's Walls

The World's Organization has been around since ancient times, so it was no surprise how they gather up strong people and make them battle to death until one powerful one is left. It was said that the top twelve were already chosen.

And they were just using the remaining hundreds of contestants to complete tasks and possibly earn a relic. Since the top twelve aren't completed yet according to the scroll, it means they do not want others to know in order to deceive them.

I don't mind not being in that top twelve because I had little interest regarding the World's Battle anyway. I do my own task not because I needed to, but because I had to find Cretian Plains as our past deal concerning the assistance of the Dwarves.

I don't mind being underestimated too, I care too little about what other people think of me. But that moment I found out I was being used, it somehow made my blood boil. I realized how I hated it. It simply means the World's Organization is picking a fight against me and who am I to refuse such a humble challenge?

My mind ran such thoughts as the temperature began to decrease, our footsteps reverberating through the growing silence; making our skin tingle due to the sudden contact of the cold air sweeping along the tunnel spiralling downward.

The lanterns flickered in light as we pass by, it was dim but enough to get ahold of our surroundings. The walls were made out of solid basalt stones layered with slates, though they seem to be expiring with time seeing the small rounded gaps on every little corners.

Small chatterings were heard echoing from down below as I began to sense emotions. There were quite a lot of them, the noise they were making then came to a halt as the sound of the bell rang, engulfing the whole space.

The end of the downward tunnel was a double-door made out of polished, silver iron. It won't open easily no matter how much one pushes since it was placed with a complicated lock magic. I could tell so by the series of lines and patterns inside the magic cirle. This kind of circle cannot be seen by the naked eye unless processed with energy.

"Only the caster can open this—" Finé Weiss' words were cut short when I touched the circle with my finger, glowing at first until it started to shatter. "Or not." She sighed.

"You aren't planning on just barging in, are you?" The Overseer questioned with its usual deep voice.

I pulled the hood on, my brown cloak covering my whole body. "I'll take care of it. You two don't have to interfere." My hand ran through the cold surface of the door. "It'll be difficult for you to take an action now. After all, the organization won't take it lightly knowing you both went against their order."

"I don't trust how you handle things."

"Aren't you an Overseer? Your job is to watch. So watch."

"Don't take those people in there too lightly, Caelesti." Finé warned.

"What's the worse that could happen?"

Without waiting for their replies, I push the door open. It revealed a whole arena with circular marbled stairs directed to a space on the middle. I was told this basement was an abandoned chuch, seems like the detail gave justice to the place. The said stairs were filled with people sitting as though waiting for something to show up down the round stage.

The surrounding stones were colluded with rusted steels, the glass windows threatening to break; sending the light passing through them to go astray. The floor was constructed by different shades of stones, producing a prism which resulted to different colours. The remaining space down the centre was surrounded by statues according to the images of people I know nothing of.

They all wore masks to hide their faces, but despite that though, I could tell most of the people here are pretty much nobles. After all, why would a commoner take part in this auction? Plus, I did hear that this activity was only spread among influencial nobles, as Finé mentioned, and some even came from other States.

Stares were given to me as the door automatically closed behind, but perhaps they thought I was some kind of noble attending that they returned their gazes up front without minding me too much. Seems like only those invited can enter, thus they didn't suspect me one bit. Well, I guess that works fine for me.

"Greetings my fellow druids!" A man attracted everyone's attention, standing on the centre platform. His face was covered by some kind of cloth, leaving only the eyes open. He also wore a long white robe as well as holding a wooden staff. "It has been a while since our last meeting." He raised his staff.

When he did that, all the people then stood up, raising their hands upward. "May the Celtic Gods shine upon your presence. Glory to Druidism! Glory to Druids!" They all yell in unison.

My eyebrows furrowed as I remained sitting, crossing my arms. Am I supposed to worship some unknown gods now? At akala ko ba auction 'to? Bakit parang isang pagtitipon ang nagaganap? Alam kong lumang simbahan ito pero, may mangyayari bang pagsasamba?

