章 96: Dead End 6

Holding her chest, Lia gave Nana a knife, "Protect yourself with it. If you cut a ghost with it, it'll hopefully vanish."

"Hopefully?"

"I can't guarantee," Lia grit her teeth. The pain was getting stronger. Lia gave the toy dog a command to attack any ghosts that came into the house.

Lia took the two knives and sucked in a deep breath, "I'll go out and distract the ghosts. I'll lure them away from here and take care of them. You stay here and don't leave the house. I'm giving you the weapon in case a ghost comes in but hopefully, this won't happen."

"Alone?" Nana was worried.

"I'm fine," Lia reassured her, "This isn't the first time."

So much was true but the condition and circumstances Lia was in right now was the worst she has been when facing ghosts.

"But-"

"What's more important to you, me or your family?"

Nana bit her lip and lowered her head, Lia patted her on the shoulders, "It's going to be fine."

Nana remained quiet and Lia helplessly said, "I'll go now, make sure to lock the door."

With that Lia walked to the door and waited for Nana to catch up.

"The moment I step out, lock the door," Lia's hand was on the door handle and she looked at Nana for confirmation before pressing the handle down.

Then with a swift movement, Lia opened the door, stepped outside and closed it behind her. Without time to think Lia held up the knives and let it glide through two ghosts.

Creating an opening out of the circle of ghosts, Lia rolled away from the house and fell to her knees. The pain grew greater and it felt like Lia's inside were wrenching.

The more and the longer she used her soul, the more severe her condition would be.

A few ghosts followed Lia but the rest were still drawn to the life forces inside the house. This was an opportunity for Lia to take care of the few ghosts first and then move to the others in front of the house, instead of having to deal with them all at the same time.

Lia used a lot of effort to subdue the pain and ignore it in order to focus on the ghosts before her. She skilled swung the knives around, dodged the ghosts' greedy hands and their hungry mouths. Drawing a clear line with the knives, the ghosts were instantly purged.

Holding her chest and taking deep breaths, Lia moved to the ghosts in front of the house. However, a loud tumult coming from the insides made Lia dart to the windows and she immediately saw Nana trying to fight a ghost.

There was no time to think about how it went in, what mattered now was Lia gathering her strength and quickly rounding everything up. An adrenaline rush surged through Lia's body as she saw a ghost fumbling with the door handle.

A shocking revelation opened up in front of Lia. Were the vengeful ghost intelligent enough to know how to open a door? Lia has never witnessed it before. The vengeful ghosts were all aimlessly walking around until their numbing thirst for life force overtook their senses and controlled them to suck it dry.

However, it was more concerning to think a ghost could have the strength to push down a door handle. Theoretically, it was only a soul-transparent and translucent substance littering in the air. Their real threat was their mouths capable of killing an immortal.

Lia rushed to take care of the ghost at the door first. The knife stabbed through its head before it turned into air. At least six more ghosts remained, all crowding around Lia. She forced herself to move and successfully ripped through them.

Then a scream appared. Lia's blood forze. She prayed she wasn't too late.

Urgently, she rushed into the house and saw Nana wielding the knife panicking, waving it around while in her arms, the young boy laid with blood running down his arm, as a ghost approached them.

He was missing a piece of flesh on his upper arm and was breathing heavily. Lia looked around to see that the dog was biting another ghost in the kitchen.

"Stop!" Lia shouted to divert the ghost's attention. It turned around and its bloodshot eyes and mouth marred with bits of flesh became visible.

Lia contorted her face in pain and anger, her feet moved as fast as she could and the knife tore through the ghost. Lia dropped to the ground and panted as cries filled her ears. The children were crying behind Nana crowding their big sis to watch their brother suffer.

The wound wasn't too bad but since it was a ghost, the boy's life force was sucked out briefly. It could be replenished but needed time for it to heal.

Nana silently sobbed and held her brother closer to her, "It's all my fault. I couldn't do anything, I-"

Nana buried her face into her brother and her body slightly shook.

These words should've been Lia's. She crawled up and locked the door, then she retracted her soul pieces from the knives and the dog that was finally able to kill the ghosts. Once the soul pieces were back in her body, the pain eased a bit but it started to become black before Lia's eyes.

She pinched herself in the arm. She needed to remain awake. In the end, this has all happened because of her. If Lia made another mistake, it might've killed the whole U family.

Lia shivered at the thought and the sight of the small and young family in front of her made her heart heavy.

Lia regretted her decision and she realised again that some things just couldn't be done alone. She had faith in her allies finding this place and when they did, she would whole-heartedly apologise and accept them.

She wasn't going to shy away from trusting anybody.

Lia gathered a bit of her energy back and said to Nana, "I'm sorry, I caused you many problems. It was my fault the ghosts have been set free."

Nana didn't answer, she just held her little brother tighter. Lia made her way over to them and lightly touched Nana's head, "You're suffocating him. He will heal, rest assured. It would be best to let him rest on the bed and replenish. Also, wash his wound clean just in case."

As per Lia's advice, Nana finally let go of her brother and placed him on the bed. She also urged her other siblings to go to sleep and coaxed them until they fell asleep.

Lia stood in the kitchen and Nana made her a warm drink.

"Thank you."

"I've thought about it. We can't stay here forever, even if you didn't come it was bound to happen. They could've set the ghosts free. I-" Nana's hand trembled and she held herself over the sink and tears fell,

"I realise how weak I am. I can't even protect my own family. I… I froze in front of the ghost, I panicked and I didn't know what to do."

"It's ok, it's a natural reaction," Lia patted Nana's back.

"I know but as a hidden family, it's too shameful. I wanted nothing to do with this title so I could protect my family but this is even worse, I want to become stronger, " Nana wiped her tears away and looked determined at Lia.

"I will join you if you assure a safe place for my family."

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