Chapter 3: Disappearance1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQSbU9gkl1
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCirDYDWf9
Outside the sounds of explosions and screams were deafening on top of the overwhelming scent of blood assaulting his senses. He frowned when seeing bodies littering the ground off to the side and farther out in front of his home. His walk turned into a run as he held out a hand, snatching up a blade that had been left stabbed through a human soldier's chest. Time to show him why he will regret invading here to get her. He thought as he entered the fray of flying weapons and falling bodies among the explosion of gunfire smoke. There were hundreds if not thousands of creatures, both human and demon, fighting and the smells were tickling the back of his mind as if trying to awaken his demonic nature.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRzN18mqLB
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He sliced down one with a slash across the man's midsection before lifting and bringing down the blade across his chest. He fell with barely a sound having time to leave his gapping mouth. Nate twisted around and stabbed a second through the heart. He twisted the sword before yanking it out and let the corpse fall in its own blood. He continued his advancement towards the four mighty tanks that had disembarked from the airship transports. Blood began to splatter onto his hands and arms as he continued his slaughtering of foes in his way, slicing down a third, fourth, fifth and a sixth. 1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW3OpGfIAM
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"Help!" a middle aged man screamed as he was thrown to the ground by a pair of demons with ram looking horns on their mostly humanoid appearance. One had a gun aimed to his head as the other raised its blade. Nate twisted around and ran with a small stumble on some loose dirt. He managed to get there and the gunner's head went flying at the same time the gun went off. Luckily the impact from the sword into flesh caused the shot to hit the human's shoulder.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsUHcsjetq
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"What the hell?!" the sword wielding demon exclaimed as he stumbled back. "Die!" he commanded Nate as he pushed forwards and brought his weapon down to slice into the croen's chest.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WsRiC9uWq
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Nate stepped back while leaning backwards as he lowered his body. He quickly came forwards with an upward trust. "Not happening...not today." His blade impaled the demon, splattering his face in spots with blood. He yanked the blade free and brought a leg up, kicking away the corpse. He stood and looked to the injured human that was holding his bleeding shoulder. "Can you stand if I help you up to get medical aid?"1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB5JyZLh2c
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjpBVgE2pw
The man nodded. "I think so, thank you!" he answered uneasy by the red hint that seemed to be seeping into Nate's eyes. He released his shoulder, reached up and took Nate's hand once offered. He got to his feet, steadied himself and jogged over to a couple comrades who had taken down a pair of demon. They took him between them and rushed to the medical unit.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPwvJVNwq6
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Nate watched before looking to his hand as explosions went off from the tanks firing. He stared at the reflection of explosions on the human's blood on his hand. Slowly he brought his hand up and licked it, taking a taste of the red liquid. A small smile began to tug at the corner of his lips, exposing a demon fang as he shifted his gaze up towards the tanks. He took a step then another as he moved into a run. An explosion ran out loudly behind him as one of the tanks shots exploded behind him. Nate sliced a demon twice, stabbed a second, sliced then stabbed a third, took a swipe from a fourth before removing its arm and stabbing it through the stomach. The more this continued, the more the red color seeping into his brown orbs grew in its dominance.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRjMs8U5ik
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As this continued below, above the battle sat three handsome and fit men with long hair. The redheaded man gave a sigh as he watched with his yellow eyes. We can't just let him keep going. I know this isn't going to look good but we should step in...even though I'm against meddling. He thought to the one with black hair and the other with teal blue hair.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ53uFTvJFS
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRvAEdgVUg
The teal blue haired man looked concerned with his different blue-green sea colored eyes, pulling his gaze off Nate that continued to battle and onto the redhead. Are you sure? If we must step in then can we simply restrain him until he returns to his senses?1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvy9o5FGd2
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXpcfjHp8b
Do you really think something like his bloodline will just 'go back to normal' if we restrain him? the black haired man commented into their shared mind link, his red eyes narrowed on Nate.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVZ50QtI1L
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdbo2YnJyM
Well...no but maybe he could calm down if we can just get him to stop killing and he'd return to normal. The teal blue haired man commented as he looked to the one with black hair.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJBilwkVhd
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The black haired man sighed looking to the one with red hair. So what's your order, hot head? Do we go and kill him now or do we do what wittle Ginsu wants, and just give the raging demon a time out?1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhSkQCQJKf
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHpkTv1syB
