Chapter 40 - The Illusion of Hope (2/2)

Solskin nodded with a clearly fake smile. He knew the gravity of the situation. Staring into my eyes, I saw him searching for something in me. I made me shudder, that look felt too familiar. It was the same look Ophelia gave me that day with the dead bird.

”What do we do now?”

Solskin hesitated, the cogs in his mind grinding. But, at this moment, there was a light knock behind us.

Turning around, there sound Epoch, the ancient tome clutched in his hands. Quietly, he whispered, ”You are wrong. Xavier's not a demon.” Gesturing with a free hand for us to follow, he walked into my room.

After entering, he locked the door with a soft click and cleared his throat. ”Let me tell you a story.”

Ten Years Ago

Xavier

”Epoch, what do we do?” I shouted over the pitched battle. It was our final stand.

Panting, Epoch shouted back, ”It is risky!”

”Do it!” I had every confidence in Epoch. He never has failed me.

Flipping open his tome, he began chanting. ”Protect Epoch!” I barked out my last order. Drawing up into a circle with Epoch in the center, we slashed and hacked away, attacking everything in front of us.

Pointing at me and the demon, epoch began to float towards the sky. The air was electrified, crackling with mana and light. From a afar, a shrill scream pierced the air. It was the demon.

”WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” The attack intensified.

”HOLD ON!” I shouted. The survivors buckled under the pressure, falling one by one in an unbearable pace.

Suddenly, white.