36 Light Meets Darkness Part 4 (2/2)

In time, she gradually improved until to point she never lost again to any competition. However, when she graduated from college, she could no longer join any competition. She needed to find jobs and learn the ropes of how it would be to earn a living. Sometimes, she would watch the Olympics on TV and sometimes imagine herself joining in the competition and imagining the scene when she wins.

Eventually, she discovered that her father was a member of the order. She discovered that the world was threatened every century. She saw an opportunity to do something big, something that would help a lot of people. She thought that she might not be able to reach her dreams, so at least, she could do something for the world. Perhaps that really was the reason, or perhaps, she joined just to cover and satisfy her desire even for just a little.

Even so, she thought, with her current age, it would be unlikely that she would be able to join any big competition. However, realization struck her in her dying moment. How could she be so unthoughtful? Her parents still wanted her to reach her dreams despite everything. Perhaps her parents still thought that there will be a way. A way for their child to reach her dream, together they might find a way. But it would seem it was too late.

She was dying. And she knows, she was definitely going to die. Even though Vincent was the one who ordered to come here, she didn't blame him. It was her own choice to follow. Also, she believed that what Vincent decided was the right thing to do. If no one was going to face these strange beings, then who will?

It was her duty and responsibility to fight those which threatens the world. At least, she tried her best. She had no regret.

Thank you for everything, mother, father.

Those were her last words in her thoughts, then her eyes closed with wet tears on her skin.

Instantly after the angel shot a great sword to Zoey, he shot another greatsword towards Maya who was barely managing to stand. As the sword pierced through her body, she was pushed back because of the force given by the shooting sword.

At the moment, she felt weak, as though her life was draining – in fact, that is the case.

She fell to the ground. The sharp blade dug the ground as she fell. She saw nothing but the dark sky. She felt the rough soil on her back as her thick red blood smeared the ground.

As she looked at the sky, the figure of her father flashed on her mind.

When she was young, she didn't have a lot of time to be with her father. Her father was in the military and was a high-ranking officer. She was very hard working in her studies and all of her grades were high. She was one of the smartest in every class she was in.

In her early college time, her father and mother began to have a complicated relationship. As time passed, both of them were always quarreling and arguing in their home. Because of that, Maya sometimes cried alone and not letting anyone to know. It was painful to hear and see her parents being like that.

Later on, it was discovered that her mother was with another man. Yes, her mother cheated. Maya couldn't understand why her mother would do that to her father. Her father was working so hard for the both of them. Maya understood that it wasn't easy to be in the military and her mother should've understood too. However, her mother still cheated. Maya only felt hatred towards her mother, she resented her.

Eventually, her mother and father divorced. Even through the passing time, she still resented her mother. Her father was in pain after what her mother had done. So, how could she forgive her? Because she resented and hated her mother, Maya chose to be at her father's side. Besides, her mother was at fault.

Then, later on, she recalled the stories her father told her. Then, her father decided to tell her about the order. Shortly after that, she decided to join the order.

In contrast, a few years past while she was in the order, her father retired.

At first, she wanted to join the army to be like her father and she realized that after she graduated from college. Indeed, she could've chosen that path, however, in the end, she chose to join the order.

She thought she could do more in the order, more than being in the military, she could help more people by protecting them. Also, the other reason why she chose to join the order was so that she could impress her father and make him happy for her, in other words, she wanted to make her father proud.

Indeed, her father became proud of her in how far she reached within the order. Because of her abilities, she passed every requirement needed to be able to join in the frontlines. She saw just how happy her father was for her when he heard she passed. How good it felt seeing her father smile and happy for her. How good it felt seeing her father proud of her. It was a joy of a father seeing his daughter reached and achieved something great, it was as like a father has finally obtained a dream for his child. That was what she craved for, the one she desired.

In her recollection of her sweet memories of her father. Tears began to flow from her eyes. She cried because she doesn't want to die yet. If she dies, her father will be left all alone. Who is going to take care of him when he gets old? What about their plans to explore?

Her father will be filled with sorrow and grief. She doesn't even want to think about something like that. It was so painful in her heart. It was like several swords were stabbing her heart and soul.

She did not want to die yet. She did not want to leave her father all alone. She still wanted to be with her father. And she realized it all clearly in her dying moment.

As she gradually closed her eyes still wet from her tears. She spoke one word within her mind.

…Father…

Then, Maya died.

