by V. A. Lewis
But he was still dazed. He was even bleeding from the head. Edith was in the middle of picking himself up, when he saw the shadow. The Atrocity loomed over him, about to crush him. No, not like this.
He panicked. And it was only thanks to his companions that he survived. An explosion knocked the Atrocity of balance. Dozens of arrows landing on its back. Each sent a shockwave that even Edith felt, but he ignored it, seizing his opportunity.
The Inquisitor brought his sword down on the Atrocity once again, despite hacking at it with all his strength. Once again, his blade pierced into its body, lodging itself inside the wound. But instead of trying to pull it out, he pressed the mana crystal on it.
Once again, Edith’s sword flickered. Almost as if it was winked out of existence for a moment. And when it reappeared, the Atrocity was already falling. This time, fully cut in half by the attack.
"Sir, are you ok?" Hadi ran up to him, laboring with each breath.
Edith tried to muster up a reply, but found that he could barely even speak. If the Elf woman was breathing hard, he did not want to know what he sounded like. He shook his head, and pointed at another Atrocity.
"We...kill...them…"
It was coherent enough to understand. Even if Hadi gave him an odd look for it. She nodded her head, and focused on the next Atrocity.
The first one to engage it this time was the axe Inquisitor. He too, tried to use his enchantment to bring it down quickly. And it almost worked. It was nearly a clean cut, right up until it stopped three quarters of the way through the Atrocity’s chest.
The axe Inquisitor tried to pull it out, but it was too far in. Completely stuck. He tried letting go of his weapon to back up, but it was already too late. The Atrocity grabbed him by his arm, and pulled. The man screamed as his arm was ripped off like it was nothing, before being quickly silenced by the next hit.
There was a shout of anger. The Inquisitor with the sickles charged at it, as arrows exploded around the Atrocity. And together with Hadi, they managed to bring it down.
But there were still more. Another Atrocity came running for the Amalgamation, and once again, the Inquisitors intercepted it. They managed to bring this another four down without casualties, choosing to engage as a group rather than on their own. But then three Atrocities came together, and another Inquisitor fell before they could take them all down.
There’s too many of them.
Edith was briefed on what the Holy Xan Empire knew about the Abominations before he was sent on this mission. They knew the capabilities of the Atrocities as these special Abominations that rarely showed up— the key word there being rare.
This? This was not rare. They had encountered a dozen Atrocities at this point. Far too many in this group of a few hundred thousand. Edith was told that there should have only been one in every hundred thousand. Or at least, that had been the approximation from what they encountered from Hell.
It was different here. This was not Hell. Somehow, something created more Atrocities here than in Hell. He did not know what, but now was not the time to theorize. When the Inquisitor with the sickles finally fell, and it was him and Hadi left, he had decided enough was enough. They had to retreat—
A piercing scream erupted through the city. No— not just a single scream. It was the simultaneous screams of tens of thousands of bodies at once. Edith looked in the direction of the noise, clasping at his ears as he did.
And he saw the Amalgamation fall. The Oligopolis of Bys was destroyed, and the titan that stood on top of it had collapsed. Its body— its bodies— falling apart into thousands of pieces. There was a laugh.
"How’s that for an Abomination, you stupid—" Saintess Lilith happily jumped back to the group, only to see that there was only two of them left. "Oh…"
"Saintess, we need to—" Hadi began, only to be cut off by the other woman.
"Watch out!"
The Saintess cried out, throwing her spear at the Elf woman. Hadi’s eyes widened, and she flinched—
But the spear shot past her. Straight at the Atrocity charging her from behind. The force of the throw was stronger than any ballista Edith had ever seen. It skewered the Atrocity, pinning its body on the cobblestone ground. But it was still alive.
The Atrocity struggled where it laid. It tried to pull itself up, but before it could, another dozen spears rained down on it, covering it like it was a pincushion. Eventually, the Atrocity stopped struggling, as the last spear of ice landed on its head.
