Through the haze of dark and red, Nero looked up.

The sounds and his sight has become blurry.

However, he could make out another huge figure wearing the same crimson armor as the devil that had just sliced his arm off, bone and all.

It was Commander Strut.

"Commander, why stop me?" His face hidden by his helm, Captain Orpheus seemed to radiate off terrifying bloodlust.

"Do not forget your rank, Captain. Going against a direct order will cost you your stars!"

Captain Orpheus snorted as he took off his helmet to reveal a shockingly handsome face with a revolting sneer plastered onto it.

His eyes were a deep blue, and his hair came in beautiful golden locs.

He stared down at Nero's trembling body then snorted,

"This one might be corrupted, Commander."

He turned his gaze back to Commander Strut and sneered,

"I have no idea what you want to use it for, but expect to see my report soon."

Commander Strut's face was dark, but he remained silent. He dismounted from his steed alongside the men that had accompanied him.

Orpheus snorted then he raised a brow. However, just as he was about to say something, he noticed the chilling look in Strut's eyes.

Thus, he remained silent.

Commander Strut's gaze washed over the site of carnage.

For a while now, the fields outside the gates of Liedenstorm had smelled of death and rotting bodies as while most of those that had died had been devoured by the Abominations, quiet a few of them had not.

Those bodies had been burned to avoid any incidents, but there was still that lingering scent of decay that clung to the grass.

Now, there was death and killing everywhere.

Motivation and desperation could only go so far.

The Templars and their Dogs were simply too much.

A common saying was even a hundred men were incapable of overcoming a single Templar of the Church.

And the reality, was that the saying was not so far from the truth.

Their blades were enchanted and sharp compared to the cruel, flimsy excuses the refugees wielded.

They stood no chance.

Still, it was not all the refugees that were being attacked. Just those who had the stech of corruption on them.

Most of them were simply left alone.

However, that was about to change.

Strut turned around to face Orpheus.

"I received a new order from the higher ups. It will be a complete Purge."

A strange light flashed in Orpheus' eyes,

"That is..."

Strut's expression was dark,

"I will say no more. Do not make it messy, Orpheus. That is a direct order."

Seeing the look on his face, Orpheus smiled wryly,

"I understand, Commander."

Nero who had been laying on the ground twitched and began to rise, eventually settling into a kneeling position.

His face was twisted in grief as he looked right at Commander Strut.

The Templar wore no helmet, so he could see his face. The cold, dark expression on his face was nothing short of frightening, but Nero didn't care about any of that.

"Please."

He begged.

His body trembled as the tears fell from his face.

He knew Obed, Lucy, Geor and Aisha were still fighting out there. He knew that if he turned around, he would see them struggling and fighting for their lives...

"There is nothing that can be done, Nero." The Commander's voice was like the tolling death knell.

Nero gritted his teeth, clenching them so hard until they nearly cracked.

Orpheus let out a chuckle.

Nero looked up at him with seething hatred in his eyes.

Orpheus chuvkled again,

"There is nothing to be furious about, lad. This is simply their fate. And if you are so envious, I am certain you will get to join them soon."

With that, Orpheus turned around and placed his helmet onto his head, covering his features.

Then he spoke, his voice loud and booming, reaching the ears of all, far and wide.

"A new order has been given— kill all the heathens. Do not let even a single one go." Orpheus said as he drew his blade and began to walk forward.

"No!" Nero yelled as he tried to get up.

But he couldn't.

For some reason, his body, which had endured far worse than a missing limb, was incapable of moving.

A hand was placed firmly on his shoulder, completely limiting his movement.

An oppressive energy swam into his body and immediately, he shivered and went limp.

Despite that, his bloodshot eyes could still move and see.

He was still fully aware.

He growled out raspily, drooling spittle pouring through his lips,

"What... the hell did you do to me?!"

Commander Strut was silent.

Nero strained, trying to break free from the invincible bonds.

But he was completely powerless.

Nero roared out again, hot tears streaming down his face,

"Please! Don't do this!"

Suddenly, a thought struck him like a bolt of lightning,

'Oracle! Help me!'

Silence.

Nero pressed his fingers hard into the dirt,

'Please. I beg you!'

The thought of Aisha, or Lucy, or Obed, or even Geor dying seemed to distance, it didn't even register as a possibility in his mind.

And yet, so quickly, right before his very eyes, it could all happen.

'Damn it! Damn it all!'

The Oracle didn't respond.

Of course it didn't!

It couldn't help him. There was absolutely nothing it could do.

Nero immediately decided to throw caution to the wind.

Even if he was cut down for being a monster, he didn't give a damn anymore.

Dark veins began forming at the edge of his face as the Black Body Transformation began to kick in.

However, as if he could sense it, Strut stopped down and placed a hand on his back.

Nero felt a pulse of energy travel into his body, completely stopping the transformation.

A look of disbelief flashed through his face and his mind was immediately filled with fear and horror.

He turned his gaze up to look at the Commander, but he was unable to do so.

The sound of screams had suddenly become louder.

Slowly, Nero turned his gaze forward...

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