Connection

-----Fabian's POV

It was great to see Ilfa again, but I for sure didn't expect all of that to happen. Ever since she held her hand against my cheek, not just my cheek, but my whole body feels hot, almost painful in a way despite there not being any wounds. She said that this will protect me, so then why is it causing me this much pain? My chest feels incredibly tight, almost making it hard to breathe at times.

Rina: "Fabian?"

And of course, Rina looks at me in concern as she gently wipes the beads of sweat that has formed on my forehead with a wash cloth.

Rina: "What's wrong?"

Fabian: "I-I don't know."

It's such a strange sensation. It's not even a consistent pain either as it comes in different waves of intensities. But what is consistent is that all the pain is focused directly in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Rina: "Wait right here. I'll go and talk to-"

Fabian: "Ah- Wait."

Just then, the pain slowly dies down, allowing me to take a deep breathe after so long. Was all that pain just now the magic activating? I know some magic needs to be built up, so maybe it's something like that.

Fabian: "I... think I'm fine now."

Rina: "You sure?"

Fabian: "Mm."

I say that, yet I can still feel that lingering pain in my chest, but it's nothing to worry about I think. I trust Ilfa a lot after being with her for so long, and with her visit just now, I trust her a whole lot more. Before, I was thinking about whether I would be under some sort of spell from Ilfa, but the way she just came in here and asked for permission to use magic on me makes me think that she'd never do something like that to me. That thought brings a smile to my face, knowing that my trust in Ilfa wasn't misplaced.

Rina: "I'm glad. Then what should we do?"

Fabian: "I kind of want to rest for a bit. My body still feels a bit weird after that."

Rina: "Okay."

-----Ilfa's POV

After finally calming down, I make my way to the cities walls with Tarifa. With that army approaching, I deemed it necessary to have both of us here instead of having Tarifa watching over that boy.

Tarifa: "Aren't you going to bring that hostage?"

Ilfa: "I changed my mind."

Tarifa: "What?"

Ilfa: "I said I changed my mind. I'm not using him like that."

I quickly shut down Tarifa's questioning as I stare out over the walls. I can sense that the army is close, probably in that city just nearby. Honestly is a lot more closer than I thought. Also, I didn't notice this before, but they also appear to have a wyvern with them. It shouldn't be a problem as long as we deal with it fast enough, but it'll prove to be a nuisance.

Ilfa: "Have everyone post up behind the west, south, and north gates. Kill anything that passes through. Also have Sweyn deal with that wyvern."

Tarifa: "Understood."

With that, Tarifa vanishes from my sight as I continue staring off from the west side. I can feel that vampire's presence from all the way here. I can feel my body growing nervous already. I know I should be using Fabian in this situation, I mean his entire purpose was to be used against that vampire, so then why am I so against that idea now?

I take a deep breath, trying to wash away my nerves as I soon get into position. Looking around, I see everyone from all different species are gathered around, all waiting in anticipation for their arrival.

-----Leon's POV

Honestly, this wooden house is quite a lot bigger than I first thought. I would be panicking if it wasn't for the fact that every door seems to be unlocked from the outside. There's also food laid out on one of the tables which I ate to moisten my throat. It's still weird to no longer feel hunger or the need to sleep, but I'm glad that I can still taste the juiciness from these apples.

But after taking a couple apples with me, I soon find myself at a door that's different than the other ones. I go to open the door, expecting for it to be locked, but it surprisingly opened with little to no resistance. And the first thing I saw as the door opened, was a beautiful landscape stretched out before me as the gust of win blows through the house, causing my eyes to flinch and my hair blowing past my face. The grass was bright green, almost blinding me for a moment. The trees surrounding the meadow in a circular shape just made the grass that much impactful. And in the next instant, my legs moved on their own as I ran forward, running through the meadow as the long grass tickles my feet while I take in a deep breath of the fresh air.