"Whew, that was close," Saintess Lilith sighed, wiping a bead of sweat off her forehead. She walked over to the dead Atrocity, prying her spear of its corpse. "Well then, let’s get out of here, shall we?"
And for once, Edith agreed with the annoying woman.
It was not too difficult for the three remaining survivors to escape the city. After the Amalgamation died, the coordinated attacks from the Abominations stopped. They almost looked confused, as if they were not sure what to do now
Some of the Abominations began to just leave the city, searching for something to attack. While others just stood around, waiting for something to come to it. And certainly, the Abominations that the two Inquisitors and one Saintess came across did try to attack them. But with very little success, as they were dispatched off in seconds.
Finally, the group could rest, although not before mourning their dead. Hadi was shedding tears for their three deceased companions and Saintess Lilith spent some time comforting her, while Edith began thinking up on how to write the letters he’d inevitably have to send back to their family.
It was difficult, and was never well received. He found it to be a hassle, but it was something he was required to do. He eventually gave up, choosing to figure it out the next day.
But after he went to sleep, he was awoken in the middle of the night by some rustling. The Inquisitor sat up, casting his gaze around his tent. "Lilith?" he called out. But there was no reply. "Goddess grace us, is she really doing this again?"
Edith did not equip his armor, although he grabbed his sword and the tracker before he got out of bed. He grumbled to himself as he went over to Hadi’s tent.
"She can’t even give me one day to rest. I swear, when I find her— hey Hadi, did you see Lilith?"
The Elf woman jerked awake, surprised at the sudden noise. "Wha— the Saintess?"
"Yes," Edith snapped, "that is what I said."
"Oh, uh, sorry Sir. I have not seen her. Did she go somewhere? Do you need me to—"
"No, I’ll take care of this," he interrupted her, turning around to leave already.
He heard her call after him, but he was already heading in the direction his tracker pointed him in. He continued for five minutes. And then ten. Only then did Edith realize that Saintess Lilith must have traveled out more than a bit aways.
The man started to run through the forest. Going as fast as he could, hoping he could catch up to the Saintess. If she escapes, the Grand Inquisitor would have me executed, he thought to himself.
Edith found himself in a full sprint as he cursed the woman under his breath. He made it through a thicket of trees, into a clearing—
And found the Saintess whirling around, surprised to see him.
"Edith— how did you...?" she asked, her voice full of disbelief.
"Damn you, Lilith. You can’t just make my job easy, can you?" the Inquisitor snarled. "Where do you think you’re going?"
The young woman took a step back. "I was just, uh... walking? Having a midnight stroll?"
"Don’t give me that shit," Edith said, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "I’ll ensure the Grand Inquisitor hears about this. And everything else you’ve tried to pull during this mission."
"What? But you promised you wouldn’t tell about that!"
"I did. But you’ve continued being nothing but trouble for me. So now you leave me no choice." Edith said, making it quite clear he was not going to argue with her.
"They’ll send me back to Hell duty. They won�
�t let me leave, Edith. I just want to live a normal life. I never wanted to be a Saintess. Please, I’m begging you— let me go," her voice came out quivering, almost as if she was terrified.
"I don’t care. It is your fault for causing the Church so much trouble, even though you’re a Saintess."
"But I was only trying to help— Edith, you’ve got to listen to me. Saint Theron lied in his report to the Holy Xan Empire. He said he killed the Fiend, but he forgot to mention that she had a daughter. And she’s out there right now, last spotted with a group of Dark Crusaders near the Chalstics Confederacy. I just want to find her, before she becomes a threat to us like her mother once was."
Edith raised an eyebrow. He was pretty sure she just made that up on the spot just so she could leave. "And why exactly would the Saint lie to us? He has been nothing but diligent in his duties, unlike you."
