Ch 36: You'll Pay

Cecilia sprinted through the war-torn streets, her heart hammering against her ribs. Smoke and dust choked the air, screams echoed from every direction, but she didn't stop—not when she knew Brianna was fighting alone.

"Please, let her be okay. Please."

She whispered the prayer over and over in her mind as she pushed herself faster, her instincts screaming that she was already too late. The destruction around her blurred as she activated "Aqua Stride", a skill that wove the element of water around her legs, making her two times faster than usual. Each step barely touched the ground before she propelled herself forward again.

Then she saw it—the evacuation center, a barely standing structure surrounded by panicked civilians. And at the center of the chaos stood Brianna.

Cecilia's breath caught.

Brianna was injured. Blood ran down her back from a deep gash, staining her clothes, and her breathing was uneven. But despite the pain, Brianna stood firm, shielding something in her arms.

A baby.

Cecilia almost stumbled in shock.

But before she could process anything, a massive demon loomed behind Brianna, its grotesque claws raised, ready to strike.

"No—"

Cecilia moved instantly. Her hands blurred as she pulled her bow from her back and nocked an arrow. Mana surged through her veins as she whispered, "Tide Piercer."

The arrow shimmered, its tip coated with condensed water mana that could tear through steel. She let it fly.

The arrow struck the demon's chest with a deafening boom. A violent wave of pressurized water erupted upon impact, forcing the beast to stagger backward. But it wasn't dead.

Cecilia didn't wait to see the aftermath—she dashed toward Brianna, gripping her shoulder.

"Are you insane? What are you spacing out for? You're—" She stopped mid-sentence, her gaze dropping to the tiny bundle in Brianna's arms. "Wait—who is this?"

Before Brianna could answer, the demon let out a furious roar. Its beady red eyes locked onto them, its rage evident in the way its claws flexed.

Cecilia barely managed to twist away, activating "Aqua Veil" just in time. A thin but strong layer of water surrounded her, absorbing the brunt of the demon's next strike, but the impact still sent her skidding back.

Brianna coughed, cradling the baby protectively. "Cecilia… take her and run."

Cecilia froze.

"No," she snapped. "No way in hell."

"You have to." Brianna's voice shook. "I won't make it. But the baby—"

"Shut up," Cecilia growled, adjusting her grip on Brianna. "If someone's going to be the bait, it's me. You still have to go home to Leon."

Brianna's lips trembled. Tears threatened to spill, but Cecilia didn't have time to comfort her. She bent down, carefully adjusting Brianna against her shoulder while securing the baby against her chest. Then, without another second of hesitation, she ran.

The demon let out a guttural screech and charged after them.

=================================

Cecilia's stamina was draining fast. Even with her skills, carrying two people while dodging a demon was exhausting. Her legs screamed in protest, her breathing ragged.

And then—

A blur of red and gold shot through the air.

Valerie.

She landed gracefully, but instead of standing, she crouched slightly—carrying someone in her arms.

Serena.

The moment Valerie and Cecilia's eyes met, there was no need for words. Cecilia and Valerie both knew what needed to be done.

In sync, they dropped their loads. Cecilia carefully placed Brianna and the baby near the entrance, while Valerie did the same with Serena.

Then, without a moment's pause, they turned—and charged.

Cecilia raised her bow, activating "Abyssal Torrent". An arrow formed, swirling with pressurized ocean currents, and the moment she loosed it, the projectile struck the demon like a tidal wave.

The impact hurled the beast backward.

Valerie followed up instantly. "Infernal Crescent!"

Her sword ignited in a furious blaze as she swung, slicing through the demon's thick hide with a burning arc.

The demon screeched in pain.

Meanwhile, Serena had rushed to Brianna's side, her hands shaking as she assessed the damage. Her breath caught in her throat.

Brianna was on the verge of death.

Serena clenched her fists. "Don't you dare die on me."

She grasped Brianna's hand and whispered, "Life's Breath."

A golden glow enveloped Brianna, her torn flesh knitting back together instantly. Her breathing steadied.

Serena sighed in relief. "Rest. I'll handle everything else."

Brianna nodded weakly and let herself drift into unconsciousness. Even then, she never let go of the baby—who, miraculously, remained silent.

Serena's gaze softened as she looked at the baby. Laura Juno.

So she was right. Brianna had been the one to save Laura Juno in the novel.

Shaking away the thought, Serena focused on the civilians. Too many people were injured. She had to act.

She pressed her hands together, whispering, "Sanctuary of the Pure."

A massive golden dome formed, stretching three times larger than before. Wounds closed, breath steadied, and strength returned to the weak.

Still, it wasn't enough.

She gritted her teeth and activated "Divine Aegis".

A second barrier—this one stronger, impenetrable—enveloped the entire evacuation center. No more demons would get through.

But the mana drain was instant. She felt like throwing up.

=================================

The battle raged on.

Valerie's rage burned brighter with every strike. "This is your fault," she growled. "You made Serena worry. You injured Brianna. You hurt these people. I'll tear you apart."

Cecilia clenched her bow, anger surging through her. Seeing Brianna in that state, bleeding, helpless—it ignited something inside her.

She loosed another arrow. "Ocean's Wrath!"

A spiraling geyser of water erupted upon impact, slamming the demon into the ground.

Still, they were running out of energy.

Serena staggered toward the battlefield. She knelt, touching the ground. "Hallow."

The earth shimmered with divine energy.

The demon froze. Its movements became sluggish. Its wounds stopped healing.

Cecilia and Valerie felt their mana surge back.

Cecilia shot Serena a grateful nod. Valerie, however, took one look at Serena's pale, exhausted face and saw red.

"These bastards overworked my wife."

Valerie's grip tightened. "I'll make all demons pay."

And with furious determination, she charged once more.