35 The Scarred Lands
The pain had slightly snapped me out of my crazed state. But not enough to keep my mind from slipping back into it. The scent of blood and the agonizing screams of those who were not killed but still severely hurt rang out in my ears. What lay before me was no longer the lush green landscape that I used to love looking out over. It was now a massive crater with scarred burnt lands all around it. And outside this crater were the leftover remnants of the Norian army.
I flapped my wings and flew up into the air. With a wave of my hand, I created a magic circle in front of me. “Blow….” A strong gust of wind swept by, blowing away all the dust and debris. I could now get a clear look with my own eyes at the destruction I had caused.
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I pushed them down. Right now was not the time for this. If I am to continue on to finish off the enemy, then I need to hold my emotions back. I needed to allow myself to once more sink into darkness.
To finish what I started, I need to rely on that feeling of bloodlust and craziness. Maybe if I had more time to grow, I could deal with all of this with a level head, but I, unfortunately, did not have time to truly come to terms with what it meant to become a demon….
As I watched the Norian army foolishly begin gathering in the same spot, I could only shake my head. “Only fools would gather together once more.” I really couldn’t understand why they would cluster together like this unless they were trying to be wiped out.
I extended my detection magic over the area and tried to figure out what they were doing. It was then that I noticed a single person hiding in the middle of the group as they tried to retreat. “That must be the commander. I really wonder if he thinks using his own men as shields will truly protect him. He was better off running for it on his own. At least with his men scattered all over, it would make things more difficult for me.”
Letting out a sigh, I waved my hand and sent a rain of fireballs down onto the group. The entire area turned into another crater, not leaving a single person alive. I had effectively destroyed the Norian army that had made their way here. While the battle lasted a lot longer than I had planned, I worried for my future. The feeling that welled up inside me was growing stronger by the second due to the smell of blood. I was starting to get an urge to cross the border myself and wipe out the entire Norian nation. My instincts kept telling me to kill those who wished to harm my family and I.
It was taking my everything to keep myself from doing what my instincts were telling me. I bit my lip, drawing blood, using the pain to clear my head, but it was of little use, my mind was slowly sinking back into a crazed state. But sadly my work was not done, so I could not leave the area. “I should use detection in the surrounding area in case there are any other troops.”
I flew up high into the sky and allowed my detection magic to spread out over the area near the border. What I saw was not a pleasant sight. Rape, pillaging, and all the atrocities you could think of were happening out in the villages near the border. The Norian army was not just this group alone but looked to be quite a few of what was called on Earth an army corps, which consisted of around forty five thousand soldiers.
From what I was seeing, besides the one I just wiped out, there were quite a few crossing the border. This made me realize that the population of this world was much higher than I could have ever imagined. It made me wonder just how big the cities of this world truly were. It also made me even more excited to explore this world.
But between the excitement and wonder, my bloodlust was rising more and more. The thought of seeing thousands of soldiers die by my hand was filling me with crazed thoughts.
I knew if I did not go out and deal with this, my father and brother and the other men of the village would have to deal with it. I was starting to feel as I did before when I was dancing around in the blood of my enemies. My lips were already curled up into a smile. I took a step forward and was about to fly out when a voice came from behind me. “Faith!”
I froze. My entire body became stiff. I did not want my family to find out about this. But somehow… Somehow my father was able to make it through the fog. As I turned around, I was like a broken doll. My mind was still filled with the thrill of killing, so my lips were still curled up into a sinister smile. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
As I looked at my father, who was looking back at me. The me whose white hair was now dyed red in blood. The me who was covered from head to toe in the blood of her enemies. The me who was smiling like a maniac. My father’s brow wrinkled as he slowly came to stand in air in front of me. “Care to explain?”
“Haha….” I giggled. I couldn’t stop it. I felt my body twitching. As if it wished to stab out with my sword. But I could never harm my father. The man who raised me with so much love and care. Tears welled up in my eyes even though they were still wide and crazy looking. I was scared. I was truly scared of myself and what I would do. I quickly backed up, afraid I would lash out. But my father stepped forward once more.
“Faith, what is wrong?” My father asked, his voice holding no anger. It was full of care and concern.
“Don’t come close….” I said beggingly while lowering my head. I did not wish for him to see my expression. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I backed up some more.
“I will come close! You are my daughter when something is wrong, I, as a father, will stand by your side and try to help you as much as I can!” My father came over to me and was about to pull me into a hug, but I quickly retreated some more.
I looked up at my father, tears rolling down my cheeks. “Father, please go…. I am having a hard time controlling myself. Please… If you get too close I… I…. I might end up hurting you….”
I did not wish to hurt anyone I loved. I regretted evolving so much now. If I had only waited. If I only waited to see just how dangerous the Dragonic bloodline was, then maybe…. My thoughts were cut off when I heard an angry voice fill my ears: “Faith! You dare reject my help? Do you think so lowly of your father? I might not look it, but I am pretty strong myself!”
“Father, it’s not that! I just….” Please just go. Until I can gain control of myself, please…. I cried out in my heart. I couldn’t bear to say it out loud, though.
“Humph! Like I will listen to a brat of a daughter!” My Father suddenly took a step forward and appeared in front of me. His big muscular, tanned arms wrapped around me and pulled me into his embrace. My mind went blank, and the sword in my hand slipped from my grip. The tears that were already falling turned into a waterfall and rained down my face as I let out all my pent up emotions. “Whaaaa!”
I cried. I cried like I have never cried before. All the feelings inside me about continuing my killing spree disappeared. All that was left was all the emotions I had bottled up inside me were released like a trickling faucet that was turned on full blast. I had killed so many. My entire being, even my soul, was now stained in the blood of others. I felt like a little kid as I buried my face into my father’s chest.
My father did not say a word as I cried. He only gently rocked me back and forth in his arms, rubbing my small back with his big hands. It felt like my soul was being healed by him. Out of everyone in my family, he knew the most about my worries and fears about my future. Things I even kept from my mother in order to not worry her, he knew about. I guess you could say I was a daddy’s girl.
At some point, as I cried in his arms… I fell asleep…..
When I woke up next, I found myself in my own bed. Next to me was Rachel, who was holding my hand still sound asleep. I looked down to see my clothes had been changed, and it seemed someone must have bathed me as well. I knew my father would never do such a thing, so I can only guess it was Rachel or my mother who did it. I guess I must have made them all worry about me. I wonder what my father told my mother. For some reason, I was starting to worry. I wonder if I should pretend to sleep for the day? No, I do not think that will trick anyone. I am a pretty bad actor.
I looked up at the ceiling and let out a sigh of relief. I felt one hundred percent me again. This feeling alone was enough to make me relax. I never wish to end up in such a state again. I hope nothing like this happens again that will make me lose myself. It scares me to think about it. What if I can not return to my senses? Will I become some kind of death goddess? I can only hope the future will bring nothing but peace.
“Faith, I know you are awake, we need to talk.”