Chapter 236: GIVE YOUR BEST

(Ken's POV)

My lungs are still aching from the trauma my body endured,

But than go back to what I was before, I'd rather be here and suffer.

I never thought...that I'd enjoy feeling pain this much...

It just reminded me, that this is real...that I'm alive.

I'm no longer a victim of the past,

A mere and useless passerby.

I'm no longer the loser that rarely finds sleep,

I'm no longer the son my mother did not want to bear.

Here, as I stand and try to ignore the hands clawing at my skin,

I reminded me who I really am, and for what I'm here.

It's no coincidence, it's no luck or chance.

I was meant to be here,

I was meant to shine.

And so, than falter again and question why,

Than complain and simply cry,

I stood firmly, and looked past the pain,

I smiled at the demon,

And he looked at me,

As if I was insane.

I soon used the creatures clinging unto me,

Suck them all down, and turn them to energy.

The process still stings, but I didn't made it too obvious.

After all, Belphegor's eyes were still processing how I recovered.

I crumpled my fists as I remade my mask,

Soon, I saw Belphegor as nothing but a task.

Not a demon lord, not a threat I'd die to,

Just a mission I'm to accomplish,

A body to get rid of and perish.

"..how? How could you...?"

His remaining eye dilated as he readied his stand.

And even with his monsters growling at me,

His presence and techniques,

Were no longer new to me.

I calmed myself down, and began to think.

Belphegor, the demon of sloth.

Sellena had specified some things about him.

That he was not...as cruel as one would think.

And demons...who are still able to have compassion,

Are weaker, than those who're completely lost.

Looking at him, he was not that sincere,

Not too serious in killing me here.

I think...he has a bigger awareness than most.

And he's finally realizing who I am supposed.

Good. Fearing, I don't care if he feels that way.

Those who have no problem harming others, only deserve pain.

I stormed as if there was no tomorrow,

Slashing the monsters and making sure none would follow.

Belphegor was still able to summon thorns though,

Trapping my hands from time to time,

And even with healing abilities,

It still hurt.

I still bled, I still feel it.

But for the sake of peace,

I'd continue to dare him.

I never stopped, nor slowed my pace.

I just kept doing, whatever it takes.

But soon, when our gaps had neared,

He suddenly flicked his fingers,

And the skies changed, as if it were a dream.

The skies bear no clouds,

And the land, bear no trees.

No people were fighting with us,

So the place, was devoid of screams.

It was a great illusion, a great trick,

That even I, wondered how to undone it.

But getting out of there was the least of my problems,

Because I just saw Belphegor, transformed himself.

His blue coat, turned to pure black,

And his grin, as constant as a permanent mark.

I could tell that behind his happy mask,

Was an overflowing wrath.

I guess I shouldn't have underestimated the nightmare he managed to rob.

"The nightmares are as strong as the one who thought of it.

And Ken, this dream, is one of my strongest yet."

His voice soon changed and turned more menacing,

And despite his skinny appearance, I find his giggles, terrifying.

It felt harder to fight alone,

Hearing nothing but our own noise.

And because of the fact that the soil is too pure,

I couldn't help but trip at times,

No matter how hard I focus.

Belphegor soon opened his wings,

Making me deepen my worries.

Flight was not my most confident suit,

It was like swimming in air,

And I didn't have much time to practice.

Knowing I have no choice however,

I dropped my complaints.

I calmed myself out,

And began to concentrate.

If a demon lord is giving his best,

Then it's not a wonder if I would do the same...

...

(Narrator's POV)

The water demon continued to protect Humility,

While the reaper continued to move forward, increasing casualties.

He jumped here and there as he attack the clones,

Hoping that to the target, he's coming close.

But Jacob had just went further and further,

Surprised to see the hair stretch infinitely.

He quickly summoned another friend of his,

Samael, who by then, was rather displeased.

"I'm also quite busy you know?"

"Well, take care of the girl!"

Jacob said shaking as he hid from his duplicates,

And sensing a familiar scent, Samael's eyes dilate.

"But she's a demon,"

"I don't care! She isn't on our side now, is she?

Just go kill her off!

Because of this irritating lady,

I couldn't get close to Stacy.

The chains wrapped around her looked too hot,

If she's not released quickly, she could die."

"Then, you endure the horror a little longer, Jacob.

I'll go free Stacy off."

"W-hAt? Pardon? Can you repeat that?"

"I said, you continue being the cover."

