The military, their forces closing in, formed a tight perimeter around the area where Tassa had unleashed her devastating power, decimating the entire army. As they cautiously entered the scene, a wave of revulsion and unease washed over them. The once pristine landscape was now transformed into a haunting tableau of death and destruction. The stench of blood permeated the air, causing some soldiers to retch, while others simply sat on the ground, unable to comprehend the sheer brutality of the massacre before them.
"This is an abominable crime," one soldier whispered, his voice filled with disbelief. "Who could have committed such an act of bloodshed?"
Their eyes scanned the area, taking in the horrifying sight. The ground was drenched in crimson, a macabre tapestry of life's essence. The fallen soldiers, once proud and formidable, now lay broken and disfigured. Their faces, twisted in agony, bore the marks of a battle waged with unparalleled ferocity. It was as if they had become mere vessels of flesh, stripped of their humanity in the wake of the relentless onslaught.
"This is beyond gruesome. Are we certain that a woman is responsible for this? It feels as though we were attacked by a titan," one soldier remarked, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and awe.
His comrade nodded, his eyes filled with a haunted expression. "Indeed, they witnessed Military Capricuss, the very soldier who had called for our backup. Yet, when they laid eyes upon him, he too had fallen, his life abruptly extinguished." The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, their resolve tested by the horrors that surrounded them. But they remained steadfast, their masks of strength firmly in place.
Amidst the chaos, the soldiers scoured the area, desperately searching for any signs of life amidst the sea of carnage. Yet, despite their efforts, there were no survivors to be found. Not a single soul had managed to withstand the onslaught unleashed by Tassa and her brother. Even Aqurion, known for his resilience and skill, had succumbed to the merciless fury of their assault.
In a small village nearby, Aqurion's wife stirred from her slumber, her eyes moist with unshed tears. An inexplicable sadness washed over her, her heart heavy with an unspoken grief. Little did she know the true extent of the tragedy that had unfolded, but her soul, attuned to the suffering of her beloved, could not help but sense the profound loss that had befallen them all.
After the events of that fateful night, the military intensified their efforts to capture Nia'le and Tassa. Their pursuit knew no bounds, as they issued an edict to apprehend them, dead or alive. News of the incident spread like wildfire, making headlines in newspapers, dominating radio broadcasts, and even becoming a topic of discussion on television. Rumors and speculations ran rampant, with whispers of a devil girl hiding in America, disguised as a mermaid, wreaking havoc and taking lives in the sea.
Calguas and Ixartxist found themselves engaged in a conversation, their expressions filled with concern. "Have you thoroughly searched the entire area, Ixartxist?" Calguas inquired, his voice laced with worry.
"I have scoured the area countless times, but she is nowhere to be found. However, I can confirm that it was indeed Quart who unleashed the bloodshed that night. She wielded the very spell I taught her, and its impact was felt by all," Ixartxist responded, his tone heavy with a mix of regret and unease.
Suddenly, Suman materialized before them, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Have you heard, my friends? Have you read the news or watched the reports? Our Quart has become quite famous. Shouldn't you be proud of her, Ixartxist?" Suman taunted, provoking a glare from Ixartxist.
"I have read it a million times. She is not famous, she is infamous. She is wanted by authorities all over the world," Ixartxist retorted, his voice filled with frustration.
Suman nonchalantly examined a newspaper, flipping through its pages before showing it to Ixartxist. "Look at this photograph of her. It may have been stolen, but she still looks stunning, doesn't she, Ixart-xist?" Suman remarked, eagerly awaiting a response.
Ixartxist remained silent, aware that engaging in conversation with Suman would prove futile. Instead, he placed his hands on the table, his expression serious and determined. "I need to find her before the authorities do. Otherwise, they will surely kill her" he declared.
Suman feigned ignorance, folding the newspaper and placing it back on the table. He calmly walked over to Ixartxist's wardrobe, inspecting its contents. Noticing a recurring theme of black attire, he turned to Ixartxist with a smirk. "You speak so much about Quart, but your actions betray your true feelings for Aretha. It seems you have yet to move on from her. By the way, do you have any leads on our Quart, or should I say, your Tassa's whereabouts?" Suman asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"If I did, do you think I would waste my time here, engaging in pointless banter with you?" Ixartxist snapped in response.
"What's with the high blood pressure?" Suman quipped, his amusement evident. He poured himself a glass of wine and extended one to Calguas, who accepted it. However, Ixartxist refused the offer, his gaze icy and unwavering. Suman placed the untouched glass on the table, seemingly undeterred.
"What about laudanum? I believe I prefer that flavor, you schlemiel! You're not helping, Suman! Quart is in grave danger, and here you sit, seemingly relaxed," Ixartxist angrily chided.
Suman maintained a calm demeanor, meeting Ixartxist's gaze. "Do you despise me that much, Ixart-xist? Of course, I care about her. She is our Quart," he stated matter-of-factly.
Calguas interjected, placing his hands firmly on the table. "Enough of this nonsense! Now tell me, Ixartxist, why did you teach her such a powerful spell in the first place?"
