As one of the black cloaked figures approached me I saw them pull a knife from under their cloak.
Reaching me they got ready to drive the blade into my chest.
'Shit, shit shit!' I thought.
Hearing my heart beating in my ears I felt a sense of dread wash over my entire body.
This person is about to kill me. I am about to die again.
...
...
...
No.
I am not dying this like.
Reaching into a sheathe on my leg I removed the knife I had stored in it and quickly stabbed the cloaked figure standing above me.
"Agh!" They cried out in pain, dropping their knife as they did so.
The moment they did I scrambled backwards and quickly located my spear. Lunging for it I grabbed it and then leapt forward, planting it straight in the chest of the piece of shit who just tried to take my life away.
"Fuck you!" I shouted.
Driving my spear deeper into them.
I heard a sickening crunch as my weapon pierced through their chest and came out the other side of their body. Blood running down my weapons shaft and onto my hands after it did so.
Feeling the warm and hot blood reach my fingers I resisted the urge to vomit with all my might.
Since I had just killed another human being for the very first time.
Killing monsters in the dungeon I feel nothing, but right now that is not the case. Even though they were trying to kill me, taking another person's life is just...
Thinking about it I vomited a little bit.
But I quickly wiped my mouth clean and began focusing. Since right now this isn't only about me.
Athena and Millhiore are in danger as well, and I won't let them die in a place like this. They are people I care about after all.
Looking around I spotted the two of them.
Her sword in hand Millhiore stood in front of Athena in a defensive position, despite the numerous cuts and bruises on her arms and legs.
Seeing this I smiled briefly.
I then removed my spear from my assailants chest and moved over to them.
The ringing in my ears finally stopping as I did so.
But once it did my ears were assaulted my other sound.
Screams.
Many of them.
All around me I can hear screaming.
Turning my head I see several dead bodies, as well as people bleeding and running away in terror.
Seeing this I began to shake uncontrollably.
I knew things in Orario were bad, but this is my first time experiencing the shit up close, and I have to say I do not like it at all.
"-ax. Morax!"
Hearing Millhiore shout at me I turned towards her.
"Are you able to move?" She asked me.
"Yes." I told her.
"Good, then let's go." She said.
"You're not going anywhere!" A voice shouted in our direction.
Whipping my heads toward it I saw several cloaked figures running towards us, armed with swords and daggers.
"A goddess. Let's send her back to heaven, as a sacrifice to our true gods." One of the cloaked figures cried.
"Yes. let us."
"Kill her."
The cloaked figures shouted in pure joy as they became enclosing on our position, intent to send Athena back to heaven.
Like I'll let that happen.
Standing to my feet I gripped my spear with all my strength, standing side-by-side with Millhiore after I did so. Ready to defend Athena.
"Out of the way you filthy heathens!" One of the cloaked figures shouted.
Reaching us they prepared to strike with their sword.
Only for a spear to impale them in the chest and stop them in their tracks.
'What?' I thought.
A second after the spear landed in the mans chest a figure landed in front of us and removed it with ease.
They then turned to face us.
As they did so I instantly recognized them.
Shakti Varma.
The captain of the Ganesha familia.
Although its still ten years away from canon she looks exactly the same. Azure eyes, and azure hair along with a cute face and a super hot body.
Falna really does wonders for peoples aging.
Since right now even though Shakti si 28 years old she still looks like she's only in her early twenties, just like she does in the future where she is approaching cougar age at 38 years old.
I'll just say, she can have her with me any time in a few years.
"Fuck, its Shakti Varma!"
"Kill her. Kill Ankusha! She too will make a perfect sacrifice to our true gods!"
One of the cloaked figures said.
They then charged at Shakti with a knife and closed the distance, getting past the zone of her spear-tip.
However Shakti didn't flinch at ease.
Raising up one of her gauntlet-covered arms she easily blocked her opponents strike. She then used her free hand to deliver a punch straight to their gut, sending them flying back and crashing into the street.
Creating a small crater in the process.
Pointing the tip of her spear at the cloaked figures she looked at them with cold eyes.
"Evilus scum, prepare to suffer the consequences of your actions!" She shouted. "Ganesha familia, charge!" She shouted.
As soon as she did so multiple members of the Ganesha familia appeared from all over the place. From the allies, from atop rooftops, and even behind the Evilus members.
They then went to work taking them down.
"Wow, so amazing." Millhiore mused.
"Yeah, she really is." I said.
Even though I use a spear like and have pretty much the same fighting-style as Shakti the difference between us is like night and day.
Realizing this I clenched my fist in frustration.
I don't like it. This feeling of being weak.
Not one fucking damn bit.
If Shakti and the Ganesha familia hadn't shown up just now not only I but Millihoire would probably be dead and Athena would be back in Heaven.
"Dammit!" I muttered. "Dammit!"
As I cursed my own weakness I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder.
Looking up I saw it was Shakti.
"Young man, let's get you some treatment." She told me.
"What?" I said. I then realized the cut over my left eye is still bleeding. "Oh, yes. Please take care of me. My friend and my goddess as well."
"Sure." Shakti said.
"Thank you." I told her.
Once I did so Shakti led Milhiore, Athena, and I away from the battle.
Or what is left, since the Ganesha familia is taking down the Evilus members with ease.
Reaching a place where medical treatment is taking place Shakti moved us to some chairs and then called people over to attend to our wounds.
Being given a potion I drank it, even though those things taste like chalk.
Once I was finished drinking the potion the cut above my eye stopped bleeding and any other wounds I had were treated. Same for Millhiore and Athena.
As soon as the medics were done with us they moved onto others. Some in far worse condition.
"So, I take it you are adventurers?" Shakti asked.
Since she hasn't left our side at all.
"Yes, we are." I told her. "I am Morax Lapis."
"And I am Millhiore Biscotti." Millhiore said.
"While I am the goddess Athena. They are my children." Athena explained to her.
"I see." Shakti mused. "Well nice to meet you all. So, please wait here for a moment. Once the situation is handled I'll have someone escort you all home."
"Is that really necessary?" I asked.
"It is. The Evilus organization has begun targeting the Gods of smaller familia a lot in recent weeks." Shakti explained to us.
That's good to know.
"Alright then." I said. "We'll wait."
"Thank you." Shakti said. She then glanced at my weapon. "Oh, looks like you are a spear user just like me."
"I am." I said. Putting a self-deprecating smile on my face afterwards. "But I am nowhere near your level Ms. Ankusha. Nowhere even close." I told her.
A moment after I did so I started feeling tears streaming from my eyes.
Damn, this is really uncool to be crying like this in front of someone like Shakti. Even if I am a kid I am an adventurer and we're supposed to be tough.
"Sorry." I told Shakti. Wiping my tears away. "I am really sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for." Shakti told me. Looking at me with understanding in her eyes and not pity.
I greatly appreciate that from her.
As I continued to cry I suddenly felt arms wrap around me on both side.
It is Millhiore and Athena giving me a combined hug.
Upon realizing this I smiled, and hugged them both back.
So happy that they survived and that I didn't die a second death too early.
I am truly happy beyond words.