"Edith—"
"Nothing you can say will convince me, Lilith. I’ve put up with all you asked me to do, but this is where you’re crossing the line. Do you want to know why they place you on Hell duty? It’s because of this," the Inquisitor said, gesturing at the woman. "All you try to do is cause trouble and you neglect your responsibilities as a Saintess. Despite everything the Church and the Holy Xan Empire has given you— despite the powers the Goddess has bestowed upon you to do good— you treat everything like it doesn’t matter. You just want to play. Like a spoiled little brat. I’m bringing you back, and there’s no stopping me."
"Please, we could go together. Me and you," she pleaded, her entire body shaking out of fear.
Edith shook his head. "No," he simply stated, then he grabbed her arm and began pulling her back to the camp.
The Saintess followed him without complaints. Her face was overcast with a shadow, and she let him take a few steps before she let out a wistful sigh.
"I’m so glad you said that."
"What are you—"
Edith stumbled. Something had pierced him through the chest. He took a step forward, before collapsing to the ground. It was only then did Lilith pull out her spear from his back.
"You know, I’ve been dreaming to do that since we first met. It’s been on my mind for so long, and I have to say, this feels much better than I could have ever imagined."
"You— how could you…" Edith gasped for air, but he was bleeding out. "You... idiot… you’ll lose…Sainthood..."
The Saintess looked down at him with her dark green eyes, tilting her head to the side. She looked at him callously, almost as if she was watching an insect die. And then— she smiled.
"I won’t. I’ve done far worse things than this, and I’ve never once lost the ability to perform miracles. Nope." Lilith bent over next to him, bringing her hands to her chin. "I’ve tried, you know? Doing things that would surely make me lose these powers. Things that are considered ‘evil’. And never once, have I been punished by the Goddess for it."
She paused, then she laughed to herself.
"Well, not unless you count an angry lecture by Saint Justin as a form of divine retribution. But other than that? Not really."
Lilith stood back up, putting her hands behind her back, as she stepped away from Edith.
"And that’s not the only thing you’re wrong about," she said, grinning down at him "I’m not on Hell duty just because I cause trouble. I’m on Hell duty because the Church sees me as a danger to those around me."
Edith’s eyes widened, as the Saintess continued.
"It’s funny. Most people in the Church who eventually find out about their secrets— like the Abominations up until recently— seem to think that that’s all there is to know, and there can’t possibly be more secrets kept from them. They never realize that if the Church can keep a secret from the general public, then they also can keep more secrets from them. Secrets like, say, the Cult."
She paused, then she brought a hand to her mouth in feigned embarrassment.
"Oops, did I let that slip? Ah whatever. It’s not like it matters to a dying man," she laughed again, turning around to leave. "I just find it funny that you were told the big secret that I was a troublesome Saintess, and was given the task to watch over me without letting the other Inquisitors know. But never stopped to wonder whether there was another layer you never considered. Because of that, you were so confident I wouldn’t try to kill you, and look where that led you now? Dead—"
An arrow whizzed past Lilith's face, exploding in the distance where it landed. The girl did not even react as another two came flying at her, only moving her head slightly out of the way from the projectiles.
"Saintess Lilith! What are you doing?!"
Hadi jumped down from a tree, pointing her longbow at the Saintess. But before the Elf could even react, Lilith knocked her to the ground with the butt of her spear.
"Hadi, it’s good to see you. At least I’ll be able to say goodbye before I leave."
"...why are you doing this?"
The young woman blinked, taken aback at the question. Then she giggled, stepping away from the Elf. "You know Hadi, I like you. You’re such a nice, innocent person. I’m not going to kill you, so don’t you worry about it."
Lilith lowered her spear, and began to leave. She called back at Hadi, who ran up to Edith and was trying to stop his bleeding.
"Don’t bother trying to save him. Even if you give him a healing potion now, it won’t work. He’s already dead. So don’t worry too much, and ta-ta."
And perhaps that was true. But as Edith struggled to breathe— struggled to even speak— he gathered all his strength regardless, and with his dying breath, managed to say one last thing.