"Now, let us chant our sacred prayer hoping the Celtic Gods could hear us." The man said, his hands clasped together in front of him and so does everybody, closing their eyes as they all look down.

Napabuntong-hininga ako sa nakikita. Alam ko namang dapat respetohin ang mga gods na ito because they were the ones who helped build this world, the trees, the plants, seas—nature. But the thing about them creating human lives? I don't think so.

Nangyaring malalakas lang talaga ang mag gods na ito kumpara sa mga normal na tao noong unang panahon. So they moved to a place where they can quietly observe their creations, but they did not create humans. So, who did? Who knows?

"To Ana, the Primordial Goddess of Nature, our Mother, hear our prayer."

"Hear our prayer!"

"To Dagda—the Cheerful Chief of Gods, our Father, may Your wisdom guide us."

"May Your wisdom guide us!"

"To Aengus, the Youthful God of Love, may Your love reach our poor souls."

"May Your love reach our poor souls!"

"Lugus—the Courageous Warrior God, may You guide us through our battles."

"May You guide us through our battles!"

"Brigid—the 'Triple' Goddess of Healing, may You heal our broken souls."

"May You heal our broken souls!"

"Belenus—the Effulgent Sun God, may Your light guide our path."

"May Your light guide our path!"

"And to Mórrígan, the Mysterious Goddess of Fate," my eyes then drifted to the man after hearing the word 'fate'. "May You thread a fate sturdy enough as to not to break."

"We entrust our fate!"

It's funny how people sometimes leave their own fates to these gods then blame the latter later on if they don't want to accept it. Napabuntong-hininga ulit ako nang nagpatuloy pa ang ganoong klaseng chant ng pitong beses bago ulit umupo ang mga tao.

Pero kahit ni isa ay hindi ako nakisabay sa panalangin na ginawa nila, I don't want to see myself in a pitiful state like worshipping a god. Isa pa, hindi pamilyar sa akin ang pangalan ng mga panginoon na ito.

"Now, let us officially start our agenda for today." Wika ng lalaki. "If you may." Tumango siya sa isang kasamahan nito na nakaupo palibot sa kung saan siya nakatayo.

May isang babae na nakasuot din ng mahabang puting robe ang pumunta sa gitna, may hawak itong scroll. Dahan-dahan niya itong binuksan, kasabay nito ay ang kaonting liwanag na lumalabas mula sa hawak niya. Words then started floating above her head, the unfamiliar characters eventually form into phrases.

"The Prophecy has been given." The woman declared. "Do not anger your Gods." Murmurs exploded with that sudden revelation, their actions as though panicking. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ba talaga ang ginagawa ko dito. I'm getting impatient.

"We must offer our sacrifice at once!" Sigaw ng isa.

"Yes! The auction shall take place this instant!"

"Head Priest, what should we do?"

"Silence!" The man ordered, hitting his staff onto the marbled floor beneath him. "Do not panic. The auction will commence."

The first child was pulled to the centre, his hands were tied, his eyes were covered, and his body was full of visible bruises. Marami pang kaparehong bata ang nakalinya sa likuran niya, lahat sila ay may numerong nakasabit sa collar na nakapalibot sa mga leeg nila.

I was told this is an auction, but it never crossed my mind that this is actually a child trafficking auction. But I guess it isn't a crime here knowing slavery is part of their daily lives. Napansin ko na lamang na may umupo sa tabi ko, nakasuot din ito ng mahabang itim na cloak, natatakpan din ang mukha ng malaking hood nito.

"Humans are vile creatures, are they not?" It was a woman's voice, and it was eerie. My gaze returned to the entertainment up front, almost following her gaze.

"Perhaps." I answered. Nagsmila na silang magsigawan ng mganpresyo nila, kung sino ang pinakamataas ay mapapasakaniya na ang bata.