Hey! I'm not that little! Ginsu snapped back at the black haired man. I'm not that much shorter than you are, Marizu!1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIzyyvMuZ7
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Would you two shut up? the redhead growled as a hand lifted and began to pinch, then rub the bridge of his nose while his yellow eyes closed. Ginsu is right that if we can bring him to a stop and remind his heart why he's fighting then he can be saved. Yet, Marizu is right in the fact if we cannot remind his heart what is there for it, that he could end up killing the two that are able to bring him back around.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2X6AIG1de
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Hiatsu, please, you must listen to me. Ginsu pleaded as he looked to the redhead. I promise that if we can restrain him he will calm down.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC8xtZwsM2
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHXjCwL5Nq
And what if he does not? Hiatsu questioned as he locked his stern gaze with the kinder man. He got no answer as Ginsu lowered his gaze and his head, almost in defeat under the man's gaze. He looked back to the changing Nate. We should decide before too long has passed. He continues to shift forms and I don't think we want him murdering the only thing able to bring him around if left alive. The two nodded in silent agreement as it was pondered over by Hiatsu what action they would be taking.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkdNFV6EQL
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During this conversation, Nate had continued to kill the enemy along with one ally. As he killed, black feathers of a crow and raven were growing out of his arms, his nails sharpened and grew to the likes of being claws, and black wings began to push against then shot out through his shirt from his shoulder blades. He began to growl and grin with a throaty snarl with his fangs growing to their full length, his human appearance beginning to crumble. He dropped the blade with a clatter that was lost to the surrounding noises. "Here demon, demons~" he sang in a deeper tone as he took a step then another with his body growing a couple inches in size.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBp7KrYtun
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"Sir! Rouge demon!" a soldier in one of the tanks shouted to his commander who was watching from above.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1ALVwYYcg
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The commander of that tank kicked inside the open hole, hitting the demon in question's head. "I can see that, idiot!" he barked. "Ready a shot and fire already!"1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8lrPvITCo
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"Yes sir!" two more moved, grabbed one of the large rounds and put it into the barrel's loading section. He took aim at Nate who was slicing a pair if demons in half with his claws. "Ready!"1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIWE5AD6BT
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"Fire!"1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO5W3KHzdr
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The weapon fired as Nate crushed the skull of another demon. He turned looking to see the one then a second projectile zooming in his direction. Nate took a breath and released a roar like sound along with a mighty stream of flames at the first projectile. It exploded and the second came closer, exploding just as Nate gave a mighty beat of his wings to soar into the air. "You have bad aim." He chuckled as he opened his mouth that had changed slightly with some black feathers covering his neck. Inside his mouth a dark orange, red and black flame grew before being released onto an unexpecting fighting group, some of those screaming as they burned to death were allies. A dark grin pulled his face up as he charged two more similar fireballs that were released onto two more groupings. He charged another and released it onto one of the tanks, chuckling while he watched the demons and humans manning it flee for their lives.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBKiC9nrJp
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He took a breath and exhaled before charging another fireball and added more flames before releasing it between two tanks. Nate flew down released feathers from his right arm, watching with a sick joy as the victims were sliced into or up into pieces. He came to land in front of where one tanks had once stood to look down upon its commander, holding an injured leg and struggling to get to his feet. "Pitiful," he snarled, "and to think you actually aren't human." He said disappointed as he looked down at the demon.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCilQuHsqd
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG2wtE5a8f
The demon commander gulped as he looked up and met the red eyes of Nate. "P-please s-s-spare me!" he begged as he drug his bleeding leg to try and stand again. "W-we can g-g-get you a-a-a-anything you w-w-want!"1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDvfsuW5FK
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJajeXmIp2
Nate watched silently before spitting out fire onto the demon and moved a hand, summoning wind that simply fanned the flames and caused them to burn more intensely. "Sorry, but I don't think anything from a low ranking demon like you can ever offer me." He growled while a smile crept back onto his face as he listened to the chorus of the demon's cries as he was burned alive, being tortured by his armor melting onto his burning flesh. Wolf demons, five of them, moved as carefully as they could at a distance to the back right side of Nate. They took aim with their guns and fired when one of them made the hand gesture to shoot. Multiple shots fired off rapidly. Nate hissed and stumbled forwards before slowly looking back with deep rumbling from his throat as he bared his demon fangs at the beasts. "Stupid little pups!" he roared while sweeping out an arm. This sent out a wave of powerful wind along with a few of the sharp blade-like feathers.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEOjZLfDed
