Speck of Light (Part 2)

"DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE..."

Who wouldn't shiver at the sight?

That's why we stepped back, until we felt safe from the stray attacks that had already destroyed buildings around us.

Who would have thought Sarah had such terrifying anger, to the point of losing control like this? No matter how many times we called her, she kept mercilessly pounding on Mech.

So now, all we do is face the residents who have turned into monsters.

Sheila said that it's impossible for them to return to how they were. Souls touched by darkness will never be clean again.

But, for some reason, I believe they can still come back.

Maybe this is my way of not feeling too guilty about what happened.

Even so, I want to bring them back. I have to take responsibility. I can't just leave them like this, especially after seeing Sheila cry for her little brother who also changed.

While the four of them faced the creatures using electric rifles to keep them from dying, the three of us hurriedly visited Sheila's Mansion, which was quite far from here.

It was already challenging enough to deal with these creatures that seemed to have endless energy even when using powers. It became even harder when we could only hit or kick them away without killing them.

Sheila repeatedly said that it's okay to kill them and that this was not my fault but the fault of the World Devourer's followers.

No, I couldn't accept that.

This is my fault, and I promise to make it right.

Sheila gave me a weak smile and said, "Thank you" in response.

The journey to the Mansion had to be taken using Glory to avoid them. I created a large sled that could fit the three of us, gliding on the fast-moving waves of ice.

I also made sure that none of the ice had sharp edges to avoid hurting them. I made it smooth and slippery so they couldn't climb or chase after us.

For those who managed to climb thanks to their sharp claws, they were kicked and pounded by the two women behind, ensuring none of them could disturb us again.

Once we arrived there, the Mansion looked as if it had just been struck by a storm.

Every glass was shattered, its shards scattered below. Cracks lined the walls, looking like they could crumble with even the slightest touch. Large claw marks were present, making us worried about Nana's safety.

Sheila shouted her name, so worried that she ran off, leaving us behind.

Celine called out, intending to stop Sheila, who suddenly disappeared behind the large double doors ahead.

We ran to catch up, hoping that there were no monsters inside or Sheila could be in danger. But as we passed through, we were greeted by a spacious room that I never imagined could exist here.

I hadn't paid much attention to Sheila's Mansion before because I had something much more important to think about. If only I knew there was such a beautiful room, maybe I would have spent more time inside it than in the garden.

It's a shame that this room has also lost its beauty.

The shattered glass lay scattered below, cracks visible everywhere. The chandelier was now a mess, fallen from above. We walked past it, with Celine on the left and myself on the right when suddenly we heard a loud scream from the room ahead.

We rushed inside, kicking the door open, and found Sheila standing, covering her mouth, watching a little child who now shared the same fate as the monsters outside.

That hair, face, and eyes no longer held warmth and light...

Nana.

The little girl, who had undergone a transformation, now stood in the corner, growling at us like a wild animal. Her body trembled with fear, ready to pounce if any of us took a step closer.

Sheila sobbed, unable to bear seeing her little sister now also changed like them.

I put my hand on her shoulder, and Sheila suddenly embraced me tightly, shedding tears.

Celine stood beside us, reflexively covering her nose and mouth with both hands, unable to bear seeing the little child in front of her. All the monsters we had encountered so far seemed to be at least 17 years old; there were no children among them.

That also raised a question.

Where were the ones aged 16 and below?

I gently stroked Sheila's hair, trying to calm her down. Then, I noticed something in the sharp gaze of the little girl.

Nana slowly approached, curious about the sound of her older sister, who was now in tears. As Sheila turned after feeling her presence, Nana quickly stepped back, worried that we might do something to her.

Sheila was taken aback, moving down and crouching while extending her hand forward. In her heart, she hoped her sister still had some consciousness, even if it was just a little.

Nana came closer again, observing the familiar yet distant expression on Sheila's face. Memories started to play, turning into blurry images that she couldn't quite comprehend.

But that voice...

The voice that was calling her now...

"Nana... It's me, Sheila. Your sister. Do you remember me, Nana?" she said gently.

Nana kept approaching, reaching out to her sister's hand due to the growing curiosity, then stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened as she felt the blurry memories slowly becoming clear.

She could feel the same warmth from those memories.

Her eyes began to return to normal, revealing a pair of beautiful and warm eyes that now seemed to shine under the sunlight, with tears in her eyelids.

"S-Sheila?"

Unable to hold back any longer, Sheila pulled her close, embracing her tightly as tears streamed down her face once again.

Tears of joy.

Celine approached, dropping her head on my shoulder and let out a sigh of relief.

I could feel it not far below, her fingers reaching for mine as I opened my hand, allowing our fingers to interlock, providing comfort to each other.

As soon as Sheila withdrew from her little sister, she caressed her tiny head again, the head slightly tilted to the side, observing me carefully, trying to remember who the man in front of her was.

"Z!!"

Hearing that, my smile widened.

I come down, extending my arms, and she immediately leaped into them, embracing me tightly. "Welcome back, Nana," I said softly while gently stroking her head.

Nana giggled, pulled away, and looked at Celine beside me. "Does Z have a second wife?"

"Nana!" Sheila took her little sister, pinching her cute cheeks that still felt cold. "Don't say things like that. Her name is Celine, and she is Z's partner."

Although Sheila tried to appear normal in front of Nana, I could see that she was trying to hold back her sadness after feeling the coldness in her little sister's body, indicating that she had not fully returned yet.

"Isn't Sheila and Z's partner? Sheila's face always turns red whenever she talks with Z," she said innocently.

Sheila looked at Celine, quickly shaking her head with a nervous smile. "No, it's not like that. Forgive Nana, she's still young and doesn't understand anything."

"But Sheila once told Nana that Sheila li- mmm mmm mmm... MMM!"

Sheila kept her hand there, not intending to let her little sister speak further. But I could feel her gaze on me, trying to make sure that I heard what Nana said.

Of course, I pretended not to know.

But there was another piercing gaze that made me want to escape from here as soon as possible.

Celine placed her right hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed it. "We need to get out of here right away. I'm sure your four 'crew' members need help," she said, deliberately emphasizing the word 'crew.'

"Haha, you're right. We need to get bAAACK!"

I looked up and found Celine smiling warmly, a smile that made me eager to return it as soon as I got the chance.

Sheila observed it all and cleared her throat a few times. She stood up, holding Nana's hand, who looked confused and didn't understand the unfamiliar atmosphere in the room. "Celine is right, we should leave now. 'Our' crew might need help."

My eyes widened reflexively.

I looked at her and saw a sharp grin with a challenging gaze directed at Celine.

Being caught between two women now staring at each other with fiery determination, I felt like I was in the middle of a clash between a tiger and a cheetah.

Over there, I thought Nana might feel the same way too.

But surprisingly, she smiled meaningfully at me, like a snake ready to strike when the opportunity arises.

"Ahh... It seems like she understands everything," Z said.

I know that's Z, you don't have to explain it to me.

"Celine will have a hard time now. Sheila has a supporter," she said.

Why would she have a hard time? Did I ever say that Sheila would be my partner?

"Stop lying to yourself, Zent. I know you want her too. I am you, remember?"

It doesn't mean I will just let go of Celine like that.

"Did I ever say you should let her go?"

You mean..

Z nodded with a wide grin adorning his face. "Yes, that's right, Zent."

You pervert.

"Hehe."