"They only care about themselves. They worhsip gods not to thank them..." she paused.

"But for them to be favored." I continued, amused.

"And they think they are." She chuckled softly. "Why are you here in this place intended solely for druids, child?"

"You call me a child when I am far from it."

"You are still only seventeen, no?"

"And it makes me question on how you know such information."

"Do not be too hostile."

The man once again hit his staff onto the floor. "Bought! For 100 druid coins!" And the audience clapped. "Unto the next number—" another boy came up, and unlike the one before, this one tried to run away only to be kicked down the ground. "This one is fast on his feet. I believe he will be of use to you in number of ways. Starting off with twenty druid coins—"and their auction continued.

"Do you not feel pity for these children?" The woman beside asked.

"Everybody has their own life circumstances. Some has it worse, some has it less. Pitying them means pitying the rest of the people in this world who experience the same."

"But do you?" I met her ruby eyes as she said that.

"I don't."

"I do."

I let a few moments of silence answer our stares before saying, "...so? Are you here to ruin everything?"

"No. I cannot meddle." She sighed. Hindi ko napansin na nasa ikaapat na bata na pala sila. "You have not answered my previous question."

"I'm guessing Druids are what they call themselves for practicing such religion." I crossed my arms in front of me. "I wonder bow these Celtic Gods are taking it."

"I can assure you that they are entertained."

"I'm here not for the purpose of entertaining those gods, that, I can assure you too." I smiled.

"I can tell." Her finger pointed at the man down below. "But because these Gods are entertained does not mean they are happy by these unfolding events. These people are destroying our image."

"I can see that."

"Destroy them. Destroy these unnecessary druids."

"Why me?"

"You are capable of doing so, child."

"I don't take favours."

"It is an order."

"How bold." Medyo nasurpresa ako sa sinabi niya. "Why would I do that?"

"The Gods are angry. Even with the Prophecy, they do not heed it." Her eyebrows furrowed. "If you do so, we will reward you."

"I will not do it anyway."

"You will."

"And what makes you think that?"

"Because you're fated to destroy everything against your path."

"Fated, a big word. You even sounded so sure."

"Because I am Mórrígan."

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa ibaba, nasa ikahuling bata na sila. Pero kumpara sa iba kanina ay pinaluhod ng mga taong nakaupiting robe ang bata sa gitna. The child, covered by a white cloth, was quickly chained up to either of her sides, her wrists raising up. The energy around her was slowly rising in level as well, but it wasn't all that big thus, nobody notices.

"That's my cue." I stood up, not minding the fact na bigla na lamang nawala ang babaeng katabi ko kanina lang.

The energy around her was different, differet from any other humans, different from any other races. But I don't want to have the luxury to think of what she is. I get by many adversities because I prioritize what I needed to do than what I'm curious to know. The only time I ever broke that role was the time I headed over the island where I met the other two instead of going directly to Magnus. What happened? My involvement in this World's Battle.

I headed down the marbled stairs, my hands tucked inside my cloak. All eyes went to me as their ceremony was halted. There were no other sound except for my footsteps, everybody was confuse and sensing their emotions like that was amusing.

"You seem to be a new figure here. I have not seen you before." The man stated, dropping his other arm which was raised upward just earlier. "I suggest you sit tight and wait for the sacrificial ceremony to finish."

"You're going to sacrifice a child for the sake of not angering these gods?" I asked, referring to the statues all around this round platform.

"How disrespectful! You must punish her at once, Head Priest." The woman from before suggested. There are ones who seconded that sudden motion but as the man—Head Priest, raised his hand, they all quieted down.

"You do not have to feel remorse. This is not a human child." He sternly said. "I will forgive if you apologize and wait for the ceremony to finish. I do not repeat my warning. Otherwise you will regret standing before me."

