Chapter 92: Living in Prayers

The silence was almost deafening, watching the sand bleed out such red liquid. Talus would be the first to react, terrified as he was, as he'd try to run and jump as high as he could to reach the mounds that reigned high. "NO!! NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!! PLEASE! NO, PLEASE GOD!! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! MAXILLA!!! MAXILLAAAAAAAA!!" The man screamed desperately, having his movements halted by Meso himself, holding down his shoulder, as an attack was planned when the man approached the creation, with Stolas using its very hands to try and crush the Elite down amidst the dunes. His life was spared, yet he couldn't stop regretting every single emotion upon his body. He was physically trembling, tears dribbling out of his face, leaking from his goggles outwards, slamming his fists within the sands, as Meso took charge as the focus for the trio. "It should've been me....IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME!! WHY IS IT HER!? WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT!?!? WHY?!?! IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME!! NOT HER!!! GOD, WHY!?!? WHY DO YOU-" His words were halted by Meso grabbing his shoulder once more, holding him steady, with Talus looking up in fear, nay, in despair of the situation.

"Do not waver.....Do not falter....Do not regret....Do not feel Somber.....Her will was sound, and we must oblige by it." Meso's words were just as calm, and just as collected, much to the dismay of Talus

"YOU MEAN SHE WANTED TO DIE!?! ARE YOU MAD-"

"She would feel regret.....if one of us took her fall instead." His words hit like iron to Talus, as Meso maintained his ground against the new threats, with Zazel using his Sigils to fight back, allowing Stolas and Eligos to swarm and overwhelm him, whilst the Younger Stolas went up close and personal to fight the Sand Reaper. A Collection of blows made from the Younger Stolas was launched, aiming towards the wounds caused by their previous bout, not to inflict further pain, but rather to serve as a distraction for his Demonic Counterpart to swat him down like a fly, watching it as its beak opened up to expel such similar stardust he wields, watching it form and contort itself into weapons of varying sizes and shapes. Eligos would release the sand-like mound and travel across the dunes to reach towards Meso, hoping to pin him down in a similar predicament, preventing further movement from happening. Such a plan was going smoothly, with Meso struggling to pick up which to evade first, as he'd easily recognize that every other attack can be a lethal push to his side

SHIKK

A strike. Right across Stolas' heart, penetrated without the slightest weight holding it back, a weapon out of bone that was buried amidst the sand, now resurfaced to strike at the most opportune time. The Younger Stolas clutched the bone tightly, spilling out stardust and letting it invade his wound, allowing the blood to still transfer through such dust despite the severity. Meso took advantage of this by focusing his attention to evade the two Demons, all while Talus witnessed such events unfold. Ennio and Zazel would strike at the bone by their specific means, with Ennio blasting it down with bullets, sharpening them to be like blades, while Zazel incinerated it with Asmodeus, freeing his friend and having him manage the wound easier. He coughed up blood and struggled to stay upright, yet he was somehow still alive, much to the shock of the Demon. Ennio was quick in having the minerals that resided in whatever was left from the bone to heal the injury, with Stolas straining as it grew and bent itself for such a process. A Living hell to experience, yet one he would gladly take if it means staying alive.

Meso remained just as impressed, but more importantly, was content with the events, allowing Talus to see the truth: Sacrum's bones were still being animated. Maxilla was still alive, or at the very least, made sure to keep her conscious enough to cast her magic, to ensure they will live. Talus was unable to speak when he saw such a miracle. His very heart was beating like mad, his palms were being sweaty from the stress. They were really still fighting. Even after this amount of pain. Even after this amount of pure suffering, they choose to still fight on. He himself would feel outclassed, looking down and wondering if he is capable of going forward. A voice still spoke to him, like a father, to calm the man. "Do not Waver...Do not Falter.....Do not Regret...do not feel Somber...." The Reaper would state once more. He would be focused on evading and defending against Stolas and Eligos, using the minerals within the sand to drag the very seal itself down, curving the sands to let it be trapped, as well as making it act as quicksand to trap the Goetia Demon that reigns above. It would counter by creating more weapons, as well as scattering the space debris to close off any evasion routes, yet instead, Meso would barrel through the debris, being injured in the process, yet still showing his resolve to stay alive. Talus would watch this, full of confusion, of wonder, of worry if he himself can accomplish it.

Footsteps were being made nearby, the Elite looking over to see Ennio try to deal with the man, whilst Zazel and Stolas remained on the backfoot, both to heal his injury amidst his heart, and to maintain the Demons. There was no further elaboration. He had a role to play, and to dismiss that role, meant nothing short than death to his eyes. He'd get up, and would get in Ennio's way, being in front of the Cowboy. "Let me guess, You're gonna brag again?" The man would ask. The Elite merely shook his head to act as his answer.

"No. I realize that I was being a fool. I shouldn't speak anymore. I shouldn't Lie anymore. What good does a man if he cannot accept a fault? I will not bend anymore. I will not succumb. I am an Elite for a reason, and to turn back against my friends...no, my Family....That in itself is a Fool's choice." Ennio would hear these words, finally seeing his resolve. He couldn't help but give a smile, as he'd arm himself with his guns.

"Finally....you're now understanding what it means to be a Man. Don't break that vow now, Talus." His words struck like iron as well, with the Elite opening his hands, staring down at the cowboy, his eyes looking as if he has seen a thousand wars play before him. Their resolve was unmatched.

A True testament to be in the World of Man.