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The wolves tried to flee but were either impaled, sliced into, beheaded, or simply stabbed in or near a vital spot. Nate let out another roar like screech before taking to the air and turned his deadly gaze on to Flora's soldiers. He charged another fireball in his mouth as they ran to retreat, just as the invading army ran in a retreat from the rouge demon.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Psb6YCOJC
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Above Nate's head, the redhead named Hiatsu nodded with his serious expression. We will contain him until we can decide what to do with him. If we decide to try and bring him back to his senses then we shall but, if not then we will simply put him out of his misery. Do we agree? the other two nodded in silence. Then let us begin. Marizu?1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlZm29spV9
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The black haired man released a breath as he lifted his hands. This is so stupid, we should just kill the insane monster. You know how croens are. Despite this complaint he focused his magic. A dark brown almost black aura began to surround his hands similar to an outline. The ground trembled and as soon as he lowered his hands, flicked his wrists to bring his hands up with an arm movement out, chains composed of reinforced stone shot up to latch cuffs onto Nate's wrists, ankles and neck from behind. Nate struggled and released a cry of anger before shooting flames at one of the chains. It broke but was quickly repaired by more earth rising to reconnect the broken links.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTtJMQoULf
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During this struggle with the chains, Ginsu had his head lowered and his fingers laced together with quiet murmuring. Now, Ginsu. The teal blue haired man slowly parted his hands, revealing a blue or of energy.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31gzkGNSAb
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Please, forgive us and return to normal after a rest. Ginsu thought sadly as he released the crystal-like water orb out to slam hard into Nate's back. This caused the demon to halt his struggles as the orb began to expand and grow, encasing Nate into its clear blue shell. It began to fill in as the croen's protesting screeches were muffled then silenced. Marizu moved his hands closer together as the chains detached from the ground and wrapped around Nate's body and wings inside the closing in crystal.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DknLQCQ11
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Hiatsu now used his own magic as a red energy formed around one hand as he focused on the crystal structure. The blue color changed to green as his red aura began to surround the prison. After a few moments, it was gone, vanishing into nothing. Once it was sent to a secure location his aura dropped and he turned his head to Ginsu. Put out the flames. Ginsu nodded and moved a hand up towards the sky with his blue magic surrounding his hand. He twisted his wrist, rotating his hand as the sky darkened by clouds began to rumble before releasing their water supplies. The trio took their leave as the gentle thunderstorm sang through with both sides retreating, the invading Natta military left boarding what airships were intact. They headed off Flora to return and lick their wounds as well as report the loss to the Emperor.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvbfFPFvjd
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The scene grew quiet with those able to coming in and lining up the dead, both ally and foe. It would be several minutes before Sophia decided to open the cellar doors. She carefully stepped upstairs with Alura in tow. She looked over the scene with horror which was made worse by seeing no signs of Nate anywhere. "Naaaaate!!" she yelled as loudly as she could with her body leaning forwards. She stood straight while regaining her breath. She stared out into the rainy bleak mist silently with her breath trembling along with her body.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6pbxA1BAY
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Alura peeked out from behind Sophia. She slipped outside and looked at the devastation. A gasp escaped her as her eyes widened with her shock and confusion at how the land was scorched, along with bodies lying motionless. She took a few steps away from Sophia and brought her hands up to frame her mouth. "Daddy!!" she screamed loudly as it echoed into the air as her voice died off due to losing air. Alura took another deep breath, "daddy!!" she screamed louder with her voice cracking as thunder rolled overhead. Sophia looked to Alura sadly with her heart breaking and tears trying to slip out over her lower lids. Alura listened and when she couldn't find any sight of Nate, she turned to Sophia. "Mommy, where's daddy?"1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87Bum8KAMG
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Sophia opened her mouth to speak but bit her lip to hold back the tears. "I..." she managed to whisper before looking out towards the horizon, then closed her eyes with a shaking breath taken in. Alura made her way back to Sophia and gently pulled on her dress, looking up concerned. Sophia released a breath slowly to compose herself before she would look to make eye contact with the child. "I'm not sure where," she paused to take another breath to keep control of her emotions and fear. "I'm not sure where daddy is sweetie." She kindly answered while kneeling down to be eye level with Alura.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLcQutzenY
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"Daddy will come back. Daddy said he come back." Sophia nodded to Alura's statements. "The bad guys are all gone now, right?" again Sophia nodded quietly while putting on a soft smile, gently lifting a hand to brush Alura's cheek as she pushed some the little girl's hair back behind her ear.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5XTmu8kdh