"Let me clarify first, Head Priest. I don't feel remorseful by whatever freakish illicit activty you're on to," marami ang nagalit sa sinabi ko pero ngumiti lamang ako. "You can continue your worshipping game and I won't even care." Napunta kaagad ang tingin ko sa batang babae na hanggang ngayon ay nakaluhod parin patalikod sa akin. The platform she was on was made out of broken rocks surrounded by small dragon statues. "It's just that, I want her."

"What?" Mahina ito, pero madiin ang pagkasabi niya. "Are you not aware of how rude it is take what should be offered to our Gods—"

"Like I said, I don't care."

"Apprehend her!"

There are probably about fifty people in here, hald of them are people wearing those white robes, and with that order, a dozen of them surrounded me in an attempt to lock me in place. Minsan ay hindi ko din maintindihan ang sarili ko. Bakit pa ba ako magsasayang ng oras makipag-usap sa kanila kung alam ko namang ito ang mangyayari sa huli?

Perhaps I was hoping things wouldn't end at me being the complete villain and them grovelling in the ground instead, looking like complete victims. But then again, why do I have to think about that? Walang mawawala sa akin kahit ano pa man ang sasabihin ng iba. Though I can't say they don't bother me.

"Do not fight ba—"

I interrupted the guy who spoke. "Do not threaten me." I didn't even have to release my energy, my voice reverberating through the entire space was enough to make them step further back. But it wasn't enough for them to stand down, apparently.

"Le cumhachtaí Dé, go bhféadfá an pionós diaga sin a scaoileadh ar an gcréatúr fíochmhar seo." And they repeated it, once, twice, I lost count.

It took me by surprise when they started chanting like that, closing their eyes, their hands clasped together above their heads. The rest of the audience stood as well, their feets marching in place; the soles of their hard-bounded shoes creating a sound which felt suffocating and nauseous at the same time, their words ringing through the back of my mind like a broken tape record.

My hands reached for my head; it was throbbing, like being pricked again and again. My visions narrowed, the edges were blackening, like I'd be swallowed up by it the moment I let go of my consciousness. It even felt like my body was being pushed down by forces of gravity, it wasn't an energy coming from them—or at least it wasn't them, because I know very well that they can't generate spiritual energy.

The energy was different, far different from anything I've encountered so far. It probably won't even classify as either of the pure or dark—then what is it? I don't know, but it's  making my body go numb, sealing all my movements, locking my energy flow, literally stopping everything inside me.

Everything's buzzing around, like some sort of static glitching through my ears and engulfing my mind, preventing me from actually thinking straight. I failed to realize how the ground beneath me started glowing, a magic circle, a law formation so sophisticated that I don't even know what it is.

Dumidilim na ang paligid, pero hindi ko alam kung mata ko pang ngaba ito o talagang halos nawala na ang liwanag. May naririnig parin ako, pero mga salita lang ito na ginagamit nila mula pa kanina para gumana ang kung anong klaseng mahika man ang ginagamit nila laban sa akin. Hindi ko namalayang nakaluhod na pala ang isa kong tuhod sa lupa, umiikot parin ang lahat na naaabutan ng paningin ko.

"Grimoire page 669, verse A486, second paragraph, Erinyes; that under earth take vengeance on men, whosoever hath sworn a false oath—shall be deemed lifeless—" the Head Priest didn't finish his chant as the parchment where he was reading, was suddenly taken away from his grip.

It was too fast for me to figure out who, my vision was still on the process of reciprocating, but the magic circle disappeared beneath me the moment their chanting was interrupted, my hard breathing returned that I hadn't realized I was actually holding. My body felt sore and exhausted that it took a lot from me just by focring myself to stand.

"I warned you that they aren't easy." It was Finé, her hand clutching my arm, preventing me from almost falling.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at pinikit ang mga mata ko ng ilang segundo, trying to get ahold of my senses. This feeling is way worse than havung energy fluctuations, being backed unto the corner like that made me angry—but now isn't the time for that. Nang tinignan ko ang paligid ay napagmataan ko na wala nang malay ang mga tao dito sa loob.

