Chapter 24: Unshackled Chains

Chapter 24: Unshackled Chains

POV: Banshee / Margaret

*Swing!* *Ting!*

The clash of metal and the whistle of steel cutting through air surrounded me as I barely dodged Darot's relentless strikes. My body moved on instinct, weaving through his attacks, but every close call sent shivers down my spine. The Banshee's enhanced reflexes saved me more times than I could count, yet it wasn't enough.

Across from me, Darot wore a blissful smile, eyes alight with sadistic pleasure. He wasn't just fighting—he was reveling in our struggle.

"Hah—!"

I gasped as I evaded another swing, but before I could recover, his left hand lashed out and seized my throat.

*Shit—!*

I clawed at his grip, my body thrashing as he effortlessly lifted me off the ground. My lungs burned as air fled my body, panic surging through me.

Then—

*SHNK!*

Pain. Cold steel buried itself deep into my stomach. A scream tore from my throat, and Darot chuckled darkly, his breath hot against my face.

"Huhu… yes, scream for me," he purred, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I want to savor your despair."

My teeth clenched as I struggled to move, my limbs sluggish from the loss of air. But the Banshee wasn't as helpless. It reacted, aiming both of its flamethrowers at Darot's chest, unleashing a torrent of fire.

*FWOOSH!*

Flames engulfed him, licking hungrily at his flesh—yet he only laughed, his grip tightening around my throat.

"Aaah… such warmth…! Is that all you have?"

Desperation clawed at me. The Banshee's strength waned as I lost consciousness. My nails dug into his arm, my vision blurring.

Then, he lifted his sword and traced its tip along my mask, irritation flickering across his face.

"This… thing is ruining my view."

With a single, fluid motion, his blade slashed through my mask.

*SHNK!*

A deep gash burned across my cheek, searing from my eye down. Pain exploded in my skull, but it was nothing compared to the sudden shockwave that ripped through Darot.

His body *froze.* His grin faltered.

The mask fell.

And as my face was revealed—his entire expression changed.

**POV: Darot**

*Tack.*

The mask hit the ground.

And suddenly, something inside me *shook.* A violent tremor, like a chain snapping.

'Urgh… what is this…?!'

Every muscle in my body clenched as foreign emotions surged through me. *Memories* that weren't mine. Echoes of something I'd buried—no, something that *wasn't mine to bury.*

*Margaret.*

A name that shouldn't mean anything.

Yet, it did.

My breathing hitched. My grip loosened for a second before I caught myself.

"Fuck—" I growled, fighting the unfamiliar thoughts. "Why is he still alive!?"

*Margaret. My Margaret.*

The thoughts weren't mine. The voice *wasn't mine.*

A snarl tore from my lips as I forced my fingers to close around her neck. *As long as I kill her, his will—his remnants—will be gone.*

But—

*BING!* *SWOOSH!* *PIERCE!*

Pain exploded in my leg as a metal rod shot through my thigh.

"GAAAH!"

My grip on her faltered, and she slipped from my grasp, coughing as she staggered back.

*Who!?*

I snapped my head toward the source.

A human.

An old one, standing with a bulky rifle, sparks of electricity crackling between the weapon's exposed power coils.

"Grrrr… YOU…!" I snarled, eyes burning with fury.

The human only smirked.

"Tsk. Fuck your body. Fuck your face. And—" He cocked his rifle. "Fuck your *mom,* bitch."

Rage exploded in my chest.

"RAAAAAGH!!!"

I lunged at him, but before I could close the distance—

**POV: Goss**

'Well, that pissed him off.'

I barely had time to process the daemon charging at me before—

*BAM!*

A black and silver blur intercepted him mid-rush, slamming a fist into his face and *launching* him backward.

I let out a low whistle.

"Damn. Nice punch."

"Thanks."

I froze.

That wasn't the Banshee's voice.

I turned to her—Margaret. She wasn't groaning in pain. She wasn't sluggish or struggling. She was controlling my creation as if it were her *own.*

A scowl darkened my face as I leveled my rifle at her.

"Wench. How the *hell* are you controlling my creation?"

Before I could pull the trigger—

*BOOM!*

The ground *exploded.*

A crater split open where I stood moments before, dust and debris kicking up from the sheer force.

*Fuck—!*

A chill ran down my spine as I turned to see Darot, *seething.* His eyes glowed with unrestrained rage.

Margaret wasted no time, grabbing me by the arm and leaping back to safety. We landed a distance away, and she quickly put me down.

"We'll explain later," she said, her voice steady. "For now—*help me kill Darot.*"

I stared at her for a moment, mind racing.

Then I sighed, shifting my grip on my rifle.

"Alright. Daemon first. *Then* you."

She nodded in appreciation.

Then, without hesitation, she charged.

I watched her meet Darot head-on as I aimed my rifle.

*Show me what you've got, wench.*