Shocked facial expression was so clear on John's face – no, it was not only him but also Vincent. Their eyes were all wide open as they witnessed all of that.

Does this angel even have a heart?

The two females were already gravely injured and the way they were wounded was horrible.

Zoey's leg was cut with no mercy. Her feet were one of the most precious things to her. Running was one of what she loves most on doing. How skillful she was on using her feet. Vincent and John could barely begin to imagine what she could have felt in losing her leg. Not only that, in her last moments, she was in a very dire state.

She desperately tried to crawl away with loads of blood spilling out of her dismembered leg. Vincent and John could not even take it to look at her suffering. How they wanted to help her. If they saved her, Vincent could have restored her leg with healing magic. However, it was all too late to save her. No, it was not that they were too late, it was only because the angel didn't give them a chance to save her even for just a bit.

Then, instantly right after Zoey was struck by a sword. Maya was killed in a cruel and ruthless way. She was stabbed by numerous blades, and that alone was already more than a horrible sight. Vincent and John saw that Maya was indeed in great pain, the sight was enough alone to determine she was in great pain.

She was drenched in blood because of the numerous stabs of blades as she tried her fullest to remain standing. Worst of all, she was struck by another blade which caused her death immediately. That was an unwatchable scene especially when she was one of their allies, comrades, friends.

Now, only Vincent and John remained. As the last survivors, the both of them bore the most pains in their hearts. Every single one of their allies was killed, how painful it was as they all witnessed that.

John looked at the last two victims back and forth. He was unable to easily believed all this. Maya and Zoey both possessed great promise, great future. In spite of all that, they were both killed by the damn angel. How could something like this happen?

Anger began to escalate on John too quickly. He had already seen a lot of his allies died. Thus, the last two death angered John to the point he was about to burst out, hence he can no longer control himself.

”You fucking bastard! You've done enough! I'll kill you!!!”

John continuously fired his enchanted pistol to the angel. However, the angel merely stood straight while facing John who was blinded by rage.

”How the hell are you still unaffected you fuck!”

Countless attacks landed upon the angel from his allies who died. In addition, those attacks were so powerful that would might be enough to level an entire town. However, in spite of all that, the angel still had his defenses on. It was unbelievable, but John had no choice but to believe it.

”You're persistent. Impressive, that's how it's supposed to be when there is no other choice.”

The angel said in a manner that he was complimenting John genuinely. However, that only made John much more irritated. John kept firing and when he runs out of bullets, he would immediately grab another magazine to reload.

Then the angel continued.

”However, you should know that no matter what you'll do, you won't stand a chance. No, it seems you've already realized that.”

Indeed, John had already realized and acknowledged. After all that he had witnessed and the fate his allies met, how could he not believe something like that? Even the most stupid and idiotic person could realize something that was so plainly and clearly obvious.

”Anyway, even when you do manage to miraculously kill me. Someone else will dispose of you, so no need to worry.”

John shifted his eyes to the other strange beings which were the allies of the angel.

Indeed, the angel was right. If they do manage to kill the angel, his allies will certainly come in to finish the job. Right now, even for just a look, John can now clearly judge that those other beings are indeed strong way beyond himself and Vincent. Mostly, the one wearing the black trench coat with blazing azure eyes leaking through his mask seems more powerful than the others, it was just a feeling he was getting from that person, however, just judging from everything that happened, it was certainly the case.

However, that didn't mean John would just stand there and do nothing. At the current situation, there was no chance of escape for him, so it was better to fight. Besides, it would be an ideal way to unleash all of his rage.

”AAARGH! DIE!”

He unleashed a shout that would be called a battle cry while pulling the trigger of his weapon will all his might.

Then, as the angel seemed to have enough, he made his move. In an instant, he already got close to John and the angel grabbed his throat then plunged his sword into John's belly.

”John!!!”

Vincent quickly rushed over to John as he cried his friend's name.

Having to hear Vincent shout, the angel turned to look at Vincent. Then he let go of the sword leaving it stuck through Vincent's body. The angel waved his arm and a sword came shooting towards Vincent. However, Vincent saw the blade coming and he immediately parried off the incoming sword and there was a small flash of golden light came from Vincent's sword as it clashed with the incoming sword. Then the sword which was shot by the angel flew off by afar.

However, that didn't end there. As soon as the angel saw that Vincent parried the sword, he immediately shot another one. However, the same thing happened.