Samael left without another word,

As Jacob had no choice but to reproduce more.

Humility felt suspicious at the back,

And in hopes to transport faster, he turned his free hand into butterflies.

He felt rather shocked to see that the original had been sweating all this time.

While Eligorr quickly saw the suspicious set of eyes.

He looked at Jacob beside him, and contemplate,

If he is simply killed, his abilities would have been such a waste.

Jegudiel tried to look for Eligorr among the crowd,

But the number of duplicates made him quite lost.

He continued to cut and slice the copies,

But they doesn't seem to end at all.

Sabrina's constant attacks is making Jacob nervous,

She was even willing to get very close.

With her long and hardened hair she kept making holes,

So she could have a lot of water,

And little space for Jacob to roam.

Just as when he was about to go away,

Humility appeared behind him.

The reaper smiled confidently,

Holding his whipclaw,

about to pierce him.

Before he could do that however,

He was met with Eligorr's sword.

"Thank you, I was just distracted,"

"No, I'm saving you for myself."

"What?"

Fear was clear in his tone.

But Eligorr just pushed Humility off.

Stumbling on the ground, the reaper groaned.

But Eligorr's focus, to Jacob, returned.

"You have good dreams, but poor executions.

You always look after Stacy, but not precisely the mission.

How could you help Lord Azazel? If you're loyal to another?

If I'm being honest, you're simply wasting, your precious power."

...

Sellena quickly recognized the voice.

So she couldn't help but turned to see.

She felt devastated still,

Seeing her brother's face, shivering in fear.

He was strangled as Eligorr deeply stares.

And despite that Jacob not being the same,

It still hurts seeing him this way.

Sellena forced herself to close her eyes,

As she heard his bone cracked,

And finally die.

Eligorr consumed the original.

Not even sorry for his partner's life.

Soon, he felt more confident of himself.

And with his aura growing more grimly,

Even Sabrina, recognized the threat.

Humility soon warned Sabrina to stay away,

Since Eligorr may be too much to bear.

But being the stubborn woman she was,

She still tried and tested her luck.

...

Lluming felt the great disturbance in the air,

And seeing that Eligorr had multiplied made him feel further depressed.

Even if he was currently using Azazel's face,

Knowing what's underneath,

Just made him deepen his breath.

"He's harming others with my brother's face.

I need to do something about it."

"But Lluming, you haven't fully-"

"This is war, Sellena.

I shouldn't be resting.

It was my fault to begin with.

If I just...listened.

Tsk. Whatever, even if I die against him,

I'll do anything, to win.

I'll set the remains of my brother free.

I'll set both of our brothers free."

Lluming finally stood up,

As Sellena couldn't help but feel touched.

Her mind then wandered on what she was able to contribute.

Surely, with whatever's happening now,

Sitting still isn't the way things should.

155 on the other hand, couldn't help but clap.

"Mr. Angel is finally going to kill that guy off,

God answered my prayer!!"

"Yes, but we may get in their way.

We should go help someone else."

"How about that woman? Fighting all by herself?

Wait...is it too risky to join her?

By that look on her face,

She's not doing too well.

Or maybe she can?

I mean...the monsters there are pretty scary,

And I don't know if I could outrun them too.

Heheh, maybe we should just stay here.

If she dies, God will take care of her soul-"

Sellena's eyes widened in horror,

Seeing just who 155 was talking about.

She quickly held the woman's hand and ran,

"That girl's Martha! And if we don't hurry, she's surely done!"

"But I'll die there! She's all alone fighting those monsters!

She's a hopeless case! This is a bad decision!"

"I'll cover you both! Don't worry about it!

I just promised myself,

I won't stand back again!"

155 gulped in guilt as she continued to look at the struggling woman.

She was skilled, but the number of her opponents were too much.

If her pace had dropped even by one,

Her head would surely by then, be crushed.

"Fine. I'm sorry, I'm still a coward.

It's just that...I've reached this far.

I'm so sorry, I don't want to die.

Not now, that I'm close to living what I wanted for a life."

155 confessed as she tightened her hold.

Sellena only looks at her,

"I promise, we'll reach the end together."

...

Martha huffed and continued to dodge,

But her hands were already bleeding,

from holding her sword too tight.

The two women were calling out to her,

But since she could no longer hear,

She barely had a clue.

Alas! After a huge monster jumped to her face,

Her sword broke when it's head was met.

She would have been nothing but a feast,

Until she saw a huge thick glass,

Seperate her from the monster's teeth.