"You’ll…never…escape." Edith coughed, blood coming out of his mouth and chest. "You… can’t…run…forever..."
Lilith halted midstep. She slowly turned to face the Inquisitor, looking down at him. And for the first time, Edith saw true emotion in her eyes. True, pure hatred in her eyes.
"I know," she said softly. She lifted her right arm up, revealing the iron band wrapped tightly around her wrist.
Then with her other hand, she grabbed the tracker and crushed it. Pieces of metal clattered on the floor as the Saintess made her declaration.
"Which is why I’ll give the Church what they want. Then maybe… maybe they’ll finally let me be free."
And then she was gone. Edith watched her disappear as he died. Hadi tried to bring him back to the camp— to revive him with a healing potion. But it was too late. The man was dead, leaving the Elf Inquisitor alone to bring the news back to the Holy Xan Empire.
That Saintess Lilith had gone rogue.
Part Two: Waning Trust
Waning Trust
Chapter 11: The Hunters Guild
I stood, arm outstretched, thumb pointed up. I did not move; I did not run when I saw it approach. I was waiting for it. So I took a step, leaning forwards as it got closer and closer to me. I called out to it—
But the car still drove past me.
I lowered my hand and sighed. Why do you gotta be so rude? Is hitchhiking not a thing in this world?!
I picked up my pack, slinging it over my shoulder, before continuing down the road. There was no point in trying anymore; I wanted to get a lift to the next town over, but no one would stop for me. At least, not any one of the cars I had seen so far.
I managed to hitch a ride on a few different wagons to expedite my travels: it might not have been the fastest mode of transportation, but it was definitely better than walking. And yet, mana vehicles were faster than even carriages, sometimes even surpassing the speed of a single rider on horseback— although still incomparable to what was the norm on Earth. Point was, these cars could cover a good amount of distance very quickly, and I was getting tired of traversing by foot.
Now if only someone would actually stop for me…
I trudged along the gravel road, thoughts flying in my head to distract me from the beating sun. Why wouldn’t you stop for a hitchhiker? This isn’t the 1970’s United States! I
’m not going to murder you and your girlfriend for giving me a ride!
I seriously doubted serial killers were that prevalent of a problem in this world; people could perform inhuman feats of strength and speed, which was even furthered by the existence of magic and miracles. So why wouldn’t anyone stop for me?
Maybe drivers in this world are all just jerks? That was perhaps a hasty generalization on my end; my sample size was miniscule and I was making quite the leap in logic. And yet, despite having seen three cars in the last few weeks alone, none even acknowledged my existence. One almost even ran me over!
And considering that the only other car owner I had seen prior to coming to Laxis was Julian Mancis— a slaver, a professional jerkface, and literal scum incarnate— I felt like I was, at the very least, slightly justified in my beliefs.
Regardless, when a wagon drove by me an hour later, I promised myself to give him a nice, big ten bronze coin tip for actually letting me on his cart once I arrived at my destination. Unless the wagon driver was a serial killer who wanted to kill me, of course; then I’d probably just die.
Or I’d kill him.
I wanted to live, after all. I was not going to go down to anyone without a fight. Even if that fake god himself suddenly appeared right now and somehow produced a truck out of thin air to kill me with— this time, I’d blow up the truck if that was what it took for me to survive.
The city of Locke was not the biggest city. In fact, I would rank it closer to one of the smaller cities I had seen— bigger than a town, but far smaller than the likes of Bys or Boleria. The Free Lands generally had larger settlements considering the city-state system of governance they had.
But regardless, unlike the other towns and villages which I have passed through in Laxis, there was something about this city that made me come here. Or rather, it had something which I wanted. And that was a Hunters Guild.
That was not to say that the Hunters Guild only existed in cities. In fact, I came across a handful of branches in some of the bigger towns I found lodging in; the problem with those was that they tended to be smaller and offered fewer services. They were also unprofessional, full of rude and small-minded townsfolk… ok, maybe I was starting to rant a little bit.
