[88.2] Zephyr POV: Mama, Give Me Strength

[Author's note: This part of the chapter is from Zephyr's perspective.]

I stared listlessly outside the window as my mind wandered. 

Who was that person in the mask at the meeting?

Not only was Cyrus so protective of them, but he was even standing so close and continuously stealing glances. He even looked so docile!

When has that brat ever let anyone stand that close to him? He's usually disgusted when anyone else does, but Reika was the only one he let near willingly and happily.

That brat's one redeeming quality is that he inherited the everlasting love from demonkind. So there's no way it could be anyone other than Reika.

Then there's also the wood that aged under the masked person's feet, something only Reika could do. 

When I saw that dragon in the sky, I completely ignored Cyrus's orders to protect the Academy with Astra and ran to see if Reika was still asleep in bed.

But… 

Reika is still in bed.

She didn't die, did she?

No, no. She's still breathing.

So is this a decoy? Did Cyrus move on from Reika?

No. There's no way. The brat is a brat, but he's not a piece of sh*t.

So why is Reika here, but someone similar to Reika out there?

But… But what if…

Reika never belonged to that body?

Can arrivers possess bodies? Is that how it works?

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

There's also the incidence in the halls when I smelled something familiar…

I can't remember where that smell was from, but it felt so soothing and nostalgic. As soon as I caught a whiff, my entire body relaxed and I almost felt like crying.

Where was that smell from again?

"Zephyr?"

"Aaack!" I jumped with a scream. When I whipped around, I saw Astra and Billy staring at me. I recomposed myself, "What is it?"

"I thought you would be here. We need to go to the Academy. Papa said to use our illusions to help the battle while we stay near the weaklings to protect them."

"Ah… Right." I scratched my head and walked out of the room, "I guess we should hurry there."

My mind wandered as we rushed to the Academy. I tripped so many times Astra started getting concerned. She lifted a brow, "Why are you so distracted? Are you nervous about the war?"

I scratched my head awkwardly, "A.. A little, but it's not that…"

Billy leaned in, "Are you scared you'll die? Cuz you don't need to worry. I think I'm starting to understand necromancy better- AH!"

Astra smacked him over the head then turned back to face me, "Are you worried about making an illusion?"

I forced on a smile then averted my gaze from them. A butterfly flew past but my eyes disregarded it, "I don't know if I can control it."

"We've been practicing together to bring Mama back."

"You mean Reika." I furrowed my brow, "And that's different."

"It's okay. If it fails, we will be safe at the Academy and far away from the battle."

We finally arrived at the Academy and entered the main auditorium to ensure everyone else had already arrived. I saw all the civilians who were unable to fight in the war sitting in silence, too anxious to speak. They were mostly young children and those too sick to move. In the Kingdom, only the Palace and the Academy were considered safe. Since Vira's attacks have all been aimed at the Palace, it left only the Academy as the safest place to be.

Just as I was drifting off, an explosion shook the building.

Astra shouted, "An attack!?"

I nodded firmly and we ran to the roof of the Academy to get a better vantage point.

Astra gulped as she saw the Palace barrier being bombarded, "Guess we should try to help."

I held out my hand to Astra, "Let's try."

As soon as she took my hand, our eyes closed simultaneously. Billy stood behind us and whistled as a shadow suddenly grew and rushed towards the palace. If anyone saw it, they would think the Monster of one year ago had returned.

…Of course, that monster had been Reika.

Just as we expected, the other army started attacking the monster. However, their arrows and magic attacks did no damage. At first, they didn't realize it wasn't working until the illusion started going out of control.

A sudden weight pulled down my hand and all the power rushed to my forehead. As my vision distorted from the pain, I quickly dispelled the illusion before things could get worse.

"Ah! Astra!" I struggled to keep my eyes open as I held her sleeping body, "What horrible timing!"

A sweet, harmonious voice suddenly spoke as they approached, "Did you really think I would be fooled by an illusion?"