Madilim, pero may mga liwanag din na nagmumula sa mga nakapaligid na binatana sa itaas. Pati ang mga taong nakasuot ng puting robe ay nakahandusay narin sa sahig. Only the Head Priest was left standing meters away from us after being blasted away by the Overseer that I hadn't realized na nasa tabi ko narin pala.

My senses were weakened to the point where detecting things are a number of times harder than usual, and releasing an energy in my current state will make my body completely numb and possibly shut down. I can't even heal myself because it would only take a toll on me. Due to my weakened senses, I currently can't sense too much emotions, as well as their energies.

"Return that to me, beast." The Head Priest pointed his staff on the parchment the Overseer was holding. The parchment looked like a ripped page from a book with a language I can't understand, but there was a number of 669 written below.

"I know we're Beast People but that's quite disrespectful for a priest." Sagot ni Finé. "And in the first place, how did you manage to acquire yourself a page from the Grimoire?"

"Grimoire?" I asked, not following the conversation.

"A Grimoire is a book of forbidden magic, law formations, raw knowledge, magical blueprints—everything. It even had an unlimited number of of pages. It is most sought because even a normal creature without spiritual energy can use it." Finé explained, her eyes fix on the man in front.

"The energy needed for a certain spell was already embedded through every single word written on the book, that is why even without energy, you can use it. It was said that Grimoire was created by the Gods, every single Gods; the Greek, Celtics, Egyptian, local deities—all of them. It was a proof of their truce, an agreement, that no war shall befall between gods." The Overseer continued.

"It is no means surprising you don't know, only ancient living religions like Druidism know of it since it was practiced and the knowledge was passed down from generation to another." Finé added. "And of course, ancient civilizations know of it too, and that includes the World's Organization. The book isn't so popular now through the rise of technologies, policies, economies, industries, and science. Especially that only a few ancient civilizations are alive until today."

"So it was basically accounted as a rumour or some kind of a superstitious belief." I concluded, making them nod.

The Head Priest suddenly laughed, it wasn't a pleasant one, it's that kind of laugh that's too irritating to hear, too provocative to ignore, and too much to bear. Hinawakan niya ang staff gamit ang magkabila niyang kamay sabay harap nito pahiga sa amin. Hindi ko nararamdaman ang emosyon niya, pero sa mukha pa lang ay alam kong nababaliw na siya.

"That page was delivered to from the Gods themselves! You really think you can hurt me?! Think again you lowly creatures! I am special! I HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE GODS!!" He screamed, echoing, almost too much honestly—that it felt like he might have hurt his throat. "And with this sacrifice, I will not anger them, they will forever favour me with their blessings, I WILL BE IMMORTAL!" He laughed again, his staff beginning to glow.

"He's broken." Finé whispered beside me, smirking. "But you're so much worse than him."

"How rude. Comparing me to somebody like that." I frowned, I'm already holding my anger back enough as it is.

She shrugged. "I'm just saying."

"Le cumhachtaí Dé, go bhféadfá an pionós diaga sin a scaoileadh ar an gcréatúr fíochmhar seo!" And he repeated again. "Le cumhachtaí Dé, go bhféadfá an pionós diaga sin a scaoileadh ar an gcréatúr fíochmhar seo!" And again. "Le cumhachtaí Dé, go bhféadfá an pionós diaga sin a scaoileadh ar an gcréatúr fíochmhar seo!"

The chid who was covered in white cloth with her wrists chained on the centre of the platform started screaming, I was so sure she was unconscious earlier. But if the pain waa similar to what I have before, then I see no reason for her not to jolt awake.

Before the half beasts beside me could leap into action, the windows bursted open, shattering down as dozens of people in white robe appeared, landed on almost everywhere around us. The chant was still ongoing, but without this page the Overseer is holding, I doubt he could finish it—

"Grimoire page 669, verse A486, second paragraph..." he memorized it!