"It was for emergencies, to ensure that no harm would befall her. I taught her so that she could protect herself to some extent," Ixartxist explained, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.
Suman laughed, his amusement evident. "Protect her? Protect her from what? Now the entire nation, no, the entire world is searching for her. What do you expect her to do? Unleash the spell you taught her once again?" he taunted.
Calguas silenced Suman with a wave of his hand, using a magic spell to close his mouth. He leaned in closer to Ixartxist, his expression serious. "So, what now? What if she truly is dead? What will you do, Ixartxist?" Calguas questioned, his voice filled with concern.
Ixartxist's face grew solemn, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of determination. "She is not dead yet. She is likely in hiding, somewhere I cannot reach. I can sense it. The reason I cannot locate her is because she has cast a spell to block me, and any other form of magic," he explained.
Suman deactivated Calguas' spell, his gaze fixed on Ixartxist. "Why don't you try to deactivate it?" he suggested.
Ixartxist responded with a glare. "Tassa is not a demon, you dimwit. If I were to deactivate her spell using my own magic, it could potentially harm her. She cannot withstand the impact. That is why I cannot risk it," he retorted.
Suman smirked at Calguas, his eyes glinting mischievously. "But I know someone who has survived great impacts before," he remarked, his words laced with intrigue. He turned his attention back to Ixartxist. "Don't you plan to kill her, Ixartxist?"
In a fit of anger, Ixartxist teleported in front of Suman and grabbed him by the throat, his rage palpable. "You are a fiend! How dare you?" he seethed.
Suman, unfazed by Ixartxist's outburst, calmly replied, "Isn't that what you planned to do? Why the sudden change of heart? Is it because she is Quart?"
Ixartxist's mind flashed with a memory, causing him to release his grip on Suman. "Suman, she is our Quart, my Tassa. I will not allow anyone to harm her, not while I still draw breath," he declared, his voice filled with determination. "Will the two of you cease this bickering?" Calguas interjected, his patience wearing thin. Also, Ixartxist's irritation reached its peak as he glared at Suman, his eyes filled with a seething rage. "Ughh! Just by looking at you right now, Suman, you can literally make my blood boil. I have half a mind to throw you out into the air," he spat, his voice dripping with annoyance.
Suman, undeterred by Ixartxist's anger, smirked and taunted him further. "Oh, is it merely an arousal you feel when you gaze upon Tassa's stolen picture in the newspaper? Or perhaps it's the lingering scent of her clothes that you wrap around your neck like a scarf? Tell me, Ixart-xist, what is the reason behind your fascination?" he jeered.
Calguas chimed in, attempting to lighten the tension. "He loves her scent, that's why," he interjected.
"But he's been sniffing those clothes for a year now. Hasn't her scent faded by now? You know, if you keep-" Calguas continued, only to be interrupted by Suman.
"He must have quite the collection of Tassa's used clothes. I bet he has quite a stockpile, wonder what's Quart's reaction after she finds out about this," Suman remarked, his tone bored as he glanced up from his position.
Ixartxist chose to ignore the jabs from Suman and Calguas, pretending not to hear their unsettling conversation. Instead, he focused his attention on a drawing he made on the floor, summoning forth a group of shadow demons. They materialized before them, their eerie presence sending a shiver down their spines. With a commanding tone, Ixartxist issued a directive to the shadow demons, commanding them to find Tassa and not to return until they had located her. Without hesitation, the shadow demons dispersed, vanishing into the darkness, their forms unseen by mortal eyes.
Ixartxist retrieved his cloak from the back of his chair, preparing to depart. Calguas, curious about his destination, questioned him. "Where are you going, Ixartxist?"
Ixartxist turned to face Calguas, his expression resolute. "I am going to speak with the police. I will urge them to cease their demand for Tassa, dead or alive. Instead, I will implore them to locate her and ensure her safety," he explained, his voice filled with determination.
Suman rose from his seat, his eyes fixed on Ixartxist. "Talk or hypnotize, Ixart-xist. If you're only planning to hypnotize the police, why not start with the people and the military? Why not erase their memories of the incident entirely?" he suggested, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Ixartxist glowered at Suman, his patience wearing thin.
Ixartxist's voice dripped with frustration as he responded, "Then help me. Help me get rid of all the newspapers, all the clips, everything that links to the incident. Leave no trace of the crime behind. Would you do that for us, Suman?" he implored, his tone a mix of desperation and determination.
Suman, however, refused to lend a hand. He believed it to be a bothersome task, especially since Ixartxist had made it clear that he didn't want Suman's presence around. But before Ixartxist could leave, Suman couldn't resist smirking at him, his voice calm and collected. "Helping you is a nuisance, Ixart-xist. So go ahead, hypnotize whoever you like, do whatever you need to do. Good luck, Ixart-xist. I have faith in your abilities to find our Quart," he said, his words laced with a hint of sarcasm.
Ixartxist cast a sidelong glance at Suman, his expression a mix of annoyance and resignation. "What an angel of nuisance you are," he muttered under his breath. Suman simply laughed, reveling in the tension-filled air, as Ixartxist vanished before their eyes, leaving Suman and Calguas behind.