332. Storm, 3

(Licht)

I see the rain in the distance change direction and fly against me. I shield my eyes from a strong gust of wind with icy droplets.

Ahead I notice a caldera. A crater of scorched earth is visible, while around us is a land now lost blind in the storm.

The wind dives from higher layers of the sky and twirls around this caldera with force. The heavy clouds gather there over the land and darken.

There are sparks and small bolts of fire flying around in the winds.

This storm isn't natural.

It's here. It's one of them. A being-like-her, and a hostile one is lying just there.

I'm stepping inside the storm wall to meet it.

I crawl against the cold wind, under flashes of light and darkness.

What awaits me ahead won't be a friend, I can feel it. I can smell it despite the turmoil. I can hear its breathing growing tense. I can feel my blood heat and heartbeat rise.

And so does my smile, as I pierce through the mist and flow of elements that obstructs sunlight over this cold earth .

I enter the eye of the storm.

The wind is behind me.

It's as if I just entered a church, and the priest was waiting for me.

Its shape is folded over itself as if resting. A large body is there in roughly foetal posture. I can see the body and some heavily muscular limbs, but cannot guess its real aspect.

I know it's seeing me as well, thinking.

What I can see however clearly are the charred corpses and remains lying further and aside. Humans remnants.

This thing is a killer.

The flesh moves. Large legs seem to sprout.

It makes me think of a minotaur, humanoid but very beastly in shape and far taller than any human. Bulky. Humanoid in body but not in face. Jagged teeth, fangs ad horns a little randomly arranged. Burning eyes that are piercing me.

As I hear it making the throat noise of a lion, as our gazes meet, it can see me unsheathing and holding my sword without trembling.

The beast will charge me blindly despite that. I will dodge with a speed it wouldn't expect and slash its side as I do.

As it will turn around, I will already be striking another time, slashing its arm deep if it's fast enough. Or its neck directly if it's too slow to turn.

This will be over fast, and we'll be done.

I'm grinning. I'm ready.

The monstrous beast still is making that gurgling noise. I can tell it will jump ahead in a very sudden move to catch me by surprise.

P - Daiûa... Licht...

Oh? My eyes widen, I'm agape.

That, I did not expect. I still hold my sword tightly but clear my throat.

L - You know me?

P - Yes...

It roars. Its teeth are ridiculously huge and arranged, so much it could never close properly its mouth. I guess it's only meant for shredding, not living and eating...

I'm waiting for it to charge or to explain, but it's just standing there clearly on its guards as well.

It's almost silent around and between us if it weren't for the fearful storm raging around this caldera like a wall of angry elements.

L - So... Are you going to tell me how?

I'm curious now. It's not every day you meet a being-like-her that speaks, less alone one that would know my nickname...

It doesn't move, it doesn't blink. It only glares at me, like a large lion ready to charge but choosing the right moment to strike.

Meanwhile I can say two things. First that it's not a mere monster or beast, since it has enough intelligence to speak. Second is that it's still a little undecided whether charging me head on and blindly would really be a wise idea or could bring its demise.

P - Licht... The war is just beginning.

L - What war?

It roars again, making the storm around us more violent as an expression of anger. But it still does not charge me impetuously.

L - If you want a war, you don't know what you're doing.

P - It has already begun. Our forces spread. Which life will walk the world is now ours to decide. Your death or mine will shift the balance, but not end it.

L - I'm not at war with the like of you so far. Even though your kin do seem to come at me more often lately.

One of its hands tightens its grasp over the rocks on the ground. It's tensed, it's boiling with an anger to reckon with.

P - You... You're just a mindless beast...You don't even realise what is happening.

L - Enlighten me, and perhaps we could find another way?

It laughs. An angry laugh, with a voice loud and strong enough to deafen me. I stand strong.

P - The time for humans has ended. The world belongs back to the gods now. That should have been enough for those who remained. But you... You! Daiûas like you! You waged war against us! Against your gods! You settled it Licht! Your war of species settled the fate of humanity! We'll purge all the remnants of humanity until they're all gone from our world! Only one kind will live on after we bring all of you to extinction! Ours!

I'm trembling a little at earing such convinced wrath. It's a little frightening to hear what it says and implies with angry belief. It meant every word it just yelled at me in fury, I don't doubt that...

I'm scared some of its delirious rant might be truer than it sounds.

P - You will all die. Licht, Rose Blume, and every other daiûas still roaming the continent. I will hunt you down and erase you.

L - Th... There seem to be a misunderstanding. Aren't you the daiûas? We're humans too.

It laughs again loudly, at my obvious stupidity.

P - We're gods! You cursed things are between us and humans, stealing our powers for your selfishness like parasites!

A daiûa means a witch to these demons? Daiûa was the first of them to steal their power?

If we can use some power... We're nephilims to them?

My paradigm is challenged, and by a self-proclaimed god again...

L - I can appreciate some of the things you said. But if you killed the humans over there for no other reason but these you claim... I agree. We will be at war.

It growls again. It's getting its massive body slightly closer to the ground.

P - At the end, a god will throne over the world as its own flesh. A new God will rise!

L - I thought the white day was the apocalypse... But from what you're saying, it would have been the start of a war of genesis instead. Is that correct, little priest?

P - Gods will end your unlawful tyranny for good, parasites! I will cleanse the land from your corruption and existence!

L - Try me, Priest.

My heart feels awfully heavy from what this thing passionately believes.

It hurts. Taunting will work, it's very emotional, but I'm now anxious as well.

As I move my sword, as time begins to slow down, I shed a tear of anguish for what might come.

What I'm facing is the destiny of Licht, and maybe more than I wish...

~