[80.2] Alora POV: You Can't Save Them All

****DISCLAIMER: This chapter involves murder, gore, forced birth, and other traumatizing scenarios that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.******

…A year later…

"...Alora."

My eyes opened, reflecting the moon shining down relentlessly.

The Holy Goddess's cursed hair shimmered in the moonlight and her eyes were unnaturally bright, just like an animal staring out in the darkness at its prey. She was wiping her blade despite not needing to.

Her voice was soft, just like a honeyed whisper, "Your role is crucial to this plan. While the Great Fairy comes after us, your job is to destroy the barrier and kill all of her demonic spawn inside while we fight her off."

Orphelio added, "You're forbidden to touch my darling pup. You must subdue him in any way possible without killing him."

The Holy Goddess nodded in agreement, "That's right. Only he is allowed to survive. I don't care what it takes. You must complete this, do you understand?"

I gave a nod.

A few priestesses suddenly appeared and kneeled before her, "The three demons are on their way back."

She stood up, her blade singing for blood, "Such disgrace. They can't even move in the light and must rely on the night to hide. How fitting for their cursed species."

The priestesses spoke in unison, "What are your orders?"

She spoke without emotion, "Wait until the ambush spot and kill them."

As they disappeared, The Holy Goddess went to follow but paused.

"Alora. You are to kill the Great Fairy and her children." She turned her head to look at me, her blue eyes terrifyingly bright, "...Or die trying."

I clenched my jaw and gave a nod.

As she left, Orphelio spoke to me with distaste, "Come."

I stood up and followed him out of our camp.

As I followed, I could hear the screams and desperate fighting.

I purposely blocked out the words and emotions behind them.

As I arrived at the ambush spot with Orphelio, my eyes wavered as I saw two lifeless men on the ground, surrounded by blood. A pregnant woman with a terrible burn scar on half her face was sobbing as she held her large stomach.

My pupils dilated.

They can't be-

The Holy Goddess waved her hand, "Kill her."

A flash of my comrade crossed my vision and I took a step forward, prepared to defend the stranger.

However, Orphelio grasped my shoulder, breaking it within his grip.

I let out a pained breath, gritting my teeth as I felt my body held back.

He glared at me before turning to the Holy Goddess with his sh*t grin, "My Goddess. I know we are in a rush, but what if we spare her? Let's just kill her baby instead."

The woman's face fell in horror, "W-What!?"

No!

I didn't mean-

As he raised his sword to stab her stomach, I quickly shouted out, "NO!"

He turned to me, his eyes red with rage. He tilted his head with a smile that sent shivers down my spine, "What do you mean 'no'?"

I quickly fell to my knees in a bow, ignoring the freezing fear trying to take over. I spoke in a calm voice, "I have a suggestion. This woman appears far enough along that the baby should survive an extraction. This child can be our trump card."

The Holy Goddess held up a hand to Orphelio to stop him. She stared down at me with cold eyes, "Go on."

I continued, "We can hide this child from the Great Fairy and make her believe that the child is dead. Then, if we are ever in dire straits, we can use this baby against her. The Great Fairy places a huge importance on this demon. She would do anything to get the baby back and she would never harm it even if it was raised to kill her."

The Holy Goddess mulled over my words and then turned to Orphelio, "Do you want it?"

His eyes narrowed as his grin grew larger, "I want it."

I felt an air of relief leave my mouth.

Orphelio motioned to the Priestesses, "Hold her down while I cut."

I can't save her, but at least the baby is safe.

An ear-piercing wail echoed throughout the woods, causing my chest to churn in horror. Orphelio started cutting as the others held her down. No matter how hard she tried to escape, they were too strong and she was too weak. I couldn't handle watching and stared at the ground at my feet, trying to ignore the torment she was enduring.

I'm sorry.

Her screams turned to cries as she gave up and begged for her child.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Orphelio finally finished, holding a baby that cried weakly for its mother.

The Holy Goddess gave him a look, "Happy?"

He grinned, "Happy!"

The woman spat out blood as her face twisted horrifyingly. She knew she was going to die from blood loss and that her living child would be given to the enemy as an item to be used against her beloved Great Fairy.

Her scars tightened as she shrieked in agony, "Holy Goddess. I give you a curse! You will have a life full of suffering and everything will be taken from you slowly! You will feel the pain of losing the very thing you desire most! When only your life remains, it will get ripped from you by your own child!"

As the curse jolted to the Holy Goddess, she merely slapped it away as if it were a fly. Her lips snarled, "Disgusting creature. Your demonic curses don't work on me."

As she casually turned away, I felt a sudden hatred pierce my chest.

I let down my defenses, allowing it inside. I knew exactly what it was, but I didn't fight it.

The thing it wanted was already planted deep within my soul.

My eyes were lowered as resentment and hatred ripped through my chest.

I hate her.

I hate her.

I hate the Holy Temple.

I hate Holy magic.

I hate all of them.

I want them to suffer.

I want them to die.

I want them all to die.

Orphelio glanced at me, but since I didn't change my facial expression, he slowly looked away.

Before a priestess could kill the woman who made the curse, a black streak of lightning burst from the sky, electrocuting her body. A single whisper escaped her lips as the backlash traveled through her body.

"One day… I will burn you alive… Just like the witch you are…"

As her final breath left, I noticed a pair of ears twitch.

I sprinted forward, stabbing my holy dagger into the heart of the demon lying face down.

Orphelio looked at me in explanation, "Alora?"

I turned away from the body, trying to hide my anxiety, "The panther demon wasn't dead."

"Hmmm."

I tried to refrain from sweating as he glanced at the dagger. To my relief, he looked away.

"Alora. When will you stop the mercy killings? At least learn how to play around."

"Yes…"

The Holy Goddess waved her hand, "Forget about it. Let's leave quickly. That d*mn mutt of yours has probably already alerted the Great Fairy. It's not part of the plan to get caught yet."

As we walked away, I didn't dare turn back to look at the panther demon.