"They aren't listening, sir," the soldier reported.
"Very well, then. Consider them enemies. Shoot them," the commanding officer ordered. The soldiers opened fire, but to their astonishment, Ixartxist, Calguas, and Vilyn simply teleported inside the military prison, evaporating before their eyes.
Inside the confinement room, Tassa was overwhelmed with pain and despair. She cried, feeling her strength wane. Her hands had gone numb, and hunger gnawed at her. She questioned the purpose of their torture, yearning for death rather than enduring the cycle of torment. As her consciousness faded, she called out for help, her voice filled with anguish and desperation.
"Heaven... Xart... Ayamani... Suman, anyone... please help me. Save me, please. Xart, Suman, where are you? Do you truly hate me, Xart? Why did you leave me back then? And Ayamani, where are you? Why did all three of you abandon me?" Tassa's words, filled with anger and sadness, echoed in the confines of the room.
Meanwhile, Ixartxist, Calguas, and Vilyn fought their way through the military forces. Ixartxist urged them to stop fighting, emphasizing the need to save Quart. However, Vilyn found enjoyment in the battle, prompting Ixartxist to render the soldiers unconscious and teleport to another location. The vastness of the compound made it challenging to locate Tassa, even when they split up. Calguas suggested using a spell to find her, but Ixartxist knew that doing so would require sacrificing Vilyn's life. As demons were not as powerful as angels, their abilities had limitations. Calguas, however, possessed a different strength, which raised suspicions in Suman's mind, leading him to question Calguas's authenticity.
Calguas implored them to stop running and allow him to cast the spell. Vilyn intervened, concerned about the toll it would take on his energy. Calguas, determined to save Tassa within the limited time they had, insisted on proceeding. Their heated exchange revealed the urgency of the situation, as relocating Quart would mean losing their chance to find her. Calguas likened the situation to a delicate string on the floor that they couldn't afford to let slip away.
"We will find her, Calguas. You don't need to exhaust yourself with some risky spell," Vilyn reassured him.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, Calguas responded, "Don't worry, Vilyn. I am not weak. I am an angel, and I always will be."
Vilyn glanced back at Ixartxist, who took a deep breath and urged her to let Calguas be, noting his tendency to dwell on his past. Calguas smirked at Ixartxist, feeling a sense of relief that he hadn't jumped to conclusions. He couldn't tell if it was because Ixartxist had a habit of making such remarks or if he genuinely trusted him, much like Suman did. Nonetheless, Calguas felt grateful for finally earning Ixartxist's trust after countless years.
Calguas performed a spell to locate Tassa's confinement room, guiding them towards their destination. As they reached the designated area, they were met with a formidable presence of military personnel and equipment guarding her room.
"She's just behind this, right?" Ixartxist questioned, his voice filled with determination.
"Can't you see the compass? Well, if you're doubting, why don't you ask those military men, Ixartxist?" Calguas replied sarcastically. Ixartxist calmly smirked in response, his eyes gleaming with an enigmatic confidence.
"I simply don't understand your sense of humor, Calguas. I fear that one day your words may have a double meaning, much like that foolish Suman," Ixartxist remarked.
Vilyn, placing her hands on her hips, faced Ixartxist and retorted, "My father is not foolish, and Calguas is not crazy!" Ixartxist moved closer to her, his gaze piercing hers.
"You're the only one who has called them that," he whispered.
The military personnel pointed their guns at the trio, demanding that they raise their hands or face the consequences. Ignoring the warning, Ixartxist, Calguas, and Vilyn were about to open the door to Tassa's confinement room when a man suddenly spoke, cautioning them against doing so if they wished to retrieve the girl alive. The three of them stood their ground, not moving or turning around to face him.
"Why?" Ixartxist inquired.
"Because the confinement room is rigged with a bomb. We planned to eliminate the most dangerous girl in the world if anyone attempted to free her. She has instantly killed all the prisoners we sent to her. So why do you want to set the devil free?" the man explained.
Vilyn was about to respond, but Ixartxist swiftly covered her mouth, communicating with her telepathically. "Read his mind, Vilyn, and don't say anything," he instructed. Vilyn obeyed, delving into the man's thoughts.
She discovered that he was waiting for them to make a move or fight back, as he held the power to activate the bomb through two options: touch or a remote control in his hand. One word or motion from him would result in Tassa's immediate death.
Ixartxist had prevented Vilyn from revealing their true identities as demons, knowing that it would give the man a reason to kill her, considering they were no match for his power. Thus, Ixartxist and Calguas pretended to be ordinary individuals, seemingly out of options to save Tassa. The man laughed and taunted them, ordering them to surrender. His gaze lingered on Vilyn's body, mocking their perceived weakness as he approached them.
"You're quite beautiful, you know?" the man remarked.
Vilyn spat at his face, a defiant smile playing on her lips. "You're not the first person to say that."
The man wiped his face with his hand and licked the saliva, displaying a grotesque act of arrogance. Calguas and Ixartxist's eyes twitched in disgust at his audacity.
"It tastes nice, just like you. I want you in my room, right now. You can't blame me; you've captured my heart," the man declared.
"And you have my pity," Vilyn retorted.
The man moved closer, caressing her arms slowly. Vilyn remained still, following Ixartxist's instructions. He continued to lower the strap of her dress, his touch violating her soft, delicate skin. Vilyn closed her eyes, silently questioning whether Ixartxist and Calguas would stand idly by and allow her to be violated. Just as the man was about to touch the flounce of her skirt, Ixartxist swiftly severed both of his arms, pulling Vilyn away and tossing her to Calguas. The man stood in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened. His severed limbs lay on the floor, blood spilling from his wounds as he screamed in agony. The other military personnel, frightened by the gruesome sight, hesitated but continued to shoot at Ixartxist. Calguas shielded Ixartxist, effortlessly turning the bullets to ash. Ixartxist approached the man who had nearly violated Vilyn, his presence striking terror into the man's heart. Backing away slowly, the man accidentally sat on the floor, his fear palpable. Ixartxist stared at him with a mix of disdain and fury.
