Ismael's assumption was correct, Genova was in the forest, on the west side, preparing more targets but she had to run away, at the last moment she saw a being that instilled total terror in her soul. A pressure so strong that her heart skipped beats.
When the ex-Cardinals finished rejoicing, Faviel's head fell and Cassius' arms joined at the same time in a loud thud on the ground. The rest stepped back and stared.
"The Cardinal Killer", Amphelise announced.
"The warning I had issued last time...fell into death ears. The memories I once had...I have now retreived. Namu Amida Butsu. Namu Amida Butsu. Namu Amida Butsu."
"He's young. He's going to slaughter all of us."
"Calm down, Nerida. John. Listen to me. We're not Cardinals anymore. Loovis is dead."
"Is he? Then why are you still here?"
"We'll find meaning to our lives."
"Your sins are not yet forgiven. You will slowly expiate for each victim."
"John, let it go."
"Oh, Ismael. I was looking for you."
"Yael is the one to kill. She's the reason for all of this. You don't have to kill the Cardinals."
"How many children, Mael? And you. Taking me away from my daughter. An old man."
"I know. I'll suffer the fallback another time. If we all work together, we can take her down and live in Perseus."
"Kenza and Awane are waiting for me to come back. It would be a dishonor for me to make them wait any longer. And Ismael."
"Yes sir?"
"Never speak to my daughter that way."
"What does he mean by that?" Nerida asked, curious.
"Nothing, nothing..."
On her side, Genova crossed the path of Universalis. The demented horror she built all this time finally had a use. She carried the canon that projected an anchor that pulverized his entire abdomen. The anchor then took fire when she used the lighter on the heavy black chain. The wildfire covered a few miles around until Emova contained it with a spell of rain.
The body of Universalis was mangled by damages done by the weapon, burned by the flames and drowning under the heavy rain. A fracture in the sky allowed for the arrival of a nephilim.
Ambroise Ler, with no shirt on, drinking, had gotten close to the body of the Cardinal.
"Ismael had to move everyone to Perseus because of you. I know, I know. Whatever you are, you are suffering. I see it. I feel it. But I do wonder. Is it worth the shot to make you suffer even more or should I cut it short now?"
"Loovis. He died..."
"I know. You have nothing. And no one will remember you. That's fine. This is between you and me anyway, I don't want to drag anyone in this."
"I had a family for a minute, just carry my body with the others."
"They don't want to see you. You're an abomination. The body of a corrupt politician mixed up with a degenerated ai that feeds off of fear. You are so many things yet nothing. Had you have the chance at Shill Na Ter, you would have killed me, tortured me. At least you intended to. It's fine. It's time to let go, Universalis. You've lived long enough."
"I didn't do anything yet..."
"You weren't meant to do anything. You're lost. I'll send you to a place of rest. Close your eyes, it's over."
Ambroise Ler had his right hnd mimicking a gun and placed it on Universalis' head. A loud reverberating noise caught everyone's attention, along with a powerful red light.
"I know. Don't worry. I don't feel good doing this, but it had to be done. I'll tell the Cardinals you died quick. I could see you, you know. You expected an entire life at the castle. I'm so sorry..."
Ambroise Ler joined the group at Emova's place and explained his story. They had a few questions but remained silent for the most part, more than he anticipated.
"Ambroise, I'm glad to see you. And I do have more questions, but I really need to know the whereabouts of Geulsang Zhao."
"He's been watching you. He told me he thought you were strong mentally, because of what happened, and you made it."
"Thank you. What about the other Nephilims?"
"They are expressing deep concerns about the human race, how Perseus is so much more than simply a different planet. It's the most hostile environnement you could think of, you simply all spawned in the safest spot."
"What's out there?"
"Emova", Ambroise Ler called.
"Right. So, as you can see on this map, the schools, houses, this small village in general plus the castle and this forest here, round up to less than five percent of Perseus. The rest is unexplicably atrocious, you have gigantic creatures roaming around and strange structures that open and close at night. We're still not sure what they hide."
"No need to be concerned about any of this. We should worry about Yael, from what you've told me."
"The thing is, she divides people becaus she's alone, she doesn't have minions to send after her enemies, so she manipulates everyone instead."
Faviel and Cassius took the way out for some fresh air, each stating what they wanted to do with their life from now on.
"Since there is no chance in hell Yael becomes the new Loovis, I suggest we take a fat break from killing. Of course the guilt will get back to me some way at some point but I'll be fine. Perseus has much more to offer than just the castle yet I know I'll miss it."
"Nerida, honey, we need to stay in group. I don't do well alone, I tend to commit atrocities."
"We're done pandering to your needs and catering to your will, Amphelise. If you think you can just stop yourself from killing because Loovis died like a dog, you're insane. In this entire cosmos you fight to survive, this is not a normal world. You will make your way to safety, comfort or victory only when you draw blood. Thinking you can just live your life on easy mode is an aberration."
"Ashnael, that's not..."
"Tss...why are you like this? Sure you haven't killed as half as much as I have but you're not exactly innocent either. How many people have you left in the castle to rot in cages? Five? Ten?"
"I can live my life without violence. I'm more than just that."
"But you love it, don't you?"
"Ashnael, don't push it", Nerida advised.
"Let's speak the truth, she was the worst of all of us."
"Me? How could that possibly be the truth? Haven't you murdered hundreds? I'm leaving. I'm better than that. All of you are screwing my life up. Whatever happens from now on, you people are responsible. Loovis dead, our sins are going to burn slowly inside of our souls, and we'll have to live like humans, and I think it will be interesting to see how Ashnael will handle it."