Alisha's heart pounded like a drum, its erratic rhythm a sharp contrast to the oppressive silence of the village. She felt the weight of Missy's small hand clutching hers, a reminder of the innocent life depending on her. She wanted to avoid a fight. Desperately. But as she stood before Jack and Zamazo, their overpowering presence suffocating the very air around them, she knew escape was no longer an option.
"I'll protect you, Missy," she whispered, her voice trembling but resolute. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly as divine energy began to stir within her. She tightened her grip on the girl's hand before releasing it, gently nudging her back. "Stay behind . Whatever happens, don't co forward."
Jack's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "Do you really think you can fight us alone?" he asked, his tone almost playful, though his eyes glinted with predatory amusent. "You won't last a second."
Alisha's teeth clenched. She knew he was right—there was no denying the vast gulf in power between them. But she couldn't afford to falter. "It doesn't matter what you say!" she snapped, her voice rising with determination. "I'll kill you here and now if it's the last thing I do!"
Divine energy surged from her, radiant and unrelenting. The air around her shimred as if refracting through a prism, and the very space seed to distort under the pressure of her power. Her crimson eyes burned brighter, and even the faintest trace of fear was buried beneath a mask of defiance.
Nephris, the spirit bound to Alisha, stirred within her. The sudden surge of energy jolted the spirit from its rest, and its voice resonated in Alisha's mind, laced with urgency. "Lady Alisha! This is too much for you! At this rate, you might die!"
But Alisha ignored the warning. Raising her hands skyward, she began to chant under her breath. A glowing magical formation appeared above her, spinning slowly as it radiated blinding light. In an instant, a barrier of pure holy energy erupted outward, enveloping the entire village. The barrier's power was palpable, its presence a beacon of divinity that could be felt for miles. It wasn't just light; it was an unyielding declaration of her will.
Zamazo frowned, his usually indifferent expression darkening as he felt his strength wane. "Hmm?" he mused, studying the shimring do with narrowed eyes. "A barrier that suppresses demonic energy and nullifies spatial powers," he muttered. "Impressive." He raised a hand, drawing an arc through the air, attempting to fracture the barrier. But nothing happened. His frown deepened.
Jack, standing beside him, didn't need to test the barrier himself. His system had already alerted him to its effects.
[All stats reduced by 30%]
[Resistance to holy powers reduced by 70%]
[Spatial powers locked]
"Alisha," Jack said calmly, his tone surprisingly gentle despite the tension crackling in the air. He closed his eyes briefly before speaking again. "You've gone past your limit. Stop this."
She glared at him, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to maintain the barrier. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, a testant to the toll it was taking on her body. But her resolve didn't waver.
"He didn't harm the previous lady of the church," Jack continued, "and I have no intention of going back on the deal we made. We have the next clue leading to the Chapters of Ti, and there are questions only that treasure can answer." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Save your strength for other battles. You're still useful to . And Missy, don't worry," he added, glancing at the girl. "Big brother hasn't changed. Not entirely, anyway."
Missy's wide eyes studied Jack, her expression conflicted. Her grip on Alisha's robe tightened. She wanted to believe him, but doubt lingered in her heart.
Alisha, however, wasn't so easily swayed. "Do you think I'll simply take your word for it?" she retorted, her voice laced with venom. "I've made that mistake once. Never again."
Jack sighed, shaking his head. "If you don't believe , go ahead and test your luck against Zamazo. As for and Missy, we'll be moving on. Together."
Missy's heart clenched at his words. Despite everything, there was a warmth in Jack's voice that she hadn't heard in what felt like an eternity. For the first ti, she saw him smile—a genuine, unguarded smile that made her feel safe. Her small hands balled into fists as determination shone in her eyes. 'Missy understands what big brother wants her to do,' she thought.
"I won't listen to you this ti!" Alisha shouted, preparing to launch an attack. Her divine energy surged once more, and Zamazo's own dark power rose to et it. The air between them crackled with tension, a storm on the verge of breaking.
But just as Alisha moved, she felt a tug on her hand. She stopped abruptly, looking down to see Missy clinging to her with tear-filled eyes.
"Big sister, don't do this!" Missy cried, her voice trembling. "Big brother isn't lying!"
Alisha hesitated, her gaze softening as she t the girl's desperate expression. "Missy, you don't understand. He's dangerous. He might kill us if we let our guard down!"
Missy shook her head, her pigtails swaying. "No! Missy knows big brother won't hurt her. And big brother loves big sister too!"
Alisha froze, caught off guard by the child's innocent declaration. Her barrier flickered for a mont as her concentration wavered.
"Missy, that's…" her face flushed for a mont.
"You don't have to trust ," Jack interjected, his voice cutting through the mont. "But trust her. She's not wrong."
Alisha's gaze darted between Jack and Missy, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Could she afford to believe him? Was it possible he truly ant them no harm? Doubt gnawed at her, but so did the mory of Jack's smile—that fleeting mont of sincerity.
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Finally, with a heavy sigh, she lowered her hands. The barrier around the village dissolved into shimring motes of light, and the oppressive tension lifted. Alisha swayed slightly, the toll of her actions catching up to her, but Missy was there to steady her.
"This doesn't an I forgive you," Alisha said, her voice weak but firm. "But for now, I'll listen."
Jack nodded, a flicker of relief passing over his face. "That's all I ask."
"Don't think of doing anything stupid, or I'll kill you!" She added her hastily with a scoff.
"You can try" Jack smiled
As the group prepared to move forward, the uneasy truce between them hung in the air, fragile but unbroken. The path ahead was uncertain, but for now, they would face it together.
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