Chapter 3: Night 2 – Devoured by Dread

Night descended like a shroud, bringing with it an eerie stillness that was soon shattered by distant screeches—high-pitched, unnatural, and chilling. Moments later, human screams pierced the air.

As members of the church, the group sprang into action, instincts honed by training. They raced toward the source of the chaos, veering off their intended path. The demon they were meant to exterminate had escaped its confines and infiltrated this area, its potent mana drawing in weaker demons like moths to a flame.

Upon arrival, the scene was one of utter devastation. Buildings lay in ruins, and the air was thick with smoke and the stench of blood. Sera wasted no time issuing commands.

"Lilith, you're with me! Drax and Slith, handle the lesser demons. Rin, evacuate the civilians and ensure their safety!"

Without hesitation, they dispersed. Sera and Lilith charged toward the main threat.

The demon was colossal, its form reminiscent of a dragon but far more grotesque. Black scales, slick with blood, covered its body. Two massive yellow eyes glowed with malevolence, and a single tooth jutted out, the size of a house.

"Uh, Sera?! How are we supposed to even damage this thing?!" Lilith shouted.

"Target its eyes. I'll climb it. Boost my agility and defense so I can reach them."

"My magic can't reach that high!"

"Then we'll bring its head down!"

Sera lunged forward, using her daggers to ascend the demon's body, stabbing between scales like a mountaineer scaling a cliff.

As she climbed, the demon reacted. Vines sprouted from its body, ensnaring her. Suddenly, the scales shifted, revealing countless mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth. They bit into her, and two massive scales slammed together, crushing her.

Her mangled body plummeted, a mile-long descent. Lilith, reacting swiftly, summoned water to cushion the fall. She cradled Sera's lifeless form, tears streaming down her face.

Rin returned, urgency in his voice. "We need to take shelter!"

They rushed into a nearby building, seeking refuge. But the ground trembled. The demon had picked up the entire structure and swallowed it whole.

⸻

Darkness enveloped them. They found themselves inside the demon's stomach—a grotesque chamber of pulsating flesh and acidic fumes. The air was thick, humid, and stifling.

Sera's corpse lay nearby, already beginning to decay. Lilith's condition deteriorated rapidly. Her cheeks hollowed, her ribs became visible, and she trembled constantly. Rin, however, remained physically unchanged, his body seemingly unaffected by the harsh conditions.

Days passed. Hunger gnawed at them. Lilith grew weaker, her voice barely a whisper.

"We're not getting out," she murmured. "We're going to die here…"

Rin remained silent, the weight of their predicament pressing down on him.

One night, Lilith crawled to Sera's body, her hands trembling.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, drawing her ritual knife. She hesitated, then began to cut into Sera's thigh. The flesh was tough, the blood dark and congealed. She gagged but forced herself to take a bite.

The meat was cold, sinewy, and tasted of iron. Tears streamed down her face as she chewed.

Rin watched in horror but understood. Hours later, driven by desperation, he joined her.

They consumed Sera's body piece by piece, each bite a testament to their will to survive. Lilith's condition stabilized slightly, though the emotional toll was immense. Rin remained stoic, his body still unaffected.

When the meat was gone, they sat in silence, the bones of their comrade piled nearby.

"Do you think God saw that?" Lilith whispered. "Do you think He's watching?"

Rin didn't answer.

They both knew the truth.

God hadn't been here for a long, long time.