"You're obviously not in the condition to fight, we will handle—" I cut the Overseer's words with my hand lifted in front of me.

"Take one more step ahead as well as speak one more word," the attackers briefly stopped, the Head Priest pausing to stare at me. "And I will bury your bodies along with this church." I wasn't amused any longer, I was angry, angey by the fact that I had almost lost in front of these people.

But the priest smirked, opening his mouth so speak but before he could, dark energy enveloped everything. If my pure one is pleasant but overbearing and painful, my dark energy feels nothing. It simply obliterates and eradicates everything I direct it towarss, like a wave of silence slowly engulfish every living things it touches.

And they fell, one by one like a game of dominoes. Followed by agonizing screams, it wasn't pain, it wasn't physical, it drains all their emotions, absorbing all of their spiritual energy; making mine more thick and poweful. I'd usually feel amused, enjoying the sight—but at the moment, I feel none of those bliss. I'm angry. And I don't like it.

My feet dragged me towards the Head Priest's body, he was fighting for breath, fighting against death, for life. And what would he do if he were to live? Use the name of Gods for his own gain? Continue his worshipping game directed to the Gods who aren't happy with with his methods? And what would he do? Buy slaves and resell them for a higher price? And sacrifice those who aren't human?

I don't want to believe that I could be so much worse than him, like everybody knew what I would do before I even get to realize it. I hated being compared to people like him who do the evil things and look like a victim in the end. And me who doesn't like to get involved but always end up being so to look like the one doing something evil instead.

I hate it, but it's not like I blame them—no, I just choose not to blame them, thinking it was all natural, thinking I somehow deserved it for everything I've done so far that's against humanity's morales. But I'm not the only being in the world who does things like that, am I? So why do I have to downgrade myself in understanding these people and letting them get away with it?

My gaze shifted to my left, motioning my finger as the cloth covering her body flew away. The church started to tremble due to too much accumulation of dark energy, I doubt any people from the outside won't notice it,

She had a dirty blonde hair, porcelain skin, lack of clothes, and she had horn this time, it probably grew just recently judging by the blood flowing from them. She turned around, her light indigo eyes carefully meeting mine. There was that curiosity in her face that I chose to ignore and broke her chains.

"Stand up." Perhaps it was my voice that made her flinch. But she did anyway, hesitating before looking at me once again. "Come here."

"What are you doing, Caelesti?" The Overseer questioned.

"Do you know this man?" I ignored the latter and asked the child. She waited for a few moments before nodding. "What did he do?"

"H-help—" I grabbed the staff and hit on the priest's back, making him yelp, cutting his own words off.

She gulped. "Tried...touch me. Stop, Dragonborn, me."

"I see. He tried to get his way with you but stopped figuring out you were a worthy sacrifice and sacrifices intended for the Gods should not be tainted."

"This bastard..." Finé growled angrily.

"Do you hate him?"

"Much." I bent my body lower, my eyes holding hers in place.

"Kill him."

"What?! You are making a child murder—"

"What's wrong with that, Overseer? She is a Dragonborn, a royal one at that, do you really think being innocent and weak will save herself from those who desire to use her?"

"You are twisted, Caelesti. Do not corrupt the child with your ways."

I stood straight, sensing how the girl quivered with that idea. I sighed, tightening my grip around the staff. "You despise him yet you fear doing anything. You rely onto somebody who could do you the favour of killing him without dirtying your hands."

"If that's the way you think, I don't blame you." I stabbed the staff right directly from the back of his head, the end of it piering the skull as blood spurted everywhere—some even got on my cloak. "But I won't need people like you." I left the staff hanging there, like a pole.