At that moment, John realized that something like this must not go on. If this continues, Vincent might die – no, he would surely die. He must do something to stop something like that from happening. Thus, John tried reached for the angel's right arm which was shooting the swords.

John Resas's late family bloodline was a member of the order, so at a young age he also joined the order. He invested a lot for the order, kinds of support, his blood, his sweat, and his power. He even took in a lot of talented individuals and made them strong in order to fight when the time comes.

He was happy in his life. However, he was even happier when he met his wife Lisa. Eventually, the both of them fell in love with each other, then later on married each other.

Then, the fruit of their love came into the world. A child was born, and they named the baby boy, Jacob. The young baby boy was so adorable and too innocent, as John looked at him, he felt the boy was giving light to the whole world. It was a light that gave him great happiness. It was a feeling so great that words won't begin to fully describe it.

As time passed. He watched his child grew until adulthood. John and Lisa's bond got stronger every moment – no, it was not just that. Their bond as a family grew ever stronger that no one would be able to destroy that bond. Every moment they spent together were the best memories. And John wanted to treasure it forever.

However, at the current moment, it appears that he won't get to be with his family again. John himself was certain he was going to die, and death was inevitable for him. However, his love and bond with his family won't disappear, even in death.

Even, he couldn't just let his own and the other's death go in vain. At least, he could give hope. A hope for the future, a hope where there will no darkness to overcome the light of the future. A hope to stop the darkness from taking the future of others. And that bringer of hope was present at the scene.

Right before he could reach the angel's arm, the angel shot three swords following each other and all of them had the flat side of the blade facing the ground. The first blade shot towards Vincent, fortunately, Vincent parried the sword. Instantly after that, another blade came but he still managed to parry it off.

However, the third blade was just right behind the second sword, Vincent just swung his sword and the blade was already too close. If he swings, he won't make it in time. Thus, the only choice was to dodge it. And he did just that, however, he didn't fully evade the sword. As he tried to move aside, the blade touched his body at the center part. Because of that, as the blade shot forward, it left a long slit on his body. Fortunately, the slit wasn't deep.

However, something surprising and unexpected happened. What Vincent saw next was a group of knives already flying towards him. Then, immediately, a total of five knives had already stabbed him before he could swing his sword. As he swung his sword, the sword flashed golden light in a second, then the knives blew away.

Instantly after the angel sent numerous knives, John had reached the angel's arm and gave all his might to hold it off. Futile as it may look, it was still better to do something.

The angel looked surprised because he turned his head to look at John. However, John ignored him and turned his head to look at Vincent who had fallen to one knee because of all the damage he received. Then John shouted to Vincent.

”Get out of her Vincent!!”

As Vincent heard that, he quickly looked at John.

”Leave me and get away!!”

”W-what?! No, I'll save you!”

”Don't! If you get close, you'll die!”

”B-But –.”

”You can escape on your own. So, go!”

”I can't just leave you!”

Vincent was being stubborn, so John decided to shout as though he was angry.

”Don't be stupid! If you die here now, everything would have been for nothing!”

Vincent's eyes widened for a moment, then John continued.

”If you escape, there will be a chance for another time. You will carry everyone's hope with you. A hope for the future! Now go!”

”That's enough.”

The angel spoke in a cold voice. Then he conjured another sword and pointed it at John's heart.

”J-JOHN!!!”

The angel plunged the sword into John's heart.

While in pain, John forced himself to speak for the last time.

”G-Go…”

However, in spite of all that, he was still holding the angel in hopes to slow the angel down.

Vincent's eyes began to moist as he was on the verge of crying. Indeed, Vincent had a way to escape. However, he could only use it unto himself.

Vincent chose to not to use it because he can't just leave his allies and comrades here. He couldn't just abandon them.

However, now Vincent realized that he must escape. John was right. He must escape for his fallen comrades, and bear the hope for the future. It was no doubt that these strange beings will bring a great threat to the world and its people. Thus, something must be done. In order to do that, he must escape. And it was so simple as casting a single spell.

Vincent looked at John for the last time and he nodded. Then after Vincent closed his eyes. He used a spell that will assure his escape and will take him home right away.

”[Teleportation].”

Then, Vincent vanished.

As John saw Vincent was gone. He smiled and chuckled.

”…Hehehe…”

John saw the angel shrugged, perhaps he was so surprised.

When the angel turned to face John again.

John glared at the angel and smirked.

Then, John's eyes slowly closed, and there he died while keeping the smirk on his face.