415 [79.5] Mystery POV: That Which You Cannot Kill

***Disclaimer: This chapter involves death, gore, and child abuse that some readers may find uncomfortable. 

I waited until the next match. Luckily, neither of us was chosen. I snuck away when everyone was enthralled in the battle.

As I moved through the halls, I released my holy magic to ping the location of the runes. I nimbly made my way there, avoiding guards until I came to a locked door. I busted it open with brute strength and stepped inside. I opened the drawers and cabinets, frantically trying to find the runes.

Where are they!?

I felt them in this room just a few moments before.

Where could they have gone-

"Can I help you with something?"

I froze, staring down at the angelic man who was wearing an ominous smile.

"You seem to be looking for something."

What can I do!?

He caught me sneaking in red-handed!!!

His smile started to fall, "I command you to tell me what you're doing here."

I felt my heart start to race as I bit down on my lip.

What should I do!?

Everything is telling me to answer him and be obedient.

I suddenly recalled the face of my friend.

No. I can't let him stop me.

I suddenly produced a sword from Holy magic and charged at him.

He was so shocked, that he had to scramble to grab from his sword belt. I suddenly produced more swords and swiped at his wrists, cutting them off.

More!

I sent more swords pelting into him.

Torso.

Now the head!

I continued to send numerous swords into his body until there was no way he could survive.

His limp body collapsed, now only a pile of flesh and blood.

I gasped from the effort, my heart still racing in fear.

I…

I disobeyed an order…

I…

I…

I killed a priest.

I actually did it!

I actually-

My breath caught in my throat as I watched his body start to regenerate.

No…

That's…

That's not possible…

I watched in horror as he returned to standing in front of me. He casually went to put on a new pair of robes, then cracked his neck and knuckles before turning to me with a malicious grin.

"Did you really think that would work?"

My heart dropped.

He…

He can't die…

He suddenly grabbed my face and yanked me toward him.

"I must say, I'm rather surprised. I didn't expect you to try to kill me… Nor did I think you actually could." He gripped my jaw harder, making it break. I let out a pained whimper which he ignored, "I knew you would never be like my darling pup."

I tried to claw my face out of his grip as I mumbled through my broken jaw, "Why would I ever want to be your pup!?"

An expression I had never seen before came over his face, bringing a new level of fear I never thought I'd feel.

I was suddenly thrown to the ground and my arm was grabbed. He twisted it until a pop rang out and I cried out from the pain. He still wasn't done venting his range as he kicked my back, breaking more of my ribs. After a few more broken bones, he picked me up by the hair to face him.

"Mind your manners, you idiot bastard. You may have inherited my regenerative ability, but it will never be as good as mine. You can still die, but I can't."

He smashed my head into the ground, causing stars to explode over my vision.

"You got yourself one friend and suddenly you think you're stronger than me."

I sat up, holding my aching head only for him to slam down on it with his foot.

"Hah! You think you're better than me!? Let me guess. You found that killing people wasn't as hard as you thought?"

My breath caught in my throat.

He continued in a snide tone, "You were a bit distraught after killing the child, but after that, it was nothing new. You've already done it before, what's one more?"

He suddenly grabbed me by the hair and started dragging me down the corridor. I focused on healing my head wounds as he continued to talk.

"Eventually you'll find out how boring life is. The pointless monotony…"

He pulled me out to the middle of the arena and tossed me down. He looked at me with cold eyes, "Then, when you have a child yourself, you'll find that you could care less if she were to live or die… Although, I'm not sure if you'll ever get to experience that."

He turned away from me and held his arms out, "Update everyone! Today we will have a free-for-all! All remaining contestants will fight to the death and only the remaining Priestess will be worthy of being called Alora!"

The crowd cheered in excitement, leaning out of their seats as the doors opened.

He bent down to me and smirked, "Don't forget. You aren't any different than me." He rubbed my head playfully, "Now go find the friend you're so loyal to before she gets ripped apart."

I rolled over onto my stomach and forced myself up. I started running in her direction, memorizing the door she would always be sent to.

