"Cassidy, you shouldn't cry! She's gone… but I'm still here, right?! I promise you: as long as I'm alive, I'll be your hero and protect you from demons… I'll grow stronger for you, so you don't have to cry anymore… it's a promise!"
That childhood promise struck Cassidy straight in the heart. Ever since she was little, there has only ever been one person in her heart: Ben.
Today, their date had been going well… until everything fell apart.
The dead began attacking the citizens of the city. They attacked Ben as well. And to make matters worse, the whole situation turned into a nightmare. There was no doubt about it—this was clearly Thomas's doing. What was strange, however, was that he had managed to manipulate the memories of the dead.
It was easy to assume Asterio had helped him… and in the end, it seemed obvious he had left her out of it. He didn't need her at all.
Cassidy's main problem was that all of this put her in danger. She served them, which meant they would inevitably investigate her. Thinking of a solution would take too long… and it might also put Ben in danger, since he was connected to her. All of this weighed heavily on her mind.
Until Ben pulled her into a nearby alley.
"Cassidy? Are you okay? You look shaken… I understand that seeing all this destruction—and that sun—must be frightening, but don't worry… I'm staying with you. Just like I promised."
Cassidy sighed. In her haste, she had forgotten… he was her hero. There was no way he would give in to fear so easily.
She brushed the dust off her white dress—the one she had worn especially for this date—then took his hands and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Ben… I want to be the one to tell you this, so listen carefully… I'm a Devourer. They call me the one who devours time."
Ben stared at her, confused. Seeing how serious she was, he rubbed his forehead, took a deep breath, and asked:
"What are you talking about…?"
Cassidy smiled softly, never breaking eye contact.
"When I lost my mother to the demons… someone brought her body back so we could bury her near the house. Do you remember? We used to play there all the time… Miss Vespia. She had such a sad look in her eyes… as if it truly affected her.
Back then, no one knew she had just killed the hero. She simply returned the bodies of the fallen to their families. Can you imagine? She had just killed the hero… and still took the risk to bring our loved ones home, when everyone else refused to go looking for them. She remembered every name. Every person who died in battle.
You were the only one who supported me… so I wanted to be strong too.
I asked Miss Vespia for guidance. She taught me how to develop my powers… and in return, I help her whenever I can. Yes… but don't get the wrong idea. Devourers are selfish. We only care about our own goals. Outside of Vespia's requests, we're not obligated to help each other. And even with her… she doesn't force us. Even if it sometimes feels that way. She's still a dangerous… and cruel woman.
Heh… in the end, I don't know her that well.
I'm telling you all this because, due to something Sir Thomas did… I won't be able to see you for a while. But know this—you're still the most important person to me… And I have to leave. Because I am still an enemy of Daven."
Ben listened without interrupting her. His face went through a storm of emotions before he finally took a deep breath.
"So… back when you said you had found a job… it was… Ah… I see. Yeah…"
He looked up at the sky. The sun was shining brightly. Too close.
"This disgusts me… I disgust myself for what I'm about to do, but… Cassidy… I have to put you in prison. Devourer of Time."
Cassidy didn't lose her smile.
"That's why you're my hero… Just seeing how much this choice hurts you… you're making a decision that won't hurt me, and that will protect the country.
Unfortunately… you still have a lot of training to do, my hero. And one day, maybe… you'll manage to capture me."
As if she had teleported, she appeared beside him, kissed his cheek… then vanished.
"We have all the time in the world… you and I."
Ben didn't move. He had wanted to capture her… but all these emotions and revelations made his head spin. He finally collapsed.
"Ahh… no time to panic… They're all selfish? That means today's attack comes from just one—or several—Devourers with a specific goal."
He tried to stand, trembling.
"Move… move!! You have information—you have to act! Or people will die! No matter your personal problems… don't waste your chance to be a hero!!"
He ran toward the exit. Toward the dead.
Meanwhile, under the returning sun in Ameria… she laughed with joy. Her hair turned black. The sun in the sky turned black as well, as if night had suddenly fallen. Her second personality took over.
"Well?! Having trouble, great knight?!"
Dragons of black flames attacked Felice. He dodged again and again, but when they got close, they imploded—turning into miniature suns that ravaged everything. A small area was destroyed. Fortunately, he managed to evade them.
"Seraphine, look closely! The sun is near… and yet we're not burning. We only feel heat. It's a fake sun! She hasn't shown all her cards yet, but at least she's not invincible!"
Dust rose into the air, forming storm-like barriers that protected Seraphine and Elias.
"Father! Let me help you!"
Seraphine leapt forward and attacked Ameria, but flames stopped her. Ameria, annoyed:
"How many days did you spend training? Useless girl! You haven't mastered a single unique spell… and you don't even have a title! What can you possibly do against the sun?! Let me show you a real spell—Blazing Black Sky!"
Black flames rained down from the sky at incredible speed.
"Burn in my black flames."
Seraphine tried to retreat. Too late. Felice panicked.
"Sera!!"
The flames crashed down. A tornado of fire formed, connected to the black sun. Elias ran toward her.
"Seraphine!!"
But it was too powerful. Ameria intensified the flames even further… then made the tornado explode.
"When you're just a child… you don't step onto a battlefield."
Her hair turned blonde again. Her aura softened. The sun returned to red.
"What a tragedy… A poor soul consumed by my flames… May the divine welcome her into their pearly coffin."
The dust settled.
But at the center… there was no corpse.
A pink bear. Curled into a ball. Smoking all over.
When it straightened… Seraphine emerged from inside it.
"That's why I love sleeping with Mister Cuddlebear… Nothing can happen to me when he's around."
Sasha arrived, exhausted.
"Just got back from the village… and now the sun is crashing down on us… Are you okay, Seraphine? Mister Cuddlebear looks a bit singed…"
Seraphine smiled, relieved. Felice and Elias calmed down.
But Ameria… stared at Sasha. Calm. Cold. Cruel.
"You defied the divine flames… What an insolent soul."
Sasha let out a small cry.
"I… I'm sorry… I'm not a believer…"
Silence fell over her words as the flames began to grow once more.
End of chapter