Chapter 237: ALONE

"Are you alright, Martha? Were you hurt?"

Sellena asked, as she prayed her barrier would stop breaking more.

But Martha could no longer hear her,

Nor focus on whatever was currently happening to them that point.

She tried to look at her face,

To utter a thank you at least.

But her vision had started to sway,

And with her adrenaline gone now,

She couldn't help but pass out.

She dropped her sword the moment she had closed her eyes,

But before she fell to the dirty ground, was caught by 155.

The woman who caught her, was still scared when she saw her hands,

Who were bleeding, with a few flesh hanging out.

"Oh my God."

"This woman is already weak,

How can we take her away from here?"

The panicky woman asked Sellena once again,

Who couldn't focus at the moment,

making her companion more afraid.

Sellena yelled in pain as she felt her barrier breaking,

Her hands felt too hot, tired from the energy she's releasing.

Her red-brown hair suddenly turned into a redder shade,

Scaring 155, as she watch Sellena change.

Her eyes turned green and white markings began to appear,

And she swore when she spoke again, it was a male's that she could hear.

"Don't you have faith?"

When he didn't get any immediate response,

He shifted his focus on the monster peering back.

His eyes looked at the creature, and he teasingly smirked,

Making the beast shake, and retreat his once locking jaws.

The monster continued to shiver when he effortlessly rewound his broken barrier.

And seeing the way 'he' handled the situation, 155 knew it wasn't her.

Whoever was residing on her body right now, knew what's going on,

Because even with more monsters heading towards them, the expression remained calm.

"Lady, I know you are very scared with what's happening,

But for the sake of my mobility, I need you to follow where I'm going.

If we stay here, we'd only be overwhelmed,

If we go to the right, we can get help."

"Who are you?" 155 asked, curious and worried of her friend.

So the entity smiled, "I'll take care of her body very well."

"But when will she come back?"

"She just needs a rest.

I'm going to give her back soon,

When the situation is more safe."

155 nodded and gave him her trust,

As she forced Martha to finally wake up.

The woman felt quite embarrassed,

Seeing she had slept despite the ongoing war.

"I'm sorry!"

"It's alright, but...we better catch up,"

Martha groggily stood, and with the entity's lead,

Followed him through.

Both of them saw how strong the barrier could be.

How fast the new user was, and how unique he uses his skills.

Despite being in a woman's body, he treated it as if it was his own,

Showing no hint of discomfort,

Making Martha believe it was her.

It takes a blink to evade attacks,

It takes a second to remake the barrier.

It takes a breath to push a monster flying,

Making the two women feel like rejoicing.

"Hurry up! You two!" The entity said, quite annoyed.

But suddenly, he felt his eyes grow worried,

Noticing that the white marks were all fading.

He cursed under his breath,

Noting that if it'd take any longer,

The host will be dead.

"Sellena, you better...

You better know how to survive..."

He says hopefully, worried of his descendant,

But after reminding himself of her bravery,

He accepted he can't assist her all the time.

He prayed, prayed very much that she quickly learns,

Prayed very much that her body could endure.

He also apologized under his breath,

Apologized for having her suffer such fate.

He closed his eyes,

Sorry for everything his past self had done.

If only he understand a little better,

Perhaps things won't be as worse as now.

He finally left her, after knowing that time was up,

Making Sellena take over, to everyone's surprise.

Sellena was also shocked of the sudden sight she saw,

Knowing well, they weren't there before.

But she had no choice but to do her best,

And so she continued protecting them, even with her lesser skills.

She kept enduring the burning palms of hers,

And kept pushing through.

She was not as composed as the man before,

But with her burning faith,

carried on.

Soon, Zeharah saw them from afar,

And didn't have to think twice.

"They're the only ones there! Abaddon, could you aid us?"

The one she meant only agreed, and quickly accompanied her to do his task.

It was great convenience that no ally were there,

So he could unleash his power, none would have time to prepare.

By the time Sellena's team were under Zeharah's barrier,

Abaddon's eyes were removed from the cloth.

It only took a matter of minutes,

Before everything who saw him started disappearing.

Soon, Abaddon have to forcibly blink,

Sensing that his allies are just of reach.

He fought with his pole as the monsters ran up to him,

And with their incredible speed and stamina, pinning them posed a problem.

Abaddon called out his wife, Aza, to repel the monster's attack.

And the obedient woman arrived quickly, promising to watch over his back.

Sellena could only envy the teamwork the couple had.

And quickly felt insecure, of her own skills and attacks.