A chill crawled up my spine at this voice.

No.

There's no way.

Why is SHE here!?

I quickly shoved Astra over to Billy, "Quick. Take her and run. Evacuate everyone."

Billy paused after taking her from me, "...But what about you?"

"Someone has to distract Vira." I tried to remain cool to give him a good impression, but I was trembling uncontrollably, "Don't let me down."

Billy ran away waving without any concern, "Don't worry! If you die, I will figure out how to bring you back with necromancy!"

I sneered at him, "Little brat."

Vira laughed at me as she tilted her head to stare up at me. Even though she was lower on the ground than me, her self-appointed superiority was visible. Her eyes narrowed, "What? You're not going to try to escape?"

I paused to look at the Academy as Vira walked towards me laughing. Her sword dragged on the ground, cutting through the tiles. Everything in my body told me to run, but…

If I run…

Who will protect the children behind me?

I took a deep breath as I forced myself to face her. My fists raised as blood slowly dripped down from my missing horn. I whispered in a weak voice, "Mama… Give me strength."

As Vira launched towards me, I poured my mana into my surroundings and dodged. Her eyes widened in slight surprise to have missed me. Her body slammed into the roof, shattering several tiles.

I gulped and took a few steps back, cautious enough to make sure she didn't stab me again. I watched as she slowly straightened her back.

In a tone that held no emotion, she asked, "How did you dodge?"

"I-I am the G-Great Demon Zephyr." I gulped forcibly, "...And I'm really good at running."

A sinister grin spread across her face, "Then let's see just how fast you are."

Another chill crawled up my spine at that sight but I didn't even have time to shiver before several swords came rushing towards me as if phantoms were holding them.

"EEK!"

I changed into a fox and dodged them, but they turned around and shot back towards me. I quickly jumped down from the roof and started running.

I hopped around each of her attacks, trying to lead her away from the academy. However, she knew exactly what I was trying to do and sent more swords to reroute me.

"STOP RUNNING YOU COWARD!"

I wanted to cry as I shouted back, "I-I'm no coward! I'm the Great Zephyr! GAH!"

A sword pierced the ground beside me, nearly shaving off the fur from my tail.

I cried out, "Y-You old cranky a** b*cth! My fur is precious!!!"

"FOUL FOX!"

She sent another barrage of swords, some managed to superficially cut me, but I was able to avoid being sliced completely. I panted from the effort as I held the stinging cuts.

Scary scary scary!!!

Why is this woman so scary!?!

I cried out in a whine, "Women are supposed to be gentle!!! What's wrong with you!?"

She let out a frustrated grunt and intensified her attacks, "I haven't even shown you how gentle I can get!"

"Aiya! What is wrong with you, woman!? How can you be so unhappy when the place where you belong is right there!?"

She paused her attacks to see where I was pointing, only to see a trash can.

I snickered, "You belong in the dumpster like the trash you are~"

"ARRRRGH!"

Her attacks grew more furious and disordered, but this made her even more dangerous. 

I have to try-

My eyes turned vibrantly red as pain exploded across my vision. I ignored it and delved into her mind, searching for any memory to use against her.

I shouted once more, "No wonder your boyfriend cheated on you!!! You're too fierce!"

"SHUT UP! YOU SALACIOUS BEAST! TRASH! WORTHLESS! BASTARD! YOU VULGAR CREATURE!!"

Just a little more time-

"How dare you call me a vulgar creature!" I stuck out my tongue, "You're the one saying such foul language."

This elicited another fearsome attack from her. As a ball of light came rushing toward me, I let out a scream and dove into a hole in the ground. The wall beside me broke apart and tumbled down on top of me. I clawed my way out of the hole breathing heavily.

A sword was pointed at my face, "Finally cornered like the rat you are."

I lifted my head as blood poured down from my missing horn.

There!

That's the memory!!

I took a deep breath, "P-Please let this work-"

Before she swung the sword, the scenario changed.