"She is not the devil; we are. And if there is one thing I despise the most, it is people who exploit others for their own pleasure!" Ixartxist delivered a powerful kick to the man's head, sending it flying towards the military personnel. Fear gripped everyone present, but Calguas attempted to calm them, urging them to flee and save themselves. The military scattered, leaving their commander's severed head on the floor.
Calguas continued to hold Vilyn, never letting her go. He gently asked if she was alright, but she did not reply. Instead, she stepped away from Calguas, pushing him aside. Determined, she teleported inside to check on Tassa, with Ixartxist and Calguas following closely behind.
Tassa caught a glimpse of the three of them before succumbing to unconsciousness. When Ixartxist saw her, he shattered the chain that bound her, lifting her fragile form into his arms. He whispered words of concern, asking if she was alright, but Tassa remained unresponsive. With a swift teleportation, Ixartxist brought her to his mansion, carrying her to his room. Vilyn and Calguas followed suit, but upon their return, they were met with the sight of Suman lying on Ixartxist's bed. They questioned Suman about Ixartxist and Quart's whereabouts. Confusion clouded Calguas's expression as he inquired if Suman had seen them. Suman's eyes widened with excitement, hoping they had finally discovered Quart's location. However, their silence only deepened his curiosity as they ascended the stairs, leaving him behind.
Inside Ixartxist's room, he began to cast a healing spell on Tassa, soothing her battered body. Calguas felt a wave of relief wash over him as he witnessed her gradual recovery. Vilyn observed silently, her emotions kept hidden behind a solemn facade as she sat on the couch. Suman teleported into the room, his joy evident at the sight of Quart once more, remarking on the tragedy of their previous encounter. Ixartxist questioned him about the nature of the tragedy, but Suman remained silent, settling down beside Vilyn and inquiring about her sadness.
Calguas took it upon himself to respond, explaining that it stemmed from their ill-fated plan.
"So, you're Vilyn now?" Suman sarcastically remarked.
"I was talking to my daughter here. Do you mind?" Calguas rolled his eyes at Suman's remark and dismissing him. Vilyn's anger flared, demanding to know about the plan they had discussed.
"You would have let him touch me if I hadn't beckoned you! If I hadn't closed my eyes in disgust, you would have stood there and watched me undress right in front of you!"
"No, we wouldn't. We were just waiting for the right time—" Calguas began, attempting to explain.
"What time? You're all the same, every single one of you. Perverts!" Vilyn exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration.
Ixartxist approached her, his voice calm but firm. "We demons do not desire sex. Not me, not any of us. We were destroyed because of our foolishness, and others were destroyed because of love. For us, love is not merely about sex, Vilyn. Some may think we tolerate sex because we want to, but the truth is, we tolerate it to tempt people into sin. Engaging in sexual acts can easily corrupt individuals, and some demons revel in corrupting them, provoking the wrath of Heaven. Sex is considered immoral and repugnant in the eyes of the righteous above. In the end times, humans may engage in same-gender relationships, but demons will not partake in such acts. Only humans will succumb to immorality—"
"You're not allowed to spoil what is yet to come, Ixartxist. Leave it at that," Suman interjected, cutting off Ixartxist's explanation.
As Tassa regained consciousness, she found herself surrounded by Ixartxist, Suman, Vilyn, and Calguas. Confusion clouded her mind as she wondered if they were all deceased. Unbeknownst to her, they were not deceased individuals, but rather demons. Ixartxist inquired about her well-being and asked what had been done to her. However, Tassa remained silent, unable to find the words to express her emotions. Ixartxist seemed to understand her silence and posed a question, his voice filled with remorse.
"Are you still angry with me, Tassa?" he asked softly. Tassa averted her gaze and responded.
"Why wouldn't I be? You neglected me, you left me. And now you expect me to forgive you just like that."
Ixartxist offered his apologies, insisting that he had not neglected her. But Tassa interrupted him, abruptly wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"I cannot hate you, Xart. I will forgive you again and again. Just promise me that you will never leave me. Promise me that, Xart. Promise me that you'll never leave me again. I cannot live without you, so please stay," Tassa pleaded.
Ixartxist held her close, assuring her that he would never leave her side again. Tassa wept in his arms, while Calguas observed them with a mix of emotions. He realized that it would be even more challenging to separate Tassa from Ixartxist in this vulnerable state.
Tassa proceeded to recount what had transpired, expressing her confusion as to why the military had arrested her. Ixartxist's attention was drawn to the fact that she had not mentioned Nia'le during her retelling. He inquired about Nia'le, prompting Tassa to become even more perplexed.
"Nia'le again? Ayamani asked me the same question, and just like I told him, I do not know who that Nia'le is! Why do you keep asking me about someone I have never even heard of?" Tassa exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration.
Ixartxist's suspicions were confirmed, Tassa had indeed lost her memory concerning Nia'le. Suman interjected, asking Quart, about the grim reaper who had been with her. A wave of sadness washed over Tassa, and she responded with a melancholic tone.
"Ayamani left me. I don't know where he is. Back then, when you saved me, I thought I saw him. But perhaps it was just a hallucination, a result of my condition at that time. When I woke up, he was nowhere to be found. Maybe he truly left me, maybe he despised me, thinking I was nothing more than a burden. Well, I can't blame him. I am blind and useless, after all," she confessed, her voice filled with self-doubt.