The Village's Taboo (5)

"Arthes? That's supposed to be my name or something?" The village elder inquired.

However, his question was dismissed by the entity as it gripped onto the villager elder's throat—his windpipe being forcibly closed and restricting any air from entering his lungs.

"If you followed my orders…this wouldn't have happened." The entity leisurely spoke as he lifted the village elder off of the ground.

"But because you did…an appropriate punishment should be given to you." It continued—before promptly releasing the village elder.

"P…punishment? I don't even have anything to lose anymore…" The village elder uttered with a grin.

Ever since the day his thirst for power overwhelmed him—the village elder had been living in hell silently. He was the only person aware that most of the people he knew were nothing more than a mindless corpse with the task of imitating real human beings—in hopes to be able to blend in with society.

Even while knowing the truth—he kept it a secret from the actual humans residing in the village. His cowardice was the sole reason for his submissive behavior to the devil. But no longer could he withstand bowing down to the perpetrators that effectively ruined his beloved hometown.

At last, after many decades had passed by—he finally accumulated the courage to endeavor to end the sufferings of his fallen friends—to let their souls rest at last, and not be controlled like a puppet.

"...You truly are foolish, Arthes. You out of all people…should understand how cruel I can be." The entity coldly said as its right hand entered the shadow.

"T-That…!" The village elder mumbled—his eyes widening in horror as he witnessed his adopted daughter—Lily—being dragged out from the darkness by her head.

Bruises, cuts, and bite marks adorned her body—giving off the impression that she was tortured in advance. Her once rather beautiful face—disfigured among recognition.

Her clothes tattered—teared and roughed—barely serving the purpose of covering her body from being seen by others. A hint of melancholy and anguished filled her eyes—ready to accept her impending doom.

Yet, as she saw her father lying down with his knees on the ground—Lily had the urge to utter something to him. Alas, her endeavors were futile as the entity tightened its grip around her head—slowly but gradually crushing her skull.

Blood gushed out from her nose, ears, mouth, and even her eyes. Even so, the expression scrawled on her face was not out of pain or agony. But rather, she appeared to be in bliss—as if delighted to finally leave this forsaken life of hers.

Eventually, her head bursted into smithereens—remains of her brain scattered across the surroundings with a few of them landing on her stepfather's figure.

"Ah…what a fitting ending. Wouldn't you agree, Arthes?" The entity provoked him.

Blood dribbled down from the fingertips of the entity. Despite its facial features being shrouded in pure darkness—the village elder could sense that the entity was feeling jubilant at the loss of one of the very few people whom he truly treasured.

While he felt pessimistic after the sudden end his adopted daughter met—the village elder knew he still needed to proceed with a scheme he had been scheduling for years on end—escaping the devil's heavy surveillance everyday to set everything up just for this day.

His breathing heavy—immense pressure and anxiety weighing down on him. But no longer will the village elder sit idly. No more…will he continue letting his once peaceful town be terrorized.

Hurriedly, he tossed some type of glowing powder towards the entity. Upon impact, it suddenly combusted—a light blue glow and smoke engulfed the entity's entire figure. A grin plastered on the village elder's face, but this was merely the beginning.

As the entity tried to recover from the sudden attack—the village elder continued throwing the blue dusts at the entity while backing away to one of the abandoned houses.

By the time the smoke dispersed, the village elder had already disappeared from the entity's sight. The anger dwelling within it escalated further and soon enough—it found itself destroying houses by houses using its weapon. Debris and wooden dust were swept away with the current as he continued his search.

"Arthes! FACE ME NOW!" The entity screamed. It's voice tinged with rage—feeling exasperated as it could not find the village elder.

"Gladly." The voice of what resembled to be the village elder's said—coming from a house that was near it.

"Then die!" The entity cried out as he swung his blade with full force at the house—tattered books papers blown away by the air pressure released from the entity's strike.

Nonetheless, to its disappointment—the village elder could not be seen anywhere within the house. Only a holed out floor that seemingly stretches to the depths of hell.

"I'm right here, scum." The village elder spoke behind the entity as he pointed his cane at it.

The entity swiftly turned its body in an attempt to cut the village elder in half before he could proceed with his scheme. But it was already too late.

As it turned its head around—a shot was fired to its chest—engulfing its entire body in a blue glow as it lost balance and fell down the hole—never to be seen in light again…or at the very least, that was what the village elder hoped for.

After taking a few deep breaths—the village elder hastily backed away from the place as a massive explosion rose from the hole—creating a spectacular sight for those from afar with the prominent blue glow engulfing the smoke.

The shockwave knocked the village elder as he rolled down onto the ground—a few scratches here and there scattered across his fragile body. Yet he could not help but to smile despite how exhausted he felt, along with the injuries he sustained—feeling incredibly happy to have defeated his foe and overcoming his greatest regret.

As he laid on the ground, he looked at the starry sky that shone ever so brightly—twinkling as if celebrating his remarkable accomplishment.

'I…finally won. May you rest in peace…Lily.'

…