62 Fallen Angels (1/2)

Screams from countless women could be heard across the town, attracting Mutant Beasts and Zombies which were dispatched by the soldiers on sight.

They were just as gorgeous as the one Luna killed earlier, and majority of them were still naked. Apparently they were all bathing, cleaning off all the dirt and blood. It seems these Manananggals were quite conscious of their appearance in the daytime. Some were wandering around the town looking for clothes for the group, while majority of them were taking turns bathing in the area around the Cambugahay falls. This is also the place where they were all eventually corralled.

It was quite weird how the ones wandering around the other areas chose to run away and hide elsewhere, instead of allowing themselves to be stuck here.

The Lightning Mages, including Apple and Elder Aran, had their spells ready. These Manananggals were obviously terrified, but they couldn't do anything. They were all completely surrounded. Luna had mobilized a whole army just to make sure that they wouldn't be able to escape their encirclement. Even if they all tried to charge at one spot to try and breakthrough, it would be futile when they're in their weaker form during the day.

Once the Mages released Lightning spells into the water, the ones in currently in it would perish.

”It boggles my mind why they would all choose to retreat near this area.” Mabini said.

Apple added on to his statement, while furrowing her eyebrows. ”Indeed. They definitely saw from last night that we were capable of Lightning spells.”

”Even if there are thousands of them here, the ground is wet enough that we'd still make short work of them. Interesting indeed.” Elder Aran mused. He was correct, after all. They could fire out their spells at will, it wouldn't harm their allies. Even Chain Lightning would never bounce towards their allies.

Just then, a voice from the middle of the pack spoke up. ”Please! Hear us out first!”

All the women looked towards the source of the voice, then they gave way as she walked forward.

”Mistress..” They called out to her. They had worried looks on their faces. One could guess that this woman was the reason why they flocked here instead of trying to have a better chance of escaping. This woman was evidently their leader.

She walked forward and knelt down, despite being completely naked. ”Before you decide to massacre us, I'd like to speak to your leader. Please give me a chance to offer my proposal!”

The soldiers went from being almost bewitched by her beauty, despite knowing her true form, into being flabbergasted by the leader of this bunch kneeling down in front of them without a single piece of clothing on her.

”You have 5 minutes. Make it count.” Luna spoke, as he stepped forward.

The Manananggal's Mistress felt the pressure weigh down on her, not just because the next minutes would decide their fate, but also because of the pressure Luna naturally gave out, which made her speechless for a few seconds.

”Miss, it's best if you start speaking soon. Lord Luna is a reasonable man, but he doesn't like having his time wasted.” Elder Aran felt bad for the woman. When the rifts opened, he sensed that all of them came out of it, and none stayed behind. This may very well be the last of their race. He of all people knew how that felt. Else why would this woman humiliate herself, just to cling to the tiniest chance of survival.

How could she know that Luna was a reasonable fellow? All she knew was that this man had the survival of her people at his fingertips. Not to mention that this all happened in the span of less than 24 hours.

”Lord Luna, my name is Clemencia. The leader of what you call 'Manananggals.'”

”Oh? You seem to imply that, that's not what you all are?” Luna couldn't help but notice the nuance behind her statement. ”Don't worry. Answer my questions, and I'll extend the time you have.”

”Yes, Lord Luna. Truth be told, we are cursed. Formerly, we were Angels in heaven, victims of our curiosity and naivety.” She explained.

”Fallen Angels? You'd have me believe that despite your grotesque appearances?” Luna replied.

Her head drooped a bit after hearing Luna's harsh words. ”Indeed. Heaven is not the perfect place that you all were made to believe. It has it's own politics as well, and with it, comes a lot of happenings behind the scenes. Me and all these women, we were all Angels once. But to be honest, we were probably more like fools than anything else.”

”Hello Clemencia, my name is Sura. May I ask, what did you all do that caused you to be cast out?” Sura asked. She had some knowledge of how cutthroat the so called ”Heaven” was. She turned towards Luna and nodded. ”At the very least, she's telling the truth about Heaven.”