If only she wasn't that weak, perhaps she could fight with Asmo and protect him the same,

But until then, she had to stay away.

She sighed, as 155 comforted the lady.

Mar did the same, saying they might be another way.

Sellena's eyes widened, as a quick realization hit her,

"What if we lure all the monsters on one hole?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't hear."

Martha said, as the others then noticed her bleeding ears.

Sellena quickly rips a part of her sleeves,

And began cleaning the blood on her ears.

Zeharah, who overheard Sellena's idea however,

Smiled widely, "Idea considered."

She continued to rise her arm as she made her barrier thicker,

Then closed her eyes, to call her beloved brother.

Her brother, who was in the middle of the battlefield,

Soon communicated with the other angels.

Abaddon, also heard the message,

And agreed very much, since it's easier to destroy them by then.

Trumpets could be heard, and the skies thundered again,

Agreeing that a hole, be made on the center.

The skies rumbled, and shot out a flame,

That shocked even the demons, who had saw what happened.

The angels then unite, in luring the monsters to the hole,

But truth be told, not all of them followed.

Martha pointed at the monsters scratching one of the towers,

And soon they saw, that some people were in trouble.

"They might have escaped when their guards joined for battle,

Or perhaps just a lure, so the monsters would be too distracted."

Martha said, as 155 recognized some maidens.

"Those aren't prisoners, those are slaves."

Martha's eyes soon spotted a child,

Carried by one of the maidens, who kept raising her other hand.

Her heart soon sank, knowing what will be their fate,

If ever they had not helped in any way.

...

Many angels volunteered to keep the hole sealed,

And only opened whenever more monsters are lured to its deep,

But seeing how some of them decided to scratch on the tower,

Couldn't help but feel that they're still in big trouble.

Some angels are shot because of the height they're in,

Since protecting the barrier was all they could be.

Such scene infuriates Zeharah to the core,

Telling Martha not to help anymore.

"Sir Abaddon, go forth to the hole.

If not, they may not be able to seal it anymore."

The angel did what was told.

But Martha's gaze never left the tower.

"Let me go."

She uttered softly, as Zeharah froze.

"Are you joking? You'll just die and Ken would only despise me for it.

You should analyze at least the realism."

But Martha could only crumple her fists.

She was not able to hear what Zeharah said,

But she knew the angel did not allow her for it.

Still, she pities the situation those slaves are in,

They were used, as nothing but bait.

Soon, Martha readies her stance,

Aiming to break Zeharah's shield.

"Oi! Don't even think about it!"

"Angel of mercy, please help me."

Her sincere kindness surprised the angel,

But going out there, could be a death sentence.

"I have faith." Martha added,

And with her eyes still looking at the victims,

Zeharah nodded.

155 soon threw the explosions to distract some monsters,

As Sellena continued to protect her.

Before they fully part ways though,

She held Martha's hand and prayed they be successful.

Some monsters were distracted by the noise,

And thus, followed the duo.

Soon, Zeharah was able to reach the tower,

Flying with Martha, who've never been that higher.

When they arrived, she begged Martha to read her lips.

Which Martha tried to, despite the difficulty.

Slowly, Zeharah spoke.

Hoping that she understand every word.

"I'll fight off the monsters,

You figure out a safer way for the humans to go out to.

I contacted my brother to fetch you once you broke my feather,

So only do so, when you're in a safer situation."

Zeharah handed her a single feather,

Which Martha quickly hid on her uniform.

For the last time, Zeharah asked if she understood her,

To which Martha, in her relief, answered.

Soon, the angel bid well and blessed her.

Hoping she would be saved from the dangers.

Martha was then embraced by the slaves,

Who were all but shaking from the stress.

Martha was surprised to see her hand had healed,

And thought that Zeharah was responsible for it.

She analyzed the place and drew her sword,

Wary that some demons may still be on board.

She asked the maids to speak with the words more emphasized,

Since she could not hear anymore,

And even asked them if they could write.

Soon, the maids pointed out that there are a lot of demons downstairs,

But if they continue to go up,

They'd meet Azazel.

Martha could not remember the name very well,

Due to the many distractions, and the overwhelming stress.

She soon recalled the demon responsible for Ken's change,

And soon realized, it was the brutal fallen angel.

She tried to think of which better choice must be done.

If they go downstairs and get noticed, Azazel would still be notified.

But if Azazel's chamber was reached,

Then they would all...surely die.

Martha couldn't help but pray that someone would aid them,

Or alone she'll fight.