I felt Finé flinched, The Overseer clenched his fist but said nothing. But the girl had stopped trembling, I sense fear from her. Not from the way I murdered the priest without hesitation, I sense that fear coming directly towards me. It was me that she fears instead, but along with that fear, there was another emotion hidden behind. Curiosity.

I smiled as I withdrew the surrounding dark energy, the light returning to the place again. But there was no sign of life except for us standing here, and the silence felt pleasant this time. My anger had subsided, and although my body's still isn't in its usual condition, I can manage.

"I'm leaving. Finé will come with me and you, Overseer," I faced him. "I've done you your favour and I'll count that as a debt in line. Take the girl, she's all yours."

"But don't you want the kid? She's a Dragonborn! A royal!" Finé exclaimed.

"And that Dragonborn royal is weak. I have no need for her."

"I cannot protect the child, Caelesti." His voice was hard, convincing.

"And I can't babysit a naive child who's still looking for a mother's affection."

"She is only twelve!" He started raising his voice. "Are not all children like that?"

I gave him a blank look before drifting it to the Dragonborn who's quietly listening. Base sa pananalita nito kanina ay hindi siya ganoon kasanay sa lenguwahe na ginagamit namin. Siguro nga at pwede ko siyang mailagay sa game board bilang isa sa mga piraso ko, pero hindi ako ganoon kasamang tao na ilagay siya sa laban na hindi niya kakayanin. Ganoon na ba talaga kasama ang tingin nila sa akin?

"No." I answered, speaking from my own experience. "Not all child demanded affection, some gave up hoping halfway through it and ended up using her own ability to create a change because of fear." I scoffed. "Associating with myself will bring her harm—even death, and unless the child can give me something useful, I will not waste anything to save her. She's on her own." My gaze didn't leave the girl.

"Then why did you save her?"

"Because I didn't expect an inocent girl instead."

"She will learn." This time, it was Finé who vouched.

"Do you really trust that I could raise this girl? Me?"

"I have my doubts. You are not a good person, Caelesti, I am aware of that. But no one is capable enough to protect a royal blood. Others will fawn on her, others will try to deceive her, use her—"

"And you think I won't?" They didn't answer, I already know. They do. But they're also saying it's fine for me to do so, for a reason I don't know. "Alright. Let's do this then, what's your name?" I asked the girl. But she only shook her head. She wasn't even called as anything. "I'll drop her off somewhere safe after I'm finish with my business here. At the meantime, the Dragonborn sticks with me."

"That's better." Finé sighed in relief. "I don't know what the Organization will do once they have her."

Napatingin sa itaas habang nag-uusap pa ang dalawang half beasts. Bigla nalang kasing yumanig ang buong building, mahina lang ito hanggang sa naging malakas sa punto na naturumba na ang mga statues at bato mula sa ibabaw. Wala na akong nararamdamang buhay maliban na lamang sa mga kalapit ko, but there's something bothering me. It's another bad premonition.

My senses are diluted so I can't rely on my ability right now to detect accurately. But I'm pretty sure whatever's happening won't favour me with this too much companion. And that's it, the ceiling started breaking down, the marbled flooring were cracking, and the air producing a smell. A strange one. It was a smell I know very well, the scent of death.

"Take the Dragonborn and leave, if you can't, then hide." I ordered.

"What's happening?" It was Finé as she took the girl protectively behind her. "Are they after her?"

"Who knows? But now's not the time for questions. Leave!" The moment I said that, all the debri fell from above all at once.

I raised my arms, summoning a barrier just before one huge post almost crushed us. But the sudden energy release caught me off guard, making me cough a little blood, pinching my heart. I hauled the boulder over, making sure that everything was over before making it disappear.

"Cast your own barriers and leave."

"You're in no position to fight anyone right now, Caelesti."

"Do not underestimate me, Finé."

"I'm not! My main magic allows me to see numbers, probabilities. And I can see that your body have seventy-two point three-nine-two-four-six percent chance that it's done for." She persuaded. "You knew my potential, that's why you recruited me, didn't you? If you did, then trust me—"

"How high is the probability that I can finish them off?" I tried using my energy to expand my range, and I felt, something ominous is happening.