After running for several minutes, I end up collapsing on the ground as I stare up into the sky, letting the grass engulf me in it's warmth. Laughter breaks out of me at the feeling of finally being free. I've been cooped up in that dungeon for so long that my body just can't take it any longer as all I can do right now is laugh at it all.

I remain on my back like that for several more minutes before finally sitting up. I look back at the wooden house and just smile. Wait... But then, where am I? I survey the area once more, but all I can see are trees surrounding this meadow I'm in. I don't remember there being a place like this in Inasdale. Sure I was knocked unconscious back when Lucien was defeated, so I shouldn't just presume I'm still in Inasdale, but then that leaves me with another question.

Leon: "Fabian..."

Is he also somewhere in this meadow? I honestly find that hard to believe. Also who lives in that house? There's apples there and a lot of other foods as well, but none of them were spoiled, which leads me to believe that it's owner must be around here, yet I see no sign of them.

Just then, that same distortion happens as I look back at the house. The roof bent in unnatural ways, causing the ripple-like effects to spread to the rest of the house, the same thing that happened back in that dungeon. I slowly walk back up to the house as I place my hands on the door of the house which is also distorting.

Leon: "This, isn't real?"

In the next instant, the house shattered into pieces before the shards quickly turn into dust. The dust soon spread to the meadow, infecting everything in it's path, creating even more dust. I was afraid the dust would also consume me, but I still remain intact. I watch as the dust soon spreads even to the trees as the dust quickly climbs up to the tree tops and soon even climbing into the sky until the whole world was covered. I end up covering my eyes as the dust quickly rains down upon me, obscuring my vision, but when the dust clears and I open my eyes, I find myself in a completely new area, or should I say, cell.

?: "Oh? It's about time you finally woke up."

Leon: "Y-you..."

I find myself strapped to a wooden board, restricting all of my limbs as I'm forcefully spread out like some sort of torture machine. No, this was a torture machine. Just the look on the black haired demon reminds me of everything she did to me. Violating me every day for it's pleasure no matter what I did. But I'm stronger now... I agreed to this stupid contract because of monsters like this.

Black: "Now that you're up, lets-"

Just as the demon approaches me, I snap off the metal shackles that attach my body to the board before immediately throwing everything I can against the demon, however she managed to escape my barrage of light magic even at this close of a range. I knew she was powerful, but to think she was prepared for that kind of surprise attack...

Black: "That isn't a nice way to treat a lady."

Leon: "You're no lady."

Black: "Fufu."

She tries to restrict me once again, casting a black whip of sorts, aiming directly for my neck, but I manage to erect a barrier just in time, repelling the demon's attack as it sends a massive shockwave through the room.

Black: "Huh?"

She probably thought her attack would shatter my barrier just like the other times, so I take this moment of confusion to launch another barrage of light magic at her. She tries to dodge, but a few of my slices does manage to collide with her body as her blood splashes on the walls.

Black: "Tch"

She once again tries to attack back, creating bright red flames in her hands, but I quickly send two light shards at her arms, slicing them off completely, just like the time when Lucien managed to cut her arm off. Seeing the sight of this demon now armless fills me with joy, knowing that I'm at least on par with someone like Lucien. But also knowing that I'm now the one completely dominating this monster.

It's eyes look at me in fear, those same eyes that use to look at me like I was a piece of meat. I walk closely over to the demon as it ends up falling back on itself, and with no arms to support it's fall, her back completely hits the ground as she tried to scurry away with her legs. I take the moment to stomp on her ankle, squashing her leg into the ground as she ends up screaming in pain. I can't help but let out a chuckle as I move up to her face, taking a moment to bend down so I can get a better look at it's face. Her shaky eyes fills me pleasure as I continue to stare into them for a few moments before sticking a blade of light into her throat. I continue to stare as I watch her desperately try and breathe, choking on her own blood all the while before finally cutting off her head from her shoulders, causing her head to fly across the room and smash into the wall.

Leon: "Finally..."