After searching the landscape, I finally found her. Relief flooded into my heart as I ran over to her and hugged her, "Comrade!"

She stared down at me in surprise, "Little priestess!? You're still alive!?! I thought you were dead! You suddenly went missing-"

I hugged her tighter, "I'm sorry! I tried to find the trigger for the collars so I could escape with you!"

"You did what!?"

I pulled away with a guilty expression, "I tried to… But I got caught… By him."

She smacked the top of my head, "You're lucky to be alive! Haven't you heard the stories about him!? He's a maniacal killer! He literally kills and tortures people because it's the only thing he enjoys!"

"I thought I could kill him…"

She let out a heavy sigh, "No one can kill him!"

I recalled his regeneration and lowered my gaze, "I know."

"It's okay. Let's not think about that. Let's just make sure you're the last one alive."

I grabbed her, "No. We can try to figure out how to break the collar by force. If I can just inject my holy magic, maybe I can break it."

"Okay… Fine. I have nothing left to lose."

I closed my eyes and injected my holy magic into her collar. As I traced the runes and tried to determine which one to alter, I felt something tug at my periphery as if another magic was reaching out to mine.

I opened my eyes and immediately looked into the stadium to trace the source, only to feel my heart suddenly drop.

Orphelio stood at the top of the stadium, the trigger rune for her collar was in his palm. The corners of his lips curled up as his grip tightened.

"No…" I whispered, shaking my head desperately, "Please… Don't…"

His grin spread, reveling in the expression on my face.

The Holy stone was crushed in his palm as his eyes pierced into mine.

I turned around in horror to see my friend's collar lighting up from Holy Magic.

"NO!"

I rushed over to her and started clawing at the collar to rip it off. However, the Holy magic rebounded my own.

She held my hands with a gentle smile and whispered, "Live a good life for me… Okay?"

I shook my head in a panic, tears glistening in my eyes, "No… Please-"

She squeezed my hand, "I know you don't want to kill… I never did either. As long as you're in that robe and forced to follow that man, they will die whether it is by you or him."

The collar started to light up around her neck.

"If you won't run away… Then-" Her smile was haunting as she whispered, "-Then at least kill them quickly so that they will have mercy."

I felt tears started to gather in my eyes, "I'm sorry! It's all my fault! If I hadn't tried to kill him-"

"I don't-"

A blinding light flashed, burning my eyes. I could feel a warm liquid splatter on my face.

My eyes were wide open as I heard a dull thud echo on the ground.

I stared ahead as a cold feeling spread across my chest.

What…

What was she going to say?

Was she going to say she doesn't forgive me?

Self-hatred started filling up my chest, causing my mouth to taste sour.

Of course she wouldn't forgive me.

I'm not a good person.

I've killed so many in this competition.

Yet, I feel nothing.

Doesn't that mean…

I'm just like he said?

*Step step*

A priestess smiled at me with a crooked smile, "That was fun to watch."

Another stood behind her, "I'm surprised she didn't die sooner."

Comrade…

Only now do I understand…

My fists tightened.

I'm not a good person.

A fire ripped apart my chest and I clenched my jaw with fury.

Seeing the animalistic glare of a girl covered in blood, the Priestesses took a step back instinctively.

Swords solidified around me and pointed.

My voice was venomous, "You don't deserve mercy."

As I slaughtered the rest of them, I felt a smile breaking across my face.

Good.

Suffer.

Suffer for what you did to me.

Cry and beg for mercy.

Even if you do, I won't give you any.

I will give you all the pain you've caused me and double it.

I will-

I caught my breath, staring at the arena in a daze. I was covered in blood and standing all alone. I had pelted their bodies with so many swords that no corpse was left to discover.

No…

I don't want to be like him…

I don't want to be-

"-Alora…" Orphelio jumped down into the arena with confidence befitting a man incapable of dying. He reached his hand out to me with a sickly sweet smile, "That name suits you."

I looked at the sky filled with hundreds of Holy Swords twinkling like stars. My eyes dulled as a sour taste filled my mouth at the sight, "...Disgusting."