"...twelve point six-eight-three-zero-two percent. We will retreat—"

"What about with full power?" I lifted my hand, motioning my finger as I deflected an incoming debris.

"What? How would I know that? I haven't even seen you fight using at least your magic."

"Then let me rephrase that," I sighed, I can feel my exhaustion under my breath. "What is the probability that I can survive facing them with my current state?"

"Give up, Caelesti—"

"Give me those damn numbers!" I was getting frustrated.

"Zero ten point one, two to the power of five-one percent chance that you will survive."

I hadn't said anything yet when I heard a loud scream, it was more like a shriek actually, penetrating deep into our eardrums, and it was agonizing. I followed the shriek, it came from the laying dead body of the Head Priest, his white robe coated with his owm blood. The staff buried into his skull was pushed out by blood, his body swallowing up even his clothes.

I was seeing a live biological modification in front of me. His skin was slowly absorbed inside his body, his muscles growing—as well as his head. His mouth opened, only to let another shriek—too much that I had to create another set of barrier, but it was useless for it was blasted off by the echoing sound in an instant.

"Go!" I shouted.

It was just as then that the priest who turned into a monster, took me as a target, immediately pushing me down the ground, his big mouth probably enough to swallow my head whole. The Dragonborn started tearing up in fear, the Overseer pulling Finé with him, but the latter remained looking at me.

I gritted my teeth, trying to get the monster off, then kicked him off me. He slid backwards, giving me enough time to sit up and catch my breath. Pero sumugod na naman ito ulit, na para bang natural instinct na sa kaniyang sugurin ang una nitong makikita. Maliit kasi ang mga mata nito, walang kulay, hindi din naman puti o silver, just nothing—yet it's not black. Like it relies purely on something for detection. But what could it be? Energy?

I summoned layers and layers of barriers in front of me, but the monster easily slammed on them like fragile windows when these barriers are supposed to be unbreakable by any normal means. But is a human turning into some kind of monster even normal?

"Damn it." I stood up, wiping a trace of blood under my nose.

Another man in white robe started screaming the same was as the priest before, but it was over in a minute, he was completely turned into the same monster. I couldn't even recognize who's who anymore. Ako ulit ang unang nakita nito at hindi na nagdalawang-isip na umatake papunta sa direksyon ko.

Nagpalabas na naman ako ng barrier but just like the other who's constantly breaking my defences, ganoon din ang ginagawa niya. They aren't easy monsters, that enough should be obvious.

"If you stay here, you will only get caught up. My energy keeps attracting them for whatever reason I don't know. If you're nearbye, I can't guarantee your own safety." I glanced back at them as I pointed towards the door. "So leave. Now!" They all ran towards the door, and it was a perfect cue for the screams to be heard ano after another.

Too much energy releases all at once is taking a huge toll on my body. If only I could rest...just an hour—no, even just a few minutes without using my energy, I'd force myself to regain back my senses. But with how many of these men in white robes turning into monsters, I'm not sure I'd survive the second I let my guard down.

I summoned my dual blades, gripping on each hilts tightly, blood flowing out from my left eye—hindering my view, not because of the red liquid, but because my left eyesight has become blurry where I can no longer see anything except for their apparent colours.

I knew it had something to do with that chant and magic circle earlier, pero wala akong panahong isipan muna kung bakit nangyari 'to o kung paano. My barrier cracked, shattered, and dozens of them lounged at me all at the same time.

And I found myself no longer having fun.

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AN: The update is too early, two am in the morning isn't something I had planned after brooding the whole day about how can I improve the plot. Because I feel like it's getting too—I don't know, boring? Anyway, give me time to figure things out so I'll apologize in advance if things get too overbearing. See you next week—oh and of course, happy reading!