[53.3] Comforting a Devil

"Huh?" I turned my attention back to Cyrus and was shocked to see just how badly he was shaking. His eyes were bloodshot and his veins bulged from a purple poison coursing through his veins.

The curse was spreading at an alarming rate.

Moni stared at me without once looking at Cyrus. He muttered loud enough for me to hear, "Go comfort him already."

My legs shook.

Comfort him?!

He looks like he wants to kill all of us!

How can I comfort him when he's like that!?

Moni shrugged, "Or let him die. It's not like I care."

I bit down on my lip.

I'm scared but…

I can't let him die.

But I can't take a step forward either.

I glanced at Zephyr who looked up at me with bright red eyes.

He gave me a toothy grin and urged me telepathically: <<You can do this.>>

Just this encouragement alone was enough to get me to put my foot forward.

The walk over to Cyrus felt like it lasted hours, but it was mere seconds.

My heart pounded so loudly, it flooded my ears and blocked out the sound around me.

Time around me stopped and all I could see was him.

As I reached for his hand holding sword, my mind kept imagining being impaled by it.

A sword is much longer than a knife.

That would go straight through me.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to grab his hand. I pinched my eyes closed, waiting for the inevitable.

However….

All I felt was his hand.

The sword dropped to the ground and his trembling slowly ceased.

The pounding of his heart slowed down and the curse began to recede. I took advantage of his lull to hug him.

I expected something bad to happen, but nothing did.

A complex feeling of emotions swirled in my chest.

I felt terrified.

Confused.

Relieved.

Slowly, Cyrus returned the hug.

As my ear was pressed against his chest, I could hear his thundering heartbeat matching my own.

Slowly, my body relaxed.

This hug doesn't hurt.

A single drop fell from the sky and landed on the ground.

Light rain fell from above, settling the dust around us.

I stepped out of his embrace and laughed awkwardly, "It's raining."

His hoarse voice answered, "So it is."

My eyes slowly trailed up and met with his.

My breath caught when I saw the hurt in his eyes. I reflexively reached out to hold his hand and give it a squeeze.

Please don't make that kind of face.

He laughed spitefully, "I guess the only one I can trust is you."

I bit my lips and held his hand tighter.

No…

You can trust Caldwell.

He does care for you.

I know he does…

But he's just-

There's no way I can say anything. It's not my place to speak for him.

Moni saw our touching scene and rubbed his hands together, "Well I think that's my cue to leave."

Felix jumped up, his tears mixing with rain. "You're leaving!?"

Moni made a face, "Am I not allowed?"

I snapped out of my focus and turned to face Moni, "You're not! Do you think you can just show up and expect us to let you leave?!"

He tilted his head with a grin, "Yes."

Zephyr egged me on, "Reika! Go beat him up!"

I rolled up my sleeves, "I really should! He needs his a** kicked!"

Moni laughed, "Is this all because I stood you up?"

My cheeks burned red, "W-What!?"

Cyrus finally faced him while wearing a dark expression, "F*ck off."

I flinched and looked at Cyrus in surprise.

Did he just swear?

Moni chuckled and put his hands up, "Sorry, sorry. I don't mean to-"

Suddenly Moni's expression twisted and his head snapped to look at the distance. He disappeared into a shadow in the blink of an eye.

I blinked in confusion, "Um… What happened?"

Zephyr's body suddenly jerked up and he let out a cry.

He sprinted away from us in the direction Moni had looked.

I shouted, "Zephyr! Wait!"

I ran after him, ignoring the puddles splashing at my feet.

Felix sprinted after us, still crying, "DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Cyrus let out a sigh and put away his sword. He silently turned to follow us neither rushing nor taking his time.

"What happened…" Priscilla sat up rubbing her head, "Wait… Where did everyone go?"