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"Yes, sweetie, all the bad guys are gone. Daddy got rid of them and I bet he's making sure they are so scared they never want to come back."1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ66kKD4ZdZ
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jmS87VZNQ
Alura's eyes began to light up. "Yay daddy! Yay!" she cheered as she dashed away from Alura and began to jump around in the forming puddles. "Daddy's so strong!" She stared laughing as she came splashing down into another puddle. "I'll be strong like daddy to scare off bad guys too!" she squealed in excitement as she enjoyed the falling rain.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxoLoR90pv
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Sophia slowly stood up as she watched Alura running and jumping into the mud, resulting in a splattered mess on her once clean self. "Yea...I'm sure you will be..." she whispered as she barely got the words out before her throat felt tighter. Silently her tears began to fall, mixing in with the rain trying to help wash her face. He has to be alive and will come back...he has to. She thought to herself a couple times, hoping what she told Alura was true.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jReK8v0Ap
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Minutes later a soldier with a bandage around his head approached Sophia, saluting her when she would turn her head to see who had come to her. "Ma'am, I'm soldier Josph and I wish to request your aid in us burying the deceased."1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ970iDvV3hb
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Sophia was quiet as a few drops of rain fell from her bangs. It took a moment of silence before she found her voice in the damp air. "...Do you know where my husband is?" she quietly questioned, sadness lining each word.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEPmDEA3C5
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC8QeLd7yK
Josph shook his head. "I'm not sure ma'am. He had come to help us, transformed, turned on us then he was gone in a flash of light after being encased in stone."1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ArfsrTc5b
1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCgwb6dtqc
Sophia felt a pain in her chest and her throat to tighten again as those words reached her ears. She took a deep breath before speaking almost in a whisper. "...Thank you. Let me...tend to my daughter and..." she took another breath to control her emotions that pushed to overflow. "I'll come and help lay the dead to rest. We can bury them, unless requested different by any living family, in the section where the golden reds bloom. Josph nodded, saluted again and left to speak to his comrades that were gathering and figuring out who was friend and foe in the sea of corpses. Sophia composed herself and, once she felt she was stable, she looked to her daughter covered in mud and soaking wet. "Sweetie, come on inside. It's time to get cleaned up for bed."1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmYlhB6Qsr
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"Okay mommy!" Alura said happily as she ran up to then past her mother, splashing her with muddy water. Sophia paid it little mind as she followed the water droplets and muddy footprints to the bathroom where she got the tub filled with warm water, adding in some bubble bath as well. She helped the little girl get out of her clothing, aided in her getting washed up, dried, and dressed in fresh pajama's. She followed the girl upstairs where, once Alura was snug in bed, she read her a story. After Sophia finished, Alura was fast asleep. Sophia leaned over, putting the book away and kissed her daughter's forehead softly.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrgivGR4rD
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"Goodnight, my little angel." She whispered before quietly making her way out of the room, downstairs, slipped her coat on and stepped outside to help. She made her way by side stepping a mess of metal, limbs not yet picked up and bloody weapons. Why did this have to come to Flora? she thought sadly.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaGcZqxwmu
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"Hey! Over here!" Sophia looked over to the call and made her way to a pair of soldiers. She looked to the bodies and did her best to help identify them and give names of families. After she would finish this she would take up a shovel while asking how many will be buried with the golden reds. She made her way to the spot and began to dig, helping a few other residents that had decided to help in the stormy weather. To their fortune, the rain was lightening up.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJCuaSFBcQ
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It would take several long minutes that turned into hours for the digging, getting the coffins there, placing the bodies inside, setting the coffins, burying and setting the headstones once they were done. After all had finished and others had left, Sophia stood alone and gazed at the small pond of tombstones. A hand with spots of mud reached up to take hold of her necklace as well as Nate's. Please...don't let my husband be dead...this is all I request and pray from you Gods above. She thought before giving a silent prayer for the deceased.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdXXKtdYIh
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Sophia would turn and return to her home late into the night. She left the shovel outside, went indoors and got ready to take a hot bath. While in the bath, amongst the steam from the water, she pulled her legs up close to her chest and began to cry with her forehead coming to rest on her knees. Later, after the needed cry, she dried, dressed and made her way into their bedroom. Sophia stared at the bed for a few moments before making her way over, slipping into bed and rolled over. She pulled his pillow close to her as she closed her eyes, allowing another tear to slip out while mouthing 'I miss you' silently before eventually drifting off to sleep.1164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQBbwyG9M9
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