Descendant of Sloth
Chapter 54: Surrounded

Chapter 54: Surrounded

*Huff... Huff...* I stood there, slightly out of breath, my chest rising and falling with each tired inhale. My dagger remained buried in Gyosu’s chest, its hilt trembling faintly in my grip as the black aura around it flickered.

Blood streamed from the deep wound, staining his torn white pants and dripping to the ground in a stream line.

I loosened my fingers, letting go of the weapon, its weight somehow heavier than it had ever been. Taking two steps back, I kept my eyes on him, unwilling to let my guard down even as I fought to catch my breath.

Gyosu’s lifeless eyes stared forward, wide and empty, as blood trickled from the corners of his mouth. His once-proud figure, the man who had stood tall against demon lords and once fought at my side, was now hollow, broken, and unmoving.

Yet, he didn’t fall.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry and aching, the taste of iron still lingering on my tongue. My gaze faltered, lowering to the blood pooling beneath his feet. A strange weight pressed against my chest—a sharp, quiet ache that cut deeper than any blade.

There was a time... a time when we fought together. Side by side, as brothers and sisters of the Eladrins. And now, here I was. The one who had to end him.

The dagger shimmered faintly, then vanished, dissolving into nothingness as though it had fulfilled its purpose. But Gyosu remained standing, his body pressed against the wall, head tilted slightly forward. Blood dripped steadily from the gaping wound in his chest, yet his feet stayed planted on the ground, toes holding him upright.

I felt a lump rise in my throat as I stared at him, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. There was no aura left, no life to cling to. Only the cold, bitter silence of what had to be done.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment, exhaling a long, shaky breath as my shoulders sagged. When I opened them again, I forced myself to look at him, to face the weight of my actions.

"Gyosu..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.

But there was no response. There would never be one again.

I turned away from Gyosu’s lifeless form and started walking toward Serina and Hina, who sat under the shade of the tree. The adrenaline started to fade away as I made my way to them, replaced by a strange sense of calm.

As I approached, I casually called out, "Is the crying baby okay now?" My gaze flicked to Hina with a smirk.

Her head snapped up, eyes blazing with fury as she gritted her teeth. "Who are you calling crybaby?! Come here, Esther. I’ll kill you!!"

I couldn’t help but grin at her outburst. Crouching in front of her, I leaned in and pressed my fingers to her soft cheeks, squishing them playfully.

"See? She was crying just a moment ago. Look, look!" I teased, moving her cheeks in and out with my fingers.

Her face turned red, a mix of anger and embarrassment, before she bit down hard on my index finger.

"Ouch!" I yelped, pulling my hand back and shaking it dramatically.

"Now who’s crying?" she shot back with a triumphant grin, sticking her tongue out at me. "Bleh."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Such a kid."

Her expression instantly flattened. "Did you say something?" she asked in a tone so cold it could’ve frozen fire.

"Nope. Not at all," I replied quickly, holding up my hands in mock surrender.

Serina, who had been silently watching us from the side, suddenly burst into laughter.

Hina and I turned to her simultaneously, confused. "What’s so funny?" we both asked in unison.

Serina managed to stifle her laughter long enough to speak, though a grin still tugged at her lips. "You two... you’re just like lovers."

I glanced at Hina, my expression calm and indifferent, but her face twisted in exaggerated disgust. "Eww! I’d rather die single than date him."

"Sure, sure," I replied with a faint smirk, standing up and holding out my hand to her.

Hina eyed my outstretched hand, hesitating for a moment. Then, to my surprise, she smiled and placed her hand in mine. Slowly, she pushed herself up, but the effort made her groan in pain as she stumbled slightly.

"Take it easy," I said, steadying her with my other hand.

"Yes..." she mumbled, her voice soft but tired.

Serina watched us with a warm, almost maternal gaze. The battle was over, but her eyes carried a quiet relief as she took a step forward to join us.

For a moment, the world felt still, the tension replaced by something lighter—a fleeting peace in the aftermath of chaos.

*STEP*

As Serina took a step forward, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her body froze, and her eyes widened in alarm as she stared ahead.

I halted behind her, holding Hina steady. "Umm? What happen—" My words died as soon as my eyes followed hers.

Elves.

They stood before us, their weapons gleaming under the sunlight. Their aura flowed around them, a tangible force of power and authority. They had completely surrounded us.

Their gazes were cold, their stances ready for battle, and their numbers overwhelming. We were trapped.

The elves closed in around us, their weapons glinting in the sunlight, each blade and bow aimed with precision. The tension was suffocating, and the air felt thick with their anger and disbelief.

I held Hina steady against me as she swayed slightly, still weak, but my eyes locked onto the one person who mattered in that moment—Lala.

He stood at the front of the group, his red aura swirling around him like fire. His expression was sharp, his eyes dead serious and filled with hatred.

"Finally..." he said, his voice cutting through the whispers of his group. "We get to see each other again."

I didn’t respond, just stared at him in silence. My fingers twitched at my sides, and my other hand steadied Hina on her feet.

"This time..." Lala continued, stepping forward, his aura flaring with intensity. "Let’s see how you will manage to run away."