The Price of Vengeance (IV)

"... I think you got the wrong person" I said finally finishing the long explanation, to rub in his face his mistakes once again.

Besides, it's not like I was necessarily stronger than Victor. I could only beat him by luck.

"So it seems, sorry. I was blinded by anger and couldn't think clearly, it's not like me to act this way. Hearing that there was a tyrant slaughtering the innocents I couldn't help but be overcome by memories of that guy and what he did to my family and friends"

"It's okay, that's all behind us now, right Asriel?"

"I'm surprised at how good you are at forgiving others Maria"

"Is that a no?" she added looking at me in an adorable way, more than usual. Like she was a puppy.

Damn, she does that on purpose. She knows that when she gets like that it's impossible for me to say no to her.

"Fine, fine. You win"

"Yahoo~"

"I'm so grateful to you Asriel's friend. Sorry for not thanking you before, you saved me from bleeding to death"

"You're welcome. We're friends now"

Again, I may need to limit that infinite kindness of hers a bit. I don't think it's very good for her to get so familiar with people who just a few hours ago were our enemies and we almost killed each other.

"I have a doubt Lavos. Victor told me that his knowledge of how to awaken his Spiritist powers was found in a book which he burned after accomplishing his goal. Is it possible that this is one of the books that this guy you are following took with him?"

"It is certainly a possibility. Not that I've had access to all the knowledge we had in my village, though one that touches on the subject of the soul and how to manipulate it is not out of the realm of possibilities"

"I see, I guess I'll just have to settle for that one"

"Asriel"

"What's the matter Maria?"

"So, does that mean that this mister was the shadow that stalked across the sky on the border of our home at sunset?"

"Truly our patrol was due to that. With so much running, fighting and talking I had completely forgotten about it"

"You mean when I was riding my hippogriff? I was examining the area according to the testimonies of my other familiars, one of them compiled the information I already told you"

"Do you have one of those that acts as a spy?"

"That's a very strong word... in short, yes"

"Wow... I don't know what to think. Well, anyway that clears it up" I said in a sigh of relaxation.

"Case solved~" Maria added making a V pose with her hands and a smile on her face.

"Well Lavos, I would like to ask you one last thing. Those monsters that haunt these lands since the day of the Apocalypse, what are they? You say they are not the same as the ones you summon"

"I'd like to know too" he replied with a tone of disappointment looking up at the slowly peeking sun. "As you say they are very different from the ones I know and have record of. We call creatures that exist in the farthest reaches, hidden from people and most of the beings that inhabit this planet. Some live in small dimensions linked to this one, although we do not perceive them, they play a key role in maintaining the balance of life"

"That so..."

At that moment he turned around with a serious expression.

"I do not know the cause of their appearance, but I can assure you that these beasts are not of this world, they are something external that is altering the natural balance of things. They are invaders that appeared in that event you call the day of the Apocalypse. If they keep roaming around free to do as they please, they will eventually wipe us all out. Not just humans, but anything that is considered a living thing. I've seen several types of them and they always possess that unnatural bloodlust, some even seem to be smarter than the average animal. Who knows if one with a superior intellect will appear and start sending them on a war against humanity? We won't stand a chance"

"..."

A shiver ran down my spine. I couldn't help but remember my battle against the monster in the lake. That sadistic look and act, it certainly showed an intelligence far superior to the rest of the creatures we have encountered. What would happen if we encountered an army of them? Would we be able to defeat them?

Maria gripped my arm tighter, she probably must have felt the same way.

"Well, that's all I have to tell you" Lavos said getting up, then started to walk away from us.

"Where are you going?"

"To accomplish what I started. Don't worry, I have no intention of using you as a catalyst anymore"

"Wait, we can cooperate. We could use someone with your knowledge"

"You don't expect me to believe that, do you? I am aware of how I treated you, and I know that losing my hand is not enough to atone for my sins. I don't think that I can come back with you and live happily ever after, that's simply not possible for me"

"..."

"I will not stay still until my vengeance is accomplished. It is something that only I must do, I don't want anyone else to get their hands dirty unnecessarily. I have already resigned myself to this path of darkness, my body will continue to go forward along it until my last breath"

"... I'm sorry"

Inside I can empathize with this guy. He too is a victim of what happened to him, but he only resorts to what he can get his hands on. Had I not met Maria I would probably follow in his footsteps, my eyesight clouded by loneliness. It is not far-fetched of me to think of Lavos as another me, a result of different choices in a similar context.

"You don't have to feel that way. I promise I won't use such radical methods anymore. I will find a way to defeat Dars by my own means. Take care of yourself, you carry a very heavy future on your shoulders. Asriel's friend, you'll have to keep a close eye on him"

"Leave it to me" she said proudly.

"Hey, isn't it the other way around?"

Finishing the goodbyes we watched as he pulled a scroll from his jacket and summoned a winged creature, rode on it and soared until eventually we lost sight of him. That must be that hippogriff he was talking about earlier.

"How cool... I wish I could fly too"

"Looks like a nice experience, maybe we'll get a chance later on"

"Yes, hopefully we can"

"Let's go back home. I'm very tired, in the end we didn't get any sleep all night"

"We still have to report back to headquarters, the others must be worried about us since we've been away for so long"

"You're right. Ahhh, what a drag"

"I'll give you a massage when we return to get your strength back. Look forward to it!" she said and took my hand.

"Oh, that would be great, I appreciate it"

"You're welcome~"