Rose turned around, walking farther away from the village with her daughter cradled in her arms.
She gently rocked the little girl, humming a soft lullaby to keep her asleep.
"It's alright..." she whispered, brushing a strand of black hair away from the child's face. "Mommy and Daddy will always protect you."
Rose kept walking, putting more distance between herself and the village.
She never looked back.
Behind her, Edmond stood alone, facing the furious crowd. The villagers raised their weapons and rushed toward him.
"Kill the monster!"
"Take back the Saintess!"
Edmond slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the last trace of hesitation was gone.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
He wasn't speaking to the villagers, but he was speaking to himself.
Moments later, a terrifying aura burst from his body. The ground cracked beneath his feet as a violent wind swept across the village.
The villagers froze and shouted, "W-What's happening?!"
